US6119933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for customer loyalty and marketing analysis
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1998-07-16
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Granted: 2000-09-19
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Expires: 2018-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A customer frequency, analysis and reward system has multiple alternative components and allows for input of customer identification through use of a smart card, biometric input device, or a preexisitng identification, such as a credit card, government-issued id, or checking account. A customer interacts with the system initially at a data collection point-of-sale (POS) device at a retail outlet. Data is periodically collected from the retail site to a data warehouse, where various types of analysis may be performed. A customer can interact with the system using an internet interface, thus reducing costs of ownership.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl Chang Wong
- 👤 Gordon H. Miles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/14; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for identifying a customer for administering a customer frequency, analysis, and reward system comprising: obtaining from a customer customer identifying information such as name, address and phone number; selecting a customer identification means, said means not requiring assignment of a new customer identification number; and using said customer identification means to record customer transactions details in a database local to a point-of-sale location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for identifying a customer for administering a customer frequency, analysis, and reward system comprising: obtaining from a customer customer identifying information such as name, address and phone number; selecting a customer identification means, said means not requiring assignment of a new customer identification number; and using said customer identification means to record customer transactions details in a database local to a point-of-sale location.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for identifying a customer for administering a customer frequency, analysis, and reward system comprising: obtaining from a customer customer identifying information such as name, address and phone number; selecting a customer identification means, said means not requiring assignment of a new customer identification number; and using said customer identification means to record customer transaction details in a database local to a point-of-sale location, said customer identification means being a means that the customer would normally use to complete customer transactions, such as a pre-existing checking account number, or a pre-existing credit card number.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for identifying a customer for administering a customer frequency, analysis, and reward system comprising: obtaining from a customer customer identifying information such as name, address and phone number; selecting a customer identification means, said means not requiring assignment of a new customer identification number; and using said customer identification means to record customer transaction details in a database local to a point-of-sale location, said customer identification means being a means that the customer would normally use to complete customer transactions, such as a pre-existing checking account number, or a pre-existing credit card number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein a sticker or other marking device is used on a pre-existing credit card to identify that credit card as containing the customer identification means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the customer identification means is a subset of numbers from a credit card in order to provide for enhanced security.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein a number of different customer identification means may be used to identify a single customer profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
A customer frequency, analysis, and reward system administered by a first entity comprising: a point of sale (POS) data collection device capable of inputting POS customer transaction data, including a customer profile ID, wherein the POS data collection device is configured to identify a customer with a number previously assigned to the customer by an unrelated second entity; a local database closely coupled to the point of sale device for storing customer profiles; a central data warehouse, periodically updated by data in said local database, for storing all customer profiles and transaction details from a number of POS local databases; a set of analytical information tools, with access to said data warehouse, for performing customer frequency and transaction analysis and generating meaningful information including spending trends and customer frequency; and a customer loyalty reward system, with access to data in said data warehouse, for maintaining information regarding customer frequency in order to provide an awards program as an incentive for a customer participating in said customer analysis system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
A customer frequency, analysis, and reward system administered by a first entity comprising: a point of sale (POS) data collection device capable of inputting POS customer transaction data, including a customer profile ID, wherein the POS data collection device is configured to identify a customer with a number previously assigned to the customer by an unrelated second entity; a local database closely coupled to the point of sale device for storing customer profiles; a central data warehouse, periodically updated by data in said local database, for storing all customer profiles and transaction details from a number of POS local databases; a set of analytical information tools, with access to said data warehouse, for performing customer frequency and transaction analysis and generating meaningful information including spending trends and customer frequency; and a customer loyalty reward system, with access to data in said data warehouse, for maintaining information regarding customer frequency in order to provide an awards program as an incentive for a customer participating in said customer analysis system.
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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) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |