Electronic Coupon Tracking via Wireless Merchant Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing coupon distribution and processing methods are inefficient, requiring manual sorting and verification by customers and merchants, with multiple steps involved in redemption, leading to complexity and potential errors.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for customer-operated coupon tracking using electronic devices that store shopping lists and electronic representations of coupons, allowing wireless detection and communication with merchant systems to associate coupons with items, transmit relevant information, and validate coupon usage during checkout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual sorting and verification of coupons is performed, then coupon redemption can be completed, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupon redemption efficiencyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of sorting and verifying physical coupons with an electronic system. Electronic representations of coupons are stored in an electronic device, and wireless communication automatically transmits these coupons to the merchant system, eliminating the need for manual sorting and verification by customers and merchants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device automatically manages coupon tracking and transmission without requiring manual intervention. The system self-organizes the coupon data, determines applicability to items in the shopping list, and wirelessly transmits relevant coupons to the merchant system, reducing the service burden on both customers and merchants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple steps are involved in coupon redemption, then verification accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes longer and more cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidredemption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing electronic representations of coupons in advance in the customer's electronic device. Before the actual redemption process, the system has already organized and prepared the coupon data, so that during checkout, only a quick wireless transmission and automatic verification are needed, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If physical coupons are distributed and manually processed, then coupon information can be delivered to customers, but the process requires extensive manual sorting and tallying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupon distribution convenienceVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical distribution and processing of physical coupons with an electronic system. Electronic coupons are distributed digitally to customers' electronic devices, and wireless communication enables automatic transmission and processing at the merchant location, eliminating the need for manual sorting and tallying while improving both convenience and processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10019750B2Methods, devices, and computer program products for customer operated coupon tracking

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A method of providing coupons for shopping includes storing a shopping list in an electronic device including items for purchase via a merchant, storing electronic representations of coupons in the electronic device and associating the electronic representations of coupons with items included in the shopping list.