METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSACTING TARGETED DISCOUNTS

摘要

The invention is a method for operating a computer database system for the purpose of enabling a seller to offer and transact discounts targeted to people according to criteria that the seller specifies. The method can be divided into a set of modules. A first module enables a seller to enter a targeted discount offer including: a product or service that a discount applies to, a discount amount (a constant amount or a percentage of a purchase), and a set of targeting conditions for receiving that discount. A second module enables a buyer to claim (accept) the targeted discount. A third module executes an expected value payment bet in which the expected value is set at the discount amount. A fourth module enables a buyer to learn that she has provisionally won a payoff in the bet corresponding to the discount she claimed. A fifth module enables a buyer to claim that she is eligible for the payoff that corresponds to the discount. A sixth module enables inspection of the buyer to determine if she meets the membership conditions of the discount offer. A seventh module enables the winning, eligible buyer who has passed the inspection to be paid the payoff corresponding to the discount.