E-coupon settlement and clearing process
US11507951B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q40/12
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system that automates the clearing and settlement of electronic coupons (E-Coupons) by leveraging existing technologies and enabling E-Coupon redemption at any merchant having electronic funds transfer (EFT) capabilities, such as credit/debit card acceptance. The system reduces opportunities for fraud, reduces or eliminates the need for manual clearinghouse counting and sorting of coupons, and provides an electronic audit trail for coupon redemption, tying a specific purchase to a specific coupon. After registering and selecting coupons, consumers then use an E-Coupon card or account access device at a merchant's point-of-sale (POS) terminal. E-Coupon values are deducted from the consumer's final amount due. Both consumer package goods manufacturers (CPGs) and merchants may be charged a fee. Expired coupons are automatically removed from the account and their value refunded to the CPGs. Reports on redeemed coupons and consumer profiles can be generated and provided to CPGs or merchants.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.