Patent Publication Number: US-2013238411-A1

Title: Transferable Indicia and Display with Related Commissioning System

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/608,820 filed on Mar. 9, 2012, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/742,608 filed on Jan. 16, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prevalence of stored value cards associated with goods or services ranging from multipurpose reloadable debit cards (open loop or closed loop) and wireless mobile airtime to digital downloads, transit applications, and even the purchase of tangible goods has vastly increased in the past several years. As the use has increased, systems and methods of providing and using such cards has evolved. 
     Stored value cards may be generally divided into two (2) categories: chip cards and account cards. In a chip card (e.g., a “smart card”), a value account may actually reside on the card itself. In contrast, with an account card, the card may be associated with a value account that may reside elsewhere, for example on a payment processor or in a database of a financial institution. In such situations, the stored value card may comprise an indicia, such as but not limited to an account number, that may be used to conduct card transactions such as activation, redemption, reloading, recharging, etc. 
     However, the necessity or usefulness of the physical card itself (or any such tangible medium comprising the information required to access an underlying stored value account) may be greatly diminished as the use of digital devices (such as, but not limited to, mobile telephones and devices, tablets, laptop and other computers, electronic readers such as the Nook™ and Kindle™) increases. 
     As the necessity, usefulness, or even desirability of physical cards decrease, the indicia associated with the underlying value account may become more important. Accordingly, an indicia that is transferable while being associated with a stored value account may be desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the invention may invention may comprise a method of determining commission amounts in a multiple party transaction for the purchase of goods or services by an obtaining user, the goods or services associated with an indicia, the multiple party transaction being amongst at least an originating merchant and a providing merchant, the providing merchant in selective communication with a central processor, the method comprising: receiving by the central processor from the providing merchant: the indicia associated with the goods or services for purchase; and a purchase price for the goods or services; determining by the central processor the goods or services associated with the indicia; determining by the central processor factors associated with the multiple party transaction, the factors comprising: the purchase price for the goods or services; the identity of the providing merchant and providing merchant characteristics associated with the providing merchant; the identity of the originating merchant and originating merchant characteristics associated with the originating merchant; calculating, based at least in part on the factors: a commission, if any, for the providing merchant; and a commission, if any, for the originating merchant. 
     Other aspects of the invention may comprise methods of determining commission amounts in a multiple party transaction for the purchase of goods or services by an obtaining user at a providing merchant, the goods or services associated with an indicia captured from an originating merchant by an originating user and transferred to the obtaining user, the multiple party transaction being amongst at least a providing merchant in selective communication with a central processor, the method comprising: receiving by the central processor from the providing merchant the indicia and a purchase price for the transaction; determining by the central processor factors associated with the multiple party transaction, the factors selected from the group consisting of: the purchase price for the goods or services, the identity of the providing merchant, any applicable promotions offered by the providing merchant, the identity of the originating merchant, any applicable promotions offered by the originating merchant, any applicable promotions offered by a manufacturer of the goods or services, characteristics of the originating user, characteristics of the obtaining user, the location of the purchase transaction, the type of purchase transaction, the value conveyed to pay for the purchase transaction, the amount of time that elapsed between the capture of the indicia by the originating user and the purchase of the goods or services by the obtaining user; a competitive landscape between the originating merchant and the providing merchant; calculating, based at least in part on the factors: a commission, if any, for the providing merchant; and a commission, if any, for the originating merchant. 
     Some aspects of the present invention may comprise systems for determining commission amounts in a multiple party transaction for the purchase of goods or services by an obtaining user at a providing merchant, the goods or services associated with an indicia captured from an originating merchant by an originating user and transferred to the obtaining user, the system comprising: a commissioning engine, comprising: a merchant interface, configured for selective communication with at least the providing merchant; a data store, comprising: information identifying merchants and characteristics related to such merchants; information identifying competitive landscapes for such merchants; information associated with promotions offered by the providing merchant or the originating merchant; a commission calculation module, configured for calculating a commission due, if any, for the providing merchant and a commission due, if any, for the originating merchant, the calculation based upon the purchase price of the transaction, information received in the indicia, obtainable from the indicia, and/or information from the data store. 
     These and other aspects will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements. The accompanying figures depict certain illustrative embodiments and may aid in understanding the following detailed description. Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the 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 embodiments depicted are to be understood as exemplary and in no way limiting of the overall scope of the invention. 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 detailed description will make reference to the following figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary display in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary display in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary display with exemplary indicia in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a general transaction flow in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates various display communication or updating methods in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a general transaction flow in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a table that sets forth an exemplary commissioning schedule in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A-8D  illustrates systems and methods of transferring one or more indicia among one or more users, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate systems and methods of transferring one or more indicia among one or more users, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates systems and methods of transferring one or more indicia among an organization and one or more users, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates systems and methods of transferring one or more indicia in a business-to-business environment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates systems and methods of transferring one or more indicia identified by an interested party among one or more users, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates systems and methods of transferring one or more active indicia among one or more users, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate systems and methods of transferring one or more indicia among one or more users in a group gifting environment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an indicia that may be used, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, to determine a commission due, if any for various merchants. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a method in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention for determining a commission due, if any, for various merchants. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention for determining a commission due, if any, for various merchants. 
     
    
    
     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&#39;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&#39;s location and completing the purchase through a typical in-lane transaction at a POS; (e) by visiting a third party or competitor retailer&#39;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&#39;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.). 
     The goods or services may comprise any number of products. For example, stored value cards (e.g., gift cards, prepaid debit cards, etc.), wireless airtime or top-up cards, gaming tokens or value cards, transportation tolls, laundry value, digital media (e.g., music, videos, books, programs, software, games, applications, etc.), services, and/or any other virtual, electronic, digital, or physical goods. 
     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 to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary display  10  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention will now be discussed. Display  10  may be any form of signage, video display, monitor, touch-screen, bi-stable display, etc  110 . It may comprise one or more display zones, and may display one or more products. With reference to  FIG. 1 , display  10  may set forth various products—goods or services—that may be purchased or obtained by using the display. For example, display  10  may set forth financial products  111  (for example, a $50, $100, or $250 Visa card), airtime or mobile phone products  112  (for example, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, or 180 minutes of prepaid airtime), digital media  113  (for example, an iTunes prepaid card, a single song download, or a movie download purchase or rental), or other items  114  (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 items  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  displayed in display  10  may be associated with an indicia. The indicia may be available through the use of the display, as discussed in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Note that display  10  may be provided by a third party, and this may be noted on the display  120 . 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 to  FIG. 2 , a display  20  may also comprise one or more display zones. For example, a display may be broken into two (2) zones, wherein one zone  210  displays various promotions and discounts  211 , while the second zone  220  displays the corresponding products  212 ,  213  for 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 to  FIG. 3 , the indicia may be listed and displayed as a code (for example, a bar code  311 , Aztec code  312 , QR code  319 , or picture code  319 ), or may be alpha  315 , numeric  314 , or alphanumeric  316  code 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 display  313 . Alternatively, the user may connect the user device directly to the display, for example by way of a USB or mini-USB cable  317 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a general transaction will now be discussed. An originating retailer  410  may comprise a display, which in turn may comprise various indicia of various goods or services. An originating party  420  may select and save one or more indicia on a device  421 . 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 party  420  may provide the indicia to a different party—a paying party—who may pay for the goods or services using the indicia. The paying party  430  may utilize a device  431  to pay for the goods or services at the originating retailer  410 , at a digital presence of the originating retailer  410 , 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 to  FIG. 4 , in this exemplary embodiment the paying party  430  may utilize the website of a different retailer  440  to 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 retailer  440  may then provide the purchased goods or services to the desired party. The party that receives the purchased goods or services a receiving party  450 , who may receive the goods or services on or associated with another device  451 . Note that the receiving party may be the originating or paying party, but need not be. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , various manners of updating a display  511  at a retail location  510  will briefly be discussed. The display  511  may be in selective communication with a local database  512  of various promotions or items. The display  511  may be in selective communication with an input  513 —which may receive a memory card, thumb drive, DVD, or any other download of updated information local to the retailer  510 . Alternatively, the display  511  may be in selective wireless communication  514  with another party  520  who may remotely update the display using its own wireless communication  521 . The display  511  may also be in selective wired communication with the third party  520 , 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 display  511 . 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 to  FIG. 6 , a potential flow  60  of the indicia and purchased product or service in accordance with some embodiments of the invention will now be discussed. An originating party  610  may use a device  611  to capture an indicia  670  from an originating retailer  640 . The indicia  670  may comprise information such as identifying the product or service, pricing information of the product or service, identifying information of the originating retailer  640 , etc. 
     The originating party  610  may convey the indicia to a paying party  620  (or a paying party&#39;s device  621 ). Note that the indicia  671  conveyed from the originating party  610  to the paying party  620  may be modified from the initial indicia  670  captured at the originating retailer  640 . For example, the modified indicia may include information identifying the originating party, various customer loyalty membership information of the originating party, etc. The paying party  620  may use an indicia  672  to purchase the goods or services. The goods or services may be purchased from a providing party—that is, the originating retailer  640 , a third party  650 , or another retailer who is a providing retailer  660 . The indicia  672  provided from the paying party  620  to the providing party may be further modified from indicia  670  or  671 . Indicia  672  may comprise information identifying the paying party  620 , various memberships of the paying party  620 , or information identifying or associated with the party to receive the goods or services—the receiving party  630 . 
     The providing party may then provide the goods or services to the receiving party  630  or a device of the receiving party  631 . Again, note that the originating party  610 , paying party  620 , and receiving party  630  may be the same or different parties or users. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary commissioning schedule  70  based 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 customer  71 , 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 program  73 —may receive a commission of Y for consummating the sale  74  (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&#39;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 to  FIGS. 8A-D , systems and methods of utilizing transferable indicia in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed. With reference to  FIG. 8A , it is contemplated by the present invention that an originating party  810  may capture, read, or otherwise obtain one or more indicia  820  of a stored value. The originating party  810  may convey the indicia  820  to a second party  830 . Note that the originating party  810  may be the second party  830 , and/or the second party  830  may be the paying party and/or the receiving party. The second party  830  may purchase the indicia  820 , may pass the indicia  820  onto another party, or may receive the indicia  820  once/if purchased. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8B , an originating party  810  may convey an indicia  820  to more than one party  830 ,  831 ,  832 . In this embodiment, one or more of parties  830 ,  831 ,  832  may be the paying, or receiving party. For example, an originating party  810  may 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 party  810  may wish for each of the parties  830 ,  831 ,  832  to obtain and receive the indicia—for example, if the indicia is indicative of a text book at a reduced price. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8C , an originating party  810  may convey indicia  820 ,  821 ,  822 ,  823  to a second party  830 . Second party  830  may select one or more for purchase, receipt, or for transferring to another party. Similarly,  FIG. 8D  illustrates that an originating party  810  may convey more than one indicia  820 ,  821 ,  822 ,  823  to more than one party  830 ,  831 ,  832 . For example, a teacher may pass on multiple indicia comprising a reading list to a variety of students. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate, 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 to  FIG. 9A , an originating party  910  may identify a general product that it wishes to receive or be sent to a receiving party. For example, originating party  910  may identify a pre-paid product line corresponding to value that can be used in a certain game. The originating party  910  may send an indicia  920 A of this type of stored value card to second party  930 . In this example, second party  930  may be the paying party; note, however, that it is anticipated that second party  930  may pass the indicia  920 A further downstream, or may also be the receiving party. 
     Second party  930  may then determine what amount or level of value to be purchased. For example, an originating party  910  may have transferred an indicia related to tokens for use in GAME. Second party  930 , 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 party  930  may send the indicia  920 A, an identification of the amount of value to be purchased  950 , and the value  960  to a central processor  940 , which may activate the indicia for use. The central processor  940  may then send the activated indicia—with a specific value—back to the second party  930 , or to an identified receiving party. With reference to  FIG. 9A , the receiving party may also be the originating party  910 , and either the central processor  940  or the second party  930  may pass the activated, specific indicia  920 B to the originating party  910  for use or further distribution. 
     With reference to  FIG. 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. 
     In  FIG. 9B , an originating user  910  may identify a category of goods or services and send an indicia of that category of goods or services to one or more second parties  930 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 9B , an originating user  910  may send an indicia  920 A that corresponds to a specific band, for example, the Beatles. Second party  930  may receive the indicia  920 A and may select a specific good or service from the category sent. Second party  930  may then send the indicia  920 A, an identification of selection  950 —for example, the song “Yellow Submarine”—and value  960  to a central processor  940 . The central processor  940  may activate the indicia for redemption or use with the specific goods or services selected by the second party  930 . The central processor  940  may convey the activated specific indicia  920 B back to the second party  930 , or may convey the activated specific indicia  920 B on to an identified receiving party. Note that while  FIG. 9B  depicts the originating party  910  as the receiving party, an additional or alternative receiving party may be present. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an originating party  1010  may be an organization, association, partnership, or some other type of group or entity. For example, the originating party  1010  may be an association of like-minded members, such as, for example, an alumni organization from a university or college. The originating party  1010  may, 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 party  1010  may convey one or more indicia  1021 ,  1022 ,  1023 ,  1024  to one or more members  1031 ,  1032 ,  1033 ,  1032 ,  1035 . Some members may elect to purchase or otherwise obtain one or more goods or services identified by the indicia  1021 ,  1022 ,  1023 ,  1024 , and may select such indicia  1021 ,  1022 ,  1023 ,  1024  and pass on the indicia, as well as value  1050  to a central processor  1040  for purchase. 
     Note that it is also contemplated that originating party  1010  may purchase each of goods or services identified by indicia  1021 ,  1022 ,  1023 ,  1024  for its members  1031 ,  1032 ,  1033 ,  1034 ,  1035 , and members need only convey the indicia to the central processor  1040  for redemption. 
     The central processor  1040  may then provide—or initiate the provision of—the goods or services purchased to the receiving member (as depicted in  FIG. 10 , member  1032  may receive the goods or services identified by indicia  12345 XYZ, and member  1034  may receive the goods or services identified by indicia  54321 ABC). 
     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 party  1010 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a member  1034  may send an indicia of the selected goods or service  1023 , as well as value  1050 , and an identifying characteristic of the member  1060  to the central processor  1040 . The central processor  1040  may 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 to  FIG. 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 business  1110  may offer a selection of goods or services  1120  to a second business  1130 . The selection of goods or services  1120  may comprise one or more indicia  1121 ,  1122 ,  1123 ,  1124  that identify or are associated with specific goods or services. Second business  1130  may then select one or more indicia from the selection of goods or services  1120 , and may provide the indicia of such selected indicia to its employees and/or customers  1131 ,  1132 ,  1133 ,  1134 ,  1135 . Employees and/or customers  1131 ,  1132 ,  1133 ,  1134 ,  1135  may select one or more of the indicia for redemption. It is contemplated that employees and/or customers  1131 ,  1132 ,  1133 ,  1134 ,  1135  may send the indicia back to second business  1130  at  1140  for redemption (and second business  1130  may aggregate the indicia received from its employees and/or customers and send the aggregate to the first business or to a central processor  1160 ), may send the indicia to the first business  1110  at  1150  for redemption (and the first business may send the indicia to the central processor  1160 ), or may send the indicia directly to the central processor  1160 . The activated indicia or goods and services associated with the indicia may be provided to the employee and/or customer from the first business  1110 , the second business  1130 , or the central processor  1160 . 
     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 party  1210  may identify a group  1220  of one or more indicia  1221 ,  1222 ,  1223 ,  1224  determined to be of interest to, necessary, or desirable to provide to a receiving party. The group of indicia  1220  may be conveyed to one or more parties  1231 ,  1232 ,  1233 ,  1234 ,  1235 . At this point, various processes may occur. For example, party  1231  may identify indicia  1221  as something that party  1231  would like to obtain for either itself, or for receiving party  1237 . Party  1231  may then send indicia  1221  and payment  1250  to central processor  1240 . Central processor  1240  may then determine the goods or service identified by indicia  1221  and provide, or initiate provision of, the goods or service either back to party  1231  or to receiving party  1237 . 
     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, user  1233  may identify indicia  1223  as being desirable and may send indicia  1223  alone to central processor  1240 . Central processor  1240  may then provide, or initiate provision of, the goods or services back to party  1233 . For example if party  1233  is on government assistance (food stamps, TANIF, etc.), certain additional goods or services may be provided free of charge. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a user  1235  may receive the group of indicia  1220  and determine that from the group  1220 , two identified goods or services are desirable. The indicia associated with these goods or services  1222 ,  1224  may be conveyed to another party  1238  for purchase. Party  1238  may select one of the indicia sent  1224 , and may convey the indicia  1224  and payment  1250  to the central processor  1240 . The central processor may then provide, or initiate provision of the goods or services back to party  1235  or to an identified recipient  1236 . 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 processor  1240 . The central processor  1240  may then provide, or initiate provision of the goods or services to party  1235  or to receiving party (here, for example, the child)  1236 . 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an originating party  1310  may purchase or otherwise obtain a plurality of indicia  1321 ,  1322 ,  1323 ,  1324 . Here, the originating party  1310  may also be the paying party. The originating party  1310  may then distribute the active indicia  1321 ,  1322 ,  1323 ,  1324  to various receiving parties  1331 ,  1332 ,  1333 . Receiving party  1331  may receive indicia  1321 ; receiving party  1332  may receive indicia  1322  and  1323 ; receiving party  1333  may receive indicia  1324 . Though the indicia  1321 ,  1322 ,  1323 ,  1324  may be paid for and active, they may not be redeemed yet. Accordingly, each of receiving parties  1331 ,  1332 ,  1333  may redeem their respective received indicia with a central processor  1340 . 
     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 to  FIGS. 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 to  FIG. 14A  a serial environment will now be discussed. 
     An originating party  1410  may 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 party  1410  may select indicia and may add value  1430  to the indicia. For example, originating party  1410  may add $50.00 to the indicia. The indicia  1420 —with a value of $50.00—may then be conveyed to second party  1411 . Second party  1411  may add $20.00 to the indicia, now indicia  1421  and convey indicia  1421  to third party  1412 . Third party  141  may 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 indicia  1422  with a combined value of $170.00 may be provided to receiving party  1440 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14B , a parallel contribution schema will be discussed. In  FIG. 14B , an originating user  1410  selects an indicia  1420  as a gift for receiving party  1440 . Originating user  1410  then distributes the indicia  1420  to one or more parties  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 . Each of the one or more parties  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413  may add value to the indicia by conveying to a central processor the indicia  1420  and an amount of value. For example, party  1411  may value  1430  worth $50.00; party  1412  may convey value  1431  worth $20.00; party  1413  may convey value  1432  worth $100.00. The central processor  1450  may aggregate the value and provide an indicia  1425  that is associated with the combined gift value (here, $170.00). The central processor  1450  may provide the indicia to the receiving party  1440 , or the central processor  1450  may provide the final funded indicia back to the originating party  1410  for conveyance to the receiving party  1440 . 
     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&#39;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&#39;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). 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods of providing a commissioning system for a transferable indicia will now be discussed. In general, the commissioning system may utilize various inputs to calculate or determine a commission due to a merchant. Merchants potentially eligible for a commission may comprise an originating merchant or a providing merchant. In addition, promotions arranged by or otherwise endorsed by providers of goods or services may also impact commissions. 
     In order to understand the variables that may be weighed by the commissioning system, it may be useful to first understand the identity and role(s) of the parties. An originating merchant is a merchant who initially provides the indicia to a user. The user may transfer the indicia to various other parties, but since the originating merchant initiated a process that may result in a sale, the originating merchant may receive a commission for this contribution. 
     A providing merchant is a merchant activates the indicia for use or provides the goods or services (for example, in the case of physical goods). If the goods or services are digital, there may also be a provider of goods or services. For example, an originating merchant may provide an indicia of a $50.00 iTunes gift card. A providing merchant may actually “sell” the gift card, thereby activating the indicia already obtained. Note that in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the originating merchant and the providing merchant may be the same merchant. 
     The provider—here, iTunes or Apple—may then provide the goods or services associated with the indicia. In a physical good embodiment, an originating merchant may provide an indicia that is associated with a particular DVD or Blu-Ray Disc. The providing merchant may use the indicia to physically sell the DVD or Blu-Ray Disc to a customer. Such a physical sale may occur in a physical, brick-and-mortar store, or may occur online, wherein the indicia may be entered and the DVD purchased and subsequently shipped. Note that the provider of goods or services may be the providing merchant; but in cases of activation of indicia redeemable for value, digital goods, etc. the provider of goods or services may be a party separate and distinct from the providing merchant. 
     Various other attributes may also impact the determination of commissioning for the parties. Factors may include, but are not limited to: the price at which the goods or services are sold, any promotions offered by the originating merchant, any promotions offered by the providing merchant, any promotions offered by a provider of goods or services—or by a manufacturer of the goods or services, any promotions that may be applicable to the user due to a characteristic of a user, the length of time between the original capture of the indicia and the purchase decision, the competitive relationship between the originating merchant and the providing merchant, controlling contract documents of any of the parties with the commissioning system, the number of transfers amongst different users through which the indicia traveled, characteristics of the goods or services selected for purchase (e.g., the total value of the purchase, etc.), the interaction between any other party or entity (e.g., goods or services purchased with, for example, Food Stamps may have a reduced merchant commission), any other characteristics of the indicia, the users, the merchants, the provider, the manufacturer, and/or any other relevant party or entity. 
     As noted above, an indicia may comprise information that may be used by the central processor (which may include or otherwise be called a commissioning engine). With reference to  FIG. 15 , an indicia  1500  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed. Indicia  1500  may comprise various information that may be used by the central processor in determining what commission, if any, is due to the providing merchant and/or the originating merchant. The indicia  1500  may comprise portions that provide identification of the goods or services purchased  1501 , an identification of the originating merchant  1502 , an identification of any applicable promotion the originating merchant may have presented  1503 , an identification of the providing merchant  1504 , an identification of any applicable promotion the providing merchant may have presented  1505 , and/or other information  1506 . Other information may comprise the date and/or time of the capture of the indicia or of the purchase transaction, promotions provided by a manufacturer of the goods or service at issue, information pertaining to the originating or obtaining user (such as specific group membership, loyalty membership, etc.). 
     With reference to  FIG. 16 , a method in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed. At step  1610 , an originating user may select and capture an indicia at an originating merchant. As noted above, the originating user may capture or otherwise obtain the indicia from, for example, a display. 
     At step  1620  the originating user may transfer the indicia to a different user, who may become the obtaining user. At step  1630  the obtaining user may present the indicia for activation and/or purchase at the providing merchant. At step  1640 , the providing merchant may send the indicia and/or other information to the central processor. 
     At step  1650  the central processor may identify the goods and services associated with the indicia, as well as the final purchase price for the goods or services associated with the indicia. 
     At step  1660 , the central processor may determine the commission, if any, for each of the providing merchant and the originating merchant. The determination at step  1660  may utilize various information provided by or accessed from a data store. Such information may include, but is not limited to, information regarding the identity of merchants, promotions, competitive landscapes, users, time durations, manufacturer promotions, etc. 
     After determining commissions, if any, the central processor may then send the commission amounts to the originating merchant at step  1680  and to the providing merchant at step  1690 . Settlement for the actual purchase and/or activation may occur subsequently, and the actual value transfer of value representing the commissions may be transacted immediately, subsequently, or periodically. 
     With reference to  FIG. 17 , a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed. System  1700  may comprise a providing merchant  1710 , an originating merchant  1711 , and potentially a manufacturer of goods or services  1712 . 
     The system  1700  may also comprise a central processor or commissioning engine  1720 . Central processor or commissioning engine  1720  may comprise a merchant interface  1721  in selective communication with the providing merchant  1710 , originating merchant  1711 , and potentially the manufacturer  1712 . 
     The central processor  1720  may further comprise a data store  1722  and a commission calculation module  1723 . The data store  1722  may comprise information that may be considered by the commission calculation module  1723  in determining commission amounts. 
     The data store  1722  may comprise information relating to merchants, promotions, competitive landscapes, users, time duration, and/or any other information that may be relevant in calculating a commission. 
     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.