WO2009126452A2

WO2009126452A2 - Method and system for rewarding mobile payments

Info

Publication number: WO2009126452A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/038492
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Joa; Debashish Ghosh; Samuel Jeff Carter; David Neil Joffe; Nancy Teter Carrier; John Mertz
Original assignee: Bank Of America Corporation
Priority date: 2008-04-09
Filing date: 2009-03-27
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

Methods and systems of rewarding consumers for paying with a particular payment method such as using a mobile communication device may be used to motivate consumers to adopt the payment method. For example, rewards such as free minutes of mobile talk time, pre-paid calling cards, stored value cards, products, services, airline miles and the like may be awarded each time a customer uses his or her mobile communication device to make a purchase. A bank or other financial institution may receive transaction requests and determine whether the transaction is being made using a qualified payment device or method. Next, the bank may approve the transaction and determine a reward such as mobile minutes based on a rewards plan. The bank may then deposit the reward into a rewards accrual account. Various algorithms and rules may be used to determine the amount of a reward and its distribution eligibility.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REWARDING MOBILE PAYMENTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] The invention generally relates to mobile phone and other payment methods and rewards systems associated therewith.

BACKGROUND

[02] The use of mobile phones has become increasingly prevalent over the last decade. Technological advances have increased the utility, appeal, and affordability of mobile phones. In today's society, it is not uncommon to see people, ranging from grade-school children to young adults to the elderly, carrying mobile phones wherever they go. Some would consider mobile phones to be as indispensable as a person's wallet or purse.

[03] A mobile phone today offers much more than a mobile communication device. Mobile phones allow customers to e-mail, surf the web, listen to music, organize their schedules, play games, and even provide document-editing tools. In some instances, mobile phones may also be configured to serve as an alternative payment method. In particular, a mobile phone can support software applications and/or hardware components that provide the capability for customers to make purchases using the mobile phone. In one example, at the grocery store, instead of rummaging for cash or swiping a credit card and worrying about the theft of the credit card number, a customer may utilize the mobile phone to make a payment.

[04] However, as with most technological advances and new concepts, society often requires some motivation or incentive to adopt a new technology such as mobile payment methods. Further, wireless service providers through which mobile phones operate must also be convinced of some benefit in including and/or supporting mobile phone payment technology in their devices and adapting their wireless service to insure compatibility with this type of payment processing.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[05] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. The summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[06] In one aspect, a customer may purchase goods from a business (e.g., a merchant or retailer) using a mobile communication device. A bank system backing the payment method may receive customer account and transaction information when the customer attempts to make a purchase. Next, the bank system may approve the transaction and determine a reward based on a rewards plan. The bank system may then deposit the reward into a reward accrual account associated with the customer. In response to the total rewards deposited into the accrual account being above a threshold, the bank system may release a portion of the rewards in the rewards accrual account to the customer.

[07] In another aspect, a customer may purchase goods from a business using a qualified debit card, qualified credit card, or mobile communication device. The bank may receive purchase information and in response to acknowledging that the purchase qualifies for a discount, may generate and apply a discount to the purchase. The bank may pay the discount amount to the business and may deduct the rest of the purchase amount from the customer action. The bank may also send a text or email message to the customer and update the account in response to the transaction.

[08] In another aspect, a customer may purchase goods from a business using a qualified payment device or method such as a debit card, credit card, or mobile communication device. In response, the bank may search to determine whether a qualified coupon is in a coupon database or if the account has an e-coupon associated therewith. The bank may apply any such coupons to the purchase and/or may generate coupons for redemption by the customer in future purchases. The bank may also send a text or email to the customer's mobile communication device with the details of the new coupon earned.

[09] In another aspect, minutes earned as rewards may be deposited into a "rainy day" account. Upon meeting the threshold for releasing minutes to the "rainy day" account, the minutes in the accrual account may be released to the "rainy day" account until the customer's mobile minutes account is depleted. When the customer's mobile minutes account is depleted, the minutes in the "rainy day" account may be used to replenish the customer's mobile service account. Any minutes not awarded to the customer are automatically rolled over into the next period or cycle.

[10] In another aspect, minutes earned may replenish an existing account associated with a calling card. Alternatively, minutes earned may be awarded in the form of a calling card issued to the customer supplied with the earned minutes. Additionally, the customer may select which type of calling card, for example, domestic or international, and may be awarded different number of minutes based on the calling card selected.

[11] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[12] FIG. 1 illustrates a computing environment in which one or more aspects described herein may be implemented.

[13] FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile payment processing system according to one or more aspects described herein.

[14] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for enrolling a customer into a mobile minutes rewards program.

[15] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining minutes earned by a customer through mobile payments and whether to distribute the minutes to the customer.

[16] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for generating a discount at a point of sale for a mobile payment and applying the discount to the purchase.

[17] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for releasing earned minutes to a customer according to one or more aspects described herein.

[18] FIG. 7 illustrates an interface for receiving information indicating existence of customer's bank account.

[19] FIG. 8 illustrates an interface for receiving authenticating information.

[20] FIG. 9 illustrates an interface for applying for and opening a bank account. [21] FIG. 10 illustrates an interface for receiving information indicating existence of customer's mobile service account.

[22] FIG. 11 illustrates an interface for receiving mobile service account information.

[23] FIG. 12 illustrates an interface for registering with a mobile service provider and mobile service plan.

[24] FIG. 13 illustrates a mobile rewards statement according to one or more aspects described herein.

[25] FIG. 14 illustrates an interface receiving information related to the redemption of rewards earned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[26] In the following description of various illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present claimed subject matter.

[27] Fig. 1 illustrates a computing environment in which one or more aspects described herein may be implemented. A computing device such as computer 100 may house a variety of components for inputting, outputting, storing and processing data. Computer 100 may include desktop computers, laptop computers, ultra mobile PCs, mobile phones, PDAs, smartphones, and the like. Processor 105 may perform a variety of tasks including executing one or more applications, retrieving data from a storage device such as storage 115 and/or outputting data to a device such as display 120. Processor 105 may be connected to Random Access Memory (RAM) module 110 in which application data and/or instructions may be temporarily stored. Computer 100 may further include Read Only Memory (ROM) 112 which allows data stored thereon to persist or survive after computer 100 has been turned off. ROM 112 may be used for a variety of purposes including for storage of computer 100's Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). ROM 112 may further store date and time information so that the information persists even through shut downs and reboots. In addition, storage 115 may provide long term storage for a variety of data including applications and data files. Storage 115 may include any of a variety of computer readable mediums such as disc drives, optical storage mediums, magnetic tape storage systems, flash memory and the like. In one example, processor 105 may retrieve an application from storage 115 and temporarily store the instructions associated with the application RAM module 110 while the processor 105 is executing the application.

[28] Computer 100 may output data through a variety of components and devices. As mentioned above, one such output device may be display 120. Another output device may include an audio output device such as speaker 125. In one example, such output devices may be part of a mobile communication device. Each output device 120 and 125 may be associated with an output adapter such as display adapter 122 and audio adapter 127, which translates processor instructions into corresponding audio and video signals. In addition to output systems, computer 100 may receive and/or accept input from a variety of input devices such as keyboard 130, storage media drive 135 and/or microphone (not shown). As with output devices 120 and 125, each of the input devices 130 and 135 may be associated with an adapter 140 for converting the input into computer readable/recognizable data. In one example, voice input received through microphone (not shown) may be converted into a digital format and stored in a data file. In another example, credit card input may be received through a card reader (not shown) and converted into a digital format. In one or more instances, a device such as media drive 135 may act as both an input and output device allowing users to both write and read data to and from the storage media (e.g., DVD-R, CD-RW, etc.).

[29] Computer 100 may further include one or more communication components for receiving and transmitting data over a network. Various types of networks include cellular networks, digital broadcast networks, Internet Protocol (IP) networks and the like. Computer 100 may include adapters suited to communicate through one or more of these networks. In particular, computer 100 may include network adapter 150 for communication with one or more other computer or computing devices over an IP network. In one example, adapter 150 may facilitate transmission of data such as electronic mail messages and/or financial data over a company or organization's network. In another example, adapter 150 may facilitate transmission or receipt of information from a world wide network such as the Internet. Adapter 150 may include one or more sets of instructions relating to one or more networking protocols. For example adapter 150 may include a first set of instructions for processing IP network packets as well as a second set of instructions associated with processing cellular network packets. In one or more arrangements, network adapter 150 may provide wireless network access for computer 100.

[30] One of skill in the art will appreciate that computing devices such as computer 100 may include a variety of other components and is not limited to the devices and systems described in FIG. 1.

[31] FIG. 2 illustrates a network environment in which a mobile payment method and rewards system may be used according to one or more illustrative aspects of the invention. A customer, who may be an individual or another entity, such as an organization, group of people, and/or an incorporated business, may use a mobile communication device 200 such as a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), or other mobile computing device to make a purchase. In particular, mobile communication device 200 may include wireless communication components that allow for wireless communication with one or more points of sale such as point of sale system 205. Mobile communication device 200 may be configured to communicate according to a variety of wireless communication standards including BLUETOOTH, WiFi, 802.11 and the like. In one example, mobile communication device 200 may be configured to obtain authorization for a purchase from a business or retailer's network or system through point of sale system 205. For example, at a retail store, point of sale system 205 may include a credit authorization system with wireless capability allowing the customer to pay for goods in a plurality of ways including establishing a connection between the customer's mobile communication device 200 and the point of sale 205 (e.g., the credit authorization system) via BLUETOOTH, WiFi, 802.11, and the like. For example, mobile communication device 200 may include a chip or other device such that when the chip or device is detected by point of sale system 205 via scanning or another detection method, information such as customer's name, address, credit account number, checking account number and the like, may be transmitted to the point of sale system 205. Additionally, the point of sale 205 may allow for traditional payment methods such as swiping a credit card, inserting cash and the like. [32] In one or more arrangements, the customer may be required to verify or confirm the information including the sale total by selecting a confirmation option or inputting a personal identification number or other verification data. The verification or confirmation may be performed via mobile communication device 200 or via point of sale system 205. Alternatively or additionally, payment related information may be transmitted to point of sale system 205 via BLUETOOTH, WiFi, 802.11, and the like from mobile communication device 200. The transmission of payment and transaction information may also be conducted through mobile communication device 200. That is, transaction approval may be requested by mobile communication device 200 from the bank system 210 and upon receiving approval, sent to point of sale system 205. Thus, point of sale system 205 might not need to communicate directly with bank system 210. Instead, point of sale system 205 may use a communication channel established through mobile communication device 200. In one aspect, the mobile communication device 200 and the point of sale system 205 may directly communicate with bank system 210 without going through credit/debit network 225 dedicated to processing debit or credit transactions (e.g., VISA, MASTERCARD or AMEX networks).

[33] In another arrangement, mobile communication device 200 may communicate with bank system 210 to pre-authorize a transaction. The bank system 210 may receive a transmission from the mobile communication device 200 requesting pre-authorization of a specified amount of credit, a number of transactions, or a combination thereof. In one example, a pre-authorization request may be received by the bank system 210 through a dedicated website. Pre-authorization approval may allow the customer to bypass traditional authorization requirements when making a purchase when that purchase falls within the bounds of the pre-authorization approval. For example, if the customer obtains pre-authorization for all purchases under $10 over the course of a month, then all qualifying purchases might be allowed to bypass a full formal authorization process.

[34] Referring back to FIG. 2, point of sale system 205 may be configured to communicate with a bank processing system such as bank system 210 and the credit/debit network 225 through network 220 to authorize a purchase and to transmit information that indicates whether the customer made the purchase using a mobile communication device such as mobile communication device 200. In one example, the point of sale transmits authorization information to the credit/debit network 225 before the information is routed to the bank system 210. Alternatively, the purchase information may be directly sent to bank system 210 through network 220 bypassing the credit/debit network 225. Bank system 210 may include, for example, a server in a back office which stores financial data relating to bank customers. Bank system 210 may be configured to receive requests from a business 's point of sale system 205 or from a credit/debit network 225 via network 220 and to transfer funds from either the customer debit account if the form of purchase is a debit card or from the bank's account if the purchase is made via a customer's credit card account. Bank system 210 may also be configured to check a personal identification number submitted by point of sale system 205 to determine and verify that the sale is authorized by the customer. Additionally, bank system 210 may be configured to update the customer account following a transaction.

[35] Bank system 210 may further be configured to calculate or otherwise determine rewards, such as mobile minutes, earned by the customer in relationship to a purchase or other transaction. Additionally, bank system 210 may be configured to deposit earned rewards into a rewards accrual account, and further, to determine if the total rewards in the accrual account is above a threshold, or otherwise satisfies conditions set forth by the rewards plan. According to one aspect, bank system 210 may purchase or otherwise obtain rewards from a mobile service provider such as mobile service provider system 215 or any other party which may replenish a customer's mobile minutes for the customer's use on mobile communication device 200. Bank system 210 may be configured to communicate with the mobile service provider 215 such that bank system 210 may control the release or addition of mobile minutes to the customer's mobile service account.

[36] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for enrolling a customer in a mobile payment rewards program. A bank system may receive a customer application for mobile reward program enrollment in a number of ways. For example, the bank system (e.g., bank system 210 of FIG. 2) may receive an electronic application submitted by a customer, e.g., via a website, mobile communication device, or a bank kiosk. Alternatively, the bank system may receive an application from a customer through a financial agent where the customer calls the agent on the phone, sends the agent an email, or simply visits a financial agent at a branch office. At step 300, the bank system may receive a request for enrolling a customer into the mobile rewards program. For example, the customer may have clicked "I would like to enroll in the mobile rewards program" on the bank website. At step 305, the bank system may determine whether the customer has an existing bank account. For example, a customer may respond to whether the customer has a bank account via an interface such as interface 700 of FIG. 7. Interface 700 may include option buttons for indicating whether the customer does or does not have a bank account with the institution.

[37] If the customer has an existing bank account, the customer may log-in to the customer's account. For example, the bank may receive customer log-in information via an interface such as login interface 800 of FIG. 8. If the customer does not have an existing bank account, however, the customer may be invited to open a bank account at step 310 in FIG. 3.

[38] FIG. 9 illustrates an interface 900 that the customer may use to submit information to open a bank account. Interface 900 may request various information such as name, address, city, e-mail, and a desired password. Some of the requested information may be required while others may be optional. Additional information about the bank accounts and services associated therewith may also be provided in interface 900.

[39] Referring again to FIG. 3, upon successfully opening a new bank account at step 310 or upon successfully verifying that the customer has an account with the bank at step 305, the bank system may determine whether the customer has an existing mobile service account at step 315. For example, the bank may receive a response as to whether the customer has a mobile phone account via an interface 1000, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Interface 1000 may include option buttons for selecting a yes or no answer, for example, for indicating whether the customer has a mobile service account already.

[40] If the bank system determines that the customer has an existing mobile service account, the bank system may receive information related to the customer's existing mobile service account at step 320. For example, the bank may receive this information through interface 1100, as seen in FIG. 11. Interface 1100 may include fields for entering related mobile service account identification information such as a phone number, provider name, account number and the like. If, however, the bank system determines that the customer does not have an existing mobile service account at step 315, the bank system may assist the customer in opening a mobile service account at step 325. For example, the bank system may redirect the customer, or provide links, to mobile service provider application web pages.

[41] Alternatively, the bank may partner with various mobile service providers to offer customers a mobile service plan and a mobile communication device through a service signup interface such as interface 1200 of FIG. 12. According to one arrangement, one or more pieces of information requested by interface 1200 may be retrieved and pre- populated based on information known by the bank of FIG. 12. Information fields 1205 may include a bank account number field for establishing a direct deduction plan between the mobile service provider selected and the customer's bank account. Such a plan may deduct the mobile service plan costs directly from the customer's bank account and provide the customer convenience and may allow the customer to avoid late payment charges.

[42] Referring to FIG. 3, at step 330, once a mobile service account and a bank account have been identified or established for the customer, the bank system may create a mobile rewards account for tracking earned rewards and purchases made by a customer. The bank system may further link the customer account(s) held by the bank with the mobile service account(s) held by the mobile service provider and the mobile rewards account in step 335. For example, the bank may link a customer's checking account or savings account with the mobile service account held by the mobile service provider. The process of linking a bank account with a mobile service account may include the bank system requesting pre-authorization for access to the customer's mobile service account or vice versa. For example, a bank system such as bank system 210 of FIG. 2 may be provided with limited access to one or more mobile service accounts by mobile service provider system 215.

[43] In one aspect, by querying information related to the mobile service plan and details such as how many minutes the customer is entitled to use per month or period and how many minutes the customer has used thus far this month or period, the account information may be provided to the customer as a mobile reward statement 1300 as illustrated in FIG. 13. A customer logging in to the customer's mobile rewards account may be able to view the monthly status of rewards earned. Here, the mobile rewards statement 1300 may include basic account information 1305 which may list the name on the account, address, rewards account number, mobile service account number, and the like. Mobile rewards statement 1300 may further include recent purchase information 1310. Here, information related to the purchase, such as point of sale, date, and cost may be provided. Mobile rewards statement 1300 may further provide rewards status information 1315 which may include credits or minutes earned per transaction and also how many more credits are needed to release the reward. The status of any other additional bank rewards programs the customers may be enrolled in may also be included in the mobile rewards statement 1300. For example, KEEP THE CHANGE rewards program information 1320 may be included. A message box 1325 may further be included indicating important reminders or special offers. Alternatively, the message box 1325 may include links to web pages or graphics. Mobile service account information may be provided in mobile service account box 1330. For example, information such as minutes deposited, date of deposit, minutes used, balance of minutes and the like may be included. Alternatively or additionally, the bank system 210 may provide mobile service provider 215 information related to the customer's mobile rewards account to enable the customer to view mobile rewards account information through the customer's mobile service provider account. Customer approval may be required prior the bank system 210 providing mobile service provider 215 information related to the customer's mobile rewards account.

[44] Referring again to FIG. 3, the enrolling customer may be given the option of customizing their mobile rewards program at step 340. Various aspects of customization may include choosing additional types of rewards to be earned or selecting between different rewards plans. For example, different rewards plans may include earning minutes per purchase, minutes per dollar amount, airline miles, cash, products, services, discounts on products and services, points and the like. In another example, customization may allow the customer to accrue rewards for another person (e.g., relative, friend, neighbor, etc.). Once the mobile rewards account has been created and customized (if desired), the customer may begin accruing awards under the mobile rewards plan. [45] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for earning, processing and distributing rewards earned under a mobile minutes rewards plan to a customer. For example, at step 400, information associated with a purchase request may be received by a bank system. The bank system may be a part of a banking institution that backs the payment method chosen by the customer. For example, a BANK OF AMERICA system may receive purchase requests from customers using a BANK OF AMERICA credit or debit card. Purchase request information may include authorization information like a personal identification number (PIN), a card or account number, a card security code and the like. The information received may also include whether the customer used a qualifying payment method such as a mobile phone to make the purchase. In another example, the information may indicate that the customer used a qualifying bank credit or debit card to make the purchase. Such a card may have other functionality including the capabilities of an automatic teller machine (ATM) card and may further have the capability to act as a prepaid calling card, to replenish mobile service accounts, and to execute the transfer of funds (e.g., SAFESEND). In another example, the card may carry with it an assurance that calls made by the customer are at the lowest rate available as offered by the bank.

[46] At steps 405 and 410, the bank system may determine whether the purchase was made via a rewards qualifying method. For example, at step 405, a bank processing system may determine if the purchase was made using a mobile communication device. If not, at step 410, the bank processing system may determine if the purchase was made with another qualified method such as a qualified credit or debit card. If the purchase was not made by a qualifying method, a reward might not be awarded. However, if the purchase was made by a qualifying method as determined at steps 405 or 410, the system may debit the cost of the purchase from the customer's bank account, a credit account or other account associated with the payment method at step 415. At step 420, the system may calculate the rewards to be credited according to the rewards plan, and at step 425, the system may deposit the reward in an accrual account. Rewards such as mobile minutes may be calculated and awarded based on a variety of formulas, rules or algorithms. For example, 1 minute of talk time may be awarded for every 10 dollars spent. In another example, the number of minutes awarded may equal 2% of a total purchase amount. At step 430, the system may determine whether the rewards in the accrual account are above a threshold. If so, a number of minutes equal to a portion or all of the minutes in an accrual account may be obtained from a mobile service provider at step 435 and may be released to the customer at step 440. The customer's accounts, such as the accrual account and the mobile rewards account may be updated at step 445 to reflect the releasing of the minutes to the customer at step 440.

[47] In one aspect, an accrual account holds rewards earned by the customer until a threshold or a set of criteria is met before releasing the earned rewards to the customer. At step 420, a bank system may determine whether the threshold for distribution to the customer is met. If the threshold is met, the appropriate rewards in the accrual account is deducted and distributed to the customer. If the threshold is not met, the rewards might not be distributed to the customer and may be held in the accrual account. In one aspect, the total amount of rewards in the accrual account may be compared to a rewards threshold to determine whether a portion of the rewards is to be distributed to the customer for usage. The rewards threshold may be constant or may be dynamic. In one example, a rewards threshold may be dependent on the cost of purchasing the minutes from the mobile service provider, types of products and services purchased, time and date of purchase and the like. Accordingly, if the cost of purchasing minutes from the mobile service provider has increased, more minutes may need to be accrued in the accrual account before the bank system releases the earned minutes to the customer. Alternatively or additionally, a criterion or a set of predefined criteria may be used to determine whether a portion of the rewards is to be distributed to the customer. Such criteria may include the date on which a reward was earned, the rate of which rewards are being accrued, or how many minutes are left in the customer's mobile service account for the current period (e.g., month). For example, minutes may be released to the customer if the customer has waited 14 days since earning the minutes or if the customer's mobile account is depleted for the current period.

[48] Rewards plan associated with the mobile payment rewards program may define a variety of rates, rules, and regulations governing the program, such as how a customer may accrue rewards or at what rate the rewards accrue. For example, a rewards program may be based upon a formula that rewards a customer ¹A a minute of talk time for every purchase made by the customer using a mobile phone. In another aspect, the plan may determine rewards based in part on the type of purchase made. Thus, the plan may allow a customer to accrue bonus minutes for purchases made that total over a certain sum of money or award bonus minutes for purchases made at certain locations, such as the gas station, grocery store, or in paying for a taxi fare.

[49] According to one aspect, a rewards plan may allow the customer to choose from a plurality of reward types. For example, the customer may select to earn rewards in the form of airline miles, cash, products, services, discounts on products and services, points and the like. Additionally, the customer may select to "mix-and-match" rewards. For example, the customer may choose to allot 30% of all eligible rewards to be in the form of airline miles at the pre-determined rate, 30% of all eligible rewards to be in the form of mobile minutes at another pre-determined rate, and the remaining 40% of all eligible rewards to be in the form of cash. Alternatively, bank system 210 may analyze the customer's purchase habits and determine the optimal breakdown of rewards customization. For example, if bonus rewards are awarded for travel purchases made when the selected form of rewards is airline miles, the bank system 210 may shape a customer's rewards program to include airline miles if the customer historically makes travel purchases frequently during particular time-frames. In another example, if the customer spends more money on mobile communications than travel purchases per month on average, the bank system may shape the customer's rewards plan to give greater emphasis on mobile minute rewards as compared to airline miles (e.g., customizing the rewards program such that 70% of eligible rewards go toward mobile minutes rewards and 30% of eligible rewards go toward airline rewards). In another aspect, the customer may customize rewards to maximize rewards for anticipated purchases. For example, the customer may customize rewards program to award all earned rewards in the form of gas redeemable at a gas stations in anticipation of the customer's purchase of a car or other vehicle.

[50] According to another aspect, the plan may be customized to reflect the customer's spending habits. For example, if the customer has purchased gas once a week for the last few years at a particular local gas station, the rewards plan may include a bonus every time that the customer purchases gas from that particular gas station. By providing this additional incentive for a purchase that a customer would likely make at a given location, habitual use of the new mobile payment method may be developed. In another embodiment, the plan may list different rewards or rules for earning rewards for different businesses. In another example, the customer may obtain greater rewards by making a commitment to purchase various goods or services in the future through the use of the mobile phone. For example, the customer may agree to use the mobile phone to make a certain number of purchases at a particular business over the next year. Should the customer then subsequently meet his commitment, the customer may earn additional rewards that otherwise would be unavailable or unearned.

[51] In one configuration, the rewards plan may be dynamic or include dynamic aspects. For example, the customer may elect to receive email or text messages regarding special offers or offers that are available only to a certain number of customers (e.g., on a first- come-fϊrst-served basis). The email or text messages may specify that customers may earn bonus rewards by satisfying certain requirements. These notifications of special opportunities or offers may be sent by the bank, authorized merchants, or any other authorized party. In another aspect, as the customer makes purchases with mobile phones, data may be collected with respect to these purchases and based on data collected, rewards plan may be configured to reach one or more of many different goals. For example, the rewards plan may give extra incentives to a customer to make certain purchases with the mobile phone in which the customer typically does not use the mobile phone (e.g., taxi fare). In another example, loyal customers may be rewarded with escalating rewards based on tenure with the bank or number of purchases made with the mobile phone.

[52] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing mobile payments under a discount rewards plan. At step 500, a bank system 210 may notify customers of an offer of purchase opportunity qualifying for a discount reward. The notification may be in the form of an email or text message and may include offer details such as duration of offer, discount available, product or purchase to which the discount applies, and the like. At step 505, the bank system may detect a purchase request from a retail point of sale and receive purchase information including purchase cost, purchase method, authorization information such as a personal identification number, and the like. Next, at step 510, a bank system may determine from the purchase information received if the purchase is eligible for rewards. In response to determining that the purchase is eligible for rewards, a discount is generated at step 515. For example, a customer may receive a discount on the entire purchase. Discounts may be awarded each time a purchase is made using a qualified method or, alternatively, may be awarded according to a condition such as a number of qualifying purchases made. In another example, if purchase information received at step 505 includes specific product purchase information, a customer may receive a discount on only certain products purchased. The discounted amount may, in one or more arrangements, be transferred to the retailer at step 520 from the bank's funds. At step 525, the remaining amount requested by the merchant may be debited from the customer's account. In another aspect, the entire original cost of the purchase may be debited from the customer's account and the bank may reimburse the customer account an amount equal to the amount of the discount. In addition, a text message or email may be sent to the customer at step 530. For example, the text message may read, "Thank you for using Mobile Rewards! Your purchase today received an additional 5% off! Have a good day." At step 535, the customer account is updated.

[53] Discounts may also be provided in the form of e-coupons generated and awarded by merchants or a bank. In one example, discounts or e-coupons may be generated promotionally and emailed or texted to customers for redemption. In another example, the coupon may be generated upon detection of a qualifying purchase and may be redeemed during the next qualifying purchase. Coupons awarded may be linked to the account and may be redeemed automatically when the terms of the coupon are met. For example, upon making a qualifying purchase with a mobile device, an applicable e- coupon linked to the customer's mobile rewards account may be automatically redeemed. The coupon may apply to one item or the entire purchase. In one aspect, the customer may log onto the bank website under the customer's account to view coupons earned and redeemed. In another aspect, the customer may call into a hotline or otherwise listen to coupons earned or may text a key phrase such as "valid coupons" or "view valid coupons" and in response would receive a reply text message with all the coupons still valid for the customer.

[54] In another aspect, customers may earn additional rewards by referring new customers who buy bank products or enroll in the mobile rewards program. For example, an existing mobile rewards customer may refer the customer's friends and family for enrollment into the mobile rewards program. The customer may be awarded additional rewards for providing referral information and may further receive additional rewards if the referred individual successfully enrolls into the mobile rewards program. For example, the customer may access the customer's mobile communication device to text any or all contacts saved on the mobile communication device with a customizable message that reads, "Hi, this is John Doe! I'm a member of the mobile rewards program at ABC bank and this program is great! I highly recommend it. Visit www.abcbank.eom for more information or just forward this text to 11111 and an ABC bank representative will contact you. Don't forget to tell them John Doe sent you! Thanks and have a good day!"

[55] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing minutes earned through a rewards plan. In particular, earned minutes may be deposited into a "rainy day account" and might not be made available for consumption until after the customer has used up all the minutes under the customer's mobile service plan. Thus, the "rainy day account" may serve as a buffer to protect against over-usage penalties. At step 600, a bank system deposits earned rewards into an accrual account. At step 605, the bank system determines if the accrual account has met a predefined threshold. If so, at step 610, the system determines whether the customer's mobile account is depleted. If the customer's mobile account is not depleted, the minutes are either left in the accrual account or alternatively, placed into a "rainy day" account for release to the customer once the customer's mobile account is depleted. However, if the customer's account is depleted as determined at step 610, a number of minutes to be released to the customer's mobile service account may be determined at step 615. For example, the number of minutes to be released may depend on how many minutes the customer has gone over the customer's monthly allotted minutes under the customer's plan. In one example, if the customer has 100 releasable minutes but is only 50 minutes over the customer's month plan, only 50 minutes may be released while the 50 remaining releasable minutes are rolled over into the next period or, alternatively, placed into a "rainy day account". At step 620, the determined number of minutes may be obtained from the mobile service provider and released to the customer mobile service account at step 625. At step 630, the customer's accounts, such as mobile minute rewards account and the accrual account, may be updated. In one aspect, the bank system may receive and process a customer's request that the customer's earned eligible minutes in the accrual or rainy day account be released to the customer even if the criteria of step 610 has not been met.

[56] In addition, the minutes that are earned though the plan may, whether requested or automatically triggered, go towards replenishing minutes that were already previous used by the customer. For example, by mid-month, the customer may have already used up 1050 minutes of talk time. At this point, the customer is already 50 minutes over the customer's plan allowance and may be subject to paying a penalty for going over the plan allowance. However, released minutes may replenish the allotted number of minutes as to prevent the customer from having to pay overage charges. In another aspect, the customer may view the customer's mobile rewards statement 1300 and decide when to apply earned minutes are to be released to the customer's account. In this example, the customer may decide to request that all the customer's releasable minutes are released to the customer's account even if the customer has not depleted the customer's allotted minutes. Such a feature may be advantageous to customers who are cautious about going over the account allotment and prefer to have the releasable minutes available as opposed to going over the allotment and replenishing the account.

[57] According to one or more aspects, other types of rewards may be awarded to customers in addition to mobile minutes. For example, an amount of data transfer (e.g., 10 megabytes of transfer from World Wide Web) may be given as an award. In another example, rewards may be downloadable songs. In another example, the award may depend on the type of purchase made. For example, a purchase of a music compact disc from a music compact disc store may result in the customer being awarded a free downloadable song for the mobile phone in lieu of, or in addition to, talk minutes awarded by the plan.

[58] Additionally or alternatively, a bank or other financial institution may team with mobile service providers in offering a rewards program for customers by providing the customer with a mobile phone and/or reduced rate plans for customers of both the bank and the mobile service provider. For example, a potential customer who is searching for both a bank and a mobile service provider may take advantage of such a program. In another example, a current customer of the bank may decide to take advantage of such a rewards program. The bank and/or mobile service provider may offer a mobile payment rewards program by providing the customer with a free or reduced price phone and a very minimal plan (e.g., 50 minutes for $5 per month). By using the cell phone to make purchases that the customer would likely otherwise purchase with cash or credit, the customer can accrue minutes.

[59] In another aspect, the customer, after logging into the customer's mobile rewards account, may check rewards balances, set spending limits, set merchant restrictions, redeem rewards or otherwise customize the customer's mobile rewards account through interface 1400 of FIG. 14. For example, if the customer chooses to redeem rewards through interface 1400, the customer may click on a "redeem rewards" link. A drop down box 1405 may appear requesting the customer to select the type of reward desired. After selection of the type of reward desired, the customer may be prompted to enter additional information related to the selection. For example, if the customer chooses "redeem rewards for a calling card", the customer may be required to enter the country the customer wishes to use the calling card from in "call from" field 1410 and enter the destination country the customer wishes to call to in the "call to" field 1415. Calling cards for domestic use may have different rates (e.g., per minute of talk time) than calling cards for international use, so bank system 210 may determine the maximum number of minutes a customer may receive upon redemption of the rewards available to the customer based the information the customer entered in fields 1410 and 1415 and rewards available to the customer. Upon selecting the "calculate rewards!" button 1420, the interface 1400 may return the maximum minutes which may be supplied to the customized calling card. The customer may then either select "redeem now!", "save for later", or "cancel" buttons 1425 to complete the redemption process. Additionally, the customer may redeem less than the entire amount of available rewards to the customer.

[60] Aspects described herein are contemplated to be applicable for use by any type of financial institution that is engaged in providing financial products to a customer. Financial institutions may include a commercial or retail bank, a savings and loan, a credit union, or a similar entity. The methods and systems described herein may help to maximize both market share (percentage of the market for a given financial product) and the customer's wallet share (percentage of the customer's financial arrangements with a particular institution). [61] While illustrative embodiments described herein embody various aspects are shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example each of the elements of the aforementioned embodiments may be utilized alone or in combination or sub- combinations with the elements of the other embodiments. It will also be appreciated and understood that modification may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present intention. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present intention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A method comprising: receiving a request for transaction approval including transaction information; determining whether a purchase at the point of sale was made using a mobile communication device based on the received transaction information; in response to determining that the purchase was made using the mobile communication device, determining a reward; and depositing the reward into a rewards account.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining whether a total amount of rewards in the rewards account meets a threshold; and in response to determining that the total amount of rewards in the rewards account meets the threshold, releasing at least a portion of the rewards in the rewards account.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the total amount of rewards corresponds to an accrued number of minutes of mobile communications and wherein releasing at least a portion of the rewards including distributing at least a portion of the minutes to a mobile service account.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: determining whether the mobile service account is depleted of minutes, wherein distributing the at least a portion of the minutes is performed in response to determining that the mobile service account is depleted.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the transaction information includes information identifying a type of payment device used.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the reward includes generating a discount for the purchase made.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising redeeming the reward automatically upon a subsequent qualifying purchase and wherein the reward generated is an e-coupon.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein determining a number of mobile minutes to be awarded for the purchase includes: determining a type of purchase being made, wherein a first number of mobile minutes is awarded for a first type of purchase and a second number of mobile minutes is awarded for a second type of purchase, the first and second number of mobile minutes being different.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the rewards is at least one of: a product, airline miles, stored value cards and pre-paid calling cards.

10. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, performs a method comprising: receiving a request for transaction approval including transaction information; determining whether a purchase at the point of sale was made using a mobile communication device based on the received transaction information; in response to determining that the purchase was made using the mobile communication device determining a reward; and depositing the reward into a rewards account.

11. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10 comprising: determining whether a total amount of rewards in the rewards account meets a threshold; and in response to determining that the total amount of rewards in the rewards account meets the threshold, releasing at least a portion of the rewards in the rewards account.

12. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein the total amount of rewards corresponds to an accrued number of minutes of mobile communications and wherein releasing at least a portion of the rewards including distributing at least a portion of the minutes to a mobile service account.

13. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 12, further comprising: determining whether the mobile service account is depleted of minutes, wherein distributing the at least a portion of the free minutes is performed in response to determining that the mobile service account is depleted.

14. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein the transaction information includes information identifying a type of payment device used.

15. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein determining the reward includes generating a discount for the purchase made.

16. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10 further comprising redeeming the reward automatically upon a subsequent qualifying purchase and wherein the reward generated is an e-coupon.

17. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein determining a number of mobile minutes to be awarded for the purchase includes: determining a type of purchase being made, wherein a first number of mobile minutes is awarded for a first type of purchase and a second number of mobile minutes is awarded for a second type of purchase, the first and second number of mobile minutes being different.

18. A method comprising : receiving a request for transaction approval for a purchase, the request including transaction information; determining whether the purchase is being made using a mobile communication device; in response to determining that the purchase is being made using a mobile communication device, determining a number of mobile minutes to award for the purchase; and depositing the determined number of mobile minutes into an accrual account.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: determining whether a total number of minutes in the accrual account meets a threshold number of minutes; in response to determining that the total number of minutes in the accrual account is above the threshold number of minutes, obtaining a number of minutes equal to the total number of minutes in the accrual account from a mobile service provider; and distributing the total number of minutes in the accrual account to a mobile service account of a customer making the purchase.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein determining a number of mobile minutes to be awarded for the purchase includes: determining a type of purchase being made, wherein a first number of mobile minutes is awarded for a first type of purchase and a second number of mobile minutes is awarded for a second type of purchase, the first and second number of mobile minutes being different.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein determining a number of mobile minutes to award for the purchase is performed based on a customizable rewards plan.