US6061660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for incentive programs and award fulfillment
Assignee: KROY IP HOLDINGS LLC
•
Filing: 1998-03-18
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2018-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for providing incentive programs over a computer network is provided in which a host may provide sponsoring companies with the capability to buy prepackaged or self-built incentive programs, offer such incentive programs to consumers, provide sponsoring companies and retailers with the capability to associate prizes with incentive programs, provide sponsoring companies, retailers and consumers with convenient fulfillment of prizes, and store and manipulate databases regarding all of the foregoing.
Inventors
- 👤 York Eggleston
- 👤 Andrey Ukhov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0209; G06Q30/0236; G06Q30/0239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for incentive program generation, comprising: a network; a sponsor computer connected to the network; a host computer connected to the network, the host computer having a server; an incentive application builder program, running on the server; a database of objects associated with parameters of an incentive application program; and an interface of the incentive program builder application for sponsor entry of parameters for an incentive program; wherein the sponsor builds an incentive program by interacting with the application program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for incentive program generation, comprising: a network; a sponsor computer connected to the network; a host computer connected to the network, the host computer having a server; an incentive application builder program, running on the server; a database of objects associated with parameters of an incentive application program; and an interface of the incentive program builder application for sponsor entry of parameters for an incentive program; wherein the sponsor builds an incentive program by interacting with the application program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the incentive application program comprises: an editor for generating an electronic file containing code for the incentive program; a classifying application program for classifying the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code; and a generator application program for generating tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: an award association application program for associating an award with an incentive program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a game piece, associated with the incentive application program, wherein the game piece comprises a branded image of a provider of an incentive program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a fulfillment automation application program for associating a fulfillment method with the award.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2, further comprising: an executor application that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for generating an incentive program, comprising: providing a computer; providing an incentive program builder application of such computer; providing a database of objects associated with parameters of an incentive program; providing an interface of the incentive program builder application for user entry of parameters for an incentive program; associating an object with each parameter entered by the user; and generating an incentive program comprising the objects associated with all of the parameters entered by the user.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for generating an incentive program, comprising: providing a computer; providing an incentive program builder application of such computer; providing a database of objects associated with parameters of an incentive program; providing an interface of the incentive program builder application for user entry of parameters for an incentive program; associating an object with each parameter entered by the user; and generating an incentive program comprising the objects associated with all of the parameters entered by the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising: generating an electronic file containing code for the incentive program; classifying the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code; and generating tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing an executor that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
340 words
A system for incentive program generation and award fulfillment, comprising: a host computer connected to a network; a client computer of a consumer connected to the network; a sponsor computer of a sponsor connected to the network; an incentive participation application program for participation by the consumer in an incentive program, wherein the participation may be in incentive programs of a plurality of sponsors; a server of the host computer; a web site, located on the server of the host computer, wherein the consumer may participate in an incentive program via the web site; a database of the host computer of awards associated with the incentive participation application programs; an award association application program for associating an award with an incentive program; a fulfillment automation application program for associating a fulfillment method with an award; an electronic card for fulfillment of an award, having memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be a personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program; and an incentive builder application program, running on the server of the host computer, wherein the sponsor may build an incentive program by interacting with the incentive builder application program, wherein the incentive builder application program comprises a database of objects associated with incentive programs, wherein each object is associated with an action that is associated with the incentive program, an interface for permitting a sponsor to enter parameters associated with an incentive program, an object association application for associating objects with the parameters entered by a sponsor and building a file comprising the objects associated with all of the parameters entered by a sponsor, an editor for generating an electronic file containing code for the incentive program, a classifying application program for classifying the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code, a generator application program for generating tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program, and an executor application that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
340 words
A system for incentive program generation and award fulfillment, comprising: a host computer connected to a network; a client computer of a consumer connected to the network; a sponsor computer of a sponsor connected to the network; an incentive participation application program for participation by the consumer in an incentive program, wherein the participation may be in incentive programs of a plurality of sponsors; a server of the host computer; a web site, located on the server of the host computer, wherein the consumer may participate in an incentive program via the web site; a database of the host computer of awards associated with the incentive participation application programs; an award association application program for associating an award with an incentive program; a fulfillment automation application program for associating a fulfillment method with an award; an electronic card for fulfillment of an award, having memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be a personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program; and an incentive builder application program, running on the server of the host computer, wherein the sponsor may build an incentive program by interacting with the incentive builder application program, wherein the incentive builder application program comprises a database of objects associated with incentive programs, wherein each object is associated with an action that is associated with the incentive program, an interface for permitting a sponsor to enter parameters associated with an incentive program, an object association application for associating objects with the parameters entered by a sponsor and building a file comprising the objects associated with all of the parameters entered by a sponsor, an editor for generating an electronic file containing code for the incentive program, a classifying application program for classifying the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code, a generator application program for generating tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program, and an executor application that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 10, further comprising: a graphical image file that is displayed in connection with an object, wherein the graphical image file is a branded image, wherein the object is a game piece in an incentive program, wherein the object is displayed upon winning an incentive program, wherein the graphical image file may change, and wherein the graphical image file that is displayed depends on characteristics of the user.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of providing incentive program generation and award fullfillment, comprising: providing a host computer connected to a network; providing a client computer of a consumer connected to the network; providing a sponsor computer of a sponsor connected to the network; providing an incentive participation application program for participation by the consumer in an incentive program, wherein the participation may be in incentive programs of a plurality of sponsors; providing a server of the host computer; providing a web site, located on the server of the host computer, wherein the consumer may participate in an incentive program via the web site; providing a database of the host computer of awards associated with the incentive participation application programs; associating an award with an incentive program; associating a fulfillment method with an award; providing an electronic card for fulfillment of an award, having memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be a personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program; and providing an incentive builder application program, running on the server of the host computer, wherein the sponsor may build an incentive program by interacting with the incentive builder application program, wherein the incentive builder application program comprises a database of objects associated with incentive programs, wherein each object is associated with an action that is associated with the incentive program, an interface for permitting a sponsor to enter parameters associated with an incentive program, an object association application for associating objects with the parameters entered by a sponsor and building a file comprising the objects associated with all of the parameters entered by a sponsor, an editor for generating an electronic file containing code for the incentive program, a classifying application program for classifying the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code, a generator application program for generating tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program, and an executor application that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of providing incentive program generation and award fullfillment, comprising: providing a host computer connected to a network; providing a client computer of a consumer connected to the network; providing a sponsor computer of a sponsor connected to the network; providing an incentive participation application program for participation by the consumer in an incentive program, wherein the participation may be in incentive programs of a plurality of sponsors; providing a server of the host computer; providing a web site, located on the server of the host computer, wherein the consumer may participate in an incentive program via the web site; providing a database of the host computer of awards associated with the incentive participation application programs; associating an award with an incentive program; associating a fulfillment method with an award; providing an electronic card for fulfillment of an award, having memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be a personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program; and providing an incentive builder application program, running on the server of the host computer, wherein the sponsor may build an incentive program by interacting with the incentive builder application program, wherein the incentive builder application program comprises a database of objects associated with incentive programs, wherein each object is associated with an action that is associated with the incentive program, an interface for permitting a sponsor to enter parameters associated with an incentive program, an object association application for associating objects with the parameters entered by a sponsor and building a file comprising the objects associated with all of the parameters entered by a sponsor, an editor for generating an electronic file containing code for the incentive program, a classifying application program for classifying the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code, a generator application program for generating tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program, and an executor application that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising: displaying a graphical image file in connection with an object, wherein the graphical image file is a branded image, wherein the object is a game piece in an incentive program, wherein the object is displayed upon winning an incentive program, wherein the graphical image file may change, and wherein the graphical image file that is displayed depends on characteristics of the user.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of incentive program generation, comprising: providing a host computer connected to a network for hosting a sponsor having a sponsor computer connected to the network; providing an incentive application builder program, running on the host computer; providing a database of objects associated with parameters of said incentive application builder program; and providing an interface of the incentive program builder application for sponsor entry of parameters for an incentive program; wherein the sponsor builds an incentive program by interacting with the application program.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of incentive program generation, comprising: providing a host computer connected to a network for hosting a sponsor having a sponsor computer connected to the network; providing an incentive application builder program, running on the host computer; providing a database of objects associated with parameters of said incentive application builder program; and providing an interface of the incentive program builder application for sponsor entry of parameters for an incentive program; wherein the sponsor builds an incentive program by interacting with the application program.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method of claim 14, further comprising: providing a database of awards associated with the incentive program; and automating fulfillment of awards for the incentive program, wherein automating fulfillment permits the sponsor to select and enter a mode of fulfillment selected from a plurality of possible modes for a specific award won in an incentive program, determines a fulfillment location for the specific award pursuant to the selected fulfillment mode and updates the database of awards to reflect the selection of the award and the determination of the fulfillment location.
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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) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |