Coupon Validation Using Positive Database Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic coupon validation methods are reactive and rely on pre-identified fraudulent coupons, leading to lost revenue for retailers and manufacturers, as they fail to proactively detect invalid or fraudulent coupons during sales transactions.
Innovation Solution
A system that proactively validates coupons by comparing data encoded in machine-readable coupons to a primary positive coupon database, using a processing module to parse and match coupon data elements, including manufacturer codes, serial numbers, and expiration dates, and flags invalid or fraudulent coupons for rejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional reactive validation methods are used, then the system is simpler to operate, but revenue loss increases due to inability to detect fraudulent coupons proactively
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by comparing coupon data against a pre-established database of valid coupons before the sales transaction is completed. This proactive approach allows the system to identify fraudulent or invalid coupons in advance, preventing revenue loss while maintaining operational simplicity through automated database comparison.
2Reliability
If proactive validation using positive coupon databases is implemented, then fraudulent coupons are detected more effectively, but system complexity increases due to database querying and data comparison processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of valid coupon data in a database, allowing rapid comparison against submitted coupons without requiring complex analysis. This copying approach simplifies the validation process to straightforward data matching, improving fraud detection while avoiding the need for complex validation algorithms.
3Productivity
If reactive validation is used, then the validation process is faster and simpler, but transaction security decreases due to inability to prevent fraudulent coupon redemption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation checks against the positive coupon database before allowing the transaction to proceed. This proactive validation maintains speed by using rapid database comparison while enhancing security by preventing fraudulent coupons from being redeemed, thus resolving the contradiction between validation speed and transaction security.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a system for electronically validating coupons comprises a primary positive coupon database containing positive coupon data. The positive coupon data relates to one or more coupons known to the valid. The system further includes a computing system comprising a control circuit configured to execute a processing module that, when executed, receives electronic coupon data from a coupon comprising a machine-readable code, parses the electronic coupon data, compares the parsed electronic coupon data to the positive coupon data in the primary positive coupon database, and determines whether the coupon is valid by determining whether there is a match between the parsed electronic coupon data and the positive coupon data, and determining whether the coupon has expired based on an expiration date of the coupon contained in the parsed electronic coupon data and an identified expiration date.