US 5,962,831 A · Electronic marketing apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for processing consumer transactions and recording them on a consumer's magnetic stripe card is disclosed, having a magnetic stripe reader, a magnetic stripe encoder, a printer and an account processing station. In one arrangement, a plurality of such apparatus are operatively connected to a master accounting station through an automatic communication system. A method for processing consumer transactions and a method for producing a promotional game are also disclosed.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims14

Dependent claims

A system for processing selected transactions, comprising in combination:

a master accounting station including recording means for recording and updating information with respect to specific accounts;
a plurality of account processing stations;
a plurality of magnetic stripe cards, wherein one or more cards represents an account;
a plurality of magnetic stripe readers capable of reading information encoded on the plurality of magnetic stripe cards, with at least one of the magnetic stripe readers operatively connected to each of the plurality of account processing stations;
a plurality of magnetic stripe encoders capable of encoding information onto the plurality of magnetic stripe cards, with at least one of the magnetic stripe encoders operatively connected to each of the plurality of account processing stations;
wherein each of the plurality of account processing stations receives information from its respective at least one reader and sends processed information to its respective at least one encoder;
and
an automatic communication system operable for the automatic transmission of information from the plurality of account processing stations to the master accounting station, wherein an account processing station transmits information read from a magnetic stripe card to the master accounting station if that information meets a first predetermined condition regarding transactions since transaction information was last transferred to the master accounting station, and wherein any transaction is processed entirely off-line from the master accounting station if that information does not meet the first predetermined condition, and the result of the transaction is encoded onto the magnetic stripe card by the associated at least one magnetic stripe encoder.

5 more elements

A system for processing selected transactions, comprising in combination:

a master accounting station including recording means for recording and updating information with respect to specific accounts;
a plurality of account processing stations;
a plurality of cards suitable for storing information, wherein one or more cards represents an account;
a plurality of readers capable of reading information encoded on the plurality of cards suitable for storing information, with at least one of the readers operatively connected to each of the plurality of account processing stations;
a plurality of encoders capable of encoding information onto the plurality of cards suitable for storing information, with at least one of the encoders operatively connected to each of the plurality of account processing stations;
wherein each of the plurality of account processing stations receives information from its respective at least one reader and sends processed information to its respective at least one encoder;
and
an automatic communication system operable for the automatic transmission of information from the plurality of account processing stations to the master accounting station, wherein an account processing station transmits information read from a card suitable for storing information to the master accounting station if that information meets a first predetermined condition regarding transactions since transaction information was last transferred to the master accounting station, and wherein any transaction is processed entirely off-line from the master accounting station if that information does not meet the first predetermined condition, and the result of the transaction is encoded onto the card suitable for storing information by the associated at least one encoder.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description1,996 words

Summary817 words

#The present invention relates generally to electronic marketing systems for retail stores and to methods of tracking consumer transactions.

#In marketing retail sales, a common strategy is to encourage people to become regular customers by rewarding those consumers who make frequent transactions. Examples of such marketing would be frequent flyer programs for airlines and savings stamps given for purchases. Some retailers have promoted consumer games, often based on chance in order to encourage frequent buying. The desire to provide some kind of instant reward or at least instant feedback to consumers has led to the use of "Instant Win" games which let a purchaser know immediately what he or she will win or at least when he or she will win.

#A customer data base for a retail store is generally segmented by purchases or visits. The system must capture every customer transaction and sort out the frequent user transactions in order to have a frequent user promotion in order to include records of "points" accumulated on customer statements, greatly increasing data processing and communications costs. The points accumulated by consumers can then be redeemed for prizes.

Brief description of the drawings1 figure

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system for processing selected transactions according to the present invention.

Detailed description1,160 words

#Referring now to the drawing, a system according to the present invention for processing selected transactions is referred to generally by reference numeral 10. System 10 includes a master accounting station 12 with a recording means 14 such as a magnetic disc or tape for recording and updating information with respect to specific accounts and a plurality of account processing stations 16 and 18 which would be at sites near where the transactions take place such as in retail stores near the checkout counters. A plurality of magnetic stripe readers 20 and 22 are capable of reading information encoded onto a plurality of magnetic stripe cards 24 and 26. At least one of the magnetic stripe readers 20 and 22 is operatively connected to each of the plurality of account processing stations 16 and 18 respectively. A plurality of magnetic stripe encoders 28 and 30 capable of encoding information onto plurality of cards 24 and 26 are operatively connected to account processing stations 16 and 18 respectively. One arrangement of the present invention takes advantage of high energy magnetic stripe cards. In such an arrangement, the card creates a magnetic field which is typically near 2700 oersted, preferably in the range of from 2600 to 2800 oersted or at least from about 2000 to about 3500 oersted. Taking advantage of the higher magnetic field would offer several advantages, but with the present invention, even low magnetic field cards, typically around 300 oersted, can be used. This may be necessary since many retailers will specify low energy units in order to be compatible with existing cards which are virtually all low energy. With the present system, every time a customer uses the apparatus, the encoder can "freshen" all data stored on a low energy card, even rewriting customer identification information. Such a system could even periodically change customer information for security purposes.

#A plurality of printers 32 and 34 capable of printing human readable messages onto a tangible medium of expression such as paper 36 and 38 are operatively connected to each of the account processing stations, stations 16 and 18 respectively. A printed receipt is used to award prizes or premiums earned or won. It can also be a complete statement of total cardholder activity issued with each card use, eliminating the very expensive processing and mailing of periodic status statements to cardholders.

#An automatic switching system 40 is operable for the automatic transmission of information from the plurality of account processing stations to master accounting station 12 and from master accounting station 12 to plurality of account processing stations 16 and 18. In the arrangement shown, the transmission is through transmitters 42 and 44 and receivers 46 and 48. Account processing station 16 transmits information read from magnetic stripe card 24 to master accounting station 12 if that information meets a first predetermined condition. A typical first predetermined condition might be that the card has accumulated a certain threshold number of transactions without having been uploaded to the master accounting station or that the information on the card has not been uploaded for so many weeks or months. The master accounting station can also make a determination if the customer has won a certain category of prize, one associated with being a regular and frequent buyer.

Facts

Application

07/933,960Filed 21 Aug 1992 · continuation

Priority

5 Mar 1990

Granted

5 Oct 1999

Term ended

5 Oct 2016

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

G07F 7/02
Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus:…
G06Q 20/3437
Cards including a counter: the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
G06Q 30/02
Commerce: marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
G07G 1/0036
Cash registers: checkout procedures

Electronic marketing apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Electronic marketing apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims14

Description1,996 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description1,996 words