Database computer architecture for managing an incentive award program and checking float of funds at time of purchase

• US 5,734,838 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: American Savings Bank, F.A.
• Inventors: Hale, Brenda K., Weber, Faris D., Mendez, Erin M., Johnson, Laurie A., Robinson, W. Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Poinvil, Frantzy
• Application Number:
  US08/486,681
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401 R, 364/405, 364/406, 395/214, 395/205, 395/201, 395/216, 395/239, 395/240, 395/243, 902/8, 902/22, 340/825.35
• US Class Current: 705/14.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives

Abstract

In an advanced intelligent network based information distribution system including a central office switching system connected to communication lines including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines, a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system, an incentive award computer system provides an award to users participating in an incentive award program. The incentive award computer system includes a request transaction processing computer system receiving an electronic transaction by a user, determining whether the electronic transaction is a reward eligible transaction, and generating a transaction request when the electronic transaction is determined to be the reward eligible transaction. In addition, a points calculator processing computer system is provided that determines a reward responsive to the reward eligible transaction represented in the transaction request, assigns the reward to a user record responsive to reward criteria, and generates a reward record representing the reward. The incentive award computer system further includes a points assigning and reporting processing computer system that generates reports and provides access to the user record and the reward by the user responsive to predetermined criteria.

Claims

1. In an advanced intelligent network based information distribution system including a central office switching system connected to communication lines, a computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system and administering by an institution, the user maintaining a transaction intensive account utilizing manual and automatic transactions and with a supply balance, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an electronic transaction by a user;

(b) determining whether the electronic transaction is a reward eligible transaction;

(c) generating a transaction request when the electronic transaction is determined to be the reward eligible transaction;

(d) determining a reward responsive to the reward eligible transaction represented in the transaction request;

(e) assigning the reward to a user record responsive to reward criteria;

(f) generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance;

(g) accumulating the reward for each user record;

(h) generating a reward report to the user indicating current and accumulated awards;

(i) providing access to the user record and the reward by the user responsive to predetermined criteria; and

(j) applying the reward eligible transaction against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and the eligable transaction being deducted from the supply balance immediately and in real-time by said institution without incurring float charges while checking float of funds of said supply balance at the time of purchase before awarding to the user said reward.

2. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 1, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance, and the acquisition electronic transaction is considered eligible for the reward to minimize the manual transactions and to stimulate the automatic transactions and to simultaneously eliminate counterfeit purchases effectuated to obtain the reward.

3. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 1, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance, and the reward record includes a transaction code field, a bonus point field, a bonus switch field, a transaction point field, and a transaction point sign field, a customer status field, and a new account indicator field.

4. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 3,

wherein the bonus switch field facilitates processing of the bonus point field and the transaction point sign field facilitates the processing of the transaction point field, and

wherein the customer status field and the new account indicator field facilitate the assignment of the reward to the customer account.

5. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 1, wherein when the user accumulates a sufficient number of points in the accumulated reward, the user is rewarded with an airline ticket.

6. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 1, wherein each point awarded to the user represents a mileage point for a frequent flyer airline program awarding free airline tickets.

7. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting in the reward report generated by said generating step (h) additional promotional materials promoting services and products of a sponsoring institution of the reward.

8. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 1, wherein said award posting and report generating computer system inserts in the reward report additional promotional materials promoting services and products of a sponsoring institution of the reward.

9. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system and administering by an institution, the user maintaining a transaction intensive account utilizing manual and automatic transactions and with a supply balance, said system comprising:

a request processing and award calculating computer system receiving an electronic transaction initiated by a user, determining whether the electronic transaction is a reward eligible transaction, determining a reward responsive to the reward eligible transaction, assigning the reward to a user record responsive to reward criteria, and generating a reward record representing the reward, wherein the reward is determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance; and

an award posting and report generating computer system, operatively connected to said request processing and award calculating computer system, said award posting and report generating computer system accumulating the reward for each user record, generating a reward report to the user indicating current and accumulated awards, and providing access to the user record and the reward by the user responsive to predetermined criteria, and said award posting and report generating computer system applies the reward eligible transaction against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and deducts from the supply balance the eligible transaction immediately and in real-time without incurring float charges while checking float of funds of said supply balance at the time of purchase before awarding to the user said reward.

10. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 9, wherein said request processing and award calculating computer system determines the acquisition electronic transaction eligible for the reward to minimize the manual transactions and to stimulate the automatic transactions and to simultaneously eliminate counterfeit purchases effectuated to obtain the reward.

11. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 9, wherein said request processing and award calculating computer system generates the reward record including a transaction code field, a bonus point field, a bonus switch field, a transaction point field, and a transaction point sign field, a customer status field, and a new account indicator field.

12. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 11,

wherein the bonus switch field facilitates processing of the bonus point field and the transaction point sign field facilitates the processing of the transaction point field, and

wherein the customer status field and the new account indicator field facilitate the assignment of the reward to the customer account.

13. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 9, wherein when the user accumulates a sufficient number of points in the accumulated reward, the user is rewarded with an airline ticket.

14. A computer implemented incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 9, wherein each point awarded to the user represents a mileage point for a frequent flyer airline program awarding free airline tickets.

15. A method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system and administering by an institution, the user maintaining a transaction intensive account utilizing manual and automatic transactions and with a supply balance, and the incentive award system including a request transaction and points calculator processing computer system, and a points assigning and reporting processing computer system, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an electronic transaction by a user;

(b) determining whether the electronic transaction is a reward eligible transaction;

(c) generating a transaction request when the electronic transaction is determined to be the reward eligible transaction;

(d) determining a reward responsive to the reward eligible transaction represented in the transaction request;

(e) assigning the reward to a user record responsive to reward criteria;

(f) generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction,

wherein the acquisition electronic transaction is considered eligible for the reward to minimize the manual transactions and to stimulate the automatic transactions and to simultaneously eliminate counterfeit purchases effectuated to obtain the reward,

wherein the reward record includes a transaction code field, a bonus point field, a bonus switch field, a transaction point field, and a transaction point sign field, a customer status field, and a new account indicator field,

wherein the bonus switch field facilitates processing of the bonus point field and the transaction point sign field facilitates the processing of the transaction point field,

wherein the customer status field and the new account indicator field facilitate the assignment of the reward to the customer account;

(g) accumulating the reward for each user record;

(h) generating a reward report to the user indicating current and accumulated awards;

(i) providing access to the user record and the reward by the user responsive to predetermined criteria; and

(j) applying the reward eligible transaction against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and the eligible transaction being deducted from the supply balance immediately and in real-time by said institution without incurring float charges while checking float of funds of said supply balance at the time of purchase before awarding to the user said reward.

16. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 15, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance, and the acquisition electronic transaction is considered eligible for the reward to minimize the manual transactions and to stimulate the automatic transactions and to simultaneously eliminate counterfeit purchases effectuated to obtain the reward.

17. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 15, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance, and the reward record includes a transaction code field, a bonus point field, a bonus switch field, a transaction point field, and a transaction point sign field, a customer status field, and a new account indicator field.

18. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 17,

wherein the bonus switch field facilitates processing of the bonus point field and the transaction point sign field facilitates the processing of the transaction point field, and

wherein the customer status field and the new account indicator field facilitate the assignment of the reward to the customer account.

19. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 15, wherein when the user accumulates a sufficient number of points in the accumulated reward, the user is rewarded with an airline ticket.

20. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 15, wherein each point awarded to the user represents a mileage point for a frequent flyer airline program awarding free airline tickets.

21. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 15, further comprising the step of inserting in the reward report generated by said generating step (h) additional promotional materials promoting services and products of a sponsoring institution of the reward.

22. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system and administering by an institution, the user maintaining a transaction intensive account utilizing manual and automatic transactions and with a supply balance, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an electronic transaction by a user;

(b) determining whether the electronic transaction is a reward eligible transaction;

(c) generating a transaction request when the electronic transaction is determined to be the reward eligible transaction;

(d) determining a reward responsive to the reward eligible transaction represented in the transaction request;

(e) assigning the reward to a user record responsive to reward criteria;

(f) generating a reward record representing the reward;

(g) accumulating the reward for each user record;

(h) generating a reward report to the user indicating current and accumulated awards;

(i) providing access to the user record and the reward by the user responsive to predetermined criteria; and

(j) applying the reward eligible transaction against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and the eligible transaction being deducted from the supply balance immediately and in real-time by said institution without incurring float charges while checking float of funds of said supply balance at the time of purchase before awarding to the user said reward.

23. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 22, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of determining the reward when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance.

24. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 23, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance, and the acquisition electronic transaction is considered eligible for the reward to minimize the manual transactions and to stimulate the automatic transactions and to simultaneously eliminate counterfeit purchases effectuated to obtain the reward.

25. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 23, wherein said generating step (f) further comprises the step of generating a reward record representing the reward, the reward being determined when the reward eligible transaction comprises at least one of a new user account electronic transaction, an acquisition electronic transaction, and a supply balance electronic transaction, the reward eligible transaction being applied against the transaction intensive account utilizing the manual and the automatic transactions and being deducted from the supply balance, and the reward record includes a transaction code field, a bonus point field, a bonus switch field, a transaction point field, and a transaction point sign field, a customer status field, and a new account indicator field.

26. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 25,

wherein the bonus switch field facilitates processing of the bonus point field and the transaction point sign field facilitates the processing of the transaction point field, and

wherein the customer status field and the new account indicator field facilitate the assignment of the reward to the customer account.

27. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 22, wherein when the user accumulates a sufficient number of points in the accumulated reward, the user is rewarded with an airline ticket.

28. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 22, wherein each point awarded to the user for the reward represents a mileage point for a frequent flyer airline program awarding free airline tickets.

29. A computer implemented method of providing an incentive award system for providing an award to users participating in the incentive award system according to claim 22, further comprising the step of inserting in the reward report generated by said generating step (h) additional promotional materials promoting services and products of a sponsoring institution of the reward.