METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING A PROMOTIONAL REWARD PROGRAM
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for implementing promotional reward programs are provided. One or more images of a proof of purchase are transmitted to a remote location by a mobile device. If it is determined that the one or more images meet predetermined criteria and if the transmission is eligible for a reward, the reward is instantly transmitted to the mobile device. According to another embodiment, one or more images of an item identifier provided on one or more products or displays or a text message containing the item identifier are transmitted to a promotional reward program managing apparatus by a mobile device. If it is determined that the one or more images of the item identifier or a text message containing the item identifier meet predetermined criteria and if the transmission is eligible for a reward, the reward is instantly transmitted to the consumer through the mobile device or through a loyalty program account number.
16 Citations
41 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method, performed by one or more promotional program management apparatus, for implementing a promotional program to selectively transmit a reward, the method comprising:
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receiving, using a communication processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, a transmission including one or more images of a receipt transmitted by a remote mobile device associated with a consumer; determining, using a control processor of the one or more promotional management apparatus, if one or more properties of the one or more images of the proof of purchase meet one or more predetermined image recognizability criteria; determining, using the control processor of the one or more promotional reward program management apparatus, if the transmission meets one or more promotion eligibility criteria for the reward; and transmitting the reward using the communication processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus if it is determined by the control processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus that the one or more properties of the one or more images of the receipt meet the one or more predetermined image recognizability criteria and if the transmission meets the one or more promotion eligibility criteria; wherein the step of determining if the transmission meets the one or more promotion eligibility criteria comprises determining if the receipt was previously validated, and comparing information on the receipt to stored information associated with the mobile device to determine if the consumer associated with the mobile device previously purchased one or more products or services eligible for the reward during a promotional period. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method, performed by one or more promotional program management apparatus, for implementing a promotional program to selectively transmit a reward, the method comprising:
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receiving, using a communication processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, a transmission including one or more images of a receipt transmitted by a remote mobile device associated with a consumer, the receipt containing transaction information including at least the date of a purchase transaction and one or more products or services purchased; determining, using a control processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, if one or more properties of the one or more images of the receipt meet one or more predetermined content recognizability criteria; determining, using the control processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, if the transmission meets one or more promotion eligibility criteria for the reward by determining whether the consumer associated with the mobile device previously purchased the one or more products or services identified on the receipt, and; transmitting the reward using the communication processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus if it is determined by the control processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus that the one or more properties of the one or more images of the receipt meet the one or more predetermined content recognizability criteria and if it is determined by the control processor of the one or more promotional management apparatus that the consumer associated with the mobile device previously purchased the one or more products or services identified on the receipt a predetermined number of times during a promotional period. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for implementing a promotional program to provide a reward for purchase of an item comprising:
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communicating to one or more comparators a digital image obtained by an image sensor of a remote mobile device associated with a consumer and received in a transmission from said mobile device, said digital image containing information on a receipt; determining a sufficiency of said digital image by comparing, with one or more of the comparators, at least one property of said digital image to each of a set of at least one predetermined image recognizability criteria; determining if the transmission meets one or more promotion eligibility criteria for the reward by comparing, with one or more of the comparators, said information on the receipt to information on a receipt previously transmitted by the mobile device associated with the consumer; transmitting the reward when said digital image is determined to be sufficiently recognizable and said transmission is determined to meet the one or more promotion eligibility criteria.
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37. A method, performed by one or more promotional program management apparatus, for implementing a promotional program to selectively transmit a reward, the method comprising:
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receiving, using a communication processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, a transmission including one or more images of a receipt from a purchase transaction transmitted by a remote communication device associated with a consumer, wherein the receipt contains information identifying at least the date of the purchase transaction and one or more items or services purchased; determining, using a control processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, if one or more properties of the one or more images of the receipt meet one or more predetermined content recognizability criteria; determining, using the control processor of the one or more promotional program management apparatus, if the transmission meets one or more promotion eligibility criteria for the reward including determining if the consumer associated with the communication device previously purchased the one or more items or services identified on the receipt more than one time during a promotional period; and transmitting a message to the communication device using the communication processor indicating that the one or more images of the receipt does not meet the promotion eligibility criteria if it is determined that the one or more images of the receipt does not meet the promotion eligibility criteria. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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40-1. The method of claim 37, wherein the message is transmitted to the communication device if it is determined that the consumer associated with the communication device previously purchased the one or more items or services identified on the receipt less than the predetermined number of times.
Specification