METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING MULTI-FUNCTION CARDS FOR STORING, MANAGING AND AGGREGATING REWARD POINTS
A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card.
1 - 34 . (canceled)
35 . A method of providing a shopping incentive comprising:
a) ascertaining with a tracking server computer if a portable hand-held device is located within a predefined proximity of a location;
b) when it is ascertained by the tracking server computer that the portable hand-held device is located within the predefined proximity of the location, then
i) generating a shopping incentive token, and
ii) transmitting the shopping incentive token to the portable hand-held device.
36 . The method of claim 35 wherein the step of generating a shopping incentive token comprises:
A) tracking movement of the portable hand-held device throughout a plurality of locations; and
B) using the tracked movement of the portable hand-held device to generate the shopping incentive token.
37 . The method of claim 35 wherein the step of generating a shopping incentive token comprises:
A) analyzing products purchased using the portable hand-held device to generate a purchase history; and
B) using the purchase history to generate the shopping incentive token.
38 . The method of claim 35 wherein the step of generating a shopping incentive token comprises:
A) determining an identity of a user associated with the portable hand-held device; and
B) using the identity of the user associated with the portable hand-held device to generate the shopping incentive token.
39 . The method of claim 38 wherein the step of using the identity of the user associated with the portable hand-held device to generate the shopping incentive token comprises referencing a user profile comprising information associated with the user.
40 . The method of claim 39 wherein the user profile is stored in association with the tracking server computer and accessed with the identity of the user.
41 . The method of claim 39 wherein the user profile is stored on the portable hand-held device and accessed by the tracking server.
42 . The method of claim 35 wherein the shopping incentive token comprises a coupon.
43 . The method of claim 35 wherein the shopping incentive token comprises a rebate.
44 . The method of claim 35 wherein the shopping incentive token comprises reward points that are added to a reward account.
45 . The method of claim 44 wherein the reward account is stored on the portable hand-held device.
46 . The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of redeeming the shopping incentive token as part of a purchase transaction that utilizes the portable hand-held device.
47 . The method of claim 35 wherein the step of transferring the shopping incentive token to the portable hand-held device comprises uploading the shopping incentive token to the portable hand-held device when the portable hand-held device is presented to a point of sale device associated with the tracking server computer.
48 . The method of claim 35 wherein the portable hand-held device is a multi-function card comprising a radio transponder.
49 . A system comprising:
I) a tracking server computer comprising means for ascertaining if a portable hand-held device is located within a predefined proximity of a location; and wherein the tracking server computer is programmed to generate a shopping incentive token and transmit the shopping incentive token to the portable hand-held device when it is ascertained that the portable hand-held device is located within the predefined proximity of the location; and
II) a portable hand-held device comprising
a) a radio transponder for communicating with the tracking server computer, and
b) means for receiving a shopping incentive token from a tracking server computer.
50 . The system of claim 49 further comprising a plurality of transponders located throughout a plurality of locations, and wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to track movement of the portable hand-held device throughout the plurality of locations and use the tracked movement of the portable hand-held device to generate the shopping incentive token.
51 . The system of claim 49 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to analyze products purchased using the portable hand-held device to generate a purchase history and use the purchase history to generate the shopping incentive token.
52 . The system of claim 49 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to determine an identity of a user associated with the portable hand-held device and use the identity of the user associated with the portable hand-held device to generate the shopping incentive token.
53 . The system of claim 52 wherein the tracking server computer is programmed to use the identity of the user associated with the portable hand-held device to generate the shopping incentive token by referencing a user profile comprising information associated with the user.
54 . The system of claim 53 wherein the user profile is stored in association with the tracking server computer and accessed with the identity of the user.
55 . The system of claim 53 wherein the user profile is stored on the portable hand-held device and accessed by the tracking server computer.
56 . The system of claim 49 wherein the shopping incentive token comprises reward points that are added to a reward account.
57 . The system of claim 56 wherein the reward account is stored on the portable hand-held device.
58 . The system of claim 49 wherein the portable hand-held device is a multi-function card.
59 . A portable hand held device comprising
a) a radio transponder;
b) means for receiving a shopping incentive token from a tracking server computer; and
c) means for storing the shopping incentive token received from the tracking server computer.