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...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0042] Viewing FIG. 1, the system for the electronic storage and redemption of coupons of the present invention generally includes a coupon card 1, at least one periphery device 100, a server computer 200, and a clearinghouse 300. Turning to coupon card 1, FIGS. 2-4b more specifically illustrate the components of coupon card 1 which are visible on the outer surfaces of the card. The front of coupon card 1 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 3 from which the user may view information related to coupon bar codes that have been entered into coupon card 1 (see FIG. 4b for example displayed coupon information). While a preferred embodiment shows a LCD screen, the present invention is intended to include any other suitable display device, such as an active matrix, passive matrix or any other type of LCD or such as a gas plasma display panel. In the embodiment shown, display screen 3 will include date / time indicator 4, low battery indicator 5 and will display various messages us...

[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...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0042] Viewing FIG. 1, the system for the electronic storage and redemption of coupons of the present invention generally includes a coupon card 1, at least one periphery device 100, a server computer 200, and a clearinghouse 300. Turning to coupon card 1, FIGS. 2-4b more specifically illustrate the components of coupon card 1 which are visible on the outer surfaces of the card. The front of coupon card 1 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 3 from which the user may view information related to coupon bar codes that have been entered into coupon card 1 (see FIG. 4b for example displayed coupon information). While a preferred embodiment shows a LCD screen, the present invention is intended to include any other suitable display device, such as an active matrix, passive matrix or any other type of LCD or such as a gas plasma display panel. In the embodiment shown, display screen 3 will include date / time indicator 4, low battery indicator 5 and will display various messages us...

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