Method and System for Delivering Offers to Users of Electronic Privilege Cards

Abstract

A method for delivering customized data items to users of electronic privilege cards includes receiving a customized data item to be delivered to a user having an electronic privilege card, identifying the electronic device storing the targeted user's electronic privilege card, and transmitting the customized data item to the electronic device. In one embodiment, the data item is an offer or coupon that the user may redeem from an entity associated with the electronic privilege card, such as a retailer or service provider. In another embodiment, the electronic device storing the electronic privilege card is a mobile telephone.

1 . A method for delivering customized data items to users of electronic privilege cards, the method comprising the steps performed in a processor of:
 receiving a data item to be delivered to a user having an electronic privilege card, the data item being customized to the user;   identifying an electronic device storing the electronic privilege card of the user; and   transmitting the customized data item to the electronic device storing the electronic privilege card.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the data item is an offer the user may redeem from an entity associated with the electronic privilege card. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a mobile telephone, the method further comprising the step of determining a unique identifier associated with the user prior to the step of transmitting the customized data item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the data item is an offer the user may redeem from an entity associated with the electronic privilege card. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of: user name, mobile device number, electronic privilege card number, and internal system identification number. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the customized data item is capable of being displayed to the user on the electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . A method of delivering a data item to a user having an electronic privilege card associated with an entity, the method comprising the steps performed in a server of:
 storing a data item to be delivered to a user having an electronic privilege card associated with an entity, an availability of the data item being presented to the user through a first communications channel;   receiving through a second communications channel a request for the data item from a mobile device storing the electronic privilege card; and   transmitting the data item to the mobile device, wherein the mobile device associates the data item with the electronic privilege card.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the data item is an offer capable of being redeemed from the entity and the mobile device is a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         9 . A method of delivering a data item to a user having an electronic privilege card associated with an entity, the method comprising the steps performed by a mobile device of:
 storing the electronic privilege card;   receiving an instruction to request the data item from the user associated with the electronic privilege card, an availability of the data item being presented to the user through a first communications channel;   transmitting a request for the data item to a server through a second communications channel;   receiving the data item through the second communications channel; and   associating the data item with the electronic privilege card.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone and the step of transmitting a request for the data item further comprises sending a text message requesting the data item. 
     
     
         11 . A method of delivering customized data items to a user having an electronic privilege card associated with an entity, the method comprising the steps performed in a server of:
 storing at least one data item to be delivered to a user having an electronic privilege card, the at least one data item being associated with the entity and customized to the user;   receiving a request for available data items from a mobile device storing the electronic privilege card; and   transmitting the at least one data item to the mobile device, the mobile device associating the at least one data item with the electronic privilege card.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone and the request for available data items is a text message. 
     
     
         13 . A method of delivering customized data items to a user having an electronic privilege card associated with an entity, the method comprising the steps performed by a mobile device of:
 storing the electronic privilege card;   sending a request to a server for data items associated with the entity and customized for the user of the electronic privilege card, the server responding to the request by determining at least one data item associated with the entity and customized for the user of the electronic privilege card;   receiving the at least one data item from the server; and   associating the at least one data item with the electronic privilege card.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone and the step of sending a request further comprises sending a text message.