Harold E Schrum

20050144074, Jun 30, 2005

Sep 2, 2004

10/933126

Willard Fredregill - Lakeville MN, US
Harold Schrum - Chanhassen MN, US

G06F017/60

705014000, 705040000

A computer implemented real-time consumer reward point accumulation system in which a consumer accumulates points immediately in a centralized data storage of a host incentive award system upon coupons being redeemed at an interactive web site that is networked to the host incentive award system. The coupons are redeemed by inputting consumer identification data and a unique coupon identification number acquired off of a coupon into appropriate fields on a web page of an Internet web site, optionally facilitated by the use of an electronic scanning device that scans the data from the consumer's program identification card and/or a printed bar-code on the coupon. Upon user engagement, the Internet web site transmits the consumer identification data and the coupon number to the loyalty program host system. The loyalty program host system queries the information received and locates a consumer award account record and a coupon record. The consumer award account record includes an associated consumer loyalty program point total, and the coupon record, associated with the unique coupon identification number, has the associated loyalty program award point total. The system immediately adds the associated loyalty program award point total to an initial consumer award point total retrieved from the consumer award account record and stores the revised point total in the centralized data storage in real time. The updated loyalty program point total is available for use by the consumer for Internet or in-store purchases at retailer outlets. The consumer experience at the web site is tailored to the consumer by leveraging the consumer's history of product purchases to provide promotional information specifically relevant to the individual consumer. The system further leverages the information regarding which promotions are specifically relevant to each consumer by optionally emailing the consumer with information about the promotions deemed relevant to the consumer.

59230169, Jul 13, 1999

Dec 3, 1996

8/759170

Willard R. Fredregill - Lakeville MN
Harold E. Schrum - Chanhassen MN

Carlson Companies, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

G06F 1760

235380

A computer implemented consumer transaction point accumulation system in which a consumer earns and accumulates points immediately for immediate use during transactions at participating retailer outlets, wherein at each transaction, a customer's identification number is transmitted to a host data base which stores customer records including a customer balances of points accumulated to date. The system processing each consumer transaction during the consumer visit to the retailer outlet to determine points awarded for each transaction and to determine whether the item purchased is a redeemable item for which points may be redeemed for a reduction of the price of the redeemable item. The system updating said customer records immediately by adding points awarded or subtracting points redeemed from the customer balance of transaction points.

61389110, Oct 31, 2000

Apr 27, 1999

9/300151

Willard R. Fredregill - Lakeville MN
Harold E. Schrum - Chanhassen MN

Carlson Companies, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

G06F 1760

235383

A computer implemented consumer transaction point accumulation system in which a consumer earns and accumulates points immediately for immediate use during transactions at participating retailer outlets, wherein at each transaction, a customers identification number is transmitted to a host data base which stores customer records including a customer balances of points accumulated to date. The system processing each consumer transaction during the consumer visit to the retailer outlet to determine points awarded for each transaction and to determine whether the item purchased is a redeemable item for which points may be redeemed for a reduction of the price of the redeemable item. The system updating said customer records immediately by adding points awarded or subtracting points redeemed from the customer balance of transaction points.