MXPA00003924A - System and method for incentive programs and award fulfillment - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for providing incentive programs over a computer network is provided in which a host may provide sponsoring companies with the capability to buy prepackaged or self-built incentive programs, offer such incentive programs to consumers, provide sponsoring companies and retailers with the capability to associate prizes with incentive programs, provide sponsoring companies, retailers and consumers with convenient fulfillment of prizes, and store and manipulate databases regarding all of the foregoing.

Description

^ SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMS OF INCENTIVES AND AWARD OF REWARDS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application is based on the application of United States Patent No. 09 / 040,490 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND AWARDS OF REWARDS filed March 18, 1998 naming Eggleston and Ukhov as the inventors, the request J of Provisional Patent of the United States of America number 60 / 063,180 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMS OF INCENTIVES AND AWARD OF REWARDS filed on October 20, 1997 naming Eggleston and Ukhov as inventors and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/067776 entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND AWARDS OF REWARDS" filed on December 10, 1997, naming Eggleston as the inventor. Both applications for provisional patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to systems and methods to conduct incentive programs as well as systems and methods for the award or fulfillment of rewards and prizes won in incentive programs. The present invention relates more particularly to systems and methods for conducting incentive programs on computer networks such as the Internet. 2. Description of the Related Art Reward incentive programs in which incentive companies contract with sponsoring companies are programs that promote sales of the products or services of the sponsoring companies. Incentive programs include discount coupon programs, loyal customer programs, programs such as frequent airline traveler programs and promotional games such as prizes, bets, scratch and win games and the like in which the products or services of the Sponsoring companies are earned through successful participation in incentive programs. Incentive programs offer rewards and incentives to modify the behavior of individual consumers and to direct consumers to certain predetermined actions such as the purchase of products or services by visiting a retail site, visual advertising, product testing. or similar. Companies use rewards and incentives to increase the perception of product offerings, to launch new products, to attract the attention of a recently identified audience, to differentiate products that encourage certain behavior, to obtain information, and for other purposes. Traditional incentive programs suffer disadvantages in terms of convenience in information control, promotions modifications, and the like. For example, for a consumer who participates in multiple incentive programs it may take some time and effort to register their participation in each program. For example, it takes time to keep track of the loyalty points earned in each incentive program separately. Therefore, when a consumer receives an offer to participate in an incentive program, the consumer can decide against participating in it, not because the incentive program is not attractive, but because of the cost to the consumer, in terms The time and effort of taking control of another incentive program exceeds the benefits expected for the incentive program. According to this, a need has arisen for a unified system that provides generation and administration of programs, control of information and awarding of rewards. Existing incentive programs do not meet all the needs of consumers or the sponsors associated with incentive programs. One form of incentive program that is widely used is that of promotional mail. The processing of promotions, that is, providing the discount coupon or the appropriate check to the customer as a reward for their initial purchase, involves high volume and intense work activity including the collection, verification and organization of initial purchase tests and related information, preparation of checks, coupons or other items using previously printed material provided by the sponsor in connection with the particular proportion, and finally the draw of individual items based on their mail destinations. At any given time a typical provider of promotional services is involved with many different promotions from various sponsoring manufacturers. The forms previously printed when provided by different sponsors, may vary in size and form, thus creating the need to handle individual promotions separately.

This increases the cost of management not only in added labor, but also in the costs of mail since it is difficult for a single promotion to accumulate a volume of sufficient elements to qualify for certain reduced mail rates, for example, the reduced rate available for mail previously sorted by zip code of the recipient. The recombination and manual classification of elements for multiple promotions would be a prohibitive expense. Another form of promotional program is the distribution of coupons and their reimbursement. There are many problems with the coupon distribution system and its reimbursement. For example, few consumers will go through all the steps necessary to reimburse their coupons. It is very common for many consumers to forget to take their coupons that they have cut and saved to the store. Thus, the reluctance of a consumer to carry out all the necessary steps, partially overrides the manufacturer's purpose of offering the purchase incentive. The merchant distributes coupons in the hope that they will induce sales of their product by offering a discount. However, when the coupon is forgotten or discarded, the consumer is generally not aware of the incentive when selecting a product among different brands in the retail store. Another problem with the coupon reimbursement system is verification. Because the verification of the reimbursement conditions is carried out by an employee who verifies, the consumer can according to the cases present so many coupons that it is impractical to verify the purchases required for all of them. As a result, some coupons are refunded without the purchase required. The introduction of digital computers and computer networks eliminates some of the inconveniences of conventional incentive programs, particularly those related to control and manipulation of information. The digital computer is a powerful data processing tool that allows the user to organize, store and analyze volumes of data at speeds that would be impossible with any prior known technique. Computers have been used in conjunction with incentive programs and other programs that have characteristics in common with such incentive programs, but computer programs for known incentives solve some but not all the disadvantages of conventional promotions. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,053,955 to Peach et al., Presents an improved coupon printing and assembly process. Peach and collaborators present a computer-based system to gather certain information from various promotions, in such a way that a single data set can be used as a source to print and mail coupons for multiple promotions. Thus, the Peach and collaborators system reduces some of the paper handling problem associated with single-promotion systems, but simply reduces, rather than resolves, the problems inherent in paper-based promotions.

Another system is described in O-A-9223838, which provides a system and method for providing purchase aids and incentives to customers through a computer network. The system helps customers identify retail store promotions in which they have already purchased, enabling them to conveniently obtain offers without changing their purchasing habits. Computer-based promotional games are also known. These games include scratch and win games, treasure hunts, video games and the like. These incentive programs have advantages over paper promotions, because the data regarding participation are easily stored and manipulated. However, existing incentive programs do not solve all the needs of the consumer or the sponsor. In particular, such promotional games do not help consumers to control the participation of multiple promotions and do not help sponsors to generate incentive programs, to take control of the participation in incentive programs and the awarding of rewards and prizes. There are computer-based systems to track some aspects of consumer participation in incentive programs. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,056,019 to Schultz et al., Discloses an automated system and method of accounting for rewards for purchases. In particular, Schultz and his associates describe a marketing method to provide rewards offers for manufacturers' purchases through automated control of consumer member purchases through the use of barcode membership cards and use purchase records in a data processing system to determine if the required purchases have been made to earn a reward. Each consumerist member receives a reward booklet that shows the available rewards offers, a periodic status report that indicates the consumer member's progress towards the reward and a reward certificate for the rewards earned. The Schultz card-based system takes advantage of the data processing capabilities of computer systems and certain data storage capabilities of electronic card technologies.; However, among other disadvantages, the system does not solve the need for a system that helps the sponsoring companies to generate incentive programs, in the control of the participation of consumers in multiple incentive programs, or in the awarding of the reward. . Computer networks offer the possibility of improved systems to offer incentive programs and to take control of participation in an incentive program. By linking several computers and providing shared resources and cross-platform communications, the computer network provides improved access to sophisticated applications by a user in remote locations. One of the most widely accepted systems in networks is the Internet. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that form a single broad global network. A user through the Internet can transmit messages interactively to users in different countries. Similarly, a user in the United States connected to archives and libraries and to other jurisdictions such as Europe and Asia can obtain files for their personal use. According to this the computer networks of Internet provide solid communication functions similar to the communication functions provided by radio operators. In addition, the computer networks of The Internet acts as a universal library, providing electronic access to resources and information available from Internet sites throughout the world. Various systems and methods are known which allow a sponsor to keep track of the information of multiple parties in the databases and update information in said databases based on transactions carried out by the parties towards the transactions. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,664,115 to Fraser describes an interactive computer system that matches buyers and sellers of real estate using the Internet. Similarly, banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions have developed computer-based systems that keep track of customer account information and update information after the entry of several transactions. Some of these systems involve the use of electronic cards and operate on computers connected in networks. These systems have requirements peculiar to their respective industries and none of the existing systems solves all the problems inherent to the known incentive programs, particularly the problem of the need for an incentive program system that conveniently controls participation to the It offers an automated generation of incentive programs and automated awarding of rewards earned in incentive programs. Incentive computer programs are offered on the Internet; however, such systems are generally offered by a single sponsor and are generally limited to offering consumers the ability to participate in incentive programs. Known systems do not offer sponsors the ability to conveniently generate incentive programs, control consumer participation in multiple incentive programs, or provide an automated award of rewards. Another important disadvantage of well-known computer incentive programs is that they have an obligation to award the rewards promised in a promotional campaign that is often logistically difficult and expensive. The coordination of delivering or arranging the recovery of rewards for a specified winner, in volumes that allow incentive programs to succeed, requires the coordination of prize, systems and information inventories. A system that resolves the awarding of rewards is disclosed in the United States Patent of North America number 5,025,372 for Burton et al.

Burton et al. Reveal a system and method of administering rewards incentive programs by means of bills of credit. The Burton et al. System, a computer system for an incentive reward program, allocates monetary amounts available for spending through credit instruments issued to participating programs when participants carry out a designated level of achievement. The account numbers of the credit instruments and the information that identifies the participants are stored in memory. The performance levels are calculated and assigned to each participant so that there is an amount of money available for their expenditure through the participant's credit instrument. Calculations, adjustments and reports are made concerning the amounts allocated for the use of the instrument amount, amounts retained, transactions of instruments and balance sheets. The calculations and printed invoices for payment by a financial institution for an incentive company based on the credit instruments issued under the incentive program are carried out and depend on the monetary volume of expenses through the credit instruments., the total income of the interest on the credit instruments, and the number of instruments issued. The system of Burton and collaborators takes advantage of a computer system to take control of the information, but it has a several disadvantages. Among other things, Burton et al. Does not offer an advantage to a company that sponsors an incentive program in terms of investing skill and labor to develop an incentive program. In addition, the complex letters of credit scheme of Burton and collaborators is likely to require the participation of other entities such as banks and lawyers in order to operate correctly. In addition, Burton et al. Does not provide the information control capability for a given consumer's participation in incentive programs of multiple program providers. Finally, Burton et al. Does not provide a system for the automated generation of incentive programs. Many existing promotional systems are also subject to the disadvantages of requiring specific computer software or computer hardware which must be purchased in order to participate in the incentive program. Historically promotional computer games were limited in their utility because in order to participate the user should buy specific software to participate in the incentive program. There was no convenient mechanism to conduct the information that the client had won a prize for the party that required to fulfill the award. Computer networks such as the Internet offer a convenient solution to some of these problems by allowing easy transmission of such computer software for promotional games and easy transmission of information regarding consumer success to the sponsoring company. However, the current incentive programs and reward systems available on the Internet are quite limited. First, most of these systems are limited to a specific type of incentive programs or products and services of a single sponsoring company. In addition, most such systems require a sponsoring company that uses an independent contractor to code the computer software necessary to run the incentive product. In addition, most of these systems are based on conventional mechanisms for awarding rewards such as issuing a certificate to the consumer by mail, which will be redeemable at a retail location of the sponsoring company. Also known are computer systems and methods for generating computer software programs based on underlying acts. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,576,951 to Lockwood presents an automated sales and service system that composes individualized sales presentations from different data sources of graphic and textual information to match captured customer profiles. in the system. However, known computer systems do not provide automatic generation of incentive programs based on parameters captured by a sponsoring company. Accordingly, a need has arisen for incentive programs and reward allocation systems that provide easy access to consumers with standard computer hardware as well as software which allows sponsors to build or purchase incentive programs easily and easily. efficiently and that they serve to take a convenient control of the participation and the award of automated rewards. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a new incentive program and a reward system for use in a computer network preferably on the Internet to provide consumers with access to expanded incentive programs using a conventional computer to allow sponsors to build, buy, store, modify, offer, take control and manage incentive programs, and allow retail sponsors to offer enhanced rewards adjudication for participants in the incentive programs. The increasing power of processing and the ability to access remote users of the Internet and other computer networks offer substantial opportunities for better reward allocation systems and incentive program systems. In particular, the Internet offers access to consumers who have standard equipment such as a personal computer without requiring specific hardware or software. The Internet also offers free communications in contrast to traditional communication channels such as mail, in which promotional materials are sent. The Internet also offers dynamic opportunities to transmit, store and retrieve information, in such a way that different incentive programs can be carried out on a much more frequent basis than in the case of traditional paper systems. The systems and methods according to the present invention allow the consumer who has accessed a computer, physically called "client" computer, to connect to a network site located on a server of a host system to participate in an incentive program. The consumer, through the graphic user interface of the consumer's computer, can participate in incentive programs by entering a site, using a certain amount of time entering data by marking predetermined icons in predetermined order, or other activities, involving the use of Computer. If the consumer satisfies certain predetermined criteria the consumer can win promotional prizes. The systems and methods of the present invention also allow sponsors to list incentive programs on an Internet site to obtain pre-packaged host incentive programs, build incentive programs using computer software provided by the host, associate awards with incentive programs offered through the site, and award the rewards won by consumers. The systems and methods of the present invention also allow the retailer to trade items available in its inventory to the sponsors with association of incentive programs as prizes. The systems and methods of the present invention also provide for the creation of database of resellers, catalogs, sponsors and other elements that allow the automated allocation of the specific elements. The systems and methods of the present invention are carried out through the use of a computer network, which can be the Internet. In particular, without limitation, the systems and methods of the present invention encompass a host computer connected to a network, a client computer of a consumer connected to the network, a sponsor computer of a sponsor connected to the network, a program of application of incentive participation for the consumer to participate in an incentive program, where the participation can be the incentive program of a plurality of sponsors, a server of the host computer, a web site located on the server of the host computer, where the consumer can participate in an incentive program through the network site, a host computer database of the rewards associated with the incentive participation application programs, an association application program of rewards to associate a reward with an incentive program and an application program to adjudicative award for the association of adjudication methods with respect to rewards. The systems and methods of the present invention also include an electronic card for the award of a reward, which has memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be the personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program. The systems and methods of the present invention also encompass an incentive construction application program, which runs on the host computer server, where the sponsor can build an incentive program interacting with the incentive construction application program, where the incentive construction application program covers a database of objects associated with the incentive programs, where each object is associated with an action that is related to the incentive program, an interface to allow the sponsor to capture parameters associated with an incentive program, an association application object to associate the objects with the parameters captured by the sponsor and to build a file comprising the objects associated with all the parameters captured by the sponsor, an editor to generate an electronic file that contains code for the program of incentives, an application classification program to classify the code into numbers that represent the elements of the code, an application generating program to generate tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program, and an executing application that is capable of to interpret the tables and execute the code. The systems and methods of the present invention also further comprise a graphic image file that is displayed in connection with an object, wherein the graphic image file is a brand image, wherein the object is a game piece of a program of incentives, where the object is shown after winning an incentive program, where the graphic image file can be modified, and where the graphic image file that appears depends on the characteristics of the user. The present invention can be better understood by referring to several commonly used terms whose definitions are as follows. The term "client", as used herein, comprises any data processing system suitable for operating a processor according to the invention and for establishing a communication link with an Internet site. An Internet site can be any program running on a data processing platform that connects to the Internet and that receives access requirements, whether under HTTP, FTP or any other proprietary or conventional transfer protocol. The term "application program", as used herein, comprises any computer file containing information in a format to be accessed and processed by the processing unit of a computer. The term "disk", as used herein, comprises any memory device that can store data on the computer and that provides an interface to access the stored data. The term "network", as used herein, includes any system that encompasses a series of computers linked through telecommunications networks and that may include the Internet, the Intranet or other computer networks. The term "Internet" means the largest global computer communications network. The phrase "incentive program" shall be understood to include any program for the creation of incentives, including programs within the sponsoring companies, such as incentive programs for employees, and outside the company, such as promotions to the client. The term "promotion", as used here, should be understood to cover all types of incentive programs. The term "reward" and the term "reward" shall be understood as synonyms and shall cover all types of incentives including merchandise, coupons, points, cash, services and other forms of incentives. The term "global network" (WWW) means a large global computer communications network that covers a significant part of the Internet. The term "sponsor", as used herein, includes any individual or company that wishes to offer an incentive or promotion program. The term "retailer", as used herein, includes any individual or company that wishes to provide rewards and prizes that will be associated with incentive programs. The term "retailer database" shall be understood to encompass a database of rewards and awards for awarding to consumers who have successfully won or completed incentive programs. Thus, the retailer's database should be understood to include rewards and prizes provided by sponsors, by the host, or by other parties, not just retailers. The terms "retailer database" and "rewards database" should be understood as synonyms.

The term "consumer", as used herein, includes any individual or user who wishes to participate in incentive or reward programs offered by sponsors. The consumers can be third parties, such as partners or suppliers, they can be employees or sponsors, or they can be clients of the merchandise of the sponsor or the merchandise of third parties, thus, the present invention intends to cover systems and methods by which a company offers incentive programs to individuals within their organizations, such as via computer intranet, as well as systems and methods to provide incentive programs to third parties through external computer networks. The term "host" as used herein encompasses any individual or company that wishes to provide a system to allow the sponsoring companies to offer incentive programs to consumers, employees, suppliers, partners and the like of the individual or company, and for the creation of database of retailers, catalogs, sponsors and other elements that allow the automated adjudication of specific items listed in computer inventory systems of retailers in a retail store. The term "server", as used herein, encompasses any data processing system in which application programs and Internet sites may be stored to access and process the client's computers. The term "network searcher", as used herein, comprises any application program, which allows the presentation in multimedia of information including texts, images, sound and video; A network browser allows the user to connect to the Internet in different places on the Internet. The term "hypertext link", as used herein, comprises any graphic icon, button, highlighted text or other symbol that allows a client computer to direct a server to display a page of an Internet site, which is associated with the hypertext link. The term "URL" means "uniform resource locator" and means the address of an Internet site that is accessed by initiating a hypertext link that is associated with the URL. The term "HTML" means a hypertext markup language, which refers to a language for the creation of Internet service pages in the global wide network. The term "HTTP", as used here, should include the hypertext transfer protocol which means a protocol under which messages are sent over the Internet from the client computers to the server computers in the server client model. distributed computing. The term "CGI" shall mean "common gate interface", which refers to a specification for communication between a server computer and an application program. The term "EDI" or "electronic data exchange" should mean a protocol for the transfer of data between an application program and a proprietary computer system such as an inventory system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of a worldwide network Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the primary hardware components of a host system of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a consumer computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a computer of the sponsor according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a retail computer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an operating system and its related applications of a consumer computer, a sponsor computer, a retail computer, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a host computer of the present invention. Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the steps by which a consumer can participate in incentive programs and earn rewards in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a flow diagram showing the steps by which a sponsor can offer incentive programs, select awards and participate in incentive program activities in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing the steps by which the sponsor can purchase a pre-packaged incentive program from the host of the system of the present invention. Figure 11 is a flow chart showing the steps by which the sponsor can build an incentive program in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing the steps by which the sponsor can select and purchase awards according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a flow chart showing the steps by which a reward database is established and maintained in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is a flow chart showing the steps by which the reward or prize is awarded in accordance with a part of the present invention. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the consumer database, the sponsor database and the rewards database of the present invention at the consumer's site, the sponsor's site and the site of the rewards of the present invention. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the data structures of the sponsor database of the present invention. Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the consumer database. Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing the data structures of the rewards database. Figure 19 is a diagram showing a page displayed by the graphical user interface of the incentive program builder of the present invention. Figure 20 is a table that shows the classifications of incentive programs that can be used to establish parameters for the construction of an incentive program. Figure 21 is a flow diagram showing the flow of information between the components of the present invention. Figure 22 is a flow diagram showing the steps of the present invention that lead to the awarding of a reward. Figure 23 is a flowchart representing the participation of the sponsor in the present invention. Figure 24 is a flow chart that discloses the general steps of a consumer's participation in the present system and method. Figure 25 is a flow diagram showing the steps for awarding rewards for a retailer using electronic inventory control and a consumer database. Figure 26 is a flowchart that details the steps for awarding rewards from a retailer that implements procedures for the control of manual inventories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention is a system for the construction and management of incentive programs in computer networks such as the Internet to take control and administration of the participation of incentive programs and for the awarding of rewards. earned in these incentive programs. This system includes the participation of a host who manages the system, one or more consumers who participate in incentive programs and in some cases earn rewards, one or more sponsors who offer incentive programs through the host system, and one or more retailers who they provide rewards for incentive programs and those who award rewards to clients. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of the global network. Figure 1 shows the client computers 34 which are connected by telecommunications links 38 to one or more server computers 32. The client computers 34 are equipped with network searchers in such a way as to allow the client computers 34 locate HTML pages. HTML pages preferably appear in graphic format. Well-known network browsers such as the NetScape browser and the Microsoft Explorer automatically format the information that is programmed in the HTML language according to well-known protocols. The information is transported back and forth between the client computer 34 and one or more servers 32 according to a well-known protocol such as the hypertext transport protocol. The messages sent according to HTTP are routed according to the "URLs" or the uniform resource locators, which determine what the Internet resource is and what protocols to use to access the resources. Other protocols, such as FTP can also be used. In the so-called "client server" model of distributed computing, messages are sent from the client's computers to one or more servers. Servers that use the global network are typically called "HTTP servers" or "network servers". A network server may have installed files on it that include HTML documents that can be displayed on a client screen when it is accessed from a client's computer. Network servers may also include or provide access to other servers that include common gateway ("CGI") programs that allow access to other resources on the network server, such as application programs and databases. Thus, without the need for hardware or software, different from that of standard personal computers and a common network browser 50, a consumer can access dynamic applications and contents stored on the network server. Referring to Figure 2, the systems necessary in particular to operate the present invention are shown. Thus a consumer computer 12, a computer of the sponsor 14, and a computer of the retailer 16, are connected via a telecommunications connection 38 over the Internet to a host computer 18. The host computer 18 may include a gateway computer or may be configured to provide a direct connection to telecommunication connections 38. The system may further include an electronic data exchanger 126 from the computer of the retailer 16 to the inventory system of the retailer 212, which allows an access between the components of the retailer and the computer hostess on the Internet. Referring to Figure 3 a client computer may include various standard components including a central processing unit (CPU) 20 and associated read-only memory ("ROM") 22, both of which are connections along the lines of data busbars 23 and addresses to a direct access memory 40. The consumer computer 12 can be the "client" computer. Also connected to RAM 40, the CPU 20 and the ROM 22 through the bus bar 23 are an input and output interface 28 (I / O) and an input and output device 24. The CPU 20 is operatively connected to the input and output interface. to control any corresponding input and output device 24. Typical input and output devices may include a video screen, a keyboard, a scanner, a mouse or a "joystick" or other input or output device. The consumer computer 12 may also include a storage device 45, which may be any conventional device for storing data, such as an external hard drive. The consumer's computer 12 may further include a system for connection to telecommunications links, which may be a modem 54. The consumer's computer is thus equipped similarly to any typical personal computer that is capable of displaying graphic computer games. Referring to Figure 6, installed on the consumer's computer 12 is an operating system 42 that controls various applications of the consumer's computer 12. The applications include applications for data management, storage and retrieval 44, a search engine application. network that is capable of formatting HTML type documents, a communications application 52 capable of controlling the communications of the consumer's computer 12 and another computer that are on the Internet and other applications 48. The operating system 42 can also be any standard operating system, but preferably is an operating system capable of providing a graphical user interface, such as the Windows 95 operating system or the Macintosh operating system. Referring to Figure 4, the sponsor's computer can also be a computer comparable to the customer's and the consumer's. The sponsor's computer may also include a CPU 58, ROM 60, input and output devices 62, input and output 64 interfaces, RAM 68, data bus 68 and a 90 modem. Thus, the configuration of the sponsor's computer 14 is similar to the consumer's computer 12. The sponsor's computer 14 may also include an operating system 42 for controlling various applications, including data management, storage and recovery applications 44, a 50 network browser, an application for communications 52 and other applications 48. The operating system 42 will preferably have to be capable of providing a graphical user interface 70 with graphic icons. Thus, the operating system may be a system such as Windows 95. The sponsor's computer 14 may also include a storage disk 75 for storing information such as an external hard disk. Referring to Figure 5, the retail computer 16 is also provided. The retailer's computer can also be a client computer of a configuration similar to the consumer's computer 12 and similar to that of the sponsor's computer 14. The retailer's computer 16 may also include a CPU 92, ROM 94, input and output device 98, input and output interface 100, RAM 102, BUS 93, Modem 124 and a storage device 109. The computer of the retailer 16 is also controlled by the operating system 42 which governs various applications including an application program for data management and its storage and retrieval 44, a network browser 50, a communications application 52 and other applications 48. The computer of the retailer 16 should preferably also include a graphical user interface 70 capable of displaying HTML documents that include graphic icons. The retailer 16 computer will also include an application to control the connection between the electronic information exchange ("EDI") 126. The EDI 126 connection is going to own the retailer 212's inventory system., the retailer's computer 16 will be configured to consult and obtain information from the retailer's inventory system 212 regarding the exact products in the retailer's inventory system 212. It should be noted that although the Internet is the preferred part of the present invention, the invention may also be operated with an intranet within a corporation or may include an ATN or a KIOS, which may include a dedicated terminal that is capable of making an online connection to a host computer and capable of executing commands through a host. input and output device. Also in one embodiment of the invention, certain aspects of the invention that can be completed by a single software, which can be copied by the user to a disk. Referring to Figure 2, the host system 10 may also include a host computer 18. Referring to Figure 7, the host computer 18 may include a CPU 170, ROM 172, Modem 174, a host gate 19, a storage device for the host computer. data 178, RAM 180, input and output interface 182 and input and output device 184. Host system 10, in particular, may include an HTTP server 188, or network server, or may optionally also include a separate application server able to effect communication to the HTTP server 188. The host computer 18 can be any conventional server, such as a DEC server, with a conventional operating system, such as UNIX. Host computer 18 should be able to receive messages according to standard Internet protocols such as HTTP. Referring to Figure 15, the host computer data storage device 18 stores files containing codes for implementing a consumer site 192, a sponsor site 194 and a rewards site 198. In addition, the storage device for data 178 stores the consumer database 200, a database of the sponsor 202, and a database of the rewards 204. The databases can be from common database types such as Oracle databases. A review of the functions carried out by the system and by the method of the present invention is shown below. A consumer operating on a consumer computer 12 uses the network browser 50 to locate the consumer site 192 of the host computer 18. Once the consumer has located the consumer site 192, the consumer has several options. The consumer can register to become a member of the host's incentive program by capturing various information in a predetermined format. Without registering, the consumer is provided with an associated identification number and password. The registration can also be completed by a single computer software in which case the consumer will be registered on a disk about which a program is stored when installed, the consumer asks the 38 the name 800, the address 802, his email address 804, your telephone number 806, your identification number 808, your password 810, and account number 812. Other records in the database of the consumer database 200 may include subrecords 814 that record different information. A set of 816 participation sub-registries can record historical participation in each of the consumer incentive programs. With profit under registration 818 information can be recorded regarding the consumer's profit activities. A reward or sub-registration points 820 can register loyalty points or prizes won by the consumer. A demographic or psychographic underreporting 822 may include information obtained through consumer responses to questions answered by the consumer during participation in incentive programs. Any number of other subregistries that contain information regarding the consumer or regarding consumer participation in incentive programs should be understood to have been included within the present system. Once the consumer registers, the registration can be transmitted to any third person or electronic card. The supplier of the electronic card can issue a card to the consumer that reflects the identification number and password of the consumer in such a way that it can be verified as a particular consumer that information necessary for its registration in the case of a software version of the consumer. registration the consumer downloads the software to disk and then sends it to the host system via email. In addition to the registry, the consumer site 192 includes hypertext links or other connections to different sites, applications and information. Thus the consumer can link to pages of information describing the host's incentive program system that describe a particular incentive program that provides other information related to the system. In addition, the consumer can link to incentive programs that are provided in a directory of incentive programs. Incentive programs may be incentive programs provided by the operator of the host system or by incentive programs of third parties that have been identified by the host in a directory listing. The consumer network site 192 also allows the consumer to search for information or incentive programs by subject or key, for example, the consumer may seek incentive programs per company by type of incentive program by type of award or the like. The consumer site 192 also includes a link to the site of the sponsor 194, such that a consumer may also consider whether the consumer wishes to provide incentive programs toward or for the services or products of the consumer himself. The consumer's site also allows the consumer to consult a database that provides status information for the consumer, regarding their participation in host incentive programs. Thus, the consumer can determine the number of points earned by participating in an incentive program, the prizes won in the past and similar information regarding incentive program activities using the host system. Among other things, the consumer can download rules and addresses to participate in incentive programs that have been registered by the sponsors as incentive programs in the host system. In the rules you can find information about specific prizes when giving, the odds of winning and the like. The participation of the consumer in the incentive program results in the automatic updating of the consumer database 200 and the sponsor database 202, which contain information in registers associated with the consumer. When the consumer registers, a record is created in the consumer database 200, the consumer record is reflected and includes the identification of the associated personnel and the like. Referring to Figure 17, the consumer database 202 includes records that may have included a particular incentive program for the adjudication stage of the present system and method. The card can be any type of electronic payment card such as a card with a magnetic stripe similar to an ATM card or a credit card which can be a smart card with a microchip as part of the smart card as part of this invention the smart card may store additional information from the consumer database 200, such as awards won through loyalty programs or the like. Thus, a typical consumer can sign up on the website to register in the host system and participate in one or more incentive programs. Incentive programs can include, for example, scratch games and win, gambling games and treasure box games or computer games. Participation in incentive programs may include capturing data, completing surveys by checking one or more icons in a predetermined manner or other "eligible to win" activities such as questions and answers. When the consumer wins an incentive program he has a software algorithm that indicates that a "win" has been made in the form of the appropriate prize consumer. Then update the databases to reflect that the consumer has won the prize. The prize may include not only retail merchandise but points for loyalty, discounts, coupons and the like. For example, a consumer who participates in a scratch and win game for a car rental company can receive the winning scratch card once and earn a number of loyalty points in the loyalty program of the company that leases them. automobiles Reward clinics of incentive programs for all types of incentive programs can be included in the present invention. Thus loyalty points can be obtained by participating with respect to multiple retailers, the merchandise can be won through the offer of the incentive program sponsor or by third party retailers. In addition incentive programs may include additional benefits for the retailer such as including advertising or product logos as part of the graphic objects displayed by the consumer when playing the incentive program so scratch and win game can, for example, include logo of a branded product that appears when the product is won. Other functions of the present invention can be carried out through the participation of a sponsor. The sponsor initiates participation through the sponsor's computer 14 by accessing the 50 network browser and capturing the URL of the sponsor's site 194. Sponsor site 194 then displays a sponsor page 195 which provides various options for it. The sponsor, for example, can register as a sponsor in the host system. The registration process includes the identification of the sponsor and various information regarding him / her including the sponsor's email address, the network address, contact information, types of incentive programs and other information relevant to the sponsor. The information is then stored in a sponsor's database which includes records associated with a particular sponsor. Once the sponsor registers a verification of the information is carried out, the site of the sponsor 194 is updated to reflect any incentive program that the sponsor wishes to include on the site of the sponsor 194. Thus, the sponsor's database 202 is updated, as is the sponsor site 194, after registration of a sponsor. A sponsor in addition to providing a link to a pre-existing incentive program site, can purchase a host incentive program. The incentive programs available from the host may be pre-packaged incentive programs that are computer software applications of predetermined incentive program types, such as scratch and prize games, treasure hunts, gambling or the like. It may include third-party incentive programs such as computer games for purchase through sponsors. The sponsor can see samples of different incentive programs and select their own based on the review of the samples. The selection of incentive programs uses the sponsor to define certain parameters related to the incentive program such as the start date, duration of the incentive program. The sponsor can also choose to build an incentive program. The sponsor can build an incentive program by interacting with the host computer's automated incentive program building capacity. The sponsor who wishes to build an incentive program and to select between different types of incentive programs or combinations of incentive programs is asked to capture parameters that are associated with these types of incentive programs so that a computer application program Host may generate an incentive program that has the characteristics selected by the sponsor. When the sponsor buys a pre-packaged incentive program or chooses to build an incentive program, the completed incentive program is downloaded to the sponsor to be installed on the sponsor's website. The sponsor's database is updated to reflect the presence of a new incentive program and the sponsor's site 194 is updated to include a link to the new incentive program. There are several ways in which the online code can be included within the network site of the sponsoring firm as follows. The sponsoring firm can receive instructions on how to place HTLM tags in desired locations throughout the site. The labels would serve as addresses for the code that is to be included. The sponsor or the sponsor's main network may leave an open port through which the company sponsoring the incentive program may include the code in designated areas. Send a set of files by mail to the sponsoring firm to be placed and incorporated into your site. Once a new incentive program is installed, the sponsor is required to select prizes for the incentive program. The prizes can be awarded by the sponsor in which case the sponsor simply captures the prices in the sponsor's database as members of the incentive program. The sponsor may also select awards from the merchandise retailer's reward database 204, catalogs of the merchandise of the company, merchandise of the sponsor and other prizes and rewards provided by the host system described more particularly below for the awarding of the prizes. The sponsor can pay for the selected prizes if he does not wish to deliver them and the sponsor can pay for the incentive program through electronic payment channels such as using a credit card number on the Internet. Once the payment has been verified the code for the incentive program is generated and transmitted to the sponsor. The code includes registration information such as the sponsor's identification number. The sponsor can also link to the sponsor's site 194 through pages containing various information regarding the host incentive program system and method, with respect to the host and regarding opportunities to participate in incentive programs. The site of the sponsor 194 also allows the latter to link directly to the consumer site 192 and consult the consumer database 200 for information regarding consumer participation in the sponsor's incentive programs. Thus, the sponsor can obtain demographic, psychographic or other information relevant to the participation of consumers in the sponsor's incentive programs. The participation of retailers in the present system and method can also be carried out by connecting a personal computer or a similar computer to a reward site 198. The retailer initiates the connection by capturing the URL for the rewards site 198 in the search engine. from the 50 network. The rewards site, which is a collection of files on the host system, displays information and links that allow the retailer to perform various functions. The retailer may among other things register as a retailer, in which case the database of the retailer 204 is updated to reflect the presence of the retailer and to include records reflecting the name of the retailer, the retailer's mailing address, the address of the retailer. retailer's network and other related information, after its registration the retailer can participate in various activities; however, the primary function of rewards site 198 is to allow the retailer to list information regarding the rewards that the retailer wishes to include in a menu of various rewards offered by the retailer. In this way, the retailer can list prizes to be selected by the sponsor. The rewards database 204 that is created by the retailer's participation is also connected via an electronic data exchange 126 with the proprietary inventory system of the retailer 212. In this way, the rewards database 204 can be automatically updated. so that it reflects the current inventory of the retailer according to the inventory numbers such as SKU, types of inventory or similar. Thus, it automatically allows you to connect to a rewards site 198 to search the site through a theme or key to obtain prizes in particular, select the prizes and update the sponsor's database to reflect the association of a particular prize with a incentive program in particular. The rewards site 198 also includes links to the consumer site 192 and to the site of the sponsor 194. The function of the present method and system can be understood by referring to the flowcharts shown in the Figures. Referring to Figure 8 a flow chart 300 shown describes the steps by which a consumer participates in incentive programs through the consumer network site 192. First, in step 301 the consumer connects to the consumer's computer 12. The consumer then uses the network browser 50 in step 302 to navigate to the consumer site 192, at which point the consumer sees a consumer page 193. The consumer page 193 includes a directory of links to other pages within the consumer. from the 192 consumer site, as well as links to incentive programs offered by third parties. In addition, the consumer page offers 193 different options to the consumer. In step 308 the consumer is encouraged to capture the consumer's name. Next in step 309 the host computer 18 searches the consumer database 200 to determine if the consumer is listed in the consumer database 200. If the consumer is in the consumer database in step 309 , the consumer is encouraged to write the consumer's password in step 311 and, during the confirmation of the password with a conventional password utility, the consumer is sent to step 304 in which he can see the different options available on the page 193. If the consumer is not in the consumer database 200 in step 309, then the consumer is required to respond if the consumer wishes to register as a member of the host system in step 306. If the consumer wishes to register in step 306, then it is prepared to complete the registration process in step 306. If in step 306 the consumer declines to register then this one return to step 320 towards a message informing the consumer that the capabilities of the host system require registration and that the consumer can be disconnected by using the backspace key of the consumer's browser. Once the consumer registers through the registration process the consumer database 200 is updated in step 321 and the consumer returns to a page in step 304 which reflects the directory of options available to the consumer. Thus the consumer making a series of steps can determine if the consumer wants to drive various options. In step 310, the consumer may select to search the sponsor's database to find incentive programs. The search can be by topic or by key, by company or by other parameters. If the consumer wants to search, then this is transferred to a search algorithm in step 311. Once the search is completed or if the consumer does not wish to search then in step 312 the consumer selects whether he wants to link to an incentive program. If the consumer wishes to be linked to an incentive program then this links to a hypertext link to the incentive program in step 313. Once the incentive program is completed or by executing the back button of the network browser 50 of the consumer, this is returned to the directory in step 304 at which point the consumer has various steps and options available. If the consumer does not wish to search or link to an incentive program in steps 310 and 312 then the consumer may choose to consult the consumer database 200 in step 314. In step 315 the consumer may consult the database determine information regarding consumer participation in past incentive programs, the status of consumer participation in such incentive programs including whether the consumer has won awards and the nature of them and the number of points the consumer has accumulated in programs of loyalty offered by the sponsoring companies. At the end of the consultation the consumer returns to the directory in step 304 and is again offered several options. If the consumer does not want to search or link to an incentive program or consult a database, he or she can go to step 316, choose to view information regarding incentive programs. If desired, in step 317 the consumer links to the pages containing information, including rules for participation in incentive programs, a description of the consumer's site and other information regarding the host system. In step 318 the consumer may also choose to link to the site of sponsor 194 by answering affirmatively to the questions that are asked about whether the consumer wishes to become a sponsor in the host system. Once each of steps 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318 is completed, the consumer returns to the directory to step 304 and all options are offered again. If the consumer does not select any of the options it can be disconnected in step 320 which can be completed by using the backspace key of the consumer search engine or by entering a URL for a different site in the search engine. Referring to Figure 23 the participation of the sponsor in the present system can be understood by reference to flow chart 708. In step 710 the sponsor decides to sponsor an incentive program. The host system determines whether the signature has established an account in step 712. If not, the sponsor registers in step 714 and a source is created in step 716. Once the account in step 716 is established the firm selects or builds an online incentive program. The sponsor's account is updated in the sponsor's database in step 718. The sponsor then consults the reward database in step 720. The sponsor selects the reward in step 722. The sponsor's account is updated in Step 724 to associate the reward with the incentive program. The sponsor pays for the incentive program and for any reward as described more particularly below in step 726. The sponsor's account is then activated to reflect a new promotion in step 728. Referring to Figure 9 the participation of a sponsor in the method and system of the present invention it can be shown later by the flow diagram 330. First in step 332 the sponsor locates the site of the sponsor 194 in which a page of the sponsor appears which is a series of pages that can be HTML pages stored in the data management in the recording and obtaining of information 44 in the site of the sponsor 194 located in the host system and dedicated to the activities of the sponsor. When you finish entering the main page, the sponsor should go to step 334 to write their name. Next in step 336 the host computer 18 conducts the search of the sponsor's database to determine if the sponsor is registered as a member of the host system. If in step 336 the sponsor is found in the database then it goes to step 337 to write the sponsor's password using a conventional password utility. After typing the password in step 337, the sponsor is sent to a directory in step 339. If the sponsor is not in the database in step 336 then the sponsor is sent to step 338 in which he is asked to register as a member of the host system . If in step 338 the sponsor wishes to register, then the sponsor is sent to the registration algorithm of step 341. After finishing the registration algorithm the sponsor is returned to step 339 at which point the system displays the directory. If in step 338 the sponsor does not wish to register, then he will see a message in step 343 to disconnect from the system in step 356. In step 339 the sponsor is required to select from various options reflected in steps 340, 342 , 344, 348, 350, 352, 354 and 355. After completing any of these steps the sponsor is returned to the directory in step 339 such that any step can be repeated if the sponsor so desires. The options available to the sponsor are as follows. At step 340 the sponsor may select to view information regarding the host system including information on rules and regulations of the incentive programs, the requirements for the sponsor to participate in the host system and the like. In step 342 the sponsor may select to fire an incentive program. If the sponsor chooses to fire an incentive program, it is required to indicate whether the sponsor wishes to see samples in step 343. If the sponsor wishes to see samples, the sponsor is given the opportunity in step 345 to view incentive programs. of samples of different types such as scratch and win games, treasure lottery and bet games and the like. Once the sponsor has seen the samples or if the sponsor does not want to see sample samples, the sponsor is required to indicate if they want to buy a pre-packaged incentive program of the type shown in the samples in step 344. If in step 344 the sponsor wishes to buy an incentive program then it is transferred to an incentive program purchasing algorithm which is reflected by a page "I" connector in Figure 9 the "I" page connector connects to a similar page connector "I" of Figure 10 which shows the algorithm to buy a pre-packaged incentive program. Upon completion of the purchase of the pre-packaged incentive program or if the sponsor does not wish to purchase a pre-packaged incentive program, the program is required to go to step 348 to indicate whether the sponsor wishes to build a new incentive program. If the sponsor wishes to build a new incentive program then it is transmitted to a set of algorithms that allow him to build an incentive program or several programs. The connection to the incentive program construction function is shown in the page connector "J" of Figure 9 which connects to the "J" connector with Figure 11, which shows the construction function of the incentive program. If the sponsor has purchased an incentive program in step 344 or has built an incentive program in step 348 then the latter is required to go to step 352 to select a prize or group of awards. The selection of a prize is shown in flow diagram 402 of Figure 12. The connection between Figure 9 and Figure 12 is shown by the "K" page connector. Upon completion of the award selection function, the sponsor returns to the directory of step 339 and may re-select the information view or launch an incentive program in steps 340, 342. If the sponsor wishes to see information it may be linked to a HTML page having said information in step 341. If one does not wish to follow these steps, there is another option to select in step 350 to consult the sponsor's database. If in step 350 the sponsor selects to consult the database, then at step 353 the host computer 18 conducts a search of the sponsor's database for various information such as the nature of the incentive programs offered by the sponsor, the consumer participation in the incentive programs, the awards associated with each incentive program and the like. Then, in step 354, the sponsor may select to consult the consumer database 200. If the consumer wishes to consult the consumer database 200 in step 354, then in step 357 the host computer 18 conducts a search of the consumer database 200 for various information related to consumer participation in the sponsor's incentive programs. For example, such information may include psychographic or demographic information regarding the types of consumers that are participating in the sponsor's incentive programs. For example, the sponsor may be able to determine the average age of consumers who are participating in their incentive programs. Upon completion of the query or if the sponsor does not wish to execute a query in steps 350 or 354 anymore, it may at step 355 link to step 359 to the consumer site again upon completion of each of steps 340, 342, 350, 354 and 355 the sponsor is offered all the options again. If none of these options is selected then the sponsor is required to disconnect at step 356. Referring to Figure 10, the steps by which the sponsor can purchase a pre-packaged incentive program are included in the diagram below. flow 358. After selecting to purchase a pre-packaged incentive program in step 344 of Figure 9, the sponsor is presented with a menu in step 360 of Figure 10. Next, step 362 requires the sponsor select a type of incentive program. The incentive program can be classified into different types such as intrafirm or interfirm, games or opportunities or games or skills, and so on. Incentive programs may also have different implementations. The implementations include conventional incentive game programs such as bingo, scratch and win, treasure hunting or search and betting and the like, and other computer games such as TETRIS or pinball or questionnaires. When selecting a type of incentive program the sponsor will go to step 364 to write parameters that are associated with the type of incentive program such as the duration of the incentive program, the number of winners who can participate in that program, the frequency of profit, and the like. Next, in step 368 the pre-packaged incentive program is transmitted to the sponsor via email or other file transfer protocol in such a way that the sponsor can pass the incentive program from his own server. Alternatively, the code could be mailed to a disk with instructions to download to the sponsor's own site. The sponsor can send instructions to create an HTML tag to the sponsor's site informing the host of the tags. The host can then add the incentive program to the consumer site with a hypertext link to the incentives program on the site. Then the sponsor's database will be updated in step 370 reflecting the presence of a new incentive program for that sponsor. Next in step 372 the host computer 18 updates the consumer page 193 on the consumer site 192 to reflect the presence of a new incentive program and link it to the new incentive program. Upon completion of the purchase the sponsor returns to the "I" page connector of step 339 of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 11, the steps for building a new incentive program are shown in the flow chart 374 which is connected through the "J" page connector of Figure 9. First the sponsor is asked to see an incentive program menu in step 378. Then in step 380 the sponsor is required to select a type of incentive or combination of incentive programs. Next, step 382 requires the sponsor to define parameters for the incentive program or a combination of the incentive program. Next, in step 384, an incentive program construction function of the application program running on the host computer 18 constructs an application program that runs on an incentive program of the type defined in step 382. Then, in step 388 the incentive program that was built is transmitted to the sponsor by conventional means such as email, file or disk transfer in such a way that the sponsor can install the new incentive program on the sponsor's server on the own sponsor site. Next, the sponsor's database is updated to reflect the presence of a new incentive program in step 390. Next, in step 392, the consumer page 193 of consumer site 192 is updated to reflect the presence of the new Incentive program . Upon completion of the construction functions of the incentive program of the flow diagram 374 the sponsor returns to the flow chart of Figure 9 as reflected by the "J" page connector. Referring to Figure 12, flow diagram 402 shows the prize selection process. If a sponsor has either an incentive program that he purchased in step 344 of Figure 9 or has built a new incentive program in step 348 of Figure 9, then the sponsor must select prizes for the incentive program in step 352. Figure 12 is connected to Figure 9 by a "K" page connector. Referring to Figure 12, at step 404 the sponsor should see a menu of available prizes. The menu can be divided by types of awards, companies that offer the prize or other categories. The sponsor can find an appropriate prize by selecting in step 406 to conduct the search. If the sponsor chooses to search in step 406, then the sponsor will be transferred to step 408 to the rewards database 204 and will be provided with a conventional search algorithm for the search of rewards database 204 by type of retail match prize that offers the price as adjudication mode or other topics or codes. At the end of the search or if the sponsor wishes to select the prize directly from the menu, he or she must go to step 410 to select a prize by marking the appropriate prize. The selection of prizes requires that the sponsor capture various data for each incentive program, including the number of prizes, the frequency of gain, the relative weight of the prize, (that is, first prize, second prize, etc.). When a consumer wins then the prize is selected based on an algorithm that depends on the frequency of the selected prize. Each prize must also have a selected award mode, which will be captured by the sponsor in step 410 through a menu, a set of icons or something similar. Next, in step 412 the sponsor must pay the prize. Payment may be by any conventional means such as the electronic transmission of the sponsor's credit card number. Next, the sponsor should associate the award with the appropriate incentive program in step 414, identifying the winning frequency, the type of award and other information for the incentive program. Once the purchase is made, the rewards database 204 is updated to reflect that the prize has been purchased. Next, the sponsor's database is updated by host computer 18 to reflect the association of the prize with the incentive program in step 416. The reward database 204 is then updated by host computer 18 in step 418. to reinforce the purchase of the prize by the sponsor. Upon completion of the prize association and updating the database the sponsor returns • to the directory of step 339 of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 13 the steps necessary for the retailer's participation in the method and system of the present invention are described in flow chart 450. The sponsors, the host and catalog companies and other parties can also participate in the system, according to these steps. To participate in the method and in the • system of the present invention the retailer, first connects in step 451 and locates the reward site 198 in step 452, at which point the page of the retailer 197 will appear offering several options to the retailer. He retailer then you should go to step 454 to write your name. Next, at step 456 the host computer searches the rewards database 204, to determine if the name of the retailer is included in that database. If in step 456 the name of the retailer is in the database, then, the retailer is required to go to step 460 to write his password, after which he is sent to step 464, in which a directory of options for the retailer appears. If the name of the retailer is not in the base of rewards data 204 in step 456, then the retailer should go to step 452, in which it should be recorded. Upon completion of the registration, the rewards database 204 is updated to reflect the presence of the retailer. If the retailer is assigned a unique identification number and is allowed to select a password with a conventional password utility. Next, the retailer is sent to step 464, where a directory with available options is found. The first option available to the retailer is in step 465, in which he can build the rewards database 204. The rewards database 204 is constructed by the retailer's input data regarding the inventory available for the selection. of awards within the rewards database 204. The information can be captured by the retailer through an input device or through a direct link to the retailer's inventory system and through gate programs and application programs that can be Customized to update the rewards database 204 automatically, once the retailer's inventory is updated in step 468. The rewards database 204 includes information regarding prizes, such as prizes prices and geographical location of the rewards. Individual prizes that are available in the incentive programs. Once the retailer has completed all the changes to be made in the rewards database 204 in steps 465 and 468, the retailer may also select other options in steps 466, 467, 469, 471 and 472. Upon completion of any of steps 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 471, or 472, the retailer returns to step 464 in which he may select any of these steps. At step 466 the retailer can select to view information regarding the participation of the host system and other information relating to the incentive programs, in which case a link is made to the HTML page with the information in step 473. In step 467 the retailer may choose to link to step 475 of the consumer's site to participate in incentive programs. At step 469 the retailer can choose to link to step 477 to the sponsor site to act as a sponsor, in addition to being a retailer. In step 471 the retailer can choose to consult the rewards database 204 in step 479 to determine the current status of the prizes in the database. In step 472 the retailer may choose to update the rewards database 204 in step 481 by adding or removing awards, or modifying prices, or awarding options; however, these activities can also be controlled by the host or the host system. If the retailer does not want to perform any further steps between steps 465 to 472, the retailer can be disconnected, which can be carried out by typing the backspace key in the retailer's 50 network browser. Referring to Figure 14 the flow chart 419 shows the steps by which a prize can be delivered, once an incentive program has been successfully completed. When the consumer participates in an incentive program as shown in Figure 8, successful participation in the incentive program, which can be accomplished by icon marking in a predetermined order or other activities "eligible by the winner", is defined by the parameters of the incentive program, the results in a "winner" message can be sent through the application program and the incentive program to the consumer database 200. In step 422 the host computer 18 consults the consumer database to determine if there is a "gain" message associated with the name of the consumer in the consumer database 200. After a gain message is determined, an algorithm consults the sponsor's database to determine the method of implementation of the promotion and to determine the form of the profit message, if there was one that was required. Next, in step 424, the host system determines by consulting the sponsor's database which prize or group of prizes has been purchased by a particular incentive program won by the consumer, what awards of the winnings have been delivered and the predetermined frequency of prizes that have been particularly won. If a particular prize can not be fulfilled without unloading the load, this is if there is no retail location close enough to the consumer's address, then the prize is automatically replaced by a catalog. Next, in step 426 the consumer database 200 is updated to reflect the association of the prize or prize group with the name of the consumer and the consumer database 200. Then, in step 428, the base of data from the sponsor 202 is updated to reflect the association of the prize with the consumer and the fact that the prize could be eliminated as an eligible prize from the sponsor database 202. Then, in step 430, the database of 204 rewards is updated to reflect the association of the prize with the particular consumer who has won that prize. Then, in step 432, the rewards database 204 can be consulted to determine the available geographical locations of the awards of the type won by the consumer. Next, in step 434, the host computer executes an algorithm that selects the appropriate award of the option for the prize. In particular, by comparing the geographic information of the consumer with the consumer database 200, and the information of the rewards database 204, the host computer 18 identifies the locations of the closest retailers for awarding the prize, or If there is not an appropriate location, the prize can be sent by mail to the consumer. The only prize information is downloaded from a subsegment of the rewards database 204 to a card processor, which may be a third party, which allows the prize to be exonerated through a network of cards, such as a network of credit cards. Alternatively prize winners and prize amounts won by the winners can be downloaded from a processing card and the reward or reward could be verified through a verification process, where the retailer or the merchant can consult the rewards database 204 online or by telephone and receive the confirmation number for the award for audit purposes. Verification can also be carried out by downloading to a network with card processing and verification included. right away, in step 436, the respective information to the retailer's location for the purchase of the prize is transmitted to the consumer. Finally, when the consumer goes to the retailer's location, the consumer shows the consumer's electronic card 11, which includes the personal identification number that allows the retailer to confirm that the consumer is the one that has participated in the incentive program and has won the award. Confirmation is obtained by consulting the rewards database 204 which is conducted by the retailer, either by telephone to the host or by a computer query to the rewards database 204. The confirmation may well be come from a processor that tells you the amount and the particular item (for example SKU or match the product number) in a particular store associated with the consumer that has won through a credit or in a debit or credit account. Thus, the merchandise won by the consumer is easily obtained at the most convenient retailer's location. A more detailed description of the system for the part of the present invention is defined below, including a description of the computer system and the code that can be used to carry out the functions described herein. Once the consumer has proven to be a consumer member of the host system, their consumer name, address, password and PIN can be sent to a third-party provider of electronic payment cards. The provider of electronic payment cards can then issue the card 11 to the consumer, the card 11 can be one with magnetic tape with the password or pin number that is linked to the consumer in its database. The card 11 can also be any conventional electronic payment card or it can be an intelligent microchip in which additional information can be added from the consumer database 200 to be accessed by the retailer to verify the information of the prizes. Referring again to Figures 2, 3 and 8, the devices and methods that allow consumer participation in the host system are described in more detail. In order to participate in the system, the consumer connects to the consumer's computer 12, which can be any client computer on a client server system. The consumer computer has a CPU 20, ROM 22, input-output interface 28, input-output devices 24, RAM 40, modem 54 and storage devices 45. The consumer's computer 12 also includes an operating system 42, which it controls the applications running on the consumer's computer 12, such as the administration, storage and data recovery application 44, the network browser 50, the communications applications 52 and other applications. The computer of the consumer 12 will preferably be equipped with a graphical user interface that allows the use of icons to make marked buttons, highlighted text or something similar in order to start the functions. The reference in this application to "icons", "buttons" or "links" should be understood to include any mechanism that allows the user to initiate a function by locating the cursor on an associated screen and pressing the mouse, by pressing the RETURN key (ENTER) or by selecting the function differently. Thus, operating system 42 will preferably be an operating system capable of supporting said interface, such as Windows 95 or UNIX or Macintosh. The consumer's computer 12 will be connected to the modem 54 to make the telecommunication connection 38 of the network, which can be via Internet, Intranet or any other computer network. The consumer's computer 12 can in an alternative part constitute a dedicated terminal, such as an ATM or kiosk that is capable of capturing information and connecting to the consumer site 192. References to the Internet in this application should be understood to cover part of the invention using any computer network. In order to participate, the consumer connects to the consumer's computer 12 and initiates the network browser, which can be any conventional browser, such as NetScape Navigator, or Microsoft Explorer or similar. Due to the graphic nature of many incentive program games, the sponsor should preferably be one that supports a graphical user interface. The searcher 50 allows the consumer's computer 12 to connect to the host gate 19 in a telecommunications connection 38. Thus, the consumer can locate the consumer site 192 by entering a URL for the consumer site 192 in the search engine 50. The search engine it then transmits a message in the form of a data packet according to the network protocol, such as the HTTP protocol or the FTP protocol to the host computer 18. The host gate 19 of the host computer 18 is capable of receiving messages of agreement to the HTTP protocol. Thus the host gateway can be an HTTP server. Host computer .19 can be an HTTP server or can be another server linked to an HTTP server. The host computer 18 can thus be any conventional server such as a DEC server with a UNIX operating system. Host computer 18 and searcher 50 allow communication between computers in the form of data transmitted according to the HTTP protocol (or other conventional protocol). The data can be transmitted in various ways. An important way to transmit them are pages of data encoded in the hypertext markup language or HTML. HTML is the language used to prepare hypertext documents for distribution in the global network to be seen by client computers, such as the consumer's computer. The HTML contains commands known as tag elements to mark texts such as headers, paragraphs, quotation lists or the like. HTML is also tagged to include images within documents, to include filling forms that accept a user's input, and to include hypertext links that connect documents that are being viewed and other HTML documents to other network resources, such as the databases or the FTP sites. The hypertext link feature allows the user to mark a highlighted text string and access a new document, or an image, or a movie, or another resource from the computer located at the remote location. The HTML specifies the location of other resources through URL, which instructs the searcher to find the designated resources. Conventional 50 network browsers are all equipped with the ability to read and execute hypertext links encoded in HTML documents. Referring to Figure 8 the consumer links to the consumer's site by capturing the URL for the consumer page 193 in the consumer's browser 50. The consumer's site consists of a set of pages encoded in the HTML language. The search engine interprets and displays text images and graphics from the HTML pages on the consumer's personal computer. The pages are linked by hypertext link, so that pointing and marking on the hypertext link on the consumer page 193 connects to the client and the page associated with the hypertext link in such a way that the computer displays a new page HTML to the consumer. Thus each of the functions carried out in the flow diagram 300 of Figure 8 can be selected using a hypertext link, a button or a graphic icon describing the link, for example, a consumer can select the search by marking a button labeled "search", or a line of text highlighted with the word "search". Similarly, the consumer can execute link 312 to an incentive program by marking a text string that describes the incentive program. When the consumer connects to the consumer page 193e. , this should initially enter your name. This can be done by displaying an HTML page that includes a table in which the consumer's name is captured by input and output devices from the client's computer. A JAVA applet or application can also provide this function. Once the consumer presses the "return" or "submit" button to execute the name entry, the program calls a program that searches the consumer database 200 for the name of the consumer. While HTML is appropriate for preparing documents that are to be viewed by the customer's computer and for accepting user input, such as the consumer's name, additional software is necessary or desirable in order to process information captured from the page HTML Applications based on interactive HTML are typically prepared for the use of programs according to the common gateway interface "CGI" and its specification or, and a "CGI script". The CGI specification defines the mechanisms by which HTTP servers communicate with gate programs. Gate programs such as GCI scripts essentially transfer data processing that is captured by HTML documents to application programs that are running on a particular site. These application programs typically include specific functionality that is not easily incorporated into a universal server such as the HTTP server, although the application programs can be executed on an HTTP server. Thus, when an application program requires processing information captured from an HTML page, this is typically done through a gateway program such as the CGI script. For example, when the user's name is captured in step 308 of the flow diagram 300 of Figure 8, the HTTP server calls a CGI script, which instructs the application program to search the consumer database 200 to determine if the consumer is listed in that database. The search in the consumer database 200 is carried out by any common search application, which may be included within the programs of the databases used to build the consumer database 200. For example, the Consumer database 200 can be an Oracle database with an Oracle application that allows searching in Oracle databases. If in step 309 the name is found in the consumer database 200, then the HTTP server will be instructed by the application program to display the HTML page that asks the user for his user password in step 311. If the user's name is not found in the consumer database 200 in step 309, then the HTTP server causes the system to display an HTML page that inquires whether the consumer wants to register as a member of the host system in step 306. HTML page includes a "yes" button and a "no" button, or a similar ability to respond affirmatively or negatively to the query. These buttons can be graphic objects encoded with an appropriate application to run on a network page, such as a Java applet. When the user responds with a "no", the HTTP server displays an HTML message indicating that registration is required in order to participate in the site and the user will be disconnected from the site in step 320. If the user indicates the desire to To register, then the HTTP server shows an HTML page that can include a table format for the capture of information by the consumer necessary for its registration. After registration by capturing data in the HTML page, the HTTP server calls the CGI script, which calls an application program to update the consumer database 200 to add the consumer to the consumer database 200 and to add records in the database that reflect the data captured by the registration step in the HTML page. Once the consumer has written the name and password or a new consumer has registered the consumer is sent to step 304 of Figure 8. Step 304 of the view of a directory is carried out by the HTTP server of the host computer and that shows an HTML page where various icons are seen that allow the user to select available options. A) Yes, steps 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318 can be selected by marking a hypertext link that is associated with a text string or with an icon that reflects the desired step. After registration the information captured by the consumer is stored in the consumer database 200 for updating and retrieval and this information is also sent by conventional means, such as e-mail, file transfer protocol or something similar to an electronic card provider. The electronic card provider then issues a card 11 containing the consumer identification that is associated with the password assigned to the consumer by the application or by the application program that is called by the CGI script once the registration process is finished. It should be noted that the application program can be an application in any programming language) such as C ++ initiated by the CGI script, or it can be a program such as a Java applet designed to run within a network page. The application code for the registration process can also register the user in a global pool of incentive programs stored in the sponsor's database 202 and register the consumer's participation in the global fund of incentive programs. It should be noted that incentive programs that are built or purchased through the sponsor's system as described here are coded to allow the consumer to capture an incentive program at a different site without requiring additional registration or typing a password or additional name. That is, the registration routine of the incentive program running on the sponsor's site automatically initializes, through a CGI script or a similar application, a query to the consumer database 200 to confirm that the user is a registered consumer. After receiving confirmation that the user is a consumer of the host system, the application program automatically registers the consumer for the incentive program, avoiding unnecessary multiple registration for different incentive programs by the same consumer. Alternatively, the consumer can initialize the registration on the site of a particular sponsor, in which case registration becomes effective for all sites because the registration routine automatically updates the consumer database 200. Referring again to the Figure 8, step 310 of the search of the sponsor database 202 for incentive programs by subject or by key can be carried out by initiating a hypertext link designated as "search" or something similar that appears as a graphic icon or a button on the consumer page. Selecting the "search" function initializes a link to the HTTP server 188 in which there is a gate program which can be programmed according to the common gateway interface (CGI) specification by means of a CGI script, which it turns the processing into an application program that runs on the server to carry out the search. The application program is a conventional search engine such as that available in the worldwide network. The search engine allows the user to search the database of the sponsor 202 looking for incentive programs by company, by type of award, by type of incentive program or by other parameters that the user selects. A site directory appears in the graphic format of the consumer page 193, in the form of a hypertext link to selected sites that have incentive program games. The sites include member sites of sponsors of the host system, as well as third-party sites. The directory can be an HTML page with the links listed as disordered list items within the page, and with each item in the list including a hypertext link that identifies the URL of a site associated with the link. Thus a string of text that describes or names a particular incentive program can be included within the coding of the hypertext link in the HTML in such a way that marking the description or the name makes the HTTP server of the host computer Call the site associated with the URL. The directory may also consist of a series of linked HTML pages in a menu format, so that the consumer can select categories such as award types, incentive program types, directory topics such as the industry or specific sponsoring companies. by marking associated strings of text or icons that cause the HTTP server to display other HTML pages so that subsequent menu items appear up to the level of individual incentive programs. The incentive programs shown on the consumer site 192 are automatically updated through application programs that update the sponsors' databases 202 to reflect new incentive programs and modifications to the incentive program offerings. Programs other than the host incentive programs may consist of application programs of any kind, such as computer games that can be served through a gate program such as the CGI script. A consumer would typically return to the consumer site 192 after participating in an incentive program using the browser's backspace feature. The consumer site may include graphic icons, buttons and highlighted text strings that allow the user to select current incentive programs in the host, which are designed as host incentive programs by any convenient means, such as associations with an asterisk or formatted as strong elements "<; STRONG > "Within HTML, icons can be HTML hypertext links or can be programmed through the use of embedded programs that can run within the global network such as the Java applet." Icon selection initiates a link that causes The server will have a new HTML page appear for the relevant incentive program The relevant incentive program can be programmed in any appropriate language to build incentive programs such as Java, C ++ or similar CGI script can be used as gateway to connect to the application program for the incentive program.The host incentive program can be of a wide variety of types but has common defining characteristics as eligible activities to win because the user must be able to convey the message to the consumer who has earned a particular incentive program.The activities eligible to win are codified In the program of application of the incentive program, such a way that a predetermined user can put data that result in a gain or loss for the consumer. There may be several implementations that reflect the underlying algorithm to determine the loss or gain. For example, a scratch and win game can be coded in such a way that prize appears if the user dials the correct icon or a message that tries to unfold again if the user selects another icon. Any host incentive program requires to include as part of the program an algorithm that instructs the HTTP server to send a message to the consumer database 200 that updates said database to reflect that the consumer has won the incentive program. In order to participate in an incentive program, the consumer simply selects the incentive program by searching or initializing the hypertext link associated with the inventive program on the dictionary on the consumer site 192. The incentive program resides on the server of the developer of the incentive program and can be an application program of any of the varieties of programming languages such as C ++ or Java. The link to the application program can be carried out through a gateway program such as the CGI script. Participation in the incentive program may include entering information, marking a certain icon in a predetermined order or simply visiting a site. There is a wide variety of incentive programs such as the conventional "scratch and prize", the "treasure hunt", or "betting", "scissors-stone-paper" and the like. Consumers may also select, in step 314, to obtain information regarding their status by initiating a link entitled "Query" or something similar, which may be an icon programmed through a Java applet or a hypertext link or a similar application capable of running within a web page. After the consumer has initiated the query the HTTP server displays an HTML page that includes a table of defined search fields that can be completed by the consumer, such as the name, password, status of the incentive program and the like . Upon completion of the desired search fields the initiation of the query calls a gateway application such as a CGI script, which is executed on an application program using the consumer database 200, obtains the information in response to the fields searched and displays a new HTML page that reflects the updated information. For example, the consumer may wish to know the number of points achieved in a loyalty program of a particular sponsoring company or of a sponsor between two dates. The table would allow the entry of two dates and the name of the sponsoring company and the application program would search the consumer database 200 locating the points called by the identified consumer between the designated dates. The search program in the database can be implemented through any conventional database program, preferably a program capable of handling dynamic data structures such as an Oracle database program. The new system would display a new HTML page with the information sought in a predetermined graphic format. On the consumer's site this can also be linked to various information through a hypertext link that appears as a graphic link or highlighted text as reflected in step 316 of Figure 8. The information may be contained in HTML pages and may include information regarding the host system, information regarding membership, information regarding the rule for various incentive programs and the like. If the consumer wishes to become a sponsor, he may link to step 318 to the sponsor's site. Referring still to Figure 8, step 310 of the search of the sponsor database 202 for the incentive program by subject or by key can be carried out by initiating a hypertext link designated as "search" or something similar that appear as a graphic icon or button on the consumer page. By selecting the "search" function, a link to the HTTP server is initialized, and in the gate program that can be programmed according to a common gateway interface specification by means of a CGI script, it executes the processing of the application program running on the server to carry out the search. The application program is a conventional search engine, such as the one available in the worldwide network. The search engine allows the user to find the sponsor database 202 by incentive program, by type of award, by type of incentive program or by other parameters that the user selects. Incentive programs other than host programs may consist of application programs of any kind and may be accessed through a gateway program such as a CGI script, a consumer would typically return to the consumer's site after participating in the incentive program using the "backspace" function of the search engine. A more detailed description of the sponsor in the method and system of the present invention can be carried out with reference to Figures 2, 9, 10 and 11. Referring to Figure 4, the sponsor's computer includes CPU 58, ROM 60, the input-output device 62, the input-output interface 64, the RAM 68, the bus bar 63 and the data storage device 75 and a 90 modem. As with the consumer's computer 12, the computer of the sponsor 14 also includes operating system 42, which controls the applications that are running on the consumer's computer 12, such as the information management, storage and retrieval application 44, the network search engine 50, the communications application 52 and other applications. The computer of the sponsor 14, preferably should be equipped with a graphical user interface that allows the user to mark the icons, buttons, or highlighted text or something similar in order to start the functions. Thus, operating system 42 should preferably be an operating system capable of supporting said interface, such as Windows 95 or Macintosh. The computer of the sponsor 14 will be connected by modem 90 to the telecommunications connection of a network 38, which can be on the Internet, intranet or any other computer network.

Referring to Figure 2 of the sponsor site 194 preferably it should be located in the worldwide network. Thus to the consumer site network, the site of the sponsor 194 will be located as a series of files stored on the HTTP server 188 of the host computer 18. The page of the sponsor 195 is an HTML document stored in the server 188, which is linked to the network, preferably to the Internet. The sponsor page 195 can be connected via message to the sponsor's computer browser 14, also via a hypertext link on the consumer page 193 or other network site, or with a dedicated terminal online connection such as a kiosk or an ATM. The message can then be sent according to standard protocols, such as FTP or HTTP protocols. The sponsor page 195 displays an HTML page that graphically displays a directory or hypertext link list, graphic icons or buttons that represent actions that can be carried out or that consist of links to other pages of the network containing information of the type indicated by the link. The site of the sponsor 194 may include a series of HTML pages linked by hypertext link a format menu, such that marking on a link associated with a particular subject causes the HTTP server to display the HTML pages having information or links with respect to the subject in question. Referring to Figure 9 after capturing the site, the sponsors require to capture a name in an HTML page in step 334. The HTML page then calls a gateway program such as a CGI script to call a database program such as the Oracle database program to search the sponsor database 202 and find its name in step 336. If the name is found, then the HTTP server will issue instructions to the application program to display the HTML page referring to the sponsor to capture the same password in step 337. Once the correct password is captured, the user will be transmitted to step 339 in which the sponsor can see a directory of options in the form of the HTML page. If the name of the sponsor is not found in step 336 in the sponsor database 202, then the HTTP server 188 is instructed by the application program to display an HTML page that consults the sponsor in step 338 to see if the sponsor wishes to register and provide a "yes" or "no" icon or buttons that allow the sponsor to answer the affirmative or negative. If the sponsor indicates "no" by marking the appropriate icon, then the HTTP server 188 will instruct to display an HTML page that contains a message informing the sponsor that the registration is required and transfer the sponsor to the exit step 356. step 338 the sponsor wishes to register and indicates such a thing by marking the "yes" icon as a similar initiation of settlement or acceptance, the HTTP server calls an application program using a CGI script or a similar gateway program that displays an HTML page, a Java applet or a similar applet that contains a data entry table necessary for the incentive program, such as the name of the sponsor, the contact person, the address and address of the existing sites to be listed, descriptions of the sites, the description of the incentive program, the reward and other information related to the incentive program. The termination of the table initiates an application program such as a Java applet or an HTML document that updates the sponsor's page to include any incentive program listed among those listed on the site and which places a hypertext link in the program of incentives on the sponsor page. The termination of the table also initiates an application program such as an Oracle program to update the sponsor database 202, which can be in an Oracle database to reflect the information provided by the sponsor in an alternative phase. The sponsor can also register by completing a table generated by an application program supplied on a disk or online, in which case the Information can be downloaded to the disk and emailed to the host computer for manual input of the necessary information to list the incentive program on the sponsors page. Once a sponsor has captured the sponsor's password in step 337, or the sponsor is registered in step 341 of Figure 9, the sponsor can select various options that are associated with icons or buttons, which may be links of hypertext or Java applet or can be displayed as HTML pages, in step 339. The sponsor can select, in step 342, launch an incentive program, marking a link associated with the option of launching an incentive program, which causes the HTTP server 188 to display a new HTML page containing text that offers the sponsor the alternative and additional hypertext link form or graphic or button icons to view samples of pre-packaged incentive programs, buy a program of pre-packaged incentives, or build an incentive program using the incentive program construction application of the host system. These alternatives can be initiated by clicking on an icon or link associated with the choice and are reflected in steps 344, 348, and 352 of Figure 9. The icon or link can be encoded by a Java applet or similar application running within the page of the network. If the sponsor selects to see samples of an incentive program by selecting the appropriate icon in step 343, the HTTP server 188 displays an HTML page that lists a menu of types of sample incentive programs available in the form of a hypertext link. Marking the hypertext link for a sample causes the HTTP server to access the samples. Samples can be displayed in the form of HTML pages. Interactive samples can be programmed in the form of a Java applet or application programs that are accessed through a gateway application such as the CGI script. At the end of the list the sponsor will return to step 339 and can select other directory options. If the sponsor wishes to purchase a pre-packaged incentive program, it can initiate the link that causes the HTTP server 188 of the host computer to display an HTML page, a Java applet or something similar that includes icons, buttons or links associated with each one of the incentive programs. When you finish selecting an incentive program, you initiate a hypertext link that calls an HTML page that provides a table for the termination by the user through the keyboard or the mouse. The user is required to complete the table by referring to several predetermined parameters that depend on the incentive program. The parameters can include initial date, eligibility parameters, duration of the incentive program, and so on. Once an incentive program is selected by ticking an icon or button or something similar which can be programmed using a Java applet or similar method, the sponsor is required to pay for the incentive program via a credit card or an electronic transfer of funds. Once the payment has been confirmed the application program sends a file containing the incentive program via email to the sponsor which can then download the incentive program on the sponsor site. The application program can also be used to use the sponsor 202 database for it to reflect the new incentive program via the HTTP server 188. The application program also updates the sponsor page 195 on the sponsor site 194 for List the incentive program and provide a link to the URL for the incentive program. Incentive programs are pre-packaged application programs, typically written in appropriate languages that handle graphs and online computer game such as Java or C ++. Incentive programs can be any type of programs that result in a "winning" activity. Typical incentive programs include scratch and win, betting, treasure hunts, instant winnings and loyalty programs. Incentive programs may include questions and answers such as trivia games or may involve filling out a survey. Incentive programs can also include proprietary computer games such as TETRIS, pinball or some similar ones. Any computer program that results in a successful exit can serve as an incentive program while the program is able to generate a "gain" statement after the successful completion of a predefined activity. In addition, pre-packaged incentive programs can be customized by allowing the sponsor to select from a menu of available icons; For example, a scratch-and-win incentive program may include the company's logo or brand, including the sponsor's company, which allows a direct advertising function within the incentive program. Again it can be copied by the sponsor to disk and sent to the host computer via email in which case the operator of the host computer can insert the logo as a graphic image file such as a JPEG or GIF image, within the code for the incentive program through a standard routine such as a C or C ++ image insertion routine. Alternatively, the sponsor can select a logo from a menu generated by the incentive program application. It is also possible to include JPEG or GIF images or logos to replace parts of third-party computer game graphics for inclusion in incentive programs. The images can also be rotated periodically by means of an image server in such a way that the different images appear in the same graphic portions from time to time. Incentive programs may also be licensed computer games from third-party game providers. The incentive programs will preferably be designed to have and maintain consumer attention to the information on the screen. If the sponsor selects in step 339 of Figure 9 to build an incentive program by means of the appropriate icon, the HTTP server 188 of the host computer 18 shows an HTML page in which the sponsor must capture parameters for the incentive program which may be carried out by entering data in an HTML table format or it can be carried out by means of a Java applet or a Java application. Sponsors can select a menu of different types of incentive programs by marking the appropriate icons with incentive programs. The types of incentive programs are predetermined by the operator of the host system. As with pre-packaged incentive programs, the incentive programs that are built into the host system can be of any kind, from computer games such as TETRIS or pinball, to questions and answers of trivia games, can be Surveys or scratch and win games, treasure hunts, betting or customer loyalty programs and other typical incentive programs. Combinations of different types of incentive programs can be selected, for example, an incentive program can be constructed in such a way that the consumer plays a pinball game in which he will be eligible to earn points for loyalty, and after winning enough points the consumer will be eligible to win a bet prize. Alternatively, a consumer can complete a survey and thus become eligible to play a scratch game and win. Once the sponsors select the type of incentive program with the combination of types initiating a Java applet or a link for each type or types the HTTP server 188 can make the host computer 18 display the HTML pages it requires and that the sponsor capture in table format the parameters for the incentive program. The tables can be generated as HTML pages, with each incentive program or combination of incentive programs associated with different HTML pages that show a table receiving information related to the predefined parameters that are necessary to generate the incentive program. For example, if the sponsor selects a betting incentive program, the sponsor must indicate the number of winners and the frequency of wins. Once the parameters are captured in step 382 of Figure 11 the HTTP server 188 updates the sponsor database 202 through a gateway program such as a CGI script, to a database application program such as the Oracle database program, to reflect the presence of the new incentive program. The HTTP server 188 also updates the sponsor's page by providing a new hypertext link or an icon that allows the consumer to link to the incentive program. The parameters that can be selected by the sponsor can be categorized by a number of different characteristics, as defined more specifically in the table in Figure 20. The incentive programs can be divided into a number of different classifications, which can be be associated with menus of unequal windows, icons, tables or other formats for the selection of data entry through the construction of the incentive program by the sponsor. Thus, the sponsor may select the general type of incentive program, which may be between the signature of the sponsor or outside the signature of the sponsor. Within the firm employees are typically rewarded for certain actions by earning rewards or points. Outside the firm, consumers typically earn rewards or prizes by playing opportunity games or skill games. The sponsor may select the objective of the incentive program which may for example be employed by the sponsor's suppliers or clients. The sponsor can select from a set of common descriptions of incentive programs from a list that includes employee programs, promotions, incentive programs, betting, games, coupons. The sponsor may select from a selection of descriptive types or incentive programs such as online tests, care monitoring, skill games, such as trivia, opportunity games (submit to win), and client services (surveys, questionnaires and similar). Skill games are included in an algorithm that determines whether a "win" based on the consumer's game has occurred. Opportunity games are typically included in algorithms that determine based on a random number generator or a similar algorithm if the consumer has won before the consumer plays. The sponsor may select whether the incentive program is short-term such as an incentive program of instantaneous or long-term gain such as betting, reward performance programs, employee loyalty programs or customer loyalty programs. The sponsor may select from a wide variety of graphic or visual implementations to choose incentive programs, including without limitation buttons, hypertext link, banner, scratch and win games, puzzles, pinball, text games and other text games and graphics. Any graphic or text element that may appear in a computer game or a text screen may be implemented as part of the selected graphics of an incentive program. Graphs or text implementations may also constitute individual incentive programs. The types of simple incentive programs can also be combined to build larger combined incentive programs. The sponsor may also define other activities, "eligible to win" such as marking the URL for the sponsor's site, using a certain amount of time on a particular network page. Finally, the sponsor can select from a wide variety of award types, including merchandise, cash, services, discounts, coupons and points (such as loyalty points). The host covers the alternatives in each of the above areas as well as in any other classification as parameters that can be selected by the sponsor that is interacting with the incentive builder programThus, through the interaction with a graphic interface of simple users, the sponsor can easily build an incentive program having the desired visual effects and having the code associated with those effects to execute an incentive program of the type represented by the visual effects. Once the sponsor has selected all the parameters the incentive construction program can build the incentive program that satisfies all the parameters by combining pre-existing code for each of the individual components in larger files that encompass the incentive program in its whole. Referring to Figure 11, in step 384 the HTTP server 188 of the host computer 18 also initializes an application program that builds the underlying code for the incentive program. The application program can be programmed in a language for the construction of incentive programs such as C ++. The application program inserts algorithms and generates codes to create an incentive program that satisfies the parameters captured by the sponsor. The code is a series of statutes, such as the statutes of C plus plus with C ++ for bylaws reflects the implementation of one of the parameters of the incentive programs defined by the sponsor. For example, a bet incentive program could include as a step in the generated code, the generation of a random number as well as the selection of a winner based on the random number. Once the incentive program is complete, the sponsor can pay for this program through an electronic funds transfer, a credit card or something similar. Once the payment is confirmed, a file containing the code for the incentive program is transmitted at step 388 to the sponsor by downloading on the sponsor's site 194, either by email, by link with HTTP or by a similar conventional transmission. As with the pre-packaged incentive programs purchased by the sponsor, the incentive programs must be able to generate a signal that the consumer has won. The "win" signal calls an application program that updates the consumer database 200 to reflect that the consumer has won the prize associated with the incentive program if the application program updates the sponsor's database 202 for reflect that the price associated with the incentive program has been earned by the client. An HTML page is generated for the individual consumer indicating whether a loss or gain has occurred and in the case of a gain, identifies the prize and the award option. The incentive program builder can also be implemented as a single software, with a front menu similar to the HTML pages described above to select an incentive program or a combination of incentive programs in such a way that the program which can be a C ++ program or a similar program builds the code based on the default parameters of the incentive program. The code could then be downloaded into files that contain the complete incentive programs for installation on the user's site, or stored in a database of the sponsor of the host system where once the consumer action is carried out, it can be made a CGI call to the sponsor's database to verify the parameters and restrictions to determine if a gain has occurred. Additional details regarding the body of the incentive sponsor builder are as follows. The incentive program builder allows the sponsoring company to quickly and efficiently design an incentive program. The incentive program builder is a computerized automation tool. The incentive program builder can be provided as well as a set of interactive network pages on the host server, by means of which a sponsoring company defines an incentive program that will go from page to page or as a single software application, with menu fields and substantially empty fields in which the pieces of the incentive program and the objects are placed while the incentive program is being built. The incentive program builder may include a graphical user interface through which the sponsor designs the incentive program. Designing an incentive program details specific parameters for the incentive program. When all the parameters for the incentive program are specified, the incentive program builder creates a set of files that encompass the incentive program as such. An incentive program in the network consists of a number of different components, each of which is built from the incentive program builder. First a series of pages such as the HTML page allow the consumer to see the graphics of the incentive program. HTML pages allow dynamic actions that make the consumer see them. Thus, by issuing a series of HTML pages to the consumer, the appearance of movement appears. For example, a series of pages that show a pinball machine can be shown with the moving parts of the pinball machine and the pinball itself being positioned a bit slightly differently on each page, creating a sense of dynamic movement while the pages They are shown sequentially. This approach or technique is the same as any conventional Internet computer game that includes moving graphic images. Images are created through a series of GIF or JPG files that are displayed when the application is taken from the incentive program. In addition to including dynamic graphic images, the HTML pages of the incentive program that the consumer is viewing can include static graphic images, texts and fields to fill tables or surveys. That is, the graphic interface so that the final consumer can contain any combination of text images typical of any computer game or incentive program. The incentive program also includes records in the consumer database 200 and in the sponsor's database 202. Thus, for each incentive program, there is information that identifies that program, be it the start date of the program, the Termination date or any other information related to the incentive program that can be stored in the appropriate database. The information regarding the incentive program is automatically sent to the appropriate database once the construction of the incentive program has begun. In addition, the incentive program is designed to send a message to update the appropriate databases when an incentive program is played that is when the consumer interacts with the terminal front pieces that appear on the HTML page of the incentive program. Graphic representations of the text of the incentive program may include terminal frontal pieces or objects that are graphic representations of the objects that are part of the incentive program. The terminal frontal objects can include graphs of scratch-and-win games, a poll determination table, a submission button for bets entry or something similar. By marking the appropriate terminal counters, the user can play the game with, complete the survey or participate in an incentive program that appears on the HTML page. The sponsor, when using these incentive program builders, can create the graphic objects by marking and dragging the menus and placing the objects in the empty spaces of the screen. The frontal terminal graphic objects of the incentive program are connected to code. The code, which can be in Java, CGI script or other suitable code to run on a network page defines the function of a given object, for example, the appropriate code causes the pointing of a pointer in a scratch game and win in Particularly it seems as if the consumer is really scratching the surface. In addition to programming the appropriate screen of the HTML page to reflect the dynamic interaction with the incentive program, the code allows creating instructions to manage the update in the database. In a betting game for example, marking the submission button may result in a graphic movement of the pressed button that is created by presenting a new page of HTML with a location slightly different from the button pressed or the menu, in which the code underlying sends messages to the database that the consumer has entered the bets. The code also determines algorithms to define the winner of an incentive program that is, the code sends the declaration of "profit" to the database which leads to the association of the prize or prizes for the incentive program with the identification of the consumer in the consumer database 200. To define an incentive program the sponsor interacts with the user interface of the incentive sponsor builder. In a part of the invention the user interface includes a substantially white screen with a series of buttons or vertical menus that allow the user to build the incentive program. By clicking on the appropriate buttons or selecting the appropriate elements of the menus, the user can define the characteristics of a particular incentive program and mark and drag objects to the desired positions on the screen. When the sponsor has chosen to build an incentive program, this program is assigned to a unique identification number which allows the retrieval of all information relevant to the incentive program from the databases. The sponsor is then allowed to select appropriate items to participate in the incentive program. The selection of objects can be carried out through vertical menus, buttons, or something similar. Once the particular object is selected, the graphic representation of said object appears in a substantially white portion of the screen. Thus, if the sponsor - selects the implementation of a scratch game of an incentive program, the program will show a scratch game and win a graph on the screen. The developer can then be able to select by buttons or menus various aspects of the incentive program for example, the user can select the appropriate settings for the game of scratch icons and win, including logos corporate user or other companies that provides a function of advertising. Similarly, if the sponsors wish to provide a survey, then selecting the type of survey incentive program from the menu results in a table survey that appears in the substantially white portion of the screen and that the sponsor is required to Describe questions that should be completed in the survey in the appropriate fields. Once the questions have been submitted through the sponsor's input and output devices, the questions will appear on the screen for the consumer to see.

The objects that the sponsor may select may be of any type, including objects encoded by the host or objects obtained from third parties as proprietary computer games. Thus, the user can select a proprietary game such as TETRIS or the pinball, which would result in a graphic representation of that game appearing in the substantially white part of the screen. The graphic representation that appears on the screen is automatically associated with the appropriate code in the case of any object that the consumer expects to interact when playing the incentive program. Thus, in the scratch example and win not only the graphic representation of the scratch and win game appears in the white portion of the screen, but a file is created in which the code to implement the scratch and win game is associated with the graphic representation and the unique identification number of the incentive program. A sponsor can build any combination of incentive programs including various graphic representations or objects on the screen. The sponsor is also allowed to design combinations of incentive programs in such a way that, for example, he successfully completes a given incentive program regarding his eligibility to participate in another incentive program. The sponsor may also define the start and end date of the incentive program in such a way that a simple incentive program may be offered in different series or periods of time such as once a month. Many different variations of incentive programs such as programs can be achieved which the completion of a questionnaire in each of the monthly series results in the eligibility of a prize that falls each month, as well as a grand prize for those who enter an incentive program in three different months. Other examples would include the completion of surveys, the successful response of questionnaires, the successful completion of computer games and any other type of activity that results in a "gain" for the consumer. Any incentive program can be provided, while there is some algorithm to determine a winner. Thus, an incentive program of the bet type accumulates entries in a defined period of time and provides prizes according to a probability algorithm that is based on a random number generator. Alternatively, incentive programs can be customer loyalty programs in which consumers accumulate points for carrying out certain actions and the accumulation of a defined number of points allows the eligibility of a prize. Obviously, incentive programs can be combinations of types so the successful completion of a customer loyalty program can give a consumer eligible for a betting prize or victory in a betting can provide points for customer loyalty for a prize. Incentive programs can also be parallel in that winning a bet can provide an immediate prize, as well as giving points for loyalty in a customer incentive program. The algorithms to determine successful participation in a program are conventional algorithms like those of any computer test. These predetermined algorithms are associated with the graphic objects with which the user interacts when playing the incentive program. Thus, by managing a menu or filling in a table that identifies the parameters of an incentive program and submitting to these parameters, the sponsor instructs the incentive program builder to show the type of incentive program that has been selected on the screen. and associates it with the appropriate code with these programs. Programs for a given incentive program are also associated with the rules of incentive programs which define eligibility for participation in the program. For example, an algorithm would provide a requirement that the consumer captures and that is the age of the consumer if the incentive program is offered by a sponsor who can only provide incentive programs, incentives to those of a certain age. Any of the other eligibility rules may be captured by sponsors when defining eligibility requirements. The incentives program builders also include a verification algorithm that determines whether the information captured for the consumer's eligibility requirements satisfies the rules of the incentive program. Thus, the incentive program would include code to display a table in which the user must complete the user's age and the verification algorithm would automatically start once the incentive program was entered by the consumer to determine eligibility according to the rules of the incentive program that are included in the algorithms created during the construction of the incentive program. Profit rules are also included in the algorithms that are stored in conjunction with incentive programs. Thus, during the completion of an incentive program, a file is created that includes the graphic images that the consumer will see during the incentive program game, the rules for eligibility of the incentive program and the identification algorithm to determine that the eligibility requirements have been satisfied, the algorithms to determine if the consumer has successfully completed the incentive program and the algorithms to control the objects that appear to the user and to update the various databases to reflect the creation of a new incentive program and its completion success of an incentive program. The incentive program builder thus allows the sponsor, either through a single software or a series of web pages, to select through the menus of a library the objects of the available incentive program and to construct a graphic representation of an incentive program which is then automatically associated with the code that creates the dynamic incentive program. Referring to Figure 19, an example of a graphic sample of an HTML page of the incentive program is shown here. Thus, in a menu 900, the sponsor can mark and drag various objects 902. The object could include a background field 904 for a scratch and win game as well as several pieces of games 906 and gain symbols 908 that can be placed in the game by marking and dragging on the icons that represent the objects. When an object is marked or dragged, it can appear in a display field 910. Thus, a user can select the object 904 for the scratch game and win, select a game part 906 from the menu and add the game when the you want in the background field 904. The user can similarly select a gain symbol 908, which can have a text that says "GANO", or it can be any other symbol. The game pieces and the winning symbols, as well as the background may be or may include images of graphic marks such as trademarks and logos. When the winning symbol and the game pieces are in place, the game can be saved, in which case the system generates the necessary code to run a scratch and win game that looks like a game on the 910 screen. In one part of the invention the files for an incentive program are stored as conventional graphics consumer code files. In an alternative part of the invention the files that are created during the construction of an incentive program can be included in the form of two different sets of computer code. Thus, an interpreter typically written in a language such as C creates a series of numerical tables with each numerical table representing a logical element of the computer code. A) Yes, the number "77" in a table could represent a logical "yes" statute and a number associated with the number could represent an action that will be taken if the "yes" statute is true and another number can be associated with it. the case that the "yes" statute is false. Thus, any of the logical operators such as "more", "less", "greater than", "equal to", "different", and "equal" or other logical operators can be represented by numbers. An interpreter program thus allows the logical elements of a computer program such as the statutes, the subroutines, the "do while" statutes, the "while" statute, and the like, to be represented as number tables, where the entry of a particular number can be connected to other lines or columns of the table with logical statuses. Thus, a completely logical computer program can be reflected in a table of interconnected numbers appropriately. In addition to an interpreter program which constructs tables that reflect logical bylaws, an executor program can be prepared to run the underlying computer program by reference to the tables. The combination of an interpreter program and the executing program allows the complete incentive programs to be reflected in numerical tables, which can be executed as computer programs through the code object of the executing program. Thus, the incentive programs that are provided with files for the sponsoring companies can remain owners to the host who has developed the incentive program, this is while the sponsoring company can execute a program of incentives in particular the sponsoring company does not have access to the code of the incentive. incentive program concerned except in the format of tables, which requires substantial knowledge about the interpreter program in such a way that the incentive program can not be easily appropriated the combination of the interpreter program and the executing program is essentially a new computer language to build incentive programs. Referring again to Figures 2, 5 and 13, the apparatuses and methods allow the participation of a retailer in the host system is described in more detail. In order to participate in the system the retailer connects to the retailer's computer which can be any client computer on a client server system. The retailer's computer may include the typical components of a client computer as shown in Figure 5 including a CPU 92, ROM 94, input and output interface 100, input and output device 98, RAM 102, modem 124 and a storage device 109. The retailer's computer 16 further includes operating system 42 which controls the applications running on the retailer's computer 16, such as application 44 for administration, storage and retrieval of data, the network browser 50 , the application of communications 52 and other applications. The computer of the retailer 16 should preferably be equipped with a graphical user interface that allows the user to mark icons, buttons, highlighted text, or something similar in order to initiate the functions. Furthermore, the operating system should preferably be an operating system capable of supporting said interface such as Windows 95 or the Macintosh. The retailer's computer will be connected by modem to the telecommunications connection of a network which can be the Internet, an Intranet or another computer network. In order to participate the retailer connects to the retail computer 16 and initiates the network browser which can be a conventional browser, such as NetScape Navigator, or Microsoft Explorer, or similar. Due to the graphic nature of many incentive program games, the search engine should preferably support a graphical user interface. The searcher 50 allows the retail computer to connect to the host gate 19 over the telecommunications connection 38. Thus, the retailer can locate the reward site 198 simply by capturing the URL for the rewards site in the search engine 50. The browser then transmits a message in the form of a data packet according to a network protocol such as the HTTP protocol or the FTP protocol to the host computer. The host gate 19 of the host computer 18 is capable of receiving messages according to the HTTP protocol. Thus, the host gate 19 can be an HTTP server. Host computer 18 can be an HTTP server or can be another server linked to an HTTP server. Host computer 18 can thus be any conventional server, such as a UNIX server. Host computer 18 and browser 50 allow communication between computers in the form of data transmitted according to the HTTP protocol or other conventional protocol. Rewards site 198 will preferably be a site located on the worldwide network. As well as the consumer site 192 and the site of the sponsor 194, the rewards site will be located as a series of files stored on the HTTP server 188 of the host computer 18. The retailer page 197 is an HTML document stored in the server 188, which is linked to a network preferably to the Internet. The page of the retailer 197 can be reached by means of message packets from the searcher of the retail computer 16, by means of a hypertext link from the page of the consumer 193 or of the page of the sponsor 195 or of another site of the network, or an online connection from a dedicated terminal such as a kiosk or ATM. The message can be sent according to standard protocols such as the FTP protocol or the HTTP protocol. The retailer page 197 shows an HTML page that graphically displays a directory view of the hypertext link, graphic icons or buttons that represent actions that can be carried out or that consist of links to other network pages containing information of the indicated type by the link. The rewards site 198 may include a series of HTML pages linked by hypertext links in a menu format, such that marking over a link associated with a particular subject causes the HTTP server to display the HTML pages having information or links relative to the subject. Once entering rewards site 198, retailers are required to capture a name on the HTML page of step 454. The HTML page then calls a gateway program such as the CGI script to call a base program of data such as the Oracle database program, to search the rewards database 204 for the name of the retailer of step 456. If the name is found, then the HTTP server will instruct the application program to display the page HTML that requires the retailer to capture the retailer's password in step 460. After capturing the correct password the user is transmitted to step 454 in which the retailer can see a directory of options in the HTML page form. If the name of the retailer is not found in step 456 in the rewards database, then the HTTP server 188 will be instructed by the application program to find an HTML page that consults the retailer in step 462 if the retailer wishes to register and provide a "yes" or "no" icon or buttons that allow the retailer to answer affirmatively or negatively. If the retailer indicates "no" by checking the appropriate icon then the HTTP server 188 will be instructed to display an HTML page that contains a message to inform the retailer that the registration is required and transferred to the exit step 472. step 462, the retailer wants to register and indicates it by marking the "yes" icon, the HTTP server calls the incentive program using the CGI script or a gateway program to display an HTML page, a Java applet or something similar that contains a table of data entry necessary for the retailer to enter the host system such as the retailer's name, the contact person, the desired prizes to be listed, the prices of the prizes and other information pertinent to the merchandise that is going to be offered as a reward in the incentive program. At the end of the table the application program that can be a Java applet or an HTML document that updates the retailer page to include any prize listed among those listed on the site and places a hypertext link to the prizes on the page is started. from the retailer 197. The table termination also initiates an application program such as an Oracle program, to update the rewards database 204, which may be an Oracle database to reflect the information provided by the retailer. In an alternative mode, the retailer can also register by completing the table generated by the application program supplied on a disk or online, in which case the information is passed to disk and sent by email to the host computer for manual capture of information necessary to list the incentive program on the page of the retailer 197. Once the retailer has captured the corresponding password in step 460, or the retailer has recorded step 462 of Figure 13, he may select various options that are associated with icons or buttons which may be a hypertext link or Java applet shown as an HTML page in step 464. In step 465, the retailer may select to build or update the record for the retailer in the rewards database 204 If the retailer selects to build or update the rewards database 204, the HTTP server 188 causes the Say an HTML page that may require the retailer to capture information in a table format. Once the information has been entered a gateway application or the CGI script calls the database program as an Oracle database program to update the rewards database 204 to reflect the new rewards, prices, the awarding and similar options that are captured in the table. A CGI script also calls an application to update the rewards site to add links to the new prizes. The rewards database 204 can also be constructed through a connection, through a personalized electronic data interchange connection interface 126, with the inventory system owned by the retailer. That is, the retailer can allow the HTTP server 188 to consult its inventory system 212 to determine the merchandise available for the incentive program, the location of the merchandise or other information. Thus, the rewards database 204 can be maintained to store an inventory list of the rewards associated with the retailer, including the specific location of a product in inventory. An important element of information captured by the retailer in step 465 by terminating an HTML page or obtained directly by the HTTP server through an electronic data interchange connection 126 in the inventory system of the retailer 212 is geographic location of prizes or specific types. That information helps the award of the reward as described below. Referring to Figure 18, an example of the data structure of the rewards database 204. may be understood. The information included in the rewards database 204 for a particular retailer may include various records, such as the name 862, address 864, email address 806, telephone number 868, identification address 870 of the HTTP server of the retailer's computer 16, the password 872 and the account number 874. The information included in the rewards database 204 may also include sub-records associated with each of the rewards offered by the retailer. Thus, there may be a sub-register of 876 data of rewards 204 which may include other subrecords 877 for each reward that includes information necessary to identify a reward, associate it with an activity eligible to be earned in an incentive program and associate an option of award with the reward. Thus, an underregistration of 878 prices may include the price of the reward. An 880 geographic subrecord can identify geographic locations such as the ZIP code, in which the reward will be available. An underreporting of award 882 may include information necessary to identify reward award options. A billing subrecipient 884 may also include subrecords that include historical billing information for each sponsor that has purchased a reward to offer in connection with an incentive program. In a typical retail inventory system 212 an Intranet connection is made to the inventory system to the points of the sales apparatuses such as the computer or the cash register. Most retail systems are client systems with point-of-sale servers using the same hardware as cash terminals, customers or independent customers. For inventory systems of individual stores the server has an inventory database application that is accessed by each of the customers to check the availability of products and that is updated based on purchases and inventory replacements. Most store systems also have database connectivity to customers in order to monitor the behavior of purchases as well as carry out points of sales directly in response campaigns. Large retailers typically link stores through relay delivery, leased lines or satellite networks. Smaller companies can use a local area network structure while all terminals connect and transfer information to a central location that is a main computer, which has the inventory as well as the customer's database information. In cases where the inventory is centrally managed the server is connected through a secure gateway to a central inventory application stored in a workstation or main computer. One embodiment of the present invention would include a retail-based information management and inventory system consisting of data communication equipment and a central server based on an open system technology. The server would perform the switching of the gate to external third parties (such as credit card issuers or issuers of award cards, check verification services, electronic data interchange services and the like) as well as users of companies (hosts, servers or customer-based users) for home applications, including those that access customer databases. The inventory system in question would be one that encompasses a complete company and would allow the control of basic inventory (stock, SKU, or availability) and replacement applications as well as database of new consumer patterns. The central server could perform gate switching to external third parties including credit cards or check authorization, as well as electronic adjudication companies. The rewards site 198 may also include hypertext links that allow the retailer to view information in the form of an HTML document in step 466, link to the consumer site 192 in step 467, and link to the site of the sponsor 194 in step 469. The rewards site may also allow the retailer to consult the rewards database 204 through a gate program, such as a CGI script, which calls a database program such as the Oracle database program. Thus, the retailer can determine what prize is in the database, the prices or locations of said prizes and other information. Referring to Figure 14 in the system for reward awards is described more particularly. When a consumer wins an incentive program, a "gain" message is sent in step 422 through the application program for the incentive program. A database program such as the Oracle program then updates the consumer database 200 in step 426 to reflect that the consumer has won the incentive program. The database program also updates the database of sponsor 202 in step 428 to reflect that the incentive program has been won. The database program also updates the rewards database 204 to reflect that a particular consumer has won the incentive program. The application program then queries the rewards database 204 to determine the retailer's closest geographic location to the consumer address from the consumer database 200. A message is then sent to the consumer through the application program. in the form of an HTML page indicating the prize won and the location of the retail store in which the consumer can collect the prize showing his card 11. The method of reimbursement of the awarding retailer is described below. The primary components of the adjudication portion of the process may be the entry of retailer information into the rewards database 204, the identification of the winner at the point of sale through the use of the award card and the company invoice. of incentive cards through the issuer of the card. It should be understood that the rewards database 204 is a collection of rewards and prizes that are part of an incentive program of the present invention. These prizes (for promotional programs) or rewards (for incentive programs) may be products, services, discounts, points, or other prizes or rewards. Figure 22 is a flow diagram 650 showing the basic steps in awarding the rewards. In step 652, for each prize or reward, several important pieces of information can be stored in the rewards database. In step 654, an incentive program is established as described above. At step 656, the consumer earns a reward and at step 658 the reward is reimbursed with a retailer using a card. The details of the rewards 204 database and the retailer's award are described more particularly below. The items stored in the rewards database 204 may include award methods (ie third parties or the sponsor or retailer), identification numbers of the items which may be carried out using the inventory identification information. of the retailer, a description of the item and the item number available. In the case of reimbursement of the retailer, the additional elements may include a number assigned to the merchant, the merchant's store number and the geographical location of the rewards or items, which may be drawn by postal area or area code. The prizes or rewards and all the corresponding classification information can be characterized as a reward unit. Knowledge of the reward unit is important, because consumers can earn reward units, not just rewards. The information of the reward unit can be captured and stored in the rewards database by traditional methods such as in the manual, through a keyboard or mouse or by other automated methods, such as electronic data exchange or transfer or download from a retailer network. In each case, a verification or filtering procedure can be ensured to ensure that the reward or prize identification is complete and secure. All prizes or reward promotions may be paid in advance by the sponsoring firm.

As described above, through an interface and after the selection or design of an incentive program a sponsor can select a reward unit to associate it with an incentive program of a particular sponsor and the subsequent association will be recorded in the base sponsor data 202. Also included in the sponsor's database is a collection of parameters and constraints that define the conditions of livestock for a given incentive program participant. The sponsor can also capture their own rewards and associated information (description, award method, etc.) in order to define the reward units that will be associated with the sponsor's incentive programs or program. An example of the data structure for the sponsor database 202 can be understood by referring to Figure 16. The information included in the sponsor 202 database for a particular sponsor can include several registers such as the name 822 , the address 824, the electronic mail 826, the telephone number 828, the identification address 830 of the HTTP server of the sponsor's computer 14, the password 832, and the account number 834. The information included in the database Sponsor 202 may also include subrecords associated with each incentive program for the sponsor.

Thus, an underreporting of data from the incentive program 836 may include additional subrecords 838 that include the algorithms and definition parameters for each incentive program offered by the sponsor, a profit underreporting 840 may also include subrecords 842 that include information relating to the eligible activities of the consumers' profit in each one of the incentive programs of the sponsors. An underreporting of rewards 844 may include subrecords 846 that record rewards or loyalty points earned through consumer participation in each of the sponsor's incentive programs. Demographic and psychographic underreporting 848 may include subregistros 850 that include information obtained from consumer-to-consumer participation in each of the sponsor's incentive programs such as the completion of a survey and the incentive programs of questions and answers. A billing sub-register 852 may also include sub-registers 854 that include historical billing information by the sponsor for each of the sponsor's incentive programs. A key component of the rebate process based on the retailer is electronic card 11 for the reimbursement of specific prepaid products and services. The electronic card can use magnetic tape technology to encode and read information, but similar functionality can also be obtained through the barcode of a chip or smart card or other technology based on electronic cards. The primary function of the card is to provide an electronic identification procedure in the verification or point of sale (POS) counter where the identification information can be compared with a winner's reward information by authorizing payment by the company providing it. the incentive for a particular product or service. The consumer's reward information may include the name, the consumer identification number and the identification of the reward, this is the stock maintenance unit (inventory) or SKU. The electronic card 11 can carry only half of the desired information to authorize the award, that is, the information to verify that the consumer has won. The technology of rechargeable cards can include both the identification of the consumer and the particular item that is going to be reimbursed, the monetary credit for the item and other information. When part of the information is stored on the electronic card 11, the other part of the information desired for authorization, verifying that the particular items that have been recovered are the same items that will be rewarded to the cardholder, may require interaction with the retailer's inventory system. Matching or verifying both pieces of information can trigger authorization and subsequent payments by the company that provides the incentive through the issuer of the card. A record of the transaction satisfied in the form of transaction record can be added to be transferred to the issuer to be established. The issuer of the card can be a traditional issuer such as a financial institution or cards of entertainment companies, or canteens, such as Discover or American Express. Several benefits are derived compared to current adjudication procedures in the forms as follows. The system still does not require substantial amounts of working capital tied to inventory or owner capital expenditures for inventory. Sponsors are able to direct rewards for bargains through demographic or geographical preferences. Sponsors able to incentive with multiple products of various prices will be efficient. The systems provide a natural proof on paper for audit purposes. The systems create an increasing traffic in the retail outlet although the promotion can start in cyberspace. The card is not necessarily a credit card so misuse and fraud should be kept to a minimum. The card is not necessarily a debit card so there is no value in it as such. It is potentially more functional than a store card because it can be accepted in several restaurant or business chains, etc. but it is similar in that it labels a purchase in order to store information regarding the consumer's buying behavior. The system provides more flexibility than normal discounts or the membership card because they are for a specific use. The system provides additional benefits to merchants with the institution of the cards. In addition to the awarding of specific items including discounts the system can replace certain forms of regular product allocation by decreasing the need and often saving time on the package. In addition, manufacturers can launch promotions through multiple store networks with a single award card. In addition, the card can allow small merchants to offer in-store promotions by sharing the cost of supporting a customer card program. One benefit of the present system over other applications such as ATM networks is that the present system can build promotions that are more powerful than simply an instantaneous gain opportunity to pay for a card. The system can actually promote particular actions such as opening a particular account type for example. Also for example, the host company can launch a promotion to the Intranet super market from the Internet. Referring to Figure 24, a flow chart 500 is provided. In step 502 a consumer meets the host online system. After registering online, by phone, by mail, or by other means, a consumer generates a file and stores it in the consumer's database in step 504. The consumer is assigned a unique identification number. Step 508. Consumer account information would include name, age, address, selected password, zip code, area code, home phone number, work phone number, and the email address (e-mail). All of the information in the database would be stored in a file behind a security wall in step 510. After receiving and verifying the information the signature of the incentive program assigns the consumer an account number. The address of the name and account number of the consumer member is subsequently stored on a card that is issued in step 512 to recode and record the card with an assigned card number. The issuer of the card generates a card number and the signature of the incentive program keeps a copy of the card numbers associated with them in particular. While the membership numbers will be permanent, a particular card number will be associated with the membership number. The electronic card 11 is encoded and recorded in step 514 and sent to the consumer along with other club information including rules and regulations in step 518. A registered consumer participates in an online incentive program in step 520. The consumer can win in step 522 in which case he is instructed in step 524 to go to the store well located at a given distance from the consumer's house to pick up his reward unit. The host system uses an application program to match the geographical information of a reward with the geographic information of the consumer winner. If a consumer wins and does not locate nearby prizes, a method of replacing prizes for approximately the value of the original reward may occur. The consumer can then visit the store in step 528. Once in the store the participant locates the item that is described in step 530 and proceeds with the item and several others to verify the counter, ie the point of sale. All items that have been purchased have also been registered. The consumer can present the electronic card 11 to the cashier in step 532, after which the cashier can scan the card 11 in step 534. Having presented card 11, a dual authorization and matching process begins in step 538. The information on the card is used to search a table of reward units and identification number of the winning consumers. Having matched the consumer identifier with the gain identifier, the final part of the matching search is checked against the scanned items to see if there is a match in a reward unit. If both the consumer identifier and the reward unit coincide, the product is authorized to be claimed according to the rules of the prizes in the table. If it is a refund to the winner, the reward is reduced from the consumer's invoice, which will be paid by the company that promotes the incentives. If it is a discount, it is carried out on the amount of a particular item or elements or the total purchase as appropriate. Finally, all the profit transactions and the names and identifiers of the consumers that came to collect the prizes, are loaded or presented in paper in a lot for payment by the issuer. The funds can be paid by the issuer or directly from the incentive program company via an electronic funds transfer or by other means. Once the consumer's reward is authorized he can leave with his reward in step 540. In one embodiment of the invention the retailer, a restaurateur or another merchant with an electronic inventory control and a consumer database having the capabilities as assumed, is shown in flow diagram 542 of Figure 25. In this case, after the consumer wins in step 544 the data entry is made into the winner's file in step 546 and the signature of the incentive program downloads the winner's file to the retailer system in its customer database in step 548., the signature of the incentive program gives the retailer a customer. The signature of the incentive program confirms the reward units against the reward units previously provided to the reward database particularly in case of need for a substitution at the retailer level and to avoid a dispute between the merchant and the consumer. Next, the consumer receives instructions at step 552 to visit the retail store, and the consumer presents card 11 at the point of sale terminal at step 554. When the card is scanned, the retail system software locates and confirms that the consumer is a customer with an award card pre-registered in step 558. Then verify that all the elements match (products or services) that were scanned by the point of sale terminal with the prepaid item in sub-register of the consumer database 200 of step 560. If the consumer does not appear in the database then a verification is carried out of the entry in step 562. If the entry was correct, but the item was not found, the consumer will be referred to the issuer in step 564. If the consumer is registered as a winner then he presents the card 11 for the promotion given in step 568. The system then identifies the prize in the retailer's inventory system 212 at step 570. A query is made to the winner's file at step 572 to match the prize with the winner. At step 574 a check is carried out to determine if the reward is at that point of sale. If the reward is available at step 576, the consumer is notified at step 578 and the prize is given. And if the reward is not available in step 576, the system checks for an equivalent substitute in step 580. If no equivalent is available, the consumer refers to the sender in step 582. Otherwise, the consumer is provide the substitute product in step 584. If the reward is available or there is also a substitute, then the retailer credits the consumer's bill for the amount of the reward or applies the discount in step 586. The consumer receives the authorization on a receipt in step 588. The consumer can then exit with the reward in step 590. If the item has been presented to the date by the total, the system reduces the full amount of the prize won or applies a discount as appropriate. The winner's file has the specifications. The winner's file is a record of the consumer's database and indicates the availability of credit in stores for a particular item or items or for a discount. If the consumer is a winner, but did not manage to obtain the item won, the printing of the transaction will provide the note so that the product can be recovered. Information on completed transactions includes the identifier of the firm that promotes the incentives, the number of people, the name of the people and the products or services earned, which will be collected in step 592 and downloaded in the step 594 periodically by means of a file by lot to the signature of the incentive program by the issuer so that the funds can be remitted less any transaction fund that has been contracted. The signature of the incentive program can then confirm the reward in step 596 and meet the funds to the retailer in step 598. The same can be done with a different degree of merchant sophistication, including a single store merchant with procedures of manual inventory control. The system for a less sophisticated merchant can be seen in the flow chart 600 of Figure 26. When the consumer wins in step 602, a data entry is made in the winner table in step 604 in the database of the winner. consumer and the online winner's table is updated in step 606. In the case of these less sophisticated merchants, with the presentation of the item and the verification they may be able to access the rewards database by marking the line Dedicated or a phone call and after capturing the store password you will then have online access to the winner's file that has items that will be reimbursed in your store as well as the card numbers and individual data that have gained the information. In step 608 the consumer is instructed to visit the retailer to obtain the prize. The consumer presents the card 11 or the promotional element in step 610. The retailer marks the winner's database in step 612, captures the identification number of the card in step 614 and determines a match in step 616, in the absence of a match in step 616, the retailer verifies the entry in step 618 and if there is still no match, it will require the consumer to the sender in step 620, if coincidence occurs in step 616, the retailer captures the unit number of the stock or SKU in step 622 and consults the consumer's database to see if there is a match in step 624. In the absence of a match after verifying the correct entry in step 626, the retailer refers the consumer to the issuer in step 628. If a match does occur, the retailer receives authorization code online or by telephone from the system host in step 630. The retailer then provides a receipt in step 632 that is signed by the consumer in which case he may leave the store with the reward. Next, in step 634 the reward transactions are collected and in step 636 they are sent to the signature of the incentive program by the issuer. The issuer confirms the reward units and identification numbers in step 638 and pays the funds to the retailer in step 640. Whether after capturing the particular product, or the service identifier of the item submitted and the identification number of the item. The consumer card exists a match with the consumer who has had the profit and the information of the unit of the reward will be given an authorization number to the merchant. A cardholder identifier may be required in less sophisticated inventory systems in the case of a lack of electronic verification procedure. The merchant will then present all the records of the transaction with the authorization codes to the issuer for liquidation. A later sample of the databases of the current invention can be carried out with reference to Figure 15. The consumer database 200 can be a conventional database such as an Oracle database. An application program such as the Oracle program controls the entry of information into the database, the structure of the data records in the database and the modification or addition of data to the database. The consumer database 200 consists of records for each registered consumer. Thus, a record is initially added to the database after the consumer's registration. The database is then updated while a new consumer is added and the records for each client are updated once specific events have occurred, including participation in an incentive program, gain in an incentive program, termination of a survey, or something similar. Each event that requires an update of the consumer database 200 calls the application program necessary to modify the relevant records in the consumer database 200. The data structures of the consumer database 200 are dynamic, This is the structure allows different incentive programs for different access data. Thus, the sponsor can customize an incentive program by requiring the consumer to complete a survey of information desired by the sponsor and the consumer database 200 will store and allow the manipulation and retrieval of said information. The sponsor database 202 can also be a conventional database, such as an Oracle database. An application program such as the Oracle program controls the entry of data into the database, the structure of data recording in the database and the modification or addition of data to the database. The sponsor database 202 consists of records for each registered sponsor, as well as associated records for each sponsor incentive program and each award purchased by the sponsor and associated with each incentive program. A) Yes, initially a record is added to the database upon completion of the sponsor's registration. The database is then updated with the new added sponsors and each new sponsor's record is updated according to the occurrence of the specific events, including the participation of consumers in a program of incentives to gain a consumer in a program of incentives to purchase an incentive program to build an incentive program to select a prize or to select an award option or something similar. Each event that requires an authorization from the sponsor database 202 calls the application program necessary to modify the relevant records in the sponsor's database. The rewards database 204 is also a conventional database such as an Oracle database. An application program such as the Oracle program controls the entry of data into the database, the structure of the data records in the database and the modification or addition of data to the database. The rewards database consists of records for each registered retailer, as well as the associated records for the retailer including the awards offered by the retailer, the prices of each prize, the geographic location of the prizes and other information captured by the retailer including the information provided directly to the rewards database 204 through the electronic exchange of data 126 connected via a customer interface through the system and inventories of the retailer 212. An application program connects the rewards database 204 to the system of the retailer's inventory, such that the prize recorded in the rewards database 204 may be related by the inventory number or SKU, to the exact item or type of items in the retailer's inventory. In particular, the rewards database 204 can identify the geographical location of the prize, such that an application program can determine the closest geographic location of the retailer with the location of the consumer who has won a particular prize. The database is then updated when new retailers are added and the record for each retailer is updated once specific events occur including the addition of a new prize by the retailer, the purchase of a prize, a consumer's profit of a prize, the selection of award options or something similar. Each event that requires an update of the rewards database 204 calls the application program such as an Oracle program necessary to modify the relevant records in the rewards database. Referring to Figure 21, flow chart 660 shows the flow of information between the components of the present invention. The consumer database 200 allows the query in step 662 to determine whether a consumer has won a prize. The consumer database accesses the winner file in step 664 and identifies the adjudication method associated with the winner in step 668. Next, in steps 670, 672, and 674 the host system creates a file of the information obtained in the consultation by the retailer of the sponsor or a third party. If the adjudication is to be made by a third party, the information is sent by mail in step 676 to the third party for adjudication. If the sponsoring firm is the one to give the prize, the file is sent in step 678 to the sponsor. Otherwise, the retailer's database is analyzed by the retailer in step 680 and the file transferred to the appropriate retailer in step 682. The retailer verifies that the cardholder is the winner of the prize in step 684 and the The consumer collects the price in step 686. In step 688 the retailer completes a report. In step 690 the retailer creates an information file regarding the prizes won. In step 692 the retailer downloads the file and supplies it to the signature of the incentive programs. In step 694 the signing of incentive programs verifies the information and pays the retailer. From the perspective point of view of the consumer, in step 696, the consumer is issued a card. The consumer wins a promotion in step 698 and instructions are given, in step 700 to recover the prize. At step 702, the consumer collects the prize and at step 704, presents the prize to the retailer to be filled in, at which point the retailer verifies the reward of the prizes in steps 684 and 686. Although the invention has been disclosed in In connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, there will be various modifications and improvements apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention will be limited only by said claims.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS 1. A system for the generation of incentive programs and the awarding of rewards, comprising: a host computer connected to a network, a database for said host computer; and an application program to provide the automated construction of promotions and the awarding of rewards for incentive programs of a plurality of independent suppliers.
2. 2. A method for incentive programs and awarding of rewards, which comprises: providing a host computer, the host computer has a database and an application program to provide an automated construction of promotions and a reward award; and allow access to the database through the computer network, where a participant of said system can participate in the incentive program of a plurality of providers through the application program. The method of claim 3, further comprising: providing a computer network having a first and a second workstation and being capable of transferring electronic information between the work stations, wherein the first work station is the host computer; provide each of the work stations with an application program capable of responding to inputs from the first workstation or from the second work station; allow a user at the first work station to operate the application program to generate an incentive program that is stored in an electronic file at the first work station; transfer the electronic file to the second workstation and provide an address for said file that allows access to said file from the computer network. The method of claim 4, further comprising: providing at least one of the application programs that associate a prize with an incentive program, and an application program that associates an award option with a prize. 5. A reward award system comprising: a network; a host computer, connected to the network; a database of the host computer; a host computer application program, where a participant can participate in an incentive program; a database of rewards associated with the incentive program; and an application program for the automated awarding of rewards for the incentive program. 6. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a card for the award of rewards earned in the incentive program. The system of claim 7, wherein the card comprises: memory for storing at least one personal identification number associated with a user. The system of claim 8, wherein the card further comprises: memory for storing information relating to the participation of a user in the incentive program. 9. The system of claim 6, which also includes: a web site, located on the host computer, where the consumer can participate in incentive programs of at least two providers via the web site. 10. A method for incentive programs and awarding of rewards that includes: providing a host computer; provide an incentive program on the host computer, where a participant can participate in an incentive program; provide a database of rewards on the host computer associated with the incentive program; and provide automated awarding of rewards to participants. The method of claim 11, wherein the database includes rewards from a plurality of sponsors. The method of claim 11, wherein providing automated adjudication comprises: associating a reward with the incentive program; and associate an award method with the reward. The method of claim 11, wherein providing automated adjudication further comprises: providing a card comprising memory for storing data associated with a user. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein associating an adjudication method comprises: providing an optimization application program that identifies a reward based on the proximity of a reward winner to a reward in the rewards database. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the data is the personal identification number. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the data is the information related to the participation of a user in an incentive program. 18. A system for the generation of incentive programs, comprising: a network; a sponsor's computer connected to the network; a host computer connected to the network, the host computer having a server; and the incentive application program, running on the server, where the sponsor can build an incentive program interacting with the application program. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the incentive application program comprises: an editor for the generation of an electronic file containing codes for the incentive program; a classification application program to classify the code into numbers that represent the elements of the code; and a generator application program to generate tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program. 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a reward association application program for the association of a reward with an incentive program. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a game piece, associated with the incentive application program, wherein the game piece comprises a brand image of a provider of an incentive program. 22. The system of claim 18, further comprising: an allocation automation application program for the association of an award method with a reward. 23. The system of claim 19, further comprising: an executing application that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code. 24. A method for the generation of incentive programs, which includes: providing a computer; provide an incentive program developer application for the computer; provide a database of objects associated with the parameters of an incentive program; provide an interface of the incentive program builder application for the user input parameters for the incentive program; associate of an object with each parameter captured by the user; and generate an incentive program that contains the objects associated with all the parameters captured by the user. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: generating an electronic file containing the code for the incentive program; classify the code into numbers that represent the elements of the code; and generate tables of numbers that represent the code for the incentive program. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: providing an executor that is capable of interpreting the tables and executing the code. 27. An electronic incentive program that includes: a computer capable of executing an application program to automatically generate an incentive program; an incentive program that runs on that computer generated by the application program; an object, associated with said incentive program, the object being associated with an action that in turn is associated with the incentive program; a graphic image file that appears together with the object. 28. The incentive program of claim 27, wherein the graphic image file is a brand image. 29. The incentive program of claim 27, wherein the object is a game in an incentive program. 30. The incentive program of claim 27, where the object appears after winning an incentive program. 31. The incentive program of claim 27, wherein the graphic image file can be modified. 32. The incentive program of claim 31, wherein the graphic image file that appears depends on the characteristics of the user. 33. A system to build an incentive program, comprising: a computer connected to a network; an incentive application program to generate an incentive program in response to the parameters captured by the user; a reward association application program to associate a reward with the incentive program; and an allocation application program to associate an award method with the reward. 34. A method for providing an incentive program in a computer network, comprising: providing a computer connected to a network; generate an incentive program in response to what was captured by the user; associate a reward with the incentive program; and to associate an award method with the reward, where at least the generation of an incentive program is carried out, to associate a price and to associate a prize and to associate an award method through an application program. 35. A system for generating incentive programs and awarding rewards includes: a host computer connected to a network; a client computer of a consumer connected to the network; a computer from a sponsor connected to the network; an application program for the participation of incentives for consumer participation in an incentive program, where participation can be an incentive program of a plurality of sponsors; a server of the host computer; a web site, located on the host computer server, where the consumer can participate in an incentive program via the web site; a database of the host rewards computer associated with incentive participation application programs; an application program for the reward association to associate a reward with an incentive program; an allocation automation application program to associate an award method with a reward; an electronic card for awarding a reward that has a memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be a personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program; and an incentive-building application program that runs on the host computer server, where the sponsor can build an incentive program interacting with the incentive-building application program, where the incentive-building application program comprises a database of objects associated with incentive programs, where each object is associated with an action, which in turn is associated with the incentive program, an interface to allow the sponsor to capture parameters associated with the incentive program, an object association application to associate objects with the parameters captured by the sponsor and build a file that contains the objects associated with all the parameters introduced by a sponsor, an editor to generate an electronic file that contains code for the incentive program, an Classification application program for cl Assign the code in numbers that represent the elements of the code, a generator application program to generate tables of the numbers that represent the code for the incentive program and an executing application that is able to interpret the tables and execute the code. 36. The system of claim 35, further comprising: a graphic image file appearing in connection with an object, wherein the graphic image file is a brand image, wherein the object is a game piece in a incentive program, where the object appears after winning an incentive program, where the graphic image file can be modified and where the graphic image file depends on the characteristics of the user. 37. A method for providing incentive programs and awarding of rewards, comprising; provide a host computer connected to a network; provide a customer's computer of a consumer connected to the network; provide a computer sponsor of a sponsor connected to the network; provide an incentive participation application program to participate by the consumer in an incentive program, where participation can be in incentive programs of a plurality of sponsors; provide a host computer server; provide a network site, located on the server of the host computer, where the consumer can participate in an incentive program via the web site; provide a database of the host computer for the rewards associated with the incentive participation application programs; associate a reward with an incentive program; associate an award method with a reward; providing an electronic card for awarding a reward, having memory for storing information associated with the consumer, wherein the information may be a personal identification number or information associated with the consumer's participation in an incentive program; and providing an incentive-building application program, which is executed on the host computer server, where the sponsor can build an incentive program interacting with the incentive application builder program, wherein the program's application builder program Incentives comprises a database of objects associated with an incentive program, where each object is associated with an action, which in turn is associated with the incentive program, an interface to allow a sponsor to capture parameters associated with a program of incentives, an application of association of objects to associate objects with the parameters captured by the sponsor and build a file that contains the objects associated with all the parameters captured by a sponsor, an editor to generate an electronic file that contains code for the program of incentive, a program of application of clas ification to classify the code into numbers that represent the elements of the code, a generator application program to generate tables of numbers that represent the code for the incentive program and an executing application that is able to interpret the tables and execute the code. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising: displaying a graphic image file in connection with an object, wherein the graphic image file is a mark image, wherein the object is a piece in play in a program of incentives, where the object appears once you win an incentive program, where the graphic image file can be modified and where the graphic image file that appears depends on the user's characteristics.