METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTION AND PERSONALIZATION OF E-COUPONS

• US 20080262928A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: MICHAELIS, Oliver
• Application Number:
  US12/104,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives

Abstract

A method and system for distributing and personalizing E-Coupons include sending a generic E-Coupon identifier to a mobile device and requesting a redeemable personalized E-Coupon based on the generic E-Coupon identifier. User location, time, purchase history and preference may be provided and used to personalize the E-Coupon. The personalized E-Coupon may then be distributed to the mobile device. The generic E-Coupon identifier may be distributed through different media, such as audio, video, multimedia or wireless data networks. For high security devices, the personalized E-Coupon may be sent digitally signed. For low security devices, the E-Coupon Manager may store the personalized E-Coupon and send to the mobile device a unique E-Coupon ID. The distributed personalized E-Coupons may be used to receive discounts at a merchant physical location or Internet site.

Claims

1. A method for distributing and personalizing electronic coupons (E-Coupons) comprising:

transmitting a generic E-Coupon identifier;

receiving the generic E-Coupon identifier along with a request for a redeemable E-Coupon;

creating a personalized redeemable E-Coupon based at least in part on the generic E-Coupon identifier; and

transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is transmitted via a communication medium receivable by a mobile device;

the request for a redeemable E-Coupon is received from the mobile device; and

the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is transmitted to the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is transmitted via a first communication medium receivable by a mobile device;

the request for a redeemable E-Coupon is received from the mobile device via a second communication medium different from the second communication medium; and

the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is transmitted to the mobile device via the second communication medium.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving consumer information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon; and

creating the personalized redeemable E-Coupon based on the received consumer information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information on capabilities of a mobile device along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon; and

creating the personalized redeemable E-Coupon based on the received information on capabilities of a mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the generic E-Coupon identifier includes a unique merchandise ID corresponding to a specific merchandise; and

the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is for the merchandise associated with the unique merchandise ID.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the generic E-Coupon identifier is transmitted by a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the specific merchandise.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising digitally signing the personalized E-Coupon before transmitting it to the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

associating a unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier with the personalized redeemable E-Coupon; and

storing the personalized redeemable E-Coupon in a database including the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier,

wherein transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon comprises transmitting the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier to the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the first communication medium is watermarked sound.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the first communication medium is watermarked video.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the first communication medium is a watermarked image.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the first communication medium is a wireless data network.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the first communication medium is a near-field communication link.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the second communication medium is a wireless data network.

16. The method of claim 3, wherein the second communication medium is a cellular telephone network.

17. The method of claim 3, wherein the second communication medium is a near-field or short-range wireless data link.

18. The method of claim 4, wherein the consumer information includes at least one from the group consisting of location, time, purchase history and consumer preferences.

19. The method of claim 5, wherein information on capabilities of a mobile device includes at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of display capabilities, processor capabilities, security capabilities, communication capabilities and loaded applications.

20. A method for receiving electronic coupons (E-Coupons) comprising:

receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier;

transmitting a request for a redeemable E-Coupon including at least a portion of the generic E-Coupon identifier;

receiving a redeemable E-Coupon; and

storing the receive redeemable E-Coupon in memory.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising transmitting user information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the user information includes at least one from the group consisting of location, time, purchase history and consumer preferences.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is received via a first communication medium receivable by a mobile device;

the request for a redeemable E-Coupon is transmitted via a second communication medium different from the second communication medium; and

the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is received via the second communication medium.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first communication medium is watermarked sound, further comprising receiving the watermarked sound with a microphone and processing the watermarked sound to extract the generic E-Coupon identifier.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the first communication medium is a watermarked video, further comprising imaging the watermarked video with a camera and processing the image to extract the generic E-Coupon identifier.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the first communication medium is a watermarked image, further comprising imaging the watermarked image with a camera and processing the image to extract the generic E-Coupon identifier.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the first communication medium is a wireless data network.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the first communication medium is a near-field communication link.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising transmitting the redeemable E-Coupon to a coupon redemption terminal.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the redeemable E-Coupon is transmitted to a coupon redemption terminal via a near-field communication link.

31. A mobile device, comprising:

a processor;

a first transceiver coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier;

transmitting via the first transceiver a request for a redeemable E-Coupon including at least a portion of the generic E-Coupon identifier;

receiving via the first transceiver a redeemable E-Coupon; and

storing the receive redeemable E-Coupon in the memory.

32. The mobile device of claim 31, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting user information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon.

33. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the user information includes at least one from the group consisting of location, time, purchase history and consumer preferences.

34. The mobile device of claim 31, further comprising a microphone coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is further configured with software instructions so that:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is received as watermarked sound; and

the generic E-Coupon identifier is extracted from the watermarked sound.

35. The mobile device of claim 31, further comprising a camera coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is further configured with software instructions so that:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is extracted from a watermarked image that is imaged by the camera.

36. The mobile device of claim 31, further comprising a camera coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is further configured with software instructions so that:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is extracted from a watermarked video display that is imaged by the camera.

37. The mobile device of claim 31, further comprising a second transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is further configured with software instructions so that:

the generic E-Coupon identifier is received via the second transceiver; and

the second transceiver is configured to communicate with a communication technology different from the first communication medium.

38. The mobile device of claim 31, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting information regarding the mobile device along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon.

39. The mobile device of claim 31, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting the redeemable E-Coupon to a coupon redemption terminal.

40. The mobile device of claim 31, further comprising a near field communication transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting the redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal via the near field communication transceiver.

41. A mobile device comprising:

means for receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier;

means for transmitting a request for a redeemable E-Coupon including at least a portion of the generic E-Coupon identifier; and

means for receiving a redeemable E-Coupon; and

means for storing the receive redeemable E-Coupon.

42. The device of claim 41, further comprising:

means for transmitting user information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the user information includes at least one from the group consisting of location, time, purchase history and consumer preferences.

44. The device of claim 41, further comprising means for extracting the generic E-Coupon identifier from watermarked sound.

45. The device of claim 41, further comprising means for extracting the generic E-Coupon identifier from a watermarked image.

46. The device of claim 41, further comprising means for extracting the generic E-Coupon identifier from a watermarked video image.

47. The device of claim 41, further comprising means for receiving the generic E-Coupon identifier from a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag.

48. The device of claim 41 wherein the means for receiving the generic E-Coupon identifier and the means for receiving the redeemable E-Coupon employ different communication technologies.

49. The device of claim 41, further comprising means for transmitting the redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal via the near field communication transceiver.

50. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier;

transmitting a request for a redeemable E-Coupon including at least a portion of the generic E-Coupon identifier;

receiving a redeemable E-Coupon; and

storing the receive redeemable E-Coupon.

51. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform further steps comprising:

transmitting user information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon.

52. The tangible storage medium of claim 51, wherein the user information includes at least one from the group consisting of location, time, purchase history and consumer preferences.

53. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the E-Coupon signed using a cryptographic or digital signature.

54. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform further steps comprising extracting the generic E-Coupon identifier from watermarked sound.

55. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform further steps comprising extracting the generic E-Coupon identifier from a watermarked image.

56. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform further steps comprising extracting the generic E-Coupon identifier from watermarked video image.

57. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to receive the generic E-Coupon identifier from a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag.

58. The tangible storage medium of claim 50, wherein the stored processor-executable software instruction are configured to cause a mobile device processor to perform further steps comprising:

transmitting the redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal via the near field communication transceiver.

59. A server configured to distribute and personalize an E-Coupon and receive and transmit data via a network, comprising:

a server memory having stored thereon an E-Coupon database;

a server processor coupled to the server memory; and

a network connection coupled to the server processor,

wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier along with a request for a redeemable E-Coupon;

creating a personalized redeemable E-Coupon based at least in part on the generic E-Coupon identifier; and

transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon.

60. The server of claim 59, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to receive the request for a redeemable E-Coupon from a mobile device, and transmit the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the mobile device.

61. The server of claim 59, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving consumer information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon; and

creating the personalized redeemable E-Coupon based on the received consumer information.

62. The server of claim 59, wherein:

the generic E-Coupon identifier includes a unique merchandise ID corresponding to a specific merchandise; and

the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is for the merchandise associated with the unique merchandise ID.

63. The server of claim 59, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

digitally signing the personalized E-Coupon before transmitting it to the mobile device.

64. The server of claim 59, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

associating a unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier with the personalized redeemable E-Coupon; and

storing the personalized redeemable E-Coupon in a database including the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier,

wherein transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon comprises transmitting the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier to the mobile device.

65. The server of claim 64, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier from a coupon redemption terminal in a request to redeem the personalized redeemable E-Coupon;

recalling the personalized redeemable E-Coupon from the database using the received unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier; and

transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal.

66. The server of claim 65, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising determining if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid, wherein the step of transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal is performed only if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid.

67. The server of claim 65, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising determining if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid, wherein the step of transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal is performed only if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid.

68. The server of claim 65, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving notification that a transaction related to the redeemable personalize redeemable E-Coupon was completed; and

storing an indication in the database that the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is invalid in response to receiving the notification.

69. A server, comprising:

means for receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier along with a request for a redeemable E-Coupon;

means for creating a personalized redeemable E-Coupon based at least in part on the generic E-Coupon identifier; and

means for transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon.

70. The server of claim 69, further comprising:

means for transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to a mobile device.

71. The server of claim 69, further comprising:

means for receiving consumer information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon; and

means for creating the personalized redeemable E-Coupon based on the received consumer information.

72. The server of claim 70, further comprising:

means for digitally signing the personalized E-Coupon before transmitting it to the mobile device.

73. The server of claim 70, further comprising:

means for creating the E-Coupon further based on user- and device-specific data.

74. The server of claim 70, further comprising:

means for associating a unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier with the personalized redeemable E-Coupon; and

means for storing the personalized redeemable E-Coupon in a database including the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier,

wherein the means for transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon comprises means for transmitting the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier to the mobile device.

75. The server of claim 69, further comprising:

means for receiving the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier from a coupon redemption terminal in a request to redeem the personalized redeemable E-Coupon;

means for recalling the personalized redeemable E-Coupon from the database using the received unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier; and

means for transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal.

76. The server of claim 75, further comprising:

means for determining if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid,

wherein the step of transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal is performed only if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid.

77. The server of claim 75, further comprising means for determining if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid, wherein the step of transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal is performed only if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid.

78. The server of claim 75, further comprising:

means for receiving notification that a transaction related to the redeemable personalize redeemable E-Coupon was completed; and

means for storing an indication in the database that the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is invalid in response to receiving the notification.

79. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon, server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform steps comprising:

receiving a generic E-Coupon identifier along with a request for a redeemable E-Coupon;

creating a personalized redeemable E-Coupon based at least in part on the generic E-Coupon identifier; and

transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon.

80. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the receive the request for a redeemable E-Coupon from a mobile device, and transmit the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the mobile device.

81. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving consumer information along with the request for a redeemable E-Coupon; and

creating the personalized redeemable E-Coupon based on the received consumer information.

82. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

digitally signing the personalized E-Coupon before transmitting it to the mobile device.

83. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

creating the E-Coupon further based on the user and device specific data.

84. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

associating a unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier with the personalized redeemable E-Coupon; and

storing the personalized redeemable E-Coupon in a database including the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier,

wherein transmitting the personalized redeemable E-Coupon comprises transmitting the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier to the mobile device.

85. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier from a coupon redemption terminal in a request to redeem the personalized redeemable E-Coupon;

recalling the personalized redeemable E-Coupon from the database using the received unique redeemable E-Coupon identifier; and

transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal.

86. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

comprising determining if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid, wherein the step of transmitting information regarding the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the coupon redemption terminal is performed only if the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is valid.

87. The tangible storage medium of claim 79, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving notification that a transaction related to the redeemable personalize redeemable E-Coupon was completed; and

storing an indication in the database that the personalized redeemable E-Coupon is invalid in response to receiving the notification.

88. A system for distributing and redeeming personalize E-Coupons, comprising:

a first communication system configured to broadcast a generic E-Coupon identifier;

a mobile device configured to receive the generic E-Coupon identifier and transmit a request for redeemable E-Coupon including at least a portion of information contained in the generic E-Coupon identifier using a communication network different from the first communication system;

a server configured with software instructions to receive the request for a redeemable E-Coupon, create a personalized redeemable E-Coupon in response, and transmit the personalized redeemable E-Coupon to the mobile device; and

a coupon redemption terminal configured to receive the personalized redeemable E-Coupon from the mobile device in a redemption process.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein the first communication system comprises a sound system configured to broadcast a watermarked sound.

90. The system of claim 88, wherein the first communication system comprises a video system configured to broadcast a watermarked video image.

91. The system of claim 88, wherein the first communication system comprises a radiofrequency identification tag.

92. The system of claim 88, wherein the first communication system comprises a near field communication transceiver.