Method and system for self-checkout coupon sharing system
First Claim
1. A method for processing coupons by a self checkout system, wherein the self checkout system comprises at least one self checkout station coupled to a server, the method comprising:
- (a) receiving a coupon from a customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations;
(b) attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer; and
(c) storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and system for processing coupons by a self checkout system, where the self checkout system includes at least one self checkout station coupled to a server. In a first aspect, the present invention includes receiving a coupon from a customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations, attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer, and storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction. In a second aspect, a self checkout system includes a server for managing the self checkout system and at least one self checkout station coupled to the server, where the self checkout station includes a scanner for scanning at least one item for purchase by a customer, a coupon reader for receiving a coupon from the customer, and a coupon manager. The coupon manager attempts to validate the coupon against the at least one item scanned by the customer, and if the coupon fails to validate, the coupon manager stores the coupon in a coupon pool at the server such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for processing coupons by a self checkout system, wherein the self checkout system comprises at least one self checkout station coupled to a server, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving a coupon from a customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations;
(b) attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer; and
(c) storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for processing coupons by a self checkout system, wherein the self checkout system comprises at least one self checkout station coupled to a server, the program instructions for:
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(a) receiving a coupon from the customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations;
(b) attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer at the one self checkout station; and
(c) storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A self checkout system comprising:
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a server for managing the self checkout system; and
at least one self checkout station coupled to the server, wherein the at least one self checkout station comprises;
a scanner for scanning at least one item for purchase by a customer;
a coupon reader for receiving a coupon from the customer; and
a coupon manager for validating the coupon against the at least one item scanned by the customer, wherein if the coupon fails to validate, the coupon manager stores the coupon in a coupon pool at the server such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification