System and method for networked loyalty program

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for implementing a purchaser incentive program on a network-wide level. The system associates SKU and UPC data on a network level to provide consumers with a purchasing environment that is both convenient and cost-efficient. The association of SKU and UPC data at a network level also provides consumers with the ability to analyze their own purchase data for a variety of purposes, including analyses relating to the consumer's spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates a network-wide search for an item that a consumer desires to purchase under terms or conditions that are selected by the consumer and are therefore perceived to be optimal by that consumer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates data analysis by a consumer based upon any of several factors, including items purchased, prices for those items, retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and/or the like. The system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the purpose of data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in consumer budgeting for example.

1 . A method for purchasing items, said method comprising: 
 obtaining a retailer item identifier associated with a first item;    transmitting said retailer item identifier to a remote processor, wherein said retailer item identifier is associated with a manufacturer item identifier;    transmitting search criteria to said remote processor, wherein said search criteria is related to a feature associated with said first item, thereby causing said remote processor to search retailers based on at least one of: said retailer item identifier, said manufacturer item identifier, and said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell said first item; and,    receiving information related to said retailer who offers to sell said first item.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing searching of retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing searching of retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature; and, purchasing said second item.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing searching of retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature when said first item does not meet certain purchase criteria.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing searching of retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature when said first item does not meet certain purchase criteria, wherein said purchase criteria comprises at least one of: availability, features, price, quantity, retailer, retailer location, consumer rating, extra fees, quality, and shipping time.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising purchasing said first item.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said search criteria comprises at least one of: availability, features, price, quantity, retailer, retailer location, consumer rating, extra fees, quality, and shipping time.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing a conversion of said retailer item identifier to a manufacturer item identifier at the remote processor.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of transmitting search criteria to said remote processor comprises causing said remote processor to obtain previously submitted search criteria from memory.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising analyzing when a cost of said first item is within a budgeted amount.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining a retailer item identifier comprises electronically capturing said retailer item identifier.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining a retailer item identifier comprises electronically capturing said retailer item identifier using at least one of: cellular telephone and personal digital assistant.  
     
     
         13 . A method for a remote processor to purchase items, said method comprising: 
 receiving, at a remote processor, a retailer item identifier associated with a first item, wherein said retailer item identifier is associated with a manufacturer item identifier;    receiving search criteria wherein said search criteria is related to a feature associated with said first item;    searching retailers based on at least one of: said retailer item identifier, said manufacturer item identifier, and said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell said first item; and,    transmitting information related to said retailer who offers to sell said first item.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising searching retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising searching retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature; and, purchasing said second item based on a pre-authorization to purchase.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising searching retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature when said first item does not meet certain purchase criteria.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising searching retailers based on said search criteria to determine a retailer who offers to sell a second item which includes said feature when said first item does not meet certain purchase criteria, wherein said purchase criteria comprises at least one of: availability, features, price, quantity, retailer, retailer location, consumer rating, extra fees, quality, and shipping time.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising sending a confirmation indicating that said pre-authorized purchase transaction has been completed.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said search criteria comprises at least one of: availability, features, price, quantity, retailer, retailer location, consumer rating, extra fees, quality, and shipping time.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising converting said retailer item identifier to a manufacturer item identifier.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of receiving search criteria comprises obtaining previously submitted search criteria from memory.