Patent US6009412A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6009412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fully integrated on-line interactive frequency and award redemption program
Assignee: Affinion Net Patents Inc
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Filing: 1998-06-25
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2018-06-25
Abstract
Abstract An fully integrated on-line frequency award program is disclosed. A user may access the program on-line and may browse a product catalog for shopping. The user may electronically place an order, upon which the program automatically checks the user's credit and electronically issues a purchase order to the supplying company. The program also calculates award points, updates the award account of enrolled users, and communicates that number of awarded points to the user. Enrolled users may browse through an award catalog and electronically redeem an amount of awarded points towards an award. The program then electronically places an award redeeming order with the fulfillment house and updates the user's award account.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. Storey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/204; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0219; G06Q30/0222; G06Q30/0224; G06Q30/0226; G06Q30/0233; G06Q30/0234; G06Q30/0236; G06Q30/0238; G06Q30/0239; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for implementing an on-line incentive program, said method comprising the steps of: providing an Internet webpage accessible to at least one user, via a computer system, for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one product for sale to said user; determining whether said user qualifies for one or more award points based on said user's response to purchase said at least one product; calculating said award points according to a preprogrammed formula if said user qualifies for said award points; and issuing said award points to an account of said user if said user qualifies for said award points, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for implementing an on-line incentive program, said method comprising the steps of: providing an Internet webpage accessible to at least one user, via a computer system, for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one product for sale to said user; determining whether said user qualifies for one or more award points based on said user's response to purchase said at least one product; calculating said award points according to a preprogrammed formula if said user qualifies for said award points; and issuing said award points to an account of said user if said user qualifies for said award points, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether said user is enrolled in said incentive program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of determining whether said user is enrolled in said incentive program comprises the step of checking a frequency database that comprises user enrollment information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying to said user, via said computer system, said award points earned by said user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying to said user, via said computer system, an amount of award points necessary to qualify for an incentive award.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of permitting a user to enroll in said on-line incentive program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said user with an on-line order form for ordering a product for purchase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of: establishing an on-line link to an order computer; and sending electronically to said order computer information received from said on-line order form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving credit information from said user for purchase of said at least one product; establishing an on-line link to a computer; and sending electronically to said computer said credit information to verify available credit for said user.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for redeeming incentive awards in an on-line incentive program, said method comprising the steps of: implementing an on-line incentive program that issues award points to users, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award; implementing an Internet webpage accessible, via a computer system, to at least one user of said on-line incentive program for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one redeemable award available to said user for exchange of said award points; and permitting said user to initiate a process to receive said at least one redeemable award for exchange of said award points issued to said user through said on-line incentive program.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for redeeming incentive awards in an on-line incentive program, said method comprising the steps of: implementing an on-line incentive program that issues award points to users, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award; implementing an Internet webpage accessible, via a computer system, to at least one user of said on-line incentive program for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one redeemable award available to said user for exchange of said award points; and permitting said user to initiate a process to receive said at least one redeemable award for exchange of said award points issued to said user through said on-line incentive program.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the step of permitting said user to initiate a process to receive a redeemable award comprises the steps of: accessing an account of said user; redeeming a particular award for said user based on said points issued to said user if said user has earned sufficient points to qualify for said particular award; and subtracting said points from said account of said user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the step of redeeming a particular award for said user comprises the steps of: displaying, via said Internet webpage, a catalog of awards redeemable with said award points of said on-line incentive system; and accepting a selection by said user that indicates an award from said catalog.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing said user with an on-line redeeming form comprising entries that specify an award for redeeming said award points; and establishing an on-line link to an award computer; and sending, via said on-line link, entries of said on-line redeeming form to said award computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of permitting a user to review an awards catalog from said Internet webpage that comprises awards redeemable for said award points.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of permitting a user to review an account from said Internet webpage for said user, wherein said account reflects an amount of said award points credited to said user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of permitting a user to preview information about said on-line incentive program from said Internet webpage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of permitting a user to apply for membership to said on-line incentive program from said Internet webpage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
133 words
A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of: providing an Internet webpage accessible to at least one user, via a computer system, for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one product for sale to said user; determining whether said user qualifies for one or more award points based on said user's response to purchase said at least one product; calculating said award points according to a preprogrammed formula if said user qualifies for said award points; and issuing said award points to an account of said user if said user qualifies for said award points, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
133 words
A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of: providing an Internet webpage accessible to at least one user, via a computer system, for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one product for sale to said user; determining whether said user qualifies for one or more award points based on said user's response to purchase said at least one product; calculating said award points according to a preprogrammed formula if said user qualifies for said award points; and issuing said award points to an account of said user if said user qualifies for said award points, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the computer to perform the step of determining whether said user is enrolled in said incentive program.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 19, wherein the step of determining whether said user is enrolled in said incentive program comprises the step of checking a frequency database that comprises user enrollment information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable medium for as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying to said user, via said computer system, said award points earned by said user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying to said user, via said computer system, an amount of award points necessary to qualify for an incentive award.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of permitting a user to enroll in said on-line incentive program.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of providing said user with an on-line order form for ordering a product for purchase.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 24, further comprising the steps of: establishing an on-line link to an order computer; and sending electronically to said order computer information received from said on-line order form.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: receiving credit information from said user for purchase of said at least one product; establishing an on-line link to a computer; and sending electronically to said computer said credit information to verify available credit for said user.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
127 words
A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of: implementing an on-line incentive program that issues award points to users, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award; implementing an Internet webpage accessible, via a computer system, to at least one user of said on-line incentive program for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one redeemable award available to said user for exchange of said award points; and permitting said user to initiate a process to receive said at least one redeemable award for exchange of said award points issued to said user through said on-line incentive program.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
127 words
A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of: implementing an on-line incentive program that issues award points to users, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award; implementing an Internet webpage accessible, via a computer system, to at least one user of said on-line incentive program for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, at least one redeemable award available to said user for exchange of said award points; and permitting said user to initiate a process to receive said at least one redeemable award for exchange of said award points issued to said user through said on-line incentive program.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27, wherein the step of permitting said user to initiate a process to receive a redeemable award comprises the steps of: accessing an account of said user; redeeming a particular award for said user based on said points issued to said user if said user has earned sufficient points to qualify for said particular award; and subtracting said points from said account of said user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 28, wherein the step of redeeming a particular award for said user comprises the steps of: displaying, via said Internet webpage, a catalog of awards redeemable with said award points of said on-line incentive system; and accepting a selection by said user that indicates an award from said catalog.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 29, further comprising the steps of: providing said user with an on-line redeeming form comprising entries that specify an award for redeeming said award points; and establishing an on-line link to an award computer; and sending, via said on-line link, entries of said on-line redeeming form to said award computer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27, further comprising the step of permitting a user to review an awards catalog from said Internet webpage that comprises awards redeemable for said award points.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27, further comprising the step of permitting a user to review an account from said Internet webpage for said user, wherein said account reflects an amount of said award points credited to said user.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27, further comprising the step of permitting a user to preview information about said on-line incentive program from said Internet webpage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27, further comprising the step of permitting a user to apply for membership to said on-line incentive program from said Internet webpage.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
126 words
A computer system for implementing an on-line incentive program, said computer system comprising: software for offering at least one product for sale to at least one user via an Internet webpage, said Internet webpage being accessible to said user for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; and software for determining whether said user qualifies for one or more award points based on said user's response to purchase said at least one product, for calculating said award points according to a preprogrammed formula if said user qualifies for said award points, and for issuing said award points to an account of said user if said user qualifies for said award points, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
126 words
A computer system for implementing an on-line incentive program, said computer system comprising: software for offering at least one product for sale to at least one user via an Internet webpage, said Internet webpage being accessible to said user for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage; and software for determining whether said user qualifies for one or more award points based on said user's response to purchase said at least one product, for calculating said award points according to a preprogrammed formula if said user qualifies for said award points, and for issuing said award points to an account of said user if said user qualifies for said award points, wherein said award points are redeemable by said user for an award.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer system for implementing an on-line incentive program, said computer system comprising software for offering, on an Internet webpage, at least one redeemable award available to said user for exchange of at least one award point, and for permitting said user to initiate a process to receive at least one redeemable award for exchange of said award points, said award points being issued from said on-line incentive program, and said Internet webpage being accessible to said user for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer system for implementing an on-line incentive program, said computer system comprising software for offering, on an Internet webpage, at least one redeemable award available to said user for exchange of at least one award point, and for permitting said user to initiate a process to receive at least one redeemable award for exchange of said award points, said award points being issued from said on-line incentive program, and said Internet webpage being accessible to said user for on-line interactive communications between said user and said Internet webpage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |