System and method for networked loyalty program

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for implementing a purchaser incentive program on a network-wide level. The system associates SKU and UPC data on a network level to provide consumers with a purchasing environment that is both convenient and cost-efficient. The association of SKU and UPC data at a network level also provides consumers with the ability to analyze their own purchase data for a variety of purposes, including analyses relating to the consumer's spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates a network-wide search for an item that a consumer desires to purchase under terms or conditions that are selected by the consumer and are therefore perceived to be optimal by that consumer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates data analysis by a consumer based upon any of several factors, including items purchased, prices for those items, retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and / or the like. The system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the purpose of data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in consumer budgeting for example.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 10 / 010,947, filed Nov. 6, 2001 and entitled “System and Method for Networked Loyalty Program”; which application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 836,213, filed Apr. 17, 2001 and entitled “System and Method for Networked Loyalty Program”, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 279,817, filed Mar. 29, 2001 and entitled “System and Method for Networked Incentive Awards Program”; which application also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 246,208, filed Nov. 6, 2000 and entitled “Virtually Complete Purchasing”. This application hereby incorporates by reference each of these prior applications in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to purchaser incent...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a system that allows consumers to access a network-wide purchasing environment that is convenient and cost-efficient. The system associates SKU and UPC data, which allows consumers to analyze their own purchase data for various purposes such as spending behaviors or patterns. The system also facilitates data analysis based on various factors such as items purchased, prices, retailer ID, and manufacturer ID, among others. The data analysis can be done across multiple entities for consumer budgeting, for example. Overall, the system provides a more efficient and convenient way for consumers to purchase items while saving money."

Problems solved by technology

However, these programs do not sufficiently address the similar needs of businesses that are further up in the distribution chain, such as manufacturers, to promote volume purchases by customers based upon, for example, brand loyalty independent of the retail source for the purchase.

Additionally, the prior art programs do not provide a means for monitoring, tracking, and / or analyzing consumer and product data across distribution channels for a particular manufacturer and / or the variety of goods which that manufacturer places into the stream of commerce for ultimate sale to consumers by a retailer.

One problem that results from the independent identification schemes of the manufacturer and the retailers is that there is no way for the manufacturer to track the quantity of any particular product that each retailer sold.

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