METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR FACILITATING A TRANSACTION BETWEEN A CUSTOMER, A MERCHANT AND AN ASSOCIATE

• US 20090254432A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inmar-Youtech LLC
• Original Assignee: YT Acquisition Corp.
• Inventors: Comb, Michael, Bunger, Mark, Reiling, Carolee A., McCaffery, Michael, Bank, Edward, Reiling, Michael, Velten, Juan Carlos
• Granted Patent: US 8,321,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.340
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/201 Price look-up processing, e.g. updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A method and system for facilitating a transaction between at least one user, at least one merchant, at least one associate is provided. The method includes the steps of the associate processing device transferring into the user processing device a first merchant link for a first merchant Web site on a first merchant processing device. The first merchant link is framed with associate information. The user selects the first merchant link. The associate processing device transfers into the user processing device information regarding a first product from the first merchant Web site. The user selects the first product to purchase. The user provides purchase information for purchasing the first product. The user processing device transfers the purchase information to the associate processing device. The associate processing device adds promotional information to the purchase information responsive to the user identification value. The associate processing device transfers the promotional information and the purchase information to the merchant processing device.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A method of encouraging an individual to purchase a product or service, the method comprising:

receiving, from a processing device associated with an individual, a selection of an electronic media corresponding to a product or service;

receiving identification information associated with the individual;

providing a first object to the individual; and

providing the individual with information regarding an offline action associated with a second object;

receiving a data representation of a token associated with performance of the offline action;

verifying the received data representation of the token; and

providing the individual with the second object.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein receiving a selection of an electronic media comprises receiving a selection of one or more of the following:

an Internet advertisement;

an Internet banner;

a link to a webpage; and

a search result from an Internet search.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein receiving identification information comprises receiving identification information via an electronic registration form.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein receiving identification information comprises receiving one or more of the following:

a username;

an email address; and

a password.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein receiving identification information comprises receiving an answer to a survey question.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein providing a first object to the individual comprises providing one or more of the following:

an entry into a sweepstakes;

a prize;

a gift certificate;

a rebate;

a coupon; and

a discount on a purchase.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein a monetary value of the second object is greater than a monetary value of the first object.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein providing the individual with information regarding an offline action associated with a second object comprises providing the individual with information regarding one or more of the following:

a test trial of a second product;

a test trial of a second service at a specified physical location;

attendance at an event;

test driving a vehicle;

purchasing a food item;

viewing a selected video; and

meeting with a financial consultant.

36. A method of encouraging an individual to purchase a new product, the method comprising:

receiving, from a processing device associated with an individual, a selection of an electronic media corresponding to a first product;

receiving identification information associated with the individual;

providing a first object to the individual;

providing the individual with information regarding how to obtain a second object by performing an offline action comprising purchasing a second product from an offline merchant;

receiving, from the individual, product information associated with the second product, wherein the product information confirms purchase of the second product;

verifying the received product information; and

providing the individual with the second object.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

providing the individual with information regarding how to obtain a third object by purchasing a third product;

receiving, from the individual, product information associated with the third product, wherein the product information confirms purchase of the third product;

verifying the received product information; and

providing the individual with the third object.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving product information associated with the third product comprises receiving an answer to a challenge question, wherein the challenge question relates to the third product.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein receiving a selection of an electronic media comprises receiving a selection of one or more of the following:

an Internet advertisement;

an Internet banner;

an electronic mail message; and

a search result from an Internet search.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein receiving identification information comprises receiving identification information via an electronic registration form.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein receiving identification information comprises receiving one or more of the following:

a username;

an email address, and

a password.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein receiving identification information comprises receiving an answer to a survey question.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein a monetary value of the second object is greater than a monetary value of the first object.

44. A system of encouraging an individual to purchase a product or service, the system comprising:

a first processing device;

a second processing device in communication with the first processing device; and

a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the second processing device, the computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programming instructions for;

receiving identification information associated with the individual,

providing a first object to the individual,

providing the individual with information regarding how to obtain a second object by performing an offline action comprising purchasing a second product from an offline merchant,

receiving, from the individual, product information associated with the second product, wherein the product information confirms purchase of the second product,

verifying the received product information and

providing the individual with the second object.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the one or more programming instructions further comprise one or more programming instructions for:

providing the individual with information regarding how to obtain a third object by purchasing a third product;

receiving, from the individual, product information associated with the third product, wherein the product information confirms purchase of the third product;

verifying the received product information; and

providing the individual with the third object.