Interactive marketing network and process using electronic certificates

Abstract

A data processing system issuing ECs through “online” networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection. Certificate issuers also have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates having both transaction data and identification data, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) establishing electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems;    (b) establishing electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;    (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing the electronic certificates;    (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes the remote user profile data;    (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data;    (f) permitting the plurality of issuer systems to revise the electronic certificates on an interactive and nearly instantaneous basis; and    (g) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number or type of electronic certificates to be issued can be limited by the plurality of issuer systems.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the issuer system converts the electronic certificates into tables of transactional information and target instructions, and further comprising the step of using the target instructions to determine which remote users are suitable for viewing a particular electronic certificate. offer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of creating a table for each remote user which contains remote user profile data and which is continually updated with information concerning the use by the remote user of the electronic certificates.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the service system maintains one or more databases of the electronic certificates and a history of their use, and wherein these one or more service system databases comprise a compilation of such information as provided by the participating issuer systems.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number or type of electronic certificates accessible to each remote user can be selectively limited by the issuer systems based upon the correlation data.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the remote user stations are connected to a printer, and further comprising the step of printing the electronic certificates by the remote user in a manner that is conditioned by the service system.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each electronic certificate includes at least an expiration date, a unique certificate serial number, and a personal identification number capable of reproduction in bar-code form.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using electronic mail to alert remote users to the availability of specific types of electronic certificates.  
     
     
         10 . A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) establishing electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems;    (b) establishing electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;    (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing a predetermined type and number of the electronic certificates;    (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data, including information sufficient to specifically identify the remote user, from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes the remote user profile data;    (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data without also transmitting the specific remote user identification information; and    (f) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , the service system and the remote user stations are in electronic communication via the Internet.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic certificates can be revised by either the service system or by the plurality of issuers systems on an interactive and nearly instantaneous basis.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the issuance of the electronic certificates to the plurality of remote user stations is conditioned upon the entry of remote user profile data by the plurality of remote users to the service system.  
     
     
         14 . A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) establishing electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems;    (b) establishing electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;    (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing a predetermined type and number of the electronic certificates;    (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data, including information sufficient to specifically identify the remote user, from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes the remote user profile data;    (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data without also transmitting the specific remote user identification information;    (f) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system; and    (g) wherein the issuance of the electronic certificates to the plurality of remote user stations is conditioned upon the entry of remote user profile data by the plurality of remote users to the service system.    
     
     
         15 . A method for issuing and processing electronic certificates containing reservation data and having both transaction data and identification data, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) establishing electrical communication between a service system and a plurality of issuer systems, each issuer system including an issuing computer having an initial set of reservation instructions;    (b) establishing electrical communication between the service system and a plurality of remote user stations;    (c) transmitting to the service system from the plurality of issuer systems instructions for issuing number of the electronic certificates;    (d) the service system receiving remote user profile data containing reservation data, including information sufficient to specifically identify the remote user, from the plurality of remote user stations and developing correlation data which categorizes and revises the initial set of reservation instructions;    (e) selectively transmitting to the plurality of issuer systems from the service system the correlation data without also transmitting the specific remote user identification information; and    (f) selectively transmitting to the plurality of remote user stations specified electronic certificates based upon the correlation data developed by the service system.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the reservation data is contained within the service computer as an electronic reservation coupon, and further comprising the step of printing the reservation coupon.