US6178408B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of redeeming collectible points
Assignee: Hanger Solutions LLC
•
Filing: 1999-07-14
•
Granted: 2001-01-23
•
Expires: 2019-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for redeeming collectible points using on-line bidding for promotional items. Promotional points are collected by consumer purchases of products associated with the points or other consumer behavior. Consumers accumulate the points and then redeem them by bidding on promotional items posted for fixed periods of time on an internet site. The method provides for fixed promotional inventory costs as well as the timely collection of consumer preference information. One embodiment of the invention also provides for parental approval of a minor's participation.
Inventors
- 👤 Brenda Ellen Copple
- 👤 Kristin Elizabeth Creed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0226; G06Q30/0235; G06Q30/0239; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0269; G06Q30/0273; G06Q30/0275; G06Q30/0277; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/08; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for redeeming promotional points comprising the steps of: (a) establishing user accounts reflecting available points collected; (b) offering at least one promotional item for bid for a fixed time period; (c) allowing bidding of user points on said at least one promotional item; (d) tracking user available points during bidding; (e) identifying the highest bidder; and, (f) redeeming the highest bidder's points in exchange for said at least one promotional item.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for redeeming promotional points comprising the steps of: (a) establishing user accounts reflecting available points collected; (b) offering at least one promotional item for bid for a fixed time period; (c) allowing bidding of user points on said at least one promotional item; (d) tracking user available points during bidding; (e) identifying the highest bidder; and, (f) redeeming the highest bidder's points in exchange for said at least one promotional item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein user accounts are established and tracked by a promoter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises providing parental notification of a minor's establishment of an account.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (g) deducting said highest bidder's points from said bidder's user account.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (f) further comprises obtaining parental approval of a minor's redemption of points for said at least one promotional item.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, after the highest bidder is identified in step (e), said bidder is allowed in step (f) a fixed time period during which to redeem the number of points bid in exchange for said at least one promotional item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the promotional item is recycled for bid if said highest bidder does not timely redeem the number of points bid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 6 wherein a user who has at least once been identified as the highest bidder and has failed at least once to redeem the number of pints bid during the fixed time period is thereafter prohibited from bidding on promotional items.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the bidding occurs over the internet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) occurs on-line via the internet with available points collected data provided by the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the user providing the user's name, birth date, zip code, gender, password, and e-mail address as user account information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the user provides a parent's e-mail address.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 wherein notification of establishment of an account and identification of a highest bidder are provided to a parent's e-mail address.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 wherein user account information is correlated with user bidding to identify user promotional item preferences for targeted user profiles.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for redeeming promotional points reflected on coupons removed from retail products by consumers of said retail products for promotional items comprising an internet based promotional items bidding auction, wherein available promotional points data is provided by users prior to bidding and the availability of the winning points bid is confirmed by redemption of coupons reflecting the total points bid.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for redeeming promotional points reflected on coupons removed from retail products by consumers of said retail products for promotional items comprising an internet based promotional items bidding auction, wherein available promotional points data is provided by users prior to bidding and the availability of the winning points bid is confirmed by redemption of coupons reflecting the total points bid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising parental notification of a minor's participation in said bidding auction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising parental approval of a minor's redemption of points for a promotional item.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the time allowed for a user to redeem coupons reflecting the bid points total is limited to a time fixed from the date a user is notified of the winning bid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 18 wherein an item is recycled for further bidding if points are not redeemed during the time allowed for a user to redeem coupons reflecting the bid total points.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 18 wherein a user who has at least once been notified of a winning bid and has at least once failed to redeem coupons reflecting the bid points total during the time allowed is thereafter prohibited from bidding on promotional items.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein users establish accounts that are accessible on-line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 wherein available points are tracked and identified to each user's account using a user information database.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for redeeming collectible points promoting retail products, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing coupons reflecting redeemable points to consumers with the purchase of retail products; (b) directing consumers to an internet site for information on redeeming said points; (c) providing an internet site listing promotional items available by means of a points auction; (d) conducting a collected points auction of promotional items on-line; and, (e) providing for the redemption of collected points bid for promotional items from the highest bidders, wherein each highest bidder exchanges coupons reflecting the points bid for a promotional item.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for redeeming collectible points promoting retail products, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing coupons reflecting redeemable points to consumers with the purchase of retail products; (b) directing consumers to an internet site for information on redeeming said points; (c) providing an internet site listing promotional items available by means of a points auction; (d) conducting a collected points auction of promotional items on-line; and, (e) providing for the redemption of collected points bid for promotional items from the highest bidders, wherein each highest bidder exchanges coupons reflecting the points bid for a promotional item.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 wherein consumers must establish on-line user accounts prior to participating in the auction of step (d).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24 wherein a parent is notified of a minor's establishment of a user account.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said notification occurs by e-mail.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 wherein parental approval is obtained prior to a minor's participation in the auction of step (d).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 23 wherein step (e) further comprises allowing the redemption of collected points during a specified time period from the date of notification to the highest bidder of the winning bid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the item is recycled for bid if the promotional points are not redeemed within said time period.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a highest bidder who has at least once failed to redeem points bid during said specified time period is thereafter prohibited from participation in said collected points auction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for: (a) establishing user accounts reflecting available points collected; (b) offering at least one promotional item for bid for a fixed time period; (c) allowing bidding of user points on said at least one promotional item; (d) tracking user available points during bidding; and (e) identifying the highest bidder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for: (a) establishing user accounts reflecting available points collected; (b) offering at least one promotional item for bid for a fixed time period; (c) allowing bidding of user points on said at least one promotional item; (d) tracking user available points during bidding; and (e) identifying the highest bidder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 31 further containing program instructions for: (f) deducting said highest bidder's points bid from said bidder's user account.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer readable medium of claim 31 further containing program instructions for: (f) extrapolating user preference for promotional items from user bidding in order to tailor the types of items offered for future bidding to best target a desired consumer profile.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
88 words
A method using a server computer to allow computer network users to participate in a promotional points redemption program, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing user accounts reflecting available points collected; (b) offering at least one promotional item for bid for a fixed time period; (c) allowing bidding of user points on said at least one promotional item; (d) tracking user available points during bidding; (e) identifying the highest bidder; and, (f) redeeming the highest bidder's points in exchange for said at least one promotional item.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
88 words
A method using a server computer to allow computer network users to participate in a promotional points redemption program, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing user accounts reflecting available points collected; (b) offering at least one promotional item for bid for a fixed time period; (c) allowing bidding of user points on said at least one promotional item; (d) tracking user available points during bidding; (e) identifying the highest bidder; and, (f) redeeming the highest bidder's points in exchange for said at least one promotional item.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 34 wherein user accounts are established in step (a) by the user inputting information, including available points collected, on the server computer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 wherein user accounts are established in step (a) by the promoter inputting information on the server computer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the user accounts of step (a) comprise data providing consumer profile information to the promoter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the steps of: (g) correlating consumer promotional item preference with consumer profiles in order to tailor the types of items offered for future bidding to best target a desired consumer profile.
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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) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |