Systems and methods for managing promotional offer issuance and redemption and reducing fraud - Patents.com

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing the offer, redemption, and checkout processes of the promotional offer industry address and minimize fraud, better inform businesses offering promotions of the results of their promotional offer programs, and facilitate improved checkout processes after offer redemption. Systems and methods are provided for managing promotions and reducing fraud, facilitating product-specific redemption of gift card balances, facilitating the real-time integration of promotional offers, such as coupons, coupon codes, and gift cards, into customer relationship management systems and / or processes, and facilitating merchant-specific and product-specific redemption of serialized promotional offers for purchases. These systems and methods are integrated into environments including point-of-sale systems, consumer relationship management systems, promoter systems, bank card processor systems, consumer systems, and dedicated promotion provider systems.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the promotional offers industry, and more particularly to a system and method for merchant-based, product-specific promotion redemption in the promotional offers industry, implementing a collaborative gift card network that reduces fraud, expedites settlement of redeemed promotional offers, and improves functionality in the promotional offers industry. [Background technology]

[0002] In the promotional offers industry, including but not limited to gift card programs, coupon programs, loyalty programs, and real-time payment programs, there are currently limitations and difficulties imposed on participants in the promotional offers industry. For example, using conventional methods, a manufacturer who wants to issue coupons for their products (e.g., typically through a vendor, distributor, etc.) has little or no control over the redemption and payout of the coupons, or the effectiveness of the coupon program, until later (whether 30 days, 60 days, or 6 months later), when the manufacturer learns how successful the coupon program was. As such, the promotional offers industry currently has only limited protection against fraud, and therefore only limited return on investment by participants in the promotional offers industry. At the same time, there is a significant risk of fraud in the generation of fraudulent coupons, fraudulent reporting of redemptions, etc.

[0003] Even reward issuers (e.g., vendors, sales agents, etc.) typically have little or no control over the redemption and payout of coupons or offers, and little knowledge of the redemption process. At the same time, there is a significant risk of fraud in the generation of fraudulent coupons, fraudulent reporting of redemptions, etc. Such problems are exacerbated by the convoluted redemption and settlement process. Thus, coupon issuers in the promotional offers industry, individually and collectively, traditionally have little knowledge or control over how their promotional coupons are used or whether they are effective.

[0004] One of the significant problems inherent in the promotional offer industry is the complicated redemption (reconciliation and settlement) process. Redeemed coupons are typically collected at the point of sale and then shipped to an international location where cheap labor is available for coupon counting. The counting of coupons is typically performed manually at such locations, but in some cases, the coupons are not actually counted, but rather the number of redeemed coupons is estimated based on weight alone. It is not uncommon for a certain amount of fraud in the process to simply be assumed, where the retailer where the coupons are redeemed does not receive the full value of the redeemed coupons collected, but instead receives some percentage of it, such as 80%, regardless of whether the retailer engaged in any fraudulent activity related to the redemption of the promotional offer. Thus, with current promotional offer redemption practices, the existence of fraud harms all participants in the promotional offer process.

[0005] Furthermore, the manual nature of the current redemption, matching, and settlement process means that a significant amount of time often passes between coupon issuance, redemption, matching, and settlement. This process ties up funds for all parties involved. In particular, manufacturers or other promotional parties are sometimes not sure of the total spend associated with a promotional offer until many months after the expiration of the coupon or other promotional offer issued as part of the promotional offer campaign. The best that can be done is to extrapolate from the manufacturer's or similarly situated manufacturers' past promotional offer campaigns and hope for the best. If redemption rates exceed expectations, manufacturers may hold themselves liable to retailers who accepted the coupon or other promotional offer to an unexpected extent. Thus, manufacturers and other promotional parties are harmed by the delays inherent in the traditional promotional offer environment.

[0006] Retailers and other merchants who accept coupons and other promotional offers are similarly harmed. Retailers are expected to accept less than the full value of goods or services at the point of sale and receive a refund at a later time. On the downside, because of delays inherent in the traditional matching and checkout process, retailers may have to wait months for a refund while manual coupon verification is performed, often overseas. Furthermore, because of fraud and estimation difficulties inherent in redeeming traditional promotional offers, retailers and other merchants often only receive a percentage, such as 80%, of the total coupons or offers they accept. These difficulties thus create significant problems for retailers. As a result, some retailers have taken the extreme step of refusing to accept coupons and promotions rather than address the inherent problems in the matching and checkout process.

[0007] Further problems are inherent in the matching and settlement process. Although much of the matching process, such as the counting of received coupons, is performed in other countries to take advantage of the low labor costs involved in manual counting, there are still significant costs involved in shipping the coupons and paying for the manual counting. Other significant costs include audit costs associated with preventing fraud on the part of the provider of the counts or other entities involved in the promotional offer process. Thus, current matching and settlement processes are not only wasteful in terms of time, but also involve significant costs with little beneficial return.

[0008] Increasingly, brands (e.g., manufacturers, retailers, etc.) are looking to utilize promotions in managing their relationships with customers. Brands want to use coupons as a tool to address issues related to customer recovery (when customer dissatisfaction occurs) or to increase customer loyalty and engagement. Unfortunately, traditional promotions such as coupons and coupon codes have been of limited use in such efforts. Traditional coupons or coupon codes issued by brands are subject to the same limitations as other offers in the promotional offers industry. While some coupons or promotions may be used anywhere, such coupons or promotions are subject to the same challenges of redemption, tracking, unauthorized duplication, etc., and brands using such coupons or promotions have little ability to determine the extent to which such efforts result in customer recovery or repair or other customer loyalty associated with the brand.

[0009] Brands have sometimes issued location-specific coupons or coupon codes to customers, such as codes that can be used on the brand's own website or store. Such coupons or coupon codes are individually coded and can be tracked to a greater degree than some other promotional offers or initiatives, but have limited ability to impact customer loyalty, re-sales, repairs, and the like. In particular, unhappy customers often do not want to be restricted to using coupon codes at a particular site or store, where products are sometimes priced higher than they can obtain elsewhere without the use of the coupon code or promotion.

[0010] In addition, the ability to restrict the use of a coupon or coupon code issued by a brand to a particular product has traditionally been limited and difficult to redeem. This is especially true for coupons or coupon codes that are issued specifically for customer repair and retention after a bad customer experience. Such coupons or coupon codes are often limited in number and therefore may not typically be entered into all systems where the coupon or coupon code may typically be used. This either creates difficulties for retailers to use the coupon or coupon code, requiring them to enter codes into their own systems that may never be used, or requires retailers to manually enter the coupon at the point of sale, resulting in undesirable delays for retailers and customers. In either case, restricting the use of a coupon or coupon code, especially a one-time use customized code, to a particular product can be particularly difficult. As a result, the customer experience is not enhanced.

[0011] Brands that may wish to use coupons, coupon codes, or other promotional offers as part of their customer relationship management process generally wish to minimize the inconvenience to the customers involved. In many cases, a customer who receives a promotional offer is already dissatisfied, and any further inconvenience acts as a limit to the goodwill that may accrue in efforts to restore the relationship between the customer and the brand. Therefore, brands wish to make the process for redeeming a promotional offer, such as a coupon, gift card, coupon code, etc., as simple and straightforward as possible.

[0012] Additionally, brands that wish to issue promotional offers, including coupons, coupon codes, gift cards, etc., as part of their customer management process need to make this process as simple as possible while also providing features such as accountability, recognition of the effect on the customer relationship, redemption, etc. Many traditional processes do not provide any or all of these features. In particular, traditional paper coupons that may be issued by customer service agents lack tracking and accountability measures and are therefore subject to internal as well as external abuse. Similar problems are inherent with the gift card industry and the use of gift cards as promotional offers in customer relationship management.

[0013] In some cases, a brand or other entity wishing to issue a promotion may find it convenient to offer the promotion as a bank card or gift card (which may be referred to interchangeably as generic terms). A disadvantage is that traditionally there are few restrictions applicable to the use of such cards as promotions. Although the issuer of a promotion may wish to restrict the use of the card to the purchase of a particular item (thereby minimizing the cost of the promotion to the issuer or manufacturer, or maximizing the benefit to the manufacturer or issuer when the promotion is used as intended), currently there is little way for the card issuer to ensure that the card is used for its intended purpose. Instead, once such a card is issued, the recipient can use the monetary value of the gift card for any desired purpose, often (in the case of non-store specific cards) through any desired retailer or location. The value of the card is applied to the total amount of the receipt, regardless of what product or products are purchased, and the card is not tied to any particular item or product purchased. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] Implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing the offer, redemption, and checkout processes of the promotional offer industry in a manner that addresses and minimizes fraud, better informs businesses offering promotions of the results of promotional offer programs, and encourages improvements in the checkout process after offer redemption. Implementations of the present invention provide methods for preventing or reducing fraud in the promotional offer industry, as well as systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods. Implementations of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity, as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are implemented by heterogeneous participants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to a particular implementation of the present invention, a method for preventing fraud in the promotional offer industry includes determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer and transmitting information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device via an electronic communication network. The method further includes receiving an indication of interest in the promotional offer from the consumer computing device via the communication network, associating a one-time use unique bank card number with the promotional offer, and transmitting the bank card number to the consumer computing device as an accepted promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes receiving an indication via the communication network that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale, and allocating a payment for the redemption of the promotional offer.

[0016] According to some implementations, the method includes, upon associating the bank card number with the promotional offer, writing the association of the bank card number to the promotional offer as a transaction on the blockchain, and upon receiving an indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale, writing a record of the redemption of the promotional offer to the blockchain. In some implementations, the payment is allocated to the merchant within three days of redeeming the accepted promotional offer. In some implementations, the payment is allocated to the merchant within one day of redeeming the accepted promotional offer.

[0017] In some implementations, associating a bank card number with a promotional offer allocates the value of the promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby allowing the bank card number to be used as a partial payment for the amount of the promotional offer. In some implementations, when the promotional offer is redeemed at a point-of-sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third-party bank card acceptance processor. In some implementations, payment for redemption of the promotional offer is assigned to the merchant associated with the point-of-sale.

[0018] In some implementations, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payments upon redemption of a promotional offer. Instead, when a promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third-party bank card acceptance processor for verification, without value, that the promotional offer has been used. In some implementations, payment for redemption of a promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer.

[0019] In some implementations, determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer includes receiving an indication from the consumer computing device over a communications network that the consumer computing device has entered a particular geographic region. In some implementations, determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer includes receiving an indication from the consumer computing device over the communications network representing a request from the consumer for a promotional offer and determining that the promotional offer is one for which the consumer is eligible.

[0020] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving information regarding a promotional offer campaign involving providing promotional offers to a plurality of consumers, serializing a given number of the promotional offers with a unique sequential number, recording the promotional offers on a blockchain, and when an attempt is made to redeem a promotional offer, checking the blockchain to ensure that each attempted redemption relates to a valid unredeemed promotional offer before approving the redemption. In certain implementations, the method further includes generating, upon request, a report collating all promotional offers issued and redeemed and sending the report to an administrator of the promotional offer campaign.

[0021] In some implementations, receiving an indication that the bank card number has been used to redeem an accepted promotional offer at the point of sale represents entering the bank card number at the point of sale computing device, an authorization transaction between the point of sale computing device and an authorization server system, and receiving a receipt of the use of the bank card number from the authorization server system.

[0022] According to a further implementation of the present invention, a method for preventing fraud in the promotional offer industry includes receiving information about a promotional offer campaign involving providing promotional offers to a plurality of consumers, receiving funding for the promotional offer campaign representing funds and fees for providing redemption of a determined number of promotional offers, serializing the determined number of promotional offers with a unique sequential number, and recording the serialized promotional offers on a blockchain. The method also includes determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer, transmitting information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device via an electronic communication network, receiving an indication from the consumer computing device via the communication network to opt-in to the promotional offer, associating a unique one-time use bank card number with the promotional offer, and transmitting the bank card number to the consumer computing device as an accepted promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes receiving an indication via the communication network that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale as a redeemed promotional offer, verifying on the blockchain that the redeemed promotional offer has not yet been used, allocating a payment for redemption of the promotional offer, and updating the blockchain to indicate that the redeemed promotional offer has been used.

[0023] In some implementations, the method further includes allocating a value of the promotional offer to the bank card number upon associating the bank card number with the promotional offer, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the promotional offer. In some implementations, when the promotional offer is redeemed at the point of sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third party bank card acceptance processor. In some implementations, payment for redemption of the promotional offer is assigned to a merchant associated with the point of sale.

[0024] In further implementations, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payments upon redemption of the promotional offer, but once the promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card acceptance processor for verification without value that the promotional offer has been used. In some implementations, payment for redemption of the promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer.

[0025] Implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing the offer, redemption, and checkout processes of the promotional offers industry in a manner that allows for and facilitates improvements in the reconciliation and checkout process. Implementations of the present invention provide methods for facilitating fast and accurate checkout in the promotional offers industry, as well as systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods. Implementations of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity, as well as in distributed computing environments where aspects of the methods are implemented by disparate participants.

[0026] According to an implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating fast and accurate checkout in the promotional offer industry. The method includes the steps of associating a one-time use unique bank card number with an initial promotional offer, and transmitting the bank card number over an electronic communication network to a consumer computing device as a received promotional offer, thereby enabling a consumer operating the consumer computing device to redeem the received promotional offer at a point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes the steps of receiving an indication over the electronic communication network that the bank card number was used to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale, and allocating a payment for the redemption of the received promotional offer within one week of receiving the indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale.

[0027] In some implementations, the method further includes, upon associating the bank card number with the initial promotional offer, writing the association of the bank card number to the initial promotional offer as a transaction on the blockchain, and upon receiving an indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale, writing a record of the redemption of the received promotional offer to the blockchain. In some implementations, the payment is assigned to the merchant associated with the point of sale within three days after the redemption of the received promotional offer. In some implementations, the payment is assigned to the merchant associated with the point of sale within one day after the redemption of the received promotional offer.

[0028] In some implementations, the method further includes, upon associating the bank card number with the initial promotional offer, allocating a value of the initial promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the received promotional offer. In some implementations, when the received promotional offer is redeemed at the point of sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third party bank card acceptance processor. In some implementations, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to a merchant associated with the point of sale.

[0029] In alternative implementations, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payments upon redemption of the received promotional offer, but once the received promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card acceptance processor for authentication without value that the received promotional offer has been used. In some implementations, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer.

[0030] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving payment for the initial promotional offer at or before the bank card number is associated with the initial promotional offer from the promoter, and storing the payment for the initial promotional offer in a promotional offer account. Allocating the payment for redemption of the received promotional offer in some implementations includes an electronic transfer of money for the received promotional offer from the promotional offer account.

[0031] In further implementations, the bank card number is sent to an app running on the consumer computing device and payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to a consumer account associated with the app. In some implementations, receiving an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale represents entry of the bank card number at the point of sale computing device, an authorization transaction between the point of sale computing device and an authorization server system, and receiving an acknowledgement of use of the bank card number from the authorization server system.

[0032] According to a particular implementation of the present invention, a method for preventing fraud in the promotional offer industry is provided. The method includes receiving information about a promotional offer campaign involving providing initial promotional offers to a plurality of consumers, receiving funding for the promotional offer campaign representing funds and fees for providing redemption of a determined number of the initial promotional offers, serializing the determined number of promotional offers with a unique sequential number, and recording the serialized promotional offers on a blockchain. The method further includes associating a unique one-time-use bank card number with each of the determined number of initial promotional offers, and transmitting one of the bank card numbers to a consumer computing device as a received promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the received promotional offer at a point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes receiving, via the communications network as a redeemed promotional offer, an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale; verifying on the blockchain that the redeemed promotional offer has not yet been used; allocating a payment for redemption of the redeemed promotional offer within one week of redemption; and updating the blockchain to indicate that the redeemed promotional offer has been used.

[0033] In some implementations, the method also includes, upon associating the bank card number with the initial promotional offer, allocating a value of the initial promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby allowing the bank card number to be used as a partial payment for the amount of the received promotional offer. In some implementations, when the received promotional offer is redeemed at the point-of-sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third-party bank card acceptance processor. In certain implementations, the payment for the redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to a merchant associated with the point-of-sale. In some implementations, the payment for the redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the merchant within three days of redemption.

[0034] In certain implementations, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payment upon redemption of the received promotional offer, but once the received promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card acceptance processor for authentication without value that the received promotional offer has been used. In some implementations, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer. In certain implementations, the bank card number is sent to an app running on the consumer computing device, and payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the consumer account associated with the app.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing the offer, redemption, and checkout processes of the promotional offers industry in a manner that addresses and facilitates improvements in the reconciliation and checkout process.Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for facilitating fast and accurate checkout in the promotional offers industry, as well as systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods.Embodiments of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity, as well as in distributed computing environments where aspects of the methods are implemented by disparate parties.

[0036] In contrast to the time-consuming processes previously used by the promotional offers industry, the system and method according to embodiments of the present invention allows for fast, secure, and verified redemption of promotional offers in a unique manner that allows for relatively quick matching and settlement. Thus, manufacturers and other promoters running promotional campaigns are assured that redeemed coupons are accurately recorded and redeemable for cash. Merchants, retailers, and other businesses that accept promotions are also protected from fraudulent coupons and other promotions, but more importantly, promotional offer redemptions can be reported quickly so that matching and settlement can occur much more quickly than before. According to embodiments of the present invention, settlement and payment can occur within a few hours to approximately one week. In essence, the settlement process can occur as early as the relevant economics (e.g., the cost of transferring funds) permit.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating fast and accurate checkout in the promotional offer industry. The method includes the steps of associating a one-time use unique bank card number with an initial promotional offer, and transmitting the bank card number over an electronic communications network to a consumer computing device as a received promotional offer, thereby enabling a consumer operating the consumer computing device to redeem the received promotional offer at a point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes the steps of receiving an indication over the electronic communications network that the bank card number was used to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale, and allocating a payment for the redemption of the received promotional offer within one week of receiving the indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further includes, upon associating the bank card number with the initial promotional offer, writing the association of the bank card number to the initial promotional offer as a transaction on the blockchain, and upon receiving an indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale, writing a record of the redemption of the received promotional offer to the blockchain. In some embodiments, the payment is assigned to the merchant associated with the point of sale within three days after the redemption of the received promotional offer. In some embodiments, the payment is assigned to the merchant associated with the point of sale within one day after the redemption of the received promotional offer.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method further includes, upon associating the bank card number with the initial promotional offer, allocating a value of the initial promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the received promotional offer. In some embodiments, when the received promotional offer is redeemed at the point of sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third party bank card acceptance processor. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to a merchant associated with the point of sale.

[0040] In an alternative implementation, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payment upon redemption of the received promotional offer, but once the received promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card acceptance processor for authentication without value that the received promotional offer has been used. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving payment for the initial promotional offer at or before the bank card number is associated with the initial promotional offer from the promoter, and storing the payment for the initial promotional offer in a promotional offer account. Allocating the payment for redemption of the received promotional offer in some embodiments includes an electronic transfer of money for the received promotional offer from the promotional offer account.

[0042] In further embodiments, the bank card number is transmitted to an app running on the consumer computing device and payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to a consumer account associated with the app. In some embodiments, receiving an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale represents entry of the bank card number at the point of sale computing device, an authorization transaction between the point of sale computing device and an authorization server system, and receiving an acknowledgement of use of the bank card number from the authorization server system.

[0043] An embodiment of the present invention further reduces fraud in the promotional offer industry. The method includes receiving information about a promotional offer campaign involving providing initial promotional offers to a plurality of consumers, receiving funding for the promotional offer campaign representing funds and fees for providing redemption of a determined number of the initial promotional offers, serializing the determined number of promotional offers with a unique sequential number, and recording the serialized promotional offers on a blockchain. The method further includes associating a unique one-time-use bank card number with each of the determined number of initial promotional offers, and transmitting one of the bank card numbers to a consumer computing device as a received promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes receiving, via the communications network as a redeemed promotional offer, an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the received promotional offer at the point of sale; verifying on the blockchain that the redeemed promotional offer has not yet been used; allocating a payment for redemption of the redeemed promotional offer within one week of redemption; and updating the blockchain to indicate that the redeemed promotional offer has been used.

[0044] In some embodiments, the method also includes, upon associating the bank card number with the initial promotional offer, allocating the value of the initial promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the received promotional offer. In some embodiments, when the received promotional offer is redeemed at the point-of-sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third-party bank card acceptance processor. In certain embodiments, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is allocated to a merchant associated with the point-of-sale. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is allocated to the merchant within three days of redemption.

[0045] In certain embodiments, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payment upon redemption of the received promotional offer, but once the received promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card authorization processor for verification without value that the received promotional offer has been used. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer. In certain embodiments, the bank card number is sent to an app running on the consumer computing device, and payment for redemption of the received promotional offer is assigned to the consumer account associated with the app.

[0046] Implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating real-time, item-specific application of gift card balances to purchases within a collaborative gift card network. Implementations of the present invention provide methods that enable the constraint of gift cards and gift card balances to purchases of specific items, as well as systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods. Implementations of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity, as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are implemented by heterogeneous participants.

[0047] According to an implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating real-time, product-specific application of gift card balances to purchases within a collaborative gift card network. The method includes providing a network-connected server including one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes storing information in the long-term memory store relating to one or more products for which the gift card is authorized for use, generating a list of gift card numbers and associated gift card amounts, and storing the gift card numbers and associated gift card amounts in the long-term memory store along with an association between each gift card number, its associated gift card amount, and information identifying one or more products for which the gift card number and its associated gift card amount are authorized for use. The method further includes the steps of establishing a bank card processor communications connection with a bank card processor computer system, establishing a retailer communications connection with a retailer computer system, receiving through the bank card processor communications connection an electronic communication including the gift card number and information identifying the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least partial payment for the purchase, and automatically transmitting to the retailer computer system through the retailer communications connection information authorizing the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least partial payment to apply the gift card amount to the purchase only if the purchase includes one or more items for which use of the gift card number and its associated gift card amount is authorized.

[0048] In some implementations, the method also includes receiving an electronic communication from a retailer computer system through the retailer communication connection, the electronic communication including information identifying one or more items included in the purchase. In some implementations, the method includes associating the electronic communication received through the bank card processor communication connection with the electronic communication received through the retailer communication connection, retrieving from a long-term memory store information identifying the gift card number and the one or more items for which use of the gift card amount associated therewith is authorized, using the processor to identify a match between the information identifying the one or more items for which use of the gift card number and the gift card amount associated therewith is authorized and the information identifying the one or more items included in the purchase, and generating information authorizing the retailer to apply the gift card amount to the purchase.

[0049] In some implementations, the information identifying the one or more items included in the purchase includes information such as a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), a Universal Product Code (UPC), an International Item Number (ARN), and an Australian Product Number (APN). In some implementations, the method further includes transmitting a request to a retailer computer system over the retailer communication connection to cause the retailer computer system to provide the information identifying the one or more items included in the purchase. In some implementations, the server selects the retailer computer system based on the information identifying the retailer received through the bank card processor communication connection.

[0050] In some implementations, the method includes using the gift card number and information identifying the retailer received through the bank card processor communication connection to search for an association between the gift card number and information identifying one or more items for which the gift card number and its associated gift card amount are authorized for use, and generating information authorizing the retailer for which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment to apply the gift card amount to the purchase only if the purchase includes one or more items that match the gift card number and the one or more items for which the gift card amount is authorized for use. In some implementations, the information authorizing the retailer for which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment to apply the gift card amount to the purchase includes information associated with the gift card number and each item for which the gift card amount is authorized for use, such as the SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, and APN.

[0051] In some implementations, the information identifying the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment includes information identifying a point of sale (POS) system to which the gift card number was provided. In some implementations, the information identifying the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment includes Global Positioning System (GPS) or other retailer location information.

[0052] According to a further implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating item-specific application of gift card balances to purchases within a collaborative gift card network. The method includes providing a POS system including a processor, an item entry system adapted to receive information identifying items purchased as part of a sale, a storage system operatively coupled to the item entry system and including a computer memory configured to store information identifying the purchased items, a payment acceptance system adapted to receive information associated with a gift card payment for a sale, a payment redemption communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication connection with a payment acceptance network, and a product verification communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication connection with a product verification network. The method further includes receiving at the POS system through the item entry system information identifying one or more items purchased as part of a sale, storing in the computer memory the information identifying the one or more purchased items, and receiving at the POS system through the payment acceptance system information identifying a uniquely numbered gift card used as at least partial payment for the one or more purchased items. The method also includes transmitting information identifying the gift card to a payment approver using a payment redemption communications connection; receiving gift card approval for a gift card amount from the payment approver over the payment redemption communications connection; and receiving an electronic communication over the product verification communications connection including information identifying one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is approved.The method also includes electronically comparing information identifying one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized to be applied to information stored in a computer memory identifying one or more purchased items, and automatically applying at least a portion of the gift card amount to the sale only if the information identifying the one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized to be applied matches at least a portion of the information identifying the one or more purchased items.

[0053] In some implementations, the method also includes sending an electronic communication over the product validation communication connection, the electronic communication including information identifying the gift card. In some implementations, the information identifying the gift card includes a unique gift card number. In some implementations, the information identifying the one or more purchased items includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN. In some implementations, the information identifying the one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN.

[0054] According to another implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating item-specific application of gift card balances to purchases within a collaborative gift card network. The method includes providing a POS system including a processor, an item entry system adapted to receive information identifying items purchased as part of a sale, a storage system operatively coupled to the item entry system and including a computer memory configured to store information identifying the purchased items, a payment acceptance system adapted to receive information associated with a gift card payment for a sale, a payment redemption communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication connection with a payment acceptance network, and a product verification communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication connection with a product verification network. The method also includes receiving at the POS system through the item entry system information identifying one or more items purchased as part of a sale, storing in the computer memory the information identifying the one or more purchased items, and receiving at the POS system through the payment acceptance system information identifying a uniquely numbered gift card used as at least partial payment for the one or more purchased items. The method also includes transmitting information identifying the gift card to a payment approver using a payment redemption communications connection, and receiving an approval for the gift card for a gift card amount from the payment approver through the payment redemption communications connection. The method also includes transmitting an electronic communication including information identifying one or more purchased items through a product verification communications connection, receiving a confirmation that the one or more purchased items include items approved for use of the gift card amount through the product verification communications connection, and automatically applying at least a portion of the gift card amount to the sale only upon confirmation that the one or more purchased items include items approved for use of the gift card amount.

[0055] In some implementations, the method further includes sending an electronic communication including information identifying the gift card over the product validation communication connection. In some implementations, the information identifying the gift card includes a unique gift card number. In some implementations, the information identifying the one or more purchased items includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN. In some implementations, the information identifying the one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN. In some implementations, the method also includes sending information identifying the POS system using the payment redemption communication connection.

[0056] Implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating the real-time integration of the use of promotional offers, such as coupons, coupon codes, gift cards, etc., into customer relationship management systems and / or processes. Implementations of the present invention provide methods for users (e.g., brands, businesses, retailers, etc.) to issue and send promotional offers to consumers as part of a customer relationship management process, such as a customer recovery process, a customer loyalty process, a customer engagement process, etc. Implementations of the present invention also provide systems for performing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, as well as non-transitory computer-readable media that cause computer systems to perform such methods. Implementations of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are performed by heterogeneous participants.

[0057] Certain implementations of the present invention are incorporated into customer relationship management processes, including software for customer relationship management, that allow users to issue personalized promotions (e.g., coupons, coupon codes, gift cards, etc.) directly through direct communication. Direct communication includes such communications as email, text messages, multimedia messages, paper communications, platform-specific communications, as well as non-platform-specific communications. The personalized promotions of some implementations are limited to one-time use and are numbered in a manner that facilitates tracking of promotion redemption. Implementations of the present invention are provided, in some circumstances, as a software service that enables the issuance of promotional offers. Offers are tracked in real time and easily targeted to individual desired consumers.

[0058] According to a particular implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating the issuance and use of promotional offers in a customer relationship management environment. The method includes providing a server connected to a network, the server comprising one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes establishing a customer service communication connection with a computer system operated by a customer service entity, and receiving a request for issuance of a promotional offer to a customer through the customer service communication connection, the request for issuance of the promotional offer including a promotional offer amount. The method further includes creating a personalized promotional offer including a one-time use bank card number and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount, allocating the personalized promotional offer to a request for issuance of a promotional offer, storing information associated with the personalized promotional offer in a long-term memory store, and transmitting the one-time use bank card number over a customer service communications connection to a computer system operated by the customer service entity.

[0059] In some implementations, the method further includes storing information identifying one or more products for which the personalized promotional offer is approved for use in a long-term memory store along with an association between the one-time use bank card number, its associated allocated value, and the information identifying one or more products for which the personalized promotional offer is approved for use, establishing a bank card processor communication connection with a bank card processor computer system, and establishing a retailer communication connection with a retailer computer system. The method further includes receiving an electronic communication through the bank card processor communication connection, the electronic communication including the bank card number and information identifying a retailer for which the bank card number was provided as at least partial payment for the purchase, and automatically transmitting information through the retailer communication connection to the retailer computer system authorizing the retailer for which the bank card number was provided as at least partial payment to apply the bank card amount to the purchase only if the purchase includes one or more products for which the bank card number and its associated allocated value are approved for use.

[0060] In some implementations, the customer service entity is an entity such as a manufacturer customer service assistance team or a customer relationship management provider. In some implementations, the request for issuance of a promotional offer comprises a request related to a customer relationship management initiative selected from the group consisting of customer recovery initiatives, customer loyalty rewards, and customer engagement opportunities.

[0061] In some implementations, the method also includes receiving notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, updating information associated with the personalized promotional offer in the long-term memory store to reflect the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, and sending a status update of the offer redemption to a computer system operated by the customer service entity using a customer service communications connection. In some implementations, the status update of the offer redemption is sent to the computer system operated by the customer service entity immediately after the notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer is received.

[0062] In some implementations, the personalized promotional offer is issued upon request. In some implementations, the method further includes creating a list of available promotional offers and transmitting the list of available promotional offers to a computer system operated by the customer service entity. The request for issuance of a promotional offer to the customer includes a selection of a promotional offer from the list of available promotional offers.

[0063] In some implementations, the method also includes establishing a bank card processor communications connection, receiving confirmation over the bank card processor communications connection that the single-use bank card number has been presented to the retailer as part of the purchase transaction, and facilitating transfer of the allocated value to a recipient, such as a customer loyalty account of the retailer or the customer.

[0064] According to a further implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating issuance and use of promotional offers in a customer relationship management environment. The method includes providing a network-connected computing device, the computing device including one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes establishing a promotional offer communication connection with a computer system operated by a promotional offer entity, and requesting issuance of a personalized promotional offer, the promotional offer amount, through the promotional offer communication connection. The method also includes receiving a personalized promotional offer over the promotional offer communication connection, the personalized promotional offer including a one-time use bank card number and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount, establishing a customer communication connection with a computer system operated by the customer, and transmitting the one-time use bank card number over the customer communication connection to the computer system operated by the customer.

[0065] In some implementations, the method also includes storing in a long-term memory store information identifying one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer, and transmitting the information identifying the one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer to a computer system operated by the promotional offer entity. In some implementations, requesting issuance of the promotional offer includes transmitting a request related to a customer relationship management effort, such as a customer recovery effort, a customer loyalty reward, or a customer engagement opportunity.

[0066] In some implementations, the personalized promotional offer is issued upon request, in some implementations, the personalized promotional offer is issued in advance and the one-time use bank card number is transmitted over the customer communication connection upon request.

[0067] According to a further implementation of the present invention, a method for facilitating the issuance and use of promotional offers in a customer relationship management environment is provided. The method includes providing a server connected to a network. The server includes one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor, the communication modules, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store being operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication modules, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes establishing a manufacturer communication connection with a computer system operated by a manufacturer, establishing a promotional offer communication connection with a promotion provider, and providing a customer relationship management interface with the computer system operated by the manufacturer using the manufacturer communication connection. The method further includes receiving a manufacturer request for issuance of a promotional offer to a customer through a customer relationship management interface via a manufacturer communications connection, the manufacturer request for issuance of the promotional offer including a promotional offer amount, and sending a promotion provider request for issuance of the promotional offer to a promotion provider, the promotion provider request for issuance of the promotional offer including the promotional offer amount. The method also includes receiving a personalized promotional offer from the promotion provider, the personalized promotional offer including a one-time use bank card number and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount, and sending the one-time use bank card number over the manufacturer communications connection to a computer system operated by the manufacturer.

[0068] In some implementations, the method also includes receiving, over the manufacturer communication connection, information identifying one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer, and transmitting, over the promotional offer communication connection, information identifying one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer. In some implementations, the manufacturer request for issuance of the promotional offer includes a request related to customer relationship management efforts, such as customer recovery efforts, customer loyalty rewards, or customer engagement opportunities.

[0069] In some implementations, the method also includes storing information associated with the personalized promotional offer in a long-term memory store, receiving notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, updating the information associated with the personalized promotional offer in the long-term memory store to reflect the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, and sending a status update of the offer redemption to a computer system operated by the manufacturer using the manufacturer communications connection. In some implementations, the status update of the offer redemption is sent to the manufacturer immediately after the notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer is received.

[0070] In some implementations, the personalized promotional offer is issued upon request. In some implementations, the method further includes creating a list of available promotional offers and transmitting the list of available promotional offers to a computer system operated by the manufacturer through a customer relationship management interface. The manufacturer request for issuance of a promotional offer to a customer includes selection of a promotional offer from the list of available promotional offers.

[0071] Implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating product-specific and merchant-specific application of promotional offers within a promotional offer environment. Implementations of the present invention provide methods that allow for the restriction of bank cards and gift cards and their balances to purchases of specific products at a specific merchant. Implementations of the present invention also provide methods that allow for the restriction of bank cards and gift cards and their balances to purchases of specific products at a specific merchant. Implementations of the present invention also provide methods that further allow for the restriction of bank cards and gift cards to specific locations of a specific merchant. Implementations of the present invention further provide systems that perform such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, as well as non-transitory computer-readable media that cause computer systems to perform such methods. Implementations of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are performed by heterogeneous participants.

[0072] According to an implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating merchant-specific and item-specific redemption of a serially numbered promotional offer for a purchase. The method includes providing a networked server comprising one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes storing in the long-term memory store information related to the promotional offer, one or more items for which the promotional offer is approved for use, and a merchant for which the promotional offer is approved for redemption, and associating in the long-term memory storage a unique bank identification number (BIN) with the promotional offer, the unique BIN being within a range of BINs accepted by the merchant. The method further includes the steps of associating a unique, one-time use bank card number with the promotional offer, the unique bank card number including the unique BIN; storing the unique bank card number in a long-term memory store along with the promotional offer; and transmitting the unique bank card number to the consumer for use in redeeming the promotional offer during a purchase that includes one or more of the one or more products for which the promotional offer is approved for use.

[0073] In some implementations, the promotional offer is one of a plurality of promotional offers approved for redemption for one or more products approved for use of a promotional offer, each of the plurality of promotional offers sharing the same unique BIN but with a different unique bank card number associated with the BIN. In some implementations, the method further includes enabling the unique BIN to be sent to a merchant whose redemption of the promotional offer is approved as an approved BIN in a merchant BIN file or BIN table. In some implementations, the BIN number includes a set of digits starting with the first digit of the unique bank card number. In some implementations, the BIN number includes the first digit of the unique bank card number, for example, the first three digits, the first four digits, the first five digits, the first six digits, the first seven digits, the first eight digits, the first nine digits, the first ten digits, or any first set of digits of the unique bank card number.

[0074] In certain implementations, the method further includes transmitting information including the unique BIN and the one or more products approved for use with the promotional offer to a POS monitoring computer system operatively connected at least intermittently to the POS system operated by the merchant. In some implementations, when the payment bank card number is presented as a form of payment at the POS system, the POS monitoring computer system performs a comparison between the unique BIN and the one or more products approved for use with the promotional offer on the one hand and the payment BIN included in the payment bank card number and the one or more products being purchased from the merchant at the POS system, and provides an indication of whether the payment bank card number is approved for use in purchasing the one or more products being purchased.

[0075] In some implementations, notification of whether the payment bank card number is authorized for use in the purchase of one or more items being purchased is used in processes such as taking action to accept the application of the promotional offer as a form of payment for the one or more items being purchased, taking action to reject the application of the promotional offer as a form of payment for the one or more items being purchased, notifying a promotional offer management entity that the promotional offer has been redeemed for one or more approved items, or notifying a promotional offer management entity that the promotional offer has been redeemed for only non-approved items.

[0076] In some implementations, the method further includes associating the unique BIN with a particular merchant location and storing information identifying the particular merchant location in a long term memory store along with information related to the promotional offer, the one or more items for which the promotional offer is approved for use, and the merchants for which the promotional offer is approved for redemption. In this manner, when a payment bank card number is presented as a form of payment at the POS system, the POS monitoring computer system further makes a determination whether the location where the POS system is located matches the particular merchant location.

[0077] In some implementations, the POS monitoring computer system has sufficient access to the POS system to determine one or more items being purchased from a merchant at the POS system. In some implementations, the POS monitoring computer system queries the POS system for a payment BIN and the one or more items being purchased to determine whether the one or more items being purchased include one or more of the one or more items approved for use with a promotional offer, and receives back a payment BIN and an indication of whether the one or more items being purchased include one or more of the one or more items approved for use with a promotional offer.

[0078] In some implementations, the POS monitoring computer system is a computer system that is integrated into a bank card authorization system operated by the merchant such that authorization requests to approve a bank card as a form of payment are passed through the POS monitoring computer system, or a computer system that is separate from the bank card authorization system operated by the merchant such that authorization requests to approve a bank card as a form of payment are not passed through the POS monitoring computer system, etc. In some implementations, the POS monitoring computer system is provided by an entity that provides and manages one or more of the merchant's POS systems or the merchant's loyalty programs.

[0079] In some implementations, the method further includes obtaining a plurality of unique bank card numbers, including the unique BIN, from a bank card issuer. In some implementations, the method further includes receiving, at a server connected to the network, a communication including information identifying the unique BIN and one or more products associated with a purchase transaction for which the unique bank card number was submitted as at least a partial payment. In certain implementations, the method further includes generating a fraud report including information regarding a rate at which a promotional offer substantially similar to the promotional offer was submitted as a partial payment as part of a transaction including the approved product and a rate at which a promotional offer substantially similar to the promotional offer was submitted as a partial payment as part of a transaction that did not involve any approved product.

[0080] In certain implementations, a networked server is provided by a promotion provider to receive and track real-time redemption information as promotional offers and similar promotional offers are redeemed at the point of sale. In some implementations, the networked server is at least intermittently operatively connected to a computer system that authorizes use of a promotional offer only when a unique bank card number is presented as at least partial payment for a transaction involving one or more of the items for which the promotional offer is authorized for use.

[0081] In some implementations, the networked server is provided by a merchant that is authorized to redeem the promotional offer. In some implementations, redemption of the promotional offer includes a bank card authorization transaction that identifies a unique bank card number and provides authorization for application of a promotional amount associated with the promotional offer, and a product identification transaction that indicates whether the products included in the purchase transaction include one or more of the one or more products authorized for use of the promotional offer.

[0082] The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: The present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the following accompanying drawings, with the understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be construed as limiting its scope, and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0083] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system for use with embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary networked computer system for use with embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a representative environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a representative environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a representative environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a representative environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0084] A description of embodiments of the invention will now be given with reference to the figures. It is anticipated that the invention may take many other forms and configurations, and therefore the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and non-limiting, with the scope of the invention to be determined by reference to the appended claims.

[0085] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing the offer, redemption, and checkout process of the promotional offers industry in a manner that addresses and minimizes fraud, better informs businesses offering promotions of the results of promotional offer programs, and encourages improvements in the checkout process after offer redemption.Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for preventing or reducing fraud in the promotional offers industry, as well as systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods.Embodiments of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity, as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are implemented by disparate parties.

[0086] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, a method for preventing fraud in the promotional offer industry includes the steps of determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer and transmitting information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device via an electronic communications network. The method further includes the steps of receiving an indication of interest in the promotional offer from the consumer computing device via the communications network, associating a one-time use unique bank card number with the promotional offer, and transmitting the bank card number to the consumer computing device as an accepted promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes the steps of receiving an indication via the communications network that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale, and allocating a payment for the redemption of the promotional offer.

[0087] According to some embodiments, the method includes writing the association of the bank card number to the promotional offer as a transaction on the blockchain upon associating the bank card number with the promotional offer, and writing a record of the redemption of the promotional offer to the blockchain upon receiving an indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale. In some embodiments, the payment is allocated to the merchant within three days of redemption of the accepted promotional offer. In some embodiments, the payment is allocated to the merchant within one day of redemption of the accepted promotional offer.

[0088] In some embodiments, associating a bank card number with a promotional offer allocates the value of the promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby allowing the bank card number to be used as a partial payment for the amount of the promotional offer. In some embodiments, when the promotional offer is redeemed at a point-of-sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third-party bank card acceptance processor. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the promotional offer is assigned to the merchant associated with the point-of-sale.

[0089] In some embodiments, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payments upon redemption of a promotional offer. Instead, when a promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card acceptance processor for verification, without value, that the promotional offer has been used. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of a promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer.

[0090] In some embodiments, determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer includes receiving an indication from the consumer computing device over a communications network that the consumer computing device has entered a particular geographic region. In some embodiments, determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer includes receiving an indication from the consumer computing device over the communications network representing a request from the consumer for a promotional offer, and determining that the promotional offer is one to which the consumer is eligible.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving information regarding a promotional offer campaign involving providing promotional offers to a plurality of consumers, serializing a given number of the promotional offers with a unique sequential number, recording the promotional offers on a blockchain, and when an attempt is made to redeem a promotional offer, checking the blockchain to ensure that each attempted redemption relates to a valid unredeemed promotional offer before approving the redemption. In certain embodiments, the method further includes generating, upon request, a report reconciling all promotional offers issued and redeemed and sending the report to an administrator of the promotional offer campaign.

[0092] In some embodiments, receiving an indication that the bank card number has been used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale represents entering the bank card number at the point of sale computing device, an authorization transaction between the point of sale computing device and an authorization server system, and receiving an acknowledgement of use of the bank card number from the authorization server system.

[0093] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for preventing fraud in the promotional offer industry includes receiving information about a promotional offer campaign involving providing promotional offers to a plurality of consumers, receiving funding for the promotional offer campaign representing funds and fees for providing redemption of a determined number of the promotional offers, serializing the determined number of promotional offers with a unique sequential number, and recording the serialized promotional offers on a blockchain. The method also includes determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive the promotional offer, transmitting information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device via an electronic communications network, receiving an indication from the consumer computing device via the communications network to opt-in to the promotional offer, associating a unique one-time use bank card number with the promotional offer, and transmitting the bank card number to the consumer computing device as an accepted promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale using the bank card number. The method also includes receiving an indication via the communication network that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale as a redeemed promotional offer, verifying on the blockchain that the redeemed promotional offer has not yet been used, allocating a payment for redemption of the promotional offer, and updating the blockchain to indicate that the redeemed promotional offer has been used.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of allocating a value of the promotional offer to the bank card number upon associating the bank card number with the promotional offer, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the promotional offer. In some embodiments, when the promotional offer is redeemed at the point of sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third party bank card acceptance processor. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the promotional offer is assigned to a merchant associated with the point of sale.

[0095] In further embodiments, no value is assigned to the bank card number, such that the bank card number cannot be used as a traditional bank card for partial payment upon redemption of the promotional offer, but once the promotional offer is redeemed, the bank card number is sent to a third party bank card acceptance processor for verification without value that the promotional offer has been used. In some embodiments, payment for redemption of the promotional offer is assigned to the consumer or an account associated with the consumer.

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating real-time, item-specific application of gift card balances to purchases within a collaborative gift card network.Embodiments of the present invention provide methods that enable the constraint of gift cards and gift card balances to purchases of specific items, as well as systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods.Embodiments of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity, as well as in distributed computing environments where aspects of the methods are implemented by disparate participants.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating real-time, item-specific application of gift card balances to purchases within a collaborative gift card network. The method includes providing a network-connected server including one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes storing information in the long-term memory store relating to one or more items for which the gift card is authorized for use, generating a list of gift card numbers and associated gift card amounts, and storing the gift card numbers and associated gift card amounts in the long-term memory store along with an association between each gift card number, its associated gift card amount, and information identifying one or more items for which the gift card number and its associated gift card amount are authorized for use. The method further includes the steps of establishing a bank card processor communications connection with a bank card processor computer system, establishing a retailer communications connection with a retailer computer system, receiving through the bank card processor communications connection an electronic communication including the gift card number and information identifying the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least partial payment for the purchase, and automatically transmitting to the retailer computer system through the retailer communications connection information authorizing the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least partial payment to apply the gift card amount to the purchase only if the purchase includes one or more items for which use of the gift card number and its associated gift card amount is authorized.

[0098] In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving, via the retailer communication connection, from a retailer computer system an electronic communication including information identifying one or more items included in the purchase. In some embodiments, the method includes associating the electronic communication received via the bank card processor communication connection with the electronic communication received via the retailer communication connection, retrieving from a long-term memory store information identifying the gift card number and one or more items for which use of the gift card amount associated therewith is authorized, using the processor to identify a match between the information identifying the gift card number and one or more items for which use of the gift card amount associated therewith is authorized and the information identifying the one or more items included in the purchase, and generating information authorizing the retailer to apply the gift card amount to the purchase.

[0099] In some embodiments, the information identifying the one or more items included in the purchase includes information such as a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), a Universal Product Code (UPC), an International Item Number (ARN), or an Australian Product Number (APN). In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting a request to a retailer computer system over the retailer communication connection to cause the retailer computer system to provide information identifying the one or more items included in the purchase. In some embodiments, the server selects the retailer computer system based on the information identifying the retailer received through the bank card processor communication connection.

[0100] In some embodiments, the method further includes using the gift card number and the information identifying the retailer received through the bank card processor communication connection to search for an association between the gift card number and information identifying one or more items for which the gift card number and its associated gift card amount are authorized for use, and generating information authorizing the retailer for which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment to apply the gift card amount to the purchase only if the purchase includes one or more items that match the gift card number and the one or more items for which the gift card amount associated with it is authorized for use. In some embodiments, the information authorizing the retailer for which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment to apply the gift card amount to the purchase includes information associated with the gift card number and each item for which it is authorized for use, such as a SKU, a GTIN, a UPC, an ARN, or an APN.

[0101] In some embodiments, the information identifying the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment includes information identifying a point of sale (POS) system to which the gift card number was provided, hi some embodiments, the information identifying the retailer to which the gift card number was provided as at least a partial payment includes Global Positioning System (GPS) or other retailer location information.

[0102] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating item-specific application of a gift card balance to a purchase within a collaborative gift card network. The method includes providing a POS system including a processor, an item entry system adapted to receive information identifying an item purchased as part of a sale, a storage system operatively coupled to the item entry system and including a computer memory configured to store the information identifying the purchased item, a payment acceptance system adapted to receive information associated with a gift card payment for the sale, a payment redemption communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication connection with a payment acceptance network, and a product verification communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication connection with a product verification network. The method further includes receiving at the POS system through the item entry system information identifying one or more items purchased as part of the sale, storing in the computer memory the information identifying the one or more purchased items, and receiving at the POS system through the payment acceptance system information identifying a uniquely numbered gift card used as at least partial payment for the one or more purchased items. The method also includes transmitting information identifying the gift card to a payment approver using a payment redemption communications connection; receiving gift card approval for a gift card amount from the payment approver over the payment redemption communications connection; and receiving an electronic communication over the product verification communications connection including information identifying one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is approved.The method also includes electronically comparing information identifying one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized to be applied to information stored in a computer memory identifying one or more purchased items, and automatically applying at least a portion of the gift card amount to the sale only if the information identifying the one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized to be applied matches at least a portion of the information identifying the one or more purchased items.

[0103] In some embodiments, the method also includes sending an electronic communication over the product validation communication connection that includes information identifying the gift card. In some embodiments, the information identifying the gift card includes a unique gift card number. In some embodiments, the information identifying the one or more purchased items includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN. In some embodiments, the information identifying the one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN.

[0104] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating item-specific application of a gift card balance to a purchase within a collaborative gift card network. The method includes providing a POS system including a processor, an item entry system adapted to receive information identifying an item purchased as part of a sale, a storage system operatively coupled to the item entry system and including a computer memory configured to store the information identifying the purchased item, a payment acceptance system adapted to receive information associated with a gift card payment for the sale, a payment redemption communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication communication with a payment acceptance network, and a product verification communication connection adapted to be in at least intermittent communication communication with a product verification network. The method also includes receiving at the POS system through the item entry system information identifying one or more items purchased as part of the sale, storing in the computer memory the information identifying the one or more purchased items, and receiving at the POS system through the payment acceptance system information identifying a uniquely numbered gift card used as at least partial payment for the one or more purchased items. The method also includes transmitting information identifying the gift card to a payment approver using a payment redemption communications connection, and receiving an approval for the gift card for a gift card amount from the payment approver through the payment redemption communications connection. The method also includes transmitting an electronic communication including information identifying one or more purchased items through a product verification communications connection, receiving a confirmation that the one or more purchased items include items approved for use of the gift card amount through the product verification communications connection, and automatically applying at least a portion of the gift card amount to the sale only upon confirmation that the one or more purchased items include items approved for use of the gift card amount.

[0105] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending an electronic communication over the product validation communication connection including information identifying the gift card. In some embodiments, the information identifying the gift card includes a unique gift card number. In some embodiments, the information identifying the one or more purchased items includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN. In some embodiments, the information identifying the one or more products for which application of at least a portion of the gift card amount is authorized includes information such as a SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN. In some embodiments, the method also includes sending information identifying the POS system using the payment redemption communication connection.

[0106] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating the real-time integration of the use of promotional offers, such as coupons, coupon codes, gift cards, etc., into customer relationship management systems and / or processes. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for users (e.g., brands, businesses, retailers, etc.) to issue and send promotional offers to consumers as part of a customer relationship management process, such as a customer recovery process, a customer loyalty process, a customer engagement process, etc. Embodiments of the present invention also provide systems for performing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, as well as non-transitory computer readable media causing computer systems to perform such methods. Embodiments of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are performed by disparate parties.

[0107] Certain embodiments of the present invention are incorporated into customer relationship management processes, including software for customer relationship management, that allow users to issue personalized promotions (e.g., coupons, coupon codes, gift cards, etc.) directly through direct communication. Direct communication includes such communications as email, text messages, multimedia messages, paper communications, platform specific communications, as well as non-platform specific communications. The personalized promotions of some embodiments are limited to one-time use and are numbered in a manner that facilitates tracking of promotion redemption. In some circumstances, embodiments of the present invention are provided as a software service that enables the issuance of promotional offers. Offers are tracked in real time and easily targeted to individual desired consumers.

[0108] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating the issuance and use of promotional offers in a customer relationship management environment. The method includes providing a server connected to a network, the server comprising one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes establishing a customer service communication connection with a computer system operated by a customer service entity, and receiving a request for issuance of a promotional offer to a customer over the customer service communication connection, the request for issuance of the promotional offer including a promotional offer amount. The method further includes creating a personalized promotional offer including a one-time use bank card number and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount, allocating the personalized promotional offer to a request for issuance of a promotional offer, storing information associated with the personalized promotional offer in a long-term memory store, and transmitting the one-time use bank card number over a customer service communications connection to a computer system operated by the customer service entity.

[0109] In some embodiments, the method further includes storing information identifying one or more products for which the personalized promotional offer is approved for use in a long-term memory store along with an association between the one-time use bank card number, its associated allocated value, and the information identifying one or more products for which the personalized promotional offer is approved for use, establishing a bank card processor communication connection with a bank card processor computer system, and establishing a retailer communication connection with a retailer computer system. The method further includes receiving an electronic communication through the bank card processor communication connection, the electronic communication including the bank card number and information identifying a retailer for which the bank card number was provided as at least partial payment for the purchase, and automatically transmitting information through the retailer communication connection to the retailer computer system authorizing the retailer for which the bank card number was provided as at least partial payment to apply the bank card amount to the purchase only if the purchase includes one or more products for which the bank card number and its associated allocated value are approved for use.

[0110] In some embodiments, the customer service entity is an entity such as a manufacturer customer service assistance team or a customer relationship management provider. In some embodiments, the request for issuance of a promotional offer comprises a request related to a customer relationship management initiative selected from the group consisting of customer recovery initiatives, customer loyalty rewards, and customer engagement opportunities.

[0111] In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, updating information associated with the personalized promotional offer in the long-term memory store to reflect the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, and sending a status update of the offer redemption to a computer system operated by the customer service entity using a customer service communications connection. In some embodiments, the status update of the offer redemption is sent to the computer system operated by the customer service entity immediately after the notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer is received.

[0112] In some embodiments, the personalized promotional offer is issued upon request. In some embodiments, the method further includes creating a list of available promotional offers and transmitting the list of available promotional offers to a computer system operated by the customer service entity. The request for issuance of a promotional offer to the customer includes a selection of a promotional offer from the list of available promotional offers.

[0113] In some embodiments, the method also includes establishing a bank card processor communications connection; receiving confirmation over the bank card processor communications connection that the single-use bank card number has been presented to the retailer as part of the purchase transaction; and facilitating transfer of the allocated value to a recipient, such as a customer loyalty account of the retailer or the customer.

[0114] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating issuance and use of promotional offers in a customer relationship management environment. The method includes providing a network-connected computing device, the computing device including one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes establishing a promotional offer communication connection with a computer system operated by a promotional offer entity, and requesting issuance of a personalized promotional offer, the promotional offer amount, over the promotional offer communication connection. The method also includes receiving a personalized promotional offer over the promotional offer communication connection, the personalized promotional offer including a one-time use bank card number and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount, establishing a customer communication connection with a computer system operated by the customer, and transmitting the one-time use bank card number over the customer communication connection to the computer system operated by the customer.

[0115] In some embodiments, the method also includes storing in a long-term memory store information identifying one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer, and transmitting the information identifying the one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer to a computer system operated by the promotional offer entity. In some embodiments, the step of requesting issuance of a promotional offer includes transmitting a request related to a customer relationship management effort, such as a customer recovery effort, a customer loyalty reward, or a customer engagement opportunity.

[0116] In some embodiments, the personalized promotional offer is issued upon request. In some embodiments, the personalized promotional offer is pre-issued and a one-time use bank card number is transmitted over the customer communications connection upon request.

[0117] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating the issuance and use of promotional offers in a customer relationship management environment. The method includes providing a server connected to a network. The server includes one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor, the communication modules, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store being operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication modules, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes establishing a manufacturer communication connection with a computer system operated by a manufacturer, establishing a promotional offer communication connection with a promotion provider, and providing a customer relationship management interface with the computer system operated by the manufacturer using the manufacturer communication connection. The method further includes receiving a manufacturer request for issuance of a promotional offer to a customer through a customer relationship management interface via a manufacturer communications connection, the manufacturer request for issuance of the promotional offer including a promotional offer amount, and sending a promotion provider request for issuance of the promotional offer to a promotion provider, the promotion provider request for issuance of the promotional offer including the promotional offer amount. The method also includes receiving a personalized promotional offer from the promotion provider, the personalized promotional offer including a one-time use bank card number and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount, and sending the one-time use bank card number over the manufacturer communications connection to a computer system operated by the manufacturer.

[0118] In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving, over the manufacturer communication connection, information identifying one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer, and transmitting, over the promotional offer communication connection, information identifying one or more products approved for use with the personalized promotional offer. In some embodiments, the manufacturer request for issuance of a promotional offer includes a request related to customer relationship management efforts, such as customer recovery efforts, customer loyalty rewards, or customer engagement opportunities.

[0119] In some embodiments, the method also includes storing information associated with the personalized promotional offer in a long-term memory store, receiving notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, updating the information associated with the personalized promotional offer in the long-term memory store to reflect the redemption of the personalized promotional offer, and transmitting a status update of the offer redemption to a computer system operated by the manufacturer using the manufacturer communications connection. In some embodiments, the status update of the offer redemption is transmitted to the manufacturer immediately after the notification of the redemption of the personalized promotional offer is received.

[0120] In some embodiments, the personalized promotional offer is issued upon request. In some embodiments, the method further includes creating a list of available promotional offers and transmitting the list of available promotional offers to a computer system operated by the manufacturer through a customer relationship management interface. The manufacturer request for issuance of a promotional offer to a customer includes selection of a promotional offer from the list of available promotional offers.

[0121] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating product-specific and merchant-specific application of promotional offers within a promotional offer environment. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods that allow for the restriction of bank cards and gift cards and their balances to purchases of specific products at a specific merchant. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods that allow for the restriction of bank cards and gift cards and their balances to purchases of specific products at a specific merchant. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods that further allow for the restriction of bank cards and gift cards to specific locations of a specific merchant. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide systems for implementing such methods, such as computer systems and networked computer systems, as well as non-transitory computer readable media that cause computer systems to implement such methods. Embodiments of the present invention may be performed using computer systems managed by a single entity as well as in distributed computing environments in which aspects of the methods are implemented by heterogeneous participants.

[0122] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating merchant-specific and item-specific redemption of a serially numbered promotional offer for a purchase. The method includes providing a networked server comprising one or more communication modules configured to establish one or more communication connections with external computer systems through one or more computer networks, a long-term memory store, a short-term memory, and a processor. The communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory store are operatively connected to the processor to enable the processor to access the communication module, the long-term memory store, and the short-term memory, thereby providing the processor with access to and transfer of data therefrom. The method also includes storing in the long-term memory store information relating to the promotional offer, one or more items for which the promotional offer is approved for use, and a merchant for which the promotional offer is approved for redemption, and associating in the long-term storage with a unique bank identification number (BIN) to the promotional offer, the unique BIN being within a range of BINs accepted by the merchant. The method further includes the steps of associating a unique, one-time use bank card number with the promotional offer, the unique bank card number including the unique BIN; storing the unique bank card number in a long-term memory store along with the promotional offer; and transmitting the unique bank card number to the consumer for use in redeeming the promotional offer during a purchase that includes one or more of the one or more products for which the promotional offer is approved for use.

[0123] In some embodiments, the promotional offer is one of a plurality of promotional offers approved for redemption for one or more products approved for use of a promotional offer, each of the plurality of promotional offers sharing the same unique BIN but with a different unique bank card number associated with the BIN. In some embodiments, the method further includes enabling the unique BIN to be sent to a merchant for which redemption of the promotional offer is approved as an approved BIN in a merchant BIN file or BIN table. In some embodiments, the BIN number includes a set of digits beginning with the first digit of the unique bank card number. In some embodiments, the BIN number includes the first digit of the unique bank card number, e.g., the first three digits, the first four digits, the first five digits, the first six digits, the first seven digits, the first eight digits, the first nine digits, the first ten digits, or any first set of digits of the unique bank card number.

[0124] In certain embodiments, the method further includes transmitting information including the unique BIN and the one or more products approved for use with the promotional offer to a POS monitoring computer system that is at least intermittently operatively connected to the POS system operated by the merchant. In some embodiments, when the payment bank card number is presented as a form of payment at the POS system, the POS monitoring computer system performs a comparison of the unique BIN and the one or more products approved for use with the promotional offer on the one hand with the payment BIN included in the payment bank card number and the one or more products being purchased from the merchant at the POS system, and provides an indication of whether the payment bank card number is approved for use in purchasing the one or more products being purchased.

[0125] In some embodiments, notification of whether the payment bank card number is approved for use in the purchase of one or more items being purchased is used in processes such as taking action to accept the application of the promotional offer as a form of payment for the one or more items being purchased, taking action to decline the application of the promotional offer as a form of payment for the one or more items being purchased, notifying a promotional offer management entity that the promotional offer has been redeemed for one or more approved items, or notifying a promotional offer management entity that the promotional offer has been redeemed for only non-approved items.

[0126] In some embodiments, the method further includes associating the unique BIN with a particular merchant location and storing information identifying the particular merchant location in a long term memory store along with information related to the promotional offer, the one or more items for which the promotional offer is approved for use, and the merchants for which the promotional offer is approved for redemption. In this manner, when a payment bank card number is presented as a form of payment at the POS system, the POS monitoring computer system further makes a determination whether the location where the POS system is located matches a particular merchant location.

[0127] In some embodiments, the POS monitoring computer system has sufficient access to the POS system to determine one or more items being purchased from a merchant at the POS system. In some embodiments, the POS monitoring computer system queries the POS system for a payment BIN and the one or more items being purchased to determine whether the one or more items being purchased include one or more of the one or more items approved for use with a promotional offer, and receives back a payment BIN and an indication of whether the one or more items being purchased include one or more of the one or more items approved for use with a promotional offer.

[0128] In some embodiments, the POS monitoring computer system is a computer system integrated into a bank card authorization system operated by a merchant such that authorization requests to approve a bank card as a form of payment are passed through the POS monitoring computer system, or a computer system separate from the bank card authorization system operated by the merchant such that authorization requests to approve a bank card as a form of payment are not passed through the POS monitoring computer system, etc. In some embodiments, the POS monitoring computer system is provided by an entity that provides and manages one or more of the merchant's POS system or the merchant's loyalty program.

[0129] In some embodiments, the method further includes obtaining a plurality of unique bank card numbers, including the unique BIN, from a bank card issuer. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, at a server connected to the network, a communication including information identifying the unique BIN and one or more items associated with a purchase transaction for which the unique bank card number was submitted as at least a partial payment. In certain embodiments, the method further includes generating a fraud report including information regarding a rate at which a promotional offer substantially similar to the promotional offer was submitted as a partial payment as part of a transaction including the approved item, and a rate at which a promotional offer substantially similar to the promotional offer was submitted as a partial payment as part of a transaction that did not involve any approved items.

[0130] In certain embodiments, a networked server is provided by a promotion provider to receive and track real-time redemption information as promotional offers and similar promotional offers are redeemed at the point of sale. In some embodiments, the networked server is at least intermittently operatively connected to a computer system that authorizes use of a promotional offer only when a unique bank card number is presented as at least partial payment for a transaction involving one or more of the items for which the promotional offer is authorized for use.

[0131] In some embodiments, the networked server is provided by a merchant that is authorized to redeem the promotional offer. In some embodiments, redemption of the promotional offer includes a bank card authorization transaction that identifies a unique bank card number and provides authorization for application of a promotional amount associated with the promotional offer, and a product identification transaction that indicates whether the products included in the purchase transaction include one or more of the one or more products authorized for use of the promotional offer.

[0132] 1 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general description of a suitable operating environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of system configurations, including networked configurations, with one or more computing devices. However, the methods and processes of the present invention have been found to be particularly useful in connection with systems comprising general purpose computers, and embodiments of the present invention include utilization of the methods and processes in a variety of environments, including embedded systems having general purpose processing units, digital / media signal processors (DSP / MSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), standalone electronic devices, and other similar electronic environments.

[0133] An embodiment of the present invention encompasses one or more computer-readable media, each of which may be configured to include or may include computer-executable instructions for manipulating data or data. Computer-executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules that may be accessed by a processing system, such as those associated with a general-purpose computer capable of performing a variety of different functions, or those associated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing a limited number of functions. Computer-executable instructions are examples of program code means for causing a processing system to perform a particular function or group of functions and for implementing steps of methods disclosed herein. Moreover, a particular sequence of executable instructions provides examples of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examples of computer-readable media include random access memory ("RAM"), read-only memory ("ROM"), programmable read-only memory ("PROM"), erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM"), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory ("EEPROM"), compact disc read-only memory ("CD-ROM"), digital versatile disc ("DVD") media, Blu-Ray media, or any other device or component capable of providing data or executable instructions that can be accessed by a processing system. Although embodiments of the present invention encompass the use of any type of computer-readable media, certain embodiments described in the claims may be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, and the terms "tangible computer-readable medium" and "non-transitory computer-readable medium" (or variations of the plurals) as used herein are intended to exclude transitory, propagating signals per se.

[0134] 1, an exemplary system for implementing embodiments of the present invention includes a computing device 10, which may be a general purpose or special purpose computer, or any of a variety of consumer electronic devices. For example, computing device 10 may be a personal computer, a notebook or laptop computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other handheld device, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a workstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multiprocessor system, a network computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, a computing device integrated into another device or vehicle, etc. In some embodiments, computing device 10 is or is part of a point-of-sale system, such as a cash register, a vending tablet, a vending mobile device such as a smartphone, etc.

[0135] Computer device 10 includes a system bus 12, which may be configured to connect various components of the device and allow data to be exchanged between two or more components. System bus 12 may include one of a variety of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Exemplary components connected by system bus 12 include a processing system 14 and a memory 16. Other components may include one or more mass storage interfaces 18, input interfaces 20, output interfaces 22, and / or network interfaces 24, each of which is discussed below.

[0136] The processing system 14 includes one or more processors, such as a central processor, and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform specific functions or tasks. It is typically the processing system 14 that executes instructions provided on a computer-readable medium, such as a memory 16, a solid-state drive, a removable solid-state drive, a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also be considered a computer-readable medium.

[0137] Memory 16 includes one or more computer-readable media that may be configured to contain or include data or instructions for manipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 14 through system bus 12. Memory 16 may include, for example, ROM 28 used to permanently store information and / or RAM 30 used to temporarily store information. ROM 28 may include a basic input / output system ("BIOS") having one or more routines used to establish communications, such as upon start-up of computing device 10. RAM 30 may include one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application programs, and / or program data.

[0138] One or more mass storage interfaces 18 may be used to connect one or more mass storage devices 26 to the system bus 12. The mass storage devices 26 may be integrated into or peripheral to the computing device 10 and allow the computing device 10 to hold a large amount of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices 26 may be removable from the computing device 10. Examples of mass storage devices include solid state drives, hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives, and optical disk drives. The mass storage devices 26 may read from and / or write to a solid state memory, a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another computer readable medium. The mass storage devices 26 and their corresponding computer readable media provide non-volatile storage of data and / or executable instructions, which may include one or more program modules, such as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions are examples of program code means for implementing steps of the methods disclosed herein.

[0139] One or more input interfaces 20 may be used to allow a user to input data and / or instructions into the computing device 10 through one or more corresponding input devices 32. Examples of such input devices include keyboards and alternative input devices, such as mice, trackballs, light pens, styluses, or other pointing devices, microphones, joysticks, gamepads, satellite dishes, scanners, camcorders, digital cameras, and the like. If the computing device is or is part of a POS system, additional example input interfaces include SKU scanning devices, near field communication ("NFC") contactless payment card readers, EMV compliant card readers, magnetic card readers, keypads, NFC product scanners, associated touch screens, and the like. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 20 that may be used to connect the input devices 32 to the system bus 12 include serial ports, parallel ports, game ports, universal serial buses ("USB"), integrated circuits, Firewire (IEEE 1394), or another interface. For example, in some embodiments, the input interface 20 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for a particular application. In further embodiments, the ASIC is embedded to connect existing circuit building blocks together. In some embodiments, one or more input interfaces 20 may be provided by external devices connected (e.g., as peripherals) to ports of the system.

[0140] One or more output interfaces 22 may be used to connect one or more corresponding output devices 34 to the system bus 12. Examples of output devices include a monitor or display screen, speakers, printers, multifunction peripherals, etc. A particular output device(s) 34 may be integral to or peripheral to the computing device 10. Examples of output interfaces include video adapters, audio adapters, parallel ports, etc.

[0141] The one or more network interfaces 24 enable the computing device 10 to exchange information with one or more other local or remote computing devices, illustrated as computing device 36, via a network 38, which may include wired and / or wireless links. Examples of network interfaces include a network adapter or modem for connecting to a local area network ("LAN"), a wireless link, or other adapter for connecting to a wide area network ("WAN"), such as the Internet. The network interface 24 may be integrated with or peripheral to the computing device 10. In a networked system, accessible program modules, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked system, the computing device 10 may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by multiple networked computing devices.

[0142] Thus, while one skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of different environments with many types of system configurations, Figure 2 provides a representative networked system configuration that may be used in connection with embodiments of the present invention. The representative system of Figure 2 includes a computing device, illustrated as client 40, that is connected to one or more other computing devices (illustrated as client 42 and client 44) and one or more peripheral devices 46 via a network 38. Although Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment including client 40, two additional clients, client 42 and client 44, one peripheral device 46, and optionally a server 48 connected to a network 38, alternative embodiments may include more or fewer clients, two or more peripheral devices, no peripheral devices, no server 48, and / or two or more servers 48 connected to the network 38. Other embodiments of the present invention include local environments, networked environments, or peer-to-peer environments in which one or more computing devices may be connected to one or more local or remote peripheral devices. Additionally, embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a single electronic consumer device, a wireless networked environment, and / or a wide area networked environment such as the Internet.

[0143] Similarly, embodiments of the present invention encompass cloud-based architectures, where one or more computer functions are performed by remote computer systems and devices at the request of a local computer device. Thus, returning to FIG. 2, client 40 may be a computer device having a limited set of hardware and / or software resources. Because client 40 is connected to network 38, it may be able to access hardware and / or software resources provided over network 38 by other computer devices and resources, such as client 42, client 44, server 48, or any other resource. Client 40 may access those resources through an access program, such as a web browser, and any results of computer functions or resources may be delivered to a user of client 40 through that access program. In such a configuration, client 40 may be any type of computer or electronic device described above or known in the world of cloud computing, including traditional desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and other smart devices, tablet computers, or any other device capable of providing access to remote computing resources through an access program, such as a browser.

[0144] FIG. 3 illustrates one representative environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented to manage promotions and reduce fraud, facilitate product-specific redemption of gift card balances, facilitate real-time integration of promotional offers such as coupons, coupon codes, gift cards, etc. into customer relationship management systems and / or processes, and facilitate merchant-specific and product-specific redemption of serially numbered promotional offers for purchases. The promotional environment includes a promoter 50, which in some cases is a manufacturer of a product or a provider of a service, and in other cases is an entity or organization acting on behalf of a manufacturer or other provider. In some situations, the promoter 50 may be a retail store or chain that chooses to offer a discount on a product it carries or a service it sells. In other situations, the promoter 50 is a third party tasked with representing the retail store or chain. As such, it should be understood that the promoter 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be any of a number of entities in the retail, wholesale, and promotional industries, and is not intended to be limited to any particular role. Nevertheless, the promoter 50 is the entity that decides to launch a promotional campaign. A promoter 50 decides to generate a promotion for a product or service and contracts with a promotion provider 52 to administer the promotion on its behalf. In a typical promotion example, the promotion campaign involves the generation of a number of coupons representing discounts on goods or services of the manufacturer / service provider that the promoter 50 is or represents.

[0145] Historically, and often still today, promotions have typically involved the printing and distribution of a large number of generic or identical coupons in newspapers, magazines, mailings, and the like. The offering of such coupons entitled the bearer to a discount (a percentage or a set amount off) at any retailer that accepted coupons offered by the manufacturer (or issued by an issuer on behalf of the manufacturer). Typically, such coupons were only valid for a limited period of time, after which they were no longer accepted at the retailer or elsewhere. Offering generic or identical paper coupons in this manner leads to certain problems for the parties involved in the promotional offer and redemption process. Often, it can be difficult to estimate the rate at which a promotional offer will be redeemed. In addition, paper coupons are subject to attempts at duplication, which can result in more coupons entering the commercial stream than the promoter 50 originally intended. As such, the promoter 50 is unable to predict how often the coupons will be redeemed, or can do nothing to stop a promotion that results in more redemptions than expected, whether due to fraudulent or other innocent causes. As a result, some promotions have resulted in excessive use of promotions.

[0146] Conventional coupons are typically entered into a point-of-sale computer system by the owner of the system, either once near the beginning of a promotion or continually as each coupon is received. Although some conventional coupons are printed with bar codes or other redemption indicia that facilitate computer-assisted scanning or other automated entry by the point-of-sale system, conventional coupons are typically identical, so that they all share the same bar code or other scanning indicia. Again, such coupons are not resistant to fraud at all, and furthermore, they lack a mechanism that allows for rapid verification of the authenticity of the coupon and redemption in a manner that allows for rapid matching and checkout. In addition, limiting the use of a coupon to certain items that are actually purchased requires that the retailer either enter the coupon into their system and associate it with a limited number of items that are sold, or trust the checkout clerk to ensure that the associated item is actually purchased.

[0147] Thus, retailers are forced to accept lost sales until enough time has passed to allow them to send out the coupons they received and to transport such coupons to a remote location (often overseas to take advantage of lower labor costs) for verification and counting, auditing, and any other reconciliation processes before the retailer receives a refund for the discount applied. Additionally, if coupons are entered into the point of sale system inaccurately, this can result in the coupons being redeemed for more or less than their face value, again leading to problems for the retailer and / or promoter 50.

[0148] Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention address these and similar concerns. In the exemplary environment shown in FIG. 3, a promoter 50 (which may in some embodiments be a manufacturer) initiates a relationship with a promotion provider 52. In at least some embodiments, there is an electronic communication link established between the promoter 50 and the promotion provider 52, such that a representative of the promoter 50 can access a system operated by the promotion provider 52 associated with the promotion campaign to view related reports and / or manage one or more aspects of the promotion campaign. A representative of the promoter 50 may be any person or group of people tasked with managing the promotion on behalf of the promoter 50. In other embodiments, no electronic communication link is established between the promoter 50 and the promotion provider 52. In some other embodiments, the promoter 50 and the promotion provider 52 are the same entity or divisions within an entity.

[0149] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the promotion provider 52 is tasked with running or directly managing a promotional campaign on behalf of the promoter 52. The promoter 50 and the promotion provider 52 first establish baseline operating conditions for the promotion. By way of example, the first step may include the promoter 52 determining that it wishes to offer a promotional campaign that will result in a total promotion redemption amount of $500,000 (or whatever amount is desired), with that redemption amount allocated to $5 coupons. Thus, this anticipated promotional campaign has a goal of 100,000 redeemed coupons. In some embodiments, either the promoter 50 or the promotion provider 52, or both, have information from past promotional campaigns that determines the approximate number of coupons or other promotional offers that must be issued for the promotion to reach the anticipated / desired level of redemptions.

[0150] To fund a promotional campaign, the promoter 50 transfers an appropriate amount of money (e.g., $500,000 plus any fees charged by the promotion provider 52) to the promotion provider 52. The promotion provider 52 then serializes the appropriate number of coupons or promotional offers (if in a form other than a coupon) internally, so that each coupon or promotional offer receives its own sequence number. Because each coupon or promotional offer is individually numbered, its issuance and redemption can be tracked for various purposes, including preventing fraud and duplicate use attempts, as well as allowing for rapid matching and settlement, and tracking usage for authorized product purchases (e.g., filtered to be unique to SKU or other identifier).

[0151] As such, the promotion provider 52, in some embodiments, adds information about the coupons or promotional offers and their sequence numbers to the blockchain. Thus, because the coupons or promotional offers are recorded on the blockchain, they are tamper-resistant and can be easily tracked. As coupons and promotional offers are issued (provided to consumers) and subsequently redeemed, in some embodiments their associated records on the blockchain are updated to maintain a comprehensive record of the coupon or offer. In some embodiments, redemption attempts can be checked against the blockchain before approving the redemption to prevent fraudulent double redemption attempts, copying of coupons / offers, etc.

[0152] In some embodiments, the sequence numbers assigned to individual coupons or promotional offers are for internal use only by the promotion provider 52. The sequence numbers serve as an internal tracking mechanism used by the promotion provider in processes such as tracking offers issued and redeemed and generating reports. Such reports may include internal reports as well as reports issued to the promoter 50.

[0153] In some embodiments, the promotion provider 52 communicates with a bank card processor 54 to facilitate transactions using coupons or other promotional offers. The bank card processor 54 may be any of a variety of current or future payment processors capable of accepting and processing bank card (e.g., credit card) payments. By way of example, the bank card processor 54 may be an entity such as Mastercard Incorporated capable of processing MasterCard brand bank cards. Of course, the bank card processor 54 may be any desired bank card processor or payment processor. In some embodiments, the promotion provider 52 and the bank card processor 54 are the same entity or divisions within a single entity.

[0154] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the promotion provider 52 also communicates with a consumer computing device 56 operated by a consumer. As such, at least an intermittent communication connection is established between one or more computing devices of the promotion provider 52 and the consumer computing device 56. Such a communication connection may be established using an existing network infrastructure, including, for example, wired and wireless connections, including use of portions of the Internet. The consumer computing device 56 may be any of a variety of devices according to various embodiments of the present invention. By way of example, the consumer computing device 56 may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a special purpose computing device such as a special purpose device, and the like.

[0155] In some embodiments, the coupons or promotional offers are issued and distributed using traditional means, such as by newspaper, mail, or other distribution mechanism, but in such embodiments, to ensure that the coupons or promotional offers are resistant to duplication and other fraudulent activity, the coupons or promotional offers are distributed in each individual instance as or with a unique gift card or bank card number for each coupon or offer.

[0156] In some embodiments, the promotion provider 52, when administering a promotion, makes a decision to issue a coupon or promotional offer to the consumer through the consumer computing device 56. This decision may be made in various manners and considering various factors. As one example, the promotion provider 52 may decide to issue a coupon or promotional offer to the consumer through the consumer computing device 56 based on the geographic location of the consumer computing device 56 (e.g., as determined by GPS or by passing through a geofence determined by GPS or RFID data). As an example of this, a coupon or promotional offer related to offerings by a local convenience store (e.g., a gasoline promotion, a soft drink promotion, a snack promotion, etc.) may be triggered when the consumer computing device 56 (in this case a mobile device such as a smartphone) passes within a geofenced area surrounding a branch of that convenience store.

[0157] As another example of the manner and factors that may determine the issuance of a coupon or promotional offer, a consumer may use a consumer computing device to indicate an interest in promotional offers in general or in a particular type of promotional offer. In some embodiments, the consumer uses a program, such as a smartphone app, or a website that is dedicated to coupons and promotional offers. In other embodiments, the consumer uses a program, such as a smartphone app, or a website that is dedicated to providing a particular type of service (e.g., a gasoline price / purchase app or website, a supermarket app or website, etc.). Regardless of the app, program, or website used, once a consumer indicates an interest in a coupon or other promotional offer, promotion provider 52 makes a determination as to whether the consumer is eligible for any applicable coupons or promotional offers.

[0158] If the promotion provider 52 determines that the consumer is eligible to receive a coupon or promotional offer, the system does not necessarily immediately issue the coupon or promotional offer. Instead, in some embodiments, the promotion provider system first presents information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device 56, allowing the consumer to evaluate the promotional offer and determine whether the promotional offer is one that the consumer would like to take advantage of. If so, the consumer may indicate this through actions such as interacting with a program, app, or website as known in the art. In other embodiments, the promotion provider 52 proceeds immediately to issue the coupon or official promotional offer, such as if the consumer has already expressed an interest in the promotional offer or coupon.

[0159] When the promotion provider 52 decides to issue a coupon or promotional offer, one of the serially numbered promotional offers or coupons is assigned to the promotional offer, and a one-time use bank card number (e.g., a gift card number in some embodiments) is assigned to the promotional offer or coupon. For example, if the bank card number is a MasterCard number, the bank card number assigned to the promotional offer or coupon may be a 16-digit number. The bank card number serves as a redeemable code for redeeming the offer or coupon. If information about coupons and / or offers is maintained on the blockchain, the bank card number associated with the offer / coupon is recorded on the blockchain, possibly together with information associated with the consumer to whom the offer / coupon is issued, and with information indicating that the offer / coupon has been issued to the consumer. The offer or coupon is then issued to the consumer using the consumer computing device 56. No other consumer receives the same bank card number.

[0160] In embodiments where a coupon or promotional offer is limited to use on one or more specific products or services, the bank card number associated with the offer / coupon is also associated with one or more products or services for which the offer / coupon is authorized for redemption, and that authorization is also recorded. In some embodiments, the authorized products or services are recorded on the blockchain, while in other embodiments, the authorized products or services are recorded separately from the blockchain. In some embodiments, information about the authorized products or services includes information associated with each item authorized for use of the gift card number and its associated gift card amount, such as SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, or APN.

[0161] In certain embodiments where a promotional offer is limited to use on one or more specific products or services, the products or services for which the promotional offer or coupon is approved for redemption are associated with the bank identification number (BIN) of the bank card number. Specifically, a set BIN or range of BINs is associated with the specific products for which the bank card number with that BIN or range of BINs is approved for use. The BIN of each bank card number is typically the first few digits of the bank card number. While any number of the first few digits of a bank card number can function as a BIN, such as any number less than the total number of digits in the bank card number, it is currently common for the BIN to be the first five or six digits of the bank card number, with some cards' BINs expected to be eight digits long in the near future. Embodiments of the present invention encompass any BIN length and placement within the bank card number, and are not limited to any particular current or future BIN length. In some embodiments, the BIN or BINs fall within a range of existing BINs encompassed by the bank card processor 54 or issuer, and are intended to be associated with the promotion to identify acceptable products. In other embodiments, a BIN or range of BINs may be particularly applicable in the case of store-specific gift cards that are created for the specific purpose of a promotion and can only be used within a particular brand's store, for example.

[0162] In some embodiments, the use of BINs in conjunction with promotions also allows for further restriction in the redemption of promotional offers. In addition to product-specific redemption made possible by the issuance of BIN-specific gift card numbers tied to acceptable products, BIN-specific gift card numbers can also be used to require merchant-specific redemption, including location-specific redemption. For example, a specific set of BINs may be used that only allows redemption at a particular brand of store or merchant. As another example, a more restrictive set of BINs may only allow redemption at a particular brand of store in a particular geographic location (city-wide, county-wide, state-wide, or even only a single store in a neighborhood). In some embodiments, BINs can be used to allow redemption at a variety of different merchants (e.g., different branded stores), but within a particular geographic location. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide multiple mechanisms by which the redemption of promotional offers may be controlled.

[0163] The association of BINs with particular acceptable goods or categories of goods, and / or with particular merchants and / or locations allows for merchant-level controlled redemption. In some embodiments, to allow for merchant-level control of promotional offer redemption, the promotion provider 52 works with the bank card processor 54 to identify merchant identifiers (MIDs) that are acceptable for redemption of bank card numbers with particular BINs. Thus, if a customer attempts to use a promotional offer at an inappropriate merchant or location, the bank card processor 54 recognizes the mismatch between the BIN and the MID and rejects the bank card.

[0164] In another embodiment, when a promotional offer is created and associated with an assigned BIN or a bank card number containing one of the assigned BINs, the associated BIN is then sent to the merchant or the merchant's payment processor as part of an updated BIN file or BIN table that the merchant's payment system uses to accept bank card payments. This distribution can be controlled so that only certain merchants receive a BIN file that contains the assigned BINs that are valid BINs, and therefore only those merchants will recognize the bank card number as a valid card when presented. In this way, the use of promotional offers associated with the bank card number is restricted to authorized merchants, since any attempt to use it elsewhere will result in the bank card number being rejected as a form of payment. The promoter 50 and / or promotion provider 52, in cooperation with the bank card processor 54, ensure that the BIN file or BIN table is updated in a timely manner (e.g., at the appropriate time before the promotional offer is associated with the bank card number and issued) to ensure that consumers can redeem their promotional offers without difficulty (inappropriate rejection).

[0165] For the merchant, this update process occurs in the background and does not require the merchant to take any special action beyond the normal process of updating their BIN files or BIN tables. Thus, embodiments of the present invention allow merchant specific restrictions to be imposed on promotional offer redemptions in a manner that significantly improves the functionality of the redemption process without placing a burden on existing computer systems or existing card network processes. In some embodiments, the BIN is a store specific BIN (e.g., retailer gift card) and the store simply updates its payment network to reflect the issuance of a new BIN numbered bank card number associated with the promotional offer, but the net effect remains the same in that location specific redemption constraints can be imposed while maintaining the ease of use of standard existing network update practices.

[0166] When the bank card number is used as a form of payment at an approved merchant (e.g., the BIN corresponds to one of the BINs in the merchant's BIN file or BIN table), certain embodiments of the present invention also utilize the BIN number to perform a lookup process to determine whether the product or products, service or services being purchased are approved for use with the promotional offer. This may be done in any desired manner. As an example, the POS system receives (before or at the time of the attempted purchase) a data file indicating which products or services may be purchased with the bank card containing that BIN or BIN range. The POS system can then compare the eligible products to the product being purchased and allow or deny the application of the bank card credit (if any) to the purchase. In some embodiments, this may be done before the POS system attempts to authorize the bank card through a traditional bank card authorization transaction with the bank card processor 54.

[0167] In other embodiments, the POS system does not receive a complete list of accepted products or services associated with a BIN or BIN range. Instead, the merchant's partner, who provides and manages the POS infrastructure, has and maintains such information. In some embodiments, this partner monitors all transactions occurring at the POS system and recognizes when a bank card number is presented as a form of payment. At that point, the partner can compare the item being purchased to the acceptable items. In some embodiments, if an acceptable item does not exist, the partner may communicate instructions to reject the attempted offer redemption. In other embodiments, particularly those in which the promotional offer is a funded offer as will be discussed in more detail below, the transaction may be allowed to proceed, but may be flagged as fraudulent and reported as such in a report provided to the promoter 50.

[0168] In yet another embodiment, a merchant partners with a monitoring entity but does not give the partner complete access to its POS system. Instead, the partner is notified when a transaction involving a bank card number with a corresponding BIN is used. At that point, the partner, which has a list of acceptable products, queries the POS system to determine whether one or more of the acceptable products are present in the attempted purchase. The response to this query may be limited to a yes / no response, if desired, to minimize customer information possessed by the partner. Alternatively, the response may indicate one or more products present in the purchase. If acceptable products are present, the transaction proceeds as expected. If not, the POS system may optionally receive instructions to reject the attempted offer redemption, or fraudulent redemptions may be tracked and uncovered or reported, as described. Thus, various embodiments are described herein in which merchant-specific or product-specific redemptions of promotional offers may be imposed.

[0169] Regardless of whether the promotional offer is product-specific and / or merchant-specific, the consumer may receive and use the coupon or offer in a variety of different ways. In some embodiments, the consumer may receive a printable coupon and use a printing device (not shown in FIG. 3) to print the coupon for use at the point of sale. The printable coupon includes a bank card number and / or scannable indicia representing the bank card number to facilitate redemption of the coupon at the point of sale. In other embodiments, the consumer receives an electronic coupon, which the consumer may redeem at the point of sale, for example, by displaying the electronic coupon on their smart phone (e.g., consumer computing device 56) for scanning or manually entering the bank card number at the point of sale device. Thus, FIG. 3 illustrates that the system of some embodiments includes a point of sale device 58 or system adapted to receive input of a bank card number from a point of sale operator or from a consumer, such as using computing device 56. In some embodiments, the consumer computing device 56 and the point of sale device 58 may communicate with each other wirelessly, such as by near field communication (NFC). In another embodiment, the consumer can receive the bank card number and store it on a consumer magnetic strip adapted to be read by a conventional magnetic strip reader at the point of sale device 58. In another embodiment, the consumer can receive the bank card number as a gift card compatible with an EMV standard chip-and-pin system and use it with an EMV standard reader.

[0170] When the point of sale device 58 receives the bank card number, it initiates an authorization process with the bank card processor 54. Thus, the point of sale device 58 has at least a temporary or intermittent communication connection with the bank card processor 54. The bank card processor 54 performs an authorization step to verify that the bank card number is valid and unused, which may, at least in some embodiments, be performed in part by communication with the promotion provider 52. Thus, the promotion provider 52 has a communication connection with the bank card processor 54. The promotion provider 52 can then check the bank card number against its records to ensure that the bank card number is valid and has never been used, and update its records, including the blockchain, to reflect that a coupon or other promotion associated with the bank card number has been used and cannot be used again. Assuming the coupon, gift card, or other promotional offer has not yet been used and is otherwise still valid (the applicable promotional period has not ended or passed the expiration date assigned to that bank card number), an approval is sent by the bank card processor 54 back to the point of sale device 58.

[0171] However, some embodiments of the present invention provide an additional approval step to ensure that credits associated with coupons, gift cards, or other promotional offers are applied only to purchases of approved items. This step takes place between the promotion provider 42 and the retailer or merchant, specifically the point of sale device 58 in some embodiments. To that end, the point of sale device 58 has at least a temporary or intermittent communication connection with the promotion provider 52 (e.g., with a promotion provider server connected to a communication network). Such a communication connection may be provided in various manners according to various embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 may utilize the same or a similar network and may use the same or a similar network interface 24 as the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the bank card processor 54. In other embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 may utilize a different network and may use a different network interface 24 than the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the bank card processor 54.

[0172] In some embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 is continuous or near continuous and is used as needed. In other embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 is intermittent and is established only as needed. In some embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 is virtual in that the retailer of the point of sale device establishes a communication connection with the promotion provider 52 and obtains the promotion provider's list of promotions (e.g., gift card numbers, etc.) and their associated acceptable items, and then the point of sale system 58 connects to and / or references a pre-obtained list that the retailer maintains in its own system.

[0173] In some embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 is established by the point of sale device 58. In other embodiments, the communication connection between the point of sale device 58 and the promotion provider 52 is established by the system of the promotion provider 52. If the communication connection is established by the system of the promotion provider 52, the system of the promotion provider 52 obtains information regarding the identity of the point of sale device 58 from the bank card processor 54 as part of the authorization process to authorize the bank card number, and the system of the promotion provider uses that information to establish communication with the point of sale device 58 as part of a secondary authorization step (e.g., via an application programming interface (API) call to the system of the point of sale device 58). If the point of sale device 58 establishes a communication connection with the promotion provider system, the point of sale device 58 may do so based on information already stored by the point of sale system 58 or the retailer's system that identifies when to establish the communication connection.

[0174] Once a communication connection between the promotion provider 52 and the point of sale system 58 is established, a secondary authorization step is performed. In this step, a comparison is made between the redeemed bank card number (e.g., gift card number) and information associated with the authorized item (e.g., SKU number, etc.). In some embodiments, the comparison is performed by the promotion provider 52. In such a case, the point of sale device 58 sends a set of information to the promotion provider 52 identifying one or more items purchased by the consumer (e.g., SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, APN, etc.). The promotion provider 52 system then compares the purchased item with the item associated with that particular bank card number (e.g., gift card number) that was attempted to be redeemed as at least partial payment for that particular purchase to see if there is a match. If and only if there is a match, the promotion provider 52 then sends an authorization back to the point of sale device 58, thereby authorizing the application of the balance to the purchase.

[0175] In other embodiments, the comparison is made at the point of sale 58 (or another computer system controlled by the retailer). In such an embodiment, the promotion provider system uses the bank card number to retrieve from its memory store one or more associated products for which the bank card number (e.g., gift card number) is authorized for use, and then transmits a set of information identifying the one or more authorized products (e.g., SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, APN, etc.) to the point of sale 58. The point of sale 58 then performs a comparison of this information with corresponding information related to the purchased product stored in its memory store to determine whether a match exists. If and only if there is a match, the point of sale 58 then applies the balance to the purchase. In some embodiments, a notification of the application of the gift card balance is then sent back to the promotion provider 52, either directly by the point of sale 58 or indirectly via transmission to the bank card processor 54.

[0176] Methods such as these thus can exercise real-time control over the redemption of gift cards and other promotional offers to ensure that promotional offers are item-specific, product-specific, service-specific, etc. If an attempt is made to redeem an issued promotional offer (e.g., associated with a bank card number or gift card number) for a product or service not associated with that offer, the attempt may be rejected even if there is a remaining balance associated with the offer. Such rejection occurs in real-time and prevents the use of the promotional balance for items such as products or services for which the offer was not intended.

[0177] Embodiments of the present invention incorporate the features discussed herein into a customer relationship management environment such that the issuance and use of promotional offers is facilitated. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a customer relationship management environment in which illustrative embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. This environment embodiment is similar to the previously and subsequently discussed environments illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. However, in this environment, the environment also includes a customer relationship management (CRM) provider 64. In some embodiments, the CRM provider 64 is a separate entity as illustrated in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, the CRM provider 64 is also one of the other entities illustrated in FIG. 6, such as the promoter or manufacturer 50 or the promotion provider 52. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to implementation in the exact same environment as FIG. 6.

[0178] The CRM provider 64 in the illustrated embodiment provides CRM support to the promoter or manufacturer 50 and / or one or more customer service representatives 66 employed by the promoter or manufacturer 50. The customer service representatives 66 are, in some embodiments, in-house employees of the manufacturer 50, and in other embodiments, are employed to serve as external customer service representatives for the manufacturer, such as at a call center provided by a human resources support service. Thus, there is no specific requirement that the customer service representatives 66 be physically located at the promoter or manufacturer 50 or even employed directly by the promoter or manufacturer 50. In some embodiments, customer support is provided by employees other than dedicated customer service employees, such as customer service representatives 60, and still fall within the scope of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and as such, FIG. 6 is not intended to limit application to situations in which customer support is provided by any particular person.

[0179] Regardless of the specific location of the customer service representatives 66 or whether support or other client relationship management efforts are provided by someone else, those providing client relationship management often utilize a CRM tool 68 provided by the CRM provider 64 to manage client relationships. The CRM tool 68 in some embodiments is an installable application that runs on a local computer machine. In other embodiments, the CRM tool 68 operates as a downloadable tool (whether installed or simply opened locally). In other embodiments, the CRM tool 68 is provided by the CRM provider 64 as a web-based application that runs remotely and is accessed locally by the representatives 66 (or equivalent role), such as using a web browser or other access program. The CRM tools 68 of various embodiments may be provided by or incorporated into a suite of tools currently or in the future offered by any CRM provider 64, regardless of the manner in which the CRM tools 68 are provided, such as, for example, Salesforce.com CRM, SAP CRM, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Act! CRM, Adempiere, Base CRM, Capsule, CiviCRM, Dolibarr, Epesi CRM, GNU Enterprise, Group-Office, HubSpot CRM, Neolane, Nutshell CRM, Pega CRM, Pipedrive, Pivotal CRM, Really Simple Systems, SageCRM, Salesbox CRM, Siebel, SAP Cloud for Customer, Streak, SugarCRM, SuiteCRM, SuperOffice CRM, TeamLab, Tryton, WORKetc, Zoho CRM, and the like.

[0180] The agent 66 uses the CRM tool to manage customer relationships, typically with multiple customers of the manufacturer 50. A typical CRM tool and / or provider utilizes data analytics regarding the customer's history with the company to improve the business relationships with the company's customers, particularly customer retention, thereby driving sales growth. By aggregating data from multiple communication channels, such as phone, chat, email, website interactions, social media, and marketing tools, a typical CRM system knows more about its target audience and how to address customer needs. However, such conventional systems are limited in the manner in which the manufacturer 50 or its agent 66 can address customer needs in a way that maximizes opportunities for customer retention, recovery, and / or brand loyalty / engagement.

[0181] An embodiment of the present invention is integrated with the CRM tool 68 to enable the manufacturer 50 or its agent 66 to issue personalized promotional offers as needed (e.g., on request) to consumers for redemption at a specific location or anywhere the manufacturer's products are sold. The personalized promotional offers may be communicated via email, text message, within an app running on the customer's mobile device, or using any other form of direct communication whether internal to the manufacturer platform or not. Promotional offers may be applied to customer recovery (e.g., if the customer's product or product purchase experience was poor) or brand-directed customer loyalty or engagement opportunities (e.g., birthday celebrations). Promotional offers issued to customers using the CRM tool 68 and / or CRM provider 64 utilize features of the various promotional offer embodiments discussed herein.

[0182] Thus, to facilitate issuance, usage, and management within a customer relationship management environment such as that shown in FIG. 6, the manufacturer or promoter 50 establishes or maintains a communication connection with the CRM provider 64. The communication connection may be intermittent or on demand (e.g., when the CRM tool 68 is initiated by one of the manufacturer's agents 66), or may be substantially continuous. If the agent 66 wishes to issue a personalized promotional offer as part of a customer relationship management effort, the agent 66 operates an interface within the CRM tool to indicate a desire to issue a personalized promotional offer. The promotional offer is then issued along with the one-time-use bank card number and associated value, and the personalized promotional offer may then be transmitted to the customer (e.g., to the consumer computing device 56) using any desired communication method. The consumer may then redeem the promotional offer according to the principles discussed above, along with any restrictions imposed by the manufacturer (such as location, product (e.g., SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, APN, etc.), etc.). Additionally, the redemption process may utilize any of the processes discussed herein, including by direct application of the promotional offer amount to the purchase price or by triggering a loyalty reward to the consumer's account.

[0183] Embodiments of the present invention provide personalized promotional offers that allow for ubiquitous acceptance, CRM integration, and real-time traceability and frictionless direct-to-consumer targeting. Much more flexibility in offer issuance and redemption is provided, and manufacturers 50 can see the impact of customer relationship management efforts by being immediately aware of offers as they are redeemed. Additionally, as discussed above, embodiments of the present invention allow CRM-integrated promotional offers to be product-specific and / or merchant-specific as desired.

[0184] Various embodiments of the present invention utilize various methods to facilitate the issuance of personalized promotional offers. In some embodiments, personalized promotional offers may be defined by the promoter or manufacturer 50 upon request. In such embodiments, the agent 66 utilizes an aspect of the CRM tool 68 (e.g., a drop-down menu, one or more fillable form fields, etc.) to define the characteristics of the promotional offer to be issued. Such characteristics may include characteristics such as the recipient of the promotional offer, the amount of the promotional offer, one or more acceptable retailers or other locations where the promotional offer may be redeemed, and / or one or more products (e.g., SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, APN, etc.) for which the promotional offer is approved for redemption. The information provided by the agent 55 is received by the CRM tool 68 and formatted into a request to issue a promotional offer.

[0185] The request for issuance of the promotional offer is then transmitted to the promotion provider 52. In one embodiment, the request for issuance of the promotional offer is transmitted to the promotion provider 52 using the communication link established between the promoter or manufacturer 50 and the promotion provider 52. In another embodiment, the request for issuance of the promotional offer is transmitted to the promotion provider 52 using the communication link between the CRM provider 64 and the promotion provider 52. The promotion provider 52 uses the information in the request for issuance of the promotional offer to create a corresponding personalized promotional offer that includes a one-time use bank card number (which in some embodiments is a gift card number) and an allocated value equal to the promotional offer amount. As with the other promotional offer embodiments discussed above, information associated with the personalized promotional offer is stored by the promotion provider 52 (e.g., using a blockchain) and can be used to redeem and track the promotional offer. The personalized promotional offer is then transmitted back to the promoter or manufacturer 50 (e.g., using a communication link or links similar to those used to transmit the request for issuance of the promotional offer). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the promotion provider 52 sends a personalized promotional offer directly to the consumer (e.g., to the consumer computing device 56) and sends a notification thereof to the promoter or manufacturer 52.

[0186] In alternative implementations, characteristics of possible promotional offers are pre-determined. In such an embodiment, a representative of the promoter or manufacturer 50 determines what promotional offers are available to the CRM agent 66, including characteristics such as promotional offer value, redemption location constraints, product constraints (e.g., SKU, GTIN, UPC, ARN, APN, etc.), and a list of available possible promotional offers is generated. The list of available promotional offers may be generated by any participant in the process or through collaboration between entities in the process (e.g., by the CRM provider 64, the promoter or manufacturer 50, and / or the promotion provider 52). In such an embodiment, the number of actions of the agent 66 in issuing promotional offers as part of a CRM initiative may be reduced. By way of example, in such an embodiment, the agent 66 simply selects from among the available promotional offers and performs the action of directing customers to receive the selected offers.

[0187] In some such embodiments, the process then proceeds as described above, i.e., a request for issuance of a promotional offer is generated and sent to the promotion provider 52, which in response creates and sends a personalized promotional offer to the intended destination, except that the promoter or agent 66 of the manufacturer 50 is not free to define whatever promotional offer he or she desires, but instead selects from available promotional offers, and once a selection is made, a personalized promotional offer is created and issued by the promotion provider 52 as discussed above.

[0188] In other embodiments, multiple personalized promotional offers are pre-created (according to a list of available promotional offers), stored, and ready to be issued upon request. In some embodiments, personalized promotional offers are stored by the promotion provider 52 and sent to the promoter or manufacturer 50 (or to the consumer) only upon an individual request for issuance. In other embodiments, personalized promotional offers are issued by the promotion provider 52 and then stored by the CRM provider 64, selected, and sent by the CRM provider 64 to the promoter or manufacturer 50 or to the consumer along with an individual request for issuance by the promoter or manufacturer 50. In such embodiments, the CRM provider 64 notifies the promotion provider 52 of the issuance of each personalized promotional offer, either in real time or on a defined schedule (e.g., in batches), for tracking purposes as discussed above.

[0189] In yet other embodiments, the personalized promotional offers are stored by the promoter or manufacturer 50 after issuance by the promotion provider 52. As an agent 66 of the promoter or manufacturer 50 selects personalized promotional offers for sending to consumers, a record is kept (either by the promoter or manufacturer 50 or by the CRM provider 64) and then forwarded to the promotion provider 52, either in real time or on a defined schedule (e.g., in batches).

[0190] Nevertheless, embodiments of the present invention provide the promoter and / or manufacturer 50 with improved tracking of the selection, issuance, and redemption of personalized promotional offers. Such improved tracking provides increased accountability and protection against fraud on both the issuing side (e.g., with respect to the performance and activities of the manufacturer's representative 66) and the redemption side. Such tracking not only reduces the likelihood of or enables the detection of fraud, but also allows all entities involved in the promotion process to evaluate in real time the effectiveness of customer relationship management efforts related to promotional offers.

[0191] Embodiments of the invention related to customer relationship management are adapted to utilize both directly funded promotional offers (where a consumer may use a one-time use bank card number as a form of payment) and decline program promotional offers (where the use of a promotional offer (a one-time use bank card number) does not result in a reduced price at the point of sale, but instead results in a credit being generated in a customer loyalty program). In the case of directly funded personalized promotional offers, some embodiments of the invention allow unlimited use or applicability of a bank card balance (e.g., gift cards, etc.) anywhere such cards are accepted, while other embodiments of the invention allow certain limitations to be imposed on the use of the promotional offer, within the limitations on the merchandise for which the personalized promotional offer is approved for redemption. In the case of decline program personalized promotional offers, collaboration between the retailer's point of sale device 58 or system and the promotion provider 52 also allows for wide range of limitations or restrictions to be selectively employed as may be desired for each applicable personalized promotion.

[0192] When the personalized promotional offer is redeemed, whether through a directly funded redemption of a bank card number as a discount against the point of sale price, or through the redemption of a decline program promotional offer that triggers an increase in a loyalty program balance, as discussed above, the promotion provider 52 receives notification of the redemption. The promotion provider 52 can therefore notify either or both of the CRM provider 64 and the promoter or manufacturer 50, either in real time or on a defined schedule, so that the CRM provider 64 and / or the promoter or manufacturer 50 can better track the results of their customer relationship management efforts and adjust such efforts accordingly (e.g., by training agents 66 to modify how and when personalized promotional offers are issued, by decreasing or increasing personalized promotional offer amounts, etc.).

[0193] Funds associated with the redemption of the coupon or other promotional offer may then be allocated on an ongoing basis as needed. In some embodiments, the necessary funds may be cleared at the end of the day each day. In other embodiments, the funds may be cleared less frequently, such as every 3-5 days or once a week. In other embodiments, the funds may be cleared in real time. In general, the funds may be cleared on a time schedule that greatly increases the promptness with which the retailer receives his money, taking into account factors such as the cost of transferring money associated with multiple small transfers (e.g., some accumulation may be done to minimize transfer fees). Thus, as can be appreciated, the funds may be cleared on any desired schedule, taking into account ensuring relatively rapid clearing of funds while avoiding repeated and unnecessary transfers of small amounts of money. In other words, in some embodiments, the funds may be cleared after a certain amount of time has passed or after a minimum clearing amount is due to a particular retailer or other person or entity associated with the redemption of the coupon or other promotional offer, whichever occurs first.

[0194] In some embodiments, reimbursement is made by payment to the retailer or other business or individual where the coupon or other promotional offer was redeemed. In other embodiments, reimbursement is made by payment to the account of the consumer who redeemed the coupon or other promotional offer. Each of these involves slightly different mechanisms or processes associated with the coupon's bank card number.

[0195] In some embodiments, when a bank card number is issued to a consumer, a fund amount associated with the coupon or promotional offer is associated with the bank card number. In effect, the consumer receives a bank card (equivalent to a gift card) with a monetary value equal to the value of the coupon or promotional offer (e.g. $3, €10, etc.). In such an embodiment, the bank card number can be used in the same way as a traditional credit card or gift card as a partial payment for the goods or services associated with the promotional offer or coupon, except that unlike previous credit cards or gift cards, the use of the card is restricted to approved purchases. Thus, in such an embodiment, the retailer receives the bank card number at the point of sale device 58 and an authorization request is sent to the bank card processor 54 in the amount of the face value of the coupon or other promotional offer. If authorization is granted through both sides of the authorization process (both the card number through the bank card processor 54 and the goods purchased through the promotion provider 52), the discount is reflected in the total bill for the consumer at the point of sale device 58 and the remaining difference can be paid by the consumer using conventional methods. In this case, funds for the discount amount are transferred to the retailer associated with the point of sale.

[0196] In other embodiments, no funds are directly associated with the coupon or promotional offer when the bank card number is issued to the consumer. When the bank card number is received at the point of sale device 58, the new authorization transaction with the bank card processor 54 will be a zero-value authorization transaction, zero ping code, etc. Because this authorization is not a traditional authorization that requires the transfer of actual money to the retailer with endorsement by the bank card processor 54, the bank card processor 54 may optionally charge less for processing this authorization transaction, thereby reducing the cost of processing the promotional campaign. The promotion provider 52 is still notified of this transaction and can still determine whether the transaction relates to an issued unused coupon or other promotional offer, and can still record the transaction (e.g., on a blockchain), but no money is transferred to the retailer. Instead, at most an "approved" transmission is returned to the point of sale device 58, and the consumer still pays the full price at the point of sale. Nevertheless, because a second authorization process takes place, the system can still verify and ensure that the promotional offer was used for its intended purpose. Then, when it comes time to redeem the value of the coupon or promotional offer, the value is returned directly to the consumer, typically by crediting a consumer account associated with the consumer and / or an app running on the consumer's computing device 56.

[0197] The advantage of either process is that retailers do not need to program coupons and promotional offers into their systems manually or otherwise. Instead, if the bank card is associated with a value, redemption of the card can occur via conventional card authorization with a secondary product-specific authorization step, and the bank card processor 54 returns an authorization communication including the amount of the partial payment received from the bank card. Similarly, if the bank card is not associated with a value, redemption of the card occurs via zero-value authorization with a secondary product-specific authorization step, and the consumer still pays the full value at the point of sale. The consumer is then refunded or receives the associated funds directly, without merchant involvement. Thus, the burden on retailers and other merchants accepting coupons and promotional offers is greatly reduced, both with respect to the checkout process and the process by which coupons and promotional offers can be accepted.

[0198] An example of a zero-value authorization environment is described with respect to FIG. 4. This environment is largely similar to the environment of FIG. 3 with the addition of an app provider 60 that provides an app to a consumer computing device 56. In some embodiments, the app provider 60 and the promotion provider 52 are the same entity or divisions within the same entity. In some embodiments, the app provider 60 and the promotion provider 52 are the same entity or divisions within the same entity. The app provider 60 provides an app that runs on the consumer computing device 56. The app provider 60 may deliver services to the consumer through the app that runs on the consumer computing device 56. As an example, the app that runs on the consumer computing device 56 may provide and receive gas price information to the consumer to facilitate comparison shopping, and the app provider 60 may deliver updated price information through the app. The consumer may have a consumer account associated with the app, which may allow the consumer to use the app to receive additional services, discounts, etc., and even pay others for goods and services through the app.

[0199] In some embodiments, a coupon or other promotional offer is first presented to the consumer through an app provided by app provider 60. The consumer may also accept offers and receive coupons or other promotional offers through the app. In some cases, the consumer may be able to present a coupon or other promotional offer at the point of sale using the app.

[0200] In this environment, even if the bank card number is not associated with a value so that the consumer can partially pay with the bank card number at the point of sale, the system can still provide the consumer with the equivalent value. When the consumer redeems the coupon or other promotional offer at the point of sale device 58, a zero-value authorization transaction occurs, a secondary product-specific authorization occurs, and in some embodiments the promotion provider 52 notifies the app provider 60 of the transaction and transfers the appropriate funds to the app provider 60. The app provider then credits the consumer's account on the app in an amount equal to the coupon or other promotional offer. The consumer can then spend the funds on goods or services through the app or using the app at other points of sale if the app provides such functionality. In other embodiments, the app may allow the user to transfer funds from the app to the user's bank account or to other app users.

[0201] All of this functionality is provided without requiring direct funds authorization through the bank card processor 54. Instead, because the promotion provider 52 knows that a coupon or other promotional offer has been associated with a bank card number and issued to the consumer (e.g., upon the consumer's request or when geographic location requirements or other preconditions are met), when the promotion provider 52 receives notification of a zero-value authorization request, it knows that the coupon or other promotional offer has been used and can initiate a secondary product-specific authorization process, after which it can undertake the redemption of the offer's value through any desired process, including non-traditional mechanisms. This redemption process may occur immediately or on any suitable time schedule (e.g., once a day, every few days, once a week, etc., as discussed above).

[0202] As can be appreciated, embodiments of the present invention utilize a bank card number for each coupon or other promotional offer. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, certain embodiments of the present invention are implemented in a system in which a bank card issuer 62 issues a large number of bank card numbers for use in promotional campaigns. As can be appreciated, obtaining a bank card number represents a cost to the promotional campaign. In addition, authorization fees charged by the bank card processor 54, whether as an authorization of zero value or as an authorization of the face value of the coupon or other promotional offer, also represent a cost to the promotional campaign. Thus, the promotion provider 52 typically passes such costs on to the promoter 50 when the promotional campaign is initiated. In some cases, a lower cost per coupon may be obtained by purchasing bank card numbers in bulk and / or by negotiating a bulk authorization rate with the bank card processor 54.

[0203] Because the use of a valid bank card number in the process represents a cost to the promotional campaign, a bank card number is typically only associated with a coupon or other promotional offer at the time of issuance of the particular coupon or other promotional offer. In embodiments in which a coupon or other promotional offer is associated with the geographical proximity of the location where the coupon or other promotional offer is used, there is a high likelihood that the coupon or other promotional offer will be redeemed. Nevertheless, a certain amount of unredeemed offers is expected, which also represents a cost to the promotional campaign. Nevertheless, embodiments of the present invention represent a significant improvement over current coupon promotional campaigns, which often leave a significant number of coupons unused.

[0204] The embodiments of the present invention also represent a significant improvement in the ability of promoters, issuers, and manufacturers to monitor and control their promotional campaigns. In particular, the secondary product-specific approval process represents a significant improvement in the ability of promoters, issuers, and manufacturers to monitor and control their promotional campaigns. Because coupons and promotional offers can be provided directly to consumers who are interested and in geographic proximity to the location of use, the redemption rate of coupons and other promotional offers is relatively high. Therefore, fewer total coupons and promotional offers need to be issued, and the issuance of coupons and promotional offers can be stopped at any time, thereby limiting the financial outflow associated with the promotional campaign. The promoter 50, issuer, and / or manufacturer is no longer in a position to underestimate the appeal and / or redemption rate of a coupon or promotional offer, and therefore the promoter 50 does not have to worry about the promotional campaign significantly exceeding the budget allocated to it.

[0205] The promotion provider 52 may also provide various reports to the promoter 50 to keep the promoter 50 informed of the status of the promotional campaign. Reports may be provided on a scheduled basis, or the promoter 50, in some embodiments, is allowed to access the reports on request to see the real-time status of the promotional campaign. The promoter 50 and promotion provider 52 are thus informed and can take action to suspend or modify the promotional campaign if necessary.

[0206] The tools and real-time control given to the promoter 50 by embodiments of the present invention allow the promoter 50 to exert control over the promotional campaign in a manner that better achieves the goals of the campaign. As an example, the promoter 50 may desire and arrange with the promotion provider 52 a promotional campaign that will result in a certain number of promotion redemptions occurring over a certain amount of time. As a specific example, the promoter 50 may intend for the promotion to run for two weeks and allocate $1 million that is initially intended to be distributed as 200,000 $5 promotional offers. As the promotional campaign progresses, the promoter 50 may access reports provided by the promotion provider 52 at any time and may determine that fewer or more promotional offers are being accepted and redeemed than expected.

[0207] If fewer promotional offers than expected are being accepted and redeemed, the promoter 50, possibly in consultation with the promotion provider 52, may decide to modify the manner in which promotions are being offered to consumers or may choose to make the terms of the promotional offers more attractive. As a specific example, if one week has passed of a two-week promotion period and only 10,000 promotional offers (out of an expected 200,000) have been accepted, let alone redeemed, the promoter 50 may choose to increase the rate or manner in which promotional offers are displayed to consumers for acceptance. Alternatively or additionally, the promoter 50 may choose to increase the number of products to which the promotional offer applies. Still alternatively or additionally, the promoter 50 may choose to increase the value of the promotional offer to $6 or some other increased value above the original $5 offering. Any appropriate steps may be taken to modify the promotional campaign to achieve the campaign goals.

[0208] Similarly, if more promotional offers are being accepted and redeemed than originally anticipated, the promoter 50 may choose to take action to modify the promotional campaign accordingly. As an example, the promoter 50 may choose to allocate more funds to the promotional campaign to allow more promotional offers to be extended. Alternatively, the promoter 50 may choose to modify future offered promotions to apply to fewer goods or services, or even reduce the value of promotions that have not yet been accepted or offered, so that the promotional campaign funds last longer. Such action may be taken at any time in real time and may be applied to all ongoing offered promotions.

[0209] In some limited circumstances (usually to the consumer's benefit), modifications to a promotional offer may occur after it has been accepted by the consumer but before it has been redeemed. For example, a promotion accepted by a consumer may be increased in value after acceptance to encourage redemption. In some embodiments, for example, if the promotional offer is provided through an app on the consumer computing device 56, the consumer may be reminded of any accepted but unredeemed offers from time to time, such as when the consumer returns to a local area where the promotional offer may be redeemed. Such a reminder may include a notice that the value of the promotional offer has been increased, if and when it is made.

[0210] Reminders of accepted promotional offers may serve as another control by which the promoter 50 or promotion provider 52 may seek to modify the redemption rates associated with a promotional campaign. For example, if the initial reminder rate does not result in an expected or desired level of promotional offer redemption, the promotion provider 52 may provide an opportunity for the promoter 50 to choose to increase the number of reminders provided to consumers who have accepted the promotion. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide significant advantages to the promoter 50 and promotional campaigns in a manner that allows for real-time control of the campaign.

[0211] The embodiments of the present invention provide significant protection against fraud, and in particular eliminate the opportunity for fraud. Additionally, the embodiments of the present invention greatly improve the checkout process, such that the recipient of the coupon is not involved in a time-consuming manual or semi-manual process to receive a refund for the coupons received upon redemption. Instead, the previous checkout process of many months is reduced to just a day or days. In some embodiments, checkout can be performed at the time of each transaction (e.g., in real time), virtually eliminating any checkout delays. Because fraud is eliminated using the embodiments of the present invention, checkout is performed for the full coupon value, providing a significant benefit to honest retailers who often received only 80% or less of the coupon value using traditional methods.

[0212] The promotion provider 52 maintains a complete transaction log of all transactions from promotion campaign creation to redemption, including the allocation of serial numbers to coupons or other promotional offers, the allocation of bank card numbers when coupons or other promotional offers are issued, their redemption, and the redemption of redeemed offers. In some embodiments, this information is maintained on a blockchain to prevent data tampering. Thus, the promotion provider 52 and the promoter 50 can fully audit the promotion campaign at any point in the process and verify the return on investment, which represents a significant improvement over traditional methods.

[0213] Methods according to embodiments of the present invention can also provide the promoter 50 with significantly more information about the effectiveness of a promotional campaign. Embodiments of the present invention allow the promotion provider 52 to track much more than simply the number of offers redeemed at the end of a promotional campaign. Instead, the promotion provider 52 can track the rate at which offers are accepted by consumers compared to the rate at which the offers were presented to consumers. The promotion provider 52 can also track the rate at which offers are redeemed as opposed to the rate at which they are accepted by consumers. The promotion provider 52 can also track down to product-specific redemptions, including when a promotional offer is applied to more than one product. Furthermore, more granular data can be obtained, such as by comparing offer acceptance and redemption rates at a certain location, at a certain time, etc. Thus, promoters 50, issuers, and manufacturers can be much better informed about the effectiveness of their promotional campaigns.

[0214] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. 1. A method implemented in a system for preventing fraud in the promotional offers industry, comprising: The method comprises: the system determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer; the system transmitting information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device via an electronic communications network; receiving, by the system, from the consumer computing device over the communications network, an indication of interest in the promotional offer; the system associating a unique, one-time use bank card number with the promotional offer; the system transmitting the bank card number to the consumer computing device as an accepted promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the accepted promotional offer using the bank card number at a point of sale; receiving, by the system, over the communications network, an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale; the system assigning payments for redemption of the promotional offer; The method includes:

2. The method comprises: when the system associates the bank card number with the promotional offer, writing the association of the bank card number to the promotional offer as a transaction on a blockchain; when the system receives the indication that the bank card number was used at the point of sale, writing a record of the redemption of the promotional offer to the blockchain; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein payment is allocated to the merchant within three days of redemption of the accepted promotional offer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein payment is allocated to the merchant within one day after redemption of the accepted promotional offer.

5. The method comprises:

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: when the system associates the bank card number with the promotional offer, allocating a value of the promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the promotional offer.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein when the promotional offer is redeemed at a point-of-sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third party bank card acceptance processor.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein payment for redemption of the promotional offer is allocated to a merchant associated with the point of sale.

8. The system for determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer, comprising:

10. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving, via the communications network, an indication from the consumer computing device that the consumer computing device has entered a particular geographic region.

9. The system for determining that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive a promotional offer, comprising: receiving, by the system, an indication from the consumer computing device via the communications network representing a request from the consumer for a promotional offer; the system determining that the consumer is eligible for the promotional offer; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

10. The method according to claim 1, receiving information regarding a promotional offer campaign involving providing the promotional offer to a plurality of consumers, the system; the system serializing a given number of the promotional offers with a unique sequential number; the system recording the promotional offer on a blockchain; the system checking the blockchain when an attempt is made to redeem the promotional offer to ensure that each attempted redemption relates to a valid unredeemed promotional offer before approving the redemption; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

11. The method according to claim 1, 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of the system generating, upon request, a report collating all promotional offers issued and redeemed and transmitting the report to an administrator of the promotional offer campaign.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: receiving an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale, the step comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the system includes representing an entry of the bank card number at a point of sale computing device, an authorization transaction between the point of sale computing device and an authorization server system, and receiving an acknowledgment of use of the bank card number from the authorization server system.

13. 1. A method implemented in a system for preventing fraud in the promotional offers industry, comprising: The method comprises: the system receiving information regarding a promotional offer campaign involving providing a promotional offer to a plurality of consumers; the system receiving funding for the promotional offer campaign, the funding representing funds and fees for providing a determined number of redemptions of the promotional offer; the system serializing a determined number of the promotional offers with a unique sequential number; the system recording the serially numbered promotional offers on a blockchain; determining, by the system, that a consumer operating a consumer computing device is eligible to receive the promotional offer; the system transmitting information about the promotional offer to the consumer computing device via an electronic communications network; receiving, by the system, from the consumer computing device over the communications network, an indication to opt-in to the promotional offer; the system associating a unique, one-time use bank card number with the promotional offer; the system transmitting the bank card number to the consumer computing device as an accepted promotional offer, thereby enabling the consumer to redeem the accepted promotional offer using the bank card number at a point of sale; receiving, via the system, an indication that the bank card number was used to redeem the accepted promotional offer at the point of sale as a redeemed promotional offer, via the communications network; the system verifying on the blockchain that the redeemed promotional offer has not yet been used; the system assigning payments for redemption of the promotional offer; the system updating the blockchain to indicate that the redeemed promotional offer has been used; The method includes:

14. The method according to claim 1, 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: when the system associates the bank card number with the promotional offer, allocating a value of the promotional offer to the bank card number, thereby making the bank card number available as a partial payment for the amount of the promotional offer.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein when the promotional offer is redeemed at a point-of-sale electronic device, the bank card number is transmitted to a third party bank card acceptance processor.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein payment for redemption of the promotional offer is allocated to a merchant associated with the point of sale.

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