POINT OF SALE COUPON SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method of providing incentives, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a host computer, transaction information gathered at a point of sale system, the transaction information relating to a transaction performed by a consumer at a merchant, wherein the transaction information comprises a consumer account identifier identifying an account from which payment is to be made for the transaction, and also comprises a merchant identifier identifying the merchant;
recognizing, using the host computer, that the combination of the merchant identifier and the consumer account identifier qualifies for an incentive offer;
transmitting, by the host computer, a description of the incentive offer to be offered to the consumer at the point of sale;
receiving, at the host computer, an indication that the consumer has accepted the offer at the point of sale for the transaction; and
recording, in a database maintained by the host computer, an indication that the offer is pending for the combination of consumer account identifier and merchant identifier.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of offering incentives such as electronic coupons at a point of sale. Transaction information gathered at a point of sale system is received at a host computer. The transaction information relates to a transaction performed by a consumer at a merchant, and includes a consumer account identifier identifying an account from which payment is to be made for the transaction, and includes a merchant identifier identifying the merchant. Using the host computer, it is recognized that the combination of merchant and consumer account identifiers qualifies for an incentive offer. The host computer transmits a description of the incentive offer to be offered to the consumer at the point of sale, and receives an indication that the consumer has accepted the offer. In a database maintained by the host computer, an indication is recorded that the offer is pending for the combination of consumer account and merchant identifiers.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method of providing incentives, the method comprising:
-
receiving, at a host computer, transaction information gathered at a point of sale system, the transaction information relating to a transaction performed by a consumer at a merchant, wherein the transaction information comprises a consumer account identifier identifying an account from which payment is to be made for the transaction, and also comprises a merchant identifier identifying the merchant; recognizing, using the host computer, that the combination of the merchant identifier and the consumer account identifier qualifies for an incentive offer; transmitting, by the host computer, a description of the incentive offer to be offered to the consumer at the point of sale; receiving, at the host computer, an indication that the consumer has accepted the offer at the point of sale for the transaction; and recording, in a database maintained by the host computer, an indication that the offer is pending for the combination of consumer account identifier and merchant identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system for providing incentives, the system comprising:
a host computer comprising a processor and computer-readable storage, the computer-readable storage holding a database and program instructions, the host computer executing the instructions to receive transaction information gathered at a point of sale system, the transaction information relating to a transaction performed by a consumer at a merchant, wherein the transaction information comprises a consumer account identifier identifying an account from which payment is to be made for the transaction, and also comprises a merchant identifier identifying the merchant; recognize that the combination of the merchant identifier and the consumer account identifier qualifies for an incentive offer; transmit a description of the incentive offer to be offered to the consumer at the point of sale; receive an indication that the consumer has accepted the offer at the point of sale for the transaction; and record in the database an indication that the offer is pending for the combination of consumer account identifier and merchant identifier. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
24. A method of providing incentives, the method comprising:
-
receiving, at a host computer, transaction information gathered at a point of sale system, the transaction information relating to a transaction performed by a consumer at a merchant, wherein the transaction information comprises a consumer account identifier identifying an account from which payment is to be made for the transaction, and also comprises a merchant identifier identifying the merchant, and also comprises at least one product identifier identifying a product purchased in the transaction; recognizing, using the host computer, that the combination of the merchant identifier and the consumer account identifier and the product identifier qualifies for an incentive offer; transmitting, by the host computer, a description of the incentive offer to be offered to the consumer at the point of sale; receiving, at the host computer, an indication that the consumer has accepted the offer at the point of sale for the transaction; and recording, in a database maintained by the host computer, an indication that the offer is pending for the combination of consumer account identifier and merchant identifier and product identifier. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. A method of providing incentives, the method comprising:
-
receiving, at a host computer, transaction information gathered at a point of sale system, the transaction information relating to a transaction performed by a consumer at a merchant, wherein the transaction information comprises a consumer account identifier identifying an account from which payment is to be made for the transaction, and also comprises at least one product identifier identifying a product purchased in the transaction; recognizing, using the host computer, that the combination of the consumer account identifier and the product identifier qualifies for an incentive offer; transmitting, by the host computer, a description of the incentive offer to be offered to the consumer at the point of sale; receiving, at the host computer, an indication that the consumer has accepted the offer at the point of sale for the transaction; and recording, in a database maintained by the host computer, an indication that the offer is pending for the combination of consumer account identifier and product identifier. - View Dependent Claims (27)
-
Specification