Virtual couponing method and apparatus for use with consumer kiosk
US7917386B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0237
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons™, rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used in conjunction with a frequency card program. Virtual Coupons™ may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list of selected Virtual Coupons™ displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons™ authorized for a particular consumer. An appropriate coupon discount may then be applied and the Virtual Coupon™ may be considered “redeemed”. Once redeemed, consumer ID information and Virtual Coupon™ information may be retrieved electronically and used to update a central database. Accurate data may then be produced illustrating which consumers or groups of consumers are redeeming which Virtual Coupons™.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.