Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
705140280 | Frequent usage incentive value reconciliation between diverse systems | 60 |
20090299845 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE TRANSFER OF LOYALTY POINTS - The present invention includes a loyalty program on a network-wide level, wherein the program facilitates a transfer of loyalty points from at least one consumer account associated with a sponsoring company to at least one consumer account associated with a host company. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes the loyalty point balances of consumer accounts associated with a sponsoring company, and based upon certain criteria or rules, the system determines particular loyalty point balances which are below a certain threshold amount or which have remained inactive for a certain time period. After determining particular consumer accounts which meet the criteria or rules, the system establishes a new host account in a host system for each qualifying consumer. The system then deducts all or any portion of the remaining loyalty point balance in the particular consumer's sponsored account and credits the corresponding host account with a corresponding loyalty point balance. By transferring the consumer accounts to a host system, the sponsoring company eliminates or reduces the loyalty point balances from its system, thereby reducing the sponsoring company accounting liabilities and providing new options for the consumers to redeem the points. | 12-03-2009 |
20100010889 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MULTIPLE MERCHANT STORED VALUE CARD - The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts. | 01-14-2010 |
20100191594 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REWARD TRANSACTION MATCHING AND SETTLEMENT - A reward processing method, system, apparatus, and computer program code is provided. Pursuant to some embodiments, the method includes analyzing transaction data associated with a plurality of payment transactions, each payment transaction including data identifying a payment account identifier, a transaction date, a transaction amount, and a merchant identifier, and identifying a first set of the payment transactions involving registered payment account identifiers. A second set of payment transactions involving a registered merchant identifier and a current offer are identified, and a reward amount earned for each of the second set is calculated. The reward amount is credited to each of the payment account identifiers in the second set. | 07-29-2010 |
20110302020 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORKED LOYALTY PROGRAM - The present invention provides a system for implementing a loyalty program on a network-wide level. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns, for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers (such primary and supplementary members of an aggregate consumer account), retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. In accordance with one aspect, the system enables participation by supplementary members who are associated with a primary member and, in this manner, facilitates the tracking of supplementary member purchasing behavior, reward points earning behavior, and reward points redemption behavior. In accordance with another aspect, the system permits instant enrollment of consumers at a retailer point-of-sale using information that the retailer has previously gathered from the consumer. In accordance with another aspect, the system facilitates the compilation of a purchaser profile, which may be used for a variety of purposes, including various types of marketing analyses. | 12-08-2011 |
20120016730 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE REAL-TIME TRANSFER OF LOYALTY POINTS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS - The invention includes facilitating the substantially real-time transfer of loyalty points between accounts. The method and system include receiving a transfer request (e.g., consumer request, triggering event, etc) for a transfer of a certain number of loyalty points, accessing and analyzing the total number of loyalty points in the transferor account to determine if a sufficient number of points exist, analyzing the type/level of consumer and type/level of points to be involved in the transfer, deducting the requested loyalty points from the transferor account, determining if any rules exist for restricting or limiting the transfer of points, using a conversion engine to convert the point value to an appropriate point value in the transferee account and increasing the point balance in the transferee account. | 01-19-2012 |
20120041813 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORKED LOYALTY PROGRAM - A system for implementing a loyalty program on a network-wide level is disclosed. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns for example. The association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates implementation of an incentive or loyalty program by providing a universal rewards currency. This universal rewards currency may be “spent” by participants who have earned rewards and accepted by the other participants in the multi-tiered network created by the system. The network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers, retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. | 02-16-2012 |
20120185321 | END-TO-END MULTI-VENDOR LOYALTY E-CARD SYSTEM - An end-to-end customer loyalty card system integrates a number of single corporate loyalty cards into a single loyalty card adaptable to smartphone applications. The system includes a point-of-sale terminal system for processing a customer loyalty card and a central system for controlling point-of-sale terminal systems. | 07-19-2012 |
20120253914 | UNIVERSAL LOYALTY PROGRAM DEVICE - A universal loyalty device (e.g., fob) associated with multiple loyalty programs. The universal loyalty fob could be in the form of a card, or another form factor. A user may register several existing loyalty programs/cards and payment cards with the universal loyalty fob, which can be scanned at a POS terminal. A third party may manage all the loyalty data through the universal loyalty fob, and may provide real-time discounts at the POS terminal. The universal loyalty fob may also be used to redeem points or rewards towards a purchase. Additionally, all recorded purchase and loyalty data may be made available to participating merchants. This data may be used to evaluate competitor merchants' market share or evaluate the efficacy of specific merchants' loyalty programs. | 10-04-2012 |
20120265597 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING PROMOTIONS - Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for providing incentives/promotion systems to users and businesses. Embodiments comprise an Internet-based platform enabling businesses to create and maintain their own reward programs and manage customers participating in them. In embodiments, businesses can customize, according to one or more factors (which factors may be obtained from data stored in the system), and track deals and other offerings to customers, potential customers, or both. Embodiments of the platform enable customers to view each business's rewards program, acquire and track rewards and other offering from multiple businesses using a single account offered via the platform. In embodiments, the centralized system allows users, businesses, or both to collaboratively create, promote, and/or redeem promotional activities. | 10-18-2012 |
20120271703 | PORTABLE HAND-HELD MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE FOR STORING, MANAGING AND COMBINING REWARDS - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card. | 10-25-2012 |
20130054341 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MULTIPLE MERCHANT STORED VALUE CARD - The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts. | 02-28-2013 |
20130085833 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING REWARD POINTS TO LIQUIDATE PRODUCTS - A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment. | 04-04-2013 |
20130132185 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE REAL-TIME TRANSFER OF LOYALTY POINTS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS - The invention includes facilitating the substantially real-time transfer of loyalty points between accounts. The method and system include receiving a transfer request (e.g., consumer request, triggering event, etc) for a transfer of a certain number of loyalty points, accessing and analyzing the total number of loyalty points in the transferor account to determine if a sufficient number of points exist, analyzing the type/level of consumer and type/level of points to be involved in the transfer, deducting the requested loyalty points from the transferor account, determining if any rules exist for restricting or limiting the transfer of points, using a conversion engine to convert the point value to an appropriate point value in the transferee account and increasing the point balance in the transferee account. | 05-23-2013 |
20130144707 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING GIFTS BETWEEN DIFFERENT EXCHANGE MEDIUMS - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for creating a gift in one medium of exchange from stored value in another medium of exchange. The system accesses a first account representing stored value in a first medium of exchange, and chooses an amount of the stored value from the first medium of exchange. Then the system converts the amount of the stored value to a second medium of exchange to yield a converted amount, and gives the converted amount in the second medium of exchange to a recipient as a gift, wherein the gift is associated with a recipient account for the second medium of exchange, and wherein the gift is associated with a policy monitoring transactions made using the recipient account such that the converted amount is applied to a transaction satisfying conditions of the policy. | 06-06-2013 |
20130197987 | VIRTUAL INTEGRATION OF A LOYALTY CARD WITH A POINT OF SALE SYSTEM - Methods and supporting systems for administering a loyalty card program include an application residing on a plurality of heterogeneous point-of-sale devices that captures consumer transaction data, wherein the consumer transaction data include the identification of a loyalty card, While the loyalty card is uniquely attributed to an individual consumer, the card may be used to conduct transactions unrelated retail entities, each having its own respective loyalty program, such that values for the individual loyalty programs may be maintained. | 08-01-2013 |
20130231994 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MULTIPLE MERCHANT STORED VALUE CARD - The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts. | 09-05-2013 |
20130262213 | Systems, Methods, And Computer Program Products Providing Payment With Non-Traditional Sources Of Value - A system including a memory storing user account information, wherein the information comprises funding sources including multiple non-cash, non-credit based funding options; and one or more processors for communicating the multiple non-cash, non-credit based funding options on a merchant site; receiving a selection of a first option of the multiple non-cash, non-credit based funding options made by a user from the merchant site; and processing a payment using the selected first option. | 10-03-2013 |
20130268341 | METHOD FOR MANAGING BONUSES AND SERVICE SERVER THEREOF - A method for managing bonuses is disclosed. The method for managing bonuses is executed by a bonus service sever and includes the following steps: providing a bonus management database which records a bonus of at least one member; calculating a bonus interest according to the bonus to generate an updated bonus; storing the updated bonus in the bonus management database | 10-10-2013 |
20130282468 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING LOYALTY PROGRAMS VIA A DEBIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD ACCOUNT IDENTIFYING DEVICE - A method and system are provided for linking loyalty programs for merchants and debit card customers. This involves storing, in a database memory, loyalty program identifiers, debit card customer identifiers, for each debit card customer and each loyalty program in which that debit card customer is registered, a loyalty program customer identifier and merchant identifiers; receiving transaction information, which includes debit card holder information, a merchant identifier and purchase information, from a merchant; locating a debit card customer identifier corresponding to the debit card holder identifier; determining the loyalty program identifier for the merchant; and determining if the debit card customer identifier is stored in the database memory in linked relation with a loyalty program customer identifier stored in linked relation to the loyalty program identifier and, if so, determining a loyalty program manager, and transmitting the loyalty program customer identifier and the purchase information to the loyalty program manager. | 10-24-2013 |
20130325578 | METHOD FOR ENABLING A CUSTOMER TO PERFORM A TRANSACTION FOR AN ITEM USING VARIOUS LOYALTY PROGRAMS - A method and apparatus are disclosed, the method for enabling a customer to perform a transaction for an item. A plurality of loyalty programs may be used to perform the transaction. A cash payment may additionally be used if not enough points are used for the transaction. A profit made from the transaction is determined and is shared amongst the clients managing the loyalty programs used for performing the transaction. | 12-05-2013 |
20130346179 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE OF REWARD POINTS - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated points rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access. | 12-26-2013 |
20140025473 | CROWDFUNDING BASED ON ACTIONS - A crowdfunding platform can receive an indication that an entity has completed an action. Examples of an entity include a funder, a campaign account owner, a third party and a combination thereof. Examples of actions include making a purchase, subscribing to a service, joining an entity's social network, etc. Upon receiving the indication, an account (e.g., a crowdfund account such as a funder and/or campaign account) can be credited with a value that can correspond to the completion of the action. Value can be transferred from an external account (such as travel rewards program, an external virtual currency account, etc.) to a crowdfund account and vice versa. If the transferor account is denominated in a different unit of value than the transferee account, an exchange rate can be determined and applied to the transaction. | 01-23-2014 |
20140067510 | System and method for card linked reward exchange account - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access. | 03-06-2014 |
20140081736 | GIFT CARD ASSOCIATION WITH FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND CONVERSION - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for associating a gift card with a financial account and converting the gift card to rewards points. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive information associated with a gift card, the gift card being associated with a merchant; associate the gift card with an account; enable selection of an option to an option to convert the gift card to rewards points; and convert the gift card to the rewards points based at least partially on the user selecting the option to convert the gift card to the rewards points. | 03-20-2014 |
20140143041 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MERCHANT LOYALTY SYSTEM - A system and method for implementing a merchant loyalty program is disclosed. The invention includes receiving purchase data, wherein the purchase data comprises a consumer account code, a purchase amount, and a service establishment code; associating the service establishment code with a merchant proprietor rewards account code; calculating a reward amount based on the purchase amount; and, crediting a merchant proprietor reward account with at least a portion of said reward amount. | 05-22-2014 |
20140200983 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FRANCHISE REWARDS - Embodiments are directed to sharing a loyalty and rewards program across multiple merchants. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication that a user has redeemed a specified number of loyalty points using a redemption code for items at a second merchant, where the user has received at least some loyalty points from a first merchant as the result of a prior purchase, and where the user's loyalty points are stored in loyalty points store. The computer system then debits, from the user's store of loyalty points, the specified number of loyalty points redeemed by the user, credits the second merchant with at least some of the value associated with the items paid for using the stored loyalty points, and debits the first merchant for at least some of the value associated with the items paid for using the user's stored loyalty points. | 07-17-2014 |
20140222541 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VALUE ALLOCATION EXCHANGE - A value allocation brokerage and exchange system. In one embodiment, the value allocation brokerage and exchange system comprises a broker server used to buy and sell points over the Internet. The broker system is operably coupled to a local area network over a communications link. The local area network includes a database server hosted by a database host, with the database server maintaining a database of recent Internet point transactions. The broker server receives requests from users to exchange points with respect to a plurality of potential point systems. | 08-07-2014 |
20140236698 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MULTIPLE MERCHANT STORED VALUE CARD - The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts. | 08-21-2014 |
20140278893 | REWARD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Reward program management system for managing multiple rewards earned through participation in multiple reward earning programs of different earn partners by a person, the person having multiple identifiers, comprising: a server accessible to earn partners receiving reward information including rewards earned by the person and one of the multiple identifiers; a database storing the rewards earned by the person and the identifier associated with each reward; the server providing the person with an interface to receive information from the person regarding at least two of the multiple identifiers to create a set of linked identifiers; a computer processor retrieving and totaling the rewards earned by the person stored in the database in association with all of the identifiers of the set of linked identifiers to create a total reward; the server, accessible to burn partners, providing information regarding the total reward upon receipt from a burn partner of one of the set of linked identifiers. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278894 | UNIVERSAL LOYALTY REWARDS AND CURRENCY CONSOLIDATION - A system and method for providing a universal loyalty rewards and currency consolidation program is disclosed. The system allows customers to make purchases and earn rewards from a plurality of participant merchants using multiple payment forms, and at the same time, allows customers to redeem rewards at both participant and non-participant merchants. The system may be implemented in both physical retail environments and online shopping environments. | 09-18-2014 |
20140297388 | System and Apparatus for Linking Multiple Rewards Programs to Promote the Purchase of Specific Product Mixes - A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward. | 10-02-2014 |
20140330630 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING MULTI-FUNCTION CARDS FOR STORING, MANAGING AND AGGREGATING REWARD POINTS - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card. | 11-06-2014 |
20140365290 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING REWARDS TO A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE AT THE POINT OF SALE - A method of providing rewards to a user by storing, in a portable computing device, user profile data which may be accessed by a merchant terminal. A merchant terminal interacts with the portable computing device by accessing the user profile data from the portable computing device, and providing the user with a reward in accordance with the user profile data accessed by the merchant terminal, wherein the merchant terminal provides a relatively greater reward to the user when relatively more user profile data is accessed by the merchant terminal and a relatively lesser reward to the user when relatively less data is accessed by the merchant terminal. | 12-11-2014 |
20150012347 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISCOUNTING FUEL - A system and method of discounting a price-per-unit (PPU) of fuel during a fueling transaction by a customer at a fuel merchant. In one aspect, the invention identifies an issuer of the customer's credit card, associates the issuer with a PPU discount for the fuel, and discounts the posted PPU by an amount equal to the PPU discount associated with the identified credit card issuer. In another aspect, the invention determines that the customer participates in a reward program with a vendor with whom the fuel merchant has a relationship agreement for providing PPU discounts for fuel in exchange for redeemed reward points from the reward program. The customer's reward points are converted to a PPU discount, and the posted PPU of the fuel is discounted accordingly. | 01-08-2015 |
20150032530 | CRE & MCPC Software & Website - My pin driven CRE & MCPC system will consolidate rewards and credit & debit cards of each member into a single high security micro chip personal card that can be used at all vendors where these credit & debit cards are accepted. The CRE & MCPC card will be used as a traditional credit/debit card by inserting it into the card terminal at any vendor that accepts credit/debit card, enter their 5 digit pin; select the card from their account to charged the purchase to (ie: 1=AMEX; 2=VISA; 3=MASTERCARD; 4=DISCOVER and so on for local store credit cards.) This MCPC system will give each member the option to split up the payment of a single purchase with more than one card in their CRE & MCPC account. | 01-29-2015 |
20150095131 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USERS TO DESIGNATE ACCOUNTS FROM WHICH TO TRADE REWARDS - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access. | 04-02-2015 |
20150106188 | MERCHANT FUNDED REWARDS PROGRAM - A merchant funded rewards program for a participating entity enables merchants to become member merchants by registering with the program and receives transaction data from the participating entity. Reward points are provided to customers of the participating entity according to parameters defined by the member merchants based on the transaction data. Fees are charged to the member merchants for the rewards points. | 04-16-2015 |
20160034941 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING GIFTS BETWEEN DIFFERENT EXCHANGE MEDIUMS - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for creating a gift in one medium of exchange from stored value in another medium of exchange. The system accesses a first account representing stored value in a first medium of exchange, and chooses an amount of the stored value from the first medium of exchange. Then the system converts the amount of the stored value to a second medium of exchange to yield a converted amount, and gives the converted amount in the second medium of exchange to a recipient as a gift, wherein the gift is associated with a recipient account for the second medium of exchange, and wherein the gift is associated with a policy monitoring transactions made using the recipient account such that the converted amount is applied to a transaction satisfying conditions of the policy. | 02-04-2016 |
20160071141 | DEFERRED LOYALTY POINTS REDEMPTION METHOD - On-line redemption of loyalty points over time for requested items. A request for an item is received from a customer along with an identification of a layaway program for redeeming at least a portion of the customer's loyalty points with respect to a purchase request for the item. Based upon the identified program, the customer's loyalty points are processed for redemption. The redemption programs can include making installment payments of loyalty points for purchase of the item, reserving a particular price for the item using the loyalty points, providing partial payment for the item using the loyalty points, automatically redeeming or transferring points over a particular amount, or pooling of points among multiple customers. | 03-10-2016 |
20170236139 | System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag | 08-17-2017 |
705140290 | On-line clearing house | 20 |
20090299846 | Linking loyalty reward programs - Linking loyalty programs by use of a new and unique cross-reference number. Reward points from the linked accounts are pooled. Redemption of reward points associated with the linked accounts can be restricted using restriction rules. Restriction rules restrict redemption of points from an individual's account; from the pooled rewards, and/or restrict redemption for a predetermined reward type. Reward points in the linked accounts can also be converted from one reward account to another using a conversion table, which holds a liability ratio for each account. A processing platform, typically comprising a computer-implemented linking engine and an account files database, is logically connected to a network to receive linking instructions from an account holder. The linking engine can assign the cross-reference number; apply restriction rules; and convert reward points using the conversion tables. | 12-03-2009 |
20100179870 | ONLINE REWARD POINT EXCHANGE METHOD AND SYSTEM - An online reward exchange system and method of operation, which includes an exchange computer that interoperates via a computer network with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user. | 07-15-2010 |
20100223121 | SYSTEM OF FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - Systems and methods for managing a perks package associated with personality rights of a known entity are disclosed. A method for managing such a perks package can include selecting personality rights of at least one of a plurality of known entities with which a subscriber desires to be associated. The method can further include transferring into a personality association fee account fees paid by the subscriber in exchange for association with the selected personality rights. The personality association fee account can be linked with the personality rights selected. At least one of a plurality of perks packages can be automatically assigned to the subscriber in exchange for payment of the association fees, wherein the at least one perks package assigned is associated with the personality rights selected. | 09-02-2010 |
20100250360 | Trading Platform for the Redemption of Promotional Currency from Multiple Loyalty Programs - A trading platform to allow holders of points or miles in loyalty programs to monetize their holdings, or to barter rewards, and connects parties interested in buying reward items or services with pointsholders capable of redeeming points to obtain the desired rewards. The trading platform creates matches between parties and can obtain a matchmaking or brokerage fee in the process without having to interact with the loyalty program itself. | 09-30-2010 |
20100274657 | Integrated Credit Exchange System for Incentivizing Conservation - A scalable integrated credit exchange system for incentivizing conservation of a resource is provided, which includes a credit allocation system, a consumer interface, and an online trading system. Data is utilized from a measuring system using a smart meter, geospatial monitoring system, and the utility. The incentive is provided in the form of an awarded “ECOSHARE credit” that can be traded in the provided online trading system or can be utilized to reduce the consumer's utility bill. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280896 | ONLINE REWARD POINT EXCHANGE METHOD AND SYSTEM - An online reward exchange system and method of operation, which includes an exchange computer that interoperates via a computer network with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting via a user computer, merchant's point of sale device, or mobile device an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user. | 11-04-2010 |
20110153403 | REWARD EXCHANGE METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH CONTROL OF EXCHANGED REWARDS AND MONETARY CONSIDERATION - An item may be purchased using a combination of rewards and monetary consideration, wherein a maximum allowable reward payment portion (or correspondingly a minimum monetary consideration amount) is established by the merchant, the reward issuer, or an online reward exchange operator. The user may select, using for example a user interface slider control, the desired number of rewards to redeem (up to the maximum allowable amount) and the corresponding monetary consideration portion is displayed. The transaction may then be executed wherein the selected rewards are redeemed and the balance is paid for with the corresponding monetary consideration. | 06-23-2011 |
20120203617 | REWARD EXCHANGE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXECUTING A TRADING AGREEMENT BETWEEN MERCHANTS AND ISSUERS - An online reward exchange system including an exchange computer that interoperates with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting via a user computer, merchant's point of sale device, or mobile device an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user. | 08-09-2012 |
20120303436 | ONLINE REWARD POINT EXCHANGE METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATIC REWARD REDEMPTION SOLUTIONS - An online reward exchange system and method of operation, which includes an exchange computer that interoperates via a computer network with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user. | 11-29-2012 |
20120303437 | ONLINE REWARD POINT EXCHANGE METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH USER BIDS OF REWARDS FOR PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT - An online reward exchange system and method of operation, which includes an exchange computer that interoperates via a computer network with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user. | 11-29-2012 |
20130191202 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A REWARD POINT EXCHANGE WITH ISSUER-MERCHANT REDEMPTIONS - An online reward exchange system, including an exchange computer that interoperates with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting via a user computer, merchant's point of sale device, or mobile device an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the product. | 07-25-2013 |
20130218657 | UNIVERSAL VALUE EXCHANGE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The UNIVERSAL VALUE EXCHANGE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“UVE”) transform cross-ecosystem currency exchange instructions via UVE components into cross-ecosystem currency exchanges. In one embodiment, the UVE may obtain a cross-ecosystem currency exchange instruction and determine one or more sources and destinations based on parsing the cross-ecosystem currency exchange instruction. The UVE may identify currency types associated with the sources and the destinations and determine exchange rates of the currency types relative to a standard currency. In one implementation, the UVE may obtain currency exchange restrictions and conditions associated with the sources and the destinations and generate a currency exchange flow path for currency transfer from the sources to the destinations. The UVE may also issue currency transfer requests to the sources and the destinations, determine that the cross-ecosystem currency exchange has been completed and provide a notification of completion of the cross-ecosystem currency exchange. | 08-22-2013 |
20130231995 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING REWARD POINTS TO LIQUIDATE PRODUCTS - A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment. | 09-05-2013 |
20130246154 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE OF REWARD POINTS - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated points rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access. | 09-19-2013 |
20130268342 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A REDEEMABLE POINTS CLEARINGHOUSE - A host clearinghouse account manager may maintain a system, such as a middleware system, for converting and/or exchanging loyalty points to value credits. The host clearinghouse's system middleware determines the appropriate number of loyalty points from a first merchant's loyalty point system to convert and/or exchange by implementing a conversion processor that converts the participant's loyalty points to an appropriate value credit equivalent. These value credits may then be converted and/or exchanged to loyalty points in a second merchant's loyalty point system. | 10-10-2013 |
20130325579 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS LOYALTY BENEFITS - A system and method to provide a universal loyalty currency, facilitate exchange of loyalty benefits, and allow payments using loyalty benefits. A method includes: receiving registration information to associate account information of a payment account with at least one loyalty account to enable conversion of first loyalty benefits to second loyalty benefits; receiving, for a transaction, an authorization request identifying the account information and requesting the use of the second loyalty benefits to fund at least a portion of the transaction; and processing the transaction using the second benefits converted from the first loyalty benefits hosted in the loyalty account and funds from the payment account. | 12-05-2013 |
20140195324 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED COMMERCE - A program controlled data-processing system and computer-based method for facilitating retail transactions based on a seamless translation of reward points into a suitable currency for purchase. In one embodiment, the present invention allows a user to utilize points without the traditional redemption restrictions or encumbrances associated with reward programs. | 07-10-2014 |
20140222542 | Method and system for electronic exchange of reward points - A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access. | 08-07-2014 |
20140289033 | Methods and Systems for Uploading, Trading and Exchanging Loyalty Points on Social Media Websites - A method and system are provided for providing a plurality of loyalty programs for a plurality of merchants. This involves storing, on a computer-readable storage module, identification information for merchants and customers, and a plurality of rule sets for each merchant, receiving, a request from a customer identifying a customer, a merchant, and purchase information regarding a purchase made by a customer from a merchant, determining if the request complies with the corresponding rule set for the merchant, and, if so, determining a social media profile for the customer, awarding loyalty points to the customer, and uploading loyalty point reward information to the social media profile for the customer. | 09-25-2014 |
20140344044 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSACTING PURCHASES WITH A CASH VENDOR USING POINTS AND A VIRTUAL CREDIT CARD - System and method that utilizes a participant's points and a single use, virtual credit card account to implement a cash purchase with a cash vendor. The virtual credit card is active for a single purchase only with an available credit equal to the total of the cash purchase price and any fees. The virtual credit card may further be active for a limited period of time. | 11-20-2014 |