Electronic Coupon Platform Fraud Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coupon systems require physical presentation of coupons at point of sale terminals, leading to inefficiencies and the potential for double redemption of electronic coupons across multiple processors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic coupon platform that manages and tracks electronic coupons, ensuring single redemption by communicating with multiple coupon processors and initiating deposits into customer bank accounts, preventing double redemption by summing distinct coupon identifiers and removing duplicates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coupon processors are used to store customer information, then system capacity and distribution are improved, but the risk of double redemption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central coupon processor as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple coupon processors. This central processor receives redemption requests, checks against a centralized database of redeemed coupons, and prevents duplicate redemptions across the distributed system, thus resolving the contradiction between system capacity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where redemption information is continuously updated and communicated across all coupon processors. When a coupon is redeemed at any processor, this information is fed back to the centralized database and other processors, enabling real-time prevention of double redemption while maintaining distributed system capacity.
2Ease of operation
If electronic coupons are redeemed without physical presentation, then convenience and processing speed are improved, but fraud risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical coupons with electronic copies stored in a database. These digital replicas contain all necessary validation information and can be verified remotely, providing the same functional value as physical coupons while enabling automated fraud detection and elimination through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of physical coupon presentation and manual verification with automated electronic validation. The centralized processor automatically checks redeemed coupons against the database, eliminating human error and fraud associated with manual processes while maintaining convenience.
3Device complexity
If manual coupon validation is used, then system complexity is reduced, but processing time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service validation where the system automatically validates coupons against the centralized database without requiring manual intervention. The automated processes handle verification, redemption tracking, and fraud detection, reducing processing time while the modular architecture keeps system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading coupon data into the centralized database and pre-establishing validation rules. This preparation work is done in advance, enabling rapid automated validation during actual redemption processes without increasing real-time system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for providing electronic coupons are provided. The apparatus and methods include a system that uses a plurality of coupon processors to pull coupon data from an electronic coupon platform upon the expiration of a predetermined time period. The apparatus and methods additionally include a system that uses an electronic coupon platform to pushes data to a plurality of coupon processors upon the expiration of a predetermined time period. The apparatus and methods also include a system that redeems electronic coupons by initiating a deposit of an amount of funds in a customer bank account at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus and methods further include an electronic coupon platform that sends an electronic notification to a plurality of coupon processors upon the receipt of data from a first coupon processor which relates to the receipt of customer payment card and/or loyalty card information.