Method, system and portable consumer device using wildcard values

• US 7,367,501 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2006
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Redford, Liane, Nguyen, Loc, Bortolin, Corinne
• Primary Examiner(s): St. Cyr; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/598,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20070057051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/375, 235/378, 235/380, 235/381, 235/385, 235/462.01, 235/462.45, 705/17, 705/28
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A portable consumer device is disclosed. The portable consumer device includes a body and a computer readable medium coupled to the body. The computer readable medium comprises a data string including one or more wildcard values. The data string is specifically associated with the consumer. For example, the data string may represent one or more products that the consumer prefers to use.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving information associated with a portable consumer device, wherein the portable consumer device is used by a consumer, and wherein the information associated with the portable consumer device comprises a data string comprising a wildcard value;

determining if the consumer is entitled to a benefit using the data string; and

providing the benefit to the consumer if the consumer is entitled to the benefit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a description of the benefit to the consumer.

3. A point of service terminal configured to perform the method of claim 2.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a description of the benefit to the consumer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the benefit is a reward.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the data string encompasses identification codes associated with a number of products.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the portable consumer device comprises a card.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the information associated with the portable consumer device is on the portable consumer device.

9. A server computer configured to perform the method of claim 1.

10. A point of service terminal configured to perform the method of claim 1.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the benefit is associated with a future purchase of a product.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the data string represents whether the consumer is a repeat customer.

13. A portable consumer device to be used by a consumer, the portable consumer device comprising:

a chassis; and

a computer readable medium coupled to the chassis, the computer readable medium comprising a data string comprising one or more wildcard values, wherein the data string is specifically associated with the consumer, wherein the data string is associated with a benefit.

14. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the portable consumer device is a smart card, and wherein the computer readable medium is in the form of an integrated circuit.

15. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the portable consumer device is a smart card, wherein the chassis is a plastic body comprising an embossed region with a consumer'"'"'s identification, and wherein the computer readable medium is in the form of an integrated circuit.

16. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the data string comprising one or more wildcard values encompasses identification codes for two or more different products.

17. The portable consumer device of claim 16 wherein the identification codes optionally include universal product codes (UPCs) or stock keeping units (SKUs).

18. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the data string comprising one or more wildcard values encompasses two or more values.

19. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the portable consumer device is pocket-sized.

20. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the data string is specifically associated with a purchasing preference of the consumer.

21. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the portable consumer device is a smart card, and wherein the portable consumer device further comprises a microprocessor coupled to the chassis.

22. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the portable consumer device is in the form of a cellular phone.

23. The portable consumer device of claim 13 wherein the benefit is associated with a future purchase of a product.

24. The portable consumer device of claim 13, wherein the data string represents whether the consumer is a repeat customer.