System and method for utilizing redemption information

• US 7,627,498 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Michiko, Case, T. Scott, Suarez, Jose A., Walker, Jay S., Golden, Andrew P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FADOK, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US09/605,818
• Time in Patent Office: 3,443 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted

Abstract

A system to determine offers and/or to determine the acceptability of offers based on received information relating to product redemption at a third party. According to one embodiment, the system includes arrangement for a customer to redeem a product from a third party, reception of information relating to a redemption of the product by the customer, reception of an offer to purchase a product for an offer price, determination to accept the offer based on the received information relating to the redemption, determination of an assigned third party at which the offer product may be redeemed based on the received information, and transmission of an acceptance of the offer and an indication of the assigned third party.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

arranging for a customer to redeem a product from a third party;

receiving, via an electronic communication network, information relating to a redemption, of the product and by the customer, that has occurred; and

determining to accept an offer based on the received information.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the offer is received from the customer.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the offer is received from a second customer.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising determining, based on the received information, a third party at which an offer product may be redeemed according to the accepted offer.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the information comprises a retail price of the product during the redemption.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the determining step comprises:

calculating a difference between an offer price included in the offer and the retail price; and

accepting the offer if the difference is less than a threshold amount.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the information comprises an amount of the product redeemed at the redemption.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the information comprises a time of the redemption.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the information identifies the third party.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the information comprises information concerning other products purchased during the redemption.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the offer is an offer to purchase the product.

12. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

an arranging step to arrange for a customer to redeem a product from a third party;

a receiving step to receive information relating to a redemption, of the product and by the customer, that has occurred; and

a determining step to determine whether to accept an offer based on the received information.

13. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 12, wherein the offer is received from a second customer.

14. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 12, fiber comprising a determining step to determine, based on the received information, a third party at which an offer product may be redeemed according to the accepted offer.

15. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 12, wherein the information comprises a retail price of the product during the redemption.

16. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 15, wherein the determining step comprises:

a calculating step to calculate a difference between an offer price included in the offer and the retail price; and

an accepting step to accept the offer if the difference is less than a threshold amount.

17. An apparatus comprising:

means for preparing for a customer to redeem a product from a third party;

means for obtaining information relating to a redemption, of the product and by the customer, that has occurred; and

means for deciding to accept an offer based on the obtained information.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the offer is received from a second customer.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for identifying, based on the obtained information, a third party at which an offer product may be redeemed according to the accepted offer.

20. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the information comprises a retail price of the product during the redemption.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the means for deciding comprises:

means for determining a difference between an offer price included in the offer and the retail price; and

means for accepting the offer if the difference is less than a threshold amount.