Geographic loyalty system and method
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating earning loyalty points, wherein the loyalty points are associated with a geographic area, said method including:
- maintaining a database in a computer for storing geographic area loyalty points in a loyalty account corresponding to a participant;
receiving purchase data in a transaction file at a server associated with the computer from a point-of-sale terminal, said purchase data including a retailer item identifier and geographical area information;
determining an amount of geographic area loyalty points based on said purchase data;
updating said loyalty account with said geographic area loyalty points by adding the determined amount of geographic area loyalty points to a preexisting amount of geographic loyalty points in the loyalty account;
developing standardized information using the computer by associating said retailer item identifier, said geographical area information, and a manufacturer identifier; and
performing data analysis using the computer and using said standardized information.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention facilitates a loyalty system which is associated with pre-determined geographic locations and/or services and goods offered in a specific geographic area. The system is configured with one product platform with a modularized approach to facilitate the development of market specific rewards and communication materials. The loyalty points may be earned within a specific geographic location, then redeemed in one geographic location, a subset of locations or without restrictions. Similarly, the loyalty points may be earned in one geographic location, a subset of locations or without restrictions, then redeemed only in a specific geographic location. The geographic features of the system may be implemented using existing data that is associated with geographic areas such as, for example, zip codes, retailer identification codes, service establishment codes and/or the like. The geographic area information may be associated with the consumer, merchant, processing system and/or any other part of the overall system.
183 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating earning loyalty points, wherein the loyalty points are associated with a geographic area, said method including:
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maintaining a database in a computer for storing geographic area loyalty points in a loyalty account corresponding to a participant; receiving purchase data in a transaction file at a server associated with the computer from a point-of-sale terminal, said purchase data including a retailer item identifier and geographical area information; determining an amount of geographic area loyalty points based on said purchase data; updating said loyalty account with said geographic area loyalty points by adding the determined amount of geographic area loyalty points to a preexisting amount of geographic loyalty points in the loyalty account; developing standardized information using the computer by associating said retailer item identifier, said geographical area information, and a manufacturer identifier; and performing data analysis using the computer and using said standardized information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for facilitating redeeming loyalty points, wherein the loyalty points are associated with a geographic area, said method including:
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maintaining a database in a computer for storing geographic area loyalty points in a loyalty account corresponding to a participant; receiving a request at the computer related to a requested geographic redemption area to redeem an amount of said geographic area loyalty points; determining if said requested geographic redemption area is associated with said geographic area loyalty points; and adjusting said loyalty account based upon said amount of geographic area loyalty points; receiving purchase data in a transaction file at a server associated with the computer from a point-of-sale terminal, said purchase data including a retailer item identifier and geographical area information; developing standardized information using the computer by associating said retailer item identifier, said geographical area information, and a manufacturer identifier; and performing data analysis using the computer and using said standardized information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification