Apparatus and method of facilitating the exchange of points between selected entities

• US 8,595,055 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Points.com Inc. (Plusgrade US LLC)
• Original Assignee: Points.com Incorporated
• Inventors: MacLean, Trevor Robert, Philip, Jerry, Ogden, Stephen Paul, Higbee Clarkin, Darlene
• Primary Examiner(s): Lastra, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/818,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,627 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/26, 705/27, 705/14.1
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0227 Frequent usage incentive value reconciliation between diverse systems

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method of exchanging first points held by a customer for second points, wherein the first points that are issued by a first point issuer differ from the second points that are issued by a second point issuer. This method comprises the steps of permitting the customer to set a first number of first points to be exchanged and permitting the first and second point issuers to set the point withdrawal and deposit rates of their first and second points respectively. Next, an equivalent number of the second points is determined based upon the point withdrawal and deposit rates of the first and second point issuers respectively, and the first number of the first points. Then, the first number of points is exchanged for a second equivalent number of second points.

Claims

1. A method of managing first and second points issuers, each of the first points issuer issuing first points and the second points issuer issuing second points at exchange rates set by the first and second points issuers respectively, the first points differing from the second points, the method implemented by a computer and comprising the steps of:

(a) entering first and second exchange rates by the first and second points issuers respectively;

(b) entering a customer'"'"'s request for buying first points and selling second points;

(c) determining, by a processor, the presence or absence of each of the first and second exchange rates; and

(d) blocking, by the processor, the selling and/or buying of points in the absence of either of the first or second exchange rates.

2. A system for managing a loyalty points program at an exchange rate set by a proprietor of the points program, said system comprising:

(a) at least one terminal associated with the points program and including a terminal input, a terminal database and a terminal server programmed at least in part to effect the following steps;

(i) respond to a customer request to withdraw from and/or deposit points into said one terminal,

(ii) a point program proprietor entering and storing in said terminal database exchange rates for the points of the loyalty points program; and

(iii) detect the absence of the exchange rates for the points program to transmit a blocking signal; and

(b) a transaction center coupled by a data transmission path to said one terminal and including a center input and a center server programmed to effect the following steps;

(i) respond to a customer request on said center input for transmitting via the data transmission path to said one terminal the customer request whereby points are withdrawn and/or deposited into the loyalty points program associated with said one terminal; and

(ii) respond to the blocking signal to prevent the transmission of the customer request.