Frequent Usage Reward Other Than Merchandise, Cash, Or Travel Patents (Class 705/14.32)
  • Publication number: 20100161402
    Abstract: A system and method for marketing a wireless network provided by a communications service provider may include storing merchant data records about merchants who receive communications services from the communication services provider. The merchant data records including merchant identification, communications services being received, and billing information. A request for a merchant data record may be received, and a discount may be applied to the merchant for receiving communications services from the communications service provider in response to receiving an indication that a merchant is providing wireless network access to customers in an establishment of the merchant. In one embodiment, the indication may be an entry that the merchant has posted a sign or other indicator that displays the name and/or logo of the communications service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Carlos E. Reyna
  • Publication number: 20100153178
    Abstract: The WEB Site Valuation System identifies each user's personal attribution of value to a selected WEB site. The attribution is constrained by assigning each user a predetermined number of assignable credits/tokens from which the user can draw to “deposit” or “withdraw” previously deposited credits in the “account” of a WEB site. The tally of credits for each WEB site is then a direct indication of the value provided to users. This ultimately creates a token economy for and within the WEB, based upon user opinion of the value of WEB sites. The dynamic mapping and correlation of these value indications with the users' characteristics provides analytical data that can be used to determine the relevance of the WEB site to various socio-demographic populations, as well as the response of the users to changes in the WEB site, market forces, and/or the entire community of WEB sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: WebbChange, LLC
    Inventor: Travis Russell
  • Publication number: 20100153131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing health care information to health care providers and for obtaining information pertaining to the practice of a health care provider by providing incentives for provision of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph P. Grace, William R. Grace, JR.
  • Patent number: 7685018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a payback system and a payback method for calculating a payback value to a customer receiving a service by using a product provided (for free or payment) from a product manufacturer or a middleman, or to the middleman. The payback value is calculated based on the use results of the service (including a service on a network) by a product user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Oki
  • Publication number: 20100057553
    Abstract: A method and system for performing a redemption transaction by leveraging a payment network provides a way to conduct redemption transaction without requiring changes to merchant or acquirer infrastructure. The cardholder initiates a transaction using a redemption card. An intermediary receives the transaction data, determines whether the loyalty points account associated with the redemption card has sufficient points to cover the transaction, and initiates a secondary payment transaction against a secondary payment account. Alternatively, these functions may be performed by the issuer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Ameiss, Scott A. Reynolds, Frederick F. Branca, JR., Chris Suppa, Daniel Scott Poswolsky, Patrick E. Regan
  • Publication number: 20100049600
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically enrolling users of a website or other network-based service in sweepstakes. A user of 4 user computer system connects to a host computer system hosting a website or other network-based service and is awarded points for accessing features of the website or service. The points are displayed in real-time on the user's computer and transmitted to a database server, which maintains the user's point totals. The user is then automatically given a number of entries in a sweepstakes based on the number of points he or she has been awarded. Users may also be awarded points for accessing features of websites or services of third-party host computer systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: MINDSPARK INTERACTIVE NETWORK, INC.
    Inventors: Jonas Lowell Steinman, Frank William Daugherty, Darrel E. Herbst, Lukas C. Oberhuber
  • Publication number: 20100036720
    Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to compensate an agent in exchange for the agent's intent in transacting with a service platform. Compensation can be effected in online and offline domains, and intent can be conveyed online or offline. Compensation is funded through advertisement spending, and advertisement impressions facilitate compensation delivery. The service platform that compensated the agent extracts intent through explicit or implicit expressions which can be collected online or offline. Offline expressions can be delivered through wearable indicia. Compensation can be delivered wirelessly offline or online to a device operated by the agent. Agent and agent's device(s) registration afford service platform to deliver adaptive compensation customized to the agent, and advertisement(s) with format and content optimized for the agent's device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kamal Jain, Brian James Utter, Zachary A. Apter, Alexander Gounares
  • Publication number: 20100004992
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program for providing a loyalty engine for automated cause marketing. The method includes a loyalty program system administrator linking merchants and charities to the loyalty system. Members register with the loyalty engine through loyalty system which is accessible via the Internet. Once the merchants and the charities are linked and the members are registered, by operation of the loyalty engine, the merchants can create a customized loyalty program defined by a plurality of merchant defined rules for administering their loyalty program. The merchant defined rules instruct the loyalty engine as to which charities should receive in-kind donations in connection with one or more transactions by a member that is associated to the loyalty program. Once a loyalty system defined time period or donation threshold has been achieved, the loyalty system releases the donation in-kind to the specific charity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
  • Publication number: 20090313110
    Abstract: A method for supporting a member in selecting one of reward programs includes providing a database storing item information that indicates, for each item, a name, and a reward program awarding a reward point, presenting the item information to the member, storing, in a multiple-service card, for each member, selected item information indicating items selected by the member by giving priorities thereto, obtaining, when a member is awarded a reward point in a shop, the selected item information of the member from the multiple-service card, determining that, among reward programs that award a reward point redeemable for any of the items indicated in the selected item information and are available in the shop, one of the reward programs awarding a reward point necessary to obtain an item placed in a highest priority is suitable for the member, and presenting the reward program thus determined to the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: FUJISTU LIMITED
    Inventors: Takeshi ASAI, Kenichi Yamaguchi, Norihide Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20090281871
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program for providing a loyalty engine for automated cause marketing. The method includes a charity linking merchants and sponsors to the loyalty system. Members register with the loyalty engine through the loyalty system which is accessible via the Internet. Once the merchants and the sponsors are linked and the members are registered, by operation of the loyalty engine, the merchants can create a customized loyalty program defined by a plurality of merchant defined rules for administering their loyalty program. The merchant defined rules instruct the loyalty engine as to the level of donations in connection with one or more transactions by a member that is associated to the loyalty program. The loyalty system includes a reporting facility to allow the merchant to track transactions with members in a number of ways. A system is also provided that consists of a server computer including the loyalty engine and the charity utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Terrence Patrick Tietzen, Ronald Mackay, Timothy Yamamoto