초록 ▼

The present invention provides a system for the electronic management and redemption of coupons. The system includes an integrated coupon card comprising a microprocessor, a random access memory, a scanner, and a communications port. The coupon card is capable of scanning coupon bar codes from paper

The present invention provides a system for the electronic management and redemption of coupons. The system includes an integrated coupon card comprising a microprocessor, a random access memory, a scanner, and a communications port. The coupon card is capable of scanning coupon bar codes from paper coupons and receiving redemption requirement data from a periphery device. The coupon card will allow bar codes and redemption requirement data to be transferred to a periphery device and will store what bar codes were redeemed because they corresponded to purchase data received from a cash register memory. The system further includes one or more periphery devices having a microprocessor, a first communications port for communicating with said coupon card, and a second communications port for communicating with a cash register. The periphery devices receive purchase data from a cash register memory and compare purchase data to coupon bar codes received from a coupon card in order to determine which coupons are redeemable. The system also includes a server computer which will be connected to the periphery devices. The server computer will collect redeemed coupon information from the periphery devices and also provide the periphery devices with information such redemption requirement data or coupons which may be loaded onto a coupon card. A clearing house will collect coupon redemption information from all servers in the system to create redemption reports. The clearing house allows redemption requirement data and other information to be transferred through the servers to individual periphery devices and/or coupon cards.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [9.] A method to enable easy recording an storage of coupon bar codes in a data card and the subsequent transmittal to and display of coupon records containing said bar codes in a periphery device, said data card being an integrated data card having a microprocessor, a random access memo

[ I claim:] [9.] A method to enable easy recording an storage of coupon bar codes in a data card and the subsequent transmittal to and display of coupon records containing said bar codes in a periphery device, said data card being an integrated data card having a microprocessor, a random access memory means, a scanner to read bar codes printed on coupons, and a communications port for receiving coupon redemption requirement data from said periphery device, wherein said method comprises the steps of:a. scanning said bar codes with said scanner,b. operatively connecting said data card to said periphery device to allow said periphery device to read what coupon bar codes were recorded in said random access memory means of said data card,c. transmitting from said periphery device through said communications port to said random access memory of said data card updated coupon redemption requirement data received from a database located remotely from a store wherein said periphery is located,d. comparing the read bar codes to purchase data from a cash register to determine what credits should be recorded by said periphery device, ande. recording in said random access memory of said data card those bar codes used to record credits by said periphery device.