Interactive marketing network and process using electronic certificates

A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates having both transaction data and identification data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing an electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems;
• (b) establishing an electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;
• (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing a predetermined type and number of the electronic certificates;
• (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data, including information sufficient to specifically identify the remote user, from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes the remote user profile data;
• (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data without also transmitting the specific remote user identification information;
• (f) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system;
• and
• (g) wherein the issuance of the electronic certificates to the plurality of remote user stations is conditioned upon the entry of remote user profile data by the plurality of remote users to the service system.

A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates having both transaction data and identification data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing an electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems;
• (b) establishing an electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;
• (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing a predetermined type and number of the electronic certificates;
• (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes the remote user profile data;
• (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data;
• (f) permitting the plurality of issuer systems to periodically revise the electronic certificates on an interactive and nearly instantaneous basis;
• and
• (g) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system.

A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates having both transaction data and identification data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing an electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems;
• (b) establishing an electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;
• (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing a predetermined type and number of the electronic certificates;
• (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes the remote user profile data;
• (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data;
• (f) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system;
• and
• (g) wherein the number or type of electronic certificates to be issued can be limited by the plurality of issuer systems.

A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates containing reservation data and having both transaction data and identification data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing an electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems, each issuer system including an issuing computer having an initial set of reservation instructions;
• (b) establishing an electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;
• (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing a predetermined type and number of the electronic certificates;
• (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data containing updated reservation data, including information sufficient to specifically identify the remote user, from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes and revises the initial set of reservation instructions;
• (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data without also transmitting the specific remote user identification information;
• and
• (f) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system.