Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity

• US 9,697,553 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alderucci, Dean P., Walker, Jay S., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Packes, Jr., John M., O'Shea, Deirdre, Bemer, Keith, Jorasch, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tri V
• Application Number:
  US14/251,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20140222609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 705 141, 705 1434
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes

Abstract

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor (e.g., a subsidizing vendor). The offer may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for an item purchased from a first vendor and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. The customer is charged a second price for the items, which is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a data storage device in communication with the processor, the data storage device storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

receive an indication that a customer accepts an offer for a benefit from a second vendor for a subsidy of a purchase, at a reduced price, of at least one item from a first vendor, the at least one item having an associated total price, and the offer defining an obligation for the customer to fulfill, the obligation being in addition to payment of the reduced price;

after receiving the indication of the acceptance of the offer, charge the reduced price for the at least one item to a credit card account of the customer;

determine that the customer did not fulfill the obligation; and

in response to determining that the customer did not fulfill the obligation, remove the benefit and additionally charge to the credit card account of the customer at least the difference between the total price and the reduced price.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining that the customer did not fulfill the obligation comprises:

receiving an indication that the customer did not initiate a new service agreement with the second vendor for a service.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the service comprises at least one of:

telephone service,

Internet service,

banking services,

credit card account service,

insurance service,

securities trading service,

satellite television service, and

cable television service.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining that the customer did not fulfill the obligation comprises:

receiving an indication that the customer returned at least one of the at least one item to the first vendor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the obligation includes a requirement that the customer make an additional purchase from the second vendor;

and

wherein determining that the customer did not fulfill the obligation comprises;

receiving an indication that the customer did not make an additional purchase from the second vendor before an expiration date.