Methods and systems for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card

• US 8,317,094 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lehman, Garrett Delos
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D
• Application Number:
  US12/565,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20110068170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/487, 235/494, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]

Abstract

A method for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card using a computer coupled to a database is described. The payment card includes a processing device coupled to a display screen. The method includes receiving, at the computer, a loyalty program request message that includes payment card identification data. The payment card identification data is associated with the payment card. The method also includes determining that the payment card is registered in a loyalty program based on the payment card identification data and cardholder account data stored in the database. The method also includes electronically generating a loyalty program response message that includes loyalty program update data. The method further includes transmitting the loyalty program update data from the computer to the payment card for displaying as loyalty program information on the display screen.

Claims

1. A method for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card using a computer coupled to a database, the payment card having a processing device coupled to a display screen, said method comprising:

receiving, at the computer, an electronic payment authorization message that includes payment card identification data and electronic payment transaction data, the payment card identification data associated with the payment card;

determining that the payment card is registered in a loyalty program based on the payment card identification data and cardholder account data stored in the database;

electronically generating an electronic payment authorization response message that includes loyalty program update data; and

transmitting the loyalty program update data from the computer to the payment card for displaying as loyalty program information on the display screen.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein electronically generating the electronic payment authorization response message comprises generating a response message that includes the loyalty program update data and at least one of a payment authorization and a payment denial.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein receiving the payment card identification data comprises receiving at least one of an account number, a unique identifier, cardholder identification data, and issuing bank identification data.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein receiving electronic payment transaction data comprises receiving at least one of merchant identification data, a requested transaction payment amount, and data descriptive of a purchase type.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein electronically generating the electronic payment authorization response message that includes loyalty program update data comprises determining loyalty program update data based at least partially on the electronic payment transaction data.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein determining loyalty program update data comprises determining whether the underlying purchase paid for by the electronic payment transaction qualifies for loyalty program participation.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein determining loyalty program update data comprises determining a loyalty program reward balance, wherein the loyalty program reward balance comprises at least one of a number of available loyalty points, a loyalty program available balance, a loyalty program balance prior to the instant electronic payment transaction, and a loyalty program balance subsequent to the instant electronic payment transaction.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a loyalty program reward usage signal requesting that the loyalty program reward be applied to the electronic payment transaction.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting the payment card identification data, using wireless communication, from the payment card to a point-of-service (POS) terminal associated with a merchant; and

generating, using the POS terminal, the electronic payment authorization request message from the payment card identification data and the electronic payment transaction data.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein transmitting the loyalty program update data to the payment card comprises transmitting the loyalty program update data to the payment card via the POS terminal for display as loyalty program information on the display screen.

11. A network-based system for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card, said system comprising:

a computer system configured to process electronic payment transactions associated with a payment card and to manage a loyalty program through which a cardholder accrues a reward for purchasing qualified products using the payment card;

a point-of-interaction (POI) device communicatively coupled to said computer system and configured to;

generate an electronic payment authorization request message that includes payment card identification data and electronic payment transaction data, and

receive an electronic payment authorization response message that includes loyalty program update data; and

a payment card configured to transmit payment card identification data to said computer system and to receive loyalty program update data from said computer system via said POI device, said payment card comprising a display screen and a payment card communication device each coupled to a processing device, said display screen configured to display loyalty program information.

12. A network-based system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said computer system is associated with at least one of a merchant, a merchant bank, an interchange network, and a payment card issuer.

13. A network-based system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said POI device is configured to:

receive payment card identification data from said payment card;

receive electronic payment transaction data from the merchant; and

transmit the payment card identification data and the electronic payment transaction data to said computer system for processing.

14. A network-based system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said computer system comprises a processing device coupled to a database of payment card account data, said processing device configured to:

access the payment card account data that corresponds to the payment card identification data received from said POI device; and

determine that said payment card is associated with a loyalty program.

15. A network-based system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said computer system is configured to:

determine loyalty program update data; and

transmit the loyalty program update data to said payment card via said POI device.

16. A network-based system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said computer system is configured to determine loyalty program update data based on at least one of a transaction amount included within the electronic payment transaction data, a merchant identifier included within the electronic payment transaction data, and item identifiers included within the electronic payment transaction data.

17. A network-based system is accordance with claim 11, wherein said POI device comprises a point-of-service (POS) terminal.

18. A network-based system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said POI device comprises:

a POI wireless communication device for communicating with said payment card communication device; and

an input device for receipt of customer input data.

19. A network-based system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said input device is configured to receive at least one of a personal identification number (PIN) number, a security code, and a loyalty program balance usage signal.

20. A network-based system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said POI wireless communication device and said payment card communication device are included within a radio frequency identification (RFID) system configured for bidirectional communication between said POI device and said payment card.

21. A network-based system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a network communicatively coupling said POI device and said computer system.

22. A network-based system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said display screen comprises at least one of an light emitting diode (LED) display and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.

23. A payment card for use in an electronic payment transaction, said payment card comprising:

a display screen;

a processing device coupled to said display screen; and

a wireless communication device coupled to said processing device, said wireless communication device configured to transmit payment card identification data and to receive loyalty program update data and an account identifier associated with said payment card, said processing device configured to compare the account identifier to stored data, and if the account identifier corresponds to the stored data, said processing device is configured to provide loyalty program update data output from said processing device to said display screen for display on said display screen.

24. A payment card in accordance with claim 23, wherein said display screen comprises at least one of a light emitting diode (LED) and an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

25. A payment card in accordance with claim 24 further comprising an energy storage device configured to provide the operating power to said processing device and said wireless communication device, and to provide power to said display screen to maintain the display image on said display screen.

26. A payment card in accordance with claim 24, wherein said wireless communication device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) device configured for bidirectional communication between said POS terminal and said payment card.

27. A payment card in accordance with claim 23, wherein said display screen is configured to:

receive a signal to display;

receive an operating power while positioned less than a maximum distance from a point-of-service (POS) terminal;

display an image corresponding to the received signal; and

maintain the displayed image without application of the operating power.

28. A method for displaying loyalty program reward information on a payment card issued to a cardholder, the method performed using a computer coupled to a database and in communication with a point-of-service (POS) terminal, the payment card includes a display and stores payment card identification data, said method comprising:

displaying a loyalty program update request option on the POS terminal;

receiving, at the computer, the payment card identification data and a loyalty program update request from the POS terminal, upon selection of the loyalty program update request option;

determining by the computer a quantity of reward points accumulated by the cardholder based on the received payment card identification data; and

transmitting reward points data for the cardholder to the POS terminal for displaying the quantity of reward points accumulated by the cardholder on the payment card display.