US20030105664A1 - Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20030105664A1
US20030105664A1 US09/777,297 US77729701A US2003105664A1 US 20030105664 A1 US20030105664 A1 US 20030105664A1 US 77729701 A US77729701 A US 77729701A US 2003105664 A1 US2003105664 A1 US 2003105664A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
offer
offers
point
sale terminal
performance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/777,297
Inventor
Andrew Van Luchene
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RetailDNA LLC
Original Assignee
RetailDNA LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/822,709 external-priority patent/US6267670B1/en
Priority claimed from US08/920,116 external-priority patent/US6119099A/en
Application filed by RetailDNA LLC filed Critical RetailDNA LLC
Priority to US09/777,297 priority Critical patent/US20030105664A1/en
Assigned to WALKER, JAY reassignment WALKER, JAY SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
Assigned to WALKER DIGITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, JONATHAN OTTO reassignment WALKER DIGITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: RETAILDNA, LLC
Assigned to RETAILDNA, LLC reassignment RETAILDNA, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
Publication of US20030105664A1 publication Critical patent/US20030105664A1/en
Priority to US11/773,274 priority patent/US20070299727A1/en
Assigned to RETAILDNA, LLC reassignment RETAILDNA, LLC CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT NATURE OF CONVEYANCE TO READ "OTHER" SECURED LICENSE AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 012944 AND FRAME 0515. Assignors: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G06Q20/208Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/38Payment protocols; Details thereof
    • G06Q20/387Payment using discounts or coupons
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0211Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0235Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates constrained by time limit or expiration date
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0238Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates at point-of-sale [POS]
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0611Request for offers or quotes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C15/00Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus
    • G07C15/005Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus with dispensing of lottery tickets
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3248Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3255Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286Type of games
    • G07F17/329Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/24Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks with change-giving
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07GREGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036Checkout procedures
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07GREGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00Cash registers
    • G07G1/12Cash registers electronically operated
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07GREGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G5/00Receipt-giving machines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to point-of-sale terminals, and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at point-of-sale terminals.
  • Point-of-sale (“POS”) terminals such as cash registers, are used in a wide variety of businesses for performing such processes as calculating the total price of a purchase (goods or services) and calculating the amount of change due to a customer.
  • POS terminals may also be used with an offering system in order to provide offers to customers.
  • offering systems may be intended to increase sales, and thereby increase the average profit gained per transaction.
  • the upsell price $0.26, thus depends on the purchase price $1.74.
  • Another type of offering system is a computer-determined “suggestive sell”.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,219 describes a system for suggesting items for a customer to purchase at conventional item prices.
  • an offering system there are many possible offers which may be provided to customers.
  • many different upsells may be offered to a customer in exchange for the particular amount of change due.
  • An offer to a customer at a fast-food restaurant may include a soda, large French fries, or a dessert.
  • Precisely which upsell to offer may be chosen according to a predetermined program at random, or manually by a manager or other operator.
  • the acceptance rate of an offer is a performance rate that may be used to evaluate the offer, since some offers may be less likely to be accepted by customers than other offers.
  • the profit derived from an accepted offer is another performance rate that may be used to evaluate the offer.
  • a POS terminal or other computing device provides a plurality of offers to customers, and then measures a performance rate of each offer. For example, the acceptance rate or the profit rate of the offers may be measured. Based on the performance rates, a subset of offers is selected. In one embodiment, the highest performing offers are selected. In another embodiment, those offers having performance rates above a predetermined threshold are selected. The selected subset of offers is then provided, while the remaining, less desirable offers are discontinued.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a POS terminal provided in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the POS terminal of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a network of POS terminals.
  • FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an embodiment of a database of offers.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a record of a transaction database.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling offers that are provided at one or more POS terminals.
  • FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an embodiment of a performance rate database.
  • FIG. 8 is a table illustrating another embodiment of a performance rate database.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of databases employed in determining offers which continue to be provided.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of databases employed in determining offers which continue to be provided.
  • FIG. 11 is a table illustrating another embodiment of a database of offers.
  • One or more POS terminals control offers that are provided to customers, such that those offers which have high performance rates are provided.
  • the present invention determines the best offers by providing customers with a group of offers, and evaluating the performance rates of the offers. By contrast, random or manual (human) selection of offers is unlikely to determine the best offers. Furthermore, the present invention advantageously relieves managers or other personnel of the task of selecting offers.
  • the present invention may further make the offer appear to the customer to be random, since a POS terminal typically provides different offers at different times. This, in turn, can make it difficult for customers to manipulate the offer system to their advantage.
  • a POS terminal 10 which may be the IBM 4683 or IBM 4693 manufactured by International Business Machines, comprises a processor 12 , such as one or more conventional microprocessors.
  • the processor 12 is in communication with a data storage device 14 , such as an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory.
  • the processor 12 and the storage device 14 may each be (i) located entirely within a single computer or other computing device; (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver; or (iii) a combination thereof.
  • the POS terminal 10 may comprise one or more computers which are connected to a remote server computer for maintaining databases.
  • An input device 16 preferably comprises a keypad for transmitting input signals, such as signals indicative of a purchase, to the processor 12 .
  • a printer 18 is for registering indicia on paper or other material, thereby printing receipts, coupons and vouchers as commanded by the processor 12 .
  • a display device 20 is preferably a video monitor for displaying at least alphanumeric characters to the customer and/or cashier. Many types of input devices, printers and display devices are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.
  • the input device 16 , printer 18 and display device 20 are each in communication with the processor 12 .
  • the storage device 14 stores a program 22 for controlling the processor 12 .
  • the processor 12 performs instructions of the program 22 , and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.
  • the program 22 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary, such as an operating system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 12 to interface with computer peripheral devices, such as the input device 16 , the printer 18 and the display device 20 . Appropriate device drivers and other necessary program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.
  • the storage device 14 also stores (i) a database of offers 24 ; (ii) a transaction database 26 ; and (iii) a performance rate database 28 .
  • the databases 24 , 26 and 28 are described in detail below and depicted with exemplary entries in the accompanying figures. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein are exemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. A number of other arrangements may be employed besides the tables shown. Similarly, the illustrated entries represent exemplary information, but those skilled in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those illustrated herein.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the POS terminal 10 , in which a control device 28 is in communication via a communication medium 30 with a system 32 for providing an offer.
  • the control device 28 comprises a processor 34 in communication with the input device 16 and the display device 20 .
  • the system 32 for providing an offer comprises a processor 36 in communication with the storage device 14 and the printer 18 .
  • the control device 28 may be a cash register, and the system 32 may be an electronic device for printing coupons in accordance with data received from the cash register.
  • Other configurations of the POS terminal 10 will be understood by those skilled in the art.
  • a network 40 includes a server 42 in communication with POS terminals 44 , 46 and 48 .
  • the server 42 directs the operation of, stores data from, and transmits data to the POS terminals 44 , 46 and 48 .
  • the server 42 may itself be a POS terminal, as described above, or may be another computing device which can communicate with one or more POS terminals. Although three POS terminals are shown in FIG. 3, any number of POS terminals may be in communication with the server 42 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • Each of the POS terminals 44 , 46 and 48 may be located in the same store, in different stores of a chain of stores, or in other locations.
  • the server 42 may perform many of the processes described below, especially those processes that are performed for more than one POS terminal.
  • the server 42 may furthermore store data such as the database of offers 24 .
  • a table 60 illustrates an embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1).
  • the table 60 includes entries 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 , each of which describes an offer to be provided to customers. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 60 may include any number of entries.
  • Each of the entries 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 specifies (i) an offer identifier 70 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) an offer description 72 for describing the offer; (iii) a cost of the offer 74 to the offeror; and (iv) an offer frequency 76 .
  • the offer frequency 76 indicates the average percentage of times that the corresponding offer is to be provided when an offer is provided.
  • each of the entries 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 includes an offer frequency of 25%, and thus each of the entries 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 will be provided to customers approximately one out of every four times an offer is provided, on average.
  • a record 90 of the transaction database 26 defines the transactions performed at a POS terminal identified by a POS terminal identifier 92 .
  • the transaction database 26 typically includes a plurality of records such as the record 90 , each defining the transactions performed at a different POS terminal.
  • the record 90 includes entries 94 , 96 and 98 which each describe a transaction. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the record 90 may include any number of entries.
  • Each of the entries 94 , 96 and 98 specifies (i) a transaction identifier 100 that uniquely indicates a transaction; (ii) a date 102 of the transaction; (iii) a time 104 of the transaction; (iv) a purchase description 106 that describes details of the transaction, such as the items purchased, the purchase price and/or the identity of the customer; (v) an offer identifier 108 that indicates an offer that was provided during the transaction; (vi) an indication of whether the offer was accepted 110 ; and (vii) a revenue 112 that is derived due to the customer accepting the offer.
  • a flow chart 120 illustrates a method for controlling offers that are provided at one or more POS terminals. Offers are provided to customers (step 122 ) in accordance to the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). As described above with reference to the table 60 (FIG. 4), each offer includes an offer frequency that indicates the average percentage of times that the corresponding offer is to be provided. Thus, the database of offers 24 indicates which offers are to be provided to customers, and also indicates the frequency with which the offers are to be provided.
  • the POS terminal 10 may generate a random number between 0 and 1 each time an offer is to be provided. Then, an offer would be selected in accordance with the random number and with the offer frequency illustrated in FIG. 4. A random number between 0.00 and 0.25 would correspond to the offer “A”, while a random number between 0.26 and 0.50 would correspond to the offer “B”, and so on for offers “C” and “D”.
  • the POS terminal 10 or server 42 can provide a first offer during a first series of transactions, and then provide subsequent offers during consecutive series of transactions.
  • the sizes of the series of transactions would be selected in accordance with the offer frequencies 76 of the table 60 (FIG. 4).
  • each of the offers specified by the table 60 of FIG. 4 has an equal offer frequency (25%).
  • the first offer “A” defined by the entry 62 could be provided to customers during a first series of ten transactions, and the remaining three offers defined by the entries 64 , 66 and 68 could be provided during subsequent series of ten transactions each. Since there are four offers and each offer is provided to customers during ten out of forty transactions, each offer has a frequency of 25%.
  • each of a plurality of POS terminals may provide a different offer to customers.
  • a first POS terminal could provide a first offer during a series of one hundred transactions
  • the POS terminal 10 or server 42 calculates the performance rate of each offer (step 124 ).
  • the performance rate may be any measured and/or calculated quantity, such as an Acceptance Rate or a Profit Rate. Many other performance rates will be understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the performance rate of each offer may be calculated at predetermined periods, such as at the end of each day, or after predetermined numbers of offers have been provided to customers.
  • An Acceptance Rate may be calculated in accordance with the following:
  • the Number of Times Provided is the number of times a particular offer was provided to customers.
  • the Number of Times Accepted is the number of times that the provided offer was accepted by customers. Both the Number of Times Provided and the Number of Times Accepted may be determined from data stored in the transaction database 26 (FIG. 1). It is typically desirable to have a high Acceptance Rate, and ideally an offer will have an Acceptance Rate of 100%. However, it is likely that the Acceptance Rate of an offer will be less than 100%.
  • a table 140 illustrates an embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1).
  • the performance rate database 28 is configured to store Acceptance Rate data as described above.
  • the table 140 includes entries 142 , 144 , 146 and 148 , each of which describes an offer that has been provided to customers. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 140 may include any number of entries.
  • Each of the entries 142 , 144 , 146 and 148 specifies (i) an offer identifier 150 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) a number of times accepted 152 ; (iii) a number of times provided 154 ; and (iv) an acceptance rate 156 of the offer.
  • the table 140 may thus be used in determining which offers have the highest performance rate.
  • a Profit Rate is a performance rate of an offer that may be calculated in accordance with the following:
  • the Revenue is the amount of all income derived due to customers accepting the offer.
  • the Cost is the expense incurred from customers accepting the offer.
  • the Number of Times Provided is the number of times a particular offer was provided to customers.
  • a table 170 illustrates another embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1).
  • the performance rate database 28 is configured to store average profit per offer.
  • the table 170 includes entries 172 , 174 , 176 and 178 , each of which describes an offer that has been provided to customers. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 170 may include any number of entries.
  • Each of the entries 172 , 174 , 176 and 178 specifies (i) an offer identifier 180 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) a number of times accepted 182 ; (iii) a number of times provided 184 ; (iv) an average revenue derived per accepted offer 186 ; (v) an average profit derived per accepted offer 188 ; and (vi) an average profit derived per offer 190 .
  • the number of times accepted 182 , the number of times provided 184 and the average revenue 186 may be determined from data stored in the transaction database 26 (FIG. 1). For example, referring again to the record 90 of FIG. 5, at the POS terminal # 7 the offers “A”, “B” and “C” have each been offered once, as seen from the offer identifier 108 . The offers “B” and “C” have each been accepted once, as indicated by the offer accepted 110 field. Similarly, the revenue derived for the offers “A”, “B” and “C” is $0.00, $0.50 and $0.78 respectively. An average revenue for each offer would be derived by dividing the total revenue from each offer by the number of times it was offered.
  • the average profit per accepted offer 188 may be determined by subtracting the cost per offer (the cost 74 of FIG. 4) from the average revenue 186 .
  • the average profit per offer 190 which is the profit rate defined above, may be determined by multiplying the average profit per accepted offer 188 by the acceptance rate of the offer. As described above, the acceptance rate of the offer is determined by dividing the number of times accepted 182 by the number of times provided 184 .
  • the POS terminal 10 or server 42 determines modifications to the database of offers 24 based on the performance rates (step 126 ).
  • Each offer may be provided at a different offer frequency, or even discontinued, in accordance with the calculated performance rate of that offer.
  • offers with higher performance rates continue to be provided to customers, and are typically provided at higher offer frequencies.
  • offers with low performance rates are typically provided at lower offer frequencies, or may even cease to be provided altogether.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the selection of offers to discontinue.
  • a table 200 depicts data stored in an embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1). For each offer, there is an offer identifier 202 and an acceptance rate 204 .
  • a threshold 206 of 10% defines which of the offers in the table 200 will continue to be provided.
  • the offers defined by entries 208 and 210 (the offers “A” and “B”) have acceptance rates greater than 10%, and thus will continue to be provided.
  • the offers defined by entries 212 and 214 have acceptance rates less than 10%, and thus will be discontinued.
  • a table 216 depicts data stored in an embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). As described above with respect to FIG. 4, each offer has an offer identifier 218 and an offer frequency 220 . Since the offers “C” and “D” have been discontinued, the corresponding offer frequencies of those offers are 0%. The offer frequencies of the offers “A” and “B”, which continue to be offered, change accordingly. The offer frequencies may be changed so that they are equal to each other (50% each). Alternatively, the offer frequencies may be changed in accordance with their relation to one another, as follows:
  • F new is the new offer frequency
  • F old is the offer frequency prior to being changed
  • F total is the sum of the values of F old for the offers that are not discontinued
  • the offer frequency “58%” of the offer “A” is calculated by from the offer frequencies of the offers that are not discontinued:
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the selection of offers to discontinue in this embodiment.
  • a table 240 depicts data stored in another embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1). For each offer, there is an offer identifier 242 and an average profit per order 244 .
  • a threshold 246 of “three” defines the number of highest-performing offers in the table 240 which will continue to be provided.
  • the offers defined by entries 248 , 250 and 252 are the top three offers with respect to average profit per order, and thus will continue to be provided.
  • the offer defined by entry 254 (the offer “D”) will be discontinued.
  • a table 256 depicts data stored in an embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). As described above, each offer has an offer identifier 258 and an offer frequency 260 . Since the offer “D” has been discontinued, the corresponding offer frequency is 0%.
  • discontinued offers may be desirable to make them available again at some time in the future. For example, after an offer has been discontinued due to a poor performance rate, conditions such as consumer tastes may change. Accordingly, discontinued offers may continue to be maintained in the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1), and, after an offer has been discontinued for more than a predetermined amount of time, it may be advantageous to evaluate its performance rate once again.
  • the discontinued offer may be granted a randomly-selected or predetermined offer frequency, allowing the corresponding performance rate to be evaluated.
  • the offer frequency of certain offers be unchanged, regardless of the performance rate calculated for those offers.
  • a high-value offer could have a very low offer frequency. The offer could then act as a prize that few customers could receive. Accordingly, the cost of giving such a high-value offer in exchange for change due would be incurred rarely, yet could serve as advertising to prompt customers to frequent a business.
  • a table 300 similar to the table 60 of FIG. 4, illustrates another embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1).
  • the table 300 includes entries 302 , 304 , 306 and 308 , each of which describes an offer to be provided to customers.
  • Each of the entries 302 , 304 , 306 and 308 specifies (i) an offer identifier 310 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) an offer description 312 for describing the offer; (iii) a cost of the offer 314 to the offeror; (iv) an offer frequency 316 and (v) a fixed frequency indication 318 .
  • the fixed frequency indication 318 indicates whether the corresponding offer frequency may be changed based on the performance rate of the offer, as described above.
  • the entry 308 includes an offer frequency of 1%. Since this offer has a relatively high value ($50 gift certificate), it is likely that it will be accepted often, perhaps always. However, the high cost ($50) of the offer can make it unprofitable to offer more frequently. Accordingly, the frequency of that offer is fixed at 1%.

Abstract

A POS terminal or other computing device provides a plurality of offers to customers, and then measures a performance rate of each offer. For example, the acceptance rate or the profit rate of the offers may be measured. Based on the performance rates, a subset of offers is selected. In one embodiment, the highest performing offers are selected. In another embodiment, those offers having performance rates above a predetermined threshold are selected. The selected subset of offers is then provided, while the remaining, less desirable offers are discontinued.

Description

  • PROCESSING A SUPPLEMENTARY PRODUCT SALE AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL (Attorney Docket No. WD2-97-559), each assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated by reference herein. [0001]
  • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to point-of-sale terminals, and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at point-of-sale terminals. [0002]
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Point-of-sale (“POS”) terminals, such as cash registers, are used in a wide variety of businesses for performing such processes as calculating the total price of a purchase (goods or services) and calculating the amount of change due to a customer. In addition, POS terminals may also be used with an offering system in order to provide offers to customers. Such offering systems may be intended to increase sales, and thereby increase the average profit gained per transaction. [0003]
  • One type of offering system is described in the parent application of the present application, patent application Ser. No. 08/920,116, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENTARY PRODUCT SALES AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL, filed on Aug. 26, 1997. As described therein, a customer at a POS terminal is offered an “upsell” in exchange for an amount of change he is due. The POS terminal determines an upsell in dependence on a purchase of the customer, and also determines an upsell price (the amount of change due) based on the purchase. For example, a customer purchasing a first product for $1.74 and tendering $2.00 may be offered a second product in lieu of the $0.26 change due. The upsell price, $0.26, thus depends on the purchase price $1.74. Another type of offering system is a computer-determined “suggestive sell”. U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,219 describes a system for suggesting items for a customer to purchase at conventional item prices. [0004]
  • In an offering system, there are many possible offers which may be provided to customers. For example, in the above-described upsell offer, many different upsells may be offered to a customer in exchange for the particular amount of change due. An offer to a customer at a fast-food restaurant may include a soda, large French fries, or a dessert. Precisely which upsell to offer may be chosen according to a predetermined program at random, or manually by a manager or other operator. [0005]
  • Unfortunately, random or manual selection of an offer does not necessarily assure that the “best” (highest performing) offers will be provided to customers. What constitutes the “best” offer may be evaluated with respect to one or more criteria, yielding corresponding “performance rates” for the various offers. For example, the acceptance rate of an offer is a performance rate that may be used to evaluate the offer, since some offers may be less likely to be accepted by customers than other offers. In addition, the profit derived from an accepted offer is another performance rate that may be used to evaluate the offer. [0006]
  • It may be difficult or impossible for a manager or other operator to identify the “best” offers (the offers with the highest performance rates). A manager is unlikely to have knowledge of the true performance rates of a group of offers. A manager is also unlikely to have the time to analyze historical trends to identify the best offers. In addition, at different times of the day or days of the week, certain offers may be more attractive to customers than others. Unanticipated events, such as a high state lottery jackpot or a good article in a magazine, may also make certain offers more attractive. Such circumstances impede attempts by a manager to identify the best offers. Accordingly, a need exists for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal. [0007]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to control offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal. [0008]
  • In accordance with the present invention, a POS terminal or other computing device provides a plurality of offers to customers, and then measures a performance rate of each offer. For example, the acceptance rate or the profit rate of the offers may be measured. Based on the performance rates, a subset of offers is selected. In one embodiment, the highest performing offers are selected. In another embodiment, those offers having performance rates above a predetermined threshold are selected. The selected subset of offers is then provided, while the remaining, less desirable offers are discontinued.[0009]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a POS terminal provided in accordance with the present invention. [0010]
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the POS terminal of FIG. 1. [0011]
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a network of POS terminals. [0012]
  • FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an embodiment of a database of offers. [0013]
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a record of a transaction database. [0014]
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling offers that are provided at one or more POS terminals. [0015]
  • FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an embodiment of a performance rate database. [0016]
  • FIG. 8 is a table illustrating another embodiment of a performance rate database. [0017]
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of databases employed in determining offers which continue to be provided. [0018]
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of databases employed in determining offers which continue to be provided. [0019]
  • FIG. 11 is a table illustrating another embodiment of a database of offers.[0020]
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • One or more POS terminals control offers that are provided to customers, such that those offers which have high performance rates are provided. The present invention determines the best offers by providing customers with a group of offers, and evaluating the performance rates of the offers. By contrast, random or manual (human) selection of offers is unlikely to determine the best offers. Furthermore, the present invention advantageously relieves managers or other personnel of the task of selecting offers. [0021]
  • By continually evaluating the performance rates of offers, the offers provided to customers continue to be the highest performing. If the performance rate of a once-attractive offer decreases, it can be replaced by other, higher-performing offers. [0022]
  • The present invention may further make the offer appear to the customer to be random, since a POS terminal typically provides different offers at different times. This, in turn, can make it difficult for customers to manipulate the offer system to their advantage. [0023]
  • Referring to FIG. 1, a [0024] POS terminal 10, which may be the IBM 4683 or IBM 4693 manufactured by International Business Machines, comprises a processor 12, such as one or more conventional microprocessors. The processor 12 is in communication with a data storage device 14, such as an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory. The processor 12 and the storage device 14 may each be (i) located entirely within a single computer or other computing device; (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver; or (iii) a combination thereof. For example, the POS terminal 10 may comprise one or more computers which are connected to a remote server computer for maintaining databases.
  • An [0025] input device 16 preferably comprises a keypad for transmitting input signals, such as signals indicative of a purchase, to the processor 12. A printer 18 is for registering indicia on paper or other material, thereby printing receipts, coupons and vouchers as commanded by the processor 12. A display device 20 is preferably a video monitor for displaying at least alphanumeric characters to the customer and/or cashier. Many types of input devices, printers and display devices are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein. The input device 16, printer 18 and display device 20 are each in communication with the processor 12.
  • The [0026] storage device 14 stores a program 22 for controlling the processor 12. The processor 12 performs instructions of the program 22, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein. The program 22 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary, such as an operating system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 12 to interface with computer peripheral devices, such as the input device 16, the printer 18 and the display device 20. Appropriate device drivers and other necessary program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.
  • The [0027] storage device 14 also stores (i) a database of offers 24; (ii) a transaction database 26; and (iii) a performance rate database 28. The databases 24, 26 and 28 are described in detail below and depicted with exemplary entries in the accompanying figures. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein are exemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. A number of other arrangements may be employed besides the tables shown. Similarly, the illustrated entries represent exemplary information, but those skilled in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those illustrated herein.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the [0028] POS terminal 10, in which a control device 28 is in communication via a communication medium 30 with a system 32 for providing an offer. The control device 28 comprises a processor 34 in communication with the input device 16 and the display device 20. The system 32 for providing an offer comprises a processor 36 in communication with the storage device 14 and the printer 18. In this embodiment, the control device 28 may be a cash register, and the system 32 may be an electronic device for printing coupons in accordance with data received from the cash register. Other configurations of the POS terminal 10 will be understood by those skilled in the art.
  • Referring to FIG. 3, a [0029] network 40 includes a server 42 in communication with POS terminals 44, 46 and 48. The server 42 directs the operation of, stores data from, and transmits data to the POS terminals 44, 46 and 48. The server 42 may itself be a POS terminal, as described above, or may be another computing device which can communicate with one or more POS terminals. Although three POS terminals are shown in FIG. 3, any number of POS terminals may be in communication with the server 42 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of the POS terminals 44, 46 and 48 may be located in the same store, in different stores of a chain of stores, or in other locations. The server 42 may perform many of the processes described below, especially those processes that are performed for more than one POS terminal. The server 42 may furthermore store data such as the database of offers 24.
  • Referring to FIG. 4, a table [0030] 60 illustrates an embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). The table 60 includes entries 62, 64, 66 and 68, each of which describes an offer to be provided to customers. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 60 may include any number of entries. Each of the entries 62, 64, 66 and 68 specifies (i) an offer identifier 70 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) an offer description 72 for describing the offer; (iii) a cost of the offer 74 to the offeror; and (iv) an offer frequency 76. The offer frequency 76 indicates the average percentage of times that the corresponding offer is to be provided when an offer is provided. For example, each of the entries 62, 64, 66 and 68 includes an offer frequency of 25%, and thus each of the entries 62, 64, 66 and 68 will be provided to customers approximately one out of every four times an offer is provided, on average.
  • Referring to FIG. 5, a [0031] record 90 of the transaction database 26 (FIG. 1) defines the transactions performed at a POS terminal identified by a POS terminal identifier 92. The transaction database 26 (FIG. 1) typically includes a plurality of records such as the record 90, each defining the transactions performed at a different POS terminal. The record 90 includes entries 94, 96 and 98 which each describe a transaction. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the record 90 may include any number of entries. Each of the entries 94, 96 and 98 specifies (i) a transaction identifier 100 that uniquely indicates a transaction; (ii) a date 102 of the transaction; (iii) a time 104 of the transaction; (iv) a purchase description 106 that describes details of the transaction, such as the items purchased, the purchase price and/or the identity of the customer; (v) an offer identifier 108 that indicates an offer that was provided during the transaction; (vi) an indication of whether the offer was accepted 110; and (vii) a revenue 112 that is derived due to the customer accepting the offer.
  • Referring to FIG. 6, a [0032] flow chart 120 illustrates a method for controlling offers that are provided at one or more POS terminals. Offers are provided to customers (step 122) in accordance to the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). As described above with reference to the table 60 (FIG. 4), each offer includes an offer frequency that indicates the average percentage of times that the corresponding offer is to be provided. Thus, the database of offers 24 indicates which offers are to be provided to customers, and also indicates the frequency with which the offers are to be provided.
  • For example, the POS terminal [0033] 10 (FIG. 1) (or the server 42 of FIG. 3, in a networked embodiment) may generate a random number between 0 and 1 each time an offer is to be provided. Then, an offer would be selected in accordance with the random number and with the offer frequency illustrated in FIG. 4. A random number between 0.00 and 0.25 would correspond to the offer “A”, while a random number between 0.26 and 0.50 would correspond to the offer “B”, and so on for offers “C” and “D”.
  • Alternatively, the [0034] POS terminal 10 or server 42 can provide a first offer during a first series of transactions, and then provide subsequent offers during consecutive series of transactions. The sizes of the series of transactions (the number of transactions in the series) would be selected in accordance with the offer frequencies 76 of the table 60 (FIG. 4). For example, each of the offers specified by the table 60 of FIG. 4 has an equal offer frequency (25%). Thus, the first offer “A” defined by the entry 62 could be provided to customers during a first series of ten transactions, and the remaining three offers defined by the entries 64, 66 and 68 could be provided during subsequent series of ten transactions each. Since there are four offers and each offer is provided to customers during ten out of forty transactions, each offer has a frequency of 25%.
  • In another embodiment, each of a plurality of POS terminals may provide a different offer to customers. For example, a first POS terminal could provide a first offer during a series of one hundred transactions, and a second POS terminal could provide a second offer during a series of one hundred transactions. Accordingly, both the first offer and the second offer would have a frequency of 50% (100/(100+100)=0.50=50%). [0035]
  • Once offers are provided to customers at [0036] step 122, the POS terminal 10 or server 42 calculates the performance rate of each offer (step 124). The performance rate may be any measured and/or calculated quantity, such as an Acceptance Rate or a Profit Rate. Many other performance rates will be understood by those skilled in the art. The performance rate of each offer may be calculated at predetermined periods, such as at the end of each day, or after predetermined numbers of offers have been provided to customers.
  • An Acceptance Rate may be calculated in accordance with the following: [0037]
  • Acceptance Rate=Number of Times Accepted/Number of Times Provided
  • The Number of Times Provided is the number of times a particular offer was provided to customers. Similarly, the Number of Times Accepted is the number of times that the provided offer was accepted by customers. Both the Number of Times Provided and the Number of Times Accepted may be determined from data stored in the transaction database [0038] 26 (FIG. 1). It is typically desirable to have a high Acceptance Rate, and ideally an offer will have an Acceptance Rate of 100%. However, it is likely that the Acceptance Rate of an offer will be less than 100%.
  • Referring to FIG. 7, a table [0039] 140 illustrates an embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the performance rate database 28 is configured to store Acceptance Rate data as described above. The table 140 includes entries 142, 144, 146 and 148, each of which describes an offer that has been provided to customers. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 140 may include any number of entries. Each of the entries 142, 144, 146 and 148 specifies (i) an offer identifier 150 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) a number of times accepted 152; (iii) a number of times provided 154; and (iv) an acceptance rate 156 of the offer. The table 140 may thus be used in determining which offers have the highest performance rate.
  • A Profit Rate is a performance rate of an offer that may be calculated in accordance with the following: [0040]
  • Profit Rate=(Revenue−Cost)/Number of Times Provided
  • The Revenue is the amount of all income derived due to customers accepting the offer. The Cost is the expense incurred from customers accepting the offer. The Number of Times Provided is the number of times a particular offer was provided to customers. [0041]
  • Referring to FIG. 8, a table [0042] 170 illustrates another embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the performance rate database 28 is configured to store average profit per offer. The table 170 includes entries 172, 174, 176 and 178, each of which describes an offer that has been provided to customers. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 170 may include any number of entries. Each of the entries 172, 174, 176 and 178 specifies (i) an offer identifier 180 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) a number of times accepted 182; (iii) a number of times provided 184; (iv) an average revenue derived per accepted offer 186; (v) an average profit derived per accepted offer 188; and (vi) an average profit derived per offer 190.
  • Those skilled in the art will understand that the number of times accepted [0043] 182, the number of times provided 184 and the average revenue 186 may be determined from data stored in the transaction database 26 (FIG. 1). For example, referring again to the record 90 of FIG. 5, at the POS terminal # 7 the offers “A”, “B” and “C” have each been offered once, as seen from the offer identifier 108. The offers “B” and “C” have each been accepted once, as indicated by the offer accepted 110 field. Similarly, the revenue derived for the offers “A”, “B” and “C” is $0.00, $0.50 and $0.78 respectively. An average revenue for each offer would be derived by dividing the total revenue from each offer by the number of times it was offered.
  • The average profit per accepted [0044] offer 188 may be determined by subtracting the cost per offer (the cost 74 of FIG. 4) from the average revenue 186. Finally, the average profit per offer 190, which is the profit rate defined above, may be determined by multiplying the average profit per accepted offer 188 by the acceptance rate of the offer. As described above, the acceptance rate of the offer is determined by dividing the number of times accepted 182 by the number of times provided 184.
  • Referring again to FIG. 6, after the performance rates of the offers have been calculated (step [0045] 124), the POS terminal 10 or server 42 determines modifications to the database of offers 24 based on the performance rates (step 126). Each offer may be provided at a different offer frequency, or even discontinued, in accordance with the calculated performance rate of that offer. As described below, offers with higher performance rates continue to be provided to customers, and are typically provided at higher offer frequencies. Similarly, offers with low performance rates are typically provided at lower offer frequencies, or may even cease to be provided altogether.
  • In one embodiment, only offers having performance rates greater than a predetermined threshold continue to be provided to customers. If one or more offers cease to be provided, each offer frequency must be changed, as described below. [0046]
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the selection of offers to discontinue. A table [0047] 200 depicts data stored in an embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1). For each offer, there is an offer identifier 202 and an acceptance rate 204. A threshold 206 of 10% defines which of the offers in the table 200 will continue to be provided. In particular, the offers defined by entries 208 and 210 (the offers “A” and “B”) have acceptance rates greater than 10%, and thus will continue to be provided. By contrast, the offers defined by entries 212 and 214 (the offers “C” and “D”) have acceptance rates less than 10%, and thus will be discontinued.
  • A table [0048] 216 depicts data stored in an embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). As described above with respect to FIG. 4, each offer has an offer identifier 218 and an offer frequency 220. Since the offers “C” and “D” have been discontinued, the corresponding offer frequencies of those offers are 0%. The offer frequencies of the offers “A” and “B”, which continue to be offered, change accordingly. The offer frequencies may be changed so that they are equal to each other (50% each). Alternatively, the offer frequencies may be changed in accordance with their relation to one another, as follows:
  • F new =F old /F total
  • Where: [0049]
  • F[0050] new is the new offer frequency
  • F[0051] old is the offer frequency prior to being changed
  • F[0052] total is the sum of the values of Fold for the offers that are not discontinued
  • In FIG. 9, the offer frequency “58%” of the offer “A” is calculated by from the offer frequencies of the offers that are not discontinued: [0053]
  • 58%=20.4%/(20.4%+14.8%)
  • The offer frequency “42%” of the offer “B” is similarly calculated: [0054]
  • 42%=14.8%/(20.4%+14.8%)
  • Those skilled in the art will understand that there are other methods for changing the offer frequencies of offers. [0055]
  • In another embodiment, a predetermined number of the highest-performing offers continue to be provided to customers. The remaining offers, if any, are not provided. FIG. 10 illustrates the selection of offers to discontinue in this embodiment. A table [0056] 240 depicts data stored in another embodiment of the performance rate database 28 (FIG. 1). For each offer, there is an offer identifier 242 and an average profit per order 244. A threshold 246 of “three” defines the number of highest-performing offers in the table 240 which will continue to be provided. In particular, the offers defined by entries 248, 250 and 252 (the offers “A”, “B” and “C”) are the top three offers with respect to average profit per order, and thus will continue to be provided. By contrast, the offer defined by entry 254 (the offer “D”) will be discontinued.
  • A table [0057] 256 depicts data stored in an embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). As described above, each offer has an offer identifier 258 and an offer frequency 260. Since the offer “D” has been discontinued, the corresponding offer frequency is 0%. The offer frequencies of the offers “A”, “B” and “C”, which continue to be offered, change accordingly. The offer frequencies may be changed so that they are equal to each other (33⅓% each). Alternatively, the offer frequencies may be changed in accordance with their relation to one another, in the manner described above.
  • Once offers have been discontinued, it may be desirable to make them available again at some time in the future. For example, after an offer has been discontinued due to a poor performance rate, conditions such as consumer tastes may change. Accordingly, discontinued offers may continue to be maintained in the database of offers [0058] 24 (FIG. 1), and, after an offer has been discontinued for more than a predetermined amount of time, it may be advantageous to evaluate its performance rate once again. The discontinued offer may be granted a randomly-selected or predetermined offer frequency, allowing the corresponding performance rate to be evaluated.
  • In addition, in some situations, after offers are discontinued only one offer may continue to be offered. The performance rate of this offer is evaluated, and compared with the performance rate of the offer in prior time periods. If the performance rate declines below that of prior time periods, the offer may be discontinued and replaced. As a replacement, another (discontinued) offer may be granted a randomly-selected or predetermined offer frequency, allowing the corresponding performance rate to be evaluated. [0059]
  • In some embodiments it may be desirable that the offer frequency of certain offers be unchanged, regardless of the performance rate calculated for those offers. For example, a high-value offer could have a very low offer frequency. The offer could then act as a prize that few customers could receive. Accordingly, the cost of giving such a high-value offer in exchange for change due would be incurred rarely, yet could serve as advertising to prompt customers to frequent a business. [0060]
  • Referring to FIG. 11, a table [0061] 300, similar to the table 60 of FIG. 4, illustrates another embodiment of the database of offers 24 (FIG. 1). The table 300 includes entries 302, 304, 306 and 308, each of which describes an offer to be provided to customers. Each of the entries 302, 304, 306 and 308 specifies (i) an offer identifier 310 for uniquely indicating the offer; (ii) an offer description 312 for describing the offer; (iii) a cost of the offer 314 to the offeror; (iv) an offer frequency 316 and (v) a fixed frequency indication 318. The fixed frequency indication 318 indicates whether the corresponding offer frequency may be changed based on the performance rate of the offer, as described above. For example, the entry 308 includes an offer frequency of 1%. Since this offer has a relatively high value ($50 gift certificate), it is likely that it will be accepted often, perhaps always. However, the high cost ($50) of the offer can make it unprofitable to offer more frequently. Accordingly, the frequency of that offer is fixed at 1%.
  • Although the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will note that various substitutions may be made to those embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the evaluation of offers may also account for the time of day at which the offers were provided. [0062]

Claims (18)

What is claimed is:
1. A method for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
providing a plurality of offers at a point-of-sale terminal;
measuring a performance rate of each offer, thereby defining a plurality of performance rates;
selecting a subset of offers based on at least one of the plurality of performance rates; and
providing the subset of offers at a point-of-sale terminal.
2. The method of claim 1, in which the step of providing a plurality of offers is performed during a first time period; and in which the step of providing the subset of offers is performed during a second time period which is subsequent to the first time period.
3. The method of claim 1, in which the step of providing a plurality of offers comprises:
providing an offer of the plurality of offers at each of a plurality of terminals.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
measuring a performance rate of the subset; and
if the performance rate of the subset is less than a predetermined threshold,
providing the plurality of offers after the step of providing the subset of offers.
5. The method of claim 1, in which the step of selecting a subset of offers comprises:
selecting offers that have at least a predetermined performance rate.
6. The method of claim 1, in which the step of selecting a subset of offers comprises:
selecting a predetermined number of highest-performing offers.
7. An apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
a storage device; and
a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and
the processor operative with the program to:
provide a plurality of offers at a point-of-sale terminal;
measure a performance rate of each offer, thereby defining a plurality of performance rates;
select a subset of offers based on at least one of the plurality of performance rates; and
provide the subset of offers at a point-of-sale terminal.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the processor is further operative with the program to:
provide a plurality of offers during a first time period; and
provide the subset of offers during a second time period which is subsequent to the first time period.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the processor is further operative with the program to provide an offer of the plurality of offers at each of a plurality of terminals.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the processor is further operative with the program to:
measure a performance rate of the subset; and
if the performance rate of the subset is less than a predetermined threshold,
provide the plurality of offers after a provision of the subset of offers.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the processor is further operative with the program to select offers that have at least a predetermined performance rate.
12. The method of claim 7, in which the processor is further operative with the program to select a predetermined number of highest-performing offers.
13. A method for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
providing a first offer at a point-of-sale terminal;
measuring a performance rate of the first offer; and
if the performance rate of the first offer is below a predetermined threshold,
providing a second offer at a point-of-sale terminal.
14. An apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
a storage device; and
a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and
the processor operative with the program to:
provide a first offer at a point-of-sale terminal;
measure a performance rate of the first offer; and
if the performance rate of the first offer is below a predetermined threshold,
provide a second offer at a point-of-sale terminal.
15. A method for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
providing a first offer at a first point-of-sale terminal;
providing a second offer at a second point-of-sale terminal;
measuring a performance rate of the first offer;
measuring a performance rate of the second offer; and
if the performance rate of the second offer is less than the performance rate of the first offer,
providing the first offer at the second point-of-sale terminal.
16. An apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
a storage device; and
a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and
the processor operative with the program to:
provide a first offer at a first point-of-sale terminal;
provide a second offer at a second point-of-sale terminal;
measure a performance rate of the first offer;
measure a performance rate of the second offer; and
if the performance rate of the second offer is less than the performance rate of the first offer,
provide the first offer at the second point-of-sale terminal.
17. A method for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
for each of a plurality of purchases,
determining an upsell in dependence on the purchase,
determining an upsell price, each upsell price being based on a purchase, and
offering to exchange the upsell price for the upsell;
measuring a performance rate of each upsell, thereby defining a plurality of performance rates;
selecting a subset of upsells based on at least one of the plurality of performance rates; and
providing the subset of upsells at a point-of-sale terminal.
18. An apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:
a storage device; and
a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and
the processor operative with the program to, for each of a plurality of purchases:
determine an upsell in dependence on the purchase,
determine an upsell price, each upsell price being based on a purchase, and
offer to exchange the upsell price for the upsell;
measure a performance rate of each upsell, thereby defining a plurality of performance rates;
select a subset of upsells based on at least one of the plurality of performance rates; and
provide the subset of upsells at a point-of-sale terminal.
US09/777,297 1997-03-21 2001-02-07 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal Abandoned US20030105664A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/777,297 US20030105664A1 (en) 1997-03-21 2001-02-07 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US11/773,274 US20070299727A1 (en) 1997-03-21 2007-07-03 Method and apparatus for providing a supplementary product sale at a point-of-sale terminal

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/822,709 US6267670B1 (en) 1997-03-21 1997-03-21 System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US08/920,116 US6119099A (en) 1997-03-21 1997-08-26 Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US09/045,084 US6223163B1 (en) 1997-03-21 1998-03-20 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US09/777,297 US20030105664A1 (en) 1997-03-21 2001-02-07 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/045,084 Continuation US6223163B1 (en) 1997-03-21 1998-03-20 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/933,588 Continuation-In-Part US20020046124A1 (en) 1997-03-21 2001-08-21 Method and apparatus for providing a supplementary product sale at a point-of-sale terminal

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030105664A1 true US20030105664A1 (en) 2003-06-05

Family

ID=27366619

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/045,084 Expired - Lifetime US6223163B1 (en) 1997-03-21 1998-03-20 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US09/777,297 Abandoned US20030105664A1 (en) 1997-03-21 2001-02-07 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/045,084 Expired - Lifetime US6223163B1 (en) 1997-03-21 1998-03-20 Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (2) US6223163B1 (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060036501A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-02-16 Hamed Shahbazi Change-based transactions for an electronic kiosk
US20060080168A1 (en) * 2004-10-13 2006-04-13 Liu Min System and method for managing advertisement by use of advertisement and sanitary paper
US20070208618A1 (en) * 2006-03-06 2007-09-06 First Data Corporation Coupon code systems and methods
US20080154726A1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2008-06-26 Nicholas Luke Bennett Customer reward system
US20100145780A1 (en) * 2002-03-19 2010-06-10 Tokyo Electron Limited Point-based customer tracking and maintenance incentive system
US8020754B2 (en) 2001-08-13 2011-09-20 Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag
US20140172525A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-06-19 Capital One Financial Corporation Systems and methods for issuing, evaluating, and monitoring card-linked offers
CN103885456A (en) * 2014-03-31 2014-06-25 航天东方红卫星有限公司 Method for distributing and transferring multiple satellites launched by one rocket to different orbit planes
WO2014004810A3 (en) * 2012-06-29 2015-02-12 Groupon, Inc. Inbox management
US20150161667A1 (en) * 2013-12-10 2015-06-11 International Business Machines Corporation Presenting offers to navigationally proximate users
US10535076B1 (en) * 2012-09-28 2020-01-14 Groupon, Inc. Deal program life cycle

Families Citing this family (188)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6694300B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2004-02-17 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplementary product sales to a customer at a customer terminal
US6267670B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-07-31 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7831470B1 (en) * 1996-09-04 2010-11-09 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating electronic commerce through providing cross-benefits during a transaction
US7606729B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2009-10-20 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US6397193B1 (en) * 1997-08-26 2002-05-28 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for automatically vending a combination of products
US20050027601A1 (en) * 1998-12-22 2005-02-03 Walker Jay S. Products and processes for vending a plurality of products
US6223163B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-04-24 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US6876978B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2005-04-05 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US7351142B2 (en) * 1997-03-21 2008-04-01 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating play of fractional value lottery games
US7184990B2 (en) * 1997-03-21 2007-02-27 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product
US20040054593A1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2004-03-18 Van Luchen Andrew S. Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of -sale terminals
US7272569B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2007-09-18 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling the performance of a supplementary process at a point-of-sale terminal
US7233912B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2007-06-19 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for vending a combination of products
US7383200B1 (en) * 1997-05-05 2008-06-03 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for collecting and categorizing data at a terminal
US7894936B2 (en) 1997-10-09 2011-02-22 Walker Digital, Llc Products and processes for managing the prices of vending machine inventory
US20020116286A1 (en) * 1997-10-09 2002-08-22 Walker Jay S. Method and apparatus for utilizing demand information at a vending machine
US7236942B1 (en) 1997-12-19 2007-06-26 Walker Digital, Llc Pre-sale data broadcast system and method
US7729945B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2010-06-01 West Corporation Systems and methods that use geographic data to intelligently select goods and services to offer in telephonic and electronic commerce
US6055513A (en) 1998-03-11 2000-04-25 Telebuyer, Llc Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in telephonic and electronic commerce
US7364068B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2008-04-29 West Corporation Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services offered to conferees
US7437313B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2008-10-14 West Direct, Llc Methods, computer-readable media, and apparatus for offering users a plurality of scenarios under which to conduct at least one primary transaction
US7386485B1 (en) 2004-06-25 2008-06-10 West Corporation Method and system for providing offers in real time to prospective customers
US8315909B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2012-11-20 West Corporation Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in point-of-sale commerce
US7899710B1 (en) 1998-05-27 2011-03-01 Walker Digital, Llc Determination and presentation of package pricing offers in response to customer interest in a product
US7827057B1 (en) 1998-10-05 2010-11-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity
JP2000123250A (en) * 1998-10-19 2000-04-28 Nitsuko Corp Commodity suggesting method, recording medium recording commodity suggestion program, and electronic cash register system
US7826923B2 (en) 1998-12-22 2010-11-02 Walker Digital, Llc Products and processes for vending a plurality of products
US20080319918A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2008-12-25 Kyklos Entertainment S.R.I. Methods and systems for generating product offers over electronic network systems
AU5135400A (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-22 Walker Digital, Llc Vending machine system and method for encouraging the purchase of profitable items
US7263505B1 (en) 1999-06-30 2007-08-28 Kyklos Entertainment S.R.L. Method and apparatus for generating a sale offer over an electronic network system
US7243082B1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2007-07-10 Kyklos Entertainment S.R.L. Method and apparatus for generating a sale offer to selected individuals over electronic network systems
US7330826B1 (en) * 1999-07-09 2008-02-12 Perfect.Com, Inc. Method, system and business model for a buyer's auction with near perfect information using the internet
US6810385B1 (en) * 1999-10-26 2004-10-26 Forecourt Communications Group Method and apparatus using consumer idle time for productive activities
US6876991B1 (en) 1999-11-08 2005-04-05 Collaborative Decision Platforms, Llc. System, method and computer program product for a collaborative decision platform
AU2001249313A1 (en) 2000-03-21 2001-10-03 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selecting a supplemental product to offer for sale during a transaction
JP3656729B2 (en) * 2000-03-27 2005-06-08 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Receipt printing / issuing system, additional information printing processing method using the same, and information recording medium
US6847934B1 (en) * 2000-04-11 2005-01-25 Center For Adaptive Systems Applications Marketing selection optimization process
US8473341B1 (en) 2000-05-16 2013-06-25 Walker Digital, Llc System to provide price adjustments based on indicated product interest
JP4534306B2 (en) * 2000-05-19 2010-09-01 ソニー株式会社 Item combination presentation device, item combination presentation system, item combination presentation method, and item information presentation method
US20030105710A1 (en) * 2000-07-11 2003-06-05 Ellen Barbara Method and system for on-line payments
US8452704B2 (en) * 2000-07-11 2013-05-28 Citicorp Credit Services, Inc. Method and system for on-line payments
US7218991B2 (en) 2000-08-22 2007-05-15 Walker Digital, Llc System for vending physical and information items
AU2002219791A1 (en) * 2000-11-15 2002-05-27 Manugistics Atlanta, Inc. Promotion pricing system and method
US7287000B2 (en) * 2000-11-15 2007-10-23 Jda Software Group, Inc. Configurable pricing optimization system
US20020082927A1 (en) * 2000-11-22 2002-06-27 Borenstein Nathaniel S. Intelligent caching routers
KR100384899B1 (en) * 2001-01-10 2003-05-23 한국전자통신연구원 Method for seamless inter frequency hard handover in wireless telecommunication system
US7340419B2 (en) 2001-03-15 2008-03-04 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for product display
JP2002312771A (en) * 2001-04-16 2002-10-25 Omron Corp Fingerprint image input device
CA2443959A1 (en) * 2001-04-20 2002-10-31 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. System and method for travel carrier contract management and optimization
US7739162B1 (en) 2001-05-04 2010-06-15 West Corporation System, method, and business method for setting micropayment transaction to a pre-paid instrument
US20020184049A1 (en) * 2001-05-25 2002-12-05 Forecourt Communication Group Method and apparatus for the extension of a user session based on the expected value of the activities presented in the extend session
US20020188552A1 (en) * 2001-06-07 2002-12-12 Lawrence Kavounas Devices, softwares and methods for automated execution of conditional securities trade orders and interfaces for entering the same
US20020188677A1 (en) * 2001-06-11 2002-12-12 Forecourt Communication Group Method and apparatus for termination of a session without causing user dissatisfaction
US7856359B2 (en) 2001-07-02 2010-12-21 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. System and method for airline purchasing program management
US20040260581A1 (en) * 2001-08-23 2004-12-23 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Travel market broker system
US7499864B2 (en) 2002-01-25 2009-03-03 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Integrated travel industry system
US7539620B2 (en) * 2002-07-02 2009-05-26 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. System and method for facilitating transactions among consumers and providers of travel services
US20030041025A1 (en) * 2001-08-23 2003-02-27 American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc. System and method for flexible promotional rates
US6834855B2 (en) * 2001-10-09 2004-12-28 Edward J. Mancuso Dice scanner
US7873551B2 (en) 2001-10-19 2011-01-18 U-Haul International, Inc. Method and apparatus for payment retrieval and review collection
US7487111B2 (en) 2001-10-19 2009-02-03 U-Haul International, Inc. Online marketplace for moving and relocation services
US20090276309A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-11-05 Retaildna, Llc Self learning method and system for managing an advertisement
US20090030798A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-01-29 Retaildna, Llc System and method for providing incentives to an end user for referring another end user
US8577819B2 (en) 2001-11-14 2013-11-05 Retaildna, Llc Method and system to manage multiple party rewards using a single account and artificial intelligence
US20080255941A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2008-10-16 Jonathan Otto Method and system for generating, selecting, and running executables in a business system utilizing a combination of user defined rules and artificial intelligence
US20090164391A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-06-25 Retaildna, Llc Self learning method and system to revenue manage a published price in a retail environment
US20090182627A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-07-16 Retaildna, Llc Self learning method and system for managing a third party subsidy offer
US20090125380A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-05-14 Retaildna, Llc System and method for location based suggestive selling
US20090125396A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-05-14 Retaildna, Llc System and method for generating and transmitting location based promotional offer reminders
US8600924B2 (en) 2001-11-14 2013-12-03 Retaildna, Llc Method and system to manage multiple party rewards using a single account and artificial intelligence
US20090198561A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-08-06 Retaildna, Llc Self learning method and system for managing agreements to purchase goods over time
US20090164304A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-06-25 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for using a self learning algorithm to manage a progressive discount
US20090138342A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-05-28 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for providing an employee award using artificial intelligence
US20090024481A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-01-22 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for generating a real time offer or a deferred offer
US20080306790A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2008-12-11 Retaildna, Llc Method and apparatus for generating and transmitting an order initiation offer to a wireless communications device
US20080313122A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2008-12-18 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for generating an offer and transmitting the offer to a wireless communications device
US20080313052A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2008-12-18 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for managing transactions initiated via a wireless communications device
US8224760B2 (en) * 2001-11-14 2012-07-17 Retaildna, Llc Self learning method and system for managing a group reward system
US20090030797A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-01-29 Retaildna, Llc Method and apparatus for generating and transmitting an ideal order offer
US20080306886A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2008-12-11 Retaildna, Llc Graphical user interface adaptation system for a point of sale device
US20090119168A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-05-07 Retaildna, Llc System and method for providing an incentive based on the hardware used to place an order
US20090157483A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-06-18 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for using artificial intelligence to generate or modify an employee prompt or a customer survey
US20090132344A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2009-05-21 Retaildna, Llc System and method for scanning a coupon to initiate an order
US20080208787A1 (en) 2001-11-14 2008-08-28 Retaildna, Llc Method and system for centralized generation of a business executable using genetic algorithms and rules distributed among multiple hardware devices
US7805323B2 (en) 2002-01-25 2010-09-28 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. System and method for processing trip requests
JP2003256933A (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-12 Fujitsu Ltd Pos terminal system
US7841514B2 (en) 2002-03-29 2010-11-30 Walker Digital, Llc Digital advertisement board in communication with point-of-sale terminals
US20030200201A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-10-23 Gateway, Inc. Dynamic offer presentation and server validation during device setup process
US7841932B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2010-11-30 Amir Sadri Method of playing a game of chance and point of sale system for facilitating the play thereof
US20040002900A1 (en) * 2002-06-28 2004-01-01 Milford Holding Co. Method and system for providing greater value in electronic order processing
US7752072B2 (en) * 2002-07-16 2010-07-06 Google Inc. Method and system for providing advertising through content specific nodes over the internet
US8050970B2 (en) * 2002-07-25 2011-11-01 Google Inc. Method and system for providing filtered and/or masked advertisements over the internet
US20040044571A1 (en) * 2002-08-27 2004-03-04 Bronnimann Eric Robert Method and system for providing advertising listing variance in distribution feeds over the internet to maximize revenue to the advertising distributor
US20040049427A1 (en) * 2002-09-11 2004-03-11 Tami Michael A. Point of sale system and method for retail stores
US20040059634A1 (en) * 2002-09-24 2004-03-25 Tami Michael A. Computerized system for a retail environment
US20040064361A1 (en) * 2002-09-30 2004-04-01 Gateway, Inc. Sale closing software
US8311890B2 (en) 2002-11-01 2012-11-13 Google Inc. Method and system for dynamic textual ad distribution via email
WO2004049125A2 (en) * 2002-11-26 2004-06-10 Manugistics Atlanta, Inc. Configurable pricing optimization system
US8812348B2 (en) 2002-12-23 2014-08-19 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Model-based promotion and price computation system and method
US20040133474A1 (en) * 2002-12-31 2004-07-08 Big Y Foods, Inc. Method of processing customer information for a retail environment
US8306908B1 (en) 2002-12-31 2012-11-06 West Corporation Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in telephonic and electronic commerce
US8712857B1 (en) 2003-03-31 2014-04-29 Tuxis Technologies Llc Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in mobile commerce
US20050027622A1 (en) * 2003-07-30 2005-02-03 Walker Jay S. Products and processes for vending a plurality of products via defined groups
US20050039206A1 (en) * 2003-08-06 2005-02-17 Opdycke Thomas C. System and method for delivering and optimizing media programming in public spaces
DE10345065A1 (en) * 2003-09-26 2005-04-14 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg Aerosol formulation for inhalation containing an anticholinergic
US7930206B2 (en) * 2003-11-03 2011-04-19 Google Inc. System and method for enabling an advertisement to follow the user to additional web pages
US20050096980A1 (en) * 2003-11-03 2005-05-05 Ross Koningstein System and method for delivering internet advertisements that change between textual and graphical ads on demand by a user
US20050144069A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-06-30 Wiseman Leora R. Method and system for providing targeted graphical advertisements
US20050222900A1 (en) * 2004-03-30 2005-10-06 Prashant Fuloria Selectively delivering advertisements based at least in part on trademark issues
US7533090B2 (en) 2004-03-30 2009-05-12 Google Inc. System and method for rating electronic documents
US11409812B1 (en) 2004-05-10 2022-08-09 Google Llc Method and system for mining image searches to associate images with concepts
US20050267799A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-12-01 Wesley Chan System and method for enabling publishers to select preferred types of electronic documents
US8065611B1 (en) 2004-06-30 2011-11-22 Google Inc. Method and system for mining image searches to associate images with concepts
US7697791B1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2010-04-13 Google Inc. Method and system for providing targeted documents based on concepts automatically identified therein
US7639898B1 (en) 2004-05-10 2009-12-29 Google Inc. Method and system for approving documents based on image similarity
US7996753B1 (en) 2004-05-10 2011-08-09 Google Inc. Method and system for automatically creating an image advertisement
US7801738B2 (en) * 2004-05-10 2010-09-21 Google Inc. System and method for rating documents comprising an image
US7962362B2 (en) * 2004-08-11 2011-06-14 Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited Promoting customer loyalty
US7178720B1 (en) 2004-09-30 2007-02-20 West Corporation Methods, computer-readable media, and computer program product for intelligent selection of items encoded onto portable machine-playable entertainment media
CA2585128A1 (en) * 2004-10-22 2006-05-04 Radiant Systems, Inc. Interactive customer display system and method
US8762280B1 (en) 2004-12-02 2014-06-24 Google Inc. Method and system for using a network analysis system to verify content on a website
US20060178977A1 (en) * 2005-02-07 2006-08-10 Michel Chapelle Online auction promotion method
US7657520B2 (en) * 2005-03-03 2010-02-02 Google, Inc. Providing history and transaction volume information of a content source to users
US8087068B1 (en) 2005-03-08 2011-12-27 Google Inc. Verifying access to a network account over multiple user communication portals based on security criteria
US7757080B1 (en) 2005-03-11 2010-07-13 Google Inc. User validation using cookies and isolated backup validation
US20070162342A1 (en) * 2005-05-20 2007-07-12 Steven Klopf Digital advertising system
US7744256B2 (en) * 2006-05-22 2010-06-29 Edison Price Lighting, Inc. LED array wafer lighting fixture
US20070011050A1 (en) * 2005-05-20 2007-01-11 Steven Klopf Digital advertising system
US7725502B1 (en) 2005-06-15 2010-05-25 Google Inc. Time-multiplexing documents based on preferences or relatedness
US7903099B2 (en) 2005-06-20 2011-03-08 Google Inc. Allocating advertising space in a network of displays
US20070073696A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-03-29 Google, Inc. Online data verification of listing data
US7243844B2 (en) * 2005-11-09 2007-07-17 Dell Products L.P. Point of sale integrator
US7603619B2 (en) * 2005-11-29 2009-10-13 Google Inc. Formatting a user network site based on user preferences and format performance data
US8185819B2 (en) 2005-12-12 2012-05-22 Google Inc. Module specification for a module to be incorporated into a container document
US7730109B2 (en) * 2005-12-12 2010-06-01 Google, Inc. Message catalogs for remote modules
US9294334B2 (en) 2005-12-12 2016-03-22 Google Inc. Controlling communication within a container document
US7730082B2 (en) 2005-12-12 2010-06-01 Google Inc. Remote module incorporation into a container document
US20070204010A1 (en) * 2005-12-12 2007-08-30 Steven Goldberg Remote Module Syndication System and Method
US7725530B2 (en) * 2005-12-12 2010-05-25 Google Inc. Proxy server collection of data for module incorporation into a container document
US7971137B2 (en) * 2005-12-14 2011-06-28 Google Inc. Detecting and rejecting annoying documents
US20070239533A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-11 Susan Wojcicki Allocating and monetizing advertising space in offline media through online usage and pricing model
US7575159B2 (en) * 2006-04-10 2009-08-18 Dell Products L.P. Point of sale integrator
US8190483B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2012-05-29 Nextep Systems, Inc. Computer-based ordering system
US8023927B1 (en) 2006-06-29 2011-09-20 Google Inc. Abuse-resistant method of registering user accounts with an online service
US8954861B1 (en) 2006-08-07 2015-02-10 Google Inc. Administrator configurable gadget directory for personalized start pages
US20090006996A1 (en) * 2006-08-07 2009-01-01 Shoumen Saha Updating Content Within A Container Document For User Groups
US8407250B2 (en) 2006-08-07 2013-03-26 Google Inc. Distribution of content document to varying users with security customization and scalability
US8185830B2 (en) 2006-08-07 2012-05-22 Google Inc. Configuring a content document for users and user groups
US20080046315A1 (en) * 2006-08-17 2008-02-21 Google, Inc. Realizing revenue from advertisement placement
US8463668B2 (en) * 2006-10-24 2013-06-11 Rabbit Technology, Inc. System and method of managing both instant and online lottery ticket sales
CA2628297A1 (en) * 2007-04-03 2008-10-03 Intellisist, Inc. System and method for managing customer queuing
US8788323B2 (en) * 2007-07-19 2014-07-22 Intuit Inc. Method and system for providing consumer defined coupons
US20090125442A1 (en) * 2007-11-09 2009-05-14 Jonathan Otto Wireless communications device configured for automated returns
US20090125411A1 (en) * 2007-11-09 2009-05-14 Jonathan Otto Wireless communications device configured to order out of stock items
US20090123004A1 (en) * 2007-11-14 2009-05-14 Jonathan Otto Method and system for automated volume adjustments for a marketing system
US20090182677A1 (en) * 2007-11-14 2009-07-16 Jonathan Otto Upsell system embedded in a system and controlled by a third party
US20130093758A1 (en) * 2007-12-13 2013-04-18 Noel Lee Method and apparatus for measuring and displaying or reporting a seller's performance
US20090281880A1 (en) * 2007-12-13 2009-11-12 Noel Lee Method and Apparatus for Measuring Seller's Performance
US20090182630A1 (en) * 2008-01-11 2009-07-16 Jonathan Otto System and method for enabling point of sale functionality in a wireless communications device
US8078495B2 (en) * 2008-04-14 2011-12-13 Ycd Multimedia Ltd. Point-of-sale display system
US8145525B2 (en) * 2008-12-18 2012-03-27 Ycd Multimedia Ltd. Precise measurement of point-of-sale promotion impact
US10657488B2 (en) * 2009-07-14 2020-05-19 Carefusion 303, Inc. Portable inventory tracking system
US20110191180A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Search analyzer system for integrated merchant offer program and customer shopping
US8930265B2 (en) 2010-01-29 2015-01-06 Bank Of America Corporation Monitoring retail transactions associated with a financial institution-based merchant offer program and determining savings metrics
US20110191177A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Pre-population of merchant check-out entry fields
US20110191150A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Mobile integrated merchant offer program and customer shopping using product level information
US8442894B2 (en) * 2010-01-29 2013-05-14 Bank Of America Corporation Guaranteed merchant payment in a card-not-present transaction
US20110191238A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Variable merchant settlement options
US20110191157A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Integrated merchant offer program and customer shopping
US20110191181A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Wish list for integrated merchant offer program and customer shopping
US20110191149A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Bank Of America Corporation Customer-selected payment clearinghouse
US8788333B2 (en) * 2010-02-23 2014-07-22 Mastercard International Incorporated Method, apparatus, and computer program product for facilitating promotions with an E-wallet
WO2011119633A1 (en) * 2010-03-22 2011-09-29 Rfinity Us Llc Systems, apparatus, and methods for proximity-based peer-to-peer payment transactions
US11222329B2 (en) 2012-11-05 2022-01-11 Mastercard International Incorporated Electronic wallet apparatus, method, and computer program product
US9384497B2 (en) 2013-07-26 2016-07-05 Bank Of America Corporation Use of SKU level e-receipt data for future marketing
US10135817B2 (en) 2016-03-28 2018-11-20 Bank Of America Corporation Enhancing authentication and source of proof through a dynamically updatable biometrics database
US9743272B1 (en) 2016-03-28 2017-08-22 Bank Of America Corporation Security implementation for resource distribution
US10080132B2 (en) 2016-03-28 2018-09-18 Bank Of America Corporation System for adaptation of multiple digital signatures in a distributed network
US10039113B2 (en) 2016-03-28 2018-07-31 Bank Of America Corporation Intelligent resource procurement system based on physical proximity to related resources
US9507984B1 (en) 2016-03-28 2016-11-29 Bank Of America Corporation Resource tag generation and deployment for resource valuation and distribution
US10796253B2 (en) 2016-06-17 2020-10-06 Bank Of America Corporation System for resource use allocation and distribution
US10038607B2 (en) 2016-06-17 2018-07-31 Bank Of America Corporation System for aggregated machine-initiated resource distribution
US10103936B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2018-10-16 Bank Of America Corporation Computerized resource reallocation system for transferring resource blocks based on custodian event
US10334462B2 (en) 2016-06-23 2019-06-25 Bank Of America Corporation Predictive analytics for resource development based on information communicated from inter-related communication devices
US10439913B2 (en) 2016-07-01 2019-10-08 Bank Of America Corporation Dynamic replacement and upgrade of existing resources based on resource utilization
US10127400B2 (en) 2016-09-26 2018-11-13 Bank Of America Corporation Control device for aggregation and distribution of machine-initiated resource distribution
US10332331B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2019-06-25 Pepsico, Inc. Modular vending machine
JP2023011071A (en) * 2021-07-11 2023-01-23 株式会社スクウェア・エニックス Plan processing program and plan processing system

Citations (96)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573747A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-04-06 Institutional Networks Corp Instinet communication system for effectuating the sale or exchange of fungible properties between subscribers
US4108361A (en) * 1976-10-12 1978-08-22 Krause Stephen R Universal mark sense betting terminal system and method
US4323770A (en) * 1978-08-16 1982-04-06 Societe D'etude De Systems Avances Et D'amenagements Unit particularly for taking stakes and possibly determining the winners in a game such as a national lotto game
US4494197A (en) * 1980-12-11 1985-01-15 Seymour Troy Automatic lottery system
US4500880A (en) * 1981-07-06 1985-02-19 Motorola, Inc. Real time, computer-driven retail pricing display system
US4669730A (en) * 1984-11-05 1987-06-02 Small Maynard E Automated sweepstakes-type game
US4677553A (en) * 1984-11-09 1987-06-30 International Totalizator Systems, Inc. Secure placement of confidential information on a circulated blank ticket
US4689742A (en) * 1980-12-11 1987-08-25 Seymour Troy Automatic lottery system
US4723212A (en) * 1984-07-18 1988-02-02 Catalina Marketing Corp. Method and apparatus for dispensing discount coupons
US4760247A (en) * 1986-04-04 1988-07-26 Bally Manufacturing Company Optical card reader utilizing area image processing
US4815741A (en) * 1984-11-05 1989-03-28 Small Maynard E Automated marketing and gaming systems
US4825045A (en) * 1986-07-24 1989-04-25 Advance Promotion Technologies, Inc. System and method for checkout counter product promotion
US4839507A (en) * 1987-11-06 1989-06-13 Lance May Method and arrangement for validating coupons
US4854590A (en) * 1987-05-08 1989-08-08 Continental Brokers And Consultants, Inc. Cash register gaming device
US4859838A (en) * 1986-11-14 1989-08-22 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. POS terminal device
US4876592A (en) * 1986-03-10 1989-10-24 Henry Von Kohorn System for merchandising and the evaluation of responses to broadcast transmissions
US4882473A (en) * 1987-09-18 1989-11-21 Gtech Corporation On-line wagering system with programmable game entry cards and operator security cards
US4902880A (en) * 1988-09-30 1990-02-20 Peripheral Dynamics, Inc. Card reader system and method with printing and verification capability
US4908761A (en) * 1988-09-16 1990-03-13 Innovare Resourceful Marketing Group, Inc. System for identifying heavy product purchasers who regularly use manufacturers' purchase incentives and predicting consumer promotional behavior response patterns
US4910672A (en) * 1984-07-18 1990-03-20 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and apparatus for dispensing discount coupons
US4922522A (en) * 1988-06-07 1990-05-01 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Telecommunications access to lottery systems
US4937853A (en) * 1989-05-03 1990-06-26 Agt International, Inc. Lottery agent data communication/telephone line interface
US4973952A (en) * 1987-09-21 1990-11-27 Information Resources, Inc. Shopping cart display system
US4982337A (en) * 1987-12-03 1991-01-01 Burr Robert L System for distributing lottery tickets
US4993714A (en) * 1990-03-27 1991-02-19 Golightly Cecelia K Point of sale lottery system
US5025372A (en) * 1987-09-17 1991-06-18 Meridian Enterprises, Inc. System and method for administration of incentive award program through use of credit
US5056019A (en) * 1989-08-29 1991-10-08 Citicorp Pos Information Servies, Inc. Automated purchase reward accounting system and method
US5119295A (en) * 1990-01-25 1992-06-02 Telecredit, Inc. Centralized lottery system for remote monitoring or operations and status data from lottery terminals including detection of malfunction and counterfeit units
US5128862A (en) * 1989-06-28 1992-07-07 Management Information Support, Inc. Customer operable system for a retail store or fast-food restaurant having plural ordering stations
US5132914A (en) * 1988-04-01 1992-07-21 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Food preparation system and method
US5177342A (en) * 1990-11-09 1993-01-05 Visa International Service Association Transaction approval system
US5192854A (en) * 1990-07-26 1993-03-09 Counts Reginald D System for electronically recording and redeeming coupons
US5201010A (en) * 1989-05-01 1993-04-06 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for building a database and performing marketing based upon prior shopping history
US5216595A (en) * 1990-03-20 1993-06-01 Ncr Corporation System and method for integration of lottery terminals into point of sale systems
US5223698A (en) * 1991-04-05 1993-06-29 Telecredit, Inc. Card-activated point-of-sale lottery terminal
US5231569A (en) * 1990-06-12 1993-07-27 Sears Payment Systems, Inc. Account transaction system
US5239165A (en) * 1991-04-11 1993-08-24 Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc. Bar code lottery ticket handling system
US5243515A (en) * 1990-10-30 1993-09-07 Lee Wayne M Secure teleprocessing bidding system
US5245533A (en) * 1990-12-18 1993-09-14 A. C. Nielsen Company Marketing research method and system for management of manufacturer's discount coupon offers
US5256863A (en) * 1991-11-05 1993-10-26 Comark Technologies, Inc. In-store universal control system
US5262941A (en) * 1990-03-30 1993-11-16 Itt Corporation Expert credit recommendation method and system
US5283731A (en) * 1992-01-19 1994-02-01 Ec Corporation Computer-based classified ad system and method
US5287268A (en) * 1989-01-27 1994-02-15 Mccarthy Patrick D Centralized consumer cash value accumulation system for multiple merchants
US5297026A (en) * 1992-01-03 1994-03-22 Frank Hoffman System for promoting account activity
US5297031A (en) * 1990-03-06 1994-03-22 Chicago Board Of Trade Method and apparatus for order management by market brokers
US5302811A (en) * 1990-07-31 1994-04-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Point of sale apparatus including a depositing/withdrawing apparatus
US5305195A (en) * 1992-03-25 1994-04-19 Gerald Singer Interactive advertising system for on-line terminals
US5309355A (en) * 1984-05-24 1994-05-03 Lockwood Lawrence B Automated sales system
US5353218A (en) * 1992-09-17 1994-10-04 Ad Response Micromarketing Corporation Focused coupon system
US5353219A (en) * 1989-06-28 1994-10-04 Management Information Support, Inc. Suggestive selling in a customer self-ordering system
US5380991A (en) * 1993-11-16 1995-01-10 Valencia; Luis Paperless coupon redemption system and method thereof
USRE34915E (en) * 1984-11-26 1995-04-25 Coupco, Inc. Paperless system for distributing, redeeming and clearing merchandise coupons
US5420606A (en) * 1993-09-20 1995-05-30 Begum; Paul G. Instant electronic coupon verification system
US5459306A (en) * 1994-06-15 1995-10-17 Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation Method and system for delivering on demand, individually targeted promotions
US5481094A (en) * 1993-05-28 1996-01-02 Fujitsu Limited Point-of-sale terminal
US5504475A (en) * 1990-02-16 1996-04-02 Sitour Electronic Systems Pricing display system
US5510979A (en) * 1991-07-30 1996-04-23 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Data processing system and method for retail stores
US5539189A (en) * 1992-11-27 1996-07-23 Hopeman Enterprises Ltd. Card holder's paging system for commercial card data network
US5564546A (en) * 1992-09-04 1996-10-15 Coinstar, Inc. Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method
US5572653A (en) * 1989-05-16 1996-11-05 Rest Manufacturing, Inc. Remote electronic information display system for retail facility
US5592375A (en) * 1994-03-11 1997-01-07 Eagleview, Inc. Computer-assisted system for interactively brokering goods or services between buyers and sellers
US5592376A (en) * 1994-06-17 1997-01-07 Commonweal Incorporated Currency and barter exchange debit card and system
US5602377A (en) * 1995-03-01 1997-02-11 Metanetics Corporation Bar code dataform scanning and labeling apparatus and method
US5611052A (en) * 1993-11-01 1997-03-11 The Golden 1 Credit Union Lender direct credit evaluation and loan processing system
US5612868A (en) * 1984-07-18 1997-03-18 Catalina Marketing International, Inc Method and apparatus for dispensing discount coupons
US5615269A (en) * 1996-02-22 1997-03-25 Micali; Silvio Ideal electronic negotiations
US5619558A (en) * 1995-11-13 1997-04-08 Ncr Corporation ATM segment of one marketing method
US5621201A (en) * 1994-05-11 1997-04-15 Visa International Automated purchasing control system
US5620079A (en) * 1992-09-04 1997-04-15 Coinstar, Inc. Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method
US5621640A (en) * 1993-02-18 1997-04-15 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Automatic philanthropic contribution system
US5621812A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-04-15 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for building a database for use with selective incentive marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5632010A (en) * 1992-12-22 1997-05-20 Electronic Retailing Systems, Inc. Technique for communicating with electronic labels in an electronic price display system
US5642484A (en) * 1994-05-13 1997-06-24 Captive Communications, Inc. Pump top advertisement distribution and display system with performance and sales information feedback
US5642485A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-06-24 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for selective incentive point-of-sale marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5649114A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-07-15 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for selective incentive point-of-sale marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5652421A (en) * 1991-03-05 1997-07-29 The Gift Certificate Center, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating gift certificates
US5655007A (en) * 1994-10-13 1997-08-05 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Telephone based credit card protection
US5664115A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-09-02 Fraser; Richard Interactive computer system to match buyers and sellers of real estate, businesses and other property using the internet
US5665953A (en) * 1996-02-14 1997-09-09 Lobar Code Inc. Self-contained personal data collector for redeeming coupons
US5717866A (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-02-10 Codesaver International, Inc. Method for comparative analysis of consumer response to product promotions
US5724886A (en) * 1995-05-11 1998-03-10 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Cooked food staging device and method
US5832457A (en) * 1991-05-06 1998-11-03 Catalina Marketing International, Inc. Method and apparatus for selective distribution of discount coupons based on prior customer behavior
US5890718A (en) * 1998-02-27 1999-04-06 Byon; Ok-Sun Self-service gasoline pump system with game function
US5946665A (en) * 1996-02-26 1999-08-31 Fujitsu Limited On line shopping system using a communication system
US6014634A (en) * 1995-12-26 2000-01-11 Supermarkets Online, Inc. System and method for providing shopping aids and incentives to customers through a computer network
US6055513A (en) * 1998-03-11 2000-04-25 Telebuyer, Llc Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in telephonic and electronic commerce
US6064987A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-05-16 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
US6070147A (en) * 1996-07-02 2000-05-30 Tecmark Services, Inc. Customer identification and marketing analysis systems
US6085164A (en) * 1993-09-15 2000-07-04 Sabre Inc. Apparatus and method of allocating flight inventory resources based on the current market value
US6088682A (en) * 1993-02-18 2000-07-11 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Funds distribution system connected with point of sale transactions
US6112191A (en) * 1993-02-18 2000-08-29 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Method and system to create and distribute excess funds from consumer spending transactions
US6119099A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-09-12 Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US6138105A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-10-24 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for dynamic assembly of packages in retail environments
US6223163B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-04-24 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US6298329B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-10-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US6298331B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-10-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5172328A (en) 1988-04-01 1992-12-15 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Food preparation system and method
US5274547A (en) 1991-01-03 1993-12-28 Credco Of Washington, Inc. System for generating and transmitting credit reports
CA2066056A1 (en) 1991-05-08 1992-11-09 Robert H. Savin System for tracking redemption of consumer discount coupons
JPH05242363A (en) 1992-02-26 1993-09-21 Keiji Inokuchi Method for collecting final consumer's purchasing information
US5581064A (en) 1994-11-01 1996-12-03 Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association Automated coupon processing system employing coupon with identifying code and chosen second identifying code uniquely identifying the coupon
IE80650B1 (en) * 1995-12-19 1998-11-04 Shop A Docket Limited A process for producing retail till rolls
CA2250283A1 (en) 1996-03-06 1997-09-25 Michael Walden Incentive based information generation system
WO1997046961A1 (en) 1996-06-06 1997-12-11 Provident Bancorp, Inc. Point of sale purchasing value accumulation system
US5845259A (en) 1996-06-27 1998-12-01 Electronic Consumer Concepts, L.L.C. Electronic coupon dispensing system

Patent Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573747A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-04-06 Institutional Networks Corp Instinet communication system for effectuating the sale or exchange of fungible properties between subscribers
US4108361A (en) * 1976-10-12 1978-08-22 Krause Stephen R Universal mark sense betting terminal system and method
US4323770A (en) * 1978-08-16 1982-04-06 Societe D'etude De Systems Avances Et D'amenagements Unit particularly for taking stakes and possibly determining the winners in a game such as a national lotto game
US4494197A (en) * 1980-12-11 1985-01-15 Seymour Troy Automatic lottery system
US4689742A (en) * 1980-12-11 1987-08-25 Seymour Troy Automatic lottery system
US4500880A (en) * 1981-07-06 1985-02-19 Motorola, Inc. Real time, computer-driven retail pricing display system
US5309355A (en) * 1984-05-24 1994-05-03 Lockwood Lawrence B Automated sales system
US5612868A (en) * 1984-07-18 1997-03-18 Catalina Marketing International, Inc Method and apparatus for dispensing discount coupons
US4723212A (en) * 1984-07-18 1988-02-02 Catalina Marketing Corp. Method and apparatus for dispensing discount coupons
US4910672A (en) * 1984-07-18 1990-03-20 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and apparatus for dispensing discount coupons
US4669730A (en) * 1984-11-05 1987-06-02 Small Maynard E Automated sweepstakes-type game
US4815741A (en) * 1984-11-05 1989-03-28 Small Maynard E Automated marketing and gaming systems
US4677553A (en) * 1984-11-09 1987-06-30 International Totalizator Systems, Inc. Secure placement of confidential information on a circulated blank ticket
USRE34915E (en) * 1984-11-26 1995-04-25 Coupco, Inc. Paperless system for distributing, redeeming and clearing merchandise coupons
US4876592A (en) * 1986-03-10 1989-10-24 Henry Von Kohorn System for merchandising and the evaluation of responses to broadcast transmissions
US4760247A (en) * 1986-04-04 1988-07-26 Bally Manufacturing Company Optical card reader utilizing area image processing
US4825045A (en) * 1986-07-24 1989-04-25 Advance Promotion Technologies, Inc. System and method for checkout counter product promotion
US4859838A (en) * 1986-11-14 1989-08-22 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. POS terminal device
US4854590A (en) * 1987-05-08 1989-08-08 Continental Brokers And Consultants, Inc. Cash register gaming device
US5025372A (en) * 1987-09-17 1991-06-18 Meridian Enterprises, Inc. System and method for administration of incentive award program through use of credit
US4882473A (en) * 1987-09-18 1989-11-21 Gtech Corporation On-line wagering system with programmable game entry cards and operator security cards
US4973952A (en) * 1987-09-21 1990-11-27 Information Resources, Inc. Shopping cart display system
US4839507A (en) * 1987-11-06 1989-06-13 Lance May Method and arrangement for validating coupons
US4982337A (en) * 1987-12-03 1991-01-01 Burr Robert L System for distributing lottery tickets
US5132914A (en) * 1988-04-01 1992-07-21 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Food preparation system and method
US4922522A (en) * 1988-06-07 1990-05-01 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Telecommunications access to lottery systems
US4908761A (en) * 1988-09-16 1990-03-13 Innovare Resourceful Marketing Group, Inc. System for identifying heavy product purchasers who regularly use manufacturers' purchase incentives and predicting consumer promotional behavior response patterns
US4902880A (en) * 1988-09-30 1990-02-20 Peripheral Dynamics, Inc. Card reader system and method with printing and verification capability
US5287268A (en) * 1989-01-27 1994-02-15 Mccarthy Patrick D Centralized consumer cash value accumulation system for multiple merchants
US5642485A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-06-24 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for selective incentive point-of-sale marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5638457A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-06-10 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for building a database for use with selective incentive marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5644723A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-07-01 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for selective incentive point-of-sale marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5621812A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-04-15 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for building a database for use with selective incentive marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5649114A (en) * 1989-05-01 1997-07-15 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for selective incentive point-of-sale marketing in response to customer shopping histories
US5201010A (en) * 1989-05-01 1993-04-06 Credit Verification Corporation Method and system for building a database and performing marketing based upon prior shopping history
US4937853A (en) * 1989-05-03 1990-06-26 Agt International, Inc. Lottery agent data communication/telephone line interface
US5572653A (en) * 1989-05-16 1996-11-05 Rest Manufacturing, Inc. Remote electronic information display system for retail facility
US5353219A (en) * 1989-06-28 1994-10-04 Management Information Support, Inc. Suggestive selling in a customer self-ordering system
US5128862A (en) * 1989-06-28 1992-07-07 Management Information Support, Inc. Customer operable system for a retail store or fast-food restaurant having plural ordering stations
US5056019A (en) * 1989-08-29 1991-10-08 Citicorp Pos Information Servies, Inc. Automated purchase reward accounting system and method
US5119295A (en) * 1990-01-25 1992-06-02 Telecredit, Inc. Centralized lottery system for remote monitoring or operations and status data from lottery terminals including detection of malfunction and counterfeit units
US5504475A (en) * 1990-02-16 1996-04-02 Sitour Electronic Systems Pricing display system
US5297031A (en) * 1990-03-06 1994-03-22 Chicago Board Of Trade Method and apparatus for order management by market brokers
US5216595A (en) * 1990-03-20 1993-06-01 Ncr Corporation System and method for integration of lottery terminals into point of sale systems
US4993714A (en) * 1990-03-27 1991-02-19 Golightly Cecelia K Point of sale lottery system
US5262941A (en) * 1990-03-30 1993-11-16 Itt Corporation Expert credit recommendation method and system
US5231569A (en) * 1990-06-12 1993-07-27 Sears Payment Systems, Inc. Account transaction system
US5192854A (en) * 1990-07-26 1993-03-09 Counts Reginald D System for electronically recording and redeeming coupons
US5302811A (en) * 1990-07-31 1994-04-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Point of sale apparatus including a depositing/withdrawing apparatus
US5243515A (en) * 1990-10-30 1993-09-07 Lee Wayne M Secure teleprocessing bidding system
US5177342A (en) * 1990-11-09 1993-01-05 Visa International Service Association Transaction approval system
US5245533A (en) * 1990-12-18 1993-09-14 A. C. Nielsen Company Marketing research method and system for management of manufacturer's discount coupon offers
US5652421A (en) * 1991-03-05 1997-07-29 The Gift Certificate Center, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating gift certificates
US5223698A (en) * 1991-04-05 1993-06-29 Telecredit, Inc. Card-activated point-of-sale lottery terminal
US5239165A (en) * 1991-04-11 1993-08-24 Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc. Bar code lottery ticket handling system
US5832457A (en) * 1991-05-06 1998-11-03 Catalina Marketing International, Inc. Method and apparatus for selective distribution of discount coupons based on prior customer behavior
US5510979A (en) * 1991-07-30 1996-04-23 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Data processing system and method for retail stores
US5256863A (en) * 1991-11-05 1993-10-26 Comark Technologies, Inc. In-store universal control system
US5297026A (en) * 1992-01-03 1994-03-22 Frank Hoffman System for promoting account activity
US5283731A (en) * 1992-01-19 1994-02-01 Ec Corporation Computer-based classified ad system and method
US5305195A (en) * 1992-03-25 1994-04-19 Gerald Singer Interactive advertising system for on-line terminals
US5620079A (en) * 1992-09-04 1997-04-15 Coinstar, Inc. Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method
US5564546A (en) * 1992-09-04 1996-10-15 Coinstar, Inc. Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method
US5822735A (en) * 1992-09-17 1998-10-13 Ad Response Micromarketing Corporation Focused coupon system
US5353218A (en) * 1992-09-17 1994-10-04 Ad Response Micromarketing Corporation Focused coupon system
US5539189A (en) * 1992-11-27 1996-07-23 Hopeman Enterprises Ltd. Card holder's paging system for commercial card data network
US5632010A (en) * 1992-12-22 1997-05-20 Electronic Retailing Systems, Inc. Technique for communicating with electronic labels in an electronic price display system
US5621640A (en) * 1993-02-18 1997-04-15 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Automatic philanthropic contribution system
US6112191A (en) * 1993-02-18 2000-08-29 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Method and system to create and distribute excess funds from consumer spending transactions
US6088682A (en) * 1993-02-18 2000-07-11 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Funds distribution system connected with point of sale transactions
US5481094A (en) * 1993-05-28 1996-01-02 Fujitsu Limited Point-of-sale terminal
US6085164A (en) * 1993-09-15 2000-07-04 Sabre Inc. Apparatus and method of allocating flight inventory resources based on the current market value
US5420606A (en) * 1993-09-20 1995-05-30 Begum; Paul G. Instant electronic coupon verification system
US5611052A (en) * 1993-11-01 1997-03-11 The Golden 1 Credit Union Lender direct credit evaluation and loan processing system
US5380991A (en) * 1993-11-16 1995-01-10 Valencia; Luis Paperless coupon redemption system and method thereof
US5592375A (en) * 1994-03-11 1997-01-07 Eagleview, Inc. Computer-assisted system for interactively brokering goods or services between buyers and sellers
US5621201A (en) * 1994-05-11 1997-04-15 Visa International Automated purchasing control system
US5642484A (en) * 1994-05-13 1997-06-24 Captive Communications, Inc. Pump top advertisement distribution and display system with performance and sales information feedback
US5459306A (en) * 1994-06-15 1995-10-17 Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation Method and system for delivering on demand, individually targeted promotions
US5592376A (en) * 1994-06-17 1997-01-07 Commonweal Incorporated Currency and barter exchange debit card and system
US5655007A (en) * 1994-10-13 1997-08-05 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Telephone based credit card protection
US5602377A (en) * 1995-03-01 1997-02-11 Metanetics Corporation Bar code dataform scanning and labeling apparatus and method
US5724886A (en) * 1995-05-11 1998-03-10 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Cooked food staging device and method
US5664115A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-09-02 Fraser; Richard Interactive computer system to match buyers and sellers of real estate, businesses and other property using the internet
US5619558A (en) * 1995-11-13 1997-04-08 Ncr Corporation ATM segment of one marketing method
US6014634A (en) * 1995-12-26 2000-01-11 Supermarkets Online, Inc. System and method for providing shopping aids and incentives to customers through a computer network
US5665953A (en) * 1996-02-14 1997-09-09 Lobar Code Inc. Self-contained personal data collector for redeeming coupons
US5615269A (en) * 1996-02-22 1997-03-25 Micali; Silvio Ideal electronic negotiations
US5946665A (en) * 1996-02-26 1999-08-31 Fujitsu Limited On line shopping system using a communication system
US5717866A (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-02-10 Codesaver International, Inc. Method for comparative analysis of consumer response to product promotions
US6070147A (en) * 1996-07-02 2000-05-30 Tecmark Services, Inc. Customer identification and marketing analysis systems
US6064987A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-05-16 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
US6119099A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-09-12 Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US6138105A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-10-24 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for dynamic assembly of packages in retail environments
US6223163B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-04-24 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US6298329B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-10-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US6298331B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-10-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product
US5890718A (en) * 1998-02-27 1999-04-06 Byon; Ok-Sun Self-service gasoline pump system with game function
US6055513A (en) * 1998-03-11 2000-04-25 Telebuyer, Llc Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in telephonic and electronic commerce

Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080154726A1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2008-06-26 Nicholas Luke Bennett Customer reward system
US20100287046A1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2010-11-11 Nicholas Luke Bennett Customer reward system
US8020754B2 (en) 2001-08-13 2011-09-20 Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag
US8032629B2 (en) * 2002-03-19 2011-10-04 Tokyo Electron Limited Point-based customer tracking and maintenance incentive system
US20100145780A1 (en) * 2002-03-19 2010-06-10 Tokyo Electron Limited Point-based customer tracking and maintenance incentive system
US7975049B2 (en) 2002-03-19 2011-07-05 Tokyo Electron Limited Point-based customer tracking and maintenance incentive system
US20060036501A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-02-16 Hamed Shahbazi Change-based transactions for an electronic kiosk
US8886557B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2014-11-11 Tio Networks Corp. Change-based transactions for an electronic kiosk
US20060080168A1 (en) * 2004-10-13 2006-04-13 Liu Min System and method for managing advertisement by use of advertisement and sanitary paper
US20070208618A1 (en) * 2006-03-06 2007-09-06 First Data Corporation Coupon code systems and methods
US11488201B1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2022-11-01 Groupon, Inc. Inbox management system
US11593836B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2023-02-28 Groupon, Inc. Inbox management system
WO2014004810A3 (en) * 2012-06-29 2015-02-12 Groupon, Inc. Inbox management
US11250467B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2022-02-15 Groupon, Inc. Inbox management system
US20210326925A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2021-10-21 Groupon, Inc. Cadence management system for consumer promotions
US10198742B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2019-02-05 Groupon, Inc. Inbox management system
US10325284B1 (en) 2012-06-29 2019-06-18 Groupon, Inc. Cadence management system for consumer promotions
US11127041B1 (en) 2012-06-29 2021-09-21 Groupon, Inc. Customization of message delivery time based on consumer behavior
US11030647B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2021-06-08 Groupon, Inc. Cadence management system for consumer promotions
US11062352B2 (en) 2012-09-28 2021-07-13 Groupon, Inc. Deal program life cycle
US10535076B1 (en) * 2012-09-28 2020-01-14 Groupon, Inc. Deal program life cycle
US20210342883A1 (en) * 2012-09-28 2021-11-04 Groupon, Inc. Deal program life cycle
US20200143404A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2020-05-07 Capital One Services, Llc Systems and methods for issuing, evaluating, and monitoring card-linked offers
US10528963B2 (en) * 2012-12-17 2020-01-07 Capital One Services, Llc Systems and methods for issuing, evaluating, and monitoring card-linked offers
US10074100B2 (en) * 2012-12-17 2018-09-11 Capital One Services, Llc Systems and methods for issuing, evaluating, and monitoring card-linked offers
US20140172525A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-06-19 Capital One Financial Corporation Systems and methods for issuing, evaluating, and monitoring card-linked offers
US20150161667A1 (en) * 2013-12-10 2015-06-11 International Business Machines Corporation Presenting offers to navigationally proximate users
CN103885456A (en) * 2014-03-31 2014-06-25 航天东方红卫星有限公司 Method for distributing and transferring multiple satellites launched by one rocket to different orbit planes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6223163B1 (en) 2001-04-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6223163B1 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling offers that are provided at a point-of-sale terminal
US7717784B2 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling the performance of a supplementary process at a point of sale terminal
US7072850B1 (en) Method and apparatus for processing a supplementary product sale at a point-of-sale terminal
US7587334B2 (en) Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US20070299727A1 (en) Method and apparatus for providing a supplementary product sale at a point-of-sale terminal
US6052667A (en) Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product as a substitute for an ordered product
CA2284662C (en) Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US6876978B1 (en) Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US6298329B1 (en) Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US7606729B1 (en) Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US8290816B2 (en) Lottery sales systems and methodology for supporting cross-platform reporting
EP1013025A2 (en) Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US20040054593A1 (en) Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of -sale terminals
CA2298555A1 (en) Method and system for selling supplemental products at a point-of-sale
JP2000020824A (en) Point system
JP2007133549A (en) Settlement processing system
US20030225616A1 (en) Customer management method using point giving of prise winning type with customer
AU776323B2 (en) Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at point of sale terminal
WO1999062014A1 (en) Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product as a substitute for an ordered product
CA2332783A1 (en) Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product as a substitute for an ordered product

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: WALKER, JAY, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WALKER DIGITAL, LLC;REEL/FRAME:011874/0792

Effective date: 20010531

Owner name: WALKER, JAY,CONNECTICUT

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WALKER DIGITAL, LLC;REEL/FRAME:011874/0792

Effective date: 20010531

AS Assignment

Owner name: RETAILDNA, LLC, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WALKER DIGITAL, LLC;REEL/FRAME:012944/0515

Effective date: 19990201

Owner name: WALKER DIGITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:RETAILDNA, LLC;REEL/FRAME:012944/0620

Effective date: 20020502

Owner name: JONATHAN OTTO, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:RETAILDNA, LLC;REEL/FRAME:012944/0620

Effective date: 20020502

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: RETAILDNA, LLC, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT NATURE OF CONVEYANCE TO READ "OTHER" SECURED LICENSE AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 012944 AND FRAME 0515;ASSIGNOR:WALKER DIGITAL, LLC;REEL/FRAME:026431/0611

Effective date: 19990201