ENCRYPTED COUPONS
First Claim
1. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
- transmitting a coupon from a first computer to a personal digital assistant; and
displaying the coupon on the personal data assistant;
receiving a discount specified by the coupon from a merchant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and a method transmits the electronic coupon to a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), for use. Prior to transmitting the electronic coupon, the computer may encrypt the electronic coupon. A consumer next displays the electronic coupon on the PDA to a merchant and the merchant gives the appropriate discount to the consumer. The electronic coupon can be displayed on the PDA with an electronic coupon application. To redeem the electronic coupon, a merchant may be required to enter a passphrase to verify the contents of the electronic coupon. Sometimes an activation agent also may also be required to enter a passphrase to activate the electronic coupon. In another system, the server links the electronic coupon to a geographic location on an electronic map. The electronic map is displayed on the PDA by the electronic coupon application. Whenever a geographic location linked to an encrypted coupon is displayed, the electronic coupon application displays an icon of the electronic coupon. Furthermore, the consumer can perform a coupon search in the map application to find the electronic coupon. In addition, advertising fees for the merchants can be base on the number of times a coupon is displayed, activated, and redeemed.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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transmitting a coupon from a first computer to a personal digital assistant; and
displaying the coupon on the personal data assistant;
receiving a discount specified by the coupon from a merchant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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transmitting a coupon from a first computer to a personal digital assistant; and
displaying a map on the personal data assistant;
displaying the coupon on the personal data assistant;
receiving a discount specified by the coupon from a merchant.
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22. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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receiving a demographic information of a consumer;
selecting a first coupon, wherein the selecting is based on the demographic information received;
transmitting a first coupon to a personal digital assistant of the consumer from a first computer; and
displaying the coupon on the personal digital assistant. - View Dependent Claims (23, 25, 27, 31, 32)
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24. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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selecting a first coupon for a consumer;
transmitting the coupon from the first computer to a personal digital assistant of the consumer;
displaying the coupon on the personal digital assistant; and
recording a display of the first coupon by the personal digital assistant. selecting a second coupon for the customer by the first computer, wherein the selecting is based on the recorded display of the first coupon; and
transmitting the second coupon from the first computer to the personal digital assistant of the consumer.
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26. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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encrypting a first coupon;
transmitting the coupon to a personal digital assistant of a consumer;
decrypting a portion of the coupon by the personal digital assistant;
recording the decrypting of the first coupon by the personal digital assistant;
selecting a second coupon for the customer, wherein the selecting is based on the recorded decrypting of the first coupon;
transmitting a second coupon to the personal digital assistant of the consumer.
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28. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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displaying a coupon on a personal digital assistant;
calculating advertising fees based on the number of times a coupon is displayed on the personal digital assistant.
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29. A method for using a coupon comprising the acts of:
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decrypting a portion of an encrypted coupon on a personal digital assistant;
calculating advertising fees based on the number of times a coupon is decrypted on the personal digital assistant.
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30. A coupon system comprising:
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a coupon;
a first computer having stored therein the coupon; and
a PDA having stored therein the coupon. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification