Patent US6128599A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6128599A
Expired / Lapsed
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Method and apparatus for processing customized group reward offers
Assignee: ByteDance Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-09
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Granted: 2000-10-03
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Expires: 2017-10-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an apparatus for providing and managing a customized reward offer to an affinity group sponsor based on the aggregate performance of members of the group. The apparatus includes a processor configured to accesses historical aggregate data associated with the affinity group. The processor is further configured to determine a performance target associated with the affinity group. The processor is also configured to determine aggregate performance data based on the historical data and determine a performance target based on the aggregate performance data.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 Sanjay K. Jindal
- 👤 Toby Weir-Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0226; G06Q30/0234; G06Q30/0235; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for generating a customized reward offer for a sponsor of an affinity group, said method comprising the steps of: accessing transaction data, said transaction data associated with a plurality of financial accounts, each controlled by a member of said affinity group; determining aggregate performance data based on said transaction data, said aggregate performance data describing activity of said plurality of financial accounts; and determining a performance target based on said aggregate performance data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for generating a customized reward offer for a sponsor of an affinity group, said method comprising the steps of: accessing transaction data, said transaction data associated with a plurality of financial accounts, each controlled by a member of said affinity group; determining aggregate performance data based on said transaction data, said aggregate performance data describing activity of said plurality of financial accounts; and determining a performance target based on said aggregate performance data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an average outstanding balance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an average charge volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an average number of transactions over a predetermined period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an aggregate behavior score.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an aggregate profitability score.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an aggregate credit score.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining aggregate performance data includes a step of deriving an aggregate performance score.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a performance target includes the steps of: accessing comparative performance data; and comparing said aggregate performance data to said comparative performance data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said comparative data describes performance from a previous period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said comparative data describes performance of a plurality of financial accounts, said plurality of financial accounts including at least one financial account controlled by a non-member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: selecting a reward offer associated with said performance target; and transmitting said performance target and said reward offer to said sponsor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of selecting a reward offer includes the step of accessing reward preference data and wherein said reward offer is associated with said reward preference data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of transmitting includes a step of printing a periodic statement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of transmitting said performance target to each member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting said performance target to each member includes a step of printing a periodic account statement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of transmitting includes a step of updating a database electronically accessible by said sponsor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for processing a reward for a sponsor of an affinity group based on a plurality of financial accounts, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving performance target data associated with said affinity group including a performance target parameter; aggregating transaction data associated with said plurality of financial accounts to determine an aggregated performance value; comparing said aggregated performance value to said performance target parameter to determine whether the reward is earned; and if the reward is earned, processing the steps of: accessing reward offer data associated with said pertormance target data; and updating affinity group account data to reflect the reward.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for processing a reward for a sponsor of an affinity group based on a plurality of financial accounts, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving performance target data associated with said affinity group including a performance target parameter; aggregating transaction data associated with said plurality of financial accounts to determine an aggregated performance value; comparing said aggregated performance value to said performance target parameter to determine whether the reward is earned; and if the reward is earned, processing the steps of: accessing reward offer data associated with said pertormance target data; and updating affinity group account data to reflect the reward.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of updating includes a step of modifying reward program point data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said reward program point data represents frequent flyer miles associated with said sponsor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of updating includes a step of processing a rebate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of updating account data associated with at least one of the affiliated financial accounts to reflect a member reward, said step of updating account data being performed if said reward is earned.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said account data associated with at least one of the affiliated financial accounts includes individual reward data representing rewards based on performance of said member and group reward data representing rewards based on performance of said affinity group.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of updating affinity group account data to reflect a penalty.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of updating account data associated with at least one of the affiliated financial accounts to reflect a member penalty, said step of updating account data being performed if said reward is not earned.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
110 words
A device for generating a customized reward offer for a sponsor of an affinity group sponsor, said device comprising: a memory configured to store: data associated with said affinity group sponsor, transaction data associated with a plurality of financial accounts, each controlled by a member of said affinity group, aggregating performance data describing activity of said plurality of financial accounts, target data specifying a performance target, and reward data specifying a reward; and a processor operatively connected to said memory, said processor configured to: access said transaction data, determine said aggregate performance data based on said transaction data, and determine said performance target data based on said aggregate performance data.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
110 words
A device for generating a customized reward offer for a sponsor of an affinity group sponsor, said device comprising: a memory configured to store: data associated with said affinity group sponsor, transaction data associated with a plurality of financial accounts, each controlled by a member of said affinity group, aggregating performance data describing activity of said plurality of financial accounts, target data specifying a performance target, and reward data specifying a reward; and a processor operatively connected to said memory, said processor configured to: access said transaction data, determine said aggregate performance data based on said transaction data, and determine said performance target data based on said aggregate performance data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an average outstanding balance to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an average charge volume to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an average number of transactions over a predetermined period step to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an aggregate behavior score to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an aggregate profitability score to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an aggregate credit score to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to derive an aggregate performance score to determine said aggregate performance data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said memory is further configured to store comparative performance data; and said processor is further configured to access said comparative performance data and compare said aggregate performance data to said comparative performance data to determine said performance target.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 34 wherein said comparative data describes performance from a previous period.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 34 wherein said comparative data describes performance of a plurality of financial accounts, said plurality of financial accounts including at least one financial account controlled by a non-member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said processor is further configured to: select said reward data associated with said performance target; and transmit said performance target and said reward offer to said sponsor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 37 wherein said processor is further configured to access reward preference data to select a reward offer and wherein said reward offer is associated with said reward preference data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 37 wherein said processor is further configured to print a periodic statement.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 37 wherein said processor is further configured to transmit said performance target to each member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 40 wherein said processor is further configured to print a periodic account statement.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 36 wherein said processor is further configured update a database electronically accessible by said sponsor.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for processing a reward for a sponsor of an affinity group based on account performance of a plurality of related financial accounts, said device comprising: a memory configured to store: a performance target parameter; reward offer data associated with said performance target parameter; transaction data associated with the plurality of financial accounts; and affinity group account data; a processor operatively connected to said memory, said processor configured to: retrieve said performance target parameter; aggregate said transaction data to determine an aggregated performance value; compare said aggregated performance value to said performance target parameter to determine whether said reward is earned and if said reward is earned, said processor configured to: access said reward offer data associated with said performance target parameter; and update affinity group account data to reflect said reward.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for processing a reward for a sponsor of an affinity group based on account performance of a plurality of related financial accounts, said device comprising: a memory configured to store: a performance target parameter; reward offer data associated with said performance target parameter; transaction data associated with the plurality of financial accounts; and affinity group account data; a processor operatively connected to said memory, said processor configured to: retrieve said performance target parameter; aggregate said transaction data to determine an aggregated performance value; compare said aggregated performance value to said performance target parameter to determine whether said reward is earned and if said reward is earned, said processor configured to: access said reward offer data associated with said performance target parameter; and update affinity group account data to reflect said reward.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said processor is further configured to modify reward program point data.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 44 wherein said reward program point data represents frequent flyer miles associated with said sponsor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said processor is further configured to process a rebate.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said processor is further configured to update member account data associated with at least one of the affiliated financial accounts to reflect a member reward, if said reward is earned.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 47 wherein said account data associated with at least one of the affiliated financial accounts includes individual reward data representing rewards based on performance of said member and group reward data representing rewards based on performance of said affinity group.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said processor is further configured to update said affinity group account data to reflect a penalty.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said processor is further configured to update member account data associated with at least one of the affiliated financial accounts to reflect a member penalty, if said reward is not earned.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for generating a customized reward offer for a sponsor of an affinity group, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: accessing transaction data, said transaction data associated with a plurality of financial accounts, each controlled by a member of said affinity group; determining aggregate performance data based on said transaction data, said aggregate performance data describing activity of said plurality of financial accounts; and determining a performance target based on said aggregate performance data.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for generating a customized reward offer for a sponsor of an affinity group, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: accessing transaction data, said transaction data associated with a plurality of financial accounts, each controlled by a member of said affinity group; determining aggregate performance data based on said transaction data, said aggregate performance data describing activity of said plurality of financial accounts; and determining a performance target based on said aggregate performance data.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing a reward for a sponsor of an affinity group based on a plurality of affiliated financial accounts, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: retrieving performance target data associated with said affinity group including a performance target parameter; aggregating transaction data associated with said plurality of financial accounts to determine an aggregate performance value; comparing said aggregated performance value to said performance target parameter to determine whether the reward is earned; and if the reward is earned, processing the steps of: accessing reward offer data associated with said performance target data; and updating affinity group account data to reflect the reward.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for processing a reward for a sponsor of an affinity group based on a plurality of affiliated financial accounts, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: retrieving performance target data associated with said affinity group including a performance target parameter; aggregating transaction data associated with said plurality of financial accounts to determine an aggregate performance value; comparing said aggregated performance value to said performance target parameter to determine whether the reward is earned; and if the reward is earned, processing the steps of: accessing reward offer data associated with said performance target data; and updating affinity group account data to reflect the reward.
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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) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |