Method and apparatus for determining a progressive discount for a customer based on the frequency of the customer's transactions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receiving first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receiving a first discount associated with the customer;
receiving second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determining a customer rating of the customer;
determining a grace period based on the customer rating;
determining a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determining, on a data processing device, a second discount based on;
the first discount the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
outputting the second discount.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for determining and applying a discount to a customer'"'"'s transaction. The discount is of a progressive nature, wherein the value of a customer'"'"'s discount increases if the customer meets the conditions associated with the discount. The system rewards more frequent or profitable customers with benefits such as larger increases in the discount or higher maximum discount than those awarded to less frequent or profitable customers. The discount is decreased or eliminated if the customer fails to meet the conditions associated with the discount.
199 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
receiving a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receiving first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receiving a first discount associated with the customer;
receiving second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determining a customer rating of the customer;
determining a grace period based on the customer rating;
determining a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determining, on a data processing device, a second discount based on;
the first discount the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
outputting the second discount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
setting the second discount equal to the first discount, if the difference is greater than the predetermined minimum transaction period and the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
3. The method of claim 1, in which determining the second discount comprises:
increasing the first discount by a predefined value, if the difference is not greater than the predetermined minimum transaction period.
-
4. The method of claim 1, in which determining the second discount comprises:
decreasing the first discount by a predefined value, if the difference is greater than the predetermined minimum transaction period and the difference is greater than the grace period.
-
5. The method of claim 1, in which the customer identifier comprises characters of a license plate.
-
6. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the customer identifier comprises:
receiving the customer identifier from a point-of-sale-terminal.
-
7. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the customer identifier comprises:
receiving the customer identifier from a database.
-
8. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the second transaction data comprises:
receiving the second transaction data from a point-of-sale terminal.
-
9. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the second transaction data comprises retrieving the second transaction data from a database.
-
10. The method of claim 1, in which determining the customer rating comprises:
retrieving the customer rating from a database.
-
11. The method of claim 1, in which determining the customer rating comprises:
determining the customer rating based on the second transaction data.
-
12. The method of claim 1, in which the second transaction data includes a transaction price.
-
13. The method of claim 1, in which the second transaction data includes at least one product category of at least one product included in the transaction.
-
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the predetermined minimum transaction period based on the customer rating.
-
15. The method of claim 1, in which determining the second discount comprises:
-
setting the second discount to a first value if the customer rating is a first rating; and
setting the second discount to a second value greater than the first value if the customer rating is a second rating.
-
-
16. The method of claim 1, in which determining the second discount comprises:
-
determining a maximum discount value based on the customer rating; and
setting the second discount to a value not greater than the maximum discount value.
-
-
17. The method of claim 12, in which determining the second discount comprises:
determining the second discount based on the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, whether the difference is not greater than the grace period, and the transaction price.
-
18. The method of claim 13, in which determining the second discount comprises:
determining the second discount based on the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, whether the difference is not greater than the grace period, and the at least one product category.
-
19. The method of claim 16, in which determining the maximum discount value comprises:
-
setting the maximum discount value to a first value if the customer rating is a first rating; and
setting the maximum discount value to a second value greater than the first value if the customer rating is a second rating.
-
-
20. A method comprising:
-
receiving current transaction data that represents a current transaction from a POS terminal, the current transaction data indicating a time of the current transaction;
receiving a customer identifier that identifies a customer participating in the current transaction at the POS terminal;
receiving prior transaction data that represents a prior transaction associated with the customer, the prior transaction data indicating a time of the prior transaction;
receiving a first discount associated with the customer;
determining a customer rating of the customer;
determining a grace period based on the customer rating;
determining a difference between the time of the current transaction and the time of the prior transaction;
determining, on a data processing device, a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the current transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
transmitting the second discount to the POS terminal.
-
-
21. A method comprising:
-
receiving a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receiving first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receiving a first discount associated with the customer;
receiving second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determining a customer rating of the customer;
determining a grace period based on the customer rating;
determining a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determining, on a data processing device, a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
applying the second discount to the second transaction.
-
-
22. A method comprising:
-
receiving a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receiving first transaction data that represents a it transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receiving a first discount associated with the customer;
receiving second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determining a customer rating of the customer;
determining a grace period based on the customer rating;
determining a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determining, on a data processing device, a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
applying the second discount to the second transaction if the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
23. A method comprising:
-
receiving first transaction data that represents a first transaction;
receiving an identifier that identifies a customer participating in the first transaction;
determining a first discount for the customer based on the identifier;
receiving second transaction data that represents a second transaction occurring after the first transaction;
determining a time of the second transaction;
determining a customer rating of the customer based on the identifier;
determining a grace period based on the customer rating;
determining a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
setting, on a data processing device, a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
applying the second discount to the second transaction if the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
24. An apparatus comprising:
-
a processor, and a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor;
the processor being operative with the program to;
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period based on the customer rating;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction; and
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
25. An apparatus comprising:
-
a processor, and a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor;
the processor being operative with the program to;
receive current transaction data that represents a current transaction from a POS terminal, the current transaction data indicating a time of the current transaction;
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer participating in the current transaction at the POS terminal;
receive prior transaction data that represents a prior transaction associated with the customer, the prior transaction data indicating a time of the prior transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period based on the customer rating;
determine a difference between the time of the current transaction and the time of the prior transaction;
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the current transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
transmit the second discount to the POS terminal.
-
-
26. An apparatus comprising:
-
a processor, and a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor;
the processor being operative with the program to;
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer, receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period associated with the customer;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
apply the second discount to the second transaction.
-
-
27. An apparatus comprising:
-
processor, and a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor;
the processor being operative with the program to;
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period associated with the customer;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
apply the second discount to the second transaction if the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
28. An apparatus comprising:
-
a processor, and a storage device tat stores a program for directing the processor;
the processor being operative with the program to;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction;
receive an identifier that identifies a customer participating in the first transaction, determine a first discount for the customer based on the identifier;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction occurring after the first transaction;
determine a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer based on the identifier;
determine a grace period based on the customer rating;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
set a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
apply the second discount to the second transaction if the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
29. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
-
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period based on the customer rating;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction; and
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
30. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
-
receive current transaction data that represents a current transaction from a POS terminal, the current transaction data indicating a time of tie current transaction;
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer participating in the current transaction at the POS terminal;
receive prior transaction data that represents a prior transaction associated with the customer, the prior transaction data indicating a time of the prior transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period based on the customer rating;
determine a difference between the time of the current transaction and the time of the prior transaction;
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the current transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
transmit the second discount to the POS terminal.
-
-
31. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
-
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receive a first discount associated with the customer;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period associated with the customer;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
apply the second discount to the second transaction.
-
-
32. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
-
receive a customer identifier that identifies a customer;
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction of the customer, the first transaction data indicating a time of the first transaction;
receive a fist discount associated with the customer;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction of the customer, the second transaction data indicating a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer;
determine a grace period associated with the customer;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
determine a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
apply the second discount to the second transaction if the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
-
33. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
-
receive first transaction data that represents a first transaction;
receive an identifier that identifies a customer participating in the first transaction;
determine a first discount for the customer based on the identifier;
receive second transaction data that represents a second transaction occurring after the first transaction;
determine a time of the second transaction;
determine a customer rating of the customer based on the identifier;
determine a grace period based on the customer rating;
determine a difference between the time of the second transaction and the time of the first transaction;
set a second discount based on;
the first discount, the customer rating, the second transaction data, whether the difference is greater than a predetermined minimum transaction period, and whether the difference is not greater than the grace period; and
apply the second discount to the second transaction if the difference is not greater than the grace period.
-
Specification