Systems and methods to provide a user interface for redemption of loyalty rewards

• US 9,990,646 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2014
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Salmon, Diane C., VonDerheide, James Alan, DiGioacchino, Laura, Scheidelman, Edward, Kim, Nancy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): REFAI, SAM M
• Application Number:
  US14/523,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20150120429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 705 141- 1473
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/42 Confirmation, e.g. check or permission by the legal debtor of payment
• 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

A system includes a rule engine to determine details of loyalty reward currency redemption from one or more reward accounts as part of the processing of a payment transaction in a payment account of a user. The redemption details are determined based on user preferences and rules of the loyalty programs, and transmitted to the user during the authorization of the payment transaction. During the authorization and/or within a time window after the authorization, but before the settlement of the payment transaction, the user may provide a confirmation message that may accept, reject, or modify the redemption details. A transaction handler is configured to authorize and/or settle the payment transaction, as modified by the redemption details initially computed by the rule engine and subsequently confirmed, rejected or modified by the user via an optional confirmation message.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing a computing apparatus comprising;

a transaction handler configured on an electronic payment processing network that connects separate computers, the separate computers including;

point of sales terminals generating payment transactions in the electronic payment processing network using identifiers of payment accounts;

first computers controlling the payment accounts;

second computers controlling merchant accounts associated with the point of sales terminals to receive payments in the electronic payment processing network; and

the transaction handler connecting the first computers and the second computers;

a data warehouse coupled with the transaction handler;

a portal coupled with the data warehouse and the transaction handler;

at least one microprocessor; and

memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one microprocessor, cause the computing apparatus to perform a method of;

storing, in the data warehouse of the computing apparatus, data associating;

a user profile of a user, the user profile identifying a plurality of loyalty programs of the user, and preferences and rules for redeeming loyalty currencies of the user from the plurality of loyalty programs,

an account identifier of a payment account of the user, and

a communication reference of a computing device of the user;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus from the electronic payment processing network, a first authorization request for a payment transaction involving the payment account, wherein the authorization request comprises the account identifier of the payment account of the user;

in response to receiving the first authorization request,

determining, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an offer applicable to a redemption of loyalty currencies from a reward account of a loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs and details of the redemption of loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs in accordance with the preferences and rules identified in the user profile of the user associated with the payment account of which the account identifier is included in the authorization request;

identifying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus based on the account identifier of the payment account of the user included in the authorization request, the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account;

identifying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account based on the account identifier of the payment account of the user included in the authorization request;

transmitting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus in parallel with processing of the first authorization request in the electronic payment processing network, a redemption notification to the computing device of the user using the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account based on identifying the communication reference, the redemption notification including the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs;

providing, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the portal and based on transmitting the redemption notification, a user interface, wherein the user interface includes an element selectable by the user to cause the computing device of the user to generate a confirmation message to be transmitted from the computing device of the user to the computing apparatus;

prompting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the user interface provided via the portal, the user to confirm the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the portal, the confirmation message generated on the computing device of the user within either a first time period of receiving the first authorization request or a second time period that follows the first time period, wherein the confirmation message comprises the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs;

processing, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs according to the confirmation message received in the portal;

adjusting, by the transaction handler, the payment transaction based on the processing of the redemption of the loyalty currencies according to the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs included in the confirmation message received in the portal, wherein;

when the confirmation message is received within the first time period, the transaction handler adjusts the payment transaction by providing an authorization response for the first authorization request according to the confirmation message; and

when the confirmation message is received within the second time period, the transaction handler adjusts the payment transaction by;

providing the authorization response for the first authorization request according to a preference of the user profile; and

modifying the transaction according to the confirmation message during settlement of the transactions;

generating, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, a second authorization request and a third authorization request according to the confirmation message based on receiving the confirmation message;

transmitting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the second authorization request to an issuer processor associated with the payment account of the user;

transmitting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the third authorization request to a sponsor processor associated with the reward account from which the redemption of loyalty currencies of the offer is applicable to;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an authorization response based on the second authorization request transmitted to the issuer processor associated with the payment account of the user;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an authorization response based on the third authorization request transmitted to the sponsor processor associated with the reward account from which the redemption of loyalty currencies of the offer is applicable to; and

wherein processing the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs comprises;

processing the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs based on receiving the authorization response based on the second authorization request and the authorization response based on the third authorization request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to the confirmation message, the transaction handler of the computing apparatus is configured to redeem the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs according to the details for the redemption of the loyalty currencies and apply the loyalty currencies to the payment transaction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the computing device of the user comprises a mobile phone;

and the communication reference includes a phone number of the mobile phone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the element is selectable by the user when the redemption notification is presented on the computing device of the user;

in response to a user selection of the element, the element causes the computing device of the user to communicate with the transaction handler of the computing apparatus to present the user interface to the user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user interface includes an option to modify the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies to generate a modified redemption plan.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

in response to receiving, within a predetermined time period from the redemption notification, the modified redemption plan received via the user interface presented on the computing device of the user,

redeeming, by the computing apparatus, loyalty rewards from the reward account of the loyalty program of the loyalty programs according to the modified redemption plan, and

applying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the loyalty rewards to the payment transaction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the loyalty rewards are applied to the payment transaction during authorization of the payment transaction.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the loyalty rewards are applied to the payment transaction during settlement of the payment transaction.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

in response to having not received a redemption plan within a predetermined time period from transmission of the redemption notification,

redeeming, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, loyalty rewards from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs according to the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies, and

applying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the loyalty rewards to the payment transaction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the loyalty rewards are applied to the payment transaction during authorization of the payment transaction.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the loyalty rewards are applied to the payment transaction during settlement of the payment transaction.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the preferences and rules include a preference of the user, the preference of the user specifying whether or not the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies computed by the computing apparatus are considered to be accepted by the user if no confirmation or modification is received from the user in response to the redemption notification.

13. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

prior to receiving the modified redemption plan via the user interface presented on the computing device of the user,

redeeming, by the computing apparatus, loyalty rewards from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs according to the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies computed by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus in accordance with the preferences and rules identified in the user profile, and

applying, by the computing apparatus, the loyalty rewards to authorization of the payment transaction; and

after receiving the modified redemption plan via the user interface presented on the computing device of the user,

modifying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, redemption of loyalty rewards from the reward account of the loyalty program of the loyalty programs according to the modified redemption plan, and

applying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, loyalty rewards to settlement of the payment transaction according to the modified redemption plan.

14. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus during the first time period from the redemption notification, whether a first user input responsive to the redemption notification is received; and

after receiving the first user input during the first time period, processing authorization of the payment transaction in accordance with the user input.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus during the second time period from the redemption notification, whether a second user input responsive to the redemption notification is received; and

after receiving the second user input during the second time period, processing settlement of the payment transaction in accordance with the second user input.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein in absence of a user input during the first time period, processing loyalty benefit redemption for authorization of the payment transaction in accordance with a default action identified in the user profile.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the default action is based at least in part on a merchant with which the payment transaction is made, or a transaction amount of the payment transaction.

18. A non-transitory computer-storage medium storing instructions configured to instruct a computing apparatus to perform a method comprising:

storing, in a data warehouse of the computing apparatus, data associating;

a user profile of a user, the user profile identifying a plurality of loyalty programs of the user, and preferences and rules for redeeming loyalty currencies of the user from the plurality of loyalty programs,

an account identifier of a payment account of the user, and

a communication reference of a computing device of the user, wherein the computing apparatus includes;

a transaction handler configured on an electronic payment processing network that connects separate computers, the separate computers including;

point of sales terminals generating payment transactions in the electronic payment processing network using identifiers of payment accounts;

first computers controlling the payment accounts;

second computers controlling merchant accounts associated with the point of sales terminals to receive payments in the electronic payment processing network; and

the transaction handler connecting the first computers and the second computers;

the data warehouse coupled with the transaction handler;

a portal coupled with the data warehouse and the transaction handler;

at least one microprocessor; and

memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one microprocessor, cause the computing apparatus to perform a method of;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus from the electronic payment processing network, a first authorization request for a payment transaction identified involving the payment account, wherein the authorization request comprises the account identifier of the payment account of the user;

in response to receiving the first authorization request,

determining, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an offer applicable to a redemption of loyalty currencies from a reward account of a loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs and details of the redemption of loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs in accordance with the preferences and rules in the user profile of the user associated with the payment account of which the account identifier is included in the authorization request;

identifying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus based on the account identifier of the payment account of the user included in the authorization request, the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account;

identifying, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account based on the account identifier of the payment account of the user included in the authorization request;

transmitting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus in parallel with processing of the first authorization request in the electronic payment processing network, a redemption notification to the computing device of the user using the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account based on identifying the communication reference, the redemption notification including the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the loyalty programs;

providing, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the portal and based on transmitting the redemption notification, a user interface, wherein the user interface includes an element selectable by the user to cause the computing device of the user to generate a confirmation message to be transmitted from the computing device of the user to the computing apparatus;

prompting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the user interface provided via the portal, the user to confirm the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the portal, the confirmation message generated on the computing device of the user within either a first time period of receiving the first authorization request or a second time period that follows the first time period, wherein the confirmation message comprises the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs;

processing, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs according to the confirmation message received in the portal;

adjusting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the payment transaction based on the processing of the redemption of the loyalty currencies according to the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs included in the confirmation message received in the portal, wherein;

when the confirmation message is received within the first time period, the transaction handler adjusts the payment transaction by providing an authorization response for the first authorization request according to the confirmation message; and

when the confirmation message is received within the second time period, the transaction handler adjusts the payment transaction by;

providing the authorization response for the first authorization request according to a preference of the user profile; and

modifying the transaction according to the confirmation message during settlement of the transactions;

generating, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, a second authorization request and a third authorization request according to the confirmation message based on receiving the confirmation message;

transmitting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the second authorization request to an issuer processor associated with the payment account of the user;

transmitting, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the third authorization request to a sponsor processor associated with the reward account from which the redemption of loyalty currencies of the offer is applicable to;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an authorization response based on the second authorization request transmitted to the issuer processor associated with the payment account of the user;

receiving, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an authorization response based on the third authorization request transmitted to the sponsor processor associated with the reward account from which the redemption of loyalty currencies of the offer is applicable to; and

wherein processing the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs comprises;

processing the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs based on receiving the authorization response based on the second authorization request and the authorization response based on the third authorization request.

19. A computing apparatus, comprising:

a transaction handler configured on an electronic payment processing network that connects separate computers, the separate computers including;

point of sales terminals generating payment transactions in the electronic payment processing network using identifiers of payment accounts;

first computers controlling the payment accounts;

second computers controlling merchant accounts associated with the point of sales terminals to receive payments in the electronic payment processing network; and

the transaction handler connecting the first computers and the second computers;

a data warehouse coupled with the transaction handler;

a portal coupled with the data warehouse and the transaction handler;

at least one microprocessor; and

memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one microprocessor, cause the computing apparatus to at least;

store, in the data warehouse of the computing apparatus, data associating;

a user profile of the user, the user profile identifying a plurality of loyalty programs of a user, and preferences and rules for redeeming loyalty currencies of the user from the plurality of loyalty programs,

an account identifier of a payment account of the user, and

a communication reference of a computing device of the user;

receive, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus from the electronic payment processing network, a first authorization request for a payment transaction involving the payment account, wherein the authorization request comprises the account identifier of the payment account of the user;

in response to receiving the first authorization request,

determine, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an offer applicable to a redemption of loyalty currencies from a reward account of a loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs and details of the redemption of loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs in accordance with the preferences and rules identified in the user profile of the user associated with the payment account of which the account identifier is included in the authorization request;

identify, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus based on the account identifier of the payment account of the user included in the authorization request, the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account;

identify, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account based on the account identifier of the payment account of the user included in the authorization request;

transmit, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus in parallel with processing of the first authorization request, a redemption notification to the computing device of the user using the communication reference of the computing device of the user associated with the payment account based on identifying the communication reference, the redemption notification including the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the loyalty programs;

provide, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the portal and based on transmitting the redemption notification, a user interface;

prompt, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the user interface provided via the portal, the user to confirm the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the loyalty programs;

receive, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus via the portal, a confirmation message generated on the computing device of the user within either a first time period of receiving the first authorization request or a second time period that follows the first time period, wherein the confirmation message comprises the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs;

process, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs according to the confirmation message received in the portal;

adjust, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the payment transaction based on the processing of the redemption of the loyalty currencies according to the details of the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs included in the confirmation message received in the portal, wherein;

when the confirmation message is received within the first time period, the transaction handler adjusts the payment transaction by providing an authorization response for the first authorization request according to the confirmation message; and

when the confirmation message is received within the second time period, the transaction handler adjusts the payment transaction by;

 

providing the authorization response for the first authorization request according to a preference of the user profile; and

modify the transaction according to the confirmation message during settlement of the transaction;

generate, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, a second authorization request and a third authorization request according to the confirmation message based on receiving the confirmation message;

transmit, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the second authorization request to an issuer processor associated with the payment account of the user;

transmit, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, the third authorization request to a sponsor processor associated with the reward account from which the redemption of loyalty currencies of the offer is applicable to;

receive, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an authorization response based on the second authorization request transmitted to the issuer processor associated with the payment account of the user;

receive, by the transaction handler of the computing apparatus, an authorization response based on the third authorization request transmitted to the sponsor processor associated with the reward account from which the redemption of loyalty currencies of the offer is applicable to; and

wherein processing the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs comprises;

processing the redemption of the loyalty currencies from the reward account of the loyalty program of the plurality of loyalty programs based on receiving the authorization response based on the second authorization request and the authorization response based on the third authorization request.