Incentive network

Abstract

An incentive network equipped with methods for distributing incentives on a network-wide basis and for permitting user access to individual incentives from any network server. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method performed by a server for accessing incentives in an network, comprises steps of receiving an access request from a device associated with a user and connected to the network, transmitting identifying information corresponding to the access request to a host, receiving incentive information from the host reflecting available incentives corresponding to the identifying information, and transmitting a network document, including the incentive information, to the device associated with the user in response to the access request. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for accessing incentives in an network, comprises transmitting an access request to access a server in the network, receiving a subscriber request for a subscriber ID associated with the access request, transmitting the subscriber ID to the server, and receiving in response to the access request incentive information reflecting available incentives corresponding to the subscriber ID, wherein the server provides the subscriber ID to a host that selects and transmits the incentive information to the server.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . An electronic coupon distribution system comprising: 
 a main server system, a client system and a distributed computer network;    said distributed computer network linking said main server system with said client system,    said client system being remotely located from said main server system;    said main server system calculating a device ID and assigning said device ID to said client system,    said client system being identified by said device ID;    said client system receiving said device ID from said main server system, collecting information from a user, and providing said information to said main server system,    said information being indicative of one or more demographic characteristics of said user while being insufficient to identify said user,    said main server system associating said information with said device ID and using said information to provide coupon data to said client system,    said client system using said coupon data to generate said coupon.    
     
     
         23 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said user is unidentifiable by said main server system.  
     
     
         24 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said one or more demographic characteristics include at least one of a postal zip code associated with said user and the state in which said user resides.  
     
     
         25 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said client system stores said device ID, said client system providing said stored device ID to said main server system to request said coupon data from said main server system, 
 said main server system using said stored device ID to identify said client system.    
     
     
         26 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein every coupon available for distribution by said electronic coupon distribution system is stored within said main server system.  
     
     
         27 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein, at a predetermined time interval, said client system interrogates said main server system for a new coupon.  
     
     
         28 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein without intervention by said user, said client system automatically transmits a request to said main server system to provide updated coupon data to said client system.  
     
     
         29 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said user electronically redeems said coupon to a retailer.  
     
     
         30 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said main server system provides web pages to said user.  
     
     
         31 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said coupon data includes a set of instructions defining distribution of said coupon.  
     
     
         32 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said coupon is generated as a hard copy having printed data therein, said printed data including said device ID and a portion of said information.  
     
     
         33 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 22  wherein said main server system provides client application software to a computer system, said computer system receiving said client application software from said main server system to establish said computer system as said client system.  
     
     
         34 . An electronic coupon distribution system comprising: 
 a main server system, a client system and a distributed computer network;    said distributed computer network linking said main server system with said client system;    said client system being remotely located from said main server system;    said main server system calculating a device ID and assigning said device ID to said client system;    said client system being identified by said device ID;    said client system receiving said device ID from said main server system, collecting information from a user, and providing said information to said main server system;    said information being indicative of one or more demographic characteristics of said user while being insufficient to identify said user; and.    said main server system associating said information with said device ID and using said information to provide coupon data to said client system.