Multiple party reward system utilizing single account

Abstract

A method enabling a frequent shopper reward system capable of tracking performance data of a plurality of members or account holders linked to a single frequent shopper account.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving transaction data that includes frequent shopper data and item or service data associated with a customer transaction;   determining, based on the frequent shopper data, frequent shopper account data that includes information identifying a primary account holder, at least one sub-account holder, and at least one previous order;   displaying the at least one previous order associated with the frequent shopper account;   receiving an instruction to purchase another item or service according to the at least one previous order; and   processing the customer transaction in accordance with the transaction data and the received instruction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving physical presence information identifying the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder present during the transaction; evaluating the customer transaction based on at least one of the physical presence information, the transaction data, and the instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order; and   updating performance data of at least one of the primary account holder and the at least one sub-account holder.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein updating performance data comprises at least one of adding reward points, subtracting reward points, calculating a reward level, and allocating a calculated award level to at least one of the primary account holder and to at least one sub-account holder. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a reward to at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , in which providing the reward comprises providing at least one of an immediate discount associated with the transaction, an increase in reward points, a future discount, a coupon, and a monetary rebate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , in which providing the reward further comprises allocating the reward between the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder account according to at least one rule. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one rule comprises at least one of transaction rules, reward rules, physical presence rules, and affiliation rules. 
     
     
         8 . A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:
 receive transaction data that includes frequent shopper data and item or service data associated with a customer transaction;   determine, based on the frequent shopper data, frequent shopper account data which includes information identifying a primary account holder, at least one sub-account holder, and at least one previous order;   display the at least one previous order associated with the frequent shopper account;   receive an instruction to purchase another item or service according to the at least one previous order; and   process the customer transaction in accordance with the transaction data and the received instruction.   
     
     
         9 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:
 receive physical presence information identifying the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder present during the transaction; evaluate the customer transaction based on at least one of the physical presence information, the transaction data, and the instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order; and   update performance data of at least one of the primary account holder and the at least one sub-account holder.   
     
     
         10 . The computer readable medium of  claim 9 , in which updating the performance data further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of add reward points, subtract reward points, calculate a reward level, and allocate a calculated award level to at least one of the primary account holder and to at least one sub-account holder. 
     
     
         11 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to provide a reward to at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder. 
     
     
         12 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , in which providing the
 reward comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of issue an immediate discount associated with the transaction, increase reward points, provide a future discount, issue a coupon, and provide a monetary rebate.   
     
     
         13 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to allocate the reward between the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder account according to at least one rule. 
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising:
 a transaction controller including a microprocessor and a memory; and an input device operatively connected to the transaction controller; wherein the input device receives transaction data that includes frequent   shopper data and item or service data associated with a customer transaction, and wherein the microprocessor determines, based on the frequent shopper data, frequent shopper account data that includes information identifying a primary account holder, at least one sub-account holder, and at least one previous order, provides instructions to display the at least one previous order, receives an instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order, and processes the customer transaction in accordance with the transaction data and the instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one server in communication with the transaction controller, wherein the server comprises an input/output circuit, a microprocessor, and a memory including at least one of an awards rules database, an awards database, and entertainment programs. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the input device comprises at least one of a biometric device, a voice recognition unit, a license plate scanner, a handwriting recognition unit, a fingerprint scanner, a retinal scanner, a barcode scanner, a touchscreen, a keyboard, and a computer mouse. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the microprocessor is operable to calculate a reward, allocate the reward among the primary account holder and the sub-account holders, and to update an account of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the input device comprises a card reader, and an account holder provides data by using at least one of a frequent shopper card, bank card, credit card, debit card, and an affinity card.