Method for marketing and redeeming vouchers for use in online purchases

• US 6,370,514 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Internet Certificate Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Starpay.Com, Inc.
• Inventors: Messner, Marc A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAVINI, STEPHEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/366,015
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/10, 705/14, 235/383
• US Class Current: 705/14.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives

Abstract

A method for marketing and redeeming vouchers (meaning gift certificates or coupons) for use in online purchases is disclosed. The method includes the use of a centralized voucher server for processing transactions. A purchaser may buy a gift certificate through a number of routes such as a brick and mortar store, via the telephone, or via an online connection. The gift certificate can be delivered to a recipient by regular mail, email, telephone or the like. The purchaser can select one or more merchants by type or category of goods sold at which the gift certificate will apply. Merchants may offer coupons through a number of venues for redemption via the voucher server.

Claims

1. A method for marketing and redeeming vouchers for redemption by customers purchasing goods/services on a common computer network using electronic apparatuses, the method comprising:

a. providing a voucher server having installed thereon software for tracking purchases using vouchers and for accounting for balances of multiple voucher accounts;

b. linking merchant web sites to the voucher server and to customer'"'"'s electronic apparatuses server via the computer network;

c. installing software on the merchant web sites, the software directing customers to the voucher server for processing purchase transactions and accounting for redemption of vouchers;

d. accounting to merchants for transactions using vouchers.

2. The voucher method of claim 1 where each voucher has an account number to facilitate tracking purchases related thereto.

3. The voucher method of claim 2 where each voucher has a password, provided to the purchaser via secure means for ensuring the security of transactions performed with the voucher.

4. The voucher method of claim 3 where the voucher server separately accounts for gift certificates and coupons and provides a regular accounting and to each merchant of the value of both type of voucher redeemed on the system and automated transfers of monetary value pursuant to gift certificate purchases.

5. A method for marketing and redeeming gift certificates for redemption by recipients purchasing good/services on a common computer network using electronic apparatuses, the method comprising:

a. collecting information from a purchaser relevant to the purchase of the gift certificate including;

i. the purchaser'"'"'s personal information,

ii. the monetary amount of the gift certificate,

iii. the recipient'"'"'s personal information,

iv. the delivery method,

v. merchant(s) at which the certificate is to apply, and

vi. Personal information regarding the recipient;

b. receiving and verifying a payment from the purchaser;

c. storing the collected information on a voucher server in communication with the computer network;

d. delivering a notice of the gift certificate to the recipient, the notice including a gift certificate account number, the monetary amount, and any other information necessary to redeem the gift certificate;

e. linking the recipient'"'"'s electronic apparatus to a merchant site for transmission of information regarding the goods and services to be purchased;

f. collecting redemption information from the recipient;

g. approving the purchase by verifying at least the account number and monetary amount;

h. notifying the merchant and the recipient of the approval of the purchase;

i. paying the merchant; and

j. reducing the gift certificate account to adjust for the purchase made.

6. The gift certificate method of claim 5, where, if the amount of goods and services to be purchased are greater in value than a remaining balance on a gift certificate account, an alternative payment method requested from the recipient to pay the excess above the remaining balance.

7. The gift certificate method of claim 6, where the gift certificate is purchased on a computer network.

8. The gift certificate method of claim 6, where gift certificate is purchased in a brick and mortar store.

9. The method of claim 6, where the gift certificate is purchased via the telephone.

10. The gift certificate method of claim 6 where the notification provided to the recipient provides a means for identifying goods/services suggested by the purchaser.

11. The gift certificate method of claim 6 where the notification provided to the recipient provides a link to a specific web page displaying the goods/services the purchaser intends for the recipient to buy with the certificate.

12. The gift certificate method of claim 6 where a recipient may choose to apply less than the remaining balance to his purchase and to select another payment method for the excess.

15. The method of claim 6 where the purchaser has the option of limiting redemption of the gift certificate to one or more specified merchant(s).

16. The method of claim 6 where the purchaser has the option of limiting redemption of the gift certificate to one or more classes of specified merchant(s).

13. A coupon method for distributing coupons to customers for redemption on-line in purchasing good/services on a common computer network using electronic apparatuses, the method comprising:

a. linking the electronic apparatus to a merchant site for transmission of information regarding the goods and services to be purchased;

b. collecting coupon redemption information from the customer;

c. approving the purchase by verifying at least the coupon account number and approving a payment method;

d. notifying the merchant and the recipient of the approval of the purchase.

14. The coupon method of claim 13 where the purchase pays at least a portion of the purchase price using a gift certificate.