Mobile Wallet Coupon Redemption via NFC and Service Provider Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for redeeming and reporting coupons via mobile devices are inefficient, as merchants may not timely report coupon usage, leading to potential reuse by consumers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using Near-Field Communication (NFC) between mobile devices and point-of-sale (POS) devices to transmit and confirm coupon redemption information, with a service provider system managing coupon status and sending delete messages to the mobile device upon redemption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the merchant manually reports coupon usage after redemption, then the system can track coupon usage, but the reporting may not be timely enough to prevent reuse of the coupon
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the mobile device automatically transmit redemption information to the service provider system at the moment of redemption. This eliminates the time delay associated with manual reporting by the merchant, as the coupon usage is reported immediately when the coupon is redeemed, preventing potential reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs self-service by automatically generating and transmitting the redemption information to the service provider system without requiring manual intervention from the merchant. The device uses its communication capabilities to report the redemption event, ensuring timely and accurate tracking while reducing reliance on merchant action.
2Device complexity
If the merchant is responsible for reporting coupon redemption, then the system structure is simple, but the merchant may not report use of the coupon leading to potential abuse
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs self-service by automatically generating and transmitting the redemption information to the service provider system without requiring manual intervention from the merchant. The device uses its communication capabilities to report the redemption event, ensuring timely and accurate tracking while reducing reliance on merchant action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the service provider system receive redemption information from the mobile device and update the coupon status in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that coupon usage is accurately tracked and the system can respond by invalidating the coupon to prevent reuse, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If coupon information is stored on the mobile device for contactless transaction, then the redemption process is convenient, but the device can transmit the same information multiple times allowing coupon reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the service provider system receive redemption information from the mobile device and update the coupon status in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that coupon usage is accurately tracked and the system can respond by invalidating the coupon to prevent reuse, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider system performs preliminary action by invalidating the coupon in its database immediately upon receiving redemption information. This ensures that even if the mobile device transmits the same coupon information multiple times, the system will reject subsequent transmissions because the coupon has already been marked as redeemed, thus enforcing single-use while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Ensures timely and accurate reporting of coupon redemptions, preventing reuse and enhancing the integrity of coupon usage tracking.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting the information related to the marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the target device can be performed via a Near-Field Communication between the mobile device and the target device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices to redeem and report use of various marketing offers such as coupons. According to one embodiment, redeeming and reporting a marketing offer can comprise transmitting information related to the marketing offer from a mobile wallet of the mobile device to a target device. A redemption message can be received at the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the target device. The redemption message can indicate acceptance of the marketing offer. At least a portion of the redemption message can be sent from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to a service provider system providing communication services to the mobile device. Sending the redemption message from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the service provider system can be performed via a wireless communications network such as a cellular network.