METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING CONSUMER INTERACTIONS WITH PROMOTIONS

• US 20150242902A1
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Inventors: Viswanath, Sri, Hyche, Eric, Shah, Mihir, Bergstrom, Peter, Burton, Michael, Levi, Dor, Sisinni, Fabio, Chennavasin, Don Albert, Ciocirlan, Marius G., Kim, Ben, Rahim, Riaz
• Granted Patent: US 10,528,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3825 Use of electronic signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231

Abstract

Embodiments provide a computer-executed method, a computer system and non-transitory computer-readable media for facilitating consumer interaction with a promotion. The method includes transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause an impression of a promotion to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a visual display of a computing device. The method also includes receiving, from the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input associated with a consumer and performed using the consumer interface. The method also includes determining that the compound consumer input corresponds to a command for performing an action associated with the promotion. The method further includes, based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to initiate execution of the command associated with the promotion.

Claims

1. A computer-executed method for facilitating consumer interaction with a promotion, the method comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause an impression of a promotion to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a visual display of a computing device;

receiving, from the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input associated with a consumer and performed using the consumer interface;

determining that the compound consumer input corresponds to a command for performing an action associated with the promotion; and

based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to initiate execution of the command associated with the promotion.

2. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the consumer interface to display a consumer input definition interface including an indication of the command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer;

generating the compound consumer input based on the input definition data;

associating the compound consumer input with the command; and

storing the association among the compound consumer input, the command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device.

3. The computer-executable method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing the consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of a second command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generating a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associating the second compound consumer input with the second command; and

storing the association among the second compound consumer input, the second command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the second command for the consumer.

4. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause a second consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a second consumer interface rendered on a second visual display of a second computing device associated with a second consumer;

causing the second consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of the command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generating a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associating the second compound consumer input with the command; and

storing the association among the second compound consumer input, the command and the second consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the second consumer interface of the second consumer initiates the command for the second consumer.

5. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input includes one or more of:

a checkmark selection, a multi-point touchscreen press action, a mouse click action, a touchscreen tap action, a touchscreen press and hold action, a touchscreen drag and drop action, a touchscreen pinch action, a touchscreen unpinch action, a touchscreen swipe action, a touchscreen press action, a device shake action, a device twist action, a movement of the computing device, a change in orientation of the computing device, a touchscreen writing action, a touchscreen drawing or writing motion, a touchscreen selection of one or more alphanumeric characters, a keyboard action, a mouse action, a static or moving gesture captured by a camera, or a speaking of a sound.

6. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command initiates purchase of the promotion without associating the promotion with an electronic shopping cart.

7. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer interface includes a representation of an electronic shopping cart or a representation of a purchase drop region, and wherein the command is a purchase command that is initiated upon the compound consumer input overlapping with the representation of the shopping cart representation or the representation of the purchase drop region.

8. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time;

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

a third point at a third time subsequent to the second time;

wherein the first, second and third points are not collinear.

9. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by a point held for at least a predefined amount of time.

10. The computer-executable method of claim 9, wherein the continuous touch interaction is further defined by at least a second point at a second time subsequent to the predefined amount of time.

11. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time; and

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time;

wherein the first point and the second point define a predetermined first direction from the first point to the second point.

12. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the consumer input is associated with the command, and wherein a second portion of the consumer input is associated with a second command.

13. The computer-executable method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to alter the consumer interface in response to receiving an indication of the second command.

14. The computer-executable method of claim 12, wherein the second command comprises a request command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause a second impression of a second promotion to be rendered on the consumer interface.

15. The computer-executable method of claim 12, wherein the second command comprises a cancel purchase command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause cancellation of a purchase of the promotion.

16. The computer-executable method of claim 12, wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of the promotion selected for purchase, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating purchase of one or more instances of the promotion based on the quantity command.

17. The computer-executable method of claim 12, wherein the second command comprises a relevance indicator command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause;

determining one or more parameters of the promotion;

associating or dissociating the one or more parameters with a consumer account as being relevant to the consumer account; and

determining a second promotion different from the purchased promotion based on the one or more parameters.

18. The computer-executable method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

associating a third consumer input with a third command;

receiving third consumer input data indicating a third consumer interaction with the representation of the promotion; and

in response to receiving the third consumer input;

determining whether the third command has been initiated based on the third consumer input, and

processing the third command when the third command has been initiated;

wherein the second command comprises a details command requesting details of the promotion, and wherein the third command comprises a cancel purchase command requesting cancelation of purchase of the promotion.

19. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location of the computing device;

determining a language associated with the location; and

associating the compound consumer input with the command based at least in part on the language.

20. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer input comprises a plurality of discontinuous touch interactions at substantially a single location on the surface of a touchscreen.

21. The computer-executable method of claim 20, wherein a touchscreen interaction comprises a continuous touch interaction defined by, on the surface of a touchscreen:

a first point at a first time within the interaction region;

a second point a second time at a purchase drop region of the consumer interface, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first point; and

a discontinuation of the continuous touch interaction subsequent to the second time.

22. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that the command has been initiated, facilitating a purchase of the promotion without requesting a subsequent purchase confirmation.

23. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to receiving the compound consumer input, sending a request to the computing device for approval of facilitating a purchase of the promotion without requesting subsequent purchase confirmation;

receiving payment data from the computing device;

storing the payment data; and

subsequent to receiving consumer approval data indicating approval of facilitating the transaction without requesting the subsequent purchase confirmation, facilitating the transaction with the payment data.

24. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer interface displays a geographical map of a plurality of locations at which the promotion may be purchased, and wherein a location of the consumer input on the map corresponds to a geographical location for which the promotion is purchased by the command.

25. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command includes one or more commands to purchase the promotion, request additional information on the promotion, hold the promotion for later purchase, add the promotion to a favorite list, share the promotion with another consumer over social networking websites, email the promotion to another consumer, rate the promotion, or indicate a relevance of the promotion to the consumer.

26. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the consumer interface is rendered by a promotion application program executing on the mobile computing device.

27. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the consumer interface is rendered by an email application program.

28. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the consumer interface is rendered by a mobile push notification protocol.

29. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command is predetermined to be associated with the compound consumer input.

30. A computer system is provided comprising at least a processor, and a memory associated with the processor having computer coded instructions therein, with the computer instructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the computer system to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to cause an impression of a promotion to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a visual display of a computing device;

receive, from the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input associated with a consumer and performed using the consumer interface;

determine that the compound consumer input corresponds to a command for performing an action associated with the promotion; and

based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, transmit computer-executable instructions to initiate execution of the command associated with the promotion.

31. The computer system of claim 30, further configured to:

cause the consumer interface to display a consumer input definition interface including an indication of the command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer;

generate the compound consumer input based on the input definition data;

associate the compound consumer input with the command; and

store the association among the compound consumer input, the command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device.

32. The computer system of claim 30, further configured to:

cause the consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of a second command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generate a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associate the second compound consumer input with the second command; and

store the association among the second compound consumer input, the second command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer is configured to initiate the command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer is configured to initiate the second command for the consumer.

33. The computer system of claim 30, further configured to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to cause a second consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a second consumer interface rendered on a second visual display of a second computing device associated with a second consumer;

cause the second consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of the command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generate a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associate the second compound consumer input with the command; and

store the association among the second compound consumer input, the command and the second consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer is configured to initiate the command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the second consumer interface of the second consumer is configured to initiate the command for the second consumer.

36. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the consumer interface includes a representation of an electronic shopping cart or a representation of a purchase drop region, and wherein the command is a purchase command that is configured to be initiated upon the compound consumer input overlapping with the representation of the shopping cart representation or the representation of the purchase drop region.

37. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time;

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

a third point at a third time subsequent to the second time;

wherein the first, second and third points are not collinear.

38. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by a point held for at least a predefined amount of time.

39. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the continuous touch interaction is further defined by at least a second point at a second time subsequent to the predefined amount of time.

40. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time; and

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time;

wherein the first point and the second point define a predetermined first direction from the first point to the second point.

41. The computer system of claim 30, wherein a first portion of the consumer input is associated with the command, and wherein a second portion of the consumer input is associated with a second command.

42. The computer system of claim 41, further comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to alter the consumer interface in response to receiving an indication of the second command.

43. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the second command comprises a request command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause a second impression of a second promotion to be rendered on the consumer interface.

44. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the second command comprises a cancel purchase command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause cancellation of a purchase of the promotion.

45. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of the promotion selected for purchase, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating purchase of one or more instances of the promotion based on the quantity command.

46. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the second command comprises a relevance indicator command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause the computer system to;

determine one or more parameters of the promotion;

associate or dissociate the one or more parameters with a consumer account as being relevant to the consumer account; and

determine a second promotion different from the purchased promotion based on the one or more parameters.

47. The computer system of claim 41, further configured to:

associate a third consumer input with a third command;

receive third consumer input data indicating a third consumer interaction with the representation of the promotion; and

in response to receiving the third consumer input;

determine whether the third command has been initiated based on the third consumer input, and

process the third command when the third command has been initiated;

wherein the second command comprises a details command requesting details of the promotion, and wherein the third command comprises a cancel purchase command requesting cancelation of purchase of the promotion.

49. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the consumer input comprises a plurality of discontinuous touch interactions at substantially a single location on the surface of a touchscreen.

50. The computer system of claim 49, wherein a touchscreen interaction comprises a continuous touch interaction defined by, on the surface of a touchscreen:

a first point at a first time within the interaction region;

a second point a second time at a purchase drop region of the consumer interface, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first point; and

a discontinuation of the continuous touch interaction subsequent to the second time.

51. The computer system of claim 30, further configured to:

in response to determining that the command has been initiated, facilitate a purchase of the promotion without requesting a subsequent purchase confirmation.

52. The computer system of claim 30, further configured to:

prior to receiving the compound consumer input, send a request to the computing device for approval of facilitating a purchase of the promotion without requesting subsequent purchase confirmation;

receive payment data from the computing device;

store the payment data; and

subsequent to receiving consumer approval data indicating approval of facilitating the transaction without requesting the subsequent purchase confirmation, facilitate the transaction with the payment data.

53. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the consumer interface displays a geographical map of a plurality of locations at which the promotion may be purchased, and wherein a location of the consumer input on the map corresponds to a geographical location for which the promotion is purchased by the command.

54. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the command includes one or more commands to purchase the promotion, request additional information on the promotion, hold the promotion for later purchase, add the promotion to a favorite list, share the promotion with another consumer over social networking websites, email the promotion to another consumer, rate the promotion, or indicate a relevance of the promotion to the consumer.

58. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the command is predetermined to be associated with the compound consumer input.

34-35. -35. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

55-57. -57. (canceled)

59. A computer program product is provided comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program instructions stored therein, said instructions when executed by a processor configured to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to cause an impression of a promotion to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a visual display of a computing device;

receive, from the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input associated with a consumer and performed using the consumer interface;

determine that the compound consumer input corresponds to a command for performing an action associated with the promotion; and

based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, transmit computer-executable instructions to initiate execution of the command associated with the promotion.

60-87. -87. (canceled)