NFC Mobile Coupon Collection via Media Peripheral
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current advertising methods, such as television, radio, and web-based media, lack interactive capabilities for viewers to engage with advertisements, particularly in redeeming coupons, which often require physical clipping and storage.
Innovation Solution
Mobile devices can 'clip' coupons mentioned in video or audio media by tapping a peripheral device, allowing the coupon information to be stored and redeemed using Near Field Communication (NFC) or other wireless technologies, with usage restrictions such as location and time-based conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional advertising methods (TV, radio, print) are used, then broad audience reach is achieved, but user interaction and coupon redemption capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical coupon experience by transmitting coupon data from media devices to mobile devices. The coupon information is replicated and stored on the mobile device, allowing users to access and redeem coupons digitally without physical clipping, thus maintaining the coupon's value while enabling interactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical coupon clipping and storage with an electronic system using Near Field Communication (NFC). Instead of manually cutting and storing paper coupons, users tap their mobile devices to peripheral devices to receive and store coupon data electronically, eliminating the mechanical clipping process entirely.
2Reliability
If physical coupons are used, then coupon information can be stored and redeemed, but the process requires physical clipping and storage which is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of clipping and storing physical coupons with electronic data transmission and storage. Coupon information is transmitted via NFC when a user taps their mobile device to a peripheral device, and the data is stored digitally in the mobile device's memory, eliminating the need for physical clipping and storage while maintaining reliability through electronic verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service coupon collection where the mobile device automatically receives and stores coupon information through NFC communication. The user simply needs to tap the device to the peripheral; the coupon data is then automatically transferred and stored without requiring manual clipping, folding, or physical organization of coupons.
3Ease of operation
If digital coupons are implemented via NFC, then ease of collection and redemption is improved, but device compatibility and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device universal by utilizing its existing NFC capability, which is already a standard feature in modern smartphones for contactless payments and data exchange. The same NFC hardware used for payments is leveraged for coupon collection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated coupon collection devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a peripheral device as an intermediary between the media player and the mobile device. This peripheral acts as a bridge that receives coupon data from the media system and transmits it to the mobile device via NFC, simplifying the architecture by separating the media playback function from the coupon transmission function.
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 users to easily collect and redeem digital coupons directly from their mobile devices, enhancing user interaction with advertisements and streamlining the coupon redemption process.
Implementation Method 1
Communication between the mobile device and the peripheral or the mobile device and the point of sale terminal can be performed with Near Field Communication (NFC) or other wireless communication technology.
Data Source
AI summary
Coupons and other promotions can be enabled using mobile computing devices with Near Field Communication (NFC) or other wireless communication capabilities. For example, a mobile device user can collect a coupon displayed during a cable TV show by tapping his NFC mobile device to a peripheral device in wireless communication with a cable TV receiver. Collected coupons can be stored in a coupon database at the mobile device. Coupons can be redeemed by tapping an NFC mobile device to an NFC point of sale terminal. Coupons can also be collected from advertisements in audio media and web pages, and can be collected at a mobile device from media displayed at the mobile device. Coupons can have time-based, location-based or other usage restrictions. Collecting information stored in NFC tags affixed to items in a scavenger hunt list can unlock downloadable content.