Method and apparatus for redeeming of coupons via a wireless communication device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A coupon delivery and wireless redemption system comprising:
- a coupon service provider coupled to a wide area network;
a wireless network coupled to said wide area network;
a merchant coupled to said coupon service provider and comprising a wireless receiver coupled to a redemption device;
wherein an electronic coupon is delivered to a transportable communication unit from said coupon service provider via said wide area network and said wireless network, a tender of said coupon by said transportable communication unit made via said wireless receiver is conveyed to said coupon service provider, and an approval to redeem said coupon is conveyed from said coupon service provider to said redemption device.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for wireless coupon redemption includes a coupon service provider coupled to a wide area network and a wireless network to deliver an electronic coupon to a transportable communication unit. A merchant, comprising a wireless receiver coupled to a redemption device, is coupled to the coupon service provider such that a tender of said coupon by the transportable communication unit made via the wireless receiver is conveyed to the coupon service provider and an approval to redeem the coupon is conveyed from the coupon service provider to the redemption device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A coupon delivery and wireless redemption system comprising:
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a coupon service provider coupled to a wide area network;
a wireless network coupled to said wide area network;
a merchant coupled to said coupon service provider and comprising a wireless receiver coupled to a redemption device;
wherein an electronic coupon is delivered to a transportable communication unit from said coupon service provider via said wide area network and said wireless network, a tender of said coupon by said transportable communication unit made via said wireless receiver is conveyed to said coupon service provider, and an approval to redeem said coupon is conveyed from said coupon service provider to said redemption device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A wireless coupon redemption system, comprising:
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an interface coupled to a network for transmission of a coupon to a transportable communication unit;
a short-range wireless transceiver that receives a signal from said transportable communication unit, said signal representing coupon information tendered for redemption;
a computer and associated memory coupled to said interface and said transceiver and adapted to generate said coupon for said transportable communication unit and to approve valid tendered coupon information; and
a redemption device, coupled to said computer and associated memory, adapted to calculate a price for an item upon approval of valid tendered coupon information. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A transportable communication unit for use in a wireless coupon redemption system, comprising:
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a first transceiver adapted to communicate with a wireless network coupled to a wide area network to receive an electronic coupon;
a processor and associated memory that stores said received electronic coupon;
a user interface that provides a human perceptible indication of said stored electronic coupon and that accepts a user activation to tender said stored electronic coupon for redemption; and
a second transceiver adapted to communicate said tender to a coupon redemption device.
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7. A method of providing a coupon to a user for wireless redemption, comprising the steps of:
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receiving and storing coupon parameters;
receiving a request to deliver said stored coupon parameters;
delivering said coupon parameters to a wireless network;
receiving at least a portion of said coupon parameters as coupon information tendered by a user as a request for redemption;
comparing said coupon information to said stored coupon parameters; and
approving said redemption request, responsive to said comparing step, when said coupon information matches a respective portion of said stored coupon parameters. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of establishing and redeeming coupons, comprising the steps of:
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conveying coupon parameters for use in providing a coupon to a user;
receiving a request for coupon redemption, said request including at least a portion of said coupon parameters as coupon information;
obtaining an approval of said request for coupon redemption based upon a match of said coupon information and a respective portion of said coupon parameters; and
adjusting a price in response to said approval obtained in said obtaining step. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of electronically obtaining and redeeming coupons in a transportable communication unit, comprising the steps of:
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receiving content and a content-subsidizing advertisement from a wide area network, said content-subsidizing advertisement including an electronic coupon;
storing said electronic coupon;
providing a human perceptible reproduction of said stored electronic coupon;
accepting a user'"'"'s input to tender said electronic coupon for redemption; and
transmitting said electronic coupon to a merchant'"'"'s redemption device in response to said accepting step. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification