Electronic coupons

• US 20040064365A1
• Filed: 08/15/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Sjoblom, Johan Sjobl, DʼAnci, Alex
• Application Number:
  US10/468,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20040064365A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/85 which are mobile communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2542 for selling goods, e.g. TV shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4784 receiving rewards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

A method of generating and redeeming an electronic coupon for a purchaser. The method comprises the steps of generating an electronic coupon at a central server 5, the coupon being, associated with a purchaser'"'"'s identity, sending a request for the coupon from a point-of-sale 14 to the central server 5, the request identifying the purchaser; and sending the coupon from the central server 5 to the point-of-sale 14.

Claims

1. A method of generating and redeeming an electronic coupon for a purchaser, the method comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic coupon at a central server, the coupon being associated with a purchaser'"'"'s identity;

sending a request for the coupon from a point-of sale to the central server, the request identifying the purchaser; and

sending the coupon from the central server to the point-of-sale.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the electronic coupon is carried out in response to the receipt at the central server, or at a site coupled to the central server, of a request from the purchaser.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic coupon is generated as a result of an interactive television experience, or from the purchaser carrying out some activity over the Internet.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic coupon is generated as a result of a request for the e-coupon being sent over an interactive channel by a potential purchaser.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the interactive channel comprises a mobile telecommunications network, the purchaser employing a wireless device to send the coupon request.

6. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said request contains the identity of the sender.

7. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the site which receives the coupon request from the purchaser is synchronised with the television or radio broadcast or webcast to enable the request to be associated with the correct broadcast segment.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the step of determining a purchaser identity prior to said step of sending a request for the coupon from a point-of sale to the central server.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the request for a coupon and the coupon are sent via the Internet.