Secure method of and system for rewarding customers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of granting points to a user for time in a locale, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting time of entry of the user to the locale;
generating an entry identification code representative of the entry of the user to the locale;
transmitting at least one pseudo random bit stream to a portable device associated with the user, the bit stream being transmitted at a rate sufficient to prevent the bit stream from being recorded by the portable device;
calculating a hash value for the bit stream transmitted to the portable device;
detecting time of exit of the user;
generating an exit identification code representative of the exit of the user from the locale;
recording information in a memory of the portable device, the recorded information including at least the calculated hash value, the entry identification code and the exit identification code;
storing data in a database associated with the locale, the stored data including at least the hash value of the bit stream, the entry identification code and the exit identification code;
verifying time of the user at the locale by comparing the stored information and the recorded data; and
granting points for the user based on the verified time at the locale.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of and system for awarding customers for staying in a store is provided. The method includes the steps of communicating between a store and a mobile device to determine whether the mobile device is within a predetermined locale; and crediting the mobile device to reward the user of the mobile device for presence within that locale. Various security features are included to prevent fraud, such as constantly transmitting random sequences to the mobile device along with the times of entry and exit. The store also periodically records the number of customers staying in the store within any one time.
87 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of granting points to a user for time in a locale, the method comprising the steps of:
-
detecting time of entry of the user to the locale;
generating an entry identification code representative of the entry of the user to the locale;
transmitting at least one pseudo random bit stream to a portable device associated with the user, the bit stream being transmitted at a rate sufficient to prevent the bit stream from being recorded by the portable device;
calculating a hash value for the bit stream transmitted to the portable device;
detecting time of exit of the user;
generating an exit identification code representative of the exit of the user from the locale;
recording information in a memory of the portable device, the recorded information including at least the calculated hash value, the entry identification code and the exit identification code;
storing data in a database associated with the locale, the stored data including at least the hash value of the bit stream, the entry identification code and the exit identification code;
verifying time of the user at the locale by comparing the stored information and the recorded data; and
granting points for the user based on the verified time at the locale. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system of granting points to a user for time in a locale, the system comprising:
-
a portable device associated with the user, the portable device having a calculator for calculating a hash value of a bit stream, and a memory for recording information; and
a verification system for verifying time of the user at the locale, the verification system including means for detecting time of entry of the user to the locale and timer of exit of the user from the locale, a generator for generating an entry identification code representative of the entry of the user at the locale and for generating an exit identification code representative of the exit of the user from the locale, a source for transmitting at least one pseudo random bit stream to the portable device, the bit stream being transmitted at a rate sufficient to prevent the bit stream from being recorded by the portable device, a calculator for calculating the hash value of the bit stream, a database for storing data, the stored data including at least the hash value of the bit stream, the entry identification code and the exit identification code, means for comparing the stored data from the database and the recorded information from the portable device, wherein the recorded information includes at least the calculated hash value, the entry identification code and the exit identification code, to verify time of the user at the locale, and means for granting points to the user based on the verified time at the locale. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of granting points to a user for time in a locale, the method comprising the steps of:
-
detecting time of entry of the user to the locale;
generating an entry identification code representative of the entry of the user to the locale, the entry identification code being generated as a unique random identification number using a random seed;
transmitting pseudo random bit streams to a portable device associated with the user, the bit streams constantly being transmitted at a rate sufficient to prevent the bit stream from being recorded by the portable device;
calculating a hash value for the bit streams transmitted to the portable device using an iterated hash function;
detecting time of exit of the user from the locale;
generating an exit identification code representative of the exit of the user from the locale, the exit identification code being generated as a unique random identification number;
recording information in a memory of the portable device, the recorded information including at least the time of entry, the time of exit, the calculated hash value, the entry identification code and the exit identification code;
storing data in a database associated with the locale, the stored data being indexed by time of day and including at least the hash value of the bit stream, the entry identification code and the exit identification code;
verifying time of the user at the locale by comparing the stored information and the recorded data; and
granting points for the user based on the verified time at the locale. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification