Promotion processor and management system
First Claim
1. A data processing system for tracking and processing in-store discounts to purchasers of select goods during the checkout process wherein said discounts are associated with select goods, said system comprising:
- a distributed discount vehicle, characterized by two or more promotions for select goods including descriptive material to provide information at least identifying the discounts associated with the promotions, wherein said vehicle further includes a select code that permits machine reading and tracking of said vehicle during checkout, said code uniquely identifying the promotions associated with the vehicle;
a checkout processing terminal including computer based tracking of purchased items and the prices thereof, where some of said items are subject to discounted pricing, wherein said processing includes a code data reader for receiving the code from the vehicle during checkout; and
a data processor attached to said checkout terminal for receiving information regarding transactions associated with checkout, the discounted products forming a part of the transactions and the discounts associated with the code received from said vehicle and processing said discounts in accord with said code identified promotion, wherein said data processor selectively deactivates the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use-, said data processor being further connected to memory for storing data associated with said transaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing system employs a unique coded promotional vehicle to attract customers into retail establishments for the purchase of discounted goods. The promotional vehicle includes coupon styled graphics integrated with a code to allow data tracking by the store pursuant to purchases by that customer. The promotional vehicle is easier and less costly to distribute compared to the prior art, avoids cutting of coupons, and post purchase redemptions. The system further allows more targeted discounting at a lower cost, and substantially reducing fraud by eliminating post purchase coupon processing and redemption. Additionally, the system provides for selective deactivation of the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use.
55 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A data processing system for tracking and processing in-store discounts to purchasers of select goods during the checkout process wherein said discounts are associated with select goods, said system comprising:
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a distributed discount vehicle, characterized by two or more promotions for select goods including descriptive material to provide information at least identifying the discounts associated with the promotions, wherein said vehicle further includes a select code that permits machine reading and tracking of said vehicle during checkout, said code uniquely identifying the promotions associated with the vehicle;
a checkout processing terminal including computer based tracking of purchased items and the prices thereof, where some of said items are subject to discounted pricing, wherein said processing includes a code data reader for receiving the code from the vehicle during checkout; and
a data processor attached to said checkout terminal for receiving information regarding transactions associated with checkout, the discounted products forming a part of the transactions and the discounts associated with the code received from said vehicle and processing said discounts in accord with said code identified promotion, wherein said data processor selectively deactivates the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use-, said data processor being further connected to memory for storing data associated with said transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 24, 25)
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5. A distributed discount vehicle for use with a data processing system for tracking and processing in-store discounts to purchasers of select goods during the checkout process wherein said discounts are associated with select goods, said discount vehicle comprising:
two or more promotions for select goods including descriptive material to provide information at least identifying the discounts associated with the promotions, wherein said vehicle further includes a single select code that permits machine reading and tracking of said vehicle during checkout, said select code uniquely identifying all the promotions associated with said vehicle, said select code being selectively deactivated for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without being deactivated for the discounts not used so that said select code may remain selectively active for future use. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28)
Specification