Methods for implementing a loyalty program

• US 8,015,088 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Insolia, Gerard E., Antao, Leonard Frank, Phillips, Anthony James, Kolls, Haven Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell; James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malhotra; Sanjeev
• Application Number:
  US12/041,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20090222301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/15, 705/26, 705/39, 705/64, 709/203, 709/218, 709/220, 709/200, 136/291, 221/150.R, 235/380, 250/208.1, 250/339.07, 315/316, 345/163, 362/253
• US Class Current: 705/35
• 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, the method comprising:

providing a personal terminal to a user, the personal terminal being a physical object that is sized and shaped to be transported with the user, the personal terminal comprising a memory;

mounting a first interaction terminal to one of the following;

a product, a first product device, a transaction device, and a promotional object;

integrating a second interaction terminal with a second product device;

detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal; and

in response to detecting that the personal terminal is within physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal, storing a benefit in the memory to reward the user for transporting the personal terminal within physical proximity of the one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first interaction terminal is mounted to the product; and

detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal comprises detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of the product.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first interaction terminal is mounted to the first product device, the first product device operable to provide at least one product or service; and

detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal comprises detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of the first product device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first product device comprises at least one of the following:

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

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first interaction terminal is mounted to the transaction device, the transaction device operable to facilitate purchase of at least one product or service; and

detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal comprises detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of the transaction device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the transaction device comprises 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.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first interaction terminal is mounted to the promotional object, the promotional object promoting a particular product, service, brand, or entity; and

detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal comprises detecting whether the personal terminal is within physical proximity of the promotional object.

8. The method of claim 7, 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 physical proximity of one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal comprises receiving at least one signal transmitted from the one of the first interaction terminal and the second interaction terminal to the personal terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one signal comprises one or more of the following signals:

a radio-frequency signal, an electromagnetic signal, an infrared signal, and an optical signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit 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 storing a benefit further comprises varying the benefit 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 benefit.

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 benefit 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 benefit through a user interface of the loyalty server.

17. A method of rewarding loyalty of a user, the method comprising:

providing a personal terminal to a user, the personal terminal being a physical object that is sized and shaped to be transported with the user;

mounting a first interaction terminal to one of the following;

a product, a product device, a transaction device, and a promotional object;

integrating a second interaction terminal with a second product device;

receiving a communication transmitted from one of the first and second interaction terminals to the personal terminal, the communication indicating the user transported the personal terminal within physical proximity of the one of the first and second interaction terminals; and

providing a benefit to the user based at least in part on the communication transmitted from the one of the first and second interaction terminals to the personal terminal to reward the user for transporting the personal terminal within physical proximity of the one of the first and second interaction terminals.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the second product device is operable to provide at least one product or service; and

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

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising transmitting an authorization for a transaction to the second product device through the second interaction terminal.

20. The method of claim 17, 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.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising transmitting an indication of payment to the transaction device through the second interaction terminal.

22. The method of claim 21, 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.