WO1991018373A1 - Trading discount system - Google Patents
Trading discount system Download PDFInfo
- 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
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/02—Mechanisms 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION 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
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
- G06Q20/3437—Cards including a counter the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION 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
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/387—Payment using discounts or coupons
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout 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.
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)
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)
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 |
-
1990
- 1990-05-24 GB GB909011633A patent/GB9011633D0/en active Pending
-
1991
- 1991-05-23 AU AU78810/91A patent/AU7881091A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-05-23 WO PCT/GB1991/000819 patent/WO1991018373A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
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)
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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