Personalized Offer Delivery via Electronic Privilege Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively deliver customized offers to users of electronic privilege cards, as they often either send generic offers to all users or require expensive email and snail mail communication, which consumers find intrusive and unwanted.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that associates offers with specific electronic privilege cards, allowing retailers to transmit customized data items, such as coupons or promotions, directly to users' mobile devices through a communications channel like text messaging or email, enabling unique offers to be redeemed at point of sale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If generic offers are delivered to all mobile phone users, then delivery cost is reduced and system complexity is simplified, but user engagement and redemption rates deteriorate due to lack of personalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the offer delivery system by associating offers with specific eCards and delivering them to individual users based on their card holdings. This is achieved through the eCard server storing offers linked to specific eCard identifiers and the mobile device receiving personalized offers corresponding to their stored eCards, thereby personalizing delivery without requiring complex manual processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electronic copies of privilege cards (eCards) stored on mobile devices as the basis for offer delivery. Instead of physical cards requiring manual processing, the system creates and delivers digital offer copies associated with each eCard, enabling automated personalized delivery at low cost while maintaining high redemption rates through easy electronic access
2Reliability
If email and snail mail are used to communicate offers, then offer delivery is achievable, but cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mail systems (snail mail) and electronic mail with a mobile-based offer delivery system. Offers are transmitted directly to the mobile device storing the eCard through wireless communication channels, eliminating the need for physical paper delivery and reducing energy consumption associated with printing and mailing while maintaining reliable delivery through the existing mobile communication infrastructure
3Productivity
If text alerts are sent to consumers, then offer delivery is achieved, but user satisfaction deteriorates due to perceived spam and intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering offers specifically to users who hold relevant eCards rather than sending blanket notifications to all mobile users. The eCard server determines which users receive offers based on their specific card holdings and associated offer criteria, ensuring that only relevant, personalized offers are sent to appropriate users, thereby reducing perceived spam while maintaining efficient delivery
Data Source
AI summary
A method for delivering customized data items to users of electronic privilege cards includes receiving a customized data item to be delivered to a user having an electronic privilege card, identifying the electronic device storing the targeted user's electronic privilege card, and transmitting the customized data item to the electronic device. In one embodiment, the data item is an offer or coupon that the user may redeem from an entity associated with the electronic privilege card, such as a retailer or service provider. In another embodiment, the electronic device storing the electronic privilege card is a mobile telephone.