Techniques for optimizing promotion delivery

• US 20010032128A1
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DS-IQ Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Concept Shopping, Inc. (DS-IQ Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kepecs, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Techniques for generating and making incentive offers and promotions to consumers to influence the consumers'"'"' purchasing behavior. Offers are customized for each individual consumer based on the particular consumer'"'"'s purchase history information (or shopping history) and the consumer'"'"'s response to the offers.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of making offers to consumers comprising:

receiving information identifying a plurality of consumers;

receiving purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

identifying a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generating a first offer for the first consumer, the first offer offering a first product for purchase by the first consumer at a first price for a first time period;

providing the first offer to the first consumer;

determining if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period; and

generating a second offer for the first consumer such that;

if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period, the second offer offers the first product for purchase by the first consumer at a second price for a second time period, wherein the second price is greater than or equal to the first price; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period, the second offer offers the first item at a third price for a third time period, wherein the third price is less than the first price.

2. The method of

claim 1

wherein:

receiving the information identifying the plurality of consumers comprises receiving an identifier associated with at least one consumer from the plurality of consumers; and

receiving the purchase history information for the plurality of consumers comprises receiving purchase history information associated with the identifier.

3. The method of

claim 1

wherein identifying the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers comprises:

receiving a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determining a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identifying the first consumer from the set of consumers.

4. The method of

claim 1

further comprising:

providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein generating the first offer for the first consumer comprises;

entering a first state of the state machine; and

generating the first offer associated with the first state.

5. The method of

claim 4

wherein generating the second offer for the first consumer comprises:

if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period;

transitioning from the first state to a second state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer offering the first product at a price greater than or equal to the first price; and

generating the offer associated with the second state.

6. The method of

claim 5

further comprising deleting states from the state machine which are configured to generate offers offering the first product at a price lower than the first price.

7. The method of

claim 4

wherein generating the second offer for the first consumer comprises:

if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period;

transitioning from the first state to a third state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer offering the first product at a price lower than the first price; and

generating the offer associated with the third state.

8. The method of

claim 7

further comprising deleting states from the state machine which are configured to generate offers offering the first product at a price equal to or higher than the first price.

9. The method of

claim 1

wherein determining if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period comprises automatically monitoring information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

10. The method of

claim 1

wherein providing the first offer to the first consumer comprises:

selecting a distribution channel for providing the first offer to the first consumer; and

using the distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

11. The method of

claim 10

wherein the distribution channel is selected from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers.

12. A computer-implemented method of making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the method comprising:

receiving information identifying a plurality of consumers;

receiving purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

identifying a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generating a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a first time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

providing the first offer to the first consumer;

determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, generating a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, generating a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

13. The method of

claim 12

wherein the third offer is generated only if the third profit margin is above a margin threshold configured by the seller.

14. The method of

claim 12

wherein:

receiving the information identifying the plurality of consumers comprises receiving an identifier associated with at least one consumer from the plurality of consumers; and

receiving the purchase history information for the plurality of consumers comprises receiving purchase history information associated with the identifier.

15. The method of

claim 12

wherein identifying the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers comprises:

receiving a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determining a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identifying the first consumer from the set of consumers.

16. The method of

claim 12

further comprising:

providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein generating the first offer for the first consumer comprises;

entering a first state of the state machine; and

generating the first offer associated with the first state.

17. The method of

claim 16

wherein generating the second offer comprises:

transitioning from the first state to a second state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

generating the offer associated with the second state.

18. The method of

claim 17

further comprising deleting states from the state machine which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins lower than the first profit margin.

19. The method of

claim 16

wherein generating the third offer comprises:

transitioning from the first state to a third state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

generating the offer associated with the third state.

20. The method of

claim 19

further comprising deleting states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins equal to or higher than the first profit margin.

21. The method of

claim 12

wherein determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period comprises automatically monitoring information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

22. The method of

claim 12

wherein providing the first offer to the first consumer comprises:

selecting a distribution channel for providing the first offer to the first consumer; and

using the distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

23. The method of

claim 22

wherein the distribution channel is selected from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers.

24. A computer-implemented method of making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the method comprising:

receiving information identifying a plurality of consumers;

receiving purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

identifying a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generating a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

receiving a first threshold “

M”

, wherein “

M”

≧

1;

receiving a second threshold “

N”

, wherein “

N”

≧

1, and “

N”

≧

“

M”

;

(a) offering the first offer to the first consumer;

(b) determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

repeating (a) and (b) until the first consumer has purchased the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times or until the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer “

N”

times, generating a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times and the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times, generating a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

25. The method of

claim 24

wherein the third offer is generated only if the third profit margin is above a margin threshold configured by the seller.

26. The method of

claim 24

wherein:

receiving the information identifying the plurality of consumers comprises receiving an identifier associated with at least one consumer from the plurality of consumers; and

receiving the purchase history information for the plurality of consumers comprises receiving purchase history information associated with the identifier.

27. The method of

claim 24

wherein identifying the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers comprises:

receiving a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determining a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identifying the first consumer from the set of consumers.

28. The method of

claim 24

further comprising:

providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein generating the first offer for the first consumer comprises;

entering a first state of the state machine; and

generating the first offer associated with the first state.

29. The method of

claim 28

wherein generating the second offer comprises:

transitioning from the first state to a second state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

generating the offer associated with the second state.

30. The method of

claim 29

further comprising deleting states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins lower than the first profit margin.

31. The method of

claim 28

wherein generating the third offer comprises:

transitioning from the first state to a third state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

generating the offer associated with the third state.

32. The method of

claim 31

further comprising deleting states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins equal to or higher than the first profit margin.

33. The method of

claim 24

wherein determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period comprises automatically monitoring information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

34. The method of

claim 24

wherein providing the first offer to the first consumer comprises:

selecting a distribution channel for providing the first offer to the first consumer; and

using the distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

35. The method of

claim 34

wherein the distribution channel is selected from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers.

36. The method of

claim 24

wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are received via a graphical user interface.

37. A computer-implemented method of making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the method comprising:

identifying a first consumer from a plurality of consumers;

providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states;

generating a first offer corresponding to a first state of the state machine, the first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a first time period;

providing the first offer to the first consumer;

determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

transitioning from the first state to a second state of the state machine based on first marketing criteria associated with the first state; and

generating a second offer associated with the second state, the second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

transitioning from the first state to a third state of the state machine based on second marketing criteria associated with the first state; and

generating a third offer associated with the third state, the third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer.

38. A computer product program stored on a computer-readable medium for making offers to consumers, the computer program product comprising:

code for receiving information identifying a plurality of consumers;

code for receiving purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

code for identifying a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

code for generating a first offer for the first consumer, the first offer offering a first product for purchase by the first consumer at a first price for a first time period;

code for providing the first offer to the first consumer;

code for determining if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period; and

code for generating a second offer for the first consumer such that;

if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period, the second offer offers the first product for purchase by the first consumer at a second price for a second time period, wherein the second price is greater than or equal to the first price; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period, the second offer offers the first item at a third price for a third time period, wherein the third price is less than the first price.

39. The computer program product of

claim 38

further comprising:

code for providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer;

wherein the code for generating the first offer for the first consumer comprises;

code for entering a first state of the state machine; and

code for generating the first offer associated with the first state; and

wherein the code for generating the second offer for the first consumer comprises;

if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period;

code for transitioning from the first state to a second state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer offering the first product at a price greater than or equal to the first price; and

code for generating the offer associated with the second state; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period;

code for transitioning from the first state to a third state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer offering the first product at a price lower than the first price; and

code for generating the offer associated with the third state.

40. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the computer program product comprising:

code for receiving information identifying a plurality of consumers;

code for receiving purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

code for identifying a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

code for generating a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a first time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

code for providing the first offer to the first consumer;

code for determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, code for generating a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, code for generating a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

41. The computer program product of

claim 40

further comprising:

code for providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer;

wherein the code for generating the first offer for the first consumer comprises;

code for entering a first state of the state machine; and

code for generating the first offer associated with the first state;

wherein the code for generating the second offer comprises;

code for transitioning from the first state to a second state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

code for generating the offer associated with the second state; and

wherein the code for generating the third offer comprises;

code for transitioning from the first state to a third state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

code for generating the offer associated with the third state.

42. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium for making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the computer program product comprising:

code for receiving information identifying a plurality of consumers;

code for receiving purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

code for identifying a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

code for generating a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

code for receiving a first threshold “

M”

, wherein “

M”

≧

1;

code for receiving a second threshold “

N”

, wherein “

N”

≧

1, and “

N”

≦

“

M”

;

(a) code for offering the first offer to the first consumer;

(b) code for determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

code for repeatedly invoking codes (a) and (b) until the first consumer has purchased the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times or until the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer “

N”

times, code for generating a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times and the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times, code for generating a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

43. The computer program product of

claim 42

further comprising:

code for providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer;

wherein the code for generating the first offer for the first consumer comprises;

code for entering a first state of the state machine; and

code for generating the first offer associated with the first state;

wherein the code for generating the second offer comprises;

code for transitioning from the first state to a second state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

code for generating the offer associated with the second state; and

wherein the code for generating the third offer comprises;

code for transitioning from the first state to a third state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

code for generating the offer associated with the third state.

44. The computer program product of

claim 42

wherein:

the code for receiving the first threshold comprises code for receiving the first threshold via a graphical user interface; and

the code for receiving the second threshold comprises code for receiving the second threshold via the graphical user interface.

45. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the computer program product comprising:

code for identifying a first consumer from a plurality of consumers;

code for providing a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states;

code for generating a first offer corresponding to a first state of the state machine, the first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a first time period;

code for providing the first offer to the first consumer;

code for determining if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

code for transitioning from the first state to a second state of the state machine based on first marketing criteria associated with the first state; and

code for generating a second offer associated with the second state, the second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

code for transitioning from the first state to a third state of the state machine based on second marketing criteria associated with the first state; and

code for generating a third offer associated with the third state, the third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer.

46. A system for making offers to consumers comprising:

a communication network;

a computer system coupled to the communication network; and

a distribution channel;

wherein the computer system is configured to;

receive information identifying a plurality of consumers;

receive purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

identify a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generate a first offer for the first consumer, the first offer offering a first product for purchase by the first consumer at a first price for a first time period;

provide the first offer to the distribution channel which is configured to advertise the first offer to the first consumer;

determine if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period; and

generate a second offer for the first consumer such that;

if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period, the second offer offers the first product for purchase by the first consumer at a second price for a second time period, wherein the second price is greater than or equal to the first price; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period, the second offer offers the first item at a third price for a third time period, wherein the third price is less than the first price.

47. The system of

claim 46

wherein the information identifying the plurality of consumers received by the computer system comprises an identifier associated with at least one consumer from the plurality of consumers, and the purchase history information for the plurality of consumers received by the computer system comprises purchase history information associated with the identifier.

48. The system of

claim 46

wherein in order to identify the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers, the computer system is configured to:

receive a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determine a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identify the first consumer from the set of consumers.

49. The system of

claim 46

wherein the computer system is further configured to:

provide a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein in order to generate the first offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to;

enter a first state of the state machine; and

generate the first offer associated with the first state.

50. The system of

claim 49

wherein in order to generate the second offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to:

if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period;

transition from the first state to a second state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer offering the first product at a price greater than or equal to the first price; and

generate the offer associated with the second state.

51. The system of

claim 50

wherein, if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the state machine which are configured to generate offers offering the first product at a price lower than the first price.

52. The system of

claim 49

wherein in order to generate the second offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to:

if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period;

transition from the first state to a third state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer offering the first product at a price lower than the first price; and

generate the offer associated with the third state.

53. The system of

claim 52

wherein, if the first consumer did not purchase the first product at the first price during the first time period, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the state machine which are configured to generate offers offering the first product at a price equal to or higher than the first price.

54. The system of

claim 46

wherein in order to determine if the first consumer purchased the first product at the first price during the first time period, the computer system is configured to automatically monitor information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

55. The system of

claim 46

wherein in order to provide the first offer to the distribution channel, the computer system is configured to:

select the distribution channel from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers; and

use the selected distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

56. A system for making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the system comprising:

a communication network;

a computer system coupled to the communication network; and

a distribution channel;

wherein the computer system is configured to;

receive information identifying a plurality of consumers;

receive purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

identify a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generate a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a first time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

provide the first offer to the distribution channel which is configured to advertise the first offer to the first consumer;

determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, generate a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, generate a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

57. The system of

claim 56

wherein the computer system is configured to generate the third offer only if the third profit margin is above a margin threshold configured by the seller.

58. The system of

claim 56

wherein the information identifying the plurality of consumers received by the computer system comprises an identifier associated with at least one consumer from the plurality of consumers, and the purchase history information for the plurality of consumers received by the computer system comprises purchase history information associated with the identifier.

59. The system of

claim 56

wherein in order to identify the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers, the computer system is configured to:

receive a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determine a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identify the first consumer from the set of consumers.

60. The system of

claim 56

wherein the computer system is further configured to:

provide a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein in order to generate the first offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to;

enter a first state of the state machine; and

generate the first offer associated with the first state.

61. The system of

claim 60

wherein in order to generate the second offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to:

transition from the first state to a second state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

generate the offer associated with the second state.

62. The system of

claim 61

wherein, in order to generate the second offer for the first consumer, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins lower than the first profit margin.

63. The system of

claim 60

wherein in order to generate the third offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to:

transition from the first state to a third state of the state machine which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

generate the offer associated with the third state.

64. The system of

claim 63

wherein, in order to generate the third offer for the first consumer, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins equal to or higher than the first profit margin.

65. The system of

claim 56

wherein in order to determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, the computer system is configured to automatically monitor information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

66. The system of

claim 56

wherein in order to provide the first offer to the distribution channel, the computer system is configured to:

select the distribution channel from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers; and

use the selected distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

67. A system for making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the system comprising:

a communication network;

a computer system coupled to the communication network; and

a distribution channel;

wherein the computer system is configured to;

receive information identifying a plurality of consumers;

receive purchase history information for the plurality of consumers, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers;

identify a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generate a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

receive a first threshold “

M”

, wherein “

M”

≧

1;

receive a second threshold “

N”

, wherein “

N”

≧

1, and “

N”

≦

“

M”

;

(a) provide the first offer to the distribution channel which is configured to advertise the first offer to the first consumer;

(b) determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

repeat (a) and (b) until the first consumer has purchased the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times or until the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer “

N”

times, generate a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times and the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times, generate a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

68. The system of

claim 67

wherein the computer system is configured to generate the third offer only if the third profit margin is above a margin threshold configured by the seller.

69. The system of

claim 67

wherein the information identifying the plurality of consumers received by the computer system comprises an identifier associated with at least one consumer from the plurality of consumers, and the purchase history information for the plurality of consumers received by the computer system comprises purchase history information associated with the identifier.

70. The system of

claim 67

wherein in order to identify the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers, the computer system is configured to:

receive a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determine a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identify the first consumer from the set of consumers.

71. The system of

claim 67

wherein the computer system is further configured to:

provide a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein in order to generate the first offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to;

enter a first state of the state machine; and

generate the first offer associated with the first state.

72. The system of

claim 71

wherein in order to generate the second offer, the computer system is configured to:

transition from the first state to a second state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

generate the offer associated with the second state.

73. The system of

claim 72

wherein, in order to generate the second offer, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins lower than the first profit margin.

74. The system of

claim 71

wherein in order to generate the third offer, the computer system is configured to:

transition from the first state to a third state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

generate the offer associated with the third state.

75. The system of

claim 74

wherein, in order to generate the third offer, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins equal to or higher than the first profit margin.

76. The system of

claim 67

wherein in order to determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, the computer system is configured to automatically monitor information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

77. The system of

claim 67

wherein in order to provide the first offer to the distribution channel, the computer system is configured to:

select the distribution channel from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers; and

use the selected distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

78. The system of

claim 67

wherein the computer system comprises a display system which is configured to display a graphical user interface, and the computer system is configured to receive the first threshold and the second threshold via the graphical user interface.

79. A system comprising:

a communication network;

a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) systems coupled to the communication network;

an offer-generation-system coupled to the communication network; and

a plurality of distribution channels;

wherein at least one POS system from the plurality of POS systems is configured to;

transmit information identifying a plurality of consumers to the offer-generation-system; and

transmit purchase history information for the plurality of consumers to the offer-generation-system, the purchase history information comprising information related to purchases made by the plurality of consumers; and

wherein the offer-generation-system is configured to;

identify a first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers;

generate a first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer, wherein sale of the product offered by the first offer provides a first profit margin for the seller;

receive a first threshold “

M”

, wherein “

M”

≧

1;

receive a second threshold “

N”

, wherein “

N”

≧

1, and “

N”

≦

“

M”

;

(a) provide the first offer to the distribution channel which is configured to advertise the first offer to the first consumer;

(b) determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

repeat (a) and (b) until the first consumer has purchased the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times or until the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer “

N”

times, generate a second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a second time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the second offer provides a second profit margin for the seller which is greater than the first profit margin; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer at least “

N”

times and the first offer has been offered to the first consumer “

M”

times, generate a third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a third time period, wherein sale of the product offered by the third offer provides a third profit margin for the seller which is less than the first profit margin.

80. The system of

claim 79

wherein in order to identify the first consumer from the plurality of consumers based upon the purchase history information and the information identifying the plurality of consumers, the computer system is configured to:

receive a plurality of conditions to be satisfied in order to receive the first offer;

determine a set of consumers from the plurality of consumers who satisfy the plurality of conditions; and

identify the first consumer from the set of consumers.

81. The system of

claim 79

wherein the computer system is further configured to:

execute a software code module to provide a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states wherein each state is configured to generate an offer; and

wherein in order to generate the first offer for the first consumer, the computer system is configured to;

enter a first state of the state machine; and

generate the first offer associated with the first state.

82. The system of

claim 81

wherein in order to generate the second offer, the computer system is configured to:

transition from the first state to a second state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin greater than the first profit margin; and

generate the offer associated with the second state.

83. The system of

claim 82

wherein, in order to generate the second offer, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins lower than the first profit margin.

84. The system of

claim 81

wherein in order to generate the third offer, the computer system is configured to:

transition from the first state to a third state which is configured to generate an offer which provides a profit margin lower than the first profit margin; and

generate the offer associated with the third state.

85. The system of

claim 84

wherein in order to generate the second offer, the computer system is further configured to delete states from the plurality of states which are configured to generate offers which provide profit margins equal to or higher than the first profit margin.

86. The system of

claim 79

wherein in order to determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period, the computer system is configured to automatically monitor information related to purchases made by the first consumer.

87. The system of

claim 79

wherein in order to provide the first offer to the distribution channel, the computer system is configured to:

select the distribution channel from a group of distribution channels comprising web-based distribution channels, direct mail distribution channels, interactive voice recognition systems, and dispensers; and

use the selected distribution channel to advertise the first offer to the first consumer.

88. The system of

claim 79

wherein the computer system comprises a display system which is configured to display a graphical user interface, and the computer system is configured to receive the first threshold and the second threshold via the graphical user interface.

89. A system for making offers to consumers for a plurality of products sold by a seller, the system comprising:

a communication network;

a computer system coupled to the communication network; and

a distribution channel;

wherein the computer system is configured to;

identify a first consumer from a plurality of consumers;

provide a state machine to control generation of offers, the state machine comprising a plurality of states;

generate a first offer corresponding to a first state of the state machine, the first offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer for a first time period;

provide the first offer to the first consumer;

determine if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

if the first consumer purchased the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

transition from the first state to a second state of the state machine based on first marketing criteria associated with the first state; and

generate a second offer associated with the second state, the second offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer; and

if the first consumer did not purchase the product offered by the first offer during the first time period;

transition from the first state to a third state of the state machine based on second marketing criteria associated with the first state; and

generate a third offer associated with the third state, the third offer offering a product from the plurality of products for purchase by the first consumer.