Method and apparatus for tracking customer purchases using a unique anonymous identifier
US8055535B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0236
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for tracking customer purchases using a unique anonymous identifier. Customer purchases are monitored by obtaining a unique anonymous identifier from the customer as part of a current transaction; and associating the current transaction with a prior transaction using the unique anonymous identifier. The unique anonymous identifier can be, for example, a purchase identifier associated with the prior transaction, and provides a link among a plurality of transactions associated with the customer. The current or prior transaction (or both) can optionally be clustered with one or more transactions associated with registered users having known demographics to obtain demographic information for at least one of the current and prior transactions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.