Receipt Coupon Linking for Anonymous Transaction Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to track consumer behavior in anonymous or pseudonymous transactions, such as cash purchases and credit/debit card transactions, without user registration.

Innovation Solution

A system that associates a user with a physical transaction using a machine-readable indication on a receipt, linking it to a webpage where a coupon is accessed, and utilizes web tracking techniques like cookies or browser fingerprinting to de-anonymize consumers, allowing tracking across multiple transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If merchants use loyalty programs or credit card tracking to understand consumer behavior, then consumer tracking capability is improved, but anonymous transactions (cash purchases) cannot be tracked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer behavior trackingVSAvoidtransaction type coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a receipt-based intermediary system that bridges anonymous physical transactions and digital tracking. The receipt contains a machine-readable indication that serves as a mediator, linking the anonymous transaction to a digital coupon that can be tracked through web browsing behavior, thereby enabling tracking of previously untrackable anonymous transactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions tracking from a single physical dimension (credit card swiping) to multiple dimensions by combining physical receipt delivery with digital web tracking. The machine-readable indication on the physical receipt connects to a digital coupon in the web dimension, allowing tracking across both physical and digital transaction spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If merchants require user registration to track transactions, then tracking accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction tracking accuracyVSAvoidregistration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service tracking where consumers automatically receive and can use digital coupons without registration. The machine-readable indication on the receipt automatically generates a trackable digital coupon that works immediately, allowing consumers to benefit from tracking without any registration burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary tracking setup by delivering the machine-readable indication and digital coupon before any registration occurs. The tracking infrastructure is pre-established through the receipt delivery mechanism, allowing anonymous transactions to be tracked from the outset without requiring prior user registration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12530704B2Electronic consumer-tracking coupons

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of a system and method for associating a user with a physical transaction, are generally described herein. A method may include accessing a webpage based on a machine-readable indication printed on a receipt received as a result of a transaction, the webpage including a coupon, associating the coupon and the transaction with a user identification included in a browser attribute of the webpage, receiving, on the webpage, a user selection of a destination for the coupon, and sending the coupon to the destination.