Abstract:
A method of manufacturer incentive distribution to consumers is provided the method comprises receiving a first list from a consumer, the first list having at least one item the consumer wishes to purchase, receiving an incentive from at least one incentive provider, the incentive being associated with a keyword on a second list of keywords, comparing the keyword in the second list to the at least one item in the first list, creating a third list which includes the incentive associated with the keyword if the keyword matches the at least one item in the first list, transmitting the third list to the consumer to permit the consumer to choose the incentive, receiving the consumer&#39;s choice of the incentive; and transmitting to the consumer the incentive.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to online list management and more particularly to online management and distribution of merchant incentives. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Generally, consumers who wish to improve their buying power use merchant incentives, such as coupons. The usual way to obtain coupons is to search local newspapers or coupon packets received in the mail. Alternatively, consumers may visit internet sites that offer coupons for certain merchants. These may or may not be product specific. In any of the above ways, the consumer is forced to search for coupons, cut out the coupons from the newspaper or the mailing packets, or print the coupons from the internet site. Further, the consumer is forced to manage these physical coupons either loosely or organize the coupons into categories, e.g., grocery, electronics, etc. Additionally, most if not all coupons have expiration dates. Therefore, as part of the coupon organization process, the consumer has to also discard the coupons that have already expired. Certain coupons are not product-based but are issued from the point of sale. Managing these coupons poses an additional level of difficulty in that the consumer has to not only organize coupons based on product categories, but also based on the point of sale. Maximizing savings by optimizing point of sale coupons vs. product-category coupons can become a daunting task. 
         [0003]    Consumers can use various electronic devices to manage lists and to transfer those lists to others. For example, a wish-list of items to be purchased can be generated on a personal digital assistant (PDA) for an upcoming holiday or birthday. Currently, a PDA capable of wireless communication can send the wish-list to another PDA, also capable of wireless communication. However, many consumers do not possess an electronic device and those that do may not have a device with wireless communication capabilities. Also, there are no easy ways to control versions of the wish-list. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for a system to manage and distribute incentives, as well as manage consumer lists. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present teachings provide methods for distributing incentives from incentive providers to consumers and manage consumer lists. 
         [0006]    In one form thereof, a method of distributing incentives from incentive providers to consumers is provided. This method comprises receiving a first list from a consumer containing an item to purchase, receiving an incentive from at least one incentive provider in a second list containing a keyword associated with the incentive, comparing the items of the first list to the keyword in the second list, creating a third list containing the incentive associated with the keyword if the keyword matches the item in the first list, transmitting the third list to the consumer to permit the consumer to choose the incentive, receiving the consumer&#39;s choice of the incentive, and transmitting to the consumer the incentives. 
         [0007]    In another form thereof, a method of distributing incentives from incentive providers to consumers is provided. This method comprises receiving an incentive from at least one incentive provider, transmitting to the at least one incentive provider a first list containing information associated with consumers, receiving bids from the at least one incentive provider on the information associated with consumers in the first list (each bid associated with the incentive) communicating with a user, comparing information of the user with the information associated with consumers in the first list, creating a second list which includes the incentive associated with the at least one incentive provider that placed bids on the information associated with consumer in the first list if the information of the user matches the information associated with consumers, transmitting to the user the second list to permit the user to choose the incentive, receiving the user&#39;s choice of the incentive, transmitting to the user the incentive, and charging the at least one incentive provide the bid amount associated with the incentive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The above-mentioned and other advantages of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of connectivity between users of electronic incentive distribution and task management system according to the current teachings; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of data transfer between users of the electronic incentive distribution and task management system according to the current teachings; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic of user connectivity with the electronic incentive distribution and task management system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of consumers accessing the electronic incentive distribution and task management system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of consumer list entry according to the current teachings; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic of merchants accessing the electronic incentive distribution and task management system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic of the process of registering electronic coupons by the merchant; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of the process of registering incentives by a point of sale vendor; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary schematic of a process of a merchant bidding on keywords; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10   a  is an exemplary schematic view of a process of matching a consumer&#39;s keyword entry; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10   b  is an exemplary exploded view of coupons presented to the consumer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10   c  is an exemplary schematic view of a process of a Point of sale vendor bidding on consumer information; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary schematic view of a coupon history report provided to merchants; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a schematic view of the electronic incentive distribution and task management system&#39;s suggestion wizard for purchase lists; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the electronic incentive distribution and task management system&#39;s reminder wizard according to the current teachings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Hereinafter, the terms client, consumer, user, and customer are used interchangeably for those who receive incentives and services from the electronic incentive distribution and task management system (hereinafter “System”). Also, the term merchant is used to mean a point of sale (POS) vendor or manufacturer as those who provide incentives to the System. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , connectivity between a consumer, a point of sale vendor, manufacturer, other list user, and the System is shown. The consumer enters data via consumer data entry terminal  10 . The data is communicated to System  14  by network  12 . Client output device  16  receives client output data  18  from System  14  over communication link  24 . The communication link  24  is shown as a two-way link, however, it is possible that the client output device  16  only receives information from System  14  and does not transmit (hence, the connection between the client output device  16  and System  14  is shown in phantom). Point of sale vendor data entry terminal  20   a  and manufacturer data entry terminal  20   b  also communicate with System  14  over network  12 . Other data entry terminals  22  for list users may be connected to System  14  via network  12 . More detail related to all of the entities communicating with System  14 , including other list user data entry terminal  22 , is forthcoming. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a general overview of data transfer between different entities and System  14  is shown. Client may generate a purchase list  40  including such items as milk, honey, flour, walnuts, chicken, and eggs from data entry terminal  10 . This list is recognized by System  14  as a series of keywords. The list can be entered one keyword at a time or the entire list can be submitted to System  14  all at once. The client can also provide a task list  42 , comprising a series of items. 
         [0028]    System  14  is tasked with matching client generated list with incentives that are imported from manufacturers or POS vendors. This is done by either matching keywords that are stored  44  by System  14 , and/or by matching keywords  60  provided by the manufacturer. Therefore, a manufacturer provides incentives in the form of coupons, as designated by arrow  56 . The manufacturer, e.g., a dairy product manufacturer, desires to provide incentives  58  for shoppers to purchase more of the manufacturer&#39;s products as compared to the competitors&#39;. The manufacturer may provide keywords associated with the incentives as shown by reference numeral  60 . In the above example, the manufacturer provides coupon IDs for a variety of dairy products. The terms coupon ID and coupon code are used interchangeably and are to be given the same meaning. The manufacturer also provides certain keywords to match incentives with keywords provided by the consumer. These keywords may be milk, skim milk, cream, butter, margarine, coffee creamer, etc. System  14  uses these keywords and the system-stored keywords  44  to match the incentive  58  to the client generated purchase list  40 . The system-stored keywords  44  are organized based on categories. For example under the category of “dairy” System  14  may have stored some of the above terms in addition to “soy milk.” The system-stored keywords  44  are updated occasionally to encompass new terms. On the other hand, only the manufacturer-provided keywords  60  may be used at the request of the manufacturer and the system-stored keywords  44  ignored. Furthermore, the manufacturer can solely rely on the system-stored keywords  44 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively, a POS vendor may provide incentive, e.g., in the form of certain amount of discount for certain amount of purchase. This is shown in  FIG. 2 , designated by arrow  52 . The POS vendor provides the incentive  48  with an incentive code. The terms incentive code and incentive ID are used interchangeably and are to be given the same meaning. The POS vendor is, for example, a chain of grocery stores with multiple locations. Each of the POS vendors has a location identification number that can be compared and matched to the location of the consumer. 
         [0030]    System  14  also provides reports to manufacturers and POS vendors, as designated by reference numerals  66  and  68 , respectively. The report to manufacturer may contain usage of issued coupon IDs broken down to weekly, monthly, and yearly, trends of coupon usage, etc. Reports to POS vendors may include information about consumers, their locations, and their buying habits, usage of the issued incentive IDs based on weekly, monthly, and yearly usage. 
         [0031]    System  14  can also transmit the incentives to the consumer&#39;s computing device as shown by the reference numeral  70 . Alternatively, the user can receive the coupon IDs, or incentive IDs on her wireless communication device to present to the cashier at the time of purchase, as represented by reference numeral  72 . The approach of wirelessly communicating incentive and coupon IDs is extremely beneficial to the user since this approach completely eliminates the need for managing physical coupons. Thus, the consumer no longer has to print, cut out, collate, organize, and carry the coupon to the POS vendor. 
         [0032]    Another feature of System  14  is to manage tasks for the client. A list can be entered by the client comprising task items  42  so that System  14  can remind the client to perform these tasks. The items on the list can be required to be accomplished by a certain time of a day or by the end of a day. These items  42  are communicated to System  14  and time stamped and will be used to remind the client, as will be discussed in more detail below. System  14  uses emails and wireless communication with the client, similar to the way coupon and incentive codes were communicated to the client, to remind the client of the deadlines for the tasks. Additionally, other list users can modify the task list of the client. For example, the client&#39;s spouse can logon to System  14 , view the task list and modify the task list by adding or removing items. This list-user modification capability is shown in  FIG. 2  as reference numerals  42  and  74 . The item “Movie” was added to the client list  42  by the list user to remind the client that she should also get a movie; however, the item “Buy dinner” was removed from the client list signifying that this item no longer needs to be accomplished by the client. The client can assign modification rights to the list containing task items. These rights include no modification by anyone other than the client, addition rights only, and full modification rights including additions and deletions. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , connectivity between the user or client and System  14  is shown in closer detail. The user&#39;s compatible web browser  100  connects to System  14  web server  106  over the internet  102  using network channels  12 . This is accomplished by the user entering the web address of System  14  into the address portion of the web browser. In the normal course of operations, resident software of System  14  (hereinafter “the Software”) located on the web server  106  transfers information the user has entered to database  104 . System  14  uses wireless channel  24  to communicate with the end user&#39;s mobile device  16  or uses network channels  12  to communicate with the user&#39;s computing device to transfer information back to the user. At this point, it should also be noted that System  14  can utilize land line in place of wireless channel  24  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The use of wireless channels allows the user to gain access to incentive and coupon codes as well as task reminders while holding a mobile device. Additionally, the stated use of landlines or wireless channels can be extended to access a kiosk or a moveable wireless device mounted on a, e.g., a shopping cart, to download and process the incentive and coupon codes. 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart is presented to show the user accessing System  14  through terminal  10 . The user enters System  14  through the web portal  120  by entering the website address associated with System  14 , which was already described in  FIG. 3 . Immediately upon entering System  14 , the Software asks the user whether she is already registered, as designated by the decision box  122 . If the user answers “No” to this question, the Software invites the user to create an account, as designated by reference numeral  126 . Creation of an account requires the user to enter certain information, e.g., address. If the answer is “Yes” then the user logs in as consumer (block  124 ) by entering user ID and password. Logging in as a consumer is to be distinguished from logging in as a merchant as will be seen, below. Once the consumer has logged in, she can begin making her list (block  128 ) via a client data entry terminal  10 . 
         [0035]    The process of making a list is shown in  FIG. 5 . The Software guides the user to list making entry block  140 . She enters items at the client data entry terminal  10  which corresponds to block  142 . For each item the Software of System  14  examines whether the item is associated with an incentive, as shown with the decision box  144 . The matching is accomplished based on the item and the associated keywords as entered by the merchants and the system-stored keywords  44  as discussed above. The Software compares the item with a list of keywords, generated from a combination of merchant entered keywords  60  and system-stored keywords  44 . Once a keyword (and thereby the incentive associated with that keyword) is matched with the item, the Software presents the incentive to the user in block  146 . At this point several incentives may be available and presented. The user is asked to select one or more of the incentives. Depending on which incentives she selects, or no incentive at all, the item will be added to the list in block  148  and the Software attaches the incentives to the item. If the item cannot be matched with an incentive, the Software adds the item to the list without attaching an incentive. After each item, the Software presents a question to the user as shown in decision box  152 . The process will continue until the user answers “Yes” to the question asked by the Software (decision box  152 ) asking if the user is finished making the list. Once the list is completed, the Software sends the list of incentives represented by incentive IDs to the mobile device and/or to the user&#39;s computing device as shown in block  154 . Alternatively, the user may choose to save the incentives in the System  14  for dispensation at a future time. The System  14  can then remind the user of upcoming expiration dates of the coupons as will be explained later. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a log-in procedure is presented for the merchants. As with the consumer log-in procedure, the merchants contact System  14  at the web portal  160  from the POS vendors data entry terminals  20   a  and merchants data entry terminals  20   b . The first question the Software presents to the merchant, as seen with consumer log-in procedure, shown in decision box  162  is whether the merchant is registered. If the merchant answers “No” the Software of System  14  invites the merchant to create an account, as shown in block  166 . If the answer is “Yes” then the merchant logs in as shown in block  164 . The Software asks two sequential questions as shown in decision boxes  168  and  170 . In decision box  168 , the Software asks the merchant if she wants to register electronic coupons. If the merchant answers “No” then the Software proceeds to decision box  170 . In decision box  170 , the merchant is asked if she wants to register incentives. Answering “Yes” to the first question causes the Software to proceed to the steps shown in  FIG. 7 , while answering “Yes” to the second question causes the Software to proceed to the steps shown in  FIG. 8 . Answering “No” to both decision boxes stops the procedure in  FIG. 6  (block  171 ). 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 7  the Software allows the merchant to register electronic coupons and associate the coupon with a coupon code. The Software allows merchant to begin registering electronic coupons in entry block  180 . In block  182  the merchant is given an option to select the stores where the electronic coupons will be valid. In block  184  the merchant enters the title of the electronic coupon, followed by entering expiration date (block  186 ), electronic coupon code ( 188 ), electronic coupon description ( 190 ), and associated keywords  60  ( 192 ). In block  194  the Software allows the merchant to bid on the associated keywords  60  or based on system-stored keywords  44  as discussed in  FIG. 2 . More on the merchant bidding feature of the present teachings is provided below. 
         [0038]    System  14 , in accordance with the present teachings, receives revenues by a combination of ways. One way is by allowing merchants to bid on keywords associated with incentives. Another way may be by displaying advertisements. As the merchant enters keywords associated with electronic coupons, the merchant also bids on each associated keyword to be matched with the consumer&#39;s list. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , a dairy manufacturer specifies the keywords milk, skim milk, cream, butter, margarine, coffee creamer, etc. Additionally, System  14  presents system-stored keywords such as “soy milk.” The merchant then places bids on some or all of the associated keywords. When a match occurs between these associated keywords and the consumer-specified items in her list, the consumer accepts the coupon so that the coupon is attached to the item in the list, and the consumer receives the electronic coupon by way of a mobile communication device  16  or her computing device, then the manufacturer is charged the bid amount for the associated keyword. It should be understood that the consumer&#39;s acceptance of the coupon is linked to System  14  receiving that acceptance. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  shows the typical situation associated with the bidding process. Here MooCow Milk is a dairy manufacturer. The manufacturer provided milk and skim milk as keywords  60 . The Software of System  14  provided system-stored keyword  44  of “soy milk” organized under the category of Dairy. The manufacturer bid $0.10 for the keyword milk, 0.05 for soy milk, and $0.03 for skim milk. The strategy the manufacturer adopted was based on the likelihood of a match between the item the consumer entered in her list  40  and the terms milk, soy milk and skim milk. 
         [0040]    The bidding process is also designed so that when more than one manufacturer is registering electronic coupons, the highest bidder will be presented to the consumer first. In the event two manufacturers happen to bid the exact same amount, the manufacturer which registered first will be presented to the consumer first. Therefore, manufacturers involved in bidding are encouraged to bid higher to improve their chances of being presented to the consumer ahead of another manufacturer. The choice of which coupon the consumer will ultimately choose is dependent on many factors, e.g., the order in which the manufacturers are presented to the consumer, previous experience of the consumer with the product of the manufacturer, the amount of savings presented to the client for each coupon, and client&#39;s own knowledge as to the cost of the item before the coupon savings. Choices associated with electronic coupons are exemplified in  FIG. 10   a . As mentioned above, the manufacturer with the highest bid, i.e., MooCow Milk, for the word “milk” is presented at the top of the list. The information associated with phantom arrows in  FIG. 10   a  are not shown to the consumer but presented in  FIG. 10   a  to clarify the reason for the order of presentation. A more complete presentation of electronic coupon reports is provided in  FIG. 10   b . In  FIG. 10   b  an example of what the Software presents to the consumer in block  146  of  FIG. 5  is shown. 
         [0041]    Momentarily referring to  FIG. 5 , after the consumer has entered the term “milk” in list  40 , the Software searches in merchant provided keywords  60  and system-stored keywords  44  for the term “milk” which have bids associated with them. The Software may find one or several matches. Each keyword in merchant provided keywords  60  and system-stored keywords  44  that are associated with bids are examined by the Software and sorted based on the highest bids to lowest. The incentives associated with the keywords ( 60  and  44 ) are then presented to the consumer based on the sorted order. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 10   b , MooCow Milk&#39;s incentive of “$0.20 off 1 Gal. milk (any variety)” expiring “01/01/2929” was sorted by the Software as having the highest bid amount of any other manufacturer for any other incentives. Referring to  FIG. 10   b , the amount “MooCow Milk” had bid on the word “milk” was $0.10. The second highest bid amount belonged to “Meadow Farm” for $0.08 for the word “milk.” Their incentive is for “$0.30 off ½ Gal. skim milk” expiring on “01/01/2929.” 
         [0043]    The strategy of manufacturers bidding on keywords is also affected by the amount of discount they offer consumers. Therefore, the manufacturer has to strike a balance between amounts the manufacturer bids on keywords and the discount which the manufacturer offers the consumer by each coupon. Furthermore, if the consumer chooses MooCow Milk as her preferred coupon and receives the coupon on her mobile communication device or computing device, then MooCow Milk will be charged $0.10 for that consumer&#39;s pick. 
         [0044]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , once the merchant has placed bids on the associated keywords  60 , the Software registers electronic coupons (box  196 ). Additionally, the Software stores the electronic coupons in the database as shown by arrow  198 . 
         [0045]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , a POS vendor is allowed to register incentives by entering the procedure outlined in  FIG. 8 . The Software allows a POS vendor to register incentives at the entry block  200 . The POS vendor selects stores where the incentives are valid (block  202 ). Next the incentives title is entered (block  204 ), followed by incentive code (block  206 ) and incentive description (block  208 ). A similar bidding process as described with reference to  FIG. 7  is also applied in  FIG. 8 . However, here, the POS vendor bids on potential consumers. Information on these consumers is presented to the POS vendor by System  14  based on a variety of factors. These factors include distance from the store location, coupon usage trends, etc. The POS vendor places bids on consumers based on the information that is provided by System  14 . An example of a POS vendor bidding process is shown in  FIG. 10   c.    
         [0046]    Area consumers are presented to the POS vendor and the POS vendor places bids on the consumer information. Similar to the bidding description provided with reference to  FIG. 7 , the highest POS vendor bidder is presented to the consumer first. For example, the Software presents “Molly Jones,” “Bruce Smith,” and “Allan Ball” to the POS vendor in a report, not shown. In that report, distance from each store of the POS vendor, trends in receiving incentives, types of incentives, and other useful information are specified. The POS vendor viewing this report bids on individual consumers. This consumer-targeted bidding allows the POS vendor to improve chances of the consumer shopping at their location. Therefore, according to  FIG. 10   c , Super Store  9 , a POS vendor with multiple store locations, bid $0.10 on “Molly Jones,” etc. If amongst all of the POS vendors, “Super Store  9 ” had the highest bid for “Molly Jones” then “Super Store  9 ” would be presented to “Molly Jones”. This presentation occurs, as explained above, in block  146  of  FIG. 5 , after “Molly Jones” began entering items on a list. After the consumer selects a POS vendor incentive, the consumer accepts the incentive so that the incentive is attached to the consumer information, and the consumer receives the incentive code by way of a mobile communication device  16  or electronically at her computing device, then the POS vendor is charged the bid amount for the incentive. It should be understood that the consumer&#39;s acceptance of the incentive is linked to System  14  receiving that acceptance. 
         [0047]    Referring back to  FIG. 8 , once the POS vendor has completed the process of bidding on the consumers, the incentives is registered as shown in block  212 , of  FIG. 8 , and the store incentive is logged in by the Software of System  14  in the database as shown by the arrow  214 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a sample of the report that a merchant, or similarly a POS vendor, can receive from System  14  is shown. The report can be tailored to show weekly, monthly, yearly, year-to-date, and all-time dispensation of the incentives. The report can also be tailored to show buying trends of other items sold by other manufacturers or POS vendors so that the merchant or POS vendor can better target their bidding process. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , two additional features of System  14  are shown and are discussed as follows. In  FIG. 12 , a system suggestion wizard is shown. The suggestion wizard feature (block  264 ) is designed to provide suggestive feedback to the consumer based on the list items which have been previously logged into System  14  (block  260 ) and system-stored recipes, arts and crafts projects, and do-it-yourself projects (block  262 ). For example, and as was shown in  FIG. 2 , the consumer indicated milk, flour, walnuts, chicken, and eggs on her list. The Software matches these keywords to keywords from system-stored recipes. Then the suggestion wizard feature of System  14  suggests to the user possible recipes. For example, based on the above list, the suggestion wizard may suggest several different types of cake, or several types of chicken dishes. Once the consumer has reviewed the suggested recipes and selected one or more of these recipes, the Software provides to the consumer complete directions as to how to make the dish, complete the arts and crafts or do-it-yourself project (block  266 ). 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 13 , a system reminder wizard feature is shown. The system reminder feature of the Software accesses the task list generated by the user (block  280 ) and based on the user specified reminder parameters (block  282 ) causes a reminder to appear either by email or by communicating with the user&#39;s mobile communication device (block  284 ). Also, as part of the reminder wizard feature, the consumer can enter expiration dates of the items she purchases. This can be done by listing an item and specifying a reminder parameter so that the Software of System  14  reminds the consumer the item is about to expire. Also, the reminder wizard is capable of issuing reminders based on the expiration dates of the incentives that were logged in. This feature is accomplished based on the availability of the incentive expiration data. 
         [0051]    Another feature of the Software of System  14  is an incentive optimization option. The Software is capable of accessing the consumer-generated lists, address of the consumer, electronic coupons issued by merchants which were matched with the items on the consumer&#39;s list  40 , store locations where those coupons are valid, location of POS vendors, and POS vendor incentives to suggest where the consumer can maximize her savings. Therefore, the Software based on the above information, may suggest traveling to local store number  1  located n miles from the consumer will result in $X of savings, while traveling to local store number  2  located m miles from the consumer will result in $Y of savings. The Software calculates the savings based on the selected incentives by the consumer from the list of manufacturers&#39; incentives and based on the selected incentives from the POS vendors. The optimized savings is a snapshot of the information available to the Software and could be relative. That is, the Software may suggest $X savings. However, the Software may have no information on the cost of items at the POS vendor&#39;s location. That is, while the consumer is relying on a substantial savings based on the incentive optimization feature, she may be disappointed when she finds out the actual cost of the items is higher at the suggested POS vendor making the incentive optimization feature without value. Therefore, the incentive optimization feature is further contemplated to receive pricing of items listed in the consumer&#39;s list from the POS vendors to provide a complete and accurate savings report to the consumer based on current and actual pricing information. The consumer can choose which location is preferable, and consequently receive a map from their home location to the store location. 
         [0052]    While exemplary embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention have been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.