System and method for locating products in a retail system
US5887271A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0283
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for displaying, and redeeming electronic discount coupons in a store. The system includes a "smart card", a display kiosk, and a checkout station in the checkout area. The customer comes to the store with the card loaded with electronic coupons. At any time, the customer may insert the card into the display kiosk to view the location of products corresponding to the coupons stored on the card. Upon completion of shopping, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting the card into the checkout station. During checkout, when UPC data matches a coupon stored on the card, the customer is credited with the value of the corresponding coupon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.