Retail store configured for bidirectional communication between a plurality of product shelf areas and a plurality of portable cards
US6112988A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07G1/0036
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for creating, dispensing, and redeeming electronic discount coupons in a store. The system includes a "smart card", product stations adjacent to selected products in the store, and a checkout station in the checkout area. To create an electronic coupon, the customer inserts the card into the product station adjacent to an product the customer wishes to purchase, and the product station then writes an electronic coupon onto the card. The customer thus shops throughout the store collecting electronic coupons for products of interest. 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 snatches data stored on the card, the customer is credited with the value of the corresponding coupon. Periodically, the electronic coupon data is transferred to a remote clearing house.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.