Method and apparatus for coupon management and redemption

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for the electronic management and redemption of coupons. The system incudes an integrated coupon card comprising a microprocessor, a random access memory means, a scanner, and a communications port. The coupon card is capable of scanning coupon bar codes from paper coupons and receiving redemption requirement data from a periphery device. The coupon card will allow bar codes and redemption requirement data to be transferred to a periphery device and will store what bar codes were redeemed because they corresponded to purchase data received from a cash register memory. The system further incudes one or more periphery devices having a microprocessor, a first communications port for communicating with said coupon card, and a second communications port for communicating with a cash register. The periphery devices receive purchase data from a cash register memory and compare said purchase data to coupon bar codes received from a coupon card in order to determine which coupons are redeemable. The system also incudes a server computer which will be connected to the periphery devices. The server computer will collect redeemed coupon information from the periphery devices and also provide the periphery devices with information such redemption requirement data or coupons which may be loaded onto a coupon card. A clearing house will collect coupon redemption information from all servers in the system to create redemption reports. The clearing house allows redemption requirement data and other information to be transferred through the servers to individual periphery devices and / or coupon cards.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 297,532 filed Jun. 28, 1998, which is a continuation of PCT Patent Application Serial No. US97 / 19246 filed on Oct. 27, 1997, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 741,976 filed Oct. 31, 1996, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of recording, displaying, organizing, transporting, transferring and redeeming coupons and similar items having a bar code or UPC number. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and system that electronically reads and stores bar codes or UPC numbers from paper coupons and allows display, organization, transportation, transfer and redemption of the coupons without further use of the paper upon which the coupon is printed. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Currently a large marketing tool for both manufacturers and supermarket chains...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system significantly increases redemption speed, reduces fraud, and provides detailed marketing data, allowing for timely reimbursement and improved consumer profiling, thereby enhancing both retailer and manufacturer efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

In the appropriate situation, the cashier may use an “override” operational key to include a coupon on the list of redeemed coupons even though that coupon is not technically appropriate for redemption.

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