Price paid database method and system

Abstract

A novel price paid database, method, system, and computer program product in which checkout items are scanned at a plurality of stores, and a checkout computer identifies the purchased items. The checkout computer determines a price paid for each purchased item. A central computer records in a price-paid database an item identification and price-paid for each purchased items. The central computer publishes the price-paid database. The checkout computer recurrently updates the price-paid database in the central computer with the price paid for each purchased item, the customer identification (if available), the store identification, and a list price for each purchased item.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A computer implemented method of facilitating provision of prices paid, the method being implemented by a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed by computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the computer system, a first set of prices paid from a first retailer, wherein the first set of prices paid indicates a price paid for one or more items at the first retailer;   receiving, by the computer system, a second set of prices paid from a second retailer, wherein the second set of prices paid indicates a price paid for one or more items at the second retailer;   generating, by the computer system, a first indexed volume of prices paid based on the first set of prices and the second set of prices, wherein the first indexed volume represents prices paid at the first retailer and the second retailer during a first time period;   identifying, by the computer system, a subscriber that has subscribed to receive indexed volumes of prices paid; and   providing, by the computer system, the first indexed volume to the identified subscriber.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , the method further comprising:
 receiving a third set of prices paid from the first retailer;   receiving a fourth set of prices paid from the second retailer;   generating a second indexed volume of prices paid based on the third set of prices paid and the fourth set of prices aid, wherein the second indexed volume represents prices paid at the first retailer and the second retailer during a second time period after the first time period; and   providing the second indexed volume to the identified subscriber.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , the method further comprising:
 obtaining an identification of a plurality of retailers from which to request respective sets of prices paid, the plurality of retailers comprising the first retailer and the second retailer;   communicating a first request to the first retailer to provide the first set of prices paid, wherein the first set of prices paid is received based on the first request; and   communicating a second request to the second retailer to provide the second set of prices paid, wherein the second set of prices paid is received based on the first request.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the first set of prices paid is received from the first retailer via a transfer site to which the first set of prices has been uploaded after a number of transactions has occurred at the first retailer. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the first set of prices paid is received from the first retailer after a number of transactions has occurred at the first retailer. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the first set of prices paid is received from the first retailer via a transfer site to which the first set of prices has been uploaded. 
     
     
         57 . A system of facilitating provision of prices paid, the system comprising:
 a computer system comprising one or more physical processors programmed by computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause the computer system to:   receive a first set of prices paid from a first retailer, wherein the first set of prices paid indicates a price paid for one or more items at the first retailer;   receive a second set of prices paid from a second retailer, wherein the second set of prices paid indicates a price paid for one or more items at the second retailer;   generate a first indexed volume of prices paid based on the first set of prices and the second set of prices, wherein the first indexed volume represents prices paid at the first retailer and the second retailer during a first time period;   identify a subscriber that has subscribed to receive indexed volumes of prices paid; and   provide the first indexed volume to the identified subscriber.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
 receive a third set of prices paid from the first retailer;   receive a fourth set of prices paid from the second retailer;   generate a second indexed volume of prices paid based on the third set of prices paid and the fourth set of prices aid, wherein the second indexed volume represents prices paid at the first retailer and the second retailer during a second time period after the first time period; and   provide the second indexed volume to the identified subscriber.   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
 obtain an identification of a plurality of retailers from which to request respective sets of prices paid, the plurality of retailers comprising the first retailer and the second retailer;   communicate a first request to the first retailer to provide the first set of prices paid, wherein the first set of prices paid is received based on the first request; and   communicate a second request to the second retailer to provide the second set of prices paid, wherein the second set of prices paid is received based on the first request.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first set of prices paid is received from the first retailer via a transfer site to which the first set of prices has been uploaded after a number of transactions has occurred at the first retailer. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first set of prices paid is received from the first retailer after a number of transactions has occurred at the first retailer. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first set of prices paid is received from the first retailer via a transfer site to which the first set of prices has been uploaded. 
     
     
         63 . A computer implemented method of facilitating provision of prices paid, the method being implemented by a retail computer system associated with a first retailer, the retail computer system having one or more physical processors programmed by computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause the retail computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:
 obtaining, by the retail computer system, a first price paid for a first item and first item identification information that identifies the first item;   storing, by the retail computer system, the first price paid and the first item identification information in a memory;   obtaining, by the retail computer system, a second price paid for a second item and second item identification information that identifies the second item;   storing, by the retail computer system, the second price paid and the second item identification information in the memory;   determining, by the retail computer system, whether to upload the first price paid and the second price paid based on an interval;   responsive to a determination that the first price paid and the second price paid should be provided, communicating the first price paid, the first item identification information, the second price paid, and the second item identification information to a computer system remote from the retail computer system.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , the method further comprising:
 generating a local price paid database based on the first price paid, the first item identification information, the second price paid, and the second item identification information, wherein the first price paid, the first item identification information, the second price paid, and the second item identification information is communicated to the computer system based on the local price paid database.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the local price paid database is communicated to the computer system. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63 , the method further comprising:
 obtaining first customer identifying information during a transaction associated with the first item; and   providing the first customer identifying information to the computer system.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63 , the method further comprising:
 determining a time during which a transaction associated with the first item occurred or completed; and   providing the time to the computer system.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 63 , the method further comprising:
 obtaining a first list price for the first item, wherein the first list price is different than the first price paid; and   providing the first list price to the computer system.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63 , the method further comprising:
 obtaining a first discount amount for the first item, wherein the first discount amount is associated with a loyalty program account and reflected in the first price paid; and   providing the first discount amount to the computer system.   
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63 , the method further comprising:
 counting a number of transactions that have occurred since a previous instance that prices paid were communicated to the computer system, wherein determining whether to upload the first price paid and the second price paid comprises determining whether the number of transactions has met or exceeded the threshold.   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the first item is associated with a first transaction and the second item is associated a second transaction. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the first item and the second item are both associated with the same transaction. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the interval comprises a single transaction such that the retail computer system communicates prices paid after each transaction.