Related Application

This application is related to Australian Provisional Patent Application NO. 2012904979, entitled "Loyalty rewards method and system" and filed on 16 November 2012 in the name of MBiz Solutions Pty Ltd, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herewith.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a loyalty rewards method and system and, in particular, to a computer-implemented loyalty rewards method and system for use on portable computing devices.

Background

Various known loyalty schemes are used by businesses to attract and retain customers. Loyalty schemes typically operate by rewarding repeat custom from a customer with loyalty points that are redeemable for goods or services. Loyalty schemes are typically administered by a business, wherein the individual business issues a loyalty card to a registered customer. Depending on the loyalty scheme and the potential rewards offered by the scheme, the business may charge a joining fee or an annual fee, or both, to a customer wanting to participate in the scheme.

In a simple implementation, a coffee shop offers a loyalty card. The loyalty card is held by the customer and the customer presents the loyalty card each time that she purchases a coffee, whereupon an employee of the coffee shop endorses the card to indicate that a coffee has indeed been purchased. The loyalty card administered by the coffee shop offers a free coffee to the customer once a predefined number of coffees has been purchased. For example, if the customer buys five coffees and the loyalty card is endorsed accordingly, the loyalty scheme offers the sixth coffee free. Alternatively, the loyalty scheme may offer other incentives, such as a free donut for every four coffees purchased or buy one coffee, get one free.

Airlines often offer frequent flyer loyalty schemes, wherein customers earn loyalty points for each dollar spent on air travel or associated services or based on the number of kilometres flown during a prescribed period. The airline typically issues a loyalty card to each customer registered in the frequent flyer scheme and it is incumbent on the customer to present the card or an associated user identifier at the time of booking a flight or making a related transaction in order to accrue points. Loyalty points are commonly redeemable for flight upgrades, car hire, free flights or flights at reduced fares, or for one or more products or services offered under the frequent flyer program.

Recently, loyalty schemes have been implemented using Quick Response (QR) codes, which are two-dimensional barcodes. A business displays at the point of sale a QR code associated with a loyalty scheme administered by that business. In order to earn loyalty points, a customer utilises a camera in a portable computing device, such as a mobile cellular telephone or portable tablet, to photograph the QR code and then utilises scanning software executing on the portable computing device to decode the QR code. The software utilises the decoded QR code to store loyalty points in a storage medium on the computing device of the user or alternatively transmits relevant usage information to a server administered by the business.

Difficulties arise in scanning the QR code, as the scanning process is affected by the location of the QR code in the place of business, the type of phone or imaging device, ambient lighting conditions, variability in the ability of different devices to zoom and focus, and the angle at which the customer holds the computing device relative to the QR code.

Consequently, scanning of a QR code using a portable computing device is unreliable and can sometimes require multiple scans before correctly capturing and identifying the QR code. In worst case scenarios, the QR code is not able to be decoded and identified and consequently the customer is not rewarded in the expected manner. In the case of multiple purchases, the customer needs to scan the merchant code multiple times. In a busy business premises, the delay caused by such a process generates a queue behind the customer and the merchant spends more time administering the reward transaction process. Customers are inclined to lose interest in such a rewards process when the scanning or data acquisition process does not work reliably.

As multiple businesses offer non-integrated loyalty schemes, it is necessary for a customer of those businesses to store and transport multiple loyalty cards. This can be cumbersome and often a customer is unable to find a loyalty card at the point of sale, thus foregoing the opportunity to earn loyalty points.

In some loyalty schemes, the physical loyalty card is replaced by an electronic version of the physical card stored in a mobile computing device accessed by the customer, such as the customer's phone. The more loyalty cards stored in the phone by the customer, the more time it takes for the customer to scroll through and select a particular merchant card to complete the rewards transaction at the point of sale. It is a cumbersome process to scroll through the phone and select the relevant merchant whenever the customer visits different merchants.

There are vast numbers of customers who still use mobile phones without built-in cameras or phones that have low resolution cameras that are not sufficient to capture QR codes and the like. Consequently, those customers cannot participate in most of the reward programs adapted for mobile phones.

Thus, a need exists to provide an improved loyalty rewards method and system. Summary

The present disclosure relates to a universal loyalty rewards method and system that can be practised using any portable computing device that is capable of displaying images.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of managing a loyalty rewards scheme, comprising the steps of:

registering a customer with the loyalty rewards scheme;

assigning a unique identification image to the customer;

registering a merchant with the loyalty rewards scheme;

assigning a merchant identifier to the registered merchant;

displaying the unique identification image on a display of a computing device at a point of transaction;

scanning the unique identification image by a merchant scanning device during a commercial transaction;

transmitting the scanned identification and a merchant identifier associated with the merchant to the loyalty rewards scheme;

validating the scanned identification image by the loyalty rewards scheme; and allocating loyalty rewards point relating to the commercial transaction to an account of the customer, based on the scanned identification image and the merchant identifier.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of managing a loyalty rewards scheme, comprising the steps of:

registering a customer with the loyalty rewards scheme;

assigning a unique identification image to the customer;

scanning the unique identification image at a merchant terminal; decoding the scanned identification image to identify the customer;

printing at the merchant terminal a loyalty rewards card, based on the decoded identification image.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for managing a loyalty rewards scheme, comprising:

a server associated with the loyalty rewards scheme, the server including:

a memory for storing data and a computer program;

a processor coupled to the memory for executing the computer program stored in the memory;

a loyalty scheme application forming part of the computer program, the loyalty scheme application including instructions for performing the method steps of:

assigning a unique identification image to a customer;

assigning a merchant identifier to a merchant;

allocating loyalty points to the customer in relation to a loyalty scheme associated with the merchant, based on transaction information derived from a commercial transaction between the customer and the merchant

a computing device associated with the customer, the computing device including a storage medium for storing the unique identification image assigned to the customer by the server and a display adapted to display the stored identification image during the commercial transaction; and

a merchant terminal including a scanning device adapted to scan the unique identification image displayed on the computing device during the commercial transaction and transmit transaction information to said server.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for managing a loyalty rewards scheme, comprising:

a server associated with the loyalty rewards scheme, the server including:

a first memory for storing data and a first computer program; a first processor coupled to the first memory for executing the first computer program stored in the first memory; and

a first loyalty scheme application forming part of the first computer program, the first loyalty scheme application including instructions for performing the method steps of:

registering a customer with the loyalty rewards scheme; and assigning a unique identification image to the customer;

a merchant terminal including:

a scanner adapted to scan the unique identification image when displayed on a computing device associated with the customer;

a second memory for storing a second computer program;

a second processor coupled to the second memory for executing the second computer program stored in the second memory; and

a second loyalty scheme application forming part of second computer program, the second loyalty scheme application including instructions for performing the method step of:

decoding the scanned identification image to identify the customer; and

a printer adapted to print a loyalty rewards card, based on the decoded identification image and the identified customer.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of managing a loyalty rewards scheme, comprising the steps of:

registering a customer with the loyalty rewards scheme;

assigning a unique customer identifier to the customer;

registering a merchant with the loyalty rewards scheme;

assigning a unique merchant identifier to the registered merchant;

transmitting, by the registered customer to a loyalty rewards server associated with the loyalty rewards scheme, an electronic copy of a receipt associated with a transaction between the registered customer and the registered merchant;

processing, by the server, the electronic copy of the receipt to identify a number of loyalty rewards points and the customer identifier associated with the registered customer; updating an loyalty rewards account associated with the customer, based on the identified number of loyalty rewards points.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a loyalty rewards scheme server associated with a loyalty rewards scheme, comprising:

a memory for storing data and a computer program;

a processor coupled to the memory for executing the computer program stored in the memory; and

a loyalty scheme application forming part of the computer program, the loyalty scheme application including instructions for performing the method steps of: assigning a unique customer identifier to a customer registered with the loyalty rewards scheme;

assigning a unique merchant identifier to a merchant registered with the loyalty rewards scheme;

processing an electronic copy of a receipt relating to a transaction between the registered customer and the registered merchant, the processing identifying the unique customer identifier and a number of loyalty points awarded by the merchant in relation to the transaction; and

updating a loyalty rewards account associated with the registered customer and stored in the memory, based on the identified number of loyalty points.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for implementing any one of the aforementioned methods.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for implementing any one of the methods described above.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are also provided. Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of specific example(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a universal loyalty rewards scheme in accordance with the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a system on which one or more embodiments of the universal loyalty rewards scheme of the present disclosure may be practised;

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system that includes a general purpose computer on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised;

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system that includes a general smartphone on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised; Fig. 5 is schematic representation of a system for implementing a coffee card loyalty scheme;

Fig. 6 is schematic representation of a system for implementing a loyalty scheme across multiple merchants;

Figs 7A to 7C illustrate relationships among merchants, businesses, and customers in a universal loyalty rewards scheme;

Fig. 8 is schematic representation of a system for implementing a loyalty scheme with a unique customer identifier adapted to be scanned by a scanning device at the merchant site;

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a method for registering a merchant with a loyalty scheme;

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of a method for configuring a terminal of a registered merchant of a loyalty scheme;

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of functional modules of a server for

implementing a universal rewards scheme;

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of a method for registering a customer with a loyalty scheme;

Fig. 13 is a flow diagram of a method for performing a transaction using a customer identifier with a loyalty scheme;

Fig. 14 is a flow diagram of a method for performing a Cash Remittance transaction using a customer identifier with a loyalty scheme;

Fig. 15 is a flow diagram of a method for validating entry using a customer identifier with a loyalty scheme;

Fig. 16 is a screenshot of a user interface relating to a loyalty rewards scheme;

Fig. 17 is a screenshot of a user interface relating to a "QuickAd" of a loyalty rewards scheme;

Fig. 18A is a flow diagram illustrating a further method for implementing a loyalty rewards scheme; and

Fig. 18B is a flow diagram illustrating a further method for implementing a loyalty rewards scheme. Detailed Description

Method steps or features in the accompanying drawings that have the same reference numerals are to be considered to have the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention is expressed or implied.

The present disclosure provides a universal loyalty rewards method and system that can be practised using any portable computing device that is capable of displaying images. A customer registers with a centralised server administered in association with the universal loyalty scheme and the universal loyalty scheme assigns a unique user identification image to that user. The unique user identification image may include a customer identifier embedded therein or may itself form a customer identifier. The unique user identification image is stored on a portable computing device associated with the user, such as a portable tablet device or a mobile telephone handset.

Merchants may choose to administer their own loyalty scheme through the universal loyalty scheme. Alternatively, merchants may choose to participate in a shared loyalty scheme operated across multiple merchants. Each merchant registers with the universal loyalty scheme and the universal loyalty scheme assigns a unique merchant identifier to each merchant.

When a registered customer transacts with a participating merchant, to avail the rewards offered by the merchant the customer accesses the portable computing device and retrieves the stored user identification image to present to the merchant. The merchant utilises a scanning device and embedded software at the point of sale to scan the user identification image of the customer displayed on the computing device. The scanning device sends a signal containing the scanned identification image to a point of sale (POS) terminal operated by the merchant. The POS terminal may be integrated with an existing POS terminal or may be a separate device coupled in such a way to exchange data with an existing POS terminal.

Inside the POS terminal, processing software associated with the universal loyalty rewards system sends the information obtained by the scanning device to the server administered by the universal loyalty rewards scheme. The server utilises the transmitted information to authenticate the customer and the merchant and then adds rewards points to a rewards balance associated with the unique user identification code or otherwise validates the customer, such as for access to an event. In this method, the portable computing device of the customer acts as a passive device. Entry of the rewards value is controlled by the merchant through the POS terminal of that merchant. Scanning of the user identification image associated with the customer is reliable using the dedicated image scanner at the POS terminal, in contrast to the problems described above with existing approaches that utilise a phone camera operated by the customer to scan a QR code displayed by the merchant.

When multiple merchants register with the universal loyalty rewards scheme, customers registered with the scheme can utilise the same unique user identification image when transacting with the different registered merchants. Registering with the universal loyalty rewards scheme thus enables a customer to use a single identification image to acquire different rewards from different registered merchants. There is no need for the registered customer to search among multiple electronic loyalty cards on a portable computing device, as the single identification image can be used across multiple merchants. The universal loyalty rewards scheme automatically establishes the relationship between the registered customer and the merchant at the time of the transaction. The use of unique user identification images saves time for the merchants, provides an improved customer user experience and reliable customer identification using different types of portable computing devices, including mobile telephone handsets, smartphones, portable tablet computing devices, and the like.

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a coffee card loyalty scheme 500, in which a customer 505 utilises a computing device 510 to register with the coffee loyalty scheme, which is administered on a server 520. The computing device 510 communicates with the server 520 via a communications network 515, such as the Internet. When purchasing a coffee at a merchant 530, the customer 505 utilises the computing device, such as a mobile phone, to scan a merchant identifier displayed at the point of sale. When purchasing multiple items, the customer must scan the merchant identifier a corresponding number of times. A software application executing on the computing device 510 acts as an electronic version of a loyalty card with stamps.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a loyalty card system 600 utilised across multiple merchants. A customer 605 utilises a computing device 610 to register with the multiple merchants loyalty scheme, which is administered on a server 620. The computing device 610 communicates with the server 620 via a communications network 615, such as the Internet. When making a transaction at a merchant 630 registered with the scheme, the customer 605 utilises the computing device, such as a mobile phone, to scan a merchant identifier displayed at the point of sale. When purchasing multiple items, the customer must scan the merchant identifier a corresponding number of times. The customer can scan a merchant identifier at different participating merchants and accumulate reward points. In some cases, the customer must select an electronic version of the loyalty card stored in their mobile phone and scan the merchant identifier to accumulate reward points associated with the selected loyalty card. A software application executing on the computing device 610 acts as an electronic version of a loyalty card with stamps.

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 100 for conducting a universal loyalty rewards scheme in accordance with the present disclosure. The method 100 begins at a Start step 105 and proceeds to step 110 in which a plurality of merchants register with the universal loyalty rewards scheme. Registration may be performed in person, via telephone, or through an online registration process. During registration of a merchant, the loyalty rewards scheme issues a merchant identifier to the merchant.

Registration of a merchant may also require the installation or configuration of equipment at one or more points of sale utilised by the merchant. Such equipment includes a scanning device for use in scanning the user identification images associated with customers wanting to participate in .the loyalty rewards scheme. The equipment may be integrated with an existing POS terminal or alternatively may be a standalone device coupled to an existing POS terminal. As a further alternative, the equipment may be a standalone device that is adapted to communicate with a loyalty rewards scheme server without communicating with a POS terminal. Registration of the merchant may also include the loyalty rewards scheme issuing the merchant with one or more advertising signs to be placed on or in proximity to the premises of the merchant to advertise participation by the merchant in the universal loyalty rewards scheme.

Returning to Fig. 1, control passes from step 110 to step 115, in which a customer registers with the universal loyalty rewards scheme. As for the merchants, a customer may register via the telephone, in person with an agent of the loyalty rewards scheme, or via an online registration process. The online registration process may be performed by the customer utilising a computing device to access a software application or website associated with the loyalty scheme to provide a set of mandatory details in exchange for the loyalty rewards scheme issuing the customer with a unique user identification image, which is stored on one or more computing devices associated with the customer. The computing devices may include, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet device. In one

implementation, a software application executing on a computing device generates the user identification image and stores the image on that device. In another implementation, a software application executing on a computing device sends a set of mandatory customer details to a server. The server generates the user identification image and transmits the generated user identification image to a computing device associated with the user by Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message or by email.

Control passes to step 120, in which a registered customer makes a transaction with a registered merchant. At the point of sale, the customer accesses a computing device to retrieve the stored user identification image associated with that customer and presents the image to a scanning device installed at the point of sale. The scanning device may be a handheld barcode scanner, QR scanner, or other device capable or capturing the user identification image.

Control passes from step 120 to step 125, in which the scanning device transmits the scanned user identification image to a POS terminal associated with the merchant. A software application executing on a processor of the POS terminal transmits the scanned user identification image, or information derived therefrom, in conjunction with the merchant identifier via a telecommunications network to a loyalty rewards scheme server. The loyalty rewards scheme server authenticates the user identification image and establishes a relationship between the customer and the merchant to allocate the appropriate rewards points or grant the appropriate authentication or validation to an account on the loyalty rewards scheme server associated with the customer. Control passes from step 125 to an End step 130 and the method 100 terminates.

The universal loyalty rewards scheme enables merchants to implement a rewards program, authenticate a customer, or validate access tickets by utilising a single user identification image already stored on a computing device of a customer. Such a universal loyalty rewards program saves a customer from having to register with multiple loyalty rewards schemes and eliminates the need for a merchant to maintain and update a rewards scheme database with each transaction effected by the merchant. There is no physical or electronic stamping required to complete a transaction.

Further, a universal loyalty rewards scheme provides merchants with the opportunity to participate in cross-promotion of businesses, wherein customers are able to avail themselves of cross-promotional offers from participating merchants by utilising a single user identification image. The universal loyalty rewards scheme enables registered merchants to manage a customer's credit/cash account by adjusting the account at every transaction using the single user identification image associated with the customer and appropriately configured software executing on the POS terminal of the merchant or software executing on the loyalty rewards scheme server.

The universal loyalty rewards scheme further offers registered merchants with the opportunity to publish an advertisement or special offer to a website operated in conjunction with the loyalty rewards scheme. Such an advertisement or special offer may be associated with a start time and an end time or be limited to a geographical area.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system 200 on which a universal loyalty rewards scheme of the present disclosure may be practised. The system 200 includes a server 210 operated by an administrator of a universal loyalty rewards scheme. The server 210 includes a processor and a memory (not shown) for storing software for implementing the rewards scheme. The server 210 also includes a merchant register 212 for recording details relating to each merchant registered with the loyalty rewards scheme. The server 210 assigns a unique merchant identifier to each merchant registered with the scheme and stores a merchant account for each merchant. The account includes the merchant identifier and other details, which may include, for example, but are not limited to, merchant name, banking details, address, and contact details. The account may also store information relating to any individual offers or rewards offered by that merchant.

The server 210 also includes a customer register 216 for storing information relating to customers registered with the universal loyalty rewards scheme. The server 216 stores a customer account in the customer register 216 for each customer. Each customer account includes, for example, but is not limited to, the name of the customer, and the unique user identification image assigned to that customer. The customer account may also store information relating to rewards earned by the customer in respect of one or more merchant reward programs.

The server 210 also includes an identification generator 214, which generates the merchant identifiers assigned to merchants and the user identification images assigned to customers. The server 210 is coupled to a communications network 250, which may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless networks, including the Internet. The server 210 further includes a rewards management module 218 for managing one or more rewards programs associated with one or more of the registered merchants or an administrator of the universal loyalty rewards system.

The system 200 also includes a computing device 220 utilised by a customer to register with the server 210. In one implementation, a user accesses the computing device 220 to download a software application Capp' to the computing device 220 from the server 210 via the communications network 250. The computing device may be, for example, a general purpose computing device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet computing device. The user accesses the app executing on a processor of the computing device 220 to register with the server 210, check account balances, receive communications from the server 210, and transmit information to the server 210. The communications from the server 210 may include notifications of rewards programs, proximity of a registered merchant based on information derived from a GPS location module in the computing device 220 or cellular network position, account status, and the like.

The system 200 further includes a merchant POS terminal 230. The POS terminal 230 may include a cash register and one or more devices for reading magnetic cards, such as credit cards, smartcards, debit cards, and the like. The system 200 also includes a scanning device 240 located in close proximity to the POS terminal 230. As described above, the scanning device 240 is installed and configured during registration of the merchant with the universal loyalty rewards scheme. The scanning device 240 may be integral to or separate from the POS terminal.

In one arrangement, the scanning device 240 scans a user identification image displayed on a computing device 260 of a customer during a transaction effected at the POS terminal and the scanning device 240 transmits the user identification image to the POS terminal, which is configured with software to process the image and then transmit information derived from the image, in conjunction with the merchant identifier, to the server 210 via the

communications network 250. In an alternative arrangement, the scanning device 240 communicates directly with the server 210 via the communications network 250. In a \ further alternative, the scanning device 240 is integral with the POS terminal 230.

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a loyalty scheme 800 in which a user is assigned a unique identifier. A customer 805 utilises a computing device 810 to register with the loyalty scheme, which is administered on a server 820. The computing device may be a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet device, or general purpose computer. The customer is assigned a unique identifier, which is stored on the computing device 810 or transmitted by NIMS or email to a phone 850 associated with the customer 805. The computing device 810 and the phone 850 communicate with the server 820 via a communications network 815, such as the Internet, mobile cellular telephony network, or the like.

When making a transaction at a merchant 830 registered with the scheme, the customer 805 utilises the phone 850, such as a mobile phone, to display the unique identifier. The merchant utilises a scanning device 840 to read the unique identifier image displayed on the display of the computing device 810. The scanning device 840 may be on a tablet computing device (all in one scanner) or integrated to a point of sale (POS) terminal. The scanning device 840 transmits details relating to the captured unique identifier via the POS terminal to the server 820, via the communications network 815. A software application executing on the computing device 850 enables the customer 805 to view rewards points for different merchants, based on information exchanged between the computing device 850 and the server 820 via the communications network 815.

The universal loyalty rewards system of the present disclosure may be practised using a computing device, such as a general purpose computer or computer server. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system 300 that includes a general purpose computer 310. The general purpose computer 310 includes a plurality of components, including: a processor 312, a memory 314, a storage medium 316, input/output (I/O) interfaces 320, and input/output (I/O) ports 322. Components of the general purpose computer 310 generally communicate using a bus 348.

The memory 314 may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The storage medium 316 may be implemented as one or more of a hard disk drive, a solid state "flash" drive, an optical disk drive, or other storage means. The storage medium 316 may be utilised to store one or more computer programs, including an operating system, software applications, and data. In one mode of operation, instructions from one or more computer programs stored in the storage medium 316 are loaded into the memory 314 via the bus 348. Instructions loaded into the memory 314 are then made available via the bus 348 or other means for execution by the processor 312 to effect a mode of operation in accordance with the executed instructions.

One or more peripheral devices may be coupled to the general purpose computer 310 via the I/O ports 322. In the example of Fig. 3, the general purpose computer 310 is coupled to each of a speaker 324, a scanning device 326, a display device 330, an input device 332, a printer 334, and an external storage medium 336. The speaker 324 may include one or more speakers, such as in a stereo or surround sound system. In the example in which the general purpose computer 310 is utilised to implement the point of sale terminal 230, one or more peripheral devices may relate to barcode scanners or card scanners connected to the I/O ports 322. In particular, the scanning device 326 may be a dedicated scanning device adapted to scan a QR code used to implement the unique identification image assigned to a registered customer of a loyalty rewards scheme.

The scanning device 326 may download and upload information to and from the general purpose computer 310 via the I/O ports 322. For example, images scanned and decoded by the scanning device 326 may be uploaded to the storage medium 316 of the general purpose computer 310. The scanning device 326 may include a lens system, a sensor unit, r and a recording medium.

The display device 330 may be a computer monitor, such as a cathode ray tube screen, plasma screen, or liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The display 330 may receive information from the computer 310 in a conventional manner, wherein the information is presented on the display device 330 for viewing by a user. The display device 330 may optionally be implemented using a touch screen, such as a capacitive touch screen, to enable a user to provide input to the general purpose computer 310.

The input device 332 may be a keyboard, a mouse, or both, for receiving input from a user. The external storage medium may be an external hard disk drive (HDD), an optical drive, a floppy disk drive, or a flash drive.

The I/O interfaces 320 facilitate the exchange of information between the general purpose computing device 310 and other computing devices. The I/O interfaces may be

implemented using an internal or external modem, an Ethernet connection, or the like, to enable coupling to a transmission medium. In the example of Fig. 3, the I/O interfaces 322 are coupled to a communications network 338 and directly to a computing device 342. The computing device 342 is shown as a personal computer, but may be equally be practised using a smartphone, laptop, or a tablet device. Direct communication between the general purpose computer 310 and the computing device 342 may be effected using a wireless or wired transmission link.

The communications network 338 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a dedicated communications link, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A telecommunications network may include, but is not limited to, a telephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a mobile telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, multimedia message service (MMS) network, or any combination thereof. The general purpose computer 310 is able to communicate via the communications network 338 to other computing devices connected to the communications network 338, such as a mobile telephone handset 344, a touchscreen smartphone 346, a personal computer 340, and the computing device 342.

The general purpose computer 310 may be utilised to implement a server effecting a universal loyalty rewards scheme in accordance with the present disclosure. In such an embodiment, the memory 314 and storage 316 are utilised to store data relating to registered customers, registered merchants, and transaction data for each account associated with each of the respective registered customers and registered merchants.

Software for implementing the universal loyalty rewards system is stored in one or both of the memory 314 and storage 316 for execution on the processor 312. The software includes computer program code for effecting method steps in accordance with the method of issuing merchant identifiers and unique user identification images, scanning and authenticating images, and updating rewards points or granting access in accordance with the universal loyalty rewards scheme described herein.

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a system 400 on which one or more aspects of a universal loyalty rewards method and system of the present disclosure may be practised. The system 400 includes a portable computing device in the form of a smartphone 410, which may be used by a customer to register with the universal loyalty rewards scheme and to store a user identification image. The smartphone 410 includes a plurality of components, including: a processor 412, a memory 414, a storage medium 416, a battery 418, an antenna 420, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver 422, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card 424, a speaker 426, an input device 428, a camera 430, a display 432, and a wireless transmitter and receiver 434. Components of the smartphone 410 generally communicate using a bus 448 or other connections therebetween. The smartphone 410 also includes a wired connection 445 for coupling to a power outlet to recharge the battery 418. The wired connection may include one or more connectors and may be adapted to enable uploading and downloading of content from and to the memory 414 and SIM card 424. The smartphone 410 may include many other functional components, such as an audio digital-to-analogue and analogue-to-digital converter and an amplifier, but those components are omitted for the purpose of clarity. However, such components would be readily known and understood by a person skilled in the relevant art.

The memory 414 may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The storage medium 416 may be implemented as one or more of a solid state "flash" drive, a removable storage medium, such as a Secure Digital (SD) or microSD card, or other storage means. The storage medium 416 may be utilised to store one or more computer programs, including an operating system, software applications, and data. The memory 414 or storage medium 416 may be utilised to store a user identification image assigned to a customer by the universal loyalty rewards scheme. In one mode of operation, instructions from one or more computer programs stored in the storage medium 416 are loaded into the memory 414 via the bus 448. Instructions loaded into the memory 414 are then made available via the bus 448 or other means for execution by the processor 412 to effect a mode of operation in accordance with the executed instructions.

The smartphone 410 also includes an application programming interface (API) module 436, which enables programmers to write software applications to execute on the processor 412. Such applications include a plurality of instructions that may be pre-installed in the memory 414 or downloaded to the memory 414 from an external source, via the RF transmitter and receiver 422 operating in association with the antenna 420.

The smartphone 410 further includes a GPS location module 438. The GPS location module 438 is used to determine a geographical position of the smartphone 410, based on GPS satellites, cellular telephone tower triangulation, or a combination thereof. The determined geographical position may then be made available to one or more programs or applications running on the processor 412. In one arrangement, the GPS location module 438 is utilised to determine whether the computing device 410 is located within a predefined range of a merchant registered with the universal loyalty rewards scheme.

The wireless transmitter and receiver 434 may be utilised to communicate wirelessly with external peripheral devices via Bluetooth, infrared, or other wireless protocol. In the example of Fig. 4, the smartphone 410 is coupled to each of a printer 440, an external storage medium 444, and a computing device 442. The computing device 442 may be implemented, for example, using the general purpose computer 310 of Fig. 3. The camera 430 may include one or more still or video digital cameras adapted to capture and record to the memory 414 or the SIM card 424 still images or video images, or a combination thereof. The camera 430 may include a lens system, a sensor unit, and a recording medium. A user of the smartphone 410 may upload the recorded images to another computer device or peripheral device using the wireless transmitter and receiver 434, the RF transmitter and receiver 422, or the wired connection 445.

In one example, the display device 432 is implemented using a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The display 432 is used to display content to a user of the smartphone 410, including displaying a user identification image retrieved from the memory 414 or storage medium 416. The display 432 may optionally be implemented using a touch screen, such as a capacitive touch screen, to enable a user to provide input to the smartphone 410.

The input device 428 may be a keyboard, a stylus, or microphone, for example, for receiving input from a user.

The SIM card 424 is utilised to store an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and a related key used to identify and authenticate the user on a cellular network to which the user has subscribed. The SIM card 424 is generally a removable card that can be used interchangeably on different smartphone or cellular telephone devices. The SIM card 424 can be used to store contacts associated with the user, including names and telephone numbers. The SIM card 424 can also provide storage for pictures and videos. Alternatively, contacts can be stored on the memory 414.

The RF transmitter and receiver 422, in association with the antenna 420, enable the exchange of information between the smartphone 410 and other computing devices via a communications network 438. In the example of Fig. 4, RF transmitter and receiver 422 enable the smartphone 410 to communicate via the communications network 438 with a cellular telephone handset 450, a smartphone or tablet device 452, a computing device 454 and the computing device 442. The computing devices 454 and 442 are shown as personal computers, but each may be equally be practised using a smartphone, laptop, or a tablet device.

The communications network 438 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a cellular telephony network, a dedicated communications link, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A telecommunications network W

- 19 - may include, but is not limited to, a telephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a cellular (mobile) telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, or any combination thereof.

Figs 7 A to 7C illustrate the relationships between a merchant, businesses, and a customer in the universal loyalty rewards scheme of the present disclosure. A merchant and their businesses register with a loyalty rewards scheme server. The server stores a list of registered customers separate from a list of registered businesses.

Fig. 7A shows a merchant 730 registered with a universal loyalty rewards scheme. The merchant 730 may have one or more places of business 720, each of which is also registered with the universal loyalty rewards scheme. The places of business 720 may represent, for example, individual franchises of the merchant 730, individual businesses of the merchant 730, or different store locations of the merchant 730. As shown in Fig. 7A, a customer 710 interacts with one or more of the businesses 720.

Fig. 7B shows a relationship between an individual business 740 and one or more loyalty reward scheme terminals 750, each of which is equipped with a scanning device adapted to scan a unique user identification image of a customer from a computing device.

Fig. 7C shows a relationship between an individual business 760 and one or more customers 770 that may perform commercial transactions with that business 760.

Initially, the loyalty rewards scheme does not have any recorded details relating to the relationship between a customer and a business. As a registered customer starts their first transaction with a registered business, the business scans the customer's unique identifier image via a scanning device on an authenticated terminal. The terminal transmits transaction information to the server, including information that identifies the business with which the terminal is associated and a scanned customer code relating to the unique identifier image. The scanned customer code may include the unique identifier image itself, for decoding by the server. Alternatively, the scanned customer code may include decoded information derived from the unique identifier image, wherein the terminal includes software for decoding the scanned unique identifier image of the customer.

The scanned customer code is validated in the server. The server then establishes a relationship between the customer and the business. This may be implemented, for example, by the system creating links between the relevant customer record and the business record. Alternatively, the system may populate one or more fields of the business profile with information relating to the customer and the transaction. Similarly, the system may populate one or more fields of the customer profile with information relating to the business and the transaction. This process is repeated for every new authenticated business and customer transaction.

The customer performs the initial registration process and is then able to utilise the same unique identification image across any one or more of the businesses registered with the loyalty rewards scheme. The loyalty rewards scheme performs authentication of the image during a commercial transaction and establishes links between the customer and the business, which may include awarding the relevant number of loyalty points. This is in contrast to existing rewards schemes, in which a customer is typically required to register with each business before accumulating loyalty points. In the universal loyalty rewards scheme of the present disclosure, there is no need for a customer to register separately with every business as the same initially allocated identification image may be utilised across multiple registered businesses. Thus, a customer is able to utilise the "Same Sign On" or same registration across multiple businesses.

One arrangement of the universal loyalty rewards scheme provides "QuickAd" functionality, which provides a facility for a registered merchant to create a quick advertisement message from a point of sale terminal, using software executing on a processor of that terminal or by remotely accessing software executing on a processor of a server, and publish the created advertisement on the loyalty rewards program server in substantially real-time. In one implementation, the server sends the advertisement to a set of registered customers who have indicated that they are willing to receive promotional materials. The server transmits the advertisement by email, SMS, or MMS. In one implementation, the server sends the message to customers located within a geographical area of the merchant who created the advertisement, so that the advertisement is able to target registered customers in that geographical area.

One arrangement of the universal loyalty rewards scheme provides "RetrieveOtherld" functionality, in which a registered merchant offers a standalone rewards scheme that requires a customer to present a physical card at the point of sale to accumulate rewards points. The merchant optionally offers a terminal with a scanner, so that a customer registered with the universal loyalty rewards scheme who has forgotten or misplaced the physical card required by that merchant can present the user identification image and scan the image with the scanner. The scanner decodes the scanned user identification image and authenticates the image with a loyalty rewards scheme server. The server transmits relevant information relating to the customer back to the terminal, which is equipped with a printer to print out a new physical card for the customer to use at that merchant. The relevant information may include a customer identifier assigned by the merchant to that customer in respect of that particular rewards program. The customer then utilises the physical card in the usual manner at the check-out to obtain relevant rewards points. In this scenario, the business establishes communication through the server which maps a relationship with the customer through the unique identification image allocated to the customer.

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a method 900 for registering a merchant, businesses and terminals by the system administrator with a loyalty scheme. The method 900 begins at a Start step 905 and proceeds to step 910, in which a System Administrator operates a loyalty scheme. In step 915, System Administrator registers a merchant with the loyalty scheme. . The merchant may be, for example, a franchisor or high level organisation. Control passes from step 915 to step 920, in which the Administrator registers associated businesses. The associated businesses may correspond, for example, to different store locations or business types. In the case in which the merchant is a franchisor, the businesses registered in step 920 may relate to different franchisees or store locations.

Control passes from step 920 to step 925, which configures reward offers within the loyalty scheme for each registered business. Step 930 configures point of sale terminals for each business. In one implementation, each sale terminal is associated with a unique identifier that may be utilised to identify the geographical location of the store, and the registered business and/or registered merchant associated with the terminal. Depending on the application, point of sale terminals can be configured to implement a rewards program across all store locations of a business or merchant or alternatively may be individually configured to a particular store location, business, or even on a terminal by terminal basis.

Control passes from step 930 to step 935, which configures each point of sale terminal for rewards program based on quantity purchased, amount of a transaction, ticket validation, or other scheme. Control passes to step 940 and the method 900 terminates.

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of a method 1000 in which a merchant and the associated businesses register themselves with the "getmerewards" loyalty scheme. The method 1000 begins at a Start step 1005 and proceeds to step 1010, in which a merchant signs up with a loyalty scheme. In this example, the loyalty scheme is called "getmerewards" and the loyalty scheme is operated using the system shown in Fig. 2. The merchant signs up to the getmerewards website and the server 210 allocates a merchant identifier to the registered merchant.

Control passes to step 1015, in which an authorised user of a business associated with the registered merchant registers that business with the loyalty scheme. In step 1020, an authorised user of each registered business configures a point of sale terminal for that business. Control passes from step 1020 to step 1025 and the method 1000 terminates.

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of functional modules of a server 1100 for

implementing a universal rewards scheme. In this example, the server includes a customer module 1110. The customer module 1100 includes a "Phone App - Customer Registration" component 1112, which includes computer code available for download to a computing device associated with a customer and computer code when executed on the server for communicating with a computing device on which the app has been installed.

The customer module 1100 also includes a "Website - Customer Registration"

component 1114, which includes computer code available for access on a website by a computing device associated with a customer and computer code when executed on the server for communicating with input provided by the customer to the website. The customer module 1100 further includes an Issue Customer ID module 1116 for generating and allocating unique identification images to registered customers. The customer module 1100 further includes a Manage Customer Activation module 1118 for managing activation of a registered customer's loyalty rewards program.

The server 1100 of Fig. 11 also includes a Getmerewards Administrator module 1120 for registering merchants, businesses, and terminals. The Getmerewards Administrator module 1120 includes a Merchant Registration component 1122, an Issue Merchant ID component 1124, a Business Registration component 1126, and a Sale Terminal Configuration component 1128.

The Merchant Registration component 1122 is utilised to register merchant details and may include computer program code for a software application to be installed on a computing device of a merchant or computer software for providing a registration user interface on a website associated with the server. The Issue Merchant ID component 1224 generates and allocates unique merchant identifiers to merchants registered with the loyalty scheme. The Business Registration component 1126 provides functionality relating to the registration process. The Sale Terminal Configuration component 1128 provides functionality for configuring a merchant terminal to a particular type of rewards scheme corresponding to the business.

The server 1100 of Fig. 11 further includes a Merchant/Business Self Registration module 1130 for facilitating self-registration by merchants and businesses, including the

configuration of associated terminals. The Merchant/Business Self Registration module 1130 includes a Merchant Registration component 1132, a Get Merchant ID component 1134, a Business Registration component 1136, a Configure Business Rewards Program 1138, and a Sale Terminal Configuration component 1140.

The server 1100 of Fig. 11 further includes a Management module 1150 that includes a Manage Customer Rewards Points component 1152 for managing loyalty points for each registered user in respect of each registered merchant or business. The Management module 1150 also includes a Manage Customer and Multiple Businesses Rewards Transaction component 1154 for managing data relating to transactions conducted between a customer and multiple businesses. The Management module 1150 further includes a Manage

Customers Rewards Transaction component 1156, and EzyAccount Manage Customers Accounts component 1158, a Manage Intra and Inter Businesses Rewards Program component 1160, and a Manage Getmerewards Customer Relationship with Events

Hosting/Ticket Validation component 1162.

The Management module 1150 further includes a Manage QuickAd Message

component 1164, a Communication with Business Point of Sale Terminal component 1166, a Communication with Business Standalone Terminal component 1168, and a Customer On Demand Communication to View Rewards Balances component 1170.

The Manage Customer Rewards Points component 1152 maintains the customer rewards points, redemption details and their current balances. The Multiple Businesses Rewards Transaction component 1154 maintains the customer and business transaction details and the associated rewards points of each transaction with every business with whom they transacted. The Manage Customers Rewards Transaction component 1156 authenticates customers and their eligibility to participate in the loyalty scheme.

The EzyAccount Mange Customers Accounts component 1158 enables businesses to maintain the cash/credit account details of their customers. The Manage Intra and Inter Businesses Rewards Program component 1160 maintains the relationship between two businesses in terms of the rewards offer between them for an eligible customer. The Manage Getmerewards Customer Relationship with Events Hosting/Ticket Validation component 1162 facilitates event's houses to allow customers who are registered with loyalty scheme to book tickets without a need for the customer to register again. The Manage QuickAd Message component 1164 enables an authorised user of a business to create advertisement messages from their terminal to be published on the loyalty scheme website and to send the advertisement to registered customers in the location area of the business.

The Communication with Business Point of Sale Terminal component 1166 handles all the communication interfaces between the server and the business POS terminal. The

Communication with Business Standalone Terminal component 1168 Handles all the communication interfaces between the server and the business stand alone terminal issued by the loyalty scheme to perform rewards transaction with the server. The Customer On Demand Communication to View Rewards Balances component 1170 enables customers to view the rewards points balances of each merchant with whom they transacted at any time from their mobile device or via the loyalty scheme website.

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of a method 1200 for registering a customer with a loyalty scheme. The method 1200 begins at a Start step 1205 and proceeds to decision step 1210, which determines whether a customer wishing to register with the loyalty scheme owns a smart phone. If the customer does own a smart phone, Yes, control passes to step 1215, in which the customer downloads a software application "app" from an app store or provider. Control passes to step 1225, in which the customer runs the app, typically by activating an icon that causes the app to execute on a processor of the smartphone. The app provides the customer with an interface for registering with the loyalty scheme and communicates with a server associated with the loyalty scheme. During the registration, the server allocates a unique identification image to the customer. In this example, the unique identification image is a quick response (QR) code a customer identifier embedded therein. The QR code optionally includes data derived from an image of the customer.

Control passes from step 1225 to step 1230, in which the server transmits the unique identification image to the customer for storage on the smart phone for later use with the loyalty rewards program. In one implementation, the server transmits the identification image via MMS or email. In step 1235, the server transmits a welcome email to an email address associated with the customer, wherein the email includes an activation link. In step 1240, the customer activates the activation link, which connects the customer to the server to complete the registration process. Control passes from step 1240 to an End step 1245 and the method 1200 terminates.

Returning to decision step 1210, if the customer does not own a smart phone, No, control passes to step 1220, in which the customer utilises a computing device to access the getmerewards website and register with the loyalty scheme. Control passes from step 1220 to step 1250, in which the server transmits a welcome email to an email address associated with the customer, wherein the email includes an activation link. In step 1255, the customer activates the activation link, which connects the customer to the server. In step 1260, the server transmits an email to the email address associated with the customer, wherein the email includes a unique identification image allocated to that customer.

Control passes from step 1260 to decision step 1270, which determines whether the customer has a phone that is adapted to communicate with a computer on which the email of step 1260 can be accessed. If the phone is adapted to communicate with the computer, Yes, control passes to step 1275, in which the customer transfers the unique identification image from the email to any mobile phone associated with the customer that is able to display the image. Control passes from step 1275 to the End step 1245 and the method 1200 terminates.

Returning to decision step 1270, if the phone is not adapted to communicate with the computer, No, control passes from step 1270 to step 1280, in which the customer prints the unique identification image on paper for later use and participation in the loyalty rewards program. Control passes from step 1280 to the End step 1245 and the method 1200 terminates.

Fig. 13 is a flow diagram of a method 1300 for performing a transaction using a customer identifier with a loyalty scheme. The method 1300 begins at a Start step 1305 and proceeds to step 1310, in which a customer registered with the loyalty scheme visits a participating business. In step 1315, the customer displays the unique identification image associated with that customer to a merchant scanning device. In one example, the customer utilises a portable computing device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, or tablet computing device, to display the stored unique identification image. In another example, the customer displays a printout of the unique identification image. In step 1320, the scanning device transmits information derived from said scanned identification image to a server associated with the loyalty rewards scheme for

authentication. The information may optionally include information to identify the merchant and/or store location. The server authenticates the customer, based on the transmitted information. Control passes to decision step 1325, which determines whether the customer is eligible for any reward from the participating business.

If at step 1325 the customer is eligible for a reward, Yes, control passes to step 1330, in which the business enters the event details and a redeemed reward. The event may refer to a purchase activity in terms of an amount or quantity of goods or services purchased or to granting access to an entry point. Control passes from step 1330 to step 1335, in which the business terminal transmits data relating to the redeemed reward to the server associated with the loyalty scheme. Control passes from step 1335 to an End step 1340 and the method 1300 terminates.

Returning to step 1325, if the customer is not eligible for a reward, No, control passes to step 1345, in which the business enters details relating to the transaction. Control passes to step 1335, as described above, in which the business terminal transmits data relating to the transaction to the server associated with the loyalty scheme.

Fig. 14 is a flow diagram of a method 1400 for performing a Cash Remittance transaction using a customer identifier with a loyalty scheme. The method 1400 begins at a Start step 1405 and proceeds to step 1410, in which a customer visits a participating business. In step 1415, the customer displays to a scanning device of a merchant terminal a unique identification image allocated to that customer by the "getmerewards" loyalty rewards scheme. In one example, the customer utilises a portable computing device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, or tablet computing device, to display the stored unique identification image. In another example, the customer displays a printout of the unique identification image.

In step 1420, the merchant terminal transmits information derived from said scanned identification image to a server associated with the loyalty rewards scheme for

authentication. The information may optionally include information to identify the merchant and/or store location. The server authenticates the customer, based on the transmitted information. Control passes to decision step 1425, which determines whether the customer is remitting cash to his account with the participating business. If the customer is not remitting cash to his account with the participating business, No, control passes to decision step 1430, which determines whether the customer is eligible for any reward from the participating business.

If at step 1435 the customer is eligible for a reward from the participating business, Yes, control passes to step 1435, in which the business enters event details and redeems the reward. As for step 1330 of Fig. 13, the event may refer to a purchase activity in terms of an amount or quantity of goods or services purchased or to granting access to an entry point. Control passes from step 1435 to decision step 1440, which determines whether the customer is an account holder of the participating business. If the customer is an account holder of the participating business, Yes, control passes to step 1445 and the business enters the equivalent amount of the quantity purchased.

Control passes from step 1445 to step 1450, in which the business terminal sends data relating to the transaction to the server associated with the loyalty scheme. Control passes from step 1450 to step 1455, in which the server responds with an updated account balance to the merchant terminal. Control passes from step 1455 to an End step 1460 and the method 1400 terminates.

Returning to step 1425, if the customer is remitting cash to his account with the participating business, Yes, control passes from step 1425 to step 1470, in which the business enters the amount remitted. Control then passes to step 1475, in which the business terminal sends data to the server associated with the loyalty scheme. In step 1480, the server responds with an updated account balance to the merchant terminal. Control passes from step 1480 to an End step 1485 and the method 1400 terminates.

Returning to step 1430, i^the customer is not eligible for any reward from the participating business, No, control passes from step 1430 to step 1465, in which the business enters event details. Control passes from step 1465 to step 1440, as described above.

Returning to step 1440, if the customer is not an account holder of the participating business, No, control passes from step 1440 to step 1450, as described above.

Fig. 15 is a flow diagram of a method 1500 for validating entry using a customer identifier with a "getmerewards" loyalty scheme. The method 1500 begins at a Start step 1505 and proceeds to step 1510, in which a customer visits a website of a participating event registered with the getmerewards loyalty scheme and presents a unique identifier allocated to that customer by the loyalty scheme. In step 1520, the web server hosting the website of the participating event communicates with the server associated with the loyalty scheme. In one arrangement, the web server of the participating event has an option for the customer to select that he/she has a getmerewards identifier (ID). The web server of the , participating event sends a request message with the customer's ID to the getmerewards loyalty scheme web server. The request message is in a predefined interface format agreed between two servers. The getmerewards loyalty scheme web server sends a response message that includes validation of the customer and the associated rewards points to the web server of the participating event.

In step 1525, the customer books one or more tickets via the website of the participating event. Control passes to step 1530, in which the customer visits a participating event. Control then passes to step 1535, in which the customer displays to a scanning device a unique identification image allocated to that customer by the "getmerewards" loyalty rewards scheme. In one example, the customer utilises a portable computing device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, or tablet computing device, to display the stored unique identification image. In another example, the customer displays a printout of the unique identification image.

The scanning device transmits information to a front end business terminal, which in turn sends information derived from said scanned identification image to a server associated with the loyalty rewards scheme for authentication. The information may optionally include information to identify the merchant and/or store location. In step 1540, the server authenticates the customer and validates the ticket booking, based on the transmitted information.

Control passes from step 1540 to decision step 1545, which determines whether the customer is eligible for any reward from the participating business. If the customer is eligible for a reward, Yes, control passes to step 1550, in which the business enters details relating to the event and redeems the reward. The event may refer to a purchase activity in terms of an amount or quantity of goods or services purchased or to granting access to an entry point. Control passes to step 1555, in which the business terminal sends data relating to the transaction to the server associated with the loyalty scheme. Control then passes to an End step 1560 and the method 1500 terminates.

Returning to step 1545, if the customer is not eligible for a reward from the participating business, No, control passes to step 1565, in which the business enters the event details. Control then passes to step 1555, as described above. Fig. 16 is a sample of a screenshot of a user interface 1600 displayed on a display of a point of sale terminal associated with a business. In this example, the user interface is ready to scan a customer loyalty image and get the transaction value to update the server with the pre-configured merchant's reward value.

Fig. 17 is a sample of a screenshot of a "QuickAd" screen 1700 of a loyalty rewards scheme that enables a merchant to publish a sale advertisement message.

Fig. 18A is a flow diagram illustrating a further method 1800 for implementing a loyalty rewards scheme. In this example, a POS terminal operated by a merchant is not necessarily in communication with a server implementing a loyalty rewards scheme. The method 1800 begins at a Start step 1805 and proceeds to step 1810, in which a customer registers with a loyalty rewards program. Registration may be performed in person, via telephone, or through an online registration process. During registration of a customer, the loyalty rewards scheme issues a customer identifier to the customer.

The online registration process may be performed by the customer utilising a computing device to access a software application or website associated with the loyalty scheme to provide a set of mandatory details in exchange for the loyalty rewards scheme issuing the customer with a unique user identification image, which is stored on one or more computing devices associated with the customer. The computing devices may include, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet device. In one implementation, a software application executing on a computing device generates the user identification image and stores the image on that device. In another implementation, a software application executing on a computing device sends a set of mandatory customer details to a server. The server generates the user identification image and transmits the generated user identification image to a computing device associated with the user by Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message or by email.

In one arrangement, registration of a customer involves the customer downloading a software application from a loyalty rewards server or website to execute on a computing device accessed by the customer. The computing device may be, for example, a smartphone, portable tablet, laptop, desktop, or the like. In another implementation, registration provides the customer with a customer identifier and password for logging in to a website associated with the loyalty rewards scheme. Control passes to step 1815, in which a merchant optionally registers with the loyalty rewards scheme. As for the customer in step 1810, the merchant may register via the telephone, in person with an agent of the loyalty rewards scheme, or via an online registration process.

Control passes from step 1815 to step 1820, in which a registered customer makes a transaction with the merchant. At the point of sale, the merchant issues a receipt relating to the transaction, wherein the receipt includes the merchant identifier or other content that enables the merchant to be identified. In one implementation, the merchant is registered with the loyalty rewards scheme and the POS terminal is adapted to print information on the receipt relating to loyalty rewards points. In one example, the POS terminal prints an amount of loyalty reward points earned during a transaction.

In step 1825, the customer obtains an electronic copy of the receipt. In the scenario in which the receipt issued in step 1820 is an electronic receipt, such as an email sent from the merchant to the customer, then step 1825 is redundant. In one scenario, the merchant issues a paper receipt in step 1820 and in step 1825 the customer obtains an electronic copy of the receipt using a scanner or a camera. For example, the customer uses a camera in a smartphone to take a photograph of a printed or electronic receipt to obtain an electronic copy of the receipt.

In step 1830, the customer transmits the electronic copy of the receipt, such as via email or website or mobile phone application, to a centralised server used to implement the loyalty rewards scheme, such as the server 210, wherein the electronic copy of the receipt includes the merchant identifier or content that enables the merchant to be identified. Depending on the implementation, the customer attaches the customer identifier associated with the customer to the electronic copy of the receipt. In one example, the customer uses a software application, or "app", associated with the loyalty rewards scheme and executing on a smartphone to transmit the electronic copy of the receipt via a communications network to the server 210. In such an arrangement, it is possible for the application to embed or attach the customer identifier associated with the customer to the electronic copy of the receipt.

In a next step 1835, the loyalty rewards scheme server 210 receives and processes the electronic copy of the receipt. In one arrangement, processing the electronic copy of the receipt includes the steps of identifying the value of the transaction, extracting the merchant identifier, and extracting the customer identifier of the customer who made the transaction. In the scenario in which the merchant terminal prints the number of loyalty reward point on the receipt, the server retrieves the number of loyalty points, such as by using optical character recognition (OCR) or the like. In one scenario, the merchant terminal prints a total purchase amount on the receipt and the server identifies the amount and converts the total amount to a number of loyalty rewards points, in accordance with a predefined conversion schedule established for the merchant involved in that particular transaction. In an alternative implementation, a software application executing on a computing device accessed by the customer includes optical character recognition software and the software application transmits the number of loyalty points in the copy of the electronic receipt transmitted to the server. The server then updates an account associated with the customer to reflect the addition of new loyalty points associated with the transaction. Control passes to step 1840, in which the customer logs on to the loyalty rewards scheme, server to view the updated account status. Control passes to step 1845 and the method 1800 terminates.

Thus, the method 1800 enables the loyalty rewards scheme to update an account associated with a customer to reflect loyalty points earned during a transaction, even when a POS terminal operated by the merchant involved in the transaction is not coupled to the loyalty rewards scheme server.

Fig. 18B is a flow diagram illustrating a further method 1850 for redeeming points in a loyalty rewards scheme. As for Fig. 18B, in this example a POS terminal operated by a merchant is not necessarily in communication with a server implementing a loyalty rewards scheme. The method 1850 begins at a Start step 1855 and proceeds to step 1860, in which a registered customer performs a transaction with a registered merchant.

In step 1865, the customer provides to the merchant details of loyalty points presently held by the customer. In one example, the customer uses a portable computing device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to access a browser to connect to a website hosted by the loyalty rewards scheme. The customer provides a customer identifier and password to log in to the website, which then retrieves account information relating to the customer and displays the account information on a display of the portable computing device. The account information may include the number of loyalty rewards points presently held by the customer, such that the customer is able to show the display to the merchant, so that the merchant knows how many loyalty rewards points the customer is able to redeem.

In an alternative example, the customer uses a software application installed on a portable computing device to retrieve account information from the loyalty rewards server. The customer is then able to show the display to the merchant, so that the merchant knows how many loyalty rewards points the customer is able to redeem.

Control passes to step 1870, in which the merchant produces a transaction receipt in relation to a transaction with the customer. The transaction receipt includes details of any rewards points redeemed by the customer in relation to that transaction. In step 1875, the customer obtains an electronic copy of the receipt. In step 1880, the customer or merchant transmits the electronic copy of the receipt to a centralised server used to implement the loyalty rewards scheme, such as the server 210. Depending on the implementation, the customer or merchant attaches the customer identifier associated with the customer to the electronic copy of the receipt. In one example, the customer or merchant uses a software application, or "app", associated with the loyalty rewards scheme and executing on a smartphone to transmit the electronic copy of the receipt via a communications network to the server 210. In such an arrangement, it is possible for the application to embed or attach the customer identifier associated with the customer to the electronic copy of the receipt. In a next step 1885, the loyalty rewards scheme server 210 receives and processes the electronic copy of the receipt. In one arrangement, processing the electronic copy of the receipt includes the steps of identifying the value of the transaction and extracting the customer identifier of the customer who made the transaction. Processing the electronic receipt also includes the step of identifying any information relating to redeemed loyalty rewards points. In the scenario in which the merchant terminal prints the number of redeemed loyalty reward point on the receipt, the server retrieves the number of redeemed loyalty points, such as by using optical character recognition (OCR) or the like. In an alternative implementation, a software application executing on a computing device accessed by the customer includes optical character recognition software and the software application transmits the number of redeemed loyalty points in the copy of the electronic receipt transmitted to the server. In another example, the POS terminal prints a discount on the receipt, wherein the discount is able to be converted to a predefined number of loyalty rewards points by the loyalty rewards scheme server. For example, a discount of $10 printed on a receipt from a registered merchant may be defined to be equivalent to 100 loyalty points. The predefined rate of conversion between a merchant discount and loyalty reward points can be established during registration of the merchant. The server then updates an account associated with the customer to reflect the subtraction of redeemed loyalty points associated with the transaction. Control passes to step 1890 and the method 1850 terminates.

In an optional step, not shown, the merchant installs a merchant-based software application on a computing device coupled to a communications network, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. The merchant uses the merchant-based software application to transmit information relating to redeemed points to the serve 210. This step acts as a backup, to ensure that information relating to a transaction is reported by the customer to the loyalty rewards scheme server. In this scenario, it is not necessary for the merchant to undertake potentially expensive updates to the POS terminal and can administer the allocation and redemption of loyalty rewards points using a computing device coupled to a communications network.

In an alternative arrangement, step 1865 is replaced with a step in which the merchant uses a merchant computing device coupled to a communications network to communicate with a loyalty rewards server and retrieve information relating to the customer and a number of points available for redemption by the customer. The merchant computing device may be separate from or integrated with a POS terminal and may be implemented using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or the like. In such an arrangement, the customer provides a customer identifier and the merchant enters the customer identifier into a browser or software application executing on the merchant computing device.

The merchant computing device communicates with the loyalty rewards scheme server, via the communications network, to retrieve account information relating to the customer, wherein the account information identifies a number of loyalty points available for redemption by the customer. During or after the transaction, the merchant computing device transmits information relating to the transaction to the server, so that the server is able to update the account information relating to the customer by subtracting the value of any redeemed points from the account associated with the customer.

Depending on the implementation, the merchant is able to reduce the price of an individual item or total purchase price in exchange for the redemption of loyalty rewards points. In another implementation, the merchant offers bonus products or services in response to the redemption of loyalty rewards points. In one arrangement, a software application executing on a first computing device of a customer communicates with a merchant-based software application executing on a second computing device of the merchant, in order to exchange information relating to the transaction. Such information may include, for example, the customer identifier and availability of loyalty points to be earned or redeemed. Communication between the first computing device and the second computing device may be effected using wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or the like.

The situation often arises during commercial transactions wherein a merchant refunds a purchased item. The refund of money involved in the transaction is typically quite straightforward, whereby the merchant returns to the customer cash corresponding to the purchase price in exchange for the returned goods. Alternatively, the merchant applies to the relevant credit card company for the purchase price to be refunded to the credit card account of the customer. However, in the scenario in which a customer has redeemed

^' V

loyalty rewards points to purchase an item or the customer has earned loyalty rewards points by purchasing the item, it is necessary to reconcile the loyalty rewards points tally of a customer when a refund occurs.

In one arrangement, the merchant obtains an electronic copy of the refund receipt and transmits the electronic copy of the refund receipt, such as via email or website or mobile phone application to the loyalty rewards server. Depending on the implementation, the electronic copy of the refund receipt includes the customer identifier of the customer returning the goods. The customer identifier may be input by the merchant into a merchant-based application or may be embedded in the refund receipt. In one example, the merchant captures an image of the refund receipt, such as by using a camera on a smartphone or a webcam attached to a computing device. The loyalty rewards server processes the electronic copy of the refund receipt to identify the number of points to be adjusted and the customer identifier. The server then adjusts the account of the customer by the identified number of points.

In an alternative arrangement, the merchant enters relevant information into a

merchant-based software application associated with the loyalty rewards scheme. The relevant information may include, for example, the customer identifier and the number of points that are to be reversed or adjusted. Get Me Rewards - Reliable Efficient Rewards Program for Businesses

Under existing loyalty reward schemes, a customer scans a business identifier via a mobile phone camera, which is not robust and reliable. Further, customers who have mobile phones without built-in cameras or with cameras that are able to capture images at low resolutions are not able to avail themselves of reward points using their mobile phone (hereafter referred as phone).

The universal loyalty rewards scheme of the present disclosure makes a loyalty rewards scheme accessible to any customer who has a phone that is able to display an image and there is no need for a built-in camera to participate in the reward program and obtain reward points. In contrast to existing loyalty reward schemes, the universal loyalty rewards scheme has an authorised agent of a participating business, registered with the universal loyalty rewards program, scan the customer user identification image displayed on a display of the phone to complete the rewards transaction.

In one arrangement, a universal loyalty rewards scheme in accordance with the present disclosure is implemented using the name "Get Me Rewards" or "getmerewards" or the like.

Customers can sign in and acquire a user identification image (also called a Loyalty Identifier or Loyalty ID) using a software application fapp") downloaded from an online app-hosting service, such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, or the like.

Alternatively, a customer registers with the universal loyalty rewards scheme via a website associated with the rewards scheme. The loyalty rewards scheme issues a unique identifier to the user and transmits a Loyalty ID to the registered customer via email and/or pushes the Loyalty ID to a phone of the customer and/or via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), dependent upon an option selected by the customer during the registration process.

Same Sign On

In addition, the universal loyalty rewards scheme enables customers to use the

vSame Sign On' to obtain sale promotions and entry access in place of tickets across many types of participating businesses. There is no need for customers to register separately for each event entry. The universal loyalty rewards scheme identifies the customer during a commercial transaction and links the customer to the place of business at which the transaction is taking place. This saves time for both the customers and the merchant.

Customers can utilise a computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet computing device, or general purpose computer, to communicate with the loyalty rewards system server to view account details, including individual transactions, global points tally, and rewards points earned in respect of each participating merchant.

Industrial Applicability

The arrangements described are applicable to the computer and data processing industries and particularly for the retail, banking, and accounting industries.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" and its associated grammatical constructions mean "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or

"including", and not "consisting only of". Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

As used throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc., to describe common or related objects, indicates that reference is being made to different instances of those common or related objects, and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be provided or positioned in a given order or sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.