Affinity group

Abstract

A method of creating an affinity group image for application to an affinity group transaction means, the method comprising: displaying at least one image for application to a transaction means associated with the affinity group; receiving instructions to manipulate an image selected from the at least one image; processing the selected image by applying the received manipulation instructions to the selected image to produces a personalized image; and saving the personalized image for selection by a member of the affinity group.

1 . A method of operating a computer for creating an affinity group image for application to an affinity group transaction means, the method comprising:
 displaying at a user interface at least one image;   providing an internet communications link coupling the user interface to an image processor;   receiving at the image processor instructions to manipulate an image selected from the at least one image;   causing the image processor to apply the received manipulation instructions to the selected image to produce an affinity group image; and   saving in storage means the affinity group image for selection by a member of the affinity group.   
     
     
         2 . A method of creating an affinity group image for application to an affinity group transaction means, the method comprising:
 displaying at least one image for application to a transaction means associated with the affinity group;   receiving instructions to manipulate an image selected from the at least one image;   processing the selected image by applying the received manipulation instructions to the selected image to produce a personalized image; and   saving the personalized image for selection by a member of the affinity group.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 associating an identifier to each affinity group image; and   saving the affinity group image and associated identifier.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the identifier comprises an affinity group image identifier and an affinity group identifier. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one image is uploaded from a user's computer. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the instructions to manipulate include rotating, resizing, moving, and adding text to the selected image. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the affinity group image comprises one or more images overlaid with each other. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one image is a logo. 
     
     
         9 . A method of distributing credit accrued from an affinity group scheme, the method comprising:
 transferring credit to a scheme provider in respect of spending accrued from an affinity group transaction means; and   transferring a percentage of the transferred credit from the scheme provider to an affinity group.   
     
     
         10 . A method of distributing credit accrued from an affinity group scheme, the method comprising:
 transferring credit to a scheme provider in respect of a member who joins an affinity group scheme; and   transferring a percentage of the transferred credit from the scheme provider to an affinity group.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 transferring credit to a scheme provider in respect of spending accrued from an affinity group transaction means; and   transferring a percentage of the transferred credit from the scheme provider to an affinity group.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to any one of  claims 9  to  11 , further comprising:
 associating identifier data to the transferred credit; and 
 determining which affinity group the percentage of transferred credit should be transferred to based on the identifier data. 
 
     
     
         13 . A process for automating the set up of an affinity group scheme, the process comprising:
 enabling an affinity group to apply through a user interface for an affinity group scheme;   displaying at least one image;   enabling manipulations of a selected one of the at least one image;   storing the manipulated image in storage means; and   making the stored image available for selection by a member of the affinity group for application to an affinity group transaction means.   
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 enabling the affinity group to upload an image from an affinity group computer;   storing the uploaded image in storage means; and   enabling selection and manipulation of the uploaded image.   
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 enabling manipulations of another selected one of the at least one image;   storing the another manipulated image in the storage means; and   making the stored images available for selection by a member of the affinity group for application to an affinity group transaction means.   
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one image and the manipulated image are stored in the same storage means. 
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one image and the manipulated image are stored in separate storage means. 
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 creating an image identifier;   associating the image identifier to the manipulated image; and   storing the manipulated image and associated image identifier in the storage means.   
     
     
         19 . A process according to  claim 18 , wherein the image identifier comprises:
 a first identifier identifying the affinity group; and   a second identifier identifying the manipulated image.   
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one image is stored in a remote image store;
 a graphical representation of the selected one of the at least one image is displayed on a user interface;   the user interface is coupled to a remote image processor by an internet communications link, said link being operable to transfer information about manipulations applied to the graphical representation between the user interface and the remote image processor; and   the remote image processor accesses the remote image store in order to apply to the selected one of the at least one image held in the remote image store manipulations emulating those applied to the graphical representation.   
     
     
         21 . A process according to  claim 13 , wherein a scheme provider and/or a transaction means issuer checks the manipulated image. 
     
     
         22 . A method of automating the set up of an affinity group scheme for issuing transaction cards, the method comprising:
 enabling an affinity group to apply through a user interface for an affinity group scheme;   request the affinity group inputs affinity group data and/or at least one affinity group image; and   automatically generating an affinity group website based on a template affinity group website and comprising the inputted affinity group data and/or image.   
     
     
         23 . A method of automating the set up of an affinity group scheme, the method comprising:
 enabling an affinity group to apply through a user interface for an affinity group scheme;   request the affinity group inputs affinity group data and/or at least one affinity group image; and   automatically generating an affinity group marketing material based on a template affinity group marketing material and comprising the inputted affinity group data and/or image.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22  or  23 , wherein the at least one affinity group image is an affinity group logo. 
     
     
         25 . A method for distributing revenue generated from transaction means, the method comprising:
 transferring revenue generated in respect of an affinity group transaction means from the affinity group transaction means issuer to an affinity group scheme provider; and   transferring a percentage of the revenue generated in respect of the affinity group transaction means from the affinity group scheme provider issuer to an affinity group.   
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 associating an affinity group identifier with the revenue generated in respect of the affinity group transaction means; and   transferring the affinity group identifier together with the revenue.   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , further comprising:
 determining to which affinity group the revenue accrues based on the associated affinity group identifier.   
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the identifier identifies the affinity group and the affinity group member to whom the transaction means belongs. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein a batch of revenue is transferred comprising revenue generated in respect of a plurality of affinity group transaction means. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of affinity group transaction means all belong to the same affinity group. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of affinity group transaction means do not belong to the same affinity group. 
     
     
         32 . A method for distributing revenue generated from transaction means, the method comprising:
 transferring a predetermined amount in accordance with each application for an affinity group transaction means from an affinity group transaction means issuer to an affinity group scheme provider;   transferring a percentage of the predetermined amount from the affinity group scheme provider to the affinity group.