Method and system for targeted incentives

• US 20100257037A1
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hat Trick, Series 83 of Allied Security Trust (Allied Security Trust)
• Original Assignee: Hat Trick, Series 83 of Allied Security Trust (Allied Security Trust)
• Inventors: Swix, Scott R., Matz, William R.
• Application Number:
  US10/017,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20100257037A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.120
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history

Abstract

A method and system for targeting incentives. Incentives are selectively sent to user terminals based on a user classification. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system defines matches between a user classification and an incentive. User data is collected from a plurality of sources. A system according to the present invention classifies a user and sends the incentive to the user if a match has been defined between the user classification and the incentive.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

defining a match between a user classification and an incentive;

receiving content information describing content selections from a user;

receiving clickstream data describing actions performed by the user while viewing the content selections;

receiving credit card purchase records associated with the user;

merging, by a processor, the clickstream data with the content information to generate event timeline data that describes the clickstream data and the content information over time;

comparing the event timeline data to the credit card purchase records; and

classifying the user in the user classification when the event timeline data matches the credit card purchase records; and

transmitting the incentive to the at least one user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s content selections comprise a channel viewed by the user, a program shown on the channel, and the amount of time the channel is watched.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting the content information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s content selections comprise how much of an advertisement the user views.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein classifying the user further comprises relating the credit card purchase records and the user'"'"'s content selections when the user views advertisements for a product and purchases the product.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein classifying the user further comprises classifying the user in the user classification when the clickstream data satisfies a predefined parameter defining television viewing habits for the user classification.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether a product associated with the incentive was purchased.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the clickstream data comprises global computer network viewing data.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving survey data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user'"'"'s credit card purchase records comprises receiving a price paid for a product and a time the product was purchased.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive comprises an image embedded into television media content.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive comprises a redeemable electronic coupon.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive comprises a banner.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive comprises a video program.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s content selections comprise video games.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s content selections comprise audio content.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the incentive by a product.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the incentive by a demographic.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the incentive to the user comprises transmitting the incentive by mail.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the incentive to the user comprises transmitting the incentive by electronic message.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving records related to a shopping card in which the user is given a discount in exchange for using the shopping card.

36. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving separate identification codes identifying each user of a common user terminal.

5. (canceled)

15. A system for delivering targeted incentives to a user, comprising:

a processor executing code stored in memory that causes the processor to;

receive a user'"'"'s content selections associated with a set-top box;

receive clickstream data describing actions performed by the user while viewing the content selections;

comparing the clickstream data to a table stored in the memory, the table defining events of interest;

when the clickstream data matches an entry in the table, then generate event timeline data that describes an event of interest and the content information over time;

receive credit card purchase records describing purchases by the user;

define a match between a user classification and an incentive;

compare the event timeline data to the credit card purchase records; and

classify the user in the user classification when the event timeline data matches to the credit card purchase records.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to relate the user'"'"'s credit card purchase records and the user'"'"'s content selections when the user views advertisements for a product and purchases the product.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to classify the user in the user classification if the event of interest satisfies a predefined parameter, the parameter defining television viewing habits for the user classification.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to determine whether a product associated with the incentive was purchased.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to receive global computer network viewing data.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to receive survey data.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to determine a price paid for a product and a time the product was purchased.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the incentive comprises an image embedded into television media content.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the incentive comprises a video program.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein the incentive comprises a banner.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein the incentive comprises a coupon.

37. The system of claim 15, wherein the code further causes the processor to receive separate identification codes identifying each user of a common user terminal.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

38. A method for marketing, comprising:

defining a match between a user classification and a redeemable electronic coupon;

receiving content information associated with a content selection associated with a user;

receiving clickstream data describing actions performed by the user while viewing the content selection;

comparing the clickstream data to a table stored in the memory, the table defining events of interest;

receiving the credit card purchase records describing purchases associated with the user;

when the clickstream data matches an entry in the table, then collecting an event of interest;

merging, by a processor, the event of interest with the content information to generate event timeline data that describes the event of interest and the content information over time;

comparing the event timeline data to the credit card purchase records;

classifying the user by the processor in a user classification when the event timeline data matches the credit card purchase records; and

transmitting the redeemable electronic coupon to the user.