Title
Providing a digital gift
Technical field
The present invention pertains to a method, and a system adapted to electronically provide a gift to a receiver of the same.
Background art
Currently, it would be nice if one could treat a peer, company, and the like with gifts without having to stroll through shops, to by a gift or a service, but utilizing the endless opportunities of the electronic digital/analogue means to treat friends, and business partners. In accordance with the knowledge of the inventors of the present invention it is now possible to accomplish this in a smooth manner.
Prior art relating to the present invention is for instance described through the following patents/patent applications; such as by documents US 2011/0231269 A1 to Mulhall, US 2010/0036745 A1 to Kasab, US 2009/0171804 A1 to Lee et al, and US 8,200, 544 B1 to Jones et al.
Summary of the invention
One aim among others of the present invention is relating to a method, and a system to provide peers, companies, persons, and other like entities with a treat/gift, which is electronically provided to a receiver of the gift through a voucher with a code, whereby the gift is collected/delivered by digitally reading the code at a point of sale POS. A POS in this context could be cashier systems, centralized payment software, customer Relationship management systems, and the like systems handling payment when purchasing an item and/or a service.
Hence, the present invention sets forth a method, and a system, which is operated by the method. The invention thus comprises a method to be run by the system of the present invention adapted to electronically provide a gift to a receiver of the same, wherein
a provider of a gift utilizes a first apparatus digitally displaying at least one of a world wide web advertisement for a gift on a screen, push notification, social media link, and reading a gift code provided on an item to be displayed on the screen. The at least one of an advertisement, push notification, social media, and a gift code provides a link to a server, and the gift/services run by the provider of the method, and adding an electronically transmitted message comprising at least one of an e-mail, social media link, and a telephone number to a receiver of the gift, having a second apparatus, and prompting the first apparatus to transmit a signal comprising information of the gift electronically through the link to the server. Utilizing the server to digitally create a voucher provided with a code created in the server, which relates to the at least one of a world wide web advertisement for a gift on a screen, push notification, and reading a gift code provided on an item to be digitally displayed on the screen for a gift.
The server provides electronic settlement of payment between the accounts between at least one of a provider of a gift to the receiver of the gift, the provider of the method, and an entity merchandising/vending the gift in at least one of the advertisement, social media link, push notification, social media link, and the gift code. Thereafter, through the server electronically transmitting a created voucher to the receiver apparatus by an added message to the receiver to be digitally displayed on the receiver's second apparatus, and its display screen. The receiver digitally redeeming/collecting/consuming the gift at least at one of a point of sale by physically having the created voucher code digitally read by the point of sale from the screen of the second apparatus, and digitally transmitting the created voucher code to a point of sale, having the gift delivered to the receiver of the gift. The point of sale digitally checking the validity of the voucher at the server by electronically signaling the server before the gift is at least one of given to the receiver, and delivered.
In one embodiment of the present invention said methods first apparatus, and said second apparatus are at least one of a smart phone, cellular phone, pad, PC computer, touch screen apparatus, and a laptop.
Another embodiment provides that said transmitting of electronic signals are at least one of radio frequency, and wired connection.
Still another embodiment provides that said World Wide Web advertisement constitutes gift offers on a web page or a social media page.
A further embodiment provides a gift code provided on an item, which is utilized to provide a uniform resource locator to recognize a gift, and to transmit said gift to said receiver of said gift.
Yet one embodiment provides that a World Wide Web advertisement is either emanating from a home page, social media, or pushed to said first apparatus.
Furthermore, the present invention sets forth a system adapted to electronically provide a gift to a receiver of the same. The invention thus comprises:
a first apparatus adapted to a provider of a gift digitally displaying at least one of a world wide web advertisement for a gift on a screen, social media link, push notification, and reading a gift code provided on an item to be digitally displayed on said screen, said at least one of an advertisement, push notification, social media, and a gift code providing a link to a server run by the provider of said method; a digitally created software message comprising at least one of an e-mail, social media link, and a telephone number digitally to a receiver of said gift, having a second apparatus;
software means to adapt said first apparatus to transmit a signal comprising information of said gift electronically through said link to said server;
said server being adapted to digitally create a voucher provided with a code created in said server, which relates to said at least one of a world wide web advertisement for a gift on a screen, push notification, social media link, and reading a gift code provided on an item to be digitally displayed on said screen for a gift, said server providing electronic settlement of payment between the accounts of at least one of the provider of a gift to said receiver of said gift, said provider of said method, and an entity digitally merchandising the gift in at least one of said advertisement, push notification, and said gift code;
software means electronically transmitting through said server said voucher to said receiver apparatus by the added message to the receiver to be digitally displayed on said receivers second apparatus display screen;
a second apparatus adapted to digitally receive said gift at least at one of a point of sale by physically having said created voucher code digitally read by said point of sale from the screen of said second apparatus, and electronically transmitting said created voucher code to a point of sale, having the gift digitally delivered to said receiver of the gift, and
said point of sale adapted to digitally check the validity of said voucher at said server by electronically signaling said server before the gift is at least one of given to the receiver, and delivered.
It is appreciated that the attached dependent system claims adhere to the attached dependent method claims.
A brief description of the drawing
Henceforth, reference is had to the accompanying drawing throughout the present description for a better understanding of the present inventions embodiments, and given examples, wherein:
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system in accordance with the present invention, which performs the method of the same.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
The present invention regards a method, and a system to provide peers, companies, persons, and other like entities with a treat/gift, which is electronically provided to a receiver of the gift through a voucher with a code, whereby the gift is collected/delivered by letting the code being read at a point of sale (POS). A POS in this context could be cashier systems, centralized payment software, customer relationship management systems, vending machines, and the like systems handling payment when purchasing an item and/or a service. The reading of a code at a point of sale could for instance be accomplished by scanning the code, WI-FI communication, receiving near frequency radio communication (NFC) at the POS. All signals/messages throughout the present invention are digitally modulated signals.
Those who merchandize/vendor these items and/or services could for instance constitute delivery partners - such as a cafe, or an outlet including chains of outlets, branding partners - Such as Coca Cola™, who may want to promote a drink and which can be consumed in a number of different outlets belonging to different delivery/merchant/vendor partners. It is appreciated that the present invention is not limited to this examples.
For example, delivery partners can provide offers for people to send as gifts, whereby a delivery partner for instance could sacrifice a part of the price to the company running/promoting the method, and system of the present invention. Moreover, branding partners can provide offers for people to send as gifts, thus a branding partner could revenue a part of the value to the promoter of the present invention method, and system. Hence, receivers of vouchers via for instance SMS comprising a uniform resource locator (URL), which links to a creation of a voucher in the server relating to the gift/treat in question.
Receivers can also receive vouchers through multimedia messages (MMS), social media links, and through e-mail. Furthermore, a receiver of a gift could receive vouchers via push notification on their cellular phones, smart phones, pads/tablets, computers such as laptops, and the like.
As an alternative receivers of gifts can be provided vouchers via Facebook, Linkedln, Google+ and through other social media sites.
A voucher is issued via a mobile phone/browser, and can be consumed via a POS system. Currently in one embodiment of the present invention a quick response code (QR code) is utilized.
Another embodiment provides that a voucher can have limited validity such as during certain hours, certain week days, limited period, and the like time restrictions. Furthermore, a voucher can be valid in more than one outlet or with more than one delivery partner. Such a voucher is able to handle different product numbers. Also, a voucher can include more than one offer to the receiver of a gift.
A still further embodiment of the present invention provides that a voucher can include alternative offers from more than one vendor such as for instance a bottle of wine from an outlet of liquor or a smoked salmon from any shop promoting it.
The present invention in one embodiment utilizes "viral marketing", in which users of the present invention method, and system can share or brag on social media about previous experiences of the present invention. Hereby, branding partners can utilize the present invention to promote new products, as well as delivery partners can utilize it to get customers during hours where there are otherwise few visitors/purchasers.
As business options, the providers of the present invention may pay delivery partners based on actual consumption. In case a branding partner is sponsoring, the full price could be paid, and charge branding partners for promotion. In case a delivery partner utilizes vouchers for promotion, the provider of the invention will charge them for the same and no compensation will be given based on consumption. These business options are only included to describe the opportunities conveyed by the present invention, thus not claimed in the attached set of claims.
The system of the present invention through its method provides statistics to delivery partners as well as branding partners. Hence, the present invention in one embodiment collects demographic data by social media such as Facebook and others mentioned, and the like, via accounts and other available sources. Such data will be carefully managed to avoid any privacy issues. The model for delivering vouchers via social media such as Facebook is innovative. A public message is written on the receiving users Facebook wall, this link is commonly available for everyone, but if the expected recipient clicks on it, and is logged into Facebook, then the voucher will be shown. Otherwise, anyone else will only get to see main offers. Hence, the delivery message is both used for delivery of the voucher and to promote the present invention.
Yet another embodiment utilizes a public web service for POS systems to interact with the framework of the providers of the present invention. Branding partners should be able to have advertisements with an included code, e.g. a QR, which when scanned by any scanner software, which will be available in some phones, would lead to an embedded web page in the transaction server of the present invention, but embedded into the branding partner's URL e.g. www. f branding partner]. com/int/123456 as a Active example, and where the providers of the present invention already have the
product/services in question selected, and where the user can directly purchase it and get it sent home or send it as a gift to a friend using the infrastructure of the present invention. Now with reference to Fig. 1 , this schematically illustrates a system in accordance with the present invention performing the method of the same. Single pointed arrows, in Fig. 1 , schematically illustrate signal flow from a first apparatus to a second apparatus, and double pointed arrows schematically illustrate a check of if a gift code on a voucher is valid. Depicted in Fig. 1 is the system 10. There are two scenarios for a provider of a gift to transmit it to a receiver of it, which as mentioned could be any entity such as peers, companies, and other persons. Thus the first means is to tag an item, such as a can of beverage, a truck, billboard, newspaper ad, packaging, TV-screen, video media, real estate space, in-store display, and other means able to tag with a digitally readable code means. See block 12 in Fig. 1 , and any item, services that could be provided with a digitally readable tag/code such as QR, barcode, bulls eye code, matrix code, 2D code and the like, which can be read by a mobile apparatus for instance by photographing, scanning, handled by a provider of a gift to a person or a company, which the provider wants to provide a gift to. The code comprises an URL to the gift, and the server 16, having information stored of the gift.
A second scenario comprises that the entity wanting to give away a gift does this this through for instance a social media, advertisement on the World Wide Web such as the Internet from for instance home pages promoting gifts and services as depicted in block 14 in Fig. 1. In this second scenario a computer could be in wired connection with advertisements, which are meant to be transmitted as a gift to a receiver of it.
Thus, there are two manners in which a gift could be provided to a receiver of the same. No matter if the means of 12 or 14 are utilized, the present invention provides the receiver of a gift according to the following.
A provider of a gift receives in the apparatus, which could be any device with radio frequency transmitting, and receiving means including a screen showing the gift promoted by a merchant/vendor, thus the read tag/code shown on the provider of a gifts apparatus when prompted orders the provider to enter an address to the receiver of a gift such as an e-mail address 20, a link from social media, a telephone number for SMS, MMS 20, and in one embodiment the receivers entire home address or parts of it. When this is accomplished the provider sends the URL for the gift, and the address information to a transaction site server 16, comprising a database 18, or being connected to one. The database comprises information of the validity of codes to persons/entities receiving gifts, and the server settles payment between the provider of the present invention, provider of a gift, and vendor of the gift by debiting and crediting accounts involved in the providing of a gift to a receiver of it. The settlement of accounts is made by known methods for such transactions.
Moreover, the server 16 creates a voucher 22 including at least one code such as a QR code or any like known code out of the received message to witch the URL connects including information of the gift, transmitted by the provider of the gift to the server 16. Also, the receiver/receivers of the gift do have an apparatus as mentioned with a screen to be able to receive a created voucher 22 addressed to them in order to collect a gift.
When the voucher 22 is created in the server 16, the server 16 transmits one of an SMS with an URL to the voucher, a MMS including the voucher or an e-mail including the voucher 22 to the apparatus of the receiver/receivers of the gift. Hence, the receiver of the gift can collect it by visiting the premises giving in the voucher, whereby the receiver has the code on the voucher read by the POS 24 at the premises, or entering a numeral code provided in the voucher in the POS 24. While reading the code or the entered code the POS checks the validity by connecting to the server 16, and its database 18. If the voucher is granted as valid, the gift is collected or
consumed/redeemed 28 by the receiver of the gift.
Alternatively, the gift can be consumed through the apparatus of the receiver prompting the receiving apparatus to transmit the voucher to the POS, thus claiming delivery 18 of the gift to the receivers address.
Hence, the present invention sets forth a method, and a system, which is operated by the method.
The invention thus comprises a method to be run by the system of the present invention adapted to provide a treat/gift to a receiver of the same. The invention thus comprises a provider of a gift utilizing a first apparatus (not shown in Fig. 1 ), displaying at least one of a World Wide Web advertisement for a gift on a screen, push notification, and reading a gift code provided on an item to be displayed on the screen. The at least one of an advertisement, social media link, social media, push notification, and a gift code provides a link to a server run by the provider of the method, and adding a message comprising at least one of an e-mail, social media link, and a telephone number to a receiver of the gift, having a second apparatus, and prompting the first apparatus to transmit a signal comprising information of the gift electronically through the link to the server 16, and the stored information about the gift.
Utilizing the server 16 to create a voucher 22 provided with a code created in the server 16, which relates to the at least one of a world wide web advertisement for a gift on a screen, a link on social media, social media link, push notification, and reading a gift code provided on an item to be displayed on the screen for a gift.
The server 16 provides settlement of payment between the accounts between at least one of a provider of a gift to the receiver of the gift, the provider of the method and or system, and an entity merchandising/vending the gift in at least one of the advertisement, push notification, and the gift code.
Thereafter, electronically transmitting, through the server 16, the created voucher to the receiver apparatus by an added message to the receiver to be displayed on the receiver's second apparatus, and its display screen. The receiver collecting/consuming the gift at least at one of a point of sale by physically having the created voucher code read by the point of sale from the screen of the second apparatus, and transmitting the created voucher code to a point of sale, having the gift delivered to the receiver of the gift. The treat/gift code could for instance be read by scanning the gift code by the POS, transmitted through near field communication (NFC), WI-FI and the like to the POS. The point of sale checking the validity of the voucher at the server by electronically signaling 26 the server 16 before the gift is at least one of given to the receiver, and delivered.
The attached set of claims determines other possible embodiments of the present invention to a person skilled in the art of the present technical field.