Patent ID: 7566000
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating a redemption of a benefit provided by an organization for the purchase of items from a retail store comprising: providing a point of sale (POS) terminal within the retail store; associating a plurality of items with a list; linking a plurality of members with the list, each of the plurality of members having an identification code; using the POS terminal to obtain a unique product ID for each item presented at the POS terminal; receiving at the POS terminal a benefit card of a member having a unique member ID stored thereon such that, when the benefit card is used, allows the member apply at least a portion of a remaining balance in a benefit account of the member towards the purchase of the items; using the POS terminal to obtain the unique member ID stored on the benefit card; determining if an item presented for purchase by the member is on the list linked to the member; sending from the POS terminal the unique customer ID to a server associated with the retail store; aggregating a total amount for the items presented for purchase that are on the list; sending an inquiry to a remote computer to determine in substantially real time if the benefit account corresponding to the unique member ID has a sufficient balance to cover the aggregated total of items presented for purchase that are on the list; receiving in substantially real time at the POS terminal an indication as to whether the benefit account corresponding to the unique member ID has a sufficient balance to cover the aggregated total of items presented for purchase that are on the list; and allowing the member to use the benefit account to pay for the items on the list.