Patent Publication Number: US-2009222339-A1

Title: Systems and Methods for Providing a Personal Terminal for a Loyalty Program

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application generally relates to incentive programs, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for providing a personal terminal for a loyalty program. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The immediate consumption channel in the food and beverage industry typically includes food and beverages from vending equipment such as vending machines, or host equipment such as fountain machines and coolers. In general, food and beverages that are immediately available to a consumer and are ready to eat or drink can be considered part of the immediate consumption channel. 
     Broadly marketing to the immediate consumption channel can be challenging. The immediate consumption channel is fragmented by a plethora of equipment manufacturers, equipment owners and operators, and equipment makes and models having varied internal electrical and software configurations. Therefore, implementing new marketing opportunities can be high risk. Extensive engineering efforts may be required to address both newer equipment and older equipment that may not conform with industry standards. Operators may require new technology to work on all makes and models of equipment, but because non-industry-standard equipment may not support new technology, the introduction of the new technology may be stalled or may fail completely. 
     Engineering technology that addresses the entire existing base of equipment at a cost that enables new technology to be adopted across the industry may be difficult. Within the existing base of equipment, less than half of existing vending machines support current industry standards, and within the subset that do, many of these machines may not be located in places that generate sufficient revenue to justify equipping the machines with, for example, electronics aimed at driving more sales. 
     Further, vending and host equipment platforms can vary widely. For example, vending machines may be unattended, with the consumer selecting and paying for the product directly at the machine. Coolers may be accessible to the consumer in an attended environment, with the consumer selecting the product from the cooler and paying for the product at, for example, a cash register. Fountain equipment may be operated by an attendant or may be self-serve and may typically require the consumer to pay for the beverage separately. Though all examples of equipment in the immediate consumption channel, the diverse nature of the equipment and the diverse nature of the consumer&#39;s interaction with the equipment can complicate the implementation of broad marketing opportunities directed at the immediate consumption channel as a whole. 
     Consumer confidence may be affected by money acceptance issues and the absence of loyalty and other types of rewards. These and other issues may negatively impact the consumer&#39;s experience, and therefore the consumer&#39;s loyalty at the equipment. Alternatives to currency, such as cashless payment alternatives, have been introduced in the industry. However, the cost of associated cashless terminal hardware, the limited pool of compatible equipment, and recurring fees and transaction costs associated with processing cashless payments may stall the adoption of such technology. 
     Consumers and operators may want an interaction experience that is available on all platforms of vending and host equipment. Operators may want to provide the consumer with an experience that breeds consumer loyalty, and consumers may want to be rewarded for their loyalty. Additionally, both operators and consumers may want cashless payment options at the equipment. Operators may also want to create marketing campaigns directed at the immediate consumption channel that can drive immediate consumption sales. Therefore, a need exists in the industry for the systems and methods to address these drawbacks. 
     A further need exists for systems and methods for providing a personal terminal for a loyalty program. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A personal terminal for obtaining loyalty rewards may include a processor, an interaction terminal interface, and a loyalty management engine. The interaction terminal interface may be operable to receive a communication transmitted by an interaction terminal. The loyalty management engine may be operable to provide a loyalty reward based at least in part on the communication with the interaction terminal interface. 
     The communication may include an indication that the personal terminal is within proximity of the interaction terminal. 
     The personal terminal may also include a memory. The loyalty management engine may be further operable to store an indication of the loyalty reward in the memory. 
     The loyalty management engine may be further operable to transmit an authorization instruction to a product device via the interaction terminal. The authorization instruction may be operable to authorize the product device to provide at least one product or service. 
     The loyalty management engine may be further operable to transmit a payment instruction to a transaction device via the interaction terminal. The payment instruction being operable to render payment to the transaction device for at least one product or service. 
     The personal terminal may also include a memory. The memory may store at least one of the following: an accrued loyalty reward balance, a pre-paid cash balance, a credit card number, or a debit card number. The payment instruction may include at least one of the following: a debit from the accrued loyalty reward balance, a debit from the pre-paid cash balance, the credit card number, or the debit card number. 
     The personal terminal may also include a network interface in communication with at least one network. The loyalty management engine may also be operable to transmit an indication of the loyalty reward to at least one loyalty server via the at least one network. 
     The loyalty management engine may be further operable to transmit a communication between a loyalty server and one of a product device and a transaction device. The communication may be transmitted between the personal terminal and the a loyalty server via a network. The communication may be transmitted via the interaction terminal between the personal terminal and the one of the product device and the transaction device. 
     The personal terminal may also include a network interface in communication with at least one network. The loyalty management engine may be operable to receive transaction data from a product device via the interaction terminal and to transmit at least a portion of the transaction data to at least one loyalty server via the at least one network. 
     The personal terminal may also include an intermediate device interface. The loyalty management engine may be operable to communicate with at least one loyalty server via an intermediate device. 
     The personal terminal may be integrated with a wireless device operable to communicate with at least one network, and the loyalty management engine may be operable to transmit an indication of the loyalty reward to at least one loyalty server via the at least one network. 
     The interaction terminal interface may be operable to transmit an interrogating signal to the interaction terminal and may be further operable to receive a responsive signal from the interaction terminal. 
     The loyalty management engine may be operable to vary the loyalty reward based at least in part on a pre-defined criteria, the pre-defined criteria being at least one of the following: time, location, product, brand, frequency, quantity, or price. 
     The communication may comprise a radio frequency signal or an infrared signal. 
     In embodiments, a personal terminal may include a housing, a processor, an interaction terminal interface, and a loyalty management module. The interaction terminal interface may be operable to receive a communication transmitted by an interaction terminal. The loyalty management module may be operable to provide a loyalty reward based at least in part on the communication with the interaction terminal interface. 
     The personal terminal may include a light source. The housing may include a translucent material. Light from the light source may pass through the translucent material. The loyalty management module may be operable to implement a color change to light provided by the light source. The personal terminal may include a light sensor. The light may be operable to receive ambient light passing through the translucent material. The loyalty management module may be operable to perform a spectral analysis of the ambient light, determine a lighting adjustment factor based at least in part on the spectral analysis of the ambient light, and operate the light source based at least in part on the lighting adjustment factor. 
     The interaction terminal interface may include an antenna operable to transmit and receive radio-frequency signals through the housing. 
     The communication may include an indication that the personal terminal has been transported within proximity of the interaction terminal. 
     The personal terminal may include a power source. The power source may include a battery operable to be charged by solar energy. 
     The loyalty management module may also be operable to facilitate a cashless transaction with a transaction device via the interaction terminal. A payment instruction may be transmitted to the interaction terminal to render payment to the transaction device for at least one product or service. 
     The loyalty management engine may also be operable to vary the loyalty reward based at least in part on a pre-defined criteria. The pre-defined criteria may be at least one of the following: time, location, product, brand, frequency, quantity, or price. 
     The loyalty management engine may also be operable to use an accrued loyalty reward amount to facilitate a cashless transaction with a transaction device via the interaction terminal. A payment instruction can be transmitted to the interaction terminal to render a cashless payment to the transaction device for at least one product or service. 
     The processor may be operable to execute one or more transaction authorization rules to facilitate either a cashless transaction or determination of the loyalty reward. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following figures. Matching reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures, and components in the figures are not necessarily to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for implementing a loyalty network. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a personal terminal. 
         FIGS. 3-12  illustrate embodiments of a personal terminal used in various applications in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of a personal terminal associated with a card in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal adapted for passive mode applications in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal adapted for active mode applications in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal adapted for active mode applications in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal adapted to produce light in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a power source of the personal terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal associated with a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal associated with packaging materials of a product in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal associated with a tamper resistant seal of a product in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a block diagram of embodiment of an interaction terminal adapted to operate in a passive mode in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an interaction terminal adapted to integrate with vending equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an interaction terminal adapted to integrate with host equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal interface of the interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a display interface of the interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a vending equipment interface of the interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a host equipment interface of the interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a block diagram of a power source of the interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a passive mode personal terminal interacting with an interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a passive mode personal terminal interacting with an interaction terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of an active mode personal terminal interacting with an interaction terminal and an intermediate device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a flow diagram illustrating an active mode personal terminal interacting with an interaction terminal and an intermediate device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a flow diagram illustrating an active mode personal terminal interacting with an interaction terminal and a data processing resource in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a flow diagram illustrating an active mode personal terminal operationally coupled to a wireless device, and interacting with an interaction terminal and a data processing resource in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of performing a transaction using a personal terminal, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a personal terminal to obtain a loyalty reward, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a personal terminal having a stored value balance to pay for products or services, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a flow diagram of a method of using a personal terminal to purchase a product or service, the personal terminal having a stored value balance and an extended credit feature, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 40  is a flow diagram of a method of lighting a personal terminal to a predefined color, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 41  is a flow diagram of a method of using touch points of loyalty to a reward consumer, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 42  is a flow diagram of a method of using touch points of loyalty to enhance trademark prominence, reward consumers, and increase immediate consumption sales across a portfolio of products, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Described below are embodiments of systems and methods for implementing a loyalty program, such as system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Embodiments of a system can reward a user for interacting with a product, service, brand, or entity, and may reward the user without receiving a payment. For example, an embodiment of the system may encourage loyalty to a particular product by rewarding a user for interacting with the product, equipment that provides the product or accepts payment for the product, or objects promoting the product, such as advertisements and displays. Such embodiments may reward the user regardless of whether the user actually obtains or purchases the product. Furthermore, an embodiment of the system may encourage loyalty to a particular brand, company, or other entity, by rewarding a user for interacting with products or equipment associated with the brand, company, or entity, or with objects promoting the brand, company, or entity. Such a system may reward the user regardless of whether the user actually obtains or purchases products or services associated with the brand, company, or entity. 
     Embodiments of a system, such as  10 , also known as a loyalty program management system, may include at least one personal terminal, such as  12 , and at least one interaction terminal, such as  14 . The personal terminal may be associated with a user, such as  16 , and the interaction terminal may be associated with a product, such as  18 , a piece of equipment, such as  20 , or with a promotional object, such as  22 . When an interaction occurs between the user  16  and the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 , the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate with each other. In embodiments, for example, the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate via radio-frequency signals or infrared signals, although other configurations are possible as described below. A benefit may be provided to the user  16 , such as a loyalty point that rewards the user  16  for interacting with the product  18  or the equipment  20 . The user  16  may redeem the benefit at the equipment  20 , or through a loyalty server, such as  24 , among others. 
     More specifically, the personal terminal  12  may be sized and shaped to be transported by or with the user  16 . Thus, the personal terminal  12  may be accessible when the user  16  is in proximity of the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . In some embodiments, the personal terminal  12  may be a fob-type device as described below with reference to  FIGS. 2-14 . The fob-type device may be carried by the user  16  or may be coupled to an article associated with the user  16 , such as clothing, a key chain, a wireless phone, an identification badge or any other device, card, pass, or badge associated with the user. 
     The interaction terminal  14  may be associated with the product  18 , such as disposable packaging of a product. For example, the product  18  may be a beverage. The terms “product”, “good”, and “beverage” may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure. The interaction terminal  14  may also be associated with or operationally integrated with equipment  20 . For example, in some cases the interaction terminal  14  may be a tag, such as an RFID tag or an IR tag, that is affixed or mounted to the equipment. In other cases, the interaction terminal  14  may be integrated with the equipment such that the interaction terminal  14  and the equipment  20  can communicate with each other via, for example, radio-frequency or infrared signals. The equipment  20  may be any device that provides a product. For example, the product may be a beverage, and the equipment  20  may be product device such as a vending machine, a dispenser, a cooler, or a fountain machine, as described below. The equipment  20  may also be any device that accepts payment for a product. For example, the equipment  20  may be a transaction device such as a vending machine, a cash register, a credit card machine, a debit card machine, a cash acceptance device, a cash transaction device, a cashless transaction device, an automatic teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a website, or a property management system, as described below. The interaction terminal  14  may also be associated with a promotional object  22 . The promotional object  22  may be associated with a particular good or service, brand, company, or other entity. Examples of promotional objects  22  include, for example, a poster, an advertisement, a kiosk, or a display. 
     When an interaction occurs between the user  16  and the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 , the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate with each other. In some embodiments, the interaction terminal  14  may be mounted to, for example, an exterior of the product  18 , so the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate when the user  16  is in proximity of the product  18 . The interaction terminal  14  may also be mounted to, for example, an interior of the product  18 , so that the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate when the product  18  is opened. For example, the product  18  may be a bottle, and the interaction terminal  14  may be mounted to an interior of a lid of the bottle. Thus, the system  10  may be adapted to provide a benefit to the user  16  for interacting with the product  18 , without regard to whether the user  16  has paid for the product  18 . 
     In other embodiments, the interaction terminal  14  may be associated with or otherwise mounted to equipment  20  configured for providing a product, so that the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate with each other when the user  16  is in proximity to receive the product from the equipment  20 . For example, the interaction terminal  14  may be associated with or otherwise mounted to a vending machine, a product dispenser, a fountain machine, or a cooler, among others. For the purposes of this disclosure, these pieces of equipment  20  may also be referred to as dispensing devices. The interaction terminal  14  may also be operationally integrated with such equipment  20 , so that the personal terminal  12  and equipment  20  may communicate via the interaction terminal  14 . For example, the equipment  20  may indicate to the personal terminal  12  that the product has been provided to the user  16 . Thus, the system  10  may be adapted to provide the user  16  with a benefit for receiving the product, and the system  10  may withhold providing the benefit until after the product is actually provided. As another example, the personal terminal  12  may indicate to the equipment  20  that the user  16  is not authorized to receive a particular product or to receive a product at a particular time of day. Thus, the system  10  may be adapted to prevent or otherwise limit the equipment  20  from providing the product based at least in part on certain rules stored on or transmitted through the personal terminal  12 . 
     In still other embodiments, the interaction terminal  14  may be mounted to or otherwise associated with equipment  20  that accepts payment a product, so that the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate when the user  16  is in proximity to purchase the product. For example, the interaction terminal  14  may be mounted on a vending machine, a cash register, a credit card machine, a debit card machine, a cash acceptance device, a cash transaction device, a cashless transaction device, an automatic teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a computer system, a website, or a property management system. among others. For the purposes of this disclosure, these pieces of equipment  20  may also be referred to as transaction devices. The interaction terminal  14  may also be operationally integrated with such equipment  20 , so that the personal terminal  12  and the equipment  20  may communicate through the interaction terminal  14 . For example, the equipment  20  may indicate to the personal terminal  12  that payment has been received. Thus, the system  10  may be adapted to provide the user  16  with the benefit for purchasing the product, and the system  10  may withhold providing the benefit to the user  16  until after the payment has been received. As another example, the personal terminal  12  may transmit an indication of payment to the equipment  20 . Thus, the system  10  may be adapted to permit the user  16  to perform cashless transactions, as described below. 
     In fact, the interaction terminal  14  may be associated with or otherwise mounted to a promotional object  22 . For example, the interaction terminal  14  may be mounted to any object  22  associated with a particular product, service, brand, or entity, in which case the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate when the user  16  interacts with the product, service, brand, or entity. Thus, the system  10  may be adapted to provide the benefit to the user  16  for interacting with the product, service, brand, or entity, regardless of whether the user  16  obtains or purchases the product or service, or a product or service associated with the brand or entity. 
     The personal terminal  12  may include one or more of a processor  26 , a memory  28 , an interaction terminal interface  30 , an intermediate device interface  32 , a network interface  34 , and a power source  36 . The memory  28  may store a loyalty management engine or module  38 , such as a set of instructions that can be executed by the processor  26 . An example set of instructions can be a set of computer-executable instructions such as a loyalty management module or engine stored on a computer-readable medium. The interaction terminal interface  30  may permit communication between the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14 . The intermediate device interface  32  may permit communication between the personal terminal  12  and one or more intermediate devices  40 , such as a personal computer or a cellular phone, among others. Such intermediate devices  40  may be in communication with a network  42 , and therefore the personal terminal  12  may communicate with the network  42  through the intermediate device  40 . Further, the network interface  34  may permit communication between the personal terminal  12  and a network  42  without the use of the intermediate device  40 . The power source  36  may power one or more components of the personal terminal  12 . The power source  36  may be, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a solar battery, among others. Each of these components is described in greater detail below. 
     Similarly, the interaction terminal  14  may include one or more of a processor  44 , a memory  46 , a personal terminal interface  48 , an equipment interface  50 , a network interface  52 , and a power source  54 . The memory  46  may store a loyalty management engine or module  56 , or a set of instructions, that can be executed by the processor  44 . An example set of instructions can be a set of computer-executable instructions such as a loyalty management engine or module stored on a computer-readable medium. The personal terminal interface  48  may permit communication between the interaction terminal  14  and the personal terminal  12 . The equipment interface  50  may permit communication between the interaction terminal  12  and the equipment  20 , such as a vending machine or a credit-card terminal, among others. The network interface  52  may permit communication with the network  42 . The power source  54  may power one or more components of the interaction terminal  14 . Each of these components is described in greater detail below. 
     It should be understood that the components of the terminals  12 ,  14  described above are functional components, and in constructing the terminals  12 ,  14  any suitable physical configuration can be used. Further, one or more of the functional components may be omitted from the personal terminal  12  or the interaction terminal  14  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, in embodiments in which the personal terminal  12  is an RFID reader, the personal terminal  12  may include a microcontroller that includes the processor  26  and the memory  28 , and the interaction terminal interface  30  may include an antenna adapted for sending and receiving radio-frequency signals. Similarly, the interaction terminal  14  may include a microcontroller that includes the processor  44  and the memory  46 , and the personal terminal interface  48  may include an antenna adapted for sending and receiving radio-frequency signals. 
     The system  10  may also include a loyalty server  24 . An example loyalty server  24  may include a user interface  58 , a processor  60 , a memory  62 , and a database  64 . The memory  62  may store a loyalty management engine or module  66 , or a set of instructions, that can be executed by the processor  60 . An example set of instructions can be a set of computer-executable instructions such as a loyalty management module or engine stored on a computer-readable medium. The database  64  may include an account  68  associated with the user  16 . The account  68  may store information such as information identifying the user  16 , a balance of the benefits, such as loyalty points, accrued by the user  16 , a credit-card number of the user  16 , a debit card number of the user  16 , or a pre-paid cash balance supplied by the user  16 , among others. The loyalty server  24  also may communicate with the network  42 , and one or more of the personal terminal  12  and/or the interaction terminal  14 . The equipment  20  may communicate with the loyalty server  24  over a network  42 . The user  16  also may communicate with the loyalty server  24  through the user interface  58 . For example, the user interface  58  may be a website that is available to the user  16  over the Internet or other network, although other configurations are possible. The user interface  58  may permit the user  16  to enter information into the loyalty server  24 , to update information associated with the account  68 , or to check the balance of benefits in the account  68 , among others. The user interface  58  also may permit the user  16  to redeem the benefits, as described in further detail below. However, the loyalty server  24  may be omitted in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the personal terminal  12  may not be able to communicate with the network  42 , and the intermediate device interface  32  and the network interface  34  may be omitted. The interaction terminal  14  also may not be able to communicate with the network  42 , and the network interface  52  of the interaction terminal  14  may be omitted. 
     The personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate via, for example, one or more signals  70 . The signals  70  may be radio-frequency signals, infrared signals, optical signals, or any other electromagnetic, magnetic, or other signals. In some embodiments, the signals  70  may be transmitted between the interfaces  30 ,  48  when the terminals  12 ,  14  are in proximity of each other. (In such embodiments, the terminals  12 ,  14  may not contact each other.) In some embodiments, the signals  70  may be transmitted between the interfaces  30 ,  48  when the terminals  12 ,  14  engage or otherwise physically interact with each other. 
     For example, the personal terminal  12  may include a transponder-interrogator, and the interaction terminal  14  may include a transponder. In such cases, the interaction terminal interface  30  of the personal terminal  12  may be a transmitter/receiver, and the personal terminal interface  48  of the interaction terminal  14  may be a receiver/transmitter. When the user  16  is, for example, in proximity of the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 , the personal terminal  12  may transmit an interrogating signal  70 A to the interaction terminal  14 , and the interaction terminal  14  may respond by transmitting a responsive signal  70 B to the personal terminal  12 . In some embodiments, the interrogating signal  70 A may power the interaction terminal  14 . The configuration may also be reversed, such that the interaction terminal  14  may include the transponder-interrogator, and the personal terminal  12  may include the transponder. 
     In cases in which the signals  70  are radio-frequency signals, the personal terminal  12  may include an RFID reader and the interaction terminal  14  may include an RFID tag. Also, other the configurations are possible. For example, the configuration may be reversed, meaning the interaction terminal  14  may be the RFID reader and the personal terminal  12  may be the RFID tag. 
     As another example, the terminals  12 ,  14 , may communicate via optical signals. The personal terminal  12  may include an optical scanner, and the interaction terminal  14  may include, for example, a bar code, or any other optically encoded indicator. As a further example, the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may communicate using magnetic strip technology. The personal terminal  12  may include a magnetic strip reader and the interaction terminal  14  may include a magnetic strip. In these and in other cases, the processor  44 , memory  46 , and power source  54  of the interaction terminal  14  may be omitted. Further, such configurations may be reversed. 
     During or after communication between the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14 , a benefit may be provided to the user  16  as a reward for interacting with the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . A benefit can include, but is not limited to, a loyalty point, a monetary value, a credit toward at least a portion of a product or service, or any combination of these, among others. The benefit may be the same for each interaction, or the benefit may vary based at least in part on how the user  16  interacted with the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . For example, in some cases the user  16  may receive a benefit for being in proximity of the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 , while in other cases the user  16  may be required to purchase or obtain a product from the equipment  20 . 
     The benefit may be redeemable. For example, the benefit may be redeemed at the equipment  20  or through the user interface  58  of the loyalty server  24 . The equipment  20  or user interface  58  may accept one or more benefits in exchange for a product, a service, or a reduction in the price of a product or service, among others. In some cases, the benefit may be immediately redeemed, while in other cases the benefit may be stored for future redemption. The benefit may also be accrued with other benefits before redemption, in which case the benefit may be added to an accrued benefit balance. 
     In some embodiments, the system  10  may include a number of interaction terminals  14  having different configurations. Some or all of the interaction terminals  14  may be adapted to integrate or communicate with the equipment  20 . These interaction terminals  14  may have an equipment interface  50 , and in some cases, may be adapted to perform at least some processing. Thus, these interaction terminals  14  may be deployed with relatively newer or more sophisticated types of equipment, which may be suited for integrating or communicating with the interaction terminal  14 . These interaction terminals  14  may also be deployed with equipment that is located in a relatively higher traffic area or on equipment that handles a relatively larger volume of products, as retrofitting such equipment may be cost effective despite the cost and complexity associated with manufacturing and deploying the interaction terminal  14 . 
     Other interaction terminals  14  may not be adapted to integrate or communicate with any equipment, such as  20 . These interaction terminals  14  may not have an equipment interface  50 , and in some cases, may not be adapted to perform a substantial amount of processing. Such interaction terminals  14  may be relatively less expensive to manufacture and deploy, due to the decreased complexity. Thus, such interaction terminals  14  may be deployed on older or less sophisticated equipment, on equipment that is located in a relatively lower traffic area, or on equipment that handles a relatively low volume of products. Such interaction terminals  14  may also be mounted or associated with the equipment  20  to conform the equipment  20  to the system  10 . Such interaction terminals  14  may also be mounted on or associated with the disposable packaging of a product  18 , or with promotional objects  22  that may not be suited for integrating with the interaction terminal  14 , such as advertising and promotional materials. An example of one suitable interaction terminal  14  may be an RFID tag. 
     When the interaction terminal  14  is operable to communicate with the equipment  20 , the personal terminal  12  may be operable to obtain benefits, redeem benefits, and perform cashless transactions at the equipment  20 . When the interaction terminal  14  is not operable to communicate with the equipment  20 , but is instead merely associated with the equipment  20 , the personal terminal  12  may be operable to obtain benefits, but may not be operable to redeem benefits or perform cashless transactions. Thus, the user  16  may be able to obtain benefits from a broad range of products  18 , equipment  20 , and promotional objects  22 , and the user  16  may be able to redeem benefits or perform cashless transactions at equipment  20  that is integrated with an interaction terminal  14 . Thus, the ability to obtain benefits may be broadly enabled, and in cases in which integrating the equipment  20  with the interaction terminal  14  is cost-effective, additional functionality such as the ability to redeem benefits and to perform cashless transactions may be enabled. 
     The system  10  may process the signals  70  to determine a benefit and to store the benefit. In some embodiments, the personal terminal  12  may process the interaction. The loyalty management engine or module  38  or set of instructions stored in the memory  28  of the personal terminal  12  may be configured to process the interaction, and the processor  26  of the personal terminal  12  may execute the loyalty management engine or module  38  to determine and store the benefit. In other embodiments, the loyalty server  24  may process the interaction. The loyalty management engine or module  66  stored in the memory  62  of the loyalty server  24  may be configured to process the interaction, and the processor  60  of the loyalty server  24  may execute the loyalty management engine or module to determine and store the benefit. In other embodiments, both the personal terminal  12  and the loyalty server  24  may be configured to process the interaction, and either one of the processors  26 ,  60  may execute the corresponding loyalty management engine or module  38 ,  66  to determine and store the benefit. Alternatively, the personal terminal  12  may be configured to process a portion of the interaction, and the loyalty server  24  may be configured to process a portion of the interaction. Both processors  26 ,  60 , may execute the associated loyalty management engine or module  38 ,  66  to determine and store the benefit. For example, the personal terminal  12  may receive the signal  70  and store information about the transaction in the memory  38 . Subsequently, the information may be uploaded to the loyalty server  24 , where the loyalty management engine or module  66  may further process and filter the information to determine the benefit. 
     Below, the personal terminal  12  is described as being responsible for processing the interaction for the purpose of simplicity. However, a person of skill will understand that other components of the system may be responsible for such processing. For example, the loyalty management engine or module  56  stored in the memory  46  of the interaction terminal  14  may be configured to process at least a portion the interaction, and the processor  44  of the interaction terminal  14  may execute the loyalty management engine or module  56  as appropriate. The equipment  20  may also be adapted for at least some processing. 
     The loyalty management engine or module  38  may determine the same benefit for each interaction, or the loyalty management engine or module  38  may determine the benefit based at least in part on how the user  16  interacted with the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . In some embodiments, the personal terminal  12  and the interaction terminal  14  may be in proximity of each other when the user  16  is near the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 , the signal  70  may be transmitted, and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may reward the user  16  accordingly. The loyalty management engine or module  38  may determine the benefit based on the mere transmission of the signal  70 , so that the user  16  can be rewarded for being in such proximity alone. In such embodiments, the user  16  may obtain benefits, such as loyalty points, without regard to how or even whether a product was purchased or received. 
     For example, when the interaction terminal  14  is associated with or mounted to the product  18 , the user  16  may receive the benefit for being near the product  18 , regardless of whether the user  16  purchases or consumes the product  18 . When the interaction terminal  14  is associated with or mounted to equipment  20 , such as a vending machine, the user  16  may receive the benefit for being near the equipment regardless of whether the user  16  obtains or purchases a product from the equipment. When the interaction terminal  14  is mounted to a promotional object  22  associated with a particular product, service, brand, or entity, the user  16  may be rewarded for interacting with the product, service, brand, or entity, regardless of whether the user  16  purchases or obtains the product or service, or products or services associated with the brand or entity. 
     In other embodiments, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may reward the user  16  for being near a particular type of product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . The signal  70  may indicate the information about the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22  with which the interaction terminal  14  is associated, and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may set different benefits according to the information indicated by the signal  70 . For example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may be configured to set an increased benefit when the signal  70  indicates the user  16  interacted with a particular product  18 , such as a new product. Such a system  10  may encourage the user  16  to try the product  18 . As another example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may be configured to set an increased benefit when the signal  70  indicates the user  16  interacted with equipment  20  configured to provide a product in exchange for payment, as opposed to equipment  20  configured to dispense a product for free. In such embodiments, the user  16  may accrue benefits at a slower rate, for example, from a free vending machine located in their workplace than from a public vending machine that accepts money. 
     In still other embodiments, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may reward the user  16  for receiving or purchasing a product from the equipment  20 . In such embodiments, the interaction terminal  14  may include the equipment interface  50 , which may be configured to communicate with the equipment  20 . For example, in cases in which the equipment  20  is a vending machine, the equipment interface  50  may be configured to communicate with a multi-drop-bus (MDB) interface or a data exchange interface (DEX) of the vending machine, among others. In such cases, the signal  70  may indicate information provided to the interaction terminal  14  by the equipment  20  through the equipment interface  50 . For example, the signal  70  may indicate the purchase price of a product dispensed by the equipment  20 , and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may set different benefits according to the purchase price. The signal  70  also may indicate an identifier that uniquely identifies the equipment  20 , among other information. 
     The loyalty management engine or module  38  also may vary or limit the benefit depending on the nature of the interaction of the user  16  with the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . For example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may set a relatively more valuable benefit when the loyalty management engine or module  38  can confirm that the user  16  actually purchased or received a product from the equipment  20 , and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may set a relatively less valuable benefit when the loyalty management engine or module  38  cannot confirm that the user  16  purchased or received a product from the equipment  20 . The loyalty management engine or module  38  also may set the relatively less valuable benefit when the user interacts with the product  18  as opposed to the equipment  20  that provides the product or accepts payment for the product, as the product  18  may have already been received or purchased in such cases. The loyalty management engine or module  38  also may set the relatively less valuable benefit when the user  16  interacts with the promotional object  22 , as purchase or receipt may or may not even be possible. In other words, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may reward the user  16  for merely interacting with products  18 , promotional objects  22 , and some types of equipment  20 , while rewarding the user  16  for actually receiving or purchasing a product from other types of equipment  20 . More specifically, when the equipment  20  can communicate through the interaction terminal  14  with the personal terminal  12 , an indication may be transmitted from the equipment  20  to the personal terminal  12  indicating that the equipment  20  has provided a product or received payment. Thus, the personal terminal  12  may be aware that the equipment  20  has provided the product or received payment for the product, and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may set the benefit accordingly. However, when the interaction terminal  14  is not operable to permit communication between the personal terminal  12  and the equipment  20 , the personal terminal  12  may not receive an indication that the equipment  20  has provided a product or received payment for a product, and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may set the benefit accordingly. 
     The loyalty management engine or module  38  also may vary or limit the benefit based on a pre-defined criteria. The pre-defined criteria may be one or more of time, location, product, brand, frequency, quantity, price. For example, the user  16  may work in an office environment having a fountain machine that dispenses beverages for free. The loyalty management engine or module  38  may limit the benefit that may be obtained by placing the personal terminal  12  in proximity of the fountain machine to, for example, one benefit per hour. As another example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may limit the benefit that may be obtained by placing the personal terminal  12  in proximity of the product  18 . For example, the user  16  may receive the benefit the first time the personal terminal  12  is placed in proximity of the product  18 , but not thereafter. Thus, the user  16  may be prevented from receiving benefits for repeatedly interacting with the same product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 . 
     Once determined, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may store the benefit in one or more of the memory  28  of the personal terminal  12  and the database  64  of the loyalty server  24 . The benefit may be temporarily stored in preparation for immediate redemption, or the benefit may be added to a balance of accrued benefits for future redemption. The balance of accrued benefits may indicate the benefits that have been accrued by the user  16  but have not been redeemed. In some cases, the balance of accrued benefits may be stored in the memory  28  of the personal terminal  12 , so that the benefits are available for redemption when the personal terminal  12  interacts with the equipment  20  through the interaction terminal  14 . In other cases, the balance of benefits may be stored in the database  64  of the loyalty server  24 , such as in the account  68  of the user  16 , so that the benefits are available for redemption from the loyalty server  24  through the user interface  58 , as further described below. In still other cases, the balance of accrued benefits may be stored both on the personal terminal  12  and in the loyalty server  24 , so that the user  16  may redeem the benefits at the equipment  20  using the personal terminal  12  or from the loyalty server  24  through the user interface  58 . 
     So that the benefit becomes stored in the loyalty server  24 , the loyalty management engine or module  38  may upload the benefit into the loyalty server  24  over the network  42 . In some embodiments, the personal terminal  12  may be in connection with a network  42 , such as a wireless or cellular network, in which case the benefit may be uploaded immediately. In other embodiments, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may store the benefit in the memory  28  of the personal terminal  12 , and subsequently, the benefit may be uploaded into the loyalty server  24 . For example, the personal terminal  12  may be connected to or may communicate with the intermediate device  40 , such as a personal computer, and the intermediate device  40  may communicate with the network  42 . It should be noted that the benefit may also be stored on the interaction terminal  14  and/or the equipment  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may be adapted to synchronize at least some of the information stored in the memory  28  of the personal terminal  12  and at least some of the information stored in the account  68  of the loyalty server  24 . For example, the balance of benefits may be stored in both places, so that the user  16  may redeem the benefits at either the equipment  20  or through the user interface  58 . Additionally, the pre-paid cash balance, the credit card number, and/or the debit card number may be entered into the loyalty server  24  and may be downloaded into the personal terminal  12  using the intermediate device  40  and/or the network  42 . Thus, the pre-paid cash balance, the credit card number, and/or the debit card number user  16  may become stored on the personal terminal  12  so that the user  16  can use the personal terminal  12  to make cashless payments at the equipment  20 , as described below. 
     The system  10  may also be adapted to receive an instruction to redeem the benefit. For example, the personal terminal  12  may receive the instruction to redeem the benefit. The user  16  may input the instruction into the personal terminal  12  directly. Alternatively, the user  16  may input the instruction into the equipment  20  and the instruction may be transmitted from the equipment  20  to the personal terminal  12 . In response to the instruction of the user  16 , the loyalty management engine or module  38  of the personal terminal  12  may access the memory  28  to determine whether the user  16  has the benefits required for completing the instruction. If so, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may debit the balance of accrued benefits and may transmit an instruction to the equipment  20 . Thus, the equipment  20  may provide the user  16  with a product for free or at a reduced price. For example, the benefit may be a credit toward a portion of the price of a bottled beverage, and the equipment  20  may be a vending machine that accepts the credit to reduce the price of the bottled beverage. Thus, the instruction may cause the vending machine to dispense the bottled beverage for the reduced price. It should be noted that the order of the steps may be reversed in some cases. For example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may send the instruction to the equipment  20  before the balance of accrued benefits is debited. Further, if the benefits are not stored locally, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may communicate with the loyalty server  24  over the network  42  to determine whether the user  16  has sufficient benefits and to debit the balance of accrued benefits in the account  68 . 
     In other cases, the loyalty server  24  may receive the instruction to redeem the benefit. The user  16  may input the instruction into the user interface  58  of the loyalty server  24 , which may be a website that is available to the user  16  over the internet. The user interface  58  may present products or services to the user  16 , and may permit the user  16  to select one of the products or services in exchange for one or more benefits. In response to the selection of the user  16 , the loyalty management engine or module  66  of the loyalty server  24  may access the balance of accrued benefits to determine whether the user  16  has the benefits required for completing the instruction. If so, the loyalty management engine or module  66  may debit the balance of accrued benefits and may generate an instruction to provide the product or service to the user  16 . For example, the benefit may be a loyalty point that can be accrued with other loyalty points. The user interface  58  may offer a t-shirt in exchange for one hundred loyalty points and a guitar in exchange for one thousand loyalty points. Once the user  16  has accrued one hundred loyalty points in his account  68 , the user  16  may access the user interface  58  to redeem the loyalty points for the t-shirt. 
     It should be noted that the instruction to redeem the benefit may be a signal to any device capable of accepting at least a portion of the benefit as payment for a product or service. Such devices may include a vending machine, a cash register, a credit card machine, a debit card machine, a cash acceptance device, a cash transaction device, a cashless transaction device, an automatic teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a computer system, a website or a property management system. The signal may be, for example, an email, a phone call, a message, a wired or a wireless signal. For example, the user  16  may be able to redeem the loyalty points for products and services in a catalog. 
     The personal terminal  12  may be adapted to perform cashless transactions at the equipment  20 . As mentioned above, the user  16  may associate a form of payment with his account  68 , such as a credit card number, a debit card number, or a pre-paid cash balance. The form of payment may be maintained in the loyalty server  24 , may be downloaded from the loyalty server  24  to the memory  28  of the personal terminal  12 , or may be synchronized in both places. The personal terminal  12  may receive an instruction to transmit the form of payment to the equipment  20 . For example, the user  16  may enter the instruction into the personal terminal  12 , or the user  16  may enter the instruction into the equipment  20 , and the instruction may be communicated from the equipment  20  to the personal terminal  12  through the interaction terminal  14 . In response to the instruction of the user  16 , the loyalty management engine or module  38  may perform at least some preliminary processing to determine whether the selected form of payment can be used. For example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may ascertain whether the user  16  has sufficient funds in his pre-paid cash balance. If so, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may transmit an indication of payment from the personal terminal  12  to the equipment  20  through the interaction terminal  14 , the indication of payment being one of the credit card number, the debit card number, or a debit from the pre-paid cash balance, as appropriate. Thus, the equipment  20  may receive the indication of payment, and the product may be provided to the user  16 . For example, the equipment  20  may be a vending machine and the indication of payment may be a debit from the pre-paid cash balance. Upon receipt of the indication of payment, the equipment  20  may provide the selected product, such as a bottled beverage. As another example, the equipment  20  may be a credit card machine and the indication of payment may be the credit card number of the user  16 . Upon receipt of the indication of payment, the equipment  20  may charge the product to the credit card. 
     In some embodiments, the form of payment may be a credit extended to the user  16 . For example, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may determine that the user  16  cannot use the selected form of payment, such as in cases in which the user  16  has depleted his pre-paid cash balance. The loyalty management engine or module  38  may determine whether credit can be extended to the user  16 . If so, the loyalty management engine or module  38  may transmit an indication of payment from the personal terminal  12  to the equipment  20 , the indication of payment being the extended credit. Thus, the equipment  20  may receive the indication of payment, and the product may be provided to the user  16 . The loyalty management engine or module  38  also may store the extended credit in the memory  28 , so that the user  16  may be charged accordingly. 
     The personal terminal  12  may be adapted to authorize or limit transactions at the equipment  20 . The user  16  may enter a selection at the equipment  20 , and the equipment  20  may transmit the selection to the personal terminal  12  through the interaction terminal  14 . The loyalty management engine or module  38  may determine whether the transaction is authorized, and the loyalty management engine or module  38  may transmit an appropriate instruction to the equipment  20  either allowing or denying the transaction. In response to the instruction, the equipment  20  may or may not allow the user  16  to purchase or obtain the product. Such a system  10  may be employed in, for example, a school. Faculty members and students may be provided with personal terminals  12 . The personal terminals  12  provided to the faculty members may have a loyalty management engine or module  38  adapted to permit the faculty member to enter any transaction at the equipment  20  at any time, while the personal terminals  12  provided to the students may have a loyalty management engine or module  38  that limits the students. For example, the students may be prevented for obtaining or purchasing certain products at certain times of day. 
     The personal terminal  12  may be a gateway between the various components of the system  10 . For example, the personal terminal  12  may permit communication between the interaction terminal  14  and the loyalty server  24 . The interaction terminal  14  may have the loyalty management engine or module  56  that determines the benefit, and the benefit may be transmitted from the interaction terminal  14  to the personal terminal  12  for uploading into the loyalty server  24 . Thus, the personal terminal  12  may be used to transmit benefits between various components of the system  10 . In cases in which the interaction terminal  14  can communicate with the equipment  20 , the personal terminal  12  may permit communication between the equipment  20  and the loyalty server  24 . For example, the personal terminal  12  may be employed to update the software or firmware on the equipment  20 . The loyalty server  24  may download such updates to the personal terminal  12 , and the personal terminal  12  may transmit the updates to the equipment  20  through the interaction terminal  14 . Alternatively, the system  10  may enable capturing data about the buying habits of the user  16 . The equipment  20  may transmit information about the transaction through the interaction terminal  16  to the personal terminal  14 . The information may indicate the type of product that was purchased or obtained from the equipment  20 , the cost of the product, a unique identifier of the equipment  20 , a unique identifier of the user  16 , and any other desired information. For example, the equipment  20  may be a vending machine, and the information may be DEX data obtained by the DEX interface of the vending machine. The information may be uploaded from the equipment  20  through the interaction terminal  14  to the personal terminal  12 , and from the personal terminal  12  to the loyalty server  24 . The loyalty management engine or module  66  of the loyalty server  24  may analyze the information for trends or other relevant information. In some cases, the loyalty management engine or module  66  may also provide the user  16  with a benefit as a result of the analysis performed on the information. 
     It should be noted that other types of benefits may be provided by the system  10 . For example, the benefit may be an obligation on behalf of the party providing the benefit to match a charitable contribution of the user  16 . Additionally, the benefit may be determined, stored or redeemed in other manners. For example, the benefit may be stored on the interaction terminal  14 , the equipment  20 , or any other suitable device. In some embodiments, the benefit may also be transmitted between these components in any manner. For example, the interaction terminal  14  may be in communication with the network  42  and may upload the benefit into the loyalty server  24 . In such an embodiment, the personal terminal  12  may communicate identifying information to the interaction terminal  14 , such as a user identifier of the user  16  or an account identifier for the account  68 . 
     Further, the benefit may be redeemed other than at the equipment  20  or through the user interface  58 . For example, the benefit may be redeemed at other machines or through websites that are not affiliated with the system  10 . Such machines or websites may be in communication with the loyalty server  24  over the network  42 . Alternatively, such machines may have an interaction terminal  14  that may communicate with the personal terminal  12  of the user  16 . Other configurations are also possible. Further, a benefit may reward the user  16  in other manners than providing the user  16  with a product or service for free or at a reduced price. For example, the user  16  may not receive a free product or service, or a discount toward a product or service in some embodiments, such as in embodiments in which a benefit is an obligation on behalf of the party providing the benefit to match a charitable contribution of the user  16 . 
     It also should be noted that the loyalty server  24  may be omitted completely in some embodiments. In such embodiments, benefits may be stored on the personal terminal  12  or any other components of the system  10 , and such benefits may be redeemed at the equipment  20  or through other devices that accept the benefit, although other configurations are possible. 
     The embodiments described above are not exclusive and the system  10  may include multiple different embodiments or have elements of multiple different embodiments. For example, the system  10  may include any number of personal terminals  12  and a number of interaction terminals  14 . The personal terminals  12  may be associated with a number of users  16 , and the interaction terminals  14  may be associated with a number of products  18 , equipment  20 , and promotional objects  22 . The user  16  may use the same personal terminal  12  to interact with each of the different products  18 , equipment  20 , and promotional objects  22 . Thus, the user  16  may carry one personal terminal  12  and may present the personal terminal  12  at the different products  18 , equipment  20 , and promotional objects  22  to receive benefits, such as loyalty points. In some cases, the user  16  also may use the personal terminal  12  to redeem the benefits at the equipment  20  or to complete cashless transactions at the equipment  20 , such as transactions paid for by credit card, debit card, or from the pre-paid cash balance associated with the account  68  of the user  16 . 
     Embodiments of the system  10  described above may be suited for broad implementation. Relatively complex and/or expensive interaction terminals  14  may be deployed on newer or more sophisticated equipment  20 , on equipment  20  that is located in a relatively high traffic area, or on equipment  20  that moves a relatively high volume of products. Such an interaction terminal  14  may be integrated with the equipment  20 . Relatively less complex and/or less expensive interaction terminals  14  may be deployed on equipment  20  that is relatively older or less sophisticated, on equipment  20  that is located in a relatively low volume area, or on equipment  20  that moves a relatively low volume of products. Such interaction terminals  14  may be deployed by mounting or associating with the equipment  20  instead of integrating with the equipment  20 . Such interaction terminals  14  may also be mounted on or associated with the disposable packaging of a product  18  or a promotional object  22 , such as an advertisement or a display. Thus, the system  10  is adapted to be broadly implemented both across new infrastructure and within the existing base of equipment  20 . When cost effective, the interaction terminal  14  may be integrated with the equipment  20 , so that in addition to obtaining benefits at the equipment  20 , the user  16  may use the personal terminal  12  to redeem benefits and perform cashless transactions at the equipment  20 . When integrating the interaction terminal  14  with the equipment  20  is not cost effective or feasible, the interaction terminal  14  may be mounted to or otherwise associated with the product  18 , equipment  20 , or promotional object  22 , so that the user  16  is still able to obtain benefits using the personal terminal  12 . Such a system rewards the user  16  for interacting with equipment  20  that may or may not be integrated with the interaction terminal  14 , utilizing integrated interaction terminals  14  to provide the user with increased functionality when feasible, yet utilizing mounted or associated interaction terminals  14  to reward the user  16  when integration is prohibitively expensive, difficult to effectuate, or impossible. For example, the user  16  may obtain benefits from products  18  having disposable packaging and from older equipment  20  that cannot be integrated with new technology in a cost effective manner. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a personal terminal  200 . The personal terminal  200  can be formed as an iconic fashion item that also incorporates operational components, such as electronics. In this regard, the personal terminal  200  may be suited to be incorporated into one of a number of fashion designs, such as a key chain, a necklace, or clothing, among others. In addition, the personal terminal  200  also incorporates operation components such that the personal terminal  200  can be used to identify a user, transmit a form of payment, store information, process signals transmitted between the personal terminal and the interaction terminal, and communicate with one or more of the interaction terminals, the loyalty server, or one or more intermediate devices, among others, as generally described above. 
     The personal terminal  200  can be configured to operate in a passive mode, an active mode, or in a hybrid mode. In the passive mode the personal terminal  200  can be interrogated by and can communicate with the interaction terminal but may not communicate with other data processing devices, such as vending or host equipment or a network. In the active mode, the personal terminal  200  can communicate with one or more other data processing devices and resources, such as a wireless device and/or a loyalty server, among others. In the hybrid mode the personal terminal  200  can operate in either the passive mode or the active mode. 
     In embodiments in which the personal terminal  200  is configured to operate in the passive mode, the personal terminal  200  may not be adapted to communicate with data processing devices other than the interaction terminal. Thus, the personal terminal  200  may be relatively less expensive to manufacture, and the interaction terminal may be responsible for at least some transaction processing. 
     When the personal terminal  200  is configured to operate in the active mode, the personal terminal  200  may be adapted to communicate with data processing devices other than the interaction terminal. Thus, the interaction terminal may be relatively less expensive to manufacture, as the interaction terminal may not be responsible for a significant portion of the transaction processing. Instead, the personal terminal  200  may provide the networking functionality to effectuate transaction processing. Such networking functionality may be effectuated by the personal terminal  200  communicating, either directly or indirectly, with data processing devices such as the loyalty server. For example, the personal terminal  200  may communicate by way of the intermediate device, which may be a personal computer, to the data processing resource, such as the loyalty server. As another example, the personal terminal  200  may communicate by way of a wireless device, such as cellular phone, among others. In the hybrid mode, the personal terminal  200  may be adapted to interact either passively or actively with the interaction terminal. 
     In some embodiments, the personal terminal  200  can include a charm or a fob  202  and an encapsulation  204 . Although a range of materials such as metal, plastic, glass, and other materials can be used for the various components of the personal terminal  200 , in the illustrated embodiment, the charm  202  is formed from glass, and the encapsulation  204  is formed from metal. The operational components of the personal terminal  200 , such as the processor, memory, and interaction terminal interface, are enclosed inside the encapsulation  204 , which is securely embedded within the charm or fob  202 . For example, the interaction terminal interface may include an antenna that can communicate through the encapsulation, and the network interface or intermediate device interface may wirelessly communicate through the encapsulation. The charm or fob  202  may be releasably secured by a secure clip  206  to an item, such as a keychain, armband, cell phone. In operation, the user may position the personal terminal  200 , while secured into position on the item by the secure clip  206 , proximate to an interaction terminal to invoke operation. Alternatively, the user may remove the personal terminal  200  from the secure clip  206  and position the personal terminal  200  proximate to the interaction terminal to invoke operation. 
     For example, a user having the personal terminal  200  secured by the secure clip  206  on a key chain may find it easier to position the key chain proximate to the interaction terminal to invoke operation. Alternatively, a user having the personal terminal  200  secured by the secure clip  206  on a pair of pants may remove the personal terminal  200  from the secure clip  206  in order to position the personal terminal  200  proximate to an interaction terminal to invoke operation. 
       FIGS. 3-12  illustrate embodiments of the personal terminal associated with various items.  FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of a personal terminal  300  that can be secured by an embodiment of a secure clip, such as the secure clip  302  shown in  FIG. 3B . The personal terminal  300  can be inserted into, retained by, and removed from the secure clip  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . The secure clip  302  may be adapted such that the user can remove the personal terminal  300  from the secure clip  302  when the personal terminal  300  is needed, and secure the personal terminal  300  in secure clip  302  when the personal terminal  300  is not needed. The secure clip  302  may be made from any resilient material, such as plastic or rubber, that gives when the personal terminal  300  is inserted into the secure clip  302 , and thereafter returns to grasp or hold the personal terminal  300  within the secure clip  302 . In other cases, the secure clip  302  may include a releasable clasp, in which case the secure clip  302  may be made from metal or any other material. A range of other configurations are within the skill of a person in the art. 
     For example, the personal terminal  300  can be secured by secure clip  302  in an arm band  304 , as shown in  FIG. 3D . In another embodiment, the personal terminal  300  can also be secured by a secure clip  306  in a wrist band  308 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . In other embodiments, the personal terminal  300  can be secured by a secure clip  302  and the secure clip  302  can be secured to other fashion items or to other consumer selected items, among others. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a personal terminal  400  being held by a secure clip  402  in a pendant  404 . Such a pendant  404  can be incorporated into a necklace  406 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , a backpack  408 , as shown in  FIG. 4C , a pair of pants  410 , as shown in  FIG. 4D , or other wearable or portable items depending on the embodiment. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a personal terminal  500  being held by a secure clip  502  in an arm band  504 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the personal terminal  500  may be released by the secure clip  502  to disassociate the personal terminal  500  from the arm band  504 . The arm band  504  can be positioned, for example, on an arm of the user as shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D , although other configurations are possible. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a personal terminal  600  being held by a secure clip  602  on a wireless device  604 , such as a wireless phone, personal data assistant (PDA), and/or any other wireless device. Again, the personal terminal  600  may be disassociated from the secure clip  600 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . The personal terminal may also be associated with portable items or other items to be carried by the user. For example, in  FIG. 7 , an embodiment of a personal terminal  700  is associated with a notebook  702 , and in  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of a personal terminal  800  is associated with a pocketbook  802 . 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates an embodiment of a personal terminal  900  being secured by a secure clip  902  to a lanyard  904 . A quick disconnect  906  permits separating the personal terminal  900  from the lanyard  904 . The quick disconnect  906  can be used in combination with or as an alternative to the secure clip  902 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a personal terminal  1000  secured by a secure clip  1002  and a quick disconnect  1006  to a keychain  1004 . The user can carry the personal terminal  1000  using the keychain  1004 . The personal terminal  1000  can be separated from the keychain by releasing the personal terminal  1000  from the secure clip  1002  or by releasing the quick disconnect  1006  from the keychain  1004 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a lanyard  1104  and a keychain  1110  interconnected by way of quick disconnects  1106  and  1108 . The user can connect the lanyard  1104  and the keychain  1110  together using the quick disconnects  1106  and  1108 . The lanyard  1104  can be worn on the body of the user, so that both the personal terminal  1100  and the keychain  1110  of the user can be transported with the user via the lanyard  1104 . 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates an embodiment of a personal terminal  1200  being held by a secure clip  1202  to a strap  1204 . The personal terminal  1200  may be releasably secured to the strap  1204  by the secure clip  1202 , as shown in  FIG. 12B . The user can wear the strap  1204  on his body as shown in  FIG. 12C , or the user can associate the strap  1204  with an object, such as a handbag  1206 , as shown in  FIG. 12D . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of a personal terminal  1300  associated with a card  1302 . The card  1302  may be an identification card, a credit card, a hotel room key card, an employee badge, a student ID badge, a prisoner badge, a guest or VIP badge, or any other kind of card. The user may be likely to carry the card  1300  with him and therefore the personal terminal  1300  may be accessible. 
       FIGS. 14-16  illustrate block diagrams for various embodiments of personal terminals. The personal terminal may include a microcontroller that is operationally related to an interaction terminal interface, such as an RFID interface, so that the personal terminal can interface with the interaction terminal. The microcontroller may be operationally related to other interfaces including a network interface, which may be wired or wireless local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) interface. The personal terminal can be configured to implement one or more of these interfaces. The personal terminal and interaction terminal can communicate wired or wirelessly. 
     The microcontroller can include a combination of processing unit and a memory. The processing unit may be micro processing unit (MPU) or central processing unit (CPU) and the memory may be a random access memory (RAM) or a non-volatile memory. Other processing units and memories may be employed, either separately or in combination. Peripherals and ports may also be included, such as serial ports, general purpose inputs/outputs (GPIO), I 2 C, serial peripheral interface (SPI), universal asynchronous serial transceiver (UART), IRDA port, analog to digital (A to D), digital to analog (D to A), Ethernet MAC or EMAC interface, or other peripherals or ports. 
     The user initiates a data communication between a personal terminal and an interaction terminal when the personal terminal is brought into data communication proximity with an interaction terminal. The personal terminal can operate in the passive mode where the personal terminal exchanges data with the interaction terminal and the interaction terminal is responsible for completing the transaction, including transaction processing, and data communication to other data processing resources, such as the loyalty server. Alternatively, the personal terminal can operate in the active mode where the interaction terminal provides data to the personal terminal and the personal terminal is responsible for transaction processing or communicating with other data processing resources such as the loyalty server. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal  1400  adapted to operate in the passive mode. As shown, the personal terminal  1400  includes a microcontroller  1402  that is operationally related to an interaction terminal interface  1404 . The interaction terminal interface  1404  enables the personal terminal  1400  to communicate with the interaction terminal. The interaction terminal interface  1404  can implement any communication technology, whether short range or long range, wired or wireless. Example communication technologies that may be implemented include wireless personal area network technology, proximity card or smartcard technology, near field communication technology, radio frequency (RF) or RFID technology, infrared, laser or other optical communication technology, touch and other proximity related technology, among other communication technologies or any combination of these or other technologies. 
     In this embodiment, the personal terminal  1400  operates in the passive mode, using the interaction terminal interface  1404  to communicate with an interaction terminal. Such a personal terminal  1400  may be relatively low cost. As such, relatively high quantities of the personal terminal  1400  can be deployed relatively inexpensively. A power source  1406  can be utilized to provide power to the personal terminal  1400 . However, the power source  1406  may be omitted from at least some of the passive mode embodiments. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the personal terminal  1500 . As shown, the personal terminal  1500  includes a microcontroller  1502  that is operationally related to an interaction terminal interface  1504  and a network interface  1508 . The personal terminal  1500  may be configured to communicate via the interaction terminal interface  1504  with one or more interaction terminals, and may communicate by way of the network interface  1508  with other data processing resources, such as a loyalty server. The network interface  1508  may be configured to enable communications between the personal terminal and a network. The network can be any kind of network including a LAN, a WAN, a private network, the internet, a cellular network, any other type of network, or combinations thereof. Communication between the personal terminal  1508  and the network may be wired or wireless. For example, the network interface  1508  may include a plug, such as a USB plug, that is adapted to interface with a port, such as a USB port, on a device that is connected to the network, such as a computer. As another example, the network interface  1508  may enable wireless communication between the personal terminal  1500  and the network. For example, the wireless communication may comply with 802.xx standards defined by IEEE, including wireless local area network standards and wireless personal area network standards, among others. The wireless communication may also comply with infrared communication standards defined by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA). Other configurations are possible. Such a personal terminal  1500  may also be configured to act as a gateway so that the interaction terminal can communicate by way of the personal terminal  1500  with other data processing resources such as the loyalty server. A power source  1506  may be provided in active mode embodiments of the personal terminal, such as the personal terminal  1500 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a personal terminal  12  communicates by way of infrared signal (IRDA). In this regard, personal terminal  12  can operate as a consumer interface to vending equipment, and/or a payment device having storing-accessing-loyalty-or other payment functionality, which effectuates the identification of consumer and the billing and/or inventory release for goods and services dispensed from vending machine. 
     In an exemplary embodiment a microcontroller can be interconnected with an IRDA interface, a LED display interface, and/or a touch input. 
     In an exemplary embodiment a microcontroller can be a MOTOROLA, MICROCHIP, RABBIT, ZILOG, or other manufacturer or brand, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. For purposes of disclosure microcontroller can be referred to as a microprocessor. 
     In an exemplary embodiment an IRDA interface can be used to effectuate data communication with the interaction terminal by way of IRDA interface. Such data communication can include, for example and not a limitation, effectuating a vending cycle with a personal terminal, exchanging data with a interaction terminal, or other types and kinds of data communication with a personal terminal, interaction terminal, data processing device, and/or other types and kinds of devices, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. Such IRDA can be implemented with a transmitter/receiver IRDA module or other types and kinds of IRDA data communication devices, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. 
     In an exemplary embodiment a LED display interface can be implemented to provide LED lighting and display effects. Such LED lighting and display effects, can make use of single and/or multicolor producing LED as to allow a wide range of color options. Such effects can be tailored as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. 
     In an exemplary embodiment touch input can be utilized to accept consumer input. Such consumer input can be to make product selection, to manage account information, to change functionality of the personal terminal, or other consumer input, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment touch input can be by way of capacitive sense, pressure sensitive surfaces, buttons, switches, or other touch input technologies, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal  1600  adapted for active mode applications. As shown, the personal terminal  1600  may include an interaction terminal interface  1604  that is an RFID interface  1610 . In embodiments, the personal terminal  1600  may be configured to communicate via the RFID interface  1610  with one or more interaction terminals. The personal terminal  1600  may also communicate by way of a network interface  1608  with other data processing resources, such as the loyalty server. Such an embodiment of the personal terminal  1600  can be configured to act as a gateway, so that the interaction terminal can communicate by way of the personal terminal  1600  with data processing resources such as the loyalty server. Again, a power source  1606  may be provided. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal  1700  adapted to produce light. The personal terminal  1700  may include a light source  1708  that is operationally related to a microcontroller  1702 . The light source  1708  may generate light. In some cases, the light source  1708  may be able to generate various different colors of light. The light may be generated by the light source  1708  in response to an input of the user, a communication received from the vending or host equipment through the interaction terminal interface  1704 , a communication received from the loyalty server through the network interface  1712 , or a change in environmental lighting conditions. 
     In embodiments in which the light source  1708  generates light in response to a change in environmental lighting conditions, the personal terminal  1700  may further include the light sensor  1706 . The light sensor  1706  may receive ambient light. The microcontroller  1702  may perform a spectral analysis of the light received by the light sensor and may determine a lighting adjustment factor based at least in part on a spectral analysis. The microcontroller  1702  may operate the light source  1708  based at least in part on the lighting adjustment factor to produce light of a specific color. 
     Such a configuration may be used with reference to a personal terminal such as the personal terminal  200  described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . As mentioned, the personal terminal  200  may include a charm or fob  202  and an encapsulation  204 . The charm or fob  202  may be made from a translucent material, such as glass or plastic. In some cases, the translucent material may be colored. For example, the translucent material may be a particular color identified with a particular product, service, brand, or entity. Ambient light passing through the charm or fob  202  may alter the color of the translucent material, such that the charm or fob  202  appears to be a color other than the particular color. In such cases, the light source and light sensor may be provided. For example, the light source and the light sensor may be included with the encapsulation  204  embedded in the charm or fob  202 . The light sensor may receive ambient light passing through the charm or fob  202 . Based on a spectral analysis of the ambient light, a lighting adjustment factor may be determined. The light source may be positioned to emit light through the translucent material of the charm or fob  202 . The light source may be operated based at least in part on the lighting adjustment factor to light the charm or fob  202  to the particular color. Specifically, the color of the light emitted by the light source may be selected such that when the light from the light source combines with the ambient light, the charm or fob  202  appears to be the particular color. Thus, the light emitted by the light source may vary depending on the environmental lighting conditions, so that the translucent material of the charm or fob  202  appears to be the particular color. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a power source  1800  of a personal terminal. The personal terminal can one or more power sources including a solar power source  1802 , a chemical power source  1804 , a battery power source  1806 , or a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) power source  1808 , among others. Any one of or combination of these power sources can be used. Alternatively, the personal terminal may be externally powered by the vending equipment, host equipment, a separate power supply, or from other external power sources. 
     The interaction terminal may be associated with a product, as shown in  FIGS. 19-21 .  FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal  1900  associated with a lid  1902  of a product.  FIG. 20  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal  2000  associated with packaging materials  2004  of a product  2002 .  FIG. 21  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal  2100  associated with a tamper resistant seal  2104  of a product  2102 . The interaction terminal  2100  can be located on either an inside surface of the tamper resistant seal  2104  (closest to the product  2102 ) or on the outside surface of the tamper resistant seal  2104  (away from the product  2102 ). Although the interaction terminal is shown on the lid, the packing materials, or the tamper resistant seal of the product, it is understood that the interaction terminal may be associated with the product in any manner. 
     Associating the interaction terminal with the product causes the product to become a touch point of loyalty, as the user in possession of the product can use the personal terminal to communicate with the interaction terminal and obtain loyalty rewards, product information, or other information. 
     Associating the interaction terminal with the product also may enable a user having the personal terminal to communicate with the interaction terminal and to pay for the product by way of account information associated with the personal terminal of the user. For example, the personal terminal may store forms of payment such as a stored value, a balance of loyalty reward points, a credit card number, a debit card number, or other means of payment. 
       FIGS. 22-24  are block diagrams of embodiments of an interaction terminal. The interaction terminal can be configured with one or more interfaces including a personal terminal interface, a vending or host equipment interface, and a display interface. In embodiments, the user initiates communication between the personal terminal and the interaction terminal when the personal terminal is brought into communication proximity of the interaction terminal. The interaction terminal can operate in the passive mode where the personal terminal obtains data from the interaction terminal and the personal terminal is responsible for completing the transaction (either real time or at a subsequent time), including processing the transaction, awarding a loyalty reward, managing loyalty reward data, and communicating with data processing resources such as the loyalty server. Alternatively, the interaction terminal can operate in the active mode where the personal terminal provides data to the interaction terminal and the interaction terminal is responsible for transaction processing, awarding the loyalty rewards, managing the loyalty reward data, and communicating with other data processing resources such as the loyalty server. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an interaction terminal  2200  adapted for operating in the passive mode. As shown, a microcontroller  2202  is operationally related to a personal terminal interface  2204 . The microcontroller  2202  can be any microcontroller, as described above with reference to the microcontroller of the personal terminal. The personal terminal interface  2204  is described below with reference to  FIG. 25 . In this embodiment, the interaction terminal  2200  operates in the passive mode, using the personal terminal interface  2204  to communicate with the personal terminal. Such an interaction terminal  2200  may be relatively inexpensive to manufacture. As such, a substantial number of the interaction terminals  2200  can be deployed in an area or geography, encouraging the success of the loyalty program by creating more places where the personal terminal can be used. A power source  2206  may power the interaction terminal  2200 , although the power source  2206  may be omitted. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal  2300  having a microcontroller  2302  operationally related to a personal terminal interface  2304  and a vending equipment interface  2308 . The interaction terminal  2300  can be interfaced to the vending equipment through the vending equipment interface  2308 . Thus, the personal terminal can interact with the vending equipment by way of the interaction terminal  2300  to effectuate a transaction. A power source  2306  may be provided in such an embodiment. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates an embodiment of an interaction terminal  2400  having a microcontroller  2402  that is operationally related to a personal terminal interface  2404  and a host equipment interface  2408 . The interaction terminal  2400  can be interfaced to the host equipment by way of the host equipment interface  2408 . Thus, the personal terminal can interact with the host equipment by way of the interaction terminal  2400  to effectuate a transaction. A power source  2406  may be provided in such an embodiment. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a personal terminal interface  2500  of the interaction terminal. The configuration of the personal terminal interface  2500  of the interaction terminal is selected to correspond to the configuration of the interaction terminal interface of the personal terminal. These two interfaces communicate with each other, and therefore these two interfaces implement corresponding technology. Therefore, the personal terminal interface  2500  may implement any of the communication technologies described above with reference to the interaction terminal interface, and the interaction terminal interface may implement any of the communication technologies described below with reference to the personal terminal interface. For example, the personal terminal interface  2500  can include one or more of the following: a radio frequency ID (RFID) interface  2502 , a radio frequency interface (RF)  2504 , an optical interface  2506 , a touch interface  2508 , a machine readable interface  2510 , such as a barcode, a wired interface  2512 , a wireless interface  2514 , a biometric interface  2516 , or a general purpose input/output interface (GPIO)  2518 , among others. 
     The radio frequency ID (RFID) interface  2502  may allow the interaction terminal to communicate with the personal terminal, or other data processing devices, using RFID technology. For example, the interaction terminal may have RFID data read from it or written to it by the personal terminal or any other RFID tag or reader located external to the interaction terminal. The radio frequency interface (RF)  2504  may allow the interaction terminal to communicate wirelessly. Such an RF interface  2504  can be an 802.11 type interface, a WIFI interface, or a BLUETOOTH interface, among other RF interfaces  2504 . 
     The optical interface  2506  may enable the interaction terminal to communicate wirelessly using optical technology. For example, the optical interface  2506  may be an IRDA interface having a transmitter/receiver IRDA module, or any other configuration that enables IRDA communication. 
     The touch interface  2508  can be utilized to accept consumer input. Such consumer input can be to make a product selection, to manage account information, to change the color or functionality of the personal terminal, or other consumer input. For example, the touch interface  2508  may be a capacitive sense, a pressure sensitive surface, a button, or a switch. The touch interface  2508  may also have any other configuration, or a combination of any of these and/or other configurations. 
     The machine readable interface  2510  may enable the interaction terminal to communicate with the personal terminal or other data processing devices using machine readable codes, such as bar codes. The machine readable interface  2510  may include a machine readable code reader, such as a standard reader, a complex symbol reader, or a custom reader, among others, or the machine readable interface  2510  may include a machine readable code, such as a barcode. 
     The wired interface  2512  may enable the interaction terminal communicate with the personal terminal or another data processing device, using, for example, ETHERNET, FIREWIRE, serial, I2C, SPI, UART, or any other suitable technology. The wireless interface  2514  may wirelessly network the interaction terminal to the personal terminal or other data processing devices using, for example, 802.11-type technology, WIFI, BLUETOOTH, or other wireless technologies or combinations thereof. 
     The biometric interface  2516  may permit identifying the consumer by fingerprint, voice, eye, or other biometric data. The biometric interface  2516  can be utilized to allow access to and allow certain menu and operational choices based in part on the identification, by biometric methods, of the consumer. The general purpose input/output interface (GPIO)  2518  can be utilized to provide general purpose inputs and output. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a display interface  2600  of the interaction terminal. In embodiments, the display interface  2600  can include one or more of the following: a light emitting diode (LED) display  2602 , liquid crystal (LCD)/vacuum florescent (VFD) display  2604 , or an audio display  2606 , among others. 
     In embodiments, the display interface  2600  can be used to inform a user with the personal terminal of certain conditions or to express a social aspect related to the user. Such social aspects may include signals of mood, interest, relationship status, and/or other social aspects of the user. Other conditions might include product available, sold out, hot product now, product ready, or other conditions. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a vending equipment interface  2700  of the interaction terminal. As mentioned above, the vending equipment interface  2700  may enable the interaction terminal to communicate with the vending equipment. Depending on the configuration of the vending equipment, the vending equipment interface  2700  can be one of or a combination of the following: a multi-drop-bus (MDB) interface  2702 , a data exchange interface (DEX)  2704 , a vending BDV interface  2706 , a vending EXECUTIVE MECH interface  2708 , a control area network (CAN) interface  2710 , a universal serial bus (USB) interface  2712 , a serial interface  2714 , or a general purpose input/output (GPIO) interface  2716 , among others. The MDB interface  2702  and the DEX interface  2704  may conform to vending industry standards such as National Automatic Merchandising Association MDB specification, EVS standards, the European Vending Association DEX specification, or other industry standards. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a host equipment interface  2800  of the interaction terminal. The interaction terminal can be interconnected with or operationally related to the host equipment via the host equipment interface  2800 . The host equipment may be equipment that can be monitored or controlled by the interaction terminal. The host equipment interface  2800  may be one of or a combination of the following: a credit card terminal interface  2802 , a point-of-sale (POS) equipment interface  2804 , a wired or wireless local area network interface  2806 , a wired or wireless wide area network (WAN) interface  2810 , a property management system interface  2808 , a universal serial bus (USB) interface  2812 , a serial interface  2814 , or a general purpose input/output interface  2816 , among others. 
     The interaction terminal can be interfaced to a credit card terminal by way of the credit card interface  2802 . When the personal terminal interacts with the interaction terminal, the interaction terminal can communicate with the credit card terminal by way of the credit card terminal interface  2802 . Thus, the credit card terminal may receive a credit card number stored on the personal terminal through the credit card terminal interface  2802  of the interaction terminal. Such a configuration permits inexpensively adapting a preexisting infrastructure of credit card terminals to accept a credit card number stored on the personal terminal. 
     The interaction terminal can also be configured to communicate by way of the LAN interface  2806  with other data processing resources, such as the loyalty server. Thus, the interaction terminal can be configured to act as a gateway, such that the interaction terminal and the personal terminal can communicate with data processing resources through the LAN interface  2006 . 
     The interaction terminal can be configured to communicate by way of a wired or wireless WAN interface  2810  with other remote data processing resources, such as a loyalty server. Thus, the interaction terminal can be configured to act as a gateway such that the interaction terminal and the personal terminal can data communicate with remote data processing resources through the WAN interface  2810  of the interaction terminal. 
     The personal terminal can communicate with the interaction terminal, and the interaction terminal can be configured to interface to a PMS system by way of PMS interface  2808 . In general, a property management system (PMS) is used in hotels, restaurants, and other establishments to monitor, maintain, and charge guests for products and services. Once interfaced, the interaction terminal may process personal terminal initiated transactions with the PMS system. Thus, the personal terminal can cause transactions to be processed by the PMS system and as such charge purchases initiated by the personal terminal to hotel room guests, and/or to other individuals and guests as may be required and/or desired by the particular embodiment. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a power source  2900  of the interaction terminal. The power source  2900  may be one or more of the following: a solar power source  2902 , a chemical power source  2904 , a battery power source  2906 , or a MEMS power source  2928 . Power may also be RF or optically induced through interaction with the personal terminal. Additionally the interactive terminal may obtain power from the vending equipment, the host equipment, a separate power supply, or from other external power sources. 
       FIG. 30  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a personal terminal  3002  interacting with an embodiment of an interaction terminal  3004 . The personal terminal  3002  is configured to operate in the passive mode. When the personal terminal  3002  is brought into proximity of the interaction terminal  3004 , the personal terminal  3002  and the interaction terminal  3004  can communicate. Such communication can include the reading and/or writing of data to and/or from the personal terminal  3002 . Because the personal terminal  3002  operates in the passive mode, the personal terminal  3002  may not be in communication with other data processing resources, such as a loyalty server. The interaction terminal  3004  may be configured to interface with vending or host equipment  3006  to effectuate transactions initiated by the personal terminal  3002 . 
       FIG. 31  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a personal terminal  3102  interacting with an embodiment of an interaction terminal  3104 . As shown, the personal terminal  3102  operates in the passive mode. The personal terminal  3102  can be brought into proximity of the interaction terminal  3104  and can communicate with the interaction terminal  3104 . Such communication can include the reading and/or writing of data to and/or from the personal terminal  3102 . In some cases, the interaction terminal  3104  may be configured to interface with vending or host equipment  3106 . Because the personal terminal  3102  operates in the passive mode, the interaction terminal  3104  may communicate with a data processing resource  3110  and possibly a database  3112  to effectuate transactions initiated by the personal terminal  3102 . For example, these components may communicate by way of a network  3108 , such as the internet, a private network, a virtual private network (VPN), a local network, or any other network. 
       FIGS. 32A and 32B  are flow diagrams illustrating operation of a personal terminal  3202  in the active mode. The personal terminal  3202  may interact with an interaction terminal  3204  and also may interact with an intermediate device  3212 , such as a personal computer. As shown in  FIG. 32A , the personal terminal  3202  can be brought into proximity of the interaction terminal  3204 , so that the personal terminal  3202  and interaction terminal  3204  can communicate. Such communication can include the reading and/or writing of data to and/or from the personal terminal  3202  and/or interaction terminal  3204 . The personal terminal  3202  can collect informational data from the interaction terminal  3204  such as loyalty data, location data, asset data, or other kinds of data. In addition, the personal terminal  3106  can transmit data to the interaction terminal  3204 , such as firmware upgrades, operational parameter settings, loyalty data, or other kinds of data. 
     As shown in  FIG. 32B , the personal terminal  3202  can then be brought into proximity of the intermediate device  3212 , which may be a personal computer or other suitable data processing device. The data collected by the personal terminal  3202  can then be communicated to a data processing resource  3216 , such as a loyalty server, by way of the intermediate device  3212  and a network  3214 . The data processing resource  3216  can process the data from the personal terminal  3202 , and may store the data in a database  3218 . The data processing resource  3216  can also communicate, by way of the intermediate device  3212 , to the personal terminal  3202 , so that firmware, parameter settings, operational data, loyalty data, cashless payment related data, stored value data, consumer data, or other data can be transmitted to the personal terminal  3202 . Such data can be intended for use by the personal terminal  3202 , or the data may be intended for communication to an interaction terminal  3204 . 
     A consumer loyalty program can be implemented by providing a consumer with the personal terminal  3202  and by affixing a number of interaction terminals  3204  to equipment in retail outlets, such as vending machine  3206 , a cooler  3208 , and a fountain dispenser  3210 , among others. When the consumer and therefore the personal terminal  3202 , enter the proximity of the interaction terminal  3204 , the two terminals  3202 ,  3204  can communicate. Such communication can include the personal terminal  3202  receiving data from the interaction terminal  3204 . Such data can include, for example, loyalty data, location data, asset data, consumer data, or other data. The consumer can collect loyalty data from a number of interaction terminals  3204 , each interaction terminal  3204  being located on one of the pieces of equipment. 
     The consumer can then transport the personal terminal  3202  into proximity of a personal computer or other intermediate device  3212 , such that the personal terminal  3202  can communicate by way of the personal computer or other intermediate device  3212  with the data processing resource  3216 . The data processing resource  3216  can be a loyalty server designed to accept and process data from the personal terminal  3202  and administer a loyalty account of the consumer. Consumer loyalty account information or other data can be communicated to the personal terminal  3202  of the consumer by way of the personal computer and/or other intermediate device  3212 . The consumer can then continue collecting loyalty rewards from the interaction terminals  3204 , and may redeem loyalty awards (where applicable) by paying for products and/or services with the loyalty award data stored on the personal terminal  3202 . 
     In addition, data from the data processing resource  3216 , such as the loyalty server and the database  3218  can be uploaded to the personal terminal  3202  as shown in  FIG. 32B , and can be communicated to the interaction terminal  3204  as shown in  FIG. 32A . 
       FIG. 33A-B  is a flow diagram illustrating active mode operation of a personal terminal  3302 . The personal terminal  3302  can be brought into proximity of an interaction terminal  3304 , and the personal terminal  3302  and interaction device  3304  can data communicate. Such communication can include the reading and/or writing of data to and/or from the interaction terminal  3304 . The interaction terminal  3304  can be configured to interface with, monitor, or control vending or host equipment  3306 . Such monitoring and/or controlling can include effectuating a cashless transaction, vending a product or service, or monitoring or controlling equipment cycles, among others. 
     The interaction terminal  3304  can be associated with one of a number of different pieces of equipment  3306 , so that the consumer can use the personal terminal  3302  to interact with the interaction terminal  3304  for loyalty purposes, or other purposes. In addition, in cases in which the interaction terminal  3304  is operationally related to the vending or host equipment  3306 , the consumer can use the personal terminal  3302 , by way of the interaction terminal  3304 , to communicate with the vending, or host equipment  3306 . Thus, the consumer can effectuate cashless payment for products and/or services rendered by the vending or host equipment  3306  using the personal terminal  3302 . 
     A consumer loyalty cashless payment program can be implemented in such cases. A number of interaction terminals  3304  can be affixed to a number of different pieces of vending or host equipment  3306  located in different retail outlets. When the consumer brings the personal terminal  3302  into proximity of one of the interaction terminals  3304 , the two terminals  3302 ,  3304  can communicate. For example, the personal terminal  3302  may receive loyalty data, or may send data to effectuate a vend cycle. The consumer can collect loyalty data and pay for products or services obtained from the associated vending or host equipment  3306 . 
     The consumer can then transport the personal terminal  3302  into proximity of a personal computer or other intermediate device  3308  such that the personal terminal  3202  can communicate, by way of the personal computer or other intermediate device  3308 , with the data processing resource  3312 . The data processing resource  3312  can be a loyalty or cashless payment server designed to accept and process data from one or more personal terminals  3302  and administer the loyalty and cashless accounts of one or more consumers. The data processing resource  3312  may communicate with a database  3314 . As part of the communication update, consumer loyalty data, cashless payment data, account data, or other data can be communicated to the personal terminal  3302  by way of the personal computer or other intermediate device  3308 . The consumer can then continue collecting loyalty awards and effectuating cashless transactions at the vending or host equipment  3206 , by way personal terminal  3302  communicating with the interaction terminal  3304  and the interaction terminal  3304  communicating with the vending or host equipment  3206 . 
       FIG. 34  is a flow diagram illustrating active mode operation of a personal terminal  3402 . The personal terminal  3402  can be brought into proximity of an interaction terminal  3404  and can communicate with the interaction terminal  3404 . Such communication can include the reading and/or writing of data to and/or from the interaction terminal  3404 . The interaction terminal  3404  may interface with vending or host equipment  3406 . The personal terminal  3402  also can be configured to communicate with other data processing resources  3408  and databases  3410  by way of a network  3412  to effectuate loyalty, cashless, or other transactions initiated by the personal terminal  3402 . 
       FIG. 35  is a flow diagram illustrating active mode operation of a personal terminal  3502 . The personal terminal is operationally coupled to a wireless device  3508 . The personal terminal  3502  can be brought into proximity of an interaction terminal  3504 , so that the personal terminal  3502  and the interaction device  3504  can communicate. Such communication can include the reading and/or writing of data to and/or from the interaction terminal  3504 . The interaction terminal  3504  may interface with vending or host equipment  3506 . In addition, the personal terminal  3502  can be configured to communicate with the wireless device  3508 . Such communication between the personal terminal  3502  and the wireless device  3508  can be by way of wired or wireless technologies. Furthermore, the personal terminal  3502 , by way of the wireless device  3508 , can communicate with a data processing resource  3512 , such as a loyalty server, and a database  3514 . Such communication may occur by way of a network  3510 , such as the internet. Thus, loyalty, cashless, or other transactions initiated by the personal terminal  3502  may be completed. 
       FIG. 36  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  3600  of performing a transaction using a personal terminal. The personal terminal may be brought into communication proximity of an interaction terminal, initiating a transaction between the two terminals. The personal terminal may operate in the active mode, such that the personal terminal can communicate with a data processing resource. The method  3600  begins in block  3602 . In block  3602 , an interaction with the interaction terminal is initiated. For example, the consumer with the personal terminal may approach the interaction terminal. The method  3600  then moves to block  3604 . In block  3604 , the personal terminal and the interaction terminal communicate. The method  3600  then moves to block  3606 . In block  3606 , the personal terminal obtains data from the interaction terminal. The method then moves to block  3608 . In block  3608 , the personal terminal communicates with a data processing resource, such as a loyalty server. The method  3600  then moves to block  3610 . 
     In block  3610 , the personal terminal communicates with the interaction terminal to activate the vending or host equipment. The method  3600  then moves to block  3612 . In block  3612 , the transaction is completed. For example, the equipment may deliver the product or service, and result data may be communicated from the equipment through the interaction terminal to the personal terminal. The result data may include loyalty data, among others. The method  3600  then moves to block  3614 . In block  3614  the personal terminal communicates with the data processing resource. For example, the personal terminal may communicate result data, such as loyalty data, transaction data, or other data. The method  3600  then ends. 
       FIG. 37  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  3700  of using a personal terminal to obtain a loyalty reward and to store the loyalty reward in a data processing resource, such as a loyalty server. The personal terminal can be used to interact with a number of interaction terminals. Each interaction terminal may be considered “a touch point of loyalty,” and the user may receive a loyalty reward for interacting with the interaction terminal. The loyalty reward may be uploaded to a data processing resource that administers a loyalty program. The data processing resource can process the loyalty reward and can communicate data back to the personal terminal. Such processing can include crediting the a loyalty account of the consumer based at least in part on the loyalty reward. The data sent from the data processing resource to the personal terminal can include loyalty data, credit data, consumer data, or other data. The data may enable the consumer to make a purchase or receive discounts using the loyalty reward or other account data stored on the personal terminal, or to otherwise receive loyalty rewards. The consumer may obtain loyalty rewards for interacting with the touch point of loyalty site, regardless of whether the vending or host equipment is being activated. Thus, consumer does not have to purchase products or services to obtain the loyalty reward. 
     The method  3700  begins in block  3702 . In block  3702 , an interaction with the interaction terminal is initiated. For example, the consumer with the personal terminal may approach the interaction terminal. The method  3700  then moves to block  3704 . In block  3704 , the personal terminal and interaction terminal communicate. The method  3700  then moves to block  3706 . In block  3706 , a benefit, such as a loyalty reward, is provided to the user for initiating the transaction with the interaction terminal. The method  3700  then moves to block  3708 . In block  3708 , the personal terminal interfaces with an intermediate device. The method  3700  then moves to block  3710 . In block  3710 , the personal terminal communicates with the data processing resource. Specifically, the personal terminal may communicate with the data processing resource by way of the intermediate device. Alternatively, the personal terminal may directly communicate with the data processing device, in which case block  3708  may be omitted. The loyalty data may be communicated from the personal terminal to the data processing resource, and possibly a database. The method then moves to block  3712 . In block  3712 , the data processing resource updates a loyalty account of the consumer. The method  3700  then moves to block  3714 . In block  3714 , the data processing resource communicates data to the personal terminal. The data may be intended for either the personal terminal, the interaction terminal, or a number of interaction terminals. For example, loyalty account information, consumer data, touch point of loyalty configurations, or other data may be transmitted to the personal terminal. In some cases, such data may be intended for a specific interaction terminal or a number of interaction terminals. The personal terminal can carry such data until the consumer returns to the desired interaction terminal, at which point the data received from the data processing resource may be communicated to the interaction terminal. The method  3700  then ends. 
       FIG. 38  is a block diagram of a method  3800  of using a personal terminal to pay for products. A consumer can establish communication between the personal terminal and an interaction terminal. The interaction terminal can be operationally related to vending or host equipment, such that the consumer can elect to pay for the product from the vending or host equipment by way of a stored value balance. The stored value balance can reside on the personal terminal or may be stored on a data processing resource that is accessible to the personal terminal, such as a loyalty server. 
     The personal terminal can initiate a vending cycle when the personal terminal is in proximity of an interaction terminal. The interaction terminal can monitor and control the vending or host equipment. Once a vend cycle has been initiated, the consumer can select a product or service. Data can be communicated from the interaction terminal to the personal terminal, such as a selection of the consumer, or other loyalty or sale data. 
     The personal terminal, or the data processing resource accessible by the personal, can determine whether the sale should be authorized and whether the price should be adjusted. The personal terminal, or the data processing resource accessible by the personal terminal, may include rules for determining whether the purchase is allowable. For example, the rules may indicate the consumer can purchase certain products but not others, or the rules may indicate the consumer may only make certain purchases at certain times. Other rules are also possible. 
     The rules can be used to prevent certain personal terminals from being used to purchase certain foods and beverages at certain times of the day. Such rules may be determined by the consumer or by another. For example, the personal terminal may be associated with a student, and the rules may be set by a parent or guardian of the student, an administrator of a school attended by the student, or by others. 
     The vending or host equipment may be capable of vending all types and kinds of food all day, regulated only by the rules stored on the personal terminal or the data processing resource, instead of preventing the vending or host equipment from dispensing certain products for fixed periods of time everyday, as is the case now in many locations such as schools. 
     Once the transaction is authorized the personal terminal, or the data processing resource accessible by way of the personal terminal, can determine the sale price for the product or service. Different consumers may qualify for different pricing. In addition, promotions can be extended to certain consumers, and prices can be changed throughout the day. Other configurations are also possible. 
     The transaction can be concluded when the consumer receives the product or service and data pertaining to the transaction is communicated to the personal terminal or the data processing resource. The method  3800  begins in block  3802 . 
     In block  3802 , a transaction is initiated with an interaction terminal. The consumer having the personal terminal may approach the interaction terminal to initiate the transaction. The method  3800  then moves to block  3804 . In block  3804 , the personal terminal and the interaction terminal communicate. The method  3800  then moves to block  3806 . In block  3806 , a stored value is transmitted from the personal terminal, or from the data processing resource through the personal terminal, to the interaction terminal. The method then moves to block  3608 . In block  3608 , a selection of the consumer is received by the vending or host equipment. The method  3800  then moves to block  3810 . In block  3810 , the selection of the consumer is transmitted from the vending or host equipment to the personal terminal, or the data processing resource by way of the personal terminal, so that the transaction may be approved or denied. For example, the transaction may be approved or denied based on how the product or service is to be paid for, such as by a deduction from the stored value, an extension of credit, or some other form of payment. The method  3800  then moves to block  3812 . 
     In block  3812 , a determination is made as to whether the consumer is allowed to purchase the selected product or service at the current time. If the consumer is allowed to purchase the product or service, the method moves to block  3818 . If not allowed to purchase the product, the method moves to block  3814 . 
     In block  3814 , a denial is communicated to the interaction terminal. The method  3800  then moves to block  3816 . In block  3816 , the consumer is informed that the transaction is denied, meaning the product or service is not allowed to be vended at this time. The method  3800  then returns to block  3808 , so that the consumer can enter another selection. 
     In block  3818  a determination is made as to whether a purchase price should be adjusted. If the transaction is a promotional sale or an adjusted price sale, the method  3800  moves to block  3820 . If the transaction is not a promotional sale or an adjusted price sale, the method  3800  moves to block  3822 . 
     In block  3820  the purchase price of the selection is changed. The method  3800  then moves to block  3822 . In block  3822 , the purchase price of the selection is charged to the consumer. Decisions to deduct from stored value, extend credit, and/or otherwise determine how the products or services are to be paid for by the consumer or others can be determined. The method  3800  then moves to block  3824 . In block  3824 , result data is communicated to the interaction terminal. The result data may include vend approved, sales price, or other sales data. The vending or host equipment completes the transaction, the consumer receives the purchased product or service, and the method  3800  ends. 
       FIG. 39  is a block diagram of a method  3900  of using a personal terminal to purchase a product or service, the personal terminal having a stored value balance and an extended credit feature. When the consumer selects a product or service, a determination is made as to whether the stored value balance is sufficient to purchase the selection. Though the stored value balance may be sufficient for the purchase, depleting the stored value balance indirectly prevents the consumer from making additional purchases using the stored value balance. Thus, credit may be extended to the consumer, as a way of preserving the stored value balance, so that the consumer can purchase additional products or services. 
     Before credit is extended, a determination is made as to whether such an action is appropriate. Past purchase experience, the configuration of the personal terminal and other criteria can be considered. The extended credit may be repaid from an account of the consumer when the personal terminal next communicates with the data processing resource, such as the loyalty server. Thus, the account of the consumer can be charged to resolve the credit, and the stored value balance can be replenished or otherwise adjusted. The method  3900  begins in block  3902 . 
     In block  3902  a determination is made as to whether credit can be extended to the consumer for the selection of the transaction. If the selection can be paid for by extending credit, the method  3900  moves to block  3904 . If the selection cannot be paid for by extending credit, the method  3900  moves to block  3906 . 
     In block  3904 , credit is extended to the consumer. Because the selected product or service is purchased with the extended credit, the stored value balance is preserved, allowing a subsequent purchase by the consumer using the stored value. The method then moves to block  3908 . In block  3908 , the transaction is authorized by the personal terminal or the data processing resource, and the authorization is sent to the interaction terminal. The method  3900  then moves to block  3910 . 
     In block  3910 , an account of the consumer is updated. For example, the account may be located on the data processing resource, and the account may be updated when the personal terminal next communicates with the data processing resource. The extended credit may be paid from the account, adjustments to the stored value balance may be made, and settings or criteria for extending credit may be updated. The method  3900  then ends. 
     Referring back to block  3902 , if credit is not extended to the consumer, the method  3900  moves to block  3906 . In block  3906 , a determination is made as to whether the purchase price of the selection is greater than the stored value balance associated with the personal terminal. If the purchase price is greater than the stored value balance, the method  3900  moves to block  3912 . If the purchase price is not greater than the stored value balance, the method  3900  moves to block  3914 . In block  3912 , the stored value balance is updated to reflect the purchase of the product or service. For example, the purchase price of the selection may be deducted from the stored value balance, leaving a relatively smaller stored value balance remaining on the personal terminal. The method  3900  then moves to block  3910 , where the account of the consumer is updated. In block  3914 , the transaction is denied. The denial is communicated to the interaction terminal. The method  3900  then ends. 
       FIG. 40  is a flow diagram of a method  4000  of lighting a personal terminal to a predefined color. The method  4000  may light the personal terminal to the predefined color regardless of the ambient lighting conditions or the color of the material used to form the personal terminal. A light sensor may measure the spectral qualities of ambient light passing through the material and may determine a lighting adjustment factor. A light source may be operated at least in part based on the lighting adjustment factor, so that the predefined color is produced through the material. 
     The predefined color may be a color associated with a particular product, brand, or entity. The predefined color may also signify social or emotional aspects of the consumer, or the predefined color may have promotional, operational, or informational purposes. For example, the personal terminal may become one color for men and another for women. In addition, the personal terminal may change color to indicate a relationship status of the consumer, such as single or married. The personal terminal may also use color to indicate moods of the consumer, such as happy or sad. Other color indications are possible, such as the astrological sign of the consumer. In some cases, the consumer may change the illuminated color of the personal terminal, such as to reflect the wants, needs, mood, feelings, social status, or desires of the consumer. 
     The method  4000  begins in block  4002 . In block  4002 , the ambient light near the light source is received by the light sensor. The method  4000  then moves to block  4004 . In block  4004 , a spectral analysis is performed on the ambient light received by the light sensor. The method  4000  then moves to block  4006 . In block  4006 , a lighting adjustment factor is determined. The lighting adjustment factor may be determined based at least in part on the spectral analysis of the ambient light received by the light sensor. The lighting adjustment factor may indicate the amount of red, green, and blue to be associated with the light from the light source, such that light of the predefined color is produced when light from the light source combines with ambient light passing through the personal terminal. The method  4000  then moves to block  4008 . In block  4008 , the light source is adjusted to produce the predefined color based on the lighting adjustment factor determined in block  4006 . The method  4000  then ends. The method  4000  enables lighting a personal terminal made from a particular material to a predefined color in varying environmental lighting conditions. Such predefined color variations enable the personal terminal to match company trademark colors, as well as other colors. 
       FIG. 41  is a block diagram of a method  4100  of using touch points of loyalty reward a consumer. The method  4100  may also enhance trademark prominence and increase immediate consumption sales across a portfolio of products. The consumer may demonstrate trademark loyalty without making a purchase. Such trademark loyalty can be rewarded by providing a loyalty reward in response to the personal terminal communicating with the interaction terminal. The loyalty reward can then be uploaded to a data processing resource, such as a loyalty server, which may filter the loyalty reward to minimize abuses and fraudulent activities. 
     Loyalty rewards can be accrued, and when a suitable balance has accrued, the consumer may redeem the loyalty rewards. The loyalty rewards can be redeemed online for products and services. In addition, the loyalty rewards can also be carried in the personal terminal and can be redeemed at the vending or host equipment, in embodiments in which the interaction terminal is operationally related to the vending or host equipment. Furthermore, additional loyalty rewards or promotional rewards can be given to the consumer. 
     The interaction terminal can be affixed on any vending or host equipment. Additionally, interaction terminals can be located in a variety of locations where an entity&#39;s portfolios of products are sold. The consumer may recognize the interaction terminal and may be drawn to it to obtain a loyalty reward, demonstrating trademark loyalty. Once there, the consumer may discover the products that the entity is selling and in a demonstration of product loyalty may choose to purchase some of the products. 
     Trademark loyalty first rewards the consumer and then presents the company&#39;s products to the consumer. In certain cases the consumer may not be aware that the product is in the company&#39;s portfolio of products and as such the interaction terminal serves as a way in which to inform the consumer about the product. In another case, the consumer may be aware that the company makes the product but has never tried the product and today this consumer decides to try the product. In another case, the consumer might be aware that the company makes the product but was not aware that the product was sold in this location. In another case, the consumer may be outside the store (such as a gas station) and having the knowledge that the interaction terminal is in the store decides to enter the store after pumping gas to pick up a loyalty reward. In this example, the incentive of the loyalty reward gets the consumer to enter the store. In another case, the consumer may have loyalty rewards stored on the personal terminal and may decide to redeem the loyalty rewards for a free product. Thus, the personal terminal and the interaction terminal operate together to effectuate a loyalty program that may be focused on trademark loyalty and may not require the consumer to purchase anything to obtain a loyalty reward by approaching the interaction terminal. 
     Furthermore, additional loyalty rewards or promotional awards can be given to the consumer when the consumer demonstrates trademark loyalty and product loyalty. For example, when a consumer acquires a loyalty reward from an interaction terminal without making a purchase, the consumer demonstrates trademark loyalty. When the consumer purchases a product, the consumer demonstrates product loyalty. When the consumer demonstrates both trademark loyalty and product loyalty, the consumer may receive an additional reward. The personal terminal can be responsible for recording both trademark loyalty and product loyalty activities. Alternatively, a combination of data processing devices can record trademark loyalty and product loyalty, and associate such activity with the consumer and/or the personal terminal. The method begins in block  4100  of  FIG. 41 . 
     In block  4102 , a loyalty reward is provided to the consumer for placing a personal terminal in proximity of an interaction terminal. The consumer demonstrates trademark loyalty by using the personal terminal to obtain loyalty rewards from a number of interaction terminals. Purchase may not be required. The interaction terminals are located on vending or host equipment, and in other locations where the company&#39;s portfolios of products are available. The method  4100  then moves to block  4104 . 
     In block  4104 , the loyalty reward is uploaded to a data processing resource. The method  4100  then moves to block  4106 . In block  4106 , the loyalty reward is filtered to limit the accrual of loyalty rewards to a predefined rate. Therefore, the consumer may obtain loyalty rewards from the interaction terminal at a rate that is no faster than the predefined rate. Such a predefined rate can be daily, although any rate is possible. Such a configuration reduces repeated visits to the same vending or host equipment too frequently. The method  4100  then moves to block  4108 . 
     In block  4108 , additional rewards or promotional offers are provided to the consumer for demonstrating trademark loyalty and product loyalty. When it is determined that a consumer has demonstrated both trademark loyalty and product loyalty, an additional reward can optionally be offered to the consumer. The method  4100  then moves to block  4110 . 
     In block  4110 , a request is received to redeem the loyalty reward. For example, the consumer can trade at least a portion of the accrued loyalty reward balance for products or services online, or for products or services available from the vending or host equipment, in cases in which the vending or host equipment is operationally related to the interaction terminal. In block  4112 , it is determined whether the request can be satisfied from the accrued loyalty reward balance. The method  4100  ends. 
       FIG. 42  is a block diagram of a method  4200  of using touch points of loyalty to reward consumers. The method  4200  may also enhance trademark prominence and increase immediate consumption sales across a portfolio of products. The method  4200  differs from the method  4100  of  FIG. 41  in that a data processing resource is not provided. A consumer may demonstrate trademark loyalty without making a purchase. Such loyalty on the part of the consumer can be rewarded by allowing the personal terminal to acquire a loyalty reward for communicating with an interaction terminal. The loyalty reward, however, may be filtered at the personal terminal to minimize abuses and fraudulent activities. The loyalty reward can be added to an accrued loyalty reward balance, and when an appropriate balance has been earned, the consumer can be allowed to redeem the rewards. The loyalty rewards can be redeemed online for products or services, or the loyalty rewards can be redeemed at the vending or host equipment, if the interaction terminal is operationally related to the vending or host equipment. 
     Additional loyalty rewards or promotional awards may be given to the consumer when the consumer demonstrates trademark loyalty and product loyalty. When the consumer acquires a loyalty reward, the consumer demonstrates trademark loyalty. When the consumer purchases a product, the consumer demonstrates product loyalty. When the consumer demonstrates both trademark loyalty and product loyalty, the consumer may receive an additional loyalty reward. The personal terminal may be responsible for recording both trademark loyalty and product loyalty activities. Alternatively, a combination of data processing devices can record trademark loyalty and product loyalty and associate such activity with the consumer or the personal terminal. The method  4200  begins in block  4202 . 
     In block  4202 , a loyalty reward is provided to the consumer for placing a personal terminal in proximity of the interaction terminal. The consumer collects, by way of personal terminal, loyalty rewards from a number of interaction terminals. Purchase may not be required. The interaction terminals are affixed on vending or host equipment and in other locations where company&#39;s portfolios of products are available. The method  4200  then moves to block  4204 . 
     In block  4204 , the loyalty reward is filtered to limit the accrual of loyalty rewards to a predefined rate. Therefore, the consumer gains a benefit from the interaction terminal at a rate that is no faster than the predefined rate. Such a predefined rate can be daily, although any rate is possible. Such a configuration reduces repeat visits to the same vending or host equipment too frequently. The method  4200  then moves to block  4206 . 
     In block  4206 , additional rewards or promotional offers are provided to the consumer for demonstrating trademark loyalty and product loyalty. When it is determined that a consumer has demonstrated both trademark loyalty and product loyalty, an additional reward can optionally be offered to the consumer. The method  4200  then moves to block  4208 . 
     In block  4208 , a request is received to redeem the loyalty reward. For example, the consumer can trade at least a portion of the accrued loyalty reward balance for products or services online, or for products or services available from the vending or host equipment. The method  4200  then moves to block  4210 . In block  4210 , it is determined whether the request can be satisfied from the accrued loyalty reward balance. The method  4200  then ends. 
     The systems and methods described above can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof. One or more components can be included in an article of manufacture having a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may have embodied therein a computer readable program. 
     While particular embodiments of have been disclosed in detail in the foregoing description and figures for purposes of example, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, blocks of certain figures may be performed in any order, and certain blocks may be added, deleted, or modified. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure, as protected by the following claims.