Persistent Coupon Wallet via Email URL Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unregistered users face difficulties in managing electronic coupons across multiple browsing sessions on e-commerce sites, as existing methods lack effective mechanisms for unique identification and session preservation, leading to unsatisfactory user experiences and loss of coupons between sessions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows unregistered users to manage electronic coupons by embedding their email address in a URL, enabling persistent coupon wallets across sessions without the need for registration, using email-based restoration of coupon details and utilizing cookies or other session tracking mechanisms for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unregistered users are allowed to manage electronic coupons across sessions, then user experience and coupon retention are improved, but user identification and session tracking become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an email address as an intermediary identifier that bridges the gap between unregistered users and persistent coupon management. Instead of requiring full user registration, the system uses email addresses (which users already have) as a simple mediator to link browsing sessions and retain coupon information across multiple visits without needing to create new user accounts or implement complex tracking mechanisms.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If registration is required for coupon wallet management, then user identification and session persistence are improved, but ease of operation and user accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identification function from the complex user registration process. Instead of requiring users to go through full registration (creating accounts, setting passwords, filling profiles), the system takes out only the necessary element - a simple email address - to achieve session persistence and coupon wallet management. This extraction maintains durability while dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cookies are used for session tracking, then session continuity is improved, but user privacy and data security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses email addresses as disposable, temporary identifiers rather than creating permanent user accounts with stored personal data. The email serves as a short-living identifier that enables session continuity without requiring the system to store or maintain sensitive user information over time, thereby reducing privacy concerns while maintaining session continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and system for enabling an e-commerce website to persist electronic items, such as electronic coupons, gift certificates etc., across multiple browsing sessions. Users are offered electronic items over a communications network during a browsing session. In case the user wishes to save the items for a later browsing session, he/she is prompted for an email address. Details pertaining to the selected items are mapped against the email address. Thereafter, e-mail is sent to the user, containing a URL with the email address of the user embedded in it. Alternatively, entire details corresponding to the items selected during a session are embedded in the URL and in this case they need not be mapped against the email address.