System and method for managing a loyalty program via an association network infrastructure

Abstract

A system and method for providing a loyalty program by utilizing a pre-existing association network. When a consumer is registered with the program, the consumer's personal information is stored in a database and associated with a token ID. The token is capable of initiating a transaction message request over an association network when used in conjunction with a merchant transaction system. A program manager is provided that includes an association network interface for receiving over the association network the transaction request message initiated by the token at a merchant, where the transaction request message includes a first set of transaction information regarding a consumer-initiated product purchase transaction. The program manager is then configured to store the first set of transaction information, transmit to the merchant a response message that includes an indication that the token cannot provide tender for a product purchase, and utilize the first set of transaction information to facilitate the identification of one or more rewards for the consumer.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 receiving by a processor a transaction request message initiated by a token from a merchant transaction system, wherein the transaction request message contains information sufficient to identify the token and a transaction, and wherein the transaction request message is transmitted over an association network;   determining by the processor that the token cannot be used as tender to pay for the transaction;   receiving by the processor additional details of the transaction from the merchant transaction system and matching the additional details of the transaction with the transaction request message; and   determining a reward that is to be issued to the consumer in response to receiving the transaction request message and the additional details of the transaction.   
     
     
         21 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20 , wherein the token is an element that allows a customer to identify themselves using elements recognized by the association network. 
     
     
         22 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20 , wherein the token is an ID number. 
     
     
         23 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20 , wherein the token is a credit card number. 
     
     
         24 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20  further comprising processing of the token to initiate an association network transaction over the association network. 
     
     
         25 . The computer implemented method of  claim 24 , wherein the association network transaction may be in the form of a pre-defined transaction request message that is capable of being transmitted over a credit card network. 
     
     
         26 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20  further comprising establishing a linking tag between the merchant transaction system and the processor, wherein the processor initiates a link between the processor and the merchant transaction system to request additional transaction details. 
     
     
         27 . The computer implemented method of  claim 26 , wherein the additional transaction information allows the processor to detect and respond to potential program abuses by a consumer. 
     
     
         28 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20 , wherein a customer may redeem awards earned from the transaction with the merchant at the time of the transaction or at a later time, the customer may redeem the rewards with another merchant, or the customer may aggregate the rewards with rewards of other merchants into an exchange account and then redeem an aggregated reward for goods or services from any approved merchant. 
     
     
         29 . The computer implemented method of  claim 20 , wherein the merchant has no ability to link any particular purchase with any particular customer or to group purchases by customer. 
     
     
         30 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 receiving by a processor a transaction request message initiated by a token from a merchant transaction system, wherein the transaction request message contains information sufficient to identify the token and a transaction, and wherein the transaction request message is transmitted over an association network;   determining by the processor that the token cannot be used as tender to pay for the transaction;   receiving by the processor additional details of the transaction and matching the additional details of the transaction with the transaction request message; and   determining a reward that is to be issued to the consumer in response to receiving the transaction request message and the additional details of the transaction.   
     
     
         31 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the token is an element that allows a customer to identify themselves using elements recognized by the association network. 
     
     
         32 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the token is an ID number. 
     
     
         33 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the token is a credit card number. 
     
     
         34 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30  further comprising processing of the token to initiate an association network transaction over the association network. 
     
     
         35 . The computer implemented method of  claim 34 , wherein the association network transaction may be in the form of a pre-defined transaction request message that is capable of being transmitted over a credit card network. 
     
     
         36 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30  further comprising establishing a linking tag between the merchant transaction system and the processor, wherein the processor initiates a link between the processor and the merchant transaction system to request additional transaction details. 
     
     
         37 . The computer implemented method of  claim 36 , wherein the additional transaction information allows the processor to detect and respond to potential program abuses by a consumer. 
     
     
         38 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein a customer may redeem awards earned from the transaction with the merchant at the time of the transaction or at a later time, the customer may redeem the rewards with another merchant, or the customer may aggregate the rewards with rewards of other merchants into an exchange account and then redeem an aggregated reward for goods or services from any approved merchant. 
     
     
         39 . The computer implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the merchant has no ability to link any particular purchase with any particular customer or to group purchases by customer.