CA2246774A1 - System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks - Google Patents
System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2246774A1 CA2246774A1 CA002246774A CA2246774A CA2246774A1 CA 2246774 A1 CA2246774 A1 CA 2246774A1 CA 002246774 A CA002246774 A CA 002246774A CA 2246774 A CA2246774 A CA 2246774A CA 2246774 A1 CA2246774 A1 CA 2246774A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- card
- product
- computer
- network address
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/387—Payment using discounts or coupons
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
- G06Q30/0239—Online discounts or incentives
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q30/0241—Advertisements
Abstract
A system for dispensing and redeeming the electronic discount coupons. The system includes a personal computer (PC) having hardware and software for receiving an electronic coupon from the system of computer networks (105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 140), translating the received coupon into a binary format, and sending the binary-formatted coupon to a card-writing device. The card-writing device writes the coupon data onto a portable customer card ("smart card") (190, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 275, 285) approximately the size of a credit card. Subsequently, the customer goes to the store (1000) with 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, the customer is credited with the value of a coupon when UPC data from a bar code reader corresponds to a coupon stored on the card.
Description
WO 97t30410 PCT/US97102227 INTERNATIONAl PATENT APPI~ICATION ()F POWEL,L, KEN R.
Title SYSTEM AND METHOD F()R DISTRIBUTING COUPONS
5 THROUGH A SYSTEM OF ~30MPUTER NETWORKS
BACKGROUND OF THF. INVFNTIO~
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a retail system and, more particularly, to a system and method for distributing discount coupons through a system of computer networks.
Description of Related Art Discount coupons are a popular means to stim~ t~ sales of products such as grocery store items. In 1992, approximately 310 billion coupons were distributed and 7.7 billion 15 coupons were redeemed, saving customers $4 billion. It has been estimated that in-store couponing coupled with advertising increases sales by 544~/O.
A typical marketing scheme involves placing coupons in a newspaper, by printing the coupons in the n~w~a~c. or by inserting coupon inserts into the newspaper, and allowing customers to bring the printed coupons to a store for redemption. One problem with this 20 scheme is that the redemption rate is typically only a few percent of the coupons printed, the unredeemed coupons representing an overhead associated with this scheme. To alleviate this overhead, another marketing scheme involves distributing the coupons in the store, thereby avoiding the cost of printing coupons in a n~w~l,a~er, and capitalizing on the fact that 66% of buyer decisions are made at the time of product purchase. Both the in-store scheme and the 25 newspaper scheme, however, are susceptible to fraud by an unscrupulous retailer that requests reimbursement payments by ~lese~ g unredeemed coupons to the clearing house.
Other schemes include delivering coupons to customers through the mail, distributing coupons in or on the product package, and distributing coupons at checkout. All of these schemes have an overhead cost of h~nl11ing the coupons and of sending the redeemed 30 coupons to a clearing house to enable product manufacturers to reimburse retailers for the reduction in proceeds resulting from coupon redemptions.
SU~[MARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient and stimulating5 shopping environment that allows the customer to acquire discount coupons through a system of computer net~vorks and to redeem the coupons electronically.
To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a system comprises a plurality of portable cards; a first computer network including a first plurality of conl~u~el ~, each having a respective first net~ork address, the plurality of first computers including a 10 first com,uu~l having means for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network adclress; means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first sigllal, for sending a second signal including a second network 15 address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and means, spatially removed from the previous means, for reading the card signal from the portable card.
According to another aspec t of the present invention, a system comprises a plurality of 20 portable cards; a store including a plurality of products and means for reading a card signal from one of the portable cards; a first computer network including a first plurality of Co~ UUItl~, each having a le~ecLi~e first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first con~L~ulel having means for sçn-ling a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address c,orresponding to a computer on another network, and a 25 signal corresponding to a product in the plurality of products; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for s~n(ling a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for 30 sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in a system including a plurality of portable cards; a first cu~ uler network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the plurality of first co~ )ul~ including a first computer; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address, a method of operating the system comprising the step, performed by the first computer, of sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product, and wherein the method further comprises the step of sending, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and sending a card signal, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and reading the card signal from the portable card.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF rHE DRAWINGS
~ igs. 1 A and 1 B are a srllem~tic diagram of a system of computer networks, inaccordance with a first ylefcll~,d embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram emph~i7.ing a part of the system shown in Figs. lA and 1 B.
Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C' are diagrams showing a discount coupon sent through a system of computer networks from computer 230 to Home 160.
Fig. 4 is a diagram of a personal CO11lPU~1 inside Home 160.
Fig. 5 is the display of the personal collly~llel showing an electronic coupon received through the system of computer networks into home 160.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the card-writing device in the personal computer for writing coupons onto portable cards in home 160.
Figs. 7A and 7B are a schematic diagram of a retail store in the preferred system.
~5 Figs. 8A, 8B, and 8C are enlarged views of some products shown in Figs. 7A and 7B.
Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a processing pelro~ ed in the preferred system.
Fig. 1 OA is a plan view of one of the customer cards in the preferred system.
Fig. 1 OB is a side view of the card shown in Fig. lOA.
Fig. 1 OC is an enlarged, partial view of the card shown in Fig 1 OA.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram of the customer card.
Fig. 12 is a block diagram of the personal computer shown in Fig.4.
WO 97/30410 PCTIUS97/0222;' Fig. 13 is a block diagram of the check-out sl:ation shown in Fig. 7B.
Fig. 14 is a flow chart of a step of the proce~ing shown in Fig. 9.
Figs. 15A and 15B are ~ gr~m.~ of some memory contents of a customer card at different points in time.
Fig. 16 is a flow chart of another step of the processing shown in Fig. 9.
Fig. 17 is a flow chart of the processing.~ of step 8010 and of step 8035 of Fig. 9.
Fig. 18 is a block diagram of a system including a Glearing house and multiple check-out stations.
The acconlpal~yillg drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embociim~nt.~ of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention, and additional advantages thereof. Throughout the drawings, corresponding parts are labeled with corresponding reference numbers.
DESCI~TPTION OF THF PREFFR~ED EMP~ODIMF~TS
Figs. lA and IB show a system of co~ ler nelw~k~ for distributing coupons in accordance with a first p~rel~d embodiment of the present invention. Col~lpul~l networks 105, 110, 115, 130, 135, 120~ 125.,140, 142, 148, 144, 146, 150,and 151 areinterconnected.
Eachcomputernetworkincludesapluralityof colll~ulelS. Eachofhomes 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170~ 172. 174, 176, 178, 181, 182, 310, and 320 is coupled to one of the computers networks via a respective telephone signal path 180.
The system includes portable customer cards 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 275, 285 190, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 367, 369, 375, and 385. Each customer card is a portable customer card, approxim~tely the size of a credit card. Each card contains a random access memory for storing electronic coupons.
A computer 230 within network 115 stores electronic coupons and distributes the stored coupons to the homes. As lel,lesellled sch~m~tically in Figs. lA and lB, a customer carries her respective card from her home to a store. A computer in each home receives a coupon from col~lpulel 230, v ia one or more of the computer networks, and stores the received coupon onto one of the cards. For example, a computer in home 160 receives a coupon signal from computer 230 via networks 115, 130, and 135 and stores the received coupon onto card 190.
Fig. 2 shows a section of the preferred system, emph~ci7.ing a path bet~,veen cvlllpu~eJ
230 and home 160. Network 115 is a lo.cal area network (LAN), network 130 is a wide area network (WAN), network 135 is an LAN, and network 140 in a LAl~
Network 115 includes a plurality of first computers, computers 234, 238, 230, 236, 5 and 232. Each of these first computers has a respective network address uniquely identifying the computer on network 115. The first computers can communicate with each other by sending data packets in a certain f~rmat. Each network-1] 5-packet has a field co~ g the destination address of the packet. Each net~,vork-115-packet is in a format conforming to the comrnunication protocol of' network l l S, me~ning, for example that the packet has a 10 ~lestin~tion address field offset a certain nurnber of bits from the start of the packet, and that the destination address field has a certain nurnber of bits. Computer 230 includes circuitry (hardware and software) for sending a data packet through tr~n~mi~ion cable 117. The cilcuilly includes software for constructing a packet, having the packet format of network 115, cont~ining a discount COUpOII identifying a product.
Network 130 includes a second plurality of computers, computers 254? 25(), 252, 258, 256, 262, 260, and 272. Computer 230 sends this product-identification signal to home 160 via computer 238, as described in more detail below. Each of these second computers has a respective second network address uniquely identifying the con~ on network 130. The second co,npulef~ communicate with each other by sending a packet in the forrnat for 20 network 130.
The data packet from computer 230 includes a ~l~stin~tion address field allowingcomputer 238 to recognize that the data packet is to be received by computer 238. Computer 238 has an address on both LAN 115 and WAN 130, meaning that computer 238 has circuilly for recognizing an its own address in a network-115-f )rm~tte~ packet sent over network 115, 25 and has circuitry for recognizing an its own address in a network- 130-formz~tte~l packet sent over net~,vork 130. Thus, computer 238 acts to route packets between networks 155 and 130.
In other words, collll"llel 238 includes circuilr~, responsive to an address on network 115, for receiving a packet in the format of network 115, cont~ining an electronic coupon identifying a certain product, and for sending a second packet in the folmat of network 130, the second 30 packet containing a signal identifying the certain product. When computer 238 receives a packet ~l~stin~ for computer 276, computer 238 constructs a packet addressed to computer 272, using the protocol for network 130.
Computer 272 has an address on.both WAN 130 and LAN 135 and, therefore, computer 272 acts to route packets between networks 130 and 135. When computer 272 receives the packet, computer 27,' constructs a packet addressed to computer 276, using the S protocol of network 135.
More specifically, computer 230 constructs an "IP" packet addressed to computer 276, using the Internet Protocol (IP). Computer 230 then imbeds this IP packet within a network-115-form~ttecl packet addressed to computer 238, using the protocol of n~lwolk 115. When co~ t~,l 238 receives the packet, computer 238 reads the IP address, ~iete~nines that the IP
packet should be sent over network 130, and imbeds the Il' packet within an network-130-formatted packet addressed to cornputer 272, using the protocol of network ~ 30.When computer 272 receives the packet, computer 272 reads the IP address, deterrnines that the IP address corresponds to computer 276, and imbeds the IP packet in a packet addressed to computer 276, using the protocol of network 135 Fig. 3A shows data packel 3002 in the format of network 115, sent by computer 230 through cable 117. Header field 3010 includes a 20 bit destination address field 3011 identifying computer 238 on nclw~ 115. Destination address field 3011 is 16-bits removed from the be~innin~ of the data ~ ~e 3002. Header 3010 contains other fields, including a 20-bit field cont~ininy the address ofthe sender of packet 3002, and a field co~ data correction bits. Field 3020 includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address field 3021 identifying co~l~pulel 276. Field 3030 includes electronic coupon information in ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Int~lchal1ge) text form.
Computer 238, which resides on both LAN 115 and WAN ] 30, includes cil~;uill y to translate packet 3002 received from c~ ulel 230, into packet 3004 shown in Fig. 3B.
Packet 3004 includes header field 3012. Header 3012 inc}udes a 16 bit destin~tion address field 3013 identif,ving computer 2'72 on WAN 130. Address field 3013 is 32-bits removed from the start of packet 3004. Header 3012 has other fields, including a field identifying the sender of packet 3004, and a field contslinin~ data correction bits.
Cull~ulel 238 deterrnines that the packet should be sent to computer 272 on networlc 130 by reading a routing table. The routing table has an entry for network 135. The entry for network 135 identifies network 130 and computer 272 as the path to be used when col~ el 238 is sending a packet to a computer on network 135. Thus, computer 238 constructs packet 3004 in response to IP address field 302L in packet 3002.
As shown in ~ig. 2, computer 238 sends a packet to computer 272, via computers 250, 254, 258, alld 260.
In other words, each packet is essentially a type of signal having a network address of a certain length and having a certain number of digits. A signal on one network may include a first network address O 1 digits removed from the start of the signal. A signal another network may include a second network address is 02 digits removed from the start of the signal, wherein Ol is not e~ual to 02, and the first network address includes N1 digits and the second network includes N2 digits, wherein Nl is not equal to N2.
Computer 272, which resides on both WAN 130 and LAN 135~ includes circuitry to translate packet 3004 received from computer 238, into packet 3006 shown in Fig. 3C.
Packet 3006 includes header field ~014. Header 3014 includes an address field 3015 identifying computer 276 on LAN 135. Header 3014 includes a 16 bit destination address lS field 3015 identifying computer 276 on LAN 135. Address field 3015 is 24-bits removed from the start of packet 3006. Header 3014 has other fields, including a field identifying the sender of packet 3006, and a field cont~ining data correction bits.
Thus, the preferred system may be conceptn~li7~ as computers sending packets containing electronic coupons. The pl~re.led system may also be concept~ d as programs, running on the computers, that send electronic mail (Email) messages to each other. Each ~mail message includes one or more of the packets described above. The programs include a coupon server (not shown), running on computer 230, for constructing the Email message and sending the Email message to a customer, and Mail Transfer Agents and a User Agent (not shown) that route the Email messages between each other and ultimately store an Email message into an electronic mail box for the recipient of the message. An electronic mailbox is a memory area readable by the owner of the mail box. For example, Fig. 2 shows mail box 277 readable by personal computer 400 in home 160.
Fig. 4 shows a personal computer 400 within home 160. Computer 400 includes a modem 410, a CRT display 420, a k:eyboard 425, a mouse 423, and a coupon-writing device 415. To receive an electronic coupon, the user establishes a telephone connection between computer 400 and computer 276 through modem 410. Subse~uently, the user logs onto CA 02246774 l998-08-l8 WO 97/30410 PCTfUS97/02227 co~nl,uler 276 and invokes a program to read Email stored in mailbox 277.
Fig. 5 shows CRT display 420 after the mail-reading program reads a coupon message from mailbox 277. As shown in Fig. 5, coupon data 3030 includes the ASCII text of an electronic mail (Email) message. Message field 5010 identifies the sender and receiver of the message~ "couponhouse(~usretail.com" being the Email address of the coupon server on node 230 and "bsmith(~aol.com" being the Email address of tne customer residing in home 160.
Message field 5015 is user readable text identifying the coupon. Message field 5020 is electronic coupon information encoded in text format. The user sends coupon data 3030 to device 415 by issuing a print command and specifying device ~Scw:?~, which is a name designating card-writing device 415. A driver program for device 415 receives the text data and tr~n.cl~tes the data into a certain binary format, described below, and sends the binary data to device 415. Device 415 couples to a customer card 190 and sends data to card 190.
Fig. 6 shows a side vlew of card-writing device 415, including interface slot 4170.
Interface slot 4170 has a width sufficient to accommodate the width of one of the customer cards 190. When a card 190 is in interface slot 4170, conductive contact 4177 inside interface slot 4170 touches contact 2427 (described below) on the customer card. Interface slot 4170 has other contacts ~not shown) for touching the other card contacts 2420 (described below).
Figs. 7A and 7B show grocery store 1000. Figs. 7A and Fig. 7B are each a partialview of store 1000. Customers 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 270, 280, and 290, shop in the store.
Before shopping in the store, each of these customers obtained a customer card. For example, customer 230 obtained customer card 235 from a bank, by completing an application for the bank. The application contained questiorls to collect demographic data, including bir~ date, income level, past buying pa~ern~ geographic location, size of family, level of education, and job-related data. The bank ~ul~ls~uently wrote customer identification data for customer 230 onto customer card 235, and issued customer card 235 to customer 230, and sent the customer's demographic data to a cle~nnghouse which then stored the demographic data on disk. Each of customers 210~ 220, 240, 250, 270, 280, and 290 obtains a respective customer card in a similar manner. In vther words, for each customer the preferred method writes demographic data for the customer onto a disk in the market reseal.;h center, and writes personal identification data for the customer onto a respective card for the customer.
After redemption data, including customer identification data from a plurality of cards, is compiled and sent to a market research center, as described below, the customer identification data is used to access the corresponding demographic data, thereby providing the m~nllf~turer with valuable marketing data on coupon program eff'ectiveness and 5 customer demographics.
Store 1000 includes shelves 10, 20, and 30, defining aisles between the shelves. The supermarket has a plurality of product areas, each corresponding to a respective product.
Product Area 110 has Acme brand arnmonia. Product Area 120 has Old World brand pasta.
Product Area 130 has Lighthouse brand light bulbs.
More specifically, Product Area 110 has bottles of ammonia 112 grouped together on multiple shelves. Bottles of amrnonia 112 are contiguously grouped, meaning that no other product is between any two bottles of ammonia 112.
Fig. 8A shows an enlarged view of some of the bonles of arnmonia 112. Each bottle of ammonia has a common Universal Product Code (UPC) label 114, which is a group of parallel lines that encodes a number that uniquely identifies acme arnmonia. In other words, label 114 is different than labels of units of other products. Each bottle of arnmonia 112 also has a common character label 113. Character label 113 is "ACME AMMONIA." Label 113 is different than labels of units of other products.
Product Area 120 has boxes of pasta 122 grouped together on multiple shelves. Boxes of pasta 120 are contiguously grouped, meaning that no other product is between any two boxes of pasta 120.
Fig. 8B shows an enlarged view of some of the boxes of pasta 122. Each box of pasta 122 has a comrnon Universal Product Code (UPC) label 124, which is a group of parallel lines that encodes a nurnber that uniquely identifies Old World pasta. In other words, label 124 is different than labels of units of other products. Each box of pasta 122 also has a common character label 123. Character label 123 is "OLD WORLD PASTA." Label 123 is different than labels of units of other products.
Product Area 130 has boxes of light bulbs 132 grouped together on multiple shelves.
Boxes of light bulbs 132 are contiguously grouped, me~nin~ that no other product is between two boxes of light bulbs 132.
Fig. 8C shows an enlarged view of some of the boxes of light bulbs 132. Each box of light bulbs 132 has a common Universal Product Code ([JPC) label 134, which is a group of parallel lines that encodes a nurnber that uni~uely identifies l ighthnuse light bulbs. In other words, label 134 is different than labels of other products. Each box 132 also has a common character label 133. Character label 133 is "LIGHTHOUSE LIGHT BULBS." Label 133 is different than labels of other products.
Similarly, other product area in the store each have a set of respective products contiguously grouped together and a corresponding product station adjacent to the products.
The respective units of a certain product have a cornmon label, different than labels on units of other products, that uniquely identifies the certain product. Product area 140 has bottles of ketchup 142 contiguously grouped together. Product area 160 has loaves of bread 162 contiguously grouped together. Product area 170 has cartons of milk 172 contiguously grouped together. Product area 180 has packages of bacon 182. Product area of 190 has packages of butter 192 contiguously grouped together.
Product area 150 ha~s boxes of cereal 152 contiguously grouped together.
Fig. 9 shows a processing performed in the preferred system. ConyJulel 230 sends an electror~ic coupon, in the form of an E-mail message, through computer networks 115, 130, and 135. (Step 9003). A customer, such as cll~tom~r 290, receives the electronic coupon, through modem 410, onto her home col~lp.ller (step 9005), and writes the coupon onto her customer card 190 using writing device 415 (step 9010). The customer then brings her respective customer card to a store 1000. (step 9020).
At store 1000, the customer removes products from shelves 10, 20, and 30 and brings the products to checkout station 900 (step 9025). ~n other words, while shopping in store 1000, each of customers 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 270, 280, and 290 carries his or her respective cl-~t m~r card. Customer 290 carries card 190, customer 220 carries card 225, customer 230 carries card 235, customer 240 carries card 245, customer 250 carries card 255, customer 270 carries card 275, customer 280 carries card 285, and customer 290 carries card 190. Each customer tows a shopping cart to hold selected products. Customer 210 tows cart 212, customer 220 tows cart 222, customer 230 tow cart 232, customer 240 tows cart 242, customer 250 tows cart 252, customer 270 tows cart 272, customer 280 tows cart 282, and customer 290 tows cart 292. The customer then removes a product from the shelf and places the removed product into her cart. The customer thus shops throughout the store.
Checkout station 90() then scans the products and determines a price for each product depending on whether the custo~ler card contains coupons for the scanned product (step 9035). More specifically, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting her customer card in~o checkout station 915. For exarnple, a customer such as customer 240 in Fig. 7B completes the purchase of her selected products 293 by transferring products 243 from her cart 242 to counter 900, and by inserting card 245 into checkout station 915. Subsequently, a checkout clerk (not shown) scans each selected product past UPC bar code reader 910. Bar code reader 910 is an optical detector. In other words, bar code reader 910 detects an electromagnetic signal. A processor coupled to station 915 and reader 910 deterrnines whether the most recently scanned product i s on a discount list stored in card 295. If the most recently scanned product is identified in this discount list, a price for the product is det~rmin~d using the discount data corresponding to the product, and the resulting price is displayed on display 917. Checkout counter 900 scans and processes each product 293 in a similar manner.
Similarly customer 280 in Fig. 7B follows the procedure of Fig. 9 by transferring products 283 from her cart 282 to counter 900~ and by inserting card 285 into checkout station 915, and the checkout clerk (not shown) scans each selected product 283 past UPC bar code reader 910. Customer 270 follows the procedure of Fig. 9 by transferring products 273 from her cart 272 to counter 900, and by inserting card 275 into checkout station 915; and the checkout clerk (not shown) scans each selected product 273 past UPC bar code reader 910.
Because of the large number of electronic coupons that may be available to a customer, a customer such as customer 310 may wish to insert their card into display station 710, to review what coupons are currently stored on the card. Station 710 may also present the viewer with additional information about the products identified by the coupons on the card. Station 710 is described in detail in copending application of KEN R. POWELL for SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PRODUCT rN~ORMATION IN A RETAIL
SYSTEM, filed on Februa~y 20, 1996, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Step 9005 includes a step of reading an electronic mail (Email) message. An Email message from computer 230. for the user of PC 400 in home 160, resides in an electronic mailbox 277, which is a memory area on computer 276. The user of PC 400 dials into computer 276 using a telephone line, submits ap~lol,l;ate user identification including a password, and then invokes a program that reads the Email message from the memory of computer 276 into the memory of PC 400.
The user then executes the driver for device 415, by printing the Email message to device "SCW:". The driver tr~n.elat~,s the textual coupon shown in Fig. 5 into a binary forrnat, described below. Thus, the driver program and device 415 are ee~eenti~lly responsive to the coupon data stored in packet 3004, which was constructed by routing computer 238.
To prevent an unscrupulous user from repeatedly writing a single Email coupon onto a clletc-mer card, which would be contrary to the intent of the coupon issuer, the driver m~int~in~ a list of Email coupons already processed, including the time and date of the Email as shown in field 5010 of Fig. 5. Before writing an electronic coupon to a customer card, the driver compares the corresponding Email message to the list to verify that an identical coupon has not been processed.
Further7 to prevent a user i'rom ch~nging the date and time field of a previously-printed Email message and r~ the modified message to thwart this protection mech~ni.em, each Email message from the coupon server on node 230 contains the encoded date and time in field 5020. Thus, the driver both verifies that an Email message with the date and time has not been previously processed, and verifies that the unencoded date and time in area 5010 m~tch~s the encodcd date and time in field 5020.
There are two pr~felr~d methods for getting the Email address for PC 400 to the coupon server on node 2307 to allow the server to send a coupon to PC 400. The first ~cfell~d method is to program the coupon server using data collected from sources off of the ~nte.rnet The second preferred method is to allow the user of PC 400 to send her Email address, through the COI~ 1 networks, to node 230.
To implement this second method, it is presently ~ d that the Email address for the user of PC 400 be sent by a web browser for the World Wide Web (W~W). With one scheme, a user sends an Email message requesting a coupon for a specific product, by invoking the browser to select Hypertext in a document advertising the product. Selection of the Hypertext invokes a "Form" in the document, causing the browser to prompt the user for her Email address, accept the Email address as keyboard input from the user, and construct an Email message addressed to the server on node 230. The message contains the Email address WO 97/30410 PCT/US97tO2227 given by the user and data identif~ing the product corresponding to the selected hypertext.
Upon receiving the message~ the coupon server sends an Email message to the user's address.
An alternate scheme is to ~ave the user of PC' 400 join a club, by invoking the browser to select Hypertext in a document advertising the club. The club is essentially a m~iling list for certain types of coupons. Selection of the hypertext invokes a Form in the docurnent, c~l-cing the browser to prompt the user for her Email address, accept the Email address as keyboard input from the user, and construct an Email message addressed to the server on node 230. The message contains the Email address given by the user and data identifying the club corresponding to the selected hypertext. Upon receiving the message, the coupon server adds the Email address to the list for the club identified in the message. Subsequently, some event causes the coupon server to send a coupon to each address in the list.
One such event would be receipt, by the coupon server, of an F,mail message from a coupon issuer. The coupon issuer rnay be a distributor of the product corresponding to the coupon. The coupon server, in this case, acts as "mail exploder," and essentially echoes the single Email message from the coupon issuer to each member of the list.
Fig. 1 OA shows a plan view of customer card 190. and Fig. l OB shows a side view of card 190. Card 190 is 8.5 cm by S.4 cm, the length and width of a typîcal financial credit card. Card 190 is slightly thicker than a typical financial credit card. Card 190 includes a magnetic stripe 2410, interf~ce contacts 2420 for con~nunication with the product stations and the checkout station, and embossed area 2430 for displaying the card owner's name.
Magnetic stripe 2410 allows a conventional credit card stripe reader to read basic data from the card. Magnetic stripe 24 l 0 is not necessary to the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention, described in more detail below.
Fig. 10C shows inter~'ace contacts 2420 in more detail. Interface contacts 2420 are configured in accordance with ISC)7816-2: 1988(E), Id~ntific~tion cards - Integrated circuit (s) cards with contact - Part 2: Dimensions and locations ofthe contacts, promlllg~ted by the International Org~ni7~tion for Standardization (ISO), and available from the American National Standards Institute ~ANSI), 11 West 42nd Street, New York. New York 10036.
According to ISO 7816-2, contact 2421 is ~csign~l to VCC' (supply voltage), contact 2422 is assigned to RST (reset signal), contact 2423 is assigned to (~LK (clock signal), contact 2424 is reserved for future use, contact 7425 is assigned to GND (ground), contact 2426 is assigned to VPP (program and voltage), contact 2427 is assigned to I/O (data input/output), and contact 2428 is reserved for future use. Card 190 communicates with the product stations and the checkout stations through colltact 2427 using a half duplex scheme, me~ning that contact 2427 is for communicating data signals either to or from the card.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram of customer card 190, including central processing unit 2450, memory 2460, and battery 2470 for supplying power to interface 2425, processor 2450, and memory 2460. Memory 2460 is a random access, addressable device. Station interface 2425 includes a serial to parallel converter for transferring data signals between contact 2427 and CPU 2450 over parallel bus 2452. Memory 2460 stores a program 2465 executed by processor 2450, customer identification data 2467, and authorization data 2468. Customer identification data 2467 includes a sequence of digits that uniquely identifies the holder of the card. Customer identification data 2467 includes the card holder's social security nurnber.
For example, identification data 2467 in customer card 235 uniquely identifies customer 230.
Authorization data 2468 also includes date data indicating an expiration date for the card.
Authorization data 2468 also contains a field identifying that the card is a customer card.
Memory 2460 also stores electronic coupons in coupon list 2435. When a customer inserts a customer card into device 415, processor 2450 receives an identification code for the product from interf~e 415 and adds the code to the list 2435.
Each of customer cards 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 275, 285, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 367, 369, 375, and 385 has t~e sarne hardware structure as customer card 190.
Fig. 12 shows a block diagram PC 400, including central processing unit 435 and memory 440. Memory 5165 is a random access, addressable device. Memory 440 stores driver program 445 for s.qn-ling coupons to card-writing device 415. CPU 435 executes driver 445.
Fig. 13 is a block diagram of checkout counter 900 shown in Fig. 7B. Disk 925 provides long term storage. CPU 9S0 executes instructions in random access, addressable memory 920. Checkout counter S~00 also includes UPC reader 910 for reading bar codes on products~ and checkout station 915 for communicating with a customer card. Since station 915 is in store 1000 and card-writing device 415 is in home 160 which is a separate building from store 1000, station 915 is spatially removed from card-writing device 415.
CPU 950 and program 922 act to detect a product scanned by UPC reader 910, determine a reference price for the product, search for the product's identification in the memory of a customer card. and deduct a discount from the reference price if the product is identified in the customer card memory. CPU 950 then displays the price of the product on display g 17. ln other words. CPU 950 and program 922 act to receive a purchase signal S identifying a product, to receive to receive a card signal, and to determine a price for the product depending on whether the product identified by the card signal corresponds to the product identified by the purchase signal.
CPU 950 writes coupon redemption data onto disk 925. Periodically, CPU 950 sendsthe redemption data to an electronic clearing house through modem 930.
Fig. 14 shows the processmg of step g010 of Fig. 9 in more detail. CPU 435 executes device driverprogram 445 in memory 440 to pc.~oll,l the processing shown in Fig. 14.
When a person prints text to device "SCW:", device driver program 445 receives the text and verifies that identical text has not been processed before, by comparing the text received with a list of previous Email messages received. Program 445 also compares the time and date in field 5010 of the text with the encoded time and date in field 5020 of the text, to verify that the text is an al1th~ntic Email message from the coupon server on coll~ 230. If the Email message is an ~ th~rltic message that has not been processed before, program 445 then tr~n~late~ the text in field 5020 into binary coupon data. (step 14005).
Subsequently, program 445 sends a reset command to card interface 415, causing interface 415 to reset the card by applying a clock signal to card contact 2423. (The card then answers the reset by sending an answer-to-reset data block including identification data 2467 and authorization data 2468, through card contact 2427. Authorization data 2468 contains a card-type code indicating a customer card.) Prograrn 445 then receives the answer-to-reset data block from card int~rface 415 (step 14010).
The comrnunication protoc,ol between interface 415 and a customer card is described in more detail in ISO/IEC 7816-3: 1989 (E), Identification cards - Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts - Part 3: Electronic signals and tr~n.~mi~ion protocols; and ISO/IEC 7816-3:
1989/Amd.1: 1992 (E), Part 3: Electronic signals and tr~n~mi.~sion protocols, AMENDMENT 1: Protocol type technique = 1, synchronous half duplex block tr~n~mi~sion protocol. Both of these standards are promulgated by the Intern~tional Or~ni~tion for Standardization (ISO) and distributed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
CPU 435 analyzes the authorization data in the received answer-to-reset block todetermine whether the card is a customer card that is eligible to receive electronic coupons from interface 415 Istep 14020). CPU 435 ~etennin~s that the card is a customer card if the received authorization data contains a card-type code indicating a c~ t-)mer card. If the card is a customer card, meaning that the authorization data is authorization data 2468, CPU 435 determines if the card is eligible to receive electronic coupons if authorization data 2468 contains certain codes, and the date and time in Email field 5010 is not later than the date data in authorization data 2468. If the card is an eligible customer card, CPU 435 sends to the customer card a block containing a station-type code, indicating a PC interface, and the binary coupon data (step 14040). l~e binary coupon data includes an identification code for the product received from PC 400 (Old World Pasta 122) and the discount currently being offered for that product.
Fig. 15A shows some the collle~ list 2435, starting at location 30 memory 2460, of customer card 190, before CPU 435 of PC 400 executes step 14040. An electronic coupon is lS represented by three rows in list 2435: a 10 digit UPC product code in the first row, discount format data in the second row (" 1 " signifying cents, "2" signifying percentage), and discount quantity data in the third row. In Fig. 1 SA, the customer card is storing two electronic coupons. After CPU 435 executes step 14040 (thereby sending another electronic coupon to the customer card), CPU 2450 in customer card 190 receives the data and adds the data to list 2435, resulting in three electronic coupons in list 2435 as shown in Fig. 15B.
In list 2435 in Figs. 15A and 15B, the memory field having the product code 7170312350 corresponds to the UPC code on boxes of T .ighth~luse Light Bulbs 134. The next memory field stores the format of the discount 4u~1~ily data, with " 1 " signifying cents and "2" signifying ~c..;ell~ge in tenths of a percent. The next memory field stores the discount quality data, 200, signifying that the discount being offered for Lighthouse Light Bulbs 134 is $2.00. The memory field having the product code 7170312780 corresponds to the UPC code on ammonia bottles 112. The next memory field stores the format of the discount quantity data, with " 1 " signifying cents and "2" signifying percentage in tenths of a percent. The next memory field stores the discount quality data, 50, signifying that the discount being offered for ammonia bottles 112 is 50 cents. In list 2435 in Fig. 15B, the memory field having the product code 7170312682 corresponds to the UPC code on boxes of Old World Pasta 124.
WO 97/30410 PCTNSg7/02227 The next memory field stores the :forrnat of the discount quantity data. with " 1 " signifying cents and "2" signifying percentage in tenths of a percent. The next memory field stores the discount quality data, 150, signifying that the discount being offered for Old World Pasta 124 is $1.50.
Fig. 16 shows aspects of the processin~ of step 8035 of Fig. 8. The processing of Fig.
16 is processing perforrned by CPU 950 and prograrn 922 in checkout counter 900 when a customer checks out of store 1000. When a customer, such as customer 290, inserts customer card 295 into interface slot 914, a switch (not shown) in interface slot 914 alerts CPU 950 that a card has been inserted into the slot. When a customer card is in interface slot 914, conductive contacts (not shown) inside interface slot 914 touch each card contact 2420.
Subsequently, CPU 950 causes card interface 925 to reset the card by applying a clock signal to card contact 2423. (If the card is a customer card, the card then answers the reset by sending a block of data, including identification data 2467 and authorization data 2468, through card contact 2427.) CPU 950 then receives the answer-to-reset from the card (step 16002). CPU 950 then sends a data block cont~ining a station-type code indicating a checkout station (step 16004). CPU 950 then receives the contents of table 2435 in memory 2460 of the customer card, and temporarily stores these tab]e contents in memory 920 of the checkout station (step 16005). During step 10005, CPU 950 also causes customer card 295 to remove all entries from list 2435. so that the electronic coupons in the list cannot be redeemed again. When the checkout clerk (not shown) moves a product past UPC reader 910, UPC reader 910 detects the U:PC code on the product and sends the UPC code to CPU
750 (step 16010). CPU 950 searches the received table contents to determine whether the product scanned is identified in the table (step 16020). If the product is in the received table, CPU 950 subtracts the discount, as d~ lh~ed by the discount data stored in the received table, from a product reference price read from disk 925 (step 16030), and displays the resulting price of the product on display 917 (step 16040).
Product data 5135, customer identification data 2467, authorization data 2468, and the data in list 2435 are each a type of signal.
In other words, the preferred retail system 100(~ includes product areas 110, 120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180,and 190; aplulalityofcustomercardseachhavingamemory,anda checkout counter 900 having checkout station 915 acting as a communication device. A
method of operating system 1000 comprises the steps of writing a first signal into memory 2460 of a card in the plurality of ca~ds, in response to a person inserting the card into the int~rf~ce slot of a PC card interface, the first signal identifying a product; reading the first signal from memory 2460~ in response to a person inserting the card into the interface slot of the checkout station; receiving another signal, from UPC reader 910, identifying a product;
and dete"~ g a price for the product depending on whether the product identified by the first signal, read in the reading step, corresponds to the product identified by the other signal.
In summary, after UPC barcode reader 910 scans a product, processor 950 determines eligibility for a discount. If a product qualifies, processor 950 displays the discounted price on display 917.
Fig. 17 shows aspects of the processing of steps 9010 and 9035 of Fig. 9. The processing of Fig. 17 processing is ~lrc,lmcd by one of the customer cards, such as customer card 190, in the ~ fcll~d retail system. After the card is reset through contacts 2420, the customer card sends an "answer to reset" data block in accordance with the ISO standard ISOIICE 7816-3: 1989(E), cited above. The customer card sends identification data 2467 and ~lltht~ri7~tion data 2468 in the answer-to-reset data block (step 17010). If the station then sends a block of data to the customer card, the customer card then receives the block of data through contact 2427 (step 17015). If the block contains a station-type code indicating a PC
card interface (step 17020), the customer card then adds product coupon information, from a certain location in the block, to the list 2345 (step 17030).
If the customer card is not eligible, the PC interface will not send a block of data, step 17015 therefore does not execute, and processing ceases until the customer card is reinserted into an interface slot, at which time the station will reset the card and proces~in~ will restart at step 17010.
Alternatively, if the block contains a station-type code indicating a Checkout station (step 17090), the customer card then sends list 2345 to the display station (step 17010). In other words, CPU 2450 reads list 2435 from memory 2460~ in response to a customer inserting card 190 into checkout station 915, and sends a signal corresponding to the list 2345 to the checkout station (step ] 7100).
Fig. 18 shows a block diagrarn of a ~lefc,lcd retail system including a clearinghouse 900, and a plurality of checkout stations 900. Periodically, checkout counter 900 sends redemption data to an electronic clearing house. The redemption data sent to the clearing house includes the identification of the store, identification of the coupons redeemed and of respective quantities of coupon redemptions. Periodically, checkout counter 900 sends redemption data to a market research center. The redemption data sent to the research center 5 includes the identification of the store and of the customers who presented electronic coupons for redemption. The checkout stations send the redemption data blocks, over telephone signal paths 7 14.
Checkout stations 9() 3 are located within a single company. Checkout stations 903 are similar to checkout stations 9~0, described above. except that checkout stations 903 have circuitry for communicating over network 912. Checkout stations 903 send transaction data blocks to central fin~nci~l computer 911 located within the company. Central financial computer 911 periodically sends the compiled transaction data to clearing house 990, over telephone signal paths 914.
Thus, the preferred systems provides a convenient and stimulating shopping 15 environment. The systems allow ~he user to receive electronic coupons at home and then bring the received coupons to a retail store.
Other applications of electronic coupons are the subject of copending application of KEN R. POWELL for RETAIL SYSTEM, Serial No~ 081468,816, filed on June 6, 1995, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference; of copending application of KEN R.
20 POWELL for DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROGRAMMING A RETAIL SYSTEM, Serial No. 08/468,820, filed on June 6, 1995, the contents of which is herein incolpul~led by reference.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art.
The invention in its broader aspec~s is therefore not limited to the specific details, 25 representative apparatus, and illuslrative exarnples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or the scope of Applicants' general inventive conc:ept. The invention is defined in the following claims.
Title SYSTEM AND METHOD F()R DISTRIBUTING COUPONS
5 THROUGH A SYSTEM OF ~30MPUTER NETWORKS
BACKGROUND OF THF. INVFNTIO~
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a retail system and, more particularly, to a system and method for distributing discount coupons through a system of computer networks.
Description of Related Art Discount coupons are a popular means to stim~ t~ sales of products such as grocery store items. In 1992, approximately 310 billion coupons were distributed and 7.7 billion 15 coupons were redeemed, saving customers $4 billion. It has been estimated that in-store couponing coupled with advertising increases sales by 544~/O.
A typical marketing scheme involves placing coupons in a newspaper, by printing the coupons in the n~w~a~c. or by inserting coupon inserts into the newspaper, and allowing customers to bring the printed coupons to a store for redemption. One problem with this 20 scheme is that the redemption rate is typically only a few percent of the coupons printed, the unredeemed coupons representing an overhead associated with this scheme. To alleviate this overhead, another marketing scheme involves distributing the coupons in the store, thereby avoiding the cost of printing coupons in a n~w~l,a~er, and capitalizing on the fact that 66% of buyer decisions are made at the time of product purchase. Both the in-store scheme and the 25 newspaper scheme, however, are susceptible to fraud by an unscrupulous retailer that requests reimbursement payments by ~lese~ g unredeemed coupons to the clearing house.
Other schemes include delivering coupons to customers through the mail, distributing coupons in or on the product package, and distributing coupons at checkout. All of these schemes have an overhead cost of h~nl11ing the coupons and of sending the redeemed 30 coupons to a clearing house to enable product manufacturers to reimburse retailers for the reduction in proceeds resulting from coupon redemptions.
SU~[MARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient and stimulating5 shopping environment that allows the customer to acquire discount coupons through a system of computer net~vorks and to redeem the coupons electronically.
To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a system comprises a plurality of portable cards; a first computer network including a first plurality of conl~u~el ~, each having a respective first net~ork address, the plurality of first computers including a 10 first com,uu~l having means for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network adclress; means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first sigllal, for sending a second signal including a second network 15 address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and means, spatially removed from the previous means, for reading the card signal from the portable card.
According to another aspec t of the present invention, a system comprises a plurality of 20 portable cards; a store including a plurality of products and means for reading a card signal from one of the portable cards; a first computer network including a first plurality of Co~ UUItl~, each having a le~ecLi~e first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first con~L~ulel having means for sçn-ling a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address c,orresponding to a computer on another network, and a 25 signal corresponding to a product in the plurality of products; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for s~n(ling a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for 30 sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in a system including a plurality of portable cards; a first cu~ uler network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the plurality of first co~ )ul~ including a first computer; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address, a method of operating the system comprising the step, performed by the first computer, of sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product, and wherein the method further comprises the step of sending, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and sending a card signal, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and reading the card signal from the portable card.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF rHE DRAWINGS
~ igs. 1 A and 1 B are a srllem~tic diagram of a system of computer networks, inaccordance with a first ylefcll~,d embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram emph~i7.ing a part of the system shown in Figs. lA and 1 B.
Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C' are diagrams showing a discount coupon sent through a system of computer networks from computer 230 to Home 160.
Fig. 4 is a diagram of a personal CO11lPU~1 inside Home 160.
Fig. 5 is the display of the personal collly~llel showing an electronic coupon received through the system of computer networks into home 160.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the card-writing device in the personal computer for writing coupons onto portable cards in home 160.
Figs. 7A and 7B are a schematic diagram of a retail store in the preferred system.
~5 Figs. 8A, 8B, and 8C are enlarged views of some products shown in Figs. 7A and 7B.
Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a processing pelro~ ed in the preferred system.
Fig. 1 OA is a plan view of one of the customer cards in the preferred system.
Fig. 1 OB is a side view of the card shown in Fig. lOA.
Fig. 1 OC is an enlarged, partial view of the card shown in Fig 1 OA.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram of the customer card.
Fig. 12 is a block diagram of the personal computer shown in Fig.4.
WO 97/30410 PCTIUS97/0222;' Fig. 13 is a block diagram of the check-out sl:ation shown in Fig. 7B.
Fig. 14 is a flow chart of a step of the proce~ing shown in Fig. 9.
Figs. 15A and 15B are ~ gr~m.~ of some memory contents of a customer card at different points in time.
Fig. 16 is a flow chart of another step of the processing shown in Fig. 9.
Fig. 17 is a flow chart of the processing.~ of step 8010 and of step 8035 of Fig. 9.
Fig. 18 is a block diagram of a system including a Glearing house and multiple check-out stations.
The acconlpal~yillg drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embociim~nt.~ of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention, and additional advantages thereof. Throughout the drawings, corresponding parts are labeled with corresponding reference numbers.
DESCI~TPTION OF THF PREFFR~ED EMP~ODIMF~TS
Figs. lA and IB show a system of co~ ler nelw~k~ for distributing coupons in accordance with a first p~rel~d embodiment of the present invention. Col~lpul~l networks 105, 110, 115, 130, 135, 120~ 125.,140, 142, 148, 144, 146, 150,and 151 areinterconnected.
Eachcomputernetworkincludesapluralityof colll~ulelS. Eachofhomes 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170~ 172. 174, 176, 178, 181, 182, 310, and 320 is coupled to one of the computers networks via a respective telephone signal path 180.
The system includes portable customer cards 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 275, 285 190, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 367, 369, 375, and 385. Each customer card is a portable customer card, approxim~tely the size of a credit card. Each card contains a random access memory for storing electronic coupons.
A computer 230 within network 115 stores electronic coupons and distributes the stored coupons to the homes. As lel,lesellled sch~m~tically in Figs. lA and lB, a customer carries her respective card from her home to a store. A computer in each home receives a coupon from col~lpulel 230, v ia one or more of the computer networks, and stores the received coupon onto one of the cards. For example, a computer in home 160 receives a coupon signal from computer 230 via networks 115, 130, and 135 and stores the received coupon onto card 190.
Fig. 2 shows a section of the preferred system, emph~ci7.ing a path bet~,veen cvlllpu~eJ
230 and home 160. Network 115 is a lo.cal area network (LAN), network 130 is a wide area network (WAN), network 135 is an LAN, and network 140 in a LAl~
Network 115 includes a plurality of first computers, computers 234, 238, 230, 236, 5 and 232. Each of these first computers has a respective network address uniquely identifying the computer on network 115. The first computers can communicate with each other by sending data packets in a certain f~rmat. Each network-1] 5-packet has a field co~ g the destination address of the packet. Each net~,vork-115-packet is in a format conforming to the comrnunication protocol of' network l l S, me~ning, for example that the packet has a 10 ~lestin~tion address field offset a certain nurnber of bits from the start of the packet, and that the destination address field has a certain nurnber of bits. Computer 230 includes circuitry (hardware and software) for sending a data packet through tr~n~mi~ion cable 117. The cilcuilly includes software for constructing a packet, having the packet format of network 115, cont~ining a discount COUpOII identifying a product.
Network 130 includes a second plurality of computers, computers 254? 25(), 252, 258, 256, 262, 260, and 272. Computer 230 sends this product-identification signal to home 160 via computer 238, as described in more detail below. Each of these second computers has a respective second network address uniquely identifying the con~ on network 130. The second co,npulef~ communicate with each other by sending a packet in the forrnat for 20 network 130.
The data packet from computer 230 includes a ~l~stin~tion address field allowingcomputer 238 to recognize that the data packet is to be received by computer 238. Computer 238 has an address on both LAN 115 and WAN 130, meaning that computer 238 has circuilly for recognizing an its own address in a network-115-f )rm~tte~ packet sent over network 115, 25 and has circuitry for recognizing an its own address in a network- 130-formz~tte~l packet sent over net~,vork 130. Thus, computer 238 acts to route packets between networks 155 and 130.
In other words, collll"llel 238 includes circuilr~, responsive to an address on network 115, for receiving a packet in the format of network 115, cont~ining an electronic coupon identifying a certain product, and for sending a second packet in the folmat of network 130, the second 30 packet containing a signal identifying the certain product. When computer 238 receives a packet ~l~stin~ for computer 276, computer 238 constructs a packet addressed to computer 272, using the protocol for network 130.
Computer 272 has an address on.both WAN 130 and LAN 135 and, therefore, computer 272 acts to route packets between networks 130 and 135. When computer 272 receives the packet, computer 27,' constructs a packet addressed to computer 276, using the S protocol of network 135.
More specifically, computer 230 constructs an "IP" packet addressed to computer 276, using the Internet Protocol (IP). Computer 230 then imbeds this IP packet within a network-115-form~ttecl packet addressed to computer 238, using the protocol of n~lwolk 115. When co~ t~,l 238 receives the packet, computer 238 reads the IP address, ~iete~nines that the IP
packet should be sent over network 130, and imbeds the Il' packet within an network-130-formatted packet addressed to cornputer 272, using the protocol of network ~ 30.When computer 272 receives the packet, computer 272 reads the IP address, deterrnines that the IP address corresponds to computer 276, and imbeds the IP packet in a packet addressed to computer 276, using the protocol of network 135 Fig. 3A shows data packel 3002 in the format of network 115, sent by computer 230 through cable 117. Header field 3010 includes a 20 bit destination address field 3011 identifying computer 238 on nclw~ 115. Destination address field 3011 is 16-bits removed from the be~innin~ of the data ~ ~e 3002. Header 3010 contains other fields, including a 20-bit field cont~ininy the address ofthe sender of packet 3002, and a field co~ data correction bits. Field 3020 includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address field 3021 identifying co~l~pulel 276. Field 3030 includes electronic coupon information in ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Int~lchal1ge) text form.
Computer 238, which resides on both LAN 115 and WAN ] 30, includes cil~;uill y to translate packet 3002 received from c~ ulel 230, into packet 3004 shown in Fig. 3B.
Packet 3004 includes header field 3012. Header 3012 inc}udes a 16 bit destin~tion address field 3013 identif,ving computer 2'72 on WAN 130. Address field 3013 is 32-bits removed from the start of packet 3004. Header 3012 has other fields, including a field identifying the sender of packet 3004, and a field contslinin~ data correction bits.
Cull~ulel 238 deterrnines that the packet should be sent to computer 272 on networlc 130 by reading a routing table. The routing table has an entry for network 135. The entry for network 135 identifies network 130 and computer 272 as the path to be used when col~ el 238 is sending a packet to a computer on network 135. Thus, computer 238 constructs packet 3004 in response to IP address field 302L in packet 3002.
As shown in ~ig. 2, computer 238 sends a packet to computer 272, via computers 250, 254, 258, alld 260.
In other words, each packet is essentially a type of signal having a network address of a certain length and having a certain number of digits. A signal on one network may include a first network address O 1 digits removed from the start of the signal. A signal another network may include a second network address is 02 digits removed from the start of the signal, wherein Ol is not e~ual to 02, and the first network address includes N1 digits and the second network includes N2 digits, wherein Nl is not equal to N2.
Computer 272, which resides on both WAN 130 and LAN 135~ includes circuitry to translate packet 3004 received from computer 238, into packet 3006 shown in Fig. 3C.
Packet 3006 includes header field ~014. Header 3014 includes an address field 3015 identifying computer 276 on LAN 135. Header 3014 includes a 16 bit destination address lS field 3015 identifying computer 276 on LAN 135. Address field 3015 is 24-bits removed from the start of packet 3006. Header 3014 has other fields, including a field identifying the sender of packet 3006, and a field cont~ining data correction bits.
Thus, the preferred system may be conceptn~li7~ as computers sending packets containing electronic coupons. The pl~re.led system may also be concept~ d as programs, running on the computers, that send electronic mail (Email) messages to each other. Each ~mail message includes one or more of the packets described above. The programs include a coupon server (not shown), running on computer 230, for constructing the Email message and sending the Email message to a customer, and Mail Transfer Agents and a User Agent (not shown) that route the Email messages between each other and ultimately store an Email message into an electronic mail box for the recipient of the message. An electronic mailbox is a memory area readable by the owner of the mail box. For example, Fig. 2 shows mail box 277 readable by personal computer 400 in home 160.
Fig. 4 shows a personal computer 400 within home 160. Computer 400 includes a modem 410, a CRT display 420, a k:eyboard 425, a mouse 423, and a coupon-writing device 415. To receive an electronic coupon, the user establishes a telephone connection between computer 400 and computer 276 through modem 410. Subse~uently, the user logs onto CA 02246774 l998-08-l8 WO 97/30410 PCTfUS97/02227 co~nl,uler 276 and invokes a program to read Email stored in mailbox 277.
Fig. 5 shows CRT display 420 after the mail-reading program reads a coupon message from mailbox 277. As shown in Fig. 5, coupon data 3030 includes the ASCII text of an electronic mail (Email) message. Message field 5010 identifies the sender and receiver of the message~ "couponhouse(~usretail.com" being the Email address of the coupon server on node 230 and "bsmith(~aol.com" being the Email address of tne customer residing in home 160.
Message field 5015 is user readable text identifying the coupon. Message field 5020 is electronic coupon information encoded in text format. The user sends coupon data 3030 to device 415 by issuing a print command and specifying device ~Scw:?~, which is a name designating card-writing device 415. A driver program for device 415 receives the text data and tr~n.cl~tes the data into a certain binary format, described below, and sends the binary data to device 415. Device 415 couples to a customer card 190 and sends data to card 190.
Fig. 6 shows a side vlew of card-writing device 415, including interface slot 4170.
Interface slot 4170 has a width sufficient to accommodate the width of one of the customer cards 190. When a card 190 is in interface slot 4170, conductive contact 4177 inside interface slot 4170 touches contact 2427 (described below) on the customer card. Interface slot 4170 has other contacts ~not shown) for touching the other card contacts 2420 (described below).
Figs. 7A and 7B show grocery store 1000. Figs. 7A and Fig. 7B are each a partialview of store 1000. Customers 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 270, 280, and 290, shop in the store.
Before shopping in the store, each of these customers obtained a customer card. For example, customer 230 obtained customer card 235 from a bank, by completing an application for the bank. The application contained questiorls to collect demographic data, including bir~ date, income level, past buying pa~ern~ geographic location, size of family, level of education, and job-related data. The bank ~ul~ls~uently wrote customer identification data for customer 230 onto customer card 235, and issued customer card 235 to customer 230, and sent the customer's demographic data to a cle~nnghouse which then stored the demographic data on disk. Each of customers 210~ 220, 240, 250, 270, 280, and 290 obtains a respective customer card in a similar manner. In vther words, for each customer the preferred method writes demographic data for the customer onto a disk in the market reseal.;h center, and writes personal identification data for the customer onto a respective card for the customer.
After redemption data, including customer identification data from a plurality of cards, is compiled and sent to a market research center, as described below, the customer identification data is used to access the corresponding demographic data, thereby providing the m~nllf~turer with valuable marketing data on coupon program eff'ectiveness and 5 customer demographics.
Store 1000 includes shelves 10, 20, and 30, defining aisles between the shelves. The supermarket has a plurality of product areas, each corresponding to a respective product.
Product Area 110 has Acme brand arnmonia. Product Area 120 has Old World brand pasta.
Product Area 130 has Lighthouse brand light bulbs.
More specifically, Product Area 110 has bottles of ammonia 112 grouped together on multiple shelves. Bottles of amrnonia 112 are contiguously grouped, meaning that no other product is between any two bottles of ammonia 112.
Fig. 8A shows an enlarged view of some of the bonles of arnmonia 112. Each bottle of ammonia has a common Universal Product Code (UPC) label 114, which is a group of parallel lines that encodes a number that uniquely identifies acme arnmonia. In other words, label 114 is different than labels of units of other products. Each bottle of arnmonia 112 also has a common character label 113. Character label 113 is "ACME AMMONIA." Label 113 is different than labels of units of other products.
Product Area 120 has boxes of pasta 122 grouped together on multiple shelves. Boxes of pasta 120 are contiguously grouped, meaning that no other product is between any two boxes of pasta 120.
Fig. 8B shows an enlarged view of some of the boxes of pasta 122. Each box of pasta 122 has a comrnon Universal Product Code (UPC) label 124, which is a group of parallel lines that encodes a nurnber that uniquely identifies Old World pasta. In other words, label 124 is different than labels of units of other products. Each box of pasta 122 also has a common character label 123. Character label 123 is "OLD WORLD PASTA." Label 123 is different than labels of units of other products.
Product Area 130 has boxes of light bulbs 132 grouped together on multiple shelves.
Boxes of light bulbs 132 are contiguously grouped, me~nin~ that no other product is between two boxes of light bulbs 132.
Fig. 8C shows an enlarged view of some of the boxes of light bulbs 132. Each box of light bulbs 132 has a common Universal Product Code ([JPC) label 134, which is a group of parallel lines that encodes a nurnber that uni~uely identifies l ighthnuse light bulbs. In other words, label 134 is different than labels of other products. Each box 132 also has a common character label 133. Character label 133 is "LIGHTHOUSE LIGHT BULBS." Label 133 is different than labels of other products.
Similarly, other product area in the store each have a set of respective products contiguously grouped together and a corresponding product station adjacent to the products.
The respective units of a certain product have a cornmon label, different than labels on units of other products, that uniquely identifies the certain product. Product area 140 has bottles of ketchup 142 contiguously grouped together. Product area 160 has loaves of bread 162 contiguously grouped together. Product area 170 has cartons of milk 172 contiguously grouped together. Product area 180 has packages of bacon 182. Product area of 190 has packages of butter 192 contiguously grouped together.
Product area 150 ha~s boxes of cereal 152 contiguously grouped together.
Fig. 9 shows a processing performed in the preferred system. ConyJulel 230 sends an electror~ic coupon, in the form of an E-mail message, through computer networks 115, 130, and 135. (Step 9003). A customer, such as cll~tom~r 290, receives the electronic coupon, through modem 410, onto her home col~lp.ller (step 9005), and writes the coupon onto her customer card 190 using writing device 415 (step 9010). The customer then brings her respective customer card to a store 1000. (step 9020).
At store 1000, the customer removes products from shelves 10, 20, and 30 and brings the products to checkout station 900 (step 9025). ~n other words, while shopping in store 1000, each of customers 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 270, 280, and 290 carries his or her respective cl-~t m~r card. Customer 290 carries card 190, customer 220 carries card 225, customer 230 carries card 235, customer 240 carries card 245, customer 250 carries card 255, customer 270 carries card 275, customer 280 carries card 285, and customer 290 carries card 190. Each customer tows a shopping cart to hold selected products. Customer 210 tows cart 212, customer 220 tows cart 222, customer 230 tow cart 232, customer 240 tows cart 242, customer 250 tows cart 252, customer 270 tows cart 272, customer 280 tows cart 282, and customer 290 tows cart 292. The customer then removes a product from the shelf and places the removed product into her cart. The customer thus shops throughout the store.
Checkout station 90() then scans the products and determines a price for each product depending on whether the custo~ler card contains coupons for the scanned product (step 9035). More specifically, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting her customer card in~o checkout station 915. For exarnple, a customer such as customer 240 in Fig. 7B completes the purchase of her selected products 293 by transferring products 243 from her cart 242 to counter 900, and by inserting card 245 into checkout station 915. Subsequently, a checkout clerk (not shown) scans each selected product past UPC bar code reader 910. Bar code reader 910 is an optical detector. In other words, bar code reader 910 detects an electromagnetic signal. A processor coupled to station 915 and reader 910 deterrnines whether the most recently scanned product i s on a discount list stored in card 295. If the most recently scanned product is identified in this discount list, a price for the product is det~rmin~d using the discount data corresponding to the product, and the resulting price is displayed on display 917. Checkout counter 900 scans and processes each product 293 in a similar manner.
Similarly customer 280 in Fig. 7B follows the procedure of Fig. 9 by transferring products 283 from her cart 282 to counter 900~ and by inserting card 285 into checkout station 915, and the checkout clerk (not shown) scans each selected product 283 past UPC bar code reader 910. Customer 270 follows the procedure of Fig. 9 by transferring products 273 from her cart 272 to counter 900, and by inserting card 275 into checkout station 915; and the checkout clerk (not shown) scans each selected product 273 past UPC bar code reader 910.
Because of the large number of electronic coupons that may be available to a customer, a customer such as customer 310 may wish to insert their card into display station 710, to review what coupons are currently stored on the card. Station 710 may also present the viewer with additional information about the products identified by the coupons on the card. Station 710 is described in detail in copending application of KEN R. POWELL for SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PRODUCT rN~ORMATION IN A RETAIL
SYSTEM, filed on Februa~y 20, 1996, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Step 9005 includes a step of reading an electronic mail (Email) message. An Email message from computer 230. for the user of PC 400 in home 160, resides in an electronic mailbox 277, which is a memory area on computer 276. The user of PC 400 dials into computer 276 using a telephone line, submits ap~lol,l;ate user identification including a password, and then invokes a program that reads the Email message from the memory of computer 276 into the memory of PC 400.
The user then executes the driver for device 415, by printing the Email message to device "SCW:". The driver tr~n.elat~,s the textual coupon shown in Fig. 5 into a binary forrnat, described below. Thus, the driver program and device 415 are ee~eenti~lly responsive to the coupon data stored in packet 3004, which was constructed by routing computer 238.
To prevent an unscrupulous user from repeatedly writing a single Email coupon onto a clletc-mer card, which would be contrary to the intent of the coupon issuer, the driver m~int~in~ a list of Email coupons already processed, including the time and date of the Email as shown in field 5010 of Fig. 5. Before writing an electronic coupon to a customer card, the driver compares the corresponding Email message to the list to verify that an identical coupon has not been processed.
Further7 to prevent a user i'rom ch~nging the date and time field of a previously-printed Email message and r~ the modified message to thwart this protection mech~ni.em, each Email message from the coupon server on node 230 contains the encoded date and time in field 5020. Thus, the driver both verifies that an Email message with the date and time has not been previously processed, and verifies that the unencoded date and time in area 5010 m~tch~s the encodcd date and time in field 5020.
There are two pr~felr~d methods for getting the Email address for PC 400 to the coupon server on node 2307 to allow the server to send a coupon to PC 400. The first ~cfell~d method is to program the coupon server using data collected from sources off of the ~nte.rnet The second preferred method is to allow the user of PC 400 to send her Email address, through the COI~ 1 networks, to node 230.
To implement this second method, it is presently ~ d that the Email address for the user of PC 400 be sent by a web browser for the World Wide Web (W~W). With one scheme, a user sends an Email message requesting a coupon for a specific product, by invoking the browser to select Hypertext in a document advertising the product. Selection of the Hypertext invokes a "Form" in the document, causing the browser to prompt the user for her Email address, accept the Email address as keyboard input from the user, and construct an Email message addressed to the server on node 230. The message contains the Email address WO 97/30410 PCT/US97tO2227 given by the user and data identif~ing the product corresponding to the selected hypertext.
Upon receiving the message~ the coupon server sends an Email message to the user's address.
An alternate scheme is to ~ave the user of PC' 400 join a club, by invoking the browser to select Hypertext in a document advertising the club. The club is essentially a m~iling list for certain types of coupons. Selection of the hypertext invokes a Form in the docurnent, c~l-cing the browser to prompt the user for her Email address, accept the Email address as keyboard input from the user, and construct an Email message addressed to the server on node 230. The message contains the Email address given by the user and data identifying the club corresponding to the selected hypertext. Upon receiving the message, the coupon server adds the Email address to the list for the club identified in the message. Subsequently, some event causes the coupon server to send a coupon to each address in the list.
One such event would be receipt, by the coupon server, of an F,mail message from a coupon issuer. The coupon issuer rnay be a distributor of the product corresponding to the coupon. The coupon server, in this case, acts as "mail exploder," and essentially echoes the single Email message from the coupon issuer to each member of the list.
Fig. 1 OA shows a plan view of customer card 190. and Fig. l OB shows a side view of card 190. Card 190 is 8.5 cm by S.4 cm, the length and width of a typîcal financial credit card. Card 190 is slightly thicker than a typical financial credit card. Card 190 includes a magnetic stripe 2410, interf~ce contacts 2420 for con~nunication with the product stations and the checkout station, and embossed area 2430 for displaying the card owner's name.
Magnetic stripe 2410 allows a conventional credit card stripe reader to read basic data from the card. Magnetic stripe 24 l 0 is not necessary to the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention, described in more detail below.
Fig. 10C shows inter~'ace contacts 2420 in more detail. Interface contacts 2420 are configured in accordance with ISC)7816-2: 1988(E), Id~ntific~tion cards - Integrated circuit (s) cards with contact - Part 2: Dimensions and locations ofthe contacts, promlllg~ted by the International Org~ni7~tion for Standardization (ISO), and available from the American National Standards Institute ~ANSI), 11 West 42nd Street, New York. New York 10036.
According to ISO 7816-2, contact 2421 is ~csign~l to VCC' (supply voltage), contact 2422 is assigned to RST (reset signal), contact 2423 is assigned to (~LK (clock signal), contact 2424 is reserved for future use, contact 7425 is assigned to GND (ground), contact 2426 is assigned to VPP (program and voltage), contact 2427 is assigned to I/O (data input/output), and contact 2428 is reserved for future use. Card 190 communicates with the product stations and the checkout stations through colltact 2427 using a half duplex scheme, me~ning that contact 2427 is for communicating data signals either to or from the card.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram of customer card 190, including central processing unit 2450, memory 2460, and battery 2470 for supplying power to interface 2425, processor 2450, and memory 2460. Memory 2460 is a random access, addressable device. Station interface 2425 includes a serial to parallel converter for transferring data signals between contact 2427 and CPU 2450 over parallel bus 2452. Memory 2460 stores a program 2465 executed by processor 2450, customer identification data 2467, and authorization data 2468. Customer identification data 2467 includes a sequence of digits that uniquely identifies the holder of the card. Customer identification data 2467 includes the card holder's social security nurnber.
For example, identification data 2467 in customer card 235 uniquely identifies customer 230.
Authorization data 2468 also includes date data indicating an expiration date for the card.
Authorization data 2468 also contains a field identifying that the card is a customer card.
Memory 2460 also stores electronic coupons in coupon list 2435. When a customer inserts a customer card into device 415, processor 2450 receives an identification code for the product from interf~e 415 and adds the code to the list 2435.
Each of customer cards 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 275, 285, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 367, 369, 375, and 385 has t~e sarne hardware structure as customer card 190.
Fig. 12 shows a block diagram PC 400, including central processing unit 435 and memory 440. Memory 5165 is a random access, addressable device. Memory 440 stores driver program 445 for s.qn-ling coupons to card-writing device 415. CPU 435 executes driver 445.
Fig. 13 is a block diagram of checkout counter 900 shown in Fig. 7B. Disk 925 provides long term storage. CPU 9S0 executes instructions in random access, addressable memory 920. Checkout counter S~00 also includes UPC reader 910 for reading bar codes on products~ and checkout station 915 for communicating with a customer card. Since station 915 is in store 1000 and card-writing device 415 is in home 160 which is a separate building from store 1000, station 915 is spatially removed from card-writing device 415.
CPU 950 and program 922 act to detect a product scanned by UPC reader 910, determine a reference price for the product, search for the product's identification in the memory of a customer card. and deduct a discount from the reference price if the product is identified in the customer card memory. CPU 950 then displays the price of the product on display g 17. ln other words. CPU 950 and program 922 act to receive a purchase signal S identifying a product, to receive to receive a card signal, and to determine a price for the product depending on whether the product identified by the card signal corresponds to the product identified by the purchase signal.
CPU 950 writes coupon redemption data onto disk 925. Periodically, CPU 950 sendsthe redemption data to an electronic clearing house through modem 930.
Fig. 14 shows the processmg of step g010 of Fig. 9 in more detail. CPU 435 executes device driverprogram 445 in memory 440 to pc.~oll,l the processing shown in Fig. 14.
When a person prints text to device "SCW:", device driver program 445 receives the text and verifies that identical text has not been processed before, by comparing the text received with a list of previous Email messages received. Program 445 also compares the time and date in field 5010 of the text with the encoded time and date in field 5020 of the text, to verify that the text is an al1th~ntic Email message from the coupon server on coll~ 230. If the Email message is an ~ th~rltic message that has not been processed before, program 445 then tr~n~late~ the text in field 5020 into binary coupon data. (step 14005).
Subsequently, program 445 sends a reset command to card interface 415, causing interface 415 to reset the card by applying a clock signal to card contact 2423. (The card then answers the reset by sending an answer-to-reset data block including identification data 2467 and authorization data 2468, through card contact 2427. Authorization data 2468 contains a card-type code indicating a customer card.) Prograrn 445 then receives the answer-to-reset data block from card int~rface 415 (step 14010).
The comrnunication protoc,ol between interface 415 and a customer card is described in more detail in ISO/IEC 7816-3: 1989 (E), Identification cards - Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts - Part 3: Electronic signals and tr~n.~mi~ion protocols; and ISO/IEC 7816-3:
1989/Amd.1: 1992 (E), Part 3: Electronic signals and tr~n~mi.~sion protocols, AMENDMENT 1: Protocol type technique = 1, synchronous half duplex block tr~n~mi~sion protocol. Both of these standards are promulgated by the Intern~tional Or~ni~tion for Standardization (ISO) and distributed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
CPU 435 analyzes the authorization data in the received answer-to-reset block todetermine whether the card is a customer card that is eligible to receive electronic coupons from interface 415 Istep 14020). CPU 435 ~etennin~s that the card is a customer card if the received authorization data contains a card-type code indicating a c~ t-)mer card. If the card is a customer card, meaning that the authorization data is authorization data 2468, CPU 435 determines if the card is eligible to receive electronic coupons if authorization data 2468 contains certain codes, and the date and time in Email field 5010 is not later than the date data in authorization data 2468. If the card is an eligible customer card, CPU 435 sends to the customer card a block containing a station-type code, indicating a PC interface, and the binary coupon data (step 14040). l~e binary coupon data includes an identification code for the product received from PC 400 (Old World Pasta 122) and the discount currently being offered for that product.
Fig. 15A shows some the collle~ list 2435, starting at location 30 memory 2460, of customer card 190, before CPU 435 of PC 400 executes step 14040. An electronic coupon is lS represented by three rows in list 2435: a 10 digit UPC product code in the first row, discount format data in the second row (" 1 " signifying cents, "2" signifying percentage), and discount quantity data in the third row. In Fig. 1 SA, the customer card is storing two electronic coupons. After CPU 435 executes step 14040 (thereby sending another electronic coupon to the customer card), CPU 2450 in customer card 190 receives the data and adds the data to list 2435, resulting in three electronic coupons in list 2435 as shown in Fig. 15B.
In list 2435 in Figs. 15A and 15B, the memory field having the product code 7170312350 corresponds to the UPC code on boxes of T .ighth~luse Light Bulbs 134. The next memory field stores the format of the discount 4u~1~ily data, with " 1 " signifying cents and "2" signifying ~c..;ell~ge in tenths of a percent. The next memory field stores the discount quality data, 200, signifying that the discount being offered for Lighthouse Light Bulbs 134 is $2.00. The memory field having the product code 7170312780 corresponds to the UPC code on ammonia bottles 112. The next memory field stores the format of the discount quantity data, with " 1 " signifying cents and "2" signifying percentage in tenths of a percent. The next memory field stores the discount quality data, 50, signifying that the discount being offered for ammonia bottles 112 is 50 cents. In list 2435 in Fig. 15B, the memory field having the product code 7170312682 corresponds to the UPC code on boxes of Old World Pasta 124.
WO 97/30410 PCTNSg7/02227 The next memory field stores the :forrnat of the discount quantity data. with " 1 " signifying cents and "2" signifying percentage in tenths of a percent. The next memory field stores the discount quality data, 150, signifying that the discount being offered for Old World Pasta 124 is $1.50.
Fig. 16 shows aspects of the processin~ of step 8035 of Fig. 8. The processing of Fig.
16 is processing perforrned by CPU 950 and prograrn 922 in checkout counter 900 when a customer checks out of store 1000. When a customer, such as customer 290, inserts customer card 295 into interface slot 914, a switch (not shown) in interface slot 914 alerts CPU 950 that a card has been inserted into the slot. When a customer card is in interface slot 914, conductive contacts (not shown) inside interface slot 914 touch each card contact 2420.
Subsequently, CPU 950 causes card interface 925 to reset the card by applying a clock signal to card contact 2423. (If the card is a customer card, the card then answers the reset by sending a block of data, including identification data 2467 and authorization data 2468, through card contact 2427.) CPU 950 then receives the answer-to-reset from the card (step 16002). CPU 950 then sends a data block cont~ining a station-type code indicating a checkout station (step 16004). CPU 950 then receives the contents of table 2435 in memory 2460 of the customer card, and temporarily stores these tab]e contents in memory 920 of the checkout station (step 16005). During step 10005, CPU 950 also causes customer card 295 to remove all entries from list 2435. so that the electronic coupons in the list cannot be redeemed again. When the checkout clerk (not shown) moves a product past UPC reader 910, UPC reader 910 detects the U:PC code on the product and sends the UPC code to CPU
750 (step 16010). CPU 950 searches the received table contents to determine whether the product scanned is identified in the table (step 16020). If the product is in the received table, CPU 950 subtracts the discount, as d~ lh~ed by the discount data stored in the received table, from a product reference price read from disk 925 (step 16030), and displays the resulting price of the product on display 917 (step 16040).
Product data 5135, customer identification data 2467, authorization data 2468, and the data in list 2435 are each a type of signal.
In other words, the preferred retail system 100(~ includes product areas 110, 120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180,and 190; aplulalityofcustomercardseachhavingamemory,anda checkout counter 900 having checkout station 915 acting as a communication device. A
method of operating system 1000 comprises the steps of writing a first signal into memory 2460 of a card in the plurality of ca~ds, in response to a person inserting the card into the int~rf~ce slot of a PC card interface, the first signal identifying a product; reading the first signal from memory 2460~ in response to a person inserting the card into the interface slot of the checkout station; receiving another signal, from UPC reader 910, identifying a product;
and dete"~ g a price for the product depending on whether the product identified by the first signal, read in the reading step, corresponds to the product identified by the other signal.
In summary, after UPC barcode reader 910 scans a product, processor 950 determines eligibility for a discount. If a product qualifies, processor 950 displays the discounted price on display 917.
Fig. 17 shows aspects of the processing of steps 9010 and 9035 of Fig. 9. The processing of Fig. 17 processing is ~lrc,lmcd by one of the customer cards, such as customer card 190, in the ~ fcll~d retail system. After the card is reset through contacts 2420, the customer card sends an "answer to reset" data block in accordance with the ISO standard ISOIICE 7816-3: 1989(E), cited above. The customer card sends identification data 2467 and ~lltht~ri7~tion data 2468 in the answer-to-reset data block (step 17010). If the station then sends a block of data to the customer card, the customer card then receives the block of data through contact 2427 (step 17015). If the block contains a station-type code indicating a PC
card interface (step 17020), the customer card then adds product coupon information, from a certain location in the block, to the list 2345 (step 17030).
If the customer card is not eligible, the PC interface will not send a block of data, step 17015 therefore does not execute, and processing ceases until the customer card is reinserted into an interface slot, at which time the station will reset the card and proces~in~ will restart at step 17010.
Alternatively, if the block contains a station-type code indicating a Checkout station (step 17090), the customer card then sends list 2345 to the display station (step 17010). In other words, CPU 2450 reads list 2435 from memory 2460~ in response to a customer inserting card 190 into checkout station 915, and sends a signal corresponding to the list 2345 to the checkout station (step ] 7100).
Fig. 18 shows a block diagrarn of a ~lefc,lcd retail system including a clearinghouse 900, and a plurality of checkout stations 900. Periodically, checkout counter 900 sends redemption data to an electronic clearing house. The redemption data sent to the clearing house includes the identification of the store, identification of the coupons redeemed and of respective quantities of coupon redemptions. Periodically, checkout counter 900 sends redemption data to a market research center. The redemption data sent to the research center 5 includes the identification of the store and of the customers who presented electronic coupons for redemption. The checkout stations send the redemption data blocks, over telephone signal paths 7 14.
Checkout stations 9() 3 are located within a single company. Checkout stations 903 are similar to checkout stations 9~0, described above. except that checkout stations 903 have circuitry for communicating over network 912. Checkout stations 903 send transaction data blocks to central fin~nci~l computer 911 located within the company. Central financial computer 911 periodically sends the compiled transaction data to clearing house 990, over telephone signal paths 914.
Thus, the preferred systems provides a convenient and stimulating shopping 15 environment. The systems allow ~he user to receive electronic coupons at home and then bring the received coupons to a retail store.
Other applications of electronic coupons are the subject of copending application of KEN R. POWELL for RETAIL SYSTEM, Serial No~ 081468,816, filed on June 6, 1995, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference; of copending application of KEN R.
20 POWELL for DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROGRAMMING A RETAIL SYSTEM, Serial No. 08/468,820, filed on June 6, 1995, the contents of which is herein incolpul~led by reference.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art.
The invention in its broader aspec~s is therefore not limited to the specific details, 25 representative apparatus, and illuslrative exarnples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or the scope of Applicants' general inventive conc:ept. The invention is defined in the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of portable cards;
a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having arespective first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first computer having means for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product;
a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and means, spatially removed from the previous means, for reading the card signal from the portable card.
a plurality of portable cards;
a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having arespective first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first computer having means for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product;
a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and means, spatially removed from the previous means, for reading the card signal from the portable card.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first network address is O1 digits removed from the start of the first signal, the second network address is O2 digits removed from the start of the second signal, wherein O1 is not equal to O2.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first network address includes N1 digits and the second network includes N2 digits, wherein N1 is not equal to N2.
4. The system of claims 1 further including means for receiving a purchase signal corresponding to a product; and means for determining a price for the product depending on whether the product identified by the card signal, read by the reading means corresponds to the product identified by the purchase signal.
5. The system of claim 4 further including an electromagnetic detector for generating the purchase signal.
6. The system of claim 4 further including a bar code reader for generating the purchase signal.
7. A system comprising:
a plurality of portable cards;
a store including a plurality of products and means for reading a card signal from one of the portable cards;
a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having arespective first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first computer having means for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product in the plurality of products;
a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards.
a plurality of portable cards;
a store including a plurality of products and means for reading a card signal from one of the portable cards;
a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having arespective first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first computer having means for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product in the plurality of products;
a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and means, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards.
8. In a system including a plurality of portable cards; a first computer networkincluding a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the plurality of first computers including a first computer; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address, a method of operating the system comprising the step, performed by the first computer, of sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product, and wherein the method further comprises the step of sending, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and sending a card signal, responsive to the signal corresponding to the product from the second signal, to a portable card in the plurality of cards; and reading the card signal from the portable card.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of sending a first signal includes the step of constructing a signal having the first network address O1 digits removed from the start of the first signal, and the step of sending a second signal includes the step of constructing a signal having the second network address O2 digits removed from the start of the second signal, wherein O1 is not equal to O2.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of sending a first signal includes the step of constructing a signal with the first network address including N1 digits, and the step of sending a second signal includes the step of constructing a signal with the second network including N2 digits, wherein N1 is not equal to N2.
11. The method of claim 8 further including the step of receiving a purchase signal corresponding to a product; and determining a price for the product depending on whether the product identified by the card signal, read by the reading means, corresponds to the product identified by the purchase signal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/603,482 | 1996-02-20 | ||
US08/603,482 US5806044A (en) | 1996-02-20 | 1996-02-20 | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2246774A1 true CA2246774A1 (en) | 1997-08-21 |
Family
ID=24415626
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002246774A Abandoned CA2246774A1 (en) | 1996-02-20 | 1997-02-19 | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US5806044A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2050797A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2246774A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997030410A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (344)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6292786B1 (en) | 1992-05-19 | 2001-09-18 | Incentech, Inc. | Method and system for generating incentives based on substantially real-time product purchase information |
US7831470B1 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 2010-11-09 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for facilitating electronic commerce through providing cross-benefits during a transaction |
US6196458B1 (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2001-03-06 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for printing a billing statement to provide supplementary product sales |
US5694546A (en) | 1994-05-31 | 1997-12-02 | Reisman; Richard R. | System for automatic unattended electronic information transport between a server and a client by a vendor provided transport software with a manifest list |
US6739514B2 (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 2004-05-25 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Sales transaction system with electronic coupon processing |
US6321208B1 (en) | 1995-04-19 | 2001-11-20 | Brightstreet.Com, Inc. | Method and system for electronic distribution of product redemption coupons |
US7917386B2 (en) | 1995-06-16 | 2011-03-29 | Catalina Marketing Corporation | Virtual couponing method and apparatus for use with consumer kiosk |
US20020178051A1 (en) | 1995-07-25 | 2002-11-28 | Thomas G. Scavone | Interactive marketing network and process using electronic certificates |
US5774870A (en) | 1995-12-14 | 1998-06-30 | Netcentives, Inc. | Fully integrated, on-line interactive frequency and award redemption program |
US5970469A (en) * | 1995-12-26 | 1999-10-19 | Supermarkets Online, Inc. | System and method for providing shopping aids and incentives to customers through a computer network |
US9519915B1 (en) * | 1996-12-23 | 2016-12-13 | Catalina Marketing Corporation | System and method for providing shopping aids and incentives to customer through a computer network |
FR2743916B1 (en) | 1996-01-22 | 1998-03-27 | Marketlink | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING ENCODED INFORMATION WITH A CHIP CARD |
US6419161B1 (en) | 1996-01-22 | 2002-07-16 | Welcome Real-Time | Apparatus and method for processing coded information stored on an integrated circuit card |
US5806044A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1998-09-08 | Powell; Ken R. | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks |
US7240023B1 (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 2007-07-03 | Softcard Systems, Inc. | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks |
CA2250283A1 (en) * | 1996-03-06 | 1997-09-25 | Michael Walden | Incentive based information generation system |
US6314406B1 (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 2001-11-06 | Telxon Corporation | Customer information network |
US6332126B1 (en) * | 1996-08-01 | 2001-12-18 | First Data Corporation | System and method for a targeted payment system discount program |
US20040243478A1 (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 2004-12-02 | Walker Jay S. | Purchasing, redemption, and settlement systems and methods wherein a buyer takes possession at a retailer of a product purchased using a communication network |
US7818284B1 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 2010-10-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits via a central authority |
US20050043994A1 (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 2005-02-24 | Walker Jay S. | Method for allowing a customer to obtain a discounted price for a transaction and terminal for performing the method |
US6754636B1 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 2004-06-22 | Walker Digital, Llc | Purchasing systems and methods wherein a buyer takes possession at a retailer of a product purchased using a communication network |
US7039603B2 (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 2006-05-02 | Walker Digital, Llc | Settlement systems and methods wherein a buyer takes possession at a retailer of a product purchased using a communication network |
US6249772B1 (en) | 1997-07-08 | 2001-06-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Systems and methods wherein a buyer purchases a product at a first price and acquires the product from a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price |
US20020194075A1 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2002-12-19 | O'hagan Timothy P. | Customer order notification system using mobile computers for use in retail establishiments |
US5987504A (en) * | 1996-12-31 | 1999-11-16 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for delivering data |
US7729988B1 (en) | 1997-03-21 | 2010-06-01 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for processing credit card transactions |
US7233912B2 (en) | 1997-08-26 | 2007-06-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for vending a combination of products |
US7546277B1 (en) | 1997-10-09 | 2009-06-09 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for dynamically managing vending machine inventory prices |
US6243379B1 (en) * | 1997-04-04 | 2001-06-05 | Ramp Networks, Inc. | Connection and packet level multiplexing between network links |
US7711604B1 (en) | 1997-07-08 | 2010-05-04 | Walker Digital, Llc | Retail system for selling products based on a flexible product description |
US8799100B2 (en) | 1997-07-08 | 2014-08-05 | Groupon, Inc. | Retail system for selling products based on a flexible product description |
US7107228B1 (en) | 1997-07-08 | 2006-09-12 | Walker Digital, Llc | Systems and methods wherein a buyer purchases a product at a first price and physically acquires the product at a location associated with a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price |
AU8484398A (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 1999-02-10 | Neomedia Technologies, Inc. | Printed coupons with embedded discounts for online purchases |
CA2301918A1 (en) * | 1997-08-19 | 1999-02-25 | Imaging Technologies Pty Limited | Improved electronic ordering and vending systems |
US7894936B2 (en) | 1997-10-09 | 2011-02-22 | Walker Digital, Llc | Products and processes for managing the prices of vending machine inventory |
US6336098B1 (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 2002-01-01 | International Business Machines Corp. | Method for electronic distribution and redemption of coupons on the world wide web |
EP0923039B1 (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 2007-04-25 | E-Centives Inc. | Electronic couponing method and apparatus |
US7236942B1 (en) | 1997-12-19 | 2007-06-26 | Walker Digital, Llc | Pre-sale data broadcast system and method |
US6019284A (en) | 1998-01-27 | 2000-02-01 | Viztec Inc. | Flexible chip card with display |
US6505773B1 (en) * | 1998-04-03 | 2003-01-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | Authenticated electronic coupon issuing and redemption |
JPH11296587A (en) * | 1998-04-13 | 1999-10-29 | Hitachi Ltd | Electronic mall server, electronic mall client, electronic mall system and storing medium |
US6450407B1 (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 2002-09-17 | Viztec, Inc. | Chip card rebate system |
US6741968B2 (en) * | 1998-04-24 | 2004-05-25 | Fuel Partners, L.P. | Method for processing information through a clearinghouse |
US6131811A (en) | 1998-05-29 | 2000-10-17 | E-Micro Corporation | Wallet consolidator |
US7495788B2 (en) * | 1998-06-11 | 2009-02-24 | Nch Marketing Services, Inc. | Wireless system for broadcasting, receiving and printing packets of information |
US7809642B1 (en) | 1998-06-22 | 2010-10-05 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Debit purchasing of stored value card for use by and/or delivery to others |
US6615189B1 (en) | 1998-06-22 | 2003-09-02 | Bank One, Delaware, National Association | Debit purchasing of stored value card for use by and/or delivery to others |
JP2000036078A (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2000-02-02 | Sun Microsyst Inc | Progressive coupon system |
WO2000003328A1 (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-01-20 | Motorola Inc. | Method and apparatus in a wireless communication system for using a selective call receiver to provide demographic information, redeem coupons, and emulate affinity cards |
US6292657B1 (en) | 1998-07-13 | 2001-09-18 | Openwave Systems Inc. | Method and architecture for managing a fleet of mobile stations over wireless data networks |
US7392945B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2008-07-01 | Lv Partners, L.P. | Portable scanner for enabling automatic commerce transactions |
US7370114B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2008-05-06 | Lv Partners, L.P. | Software downloading using a television broadcast channel |
US6868433B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2005-03-15 | L.V. Partners, L.P. | Input device having positional and scanning capabilities |
US7386600B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2008-06-10 | Lv Partners, L.P. | Launching a web site using a personal device |
US7284066B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2007-10-16 | Lv Partners, Lp | Method and apparatus for matching a user's use profile in commerce with a broadcast |
US7440993B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2008-10-21 | Lv Partners, L.P. | Method and apparatus for launching a web browser in response to scanning of product information |
US7930213B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2011-04-19 | Rpx-Lv Acquisition Llc | Method and apparatus for completing, securing and conducting an E-commerce transaction |
US7379901B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2008-05-27 | Lv Partners, L.P. | Accessing a vendor web site using personal account information retrieved from a credit card company web site |
US6823388B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2004-11-23 | L.V. Parners, L.P. | Method and apparatus for accessing a remote location with an optical reader having a programmable memory system |
US7191247B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2007-03-13 | Lv Partners, Lp | Method for connecting a wireless device to a remote location on a network |
US6745234B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2004-06-01 | Digital:Convergence Corporation | Method and apparatus for accessing a remote location by scanning an optical code |
US6704864B1 (en) | 1999-08-19 | 2004-03-09 | L.V. Partners, L.P. | Automatic configuration of equipment software |
US6636896B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2003-10-21 | Lv Partners, L.P. | Method and apparatus for utilizing an audibly coded signal to conduct commerce over the internet |
US8028036B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2011-09-27 | Rpx-Lv Acquisition Llc | Launching a web site using a passive transponder |
US6076069A (en) * | 1998-09-25 | 2000-06-13 | Oneclip.Com, Incorporated | Method of and system for distributing and redeeming electronic coupons |
US6041309A (en) * | 1998-09-25 | 2000-03-21 | Oneclip.Com, Incorporated | Method of and system for distributing and redeeming electronic coupons |
US7827057B1 (en) | 1998-10-05 | 2010-11-02 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity |
US7640183B1 (en) * | 1998-10-29 | 2009-12-29 | Dale Burns | Electronic coupon processing system |
US6032136A (en) * | 1998-11-17 | 2000-02-29 | First Usa Bank, N.A. | Customer activated multi-value (CAM) card |
US7660763B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 2010-02-09 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Customer activated multi-value (CAM) card |
US6751670B1 (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2004-06-15 | Drm Technologies, L.L.C. | Tracking electronic component |
US6606616B1 (en) | 1998-12-01 | 2003-08-12 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Modified action rules |
GB2344904A (en) * | 1998-12-17 | 2000-06-21 | Ibm | Home stock control computer system |
US6282713B1 (en) * | 1998-12-21 | 2001-08-28 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing on-demand electronic advertising |
US7826923B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2010-11-02 | Walker Digital, Llc | Products and processes for vending a plurality of products |
US6055573A (en) | 1998-12-30 | 2000-04-25 | Supermarkets Online, Inc. | Communicating with a computer based on an updated purchase behavior classification of a particular consumer |
AU1204400A (en) * | 1998-12-31 | 2000-07-24 | Walker Digital, Llc | System and method for encouraging competitive participation in an auction |
AU2406000A (en) * | 1999-01-06 | 2000-07-24 | Leonard C. Faucher | System and method for interactive distance learning through real time videoconferencing |
JP2002534746A (en) * | 1999-01-07 | 2002-10-15 | シーシーリウォーズ.コム | Method and apparatus for collecting and using post internet sales information |
WO2000041121A1 (en) * | 1999-01-07 | 2000-07-13 | Ccrewards.Com | Method and arrangement for issuance and management of digital coupons and sales offers |
US7127515B2 (en) * | 1999-01-15 | 2006-10-24 | Drm Technologies, Llc | Delivering electronic content |
US6415341B1 (en) | 1999-01-29 | 2002-07-02 | Tekserve Pos, Llc | Point-of-sale terminal adapter |
US7958224B2 (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2011-06-07 | Catalina Marketing Corporation | Incentive network for distributing incentives on a network-wide basis and for permitting user access to individual incentives from a plurality of network servers |
US6745247B1 (en) | 1999-03-19 | 2004-06-01 | Citicorp Development Center, Inc. | Method and system for deploying smart card applications over data networks |
WO2000062231A1 (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2000-10-19 | Shopexpert.Com, Inc. | Method and apparatus for tracking consumers |
US6847373B1 (en) * | 1999-04-16 | 2005-01-25 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Natural color matching in a video editing system |
US6385591B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2002-05-07 | Jeffrey W. Mankoff | Method and system for electronic organization of coupons |
US6609104B1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2003-08-19 | Incentech, Inc. | Method and system for accumulating marginal discounts and applying an associated incentive |
US6282516B1 (en) | 1999-06-01 | 2001-08-28 | Catalina Marketing International, Inc. | Process, system and computer readable medium for in-store printing of discount coupons and/or other purchasing incentives in various departments within a retail store |
US6882984B1 (en) | 1999-06-04 | 2005-04-19 | Bank One, Delaware, National Association | Credit instrument and system with automated payment of club, merchant, and service provider fees |
AU5135400A (en) | 1999-06-30 | 2001-01-22 | Walker Digital, Llc | Vending machine system and method for encouraging the purchase of profitable items |
US7593862B2 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2009-09-22 | Jeffrey W. Mankoff | Delivery, organization, and redemption of virtual offers from the internet, interactive-TV, wireless devices and other electronic means |
CN1280344A (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2001-01-17 | 电话通有限公司 | Method and system for distributing electronic coupon by using radio communication system |
US6868426B1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2005-03-15 | Jeffrey W. Mankoff | Virtual document organizer system and method |
US20020120627A1 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2002-08-29 | Mankoff Jeffrey W. | Virtual document organizer system and method |
US6993498B1 (en) | 1999-07-15 | 2006-01-31 | Midnight Blue Remote Access, Llc | Point-of-sale server and method |
US6505168B1 (en) | 1999-08-16 | 2003-01-07 | First Usa Bank, Na | System and method for gathering and standardizing customer purchase information for target marketing |
WO2001013307A1 (en) * | 1999-08-17 | 2001-02-22 | Sunil Vasantrao Thakur | Business system |
US7769631B2 (en) * | 1999-08-17 | 2010-08-03 | Mcclung Iii Guy L | Business systems with price guarantee and display |
US7606731B2 (en) * | 1999-08-17 | 2009-10-20 | Mcclung Iii Guy Lamonte | Price guarantee methods and systems |
US7107225B1 (en) | 1999-08-17 | 2006-09-12 | Mcclung Iii Guy L | Business system |
FR2798544B1 (en) * | 1999-09-09 | 2002-03-22 | Sagem | METHOD FOR MANAGING A REMUNERATION CONDITIONED BY A MESSAGE RECEIVED IN A MULTIMEDIA TERMINAL |
CA2316120A1 (en) * | 1999-09-23 | 2001-03-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Electronic redeeming of coupons and product discounts utilizing a networked products database |
US7010498B1 (en) | 1999-09-23 | 2006-03-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Personal product locator on store-owned shopping aid |
US20060195400A1 (en) * | 2000-10-13 | 2006-08-31 | Patrick Patterson | Controlling access to electronic content |
KR100386800B1 (en) * | 1999-10-15 | 2003-06-09 | 주식회사 요넷 | Internet confirmation system using bar code check book |
AU4135201A (en) * | 1999-10-29 | 2001-05-30 | Singleshop.Com | System and method of data exchange for electronic transactions with multiple sources |
US7370004B1 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2008-05-06 | The Chase Manhattan Bank | Personalized interactive network architecture |
US20020023955A1 (en) | 1999-11-29 | 2002-02-28 | Leonard Frank | Electronic delivery of admission tickets direct to a purchaser |
US8793160B2 (en) | 1999-12-07 | 2014-07-29 | Steve Sorem | System and method for processing transactions |
EP1244957A1 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2002-10-02 | Viztec, Inc. | Chip card advertising method and system |
US20040073483A1 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2004-04-15 | Beenz.Com Ireland Ltd. | Compensation driven network based exchange system and method |
US20020004763A1 (en) * | 2000-01-20 | 2002-01-10 | Lam Peter Ar-Fu | Body profile coding method and apparatus useful for assisting users to select wearing apparel |
US6839683B1 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2005-01-04 | Walker Digital, Llc | Systems and methods using a representation of a stored benefit to facilitate a transaction |
US7203663B1 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2007-04-10 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for converting information on paper forms to electronic data |
US6941279B1 (en) | 2000-02-23 | 2005-09-06 | Banke One Corporation | Mutual fund card method and system |
US7627498B1 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2009-12-01 | Walker Jay S | System and method for utilizing redemption information |
US20020165771A1 (en) | 2001-05-07 | 2002-11-07 | Walker Jay S. | Method and apparatus for establishing prices for a plurality of products |
US20080052169A1 (en) * | 2000-03-29 | 2008-02-28 | O'shea Deirdre | Method and apparatus for providing a coupon offer having a variable value |
US20020147663A1 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2002-10-10 | Walker Jay S. | Systems and methods for facilitating a transaction by use of third party subsidies |
US8473342B1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2013-06-25 | Catalina Marketing Corporation | Method and system for generating certificates having unique Id data |
CA2406001A1 (en) * | 2000-04-14 | 2001-10-25 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | A system and method for using loyalty points |
WO2001080134A2 (en) * | 2000-04-17 | 2001-10-25 | Advertising.Com, Inc. | Apparatus and method for delivery of targeted marketing to automated service machines |
US6665573B1 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2003-12-16 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System and method for matching a creative expression with an order for goods |
US7188080B1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2007-03-06 | Walker Digital, Llc | Systems and methods wherin a buyer purchases products in a plurality of product categories |
KR20010104145A (en) * | 2000-05-13 | 2001-11-24 | 권혜진 | An incentive providing system and the providing method |
US8069106B2 (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2011-11-29 | Pipeline Financial Group, Inc. | Block trading system and method providing price improvement to aggressive orders |
AU780500B2 (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2005-03-24 | Telstra Corporation Limited | A token delivery system |
US7680715B2 (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2010-03-16 | Pipeline Financial Group, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing anonymous requests for quotes for financial instruments |
US8010438B2 (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2011-08-30 | Pipeline Financial Group, Inc. | Method for directing and executing certified trading interests |
AUPQ790100A0 (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2000-06-22 | Telstra R & D Management Pty Ltd | A validation system |
US7415425B1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2008-08-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Systems and methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task |
US7599850B1 (en) | 2000-06-19 | 2009-10-06 | Catalina Marketing Corporation | Method of and system for managing promotions for purchase transactions over a network |
DE10030358A1 (en) * | 2000-06-21 | 2002-01-03 | Heidenhain Gmbh Dr Johannes | Method and device for serial data transmission between a position measuring system and a processing unit |
US20020016738A1 (en) * | 2000-06-26 | 2002-02-07 | Coile Brantley W. | Computer system |
US20020049967A1 (en) * | 2000-07-01 | 2002-04-25 | Haseltine Eric C. | Processes for exploiting electronic tokens to increase broadcasting revenue |
JP2004503021A (en) * | 2000-07-11 | 2004-01-29 | カタリナ マーケティング インターナショナル,インク. | Methods and systems for managing promotions using mobile devices |
US20020107733A1 (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2002-08-08 | Liu Wanqian D. | Method for promoting products using a world wide web |
AU2001282935A1 (en) | 2000-08-01 | 2002-02-13 | First Usa Bank, N.A. | System and method for transponder-enabled account transactions |
AU2000278633A1 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2002-02-18 | Dsd Communications, Inc. | System and method for including inserts with goods during automated packaging |
US6993887B2 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2006-02-07 | Dsd Communications, Inc. | System and method for including packets with goods during automated packaging |
US6584753B2 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2003-07-01 | Dsd Communications, Inc. | System and method for including inserts with goods during automated packaging |
US7430520B1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2008-09-30 | Affinion Net Patents, Inc. | System and method for determining the level of a authentication required for redeeming a customer's award credits |
WO2002017191A1 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2002-02-28 | Electronic Equities, Inc. | Method and system for redemption of electronic coupons |
US7218991B2 (en) | 2000-08-22 | 2007-05-15 | Walker Digital, Llc | System for vending physical and information items |
EP1184818A1 (en) * | 2000-09-01 | 2002-03-06 | Marconi Commerce Systems S.r.L. | Vending system for selling products or services to purchasers having mobile communicators |
US7209733B2 (en) * | 2000-10-06 | 2007-04-24 | Pay X Pda, Llc | Credit manager method and system |
US7979057B2 (en) * | 2000-10-06 | 2011-07-12 | S.F. Ip Properties 62 Llc | Third-party provider method and system |
US20040143501A1 (en) * | 2000-10-06 | 2004-07-22 | Lopez Kermit D. | Processing negotiable economic credits through electronic hand held devices |
JP2004511857A (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2004-04-15 | カタリーナ・マーケティング・インターナショナル・インコーポレイテッド | Method and system for distributing electronic coupons based on product codes |
US6421986B1 (en) * | 2000-10-12 | 2002-07-23 | Dsd Communications, Inc. | Method of advertising by distributing targeted promotional materials inside packages of bread |
US20020100254A1 (en) * | 2000-10-12 | 2002-08-01 | Dsd Communications, Inc. | System and method for targeted advertising and marketing |
US7660740B2 (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2010-02-09 | Ebay Inc. | Method and system for listing items globally and regionally, and customized listing according to currency or shipping area |
US7831467B1 (en) | 2000-10-17 | 2010-11-09 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Method and system for retaining customer loyalty |
US20020138348A1 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2002-09-26 | Sandhya Narayan | Electronic coupon system |
US7117262B2 (en) * | 2000-11-01 | 2006-10-03 | Inktomi Corporation | Cooperative management of distributed network caches |
US7398225B2 (en) | 2001-03-29 | 2008-07-08 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | System and method for networked loyalty program |
US7398226B2 (en) | 2000-11-06 | 2008-07-08 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | System and method for networked loyalty program |
WO2002101485A2 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2002-12-19 | In2M Corporation | Methods and systems for electronic coupon issuance transmission and management |
AU2001297918A1 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2002-12-23 | In2M Corporation | Methods and systems for electronic coupon issuance transmission and management |
US20020128923A1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2002-09-12 | Shaun Dale | System and method for utilizing an internet enabled telephone to conduct business |
AU2002243223A1 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2002-06-24 | Robert P Arbuckle | System and method for guiding a computer user to promotional material |
FR2817061B1 (en) * | 2000-11-22 | 2003-03-28 | Welcome Real Time | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING, STORING AND PROCESSING ELECTRONIC COUPONS WITH A MOBILE TELEPHONE OR DIGITAL ASSISTANT |
JP2002170020A (en) * | 2000-12-04 | 2002-06-14 | Sony Corp | Information processing device and method, information processing system and method, and record medium |
US20020082925A1 (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2002-06-27 | Herwig Nathaniel C. | Method and apparatus for utilizing a smart card to maintain a retail application on a number of portable, wireless hand-held computing devices |
US6985873B2 (en) | 2001-01-18 | 2006-01-10 | First Usa Bank, N.A. | System and method for administering a brokerage rebate card program |
US7584149B1 (en) | 2001-02-26 | 2009-09-01 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | System and method for securing data through a PDA portal |
US7222101B2 (en) * | 2001-02-26 | 2007-05-22 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | System and method for securing data through a PDA portal |
US20020123926A1 (en) * | 2001-03-01 | 2002-09-05 | Bushold Thomas R. | System and method for implementing a loyalty program incorporating on-line and off-line transactions |
US20020128942A1 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2002-09-12 | Mark Colosi | System and method for purchasing goods and services and receiving a future return on investment |
US20020161640A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-10-31 | Jason Wolfe | Method for the wireless delivery and redemption of merchant discount offers |
US20020160761A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-10-31 | Jason Wolfe | Apparatus for the wireless delivery and redemption of merchant discount offers |
US7340419B2 (en) | 2001-03-15 | 2008-03-04 | Walker Digital, Llc | Method and apparatus for product display |
US20020133426A1 (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2002-09-19 | Walker Jay S. | Method and apparatus for promoting a product |
US6805290B2 (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2004-10-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Process and product for enforcing purchase agreements |
US7293703B2 (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2007-11-13 | Walker Digital, Llc | Apparatus and methods for enforcing purchase agreements |
US20060053056A1 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2006-03-09 | American Express Marketing & Development Corporati | Card member discount system and method |
US20020161631A1 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2002-10-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Methods for e-coupon extension |
US20020188511A1 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2002-12-12 | Trilegiant Loyalty Solutions | Interactive online point redemption system |
US20030236701A1 (en) * | 2001-05-15 | 2003-12-25 | Netcentives, Inc. | Method and system for affiliate tracking |
US7313546B2 (en) | 2001-05-23 | 2007-12-25 | Jp Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for currency selectable stored value instrument |
AU2002312302A1 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2002-12-16 | Jason S. Flegel | Magazine trading system |
JP4632662B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2011-02-16 | 富士通株式会社 | Electronic commerce method using electronic coupons |
US20050086697A1 (en) * | 2001-07-02 | 2005-04-21 | Haseltine Eric C. | Processes for exploiting electronic tokens to increase broadcasting revenue |
KR20010096673A (en) * | 2001-07-04 | 2001-11-08 | (주)이앤와이어리스 | The coupon system by using credit card, and the service flow. |
US7860789B2 (en) | 2001-07-24 | 2010-12-28 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Multiple account advanced payment card and method of routing card transactions |
US7809641B2 (en) | 2001-07-26 | 2010-10-05 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, National Association | System and method for funding a collective account |
US7306141B1 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2007-12-11 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag |
US8020754B2 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2011-09-20 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag |
US8800857B1 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2014-08-12 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for crediting loyalty program points and providing loyalty rewards by use of an electronic tag |
US20080065495A1 (en) * | 2001-08-15 | 2008-03-13 | Nguyen Martin K | Consumer device used in commercial transactions |
US20050043995A1 (en) * | 2001-08-15 | 2005-02-24 | Martin Khang Nguyen | Discount coupon usage |
US20030036952A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-02-20 | Panttaja James T. | Redemption system for award redemption |
US20030041025A1 (en) * | 2001-08-23 | 2003-02-27 | American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc. | System and method for flexible promotional rates |
US7752266B2 (en) | 2001-10-11 | 2010-07-06 | Ebay Inc. | System and method to facilitate translation of communications between entities over a network |
JP2003196529A (en) * | 2001-12-27 | 2003-07-11 | Pia Corp | Right information providing system, its method, and computer program for realizing it |
US20030167203A1 (en) * | 2002-02-19 | 2003-09-04 | Gale H. Thorne Trust | Retail purchase coupon processing apparatus and methods |
US8392301B1 (en) | 2002-03-08 | 2013-03-05 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Financial system for isolated economic environment |
US7756896B1 (en) | 2002-03-11 | 2010-07-13 | Jp Morgan Chase Bank | System and method for multi-dimensional risk analysis |
US6697585B2 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2004-02-24 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System for and method of reducing or eliminating leakage with a vibrating seal |
US7899753B1 (en) | 2002-03-25 | 2011-03-01 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A | Systems and methods for time variable financial authentication |
US20180165441A1 (en) | 2002-03-25 | 2018-06-14 | Glenn Cobourn Everhart | Systems and methods for multifactor authentication |
WO2003083619A2 (en) | 2002-03-29 | 2003-10-09 | Bank One, Delaware, N.A. | System and process for performing purchase transaction using tokens |
US20040210498A1 (en) | 2002-03-29 | 2004-10-21 | Bank One, National Association | Method and system for performing purchase and other transactions using tokens with multiple chips |
US20030187755A1 (en) * | 2002-04-01 | 2003-10-02 | Kamal Acharya | Method and system for providing portable shopping information |
US20030200142A1 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | Heather Hicks | On-line employee incentive system |
GB2388948A (en) * | 2002-05-21 | 2003-11-26 | Paul Grint | Validation system |
US20040049422A1 (en) * | 2002-05-21 | 2004-03-11 | Lawrence Mortimer | Systems and methods for providing pre-point-of-sale incentive marketing |
US20030218330A1 (en) * | 2002-05-21 | 2003-11-27 | Lawrence Mortimer | Systems and methods for providing pre-point-of-sale incentive marketing with pre-printed coupons |
US8078505B2 (en) | 2002-06-10 | 2011-12-13 | Ebay Inc. | Method and system for automatically updating a seller application utilized in a network-based transaction facility |
US8010405B1 (en) | 2002-07-26 | 2011-08-30 | Visa Usa Inc. | Multi-application smart card device software solution for smart cardholder reward selection and redemption |
US8239304B1 (en) | 2002-07-29 | 2012-08-07 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Method and system for providing pre-approved targeted products |
US7121456B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2006-10-17 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and system for managing token image replacement |
US6837425B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2005-01-04 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Compact protocol and solution for substantially offline messaging between portable consumer device and based device |
US9852437B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2017-12-26 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Opt-in/opt-out in loyalty system |
US8015060B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2011-09-06 | Visa Usa, Inc. | Method and system for managing limited use coupon and coupon prioritization |
US8626577B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2014-01-07 | Visa U.S.A | Network centric loyalty system |
US7809595B2 (en) | 2002-09-17 | 2010-10-05 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, Na | System and method for managing risks associated with outside service providers |
KR20040031880A (en) * | 2002-10-07 | 2004-04-14 | 백승재 | Business model for sales promotion with usage of coupons based on internet |
US20040122736A1 (en) | 2002-10-11 | 2004-06-24 | Bank One, Delaware, N.A. | System and method for granting promotional rewards to credit account holders |
US6920611B1 (en) | 2002-11-25 | 2005-07-19 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method and system for implementing a loyalty merchant component |
DE10255163A1 (en) * | 2002-11-27 | 2004-06-09 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | Computer implemented discount system in which the offerer of a discount assigns part keys to a user with each purchase of appropriate goods and the user then assembles a unique secret discount offer key from his part keys |
US20040107135A1 (en) * | 2002-12-03 | 2004-06-03 | Craig Deatherage | Electronic coupon distribution and redemption system and method |
US20040148223A1 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | Junaid Ghaffar | Targeted direct marketing system and process for distributing coupons to information handling systems |
US7467100B2 (en) * | 2003-03-10 | 2008-12-16 | Fujitsu Limited | Personal shopping data service system using extended gaming machine memory module |
CA2519116C (en) | 2003-03-13 | 2012-11-13 | Drm Technologies, Llc | Secure streaming container |
US9881308B2 (en) | 2003-04-11 | 2018-01-30 | Ebay Inc. | Method and system to facilitate an online promotion relating to a network-based marketplace |
US7827077B2 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2010-11-02 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and apparatus for management of electronic receipts on portable devices |
US20040225510A1 (en) * | 2003-05-07 | 2004-11-11 | Mcgovern Glen E. | Method and software for facilitating a purchase |
US8306907B2 (en) | 2003-05-30 | 2012-11-06 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank N.A. | System and method for offering risk-based interest rates in a credit instrument |
US7742985B1 (en) | 2003-06-26 | 2010-06-22 | Paypal Inc. | Multicurrency exchanges between participants of a network-based transaction facility |
US20050001712A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-06 | Yarbrough Craig D. | RF ID tag |
US20050027622A1 (en) | 2003-07-30 | 2005-02-03 | Walker Jay S. | Products and processes for vending a plurality of products via defined groups |
SG120112A1 (en) * | 2003-08-06 | 2006-03-28 | Oneempower Pte Ltd | Transaction method and system |
US8554610B1 (en) | 2003-08-29 | 2013-10-08 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and system for providing reward status |
US7104446B2 (en) | 2003-09-03 | 2006-09-12 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method, system and portable consumer device using wildcard values |
US8175908B1 (en) | 2003-09-04 | 2012-05-08 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Systems and methods for constructing and utilizing a merchant database derived from customer purchase transactions data |
US7953663B1 (en) | 2003-09-04 | 2011-05-31 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for financial instrument pre-qualification and offering |
US8489452B1 (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2013-07-16 | Target Brands, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing a user incentive program using smart card technology |
US7051923B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2006-05-30 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method and system for providing interactive cardholder rewards image replacement |
US8239323B2 (en) | 2003-09-23 | 2012-08-07 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Method and system for distribution of unactivated bank account cards |
US8005763B2 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2011-08-23 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and system for providing a distributed adaptive rules based dynamic pricing system |
US8407083B2 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2013-03-26 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method and system for managing reward reversal after posting |
US7593876B2 (en) | 2003-10-15 | 2009-09-22 | Jp Morgan Chase Bank | System and method for processing partially unstructured data |
WO2005043802A1 (en) | 2003-10-20 | 2005-05-12 | Drm Technologies, Llc | Securing digital content system and method |
US7653602B2 (en) | 2003-11-06 | 2010-01-26 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Centralized electronic commerce card transactions |
US20100174826A1 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2010-07-08 | Anupam Sharma | Information gathering system and method |
US10332190B1 (en) | 2004-01-30 | 2019-06-25 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for trade payment exchange |
US20050187821A1 (en) * | 2004-02-24 | 2005-08-25 | Joshua Lapsker | Reusable discount card and prescription drug compliance system |
US20070179838A1 (en) * | 2004-07-19 | 2007-08-02 | Joseph Marra | Method and system for coupon presentation |
US7392222B1 (en) | 2004-08-03 | 2008-06-24 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for providing promotional pricing |
US7124937B2 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2006-10-24 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Wireless payment methods and systems |
US8630898B1 (en) | 2005-02-22 | 2014-01-14 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Stored value card provided with merchandise as rebate |
US7617016B2 (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2009-11-10 | Myshape, Inc. | Computer system for rule-based clothing matching and filtering considering fit rules and fashion rules |
US7398133B2 (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2008-07-08 | Myshape, Inc. | Matching the fit of individual garments to individual consumers |
JP2006311731A (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-09 | Seiko Instruments Inc | Electronic circuit |
US7401731B1 (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2008-07-22 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, Na | Method and system for implementing a card product with multiple customized relationships |
US20070059319A1 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2007-03-15 | Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. | Methods of screening for immuno-adjuvants and vaccines comprising anti-microtubule immuno-adjuvants |
US20070094080A1 (en) * | 2005-10-21 | 2007-04-26 | Coalitionworks, Llc | Smart shopping method and system |
US20070150352A1 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2007-06-28 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Techniques for transaction data coordination |
US7784682B2 (en) | 2006-02-08 | 2010-08-31 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for granting promotional rewards to both customers and non-customers |
US8408455B1 (en) | 2006-02-08 | 2013-04-02 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for granting promotional rewards to both customers and non-customers |
US7753259B1 (en) | 2006-04-13 | 2010-07-13 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for granting promotional rewards to both customers and non-customers |
US8386309B2 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2013-02-26 | Intelligent Clearing Network, Inc. | Intelligent clearing network |
US9098855B2 (en) * | 2006-05-23 | 2015-08-04 | Intelligent Clearing Network, Inc. | Intelligent clearing network |
US20130275197A1 (en) | 2006-05-23 | 2013-10-17 | Intelligent Clearing Network, Inc. | Intelligent clearing network |
US9070133B2 (en) * | 2006-05-23 | 2015-06-30 | Intelligent Coupon Network, Llc | Intelligent coupon network |
US7703673B2 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2010-04-27 | Buchheit Brian K | Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent negotiable funds |
US8684265B1 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2014-04-01 | Sean I. Mcghie | Rewards program website permitting conversion/transfer of non-negotiable credits to entity independent funds |
US8162209B2 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2012-04-24 | Buchheit Brian K | Storefront purchases utilizing non-negotiable credits earned from a game of chance |
US10062062B1 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2018-08-28 | Jbshbm, Llc | Automated teller machine (ATM) providing money for loyalty points |
US8376224B2 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2013-02-19 | Sean I. Mcghie | Self-service stations for utilizing non-negotiable credits earned from a game of chance |
US9704174B1 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2017-07-11 | Sean I. Mcghie | Conversion of loyalty program points to commerce partner points per terms of a mutual agreement |
US8668146B1 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2014-03-11 | Sean I. Mcghie | Rewards program with payment artifact permitting conversion/transfer of non-negotiable credits to entity independent funds |
US8342399B1 (en) | 2006-05-25 | 2013-01-01 | Mcghie Sean I | Conversion of credits to funds |
US20070282679A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Norman Gable | Coupon card for electronic redemption of product purchases |
US8838574B2 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2014-09-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Autonomic index creation, modification and deletion |
US8639782B2 (en) | 2006-08-23 | 2014-01-28 | Ebay, Inc. | Method and system for sharing metadata between interfaces |
US7783532B2 (en) | 2006-10-18 | 2010-08-24 | Aol Inc. | E-couponing |
US20080114646A1 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-15 | Ash Gary S | Method and System for Facilitating a Fantasy Sports Contest at the Point of Sale |
US7848980B2 (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2010-12-07 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Mobile payment system and method using alias |
US20080154735A1 (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | Mark Carlson | Mobile vending purchasing |
US8615426B2 (en) | 2006-12-26 | 2013-12-24 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Coupon offers from multiple entities |
CN101647040A (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2010-02-10 | 维萨美国股份有限公司 | Mobile payment system and method using alias |
US20080201226A1 (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2008-08-21 | Mark Carlson | Mobile coupon method and portable consumer device for utilizing same |
US9940627B2 (en) | 2006-12-26 | 2018-04-10 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Mobile coupon method and system |
KR101561428B1 (en) | 2007-01-09 | 2015-10-19 | 비자 유에스에이 인코포레이티드 | Contactless transaction |
US20080228565A1 (en) * | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-18 | First Data Corporation | Centralized Discount Searching |
US20080228566A1 (en) * | 2007-03-15 | 2008-09-18 | Microsoft Corporation | Processing coupons with payments |
US20080228567A1 (en) * | 2007-03-16 | 2008-09-18 | Microsoft Corporation | Online coupon wallet |
US20100106580A1 (en) * | 2007-04-17 | 2010-04-29 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | System and method for determining positive behavior and/or making awards based upon geographic location |
US8676642B1 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2014-03-18 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for granting promotional rewards to financial account holders |
JP2010534893A (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2010-11-11 | パイプライン フィナンシャル グループ インコーポレイティッド | Large transaction system and method for providing price improvements to aggressive orders |
US8103579B1 (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2012-01-24 | Pipeline Financial Group, Inc. | Systems and methods regarding targeted dissemination |
US8170527B2 (en) | 2007-09-26 | 2012-05-01 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Real-time balance on a mobile phone |
US8744952B2 (en) * | 2007-10-05 | 2014-06-03 | Itg Software Solutions, Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved electronic trading |
US20090106058A1 (en) * | 2007-10-17 | 2009-04-23 | Yahoo! Inc. | Assessing ad value |
US8417601B1 (en) | 2007-10-18 | 2013-04-09 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Variable rate payment card |
US20090119170A1 (en) * | 2007-10-25 | 2009-05-07 | Ayman Hammad | Portable consumer device including data bearing medium including risk based benefits |
US20090259584A1 (en) * | 2008-04-08 | 2009-10-15 | Henri Waelbroeck | Block trading system and method providing price improvement to aggressive orders |
US9715709B2 (en) | 2008-05-09 | 2017-07-25 | Visa International Services Association | Communication device including multi-part alias identifier |
US20090307076A1 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2009-12-10 | Manickababu Muthugopalakrishnan | System and method for distributing coupon content and transactional advertisements |
US9542687B2 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2017-01-10 | Visa International Service Association | Systems and methods for visual representation of offers |
USD635186S1 (en) | 2008-06-30 | 2011-03-29 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Metal transaction device |
US9305292B1 (en) | 2008-07-03 | 2016-04-05 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Systems and methods for providing an adaptable transponder device |
USD636021S1 (en) | 2008-07-17 | 2011-04-12 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Eco-friendly transaction device |
US20100217709A1 (en) * | 2008-09-22 | 2010-08-26 | Christian Aabye | Apparatus and method for preventing unauthorized access to payment application installed in contactless payment device |
US10706402B2 (en) | 2008-09-22 | 2020-07-07 | Visa International Service Association | Over the air update of payment transaction data stored in secure memory |
US9824355B2 (en) | 2008-09-22 | 2017-11-21 | Visa International Service Association | Method of performing transactions with contactless payment devices using pre-tap and two-tap operations |
US8977567B2 (en) | 2008-09-22 | 2015-03-10 | Visa International Service Association | Recordation of electronic payment transaction information |
US10319173B2 (en) | 2008-10-22 | 2019-06-11 | Newzoom, Inc. | Vending store inventory management and reporting system |
US20100211445A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2010-08-19 | Shaun Bodington | Incentives associated with linked financial accounts |
US20100223110A1 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2010-09-02 | Daniel Slavin | Method and System for Delivering Offers to Users of Electronic Privilege Cards |
US20100306029A1 (en) * | 2009-06-01 | 2010-12-02 | Ryan Jolley | Cardholder Clusters |
US8266031B2 (en) * | 2009-07-29 | 2012-09-11 | Visa U.S.A. | Systems and methods to provide benefits of account features to account holders |
US8505813B2 (en) | 2009-09-04 | 2013-08-13 | Bank Of America Corporation | Customer benefit offer program enrollment |
US20110060631A1 (en) * | 2009-09-04 | 2011-03-10 | Bank Of America | Redemption of customer benefit offers based on goods identification |
US20110060636A1 (en) * | 2009-09-04 | 2011-03-10 | Bank Of America | Targeted customer benefit offers |
US20110071895A1 (en) * | 2009-09-21 | 2011-03-24 | Masri Rabih C | Systems and methods for digitized loyalty programs and targeted mobile advertisements |
US20110082729A1 (en) | 2009-10-07 | 2011-04-07 | Jesus Carvallo | System for in-store coupon distribution and redemption |
US20110093324A1 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2011-04-21 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Systems and Methods to Provide Intelligent Analytics to Cardholders and Merchants |
US7992781B2 (en) | 2009-12-16 | 2011-08-09 | Visa International Service Association | Merchant alerts incorporating receipt data |
US8429048B2 (en) | 2009-12-28 | 2013-04-23 | Visa International Service Association | System and method for processing payment transaction receipts |
GR1007239B (en) * | 2010-02-03 | 2011-04-15 | Bativala Limited, | Method for the automatic printing and distribution of individualized rebate vouchers and/or present cheques in remote printing points |
US8775245B2 (en) | 2010-02-11 | 2014-07-08 | News America Marketing Properties, Llc | Secure coupon distribution |
US8788333B2 (en) * | 2010-02-23 | 2014-07-22 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Method, apparatus, and computer program product for facilitating promotions with an E-wallet |
US9471926B2 (en) | 2010-04-23 | 2016-10-18 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Systems and methods to provide offers to travelers |
US9760905B2 (en) | 2010-08-02 | 2017-09-12 | Visa International Service Association | Systems and methods to optimize media presentations using a camera |
US8751298B1 (en) | 2011-05-09 | 2014-06-10 | Bank Of America Corporation | Event-driven coupon processor alert |
US9892419B1 (en) | 2011-05-09 | 2018-02-13 | Bank Of America Corporation | Coupon deposit account fraud protection system |
US10223707B2 (en) | 2011-08-19 | 2019-03-05 | Visa International Service Association | Systems and methods to communicate offer options via messaging in real time with processing of payment transaction |
US9384502B2 (en) * | 2012-06-29 | 2016-07-05 | Excalibur Ip, Llc | Techniques for organizing and presenting deal content |
US11222329B2 (en) | 2012-11-05 | 2022-01-11 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Electronic wallet apparatus, method, and computer program product |
US10360627B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2019-07-23 | Visa International Service Association | Systems and methods to provide account features via web based user interfaces |
GB201312716D0 (en) * | 2013-07-16 | 2013-08-28 | Ecrebo Ltd | Improvements relating to point-of-sale systems |
JP6041438B2 (en) * | 2013-09-03 | 2016-12-07 | Kddi株式会社 | Method and system for estimating usage status of electronic tickets that can be used during commercial transactions |
US10524165B2 (en) | 2017-06-22 | 2019-12-31 | Bank Of America Corporation | Dynamic utilization of alternative resources based on token association |
US10313480B2 (en) | 2017-06-22 | 2019-06-04 | Bank Of America Corporation | Data transmission between networked resources |
US10511692B2 (en) | 2017-06-22 | 2019-12-17 | Bank Of America Corporation | Data transmission to a networked resource based on contextual information |
US11961108B2 (en) | 2018-12-19 | 2024-04-16 | Yahoo Assets Llc | Computerized system and method for a mail integrated content delivery and alert system |
US11469988B1 (en) | 2021-04-30 | 2022-10-11 | Bank Of America Corporation | Communication analysis for dynamic auto-routing and load balancing |
US11784930B2 (en) | 2021-04-30 | 2023-10-10 | Bank Of America Corporation | Communication system with auto-routing and load balancing |
US11792108B2 (en) | 2021-04-30 | 2023-10-17 | Bank Of America Corporation | Dynamic auto-routing and load balancing for communication systems |
Family Cites Families (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4674041A (en) * | 1983-09-15 | 1987-06-16 | James K. Appleton | Method and apparatus for controlling the distribution of coupons |
US4670853A (en) * | 1984-09-04 | 1987-06-02 | Stepien Joyce A | Coupon computer and method for handling coupons |
US4882675A (en) * | 1984-11-26 | 1989-11-21 | Steven Nichtberger | Paperless system for distributing, redeeming and clearing merchandise coupons |
US4872197A (en) * | 1986-10-02 | 1989-10-03 | Dti Peripherals, Inc. | Dynamically configurable communications network |
US4949256A (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1990-08-14 | Humble David Raymond | Coupon validation network with storage of customer coupon data for credit on future purchases |
US5185695A (en) * | 1988-07-14 | 1993-02-09 | Pruchnicki Michael A | Method and system for handling discount coupons by using centrally stored manufacturer coupons in place of paper coupons |
US5047614A (en) * | 1989-01-23 | 1991-09-10 | Bianco James S | Method and apparatus for computer-aided shopping |
US5218676A (en) * | 1990-01-08 | 1993-06-08 | The University Of Rochester | Dynamic routing system for a multinode communications network |
WO1991017530A1 (en) * | 1990-05-01 | 1991-11-14 | Environmental Products Corporation | A method of transferring display and print data |
US5192854A (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1993-03-09 | Counts Reginald D | System for electronically recording and redeeming coupons |
US5251205A (en) * | 1990-09-04 | 1993-10-05 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Multiple protocol routing |
US5502636A (en) * | 1992-01-31 | 1996-03-26 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Personalized coupon generating and processing system |
US5287181A (en) * | 1992-08-20 | 1994-02-15 | Holman Michael J | Electronic redeemable coupon system and television |
US5313465A (en) * | 1992-05-13 | 1994-05-17 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Method of merging networks across a common backbone network |
JP3483900B2 (en) * | 1992-07-08 | 2004-01-06 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Broadcasting method |
US5305197A (en) * | 1992-10-30 | 1994-04-19 | Ie&E Industries, Inc. | Coupon dispensing machine with feedback |
US5420606A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-05-30 | Begum; Paul G. | Instant electronic coupon verification system |
US5380991A (en) * | 1993-11-16 | 1995-01-10 | Valencia; Luis | Paperless coupon redemption system and method thereof |
US5471669A (en) * | 1994-03-17 | 1995-11-28 | Alchemist And Company, Inc. | Coupon savings account system |
US5500681A (en) * | 1994-05-24 | 1996-03-19 | Jones; Charles P. | Apparatus and method for generating product coupons in response to televised offers |
US5621727A (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1997-04-15 | Octel Communications Corporation | System and method for private addressing plans using community addressing |
US5710886A (en) * | 1995-06-16 | 1998-01-20 | Sellectsoft, L.C. | Electric couponing method and apparatus |
US5855007A (en) * | 1995-11-15 | 1998-12-29 | Jovicic; Neboisa | Electronic coupon communication system |
US5806044A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1998-09-08 | Powell; Ken R. | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks |
US5890135A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1999-03-30 | Powell; Ken R. | System and method for displaying product information in a retail system |
-
1996
- 1996-02-20 US US08/603,482 patent/US5806044A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-02-19 WO PCT/US1997/002227 patent/WO1997030410A1/en active Application Filing
- 1997-02-19 AU AU20507/97A patent/AU2050797A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-02-19 CA CA002246774A patent/CA2246774A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1998
- 1998-06-22 US US09/100,868 patent/US6012038A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-02-05 US US09/245,419 patent/US6067526A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2050797A (en) | 1997-09-02 |
US6067526A (en) | 2000-05-23 |
WO1997030410A1 (en) | 1997-08-21 |
US6012038A (en) | 2000-01-04 |
US5806044A (en) | 1998-09-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5806044A (en) | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks | |
US6339762B1 (en) | Retail store efficiently configured to distribute electronic coupons at multiple product locations | |
US6354495B1 (en) | Retail store configured for bidirectional communication between a plurality of product shelf areas and a plurality of portable cards | |
US5887271A (en) | System and method for locating products in a retail system | |
US5890135A (en) | System and method for displaying product information in a retail system | |
US7240023B1 (en) | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks | |
US6456980B1 (en) | Transaction systems and methods sending product identification signals to two processors in each register station | |
US6055509A (en) | System and method for transferring identification information between portable cards in a computerized retail store having communication among a plurality of computers | |
US5956694A (en) | System and method for distributing and processing discount coupons | |
US6317650B1 (en) | System and method employing portable cards to monitor a commercial system | |
US6389401B1 (en) | System and method for inverted promotions | |
US20050240478A1 (en) | Method and system for providing coupon saving using existing credit card processing infrastructure, and bar-coded coupon having 2-D component | |
US20050182695A1 (en) | Retail marketing method | |
US20040193487A1 (en) | Secure promotions | |
US7085731B1 (en) | Computer system configuration and method for a store | |
US20030220839A1 (en) | Coupon rebate business method using portable presonal communication devices | |
US20040064370A1 (en) | System and mehtod for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks | |
US20030036957A1 (en) | Internet related discount coupon rebate business method | |
JP2007515004A (en) | Retail marketing methods | |
WO1997030411A1 (en) | System and method for displaying product information in a retail system | |
WO2001050392A2 (en) | Systems and methods for processing discount offers | |
MXPA98006781A (en) | System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request | ||
FZDE | Discontinued |