Interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program

Abstract

A computer implemented system awards promotional incentives. A participant in the awards system calls or connects to an interactive platform for registering and/or redeeming credits preferably described in uniquely identified certificates. In a telephone environment, the interactive platform is connected to a toll free telephone number where a participant's call is handled by a computer controlled voice response unit. In a computer network environment, a computer user connects to the interactive platform over the network. The participant receives awards credits based on the unique identification of certificates. Award credits for a participant are accumulated in a stored record associated with the participant until redeemed. Award credits can also be acquired as an instant winner based on a random or algorithmic selection of callers to receive such credits. Awards include electronic prizes such as free long distance telephone time, electronic cash and/or service credits. Connection to the interactive platform may occur during execution of an application program such as an electronic game or electronic shopping.

1 . Computer apparatus for carrying out a promotional awards program, comprising: 
 a. a processor;    b. a memory medium accessible by said processor; and    c. a database stored on said memory medium, said database including information about participants in said program and information about how calls from a participant will be handled based on information about said participants.    
     
     
         2 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said data base also includes information about awards.  
     
     
         3 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said data base also includes information about personal identification numbers.  
     
     
         4 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said data base also includes information about certificates.  
     
     
         5 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said processor is configured to request name and address from participants based on information about participants stored in said database.  
     
     
         6 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said processor is configured to provide participants with an award based on information contained in said database.  
     
     
         7 . The computer apparatus of  claim 6 , in which said processor is configured to provide participants with awards in quantities and value which are under the control of a sponsor of said promotional program.  
     
     
         8 . The computer apparatus of  claim 6 , in which said processor is configured to provide participants with awards with a controlled geographical distribution.  
     
     
         9 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said processor is configured to distribute awards which are electronically deliverable awards.  
     
     
         10 . The computer apparatus of  claim 9  in which at least one electronically deliverable award is access to long distance telephone service.  
     
     
         11 . The computer apparatus of  claim 9  in which at least one electronically deliverable award is an electronic transfer of cash.  
     
     
         12 . The computer apparatus of  claim 9  in which at least one electronically deliverable award is an electronic transfer of a credit.  
     
     
         13 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said processor is configured to provide messages to a participant in response to a participant's call.  
     
     
         14 . The computer apparatus of  claim 13  in which the content of said messages for a particular call depends on information stored in said database.  
     
     
         15 . The computer apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said processor is configured to provide one or more polling queries to a participant in response information contained in said database.  
     
     
         16 . The computer apparatus of  claim 15  in which said queries are selected from a pool of queries based on information contained within said database.  
     
     
         17 . A system for carrying out a promotional awards program, comprising: 
 a. a network;    b. a processor having a memory medium and a database stored on said memory medium, connected to said network, said database including information about participants in said program and information about how calls from a participant will be handled based on information about said participants; and    c. network devices, connected to said network, for communications with said processor.    
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  in which said network devices include telephones.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  in which said network devices include computers.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , in which said computers run a client process.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , in which said processor runs a server process.  
     
     
         22 . A method of awarding promotional incentives to a participant, comprising the steps of: 
 a. receiving a communication from said participant,    b. retrieving information about said participant from a database based on information contained in said communication, and    c. controlling interaction with said participant based on information about said participant retrieved from said database.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  in which said communication is a telephone call.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  in which said communications is a digital connection.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  in which said digital connection is a connection over a computer network.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22  in which said interaction includes polling one or more participants based on information contained about a participant stored in said database.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22  in which said interaction includes providing participants with awards based on information contained in said database.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , in which said interaction includes providing participants with awards in quantities and value which are under the control of a sponsor of said promotional program.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , in which said interaction includes providing participants with awards with a controlled geographical distribution.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , in which said processor is configured to distribute awards which are electronically deliverable awards.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22  in which said interaction includes providing audio signals to a participant in response to a participant's call.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22  in which said interaction includes providing audio signals to a participant in response to a participant's call.  
     
     
         33 . Method of awarding promotional incentives to a purchaser comprising the steps of: 
 a. receiving a call from a purchaser;    b. recording a certificate number entered by the purchaser; and    c. incrementing award credits for the purchaser based on said certificate number.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  in which 
 a promotional incentive is long distance telephone time.  
 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  in which said long distance telephone time can be redeemed by calling the same number which the purchaser uses to enter a certificate number and requesting connection to a long distance number.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33  in which 
 a promotional incentive is a credit in cash or cash equivalent.  
 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33  in which 
 a promotional incentive is merchandise.  
 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  in which the calling number from which the purchaser makes a call is identified automatically and used to access the purchaser's address in a database.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  in which the purchaser's address is confirmed by generating a vocal representation of at least a first few characters of the address and a generating a question to the purchaser whether the address is correct.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37  in which the purchaser is asked to speak the address to which the merchandise is to be sent and a response from the purchaser is stored.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 33  in which said certificate is a two piece certificate which opens to reveal a certificate number inside.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  in which a telephone number to call is also included inside.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 33  in which selected callers are awarded instant winner award credits when they call.  
     
     
         44 . A method of changing interaction with a caller who calls a telephone number as part of a promotional awards program, comprising the steps of: 
 a. storing an indication of the number of times a caller has called; and    b. selecting interactions based on said number.    
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  in which said interactions are selected using a call flow table.  
     
     
         46 . A method of awarding promotional incentives to a purchaser comprising the steps of: 
 a. issuing certificates to participants upon purchase of goods or services to be promoted, each certificate having a unique identification;    b. receiving a call from a purchaser including said unique identification; and    c. incrementing award credits for a purchaser, based on said unique identification.    
     
     
         47 . A system for awarding promotional incentives to a purchaser, comprising: 
 a. a telephone system;    b. a voice response unit, connected to said telephone system; and    c. a computer system connected to said voice response unit for identifying a purchaser and for awarding promotional incentives based on the number of a certificate in the possession of the purchaser.    
     
     
         48 . A computer program product, comprising: 
 a. a memory medium; and    b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for receiving a call from a purchaser; recording a certificate number entered by the purchaser; and incrementing award credits for the purchaser based on said certificate number.    
     
     
         49 . A computer program product, comprising: 
 a. a memory medium; and    b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for storing an indication of the number of times a caller has called; and selecting interactions based on said number.    
     
     
         50 . A computer program product, comprising: 
 a. a memory medium; and    b. a substrate having a certificate number printed thereon;    b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for incrementing award credits for a participant based on said certificate number.    
     
     
         51 . A computer program product comprising: 
 a. a memory medium; and    b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for receiving a communication from said participant, retrieving information about said participant from a database based on information contained in said communication, and controlling interaction with said participant based on information about said participant retrieved from said database.    
     
     
         52 . A method of awarding promotional incentives to a user, comprising the steps of: 
 a. loading an interactive program; and    b. while said user is running said interactive program, connecting to an interactive platform for providing at least one promotional incentive to said user.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  in which said interactive program is a game.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  in which said game is stored on a CD-ROM.  
     
     
         55 . A computer program product comprising: 
 a. a memory medium; and    b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for connecting to an interactive platform for providing at least one promotional incentive to a user of said program.