U.S. patent application number 12/552949 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for method, system, and media for encouraging consumers to participate in promotions.
Invention is credited to Stephen Farr-Jones, Gregory P. Seei.
Application Number | 20110053692 12/552949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43625707 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110053692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farr-Jones; Stephen ; et
al. |
March 3, 2011 |
METHOD, SYSTEM, AND MEDIA FOR ENCOURAGING CONSUMERS TO PARTICIPATE
IN PROMOTIONS
Abstract
A computer-implemented method, system, apparatus, and media
directed to improving user activity for an entity. A social group
comprised of members is established and each member of the social
group is provided with a game item that includes a unique
identifier for participation in a promotion, wherein each provided
member has a chance to win a first benefit based on the unique
identifier. The unique identifier is associated with the promotion,
the social group, and an associated participating member of the
social group that participates in the promotion. A second benefit
is provided to all participating members of the social group when
at least one member of the social group wins the first benefit as
an incentive for the members of the social group to participate in
the promotion.
Inventors: |
Farr-Jones; Stephen;
(Glendale, CA) ; Seei; Gregory P.; (Villa Park,
IL) |
Family ID: |
43625707 |
Appl. No.: |
12/552949 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/329 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/40 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A computer implemented method for improving user activity for an
entity, which comprises: establishing a social group comprised of
members; providing each of a plurality of the members of the social
group with a game item that includes a unique identifier for
participation in a promotion, wherein each provided member has a
chance to win a first benefit based on the unique identifier;
associating, by a computer system and in computer memory, the
unique identifiers with the promotion, the social group, and an
associated participating member of the social group that
participates in the promotion; and providing a second benefit to
all participating members of the social group when at least one
member of the social group wins the first benefit as an incentive
for the members of the social group to participate in the
promotion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second benefit increases as a
number of members that participate in the promotion increases, and
wherein the entity comprises a business or a non-profit
organization.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotion is a sweepstake
promotion and the game item is an instant win scratch off card, and
wherein the promotion is a time-limited promotion.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the game items are configured to
be distributed by hand, email, postal mail, call center, text
messages, within a paycheck, within an envelope, or as a perforate
portion of another item, and wherein the game item comprises a game
piece, a token, or a card carrying alphanumeric characters, a
computer chip that enables providing the unique identifiers, a
receipt or coupon for a business that carries unique
information.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing each of a plurality of
the members of the social group with the game item comprises:
providing the game item when the members donate to the entity or
pledge to donate to the entity, wherein the social group comprises
donors to the entity or a subset of the donors associated with a
physical address or an online group.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a portion
of the second benefit or the first benefit to the entity.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first or second benefits each
comprise an award, a gift, a prize, a coupon for use on a future
purchase, an instant win prize, a discount or rebate for a current
purchase, an online prize, a prize realizable within a day of
winning, or a prize that is redeemed at a physical location.
8. The method of claim 1, which further comprises: receiving a
participation in the promotion by the participating members by
presenting the game item to a business.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the presenting is performed at a
business location, on a website, or at a dealer or showroom
location.
10. The method of claim 8, which further comprises: providing
another game item to a particular participating member when the
game item of the particular participating member is presented at a
physical location of the business, wherein the other game item
includes another unique identifier configured to be used in
combination with the unique identifier of the presented game item
to determine whether the particular participating member has won
the first benefit and to provide the particular participating
member (a) another chance to win the first benefit (b) an increase
in the chance to win the first benefit, or (c) another increase in
the first benefit.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the second
benefit comprises: receiving a registration of the participating
member for the promotion using a promotion manager which comprises
a web site or a point of sale system at a physical location for
receiving the entry; generating a determination by the computer
system in response to receiving the registration, whether the
participating member is a winner based on an associated unique
identifier for the participating member; providing a notification
of whether the participating member is a personal winner based on
the determination; and providing another notification of whether
the social group is a group winner of the additional benefit based
on the determination.
12. The method of claim 1, which further comprises: providing a
view of statistics about the participating members; and sharing an
encouragement to participate in the promotion to members of the
social group who are not part of the participating members.
13. A method for improving user activity for an entity, comprising:
providing each of a plurality of players with a game item that
includes a unique identifier for participation in a promotion,
wherein each provided player has a chance to win a first benefit
based on the unique identifier; associating, by a computer system
and in computer memory, the unique identifiers with the promotion
and an associated participating player that participates in the
promotion; and providing another game item to a particular
participating player when the game item of the particular
participating player is presented at a physical location of the
business, wherein the other game item includes another unique
identifier configured to be used in combination with the unique
identifier of the presented game item to determine whether the
particular participating player has won the first benefit and to
provide the particular participating player (a) another chance to
win the first benefit (b) an increase in the chance to win the
first benefit, or (c) another increase in the first benefit.
14. A system for improving user activity for a business,
comprising: a server configured to perform actions comprising:
establishing a social group comprised of members; providing each of
a plurality of the members of the social group with a game item
that includes a unique identifier for participation in a promotion,
wherein each provided member has a chance to win a first benefit
based on the unique identifier; associating the unique identifiers
with the promotion, the social group, and an associated
participating member of the social group that participates in the
promotion; and providing a second benefit to all participating
members of the social group when at least one member of the social
group wins the first benefit as an incentive for the members of the
social group to participate in the promotion.
15. The system of claim 14, which further comprises: a client
device configured to perform actions that include receiving a
registration of a particular participating member for the
promotion, wherein the registration comprises a combination of at
least two of an email address, a name, a mailing address, or an
Internet Protocol address of the particular participating
member.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein associating the unique
identifiers with the promotion, the social group, and the
associated participating member is configured to occur before
determining whether the at least one member of the social group has
won the first benefit.
17. The system of claim 14, which further comprises: a sharing
manager configured to perform actions comprising: receiving an
email address of a member of the social group that has not yet
registered for the promotion from a member of the social group that
has registered for the promotion; and sending a message to the
email address, wherein the message comprises a mechanism for
registering for the promotion.
18. A processor readable media for improving user activity for a
business, comprising instructions that when executed by a processor
causes the processor to perform actions that comprise: establishing
a social group comprised of members; providing each of a plurality
of the members of the social group with a game item that includes a
unique identifier for participation in a promotion, wherein each
provided member has a chance to win a first benefit based on the
unique identifier; associating the unique identifiers with the
promotion, the social group, and an associated participating member
of the social group that participates in the promotion; and
providing a second benefit to all participating members of the
social group when at least one member of the social group wins the
benefit as an incentive for the members of the social group to
participate in the promotion.
19. The processor readable media of claim 18, wherein the social
group comprises individuals working at a business, at a
geographical location or office, having an interest in common, a
business, a social organization, an online social network, members
of an online forum, a governmental group, or associated with a
domain name.
20. The processor readable media of claim 18, wherein the actions
comprises: establishing the unique identifiers based on
non-sequential, alphanumeric codes that reduce the chances of
guessing a valid unique identifier to a threshold percentage to
encourage members to participate expeditiously by limiting the
unique identifiers to a finite number to increase a participant's
chances of winning.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method, system,
apparatus, and media for improving user activity for an entity.
More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention
relates to managing promotions including sweepstakes
promotions.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Promotions provide incentives for individuals to enter a
contest to win a prize. Promotions are often coupled with improving
user activity for an entity, such as visiting the business to enter
and/or determine whether the individual has won the prize. However,
incentives for single individuals may not provide as entertaining a
promotion because each individual is trying to only win for
themselves. Moreover, building customer loyalty and foot traffic on
an individual by individual basis may be time consuming and
hit-and-miss because individuals may change geographic locations
away from businesses that provide the promotions. It is with
respect to these considerations and others that the present
invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to a computer implemented method for
improving user activity for an entity. The method includes the
steps of establishing a social group comprised of members;
providing each of a plurality of the members of the social group
with a game item that includes a unique identifier for
participation in a promotion, wherein each provided member has a
chance to win a first benefit based on the unique identifier;
associating, by a computer system and in computer memory, the
unique identifiers with the promotion, the social group, and an
associated participating member of the social group that
participates in the promotion; and providing a second benefit to
all participating members of the social group when at least one
member of the social group wins the first benefit as an incentive
for the members of the social group to participate in the
promotion.
[0004] In one embodiment, the second benefit increases as a number
of members that participate in the promotion increases. The entity
can include a business or a non-profit organization. The promotion
can be a sweepstake promotion and the game item can be an instant
win scratch off card, and wherein the promotion can be a
time-limited promotion. The game items can be configured to be
distributed by hand, email, postal mail, call center, text
messages, within a paycheck, within an envelope, or as a perforate
portion of another item. In one embodiment, the social group can
include individuals associated with a physical address or an online
group.
[0005] In one embodiment, providing each of a plurality of the
members of the social group with the game item can include
providing the game item when the members donate to the entity or
pledge to donate to the entity, wherein the social group comprises
donors to the entity or a subset of the donors associated with a
physical address or an online group. The method may also include
providing a portion of the second benefit or the first benefit to
the entity.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the game item includes a game
piece, a token, or a card carrying alphanumeric characters, a
computer chip that enables providing the unique identifiers, a
receipt or coupon for a business that carries unique
information.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the first or second benefits each
comprise an award, a gift, a prize, a coupon for use on a future
purchase, an instant win prize, a discount or rebate for a current
purchase, an online prize, a prize realizable within a day of
winning, or a prize that is redeemed at a physical location.
[0008] The method can also include receiving a participation in the
promotion by the participating members by presenting the game item
to a business. In one embodiment, the presenting is performed at a
business location, on a website, or at a dealer or showroom
location. The method can further include providing another game
item to a particular participating member when the game item of the
particular participating member is presented at a physical location
of the business. The other game item can include another unique
identifier configured to be used in combination with the unique
identifier of the presented game item to determine whether the
particular participating member has won the first benefit and to
provide the particular participating member (a) another chance to
win the first benefit (b) an increase in the chance to win the
first benefit, or (c) another increase in the first benefit.
[0009] In one embodiment, the providing of the second benefit can
include receiving a registration of the participating member for
the promotion using a promotion manager which comprises a web site
or a point of sale system at a physical location for receiving the
entry; generating a determination by the computer system in
response to receiving the registration, whether the participating
member is a winner based on an associated unique identifier for the
participating member; providing a notification of whether the
participating member is a personal winner based on the
determination; and providing another notification of whether the
social group is a group winner of the additional benefit based on
the determination.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the method can include receiving
an identity of a member of the social group that has not yet
registered for the promotion from a member of the social group that
has registered for the promotion; and sending an encouragement to
the member with a message, wherein the message comprises a
mechanism for registering for the promotion. The method can further
include providing a view of statistics about the participating
members; and sharing an encouragement to participate in the
promotion to members of the social group who are not part of the
participating members.
[0011] The invention also relates to a system for improving user
activity for an entity. The system includes a server configured to
perform actions. The actions includes establishing a social group
comprised of members; providing each of a plurality of the members
of the social group with a game item that includes a unique
identifier for participation in a promotion, wherein each provided
member has a chance to win a first benefit based on the unique
identifier; associating the unique identifiers with the promotion,
the social group, and an associated participating member of the
social group that participates in the promotion; and providing a
second benefit to all participating members of the social group
when at least one member of the social group wins the first benefit
as an incentive for the members of the social group to participate
in the promotion.
[0012] The system can include a client device configured to perform
actions. The actions can include receiving a registration of a
particular participating member for the promotion, wherein the
registration comprises a combination of at least two of an email
address, a name, a mailing address, or an Internet Protocol address
of the particular participating member.
[0013] In one embodiment, associating the unique identifiers with
the promotion, the social group, and the associated participating
member is configured to occur before determining whether the at
least one member of the social group has won the first benefit.
[0014] The system can further include a sharing manager configured
to perform actions. The actions can include receiving an identity
of a member of the social group that has not yet registered for the
promotion from a member of the social group that has registered for
the promotion; and sending an encouragement to the member with a
message, wherein the message comprises a mechanism for registering
for the promotion.
[0015] The invention also relates to a processor readable media for
improving user activity for an entity, comprising instructions that
when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform
actions. The actions include establishing a social group comprised
of members; providing each of a plurality of the members of the
social group with a game item that includes a unique identifier for
participation in a promotion, wherein each provided member has a
chance to win a first benefit based on the unique identifier;
associating the unique identifiers with the promotion, the social
group, and an associated participating member of the social group
that participates in the promotion; and providing a second benefit
to all participating members of the social group when at least one
member of the social group wins the benefit as an incentive for the
members of the social group to participate in the promotion.
[0016] In one embodiment, the social group comprises individuals
working at a business, at a geographical location or office, having
an interest in common, a business, a social organization, an online
social network, members of an online forum, a governmental group,
associated with a domain name, or associated temporarily based on
geographic proximity or group activity.
[0017] In one embodiment, the actions can include establishing the
unique identifiers based on non-sequential, alphanumeric codes that
reduce the chances of guessing a valid unique identifier to a
threshold percentage to encourage members to participate
expeditiously by limiting the unique identifiers to a finite number
to increase a participant's chances of winning.
[0018] The invention also relates to a method, system, apparatus,
and media for improving user activity for an entity. The method,
system, apparatus, and media may be configured to perform providing
each of a plurality of players with a game item that includes a
unique identifier for participation in a promotion, wherein each
provided player has a chance to win a first benefit based on the
unique identifier; associating, by a computer system and in
computer memory, the unique identifiers with the promotion and an
associated participating player that participates in the promotion;
and providing another game item to a particular participating
player when the game item of the particular participating player is
presented at a physical location of the business, wherein the other
game item includes another unique identifier configured to be used
in combination with the unique identifier of the presented game
item to determine whether the particular participating player has
won the first benefit and to provide the particular participating
player (a) another chance to win the first benefit (b) an increase
in the chance to win the first benefit, or (c) another increase in
the first benefit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and
in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for system for providing for
improving user activity for an entity in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for one or more apparatuses for
improving user activity for an entity in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an example of a process for improving user
activity for an entity in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an example of a process for providing
management for an electronically administered promotion in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a process for determining whether participating
members participate have won a benefit in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025] As used herein, the term "component" refers to computer
implemented mechanisms, including software combined with hardware
such as a computer process and/or computer memory, or purely
hardware mechanisms such as an application-specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), or the like.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for system for providing for
improving user activity for an entity in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. As shown, the system of FIG. 1
includes social group server 102, client devices 108-109, promotion
server 104, and merchant server 130. These devices are in
communication with each other over a network/communication medium
106. The network can be the Internet, a wireless network, or the
like.
[0027] Promotion server 104 includes any component for managing an
electronic promotion for a social group and each members of the
social group. Promotion server 104 may provide a game item to
provide a chance to win a first benefit over to each client devices
108-109 for a plurality of the members of the social group over
network 106, associate the unique identifiers with the promotion,
the social group, and an associated participating member of the
social group that participates in the promotion; and/or provide
over network 106 a second benefit to each of client device 108-109
associated with member of the social group when at least one member
of the social group wins the first benefit as an incentive for the
members of the social group to participate in the promotion.
[0028] Client devices 108-109 include any component for providing
access to information about a promotion, including registering for
a promotion using a game item, determining whether a person is a
winner of a promotion, or the like. In one embodiment, client
devices 108-109 may send messages requesting information about
promotions to promotion server 104 and may receive information
about the promotions. In one embodiment, the operations of
promotion server 104 and/or 108-109 include the steps of FIGS.
3-5.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, promotion server 104 can register
respondents (e.g., members of a social group) at a particular
location to a business to business direct mailer featuring game
items, including instant win scratch off cards or similar
promotions. Business to business direct mail can be sent, in which
a supply of game cards can be included. The mailer can be sent via
email, postal mail, through a social network such as Facebook, over
social group server 102, or the like. The quantity of game cards in
each mailer can be sufficient that each employee at the recipient
location can receive a game card if distributed by hand, included
in paycheck/pay stub envelopes, interoffice envelopes, torn from
perforated supplies in a common areas such as a company lunch
room/cafeteria, or the like. The return on investment (ROI) of a
promotion may be increased because of the bulk mailing of the game
items to an address, as opposed to sending many mailings.
[0030] In one embodiment, each game card can have a unique
identifier (e.g., a unique alphanumeric code). The mailer can
instruct the receiving party to go to a website (e.g., provided by
promotion server 104 and/or merchant server 130) and register
themselves and/or their company in a sweepstakes by scratching off
one of the enclosed game cards and entering that card's unique
code. The sweepstakes promotion may be limited to one entry per
person/email address. The recipient can also be instructed to
distribute the cards to as many of their co-workers as possible
(all, ideally) and to encourage them to register, e.g., by the same
method. The incentive to get more people to register is that while
the winning sweepstakes code entered can win the grand prize, all
other registered sweepstakes entrants from the same business or
location as the sweepstakes winner can equally share a cash amount
from a prize pool equal to the value of the grand prize. For
instance, one employee of a given firm wins a sweepstakes
promotional grand prize of a trip for two to Hawaii. The retail
value of that prize is $5,000.00. Ten other people from the same
firm as the grand prize winner registered in the sweepstakes each
receives $500 as a result of their co-worker winning, and because
they each registered in the same promotional sweepstakes. The
benefit to the merchant that is running the sweepstakes is that
more people from the social group are encouraged to visit the
merchant, thus increasing traffic and sales at the merchant.
[0031] Relatively higher value prizes in the sweepstakes, including
the grand prize, can be determined to be won by selection from the
pool of online registered unique codes. In one embodiment, the
cards can have an instant win scratch off area, e.g., which can
only by scratched by authorized personnel of the business that sent
the mailer, e.g., the advertiser, when the prospect visits their
business.
[0032] Social group server 102 includes any component configured to
provide members of a social group access to a network. Server 102
can be an Internet access point for a business, a social networking
website, an online database, an email server, or the like. In one
embodiment, server 102 may provide web services to Members of a
social group to verify their identity, receive information about
promotions, or the like.
[0033] Merchant server 130 includes any component for providing
goods or services, e.g., over a network. Merchant 130 is also
configured to receiving a presentation of a game item, such as a
coupon, (e.g., over network 106) from one of client devices 108-109
and/or from promotion server 104. Merchant 130 may verify that the
game item has been registered and/or used (e.g., as a discount). In
one embodiment, promotion server 104 and merchant server 130 may
provide information over a combined interface, such as a web site,
a point of sale system at a physical location, or the like.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for one or more apparatuses for
improving user activity for an entity in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. Device 200 of FIG. 2 can implement any
of the components of FIG. 1, and in particular, client devices
108-109 and/or promotion server 104. As shown in FIG. 1, client
device 108 is in communication with server 104 over a communication
channel. In one embodiment, client devices 108-109 and server 104
can be separate devices in communication over a computer network.
The network communications can be via network interface 222. In one
embodiment, client devices 108-109 and server 104 can be combined
into the components of device 200, wherein the client device 108
and server 104 are in communication over a communication
interfaces, such as a bus. There can be more or fewer components
without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,
there can be other processors computing different aspects of the
operations of the components of device 200. In other embodiments,
the processor of the client and the server can be the same
processor. Also, other communication configurations can also be
used besides client-server, such as a peer-to-peer configuration
with a plurality of interconnected peers, wherein any node in the
peer-to-peer network can perform the actions of the client devices
108-109 or server 104.
[0035] As shown, device 200 comprises components in communication
with each other, including input/output control 204,
processor/memory 214, display 206 and browser 208. Input/output
control 204 provides an interface for entering user commands and/or
receiving feedback from the device. The control 204 can comprise a
keyboard, mouse, sound output, haptic output, visual output, etc.
Processor/memory 214 includes any computing component and/or
computer memory component. For example, the processor includes any
device for performing computerized operations, such as running a
program based on processor-readable instructions stored within a
memory such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, hard-disk drive, etc. Browser 208
includes any component for providing a user interface. Browser 208
can provide promotion management. A user can manage the services
provided in the browser and over display 206 using input/output
control 204.
[0036] Device 200 also includes social group manager 216, unique
identifier manager 218, promotion manager 210, and sharing manager
212. These components are in communication with each other and
other components of device 200.
[0037] Social group manager 216 includes any component configured
to manage a social group, including establishing a social group
comprised of members, providing a first benefit to a winning
member, and/or providing a second benefit to all participating
members of the social group when at least one member of the social
group wins the first benefit as an incentive for the members of the
social group to participate in the promotion. Promotion manager 210
may determine the winner of the first benefit and may provide the
second benefit to social group manager 216 to provide the second
benefit to the participating members. In one embodiment, manager
216 may be configured for receiving a registration of the
participating member for the promotion using promotion manager 210.
The participating members' identities may be stored in computer
memory 215 by manager 216 and used to identify the members. The
members may be notified that they have won the second benefit by a
message sent over network interface 222.
[0038] Unique identifier manager 218 includes any component
configured to manage a unique identifier, including establishing
the unique identifiers based on non-sequential, alphanumeric codes
that reduce the chances of guessing a valid unique identifier to a
threshold percentage to encourage members to participate
expeditiously by limiting the unique identifiers to a finite number
to increase a participant's chances of winning. Unique identifier
manager 218 may provide the unique identifiers to promotion manager
210.
[0039] Promotion manager 210 includes any component for managing an
electronic promotion based on unique identifiers, including
associating, in computer memory 214, the unique identifiers with
the promotion, the social group, and an associated participating
member of the social group that participates in the promotion. In
one embodiment, the promotion manager 210 may receive the unique
identifiers from unique identifier manager 218, initiate creation
of the game items with the associated unique identifier, and send
information about the game items to social group manager 216 for
social group manager 216 to provide such information to the members
of the social group. In one embodiment, promotion manager 210's
operations may include generating a determination in response to
receiving a registration, whether the participating member is a
winner based on an associated unique identifier for the
participating member; providing a notification of whether the
participating member is a personal winner (e.g., to social group
manager 216) based on the determination; and providing another
notification of whether the social group is a group winner of the
additional benefit (e.g., to social group manager 216) based on the
determination. In one embodiment, the determination may be
generated in real-time and/or scheduled for determination at a
later time. In one embodiment, either or both of the notifications
can be provided in real-time and/or scheduled for provisioning at a
later time.
[0040] Sharing manager 212 includes any component for sharing
information about promotions between members of the social group,
including receiving an identity of a member of the social group
(e.g., through browser 208) that has not yet registered for the
promotion from a member of the social group that has registered for
the promotion; and sending an encouragement to the member with a
message (e.g., over network interface 222), wherein the message
comprises a mechanism for registering for the promotion (e.g., a
link to a website provided by device 200).
[0041] In one embodiment, the promotion manager 210 and/or sharing
manager 212 may provide a registration website mechanism. The
website can be accessed through, for example, browser 208. In one
embodiment, the website can have a page for each recipient business
showing the name and email of each person registered in the
promotion. For instance, ACME Company receives the promotional
sweepstakes mailer. Jane Doe from ACME opens the mail, registers
herself, distributes the game cards to each employee, periodically
checks the website to see who and how many of her co-workers have
registered, and sends out emails urging more to register. Jane has
self-interest in seeing more co-workers register, because if one of
them wins, she wins a share of the matching pool of grand prize
cash.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows an example of a process for improving user
activity for an entity in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. In one embodiment, the process of FIG. 3 can be
performed by the components of FIG.1 and/or FIG. 2.
[0043] Processing beings at step 302 where unique identifiers for
game items are established. In one embodiment, each game item can
include a unique identifier for participation in a promotion. Each
authorized holder of the game item can be provided a chance to win
a first benefit based on the unique identifier of the game item.
The unique identifiers can be based on non-sequential and/or
alphanumeric codes that reduce the chances of guessing a valid
unique identifier. The chances can be reduced to a threshold
percentage, e.g., a one in one million chance. In one embodiment,
members of a social group are encouraged to participate
expeditiously by limiting the unique identifiers to a finite number
to increase the chances of winning, wherein the unique identifiers
are. The unique identifiers can be bar codes, hash codes, or the
like.
[0044] At step 304 a social group comprised of members is
established. The social group can be established in computer
memory, over a computer based network, and/or using a user
interface, for example. In one embodiment, the social group
comprises individuals associated with a physical address or an
online group. The social group can include individuals working at a
business, at a geographical location or office, having an interest
in common, a business, a social organization, an online social
network, members of an online forum, a governmental group, or
associated with a domain name, or associated temporarily based on
geographic proximity or group activity. In a preferred embodiment,
the social group is located geographically near the merchant that
is running the promotion, although in a general sense the merchant
can be a countrywide or worldwide franchise and the social group
can be any group of individuals having a common interest or
connection. In one embodiment, the social group can include the
temporary gathering of people in a sports event, for example, those
people having a ticket or other access to the event or those people
located within a section or set of rows, or the like. Social group
data stored in computer memory can be configured to represent the
social group and its attributes, members, count, size, or the
like.
[0045] At step 306, each of a plurality of the members of the
social group is provided with a game item that includes a unique
identifier for participation in a promotion. In one embodiment,
each provided member has a chance to win the first benefit based on
the unique identifier. The promotion can be a sweepstake promotion
and the game item is an instant win scratch off card. The promotion
may be a time-limited promotion.
[0046] In one embodiment, the game item comprises a game piece, a
token, or a card carrying alphanumeric characters, a computer chip
that enables providing the unique identifiers, a receipt or coupon
for a business that carries unique information. The game items can
be configured to be distributed by hand, email, postal mail, call
center, text messages, within a paycheck, within an envelope, or as
a perforate portion of another item, or the like. The step of
providing can include distributing the game items. The game item
can be printed on media, formatted, and encoded with appropriate
data to be distributed using a selected methodology (by hand,
paycheck, envelope, direct mail, etc).
[0047] In one embodiment, providing each of a plurality of the
members of the social group with the game item can include
providing the game item when the members donate to the entity or
pledge to donate to the entity, wherein the social group comprises
donors to the entity or a subset of the donors associated with a
physical address or an online group. The method may also include
providing a portion of the second benefit or the first benefit to
the entity. The entity can include a business or a non-profit
organization.
[0048] For example, a soccer team can use the system, methods,
apparatus, and media described herein to raise funds for the team.
A donor to the soccer team can be entered into a promotion and
associated with a social group. The donor can be given a chance to
win the first benefit, and the social group of other donors can be
given a chance to win the second benefit, as described herein. The
soccer team may also share in the first and/or second benefit if
there is a winner.
[0049] At step 308, a computer system associates in computer
memory, the unique identifiers with the promotion, the social
group, and/or an associated participating member of the social
group that participates in the promotion. The associating can occur
before determining whether the at least one member of the social
group has won the first benefit. In one embodiment, the associating
can occur before or after step 304 and/or step 306. In one
embodiment, the unique identifiers can be associated with the
promotion, the social group, and/or the participating member in the
same step, in different steps, or the like. For example, in one
embodiment, the unique identifiers can be associated with the
promotion, then with the social group, then the participating
members. In another embodiment, the unique identifiers can be
associated with a member, then the social group for the member is
identified, and the unique identifiers is associated with the
social group, and then the appropriate promotion is identified for
participation for the member and/or social group. Any other
combination is also possible. One embodiment of the process of
steps 306-308 is explained in more detail in conjunction with FIG.
4.
[0050] At step 310, it is determined whether at least one member of
the social group wins the first benefit. If so, processing
continues to step 312. Otherwise, processing returns to other
steps. In one embodiment, the computer system generates a
determination in response to receiving a registration of a member
to the promotion, whether the participating member is a winner
based on an associated unique identifier for the participating
member. One embodiment of the process of step 310 is explained in
more detail in conjunction with FIG. 6
[0051] At step 312, the first benefit is provided to the winning
member. The benefit can be provided over a network. A notification
of whether the participating member is a personal winner can be
provided. The benefit can be provided as an award, a gift, a prize,
a coupon for use on a future purchase, an instant win prize, a
discount or rebate for a current purchase, an online prize, a prize
realizable within a day of winning, a prize that is redeemed at a
physical location, or the like.
[0052] At step 314, a second benefit is provided to all
participating members of the social group as an incentive for the
members of the social group to participate in the promotion.
Another notification of whether the social group is a group winner
of the second benefit can be provided. In one embodiment, the
second benefit is provided pro-rata, based on a function of
characteristics of the participating members, or the like. The
second benefit can increase as a number of members that participate
in the promotion increases. In one embodiment, the first or second
benefits each comprise an award, a gift, a prize, a coupon for use
on a future purchase, or a discount or rebate for a current
purchase.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows an example of a process for providing
management for an electronically administered promotion in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention, including
providing game items to members of a social group and/or
associating the unique identifiers of the game items with the
promotion, the social group, and/or an associated participating
member. In one embodiment, the process of FIG. 4 can be performed
by the components of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2.
[0054] Processing begins at step 402 where a registration of the
participating member for the promotion is received, e.g., using a
promotion mechanism which comprises a web site or a point of sale
system at a physical location for receiving the entry. In one
embodiment, the registration comprises a combination of at least
two of an email address, a name, a mailing address, or an Internet
Protocol address of the particular participating member. In one
embodiment, the participating member is requested to enter a human
readable visual image, such as a Captcha code, to ensure that the
entry is made by a person. Base on the registration, a computer
system associates in computer memory, the unique identifier of the
game item of the participating member with the promotion and/or the
member's social group.
[0055] At step 404, statistics about the participating members are
provided. The statistics include the number of members in each
social groups that are participating in a promotion, the number of
members with whom the participating members have shared the
promotion, the number of visits to a business (e.g., physical
location or website), or the like.
[0056] At step 406, an identity of a member of the social group
that has not yet registered for the promotion is received from a
member of the social group that has registered for the promotion in
order to share an encouragement to participate in the promotion
(e.g., the participating member). In one embodiment, the identity
can comprise a social network account identifier (e.g., Facebook or
Twitter account), and email address, a phone number, or the like.
In one embodiment, the receipt of the identity (e.g., email) to
encourage is received based on the statistics data. A user
interface may be provided to send the encouragement based on the
statistics. For example, for promotions that are under promoted, a
link might be provided or a popup window might be provided
associated with the under promoted promotion to enable a user to
send the encouragement. In one embodiment, the promotion is
determined to be under represented based on a volume, new players,
average change, acceleration in usage, or the like, being below a
threshold, under a curve of an function, or the like.
[0057] At step 408, an encouragement message is sent to the member,
wherein the message comprises a mechanism for registering for the
promotion. In one embodiment, notifying the member with the
encouragement can include sending the encouragement message through
a social network (e.g., posting on a wall of a Facebook account,
sending a tweet), emailing the member, calling the member, or the
like. In one embodiment, the notification may be performed in a
friend-to-friend fashion, wherein the member of the social group
that has registered notifies the member that has not yet
registered. In one embodiment, an encouragement to participate in
the promotion is shared with members of the social group who are
not part of the participating members. The encouragement can also
be shared with the participating members, as they will likely urge
the non-participating members to join because it will increase the
already participating members' chances of winning a prize. In this
regard, the participating members almost act as agents for the
merchant in urging others to participate. Thus, unlike other
promotions or sweepstakes that favor a single entrant, the present
invention not only encourages many members of the social group to
participate, but it also often results in the participating members
urging the non-participating members to participate. Processing
then continues to other steps.
[0058] FIG. 5 shows a process for determining whether participating
members participate have won a benefit in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the process of FIG.
5 can be performed by the components of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2.
[0059] At step 502, a participation by a participating member is
received. In one embodiment, the participating members participate
in the promotion by presenting the game item to a business. The
presenting is performed at a business location, on a website, or at
a dealer or showroom location. The game item can be a coupon that
is presented to the business to give the participating members a
discount on a purchase from the business.
[0060] At step 504, it is determined by a computer system whether
the unique identifier associated with the game item indicates
winning the first benefit. In one embodiment, the determination
includes matching the unique identifier with a randomly chosen
winning identifier, matching the unique identifier to be within a
range of winning identifiers, or the like. In one embodiment, the
determination is performed over a computer network. In another
embodiment, the game item can be mystery envelope or game card. The
participating members can scratch off an area of the game item to
reveal whether the game item is associated with winning the first
benefit. If the determination is yes, processing continues to step
510. Otherwise processing continues to step 506.
[0061] At step 506, the another game item is provided to a
particular participating member when the game item of the
particular participating member is presented. In one embodiment,
the presentation is at a physical location of the business. The
other game item includes another unique identifier configured to be
used in combination with the unique identifier of the presented
game item.
[0062] In one embodiment, the game item can be provided by entering
information associated with the particular participating member
over the Internet and receiving confirmation that the other game
item should be provided. The confirmation can include the other
unique identifier of the other game item.
[0063] In one embodiment, the other game item can be requested by
the particular participating members by filling information on a
card (e.g., the game item), such as name, email, address, or other
information of the particular participating member. The card can be
used to enter the information of the particular participating
member over the Internet to provide the other game item to the
member.
[0064] Based on the other game item, the particular participating
member is provided (a) another chance to win the first benefit (b)
an increase in the chance to win the first benefit, (c) another
increase in the first benefit, or the like. In one embodiment, the
increases can be based on the number of times the member
participates in the game, the amount of money spent at a particular
location, or combinations thereon. Also, the participating member
can be provided with multiple entries with one entry being used
each time the member visits the business or makes a purchase.
Alternatively, the user can be given a card that can be used
multiple times with the card carrying the unique identifier(s) and
allowing participation upon each visit to the business.
[0065] At step 508, it is determined whether the particular
participating member has won the first benefit based on the
combination of the unique identifier and the other unique
identifier. The processing of step 508 is substantially similar to
step 504, except the determination is also based on whether the
unique identifier is a valid identifier and/or is associated with a
previously entered game item for the participant. If the
determination is yes, processing continues to step 510. Otherwise
processing may loop back to step 506. In one embodiment, the
particular participating member may be given a finite number of
times to perform the steps of FIG. 5, e.g., based on a threshold
number of times, or until the promotion expires.
[0066] At step 510, an indication of winning the first benefit for
the participating member is recorded, including recording an
identify of the participating member associated with the winning
game item is recorded in computer memory. Processing then continues
to other steps.
[0067] While process of FIG. 5 can be used in conjunction with the
processes of FIGS. 3-4, the process of FIG. 5 can also be used
independently, and indeed in any promotions, without departing from
the scope of the invention. For example, the process of FIG. 5 can
be used for a promotion sweepstake or contest that merely provides
a first benefit to the participating players without providing a
second benefit to the members of a social group.
[0068] It is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the exact configuration as illustrated and described
herein. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable
by one of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure set forth
herein, or by routine experimentation there from, are deemed to be
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
[0069] For the sake of brevity, it should be understood that
certain structures and functionality, or aspects thereof, of
embodiments of the present invention that are evident from the
illustrations of the Figures have not been necessarily restated
herein.
[0070] A computer or processor readable medium such as a floppy
disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc. may be use to store the processes,
techniques, software, and information illustratively described
herein. The media may store instructions, which when executed by a
computer processor causes the processor to perform the processes
described herein. The media can also be stored on devices, such as
a server device, within a database, within main memory, within
secondary storage, or the like.
[0071] Further still, the memory of the system may comprise a
magnetic hard drive, a magnetic floppy disk, a compact disk, a ROM,
a RAM, and/or any other appropriate memory. Further still, the
computer of the system may comprise a stand-alone PC-type
micro-computer as depicted or the computer may comprise one of a
mainframe computer or a mini-computer, for example. Further still,
another computer can access the software program being processed by
the CPU by utilizing a local area network, a wide area network, or
the Internet, for example.
[0072] The preceding description is presented to enable any person
of ordinary skill in the art to practice the present invention.
Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus,
the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific
embodiments shown, but the claims are to be accorded an appropriate
scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein
as understood by skilled artisans. The figures are not necessarily
to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of
particular components. Therefore, specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention.
* * * * *