Check transaction processing, database building and marketing method and system utilizing automatic check reading
First Claim
1. A method for building a database for use in a retail store marketing program comprising:
- scanning a customer'"'"'s check which has been received at the retail store to detect a checking account identification number, said checking account identification number providing a unique customer identification code to distinguish between a plurality of customers using a plurality of different banking institutions;
transmitting said detected unique customer identification code to a data processor which includes a stored database of unique customer identification codes;
comparing said unique customer identification code against said stored database;
detecting the occurrence of a match between information in said stored database and said detected unique customer identification code;
when a match occurs, determining if predetermined identification criteria related to said detected unique customer identification code is in said stored database;
if said predetermined identification criteria is found in said stored database, transmitting a signal from said data processor to the location of said check scanning to indicate that the customer record is complete and that no further data is required;
if said predetermined identification criteria is not found in said stored database, transmitting a signal to the location of said check scanning to indicate that insufficient identification criteria exists such that steps may be initiated to input required additional identification criteria into said database, and;
entering said additional identification criteria into said database for storage in conjunction with said unique customer identification code.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed for building a database for use in a retail store marketing program. A reader scans a customer'"'"'s check which has been received at the retail store to detect a checking account identification number. The checking account identification number provides a unique customer identification code to distinguish between a plurality of customers using a plurality of different banking institutions. A data processor includes a stored database of unique customer identification codes. Circuitry is provided for transmitting the detected unique customer identification code to a data processor. The processor is operable for comparing the unique customer identification code against the stored database and for detecting the occurrence of a match between information in the stored database and the detected unique customer identification code. When a match occurs, the processor determines if predetermined identification criteria related to said detected unique customer identification is in the stored database. If the predetermined customer identification data is found in said stored database, the processor is being operable to transmit a signal from the data processor to the location of the check scanning to indicate that the customer record is complete and that no further data is required. If an indication is provided that the predetermined identification criteria is not contained in the database, the processor is operable for generating a signal to the location of the check scanning to indicate that insufficient identification criteria exists such that steps may be initiated to input required additional identification criteria into said database. A terminal is provided for entering the additional identification criteria into the database for storage in conjunction with the unique customer identification code.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for building a database for use in a retail store marketing program comprising:
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scanning a customer'"'"'s check which has been received at the retail store to detect a checking account identification number, said checking account identification number providing a unique customer identification code to distinguish between a plurality of customers using a plurality of different banking institutions; transmitting said detected unique customer identification code to a data processor which includes a stored database of unique customer identification codes; comparing said unique customer identification code against said stored database; detecting the occurrence of a match between information in said stored database and said detected unique customer identification code; when a match occurs, determining if predetermined identification criteria related to said detected unique customer identification code is in said stored database; if said predetermined identification criteria is found in said stored database, transmitting a signal from said data processor to the location of said check scanning to indicate that the customer record is complete and that no further data is required; if said predetermined identification criteria is not found in said stored database, transmitting a signal to the location of said check scanning to indicate that insufficient identification criteria exists such that steps may be initiated to input required additional identification criteria into said database, and; entering said additional identification criteria into said database for storage in conjunction with said unique customer identification code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for building a database for use in a retail store marketing program comprising:
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a reader for scanning a customer'"'"'s check which has been received at the retail store to detect a checking account identification number, said checking account identification number providing a unique customer identification code to distinguish between a plurality of customers using a plurality of different banking institutions; a data processor which includes a stored database of unique customer identification codes; circuitry for transmitting said detected unique customer identification code to a data processor; said processor operable for comparing said unique customer identification code against said stored database and for detecting the occurrence of a match between information in said stored database and said detected unique customer identification code, and; when a match occurs, determining if predetermined identification criteria related to said detected unique customer identification code is in said stored database; if said predetermined identification criteria is found in said stored database, said processor being operable for transmitting a signal from said data processor to the location of said check scanning to indicate that the customer record is complete and that no further data is required;
orif an indication is provided that said predetermined identification criteria is not contained in said database, said processor being operable for generating a signal to the location of said check scanning to indicate that insufficient identification criteria exists such that steps may be initiated to input required additional identification criteria into said database, and; a terminal for entering said additional identification criteria into said database for storage in conjunction with said unique customer identification code. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for retail store marketing comprising the steps of:
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storing a database of existing customers of the retail store, said database including each customer'"'"'s checking account identification number for use as a unique customer identification code, along with additional customer identification data; each time a retail customer enters the retail store and makes a purchase, detecting the unique customer identification code of that customer; comparing each entered unique customer identification code with said stored database in order to maintain an up-to-date list of the store'"'"'s customers; storing a list of prospective customers of the retail store in a predetermined geographical area; comparing said stored database with said list of prospective customers; and eliminating all data from said list of prospective customers relating to information contained in said stored database, such that a non-customer database is produced which contains data relating only to prospective customers who do not appear on said stored database. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for retail store marketing comprising:
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a memory for storing a database of existing customers of the retail store, said database including each customer'"'"'s checking account identification number for use as a unique customer identification code; a device for entering a customer'"'"'s unique customer identification code into said memory each time the customer makes a purchase at the store; circuitry for comparing each entered unique customer identification code with the stored database in said memory, such that an up-to-date list of the store'"'"'s customers is maintained; a memory for storing a list of prospective customers of the store who reside in a predetermined geographical area relative to the store; circuitry for comparing said stored database of existing customers with the stored list of prospective customers; circuitry for eliminating all data from said list of prospective customers relating to the store'"'"'s existing customers, such that a non-customer database is produced for use in marketing. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification