Claims:[0052] Claims
We claim:
1. A method of enabling consumers to redeem loyalty points instantly to purchase goods or services for free or at a discount from any merchant establishment and paying the merchants instantly to fund the redemption, the method comprises the steps of:
a. generating the reward points voucher consisting of a QR code along with
at least 10 digit alphanumeric code uniquely linked to a consumer loyalty account (301);
b. specifying the number of points to redeem by a consumer (302);
c. debiting an exact value of reward points to the consumer loyalty account and assigning an expiry date to the generated reward points (303);
d. transmitting the QR code of the generated reward points voucher via push notification to mobile device of the consumer and transmitting the QR code to the consumer on his or her registered email-id along with the reward point’s voucher details by a central server (304);
e. displaying the QR code of the generated reward points voucher to a merchant outlet by the consumer during the transaction to obtain a discount (305);
f. scanning the QR code of the reward points voucher by the merchant outlet representative using a merchant application (306);
g. authenticating the QR code of the generated reward points voucher by the merchant outlet representative at the central server (307);
h. displaying the message on the screen of the consumer mobile device if the authentication is successful and providing the discount to the consumer by deducting an amount equivalent to the number of reward points and marking the corresponding QR code as used (308);
i. displaying the message on the screen of the merchant mobile device as the “QR code is expired” or the “QR code is already used” for the corresponding reward points voucher and marking the QR code as already used or expired if the authentication fails (309);
j. sending a request along with the account number details or Mobile Money Identification number (MMID) details for payment to the merchant master through a issuer bank by the central server (310);
k. initiating a request to pay the amount to an acquirer bank by the issuer bank (311);
l. issuing a transaction number, which is bounced back to the issuer bank along with the confirmation of the transfer by the acquirer bank after successful credit (312); and
m. informing the consumer that the merchant outlet representative has been successfully paid and also informing the merchant master about the amount credited by the loyalty program system and the issuer bank if response is received (313).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein generating the reward points voucher further comprises requesting the consumer for the number of reward points the consumer wishes to redeem.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the QR code of the generated reward points voucher comprises of details like voucher amount, expiry date, vendor name and location.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the consumer has to use the reward points voucher before the expiry date failing which the QR code corresponding to the reward points voucher are marked as expired.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the authentication process for the QR code corresponding to the reward points voucher comprises of checking whether the QR code was unused or expired.
, Description:[001] PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
[002] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
[003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[004] The present invention relates to a method of rewarding a consumer through mobile commerce.
[005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[006] Loyalty programs are structured marketing efforts implemented by companies to recognize and reward their customers and thereby encourage a loyal buying behavior, which is beneficial to the companies, amongst their customers. The loyalty programs reward consumers in terms of loyalty points for performing the desired transactions. While shopping, consumers can use those loyalty points to obtain a discount in the total bill by redeeming the points through the loyalty program.

[007] The existing loyalty programs active in the industry are run in association with major national banks and several other retail merchant partners. Such programs are designed to encourage customer retention and use of debit cards, credit cards, mobile banking, internet banking, equated monthly installments (EMI), loans and several other diverse channels for all kinds of financial transactions. The banks along with the retail merchant partners provide reward points corresponding to eligible transactions, which get accrued in the consumer’s loyalty account. The accrued reward points can be redeemed to purchase various items like mobile/DTH (Direct to Home) recharge, air tickets, bus tickets, merchandise etc. More redemption options are continuously added to keep the consumers hooked to the program and increase their affinity of transacting with the bank as well as the retailer.

[008] The United States application US20140100931A1 titled “Systems and methods for facilitating bill payment functionality in mobile commerce” discloses that the merchant location may include a code such as a QR (Quick Response) code, bar code, or other machine readable code, wherein consumers can utilize a respective consumer or mobile device to scan or read the code to obtain information associated with a merchant such as a merchant loyalty/rewards program. However, the invention is silent with respect to the use of the QR code. If the consumer scans the QR code at the merchant location, the consumer may use the same QR code with multiple merchants to obtain the discount fraudulently.

[009] The United States application US8626593B2 titled “Apparatus and method for collecting and manipulating transaction data” discloses an apparatus for transactions along with loyalty rewards program. The loyalty terminal could present a QR code to the customer within a display region of the loyalty terminal. Using the mobile device, the customer scans the QR code to obtain the offer. However, the invention is silent with respect to the use of the QR code. If the consumer scans the QR code at the merchant location, the consumer may use the same QR code with multiple merchants to obtain the discount fraudulently.

[0010] The drawbacks of the above inventions are that the consumers may misuse or may perform fraudulent activities to obtain the discount from the merchant by using the same QR code.

[0011] Hence, there is a need for an efficient, user friendly, secure and safe way of rewarding the consumer in mobile commerce.
[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed towards enabling consumers to redeem their loyalty points instantly at any merchant establishment to purchase goods or services for a discount, depending on the number of loyalty points available in the consumers’ loyalty account. The invention also ensures that the amount of discount offered by the merchant against the loyalty points is refunded instantly to the merchant in his/her bank account. The method comprises the step of choosing the customer’s loyalty points to make payment at a merchant outlet for a specified amount and generates a reward point voucher for the same amount on his/her mobile device through a mobile application using the loyalty points from his/her account. The voucher consists of a QR code along with a 10 digit alphanumeric code which is uniquely linked to the consumer loyalty account. The exact same value of reward points are debited from the consumer loyalty account and an expiry date is assigned to the generated voucher. The QR code and the alphanumeric code are sent via push notification on the screen of the consumer’s mobile device or mailed to the consumer on his/her registered email-id along with the reward point details by a central server. The consumer displays the QR code of the reward points to the merchant outlet representative, who uses the merchant mobile application to authenticate the QR code or the alphanumeric code of the reward point voucher using the central server to grant the discount to the consumer.
[0014] In the preferred embodiment, if the authentication is successful, a success message is displayed on the screens of the consumer and merchant mobile devices and the discount is assigned to the consumer by deducting an amount equivalent to the number of reward points from the total bill of the consumer during the transaction and the corresponding QR code and alphanumeric code are marked as used. If the authentication is un-successful, then a failure message is displayed on the screens of the consumer and merchant mobile devices.
[0015] Using the reward point voucher generated during the transaction according to the preferred embodiment, the merchant outlet representative instantly receives payment for the discount offered to the consumer from the company managing the loyalty rewards program using a transparent payment system (IMPS–Immediate Payment Service) in his/her designated bank account.
[0016] The advantage of the present invention is that it prevents the misuse of reward points QR code and also prevents the user against fraudulent activities like using an expired QR code, using the same QR code for multiple transactions to obtain the discount, or using the false or fake QR codes, etc. Another advantage of the present invention is that it uses mobile applications, which are secure. The portable electronic devices used by both, the consumer and the merchant provide a compact, user friendly environment compatible with various mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows and J2ME, etc.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention along with accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment comprising key players of the preferred invention.
[0020] FIG 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of registration and on-boarding by the merchant master with his or her details using the merchant application with the loyalty rewards system.
[0021] FIG 3 illustrates a flowchart describing a method to reward the consumer using reward points QR code.
[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, of which were shown in figures. Each figure is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0024] The term “Consumer” means a person who is the final user of products or services, such as “customer” or “client” or “user” or “purchaser” or “buyer” or “shopper” or “payer”.
[0025] The term “Reward Points” means an incentive program where a percentage of the amount spent is paid back to the consumer.
[0026] The term “Merchant Outlet Representative” means “Shopkeeper” or “Merchant” or “Retailer” or “Trader” or “Sales person” or “Sales representative” or “Seller” or “Store keeper”.
[0027] The term “QR code” means “Quick Response code” used to identify the 10 digit alphanumeric code that is uniquely linked to a consumer of this specific reward program.
[0028] The present invention is directed to a method of enabling consumers to redeem their loyalty reward points instantly at any merchant establishment to purchase goods or services for a discount The invention also ensures that the amount of discount offered by the merchant against the loyalty points is refunded instantly to the merchant in his/her bank account. This new redemption option has been envisioned, which can be generic to all kinds of retailers. Under this redemption option called ‘Generate M-points voucher’, the consumer can redeem his accumulated reward points instantly via a mobile application, which is feasible with different mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows and J2ME, etc.
[0029] The reward points voucher once generated by the consumer can be validated by any registered merchant via a merchant specific mobile application. The purpose of introducing this redemption option is to create a new and generic pseudo currency that is simple to create and is accepted by all the retailers who have been on-boarded with the loyalty program system. Any merchant store/outlet, who accepts reward points during a transaction from the consumer, instantly receives the payment for the discounts offered to the consumer from the company managing the loyalty rewards program.
[0030] The mobile device used in the preferred embodiment of the invention may be any of the portable device, laptop, handheld device, palmtop, tablet, cellular phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable data assistant, personal electronic device (PED), portable electronic device, personal computing device (PCD), portable computing device and any of the similar wireless devices.
[0031] FIG 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment comprising the key players of the present invention. The key players are a consumer (101), a merchant master (102), a merchant outlet representative (103), a central server (104), and a bank (105).
[0032] The transaction or communication between the consumer (101), the merchant master (102), the merchant outlet representative (103), the central server (104) and the bank (105) of the preferred embodiment is carried out using any of the wireless network such as Wide Area Network (WAN), Wireless Fidelity (WI-FI), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Intranet, Internet, Cellular, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) or other network.
[0033] The merchant master (102) having multiple outlets or stores, views the list of all merchant outlet representatives (103). The merchant master (102) has the right to remove any of the merchant stores from the list of the entire merchant stores that have been authenticated. Adding and removing the merchant store are the discretionary powers of the merchant master (102).
[0034] According to the preferred embodiment, the merchant master (102) has the right to create the new login credentials for the stores under its domain. A merchant outlet representative (103) can log on to the application using the login credentials generated by the merchant master (102) and start using the application. The payment for reward points used by consumers for making payments at the store locations (owned by merchant master (102)) is credited into the account of the merchant master (102) provided at the time of registration and the merchant outlet representative (103) has restricted rights to the application limited to scanning the reward point voucher and getting paid against the reward points.
[0035] The central server (104) of the present invention stores a computer executable program, which is used to authenticate or check the QR code of the reward points voucher whether it is valid or expired during the redemption request. On successful authentication, the central server (104) sends a push notification on the screen of the mobile device of the consumer (101) as well as an email to the registered email ID of the consumer (101), acknowledging the successful use of the reward points voucher. Subsequently, the central server (104) records the discount provided to the consumer (101) once the QR code gets authenticated and the information stored is used for analytical purposes. The central server (104) also processes the payment that is to be made to the merchant outlet representative (103) through the bank (105) for the discount that has been awarded to the consumer (101) for redeeming the reward points.
[0036] The bank (105) of the preferred embodiment acts as an intermediary between the consumer (101) and the merchant outlet representative (103) where the bank (105) credits the amount to the merchant account equal to the number of points redeemed by the consumer (101). As soon as the bank (105) receives the redemption request with valid details, then the bank (105) immediately credits the amount equivalent to the number of reward points into the merchant account and the same amount is also debited from the account of the company managing the loyalty rewards program. The bank (105) issues a transaction number for the amount credited into the merchant’s account according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of registration and on-boarding by the merchant master (102) with his or her details using the merchant application with the system of the loyalty rewards program. The merchant master (102) downloads the merchant mobile application in order to register and get on-board this program. If the merchant master (102) chooses to register, the merchant master (102) has to provide the details such as name, corporate name, mobile number, email id, telephone number, corporate address, choice of payment (either [Mobile Money Identification Number (MMID) + mobile no] or [account no. + Indian Financial System Code (IFSC)]), MMID [If applicable], mobile no (registered for payment) [if applicable], account number [if applicable] and IFSC Code [if applicable] during the merchant master (102) registration.
[0038] According to the present invention, after entering the details as mentioned above, the merchant master (102) submits the registration form to the central server (104). On successful submission of registration form, the details are received at the central server (104). The merchant master (102) is verified by a predefined process adopted by the loyalty rewards program system and after successful verification, the merchant master (102) is sent a link on his email, which allows the merchant master (102) to provide the username and password for the new account.
[0039] FIG 3 illustrates a flowchart describing a method of enabling consumers to redeem loyalty points instantly and purchase any goods or services for free.. According to the embodiment of the present invention, a registered consumer has the freedom to accrue reward points under a consumer loyalty account corresponding to all the transactions made by the consumer that are eligible for earning loyalty points as per the rules of the loyalty program. The points accrued in the consumer account are funded by the bank and partner merchants. Therefore, after accumulation of points, the consumer has an option to redeem the points through any of the redemption channels. If the consumer chooses to redeem the loyalty points accumulated in his/her loyalty account using the present invention, the consumer will first be asked the amount for which the reward points voucher is to be generated. On the consumer submitting the desired amount, a reward point voucher will be generated by the loyalty program system and a number of points having a value equal to the amount entered will be debited from the consumer’s loyalty account.
[0040] For example, if the consumer wishes to generate reward points corresponding to INR 100, his account will be debited with the number of reward points equivalent to INR 100. The valuation of INR 1 in terms of reward points is jointly decided by loyalty rewards and the corresponding bank. For the purpose of simplicity, we state that 1 reward point is equivalent to INR 0.25.
[0041] The method (300) starts with step (301) of accessing the account and choosing of the option ‘Generate reward points voucher’ by the consumer. The voucher generated consists of a QR code along with at least a 10 digit alphanumeric code, and both of these are uniquely linked to the loyalty account of the consumer of the specific reward program. At step (302), the consumer will be asked the amount for which the consumer wishes to generate a reward point voucher. At step (303), an exact same value of reward points are debited from the consumer’s loyalty account and also an expiry date is assigned to the generated reward points voucher once the QR code for the reward points is generated. At step (304), the QR code is sent via a push notification on the screen of the consumer’s mobile device as well as emailed to the consumer on his/her registered email-id along with the reward points voucher details (amount and expiry date). The consumer has to use the reward points voucher before the expiry date failing which the QR code corresponding to the reward points voucher is marked as expired. At step (305), the consumer shows the QR code to the merchant outlet representative. Only the QR code of the reward points voucher will be displayed for availing the discount. If the consumer requests to see the 10 digit alphanumeric code, the mobile screen will then display this code. At step (306), the merchant outlet representative scans the QR code using the merchant mobile application and views the details of the authenticated reward points voucher the consumer wants to use. Further, the merchant receives the option of getting paid in exchange of the reward points.
[0042] If the merchant outlet representative scans the QR code of any consumer, and if it is followed by successful authentication, the mobile application of the merchant screen receives an option to “Get paid for the discount awarded”. When the merchant clicks on this option, a request to credit the corresponding amount of money into the account of the merchant master to which the store belongs is initiated from the loyalty program system (in INR) via Immediate Payment Service (IMPS).
[0043] At step (307), the request for authentication hits the central server. The QR code is authenticated using the criteria’s such that whether the reward points voucher has ever been created, if the reward points voucher is unused or if the reward points voucher is expired.
[0044] If the answers to all the questions is ‘Yes’, the reward points voucher is valid. Then the scanned QR code is checked whether it belongs to the consumer. If the validation is true, the reward points voucher QR code is authenticated and a message is displayed on the mobile application screen. At step (308), an amount equivalent to the number of reward points is deducted from the total bill of the consumer during his or her check-out.
[0045] For example, if the actual bill of a consumer before using the reward points is INR 1000 and the consumer uses 1000 reward points, his total bill after offering the discount would be INR 1000 - INR 0.25 × 1000 = INR 750.
[0046] At step (309), if the authentication is unsuccessful, the merchant outlet representative marks the reward points voucher QR code as ‘expired’.
[0047] At step (310), the central server sends a request along with the account number details or Mobile Money Identification Number (MMID) details for payment to the merchant master via Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) through the issuer bank (the bank account from which amount is debited). At step (311), the issuer bank initiates a request to pay the acquirer bank (the bank account to which amount is credited). At step (312), after successful credit, the acquirer bank issues a transaction number, which is bounced back to the issuer bank along with the confirmation of the transfer (successful/failure). At step (313), if response (success/failure) is received, the issuer bank responds to the loyalty program system and consecutively the system informs the consumer that the merchant outlet representative has been successfully paid and also informs the merchant master about the credited amount.
[0048] The advantage of the present invention is that it prevents the misuse of reward points voucher QR code and also prevent the user against fraudulent activities like using an expired QR code, using the same QR code for multiple transactions to obtain the discount, using the false or fake QR codes, etc. Another advantage of the present invention is that it uses the mobile application, which is secure. The portable electronic devices used by both, the consumer and the merchant side provide a compact, user friendly environment compatible with various mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows and J2ME, etc.
[0049] The operations and processes described and shown above may be carried out or performed in any suitable order as desired in various implementations. Additionally, in certain implementations, at least a portion of the operations may be carried out in parallel. Furthermore, in certain implementations, less than or more than the operations described may be performed.
[0050] The computer-executable program instructions described herein are loaded onto a central server for implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagram. As an example, certain implementations may provide for a computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions implemented therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.
[0051] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.