An interactive reward system to allow a user to collect and redeem rewards
is disclosed. The system can operate over the Internet or any other
network of linked mirco-processors which can reference a database. The
user can obtain rewards when using a user computer. A reward can be
obtained when the user selects an image or text, such as an
advertisement, that has an associated (optional) reward indicator. A
reward indicator can be, for example, a special logo or icon. When an
image with a reward indicator is selected by the user, control is passed
to a central computer that identifies the user and adds the reward to a
database storing a list of rewards available for redemption by that user.
Each reward is associated with a promoter's offer. Typically, each
promoter will have a computer, such as a webserver. After a reward has
been allocated to the user, the central computer passes control to the
promoter's computer associated with the selected image. The users can
access the central computer to see what rewards the user has collected,
to transfer rewards, and to redeem rewards or to print reward coupons for
redemption in a physical outlet. Rewards can also be redeemed at the
promoter's computer, which will communicate with the central computer to
ascertain if the selected reward is valid. The system has application to
other networked devices other than the Internet, such as ATMs and
telephones.