System and method for a multiple merchant stored value card
First Claim
1. A computer-based system for conducting a transaction using a single code key or consumer identification code, comprising:
- a processor configured to facilitate execution of an incentive engine software facility; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory has stored thereon instructions associated with the incentive engine software facility and executable by the computer-based system to cause the computer-based system to perform operations comprising;
storing, at a database, a first number of general loyalty points associated with a single code key or consumer identifier code of a consumer, wherein the general loyalty points are convertible to any of a plurality of merchant-specific loyalty points;
converting a subset of the first number of general loyalty points into a second number of merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the merchant-specific loyalty points are usable by the consumer to purchase items from a particular merchant;
receiving an electronic request to process a transaction with the particular merchant using the merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the electronic request indicates a value associated with the transaction and the single code key or consumer identification code;
authenticating the single code key or consumer identification code against a plurality of single code keys or consumer identifier codes stored in the database;
responsive to the authenticating and to determining a deficit indicating that the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points is insufficient to cover the value, notifying the consumer of the deficit;
receiving an electronic request to convert an additional number of general loyalty points into merchant-specific loyalty points; and
executing the transaction with the particular merchant using the merchant-specific loyalty points.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer'"'"'s own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts.
88 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer-based system for conducting a transaction using a single code key or consumer identification code, comprising:
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a processor configured to facilitate execution of an incentive engine software facility; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory has stored thereon instructions associated with the incentive engine software facility and executable by the computer-based system to cause the computer-based system to perform operations comprising; storing, at a database, a first number of general loyalty points associated with a single code key or consumer identifier code of a consumer, wherein the general loyalty points are convertible to any of a plurality of merchant-specific loyalty points; converting a subset of the first number of general loyalty points into a second number of merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the merchant-specific loyalty points are usable by the consumer to purchase items from a particular merchant; receiving an electronic request to process a transaction with the particular merchant using the merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the electronic request indicates a value associated with the transaction and the single code key or consumer identification code; authenticating the single code key or consumer identification code against a plurality of single code keys or consumer identifier codes stored in the database; responsive to the authenticating and to determining a deficit indicating that the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points is insufficient to cover the value, notifying the consumer of the deficit; receiving an electronic request to convert an additional number of general loyalty points into merchant-specific loyalty points; and executing the transaction with the particular merchant using the merchant-specific loyalty points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method performed by a computer-based system including an incentive engine software facility, the method comprising:
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storing, in a consumer accounts database, a first number of general loyalty points associated with an account of a consumer, wherein the general loyalty points are convertible to any of a plurality of merchant-specific loyalty points, and wherein the account of the consumer is accessible using a single code key or consumer identifier code; converting a subset of the first number of general loyalty points into a second number of merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points are usable by the consumer to purchase items from a particular merchant; receiving an electronic request to process a transaction with the particular merchant using the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the electronic request indicates a first value field including a value associated with the transaction and a second value field indicating the single code key or consumer identifier code; authenticating the single code key or consumer identifier code against a plurality of single code keys or consumer identifier codes stored in the consumer accounts database; responsive to the authenticating and to determining a deficit indicating that the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points is insufficient to cover the value, generating a notification message configured to notify the consumer of the deficit; receiving an electronic request to convert an additional number of general loyalty points into merchant-specific loyalty points; and executing the transaction with the particular merchant using the merchant-specific loyalty points. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer system to cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:
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storing, at a database, a first number of general loyalty points associated with an account of a consumer, wherein the general loyalty points are convertible to any of a plurality of merchant-specific loyalty points, and wherein the account of the consumer is accessible using a single code key or consumer identifier code; converting a subset of the first number of general loyalty points into a second number of merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points are usable by the consumer to purchase items from a first merchant; receiving an electronic request to process a transaction with the first merchant using the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points, wherein the electronic request indicates a value associated with the transaction and the single code key or consumer identifier code; authenticating the single code key or consumer identifier code against a plurality of single code keys or consumer identifier codes stored in the database; responsive to the authenticating and to determining a deficit indicating that the second number of merchant-specific loyalty points is insufficient to cover the value, notifying the consumer of the deficit; receiving an electronic request to convert an additional number of general loyalty points into merchant-specific loyalty points; and executing the transaction with the first merchant using the merchant-specific loyalty points.
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Specification