Data processing system for facilitating merchandise transactions

• US 6,484,147 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edexpress Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Edexpress Incorporated
• Inventors: Stone, William E. III, Carini, Gary, Peltz, Bruce, Dunn, Kevin S., Yockey, Jim A., Brizendine, Kyle, deBeer, Bob, Peltz, Deborah
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAVINI, STEPHEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/418,627
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/10, 705/14, 235/380, 235/383, 379/114.12, 379/114.15
• US Class Current: 705/14.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• 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

A data processing system for facilitating merchant transactions includes a computer for processing data, and a storage device for storing data processed by the computer. Data regarding the purchase by a purchaser of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of money is entered into the computer. Monetary points are then calculated which are proportionate to a purchase made. The monetary points are then allocated between a first account which may be used by a first person for the purchase of additional merchandise from the merchant, and a second account which may be used by a second person for education at an educational institution. The monetary points allocated to the first account and the second are recorded in the storage device.

Claims

1. A data processing system for facilitating merchant transactions, the system comprising:

a) at least one computer for processing data relating to members of at least one group of persons;

b) storage means connected to the at least one computer, for storing to and retrieving from a database, data processed by the computer, wherein the database is configured for storing data regarding persons of the at least one group of persons, which data includes at least an account number of an account associated with respective persons;

c) means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by a purchaser of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of money;

d) means for calculating monetary points proportionate to a purchase made;

e) means for allocating the calculated monetary points between a first portion of points usable for the purchase of additional merchandise from the merchant, and a second portion of points usable for funding education at an educational institution;

f) means for crediting the first portion of points to a first person, and for crediting the second portion of points to a second person; and

g) means for storing in the database in the storage means a record of the first portion of points credited to the first person and the second portion of points credited to the second person.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise further comprises means for entering an account number of a purchaser.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a card having an account number embedded thereon which account number is identified with the purchaser, and wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise further comprises means for reading an account number from the card and for incorporating the account number into the data regarding the purchase of merchandise.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise is connected to the computer through a global communication network.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise is connected to the computer through an Internet link.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by a purchaser is entered into the computer in real time.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by a purchaser is entered into the computer in a batch mode.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by the first person of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of merchandise points.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a) a card having an account number embedded thereon which account number is identified with the first person;

b) means for entering into the computer data regarding a purchase by the first person of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of merchandise points; and

c) means for debiting the account identified by the account number.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first person and the second person are the same person.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the second person is a minor.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is a first computer, and the system further comprises a second computer, and wherein the means for allocating the points further comprises means for the first computer to calculate the first portion of points and means for the second computer to calculate the second portion of points.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is first computer identified with a group of persons comprising the first person and the second person, and the system further comprises a second computer identified with a credit card issuing bank, and wherein the means for allocating the points further comprises means for the first computer to calculate the first portion of points and means for the second computer to calculate the second portion of points.

14. A data processing method for facilitating merchant transactions, the system comprising the steps of:

a) connecting a storage means connected to at least one computer, for storing to and retrieving from a database, data processed by the computer, wherein the database is configured for storing data regarding persons of the at least one group of persons, which data includes at least an account number of an account associated with respective persons;

b) entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by a purchaser of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of money;

c) calculating monetary points proportionate to a purchase made;

d) allocating the calculated monetary points between a first portion of points usable for the purchase of additional merchandise from the merchant and a second portion of points usable for funding education at an educational institution;

e) crediting the first portion of points to a first person, and crediting the second portion of points to a second person; and

f) storing in the database in the storage means a record of the first portion of points credited to the first person, and the second portion of points credited to the second person.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise further comprises the step of entering an account number of a purchaser.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising a card having an account number embedded thereon which account number is identified with the purchaser, and wherein the step of entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise further comprises the step of reading an account number from the card and for incorporating the account number into the data regarding the purchase of merchandise.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise is a card reader configured for reading.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise is executed via a global communication network.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of entering into the computer data regarding the purchase of merchandise is executed via an Internet link.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by a purchaser is entered into the computer in real time.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein the means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by a purchaser is entered into the computer in a batch mode.

22. The method of claim 14 further comprising means for entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by the first person of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of merchandise points.

23. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

a) embedding an account number onto a card, which account number is identified with the first person;

b) entering into the computer data regarding the purchase by the first person of merchandise from a merchant for a specified amount of merchandise points; and

c) debiting the account identified by the account number.

24. The method of claim 14 wherein the first person and the second person are the same person.

25. The method of claim 14 wherein the second person is a minor.

26. The method of claim 14 wherein the computer is a first computer, and the method further comprises a second computer, and wherein the step of allocating the points further comprises the first computer calculating the first portion of points and the second computer calculating the second portion of points.

27. The method of claim 14 wherein the computer is first computer identified with a group of persons comprising the first person and the second person, and the method further comprises a second computer identified with a credit card issuing bank, and wherein the step of allocating the points further comprises the first computer calculating the first portion of points and the second computer calculating the second portion of points.