초록 ▼

A system and method for managing the coupon redemption process electronically. A hand held device is used to store electronic coupons, which is then taken to retail stores for redemption of the electronic coupons during check-out. At check-out, the device downloads the electronic coupon data and the

A system and method for managing the coupon redemption process electronically. A hand held device is used to store electronic coupons, which is then taken to retail stores for redemption of the electronic coupons during check-out. At check-out, the device downloads the electronic coupon data and the data is stored in the retail store's computer. The data from the retail store's computer is uploaded into coupon clearinghouse computer to enable retail stores to obtain redemption of the rebates owed to it from the manufacturers. The manufacturers can track coupons better and collect spending data about consumers. The method and device automates and improves coupon redemption process.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of crediting coupons to a consumer comprising the steps of:locating a coupon having scannable coupon information; scanning said scannable coupon information with a device having a memory, a display screen, and a bar-code algorithm; determining whether said scannable coupon information fo

1. A method of crediting coupons to a consumer comprising the steps of:locating a coupon having scannable coupon information; scanning said scannable coupon information with a device having a memory, a display screen, and a bar-code algorithm; determining whether said scannable coupon information for said coupon already exists in said memory for validity dates and if so declining to store said scannable coupon information in said memory and indicating that said coupon is already stored within said device; if not, then storing said scannable coupon information in a memory of said device; attaching a unique customer identifier for the consumer to said scannable coupon information; connecting said device to a cradle and obtaining a connection with a coupon database; uploading said scannable coupon information and the unique customer identifier into the coupon database; comparing said scannable coupon information with coupon information in said coupon database and the unique customer identifier with previously stored customer data to determine if a valid user is accessing the coupon database and if not, terminating the connection; if so, then obtaining said coupon information in said coupon database relating to said scannable coupon information; downloading and storing said coupon information with a validation code from said coupon database into the memory within said device; organizing said coupon information; displaying coupon information on said display screen of said device; transporting said device to a store; scanning scannable pricing information provided on products for purchase with a pricing system in said store; storing said pricing information in a memory of said pricing system; adding said pricing information from each of said products to calculate a total price; inserting said device in a second cradle and making a second connection with the pricing system; uploading said scannable coupon information and the validation code into said pricing system at said store; comparing said scannable coupon information with said scannable pricing information and the validation code with a corresponding validation code provided by a manufacturer; reducing a total price of said products by said coupon value represented by said scannable coupon information if the validation code matches the corresponding validation code; deleting said scannable coupon information from said memory of said device when said scannable coupon information corresponding to a particular coupon is matched with said scannable pricing information and the validation code matches the corresponding validation code; and completing a purchase transaction for the products.