Methods and apparatus for supporting electronic requests for information and promotions on multiple device platforms in an integrated manner
First Claim
1. A method of communicating electronic promotion information, the method comprising:
- operating a first communications device to receive electronic promotion information signed by a sender device sending the electronic promotion information to the first communications device, said first communications device being a device used by an intended user of said electronic promotion information;
operating the first communications device to perform one of;
i) send a signed version of the electronic promotion information including a signature corresponding to the first communications device and a signature corresponding to said sender device to at least one other device;
orii) send a message to cause a signed version of the electronic promotion information including a signature corresponding to the first communications device and a signature corresponding to the sender device to be sent to the at least one other device; and
wherein said signature corresponding to the first communications device is generated by one of said first communications device or a server using a key or secret corresponding to the first communications device.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for supporting electronic promotions and electronic requests for information, e.g., in an integrated manner, on multiple platforms including, e.g., cable network systems, cell phones, etc., are described. Rewards and/or benefits are tracked in a centralized manner and a subscriber is allowed to accumulate rewards and benefits in a single account irrespective of which device or platform was used to initiate an eRFI and/or to act upon a promotion. The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow a cable service provider which supports eRFI on set top boxes to use the same eRFI server to provide responses to eRFI requests received from devices, e.g., cell phones and/or E-mail devices corresponding to a service subscriber, to forward electronic promotion information and to reward users in a forwarding chain for redemptions of coupons included in forwarded promotion information. Forwarded promotion information securely identifies each device/user in the forwarding chain.
14 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of communicating electronic promotion information, the method comprising:
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operating a first communications device to receive electronic promotion information signed by a sender device sending the electronic promotion information to the first communications device, said first communications device being a device used by an intended user of said electronic promotion information; operating the first communications device to perform one of; i) send a signed version of the electronic promotion information including a signature corresponding to the first communications device and a signature corresponding to said sender device to at least one other device;
orii) send a message to cause a signed version of the electronic promotion information including a signature corresponding to the first communications device and a signature corresponding to the sender device to be sent to the at least one other device; and wherein said signature corresponding to the first communications device is generated by one of said first communications device or a server using a key or secret corresponding to the first communications device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for supporting electronic promotions, the system comprising:
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a first server including a processor, the first server being configured to; send electronic promotion information to a first communications device, said electronic promotion information being signed by a sender of the electronic promotion information, said first communications device used by an intended user of said electronic promotion information; a second server configured to; monitor, after said electronic promotion information is sent to the first communications device, for a request to forward the electronic promotion information to a second communications device; and wherein said first server is further configured to; forward a signed version of said electronic promotion information including information identifying said first communications device to said second communications device, said second communications device being indicated by said request to forward the electronic promotion information, said signed version of said electronic promotion information including a signature corresponding to said sender of the electronic promotion information and a signature of the first communications device; and wherein said signature of the first communications device is generated by one of said first communications device or said second server using a key or secret corresponding to the first communications device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification