Method and system for providing reward status

The present invention generally relates to providing a status for one or more rewards using a format in a plurality of display formats. Portable device information associated with a portable device and acceptance point device information associated with an acceptance point device are determined. A status for one or more rewards is determined based on the portable device information and the acceptance point device information. A display format is then determined from a plurality of display formats based on the portable device information and acceptance point device information. A status is then displayed using the display format.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present generally relates to loyalty programs and more specifically to apparatus and methods for providing a status for one or more rewards using customized formatting.

Loyalty programs are programs that provide users with incentives to shop at certain merchants participating in the loyalty programs. Typically, users are awarded rewards when they shop at the merchants participating in that loyalty program. The rewards may then be redeemed.

Loyalty programs typically offer rewards that are straightforward. For example, a typical loyalty program may be “buy a certain amount of this product, and receive this reward”. The status of this kind of loyalty program can be communicated to a user in a receipt using a text display. The representation may print the number of products purchased and the number of products needed to qualify for a reward.

As loyalty programs become more complicated, it becomes difficult to represent the status of the programs using a text representation on a receipt. For example, as a user becomes eligible for multiple loyalty programs that include multiple products and multiple rewards, the amount of text that is needed to communicate the status in the loyalty programs for the on receipt increases. It becomes hard to clearly communicate a status of all eligible loyalty programs. Thus, a user may not even read the text representation of the status for the loyalty programs. Accordingly, the benefits of providing the status of the loyalty programs are minimized.

Consequently, improved apparatus and methods for providing a status for one or more rewards in one or more loyalty programs are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to providing a status for one or more rewards using a format in a plurality of display formats. In one embodiment, portable device information associated with a portable device and acceptance point device information associated with an acceptance point device are determined. A status for one or more rewards is determined based on the portable device information and the acceptance point device information. A display format is then determined from a plurality of display formats based on the portable device information and acceptance point device information. A status is then displayed using the display format.

In one embodiment, a method for providing a status for one or more rewards using a plurality of display formats is provided. Each display format displays the status in a different format. The method comprises: determining portable device information associated with a portable device; determining acceptance point device information associated with an acceptance point device; determining a status for one or more rewards for the portable device based on the portable device information and the acceptance point device information; determining a display format in the plurality of display formats based on the portable device information and the acceptance point device information; and outputting the status using the display format.

In another embodiment, a method for outputting a status for one or more loyalty programs is provided. The method comprises: determining a current status in one or more loyalty programs; determining a reward status in the one or more loyalty programs, the reward status including a position where a reward is earned for the one or more loyalty programs; determining a desired status for one or more desired loyalty programs, the desired status including a position where a reward for the one or more desired loyalty programs other than the one or more loyalty programs is earned; determining a format to display the desired status with the current status and reward status; and outputting the current status, reward status, and desired status using the determined format.

In yet another embodiment, a method for outputting a status for one or more loyalty programs is provided. The method comprises: determining a reward status in the one or more loyalty programs, the reward status including a position where a reward is earned for the one or more loyalty programs; determining a triggering amount for the one or more loyalty programs, the triggering amount being an amount that is needed to earn the reward for the one or more loyalty programs; determining a format to represent the triggering amount with the reward status; and outputting the triggering amount and reward status using the determined format.

In another embodiment, a system for determining display formats for loyalty transactions is provided. The system comprises: a plurality of portable devices, each portable device including portable device information specific to the portable device; a plurality of acceptance point devices, each acceptance point device including acceptance point device information specific to the acceptance point device and a plurality of display formats; wherein the plurality of portable devices participate in transactions with the plurality of acceptance point devices, each transaction including status information; wherein a display format for the status information for each transaction varies depending on portable device information for a portable device in the plurality of portable devices and an acceptance point device information for an acceptance point device in the plurality of acceptance point devices, the display format being transaction specific.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for determining and displaying a status in one or more loyalty programs is provided. The apparatus comprises: a receiver configured to communicate with a portable device to determine portable device information associated with the portable device; loyalty program information associated with one or more loyalty programs that are supported by the apparatus; logic to determine a current status, reward status, and desired status for one or more rewards of the one or more loyalty programs for the portable device based on the portable device information and the loyalty program information; logic to determine a display format based on the portable device information and the loyalty program information; and an output device configured to output the current status, reward status, and desired status based on the display format.

In another embodiment, a system for determining display formats for loyalty transactions is provided. The system comprises: a plurality of portable devices, each portable device including portable device information specific to the portable device; a plurality of acceptance point devices, each acceptance point device including acceptance point device information specific to the acceptance point device and a plurality of display formats; wherein the plurality of portable devices participate in transactions with the plurality of acceptance point devices, each transaction including status information; wherein a display format for the status information for each transaction varies depending on portable device information for a portable device in the plurality of portable devices and an acceptance point device information for an acceptance point device in the plurality of acceptance point devices, the display format being transaction specific.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention herein may be realized by reference of the remaining portions in the specifications and the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1depicts a system100for providing a status for one or more loyalty programs according to one embodiment of the present invention. System100includes sponsors102, a program administer104, a host106, a network107, acceptance point devices113, and one or more portable devices110.

One or more sponsors102are providers of prizes and incentives for loyalty programs. Sponsors102are any entities, such as product manufacturers, that can sponsor a loyalty program. Sponsors102typically define the parameters of how a loyalty program is provided. This information may include the rewards that are awarded, the requirements that define whether a reward should be awarded, the eligible participants, and any information for formatting status information for loyalty programs.

Once sponsors102define a respective loyalty program, a program administrator104receives the information for the loyalty programs and translates the information into a format readable by host106. The translated information is outputted to host106.

Host106is a central administrator of all loyalty programs for system100. Host106receives the information from program administrator104and can selectively download the information through a network107to a plurality of acceptance point devices113.

Network107may be any network, such as the Internet, a wireless network, a wire line network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the like. In one embodiment, the loyalty parameter may be selectively downloaded to certain acceptance point devices113. For example, loyalty programs may be downloaded through applicable distribution channels108that will be offering the loyalty program.

Distribution channels108include one or more acceptance point devices113capable of performing a loyalty transaction. In one embodiment, acceptance point devices113include a standalone physical point of sale (PPOS) device114, an integrated physical point of sale device116, and a mobile device118. Acceptance point devices113may perform loyalty transactions offline. In one embodiment, offline indicates that acceptance point device113does not need to communicate with host106to perform the loyalty transaction or to determine eligible incentives for a loyalty transaction. Acceptance point device113may, however, communicate with host106for other reasons, such as for reporting results of transactions, etc.

Stand alone PPOS114is a stand alone device dedicated to performing point of sale transactions. For example, PPOS114includes a point of sale device, computing devices, personal digital assistants, kiosks, etc. Point of sale devices found in merchants' stores are examples of stand alone PPOS devices114.

Integrated PPOS116may be a point of sale or acceptance point device that has been integrated into another device, such as a computer. For example, integrated PPOS116may be an application on the World Wide Web (WWW) accessed through a computing device over the Internet. A website for shopping on the Internet and a card acceptance device may be an example of PPOS116.

Mobile devices118include any mobile devices, such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), pocket personal computers (PCs), laptop computers, tablet computers, etc. One difference between mobile devices118and PPOS devices114and116is that PPOS devices114and116communicate with a portable device110in order to enable a loyalty transaction. Mobile devices118, however, may not communicate with portable device110because mobile devices118are a portable device110and may also perform the functions of acceptance point device113together.

Portable devices110are devices that are used by loyalty program participants to conduct loyalty transactions. For example, portable devices110include smartcards, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. Each portable device110includes a module, such as a computer chip with dedicated hardware, software, embedded software, or any combination thereof, that is used to perform actions associated with loyalty transactions.

Portable devices110include portable device information120. Similarly, mobile devices118also include portable device information120. Portable device information120includes any information that uniquely identifies either portable device110or mobile device118. For example, portable device information120may be an identifier, a unique ID, a serial number, an account number, etc. Thus, a user that is associated with portable device110or mobile device118may be uniquely identified using portable device information120. Also, portable device information120includes any other information related to a loyalty program, such as information on which loyalty programs portable device110is eligible for and status information for the loyalty programs.

A transaction is typically performed between portable device110and stand alone PPOS114or integrated PPOS116. In another embodiment, mobile devices118may participate in a loyalty transaction. In this case, mobile device118performs the transaction with a stand alone PPOS114, an integrated PPOS116or a host106, where host106performs the functionality of stand alone PPOS114or integrated PPOS116. For discussion and illustrative purposes, it will be described that a transaction is being performed between portable device110and acceptance point device113. It should be understood, however, that the transaction may be between portable device110and PPOS114and/or116, or mobile devices118and host106.

A transaction between portable device110and acceptance point device113may be a loyalty transaction under a loyalty program. For example, a loyalty transaction is where a user of portable device110is purchasing items that qualify the user and portable device110for one or more incentives or rewards in the loyalty program. Incentives or rewards offer something of value for a user.

Embodiments of the present invention are configured to provide a status for one or more rewards for one or more portable devices110. In one embodiment, a status is displayed using a display format that is selected based on information associated with portable device110and acceptance point device113. Display formats may vary between different portable devices110and acceptance point devices113. Thus, status information may be customized on a per-transaction basis based on portable device110and acceptance point device113participating in the transaction.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of a system200for providing a status for one or more rewards using a display format according to one embodiment of the present invention. System200includes portable device110, acceptance point device113, and host106.

Host106includes host information204. In one embodiment, host information204may include any information for loyalty programs that may be downloaded to acceptance point device113. In one embodiment, host information204may include status information for a portable device110. For example, as transactions are processed at acceptance point device113, information for the transactions are downloaded to host106. Host106stores the information for portable device110and, from time to time, may download the status information to acceptance point device113. In another embodiment, acceptance point device113may communicate with host106to determine the status information at the time of issuance of a reward, for example for a lost or stolen card.

Although host106may include status information, portable device110may include status information that may be different from the status information found in host information204. For example, status information may be downloaded to host106from acceptance point device113at certain intervals (e.g., at the end of the day, week, etc.). Portable device110may participate in transactions that cause the status information to be different than status information stored at host106. The up-to-date status information is stored as portable device information120. Thus, portable device information120may be used to determine status information when a transaction is processed between portable device110and acceptance point device113.

Acceptance point device113receives the information for loyalty programs from host106. The information defines the programs that are supported by acceptance point device113. Each loyalty program includes parameters that define the rewards of a loyalty program. This information is used in determining if a user is eligible for a reward and is stored as acceptance point device information202.

Acceptance point device113may also receive information for display formats206. The information may include different formats that are used to output status information. For example, display formats206may include graphical formats and/or text formats. Examples of these formats will be described in more detail below. The determination of which display format206to use may depend on information determined for the transaction. For example, portable device information120and acceptance point device information202may be used to determine a display format206for a transaction.

During a transaction, acceptance point device113communicates with portable device110to determine portable device information120. Portable device information120is information unique to portable device110may include status information for loyalty programs that portable device110is eligible for. Acceptance point device113determines if the loyalty programs associated with portable device110are supported using acceptance point device information202. If the loyalty program's portable device110is eligible for are supported by acceptance point device113, acceptance point device113determines status information for the loyalty programs.

Because portable device information120and acceptance point device information202vary, the display formats may vary from transaction to transaction. Thus, status information and how status information is displayed varies between different portable devices110and acceptance point devices113. Also, the same user associated with portable110may be presented with varying messages at different acceptance point devices113and two different users with different portable devices110may be presented with different messages at the same acceptance point devices113even if the current purchases are identical.

Once one or more loyalty programs are determined for the transaction, the status information is determined for one or more rewards in one or more loyalty programs. Once the status information is determined, a display format in a plurality of display formats206is selected for displaying the status information. In one embodiment, the display format selected is transaction specific. For example, variable fields found in portable device information120and acceptance point device information202may be used to determine a display format206. Also, other factors may be used to determine the display format. For example, the constraints of a display device, user preferences, etc. may be used.

In one embodiment, a display format is determined so that the status information displayed may stimulate a user to perform a desired action or influence the user's behavior. In one embodiment, a current status is determined along with a reward status and a desired status. The current status is the current position for a user of portable device110in one or more loyalty programs. For example, the current status may be a number of items that the user has purchased towards receiving a reward in a loyalty program, the dollar amount of items purchased, etc. The current status may also be the items that need to be purchased in order to receive the reward. Thus, the current status may be forward looking and tells the user what actions need to be performed in order to receive the reward. This enables a merchant to influence user behavior before a purchase is made.

The reward status is a position that the user needs to reach in order to be awarded one or more rewards for the one or more loyalty programs. For example, the reward status may be the items that a user needs to purchase in order to qualify for a reward for the one or more loyalty programs.

The desired status is a position where a merchant would like the user to reach in the loyalty program. For example, it may be desired that a user purchase another product instead of a product that will satisfy the reward status. A different reward for a different loyalty program than the loyalty program associated with the reward status may be offered as the desired status.

FIG. 3illustrates a method for providing status information for one or more rewards according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step302, acceptance point device113communicates with portable device110to determine portable device information120. Portable device information120includes information unique to portable device110. For example, portable device information120includes status information for one or more loyalty programs in which portable device110is eligible.

In step304, information associated with acceptance point device113is determined. Acceptance point device information202includes information that is unique to acceptance point device113. For example, acceptance point device information202may include information about which loyalty programs are supported by acceptance point device113.

In step306, the status of any loyalty programs that are eligible for this transaction are determined. In one embodiment, any combination of portable device information120and acceptance point device information202is used to determine the status information. For example, the programs portable device110are eligible for are compared to the loyalty programs supported by acceptance point device113. Status information for the loyalty programs that portable device110is eligible for and supported by acceptance point device113is then determined.

In determining the status information, a current status, a reward status, and a desired status may be determined. The current status is the current position of the user relative to the reward status. For example, the current position may be the number of items a user has purchased using portable device110needs to purchase.

The reward status is the position in which a reward will be awarded. For example, the reward status may be the number of items that need to be purchased in order for a reward to be awarded for portable device110.

The desired status is a position where a merchant would like the user to reach in the loyalty program. For example, the desired status may be items that a merchant wants to influence the user of portable device110to purchase. The desired status is also not limited to the loyalty programs that portable device110is eligible for. For example, supported programs for acceptance point device113that were not included in portable device information120may be included in the desired status. Thus, a user may be offered rewards in different loyalty programs that a user does not participate in or does not know about. Although all three status positions are determined, it will be understood that not all status positions may be determined.

In step308, once the status information is determined, a display format206in one or more display formats206is determined. In one embodiment, acceptance point device113supports multiple display formats206. For example, graphical and/or text display formats may be supported. In graphical display formats206, a graph, table, and other graphical style options may be supported. In addition, text may be included in the graphical display formats.

In one embodiment, display format206may be determined using portable device information120and acceptance point device information202. For example, information (e.g., variable fields) in acceptance point device information202and portable device information120may be used to determine display format206. The variable fields may be compared with fields associated with a plurality of display formats. A display format206that corresponds to the variable fields is then selected.

Additionally, the content of the status information may also be used to determine the display format. For example, different display formats may be selected based on the position of the current status, reward status, and/or desired status. In one embodiment, status information for a new program may be displayed in a different size font or different color than a program that existed or was used by a user before the current transaction.

In step310, the status information is outputted based on the selected display format. In one embodiment, the status information may be printed or displayed. Also, the status information may be e-mailed, text messaged, instant messaged, etc. If the status information is printed, the status information message may be printed in a combination of text and/or graphics. Additionally, the printing may be produced on the front or back of the receipt and orientation can also be vertical or horizontal. The same is true for status information that is displayed on a display device.

FIG. 4illustrates a method for determining status information according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step402, a current status for portable device110in one or more loyalty programs is determined. In one embodiment, portable device information120also includes the current status for the loyalty programs. The current status may include a triggering amount that is needed to obtain a reward.

In step404, a reward status for the loyalty programs is determined. In one embodiment, information associated with portable device information120and acceptance point device information202is used to determine the reward position. For example, loyalty program parameters downloaded from host106are used to determine how many items are needed for each loyalty program in order for a reward to be awarded.

In step406, a desired status for any loyalty programs is determined. The desired status may be a level in any loyalty programs that are supported by acceptance point device113. Thus, a desired status for loyalty programs that portable device110does not participate in may be determined. For example, portable device information120may not include a loyalty program. However, acceptance point113may determine a desired status for loyalty programs that have not been loaded and stored in portable device information120.

In step408, a display format206is determined. For example, the display format may be determined based on the desired position, current position, and reward position and/or portable device information120and acceptance point device information202. A display format206is determined so that a user's behavior will be influenced to perform actions that will satisfy the desired position. For example, a graph may be used that displays the desired position above the reward position in relation to the current position. Also, in order to highlight loyalty programs that are not included in portable device information120, a section that indicates rewards a user may be interested in may also be displayed. Additionally, the triggering amount may be displayed so that a user can determine what items are needed to obtain the reward.

In step410, the status information is displayed showing any combination of the current position, reward position, and the desired position.

The following figures depict embodiments of messages208. Although the following messages208are shown, it will be understood that variations of messages208may be appreciated.

FIG. 5illustrates a graph500that is generated using a display format according to one embodiment of the present invention. Graph500includes an X axis and Y axis where the purchase patterns of the loyalty programs P1and P2for a user of portable device110are plotted. Graph500includes two curves, Y and Z, each of which represents a different “next product to purchase from a current status when product X was purchased”. A user of portable device110may participate in a loyalty program P1or a loyalty program P2from the current position X. If the user of portable device110purchases product Y, then the reward program P1is satisfied and the user is awarded a reward equal to a value of $1 on the Y axis. On the other hand, if the user purchases product Z, the reward program P2is satisfied and the user is awarded a higher value reward, for example, a $2 amount value on the Y axis. As values on the Y axis increase, the reward value increases.

The position “Z” illustrates a desired position for a loyalty program P2. Loyalty program P2is a loyalty program that a merchant wants to influence a user to participate in. For example, program P1includes the program “buy one laundry detergent X and two liquid fabric softeners Y and get 5% off.” Program P2includes the parameters “buy one laundry detergent X and three fabric softener sheets Z and get 10% off.” If the user of portable device110traditionally participates in program P1and has purchased one laundry detergent X and needs to purchase two liquid fabric softeners to receive a reward, a merchant may offer the user the opportunity to participate in program P2. Program P2, however, requires a user to switch to fabric softener sheets Z and purchase additional quantities to get a higher discount. This information is communicated to a user using graph500.

Accordingly, the desired status is represented in a graph format along with the reward status. A user can quickly determine which products need to be purchased in order to earn a reward in two different loyalty programs. A large amount of text is not needed to convey the status of loyalty programs to a user.

FIG. 6illustrates a list600for presenting status information for one or more loyalty programs using a display format according to one embodiment of the present invention. List600includes specific products and quantities for each product purchased for each reward program. A user is informed of what products to purchase and in what quantities in order to maximize rewards.

As shown, a list of products602is printed or displayed in list600. For each product, the quantity that needs to be purchased in order to receive a reward is shown. Thus, the number of products in order to trigger a reward is shown. This allows the merchant to influence a user's behavior before a purchase is made. List of products602provides a proactive stimulus in depicting what products need to be purchased in order to receive a reward. This is different from displaying the number of products that have already been purchased by a user. List of products602provides a shopping list for a user and is forward-looking rather than backwards-looking.

List600also includes a desired list604that displays products that offer a higher rewards potential than products listed in list of products602. For example, in order to influence a user to participate in other rewards programs, list604is used to display products that need to be purchased for a higher rewards potential. As shown, product10provides the offer of “buy Y and get Y free” and product11provides the offer “buy $Y and get $Y off”. In one embodiment, products10and11, if purchased, will yield certain rewards that may be more desirable for a merchant.

Other status information606may also be displayed in list600. The information shows the balance or the purchases that have already been made by the user of portable device110. Additionally, any rewards that have not been earned are also displayed.

FIG. 7illustrates a graphical representation of a table700for displaying status information using a display format according to one embodiment of the present invention. A list of days702is provided that allows status information to be accessed by any day of the week, a week ending, or by month. As shown, the day “Thursday” is selected and a table704has been displayed.

Table704shows status information for a plurality of loyalty programs shown in columns705. A purchase road map includes one or more items in rows706that need to be purchased in order to qualify for a reward for the loyalty programs. The rewards are shown in a row708.

For each item and loyalty program, one or more checkboxes are found. The checkboxes are provided to show what products need to be purchased in order to qualify for the reward shown in row708. For example, for the program124, Doritos, peanut butter, and pita bread need to be purchased in order to receive a reward of 5% off. Also, for the program456, Doritos and a Fanta need to be purchased in order to receive a free soda. As shown, the user has not purchased any items for a program124(i.e., no checkboxes have been checked) and its balance as shown in row710is zero. However, a user has purchased Doritos and a Fanta for program506(i.e., the checkboxes have been checked) and has thus received a free soda.

A user may quickly identify which products need to be purchased for which programs by viewing the displayed checkboxes. Table700also shows which products need to be purchased in a forward-looking manner rather than just showing what products a user has purchased. For example, for a program4587, the user can determine that a Fanta twelve-pack has been purchased, but Doritos, peanut butter, and pita bread need to be purchased in order to receive a 15%-off reward. Thus, the table700can stimulate purchase behavior by showing what products need to be purchased.

Table700also can show a large amount of programs and rewards in a compact manner. In one embodiment, if all the programs and associated products for loyalty programs in table700were printed in text, the amount of text would be very large for a printed receipt. Thus, by graphically representing the loyalty programs with the rewards and products that need to be purchased for the reward, status information may be efficiently presented. Also, the status information is displayed in a way that may stimulate user behavior to purchase certain products.

FIG. 8illustrates a display800for status information using a display format206according to one embodiment of the present invention. Display800includes a graphical display802that indicates how many products have been purchased and how many products need to be purchased for a reward of product X in a loyalty program.

Display802is designed to give a user an indication of how many units need to be purchased. A number of units that have been purchased is represented with darkened squares and the number of units that need to be purchased are represented with empty squares. Thus, a user can quickly glance at graphical display802and determine how many units need to be purchased by looking at the empty squares. The empty squares give a visual sense of how many products a user has to purchase in order to receive the reward. This is different from printing out a number of products that the user has purchased. For example, a user can visually see how far the user is from receiving the reward. Also, the user can see how many units of a product need to be purchased in order to receive the reward.

Also, a text display804is shown to indicate the number of products or dollar amount of products that need to be purchased to receive a reward. This presents a forward-looking status of what products need to be purchased instead of indicating what products have already been purchased.

A section806is included that indicates programs that a merchant may desire a user to participate in. For example, section806includes a product10and a product11that need to be purchased in order to receive different rewards from loyalty programs that a merchant wants a user participate in.

FIG. 9illustrates a receipt900that displays status information using a display format according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, receipt900includes a current status902of zero dollars. Additionally, receipt900includes a reward status902that indicates the number of products (dollar amount) that need to be purchased in order to trigger a reward.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide status information that is displayed according to a display format. In one embodiment, an acceptance point device includes a plurality of display formats. A display format is determined based on information associated with the portable device and information associated with the acceptance point device.

The status information may also include a current status, reward status, and desired status. Thus, a user's behavior may be influenced by displaying a desired status that indicates desired actions that need to be taken in order to receive a different reward than the reward offered for the reward status. Also, the status information may be forward-looking in providing a user with the items that need to be purchased in order to receive a reward.

Embodiments of the present invention include many advantages. For example, a user's behavior may be influenced by providing status information in one of the display formats. A display format that includes graphics may more efficiently display status information for one or more loyalty programs. Thus, a user may be more likely to view the status information and determine which products need to be purchased in order to obtain a reward. Also, by including desired loyalty programs and what products need to be purchased in order to obtain a reward for the desired loyalty programs, a user's behavior may be influenced into participating in more desirable loyalty programs before a purchase is made.

While the present invention has been described using a particular combination of hardware and software implemented in the form of control logic, it should be recognized that other combinations of hardware and software are also within the scope of the present invention. The present invention may be implemented only in hardware, or only in software, or using combinations thereof.