PORTABLE MULTIFUNCTION DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS

• US 20140289112A1
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Signature Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Signature Systems LLC
• Inventors: Postrel, Richard
• Application Number:
  US14/286,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20140289112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/227 characterised in that multiple accounts are available, e.g. to the payer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/34 using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3572 Multiple accounts on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3574 Multiple applications on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0223 based on inventory
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0227 Frequent usage incentive value reconciliation between diverse systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0229 Multi-merchant loyalty card systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0231 Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 : Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 : at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 : Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 : Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles

Abstract

A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user'"'"'s earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user'"'"'s earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card.

Claims

1-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A portable device comprising processing circuitry, program storage, data memory, and a user input device;

wherein

a plurality of transaction applications are stored in the data memory; and

the processing circuitry is programmed via instructions in the program storage to

initially select a default transaction application from the plurality of transaction applications for executing a transaction,

provide an option to override the default transaction application with a different transaction application from the plurality of transaction applications,

receive via the user input device a user selection to override the default transaction application with a different transaction application, and

override the default transaction application with the different transaction application selected via the user input device for executing the transaction.

36. The portable device of claim 35 wherein the user input device comprises a button.

37. The portable device of claim 35, wherein the data memory comprises a reward account that stores rewards associated with the selected transaction application.

38. The portable device of claim 35, wherein the plurality of transaction applications comprises a credit card application.

39. The portable device of claim 35, wherein the plurality of transaction applications comprises a debit card application.

40. The portable device of claim 35 comprising a smart card.

41. The portable device of claim 35 comprising a peripheral device.

49. The portable device of claim 35 wherein the default transaction application is initially selected from a user profile.

42. A method of using a portable device for executing a transaction comprising

storing in a data memory of the portable device a plurality of transaction applications,

processing circuitry of the portable device initially selecting a default transaction application from the plurality of transaction applications for executing a transaction,

the processing circuitry providing an option to override the default transaction application with a different transaction application from the plurality of transaction applications,

the processing circuitry receiving via a user input device on the portable device a user selection to override the default transaction application with a different transaction application, and

the processing circuitry overriding the default transaction application with the different transaction application selected via the user input device for executing the transaction.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the user input device comprises a button.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the data memory comprises a reward account that stores rewards associated with the selected transaction application.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of transaction applications comprises a credit card application.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of transaction applications comprises a debit card application.

47. The method of claim 42 wherein the portable device comprises a smart card.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein the portable device comprises a peripheral device.

50. The method of claim 42 wherein the default transaction application is initially selected from a user profile.