Patent Application
20140200976
Prevalence of stored value cards associated with goods or services ranging from multipurpose reloadable debit cards (open loop or closed loop) and wireless mobile airtime to digital downloads, transit applications, and even the purchase of tangible goods has vastly increased in the past several years. As the use has increased, systems and methods of providing and using such cards has evolved.
Stored value cards may be generally divided into two (2) categories: chip cards and account cards. In a chip card (e.g., a “smart card”), a value account may actually reside on the card itself. In contrast, with an account card, the card may be associated with a value account that may reside elsewhere, for example on a payment processor or in a database of a financial institution. In such situations, the stored value card may comprise an indicia, such as but not limited to an account number, that may be used to conduct card transactions such as activation, redemption, reloading, recharging, etc.
However, the necessity or usefulness of the physical card itself (or any such tangible medium comprising the information required to access an underlying stored value account) may be greatly diminished as the use of digital devices (such as, but not limited to, mobile telephones and devices, tablets, laptop and other computers, electronic readers such as the Nook™ and Kindle™) increases.
As the necessity, usefulness, or even desirability of physical cards decrease, the indicia associated with the underlying value account may become more important. Accordingly, an indicia that is transferable while being associated with a stored value account may be desirable.
Aspects of the invention may include a method of conducting a transaction utilizing an indicia associated with goods or services, the indicia initially provided to an originating party by an originating merchant, but wherein the indicia may be used in a transaction at a providing merchant by an obtaining party, the transaction conducted amongst a central processor, one or more merchants that may include the originating merchant and the providing merchant, and one or more parties that may include the originating party and the obtaining party, the method comprising: receiving at the central processor the indicia from the providing merchant; determining by the central processor: whether the indicia is valid; and the goods or services associated with the indicia; determining by the central processor whether the providing merchant is the originating merchant, and upon a determination that the providing merchant is not the originating merchant, determining an appropriate transaction price for the indicia; determining by the central processor whether the obtaining party is the originating party, and upon a determination that the obtaining party is not the originating party, determining if the transaction price for the indicia should be modified; and communicating between the central processor and the providing merchant a final transaction price for the indicia.
Other aspects of invention may include a method of conducting a transaction utilizing an indicia associated with goods or services, the indicia initially provided to an originating party by an originating merchant, but wherein the indicia may be used in a transaction at a providing merchant by an obtaining party, the transaction conducted amongst a central processor, one or more merchants that may include the originating merchant and the providing merchant, and one or more parties that may include the originating party and the obtaining party, the method comprising: capturing the indicia at the point of sale by the providing merchant; determining if the indicia is accepted by the providing merchant, and upon a determination that the indicia is not accepted by the providing merchant, terminating the transaction; upon a determination that the indicia is accepted by the providing merchant, communicating the indicia to the central processor; receiving from the central processor a transaction price for the indicia.
Other aspects of the invention may include a system for conducting a transaction utilizing an indicia associated with goods or services, the system comprising: a central processor; an originating merchant, the originating merchant providing the indicia to an originating party; an originating party, the originating party obtaining the indicia from the originating merchant; a providing merchant, the providing merchant providing either an activated indicia or the goods or services associated with the indicia to the obtaining party, the providing merchant being in selective communication with the central processor; an obtaining party, the obtaining party conducting the transaction with the providing merchant and obtaining either an activated indicia or the goods or services from the providing merchant.
These and other aspects will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements. The accompanying figures depict certain illustrative embodiments and may aid in understanding the following detailed description. Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments depicted are to be understood as exemplary and in no way limiting of the overall scope of the invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The detailed description will make reference to the following figures, in which:
Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary embodiments disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. Moreover, as used herein, the singular may be interpreted in the plural, and alternately, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular.
This application is directed, in general, to systems, methods, and computer readable mediums for advertising, tracking, processing, activating, authorizing, and providing goods or services to a customer, including commissioning based thereon. More specifically, the present invention is directed to various aspects, systems, components, and methodologies related to at least one or more of:
(i) displaying to a customer various goods or services at a retail location;
(ii) providing to customer an indicia of the goods or services;
(iii) the customer or originating party, being enabled to capture or save the indicia in a device, for example a mobile telephone, tablet, or computer;
(iv) the originating party being enabled to maintain the indicia in an intermediate state before purchase on or in the device;
(v) the indicia being transferrable such that, for example, (a) the originating party may be capable of sending the indicia—or an identifier associated with the indicia—to another party who may pay for the goods or services, the paying party; (b) the originating party may be capable of paying for the indicia and sending the goods or service to another party, the receiving party; and/or (c) any other transferability that may be evidenced by and between an originating party, paying party, and receiving party—whom may each be the same or different users.
(vi) the indicia being usable to purchase and/or activate and/or authorize the goods or service;
(vii) the indicia may comprise various piece of information, or may created by combining different pieces of information. The indicia may evolve as it is transferred between and amongst the various parties and retailers, and may at any point identify or be associated with one or more of (a) the specific goods or services; (b) the originating retailer; (c) the originating party; (d) the purchasing party; (e) the receiving party; (f) the providing retailer; (g) pricing related to the specific goods or services; and/or (h) any promotions, rebates, customer loyalty membership, coupons, or other programs or plans that may impact the pricing of the goods or services.
(viii) in the case of electronic or digital goods or services, the goods or services may actually be placed or downloaded onto the device at the originating retailer, but may be locked—thereby preventing use—until the goods or services are purchased.
(ix) the goods or services may be purchased (a) at the originating retailer (for example, through a typical in-lane transaction at a point of sale (POS)); (b) by visiting the originating retailer's website or other online or electronic presence; (c) through an application (or “app”) on the device, wherein the app may be associated or provided by the originating retailer, a third party, or even a competing retailer; (d) by visiting a third party or competitor retailer's location and completing the purchase through a typical in-lane transaction at a POS; (e) by visiting a third party or competitor retailer's website or other online or electronic presence.
(x) When the goods or services are purchased, the originating retailer may receive commission payments, the commission payments may vary depending on how and from whom the purchase transaction occurred. For example, if the indicia is used to purchase the goods or services at the originating retailer during a typical in-lane transaction at a POS or through an app or online presence provided by or managed for the originating retailer, the originating retailer may receive full commission, for example 100×. If the indicia is used to purchase the goods or services at a later time, for example through a third party application or online presence, the originating retailer may receive either full commission (100×) or a slightly reduced commission (75×). If the indicia is used to purchase the goods or services at a later time and through a competing retailer—either in-lane or through a competing retailer's application or online presence, the originating retailer may receive a reduced commission, for example 50×, while the competing retailer—now the providing retailer—if it participates in the overall program, may receive a commission of 50×.
(xi) The commissions of the originating and/or providing retailers may vary based upon various promotions associated with the goods or services. For example, an originating retailer may attempt to increase its chances at being the providing retailer by reducing the overall price of the goods or services—thereby reducing its commission. For example, if an originating retailer receives a commission of 50× for initially conveying the indicia to the customer—even if purchased at a competitor retailer—the originating retailer may reduce the price of the goods or services by 25×, thereby potentially increasing its chances of making the sale and receiving a commission of 75× rather than 50× if it fails to make the sale.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the various indicia may be stored in a basket in the mobile device for later purchase. In such circumstances, it is anticipated that any party with the indicia—the originating party, those who have it on their devices in anticipation of becoming a receiving party or a paying party—may receive various updates or communications regarding promotions directed at the specific or related goods or services.
As briefly noted above, the invention may comprise a user display that may be present at a retailer location. The user display may comprise basic signage, a video display, touch screen, e-ink (e.g., a bi-stable display), an interactive display, one or more screens or multiple screens or display zones, a multimedia display (e.g., with sound, video, tactile, scents, tastes, etc.).
The information that is displayed may be updated in various manners. In the case of basic signage, the display may be updated according to typical manners—that is replacing various signs and displays. In the case of an electronic display (video or otherwise), the information on the display may be updated through the use of a network connection (e.g., internet, T1, T3, cable, fiber-optic, etc.), through mobile technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, etc.), wireless technology (RFID, BlueTooth®, or other wireless technology), or though updatable or replaceable memory (e.g., a disc, memory card, thumb drive, DVD, or other storage device, etc.).
The goods or services may comprise any number of products. For example, stored value cards (e.g., gift cards, prepaid debit cards, etc.), wireless airtime or top-up cards, gaming tokens or value cards, transportation tolls, laundry value, digital media (e.g., music, videos, books, programs, software, games, applications, etc.), services, and/or any other virtual, electronic, digital, or physical goods.
Indicia selected and saved by the originating party may be placed, kept, and/or saved in various wallets, folders, groupings, or baskets associated with the mobile device. Such wallets, folders, groupings, or baskets may be created and managed by the user and may be associated with various characteristics such as originating retailers, categories of goods or services, dates of selection, payment mechanisms, etc. The indicia may be kept in such wallets, folders, groupings or baskets until purchase or until a period of time has elapsed and the indicia expires. Alternatively, if the indicia is associated with goods or services is associated with a specific price or promotion, the indicia may expire or delete when the promotion ends or when the price is no longer available.
With reference to
In addition, the indicia can be associated with an amount of value, and the invention may be used to transmit monetary amounts between users. An indicia of value, for example an indicia representative 50 Euros may be selected by an originating party. The originating party may be pay for the 50 Euros in dollars, and then send the indicia to the value to a receiving party. The receiving party may use the indicia sent to obtain the value—50 Euros.
Similarly, an indicia may be circulated amongst a group of users, and each user may add value to the indicia. For example, an originating party may select an indicia associated with a variable denomination Visa prepaid debit card. The originating party may select—and provide payment for $50 to be added onto the associated Visa prepaid debit card. The originating party may then circulate or pass on the indicia to others, who in turn may contribute to the Visa prepaid debit card through the use of the indicia. Once finalized, the indicia may be sent to the receiving party who may receive the cumulative gift.
Each of the items 111, 112, 113, 114 displayed in display 10 may be associated with an indicia. The indicia may be available through the use of the display, as discussed in greater detail below with reference to
Note that display 10 may be provided by a third party, and this may be noted on the display 120. The third party may be an intermediate party between and among the originating retailer, the providing retailer, and/or the provider of goods or services. The third party may establish and manage the systems and methods of the invention.
With reference to
Alternatively, various display zones may be used to display related, complimentary, or associated products. For example, if the display is a touch screen, a user may be able to select a particular product from a digital catalog, separated by, for example, category. Once a user selects a product or category, other related, complimentary, or associated products may be displayed. In such an embodiment, for example, a user may select a product corresponding to movie or theater tickets, and products related to restaurants local to the theater may be displayed.
In some embodiments, comparable products or services may be displayed to the customer along with or in lieu of selected products or services. For example, a customer may be viewing various gift cards that for restaurants. The customer may have selected an Italian restaurant. The display may set forth comparable products—that is, other Italian or similar restaurants—for which the originating retailer can offer current discounts or promotions.
The display may be any sort of device that is capable of conveying to the user or customer indicia associated with desired or selected goods or services. The indicia may be conveyed by a mobile phone reading, or otherwise obtaining the indicia from the display, for example, by reading a machine code. With reference to
With reference to
Alternatively, the originating party 420 may provide the indicia to a different party—a paying party—who may pay for the goods or services using the indicia. The paying party 430 may utilize a device 431 to pay for the goods or services at the originating retailer 410, at a digital presence of the originating retailer 410, at a different retailer, at a digital presence of a different retailer, or from a third party (for example, a party managing the program). With reference to
The providing retailer 440 may then provide the purchased goods or services to the desired party. The party that receives the purchased goods or services a receiving party 450, who may receive the goods or services on or associated with another device 451. Note that the receiving party may be the originating or paying party, but need not be.
With reference to
With reference to
The originating party 610 may convey the indicia to a paying party 620 (or a paying party's device 621). Note that the indicia 671 conveyed from the originating party 610 to the paying party 620 may be modified from the initial indicia 670 captured at the originating retailer 640. For example, the modified indicia may include information identifying the originating party, various customer loyalty membership information of the originating party, etc. The paying party 620 may use an indicia 672 to purchase the goods or services. The goods or services may be purchased from a providing party—that is, the originating retailer 640, a third party 650, or another retailer who is a providing retailer 660. The indicia 672 provided from the paying party 620 to the providing party may be further modified from indicia 670 or 671. Indicia 672 may comprise information identifying the paying party 620, various memberships of the paying party 620, or information identifying or associated with the party to receive the goods or services—the receiving party 630.
The providing party may then provide the goods or services to the receiving party 630 or a device of the receiving party 631. Again, note that the originating party 610, paying party 620, and receiving party 630 may be the same or different parties or users.
With reference to
Accordingly, if the originating retailer is the providing retailer, then that retailer may be entitled to a commission of 3-4.5% of the purchase price of the product or service. The originating retailer is rewarded for successfully advertising, displaying, and initiating a sale of a product or service. The providing retailer is rewarded for actually closing the sale.
It is anticipated that once an originating party or any other party has saved one or more indicia in a device, it may be able to purchase the associated product or service by selecting the indicia on the device and utilizing an application that may be provided by a retailer or by a third party managing the program. Accordingly, a purchase using an application provided by the program manager or any other neutral third party would not negatively impact the originating retailer's commission, but would rather add a small amount (since a sales commission is not paid to another party).
Such an intermediary application may communicate with the display at the originating merchant to obtain the various indicia and may act as a basket to hold the various indicia that are not yet purchased. The intermediary application may also be in selective communication with a funding source—for example a mobile wallet or financial account—in order to provide easy payment for indicia selected for purchase. Moreover, the intermediary application may contain user information the may impact availability or pricing of various goods or services. For example, a customer may utilize such an intermediary application to record various customer loyalty programs, membership programs that may impact pricing (for example, AAA), membership programs that may impact product or service availability (for example, DirectBuy, or purchases from a club) or other identifying characteristics that may impact product or service availability or pricing. Indicia displayed on the display may be specifically configured for use with such intermediary applications in an attempt to provide quick, efficient, and seamless purchase transactions.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Second party 930 may then determine what amount or level of value to be purchased. For example, an originating party 910 may have transferred an indicia related to tokens for use in GAME. Second party 930, as the paying party, may decide that he or she wishes to purchase ten dollars ($10.00) worth of tokens for use in GAME. Second party 930 may send the indicia 920A, an identification of the amount of value to be purchased 950, and the value 960 to a central processor 940, which may activate the indicia for use. The central processor 940 may then send the activated indicia—with a specific value—back to the second party 930, or to an identified receiving party. With reference to
With reference to
In
With reference to
Note that it is also contemplated that originating party 1010 may purchase each of goods or services identified by indicia 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024 for its members 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, and members need only convey the indicia to the central processor 1040 for redemption.
The central processor 1040 may then provide—or initiate the provision of—the goods or services purchased to the receiving member (as depicted in
Note that it is contemplated that in order to offer such reduced price offerings to members, the central processor may require identification of receiving party as a member of the association of the originating party 1010. For example, as illustrated in
With reference to
Systems and methods in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may also be used to convey specific goods or services—or to provide payment or value for specific goods or services—amongst specifically identified parties.
For example, certain goods or services may be identified as specifically desirable to provide to certain receiving parties. Certain goods and services, such as healthy food, warm clothes, tutoring, and specific extracurricular activities may be identified and grouped as desirable for children. Such grouping may be accomplished by a governmental entity or agency, a special interest group, or any other interested party. The grouping of specific goods and services may be distributed amongst various parties. Examples of this may include distributing such indicia to parents who pay child support, family members of at-risk or otherwise identified children, or to various charities and groups for external support (for example, an electronic version of a charity-driven gift exchange during the holiday season).
Specifically, an interested party 1210 may identify a group 1220 of one or more indicia 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224 determined to be of interest to, necessary, or desirable to provide to a receiving party. The group of indicia 1220 may be conveyed to one or more parties 1231, 1232, 1233, 1234, 1235. At this point, various processes may occur. For example, party 1231 may identify indicia 1221 as something that party 1231 would like to obtain for either itself, or for receiving party 1237. Party 1231 may then send indicia 1221 and payment 1250 to central processor 1240. Central processor 1240 may then determine the goods or service identified by indicia 1221 and provide, or initiate provision of, the goods or service either back to party 1231 or to receiving party 1237.
It is contemplated that in some circumstances, parties receiving the group of indicia may not have funds available for purchase of the identified goods or service, but may be entitled to the goods or services nonetheless. For example, user 1233 may identify indicia 1223 as being desirable and may send indicia 1223 alone to central processor 1240. Central processor 1240 may then provide, or initiate provision of, the goods or services back to party 1233. For example if party 1233 is on government assistance (food stamps, TANIF, etc.), certain additional goods or services may be provided free of charge.
In accordance with some embodiments, a user 1235 may receive the group of indicia 1220 and determine that from the group 1220, two identified goods or services are desirable.
The indicia associated with these goods or services 1222, 1224 may be conveyed to another party 1238 for purchase. Party 1238 may select one of the indicia sent 1224, and may convey the indicia 1224 and payment 1250 to the central processor 1240. The central processor may then provide, or initiate provision of the goods or services back to party 1235 or to an identified recipient 1236. For example, a state agency may determine what qualifies as “necessities” for children, and a custodial parent may send indicia corresponding to personally applicable necessities to a non-custodial parent (that is, one who is paying child support or otherwise providing financial assistance to the child or custodial parent). The non-custodial parent may then decide that he or she wishes (or may be obligated to some extent) to purchase a specific good or services (for example, school text books or supplies), and may send the indicia and payment to the central processor 1240. The central processor 1240 may then provide, or initiate provision of the goods or services to party 1235 or to receiving party (here, for example, the child) 1236.
In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an originating party 1310 may purchase or otherwise obtain a plurality of indicia 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324. Here, the originating party 1310 may also be the paying party. The originating party 1310 may then distribute the active indicia 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324 to various receiving parties 1331, 1332, 1333. Receiving party 1331 may receive indicia 1321; receiving party 1332 may receive indicia 1322 and 1323; receiving party 1333 may receive indicia 1324. Though the indicia 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324 may be paid for and active, they may not be redeemed yet. Accordingly, each of receiving parties 1331, 1332, 1333 may redeem their respective received indicia with a central processor 1340.
For example, at a holiday event an originating party may purchase a plurality of indicia and may distribute the indicia to receiving parties as the originating party sees fit. Another example may be the purchase of “digital stocking stuffers,” that an originating party can distribute amongst various gift recipients.
With reference to
An originating party 1410 may select an indicia corresponding to a good or service. For ease of discussion, the indicia may correspond to a prepaid debit or gift card. However, it is noted that group gifting may also provide different products or features of products that may be purchased or unlocked at various price points. Originating party 1410 may select indicia and may add value 1430 to the indicia. For example, originating party 1410 may add $50.00 to the indicia. The indicia 1420—with a value of $50.00—may then be conveyed to second party 1411. Second party 1411 may add $20.00 to the indicia, now indicia 1421 and convey indicia 1421 to third party 1412. Third party 141 may add $100.00 to the indicia. This process may continue through any number of parties. When the last party has added value (a party may be a last party when a pool of participating parties has been exhausted, when a time limit has been reached, or when there are no more parties interested in contributing to the gift), the final indicia 1422 with a combined value of $170.00 may be provided to receiving party 1440.
With reference to
In general, the present invention provides indicia that are transferable a lifecycle of the indicia. The indicia may identify a certain good or service—or a group or set of goods or services. The indicia may be modified to further identify the good or service—for example, a specific song from a specified band, or a certain value on a gift card. The indicia may include identification of the originating party, receiving party, or paying party in order to provide for specific offers to groups of users. The indicia may include information identifying the originating merchant—if any—or any advertisements that lead an originating party to capture or otherwise record the indicia.
The indicia may be transferred amongst numerous parties in these various states. The indicia may evolve during such transferences to provide information necessary or desirable in a specific transaction.
Various other attributes and/or characteristics may be part of the system and method of the invention. For example, attributes such as a “daily deal” or other such name may be utilized. In such an attribute, a customer who downloads an indicia may receive a notice or message as part of the “daily deal” informing the customer of relevant, related promotions. For example, if a customer downloads an indicia for a restaurant (for example, an Outback gift card indicia), a movie theater indicia (for example, AMC theaters) may be provided at a discount because of, in light of, or based upon the desired restaurant purchase.
In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, an application or program as discussed above may be in selective communication with a retailer display when the user is in or near the retailer location (as opposed to requiring the user to be immediately next to or in a close proximity with the display). The application or program may then display either all or most virtual products available from the retailer.
In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the application or program as discussed above may track the user's location, for example, within a retailer location. In this manner, detailed offers or “daily deals” may be offered to the user based upon the user's location within the location. For example, if the user is in the portion of the store where DVDs are sold, the user may receive a promotion or “daily deal” directed to, for example, a reduced price on a particular movie or theater tickets. Another example may be to offer a user a discount on complimentary items. For example is a user is in the portion of the store where computers are purchased, the user may receive a promotion or “daily deal” for online archival or back-up services.
It is also contemplated that various retailers and providers may intentionally reduce their potential commission in order to make a sale and be a providing retailer. For example, an originating retailer may advertise that if the purchase is made from the originating retailer, the price is 1.5% less than that which it would typically cost. The originating retailer—if it makes the sale and becomes the providing retailer, may be able to reduce its sales commission by the 1.5%, thereby collecting a full origination commission and a reduced sales commission in order to promote the sale.
Various other aspects of the invention may also be utilized. For example, when the indicia is obtained by a user device, in the case of digital goods or services, the goods or services may actually be placed on the device in a locked or inactive state. Once purchased—either in lane at the retailer or later through the use of an application or other connection, the digital goods or services may be unlocked. This may provide at least two (2) benefits.
First, the loading of the digital goods or services—which may require a fair amount of data to be transmitted—may be accomplished at the retailer, potentially using a free retailer-sponsored network connection. Accordingly, the user need not worry about excess data charges for such transfer. When the purchase is completed, a minimal amount of data may need to be transferred from the providing retailer to the receiving party in order to unlock or authorize the use of the digital goods or services. For example, an encryption key or other such password or authorization code may be transmitted from the providing party.
Second, a user may select various digital goods or services and load them onto a device, and then only select and pay for goods or services actually used. For example, prior to a trip a user may select three or four digital movies, indicia and files of which may be placed on the user device. The user may then select—and pay for—only the movies that it actually wants, or has time to watch.
Moreover, due to the transferability of the indicia (as discussed above), an originating party (e.g., a child) may send various indicia to another party (e.g., a parent) that the first party wants to access. The second party—the parent—may then select which goods or service it likes and pay for such goods and services, which may then be sent or provided to the originating party—or child. Such aspects may be coupled with what are commonly known as filter cards or restricted spend cards in order to provide value to a receiving party that has limitations in how it may be used (e.g., for groceries but not for alcohol or tobacco).
It will be understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention shown and described herein are exemplary only. Numerous variations, changes, substitutions and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all subject matter described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings be regarded as illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense, and that the scope of the invention will be solely determined by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/608,820 filed on Mar. 9, 2012.
