Platform for loyalty services

Abstract

A platform for a loyalty program provides an interface allowing a consumer to create a benefit tailored for his/her needs. In one embodiment, a consumer accesses the platform via a web-based interface, and selects benefit/reward parameters including but not limited to the nature of the event triggering award of the benefit, the source (i.e. retailer) of the benefit, the nature of the benefit (i.e., discount based upon purchase price or accumulated loyalty points), and/or the events allowing accrual of loyalty points. The interface communicates the inputted parameter to an engine of the loyalty program. The platform would then check the inputted parameter against any constraints, such as parameters of an existing loyalty program in which the consumer is already enrolled.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 a loyalty engine comprising a processor and a computer readable storage medium having code stored thereon to direct the processor to implement a method comprising:   receiving from an interface module, an input parameter from a user interface module;   determining whether the input parameter violates a constraint of an existing program feature of a program;   incorporating the input parameter in a rule set for the program;   receiving purchase information; and   determining that the purchase information satisfies the rule set in the program.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising the interface module. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the interface module is located within a loyalty platform. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the method further comprises:
 in response to determining that the purchase information satisfies the rule set, providing a reward in accordance with the program. 
 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a payment processing network in communication with the loyalty engine. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the constraint comprises a number of times that a certain award can be earned. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the program has one of a points-based structure, a discount-based structure, a time-limited structure, or a geographic-limited structure. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the input parameter relates to an act in a limited geographic area, a purchase utilizing a particular financial instrument, a purchase of particular type of good or service, a purchase of particular of good or service, a character of an instant purchase relative to a prior purchase, a purchase in conjunction with a coupon, a purchase in conjunction with a sales event, accumulation of a certain amount of purchases or points during a time period, a response to questionnaire/survey, and an act by party other than specific customer. 
     
     
         28 . A method comprising:
 receiving from an interface module, by a loyalty engine, an input parameter from a user interface module;   determining, by the loyalty engine, whether the input parameter violates a constraint of an existing program feature of a program;   incorporating, by the loyalty engine, the input parameter in a rule set for the program;   receiving, by the loyalty engine, purchase information; and   determining, by the loyalty engine, that the purchase information satisfies the rule set in the program.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the interface module is located within a loyalty platform. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising:
 in response to determining that the purchase information satisfies the rule set, providing a reward in accordance with the program. 
 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 28  wherein a payment processing network is in communication with the loyalty engine. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the constraint comprises a number of times that a certain award can be earned. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the program has one of a points-based structure, a discount-based structure, a time-limited structure, or a geographic-limited structure. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the input parameter relates to an act in a limited geographic area, a purchase utilizing a particular financial instrument, a purchase of particular type of good or service, a purchase of particular of good or service, a character of an instant purchase relative to a prior purchase, a purchase in conjunction with a coupon, a purchase in conjunction with a sales event, accumulation of a certain amount of purchases or points during a time period, a response to questionnaire/survey, and an act by party other than specific customer.