Method and apparatus for providing awards using transponders
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method of providing awards comprising:
- (a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center at one or more locations;
(b) providing participants in an awards program with electronic data storage element readers;
(c) reading said directions to said award processing center from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader;
(d) utilizing said directions to access said award processing center;
(e) identifying said participant; and
(f) providing an award to said participant.
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Abstract
A method and system for providing awards to participants utilizing electronic data storage elements such as radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags. RFID tags containing directions to an award processing center and other unique coded information are placed at locations where customer patronage is to be encouraged. Award program participants are provided with RFID readers capable of reading the information on the RFID tag. Award program participants read the information on the RFID tag with their reader and utilize that information to access the award processing center which then provides awards to the participants, such as redeemable customer loyalty points or product coupons.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of providing awards comprising:
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(a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center at one or more locations; (b) providing participants in an awards program with electronic data storage element readers; (c) reading said directions to said award processing center from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader; (d) utilizing said directions to access said award processing center; (e) identifying said participant; and (f) providing an award to said participant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of encouraging customer patronage by providing awards to customers comprising:
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(a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing identifying information at one or more locations; (b) providing participants in an award program with electronic data storage element readers; (c) reading said identifying information from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader; (d) accessing an award processing center; (e) transmitting the identifying information to the award processing center; and (f) providing an award to said participant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of encouraging customer loyalty and patronage comprising:
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(a) registering participants in a customer loyalty program; (b) providing one or more of said participants with an electronic data storage element encoded with information identifying the participant; (c) providing electronic data storage element readers to one or more locations; (d) reading the information identifying the participant from the electronic data storage element with the electronic data storage element reader; and (e) providing an award to the identified participant. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system of providing awards comprising:
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(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center; (b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said directions from said electronic data storage elements; (c) a communications device capable of using said directions to access said award processing center wherein said award processing center provides an award to an award program participant when said participant accesses said award processing center. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A system for encouraging customer patronage by providing awards to customers comprising:
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(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing identifying information; (b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said identifying information from said electronic data storage elements; (c) an awards processing center that provides awards to one or more participant(s) in an awards program when said participant transmits the identifying information from said electronic data storage element to the awards processing center. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A system of encouraging customer loyalty and patronage comprising:
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(a) one or more participant(s) in a customer loyalty program; (b) an electronic data storage element provided to each participant that is encoded with information identifying said participant; (c) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said electronic data storage element(s); (d) awards that are provided to said participant when said participant'"'"'s identifying information stored on said participant'"'"'s electronic data storage element is read by said electronic data storage element reader and transmitted to an award processing center. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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Specification