Systems and methods for providing activity and participation incentives

Abstract

An on-line computer activity is provided to users who generate points through participation. Promotional and incentive offers are displayed simultaneously with the activity to encourage participating users to select and enjoy the offers. Accumulated points may be applied to activate displayed offers to thereby allow participating users to be eligible for offers as sufficient points are accrued. Users are thereby filtered based on interest and willingness to participate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions to cause a computing device to perform a method of providing an incentive offer to user visiting a venue, the method comprising:
 receiving an image corresponding to the user and taken at the venue;   storing the image in a computer memory;   receiving user profile information including contact information corresponding to the user;   storing the user profile information in the computer memory;   generating an incentive offer corresponding to the venue; and   transmitting the incentive offer to the user based on the contact information.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving a plurality of images corresponding to users taken at the venue;   storing the images in a computer memory;   receiving user profile information including contact information corresponding to the users;   filtering and selecting a subset of the images;   generating incentive offers for the venue; and   transmitting the incentive offers to the users corresponding to the subset of the images.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising capturing an image of the user at the venue. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises sharing the stored image and contact information with an entity that does not operate the venue. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the incentive offer comprises generating and transmitting an email. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the incentive offer comprises generating and transmitting a text message. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the incentive offer comprises generating a hard copy correspondence. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the incentive offer relates to a tangible good provided at the venue. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the incentive offer relates to a service personally provided to the user at the venue. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein generating an incentive offer corresponding to the venue comprises selecting the incentive offer based on the user profile. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein generating an incentive offer corresponding to the venue comprises selecting the incentive offer based on the image. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the incentive offer includes an expiration date and wherein the method further comprises invalidating the incentive offer at the expiration date. 
     
     
         13 . A computer system to perform a method of providing an incentive offer to a user visiting a venue, the system comprising:
 a processor;   a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium in electrical communication with the processor and comprising computer executable instructions configured to:   receive an image corresponding to the user and taken at the venue;   store the image in the computer-readable non-transitory storage medium;   receive user profile information including contact information corresponding to the user;   store the user profile information in the computer-readable non-transitory storage medium;   generate an incentive offer corresponding to the venue; and   transmit the incentive offer to the user based on the contact information.   
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to:
 receive a plurality of images corresponding to users taken at the venue;   store the images in the computer-readable non-transitory storage medium;   receive user profile information including contact information corresponding to the users;   filter and select a subset of the images;   generate incentive offers for the venue; and   transmit the incentive offers to the users corresponding to the subset of the images.   
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to capture an image of the user at the venue. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to share the stored image and contact information with an entity that does not operate the venue. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to transmit the incentive offer by generating and transmitting an email. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to transmit the incentive offer by generating and transmitting a text message. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to transmit the incentive offer by generating a hard copy correspondence. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the incentive offer relates to a tangible good provided at the venue. 
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the incentive offer relates to a service personally provided to the user at the venue. 
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to generate an incentive offer corresponding to the venue by selecting the incentive offer based on the user profile. 
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further configured to generate an incentive offer corresponding to the venue by selecting the incentive offer based on the image. 
     
     
         24 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the incentive offer includes an expiration date and wherein the method further comprises invalidating the incentive offer at the expiration date.