System and Method of Gifting, Gift Sharing, and Gift Redemption
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of giving a gift using a network, the method comprising the steps of:
- creating a gift token for a gift by accessing a first portal of the network using a unique identifier, the gift token including at least one metric defined during creation of the gift token, the gift token enabling redemption of the gift by a primary recipient;
transmitting the gift token to the primary recipient using the network, the primary recipient in communication with the network via a second portal of the network; and
providing a distribution option to the primary recipient to enable the recipient to distribute the gift token to a secondary recipient using the second portal of the network or a different network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system configured to promote goods and/or services from a business to a user via a network and an interface device of the user. The system provides a method to offer a gift from the business to the user, allow the user to transfer or share the gift with another user, and allow the user to redeem the gift at the business. The system also provides a method to obtain and transmit information related to the user to the merchant.
106 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of giving a gift using a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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creating a gift token for a gift by accessing a first portal of the network using a unique identifier, the gift token including at least one metric defined during creation of the gift token, the gift token enabling redemption of the gift by a primary recipient; transmitting the gift token to the primary recipient using the network, the primary recipient in communication with the network via a second portal of the network; and providing a distribution option to the primary recipient to enable the recipient to distribute the gift token to a secondary recipient using the second portal of the network or a different network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of using a social network to distribute a gift, the method comprising:
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distributing a redeemable gift to a user of the social network via the social network, the user having a sub-network within the social network of a plurality of other users; and providing the user with a secondary-distribution option operable to permit the user to distribute the gift to one or more of the plurality of other users within the sub-network of the social network when the secondary-distribution option is executed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of identifying consumers via a social network, the method comprising:
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providing a downloadable software application to a user across a network via a marketplace, the application providing two-way communication between the user and an agent; distributing a redeemable gift to the user via the application; and enabling the user to selectively identify at least one other user via a social network of the user to further distribute the gift, wherein if the user identifies the at least one other user, then instructions for redeeming the gift via the application is transmitted to the at least one other user via the social network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of incentivizing and tracking patronage of a consumer by providing a range of potential gifts that can be received by the consumer, the method comprising:
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providing a forum with a plurality of selectable gifts to a merchant; assigning a token and a redemption rate to a selected gift of the merchant; enabling activation of the token; transmitting the token and the redemption rate to a user via a network; and determining whether to offer the selected gift to the user when the user activates the selected gift based on the redemption rate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of developing a sub-network of a network, the method comprising:
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establishing a sub-network associated with a merchant via a portal to a network accessible by the merchant; enabling transmission of a gift to a member of the sub-network from the merchant and/or to a non-member of the sub-network; and converting the non-member to the member of the sub-network when (i) the non-member redeems the deal or the gift offered by the merchant, (ii) the non-member or the member recommends or transmits the deal or the gift offered by the merchant or the merchant to another non-member, and/or (iii) the another non-member redeems or recommends the deal or the gift offered by the non-member or the member. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of incentivizing and tracking patronage of a consumer by providing a range of potential gifts that can be activated or won by the consumer, the method comprising:
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transmitting a token to the consumer representing a plurality of gifts from a merchant; providing a redemption rate for odds of winning the one or more of the plurality of gifts from the merchant to the consumer; enabling activation of the one or more of the plurality of gifts from the merchant by the consumer using the token; revealing the one or more of the plurality of gifts from the merchant to the consumer upon activation of the token at a physical or virtual location of the merchant; and determining whether to offer the selected gift to the user when the user activates the selected gift based on the redemption rate. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification