METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A CUSTOMIZED VOUCHER

• US 20110015976A1
• Filed: 07/20/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lempel, Eric, Cho, Jennifer Moonyoung, Zalewski, Gary
• Application Number:
  US12/505,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20110015976A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.12
• 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 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

This invention relates to a voucher system and method for generating and redeeming vouchers. The voucher system includes a generation module adapted to generate a voucher code upon a request of a purchaser and a redemption module adapted to utilize the voucher code such that a recipient, upon validation of the voucher code, accesses the associated items. The voucher code is associated with at least two items selected by the purchaser. The generation module allows the purchaser to select an item to be associated with the voucher code from a wish-list of the purchaser or the recipient. Upon redeeming the voucher, the recipient receives the associated items at a designated user account.

Claims

1. A voucher system for utilizing vouchers via a network, comprising:

a generation module adapted to generate a voucher code upon a request of a purchaser,

wherein the voucher code is associated with one or more items selected by the purchaser, such that the purchaser can assign one or more attributes to each of the one or more items,

a redemption module adapted to utilize the voucher code such that a recipient, upon validation of the voucher code, accesses the associated one or more items, and

wherein upon redeeming the voucher, the recipient receives the associated one or more items at a designated user account, and receives notification of the one or more attributes assigned to each of the one or more items.

2. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute indicates that an associated item is returnable.

3. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute indicates that an associated item is exchangeable for another equivalent item or an equivalent amount of electronic funds.

4. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the redemption module displays options associated with each of the one or more items to the recipient in accordance with the attribute assigned by the purchaser.

5. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the generation module prints the voucher code on a card.

6. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the generation module generates a list of items that have equivalent values with an item selected by the purchaser.

7. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute associates a message in a text form or a graphical form with the voucher code.

8. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein when the recipient accesses an associated item upon redeeming the voucher code, a recognition message is transmitted to the purchaser.

9. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the associated items include one or more of predetermined digital funds and one or more of downloadable digital contents.

10. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the redemption module is a Playstation3 terminal, a Playstation®

Portable, or Media Go.

11. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the recipient exchanges the associated items with other items of equivalent value upon utilizing the voucher code.

12. The voucher system according to claim 11, wherein the redemption module generates a list of items that have equivalent values with the associated item.

13. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the purchaser modifies a cost of the voucher by modifying selection of the one or more items associated with the voucher.

14. The voucher system according to claim 1, wherein the generation module permits the purchaser to select an item to be associated with the voucher code from a pre-determined list associated with the recipient.

15. A method for utilizing vouchers comprising:

generating a voucher code upon a request of a purchaser;

associating the voucher code with one or more items, the items being selected by the purchaser, such that the purchaser can assign one or more attributes to each of the one or more items,

redeeming the voucher code so that a recipient, upon validation of the voucher code, accesses the associated one or more items, and

wherein upon redeeming the voucher, the recipient receives the associated one or more items at a designated user account, and receives notification of the one or more attributes assigned to each of the one or more items.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the attribute indicates that an associated item is returnable.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the attribute indicates that an associated item is exchangeable is for another equivalent item or an equivalent amount of electronic funds.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising displaying options associated with each of the one or more items to the recipient in accordance with the attribute assigned by the purchaser.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising printing the voucher code on a card.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising generating a list of items that have equivalent values with an item selected by the purchaser.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the attribute associates a message in a text form or a graphical form with the voucher code.

22. The method according to claim 15, further comprising transmitting a recognition message to the purchaser when the recipient accesses an item provided by the purchaser.

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein the associated items include one or more of predetermined digital funds and one or more of downloadable digital contents.

24. The method according to claim 15, further comprising exchanging the associated items with other items of equivalent value upon utilizing the voucher code.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising generating a list of items that have equivalent values with the associated item.

26. The method according to claim 15, further comprising modifying a cost of the voucher by modifying selection of the one or more items associated with the voucher by the purchaser.

27. The method according to claim 15, further comprising identifying an item to be associated with the voucher code from a pre-determined list associated with the recipient.