Coupon Processing System Using SMS Image Capture and Digital Wallet Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupon processing systems face inefficiencies in redeeming physical coupons and transitioning consumers to digital coupons, with high costs associated with processing paper coupons and low redemption rates for digital coupons.
Innovation Solution
A coupon processing system that includes a promotions server and a mobile wireless communications device, which acquires product identifier images and communicates them via SMS to assign incentives to digital wallets, allowing for remote redemption based on geographic location and device ID, integrating with POS terminals and loyalty programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If paper coupons are processed at POS terminals, then redemption can be verified, but processing costs are high and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical paper coupons with digital coupon representations stored in mobile devices. The system captures images of physical coupons and creates digital copies that can be processed remotely, eliminating the need for manual verification at POS terminals and significantly reducing processing costs and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual verification process at POS terminals with an automated optical recognition system using mobile device cameras. The system automatically captures, verifies, and processes coupon information remotely, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated digital processing.
2Productivity
If digital coupons are distributed via SMS, then redemption rates increase, but transition from paper to digital is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices as an intermediary between physical and digital coupon systems. The system captures images of physical coupons, creates digital representations, and stores them in mobile device wallets, serving as a bridge that allows consumers to transition from paper to digital without requiring them to manually manage digital coupon codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing and processing coupon images before redemption. The mobile device captures the coupon, the system verifies eligibility, and digital copies are prepared and stored in advance, so that when redemption time arrives, the process is already prepared and requires minimal user action.
3Loss of energy
If remote promotions server is used, then processing costs decrease, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal mobile device platform that handles multiple functions: capturing coupon images, storing digital coupons in wallets, communicating with the promotions server, and managing redemption processes. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems into a single consumer device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing consumers to independently capture, verify, and redeem coupons using their own mobile devices without requiring staff intervention at POS terminals. The automated server processes verification and assignment, eliminating the need for manual processing and reducing overall system complexity despite the remote architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupon processing system may include a promotions server and a mobile wireless communications device associated with a purchaser and having a device identification (ID) associated therewith. The mobile device may acquire a product identifier image for a given product having an incentive associated therewith and communicate the product identifier image to the promotions server using a short message service short code. The mobile device may also communicate a geographic location and the device ID to the promotions server. The promotions server may assign the incentive to a digital wallet for the purchaser based upon the product identifier image and redeem the incentive based upon the geographic location of the mobile device.