Methods for Implementing a Loyalty Program

• US 20110282723A1
• Filed: 08/01/2011
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Antao, Leonard F., Phillips, Anthony J., Kolls, H. Brock, Insolia, Gerard E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,744,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0231 Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A method of rewarding loyalty of a user may include providing a personal terminal to the user, detecting whether the personal terminal is within proximity of an interaction terminal, and based at least in part on the proximity of the personal terminal to the interaction terminal, providing a benefit to the user.

Claims

1. A method of rewarding loyalty of a user having a personal terminal transported by or on behalf of the user, the method comprising:

detecting whether the personal terminal is within a predetermined physical proximity of an interaction terminal associated with a product, a product device, a transaction device, and/or a promotional object; and

providing a loyalty reward to the user for causing the personal terminal to be within the predetermined physical proximity of the interaction terminal associated with the product, the product device, the transaction device, and/or the promotional object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the product device comprises at least one of the following:

a vending machine, a product dispenser, a fountain machine, and a cooler.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction device comprises at least one of the following:

a vending machine, a cash register, a credit card machine, a debit card machine, a cash acceptance device, a cash transaction device, a cashless transaction device, an automatic teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a computer system, a website, and a property management system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional object is at least one of the following:

an advertisement, a kiosk, and a display.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting whether the personal terminal is within proximity of an interaction terminal comprises receiving at least one signal transmitted from the interaction terminal to the personal terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one signal comprises a radio-frequency signal, an electromagnetic signal, an infrared signal, and an optical signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the loyalty reward comprises at least one of the following:

a loyalty point, a monetary value, and a credit toward at least a portion of a product or a service.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a loyalty reward further comprises varying the loyalty reward based on a predefined criteria, the predefined criteria comprising at least one of the following:

time, location, product, brand, frequency, quantity, and price.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction from the user to redeem at least a portion of the loyalty reward.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the instruction comprises at least one of the following:

an input to the personal terminal, an input to a device operable to provide a product, an input to a device operable to accept payment for a product, an instruction received via an online website accessible to the user, an email, a phone call, a message, and a signal received via a wireless communication device.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an indication of the loyalty reward to an account of the user stored on a loyalty server.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving a request to redeem the loyalty reward through a user interface of the loyalty server.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

integrating a second interaction terminal with a second product device;

receiving a communication transmitted through the second interaction terminal from the second product device; and

providing the loyalty reward to the user based at least in part on the communication transmitted from the second product device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the communication indicates the second product device has facilitated access to at least one product or service.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising transmitting an authorization for a transaction to the second product device through the second interaction terminal.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the second product device is a transaction device operable to accept payment for the at least one product or service; and

the communication indicates the transaction device received payment for the at least one product or service.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting an indication of payment to the transaction device through the second interaction terminal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the indication of payment is at least one of the following:

a debit from an accrued loyalty reward balance, a debit from a pre-paid cash balance, a debit card number, a credit card number, and a credit extended to the user.

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