Method and apparatus for offering coupons during a transaction

• US 20040138953A1
• Filed: 07/23/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Van Luchene, Andrew S., Tulley, Stephen C., Alderucci, Dean P., Mueller, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US10/625,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138953A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

Systems are disclosed in which information is received for a transaction. Optionally an amount of change due in the transaction may be calculated. A pool which includes one or more possible supplemental products is determined. An offer for a coupon redeemable for at least one supplemental product from the pool in exchange for the amount of change due in the transaction.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving information for a transaction;

calculating an amount of change due in the transaction;

determining a pool which includes one or more possible supplemental products; and

providing an offer for

(a) a coupon redeemable for at least one supplemental product from the pool in exchange for

(b) the amount of change due in the transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting the at least one supplemental product.

3. The method of claim 2, in which the step of selecting comprises:

selecting all of the possible supplemental products of the pool, whereby the at least one supplemental product includes all of the possible supplemental products of the pool.

4. The method of claim 2, in which the step of selecting comprises:

selecting the at least one supplemental product based on a transaction history of a customer.

5. The method of claim 2, in which the step of selecting comprises:

selecting the at least one supplemental product based on the amount of change due.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the offer; and

providing the coupon in exchange for the amount of change due in the transaction.

7. The method of claim 1, in which the step of providing an offer comprises:

displaying the offer on a monitor viewable by a customer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an advertisement for at least one of the at least one supplemental product for which the coupon is redeemable.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating a product that a customer desires to purchase;

and in which the step of displaying an advertisement is performed in response to receiving the signal.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving information for a transaction;

calculating an amount of change due in the transaction;

determining a pool which includes one or more possible supplemental products; and

providing an offer for

(a) a coupon redeemable for at least one supplemental product from the pool, and

(b) another product in exchange for

(c) the amount of change due in the transaction.

11. A method, comprising:

receiving information for a transaction;

determining a pool which includes one or more possible supplemental products;

determining a price of a coupon redeemable for at least one supplemental product from the pool; and

providing an offer for

(a) the coupon in exchange for

(b) the determined price.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

selecting the at least one supplemental product.

13. The method of claim 12, in which the step of selecting comprises:

selecting all of the possible supplemental products of the pool, whereby the at least one supplemental product includes all of the possible supplemental products of the pool.

14. The method of claim 12, in which the step of selecting comprises:

selecting the at least one supplemental product based on a transaction history of a customer.

15. The method of claim 12, in which the step of selecting comprises:

selecting the at least one supplemental product based on the amount of change due.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the offer; and

providing the coupon in exchange for the determined price.

17. The method of claim 11, in which the step of providing an offer comprises:

displaying the offer on a monitor viewable by a customer.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying an advertisement for at least one of the at least one supplemental product for which the coupon is redeemable.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating a product that a customer desires to purchase;

and in which the step of displaying an advertisement is performed in response to receiving the signal.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

printing the coupon.