Electronic Coupon Decision Support System for Optimal Discount Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing e-commerce systems fail to assist shoppers in selecting optimal combinations of electronic coupons due to mutual exclusivity constraints and lack of intelligent recommendations, making it difficult for users to maximize discounts during online or offline purchases.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining and displaying non-mutually exclusive electronic coupon combinations based on redemption conditions, providing users with optimal or near-optimal selections and recommendations for additional purchases, utilizing an optimization engine to address various optimization parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a shopper collects multiple electronic coupons from various e-commerce sites, then the potential discount amount increases, but the complexity of selecting the optimal subset of coupons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the complex task of evaluating all possible coupon combinations, checking mutual exclusivity constraints, and identifying the optimal subset that maximizes discount. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the shopper to manually analyze complex coupon interactions, transforming a computationally hard problem into a simple user experience where the system delivers the optimal solution without requiring user expertise in combinatorial optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer between the shopper and the coupons. This intermediary system acts as a mediator that receives the shopper's coupon collection, automatically resolves the combinatorial complexity by evaluating all subsets against mutual exclusivity constraints, and presents the optimized selection to the user. The intermediary transforms the raw coupon data into actionable recommendations, shielding the user from the underlying computational complexity
2Reliability
If electronic coupons have mutual exclusivity constraints to prevent abuse, then the integrity of the discount system is maintained, but the ease of selecting applicable coupons is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically handles the complex task of evaluating all possible coupon combinations, checking mutual exclusivity constraints, and identifying the optimal subset that maximizes discount. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the shopper to manually analyze complex coupon interactions, transforming a computationally hard problem into a simple user experience where the system delivers the optimal solution without requiring user expertise in combinatorial optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of coupon compatibility and mutual exclusivity constraints before the shopper makes a selection. By pre-evaluating all coupon combinations and identifying which subsets are valid and optimal, the system prepares the results in advance, allowing the shopper to simply review and accept the recommended selection without having to perform the complex analysis themselves
Data Source
AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for determining a combination of electronic coupons (e-coupons) for redemption by a retailer in a networked environment are disclosed. In the method, a check is made to determine if a selection of e-coupons complies with redeeming conditions for a purchase. If so, a further check is made to determine if two or more of the selected e-coupons are mutually exclusive. The selection of e-coupons complying with the redeeming conditions and being non-mutually exclusive is displayed. Preferably, the method includes suggesting to a user of an optimal or near optimal selection of e-coupons. The e-coupons may reside at a user's site, a third party's site, or a site of the retailer in the networked environment. The networked environment may be the Internet, an Intranet, an Extranet, a local area network, an ATM network, a wide area network and a wireless network.