摘要:
A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.
摘要:
A seller server receives an offer which specifies a type of product (e.g. a seat on a flight), at least one condition (e.g. destination and date of departure), and an offer price specified by a buyer. The seller server also receives an associated payment identifier that specifies a financial account, such as a credit card account. The payment identifier essentially “guarantees” the offer in that the seller may receive payment from the financial account even if the buyer attempts to renege. The seller determines whether to accept the offer, based on various factors such as the offer price and the availability of appropriate products to satisfy the conditions of the offer. If the offer is accepted, payment is provided to the seller using the payment identifier.
摘要:
A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers. The method includes a step during which an indication of at least one product or service category of interest is received from a customer or other potential purchaser, a step during which a selection of at least one product or service is made that matches the indicated product or service category, a step during which an indication of the selected product or service is provided to the customer or other potential purchaser or to a device used or accessible by the customer or other potential purchaser, a step during which an indication is received that the customer or other potential purchaser has actually purchased, rented, leased, obtained, etc. the selected product or service, and a step during which a benefit is provided to the customer or purchaser who actually purchased, rented, leased, obtained, etc. the selected product or service, or to some other person or entity designated by the customer or some other person or entity.
摘要:
According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.
摘要:
A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.
摘要:
A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.
摘要:
A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes storing information regarding the first medicine and wirelessly communicating a signal between the first container and a second container adapted to store a second medicine. In a second embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining if a first container for storing a first medicine is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. The method further includes generating data based at least in part on whether the first container is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with the second container. In a third embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a signal and, based at least in part on the received signal, determining whether a first container for storing a first medicine was positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. In a fourth embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a signal from a device that monitors whether a first container for storing a first medicine and a second container for storing a second medicine are positioned so as to communicate. The method further includes determining if at least one party has complied with a schedule for taking the first medicine and the second medicine based at least in part on the received signal. Systems, apparatus and computer program products are provided for carrying out the above-described embodiments and numerous other embodiments.
摘要:
A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription is established by receiving a request to establish a subscription and receiving information that identifies a product. Terms of a subscription for the product are established. The established subscription is identified by a redemption identifier which is communicated to the customer. It is also determined whether the customer is complying with a frequency of the subscription.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes storing information regarding the first medicine and wirelessly communicating a signal between the first container and a second container adapted to store a second medicine. In a second embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining if a first container for storing a first medicine is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. The method further includes generating data based at least in part on whether the first container is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with the second container. In a third embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a signal and, based at least in part on the received signal, determining whether a first container for storing a first medicine was positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. In a fourth embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a signal from a device that monitors whether a first container for storing a first medicine and a second container for storing a second medicine are positioned so as to communicate. The method further includes determining if at least one party has complied with a schedule for taking the first medicine and the second medicine based at least in part on the received signal. Systems, apparatus and computer program products are provided for carrying out the above-described embodiments and numerous other embodiments.