Discount-instrument methods and systems

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for implementing a program of discount arrangements. Discount-arrangement information relating to discount arrangements is maintained, with each discount arrangement being associated with one of multiple merchants. Transaction information related to a transaction at a point of sale is received, with the transaction information identifying a merchant party to the transaction. An identifier for a discount instrument presented at the point of sale during the transaction is received. A determination is made whether the merchant party is one of the multiple merchants is made. Validation information is then returned to the point of sale in accordance with the determination.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for implementing a program of discount arrangements, the method comprising: 
 maintaining discount-arrangement information relating to a plurality of discount arrangements, wherein each such discount arrangement is associated with one of a plurality of merchants;    receiving transaction information related to a transaction at a point of sale, the transaction information identifying a merchant party to the transaction;    receiving an identifier for a discount instrument presented at the point of sale during the transaction;    making a determination whether the merchant party is one of the plurality of merchants; and    returning validation information to the point of sale in accordance with the determination.    
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the validation information comprises an indication that the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants.  
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants; and  
 the validation information comprises an indication that no discount is to be provided to the transaction.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the merchant party is one of the plurality of merchants; and  
 the validation information comprises an instruction to apply a discount in accordance with the discount-arrangement information associated with the merchant party.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants, the method further comprising generating a record for recording transaction information related to the merchant party.  
     
     
         6 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants, the method further comprising recording at least a portion of the transaction information in a record associated with the merchant party.  
     
     
         7 . The method recited in  claim 6  further comprising identifying criteria from the record associated with the merchant party for initiation of marketing efforts with the merchant party.  
     
     
         8 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising recording at least a portion of the transaction information in a database.  
     
     
         9 . The method recited in  claim 8  further comprising: 
 analyzing information in the database according to specified criteria; and  
 generating a summary report from the analyzed information.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 9  further comprising distributing the summary report to the merchant party.  
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 9  wherein the criteria are specified by the merchant party.  
     
     
         12 . A computer system comprising: 
 a storage device;    a communications device;    a processor in communication with the storage device and the communications device; and    a memory coupled with the processor, the memory comprising a computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein for operating the computer system to manage a discount arrangement, the computer readable program including: 
 instructions for maintaining on the storage device discount-arrangement information relating to a plurality of discount arrangements, wherein each such discount arrangement is associated with one of a plurality of merchants;  
 instructions for receiving with the communications device transaction information related to a transaction at a point of sale, the transaction information identifying a merchant party to the transaction;  
 instructions for receiving with the communications device an identifier for a discount instrument presented at the point of sale during the transaction;  
 instructions for making a determination with the processor whether the merchant party is one of the plurality of merchants; and  
 instructions for returning validation information to the point of sale with the communications device in accordance with the determination.  
   
     
     
         13 . The computer system recited in  claim 12  wherein the validation information comprises an indication that the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants.  
     
     
         14 . The computer system recited in  claim 12  wherein: 
 the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants; and  
 the validation information comprises an indication that no discount is to be provided to the transaction.  
 
     
     
         15 . The computer system recited in  claim 12  wherein: 
 the merchant party is one of the plurality of merchants; and  
 the validation information comprises an instruction to apply a discount in accordance with the discount-arrangement information associated with the merchant party.  
 
     
     
         16 . The computer system recited in  claim 12  wherein the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants, the computer-readable program further including instructions for generating a record for recording on the storage device transaction information related to the merchant party.  
     
     
         17 . The computer system recited in  claim 12  wherein the merchant party is not one of the plurality of merchants, the computer-readable program further including instructions for recording on the storage device at least a portion of the transaction information in a record associated with the merchant party.  
     
     
         18 . The computer system recited in  claim 17  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for identifying criteria from the record associated with the merchant party for initiation of marketing efforts with the merchant party.  
     
     
         19 . The computer system recited in  claim 12  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for recording at least a portion of the transaction information in a database.  
     
     
         20 . The computer system recited in  claim 19  wherein the computer-readable program further includes: 
 instructions for analyzing with the processor information in the database according to specified criteria; and  
 instructions for generating with the processor a summary report from the analyzed information.  
 
     
     
         21 . The computer system recited in  claim 20  wherein the criteria are specified by the merchant party.