Store Solutions

• US 20090026255A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
• Inventors: Besecker, Bret Joseph, Parsons, Jay, Ramachandran, Anantha Narayanan
• Granted Patent: US 8,104,671 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods that time correlate input at a point of entry of consumer data of least two identifications for products, prescriptions, vouchers, or codes, uses positive correlation determinations for triggering output of predetermined information. The time correlation of identifications may be used to build a time correlation database, and thereafter use that database for targeted communications. Related inventions include an intelligent Y cable or the like to filter data transmitted from a scanner at a point of entry of consumer data, and a novel POS CS configured to receive bar codes that would otherwise cause the POS CS to enter an error condition.

Claims

1. A system for building a time correlation history database:

a targeting CS comprising at least one targeting CS central processing unit, at least one targeting CS memory, at least one targeting CS input, and at least one targeting CS output;

wherein said at least one targeting CS input is configured to receive at least personal device addresses and product identifiers;

wherein said at least one targeting CS memory comprises a time correlation log;

wherein said time correlation log is configured to store time of receipt of each one of said at least one personal device addresses in association with the corresponding one of said personal device address, and to store time of receipt of each one of said product identifiers in association with the corresponding one of said product identifiers;

wherein said at least one targeting CS memory comprises a time correlation history data structure for storing in association with one another, at least (1) a personal device address, (2) a personal device address time of receipt of said personal device address, and (3) one or more product identifiers each having a product identifier time of receipt correlated in time with said personal device address time of receipt; and

wherein said targeting CS is configured to process data in said time correlation log to populate said time correlation history data structure by determining if time of receipt of a product identifier in said time correlation log is within time of receipt a personal device address time of receipt in said time correlation log.

2-4. -4. (canceled)

5. A system for outputting product information data, comprising:

a LM CS, said LM CS including;

a LM CS central processing unit for processing instructions and data;

a LM CS memory for storing data;

at least one LM CS input for receiving identification codes; and

at least one LM CS output for outputting identification codes;

wherein said LM CS memory stores data specifying a correlation time;

wherein said LM CS is configured to output product information data including a first product information identification code to said at least one LM CS output in response to receipt via said at least one LM CS input of a first voucher identification code and a first product identification code, only if,

said LM CS receives said first voucher identification code via said at least one LM CS input and said first product identification code via said at least one LM CS input within said correlation time of one another.

50. The system of claim 5:

wherein said product information data is coupon data; and

wherein said LM CS is configured to output coupon data including a first coupon identification code to said at least one LM CS output in response to receipt via said at least one LM CS input of a first voucher identification code and a first product identification code, only if,

said LM CS receives said first voucher identification code via said at least one LM CS input and said first product identification code via said at least one LM CS input within said correlation time of one another.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said LM CS configured to output coupon data further comprises:

said LM CS configured to store in said LM CS memory (1) identification codes received via said at least one LM CS input and (2) their time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input in association with one another; and

said LM CS configured to respond to receipt of a currently received identification code received via said at least one LM CS input, by

(1) determining whether said currently received identification code is said first voucher identification code, and

(2) if said LM CS determines that said currently received identification code is said first voucher identification code, determining whether time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said currently received identification code is within said correlation time of a time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said first product identification code.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein said LM CS configured to store in said LM CS memory (1) identification codes received via said at least one LM CS input and (2) their time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input in association with one another, sequenced by time of receipt;

and

wherein said determining whether time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said currently received identification code is within said correlation time of time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said first product identification code comprises;

sequentially retrieving based upon time of receipt, identification codes received via said at least one LM CS input, determining whether time of receipt associated with each retrieved identification code is not within a correlation time of receipt of said currently received identification code and, when determining that time of receipt associated with a retrieved identification code is not within said correlation time, ceasing said sequentially retrieving.

53. The system of claim 50 wherein said LM CS configured to output coupon data comprises:

said LM CS configured to store in said LM CS memory (1) identification codes received via said at least one LM CS input and (2) their time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input in association with one another; and

said LM CS configured to respond to receipt of a currently received identification code received via said at least one LM CS input by

(1) determining whether said currently received identification code is said first product identification code, and

(2) if said LM CS determines that said currently received identification code is said first product identification code, determining whether time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said currently received identification code is within said correlation time of a time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said first voucher identification code.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein said LM CS configured to store in said LM CS memory (1) identification codes received via said at least one LM CS input and (2) their time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input in association with one another, sequenced by time of receipt;

and

wherein said determining whether time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said currently received identification code is within said correlation time of time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input of said first voucher identification code comprises;

sequentially retrieving based upon time of receipt, identification codes received via said at least one LM CS input, determining whether time of receipt associated with each retrieved identification code is not within a correlation time of receipt of said currently received identification code and, when determining that time of receipt associated with a retrieved identification code is not within said correlation time, ceasing said sequentially retrieving.

55. The system of claim 50 wherein said LM CS is configured to output, via said at least one LM CS output, voucher data including a voucher identification code in response to said LM CS receiving via said at least one LM CS input a voucher triggering product identification code.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein said voucher triggering product identification code is said first product identification code.

57. The system of claim 55:

wherein said LM CS memory stores a voucher output triggering lookup table, and said voucher output triggering lookup table stores in association with each voucher identification code at least one product identification code;

wherein said LM CS is configured to, in response to receipt of a received product identification code, look up in said voucher triggering lookup table whether said received product identification code is associated with said first voucher identification code, and,

if said LM CS determines that said received product identification code is associated with said first voucher identification code, outputting to at least one of said at least one LM CS output, outputted voucher data corresponding to said first voucher identification code.

59. The system of claim 57:

wherein said outputted voucher data is stored in a data structure in a certain CS memory of a certain CS in association with said first voucher identification code; and

wherein said certain CS is configured to receive via a certain CS input said outputted voucher data in association with a transmitting cellular telephone number from which said outputted voucher data corresponding to said first voucher identification code was transmitted, and to transmit via a certain CS output to said transmitting cellular telephone number said first voucher identification code.

60. The system of claim 59 further comprising a wireless electronic transmission device having said transmitting cellular telephone number.

61. The system of claim 59 wherein said certain CS is said LM CS.

62. The system of claim 59 wherein said certain CS is a CM CS including a CM CS central processing unit, a CM CS memory, at least one CM CS input for inputting data, and at least one CM CS output for outputting data.

63. The system of claim 59 wherein said certain CS is configured to store in association with one another cellular telephone numbers and product identifications in a time correlation history database;

and

said time correlation history database stores said transmitting cellular telephone number in association with product identifications for products having a time of receipt in said LM CS within a second correlation time of time of receipt via said certain CS input of a telephone transmission from said transmitting cellular telephone number.

64. The system of claim 59 wherein said time correlation history database also stores in association with each product identification a product identification time of receipt via said at least one LM CS input or said certain CS input.

65. The system of claim 64 wherein said product identification time of receipt corresponds to one of time of receipt of a cellular telephone signal in said certain CS, time of receipt of a product identification in said LM CS, and time of receipt of a product identification in said certain CS.

66. The system of claim 50 wherein said at least one LM CS input for receiving identification codes comprises a scanner for reading bar codes.

67. The system of claim 66 further comprising an intelligent data router containing circuitry configured to transmit all scanned bar code data scanned by said scanner corresponding to identification codes along a first data communication path coupled to said at least one LM CS input and selectively transmitting scanned bar code data along a second data communication path.

68. The system of claim 67 wherein said circuitry blocks transmission of voucher identification codes along said second data communication path.

69. The system of claim 66 wherein said intelligent router forms part of an intelligent Y cable connecting said scanner to said LM CS.

70. The system of claim 66 further comprising a POS CS, a first data communication path from said scanner to said at least one LM CS input, and a second data communication path from said scanner to an input of said POS CS, and wherein said POS CS is configured so that transmission of data from said scanner to said input of said POS CS does not result in an error condition in said POS CS.

71. The system of claim 66 further comprising a POS CS, a first data communication path from said scanner to said at least one LM CS input, and a second data communication path from said scanner to an input of said POS CS, and wherein said POS CS is configured so that transmission of a voucher identification code from said scanner to said input of said POS CS results in activation of error code in said POS CS that returns said POS CS to a state in which it awaits receipt of another identification code from said scanner.

72. The system of claim 50 wherein said at least one LM CS input for receiving identification codes comprises a key pad having numerals 0 through 9 for entering voucher identification codes in decimal format.

73. The system of claim 72 wherein said at least one LM CS input for receiving identification codes comprises a scanner.

74. The system of claim 50:

wherein said at least one LM CS output comprises a printer;

wherein said printer is configured to print a coupon containing a bar code specifying said first coupon identification code in response to receipt by said printer of coupon data including said first coupon identification code.

75. The system of claim 50:

wherein said at least one LM CS output comprises at least one of a printer, a monitor, and a wireless transmitter; and

wherein said at least one of said printer, said monitor; and

said wireless transmitter are configured to output at least one of machine and human readable versions of said first coupon identification code.

76. The system of claim 50 wherein said coupon data including said first coupon identification code output to said at least one LM CS output includes identification of at least one product for which a coupon having said first coupon identification code can be redeemed.

77. The system of claim 50 wherein said correlation time is between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

6-33. -33. (canceled)

34. A system for outputting coupon data, comprising:

a LM CS, said LM CS including a LM CS central processing unit for processing instructions and data;

a LM CS memory for storing data;

at least one LM CS input for receiving identification codes; and

at least one LM CS output for outputting identification codes;

a POS CS;

a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes; and

an intelligent data router containing circuitry configured to transmit all scanned bar code data scanned by said bar code scanner corresponding to identification codes along a first data communication path coupled to said at least one LM CS input and selectively transmitting scanned bar code data along a second data communication path coupled to said POS CS.

78. The system of claim 34 wherein said circuitry blocks transmission of voucher identification codes along said second data communication path.

35. (canceled)

36. A system for outputting coupon data, comprising:

a LM CS, said LM CS including a LM CS central processing unit for processing instructions and data;

a LM CS memory for storing data;

at least one LM CS input for receiving identification codes; and

at least one LM CS output for outputting identification codes;

a POS CS having a POS CS input;

a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes and coupled to said at least one LM CS input and to said POS CS input;

wherein said LM CS is configured to output coupon data upon receipt from said bar code scanner of voucher identification data; and

wherein said POS CS is configured so that, upon receipt from said bar code scanner of voucher identification, said POS CS either does not enter an error state or executes error handler code the returns said POS CS to a state in which it awaits receipt of another identification code from said bar code scanner.

37. A system for issuing product information data to a customer near an end of a customer transaction, comprising:

a targeting CS comprising at least one targeting CS central processing unit, at least one targeting CS memory, at least one targeting CS input, and at least one targeting CS output;

wherein said at least one targeting CS input is configured to receive product identifiers of product items being scanned at a POS in a retail store;

wherein said at least one targeting CS memory comprises a time correlation log;

wherein said time correlation log is configured to store at least (1) time of receipt of each product identifier scanned at said POS in association with (2) the corresponding product identifier;

wherein said targeting CS memory stores at least one assumed end of transaction rule for assuming when a customer transaction at said POS is ending;

wherein said targeting CS is structured to determine from data in said time correlation log and said at least one assumed end of transaction rule an assumed end of transaction time; and

wherein said system is configured to convey to a customer at the POS product information data at a time depending upon said assumed end of transaction time.

44. The system of claim 37, wherein said targeting CS is structured:

(1) to determine whether product identification data newly received in said targeting CS is a voucher ID, and if so, automatically retrieving from said at least one targeting CS memory at least one associated product identifier associated with said voucher ID, then

(2) to determine whether pre existing records in said time correlation log have a time of receipt within a first correlation time of time of receipt of said voucher ID and include a product identifier that is said associated product identifier;

(3) to determine whether product identifiers received after said time of receipt of said voucher ID prior to said assumed end of transaction time are said associated product identifier; and

to print or display to said customer said information data if (1) is positive and either (2) or (3) is positive.

79. The system of claim 37 wherein said product information data is a voucher ID and said customer transaction is a purchase transaction.

80. The system of claim 37 wherein said product information data is voucher ID, and said system is configured to display the existence of a voucher and to print the voucher containing said voucher ID, either in response to, or at a specified time after, said assumed end of transaction time.

81. The system of claim 37 wherein said at least one assumed end of transaction rule comprises a first time interval.

82. The system of claim 37 wherein said at least one assumed end of transaction rule comprises a first time interval and said rule specifies an assumed end of transaction when said first time interval elapses with no codes received by said at least one targeting CS input.

83. The system of claim 37 wherein said at least one assumed end of transaction rule comprises a second time interval.

84. The system of claim 83 wherein said at least one assumed end of transaction rule comprises association of a set of at least two products IDs received by said at least one targeting CS input within said second time interval of one another.

38-43. -43. (canceled)

45-49. -49. (canceled)

58. The system of clam 57 wherein said outputted voucher data includes said first voucher identification code.