Systems and methods for ordering and distributing incentive messages

• US 7,003,479 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2003
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Karas, Peter M., Cowell, James E., Lyon, Karen, Demark, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cuong H.
• Application Number:
  US10/370,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20030177067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705 26- 27, 705/30, 705/33, 235/381, 700/233, 700/235
• 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 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• 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 redemptive code.

Claims

1. A method for distributing an incentive message, the method comprising:

using a computer to provide an incentive message, wherein

the incentive message includes a trophy and a negotiable instrument,

the trophy is detachable from the negotiable instrument, and

the negotiable instrument includes a name field for accepting a name of a recipient of the incentive message and a value field for accepting a value for the negotiable instrument;

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

receiving the recipient name and the value from the recipient point-of-contact over the computer network;

using the computer to insert the recipient name in the recipient name field and the value in the value field;

receiving a payment for the incentive message;

using a printer to print the incentive message, wherein the printed negotiable instrument includes the recipient name and the value; and

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

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

receiving the negotiable instrument;

receiving an identification from the recipient, wherein the identification corresponds to the recipient name in the recipient field; and

providing the value to the recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the value is monetary.