Patent ID: 6937995
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a plurality of consumers through a communications network, comprising: maintaining a consumer account for each consumer, said consumer account having a limited direct identification of said consumer with said consumer account to exclude identification of said consumer by name; associating each consumer account with only a unique key, at least one financial institution account number, and a purchasing history for each consumer, thereby said consumer account having said limited direct identification; permitting access to said consumer account upon presentation of said unique key over said communications network; presenting promotion choices of items available at least one store associated with said unique key over said communications network; recording selections of said promotion choices made by said consumer over said communications network; receiving data of purchased items by said consumer at said associated store; storing said data of purchased items as a part of said purchasing history for said consumer associated with said consumer account for said consumer; and reconciling said selections and purchases to credit said consumer account of said consumer or a financial institution account associated with the at least one financial institution account number of said consumer.