Transferable Indicia and Display

Aspects of the invention may include methods and systems for conducting a transaction utilizing an indicia associated with goods or services, the indicia initially provided to an originating party by an originating merchant, but wherein the indicia may be used in a transaction at a providing merchant by an obtaining party, the transaction conducted amongst a central processor, one or more merchants that may include the originating merchant and the providing merchant, and one or more parties that may include the originating party and the obtaining party. The method may include steps such as: receiving the indicia from the providing merchant; determining whether the indicia is valid, the goods or services associated with the indicia, whether the providing merchant is the originating merchant, whether the obtaining party is the originating party, and determining a transaction price for the indicia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary embodiments disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. Moreover, as used herein, the singular may be interpreted in the plural, and alternately, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular.

This application is directed, in general, to systems, methods, and computer readable mediums for advertising, tracking, processing, activating, authorizing, and providing goods or services to a customer, including commissioning based thereon. More specifically, the present invention is directed to various aspects, systems, components, and methodologies related to at least one or more of:

(i) displaying to a customer various goods or services at a retail location;

(ii) providing to customer an indicia of the goods or services;

(iii) the customer or originating party, being enabled to capture or save the indicia in a device, for example a mobile telephone, tablet, or computer;

(iv) the originating party being enabled to maintain the indicia in an intermediate state before purchase on or in the device;

(v) the indicia being transferrable such that, for example, (a) the originating party may be capable of sending the indicia—or an identifier associated with the indicia—to another party who may pay for the goods or services, the paying party; (b) the originating party may be capable of paying for the indicia and sending the goods or service to another party, the receiving party; and/or (c) any other transferability that may be evidenced by and between an originating party, paying party, and receiving party—whom may each be the same or different users.

(vi) the indicia being usable to purchase and/or activate and/or authorize the goods or service;

(vii) the indicia may comprise various piece of information, or may created by combining different pieces of information. The indicia may evolve as it is transferred between and amongst the various parties and retailers, and may at any point identify or be associated with one or more of (a) the specific goods or services; (b) the originating retailer; (c) the originating party; (d) the purchasing party; (e) the receiving party; (f) the providing retailer; (g) pricing related to the specific goods or services; and/or (h) any promotions, rebates, customer loyalty membership, coupons, or other programs or plans that may impact the pricing of the goods or services.

(viii) in the case of electronic or digital goods or services, the goods or services may actually be placed or downloaded onto the device at the originating retailer, but may be locked—thereby preventing use—until the goods or services are purchased.

(ix) the goods or services may be purchased (a) at the originating retailer (for example, through a typical in-lane transaction at a point of sale (POS)); (b) by visiting the originating retailer's website or other online or electronic presence; (c) through an application (or “app”) on the device, wherein the app may be associated or provided by the originating retailer, a third party, or even a competing retailer; (d) by visiting a third party or competitor retailer's location and completing the purchase through a typical in-lane transaction at a POS; (e) by visiting a third party or competitor retailer's website or other online or electronic presence.

(x) When the goods or services are purchased, the originating retailer may receive commission payments, the commission payments may vary depending on how and from whom the purchase transaction occurred. For example, if the indicia is used to purchase the goods or services at the originating retailer during a typical in-lane transaction at a POS or through an app or online presence provided by or managed for the originating retailer, the originating retailer may receive full commission, for example 100×. If the indicia is used to purchase the goods or services at a later time, for example through a third party application or online presence, the originating retailer may receive either full commission (100×) or a slightly reduced commission (75×). If the indicia is used to purchase the goods or services at a later time and through a competing retailer—either in-lane or through a competing retailer's application or online presence, the originating retailer may receive a reduced commission, for example 50×, while the competing retailer—now the providing retailer—if it participates in the overall program, may receive a commission of 50×.

(xi) The commissions of the originating and/or providing retailers may vary based upon various promotions associated with the goods or services. For example, an originating retailer may attempt to increase its chances at being the providing retailer by reducing the overall price of the goods or services—thereby reducing its commission. For example, if an originating retailer receives a commission of 50× for initially conveying the indicia to the customer—even if purchased at a competitor retailer—the originating retailer may reduce the price of the goods or services by 25×, thereby potentially increasing its chances of making the sale and receiving a commission of 75× rather than 50× if it fails to make the sale.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the various indicia may be stored in a basket in the mobile device for later purchase. In such circumstances, it is anticipated that any party with the indicia—the originating party, those who have it on their devices in anticipation of becoming a receiving party or a paying party—may receive various updates or communications regarding promotions directed at the specific or related goods or services.

As briefly noted above, the invention may comprise a user display that may be present at a retailer location. The user display may comprise basic signage, a video display, touch screen, e-ink (e.g., a bi-stable display), an interactive display, one or more screens or multiple screens or display zones, a multimedia display (e.g., with sound, video, tactile, scents, tastes, etc.).

The information that is displayed may be updated in various manners. In the case of basic signage, the display may be updated according to typical manners—that is replacing various signs and displays. In the case of an electronic display (video or otherwise), the information on the display may be updated through the use of a network connection (e.g., internet, T1, T3, cable, fiber-optic, etc.), through mobile technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, etc.), wireless technology (RFID, BlueTooth®, or other wireless technology), or though updatable or replaceable memory (e.g., a disc, memory card, thumb drive, DVD, or other storage device, etc.).

Indicia selected and saved by the originating party may be placed, kept, and/or saved in various wallets, folders, groupings, or baskets associated with the mobile device. Such wallets, folders, groupings, or baskets may be created and managed by the user and may be associated with various characteristics such as originating retailers, categories of goods or services, dates of selection, payment mechanisms, etc. The indicia may be kept in such wallets, folders, groupings or baskets until purchase or until a period of time has elapsed and the indicia expires. Alternatively, if the indicia is associated with goods or services is associated with a specific price or promotion, the indicia may expire or delete when the promotion ends or when the price is no longer available.

With reference toFIG. 1, an exemplary display10in accordance with some embodiments of the invention will now be discussed. Display10may be any form of signage, video display, monitor, touch-screen, bi-stable display, etc110. It may comprise one or more display zones, and may display one or more products. With reference toFIG. 1, display10may set forth various products—goods or services—that may be purchased or obtained by using the display. For example, display10may set forth financial products111(for example, a $50, $100, or $250 Visa card), airtime or mobile phone products112(for example, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, or 180 minutes of prepaid airtime), digital media113(for example, an iTunes prepaid card, a single song download, or a movie download purchase or rental), or other items114(for example, game tokens for online or local gaming, laundry card or value, downloadable books for e-readers, etc.). It is contemplated that any good—either digital, electronic, or physical—may be purchased through the systems and methods of the invention and may be identified by an indicia.

In addition, the indicia can be associated with an amount of value, and the invention may be used to transmit monetary amounts between users. An indicia of value, for example an indicia representative 50 Euros may be selected by an originating party. The originating party may be pay for the 50 Euros in dollars, and then send the indicia to the value to a receiving party. The receiving party may use the indicia sent to obtain the value—50 Euros.

Similarly, an indicia may be circulated amongst a group of users, and each user may add value to the indicia. For example, an originating party may select an indicia associated with a variable denomination Visa prepaid debit card. The originating party may select—and provide payment for $50 to be added onto the associated Visa prepaid debit card. The originating party may then circulate or pass on the indicia to others, who in turn may contribute to the Visa prepaid debit card through the use of the indicia. Once finalized, the indicia may be sent to the receiving party who may receive the cumulative gift.

Each of the items111,112,113,114displayed in display10may be associated with an indicia. The indicia may be available through the use of the display, as discussed in greater detail below with reference toFIG. 3.

Note that display10may be provided by a third party, and this may be noted on the display120. The third party may be an intermediate party between and among the originating retailer, the providing retailer, and/or the provider of goods or services. The third party may establish and manage the systems and methods of the invention.

With reference toFIG. 2, a display20may also comprise one or more display zones. For example, a display may be broken into two (2) zones, wherein one zone210displays various promotions and discounts211, while the second zone220displays the corresponding products212,213for which the promotions or discounts apply. Alternatively, one display zone may provide a video—such as a commercial or other such advertisement—while a second display zone displays the products and corresponding indicia being advertised.

Alternatively, various display zones may be used to display related, complimentary, or associated products. For example, if the display is a touch screen, a user may be able to select a particular product from a digital catalog, separated by, for example, category. Once a user selects a product or category, other related, complimentary, or associated products may be displayed. In such an embodiment, for example, a user may select a product corresponding to movie or theater tickets, and products related to restaurants local to the theater may be displayed.

In some embodiments, comparable products or services may be displayed to the customer along with or in lieu of selected products or services. For example, a customer may be viewing various gift cards that for restaurants. The customer may have selected an Italian restaurant. The display may set forth comparable products—that is, other Italian or similar restaurants—for which the originating retailer can offer current discounts or promotions.

The display may be any sort of device that is capable of conveying to the user or customer indicia associated with desired or selected goods or services. The indicia may be conveyed by a mobile phone reading, or otherwise obtaining the indicia from the display, for example, by reading a machine code. With reference toFIG. 3, the indicia may be listed and displayed as a code (for example, a bar code311, Aztec code312, QR code319, or picture code319), or may be alpha315, numeric314, or alphanumeric316code that the user may input into the mobile device. The indicia may be also be wirelessly transmitted to the user device, for example through the use RFID or BlueTooth technology, which may be prompted by “tapping” a particular portion of the display313. Alternatively, the user may connect the user device directly to the display, for example by way of a USB or mini-USB cable317.

With reference toFIG. 4, a general transaction will now be discussed. An originating retailer410may comprise a display, which in turn may comprise various indicia of various goods or services. An originating party420may select and save one or more indicia on a device421. At this point, the originating party may proceed to the retailer checkout point of sale (POS) and pay for the goods or services associated with the indicia. Here, the originating party is also the paying party. Once paid for, the goods or services may be provided—either physically or electronically—to the originating party. Here, the originating party is also the paying party and the receiving party.

Alternatively, the originating party420may provide the indicia to a different party—a paying party—who may pay for the goods or services using the indicia. The paying party430may utilize a device431to pay for the goods or services at the originating retailer410, at a digital presence of the originating retailer410, at a different retailer, at a digital presence of a different retailer, or from a third party (for example, a party managing the program). With reference toFIG. 4, in this exemplary embodiment the paying party430may utilize the website of a different retailer440to purchase the goods or services using the indicia. The different retailer is the providing retailer. Note that the originating retailer and the providing retailer may be the same.

The providing retailer440may then provide the purchased goods or services to the desired party. The party that receives the purchased goods or services a receiving party450, who may receive the goods or services on or associated with another device451. Note that the receiving party may be the originating or paying party, but need not be.

With reference toFIG. 5, various manners of updating a display511at a retail location510will briefly be discussed. The display511may be in selective communication with a local database512of various promotions or items. The display511may be in selective communication with an input513—which may receive a memory card, thumb drive, DVD, or any other download of updated information local to the retailer510. Alternatively, the display511may be in selective wireless communication514with another party520who may remotely update the display using its own wireless communication521. The display511may also be in selective wired communication with the third party520, for example by way of a network connection (e.g., the internet, a host-to-host connection, a direct line, etc.). It is also anticipated that more than one party may be able to update information on the display511. For example, a provider may purchase display time and may use such time to display various goods, services, promotions, etc. The provider may accordingly directly update and/or modify its contribution to the display.

With reference toFIG. 6, a potential flow60of the indicia and purchased product or service in accordance with some embodiments of the invention will now be discussed. An originating party610may use a device611to capture an indicia670from an originating retailer640. The indicia670may comprise information such as identifying the product or service, pricing information of the product or service, identifying information of the originating retailer640, etc.

The originating party610may convey the indicia to a paying party620(or a paying party's device621). Note that the indicia671conveyed from the originating party610to the paying party620may be modified from the initial indicia670captured at the originating retailer640. For example, the modified indicia may include information identifying the originating party, various customer loyalty membership information of the originating party, etc. The paying party620may use an indicia672to purchase the goods or services. The goods or services may be purchased from a providing party—that is, the originating retailer640, a third party650, or another retailer who is a providing retailer660. The indicia672provided from the paying party620to the providing party may be further modified from indicia670or671. Indicia672may comprise information identifying the paying party620, various memberships of the paying party620, or information identifying or associated with the party to receive the goods or services—the receiving party630.

The providing party may then provide the goods or services to the receiving party630or a device of the receiving party631. Again, note that the originating party610, paying party620, and receiving party630may be the same or different parties or users.

With reference toFIG. 7, an exemplary commissioning schedule70based upon various purchase arrangements will now be discussed. For example, because an originating retailer originated the sale—regardless of where the final sale took place—by providing the initial indicia to the customer71, the originating retailer may be entitled to a commission of X (for example, 1-2% of the value of the product purchased)72. The providing retailer—assuming that the providing retailer is a participant in the program73—may receive a commission of Y for consummating the sale74(for example, 2-2.5% of the value of the product purchased). If the providing retailer is not a program participant—or if the goods or services were provided from a neutral third party (for example, a third party managing the program)75, then the originating retailer may be entitled to an additional commission of Z (for example, 0.5% of the value of the product purchased)76.

Accordingly, if the originating retailer is the providing retailer, then that retailer may be entitled to a commission of 3-4.5% of the purchase price of the product or service. The originating retailer is rewarded for successfully advertising, displaying, and initiating a sale of a product or service. The providing retailer is rewarded for actually closing the sale.

It is anticipated that once an originating party or any other party has saved one or more indicia in a device, it may be able to purchase the associated product or service by selecting the indicia on the device and utilizing an application that may be provided by a retailer or by a third party managing the program. Accordingly, a purchase using an application provided by the program manager or any other neutral third party would not negatively impact the originating retailer's commission, but would rather add a small amount (since a sales commission is not paid to another party).

Such an intermediary application may communicate with the display at the originating merchant to obtain the various indicia and may act as a basket to hold the various indicia that are not yet purchased. The intermediary application may also be in selective communication with a funding source—for example a mobile wallet or financial account—in order to provide easy payment for indicia selected for purchase. Moreover, the intermediary application may contain user information the may impact availability or pricing of various goods or services. For example, a customer may utilize such an intermediary application to record various customer loyalty programs, membership programs that may impact pricing (for example, AAA), membership programs that may impact product or service availability (for example, DirectBuy, or purchases from a club) or other identifying characteristics that may impact product or service availability or pricing. Indicia displayed on the display may be specifically configured for use with such intermediary applications in an attempt to provide quick, efficient, and seamless purchase transactions.

With reference toFIGS. 8A-D, systems and methods of utilizing transferable indicia in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed. With reference toFIG. 8A, it is contemplated by the present invention that an originating party810may capture, read, or otherwise obtain one or more indicia820of a stored value. The originating party810may convey the indicia820to a second party830. Note that the originating party810may be the second party830, and/or the second party830may be the paying party and/or the receiving party. The second party830may purchase the indicia820, may pass the indicia820onto another party, or may receive the indicia820once/if purchased.

With reference toFIG. 8B, an originating party810may convey an indicia820to more than one party830,831,832. In this embodiment, one or more of parties830,831,832may be the paying, or receiving party. For example, an originating party810may wish to either receive a certain indicia and may send to the indicia to various potential gift-givers. In accordance with some embodiments, an originating party810may wish for each of the parties830,831,832to obtain and receive the indicia—for example, if the indicia is indicative of a text book at a reduced price.

With reference toFIG. 8C, an originating party810may convey indicia820,821,822,823to a second party830. Second party830may select one or more for purchase, receipt, or for transferring to another party. Similarly,FIG. 8Dillustrates that an originating party810may convey more than one indicia820,821,822,823to more than one party830,831,832. For example, a teacher may pass on multiple indicia comprising a reading list to a variety of students.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, that an indicia may identify a category or subset of goods or services and may evolve during transfers between various users to more specifically identify the specific goods or services. With reference toFIG. 9A, an originating party910may identify a general product that it wishes to receive or be sent to a receiving party. For example, originating party910may identify a pre-paid product line corresponding to value that can be used in a certain game. The originating party910may send an indicia920A of this type of stored value card to second party930. In this example, second party930may be the paying party; note, however, that it is anticipated that second party930may pass the indicia920A further downstream, or may also be the receiving party.

Second party930may then determine what amount or level of value to be purchased. For example, an originating party910may have transferred an indicia related to tokens for use in GAME. Second party930, as the paying party, may decide that he or she wishes to purchase ten dollars ($10.00) worth of tokens for use in GAME. Second party930may send the indicia920A, an identification of the amount of value to be purchased950, and the value960to a central processor940, which may activate the indicia for use. The central processor940may then send the activated indicia—with a specific value—back to the second party930, or to an identified receiving party. With reference toFIG. 9A, the receiving party may also be the originating party910, and either the central processor940or the second party930may pass the activated, specific indicia920B to the originating party910for use or further distribution.

With reference toFIG. 9B, another system and method in which an indicia may identify a category or subset of goods or services and may evolve during transfers between various users to more specifically identify the specific goods or services, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, will now be discussed.

InFIG. 9B, an originating user910may identify a category of goods or services and send an indicia of that category of goods or services to one or more second parties930. For example, as depicted inFIG. 9B, an originating user910may send an indicia920A that corresponds to a specific band, for example, the Beatles. Second party930may receive the indicia920A and may select a specific good or service from the category sent. Second party930may then send the indicia920A, an identification of selection950—for example, the song “Yellow Submarine”—and value960to a central processor940. The central processor940may activate the indicia for redemption or use with the specific goods or services selected by the second party930. The central processor940may convey the activated specific indicia920B back to the second party930, or may convey the activated specific indicia920B on to an identified receiving party. Note that whileFIG. 9Bdepicts the originating party910as the receiving party, an additional or alternative receiving party may be present.

With reference toFIG. 10, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an originating party1010may be an organization, association, partnership, or some other type of group or entity. For example, the originating party1010may be an association of like-minded members, such as, for example, an alumni organization from a university or college. The originating party1010may, through its status, be able to offer to its members certain goods and or services at a reduced rate. For example an alumni organization may offer various branded items (such as school sweatshirts, etc.) as well as publications written or performed by other alumni at a rate less expensive than publicly available. Originating party1010may convey one or more indicia1021,1022,1023,1024to one or more members1031,1032,1033,1032,1035. Some members may elect to purchase or otherwise obtain one or more goods or services identified by the indicia1021,1022,1023,1024, and may select such indicia1021,1022,1023,1024and pass on the indicia, as well as value1050to a central processor1040for purchase.

Note that it is also contemplated that originating party1010may purchase each of goods or services identified by indicia1021,1022,1023,1024for its members1031,1032,1033,1034,1035, and members need only convey the indicia to the central processor1040for redemption.

The central processor1040may then provide—or initiate the provision of—the goods or services purchased to the receiving member (as depicted inFIG. 10, member1032may receive the goods or services identified by indicia 12345XYZ, and member1034may receive the goods or services identified by indicia 54321ABC).

Note that it is contemplated that in order to offer such reduced price offerings to members, the central processor may require identification of receiving party as a member of the association of the originating party1010. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 10, a member1034may send an indicia of the selected goods or service1023, as well as value1050, and an identifying characteristic of the member1060to the central processor1040. The central processor1040may then determine (a) the specific goods or services identified by the received indicia; (b) whether the amount of value received is appropriate for the specific goods or services identified by the received indicia; and (c) whether the requesting party is eligible, based upon an identifying characteristic, for the price or selection relevant to the specific goods or services identified by the received indicia.

With reference toFIG. 11, systems and methods utilizing transferable indicia in accordance with the present invention may be utilized in business-to-business applications. For example, a first business1110may offer a selection of goods or services1120to a second business1130. The selection of goods or services1120may comprise one or more indicia1121,1122,1123,1124that identify or are associated with specific goods or services. Second business1130may then select one or more indicia from the selection of goods or services1120, and may provide the indicia of such selected indicia to its employees and/or customers1131,1132,1133,1134,1135. Employees and/or customers1131,1132,1133,1134,1135may select one or more of the indicia for redemption. It is contemplated that employees and/or customers1131,1132,1133,1134,1135may send the indicia back to second business1130at1140for redemption (and second business1130may aggregate the indicia received from its employees and/or customers and send the aggregate to the first business or to a central processor1160), may send the indicia to the first business1110at1150for redemption (and the first business may send the indicia to the central processor1160), or may send the indicia directly to the central processor1160. The activated indicia or goods and services associated with the indicia may be provided to the employee and/or customer from the first business1110, the second business1130, or the central processor1160.

Systems and methods in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may also be used to convey specific goods or services—or to provide payment or value for specific goods or services—amongst specifically identified parties.

For example, certain goods or services may be identified as specifically desirable to provide to certain receiving parties. Certain goods and services, such as healthy food, warm clothes, tutoring, and specific extracurricular activities may be identified and grouped as desirable for children. Such grouping may be accomplished by a governmental entity or agency, a special interest group, or any other interested party. The grouping of specific goods and services may be distributed amongst various parties. Examples of this may include distributing such indicia to parents who pay child support, family members of at-risk or otherwise identified children, or to various charities and groups for external support (for example, an electronic version of a charity-driven gift exchange during the holiday season).

Specifically, an interested party1210may identify a group1220of one or more indicia1221,1222,1223,1224determined to be of interest to, necessary, or desirable to provide to a receiving party. The group of indicia1220may be conveyed to one or more parties1231,1232,1233,1234,1235. At this point, various processes may occur. For example, party1231may identify indicia1221as something that party1231would like to obtain for either itself, or for receiving party1237. Party1231may then send indicia1221and payment1250to central processor1240. Central processor1240may then determine the goods or service identified by indicia1221and provide, or initiate provision of, the goods or service either back to party1231or to receiving party1237.

It is contemplated that in some circumstances, parties receiving the group of indicia may not have funds available for purchase of the identified goods or service, but may be entitled to the goods or services nonetheless. For example, user1233may identify indicia1223as being desirable and may send indicia1223alone to central processor1240. Central processor1240may then provide, or initiate provision of, the goods or services back to party1233. For example if party1233is on government assistance (food stamps, TANIF, etc.), certain additional goods or services may be provided free of charge.

In accordance with some embodiments, a user1235may receive the group of indicia1220and determine that from the group1220, two identified goods or services are desirable.

The indicia associated with these goods or services1222,1224may be conveyed to another party1238for purchase. Party1238may select one of the indicia sent1224, and may convey the indicia1224and payment1250to the central processor1240. The central processor may then provide, or initiate provision of the goods or services back to party1235or to an identified recipient1236. For example, a state agency may determine what qualifies as “necessities” for children, and a custodial parent may send indicia corresponding to personally applicable necessities to a non-custodial parent (that is, one who is paying child support or otherwise providing financial assistance to the child or custodial parent). The non-custodial parent may then decide that he or she wishes (or may be obligated to some extent) to purchase a specific good or services (for example, school text books or supplies), and may send the indicia and payment to the central processor1240. The central processor1240may then provide, or initiate provision of the goods or services to party1235or to receiving party (here, for example, the child)1236.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an originating party1310may purchase or otherwise obtain a plurality of indicia1321,1322,1323,1324. Here, the originating party1310may also be the paying party. The originating party1310may then distribute the active indicia1321,1322,1323,1324to various receiving parties1331,1332,1333. Receiving party1331may receive indicia1321; receiving party1332may receive indicia1322and1323; receiving party1333may receive indicia1324. Though the indicia1321,1322,1323,1324may be paid for and active, they may not be redeemed yet. Accordingly, each of receiving parties1331,1332,1333may redeem their respective received indicia with a central processor1340.

For example, at a holiday event an originating party may purchase a plurality of indicia and may distribute the indicia to receiving parties as the originating party sees fit. Another example may be the purchase of “digital stocking stuffers,” that an originating party can distribute amongst various gift recipients.

With reference toFIGS. 14A and 14B, systems and methods in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention directed to group gifting will now be discussed. Group gifting may generally be seen to occur in at least three (3) environments: a serial environment, a parallel environment, and/or a combination of the serial and parallel. With reference toFIG. 14Aa serial environment will now be discussed.

An originating party1410may select an indicia corresponding to a good or service. For ease of discussion, the indicia may correspond to a prepaid debit or gift card. However, it is noted that group gifting may also provide different products or features of products that may be purchased or unlocked at various price points. Originating party1410may select indicia and may add value1430to the indicia. For example, originating party1410may add $50.00 to the indicia. The indicia1420—with a value of $50.00—may then be conveyed to second party1411. Second party1411may add $20.00 to the indicia, now indicia1421and convey indicia1421to third party1412. Third party141may add $100.00 to the indicia. This process may continue through any number of parties. When the last party has added value (a party may be a last party when a pool of participating parties has been exhausted, when a time limit has been reached, or when there are no more parties interested in contributing to the gift), the final indicia1422with a combined value of $170.00 may be provided to receiving party1440.

With reference toFIG. 14B, a parallel contribution schema will be discussed. InFIG. 14B, an originating user1410selects an indicia1420as a gift for receiving party1440. Originating user1410then distributes the indicia1420to one or more parties1411,1412,1413. Each of the one or more parties1411,1412,1413may add value to the indicia by conveying to a central processor the indicia1420and an amount of value. For example, party1411may value1430worth $50.00; party1412may convey value1431worth $20.00; party1413may convey value1432worth $100.00. The central processor1450may aggregate the value and provide an indicia1425that is associated with the combined gift value (here, $170.00). The central processor1450may provide the indicia to the receiving party1440, or the central processor1450may provide the final funded indicia back to the originating party1410for conveyance to the receiving party1440.

In general, the present invention provides indicia that are transferable a lifecycle of the indicia. The indicia may identify a certain good or service—or a group or set of goods or services. The indicia may be modified to further identify the good or service—for example, a specific song from a specified band, or a certain value on a gift card. The indicia may include identification of the originating party, receiving party, or paying party in order to provide for specific offers to groups of users. The indicia may include information identifying the originating merchant—if any—or any advertisements that lead an originating party to capture or otherwise record the indicia.

The indicia may be transferred amongst numerous parties in these various states. The indicia may evolve during such transferences to provide information necessary or desirable in a specific transaction.

Various other attributes and/or characteristics may be part of the system and method of the invention. For example, attributes such as a “daily deal” or other such name may be utilized. In such an attribute, a customer who downloads an indicia may receive a notice or message as part of the “daily deal” informing the customer of relevant, related promotions. For example, if a customer downloads an indicia for a restaurant (for example, an Outback gift card indicia), a movie theater indicia (for example, AMC theaters) may be provided at a discount because of, in light of, or based upon the desired restaurant purchase.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, an application or program as discussed above may be in selective communication with a retailer display when the user is in or near the retailer location (as opposed to requiring the user to be immediately next to or in a close proximity with the display). The application or program may then display either all or most virtual products available from the retailer.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the application or program as discussed above may track the user's location, for example, within a retailer location. In this manner, detailed offers or “daily deals” may be offered to the user based upon the user's location within the location. For example, if the user is in the portion of the store where DVDs are sold, the user may receive a promotion or “daily deal” directed to, for example, a reduced price on a particular movie or theater tickets. Another example may be to offer a user a discount on complimentary items. For example is a user is in the portion of the store where computers are purchased, the user may receive a promotion or “daily deal” for online archival or back-up services.

It is also contemplated that various retailers and providers may intentionally reduce their potential commission in order to make a sale and be a providing retailer. For example, an originating retailer may advertise that if the purchase is made from the originating retailer, the price is 1.5% less than that which it would typically cost. The originating retailer—if it makes the sale and becomes the providing retailer, may be able to reduce its sales commission by the 1.5%, thereby collecting a full origination commission and a reduced sales commission in order to promote the sale.

Various other aspects of the invention may also be utilized. For example, when the indicia is obtained by a user device, in the case of digital goods or services, the goods or services may actually be placed on the device in a locked or inactive state. Once purchased—either in lane at the retailer or later through the use of an application or other connection, the digital goods or services may be unlocked. This may provide at least two (2) benefits.

First, the loading of the digital goods or services—which may require a fair amount of data to be transmitted—may be accomplished at the retailer, potentially using a free retailer-sponsored network connection. Accordingly, the user need not worry about excess data charges for such transfer. When the purchase is completed, a minimal amount of data may need to be transferred from the providing retailer to the receiving party in order to unlock or authorize the use of the digital goods or services. For example, an encryption key or other such password or authorization code may be transmitted from the providing party.

Second, a user may select various digital goods or services and load them onto a device, and then only select and pay for goods or services actually used. For example, prior to a trip a user may select three or four digital movies, indicia and files of which may be placed on the user device. The user may then select—and pay for—only the movies that it actually wants, or has time to watch.

Moreover, due to the transferability of the indicia (as discussed above), an originating party (e.g., a child) may send various indicia to another party (e.g., a parent) that the first party wants to access. The second party—the parent—may then select which goods or service it likes and pay for such goods and services, which may then be sent or provided to the originating party—or child. Such aspects may be coupled with what are commonly known as filter cards or restricted spend cards in order to provide value to a receiving party that has limitations in how it may be used (e.g., for groceries but not for alcohol or tobacco).

It will be understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention shown and described herein are exemplary only. Numerous variations, changes, substitutions and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all subject matter described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings be regarded as illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense, and that the scope of the invention will be solely determined by the appended claims.