Patents by Inventor Trevor Robert MacLean

Trevor Robert MacLean has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8595055
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method of exchanging first points held by a customer for second points, wherein the first points that are issued by a first point issuer differ from the second points that are issued by a second point issuer. This method comprises the steps of permitting the customer to set a first number of first points to be exchanged and permitting the first and second point issuers to set the point withdrawal and deposit rates of their first and second points respectively. Next, an equivalent number of the second points is determined based upon the point withdrawal and deposit rates of the first and second point issuers respectively, and the first number of the first points. Then, the first number of points is exchanged for a second equivalent number of second points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Points.com
    Inventors: Trevor Robert MacLean, Jerry Philip, Stephen Paul Ogden, Darlene Higbee Clarkin
  • Patent number: 8433607
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for allowing two users to exchange reward currency, such as points, between two different loyalty programs at an exchange rate that is set by and agreed upon by the users themselves. An offer to exchange X points of one loyalty program for Y points of another loyalty program is received from a user and is made available to other users. Another user satisfied with the offered exchange accepts the offer, and the account balances of the two users are adjusted. In some embodiments, a fee is charged to one or both of the users for effecting the trade. The fee is then forwarded to the loyalty programs. In other embodiments, the loyalty programs specify rules that must be complied with before a trade can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Points.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Robert MacLean, Christopher John Douglas Barnard
  • Publication number: 20110004558
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for allowing two users to exchange reward currency, such as points, between two different loyalty programs at an exchange rate that is set by and agreed upon by the users themselves. An offer to exchange X points of one loyalty program for Y points of another loyalty program is received from a user and is made available to other users. Another user satisfied with the offered exchange accepts the offer, and the account balances of the two users are adjusted. In some embodiments, a fee is charged to one or both of the users for effecting the trade. The fee is then forwarded to the loyalty programs. In other embodiments, the loyalty programs specify rules that must be complied with before a trade can occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Trevor Robert MacLean, Christopher John Douglas Barnard
  • Publication number: 20030216964
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in the illustrative context of a loyalty program (LP) for managing the distribution of currency units (points or miles) from at least one currency issuer (LP manager) to at least a selected one of a plurality of currency recipients (LP members) associated with the currency issuer. The currency issuer maintains an account for keeping the balance of currency units held by each of its currency recipients. The currency user also must approve each primary user to which it issues currency units. The system and method facilitate at least one primary user to acquire currency units from the one currency issuer and to distribute same to selected of the plurality of currency recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Trevor Robert MacLean, Jerry Philip, Stephen Paul Ogden, Darlene Higbee Clarkin
  • Publication number: 20020143614
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method of exchanging first points held by a customer for second points, wherein the first points that are issued by a first point issuer differ from the second points that are issued by a second point issuer. This method comprises the steps of permitting the customer to set a first number of first points to be exchanged and permitting the first and second point issuers to set the point withdrawal and deposit rates of their first and second points respectively. Next, an equivalent number of the second points is determined based upon the point withdrawal and deposit rates of the first and second point issuers respectively, and the first number of the first points. Then, the first number of points is exchanged for a second equivalent number of second points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Trevor Robert MacLean, Jerry Philip, Stephen Paul Ogden, Darlene Higbee Clarkin