Proximity-Based Reward Notification System for Financial Card Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of financial cards with rewards programs face a time-consuming and unsatisfying experience when browsing and selecting rewards, as they cannot physically interact with items and are limited to those offered by the card issuer and associated merchants, leading to unredressed reward points.
Innovation Solution
A system that identifies users near a point of sale location using GPS or card readers, providing notifications of available rewards through various means, allowing users to redeem rewards at the point of sale by associating their rewards account with the location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users browse reward items through a catalog or web page, then users can select rewards, but the process is time-consuming and users cannot physically interact with items
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions reward items at point of sale locations and automatically notifies users when they are near these locations, eliminating the need for users to proactively browse catalogs. The notification is prepared in advance and delivered at the optimal moment when the user is physically near the reward location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual browsing mechanism (physical or online catalog navigation) with an automated notification system that uses GPS location tracking and automated messaging to deliver reward information directly to users, substituting mechanical user action with automated electronic delivery.
2Reliability
If users are limited to items offered by the financial card company, then the company controls reward quality, but user choice is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables multiple reward sources to coexist within a single rewards program framework. Users can accumulate points that are redeemable for both company-sponsored rewards and third-party merchant rewards, making the rewards system universally applicable across multiple providers while maintaining centralized point management.
Solution Approach 2:
The financial card company acts as an intermediary that aggregates rewards from multiple merchants and companies into a unified rewards account. The company mediates between various reward providers and the user, allowing users to access diverse reward options while the company maintains control over point issuance and redemption coordination.
3Extent of automation
If users must interact with the issuing financial card company to select rewards, then the company maintains control, but the process becomes complex and lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to automatically receive reward notifications and redeem rewards without needing to contact or interact with the financial card company's customer service or rewards department. Users simply receive notifications on their mobile devices and can redeem rewards directly at point of sale locations, making the system self-serving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the reward selection and redemption process from the traditional customer service interaction model. By separating the notification and redemption functions from centralized company control and distributing them to users and merchants respectively, the system eliminates the need for users to engage with the company's rewards administration apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a point of sale reward system are provided. The system notifies users proximate to a point of sale location of rewards available for redemption specific to that user at that specific point of sale location.