Method and system for accumulating marginal discounts and applying an associated incentive

• US 6,609,104 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1999
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kioba Processing, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Incentech Incorporated
• Inventors: Deaton, David W., Gabriel, Rodney G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Erik
• Assistant Examiner(s): Janvier, Jean D.
• Application Number:
  US09/405,675
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/16
• US Class Current: 705/14.39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A method for customer promotion includes sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order. A marginal discount associated with each item is determined. All unapplied marginal discounts are accumulated for application to the customer order. A discount is applied to the customer order in response to a signal that is generated that indicates the accumulated discounts exceeds a predetermined minimum.

Claims

1. A method for customer promotion of a retail store comprising:

sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order;

accumulating the price of the each item;

determining a marginal discount associated with the each item;

after processing, and determination of a marginal discount for the each item, accumulating all unapplied marginal discounts;

generating a first signal indicating that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

generating a second signal indicating that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the first signal and the second signal, applying a price reduction to the customer order.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order comprises sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying a price reduction in response to the first signal and the second signal and upon processing an item in the customer order having a price that is no less than the price reduction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying the minimum discount.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying the accumulated discount.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a marginal discount associated with the each item comprises applying a constant percentage discount on the each item.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a marginal discount associated with the each item comprises applying a variable percentage discount on the each item.

8. A system for customer promotion over the Internet comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program operable, when executed on a computer, to

sequentially receive signals indicative of the respective prices of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet and in response sequentially determine a discount associated with each item;

accumulate the price of the each item;

accumulate all unapplied discounts after the determination of a discount for the each item;

determine that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

determine that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold and the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, initiate application of a price reduction to the customer order.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold, the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, and a price of an item in the customer order has a price that is no less than the price reduction.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the minimum discount.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the accumulated discount.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a discount associated with each item by applying the same percentage discount on each item.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a discount associated with each item by applying a variable percentage discount on each product.

14. A computerized system for customer promotion comprising:

a storage medium;

a processor coupled to the storage medium; and

a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program operable, when executed on the processor to

sequentially receive signals indicative of the respective prices of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet and in response sequentially determine a discount associated with each item;

accumulate the price of the each item;

accumulate all unapplied discounts after the determination of a discount for the each item;

determine that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

determine that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold and the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, initiate application of a price reduction to the customer order.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold, the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, and a price of an item in the customer order has a price that is no less than the price reduction.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the minimum discount.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the accumulated discount.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a discount associated with each item by applying the same percentage discount on each product.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a discount associated with each item by applying a variable percentage discount on each item.

20. A method for customer promotion of a retail store comprising:

sequentially processing, at a remote computer at a location remote from the retail store on a substantially real-time basis, each of a plurality of items in a customer order;

accumulating the price of the each item;

determining a marginal discount associated with the each item;

after processing, and determination of a marginal discount for the each item, accumulating, by the remote computer, all unapplied marginal discounts;

generating a first signal indicating that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

generating, by the remote computer, a second signal indicating that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the first signal and the second signal, applying a price reduction to the customer order.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order comprises sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying a price reduction in response to the first signal and the second signal and upon processing an item in the customer order having a price that is no less than the price reduction.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying the minimum discount.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying the accumulated discount.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein determining a marginal discount associated with the each item comprises applying the same percentage discount on the each item.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein determining a marginal discount associated with the each item comprises applying a variable percentage discount on the each item.

27. A system for customer promotion over the Internet comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program operable, when executed on a computer, to

sequentially receive, at a location remote from the retail store on a substantially real-time basis, signals indicative of the respective prices of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet and in response sequentially determine a marginal discount associated with each item;

accumulate the price of the each item;

accumulate all unapplied marginal discounts after the determination of a marginal discount for the each item;

determine that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

determine that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold and the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, initiate application of a price reduction to the customer order.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold, the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, and a price of an item in the customer order has a price that is no less than the price reduction.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of price reduction having a value equal to the minimum discount.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the accumulated discount.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a marginal discount associated with each item by applying the same percentage discount on each item.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a marginal discount associated with each item by applying a variable percentage discount on each item.

33. A system comprising a remote computer coupled to a retail store, the remote computer located remote from the retail store, the remote computer comprising:

a storage medium;

a processor coupled to the storage medium; and

a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program operable, when executed on the processor to

detect, at the remote computer on a substantially real-time basis, sequential signals indicative of the respective prices of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet and in response sequentially determine a marginal discount associated with each item;

accumulate the price of the each item;

accumulate all unapplied marginal discounts after the determination of a marginal discount for the each item;

determine that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

determine that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold and the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, initiate application of a price reduction to the customer order.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction in response to the determination that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold, the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum, and a price of an item in the customer order has a price that is no less than the price reduction.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the minimum discount.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the computer program is further operable to initiate application of a price reduction having a value equal to the accumulated discount.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a marginal discount associated with each item by applying the same percentage discount on each item.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the computer program is further operable to determine a marginal discount associated with each item by applying a variable percentage discount on each item.

39. A method for customer promotion of a retail store comprising:

sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order;

accumulating the price of the each item;

determining a marginal discount associated with the each item, the value of the marginal discount being dependent on the price of the item and otherwise independent of the identity of the item;

after processing, and determination of a marginal discount for the each item, accumulating all unapplied marginal discounts;

generating a first signal indicating that a sum of the accumulated prices exceeds a predetermined threshold;

generating a second signal indicating that the accumulated discount exceeds a predetermined minimum; and

in response to the first signal and the second signal, applying a price reduction to the customer order.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order comprises sequentially processing each of a plurality of items in a customer order received over the Internet.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying a price reduction in response to the first signal and the second signal and upon processing an item in the customer order having a price that is no less than the price reduction.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying the minimum discount.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein applying a price reduction to the customer order comprises applying the accumulated discount.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein determining a marginal discount associated with the each item comprises applying a constant percentage discount on the each item.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein determining a marginal discount associated with the each item comprises applying a variable percentage discount on the each item.