Method and apparatus for processing a reward offer for a self-forming group

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides for: transmitting an offer for a credit card, the offer for the credit card comprising an offer for a first reward in exchange for each consumer of a group of consumers accepting a respective credit card, the group comprising a number of consumers that is greater than a predetermined number of consumers, the first reward comprising a first monetary amount, and the first reward to be donated to a beneficiary identified by the group; an offer for a second reward in exchange for the group transferring at least a predetermined aggregate amount of funds to the respective credit cards; and an offer for a third reward in exchange for: each consumer of the group of consumers making a respective minimum payment within a first predetermined period of time, and each consumer charging at least a predetermined minimum charge amount within a second predetermined period of time.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method comprising: 
 transmitting an offer for a credit card, the offer for the credit card comprising: 
 an offer for a first reward to be provided to at least one consumer of a plurality of consumers in exchange for each consumer of the plurality of consumers accepting a respective credit card,  
 in which the first reward comprises a first monetary amount;  
 an offer for a second reward in exchange for the plurality of consumers transferring at least a predetermined aggregate amount of funds to the respective credit cards; and  
 an offer for a third reward in exchange for each consumer of the plurality of consumers making a respective minimum payment within a first predetermined period of time.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving from each consumer of the plurality of consumers an identifier that identifies the plurality of consumers;    receiving from each consumer of the plurality of consumers a password that is associated with the plurality of consumers; and    receiving from each consumer of the plurality of consumers a respective request for a credit card.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the plurality of consumers determines the identifier based on a vote.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the plurality of consumers determines the password based on a vote.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the respective requests is received via a website.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the respective requests is received via an email.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the respective requests is received via a telephone connection.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the respective requests is received via a kiosk.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the respective requests is received via a slot machine.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the respective requests is received via postal mail.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving from a first consumer of the plurality of consumers an identifier that identifies the plurality of consumers;    receiving an indication of a request by the first consumer for the credit card, the request including data associated with the first consumer;    determining whether the first consumer is eligible for the credit card based on the data; and    providing the credit card to the first consumer if the first consumer is eligible.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 in which the offer for the credit card further comprises: 
 an offer for a fourth reward in exchange for each consumer of the plurality of consumers charging at least a predetermined minimum charge amount within a second predetermined period of time.  
   
     
     
         13 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a request to accept a group, the group comprising a first peer and a second peer,    the request to accept the group indicating at least one characteristic shared by the first peer and the second peer, and    the request to accept the group indicating at least one reward preferred by the first peer and the second peer,    receiving a request by the first peer for a first credit card account; and receiving a request by the second peer for a second credit card account.    
     
     
         14 . A method comprising: 
 transmitting an offer for a credit card account,    the offer for the credit card account comprising an offer to register a group,    the offer to register the group indicating a condition that a first peer agree to attempt to communicate with a second peer at least once during a first predetermined period of time, and    the offer to register the group indicating at least one reward to be provided to the group in exchange for at least the first peer signing up for the credit card account.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 receiving an indication of a request by the first peer to sign up for the credit card account;    registering the group, the group comprising the first peer and the second peer; and    providing the at least one reward to the group.    
     
     
         16 . A method comprising: 
 identifying a first account that is associated with a first account holder;    determining information corresponding to the first account, in which the information comprises transaction data;    determining whether a second credit card account is eligible for a reward based on the information corresponding to the first credit card account and at least one predetermined obligation,    in which the second credit card account is associated with a second account holder,    identifying at least one term associated with the second credit card account; and    adjusting the at least one term if the second credit card account is eligible for the reward.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of purchases.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined balance amount.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of late payments.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of insurance claims.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined insurance claim amount.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises an amount corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a balance amount.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of purchases.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of claims.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises an amount corresponding to a predetermined percentage of an insurance claim amount.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of late payments.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of traffic violations.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of uses of alcohol.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of uses of tobacco.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of traffic violations.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of uses of alcohol.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of uses of tobacco.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of physical examinations.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of gambling sessions.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of plays of a slot machine.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined number of plays of a table game.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined amount wagered.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined amount wagered at a slot machine.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a predetermined amount wagered at a table game.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of gambling sessions.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of plays of a slot machine.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises a number corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a number of plays of a table game.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises an amount corresponding to a predetermined percentage of an amount wagered.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises an amount corresponding to a predetermined percentage of a amount wagered at a slot machine.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the at least one predetermined obligation comprises an amount corresponding to a predetermined percentage of an amount wagered at a table game.  
     
     
         46 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a request to form a group comprising a plurality of peers, in which each peer of the plurality of peers has agreed to attempt to communicate with at least one other peer of the plurality of peers during a predetermined period of time; and receiving a request from one peer of the plurality of peers to open a financial account.    
     
     
         47 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a request to form a group, the group comprising a first peer and a second peer,    the request to register the group indicating a respective agreement by each of the first peer and the second peer to abstain from at least one behavior;    receiving a request by the first peer for an insurance account, the insurance account being associated with a premium amount;    receiving first behavior data corresponding to the first peer;    receiving second behavior data corresponding to the second peer;    determining whether the group has abstained from the at least one behavior based on the first behavior data and the second behavior data; and    decreasing the premium amount if the group has abstained from the at least one behavior.    
     
     
         48 . The method of claim L, in which the at least one behavior includes at least one of: 
 consuming alcohol,    using tobacco, and    illegally operating a motor vehicle.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , in which illegally operating a motor vehicle comprises operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of a speed limit.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , in which illegally operating a motor vehicle comprises operating a motor vehicle under influence of alcohol.