WO2004075080A1 - Promotion system - Google Patents

Promotion system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004075080A1
WO2004075080A1 PCT/AU2004/000202 AU2004000202W WO2004075080A1 WO 2004075080 A1 WO2004075080 A1 WO 2004075080A1 AU 2004000202 W AU2004000202 W AU 2004000202W WO 2004075080 A1 WO2004075080 A1 WO 2004075080A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
promotion
managing
award
user
transmission
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2004/000202
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2004075080A8 (en
Inventor
Douglas Victor Chapman
Original Assignee
The Marketing Worldwide Pty 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 The Marketing Worldwide Pty Limited filed Critical The Marketing Worldwide Pty Limited
Publication of WO2004075080A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004075080A1/en
Publication of WO2004075080A8 publication Critical patent/WO2004075080A8/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a marketing system for managing a promotion in which, users seek to win an award.
  • SMS competition response rates can reach up to 25% in Australia and overseas.
  • SMS promotions are becoming increasingly popular ilhin the 1 S to 24 year old age group because the technology is relevant and accessible to this audience. This audience recognises that entering a competition using SMS is much easier than making a phone call or posting an entry formu
  • SMS ' competitions allow for total automation and streamlining of me competition process. With phone numbers and entry details sent straight to a central database, this eliminates the need for time-consuming data entry.
  • SMS competition entries Due to the high response rates and cost-effectiveness offered by SMS messaging technology, enabling SMS competition entries has become a vital component of successful competition management in Australia, The sense of immediacy is an important factor in the success of SMS competitions.
  • the invention is a marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, the marketing server system comprising: an application server to process entries to the promotion from users; and communications gateway to communicate first transmissions between the application server and users, and to communicate second transmissions between the application server and a terminal; where, the application server operates to select a winning user from the entries and to generate a security code as part of a first transmission transmitted to the winning user, and to authorise an award to be made when the security code is obtained from a second transmission sent from the terminal.
  • the invention is a method for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, the method comprising the steps of: receiving entries from users to enter the promotion; . selecting a winning user from the entries; tran-r ⁇ itting a first transmission having a security code to the winning user; receiving a second transmission having the security code from a terminal; and authorising the award to be made.
  • the entries may be Short Messaging Service (SMS) messages.
  • the transmissions may be messages.
  • the second transmission may be Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) tones.
  • DTMF Dual Tone Multi Frequency
  • a message may be transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user from the application server.
  • the message may be an SMS message or an e-mail.
  • the mobile communications device may be a mobile phone or wireless communicator device, for example, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) phone.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • the security code may be generated by an algorithm to make it difficult to guess.
  • the security code may include the phone number and/or the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile communications device.
  • IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
  • the teiminal may be an Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) te ⁇ ninal.
  • EFTPOS Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale
  • the second transmission may be made using a secure device.
  • the secure device may be a magnetic stripe card or a smart card.
  • the secure device may be coded for use with only one promotion.
  • the secure device may provide the te ⁇ nmal with connection information to connect with the communication gateway.
  • the connection information may be a telephone number, an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • URL Uniform Resource Locator
  • the award may be goods or services.
  • the award may be a gift certificate or cash.
  • the promotion may be a competition or an interactive television game show.
  • the promotion may be a remote purchase of goods or services.
  • the security code may be manually entered into the terminal.
  • the security code may be transmitted from the mobile communications device to the terminal via Infrared data transfer.
  • a receipt may be printed after the award is authorised.
  • the receipt may include details of the award.
  • a reply message may be sent from the coiumunication gateway to the terminal to authorise the award to be made at the terminal.
  • a database may be provided to store the entries received from the users.
  • the security code may be stored in the datastore.
  • the application server may authorise the award by comparin the security code from the second transmission against security codes stored in the datastore.
  • the invention is a marketing management system comprising: a terminal to receive a security code from a user, and to send a second transmission; and a marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award comprising: an application server to process entries to the promotion from users; and a communicatioris gateway to communicate first transmissions between the appUcation server an users, and to communicate second transmissions between the application server and a terminal; where, the application server operates to select a winning user from the entries and to generate the security code as part of a first transmission transmitted to the winning user, and to authorise the award to be made at the terminal when the security code is obtained from a second transmission sent from the terminal.
  • the invention is a message transmitted to a mobile communications device of a user, the message comprising: a security code generated by an application server; and promotion identification information to identify a promotion in which users seek to win an award; whereby when the message is presented to a merchant to receive the award, the security code is transmitted from a terminal of the merchant to the application server to authorise the award to be made.
  • the present invention reduces the likelihood of fraud while encouraging greater user participation in promotions by allowing users to collect their awards conveniently using their mobile phones .
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of the promotional system.
  • Figure 2 is a process flow diagram.
  • the marketing management system 1 is a client/server system.
  • an application server 14 is enabled to communicate via fixed line telephone networks, wireless communication networks and the Internet with merchants 21 and users 30 on client side 20.
  • the application server 14 has SMS gateways 13 to process SMS messages 40 sent and received from different mobile operators, for example, Telstra, Optus or Vodafone.
  • the application server 14 also applies the rules for each competition, for example, comparing an answer contained in a message 40 with a correct answer. Other rules include randomly selecting winners from the competition at a specified time.
  • a database server 11 is provided to the application server 14 to manage individual competitions.
  • the database server 11 has competition databases 12 for each competition.
  • Each competition database 12 includes fields relating to the promoter of the competition, the duration of the competition, the prizes being offered and categories of winners.
  • a message 40 is received, it is separated by the application server 14 into parts which correspond to the database fields. The message parts are forwarded to an appropriate competition database 12 and stored in a user record.
  • EFTPOS Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale
  • merchants 21 are provided with Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) terminals 22 that connect to the application server 14 using a modem.
  • EFTPOS operators 24 are provided with a magnetic stripe card 23 which is swiped through the EFTPOS terminal 22.
  • EDC electronic data capture
  • Cards 23 are exclusive to dividual competitions and are issued to the merchants 21 at the commencement of a competition. This increases security and reduces the likelihood of fraud because cards 23 of previous competitions become Invalid.
  • Cards 23 for different competitions have different telephone numbers to dial for accessing a specific competition database 12. This facilitates me running of multiple competitions at the same time by the same merchant and ensures the integrity of each competition database 12.
  • SMS Short Messaging Service
  • the application server 14 receives the SMS message 40 and adds a new user record in the competition database 12 storing the user's 30 phone number obtained from the received Caller Line Identity (CLI) information.
  • CLI Caller Line Identity
  • Other related information is also stored in the record, for example, a selection from a multiple choice question or an answer to a trivia question from a TV game show and whether the selection or answer is correct.
  • Winning users 30 receive notification of competitions they have won by receiving 51 an SMS message 41 from the application server 14.
  • the message 41 includes a security code 42 generated by an algorithm on tire application server 14.
  • the code 42 is difficult to be guessed or copied and is not sequential to reduce the possibility of counterfeit codes.
  • the code 42 is also stored in the competition database 12 to be validated against when the user 30 claims their prize.
  • the message 41 also includes other information relating to the name of the competition, outlets where the prize can be claimed and the expiry time for claiming the prize.
  • the user 30 presents 52 the message 41 to an EFTPOS operator 24 at a merchant 21 for claiming the prize.
  • the EFTPOS operator 24 swipes the card 23 corresponding to the competition through the EFTPOS terminal 22.
  • the EFTPOS terminal 22 acquires and dials the stored telephone number to establish 53 a connection with the application server 14. The telephone number also determines which competition database 12 the application server 14 is to access.
  • the user 30 is asked to enter 54 their code 42 into the EFTPOS terminal 22.
  • the entered code 42 is transmitted 55 to the application server 14 where it is validated 56 against valid codes stored in the database 12. If the code 42 exists in the database 12 and has not been claimed previously, it is considered valid.
  • the application server 14 responds to the EFTPOS terminal 22 that the code 42 is valid. This authorises the EFTPOS operator 24 to award 57 the prize to the user 30. ' A receipt is printed for the user 30 to sign after they receive their prize which is kept by the merchant 21 for their records or used as a rebate by competition promoters.
  • the application server 14 also updates the database 12 to indicate that the code 42 is no longer valid because a claim has been made to it.
  • the code 42 is considered invalid.
  • the application server 14 responds to the EFTPOS terminal 22 that the code 42 is invalid.
  • a note is printed 58 declining the claim.
  • a phone number is provided on the note to allow the user 30 to make an enquiry and check that the details are correct.
  • the code 42 has been described as generated by an algorithm, the code 42 itself can be algorithmic. That is, the code 42 acts as a key to decipher ciphered information stored in the application server 14. If the code 42 is valid, the deciphered info ⁇ xiation will test correctly against an expected result.
  • the Intemational Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the user's 30 mobile phone and/or the mobile phone number of the user 30 from Caller Line Identity (CLI) information can be used. This increases security and further reduces the likelihood of fraud.
  • IMEI Intemational Mobile Equipment Identity
  • CLI Caller Line Identity
  • interaction with the application server 14 can occur across any communication medium such as fixed line or wireless, by using data, or voice via an Interactive Voice Response unit (TVR).
  • TVR Interactive Voice Response unit
  • SMS messages 40, 41 have been described, it is envisaged that e-mail and other data messages can be used for communication between the application server 14 and the user 30.
  • a competition has been described, other applications such as gift certificates, TV interactive game shows, remote purchasing, or applications where insecure messages are required to be verifiable documents are possible.

Abstract

This invention concerns a marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, such as competition to win a good or service. The marketing server system comprising an application server to process entries to the promotion from users and a communications gateway to communicate first transmissions between the application server and users, and to communicate second transmissions between the application server and a terminal. The application server operates to select a winning user from the entries and to generate a security code as part of a first transmission transmitted to the winning user, and to authorise an award to be made at the terminal when the security code is obtained from a second transmission sent from the terminal. The invention also concerns a method for managing a promotion, marketing management system for the promotion and a message sent to a mobile communication device concerning the promotion.

Description

Title
PROMOTION SYSTEM
Held of Invention This invention concerns a marketing system for managing a promotion in which, users seek to win an award.
Background of the Invention
There are 11 million mobile handsets in the Australian market today. An average of five million SMS messages are transmitted each day and the core user is under 30 years of age. Response rates to SMS programs are much higher han more traditional mediums such as postal mail, television or radio promotions. SMS competition response rates can reach up to 25% in Australia and overseas.
SMS promotions are becoming increasingly popular ilhin the 1 S to 24 year old age group because the technology is relevant and accessible to this audience. This audience recognises that entering a competition using SMS is much easier than making a phone call or posting an entry formu
SMS' competitions allow for total automation and streamlining of me competition process. With phone numbers and entry details sent straight to a central database, this eliminates the need for time-consuming data entry.
Due to the high response rates and cost-effectiveness offered by SMS messaging technology, enabling SMS competition entries has become a vital component of successful competition management in Australia, The sense of immediacy is an important factor in the success of SMS competitions.
Summary of the Invention
The invention is a marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, the marketing server system comprising: an application server to process entries to the promotion from users; and communications gateway to communicate first transmissions between the application server and users, and to communicate second transmissions between the application server and a terminal; where, the application server operates to select a winning user from the entries and to generate a security code as part of a first transmission transmitted to the winning user, and to authorise an award to be made when the security code is obtained from a second transmission sent from the terminal. In a second aspect, the invention is a method for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, the method comprising the steps of: receiving entries from users to enter the promotion; . selecting a winning user from the entries; tran-røitting a first transmission having a security code to the winning user; receiving a second transmission having the security code from a terminal; and authorising the award to be made.
The entries may be Short Messaging Service (SMS) messages. The transmissions may be messages. The second transmission may be Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) tones.
A message may be transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user from the application server. The message may be an SMS message or an e-mail. The mobile communications device may be a mobile phone or wireless communicator device, for example, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) phone. The winner may be selected at random.
The security code may be generated by an algorithm to make it difficult to guess. The security code may include the phone number and/or the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile communications device.
The teiminal may be an Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) teπninal.
The second transmission may be made using a secure device. The secure device may be a magnetic stripe card or a smart card. The secure device may be coded for use with only one promotion. The secure device may provide the teπnmal with connection information to connect with the communication gateway. The connection information may be a telephone number, an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
The award may be goods or services. The award may be a gift certificate or cash.
The promotion may be a competition or an interactive television game show. The promotion may be a remote purchase of goods or services.
The security code may be manually entered into the terminal. The security code may be transmitted from the mobile communications device to the terminal via Infrared data transfer.
A receipt may be printed after the award is authorised. The receipt may include details of the award. A reply message may be sent from the coiumunication gateway to the terminal to authorise the award to be made at the terminal.
A database may be provided to store the entries received from the users. The security code may be stored in the datastore. The application server may authorise the award by comparin the security code from the second transmission against security codes stored in the datastore.
In a third aspect, the invention is a marketing management system comprising: a terminal to receive a security code from a user, and to send a second transmission; and a marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award comprising: an application server to process entries to the promotion from users; and a communicatioris gateway to communicate first transmissions between the appUcation server an users, and to communicate second transmissions between the application server and a terminal; where, the application server operates to select a winning user from the entries and to generate the security code as part of a first transmission transmitted to the winning user, and to authorise the award to be made at the terminal when the security code is obtained from a second transmission sent from the terminal.
In a fourth aspect, the invention is a message transmitted to a mobile communications device of a user, the message comprising: a security code generated by an application server; and promotion identification information to identify a promotion in which users seek to win an award; whereby when the message is presented to a merchant to receive the award, the security code is transmitted from a terminal of the merchant to the application server to authorise the award to be made. Advantageously, the present invention reduces the likelihood of fraud while encouraging greater user participation in promotions by allowing users to collect their awards conveniently using their mobile phones .
Brief .Description of the Drawings An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the promotional system. Figure 2 is a process flow diagram.
Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Figure 1, the marketing management system 1 is a client/server system. On server side 10, an application server 14 is enabled to communicate via fixed line telephone networks, wireless communication networks and the Internet with merchants 21 and users 30 on client side 20. The application server 14 has SMS gateways 13 to process SMS messages 40 sent and received from different mobile operators, for example, Telstra, Optus or Vodafone. The application server 14 also applies the rules for each competition, for example, comparing an answer contained in a message 40 with a correct answer. Other rules include randomly selecting winners from the competition at a specified time. A database server 11 is provided to the application server 14 to manage individual competitions. The database server 11 has competition databases 12 for each competition. Each competition database 12 includes fields relating to the promoter of the competition, the duration of the competition, the prizes being offered and categories of winners. When a message 40 is received, it is separated by the application server 14 into parts which correspond to the database fields. The message parts are forwarded to an appropriate competition database 12 and stored in a user record.
On client side 20, merchants 21 are provided with Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) terminals 22 that connect to the application server 14 using a modem. To establish a connection with the application server 14, EFTPOS operators 24 are provided with a magnetic stripe card 23 which is swiped through the EFTPOS terminal 22. By swiping the card 23, electronic data capture (EDC) software of the EFTPOS terminal 22 acquires and dials a stored telephone number to connect with the application server 1 . Cards 23 are exclusive to dividual competitions and are issued to the merchants 21 at the commencement of a competition. This increases security and reduces the likelihood of fraud because cards 23 of previous competitions become Invalid. Cards 23 for different competitions have different telephone numbers to dial for accessing a specific competition database 12. This facilitates me running of multiple competitions at the same time by the same merchant and ensures the integrity of each competition database 12.
Referring to Figure 2, users 30 enter competitions by sending 50 a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message 40 from their mobile phone 31 to a phone number displayed on marketing material such as leaflets, pamphlets or advertised in radio, television, e-mail or web site advertisements- The phone number is associated with a specific competition database 12. The application server 14 receives the SMS message 40 and adds a new user record in the competition database 12 storing the user's 30 phone number obtained from the received Caller Line Identity (CLI) information. Other related information is also stored in the record, for example, a selection from a multiple choice question or an answer to a trivia question from a TV game show and whether the selection or answer is correct.
Winning users 30 receive notification of competitions they have won by receiving 51 an SMS message 41 from the application server 14. The message 41 includes a security code 42 generated by an algorithm on tire application server 14. The code 42 is difficult to be guessed or copied and is not sequential to reduce the possibility of counterfeit codes. The code 42 is also stored in the competition database 12 to be validated against when the user 30 claims their prize. The message 41 also includes other information relating to the name of the competition, outlets where the prize can be claimed and the expiry time for claiming the prize.
In a typical. scenario; the user 30 presents 52 the message 41 to an EFTPOS operator 24 at a merchant 21 for claiming the prize. In a closed loop process, the EFTPOS operator 24 swipes the card 23 corresponding to the competition through the EFTPOS terminal 22. The EFTPOS terminal 22 acquires and dials the stored telephone number to establish 53 a connection with the application server 14. The telephone number also determines which competition database 12 the application server 14 is to access.
Once the connection is established, the user 30 is asked to enter 54 their code 42 into the EFTPOS terminal 22. The entered code 42 is transmitted 55 to the application server 14 where it is validated 56 against valid codes stored in the database 12. If the code 42 exists in the database 12 and has not been claimed previously, it is considered valid. The application server 14 responds to the EFTPOS terminal 22 that the code 42 is valid. This authorises the EFTPOS operator 24 to award 57 the prize to the user 30. ' A receipt is printed for the user 30 to sign after they receive their prize which is kept by the merchant 21 for their records or used as a rebate by competition promoters. The application server 14 also updates the database 12 to indicate that the code 42 is no longer valid because a claim has been made to it. Alternatively, if the code 42 does not exist or a claim has already been made against it, the code 42 is considered invalid. In this case, the application server 14 responds to the EFTPOS terminal 22 that the code 42 is invalid. A note is printed 58 declining the claim. A phone number is provided on the note to allow the user 30 to make an enquiry and check that the details are correct. Although the code 42 has been described as generated by an algorithm, the code 42 itself can be algorithmic. That is, the code 42 acts as a key to decipher ciphered information stored in the application server 14. If the code 42 is valid, the deciphered infoπxiation will test correctly against an expected result. In addition to the code 42, the Intemational Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the user's 30 mobile phone and/or the mobile phone number of the user 30 from Caller Line Identity (CLI) information can be used. This increases security and further reduces the likelihood of fraud.
Within the scope of the invention, it is envisaged that interaction with the application server 14 can occur across any communication medium such as fixed line or wireless, by using data, or voice via an Interactive Voice Response unit (TVR). Although SMS messages 40, 41 have been described, it is envisaged that e-mail and other data messages can be used for communication between the application server 14 and the user 30. Although a competition has been described, other applications such as gift certificates, TV interactive game shows, remote purchasing, or applications where insecure messages are required to be verifiable documents are possible.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, the marketing server system comprising: an application server to process entries to the promotion from users; and a communications gateway to communicate first transmissions between the application server and users, and to communicate second transmissions between the application server and a terminal; where, the application server operates to select a winning user from the entries and to generate a security code as part of a first transmission transmitted to the winning user, and to authorise an award to be made when the security code is obtained from a second transmission sent from the terminal.
2. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to claim 1, where the second transmission is made using a secure device, such as a magnetic stripe card or. a smart card.
3. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to claim 2, where the secure device is coded for use with only one promotion.
4. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 2 or 3, where the secure device provides the teπninal with connection infbπnation to connect with the communication gateway, such as a telephone number, an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) .
5. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where at least one entry or transmission is a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message or an e-mail.
6. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where the second transmission is a Dual Tone Multi Frequency
(DTMF) tones.
7. A marketing server system tor managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where "the first transmission is transmitted to a mobile «mmunications device of a user, such as a mobile phone or wireless communicator device.
S. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where the security code is generated by an algorithm to make it difficult to guess.
9. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to claim 8, where the algorithm utilises the phone number and/or the International Mobile S
Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of a mobile communications device of the winning user.
10. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where the terminal is an Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) terminal.
11. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where the award is a good, service, gift certificate or cash.
12. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where the promotion is a competition, an interactive television game show or a remote purchase of goods or services.
13. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, where the second transmissions includes a reply transmission sent from the communication gateway to the terminal to authorise the award to be made at the terminal.
14. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to any one of the preceding claims, the system further comprising a datastore to store the entries from the users and/or the security code.
15. A marketing server system for managing a promotion according to claim 14, where the application server authorises the award by comparing the security code from the second transmission against security codes stored in the datastore.
16. A method for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award, the method comprising'the steps of: receiving entries from users to enter the promotion; selecting a whining user from the entries; transmitting a first transmission having a security code to the winning user; receiving a second transmission having the security code from a terminal; and authorising the award to be made.
17. A method for managing a promotion according to claim 16, where the second transmission is made using a secure device, such as a magnetic stripe card or a smart card.
18. A method for managing a promotion according to claim 17, where the secure device provides the terminal with connection information to connect with a server, such as a telephone number, an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
19. A method for managing a promotion according to claim 16, 17 or 18, where at least one entry or transmission is a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message.
20. A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 19, where the second transmission is a Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) tones.
21. A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 20, where fransmitting the first transmission is transmitted to a mobile communications device of a user, such as a mobile phone or wireless communicator device.
22- A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 21, the method further comprising the step of generating a security code using an algorithm to make it difficult to guess.
23- A method for managing a promotion according to claim 22, where the algorithm utilises the phone number and/or the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of a mobile communications device of the winning user.
24. A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 23, where the award is a good, service, gift certificate or cash.
25. A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 24, where the promotion is a competition, an interactive television game show or a remote purchase of goods or services.
26. A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 25, where authorising the award to be made comprises replying to the second transmission with the authority for the award to be made at the terminal.
27. A method for managing a promotion according to any one of claims 16 to 26, the method further comprising the step of storing entries from the users and/or the security code in a datastore.
28- A method for managing a promotion according to claim 27, where authorising the award to be made comprises comparing the security code from the second transmission against security codes stored in the datastore.
29. A marketing management system comprising: . a terminal to receive a security code from a user, and to send a second transmission; and a marketing server system for managing a promotion in which users seek to win an award according to any one or more of claims 1 to 15.
30, A message transmitted to a mobile communications device of a user, the message comprising: a security code generated by an application server; and promotion identification information to identify a promotion in which users seek to win an award; whereby when the message is presented to a merchant to receive the award, the security code is transmitted from a tαminal of the merchant to the application server to authorise the award to b e made.
31. A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according 5 to claim 30, where the teansmission of the security code from the terminal to the application server uses a secure device, such as a magnetic stripe card or a smart card.
32. A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according to claim 31 , where the secure device is coded for use with only one promotion.
33. A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according 0 to any one of claims 30, 31 or 32, where the message is a Short Messaging Service
(SMS) message.
34. A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according to any one of claims 30 to 33, where the mobile communications device of a user is a mobile phone or wireless communicator device. 5
35. A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according to any one of claims 30 to 34, where the security code is generated by an algorithm that utilises the phone number and/or the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile communications device.
36. A message transmitted to the mobile coππnumcations device of a user according Q to any one of claims 30 to 35, where the award is a good, service, gift certificate or cash. ,
37 , A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according to any one of the preceding claims, where the promotion is a competition, an interactive television game show or a remote purchase of goods or services. 5 38. A message transmitted to the mobile communications device of a user according to claim 34, where the security code can be transmitted from the mobile communications device to the terminal via Infrared data transfer.
PCT/AU2004/000202 2003-02-21 2004-02-23 Promotion system WO2004075080A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003900774 2003-02-21
AU2003900774A AU2003900774A0 (en) 2003-02-21 2003-02-21 Marketing server system

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WO2004075080A1 true WO2004075080A1 (en) 2004-09-02
WO2004075080A8 WO2004075080A8 (en) 2004-10-21

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