Virtual Coupon Proxy Tracking for Retail Usage Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retailers face challenges in tracking the effectiveness of virtual coupons as they cannot accurately monitor usage patterns, such as which stores are visited and at what times, due to the delayed redemption of coupons by mobile device users.

Innovation Solution

A system where a server provides a proxy for virtual coupons to mobile devices based on context information, allowing redemption requests to be tracked, and the coupons are deleted after an event, such as expiration, to encourage timely redemption and gather accurate usage data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual coupons are distributed widely through mail, magazines, newspapers and computer networks, then coupon distribution coverage is improved, but tracking accuracy of usage patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupon distribution coverageVSAvoidtracking accuracy of usage patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the coupon distribution system and the redemption process. The mobile device stores the virtual coupon, tracks its usage, and provides location data, serving as a mediator that enables both wide distribution and accurate tracking simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the mobile device continuously reports location and usage status back to the server. This feedback loop enables real-time tracking of coupon usage patterns while maintaining wide distribution through the mobile platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If virtual coupons are allowed to be redeemed at delayed times, then customer convenience is improved, but ability to monitor usage patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidusage pattern data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device is pre-configured with the virtual coupon and tracking capabilities before redemption. The device continuously monitors and stores location data in advance, so that when redemption occurs at any time, the usage pattern information is already captured and preserved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking system operates continuously in the background of the mobile device, maintaining constant monitoring of location and usage status. This continuous action ensures that usage pattern data is captured regardless of when the coupon is redeemed, eliminating information loss while maintaining customer convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9299087B1Providing and tracking virtual coupons

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method is disclosed for providing and tracking virtual coupons. A proxy for a virtual coupon is provided to a mobile device. The virtual coupon is provided to the mobile device based on a set of conditions in response to a request made via the proxy for the virtual coupon, wherein the request comprises context information. The virtual coupon is deleted in response to an event.