# How Digital Receipts Turn One-Time Payments Into Ongoing Customer Relationships

> A system that transforms static digital receipts into dynamic, time-sensitive portals for rewards, feedback, and tipping after a purchase is complete.

- **Patent:** US 10217092
- **Original title:** Interactive digital platform
- **Owner:** Square Inc
- **Granted:** 2019
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 7
- **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, ecommerce, finance

## What it does

This patent describes a system that replaces a simple transaction record with an interactive digital receipt sent to a customer's mobile device. Unlike a paper slip, this receipt includes active components like promotional offers, feedback forms, and tipping interfaces that are only available for a specific, merchant-defined timeframe. A key feature is the dynamic value of rewards: the system can automatically decrease the value of a promotion the longer a customer waits to interact with it. For example, a customer might receive a 20% discount coupon that shrinks to 10% if not claimed within an hour of the transaction.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover static digital receipts that merely display transaction details without interactive, time-based components.
- Does not cover loyalty programs that operate independently of the interactive digital receipt interface.
- Does not cover payment processing itself, but rather the engagement layer added to the receipt after the transaction is instantiated.
- Does not cover general-purpose messaging apps that are not specifically tied to the receipt-generation workflow described.

## The clever bit

The system uses the 'timeframe' as a variable to influence consumer behavior, specifically by making the value of a reward decay over time to create urgency for the customer to engage with the merchant immediately.

## Real-world examples

1. Square Point of Sale digital receipts
2. Merchant-branded loyalty apps
3. Post-purchase feedback prompts in mobile wallets

## Why it matters

This patent represents a shift in merchant-customer engagement, moving from passive transaction logging to active customer retention. By integrating feedback and rewards directly into the receipt, Square created a way to keep customers engaged with a brand long after they have left the physical store. It highlights the transition of the receipt from a boring proof-of-purchase into a functional marketing tool.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Digital Receipts Turn One-Time Payments Into Ongoing Customer Relationships cover?

A system that transforms static digital receipts into dynamic, time-sensitive portals for rewards, feedback, and tipping after a purchase is complete.

### Who owns patent US 10217092?

Square Inc owns this patent, granted in 2019.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on February 26, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 10217092 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 7 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent represents a shift in merchant-customer engagement, moving from passive transaction logging to active customer retention. By integrating feedback and rewards directly into the receipt, Square created a way to keep customers engaged with a brand long after they have left the physical store. It highlights the transition of the receipt from a boring proof-of-purchase into a functional marketing tool.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover static digital receipts that merely display transaction details without interactive, time-based components.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10217092/shopify-shipping

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10217092

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._