Method and System/Program for Managing and Generating Real-Time Rewards, Loyalty Points, and Advertising

• US 20130197992A1
• Filed: 12/23/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Victor Bao
• Original Assignee: Victor Bao
• Inventors: Bao, Victor
• Application Number:
  US13/726,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20130197992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0244 Optimization

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system for generating real-time rewards, loyalty points, and advertising using a mobile application and quick response codes. The mobile application consists of a quick response code reader (QR Reader) which has the following components: a geo location capability; and three user options/functions directly on the QR reader. The three user options/functions are: (1) My Profile, which allows users to update their profile and store their member numbers; (2) Points, which allows users to view the points accumulated from visits to stores and frequency of visits to stores in real-time; and (3) Share, which allows users to share a QR Code with other users and vendors.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method for using a computer system and a mobile device application to generate and manage offers, rewards, discounts, and loyalty points comprising:

a. Registering a vendor using the computer system or the mobile device application;

b. Registering a consumer using the computer system or the mobile device application;

c. Creating a digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location;

d. Identifying the consumer who enters the vendor location;

e. Awarding points to the consumer for entering the vendor location;

f. Awarding points to the consumer for time spent in the vendor location;

g. Identifying when the consumer leaves the vendor location;

h. Awarding points to the consumer upon leaving the vendor location;

i. Determining the amount of time the consumer spends in the vendor location.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by manually entering the altitude, longitude and latitude coordinates of each point of a polygon that represents the shape of each floor of the vendor'"'"'s location.

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by automatically entering the altitude, longitude and latitude coordinates of each point of a polygon that represents the shape of each floor of the vendor'"'"'s location using the mobile device application with integrated GPS to automatically click each point within the polygon that represents the shape of the vendor'"'"'s location and capturing the altitude, longitude and latitude coordinates of each point within the polygon.

5. A method as in claim 2 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by placement of RFID technology in the vendor'"'"'s location.

6. A method as in claim 2 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by placement of blue tooth technology in the vendor'"'"'s location.

7. A method for using a computer system and a mobile device application to generate and manage offers, rewards, discounts, and loyalty points in real time comprising:

a. Registering a vendor using the computer system or the mobile device application;

b. Registering a consumer using the computer system or the mobile device application;

c. Creating a digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location;

d. Identifying the consumer who enters the vendor location in;

e. Awarding points to the consumer for entering the vendor location;

f. Awarding points to the consumer for time spent in the vendor location in;

g. Identifying when the consumer leaves the vendor location;

h. Awarding points to the consumer upon leaving the vendor location;

i. Determining the amount of time the consumer spends in the vendor location.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by manually entering the altitude, longitude and latitude coordinates of each point of a polygon that represents the shape of each floor of the vendor'"'"'s location.

9. A method as in claim 7 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by automatically entering the altitude, longitude and latitude coordinates of each point of a polygon that represents the shape of each floor of the vendor'"'"'s location using the mobile device application with integrated GPS to automatically click each point within the polygon that represents the shape of the vendor'"'"'s location and capturing the altitude, longitude and latitude coordinates of each point within the polygon.

10. A method as in claim 7 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by placement of RFID technology in the vendor'"'"'s location.

11. A method as in claim 7 wherein the digital representation of the vendor'"'"'s location is determined by placement of blue tooth technology in the vendor'"'"'s location.

12. A method for using a computer system and a mobile device application in combination with QR codes to generate offers and rewards comprising:

a. a vendor inputs information into the computer system or the mobile device application to generate a QR code;

b. the computer system or mobile device application saves and stores the QR code in the computer system or mobile device application;

c. the vendor displays the QR code on media;

d. a consumer scans the QR code with the mobile device application;

e. the consumer captures data stored on QR code using the mobile device application;

f. the consumer views information associated with QR code on the mobile device; and

g. using the mobile device application, the consumer optionally redeems the offer or reward associated with the QR code.

13. The method as in claim 12 wherein a vendor is able to receive and view consumer activity using a computer or mobile device application.

14. The method as in claim 12 wherein the vendor chooses criteria for generating offers, rewards, discounts, and loyalty points including date(s), time(s), duration(s), and frequency.

15. A method for processing payment for goods or services associated with an offer, reward, discount, or loyalty points using a computer system or mobile device application whereby a consumer is able to bypass a cashier or self-checkout station comprising;

accessing a micro payment system using a mobile device application designed to process the redemption of offers, rewards, and loyalty points;

selecting the option to process payment for goods or services associated with the offer, reward or points being redeemed;

selecting a payment option including credit card, paypal, EFT, layaway, deferred payment plan, or other electronic payment method; and

generating a receipt or confirmation of payment.

16. The method of claim 15 whereby a consumer at the vendor location has the option to ship the purchased item to a designated location.

17. The method of claim 15 whereby a consumer at a location outside of the vendor location has the option to ship the purchased item to a designated location.

18. The method of claim 15 whereby a consumer at the vendor location has the option to have the purchased item held at the vendor location to be picked up or shipped at a later date.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein a consumer at a location outside of the vendor location has the option to have the purchased item held at the vendor location to be picked up or shipped at a later date.

20. The method of claim 15 whereby the consumer at the vendor location has the option to defer payment of the selected item for a later date or make installment payments over a pre-determined period of time.

21. A system for linking offers, rewards and discounts among participating vendors using a computer system or mobile device application comprising:

a vendor submits names of other participating vendors for linking;

a participating vendor who receives a linking request, accepts or rejects linking;

the linked vendors share and honor customer offers, rewards, discounts or points.

22. A system for making charitable donations using a computer system or mobile device application for managing and generating offers, rewards, discounts and loyalty points comprising:

one or more charitable organizations register with an existing vendor rewards program;

a vendor selects a charitable organization from the list of registered charitable organizations for linking with the vendor'"'"'s offers, rewards, discounts and loyalty points;

from existing offers, rewards, discounts, and loyalty points, the vendor assigns a charitable contribution to the specific charitable organization selected from the list of registered charitable organizations.

23. The method as in claim 22, wherein a vendor generates a new offer that assigns a charitable contribution to a charitable organization selected from the list of registered charitable organizations.