Systems and methods for ordering and distributing incentive messages

• US 6,922,673 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Denmark, Michele, Karas, Peter Michael, Cowell, James Everett, Lyon, Karen
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CUONG H
• Application Number:
  US10/187,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20030036956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: G06/F.1760, G06/17.00, 705/14, 705 26- 27, 705/30, 705/33, 705/40, 705/39, 705/35, 700/233, 700/235, 235/381
• US Class Current: 705/14.36
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/128 Check-book balancing, updating or printing arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods associated with ordering, producing and/or distributing incentive messages. Systems can include means for receiving requests for incentive messages, for receiving payment for the incentive messages, and for transferring the incentive message to a receiver. Such incentive messages can include a trophy and a negotiable instrument. The trophy can be detachable from the negotiable instrument. Methods can include providing one or more incentive messages.

Claims

1. In a computer network, a method for distributing an incentive message, the method comprising:

providing an incentive message, wherein the incentive message includes a trophy and a negotiable instrument, and wherein the trophy is detachable from the negotiable instrument;

receiving a request for the incentive message from a recipient point-of-contact;

displaying a data entry form to the recipient point-of-contact over the computer network, wherein the form is for selecting a customized message to appear with the incentive message and for receiving a name for a recipient of the incentive message;

printing the received name on the trophy and on the negotiable instrument;

displaying a preview of the incentive message over the computer network, wherein the preview includes both the trophy and the negotiable instrument;

based at least in part on the displayed preview, receiving approval to transfer the requested incentive message to the recipient point-of-contact;

receiving a payment for the requested incentive message; and

transferring the requested incentive message to the recipient point-of-contact.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the trophy includes a custom message field for accepting the customized message, the method further comprising:

receiving the customized message from the recipient point-of-contact at the data entry form; and

inserting the customized message as a personalized message in the custom message field.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the trophy further includes a signature field for accepting a signature, the method further comprising:

receiving the signature from the recipient point-of-contact; and

inserting the signature in the signature field.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the trophy further includes a logo associated with the recipient point-of-contact.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for the incentive message from the recipient point-of-contact includes an indication of an amount to be provided with the negotiable instrument.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the amount indicates at least one of:

a cash amount, and an item.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive message is a first incentive message type, the method further comprising:

providing a second incentive message type; and

receiving a selection from the recipient point-of-contact, wherein the selection indicates either the first incentive message type or the second incentive message type.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the trophy is of a size suitable for framing in frame selected from the group consisting of:

an eight inch by ten inch frame, a five inch by seven inch frame, and an eleven inch by fourteen inch frame.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive message is a first incentive message type associated with a first occasion, the method further comprising:

providing a second incentive message type, wherein the second incentive message type is associated with a second occasion; and

receiving a selection from the recipient point-of-contact indicating the first occasion, wherein the first incentive message is provided based at least in part on the selection of the first occasion.

10. In a computer network, a method for distributing an incentive message, the method comprising:

providing an incentive message, wherein the incentive message includes a trophy and a money order, and wherein the trophy is detachable from the money order;

receiving a request for the incentive message from a recipient point-of-contact;

displaying a data entry form to the recipient point-of-contact over the computer network, wherein the form is for selecting a customized message to appear with the incentive message and for receiving a name for a recipient of the incentive message;

printing the received name on the trophy and on the money order;

displaying a preview of the incentive message over the computer network, wherein the preview includes both the trophy and the money order;

based at least in part on the displayed preview, receiving approval to transfer the requested incentive message to the recipient point-of-contact;

receiving a payment for the requested incentive message; and

transferring the requested incentive message to the recipient point-of-contact.