Platform for Loyalty Services

• US 20080319847A1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shepard, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,738,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date

Abstract

A platform for a loyalty program provides an interface allowing a consumer to create a benefit tailored for his/her needs. In one embodiment, a consumer accesses the platform via a web-based interface, and selects benefit/reward parameters including but not limited to the nature of the event triggering award of the benefit, the source (i.e. retailer) of the benefit, the nature of the benefit (i.e., discount based upon purchase price or accumulated loyalty points), and/or the events allowing accrual of loyalty points. The interface communicates the inputted parameter to an engine of the loyalty program. The platform would then check the inputted parameter against any constraints, such as parameters of an existing loyalty program in which the consumer is already enrolled.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a loyalty user interface module comprising a processor and a computer readable storage medium having code stored thereon to direct the processor to,

receive an input from a consumer defining a parameter of a loyalty program; and

communicate the parameter to a loyalty engine in communication with a payment processing network.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the loyalty user interface module is located remote from the consumer and is configured to receive the input over a computer network.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the loyalty user interface module is located with the loyalty engine.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the loyalty user interface module is located with a merchant.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the loyalty user interface module is located in a device of the consumer.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer readable storage medium further comprises a second code configured to determine whether the parameter violates a constraint.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the constraint comprises whether the parameter conflicts with a second parameter of another loyalty program.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter relating to structure of the loyalty program is selected from a points-based structure of the loyalty program, a discount-based structure of the loyalty program, a time-limited structure of the loyalty program, entry into a sweepstakes program, qualification for the receipt of free merchandise or gifts, or a geographic limited structure of the loyalty program.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter relating to a nature of a reward qualifying act is selected from an act during a limited time period, an act in a limited geographic area, a purchase utilizing a particular financial instrument, a purchase of particular type of good or service, a purchase of particular of good or service, a character of an instant purchase relative to a prior purchase, a purchase in conjunction with a coupon, a purchase in conjunction with a sales event, accumulation of a certain amount of purchases or points during a time period, a response to questionnaire/survey, and an act by party other than specific customer (employer, family, friends).

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter relating to a nature of a reward is selected from a timing of fulfillment of the reward, a specific act required for redemption, a particular good/service or type of good/service comprising the reward, entry into a sweepstakes, redemption of the reward from a catalog or menu, redemption of the reward within a particular time period or geographic area, a source of the reward, or whether the reward is a discount on product purchased or for future product.

11. A method comprising:

an interface module of a loyalty platform receiving a parameter of a loyalty program input by a consumer; and

the interface module communicating the parameter to an engine of the loyalty platform.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the interface module receives the parameter from the consumer over a computer network.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the interface module receives the parameter over the internet.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the interface module receives the parameter as a verbal input from the consumer.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the engine determining whether the parameter violates a constraint.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the constraint comprises whether the parameter conflicts with a second parameter of another loyalty program.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the parameter relating to structure of the loyalty program is selected from a points-based structure of the loyalty program, a discount-based structure of the loyalty program, a time-limited structure of the loyalty program, entry into a sweepstakes program, qualification for the receipt of free merchandise or gifts, or a geographic limited structure of the loyalty program.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the parameter relating to a nature of a reward qualifying act is selected from an act during a limited time period, an act in a limited geographic area, a purchase utilizing a particular financial instrument, a purchase of particular type of good or service, accumulation of points or a purchase amount over a time period, a purchase of particular of good or service, a character of an instant purchase relative to a prior purchase, a purchase in conjunction with a coupon, a purchase in conjunction with a sales event, a response to questionnaire/survey, and an act by party other than specific customer (employer, family, friends).

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the parameter relating to a nature of a reward is selected from a timing of fulfillment of the reward, a specific act required for redemption, entry into a sweepstakes, a particular good/service or type of good/service comprising the reward, redemption of the reward from a catalog or menu, redemption of the reward within a particular time period or geographic area, a source of the reward, or whether the reward is a discount on product purchased or for future product.