System and method for targeted marketing and consumer resource management

• US 9,785,961 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackhawk Network Incorporated (Albertsons Cos., Inc.), Leverage Inc.
• Original Assignee: Blackhawk Network Incorporated (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Roberts, Mark E., Mathe, Jennifer K., Nguyen, Khanh
• Primary Examiner(s): Rudy, Andrew Joseph
• Application Number:
  US13/619,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20130013430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 705 21, 705 35, 235376, 235380, 235383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/227 characterised in that multiple accounts are available, e.g. to the payer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4037 Remote solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0229 Multi-merchant loyalty card systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for providing targeted marketing to goods and services provides and consumer resource management services to consumers. An example system and method for targeted marketing comprises collecting transaction data from point-of-sale (POS) terminals and using a consumer identifier in the transaction data to access stored information about the consumer. This information may be used to target offers and advertisement to the consumer. In an example system for consumer resource management, a consumer may configure a consumer account on the enterprise infrastructure via a web-site. The consumer may use the consumer account to purchase and configure gift cards that may be used for purchasing goods and services. A universal transaction identifier may be associated with the consumer account and used to purchase goods and services from more than one selected goods and services providers.

Claims

1. A method of gift card exchange performed by an enterprise infrastructure comprising one or more processors and non-transitory computer readable memory storing executable instructions, the one or more processors executing the executable instructions to cause the enterprise infrastructure to perform the method comprising:

receiving from a network terminal, a request to exchange a first gift card, wherein the first gift card is associated with a first retailer, associated with a first gift card account, associated with a first consumer account prior to the request to exchange, and which is accessible via Internet and administered by the enterprise infrastructure;

determining a value associated with the first gift card;

obtaining a value associated with at least a second gift card, wherein the second gift card is associated with a second retailer, associated with a second gift card account, associated with a second consumer account prior to the request to exchange, and which is accessible via the Internet and administered by the enterprise infrastructure; and

digitally exchanging at least a portion of the value associated with the first gift card for the value associated with the second gift card, wherein thereafter the value associated with the second gift card is transferred to be associated with the first consumer account and the value associated with the first gift card is disassociated with the first consumer account.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein based on the second gift card, the enterprise infrastructure provides an offer or coupon to the first consumer account.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second gift card comprises a universal transaction identifier that can be used to purchase goods from more than one retailer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the value of the second gift card is the same as the at least a portion of the value associated with the first gift card.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the value associated with the first gift card that is exchanged is less than an entire value associated with the first gift card.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a universal transaction identifier is associated with the first consumer account and provides access to use of the value associated with the second gift card after digitally exchanging.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the value associated with the second gift card is a lesser value than the value associated with the first gift card.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein information relating to the first consumer account is kept in a database of the enterprise infrastructure.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein after the exchanging, the at least a portion of the value associated with the first gift card is transferred to the second consumer account.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gift card is a digital card, and wherein the terminal is a mobile device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone capable of running a web browser.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the request to use is received from the terminal over the Internet.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the terminal is a point-of-sale terminal which is connected with the enterprise infrastructure over a secured network connection.