Optimal Trading in Online Loyalty Point Exchanges
First Claim
1. A method, in a data processing system, for completing a loyalty program transaction, the method comprising:
- forming, by the data processing system, a coalition of a plurality of customers, including the requesting customer, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers requests to exchange loyalty points for a reward in a loyalty program, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers participates in a plurality of loyalty programs, and wherein combined loyalty points of the plurality of customers in the plurality of loyalty programs are sufficient to be exchanged for the rewards requested by the plurality of customers;
completing, by the data processing system, a transaction for each customer within the plurality of customers to exchange an amount of loyalty points in a respective one of the plurality of loyalty programs for a reward, such that completing the transactions for the plurality of customers results in a number of residual points; and
distributing, by the data processing system, the number of residual points among the plurality of customers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanism is provided for completing a loyalty program transaction. The mechanism forms a coalition of a plurality of customers, including the requesting customer. Each customer within the plurality of customers requests to exchange loyalty points for a reward in a loyalty program. Each customer within the plurality of customers participates in a plurality of loyalty programs. Combined loyalty points of the plurality of customers in the plurality of loyalty programs are sufficient to be exchanged for the rewards requested by the plurality of customers. The mechanism further completes a transaction for each customer within the plurality of customers to exchange an amount of loyalty points in a respective one of the plurality of loyalty programs for a reward, such that completing the transactions for the plurality of customers results in a number of residual points. The mechanism further distributes the number of residual points among the plurality of customers.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, in a data processing system, for completing a loyalty program transaction, the method comprising:
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forming, by the data processing system, a coalition of a plurality of customers, including the requesting customer, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers requests to exchange loyalty points for a reward in a loyalty program, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers participates in a plurality of loyalty programs, and wherein combined loyalty points of the plurality of customers in the plurality of loyalty programs are sufficient to be exchanged for the rewards requested by the plurality of customers; completing, by the data processing system, a transaction for each customer within the plurality of customers to exchange an amount of loyalty points in a respective one of the plurality of loyalty programs for a reward, such that completing the transactions for the plurality of customers results in a number of residual points; and distributing, by the data processing system, the number of residual points among the plurality of customers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer readable program stored therein, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to:
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form, by the computing device, a coalition of a plurality of customers, including the requesting customer, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers requests to exchange loyalty points for a reward in a loyalty program, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers participates in a plurality of loyalty programs, and wherein combined loyalty points of the plurality of customers in the plurality of loyalty programs are sufficient to be exchanged for the rewards requested by the plurality of customers; complete, by the computing device, a transaction for each customer within the plurality of customers to exchange an amount of loyalty points in a respective one of the plurality of loyalty programs for a reward, such that completing the transactions for the plurality of customers results in a number of residual points; and distribute, by the computing device, the number of residual points among the plurality of customers. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; form, by the computing device, a coalition of a plurality of customers, including the requesting customer, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers requests to exchange loyalty points for a reward in a loyalty program, wherein each customer within the plurality of customers participates in a plurality of loyalty programs, and wherein combined loyalty points of the plurality of customers in the plurality of loyalty programs are sufficient to be exchanged for the rewards requested by the plurality of customers; complete, by the computing device, a transaction for each customer within the plurality of customers to exchange an amount of loyalty points in a respective one of the plurality of loyalty programs for a reward, such that completing the transactions for the plurality of customers results in a number of residual points; and distribute, by the computing device, the number of residual points among the plurality of customers.
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Specification