Method and system for processing a rebate
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- identifying a product associated with a first rebate, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product,wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value;
determining whether a second rebate is associated with the product in a memory of a computing devices,wherein the second rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value;
offering, if the second rebate is associated with the product and to a consumer, the second rebate in exchange for the first rebate;
obtaining the predetermined document, surrendered by the consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and
issuing the second rebate to the consumer.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A point of sale (POS) rebate method and system allows a consumer purchasing a product having an associated manufacturer'"'"'s mail-in rebate to redeem the rebate at the POS. Products that have associated manufacturer rebates are recognized when the products are purchased, e.g., based on information stored in a rebate database. When such products are identified, terms and conditions of a POS rebate are determined. The value of the POS rebate may be determined based on the value of the mail-in rebate offered by the manufacturer. The value of the POS rebate may be determined by querying a server containing rebate information, such as a server operated by or on behalf of the manufacturer or retailer. The consumer is then prompted to choose whether to keep the original manufacturer'"'"'s mail-in rebate, or to accept the POS rebate, along with any terms and conditions associated with the POS rebate.
240 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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identifying a product associated with a first rebate, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value; determining whether a second rebate is associated with the product in a memory of a computing devices, wherein the second rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value; offering, if the second rebate is associated with the product and to a consumer, the second rebate in exchange for the first rebate; obtaining the predetermined document, surrendered by the consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and issuing the second rebate to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 45, 46)
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29. A method of processing rebates, comprising:
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identifying a first rebate associated with a product, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first products, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value; determining whether an alternative rebate is associated with the product in a memory of a computing devices, wherein the alternative rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value; if the alternative rebate is associated with the product, accepting input indicative of a selection of the alternative rebate; and
if selected,obtaining the predetermined document, surrendered by a consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and issuing the alternative rebate to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method, comprising:
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identifying a product; identifying a first rebate and a second rebate associated with the product, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value and the second rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value, and wherein an offer for the second rebate is output via a point of sale terminal during a transaction in which the product is being purchased such that a value of the second rebate may be applied to the transaction by the point of sale terminal if the consumer accepts the second rebate; receiving an acceptance of the second rebate from the consumer; obtaining the predetermined document, surrendered by a consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; issuing the second rebate to the consumer; and receiving a request from the consumer to redeem the second rebate. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor, and a memory that stores a program for directing the processor; the processor being operative with the program to; identify a product associated with a first rebate, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value; determine whether a second rebate is associated with the product, wherein the second rebate is redeemable for a second value; if the second rebate is associated with the product, offer to a consumer the second rebate in exchange for the first rebate; determine an indicator that the predetermined document has been surrendered by the consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and issue the second rebate to the consumer.
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40. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
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identify a product associated with a first rebate, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first products, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value; determine whether a second rebate is associated with the product, wherein the second rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value; if the second rebate is associated with the product, offer to a consumer the second rebate in exchange for the first rebate; determine an indicator that the predetermined document has been surrendered by the consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and issue the second rebate to the consumer.
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41. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor, and a memory that stores a program for directing the processor; the processor being operative with the program to; identify a first rebate associated with a product, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value; determine whether an alternative rebate is associated with the product, wherein the alternative rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value; if the alternative rebate is associated with the product, accept input indicative of a selection of the alternative rebate; and
if selected,determine an indicator that the predetermined document has been surrendered by a consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and issue the alternative rebate to the consumer.
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42. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
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identify a first rebate associated with a product, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value; determine whether an alternative rebate is associated with the product, wherein the alternative rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value; if the alternative rebate is associated with the product, accept input indicative of a selection of the alternative rebate; and
if selected,determine an indicator that the predetermined document has been surrendered by a consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; and issue the alternative rebate to the consumer.
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43. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor, and a memory that stores a program for directing the processor; the processor being operative with the program to; identify a product; identify a first rebate and a second rebate associated with the product, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value and the second rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value, and wherein an offer for the second rebate is output via a point of sale terminal during a transaction in which the product is being purchased such that a value of the second rebate may be applied to the transaction by the point of sale terminal if the consumer accepts the second rebate; receive an acceptance of the second rebate from the consumer; determine an indicator that the predetermined document has been surrendered by a consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; issue the second rebate to the consumer; and receive a request from the consumer to redeem the second rebate.
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44. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to:
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identify a product; identify a first rebate and a second rebate associated with the product, the first rebate being redeemable by mailing a predetermined document associated with the first rebate to a first entity associated with the first product, wherein the first rebate is redeemable for a first value and the second rebate is redeemable for a second value that is different from the first value, and wherein an offer for the second rebate is output via a point of sale terminal during a transaction in which the product is being purchased such that a value of the second rebate may be applied to the transaction by the point of sale terminal if the consumer accepts the second rebate; receive an acceptance of the second rebate from the consumer; determine an indicator that the predetermined document has been surrendered by a consumer at a retailer terminal operated by a second entity, such that the consumer can no longer redeem the first rebate; issue the second rebate to the consumer; and receive a request from the consumer to redeem the second rebate.
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Specification