Coupon scanner organizer device

• US 20040112958A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James T. Rosica
• Original Assignee: James T. Rosica
• Inventors: Rosica, James T.
• Application Number:
  US10/319,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20040112958A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Coupon scanner organizer device is a hand holdable, portable coupon bar code reading unit having a bar code optical sensor, signal conversion electronics, a microprocessor, a memory, a power source and coupon transmission mechanism to transmit stored coupon information to a bar code reading cash register. It has software to organize and store a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons. The actual scanning components and conversion electronics is a matter of design choice. The present invention device may include a connection mechanism for direct connection to a cash register e.g. wireless or wire connectable. This invention may be a conventional wire and port arrangement, e.g. at least one plug and at least one plug receptacle. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism is adapted to nest in a nesting device connected to a cash register. In other words, at each check out, a convenient nest or cradle for the device with plug or pin connection arrangements could be made possible to the user (consumer). The device would be placed in the stand and download could be automatic. The present invention also includes a coupon scanner organizer system having at least one device and at least one bar code reading cash register having sufficient hardware and software to receive a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons from the device. The present invention also includes a methodology using the above technology.

Claims

1. A coupon scanner organizer device, which comprises:

a hand holdable, portable coupon bar code reading unit having a bar code optical sensor, signal conversion electronics, a microprocessor, a memory, a power source and coupon transmission means to transmit stored coupon information to a bar code reading cash register, and having sufficient software to store a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons.

2. The coupon scanner organizer device of claim 1 wherein said software further includes sufficient software to read universal price code bars on products and to compare with stored coupon data, and to signal whether or not there is a match between a scanned product and stored coupon data.

3. The coupon scanner organizer device of claim 1 wherein said unit includes connection means for connection to a cash register that is selected from the group consisting of wireless connection and wire connection having one of at least one plug and at least one plug receptacle.

4. The coupon scanner organizer device of claim 2 wherein said connection means is adapted to nest in a nesting device connected to a cash register.

5. The coupon scanner organizer of claim 1 wherein there is also sufficient software to receive user store discount card information and to provide said information to a store cash register.

6. The coupon scanner organizer device of claim 1 wherein said portable coupon bar code reading unit is selected from the group consisting of a stand-alone unit, a wireless telephone, a personal organizer, a personal digital assistant and a hand held computer.

7. A coupon scanner organizer system, which includes:

a.) at least one device that is a hand holdable, portable coupon bar code reading unit having a bar code optical sensor, signal conversion electronics, a microprocessor, a memory, a power source and coupon transmission means to transmit stored coupon information to a bar code reading cash register, and having sufficient software to store a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons; and

,

b.) at least one bar code reading cash register having sufficient hardware and software to receive a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons from said unit, and to credit a user in possession of said at least one device for coupon readings that have not expired and relate to purchased goods or services.

8. The coupon scanner organizer system of claim 7 wherein said portable coupon bar code reading unit includes a connection means for direct connection to a cash register.

9. The coupon scanner organizer system of claim 8 wherein said connection means is selected from the group consisting of wireless connection and wire connection having one of at least one plug and at least one plug receptacle.

10. The coupon scanner organizer system of claim 8 wherein said cash register includes a unit connection means nesting device connected to it, and said nesting device is adapted to receive and nest said connection means of said unit.

11. The coupon scanner organizer system of claim 7 wherein there is also sufficient software to receive user store discount card information and to provide said information to a store cash register.

12. The coupon scanner organizer system of claim 7 wherein said portable coupon bar code reading unit is selected from the group consisting of a stand-alone unit, a wireless telephone, a personal organizer, a personal digital assistant and a hand held computer.

13. A methodology to enable a consumer to procure printed merchandise and services coupons from printed matter and presenting them to offering entities without the need to clip or physically carry the printed coupons, which comprises:

a.) providing a consumer with a coupon scanner organizer device that is a hand holdable, portable coupon bar code reading unit having a bar code optical sensor, signal conversion electronics, a microprocessor, a memory, a power source and coupon transmission means to transmit stored coupon information to a bar code reading cash register, and having sufficient software to store a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons;

b.) providing a coupon accepting entity with at least one bar code reading cash register having sufficient hardware and software to receive a plurality of coupon readings for a plurality of diverse coupons from said unit, and to credit a user in possession of said at least one device for coupon readings that have not expired and relate to purchased goods or services.

c.) scanning at least one printed coupon into said coupon scanner organizer device;

d.) taking said coupon scanner organizer device to said at least one bar code reading cash register and feeding said at least one scanned printed coupon data to said cash register; and

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e.) where appropriate, granting coupon benefits to said user of said cash register in accordance with said data.

14. The methodology of claim 13 wherein said portable coupon bar code reading unit includes a connection means for direct connection to a cash register.

15. The methodology of claim 14 wherein said connection means is selected from the group consisting of wireless connection and wire connection having one of at least one plug and at least one plug receptacle.

16. The methodology of claim 14 wherein said cash register includes a unit connection means nesting device connected to it, and said nesting device is adapted to receive and nest said connection means of said unit.

17. The methodology of claim 13 wherein there is also sufficient software to receive user store discount card information and to provide said information to a store cash register.

18. The methodology of claim 13 wherein said portable coupon bar code reading unit is selected from the group consisting of a stand-alone unit, a wireless telephone, a personal organizer, a personal digital assistant and a hand held computer.

19. The methodology of claim 13 wherein a plurality of barcode reading cash registers are networked to one another.

20. The methodology of claim 13 wherein said coupon scanner organizer device includes a coupon printout feature and wherein at least one non-barcode reading cash register is provided.