Event-driven coupon processor alert

• US 8,751,298 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Giordano, Joseph A., Grossman, Glenn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Long, Meredith A
• Application Number:
  US13/103,380
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/14.38
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing electronic coupons are provided. The apparatus and methods include a system that uses a plurality of coupon processors to pull coupon data from an electronic coupon platform upon the expiration of a predetermined time period. The apparatus and methods additionally include a system that uses an electronic coupon platform to pushes data to a plurality of coupon processors upon the expiration of a predetermined time period. The apparatus and methods also include a system that redeems electronic coupons by initiating a deposit of an amount of funds in a customer bank account at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus and methods further include an electronic coupon platform that sends an electronic notification to a plurality of coupon processors upon the receipt of data from a first coupon processor which relates to the receipt of customer payment card and/or loyalty card information.

Claims

1. A method for using an electronic coupon platform to generate an event driven coupon processor alert, the method comprising:

using a memory, the memory part of the electronic coupon platform, storing customer profile data associated with a customer in an electronic coupon platform database, the database, the customer profile data including customer identification information and data relating to one or more electronic coupons electronically selected by the customer;

using a receiver, the receiver part of the electronic coupon platform, receiving data from a first coupon processor, the data relating to the receipt of data that identities the customer at a first point of sale terminal in electronic communication with the first coupon processor;

in response to the receipt of data from the first coupon processor, using a transmitter, the transmitter part of the electronic coupon platform, transmitting instructions to a second coupon processor;

wherein;

the instructions instruct the second coupon processor to transmit to the electronic coupon platform an electronic request for data associated with the customer, the electronic request being initiated in the event that the second coupon processor receives data from a second point of sale terminal relating to the receipt of data that identifies the customer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the instructions to the second coupon processor in the event that the receiver receives information relating to the modification of electronic coupon information associated with the customer, the modification being executed via a web-based portal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is a first database and the second coupon processor is configured to store the instructions transmitted by the transmitter module in a second database.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein upon the expiration of a predetermined time period the transmitter transmits data to the second coupon processor, the data including the data received from the first coupon processor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting the data upon the expiration of the predetermined time period effects the deletion of the instructions stored in a second database.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting instructions to the first coupon processor in the event that the receiver receives information relating to the modification of electronic coupon information associated with the customer, the modification being executed via a web-based portal, wherein the instructions instruct the first coupon processor to transmit to the electronic coupon platform an electronic request for data associated with the customer, the electronic request being initiated in the event that the first coupon processor receives data from the first point of sale terminal relating to the receipt of data that identifies the customer.

7. A method for using a coupon processor to receive an event driven coupon processor alert from an electronic platform, the method comprising:

using a memory, the memory part of the coupon processor, storing customer profile data associated with a customer in a coupon processor database, the customer profile data including customer identification information and data relating to one or more electronic coupons electronically selected by the customer, the one or more electronic coupons being configured to be redeemed at a point of sale terminal in electronic communication with the coupon processor;

using a receiver, the receiver part of the coupon processor, receiving an electronic notification from an electronic coupon platform, the electronic notification including instructions to associate the electronic notification with the customer profile data;

using a processor, the processor part of the coupon processor, electronically associating the electronic notification with the customer profile data; and

using a transmitter, the transmitter part of the coupon processor, transmitting an electronic request to the electronic coupon platform for customer profile data associated with the customer in the event that (1) the electronic notification is associated with the customer profile data and (2) information is received from the point of sale terminal relating to the receipt of data that identifies the customer;

wherein;

the electronic association of the electronic notification with the customer profile data prompts the transmitter to transmit the electronic request to the electronic coupon platform substantially immediately after the receipt of the information from the point of sale terminal.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising deleting the electronic notification upon the expiration of a predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving, upon the expiration of the predetermined time period, customer profile data from the electronic coupon platform.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the customer profile data includes data relating to electronic coupons redeemed by the customer during the predetermined time period.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising using the processor to update the customer profile data to include the customer profile data received upon the expiration of the predetermined time period.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the receipt of data that identifies the customer relates to data included on a card swiped at the point of sale terminal.

13. A method for using a coupon processor to receive an event driven coupon processor alert from an electronic platform, the coupon processor in communication with a point of sale terminal and a remote electronic coupon platform, the method comprising:

using a memory associated with the coupon processor, storing multiple customer profiles relating to multiple customers in a coupon processor database, each of the multiple customer profiles comprising data relating to a customer and data relating to one or more electronic coupons, the electronic coupons electronically selected by the customer via a web-based portal;

using a receiver associated with the coupon processor, receiving data identifying a customer at a point of sale terminal wherein the data comprises a loyalty card or a payment instrument;

using a processor associated with the coupon processor, determining if the data identifying the customer identifies one of the multiple customers; and

using a transmitter associated with the coupon processor, transmitting the data identifying the customer to an electronic coupon platform in the event that the data identifying the customer identifies one of the multiple customers, wherein the receipt of the data identifying the customer at the electronic platform initiates a transmission of instructions from the electronic platform to a second coupon processor, the instructions instructing the second coupon processor to request updated customer information from the electronic coupon platform.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the data identifying the customer at the point of sale terminal is included on a customer cell phone.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting the data to the point of sale terminal using near field communication.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the data identifying the customer at the point of sale is included on a customer payment instrument.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the data identifying the customer at the point of sale is included on a customer loyalty card.