Digital Promotion Redemption via Guest Check Image OCR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital promotion redemption systems lack efficiency in automatically verifying product purchases and redeeming digital coupons at point-of-sale terminals, often relying on manual processes and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a mobile wireless communications device and a digital promotion server, which operates a messenger bot to communicate digital promotions, acquire images of guest checks, and apply redemption values via optical character recognition, seamlessly integrating with point-of-sale terminals for automated redemption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual verification processes are used at point-of-sale terminals, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and reliability of digital promotion redemption deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedigital promotion redemption efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with an automated optical character recognition (OCR) system that uses image processing to read and verify product information from guest checks, eliminating the need for manual data entry and verification at point-of-sale terminals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that acts as a mediator between the digital promotion server and the point-of-sale terminal, handling the complex tasks of image acquisition, OCR processing, and data verification automatically without requiring complex manual operations at the terminal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If automated image processing and OCR are implemented, then measurement precision of product verification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct verification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual verification with automated optical character recognition technology that uses image processing algorithms to accurately read and interpret product information from guest check images, significantly improving verification precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the complex verification process into distinct modular components: image acquisition module, optical character recognition module, data processing module, and verification module, allowing each component to handle specific tasks independently and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If messenger bot communication is used to deliver digital promotions, then ease of operation and customer engagement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer interaction convenienceVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a messenger bot that autonomously communicates digital promotions to customers, automatically tracks their interactions, and manages the redemption process without requiring complex manual intervention, making the system easier to operate while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the messenger bot multi-functional by enabling it to perform various tasks including promoting digital coupons, tracking customer interactions, verifying purchase transactions, and managing redemption processes, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and automated redemption of digital promotions by accurately verifying product purchases and applying redemption values, reducing manual errors and enhancing customer experience.

Implementation Method 1

The digital promotion server may be configured to determine whether the given product is indicated on the image of the guest check based upon an optical character recognition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical character recognition:

Data Source

PatentUS10990997B1System for processing a digital promotion based upon guest check image and related methods

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 INMAR CLEARING INC

AI summary

A system for processing a digital promotion may include a mobile wireless communications device and a digital promotion server. The digital promotion server may be configured to operate a messenger bot to communicate a digital promotion for a given product to the mobile wireless communications device. The digital promotion may be redeemable at a redemption location. The digital promotion server may be configured to obtain an image of a guest check associated with a purchase transaction at the redemption location, and determine whether the given product is indicated on the image of the guest check, and when so, cooperate with the redemption location to redeem the digital promotion for the given product during the purchase transaction.