Patent US6424949B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6424949B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for selective incentive point-of-sale marketing in response to customer shopping histories
Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corp
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Filing: 1997-03-12
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Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2017-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is disclosed for customer promotion. A terminal enters a customer's identification code, along with customer transaction data, at the point-of-sale. A memory stores a database of previously entered customer identification codes and transactions data. Circuitry is provided for generating a signal representative of a customer's shopping history, wherein incentive coupons may be issued to customers in dependence upon the signal.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Deaton
- 👤 Rodney G. Gabriel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:47
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/42; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/387; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0224; G06Q30/0226; G06Q30/0235; G06Q30/0236; G06Q30/0238; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0242; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0255; G06Q30/0268; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/02; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0009; G07G1/0036; G07G1/12; G07G1/14; G07G1/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A system for targeted customer promotion at a retail store comprising: a terminal for entering a plurality of customer's identification codes, along with customer transaction data, at the point-of-sale; a bar code reader for detecting the universal product code on products purchased by said customers; a memory for storing a plurality of previously entered customer identification codes and customer transaction data; said memory further storing data relating to universal product codes of products purchased in prior shopping visits by an individual customer, such that data regarding said individual customer's product purchases and shopping histories are stored in associaton with said customer identification codes; a processor operable to determine from said memory a set of previously purchased products purchased by a specific customer in prior visits to the store; said set of products comprising a plurality of product brands from a plurality of product categories of products previously purchased by said individual customer; said processor determining from said set a subset of products which may be used as incentives, said subset based upon customer preference for said products in said set, wherein said preference is determined by a preference criteria based on the frequency of separate shopping visits in which said products in said set are purchased; circuitry for generating a signal upon detection of a specific customer's identification code; and apparatus responsive to said signal for issuing an incentive involving at least one product from said subset of products such that said specific customer is issued an incentive for a product preferred by said specific customer from among those previously purchased by said specific customer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
265 words
A system for targeted customer promotion at a retail store comprising: a terminal for entering a plurality of customer's identification codes, along with customer transaction data, at the point-of-sale; a bar code reader for detecting the universal product code on products purchased by said customers; a memory for storing a plurality of previously entered customer identification codes and customer transaction data; said memory further storing data relating to universal product codes of products purchased in prior shopping visits by an individual customer, such that data regarding said individual customer's product purchases and shopping histories are stored in associaton with said customer identification codes; a processor operable to determine from said memory a set of previously purchased products purchased by a specific customer in prior visits to the store; said set of products comprising a plurality of product brands from a plurality of product categories of products previously purchased by said individual customer; said processor determining from said set a subset of products which may be used as incentives, said subset based upon customer preference for said products in said set, wherein said preference is determined by a preference criteria based on the frequency of separate shopping visits in which said products in said set are purchased; circuitry for generating a signal upon detection of a specific customer's identification code; and apparatus responsive to said signal for issuing an incentive involving at least one product from said subset of products such that said specific customer is issued an incentive for a product preferred by said specific customer from among those previously purchased by said specific customer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said customer preference criteria further comprises the dollar value of purchase over a prior time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said customer preference criteria further comprises the frequency of purchase over a prior time period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said customer preference criteria further comprises the physical volume of purchase over a prior time period.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for targeted customer promotion at a retail store comprising: entering a customer's identification code, along with customer transaction data, at the point-of-sale; detecting the universal product code on products purchased by said customers; storing a plurality of previously entered customer identification codes and customer transaction data; storing data relating to universal product codes of products purchased in prior shopping visits by said customer, such that data regarding individual customer's product purchasing histories are stored in association with said customer identification codes; determining from said stored data a set of previously purchased products purchased by a specific customer in prior visits to the store; said set of products comprising a plurality of product brands from a plurality of product categories of previously purchased products; determining from said set a subset of products based upon customer preference for said products in said set, wherein said preference is determined by a preference criteria based on the purchase of said products in said set on a plurality of separate shopping visits; generating a signal upon detection of a specific customer's identification code; and in response to said signal, issuing an incentive involving at least one product from said subset of products to said specific customer for a preferred product relative to said plurality of product brands previously purchased by said specific customer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for targeted customer promotion at a retail store comprising: entering a customer's identification code, along with customer transaction data, at the point-of-sale; detecting the universal product code on products purchased by said customers; storing a plurality of previously entered customer identification codes and customer transaction data; storing data relating to universal product codes of products purchased in prior shopping visits by said customer, such that data regarding individual customer's product purchasing histories are stored in association with said customer identification codes; determining from said stored data a set of previously purchased products purchased by a specific customer in prior visits to the store; said set of products comprising a plurality of product brands from a plurality of product categories of previously purchased products; determining from said set a subset of products based upon customer preference for said products in said set, wherein said preference is determined by a preference criteria based on the purchase of said products in said set on a plurality of separate shopping visits; generating a signal upon detection of a specific customer's identification code; and in response to said signal, issuing an incentive involving at least one product from said subset of products to said specific customer for a preferred product relative to said plurality of product brands previously purchased by said specific customer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said customer preference criteria further comprises the dollar value of purchase over a prior time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said customer preference criteria comprises the frequency of purchase over a prior time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said customer preference criteria further comprises the physical volume of purchase over a prior time period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said preference criteria further comprises products preferred by said customer relatiove to said set of previously purchased products.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of issuing an incentive comprises effecting an electronic discount from the customer's bill at the point-of-sale.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of issuing an incentive comprises varying a smart card memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of issuing an incentive comprises printing promotions for delivery to customer's home addresses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of issuing an incentive comprises printing coupons from a printer at the point-of-sale.
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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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |