WO2017017487A1

WO2017017487A1 - System and method for loyalty cards management and for promotion of commercial offers

Info

Publication number: WO2017017487A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/001385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristian Andrei SIMINEL
Original assignee: Siminel Cristian Andrei
Priority date: 2015-07-29
Filing date: 2015-08-17
Publication date: 2017-02-02

Abstract

The computing system environment is that of mobile computing devices, merchant computing devices and one or more backend servers. The system can be interconnected with payment terminals and selected card processors to provide an integrated method of payment. The system can be further interconnected with a messaging gateway to enable sending of commercial messages to the customers. The mobile computing device is that of a smartphone or similar, is equipped with a camera- has data connection and support running custom software. By means of an application program installed on the mobile computing device it allows: to store and manage the virtual loyalty cards of the customer, facilitate the use of them anytime when at a specific merchant, display different offers and/or coupons defined by a merchant with the option to store them for later use, and a plurality of other features.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOYALTY CARDS MANAGEMENT AND

FOR PROMOTION OF COMMERCIAL OFFERS

Field of the invention

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the virtual loyalty cards management and promotion of commercial offers of the card issuers (merchants), enabling the customers to get benefits according to a plurality of loyalty programs using either one of the virtual loyalty cards or special coupons.

Background of the in vention

Major changes are nowadays taking place in a fast-paced manner, the status quo being continuously challenged by new scientific and technological revolutions. It's obvious that things are changed now with a higher rate. In a step by step manner the desktop PCs were replaced by laptops and even further by tablets. It is mainstream now to be always connected to the internet, keeping you up to date with the information in the world even while being mobile (including by subway while travelling to the office). The mobile phones are no more simple devices allowing only calls or messages, but complex devices with features empowering its users to perform many of the day to day activities in a fast and easy manner.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system and methods allowing the consumers to be better and always informed about the available products and offers from merchants and to receive discounts by using their mobile phones. The disclosed innovation facilitates a communication environment between merchants and consumers allowing integration of different modern marketing tools.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is embodied in a method and system for virtual loyalty cards management and promotion of commercial offers of the card issuers (merchants), enabling the customers to get benefits according to a plurality of loyalty programs using either one of the virtual loyalty cards or special coupons.

The computing system environment is that of mobile computing devices (for the customers), merchant computing devices (present at any merchant enrolled for such a program) and one or more backend servers. The system can be interconnected with payment terminals and selected card processors to provide an integrated method of payment. The system can be further interconnected with a messaging gateway to enable sending of commercial messages to the customers (for example by SMS or email).

The mobile computing device is that of a smartphone or similar, is equipped with a camera, has data connection and support running custom software. By means of an application program installed on the mobile computing device it allows: to store and manage the virtual loyalty cards of the customer, facilitate the use of them anytime when at a specific merchant, display different offers and/or coupons defined by a merchant with the option to store them for later use, and a plurality of other features which will be discussed in detail later in the document.

The merchant computing devices consist at least of a computing device with access to the Admin Web Interface from the backend server, allowing the merchant to manage its customers, its virtual loyalty cards, its offers and its coupons and to perform a plurality of other actions which will be discussed in detail later in the document. The merchant can be further equipped with a barcode reader, with a contactless reader, preferably based on NFC technology (Near Field Communication) and/or with a display module able to present a QR code or similar.

The backend server holds customers and their associated data, merchants and their associated data, and other administrative data. The server is able to communicate and exchange data with each of mobile computing devices (customers), with each of the computing devices at merchants and with other external entities whenever an interconnection is in place. The server further has the required logic to perform authentication of both customers and merchants whenever is required.

A general scheme of some of the features of the solution is presented in Fig. 1. The main features of the system consist of one or several of the following: a. A sub-system which allows the customer to gather and manage a plurality of virtual loyalty cards issued by a plurality of merchants

b. A sub-system which allows the customer to use the virtual loyalty cards when at a merchant in order to get the benefits as previously defined by that merchant

c. A sub-system which allows the customer to browse, search and save merchant's offers, from a previously defined list of offers by the merchants

d. A sub-system which allows the customer to browse, search, save coupons for later use when at merchants, from a previously defined list of coupons by the merchants

e. A sub-system which allows the customer to define, manage and share a shopping list, with extra features like matching the offers based on the shopping list

f. A sub-system which enables an integrated method of e-payments, either generic utilities invoices or based on QR codes when at an enrolled merchant

g. A sub-system which enables the merchants to send commercial messages to the customers, either as Push Notification, Geo-location messages, e-mails or SMS messages

h. A sub-system which allows the customer to create, store and manage personal information in a secure manner, using encryption

i. A sub-system which allows the merchants to have access to several types of analytics reports

j. A sub-system which allows the customer to define and manage products that he wants with discount, wish product list. The first sub-system (a) comprises:

Allowing a merchant to define and configure a virtual loyalty card to be issued (User interface examples are presented in Figures 4 and 5). Examples of the data to be edited and associated with the card comprises: standard discount, the personalization image, total number of cards that can be issued.

Automatically generating a unique bar code for each of the cards to be issued.

Optionally enabling the merchant to choose the information to be requested from the customers when applying for a virtual loyalty card. Examples of such data includes: First name, Last name, Address, Phone number, Identity number, etc.

Allowing the merchant to include the transfer of existing plastic (physical) loyalty cards, where the case, as a virtual loyalty cards.

Editing of the "Terms & Conditions" as last step in the creation of a virtual loyalty card by the merchant.

Allowing the customer to manage his virtual loyalty cards by means of an application program installed on his mobile computing device.

Further allowing the customer to browse and search through all the virtual loyalty cards existing in the platform as defined by a plurality of merchants. The cards he finds can be either existing as plastic (physical) loyalty cards or also exclusive virtual cards, grouped in categories like: restaurants, beauty & spa, sports, trainings, tourism, auto, etc. Adding a new card, as presented in Figure 2 of one of the embodiments, either as selecting the existing physical one and scanning its bar code, or by requesting a virtual card from the list. Additionally, in case of a physical card, a photo can be taken and associated for later use, as when requested by a merchant.

Creating and managing in a similar way cards based on contactless technology (such as NFC - Near Field Communication) in four steps: 1. User inputs his personal data, 2. Making the request, 3. Receiving the admin answer with an identification code and other communication data, and 4. Saving the identification code in the mobile equipment.

Allowing the cards to be used when at merchants independently from the internet connectivity. The synchronization process being done at convenient moment when data connectivity is available. In one of the embodiments the customer can get a requested card containing the bar code even before a synchronization process, based on a mobile application local algorithm which issues a unique code/barcode (Fig. 38)

Grouping all the cards the customer owns as a special list, under a dedicated menu in the mobile application ("My cards").

The second sub-system (b) comprises:

Allowing a merchant to define and configure its own loyalty program associated with the virtual loyalty card either as "cumulated points" (Fig. 5) or as "collected stamps" (Fig. 6)

Defining specific thresholds for each of the loyalty programs indicating when a customer can get the benefits. Optionally an informative message can be sent to the customer when is getting close to the threshold. Allowing the merchant to define the display template as seen by the customer on his mobile device for both the "cumulated points" (Fig. 7) and "collected stamps" (Fig. 8) loyalty programs.

In a "cumulated points" loyalty program scenario the customer will scan the QR code displayed in merchant location, having the possibility to check the current value of cumulated points and also to view the up-to-date transactions history.

In a "collected stamps" loyalty program scenario the customer will get additional stamps at each new purchase he performs at a specific merchant. In one embodiment of the invention this is achievable in a four steps process: 1. The merchant selects the "collected stamps" loyalty program in his CRM module; 2. The merchant configures the benefits and the required threshold of stamps; 3. The customer adds the related virtual card (associated with such a loyalty program); 4. When at the merchant the customer presents the card to be scanned by the merchant and automatically gets an additional stamp.

Offering the merchant three different methods for applying the benefits:

- QR codes (as detailed above, in the "cumulated points" loyalty program

scenario);

- CRM retail app (Fig. 9) used in scenarios when a merchant doesn't owns an scanner. In this case a dedicated mobile application is used to scan the customer's loyalty card bar code. Additionally, the application offers to the merchant statistics about its customers, transactions history for each client and multiple extra features such as integrated Feedback.

- CRM optical scanner (Fig. 10) used in scenarios when a merchant owns an optical scanner, integrated with the computing device existing in merchant's location. The required operations are accessible in the Administrative Web

Interface.

The third sub-system (c) comprises:

Allowing the merchant to define the offers he will push to the customers. Presenting to the merchant a set of fields to be provisioned with data defining the offer. Such a list could include: the Title, the Subtitle, the Description or a Photo. Optionally the list could further include: the phone number of the merchant, an expiry date and an URL that can be included as a link to the merchant's website. (Fig. 11 & 12)

Allowing the customer to browse, search and save merchant's offers, from the complete list of offers, from all the enrolled merchants.

Offering the customer 2 different categories: "Favorites" where he can find the saved offers and "My Area" where he can find specific offers related to the current location of the user (a location logic is present in the mobile application, based on the GPS module of the mobile equipment), and even more to display the route to the merchant when available and requested.

Allowing extra search features based either on key words or on a dedicated

"voice recognizer" function.

Further allowing the customer to create a virtual loyalty card starting from an offer of that specific merchant. The forth sub-system (d) comprises:

Allowing a merchant to define and configure a plurality of coupons to be issued (User interface examples are presented in Figures 13 to 15. A step by step diagram is presented in Fig. 16). Different types can be available:

- "Discount coupons" (as a percent or as a specific value)

- "Buy & Receive" (receiving a free item when a minimum pack of items is

purchased)

- "Personalized coupons" (per product and/or in a limited period of time)

As a further step, requesting the merchant to input different details of the coupon. Such a list could include: Coupon details, Coupon discount if applicable, Discount Currency if applicable, the minimum number of pack items where applicable, Number of coupons to be issued, Frequency of activation, Validity period, Monitoring option. In case of number of coupons it is to be mentioned that a special method is applied, that of associating a serial number only after the customer activates the coupon in its mobile application. Also the coupons can be activated by the customer only when it is present in merchant's location. Coupon activation trigger has 3 types independently to be selected by merchant from platform at setup:

1) GPS- automatically activation

2) Beacons-automatically activation but requires beacon devices.

3) QR-Code-in this scenario, coupon activation is manual done from user device because user has to scan a unique QR-code from merchant location.

Allowing the customer to browse, search, save and use merchant's offers, from the complete list of coupons, from all the enrolled merchants. (User interface examples are presented in Figures 17 to 18. A step by step diagram is presented in Fig. 19)

Presenting different details of the coupons to the customer, such as its validity period or the current status of the coupon. An example list of available statuses includes:

- Activated (the coupon was activated and can be used in merchant's location)

- Expired (validity period has passed)

- Out of stock (the maximum number of coupons was already issued) The fifth sub-system (e) comprises:

Allowing the customer to define and manage a shopping list by the means of the application program installed on the mobile computing device (a user interface example is presented in Fig. 20 and a step by step use case diagram is presented in Fig. 21)

Allowing the customer to add shopping items in the list in a one by one manner or by voice and further allowing to mark individually an item when the specific shopping was done or to delete any of the items. Suggestive color codes can be applied in relation with each of the actions.

Further allowing the customer to reset or delete the shopping list, wherein the reset operation perform an unmarking all items in the list while deleting means removing the list including all the items contained. Again, color codes can be applied in relation with each of the actions.

Synchronizing the shopping list with the backend server automatically when an internet connectivity is available.

Enabling the customer to share his shopping list to another person either via SMS or via email.

Another feature available to the customer is related to matching and displaying contextual offers and coupons. Such matching scenarios includes displaying the offers which matches the most items in the shopping list, further indicating the merchant location closest to current location of the customer. Special rules are further applied when deciding the merchant either based on distance logic or the number of items in the shopping list versus the items in the merchant's offer.

The sixth sub-system (f) comprises:

Enabling the customer to perform the payment of his generic utilities invoices list by the means of the application program installed on the mobile computing device (User interface examples are presented in Figures 22 to 25). As a first step the customer has the option either to scan the bar codes if existing on the invoice or to manually input the required fields (such as: client code, invoice number, amount invoiced, etc.). In a further step the customer is instructed to input the payment card details as to perform the payment.

Enabling the customer to use his mobile device to perform payments when at the merchants enrolled in virtual loyalty cards solution. As a prerequisite the merchant is displaying in his location a QR code, containing a merchant location id. In a first step the customer is required to scan this QR code using his mobile application and using the E -payments/Pay items. The payment will be performed using a previously configured prepay account.

Offering the customer a history of transactions for both utilities and merchant items. Such a transaction includes: date of transaction, merchant name & location, transaction type (utility invoice or merchant items) and paid amount.

The payment process for both scenarios is schematically illustrated as a step by step diagram in Figure 26. The seventh sub-system (g) comprises:

Enabling the merchant to create, manage and send commercial messages based on Push Notification (user interface examples are presented in Figures 39 to 41). These notifications are send directly to user's phone with text and link to an offer or coupon. The merchant has different options in the platform in order to choose type of notification (such as but not limited to General, Offer or Coupons) or/and he can target users using card fields as a filter. This filter can be customized by the merchant, (examples includes Location, Sex, Name, Age, etc.).

Enabling the merchant to create, manage and send commercial automatically messages based on Geo-Location (Geo-fencing). It allows merchant to define boundaries with GPS or Beacons, that triggers different messages to users that enter in that area. These messages can be different for every location configured by the merchant. There are at least 3 types of triggers for locations that can be configured by the merchant: GPS, Beacon or both of them with different messages. For GPS, the required input can be either latitude and longitude, or writing the address and localize by the map below in platform. Beacons are more accurate than GPS but can require an additional cost for merchant if they have not already. If merchant wants to use GPS tool to target outdoor users and Beacon tools for indoor messages (speaking shelves) he can select both of them.

Enabling the merchants to create, manage and send commercial messages based on emails, using a predefined newsletter template, (a user interface example as seen by the merchant is presented in Fig. 27). The messages could include information like the current offers, further inviting the customers to use loyalty programs or to order specific products and/or services, (an user interface example as seen by the customer is presented in Fig. 28)

Enabling the merchants to create, manage and send commercial messages as SMS messages (User interface examples are presented in Figures 29 to 32. A step by step diagram is presented in Fig. 33). As a first step it is required to manually create or to import a list of contacts containing the targeted mobile phone numbers. In a further step the SMS text is composed and then the campaign is to be configured, indicating date and time intervals. Optionally a test is available before performing the campaign.

The eighth sub-system (h) comprises:

Allowing the customer to securely store personal data by means of an application program installed on the mobile computing device, in a dedicated menu such as "Safe area", (a step by step diagram is presented in Fig. 34). The customer can access this area based on a password and the information is stored encrypted. The examples of such personal data includes: Identity card (with the option to add the image of it), Driving license (with the option to add the image of it), Business cards (with included scanning features) or Company details.

The ninth sub-system (i) comprises:

Allowing the merchants to have access to several types of analytics reports. The merchant can choose to see number of cards, user visits, insights about user behavior, offers clicks and more. Additionally, different date and time filters can be further applied such as: Today, Last 7 days, Last 14 days, Last 28 days, this month or may choose to select a time interval, with calendar (a user interface example as seen by the merchant is presented in Fig. 42). A graph can be generated according to the interval requested.

The last sub-system (j) comprises:

Allowing the customer to define and manage products that he wants with discount, wish product list.

Allowing the customer to access application's wishlist section and to add the products for which he want discounts. In a further step he can set up alarm notification to announce him when there are offer/coupon matching with his wishlist. Allowing the merchant, by using his account of the administrative platform, to have access to this additional wishlist option. The wishlist option can be activated by the platform administrator.

Allowing the merchant to setup offers or coupons by selecting products or categories that correspond to customer wishlists. Further allowing the merchant to view the products / categories based on the number of requests made by all registered customers (loading washing Ex Washing machine front load (5467), Washing machine top load (4576)). Based on the selection made by the merchant, customers will see in the wishlist section of the mobile application, these offers or coupons. Additionally, the customers can be announced by a mobile notification when an offer / coupon fits their wish list.

The wishlist logic is based on querying the database and comparing inputs from customers and merchant depending on the application and system data collected, (a step by step diagram is presented in Fig. 43)

In one embodiment of the invention there is also provided a dedicated module to enable the merchant define and manage its own profile (a user interface example is presented in Fig. 35). Details such as activity area or logo image are open to be defined. The logo image can be further used for the virtual loyalty cards.

In another embodiment of the invention there is also provided a dedicated module to enable the merchant to view his customers and validate certain actions (a user interface example is presented in Fig. 36). Further statistics are also available, including graphical representations, allowing the merchant to analyze the number of virtual loyalty cards requested by customers or how the number of clicks per offers.

In another embodiment of the invention several maintenance features are offered to the customer. Among them a Feedback module allowing the customer to make suggestions or to indicate problems he encounters, messages that can reach both the platform administrator and the targeted merchant (an user interface example is presented in Fig. 37). Also a Tutorial module can be present, providing guidance in using the solution or also a Settings module to fine-tune the mobile application behavior (such as activating or deactivating notifications from the merchants).

Description of the drawings

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates some components of the system and the features of one embodiment of the invention

Fig. 2 to 4 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to virtual loyalty cards management

Fig. 5 to 10 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to the use of virtual loyalty cards in specific loyalty programs scenarios

Fig. 11 to 12 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to creating and managing of merchant offers

Fig. 13 to 15 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to creating and managing of merchant coupons

Fig. 16 schematically illustrates the process of managing a merchant coupon in step by step diagram

Fig. 17 to 18 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to using coupons by a customer

Fig. 19 schematically illustrates the process of using a coupon by a customer in step by step diagram

Fig. 20 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention related to using the shopping list feature

Fig. 21 schematically illustrates the step by step process of using a shopping list by the customer using the mobile application Fig. 22 to 25 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to performing the integrated method of e- payments for generic utilities invoices

Fig. 26 schematically illustrates the process of performing an integrated method of e- payments in step by step diagram

Fig. 27 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention related to creating and managing email notifications

Fig. 28 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention related to accessing email based notifications in the mobile application

Fig. 29 to 32 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to creating and managing SMS based notifications

Fig. 33 schematically illustrates the process of creating and managing SMS based notifications in step by step diagram

Fig. 34 schematically illustrates the process of creating, storing and managing secure personal data in step by step diagram

Fig. 35 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention related to merchant profile management

Fig. 36 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention related to managing the customers of a merchant

Fig. 37 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention enabling the customer to send his feedback

Fig. 38 schematically illustrates the process of offline issuing of a unique code/barcode in step by step diagram Fig. 39 to 41 illustrates various examples of user interface views based on selected embodiments of the invention related to creating and managing notifications

Fig. 42 illustrates an example of the user interface based on a selected embodiment of the invention related to analytics, wherein a filter was applied for graphics with cards issued per day

Fig. 43 schematically illustrates the wishlist logic in step by step diagram

Detailed Description

In this section the preferred embodiment for virtual loyalty cards management and promotion of commercial offers of the card issuers (merchants) will be described. Different sub-systems of the present disclosure will be described in a step by step approach where such schematically represented diagrams are attached. In most cases, the steps on such processes may be carried out in a variety of different sequences and orders, while still failing within the scope of the present inventions.

In a preferred embodiment, the system is composed out of mobile computing devices for the customers, merchant computing devices (present at any merchant enrolled for such a program) and one or more backend servers. The system can be interconnected with payment terminals and selected card processors to provide an integrated method of payment. The system can be further interconnected with a messaging gateway to enable sending of commercial messages to the customers (for example by SMS or email). Figure 1 displays such components of the system and an example of associated functionalities.

The Customer will be able to use the system by means of the pre-existing mobile computer software (140), which needs to be installed on his mobile computing device. In an exemplary embodiment the Customer has access to an application home environment (141) with further access to a plurality of features enabled by the system. Examples of such features includes loyalty cards management (142), shopping list (146), coupons (151), offers (155) or notifications (162) which will be described later in the document together with the sub-systems enabling these functionalities and the associated methods where the case. Among the other options that the Customer can access include an entry for configuring the application (161), an option to provide feedback (163), to better understand the application (164) or contact the system administrator (165). Although not shown in Figure 1, it will be understood that in an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure the menu entries could be with different naming, in different order or including new entries such those related to other functionalities of the system such as wishlist or secure wallet.

The Merchant will be able to administrate its account in the system by means of the merchant admin platform (100) provided by the backend server, which in a preferred embodiment can be presented to the Merchant user as a web user interface. In an exemplary embodiment the Merchant has access to a plurality of e-loyalty tools (110) and e-marketing tools (120). Each of those will be in detail described later in the document together with the sub-systems enabling these functionalities and the associated methods where the case. Examples of e-loyalty tools available for the Merchant includes the ability to define, issue and manage loyalty cards (112), to define and manage loyalty programs such as based on QR codes or points (114), to define and manage geo-location push notifications such as based on geo-fencing (116) or to define and manage offers and coupons (118). Examples of e-marketing tools available for the Merchant includes the ability to define and manage push notification messages (122), newsletters (124), SMS messages (126) or analytics and metrics (128).

In one embodiment of the present invention the merchant is allowed to define and configure a plurality of virtual loyalty cards ready to be issued by different means, such as: generating a unique bar code for each of the virtual cards to be issued, or allowing the transfer of existing plastic (physical) loyalty cards as a virtual loyalty cards, or allowing to personalize loyalty cards based on contactless technology (such as NFC - Near Field Communication). Using his mobile computing device, the Customer can browse for, request and further manage such virtual loyalty cards, previously defined by the Merchants. Additionally, the Customer can import the physical loyalty cards he already has by the means of scanning them.

In one embodiment of the system a method for the Customer to add virtual loyalty cards is schematically described in Figure 38. According to an aspect of the present disclosure there are a number of possibilities to define a new loyalty card, including: virtual cards issued (810), transfer of plastic/physical cards (850) or NFC cards virtual issued (860). It will be understood that Customers can transfer their existing plastic/physical cards either by scanning each card (852) using the mobile computing device (when equipped with a camera) or by manually inputting each code (854). It will be further understood the possibilities (852) and (854) can be simultaneously used whenever required. When requesting for a NFC card virtual issued (860) the user will be required in a step (862) to provide input information as configured and requested by the Merchant such as but not limited to First name, Last name, Address, Phone number, Identity number, etc. In a next step a request will be sent to the backend server (864) and further code validation and encryption will be performed (866). As a final step the virtual card will be displayed for the Customer (868) by the means of mobile computer software (140). When requesting for a virtual card issued (810), the system allows this to be performed either with pre-approval (822) when in on-line mode (when there is a data network connection between the mobile device of the Customer and the backend server) or instant (812) when in offline mode. In both cases the Customer has to provide input information (814 / 824) as configured and requested by the Merchant such as but not limited to First name, Last name, Address, Phone number, Identity number, etc. When in off-line mode a further step would be to create a unique code by an innovative method as part of the present disclosure, using a local algorithm (816). As a final step the virtual card will be displayed for the Customer (818) by the means of mobile computer software (140). When in on-line mode, following the input information (824) the backend will receive the request form from the Customer and will send it to merchant (826) by means of communication technologies such as by email. When accepted by the Merchant the card will be activated (832), then the server will be notified (834) and finally the card will be displayed for the Customer (836). When declined by the Merchant (842) server will be notified accordingly (844) and finally a delete form will be issued (846).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the merchant is allowed to define and configure a plurality of coupons to be issued by using the merchant admin platform (100). Examples of a user interface implemented as a web application are presented in Figures 13 to 15. A step by step diagram is presented in Fig. 16. When the Merchant goes for adding a coupon (210) in an exemplary first step he will have to select the type of the coupon (220). There can be different types such as but not limited to discount coupons (as a percent or as a specific value), or receiving a free item when a minimum pack of items is purchased (for example 4 +1 free), or special offers either per product or in a limited period of time, or even both. In a further step (222), the Merchant is requested to input different details of the coupon. Such a list could include: coupon description, benefits where applicable, the minimum number of pack items where applicable, number of coupons to be issued, validity period or supervising option. A further step (224) comprises the option of selecting the supplication display type. In this exemplary description a final step would be the configuration of the activation trigger type (226). It includes possibilities for GPS automatically activation, Beacons activation (requiring beacon devices) or QR-codes (in this scenario, coupon activation is manual done from user device because user has to scan a unique QR-code from merchant location). Other functionalities that could be available for the Merchant are represented by deleting a coupon (230), editing a coupon (240) or the application display type (242).

Still referring to the sub-system allowing the integration of coupons further details will be presented related to the Customer. He is allowed to browse, search, save and use Merchant's offers, from the complete list of coupons, from eventually all the enrolled merchants. User interface examples are presented in Figures 17 to 18, a step by step diagram is presented in Figure 19. When the Customer goes for adding a coupon (310) in an exemplary first step he will have to select the type of the coupon (220). Using an activated coupon (312), or getting one from a saved coupon (314), he can further display the coupon barcode at the Merchant retail shop (316). The mobile application of the Customer further presents the different statuses a coupon can be, such as: out of stock (320), expired (322), activated (324) or saved (326). In one of the embodiments of the present disclosure the coupons in either (320), (322) or (324) can be selected for deletion (330). A saved coupon (326) can be activated when requested by a Customer (334) and with an activated coupon (either 324 or 334) the Customer can use it to display the barcode at the Merchant retail shop.

In one embodiment of the present invention the Customer is allowed to define and manage a shopping list by the means of the application program (140) installed on the mobile computing device. A user interface example is presented in Figure 20 and a step by step use case diagram is presented in Figure 21. In an exemplary description, the method for using the shopping list by the Customer starts (400) by adding products (410) either by manual text input or by voice (418). While maintaining the list the Customer can delete (416) one or a selection of the products in the list. Additionally, the Customer can check (412) the products in the list, for example when bought, or can uncheck (414) them. Having a shopping list (420) the Customer is enabled to view contextual offers/coupons by retailer (422) or by distance (424). The Customer is further enabled to delete the shopping list (426) or to share it (428) by means of different communication technologies such as by mail or SMS. When required such functionalities implies further sync/call with the backend server (440).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the Customer is enabled to perform the payment of his generic utilities invoices list by the means of the application program (140) installed on the mobile computing device. User interface examples are presented in Figures 22 to 25, while a process for the payment method is schematically illustrated as a step by step diagram in Figure 26. In an exemplary embodiment the payment method includes options for performing payment for either generic invoices (510) like generic utilities invoices or when at the Merchants retail shops (530). When going for paying a generic invoice the Customer has either the option to can the bar codes (514) if existing on the invoice or to manually input (512) the required fields such as: client code, invoice number, amount invoiced, etc. In a further step (520) the customer is instructed to input the payment card details as to perform the payment (522). If going for paying when at the Merchants retail shops (530) the Customer is required to scan a QR code (532) using his mobile application (140). The payment can be performed by using a previously configured prepay account but going first through a validation process (534) which could include the transaction value check.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention the Merchant is enabled to create, manage and send commercial messages based on Push Notification (user interface examples are presented in Figures 39 to 41). These notifications are send directly to user's phone with text and link to an offer or coupon. The merchant has different options in the platform in order to choose type of notification (such as but not limited to General, Offer or Coupons) or/and he can target users using card fields as a filter. This filter can be customized by the merchant, (examples includes Location, Sex, Name, Age, etc.) In one of the exemplary embodiments the technology used to send commercial messages is SMS. Several user interface examples are presented in Figures 29 to 32 while a step by step diagram is presented in Figure 33. In such an embodiment, when preparing a SMS campaign an initial step is to check the SMS credits available (610). If validated a further step would be either to manually create or to import a list of contacts (622) containing the targeted mobile phone numbers. In a further step the SMS text is composed and then the campaign is to be configured (624), indicating for example date and time intervals. Optionally a delivery test (630) is available before performing the campaign (634).

According to one of the embodiments of the present invention the Customer is enabled to securely store personal data by means of an application program (140) installed on the mobile computing device, in a dedicated menu such as "Safe area". An exemplary step by step embodiment of the method is presented in Figure 34. The Customer can access this area based on a password (710) and the information is stored encrypted. The examples of such personal data includes identity card (712), passport (714) or driving license (715) with the option to take (730) and store (732) a photo of it. Another examples of such personal data to be stored include business cards (716) with included scanning features (740) or company details (718).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the Customer is enabled to define and manage products that he wants with discount in a wishlist. An exemplary step by step embodiment of the method is presented in Figure 43. In a first step the Customer is expected to input the products he wants with discount in his wishlist (930). In a further step the matching offers/coupons are displayed (934). This is possible due to the wishlist logic part of the present disclosure which is based on querying the database and comparing inputs from customers and merchant depending on the application and system data collected (932). When not matches are present then the list will be marked as pending for Merchant's input (936). In this exemplary embodiment of the method the Merchants are allowed to setup offers or coupons (910) by displaying first the Customer whishlist's tags (912) and then further by selecting the corresponding tags categories (914). Finally, the selection will be open to be submitted (916).

While the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is

1. A system to allow merchants to issue loyalty cards and customers to manage their selection of loyalty cards and enabling promotion of commercial offers of the card issuers (merchants), the system comprising:

a. A sub-system which allows a customer to gather and manage a plurality of virtual loyalty cards issued by a plurality of merchants;

b. A sub-system which allows the customer to use the virtual loyalty cards when at a merchant in order to get the benefits as previously defined by that merchant;

c. A sub-system which allows the customer to browse, search and save merchant's offers, from a previously defined list of offers by the merchants;

d. A sub-system which allows the customer to browse, search, save coupons for later use when at merchants, from a previously defined list of coupons by the merchants.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a sub-system which allows the customer to define, manage and share a shopping list, with extra features like matching the offers based on the shopping list.

3. A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a sub-system which enables an integrated method of e-payments, either generic invoices or based on QR codes when at an enrolled merchant.

4. A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a sub-system which enables the merchants to send commercial messages to the customers, either as push notification, geo-location messages, e-mails or SMS messages.

5. A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a sub-system which allows the customer to create, store and manage personal information in a secure manner, using encryption.

6. A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a sub-system which allows the merchants to have access to several types of analytics reports.

7. A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a sub-system which the customer to define and manage products that he wants with discount, grouped in a wish list.