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Patent application title:

Cross marketing between an entity's loyalty point program and a different loyalty program of a commerce partner

Publication number:

Publication date:

2014-07-01

Application number:

13/969,873

Filed date:

2013-08-19

✅ Patent granted

Patent number:

US 8,763,901 B1

Grant date:

2014-07-01

PCT filing:

PCT publication:

Examiner:

Edwyn Labaze

Agent:

Patents on Demand P.A. | Brian K. Buchheit | Scott M. Garrett

Adjusted expiration:

2033-08-19

Smart Summary: A user interface allows people to convert their loyalty points from one program into loyalty points for another program offered by a partner business. These converted points can then be used as partial payment for services from the partner business. The partner does not accept the original loyalty points directly, so conversion is necessary. When a user chooses to convert their points, the interface shows how many new points they will receive for use with the partner. This system aims to make loyalty points more flexible and useful for consumers, addressing issues like limited options and long wait times for redemption. 🚀 TL;DR

Abstract:

A graphical user interface includes a conversion option to convert quantities of loyalty points of a loyalty program of an entity into different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of a commerce partner. The different loyalty points are accepted by a commerce partner as at least partial payment for commerce partner services provided by the commerce partner as part of the different loyalty program. The commerce partner does not accept the loyalty points as payment for commerce partner services, at least without requiring the loyalty points be first converted to different loyalty points. Responsive to a received selection of the conversion option, a computer presents within a user interface a quantity of available different loyalty points for use as payment for the commerce partner services. The quantity of available different loyalty points results from converting the subset of loyalty points into the quantity of available different loyalty points.

Inventors:

BRIAN K. BUCHHEIT 73 🇺🇸 DAVIE, FL, United States
SEAN I. McGHIE 29 🇺🇸 Boca Raton, FL, United States

Applicant:

Brian K. Buchheit 🇺🇸 Davie, FL, United States

Sean I. McGhie 🇺🇸 Boca Raton, FL, United States

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Classification:

G06K5/00 IPC

Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/863,556 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,511,550 (filed 16 Apr. 2013), U.S. application Ser. No. 13/899,023 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,064 (filed 21 May 2013). U.S. application Ser. No. 13/532,342 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,502 (filed 25 Jun. 2012), and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/420,255 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,673 (filed 25 May 2006). U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,511,550 and 8,523,064 have received an issue notification and are presently pending. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,297,502 and 7,703,673 have been issued and are not presently pending.

Additionally, our claim to the priority date is also through pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/681,479 and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/681,493, which are continuation-in-part applications that claim the benefit of U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,399 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,224.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,224 is a continuation-in-part application claiming the benefit of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,703,673; 8,123,127; and 8,162,209.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,399 is a continuation-in-part application claiming the benefit of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,703,673; 8,123,127; and 8,162,209.

Thus, there is a continuous chain of active pending U.S. cases from the co-pending applications back to U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,673, which was filed on May 25, 2006, which the present case is a continuation of—hence claiming the benefit of priority to this case (U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,673) is proper. The above cited applications/patents in the family (all having the U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,673 as a parent application), are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of graphical user interfaces for exchanging non-negotiable credits for entity independent funds.

Entities often reward consumers for utilizing their services with non-negotiable credits, such as frequent flier miles, consumer loyalty points, and entertainment credits. These non-negotiable credits can be applied towards products and/or services provided by a granting entity or its affiliates. For example, consumers can apply frequent flyer credits towards the purchase of airline tickets or airline upgrades. In another example, a consumer can utilize purchase points from a credit card company to receive percentage discounts on goods provided by affiliates. In still another example, entertainment credits can be redeemed for prizes offered in a winnings storefront of an entertainment site.

Many problems are inherent to the current techniques for the redemption of entity provided credits. One such problem is the restriction on usage to goods and/or services of the entity. That is, a consumer may have no need for the products or services listed by the entity for which the non-negotiable credits can be redeemed. Further, additional restrictions and limitations can be placed upon the non-negotiable credits that lessen the usefulness of non-negotiable credits from the consumer's perspective. For instance, airlines often limit the choice of travel dates, known as black-out dates, to which frequent flyer credits can be applied.

Another problem encountered by consumers when redeeming non-negotiable credits is time. Once a consumer submits a request to redeem their non-negotiable credits, the consumer must wait for the entity to perform one or more actions required to fulfill their request. These steps often require days or weeks to complete. For instance, consumers participating in online entertainment sites often are required to wait a minimum of three days for their entertainment credits to be redeemed. Redemption delay can be particularly aggravating to e-commerce consumers, who by nature of an e-commerce marketplace expect rapid responses and immediate consumer gratification.

Time can also be a factor for redeeming credits having an associated expiration date. A consumer's non-negotiable credits may expire before a sufficient quantity is acquired for a desired purchase. Lesser purchases requiring fewer credits may not have a significant appeal for the consumer. Hence, credit expiration dates can further decrease the consumer value of non-negotiable credits.

Yet another problem with conventional implementation of non-negotiable credits is that consumers often belong to multiple credit-earning programs that provide the consumers with multiple incompatible forms of non-negotiable credit. Each of these multiple programs can span a single industry or can span multiple industries. For example, a consumer can acquire a moderate number of frequent flyer miles with multiple airlines, where each airline specific account contains insufficient credits to have any meaningful consumer value. Consumers can also have many different types of non-negotiable credits, such as multiple merchant specific credit, credit card credits, and frequent flier miles, each having different redemption values and program redemption rules. These different programs, values, and rules can understandably confuse and frustrate consumers, who due to their confusion, often elect to avoid participating in an entity sponsored credit program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent funds system in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of successive GUIs that illustrate the Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent funds system in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for the Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent funds system in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure permits consumers to transform non-negotiable credits (loyalty points of a loyalty program) provided by an entity to negotiable funds (different loyalty points of a different loyalty program) in an approximately immediate fashion using the Web. In one embodiment, a conversion agency can function as an intermediary that converts entity provided credits into entity independent funds. The conversion agency can be an independent entity that is not directly affiliated with the credit providing entities.

The conversion can occur automatically using a Web initiated action and can have approximately immediate results. Approximately immediate as used herein can signify that a transaction can occur within a single Web session with user acceptable delay tolerances, typically under half an hour and often under a few minutes. In one embodiment, credits can be automatically converted to funds as part of an e-commerce checkout. In another embodiment, credits can be converted into a user accessible account held with a financial institution.

The present disclosure can be implemented in accordance with numerous aspects consistent with material presented herein. For example, one aspect of the present disclosure can include a method for converting credits to funds. The method can include a step of a Web site receiving user identification information. Non-negotiable credits can be identified that are associated with an entity with which the user has previously interacted. The previous interactions could have earned the non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the non-negotiable credits into a quantity of negotiable funds. The conversion agency can be an agency not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds. The quantity of negotiable funds can be applied to user specified purchases. At least a portion of the purchases can involve at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits.

Another aspect of the present disclosure can include a software method for converting non-negotiable credits into negotiable funds. The method can receive a user request to convert a quantity of non-negotiable credits held in a user account associated with an entity. A conversion rate between the non-negotiable credits available to the user and a form of negotiable funds can be automatically determined. A quantity of non-negotiable credits can be automatically subtracted from the user account. A quantity of the negotiable funds based upon the determined conversion rate and quantity of subtracted funds can be automatically transferred to a financial account. The financial account can be an account that is not associated with the entity. The entire method can occur in an approximately immediate fashion.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure can include a Web-based credit to fund conversion system. The system can include a non-negotiable credit account, a negotiable funds account, and a conversion agency. The non-negotiable credit account can be associated with an entity. Non-negotiable credits contained within the non-negotiable credit account can be earned though previous interactions between a user and the entity. The negotiable funds account can include negotiable funds that the user is able to apply to user specified e-commerce purchases. One or more venders involved in the e-commerce purchases can be venders that do not honor the non-negotiable credits for the e-commerce purchases. The conversion agency can automatically and approximately immediately convert a quantity of credits from the non-negotiable credit account to a quantity of funds in the negotiable funds account responsive to a request from the user.

According to one aspect of the disclosure (one contemplated embodiment), a web server or other computer can serve Web pages to client-side machines. The client-side machines can run browsers, which render the Web pages. That is the browsers can read the Web pages to create an interactive user interfaces, which is a man-to-machine interface. Upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers a corresponding user interface for the client-side browser can presents a quantity of member earned loyalty points for the loyalty program. Upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface presents a conversion option permitting one of the members to: convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of a commerce partner; convert quantities of the different loyalty points into quantities of the loyalty points, or convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points. The computer (serving the Web pages) responsive to receiving a message indicating a selection of the conversion option, can process the selection to effectuate changes in the served set of Web pages. Responsive to the processing, the computer serves one or more Web pages or Web page updates that include the effectuated changes to at least one of the one or more client machines. Upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface is updated with the effectuated changes. The updated user interface presents a changed quantity of the loyalty points possessed by one of the members. The changed quantity results at least in part from a conversion performed responsive to the selection of the conversion option. The computer serves the set of one or more Web pages, receives the selection, and serves the one or more Web pages or Web page updates that include the effectuated changes within a single user-interactive Web session.

In one embodiment, an agreement can exist between the entity and the commerce partner. The agreement can permit members to: convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of the different loyalty points; convert quantities of the different loyalty points into the loyalty points, or convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points. The agreement can specify that the entity or the commerce partner are to provide compensation to the other in an agreed upon amount for conversions between the loyalty points and the different loyalty points

In one embodiment, the loyalty points are referred to as non-negotiable credits. The entity can redeem the loyalty points in exchange for a restricted set of goods or services provided by the entity to the members as part of the loyalty program. In one embodiment, the entity can be a financial service company that provides credit cards to a set of members. Usage of the credit cards with retailers accepting the credit card earn loyalty points for the loyalty program as recorded in a credit account of a corresponding one of the members. In one embodiment, the entity can be a company that provides a computer implemented game, a platform upon which the computer implemented game runs, or gaming services for the computer implemented game. Playing the computer implemented game can earn loyalty points for the loyalty program as recorded in a credits account of a corresponding one of the members. In other embodiments, the entity can be a hotel, airlines, a rental car company, a train transportation company, a bus lines, a cruise ship company, and the like.

In one embodiment, the different loyalty points are referred to as entity independent funds and are recorded in a funds account. The different loyalty points can be redeemable for commerce partner services that the commerce partner provides to members of the different loyalty program. The commerce partner services are not included in the restricted set of goods or services, wherein the commerce partner services for which the different loyalty points are redeemable may include: travel services for an airline owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, lodging services for a hotel owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, travel services for a train owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, travel services for a cruise ship owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, vehicle rental services for a vehicle owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, financial services for a final service company that provides credit cards to a set of members wherein usage of the credit cards with retailers accepting the credit cards earn different loyalty points for the different loyalty program, gaming services or virtual items for a computer implemented game or a platform upon which the computer implemented game runs, wherein the computer implemented game or the platform is owned, operated or managed by the commerce partner, or combinations of one of more of any of the travel services, the lodging services, the vehicle rental services, gaming services or the financial services.

In one embodiment, the funds account is neither owned nor controlled by the entity or by any subsidiary or parent of the entity. The credit account is neither owned nor controlled by the commerce partner or by any subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner.

In embodiments, the computer providing Web pages permitting conversions of points between different programs can be a computer of the entity, of the commerce partner, of agents of either the entity or commerce partner, or of a third party. In one embodiment, a computer for one of the loyalty programs can detect user interactions that earn loyalty points and can add points to the credits accounts and/or the funds account in response to the point earning interactions. In one embodiment, cross marketing arrangements can exist between the commerce partner and the entity regarding the loyalty program and the different loyalty program. One cross marketing opportunity is to convert the different loyalty points to/from the loyalty points. Another cross marketing opportunity is to purchase loyalty points (if you are the commerce partner) or different loyalty points (if you are the entity) to give to members. For example, earning opportunities per the loyalty program of the entity can result in the member of the loyalty program earning different loyalty points of the different loyalty program—due to a cross marketing arrangement. Thus, a hotel (one loyalty program) can, in one embodiment, provide hotel loyalty point members with frequent flier miles (different loyalty program of a commerce partner) for staying in the hotel.

It should be noted that various aspects of the disclosure can be implemented as a program for controlling computing equipment to implement the functions described herein, or a program for enabling computing equipment to perform processes corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other recording medium. The program can also be provided as a digitally encoded signal conveyed via a carrier wave. The described program can be a single program or can be implemented as multiple subprograms, each of which interact within a single computing device or interact in a distributed fashion across a network space.

It should also be noted that the methods detailed herein can also be methods performed at least in part by a service agent and/or a machine manipulated by a service agent in response to a service request.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent funds system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System 100 includes consumer 105 and conversion agency server 130.

Consumer 105 interacts with conversion agency server 130 via client 110. Client 110 can be any of a variety of interfaces including, but not limited to, another human being, a personal computer, a kiosk, a graphical user interface (GUI), a Web page, a telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, and the like.

Client 110 can operate in a stand-alone fashion. Alternatively, client 110 can be a device that cooperatively participates in a network of distributed computing devices. Client 110 can also be another human being utilizing an alternate form of Client 110 to access conversion agency server 130 via network 115. Network 115 can facilitate data exchanges over wireless as well as line-based communication pathways and protocols.

Both consumer 105 and conversion agency server 130 can interact with associate server 150, e-commerce server 120, and financial institution server 140 via network 115. Conversion agency server 130 includes user account data store 135 in which consumer 105 is a member. Associate server 150 includes customer data store 155 in which consumer 105 is a member. Financial institution server 140 includes account data store 142. Account data store 142 includes conversion agency account 144 corresponding to conversion agency 130.

Consumer 105 earns non-negotiable credits from associate server 150. The quantity of these non-negotiable credits is saved in customer data store 155. The method in which consumer 105 earns credits can be any of a variety of activities including, but not limited to, making online purchases, making in-store purchases, playing online games, participating in online games of chance, participating in surveys, and the like. Consumer 105 uses conversion agency server 130 to convert the non-negotiable credits from associate server 150 into negotiable funds provided by e-commerce server 120 or financial institution 140. In one embodiment, conversion agency 130 can include multiple reward accounts of consumer 105.

For example, consumer 105 earns five hundred credits from participating in an online game of chance hosted by associate server 150. Consumer 105 can choose to use conversion agency 130 to convert any or all of these credits to a monetary equivalent. Conversion agency 130 withdraws the necessary amount from conversion agency account 144 contained within the account data store 142 of financial institution 140 and transfers it to an account specified by consumer 105. In another example, consumer 105 uses conversion agency 130 to complete a purchase at e-commerce server 120. Again, conversion agency 130 withdraws the necessary amount from conversion agency account 144 contained within the account data store 142 of financial institution 140 and transfers it to the account of e-commerce server 120.

E-commerce server 120 can be any Web site that supports online purchases of goods or services. In one embodiment, e-commerce server 120 can include a distinct payment option for conversion agency 130. This distinct payment option could process the conversion of credits through their Web site. Alternatively, the distinct payment option could launch an application to process the conversion of credit that is separate from their Web site. In another embodiment, associate server 150 can act as e-commerce server 120.

Financial institution server 140 can be any of a variety of entities including, but not limited to, a bank, a credit card company, an investment firm, and the like. In one embodiment, financial institution server 140 can reside in the same country as consumer 105 and/or associate server 150. In another embodiment, financial institution server 140 can reside in a country other than that of consumer 105 and/or associate server 150.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of successive GUIs that illustrate the Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent funds system 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

GUI 210 can be a checkout window from any e-commerce site. GUI 210 includes payment button 215. Payment button 215 can represent a payment option that includes the conversion of non-negotiable credits to purchase the items in the shopping cart. Selection of payment button 215 by a user can produce GUI 220.

GUI 220 can be a display window from a conversion agency. GUI 220 includes display box 222 and button 225. GUI 220 can be rendered by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, a Web browser, a JAVA applet, a PERL script, and the like. In one embodiment, GUI 220 can be contained within the e-commerce site. GUI 220 can display the balance of non-negotiable credits from one or more reward programs. GUI 220 contains a means by which the user selects the type of non-negotiable credits to convert including, but not limited to, a set of radio buttons, a set of checkboxes, a highlighting mechanism, and the like. Display box 222 can display the monetary value of the selected non-negotiable credits. The value displayed in display box 222 can be based on preset conversion factors. Button 225 can represent the initiation of the process by which the selected non-negotiable credits are converted to negotiable funds. Selection of button 225 by a user can produce GUI 230.

GUI 230 can be a display window from a conversion agency. GUI 230 includes yes button 232 and cancel button 233. GUI 230 can be rendered by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, a Web browser, a JAVA applet, a PERL script, and the like. In one embodiment, GUI 230 can be contained within the e-commerce site. GUI 230 can display a summary message of the transaction initiated by GUI 220. GUI 230 can include a means to continue the transaction, yes button 232, and a means to cancel the transaction, cancel button 233. Selection of cancel button 233 by a user cancels the transaction and can return the user to GUI 220. Selection of yes button 232 by a user completes the transaction initiated in GUI 220 and can produce GUI 240.

GUI 240 can be a display window from the same said e-commerce site. GUI 240 can contain a message acknowledging the successful conversion of the user's non-negotiable credits into negotiable funds for the purchase of the items in the shopping cart.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for the Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent funds system in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

Method 300 can begin in step 305, where a consumer logs on to a rewards Web site. In step 310, the rewards Web site utilizes the user information provided in step 305 to access the consumer's account information and display the amount of non-negotiable credits in the consumer's account. The consumer elects to redeem some quantity of non-negotiable credits in step 315. If supported by the rewards Web site, step 320 can occur in which the consumer can select the form of negotiable funds to convert the non-negotiable credits. In step 325, a ratio is determined for the conversion of the non-negotiable credits to the selected type of negotiable funds. This ratio can be determined by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, an algorithm internal to the rewards Web site, an algorithm contained in a system that is remote and/or independent of the rewards Web site, and the like. An electronic commerce transaction is initiated in step 330 to establish the converted amount of negotiable funds in a user account. The quantity of converted non-negotiable credits is subtracted from the user's account in step 335. In step 340, the rewards Web site presents the consumer with an access means for the negotiable funds. Lastly, the consumer terminates the session by logging off the rewards Web site in step 345.

The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present disclosure also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.

This disclosure may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:

a computer serving a set of one or more Web pages for a loyalty program of an entity, wherein the loyalty points are referred to as non-negotiable credits, wherein the Web pages are able to be rendered by one or more client-side browsers, which run on the one or more client-machines, wherein upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers a corresponding user interface for the client-side browser presents a quantity of member earned loyalty points for the loyalty program, wherein the entity redeems the loyalty points via the Web pages in exchange for a restricted set of goods or services provided by the entity to the members as part of the loyalty program, wherein upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface presents a conversion option permitting one of the members to:

a) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of a commerce partner; or

b) convert quantities of the different loyalty points into quantities of the loyalty points, or

c) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points,

wherein the different loyalty points are referred to as entity independent funds and are recorded in a funds account, wherein the different loyalty points are redeemable for commerce partner services that the commerce partner provides to members of the different loyalty program, wherein the commerce partner services are not included in the restricted set of goods or services, wherein the commerce partner services for which the different loyalty points are redeemable comprise:

a) travel services for an airline owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

b) lodging services for a hotel owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

c) travel services for a train owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

d) travel services for a cruise ship owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

e) vehicle rental services for a vehicle owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

f) financial services for a final service company that provides credit cards to a set of members wherein usage of the credit cards with retailers accepting the credit cards earn different loyalty points for the different loyalty program,

g) gaming services or virtual items for a computer implemented game or a platform upon which the computer implemented game runs, wherein the computer implemented game or the platform is owned, operated or managed by the commerce partner, or

h) combinations of one of more of any of the travel services, the lodging services, the vehicle rental services, or the financial services as specified by a) through g),

wherein the different loyalty program of the commerce partner is a hotel, airline, rental car, train, cruise ship, financial service, gaming platform, gaming service, or game-specific loyalty program, wherein the funds account is neither owned nor controlled by the entity or by any subsidiary or parent of the entity, wherein the credits account is neither owned nor controlled by the commerce partner or by any subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, wherein the entity does not:

a) accept the different loyalty points as payment for any of the goods or services of the restricted set; or

b) accept the different loyalty points as payment for any of the goods or services of the restricted set without quantities of the different loyalty points being converted into quantities of loyalty points,

wherein an agreement exists between the entity and the commerce partner, wherein the agreement permits members to:

a) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantifies of the different loyalty points;

b) convert quantities of the different loyalty points into the loyalty points, or

c) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points

the computer responsive to receiving an indication of a member interaction, determining an additional quantity of different loyalty points to be earned responsive the member interaction;

the computer processing the additional quantity to trigger an addition of the additional quantity to the funds account per the loyalty program due to a cross marketing agreement between the entity and the commerce partner, wherein the entity compensates the commerce partner for the additional quantity of the different loyalty points added to the funds account per member involvement in the loyalty program; and

responsive to the processing, the computer serving one or more Web pages or Web page updates that include the effectuated changes to at least one of the one or more client machines, wherein upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface is updated with the effectuated changes, wherein the updated user interface presents the additional quantity of different loyalty points earned by the member interaction or presents an updated total of different loyalty points in the funds account resulting from the additional quantity being added, wherein the computer serves the set of one or more Web pages, receives the indication, processes the additional quantity, and serves the one or more Web pages or Web page updates within a single user-interactive Web session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the Web pages do not permit any of the members to redeem quantities of the different loyalty points for the commerce partner services, wherein redeeming the different loyalty points for the commerce partner services occurs through a set of Web pages not owned or controlled by the entity and not owned or controlled by any subsidiary or parent of the entity.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the computer responsive to receiving a message indicating a selection of the conversion option, processing the selection to effectuate second changes in the served set of Web pages; and

responsive to the processing, the computer serving one or more Web pages or Web page updates that include the effectuated second changes to at least one of the one or more client machines, wherein upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface is updated with the effectuated second changes, wherein the updated user interface presents a changed quantity of the loyalty points possessed by one of the members, said changed quantity resulting at least in part from a conversion performed responsive to the selection of the conversion option, wherein the computer serves the one or more Web pages or Web page updates that include the effectuated second changes within the single user-interactive Web session.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface presenting the conversion option permitting one of the members to convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of the different loyalty points, wherein the agreement permits members of the loyalty program to convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of the different loyalty points, wherein the updated user interface presents a reduced quantity of loyalty points possessed by one of the members, said reduced quantity resulting from quantities of the loyalty points being converting into quantities of the different loyalty points.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein upon being rendered within one of the client-side browsers the user interface presenting the conversion option permitting one of the members to convert quantities of the different loyalty points into quantities of the loyalty points, wherein the agreement permits members of the loyalty program to convert quantities of the different loyalty points into quantities of the loyalty points, wherein the updated user interface presents an increased quantity of loyalty points possessed by one of the members, said increased quantity resulting from quantities of the different loyalty points being converted into quantities of the loyalty points.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

the computer serving a subset of the Web pages, which are able to be rendered in one of the client side browsers, which upon being rendered within one of the client side browsers causes the user interface to present an e-commerce shopping cart to one of the members, wherein the e-commerce shopping cart comprises one or more goods or services of the restricted set, wherein the e-commerce shopping cart includes member placed items pending a purchase by one of the members, wherein at least a portion of the purchase is conducted by one of the members expending a portion of the loyalty points possessed by that member for the purchase, wherein the conversion option is provided on a same Web page that includes the shopping cart, wherein the conversion option permits quantities of the different loyalty program points to be converted into quantities of the loyalty program points, wherein resulting increases in quantities of the loyalty points are for paying for the member placed items in the shopping cart, wherein the changed quantity is presented via a Web page that also concurrently presents a cost of the member placed items, wherein a portion of the changed quantity of loyalty points are applied to the cost of the purchase.

7. A method comprising:

establishing a contract between an entity and a commerce partner permitting members of a loyalty program of the entity to:

a) convert quantities of loyalty points of the loyalty program into quantifies of different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of the commerce partner,

b) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of the different loyalty points, or

c) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points,

wherein per the contract the entity and the commerce partner compensate each other on a per point basis for converting member points, wherein the loyalty points are referred to as non-negotiable credits, wherein the different loyalty points are referred to as entity independent funds, wherein said loyalty points are:

a) possessed by the members as a benefit of membership in the loyalty program,

b) are maintained in a credits account for the loyalty program, and

c) are subject to terms and conditions of the loyalty program,

wherein said different loyalty points are:

a) possessed by the members as a benefit of membership in the different loyalty program,

b) are maintained in a funds account for the different loyalty program, and

c) are subject to terms and conditions of the different loyalty program,

wherein the entity redeems the loyalty points for the members in exchange for a restricted set of goods or services provided by the entity as part of the loyalty program, wherein the different loyalty points are redeemable in exchange for commerce partner services provided by the commerce partner as part of the different loyalty program, wherein the commerce partner services for which the different loyalty points are redeemable comprise:

a) travel services for an airline owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

b) lodging services for a hotel owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

c) travel services for a train owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

d) travel services for a cruise ship owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

e) vehicle rental services for a vehicle owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

h) combinations of one of more of any of the travel services, the lodging services, the vehicle rental services, or the gaming services as specified by a) through g),

wherein the different loyalty program of the commerce partner is a hotel, airline, rental car, train, cruise ship, financial services, gaming platform, gaming service, or game-specific loyalty program loyalty program, wherein the entity does not:

a) accept the different loyalty points as payment for any of the goods or services of the restricted set; or

a computer detecting a set of two or more interactions earning additional different loyalty points to the funds account per the loyalty program due to a cross marketing agreement between the entity and the commerce partner, wherein the entity compensates the commerce partner for the additional quantity of the different loyalty points added to the funds account per member involvement in the loyalty program; and

the computer triggering an addition of the additional quantity to the funds account per the loyalty program;

the computer notifying one of the members that earned the additional different loyalty points of the additional quantity of the different loyalty points added to the funds account due to the interactions and due to membership in the loyalty program,

wherein the funds account changes by the additional quantity as a result of the triggering by the computer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the computer is a computer of the loyalty program.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the computer permits member redemption of the loyalty points in exchange for goods or services of the restricted set, wherein the computer does not permit member redemption of the different loyalty points for the commerce partner services.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the computer is a computer of the different loyalty program.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the computer permits member redemption of the different loyalty points in exchange for the commerce partner services, wherein the computer does not permit member redemption of the loyalty points for the goods or services of the restricted set.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

a computer detecting a set of two or more second interactions earning additional loyalty points for one of the members in accordance the loyalty program, wherein the computer adds the additional loyalty points to the credits account of a member earning the additional loyalty points.

13. The method of claim 7, further wherein the set of two or more interactions earns additional loyalty points for one of the members in accordance the loyalty program, wherein the computer adds the additional loyalty points to the credits account of a member earning the additional loyalty points.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

responsive to an indication of a conversion operation occurrence, the computer changing a quantity of loyalty points in the credits account, a changed quantity from the changing being:

a) a quantity of loyalty points lost by converting quantities of the loyalty points to quantities of the different loyalty points, or

b) a quantity of loyalty points gained by converting quantities of the different loyalty points to quantities of the loyalty points

wherein the funds account changes by a quantity of different loyalty points in an inversely proportional manner to the change of the loyalty points in the credits account as a result of the conversion operation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the indication of the conversion occurrence is a result of a selection of a conversion option presented in a user interface of a client-side browser that renders a set of Web pages served by the computer, wherein before the conversion operation occurrence the user interface presents per-conversion quantity of loyalty points in the credits account, wherein after the conversion operation occurrence the user interface presents a post-conversion quantity of loyalty points in the credits account, said post-conversion quantity reflecting the changed quantity, wherein the user interface presents the pre-conversion quantity and the post-conversion quantity in a single interactive Web session.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

responsive to an indication of a conversion operation occurrence, the computer changing a quantity of different loyalty points in the funds account, a changed quantity from the changing being:

a) a quantity of different loyalty points lost by converting quantities of the different loyalty points to quantities of the loyalty points, or

b) a quantity of different loyalty points gained by converting quantities of the loyalty points to quantities of the different loyalty points,

wherein the credits account changes by a quantity of loyalty points in an inversely proportional manner to the change of the different loyalty points in the funds account as a result of the conversion operation.

17. A system comprising:

one or more processors;

a non-transitory storage medium storing program instructions, wherein the one or processors execute the program instructions to:

detect a set of two or more interactions earning additional different loyalty points to a funds account per a loyalty program due to a cross marketing agreement between an entity and a commerce partner, wherein the entity compensates the commerce partner for the additional quantity of the different loyalty points added to the funds account per member involvement in the loyalty program;

trigger an addition of the additional quantity to the funds account per the loyalty program;

notify one of a set of members that earned the additional different loyalty points of the additional quantity of the different loyalty points added to the funds account due to the interactions and due to membership in the loyalty program, and

redeem the loyalty points for the members in exchange for a restricted set of goods or services provided by the entity as part of the loyalty program, wherein the funds account changes by the additional quantity as a result of the triggering, wherein a contract exists between the entity and the commerce partner permitting members of the loyalty program of the entity to:

a) convert quantities of loyalty points of the loyalty program into quantifies of different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of the commerce partner,

b) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of the different loyalty points, or

c) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points,

a) possessed by the members as a benefit of membership in the loyalty program,

b) are maintained in a credits account for the loyalty program, and

c) are subject to terms and conditions of the loyalty program,

wherein said different loyalty points are:

a) possessed by the members as a benefit of membership in the different loyalty program,

b) are maintained in a funds account for the different loyalty program, and

c) are subject to terms and conditions of the different loyalty program,

wherein the credits account is neither owned nor controlled by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, wherein the funds account is neither owned nor controlled by the entity or by a subsidiary or parent of the entity, wherein the different loyalty points are redeemable in exchange for commerce partner services provided by the commerce partner as part of the different loyalty program, wherein the commerce partner services for which the different loyalty points are redeemable comprise:

a) travel services for an airline owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

b) lodging services for a hotel owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

c) travel services for a train owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

d) travel services for a cruise ship owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

e) vehicle rental services for a vehicle owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

h) combinations of one of more of any of the travel services, the lodging services, the vehicle rental services, or the gaming services as specified by a) through g),

a) accept the different loyalty points as payment for any of the goods or services of the restricted set; or

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the system comprises a set of one or more computers owned or leased by the entity for of the loyalty program.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or processors further execute the program instructions to:

detect a set of two or more second interactions earning additional loyalty points for one of the members in accordance the loyalty program; and

add the additional loyalty points to the credits account of a member earning the additional loyalty points.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or processors further execute the program instructions to:

earns additional loyalty points for one of the members in accordance the loyalty program in response to the two or more interactions; and

add the additional loyalty points to the credits account of a member earning the additional loyalty points.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or processors further execute the program instructions to:

responsive to an indication of a conversion operation occurrence, change a quantity of loyalty points in the credits account, a changed quantity from the changing being:

a) a quantity of loyalty points lost by converting quantities of the loyalty points to quantities of the different loyalty points, or

b) a quantity of loyalty points gained by converting quantities of the different loyalty points to quantities of the loyalty points

22. A method comprising:

during a Web session involving interactions between a member and a Web site of a commerce partner, using user identification information to determine user account information for the member, wherein the member is a member of a loyalty program of an entity, wherein member is a member of a different loyalty program of the commerce partner, wherein the user identification information is used to identify account information for the loyalty program and is used to identity account information of the different loyalty program;

during the Web session, identifying loyalty points stored in a credits account earned from previous interactions with the loyalty program of the entity, wherein the loyalty points are referred to as non-negotiable credits, wherein the loyalty points of the credits account are redeemable for a restricted list of goods or services that are provided by in exchange for the loyalty points per the loyalty program;

during the Web session, converting a quantity of the loyalty points to a quantity of different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of a commerce partner, wherein the converting is performed by the Web site, which is operated by a different legal entity than the entity, wherein the different loyalty points are referred to as entity independent funds and are recorded in a funds account, wherein the different loyalty points are redeemable for commerce partner services that the commerce partner provides to members of the different loyalty program, wherein the commerce partner services are not included in the restricted set of goods or services, wherein the commerce partner services for which the different loyalty points are redeemable comprise:

a) travel services for an airline owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

b) lodging services for a hotel owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

c) travel services for a train owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

d) travel services for a cruise ship owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

e) vehicle rental services for a vehicle owned, operated, or managed by the commerce partner or by a subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner,

f) gaming services or virtual items for a computer implemented game or a platform upon which the computer implemented game runs, wherein the computer implemented game or the platform is owned, operated or managed by the commerce partner,

h) combinations of one of more of any of the travel services, the lodging services, the vehicle rental services, or the gaming services as specified by a) through g),

a) accept the loyalty points as payment for any of the commerce partner services; or

b) accept the loyalty points as payment for any of the commerce partner services without quantities of the loyalty points being converted into quantities of the different loyalty points,

during the Web session, adding the quantity of different loyalty points from the converting to an existing quantity of different loyalty points of the funds account maintained for the member as part of the different loyalty program;

during the Web session, permitting access, to different loyalty points of the funds account;

during the Web session, applying at least a portion of the different loyalty points of the funds account to one or more purchases for commerce partner services, wherein the identifying of loyalty points is performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, wherein the converting is performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, wherein the permitting of access to the quantity of different loyalty points is performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the Web site is an e-commerce Web site for the different loyalty program enabling members to redeem the different loyalty points for commerce partner services.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the commerce partner functions as a conversion agency that converts quantities of loyalty points of the credits account into quantities of different loyalty points of the funds account.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the commerce partner is a vender that provides the commerce partner services to members per terms of the different loyalty program.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the entity compensates the commerce partner for converting quintiles of the loyalty points by providing the commerce partner with cash or credit, wherein the commerce partner uses the cash or credit from the entity to offset costs for providing the member with the commerce partner services.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the entity charges the member a fee in either cash or in quantities of the loyalty points for each conversion of the loyalty points to the different loyalty points.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the commerce partner charges the member a fee in either cash or in quantities of the different loyalty points for each conversion of the loyalty points to the different loyalty points.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the commerce partner agrees to permit transfers or conversions of quantities of loyalty points to different loyalty points in accordance with a fixed credits to funds ratio, wherein the commerce partner receives compensation by agreement from the entity for conversions of loyalty points into different loyalty points.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the loyalty points stored in the credits account were earned for interactions specified under the different loyalty program due to a cross marketing arrangement between the commerce partner and the entity, wherein the commerce partner provides compensation to the entity for the quantities of the loyalty points earns through the interactions specified under the different loyalty program.

31. A method comprising:

a computer for a different loyalty program of a commerce partner establishing a funds account for a member of the different loyalty program, wherein the different loyalty program is an airline loyalty program or a hotel loyalty program, wherein the member of the different loyalty program is provided with a payment artifact, wherein the payment artifact is a credit card or a debit card linked to the different loyalty program;

the computer adding different loyalty points to the funds account in response to the payment artifact being used for purchases of goods or services with venders accepting the payment artifact, wherein the different loyalty points are referred to as entity independent funds, wherein the different loyalty points are frequent flyer miles or hotel reward points, wherein the different loyalty program redeems the different loyalty points for commerce partner services;

wherein an agreement exists between the commerce partner and an entity having a loyalty program with loyalty points that are recorded in a credits account, wherein the loyalty points are referred to as non-negotiable credits, wherein the agreement permits members to:

a) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantifies of the different loyalty points;

b) convert quantities of the different loyalty points into the loyalty points, or

c) convert quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of different loyalty points and to convert quantities of different loyalty points into quantities of loyalty points

wherein the agreement specifies that the entity or the commerce partner are to provide compensation to the other in an agreed upon amount for conversions between the loyalty points and the different loyalty points, wherein the funds account is neither owned nor controlled by the entity or by any subsidiary or parent of the entity, wherein the credits account is neither owned nor controlled by the commerce partner or by any subsidiary or parent of the commerce partner, wherein the entity does not:

a) accept the different loyalty points as payment for any goods or services of a restricted set for which the loyalty points are redeemable; or

wherein the commerce partner does not:

a) accept the loyalty points as payment for any of the commerce partner services; or

b) accept the loyalty points as payment for any of the commerce partner services without quantities of the loyalty points being converted into quantities of different loyalty points,

the computer adding a new quantity of the different loyalty points to the funds account in response to an occurrence of a conversion operation, wherein said conversion operation converts quantities of loyalty points into the new quantity of the different loyalty points, wherein the commerce partner receives compensation from the entity for adding the new quantity of different loyalty points to the funds account and for releasing the entity of financial liability due to the quantities of loyalty points in the credits account being reduced during the conversion operation; and

the computer redeeming quantities of the different loyalty points of the funds account for member selected ones of the commerce partner services.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the computer serves a set of Web pages to the member, wherein the set of Web pages are Web pages of a Web site of the different loyalty program, wherein the Web site permits redemption of quantities of the different loyalty points for the commerce partner services, and wherein the Web site provides a selectable conversion option, wherein the computer initiates the conversion operation in response to the conversion option being selected.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein per terms-of-use of the different loyalty program, the different loyalty points of the funds account have no cash or monetary value, and wherein per terms-of-use of the loyalty program, the loyalty points of the credits account have no cash or monetary value.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein per terms-of-use of the loyalty program, the loyalty points of the credits account have at least one restriction-on-use related to an expiration date, wherein the different loyalty points of the funds account do not have the restriction-on-use related to the expiration date, thus an expiration date of loyalty points is able to be circumvented by converting quantities of the loyalty points into quantities of the different loyalty points.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein per terms-of-use of the different loyalty program, the commerce partner has expressly reserved a right of imposing new expiration conditions on quantities of previously granted different loyalty points of the funds account.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the commerce partner provides quantities of different loyalty points to incentivize the member to utilize the payment artifact for purchases with venders, wherein the commerce partner charges venders that accept the payment artifact in accordance with a ratio of amounts spent for purchases using the payment artifact.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the commerce partner provides quantities of loyalty points added that are added to the credits account to incentivize the member to utilize the payment artifact for purchases with venders, wherein the commerce partner compensates the entity for quantities of loyalty points added to the credits account to incentivize the members.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the agreement or terms-of-use of the different loyalty program permits members to convert the different loyalty points to the loyalty points in accordance with a fixed credits-to-funds conversion ratio.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the commerce partner charges the member a fee for converting the different loyalty points to the loyalty points, wherein the fee is specified in terms-of-use of the different loyalty program, wherein the fee is an amount in cash, credit, or in quantities of different loyalty points.

Resources

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Sources:

United States Patent and Trademark Office - verify current appl. status at the USPTO↗

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