Method and system for electronic exchange of reward points
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of exchanging rewards comprising:
- a reward exchange computer communicating over a computer network with a reward server computer that stores in a reward account a first set of reward points of a first type earned by a user from a first reward issuing entity as a result of a first transaction executed between the user and the first reward issuing entity;
the reward exchange computer storing in a reward exchange account a second set of reward points of a second type earned by the user as a result of a second transaction executed between the user and a second reward issuing entity which is different from the first reward issuing entity; and
the reward exchange computer accepting communication over the computer network from the reward server computer for exchanging a quantity of reward points of the first type, designated by the user operating a user computer, from the reward account on the reward server computer into reward points of the second type for adding to the reward exchange account on the reward exchange computer by;
converting a quantity of reward points of the first type that have been designated by the user to be decreased from the reward account on the reward server computer into a corresponding amount of reward points of the second type at a predetermined reward server conversion rate,adding the corresponding amount of reward points of the second type to the reward exchange account,combining the corresponding amount of reward points of the second type added to the reward exchange account with the second set of reward points of the second type previously stored in the reward exchange account, andreceiving consideration from the reward server computer, the consideration having a value equivalent to the quantity of reward points of the first type decreased from the reward account on the reward server computer.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user'"'"'s earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user'"'"'s earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated points rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of exchanging rewards comprising:
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a reward exchange computer communicating over a computer network with a reward server computer that stores in a reward account a first set of reward points of a first type earned by a user from a first reward issuing entity as a result of a first transaction executed between the user and the first reward issuing entity; the reward exchange computer storing in a reward exchange account a second set of reward points of a second type earned by the user as a result of a second transaction executed between the user and a second reward issuing entity which is different from the first reward issuing entity; and the reward exchange computer accepting communication over the computer network from the reward server computer for exchanging a quantity of reward points of the first type, designated by the user operating a user computer, from the reward account on the reward server computer into reward points of the second type for adding to the reward exchange account on the reward exchange computer by; converting a quantity of reward points of the first type that have been designated by the user to be decreased from the reward account on the reward server computer into a corresponding amount of reward points of the second type at a predetermined reward server conversion rate, adding the corresponding amount of reward points of the second type to the reward exchange account, combining the corresponding amount of reward points of the second type added to the reward exchange account with the second set of reward points of the second type previously stored in the reward exchange account, and receiving consideration from the reward server computer, the consideration having a value equivalent to the quantity of reward points of the first type decreased from the reward account on the reward server computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A reward exchange computer comprising:
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communications means for communicating over a computer network with a reward server computer that stores in a reward account a first set of reward points of a first type earned by a user from a first reward issuing entity as a result of a first transaction executed between the user and the first reward issuing entity; memory means for storing in a reward exchange account a second set of reward points of a second type earned by the user as a result of a second transaction executed between the user and a second reward issuing entity which is different from the first reward issuing entity; and processing means programmed to; accept communication over the computer network from the reward server computer for exchanging a quantity of reward points of the first type, designated by the user operating a user computer, from the reward account on the reward server computer into reward points of the second type for adding to the reward exchange account on the reward exchange computer by; converting a quantity of reward points of the first type that have been designated by the user to be decreased from the reward account on the reward server computer into a corresponding amount of reward points of the second type at a predetermined reward server conversion rate, adding the corresponding amount of reward points of the second type to the reward exchange account, combining the corresponding amount of reward points of the second type added to the reward exchange account with the second set of reward points of the second type previously stored in the reward exchange account, and receiving consideration from the reward server computer, the consideration having a value equivalent to the quantity of reward points of the first type decreased from the reward account on the reward server computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification