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Pre-Grant Publication Number: 20080270241

System and method for efficient allocation of rebates

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Prior Art Detail

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#310Funds Distribution System Connected with Point of Sale Transactions

Applies to Claims 1,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Submitted by: Susan MurrayLast updated: about 3 years ago

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Summary / Description

Summary / Description	An automated way for sales establishments to extend point of sale (POS) cash transactions to allow consumers to save change or transfer discretionary funds into saving or donating accounts managed by a central clearinghouse.

Basic Information

Type of Prior Art	Print Publication

Publication Title *	United States Published Patent Application US20050167483 (issued as US 7,171,370)

Author	Bertram V. Burke

ISBN

Page Range

Medium	Other printed publication

Publication Date *	August 4, 2005

URL	https://www5d.delphion.com/cgi-...

Notes / To Do

Notes

Excerpt

Excerpt

Notes: This submission made by Susan Murray on behalf of Manny Schecter of IBM, who originally uncovered this prior art. Specific citations for each claim are drawn from the issued patent since that provides greatest citation clarity, but the published application provides an earlier prior art date in support of a 102(b) rejection.

Relevance

Claims

A method for efficient allocation of rebates comprising the steps of:providing a server system capable of electronic communication with a user in control of a client system;

enabling the user to selectively apportion a rebate in any proportion among those on the list consisting of the user, charities on a pre-established charity list, and other charities;

initiating a funds disbursement in accordance with the apportionment.

Relevance

Col 2, lines 23-43 disclose a "central computer CC" (corresponding to "server system") and a number of "cash registers CRx" (corresponding to "client system"), representing a "remote terminal RTx" which are capable of electronic communication and allow user control. "Selective apportionment" element is disclosed at col 2, lines 56-59 and col 5, lines 20-28. "Initiating funds disbursement" element is found at 2(56-59, 61-62, 44-50), 3(46-48), 5 (12-15).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 1 further comprising:the rebate being associated with a purchase of a good or service.

Relevance

See relevance analysis for claim 1. See also column 3(4-26).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 1 further comprising:the rebate having a rebate identifier associated therewith.

Relevance

Two forms of rebate identifiers are disclosed at 3(18-30).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 3 further comprising:the rebate identifier being a bar code.

Relevance

Using a bar code as a rebate identifier is disclosed at 3(21 and 29-30).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 3 wherein the step of enabling the user to selectively apportion a rebate in any proportion among those on the list consisting of the user, charities on a pre-established charity list, and other charities comprises:receiving a rebate identifier from the client system;

presenting the pre-established charity list to the client system;

presenting to the client system a data entry component for designating the user or additional charities not on the pre-established charity list;

and receiving from the client system a directive to apportion the rebate associated with the received rebate identifier;

whereby the user can selectively apportion a rebate in any proportion among those on the list consisting of the user, charities on a pre-established charity list, and other charities.

Relevance

In addition to above claim analyses, see 6(4-14).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 1 further comprising the step of:enabling the user to add additional funds to be disbursed.

Relevance

For claims 6-7, see 3(67) to 4(22).

Claim Chart

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The method of Claim 6 further comprising:the additional funds originating from a credit card transaction.

Relevance

For claims 6-7, see 3(67) to 4(22).

Claim Chart

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The method of Claim 1 further comprising the step of:recording the directive received from the client system.

Relevance

Examples of recording are disclosed at 2(63-64) and 3(37-39).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 1 further comprising the steps of:providing a user identifier;

associating with the user identifier each directive received from that user.

Relevance

User PIN is disclosed at 5(48-51), which must necessarily be associated with directives from that user (see 5(61-65).

Claim Chart

All

A system for efficient allocation of rebates comprising:a server system capable of electronic communication with a user in control of a client system;

the server system having a computer processor and memory sufficient to enable the server system to perform the steps of,receiving a rebate identifier from the client system,the rebate identifier being associated with a rebate,

presenting a pre-established charity list to the client system,

presenting to the client system a data entry component for designating the user or additional charities not on the pre-established charity list,

receiving from the client system a directive to apportion the rebate associated with the received rebate identifier;

and initiating a funds disbursement in accordance with the apportionment.

whereby the user can selectively apportion a rebate in any proportion among those on the list consisting of the user, charities on a pre-established charity list, and other charities.

Relevance

See above analyses.

Claim Chart

All

A method for efficient allocation of rebates comprising the steps of:establishing a list of charities;

establishing a vendor list;

establishing rebates associated with goods and/or services provided by those on the vendor list,each of the rebates having a rebate identifier;

providing a server system capable of electronic communication with a client system;

receiving a rebate identifier from the client system;

presenting the list of charities to the client system;

receiving from the client system a directive to apportion the rebate associated with the received rebate identifier;

initiating a funds disbursement according to the directive.

Relevance

Vendor list inherent at col 6(57)-7(2).

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 11 further comprising the step of:presenting to the client system a data entry component for designating the user.

Relevance

See above.

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 11 further comprising the step of:presenting to the client system a data entry component for designating additional charities not on the list of charities.

Relevance

See 6(4-34).

Claim Chart

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The method of Claim 11 further comprising:the rebate being associated with a purchase of a good or service.

Relevance

See above.

Claim Chart

All

The method of Claim 11 further comprising:the rebate identifier being a bar code.

Relevance

See above.