Method and apparatus for defining routing of customers between merchants
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a server in communication with a plurality of store controllers, transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received via a store controller of an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus,the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant;
selecting, by the server, a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in the system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants;
outputting an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant;
determining, by the server, that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant; and
providing, via the server, the bonus to the customer.
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Abstract
A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by a server in communication with a plurality of store controllers, transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received via a store controller of an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus, the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant; selecting, by the server, a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in the system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants; outputting an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant; determining, by the server, that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant; and providing, via the server, the bonus to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:
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receive, by a server in communication with a plurality of store controllers, transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received via a store controller of an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus, the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant; select, by the server, a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in the system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants; output an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant; determine, by the server, that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant; and provide, via the server, the bonus to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. An apparatus, comprising:
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a storage device; and a processor operatively connected to the storage device, wherein the storage device includes a program configured to direct the processor to; receive transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received by an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus; receive transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received by an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus, the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant; select a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in the system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants; output an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant; determine that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant; and provide the bonus to the customer.
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Specification