System and Method for Tracking and Establishing a Progressive Discount Based Upon a Customer's Visits to a Retail Establishment

• US 20090018919A1
• Filed: 07/16/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew S Van Luchene, Jay S. Walker, John Chuprevich, Magdalena Mik
• Original Assignee: Andrew S Van Luchene, Jay S. Walker, John Chuprevich, Magdalena Mik
• Inventors: Mik, Magdalena, Chuprevich, John, Van Luchene, Andrew S., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US12/173,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20090018919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.270
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Methods, computer readable media and apparatus are disclosed for determining and applying a discount for a customer. In some embodiments, the process includes receiving transaction data that represents a current transaction, receiving a customer identifier of a customer, determining a current transaction time and a last transaction time, determining that a duration between the last transaction time and the current transaction time equals or exceeds a predetermined time period, and determining that the current transaction is a first instance of the customer equaling or exceeding the predetermined time period. Since it was the first time the customer equaled or exceeded the predetermined time period, a discount is applied to the current transaction.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving transaction data that represents a current transaction;

receiving a customer identifier of a customer participating in the current transaction;

determining a current transaction time and a last transaction time associated with the customer;

determining that a duration between the last transaction time and the current transaction time equals or exceeds a predetermined time period;

determining that the current transaction comprises a first instance of the customer equaling or exceeding the predetermined time period;

determining a discount that was applied to the last transaction associated with the customer; and

applying the discount to the current transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to applying the discount:

determining, based on the transaction data, that a value of the current transaction exceeds a predetermined dollar amount; and

increasing the discount by a predetermined amount.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to applying the discount:

determining, based on the transaction data, that a value of the current transaction is less than a predetermined dollar amount;

determining a penalty amount; and

decreasing the discount amount by the penalty amount.

4. The method of claim 1, in which applying the discount further comprises:

determining that the current transaction includes a purchase of a predetermined product; and

applying a discount amount to the predetermined product.

5. The method of claim 1, in which applying the discount comprises providing a discount amount at a retail establishment.

6. The method of claim 1, in which applying the discount comprises generating a coupon comprising a discount amount.

7. The method of claim 1, in which applying the discount comprises at least one of decreasing a current transaction amount by a dollar amount, awarding frequent flyer miles, providing long distance call time, or providing a reward incentive.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving second transaction data that represents a transaction of the customer occurring after the current transaction;

determining that the second transaction equals or exceeds the predetermined time period when a second transaction time is measured from the current transaction time;

determining a penalty amount; and

applying the discount less the penalty amount to the second transaction.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the penalty amount resets the discount to zero.

10. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive transaction data that represents a current transaction;

receive a customer identifier of a customer participating in the current transaction;

determine a current transaction time and a last transaction time associated with the customer;

determine that a duration between the last transaction time and the current transaction time equals or exceeds a predetermined time period;

determine that the current transaction comprises a first instance of the customer equaling or exceeding the predetermined time period;

determine a discount that was applied to the last transaction associated with the customer; and

apply the discount to the current transaction.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to, prior to applying the discount:

determine, based on the transaction data, that a value of the current transaction exceeds a predetermined dollar amount; and

increase the discount by a predetermined amount.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to, prior to applying the discount:

determine, based on the transaction data, that a value of the current transaction is less than a predetermined dollar amount;

determine a penalty amount; and

decrease the discount amount by the penalty amount.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 10, in which the instructions for applying the discount further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine that the current transaction includes a purchase of a predetermined product; and

apply a discount amount to the predetermined product.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 10, in which the instructions for applying the discount further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to provide a discount amount at a retail establishment.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 10, in which the instructions for applying the discount further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to generate a coupon comprising a discount amount.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 10, in which the instructions for applying the discount further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of decrease a current transaction amount by a dollar amount, award frequent flyer miles, provide long distance call time, or provide a reward incentive.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processer to:

receive second transaction data that represents a transaction of the customer occurring after the current transaction;

determine that the second transaction equals or exceeds the predetermined time period when a second transaction time is measured from the current transaction time;

determine a penalty amount; and

apply the discount less the penalty amount to the second transaction.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, in which the instructions for determining the penalty amount comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to calculate the penalty amount such that the discount is reset to zero.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device operatively coupled to the processor, the storage device storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

receive transaction data that represents a current transaction;

receive a customer identifier of a customer participating in the current transaction;

determine a current transaction time and a last transaction time associated with the customer;

determine that a duration between the last transaction time and the current transaction time equals or exceeds a predetermined time period;

determine that the current transaction comprises a first instance of the customer equaling or exceeding the predetermined time period;

determine a discount that was applied to the last transaction associated with the customer; and

apply the discount to the current transaction.

20. A method, comprising:

receiving transaction data that represents a current transaction;

receiving a customer identifier of a customer participating in the current transaction;

determining, based on the customer identifier, a greatest transaction duration for the customer;

calculating a current transaction duration based on the current transaction data and last transaction data associated with a last transaction of the customer;

determining that the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period;

determining that the current transaction duration is less than the predetermined time period;

determining a discount applied to the last transaction of the customer; and

applying the discount to the current transaction.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising, prior to applying the discount:

determining that a value of the current transaction exceeds a predetermined dollar amount; and

increasing the discount by a predetermined amount.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising, prior to applying the discount:

determining that a value of the current transaction is less than a predetermined dollar amount;

determining a penalty amount; and

decreasing the discount amount by the penalty amount.

23. The method of claim 20, in which applying the discount further comprises:

determining that the current transaction includes a purchase of a predetermined product; and

applying a discount amount to the predetermined product.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

determining that the date of occurrence of the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period from a date of the current transaction; and

resetting the greatest transaction duration to equal the current transaction duration.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

determining that the date of occurrence of the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period from a date of the current transaction; and

resetting the greatest transaction duration to equal the next longest transaction duration that occurred within the predetermined time period.

26. The method of claim 20, in which applying the discount comprises providing a discount amount at a retail establishment.

27. The method of claim 20, in which applying the discount comprises generating a coupon comprising a discount amount.

28. The method of claim 20, in which applying the discount comprises at least one of decreasing a current transaction amount by a dollar amount, awarding frequent flyer miles, providing long distance call time, or providing a reward incentive.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer occurring after the current transaction;

determining that the second transaction equals or exceeds the predetermined time period when a second transaction time is measured from the current transaction time;

determining a penalty amount; and

applying the discount less the penalty amount to the second transaction.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the penalty amount resets the discount to zero.

31. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive transaction data that represents a current transaction;

receive a customer identifier of a customer participating in the current transaction;

determine, based on the customer identifier, a greatest transaction duration for the customer;

calculate a current transaction duration based on the current transaction data and last transaction data associated with a last transaction of the customer;

determine that the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period;

determine that the current transaction duration is less than the predetermined time period;

determine a discount applied to the last transaction of the customer; and

apply the discount to the current transaction.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to, prior to applying the discount:

determine that a value of the current transaction exceeds a predetermined dollar amount; and

increase the discount by a predetermined amount.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to, prior to applying the discount:

determine that a value of the current transaction is less than a predetermined dollar amount;

determine a penalty amount; and

decrease the discount amount by the penalty amount.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 31, in which the instructions for applying the discount further comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine that the current transaction includes a purchase of a predetermined product; and

apply a discount amount to the predetermined product.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine that the date of occurrence of the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period from a date of the current transaction; and

reset the greatest transaction duration to equal the current transaction duration.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine that the date of occurrence of the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period from a date of the current transaction; and

reset the greatest transaction duration to equal the next longest transaction duration that occurred within the predetermined time period.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 31, in which the instructions for applying the discount comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to provide a discount amount at a retail establishment.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 31, in which the instructions for applying the discount comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to generate a coupon comprising a discount amount.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 31, in which the instructions for applying the discount comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of decrease a current transaction amount by a dollar amount, award frequent flyer miles, provide long distance call time, or provide a reward incentive.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to:

receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer occurring after the current transaction;

determine that the second transaction equals or exceeds the predetermined time period when a second transaction time is measured from the current transaction time;

determine a penalty amount; and

apply the discount less the penalty amount to the second transaction.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 40, in which the instructions for determining the penalty amount comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to calculate the penalty amount such that the discount is reset to zero.

42. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device operatively coupled to the processor, the storage device storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

receive transaction data that represents a current transaction;

receive a customer identifier of a customer participating in the current transaction;

determine, based on the customer identifier, a greatest transaction duration for the customer;

calculate a current transaction duration based on the current transaction data and last transaction data associated with a last transaction of the customer;

determine that the greatest transaction duration exceeds a predetermined time period;

determine that the current transaction duration is less than the predetermined time period;

determine a discount applied to the last transaction of the customer; and

apply the discount to the current transaction.