WO1991018373A1 - Trading discount system - Google Patents

Trading discount system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991018373A1
WO1991018373A1 PCT/GB1991/000819 GB9100819W WO9118373A1 WO 1991018373 A1 WO1991018373 A1 WO 1991018373A1 GB 9100819 W GB9100819 W GB 9100819W WO 9118373 A1 WO9118373 A1 WO 9118373A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
card
token
retail outlet
read
petrol
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000819
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Wyatt James Stanley
Original Assignee
Bilgrey Samson & Company Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bilgrey Samson & Company Limited filed Critical Bilgrey Samson & Company Limited
Publication of WO1991018373A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991018373A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/343Cards including a counter
    • G06Q20/3437Cards including a counter the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/38Payment protocols; Details thereof
    • G06Q20/387Payment using discounts or coupons
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07GREGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036Checkout procedures

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the dispensing of vouchers e.g. trading stamps and the like for use in ' retailing.
  • stamps It is known to provide trading stamps to a customer at a store in return for purchases made by the customer at that store, the amount of stamps being given in proportion to the amount of money spent. The stamps may then be collected by the purchaser and redeemed at a later date for money or moneysworth. Such stamps are used as a means of building up the loyalty of a customer.
  • apparatus to be located at a retail outlet, preferably adjacent a checkout, the apparatus comprising a housing having a slot to receive a card token, the housing containing reader/writer means in the path of the card token in the slot to read/write on to a card token received in the apparatus a credit or moneysworth in proportion to the amount of money spent by a customer at that retail outlet, the card token having means thereon to record the credits received, the apparatus also being.arranged selectively to debit that card token in exchange for moneysworth or goods or services, once sufficient credit has been recorded.
  • the apparatus includes a laser source and the token is adapted to be read and written upon by optical, e.g. laser means.
  • optical e.g. laser means.
  • Magnetic tokens may also be used.
  • a retail outlet such as a petrol company issues, with or without payment, tokens in card form to drivers.
  • Each card is encoded with an identification number peculiar to the card holder e.g. a driver, whose name and address are stored on a computer.
  • the driver visits a petrol station owned by the petrol company and, having purchased petrol, the driver or the checkout operator inserts the driver's card into apparatus of the invention a acent the checkout which writes thereon a ⁇ number or value of credits in proportion to the amount of petrol purchased. This is repeated on subsequent future visits to other petrol stations owned by the petrol company until the driver has collected a large number of credits.
  • the card may then be inserted into the apparatus and debited in exchange, for example, for petrol or other goods or services.
  • each card is particular to each customer, it is easy for the operator to monitor the rate of use of each card and spot cases of fraudulent use.
  • the information that may be generated about the buying habits of the customer is also useful for market research purposes.
  • the apparatus may be connected to a centralised computer, and the customer may also use the card in the manner of a charge or credit card to pay for his purchases.
  • a card reader/writer unit of known type e.g. available from Leisure Card Ltd. is mounted adjacent the cash till at a petrol station.
  • the unit comprises a housing having a card receiving slot, a read/write device being present adjacent the path of the card into the slot.
  • Drivers are each allocated a card with a unigue number.
  • the till operator inserts the driver's card into the reader/writer and adds a credit of £0.00.
  • the process is repeated.
  • the credits on a card of the invention are used towards that purchase either to the value of the item or as a discount e.g. a £200.00 credit on the card will give the driver a 10% discount.
  • the purchase has been made an operator deducts the appropriate number of credits.
  • the card which has the maximum number of credits may be surrendered. Cards may be reused or destroyed, according to choice.
  • the card may take the form of a rectangular planar card, like a credit card or cash card and may carry advertising or like matter.
  • the card may be adapted to display the total number of credits in a way that the information can be read only by the card reader or may be readable visually.
  • the card may carry the name and/or signature and/or photograph of the authorised user.
  • the housing may be a stand alone unit located adjacent the checkout at a petrol station or at another retail outlet where its value is used, or it may be incorporated in other apparatus e.g. an electronic point of sale till.
  • the latter arrangement is advantageous in that adjustments to the credits can then be made automatically from a remote computer.

Abstract

A token is supplied to customers at a retail shop e.g. a petrol station, and is handled by a read/write apparatus at the station to record credits according to the level of purchases, which may then be used towards the cost of other purchases.

Description

TRADING DISCOUNT SYSTEM
The invention relates to the dispensing of vouchers e.g. trading stamps and the like for use in' retailing.
It is known to provide trading stamps to a customer at a store in return for purchases made by the customer at that store, the amount of stamps being given in proportion to the amount of money spent. The stamps may then be collected by the purchaser and redeemed at a later date for money or moneysworth. Such stamps are used as a means of building up the loyalty of a customer.
However, it can be awkward and time-consuming to collect and stick the stamps on to cards and books, and the supply of such stamps is open to abuse and fraud.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus to be located at a retail outlet, preferably adjacent a checkout, the apparatus comprising a housing having a slot to receive a card token, the housing containing reader/writer means in the path of the card token in the slot to read/write on to a card token received in the apparatus a credit or moneysworth in proportion to the amount of money spent by a customer at that retail outlet, the card token having means thereon to record the credits received, the apparatus also being.arranged selectively to debit that card token in exchange for moneysworth or goods or services, once sufficient credit has been recorded.
Preferably the apparatus includes a laser source and the token is adapted to be read and written upon by optical, e.g. laser means. Magnetic tokens may also be used.
In an example, a retail outlet such as a petrol company issues, with or without payment, tokens in card form to drivers. Each card is encoded with an identification number peculiar to the card holder e.g. a driver, whose name and address are stored on a computer. The driver visits a petrol station owned by the petrol company and, having purchased petrol, the driver or the checkout operator inserts the driver's card into apparatus of the invention a acent the checkout which writes thereon a ~ number or value of credits in proportion to the amount of petrol purchased. This is repeated on subsequent future visits to other petrol stations owned by the petrol company until the driver has collected a large number of credits. The card may then be inserted into the apparatus and debited in exchange, for example, for petrol or other goods or services.
The use of such a card binds the loyalty of the driver to a particular petrol company, and the driver is spared the tedium of sticking stamps on to cards and books. The operator is saved the administrative work in checking stamps.
Because each card is particular to each customer, it is easy for the operator to monitor the rate of use of each card and spot cases of fraudulent use. The information that may be generated about the buying habits of the customer is also useful for market research purposes.
In another embodiment the apparatus may be connected to a centralised computer, and the customer may also use the card in the manner of a charge or credit card to pay for his purchases.
In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described with reference to the following example.
A card reader/writer unit of known type e.g. available from Leisure Card Ltd., is mounted adjacent the cash till at a petrol station. The unit comprises a housing having a card receiving slot, a read/write device being present adjacent the path of the card into the slot. Drivers are each allocated a card with a unigue number. When the driver buys petrol to the value of say £10.00, the till operator inserts the driver's card into the reader/writer and adds a credit of £10.00. The process is repeated. When the driver wishes to buy an item (other than petrol), the credits on a card of the invention are used towards that purchase either to the value of the item or as a discount e.g. a £200.00 credit on the card will give the driver a 10% discount. When the purchase has been made an operator deducts the appropriate number of credits. Alternatively the card which has the maximum number of credits may be surrendered. Cards may be reused or destroyed, according to choice.
The card may take the form of a rectangular planar card, like a credit card or cash card and may carry advertising or like matter. The card may be adapted to display the total number of credits in a way that the information can be read only by the card reader or may be readable visually. The card may carry the name and/or signature and/or photograph of the authorised user.
The housing may be a stand alone unit located adjacent the checkout at a petrol station or at another retail outlet where its value is used, or it may be incorporated in other apparatus e.g. an electronic point of sale till. The latter arrangement is advantageous in that adjustments to the credits can then be made automatically from a remote computer.

Claims

1. Apparatus to be located at a retail outlet, the apparatus comprising a housing having a slot to receive a card token, the housing containing reader/writer means in the path of the card token in the slot to read/write on to a card token received in the apparatus a credit or moneysworth in proportion to the amount of money spent by a customer at that or another retail outlet, the card token having means to record the credits received, the apparatus also being arranged selectively to debit that card token in exchange for moneysworth or goods or services, once sufficient credit has been recorded.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the token is adapted to be read and written upon by optical, e.g. laser, means.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the token has magnetic tracks.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the token is encoded with an identification number peculiar to the token holder.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, located adjacent a checkout at a retail outlet.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, connected to a central computer arranged to record the transactions on the card.
PCT/GB1991/000819 1990-05-24 1991-05-23 Trading discount system WO1991018373A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909011633A GB9011633D0 (en) 1990-05-24 1990-05-24 Trading discount system
GB9011633.6 1990-05-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991018373A1 true WO1991018373A1 (en) 1991-11-28

Family

ID=10676488

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/000819 WO1991018373A1 (en) 1990-05-24 1991-05-23 Trading discount system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7881091A (en)
GB (1) GB9011633D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1991018373A1 (en)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0545233A1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1993-06-09 Vendoret Holding S.A. Device for linking shopping or luggage trolleys
EP0681273A1 (en) * 1994-05-04 1995-11-08 Albert Heijn B.V. Store arrangement for self-registration and electronical payment of purchased articles in self-service mode of use
US5637846A (en) * 1993-05-14 1997-06-10 Ahold Retail Services Ag Method and apparatus for electronic payment by a client in a self-service store
NL1003971C2 (en) * 1996-08-16 1997-11-06 Chiptec International Ltd Gift voucher.
WO1999016701A1 (en) * 1997-09-26 1999-04-08 Gilbarco Inc. Fuel dispensing and retail system for providing loyalty and customer benefits
EP1104973A1 (en) * 1999-12-03 2001-06-06 First Hop Oy A method and a system for obtaining services using a cellular telecommunication system
WO2001041081A2 (en) * 1999-12-03 2001-06-07 First Hop Oy A method and a system for obtaining services using a cellular telecommunication system
WO2001071618A1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2001-09-27 Learner David B Method for providing continuity of consumer purchase discounts
US6332128B1 (en) * 1998-07-23 2001-12-18 Autogas Systems, Inc. System and method of providing multiple level discounts on cross-marketed products and discounting a price-per-unit-volume of gasoline
WO2002021407A1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-03-14 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. A system and method for loyalty program distribution and settlement
US6419161B1 (en) 1996-01-22 2002-07-16 Welcome Real-Time Apparatus and method for processing coded information stored on an integrated circuit card
US6449684B1 (en) 1998-04-01 2002-09-10 Catuity, Inc. Data carrying device and systems for use therewith
US6722573B2 (en) 1996-01-22 2004-04-20 Welcome Real-Time Apparatus and method for processing coded information stored in an integrated circuit card
US6778967B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2004-08-17 Auto Gas Systems, Inc. System and method of cross-selling products and increasing fuel sales at a fuel service station
US6885996B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2005-04-26 Auto Gas Systems, Inc. Method of providing price-per-unit discounts for fuel to a customer
US7653571B2 (en) 1998-04-24 2010-01-26 Excentus Corporation System and method for generating price-per-gallon discounts for fuel
US7742942B2 (en) * 2005-06-22 2010-06-22 Excentus Corporation System and method for discounting fuel
US7945501B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2011-05-17 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for constraining depletion amount in a defined time frame
US7945500B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2011-05-17 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for providing an insurance premium for price protection
US8019694B2 (en) 2007-02-12 2011-09-13 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for estimating forward retail commodity price within a geographic boundary
US8123125B2 (en) 2005-10-31 2012-02-28 The Kroger Co. Combined in-store and fuel center point-of-sale system
US8156022B2 (en) 2007-02-12 2012-04-10 Pricelock, Inc. Method and system for providing price protection for commodity purchasing through price protection contracts
US8160952B1 (en) 2008-02-12 2012-04-17 Pricelock, Inc. Method and system for providing price protection related to the purchase of a commodity
US10438222B2 (en) 2005-06-22 2019-10-08 Excentus Corporation System and method for influencing customer behavior

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2094532A (en) * 1981-02-27 1982-09-15 Elinder Erik System for rationally managing the retail trade with goods
EP0189691A1 (en) * 1984-12-13 1986-08-06 Societe Generale Des Cooperatives De Consommation Method for the registration of the purchases of individual clients, magnetic card and reader/encoder for caryying out this method
EP0253240A1 (en) * 1986-07-03 1988-01-20 OMRON Corporation POS Terminal device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2094532A (en) * 1981-02-27 1982-09-15 Elinder Erik System for rationally managing the retail trade with goods
EP0189691A1 (en) * 1984-12-13 1986-08-06 Societe Generale Des Cooperatives De Consommation Method for the registration of the purchases of individual clients, magnetic card and reader/encoder for caryying out this method
EP0253240A1 (en) * 1986-07-03 1988-01-20 OMRON Corporation POS Terminal device

Cited By (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0545233A1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1993-06-09 Vendoret Holding S.A. Device for linking shopping or luggage trolleys
US5637846A (en) * 1993-05-14 1997-06-10 Ahold Retail Services Ag Method and apparatus for electronic payment by a client in a self-service store
EP0681273A1 (en) * 1994-05-04 1995-11-08 Albert Heijn B.V. Store arrangement for self-registration and electronical payment of purchased articles in self-service mode of use
NL9400743A (en) * 1994-05-04 1995-12-01 Heijn Bv Albert Shop device for purchasing and electronically paying for articles in a self-service shop without the intervention of shop staff, according to a self-registration system, payment device for use in such a shop device and a method for implementing such a self-registration system.
US6722573B2 (en) 1996-01-22 2004-04-20 Welcome Real-Time Apparatus and method for processing coded information stored in an integrated circuit card
US6419161B1 (en) 1996-01-22 2002-07-16 Welcome Real-Time Apparatus and method for processing coded information stored on an integrated circuit card
NL1003971C2 (en) * 1996-08-16 1997-11-06 Chiptec International Ltd Gift voucher.
WO1998013794A1 (en) * 1996-08-16 1998-04-02 Chiptec International Ltd. Gift token
WO1999016701A1 (en) * 1997-09-26 1999-04-08 Gilbarco Inc. Fuel dispensing and retail system for providing loyalty and customer benefits
US6449684B1 (en) 1998-04-01 2002-09-10 Catuity, Inc. Data carrying device and systems for use therewith
US6532518B2 (en) 1998-04-01 2003-03-11 Catuity, Inc. Data carrying device and systems for use therewith
US7653571B2 (en) 1998-04-24 2010-01-26 Excentus Corporation System and method for generating price-per-gallon discounts for fuel
US6885996B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2005-04-26 Auto Gas Systems, Inc. Method of providing price-per-unit discounts for fuel to a customer
US6332128B1 (en) * 1998-07-23 2001-12-18 Autogas Systems, Inc. System and method of providing multiple level discounts on cross-marketed products and discounting a price-per-unit-volume of gasoline
US6732081B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2004-05-04 Autogas Systems, Inc. Method for providing price-per-unit discounts for fuel to a customer
US6778967B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2004-08-17 Auto Gas Systems, Inc. System and method of cross-selling products and increasing fuel sales at a fuel service station
WO2001041081A2 (en) * 1999-12-03 2001-06-07 First Hop Oy A method and a system for obtaining services using a cellular telecommunication system
WO2001041081A3 (en) * 1999-12-03 2001-10-18 First Hop Oy A method and a system for obtaining services using a cellular telecommunication system
EP1104973A1 (en) * 1999-12-03 2001-06-06 First Hop Oy A method and a system for obtaining services using a cellular telecommunication system
WO2001071618A1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2001-09-27 Learner David B Method for providing continuity of consumer purchase discounts
WO2002021407A1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-03-14 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. A system and method for loyalty program distribution and settlement
US7742942B2 (en) * 2005-06-22 2010-06-22 Excentus Corporation System and method for discounting fuel
US10528967B2 (en) 2005-06-22 2020-01-07 Excentus Corporation System and method for discounting fuel
US10438222B2 (en) 2005-06-22 2019-10-08 Excentus Corporation System and method for influencing customer behavior
US8123125B2 (en) 2005-10-31 2012-02-28 The Kroger Co. Combined in-store and fuel center point-of-sale system
US8156022B2 (en) 2007-02-12 2012-04-10 Pricelock, Inc. Method and system for providing price protection for commodity purchasing through price protection contracts
US8019694B2 (en) 2007-02-12 2011-09-13 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for estimating forward retail commodity price within a geographic boundary
US8538795B2 (en) 2007-02-12 2013-09-17 Pricelock, Inc. System and method of determining a retail commodity price within a geographic boundary
US8065218B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2011-11-22 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for providing an insurance premium for price protection
US8086517B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2011-12-27 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for constraining depletion amount in a defined time frame
US7945500B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2011-05-17 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for providing an insurance premium for price protection
US7945501B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2011-05-17 Pricelock, Inc. System and method for constraining depletion amount in a defined time frame
US8160952B1 (en) 2008-02-12 2012-04-17 Pricelock, Inc. Method and system for providing price protection related to the purchase of a commodity

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9011633D0 (en) 1990-07-11
AU7881091A (en) 1991-12-10

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