Rebate processing system and method offering selectable disbursement options

A system is disclosed that provides computer-aided processing of a rebate on a product. The system includes a rebate processing center communicating over a network with a manufacturer, a distributor, and a consumer. The rebate processing center maintains a promotion table and a transaction table in order to facilitate processing of product rebates and to offer the consumer a choice of disbursement options.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to rebate processing and more particularly to a system and method for rebate disbursement using selectable options.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Manufacturers and service providers offer rebates as a financial incentive to increase sales. Rebates offer cash back to consumers who fulfill a set of requirements after purchasing a product bearing a rebate. By requiring post-purchase activities, the rebate offerer attempts to reduce the number of successful rebate claimants. Breakage occurs when a product bearing a rebate is sold, but the rebate is not successfully claimed. Because rebate programs offer the potential for breakage, manufacturers can offer a more valuable rebate compared to a straight reduction in product price. Thus, manufacturers establish procedures to maintain a sufficient rate of breakage and to prevent fraudulent rebate claims.

Consumers, in contrast, desire the quickest and easiest process for receiving their rebates. This creates a tension between the manufacturer's desire to maintain consumer satisfaction and the need to sustain a sufficient level of breakage in rebate programs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for computer-aided rebate processing is provided which substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. The present invention satisfies a need for a more consumer friendly method for processing rebates that maintains a breakage rate, prevents fraudulent claims, provides multiple disbursement options, on-line status reporting, and provides a centralized rebate processing center for matching rebate promotions with qualified consumers.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a computer-based interface for facilitating rebate processing receives authorization of a rebate request and displays rebate information retrieved from a remote rebate processing center, the rebate information including at least two disbursement options. The interface also receives a selection of the disbursement options.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing a rebate receives purchase information identifying a product bearing a rebate and communicates the purchase information to a remote rebate processing center. The method also receives rebate information describing the rebate from the remote rebate processing center, the rebate information including at least two disbursement options, and displays the rebate information.

The invention provides a number of technical advantages. The rebate processing system afford sponsors of rebate promotions improved data-mining opportunities, increased quality of service, and opportunities to recapture rebates from consumers. The rebate processing system offers multiple disbursement options that can provide targeted marketing of products and apply the rebate credit to the sale of these products. This allows promotion sponsors to recapture the value of the rebate and may additionally lead to sales beyond the value of the rebate. The rebate processing system also allows consumers to interactively submit information from a comfortable environment. Thus, consumers are more likely to provide a more exhaustive list of information, providing a greater opportunity for data-mining. Furthermore, the interactive approach provides a dynamic process allowing for functions such as instantaneous targeted marketing of products related to previously purchased products and interactive status reports for rebate requests. The rebate processing system also allows manufacturers, retailers, and other promotion sponsors to establish and monitor rebate promotions for qualified consumers.

Other technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring now in more detail toFIGS. 1–13of the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1illustrates a system10for rebate processing that includes a rebate processing center12coupled to a network14and a processing interface16. Rebate processing center12communicates with manufacturers18, distributors20, and consumers22using network14. In general, rebate processing center12processes rebates for products purchased by consumers22using promotions established by manufacturers18and/or distributors20.

Manufacturer18represents communications and/or processing equipment used or maintained by any retailer, manufacturer, service provider, or other producer of products, products being any type of goods or services offered for sale. Distributor20represents communications and/or processing equipment used or maintained by any intermediary, including retailers, who enables the sale of products of manufacturer18to consumer22. For example, distributor20may operate physical stores or provide computer-based purchase of products through, for example, web-based electronic commerce. Consumer22represents communications and/or processing equipment used or maintained by any entity that purchases the goods or services of manufacturer18from distributor20. Network14may be any collection and arrangement of hardware and/or software allowing electronic communications between components in system10. For example, network14may be one or a collection of components associated with the public switched telephone network, local area networks, wide area networks, a global computer network such as the Internet, the World Wide Web, or any other suitable wireline or wireless communications technology. Throughout this description, manufacturer18, distributor20and consumer22refer to communications and/or processing equipment or to the user of this equipment, as appropriate.

According to one embodiment, rebate processing center12contains a web server, network14is the Internet, and manufacturer18, distributor20and consumer22represent web browsers or other suitable interface to communicate information with rebate processing center12using network14. In addition, system10contemplates any method for delivering rebate request form24from consumer22to processing interface16, such as mail delivery, courier delivery, or electronic image capture and communications technology. Once received in processing interface16, the information from rebate request form24can be extracted using scanners, optical character readers, barcode readers, data entry operators, or any other suitable techniques for electronically capturing data from rebate request form24.

In operation, rebate processing center12receives information concerning promotional from manufacturer18. Consumer22purchases a product manufactured by manufacturer18from distributor20and then initiates the rebate process by identifying the product and submitting information to rebate processing center12using network14. In a particular embodiment, consumer22also prints out rebate request form24and mails it to processing interface16, and processing interface16provides the information from rebate request form24to rebate processing center12. Rebate processing center12matches the information received from consumer22using network14with the information from rebate request form24and processes the rebate request. As shown, system10can include any number of manufacturers18, distributors20, consumers22, and rebate request forms24. Although not shown, system10may include a number of networked or stand-alone rebate processing centers12arranged by promotion sponsor, by geography, for land balancing or in other suitable configurations.

FIG. 2illustrates rebate processing center12that includes a processor40coupled to an interface42and a memory44. Interface42represents any suitable communications hardware and/or software for interfacing with local and/or remote locations. Memory44represents any one or combination of volatile or non-volatile, local or remote devices suitable for storing data, for example, random access memory (RAM) devices, read only memory (ROM) devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any other suitable data storage devices. Processor40represents any device or combination of devices, local or remote, operating alone or in concert through, for example, distributed processing, load balancing, threaded processing, or any other suitable processing techniques. Rebate processing center12can be implemented with any suitable controlling hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software.

In operation, processor40executes a program48stored on memory44. Program48controls communication between interface42and other devices, such as manufacturer18, distributor20, consumer22and processing interface16. Moreover, program48controls access to and population of a promotion table50and a transaction table52, each stored in memory44. Specifically, program48grants different users and classes of users varying levels of access to promotion table50and transaction table52. Program48may be stored on any portion of memory44and may be executed using any suitable technique on processor40. This may be on a device or combination of devices, local or remote, operating alone or in concert through, for example, distributed processing, load balancing, threaded processing, or any other suitable processing techniques.

Promotion table50maintains a list of promotions, rebate offers, discounts, or other things of value offered to consumers22(generally referred to as “promotions”), established and/or supported by manufacturers18, distributors20, or any promotion sponsor. Transaction table52maintains a list of rebate requests initiated by consumer22, and associated information. The tables represent any collection or organization of information. In a particular embodiment, manufacturers18, distributors20and consumers22access rebate processing center12over the World Wide Web to populate, edit, and/or access information maintained in promotion table50and transaction table52. However, system10contemplates other techniques for interfacing, such as a proprietary interface or data entry staff.

In operation, rebate processing center12populates promotion table50with promotions and populates transaction table52with information relating to rebate requests from consumers22. Rebate processing center also processes and authorizes rebate requests using network14to communicate with manufacturers18, distributors20, and consumers22.

FIG. 3shows an example of promotion table50maintained in memory44. Promotion table50contains promotion information60organized where each row is a promotion68indexed by a promotion identifier62. Although this example uses only numbers for promotion identifier62, promotion table50supports alphanumeric characters, text strings, or any other combination of symbols for indexing specific promotions68.

The columns of promotion table50are labeled according to promotion descriptors64, but these labels may not be maintained in promotion table50. Although the example shows a defined set of promotion descriptors64, system10contemplates storing any combination of information in promotion table50, for example, promotion identifier62, universal product codes (UPC), product manufacturers, retailers, geographic targets of the promotion, start dates, end dates, the promotion sponsor, product names, product model numbers, product descriptions, product prices, household limits, authentication requirements, and rebate values. Moreover, individual fields in promotion table50may contain multiple values, for example, multiple retailers of a product or multiple products for a rebate. Also, multiple fields in different columns can be grouped, for example, each of several retailers offering promotion68can have different associated start and end dates. These fields can also contain statistical information updated by users of system10. Even individual retail locations could be tracked according to units sold, breakage rate, or other useful metrics.

For example, manufacturer18maintains a units sold field, and rebate processing center12calculates and maintains a breakage rate field. Breakage refers to any event that prevents a rebate transaction from being completed, for example, denying based on bad verification materials such as receipts or UPC symbols, denying based on improper purchase dates or purchase price, or slippage from checks issued but not cashed. System10contemplates coordinating the receipt of information from consumer22, manufacturer18, and distributor20to provide information on breakage, since not all types of breakage can be determined only from consumer information132. In addition, system10contemplates maintaining statistics representing specific types of breakage, such as slippage or percentage of denied rebate requests.

Disbursement options66are a subset of promotion descriptors64and contain values specifying the different forms of disbursements available for a particular promotion68. A disbursement refers to any cash rebate, gift certificate, product discount, retail coupon, credit voucher, electronic credits, associated services, warranties, or other value provided to consumer22as a result of purchasing a product and successfully processing a rebate request. A credit voucher refers to any printed and/or electronic credit valid for purchasing products. Moreover, a single disbursement option66can be a combination, such as a gift certificate plus a backpack.

For example, promotion68defined in the first row of promotion table50offers only one disbursement option66, a $50.00 rebate. However, in promotion68defined in the last row, three different disbursement options66are available: a $30.00 rebate from manufacturer18, a $40.00 gift certificate from distributor20, and a $50.00 manufacturer credit on future purchases. These examples are provided only to clarify the operation of system10, which contemplates any number and combination of disbursement options66for each promotion68.

Promotion table50provides a centralized bank of information relating to rebate bearing products. Manufacturer18, distributor20, and consumer22can access promotion information60through network14for myriad purposes. For example, distributors20can determine available promotions68in order to streamline marketing, determine performance statistics, or identify disruptions in the rebate process. Potential consumers22can browse through different rebates available on different products. Manufacturers18can use promotion table50to monitor a rebate's effectiveness, market products, and monitor retailers.

FIG. 4shows an example of transaction table52containing transaction information80organized by rows, with individual rows indexed by a transaction identifier82. Each row in transaction table52represents a request86by consumer22for a rebate on a product. Generally, a rebate contemplates the process or methodology that provides a disbursement to consumer22based on promotions68established by manufacturers18and distributors20. Although each row contains a number for transaction identifier82, this value may be alphanumeric characters, text strings, or any combination of symbols that can uniquely identify a row in transaction table52.

The columns of transaction table52are labeled according to transaction descriptors84, but these labels may not be maintained in transaction table52. Although the example shows a defined set of transaction descriptors84, system10contemplates storing any combination of information in transaction table52, for example, transaction identifier82, promotion identifier62, personal information, purchase information, previous purchase information, request data, and consumer profiles. Personal information can include any data describing consumer22, such as name, address, telephone number, age, e-mail address, occupation, salary, or other suitable demographic data. Purchase information can include any data describing the purchase, such as purchase date, location, product description, UPC, SKU number, price, images of rebate request form24, images of UPC symbol, images of receipt, satisfaction, and intended use. Previous purchase information can include any data on past purchases, such as the information in purchase information, indexes to past rebate requests, and buying habits. Request data can track information detailing the specific request86, for example, current disbursement option choice, and current rebate status. Rebate status provides an indication of the current state of a rebate request from consumer22, for example, transaction initiated, awaiting rebate request form24, processing information, awaiting verification, rebate request form24invalid, request denied, request approved, awaiting disbursement option66selection, fulfilling disbursement option66, processing complete, or any other suitable status designation. Rebate processing center12accesses and updates rebate status in processing rebates requests, for example, for notification responsive to consumer22status request. Consumer profiles can include detailed data on consumer22, such as buying habits, Internet access habits, credit card numbers, and display preferences. Transaction information80can also include fields for warranty information, allowing registration for warranties to take place contemporaneously with a request for a rebate. By giving complete flexibility, system10provides for virtually unlimited uses for transaction information80.

Different components of system10populate different sections of transaction table52. In a particular embodiment, consumer22interacts with rebate processing center12over the World Wide Web to enter and edit information relating to request86. With this information, rebate processing center12assigns a transaction identifier82, creates an entry in transaction table52, and enters transaction information80, such as promotion identifier62. Using promotion identifier62, system10associates entries in transaction table52to specific promotions68in promotion table50.

For example, the second row of transaction table52contains promotion identifier62with the value of 5898. This corresponds to the second row in promotion table50ofFIG. 3, which provides two different disbursement options66. Referring again toFIG. 4, the second row contains a current disbursement option66, which has been selected by consumer22, that corresponds to one of disbursement options66from the associated row in promotion table50.

In operation, rebate processing center12populates and maintains promotion table50and transaction table52through communications with manufacturer18, distributor20, and consumer22. Rebate processing center12provides varying levels of access to promotion table50and transaction table52for users of system10. These levels of access are tailored to provide for efficient rebate processing while maintaining system security. In addition, any communication with rebate processing center12can be cryptographically assisted, such that communications across network14are not subject to interception, fraud, or other forms of tampering.

In a particular embodiment, consumer22accesses, for viewing only, selected information from promotion table50using network14to communicate with rebate processing center12. Consumer22browses through products associated with promotions68, selects a rebate to request, and communicates information relating to a purchase. Rebate processing center12allows consumer22to populate, view, and maintain selected information from transaction table52through dynamic interfaces, such as web browsers. According to another embodiment, consumer22receives consumer information and rebate processing center12selects the appropriate promotion based on the information communicated from consumer22. However, system10contemplates any suitable electronic communication interface for rebate processing center12to receive information for transaction table52from consumer22.

Promotion table50and transaction table52also provide substantial benefits to the operation of system10and to each of the components of system10. By analyzing promotion information60and transaction information80, irregularities in the process can be identified and remedied. For example, a dip in the participation of consumers from distributor20could indicate a failure to properly market promotion68. Simply failing to properly display a “tear pad” could be the root cause, however, centralized data allows for timely identification of problems. In addition, manufacturer18or distributor20can access transaction information80stored in transaction table52to personalize service to consumer22or to determine other information. Some examples are tracking of buying trends, information for targeted marketing campaigns, notification of product updates, recall notices, coupon campaigns, and surveys.

FIG. 5illustrates a promotion information interface100that, in this embodiment, is customized for a particular manufacturer18. System10can provide a similar interface for distributors20or other promotion sponsors to establish and maintain promotions68. Interface100allows manufacturer18to populate promotion table50using network14. For example, manufacturer18and/or distributor20may be provided passwords, login information, and customized interfaces to rebate processing center12to facilitate entry, review, and maintenance of promotions68. When manufacturer18begins to create a new entry in promotion table50, a unique number is automatically assigned for promotion identifier62. The remaining fields in interface100correspond to promotion descriptors64from promotion table50. For example, disbursement option entry fields102correspond to disbursement options66, and permit entry of any number of different disbursement choices for a particular promotion68. Thus, interface100generally allows promotion sponsors to populate promotion table50with promotion information60for rebate offers.

In a particular embodiment, interface100is a web page identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) and network14is the Internet. Manufacturer18, using a web browser, can interactively create, view, and modify promotions68in promotion table50. Individual employees of manufacturers18and distributors10provide login information, and rebate processing center12grants varying levels of access to ensure system security and data integrity. Moreover, system10contemplates a dynamic interface employing functionality such as hypertext links to provide interactive access to promotion table50. Once promotion68has been entered, rebate processing center12can populate transaction table52with rebate requests identifying promotion68.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a product search result interface120designed to enable consumer22to interactively select a product having a promotion68. Rebate processing center12determines product search results122by searching promotion table50using a search string124. Each of the products listed in product search results122represents an entry in promotion table50indexed by promotion identifier62. To identify a particular promotion68, consumer22selects a product from product search results122, initiates a new search, or uses some other method for identifying a product having a promotion. Some examples of other techniques for identifying promotion68are entering a product description, entering a product's UPC, or searching lists of promotions68. In a particular embodiment, product search result interface120is a web page identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) accessible using a web browser connected to the World Wide Web, and product search results122are hypertext links or pull-down menus allowing consumer22to identify a product using a computer mouse. Each of the products in product search results122has an associated product identifier. By “clicking” on the hypertext link of a particular product or selecting the product from a pull-down menu, consumer22initiates access to promotion table50, where the product identifier allows rebate processing center12to determine associated promotion identifiers62.

FIG. 7illustrates a consumer information interface130that, in a particular embodiment, is displayed by rebate processing center12to consumer22after a particular product associated with promotion68has been identified. Consumer information interface130allows consumer22to enter consumer information132. This includes an opportunity to select from disbursement options66. Consumer information132consists of either all or a subset of transaction descriptors84, and can include additional data. In a particular embodiment, rebate processing center12stores consumer information132in combination with transaction identifier82into transaction table52. Thus, consumer information interface130allows consumer22to interactively populate transaction table52with transaction information80by identifying a product and entering consumer information132.

Although consumer information interface130displays detailed promotion information60after a product has been identified, additional information may be required in certain circumstances to identify the applicable promotions68. Thus promotion information60may be displayed to consumer22at any time before or after receiving consumer information132. For example, certain promotions68may be dependent on the purchase price, purchase location, or other transaction information80. For these promotions68, consumer information interface130may dynamically update and display integrated promotion information60within interface130as consumer22enters consumer information132.

Although there is no theoretical limit to the amount of information captured through consumer information interface130, the system must balance the desire to obtain detailed consumer information132with the need to minimize the intrusion into the privacy of consumers22. In a particular embodiment, rebate processing center12can dynamically display fields based on current selections, past selections, consumer profiles, and other appropriate factors. In addition, a number of fields can be optional, or the value of the rebate can be tied to the amount of information submitted or the willingness of consumer22to participate in future interactions. Thus the value of the rebate can be increased in consideration for the increased effort of consumer22. In a particular embodiment, consumer information interface130is a web page identified by a URL accessible using a web browser connected to the Internet.

FIG. 8illustrates an example of rebate request form24printed in a format suitable for mailing. Rebate request form24contains transaction identifier82in addition to a barcode140that encodes transaction identifier82. Also, rebate request form24contains a destination address, selected portions of consumer information132, and instructions for affixing a receipt, a UPC symbol, or other material verifying a product purchase. In a particular embodiment, rebate request form24is a trifold that, when folded in thirds, can be easily mailed. Upon completing information inFIG. 7, consumer22prints out rebate request form24, affixes a receipt, a UPC symbol, and a stamp, and then mails form24to processing interface16. Upon receipt of rebate request form24, processing interface16scans barcode140and receives a notification indicating the authenticity of the attached receipt and UPC symbol. By requiring consumer22to mail form24with a receipt and a UPC symbol affixed, system10maintains breakage and prevents fraudulent claims.

In another embodiment, rebate processing center customizes the design of rebate request form24according to requirements of manufacturer18, distributor20, consumer22, and/or promotion68. For example, to preserve privacy, consumer22requests that rebate request form24contain only transaction identifier82with no other consumer information132. Therefore, the mailing contains no identifiable personal data on consumer22. In another embodiment, consumer22may simply record transaction identifier82on a mailing, such as a postcard contained in the product packaging.

Fraud poses a major concern driving the need for a mailing. However, system10envisions a secure technique for consumer22to verify the authenticity of a purchase, obviating the need for a paper transmittal. For example, consumer22transmits scanned images of receipts and UPC symbols to rebate processing center12using network14. According to another embodiment, distributor20communicates a point of sale confirmation of a purchase to rebate processing center12. These methods result in a “paperless” rebate process, yet by maintaining post purchase requirements such as data entry, system10provides opportunities for breakage. Once rebate processing center12has obtained all necessary information and has authorized a rebate, system10provides myriad processes for consumer22to realize the rebate.

FIG. 9shows a disbursement options interface150that provides a method for consumer22to select one of disbursement options66. In a particular embodiment, disbursement options interface150is a web page identified by a URL and is accessible using a web browser linked to the Internet. Consumer22accesses disbursement options interface150after receiving notification of authorization of request86. This notification can be in the form of an email, a delivered letter, a response to a status request by consumer22, or any other method for notification. In addition, rebate processing center12can notify consumer22of disbursement options66at any time during rebate processing and using any communications technique, for example, an email or a posted letter. Also, if consumer22has selected one of disbursement options66, rebate processing center12can automatically authorize the release of the rebate upon authorization.

In a particular embodiment, consumer22is directed to access a web page displaying disbursement options interface150. Consumer22then interactively accesses web pages through a dynamic interface according to consumer information132, promotion68, and other appropriate data. Thus consumer22interfaces with a custom-tailored web page to select one of disbursement options66. In a particular embodiment, disbursement options interface150receives checking account information from consumer22and directly deposits the rebate into the account, or receives credit card information and credits the credit card account. According to another embodiment, disbursement options interface150prints out a personalized gift certificate or coupon valid for purchases of certain products. An identifier, such as a barcode on the certificate, allows the retailer to quickly authenticate the printout by accessing transaction table52through network14.

Referring specifically to the example illustrated inFIG. 9, disbursement options interface150displays four primary selections for disbursement options66of an authorized rebate: a $70.00 purchase credit, a $60.00 manufacturer credit, a $50.00 distributor gift certificate, and a $30.00 cash rebate. If consumer22selects the $70.00 purchase credit, disbursement options interface150will enable the fields for purchase options152. These check boxes allow consumer22to select products to buy using the purchase credit. For example, if consumer22selects a one-year warranty check box154, a total field158will reflect a total price of $70.00. Consumer22then selects a checkout button160and, since the total is less than or equal to the purchase credit, consumer22will receive this selection after simply confirming the transaction.

In another example, consumer22selects one-year warranty check box154and a service pack check box156. Total field158then reflects the total of all selected choices, $170.00. When consumer22selects check out button160, a credit card purchase transaction is initiated to pay for the difference between the total price and the purchase credit. However, if the purchase credit is greater than the total price, a rebate of the remaining credit can be sent to consumer22.

In another example, consumer22selects a browse button162associated with an option to receive a $60.00 credit. When consumer22selects browse button162, rebate processing center12presents additional interfaces containing products that can be purchased using the $60.00 credit. These interfaces may be local or remote sites, such as an interface maintained by rebate processing center12, a product sales site of manufacturer18and/or distributor20, general product sales sites, listings of physical store locations, and/or any other appropriate interface for detailing available options for using the credit. In addition, the browsing interfaces may present customized interfaces based on consumer information132and/or promotion information60.

The preceding examples and the values assigned for disbursement options66are meant only to clarify specific examples of particular embodiments. As previously discussed, system10contemplates providing any number and type of disbursement options66. Moreover, system10contemplates distributing authorized rebates using disbursement options66irrespective of the method used to receive and process consumer information132. Thus rebates may be fulfilled with varying disbursement options regardless of whether the rebate request was electronically initiated by consumer22.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of a promotion status interface180designed to enable a promotion sponsor to access statistical information describing promotion68. Promotion status interface180contains an introductory section that includes selected portions of promotion information60identifying the particular promotion68, such as promotion identifier62. This section further includes a list of products covered under promotion68. In addition, promotion status interface180contains two sections detailing statistical information of promotion68. The first section shows units sold, rebates claimed, the distribution of the rebates claimed for each disbursement option66, and the breakage rate, and displays this information for each retailer and geographic target area included in promotion68. The second section in promotion status interface180shows descriptions and statistical information for each of disbursement options66available for promotion68. In a particular embodiment, promotion status interface180is a web page customized for a particular promotion sponsor. While this example shows only a limited amount of statistical information, system10contemplates maintaining any statistical information useful for manufacturers18, distributors20, and/or consumers22. Also, other status information interfaces may be provided containing any combination of information for any user of system10. For example, consumer22may access a rebate status interface displaying the current status of rebate requests.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating the operation of consumer22for initiating a rebate request. Consumer22, using an interface such as product search result interface120, receives a product identifier at step200, the product identifier indicating a particular product having an associated promotion or promotions. Consumer22communicates the product identifier to rebate processing center12at step202. In a particular embodiment, rebate processing center12, using the promotion identifier, accesses promotion table50and uses promotion information60to customize an interface for receiving consumer information132from consumer22.

Consumer22, using an interface such as consumer information interface130, receives consumer information132at step204. Rebate processing center12may provide some or all of the information to consumer22. For example, if consumer22has previously used system10, rebate processing center12can customize an interface for consumer22using suitable personalization techniques based on prior transactions. Thus consumer22may partially or completely fill consumer information interface130with known information.

Consumer22communicates consumer information132to rebate processing center12at step206. In a particular embodiment, rebate processing center12populates transaction table52with this information. Moreover, receiving and communicating consumer information132may be an interactive process. For example, consumer22, upon detecting a deficiency in consumer information132, presents a notice to the user identifying the deficiency and requesting proper information. Thus consumer22can reduce errors in receiving consumer information132.

Consumer22receives rebate information at step208; rebate information being any combination of data, promotion information60, such as disbursement options66, and/or transaction information80. Based on promotion information60received from rebate processing center12, consumer22determines whether there are multiple promotions68or disbursement options66to select from at step210. If not, process flow skips to step216. However, if there are multiple selections, consumer22presents these options to the user at step212. These options may consist of multiple promotions68for the particular product identified and disbursement options66associated with each of these promotions68. Consumer22receives a selection from the options presented at step214.

Steps200through214represent a communication of promotion information60and transaction information80between consumer22and rebate processing center12that may take place in multiple transactions or through a single communication. Thus, system10contemplates any ordering or combination of these steps suitable for capturing the necessary information to initiate a rebate request. Moreover, in this embodiment, consumer22captures information at steps210through214designed to facilitate a more efficient and user-friendly process for obtaining a rebate on a product. System10contemplates capturing such information at any point during rebate processing, for example, after a rebate request has been approved. In addition, disbursement options66may be presented to consumer22irrespective of the method used to initiate the rebate request. For example, a user may submit a traditional mail-in rebate request indicating an email address. System10, using this address, may then contact the user and provide disbursement options66. Thus electronic submission of consumer information132by consumer22is not necessary for offering disbursement options66using consumer22.

In addition, the ordering of steps, the interfaces presented by consumer22, and the organization of information within these interfaces may be dictated wholly or in part by promotion information60, currently known consumer information132, and/or other appropriate information. For example, if consumer22selects a product associated with a particular promotion, an interface associated with that promotion could be displayed.

At step216, consumer22outputs rebate request form24. Rebate request form24may contain any combination of promotion information60, transaction information80, and/or other suitable information, and may present this information in any suitable format. Outputting this information can provide a user an opportunity to verify the accuracy of consumer information132. In a particular embodiment, consumer22prints out rebate request form24in a format suitable for mailing. At step218, consumer22communicates any changed or additional information, such as selections from disbursement options66, to rebate processing center12.

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating a method for communicating status and selecting disbursement options66. Consumer22determines whether a user has requested status at step230. If so, process flow skips to step234. If not, consumer22determines whether rebate processing center12has sent a status notification at step232. This status notification may be any communication indicating status or that status is available, for example, an email with an embedded URL address linking to a status interface.

If consumer22has not received status notification, process flow returns to step230. However, if consumer22detects a request for status from a user or status notification from rebate processing center12, consumer22receives and presents the status information respectively at steps234and236. Status information may be any information designed to apprise a user of system10of the current status of request86. System10contemplates that consumer22may request and receive status at any time during rebate processing, and furthermore, rebate processing center12may initiate a notification of status to consumer22at any time. Moreover, a rebate transaction may be completed without consumer22ever requesting or rebate processing center12ever sending status information.

After receiving and presenting status, process flow returns to step230if a rebate request has not been authorized. However, if a rebate request has been authorized, consumer22receives disbursement options66from rebate processing center12at step240and presents these options at step242. Depending on the applicable promotions68, disbursement options66, and the previous selections of consumer22, some or all of the steps for selecting these options may be unnecessary. For example, if promotion68for the selected product contains only one disbursement option66, no selection of options at steps240through250is required.

Consumer22receives selection(s) of disbursement options66from the user at step244. Consumer22determines whether the user has selected to purchase additional products at step246. This selection represents, for example, a selection to purchase products with rebate credit using the Internet. If a purchase has not been selected, process flow skips to step252. However, if a purchase has been selected, it is determined whether the total purchase price is greater than the credit at step248. In a particular embodiment, the total purchase price may represent the sum of all products selected to be purchased, and the credit may represent the sum of credits from multiple approved rebate requests of consumer22.

If the purchase price does not exceed the credit, process flow skips to step252. If the purchase price is greater than the credit, consumer22receives payment information from a user at step250. This payment information may be any information for facilitating payment, such as credit card information, electronic funds transfer information, checking account information, an electronic Internet credit account, or an address to receive a bill. At step252, consumer22communicates information such as disbursement option selections, purchase selections, payment information, and/or other pertinent information to rebate processing center12.

FIG. 13is a flowchart illustrating a method for rebate processing center12to process a rebate request. Rebate processing center12receives consumer information132from consumer22at step260and determines whether there is a deficiency with this information at step262. If the information is not complete, rebate processing center12notifies consumer22of the status of the rebate request at step288and awaits further action by consumer22. If the information is complete, rebate processing center12creates an entry in transaction table52at step264. At step266, Rebate processing center12receives transaction identifier82from rebate request form24using processing interface16and attempts to match this identifier with entries in transaction table52at step268. This may include, for example, comparing transaction identifier82from the form and transaction identifiers82stored in transaction table52. If the transaction identifier received does not match a table entry, rebate processing center12notifies consumer22of the status of the rebate request at step288and awaits further action by consumer22. If the transaction identifier received from rebate request form24matches a table entry, rebate processing center12processes the rebate request at step270.

Processing of the rebate request may be discontinued if the request is disallowed at step272or if the request is authorized at step274. If it is determined that the rebate request is disallowed at step272, rebate processing center12notifies consumer22of the status of the rebate request at step288and awaits further action by consumer22. The rebate request may be disallowed for any suitable reasons, for example, missing information, failure to meet promotion requirements, or failure to submit proper verifying materials. If the rebate request is not disallowed, rebate processing center12determines whether the request is authorized at step274. Any method for authenticating a rebate request may be used, for example, by receiving notification of the authenticity of a receipt and UPC symbol affixed to rebate request form24. Moreover, in a particular embodiment, authorization is delayed to allow for further processing before a rebate is allowed.

If the rebate request is authorized, process flow skips to step280. If not, rebate processing center12determines whether consumer22has requested status for a rebate request at step276. In addition, rebate processing center12may also determine whether to communicate an indication of status to consumer22at step276. For example, if all of the requirements for a promotion have been satisfied, rebate processing center12may notify consumer22of available disbursement options66and delay authorization until a selection is received. If no status is communicated, process flow returns to step270. However, if a request for status has been received, or if rebate processing center12determines to notify of status, rebate processing center12communicates status information concerning the rebate request to consumer22at step278, and then process flow returns to step270.

Rebate processing center12contemplates any number of steps (e.g., steps262,268,272, etc.) to halt rebate processing and await further actions by consumer22. These steps provide opportunities for breakage, since many consumers22will fail to undertake the appropriate actions. This breakage represents any condition under which rebate processing is suspended pending further actions by a user. For example, failed communications between consumer22and rebate processing center12, failure to receive proper verifying materials such as receipts or UPC symbols, or failure to meet the promotion requirements. These conditions may absolutely bar the request or may require remedial action to continue processing. Notifying consumer22at step288contemplates any method for indicating a problem in processing, and may terminate processing or provide consumer22an opportunity to correct the problem. Moreover, system10contemplates points of breakage at which rebate processing center12terminates processing and does not notify consumer22of status.

At step280, rebate processing center12determines applicable disbursement options66for an authorized rebate. In a particular embodiment, this may also include determining multiple applicable promotions68based on the product purchased by consumer22. Rebate processing center12communicates notification of rebate authorization to consumer22at step282. In certain circumstances, this communication may also include disbursement options66. Rebate processing center12receives the options selected by consumer22and processes those options respectively at steps284and286. Processing the options selected may include any steps necessary for fulfilling disbursement options66selected by consumer22. For example, if consumer22has selected to purchase products with a rebate credit, processing may include placing a request to ship the order or placing an order with an affiliated web site, a manufacturer, a catalog sales unit, a retailer, or any other distributor20. In a particular embodiment, rebate processing center12uses data from consumer information132to place an order at distributor20and pays for the purchase using stored credit card information of consumer22. Distributor20then makes the purchased product available for an expedited pick-up by consumer22.

For each of the flowcharts, the ordering of steps, the information received, information communicated, processing steps, interfaces presented, and the organization of information within these interfaces may be dictated wholly or in part by promotion information60, currently known consumer information132, transaction information80and/or other appropriate information.

Although the present invention has been described in several embodiments, a myriad of changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the present appended claims.