US 9,852,437 B2 · Opt-in/opt-out in loyalty system

Abstract

Techniques for changing a participation status in a loyalty program for a portable device are provided. The techniques include receiving an indication to change the participation status in the loyalty program from a first status to a second status. A parameter is modified in the portable device where the modification of the parameter corresponds to a change in the participation status in the loyalty program from the first status to the second status.

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Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for changing a participation status in a loyalty program for a portable device, after the portable device has been activated, the method comprising:

receiving from a loyalty client computing device, by an Internet system comprising an open program engine comprising software components that are dedicated to loyalty programs, a request from a loyalty program participant that is a user of the activated portable device, which is an activated portable consumer device, using a graphical user interface for changing the participation status in the loyalty program associated with the activated portable device from a first loyalty program participation status to a second loyalty program participation status, wherein the first status is an opt-out status associated with the loyalty program and the second status is an opt-in status associated with the loyalty program;
generating, by the Internet system, a transaction identification (ID) and sending the transaction ID to the loyalty client computing device;
receiving, by an Internet system, a response message from the loyalty client computing device that includes the transaction ID, a requested operation to change participation status and card image data from the activated portable device, the card image data including a parameter indicating the loyalty program participation status as having the first loyalty program participation status, and information that allows loyalty transactions to be processed;
modifying the parameter in the card image data received from the activated portable device, using the Internet system, the modification of the parameter corresponding to a change of the participation status from the first loyalty program participation status to the second loyalty program participation status;
sending the modified card image data to the loyalty client computing device wherein the card image data is updated in the activated portable device with the modified parameter using the modified card image data by overwriting the existing card image data with the modified card image data in the portable device, the modified parameter indicating the participation status as having the second loyalty program participation status;
receiving a confirmation request message indicating that the update was successful;
and
logging the change participation status and sending a confirmation message to the loyalty client computing device.

5 more elements

A system for changing a participation status in a loyalty program for a portable device, after the portable device has been activated, the system comprising:

a networked computing device configured to communicate with the activated portable device, the networked computing device comprising:
an electronic cash register and an open program engine comprising software components that are dedicated to loyalty programs;
means for establishing a connection with the activated portable device;
means for receiving a request directly from a loyalty program participant that is a user of the activated portable device, which is an activated portable consumer device, using a graphical user interface for changing the participation status in the loyalty program associated with the activated portable device from a first loyalty program participation status to a second loyalty program participation status, wherein the first status is an opt-out status associated with the loyalty program and the second status is an opt-in status associated with the loyalty program;
means for receiving card image data from the activated portable device, the card image data including a parameter indicating the participation status as having the first loyalty program participation status for the activated portable device and information to be used to allow loyalty transactions to be processed;
means for sending an indication that a change participation status request has been received;
means for receiving a transaction identification (ID);
means for sending a response message that includes the transaction ID, a requested operation to change participation status and the card image data including the parameter;
means for updating the card image data in the activated portable device with the modified parameter using the modified card image data by overwriting the existing card image data with the modified card image data in the portable device, the modified parameter indicating the participation status as having the second loyalty program participation status;
and
means for sending a confirmation request message indicating that the update was successful;
a loyalty server module component configured to communicate with the networked computing device and receive the sent card image data, wherein the loyalty server module comprises:
an open program engine comprising software components that are dedicated to loyalty programs;
means for receiving the change participation status request;
means for generating a transaction identification (ID) and sending the transaction ID to the network computing device;
means for modifying the parameter in the card image data received from the activated portable device, the modification of the parameter corresponding to a change of the participation status from the first loyalty program participation status to the second loyalty program participation status;
and
means for sending the modified card image data received from the activated portable device, to the networked computing device.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description5,540 words

Summary899 words

#The present invention generally relates to financial transactions and more specifically to a system and method for changing participation status in a loyalty program on a portable device.

#With the continuing demand for using information to provide an enhanced consumer experience, acceptance point (e.g., point of sale) devices and portable devices may be leveraged to provide a personalized experience for a customer during a purchase transaction at a merchant. For example, a loyalty program may be provided where customers are awarded incentives for shopping at certain merchants participating in the loyalty program. As part of the loyalty program, consumers are issued portable devices to enable a consumer to participate in the loyalty program.

#The portable device generally can be used for various purposes. For example, the portable device can be used for purposes related to program participation, such as participation in a loyalty program, as well as other purposes. For a portable device that is used in connection with a loyalty program, such device typically includes a loyalty module that includes hardware, software, or any combination thereof, that communicates with an acceptance point device when any transactions with the portable device are desired. The portable device can be, for example, a smartcard. In addition to the loyalty module, the portable device may also include other modules, information and data that are not related to a loyalty program.

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#FIG. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a loyalty system for changing a participation status in a loyalty program according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 depicts a simplified block diagram for changing a participation status for a portable device using an acceptance point device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for changing a participation status for a portable device using an acceptance point device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Detailed description4,500 words

#The present invention in the form of one or more exemplary embodiments will now be described. FIG. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a loyalty system 100 for changing a participation status in a loyalty program according to one embodiment of the present invention. System 100 includes a portable device 102, an acceptance point device 104, a host 106, and an Internet system 108.

#Portable device 102 is a device that can communicate with acceptance point device 104 and/or Internet system 108. For example, portable device 102 may be a smart card, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), pager, payment card (such as a credit card and an ATM card), security card, access card, smart media, transponder and the like. Portable device 102 includes a loyalty module 110 that is configured to enable the consumer using portable device 102 to participate in one or more loyalty programs. Loyalty module 110 includes hardware, software, or any combination thereof, that is used in communications with acceptance point device 104 and/or Internet system 108 and enables participation in any loyalty programs. In an exemplary embodiment, loyalty module 110 may be a computer chip that includes a software applet which enables portable device 102 to participate and handle transactions in one or more loyalty programs.

#Loyalty module 110 includes card image data. The card image data includes parameter 112. Parameter 112 is used to determine a consumer's participation status in one or more loyalty programs. Also, the card image data may include other information, such as information that is used to allow loyalty transactions to be processed and/or enable participation in loyalty programs. In an exemplary embodiment, parameter 112 may indicate whether portable device 102 is opted into or out of certain loyalty programs.

Facts

Application

10/660,328Filed 10 Sep 2003 · us provisional application

Priority

13 Sep 2002

Published

US 2004/0054591 A118 Mar 2004

Granted

26 Dec 2017

Term ends

14 Mar 2033

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 3,473 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

G06Q 30/0226
Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates: incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
G06Q 30/02
Commerce: marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
G06Q 30/0235
Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates: constrained by time limit or expiration date
G06Q
Information and communication technology [ict] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial

Timeline

13 Sep 2002Priority claimedParent application 60/410,643
10 Sep 2003Application filedUS 10/660,328
10 Sep 2003Assigned to Visa U.S.A., Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
18 Mar 2004PublishedUS 2004/0054591 A1
26 Dec 2017GrantedUS 9,852,437 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
14 Mar 2033Term endsEstimated, includes 3,473 days of adjustment

Opt-in/opt-out in loyalty system

Life of this patent

Opt-in/opt-out in loyalty system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims12

Description5,540 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description5,540 words