Intelligent clearing network

• US 20100131342A1
• Filed: 10/02/2009
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Clearing Network Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Clearing Network Incorporated
• Inventors: Schulte, Brian, Thibedeau, Richard B., Oakley, Gary, Skelton, Michael, Robertson, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 8,386,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.130
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

In an embodiment, a system for validating, redeeming, and financially settling paper coupons coded with a GS1 barcode and 8110 Application Identifier comprises a real time network through which a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal communicates directly to, or through a POS controller, with an Intelligent Clearing Network (ICN) server. One or both of the POS terminal and POS controller are installed with a ICN POS data bridge which stores computer code. The ICN server is configured to run a real time application while in communication with the POS terminal, wherein the POS terminal transmits paper coupon data elements read from the GS1 barcode and other consumer transaction information including universal product codes purchased, and transaction details to the ICN server via the network.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an Intelligent Clearing Network (ICN) network;

a point-of-sale (POS) terminal;

a POS controller;

an intelligent clearing network (ICN) server,

an ICN database,

an ICN master coupon table,

wherein the POS terminal is configured to transmit at least one of

     1) first coupon data elements read from a GS1 barcode by the POS terminal,

     2) universal product codes of an item purchased,

     3) transaction detail information,

     4) other related information at the POS terminal to the POS controller, and

     5) directly, via the ICN network, to the ICN server for coupon redemption, validation, and financial settlement via the ICN network at the ICN server.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a manufacturer'"'"'s server configured to communicate with the ICN server.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first coupon data elements include information regarding a consumer'"'"'s transaction at the POS terminal including at least one of date, time, store, lane, total dollar amount spent, customer ID, and universal product codes.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first GS1 coupon data elements comprise a control number provided through a downloaded coupon or coupon card.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the ICN server is configured to communicate with a centralized database that provides GS1 databar coupon related information when the ICN server receives first GS1 coupon data elements.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the ICN server is configured to tabulate raw data of GS1 databar coupon processing transactions for a manufacturer, wherein the ICN server is configured to provide the tabulated data to the manufacturer in real time in the form of a report.

7. A system as in claim 6, the GS1 databar coupon related information is used by the server to generate a report to the manufacturer whose product was purchased through redemption of the GS1 databar coupon code.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the POS controller is configured to transmit GS1 databar coupon related information to the POS terminal.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein the system is configured to transmit information sent and received to and from the ICN server, configurable to each unique retailer.

10. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a retailer server and an originating financial institution server configured to communicate with the retailer server, further comprising a secure file transfer protocol server configured to receive debit and credit information from the retailer server and provide automated clearing house processing to the originating financial institution, wherein the secure file transfer protocol server is configured to provide the processed debit and credit information to the originating financial institution.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein when the universal product codes corresponding to the first coupon data elements are trigger universal product codes, coupon related information corresponding to target universal product codes is transmitted by the ICN coupon processing server to the POS terminal, wherein at least one of the target universal product codes corresponds to a product that at least one of the trigger universal product codes corresponds to.

12. A master coupon storage medium configured to store a database wherein details defining all coupons printed and distributed with a GS1 barcode are stored centrally in an intelligent clearing network (ICN) database on an ICN server configured to be used to validate, redeem, and financially settle all coupons printed with a GS1 barcode, the master coupon storage medium comprising at least one storage device and an interface configured to communicate with the ICN server, wherein the ICN server is configured to communicate over an ICN network with one or more point of sale terminals of a retailer.

13. The master coupon storage medium as in claim 12, wherein the database is configured to be populated with coupon distribution information by coupon distributors, printers of coupons, media companies, and consumer package goods companies for use in real time validation, clearing, and financial settlement of coupons coded with a GS1 barcode and 8110 application identifier.

14. A system as in claim 13, wherein all coupons cleared, captured, and validated by the ICN network are financially settled via an ICN ACH billing system.

15. A method for processing coupons, comprising:

reading GS1 data elements from a scanned coupon at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, the GS1 data elements including universal product code information;

transmitting the GS1 data elements through a network to an ICN server for validation and redemption;

if the ICN server validates the GS1 data elements, transmitting first coupon related information through the network to the POS terminal, wherein the POS terminal is configured to transmit second coupon related information to a POS controller through an ICN POS bridge upon successful redemption of the scanned coupon, wherein the second coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, an application identifier, and retailer identification information.

16. A method as in claim 15, whereby the data elements of a scanned paper coupon printed with a GS1 barcode are transmitted to the ICN server via the ICN network and written to an ICN database.

17. A method as in claim 15, whereby the data elements of a scanned paper coupon is used to electronically clear and financially settle the paper coupon before the scanned paper coupon is removed from circulation.

18. A method as in claim 15, wherein the ICN network is configured to validate an expiration date of a scanned paper coupon code.

19. A method as in claim 15, wherein a scanned paper coupon comprises an 8110 application identifier.

20. A method as in claim 15, whereby the ICN network is configured to validate at least one of a family code, a value, a manufacture offer code, purchase requirements, expiration date, and a unique serial number of the scanned paper coupon in real time.

21. A method for processing coupons, comprising:

reading first GS1 databar coupon related information from a terminal, the first GS1 databar coupon related information including universal product code information;

transmitting the first GS1 databar coupon related information through a network to an ICN server for validation and redemption;

if the ICN server validates the first GS1 databar coupon related information, transmitting via the ICN server second GS1 databar coupon related information through the ICN network to a POS terminal, wherein the POS terminal transmits third GS1 databar coupon related information to the POS controller through an ICN POS bridge upon successful redemption of a coupon, wherein the third GS1 databar coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, GS1 databar coupon code of the second coupon related information, an application identifier, and retailer identification information.

22. A method as in claim 21, further comprising, if the POS terminal validates the second GS1 databar coupon related information, redeeming a corresponding GS1 databar coupon and transmitting coupon redemption information to the ICN server.

23. A method as in claim 22, further comprising when the ICN server receives the coupon redemption information, deactivating the corresponding coupon.

24. A method as in claim 23, further comprising when the ICN server storing processed coupon information corresponding to the coupon redemption information in a database and making that information available in real time as reports to a manufacturer through a web portal.

25. A method as in claim 21, further comprising the ICN server transmitting processed coupon information corresponding to the coupon redemption information to a manufacturer'"'"'s server.

26. A method as in claim 21, further comprising biometrically identifying a user the POS terminal as a part of validating.

27. A method as in claim 21, further comprising a retailer server configured to communicate with the POS terminal transmitting debit and credit information corresponding to the redeemed coupon information to a secure file transfer protocol server, wherein the secure file transfer protocol server provides an automated clearing house processing of billing information corresponding to the debit and credit information and places the processed billing information in a file, wherein the secure file transfer protocol server is configured to transmit the file to an originating financial institution.

28. A method as in claim 21, further comprising clearing the processed coupon information by debiting a promotion sponsor in an amount of coupons dispensed, intelligent clearing network rate, and retailer credit rate;

holding funds by the intelligent clearing network and storing clearing rate total debited from the promotion sponsor; and

crediting a retailer with a value of the coupons dispensed and a credit rate.

29. A method as in claim 21, wherein the coupon is one of a paper coupon and a plastic coupon.

30. A method as in claim 28, wherein clearing the processed coupon information comprises

requesting by an automated clearing house redemption data from the GS1 databar coupon processing server, wherein clearing the processed GS1 databar coupon information comprises requesting, by an automated clearing house server, redemption data from the coupon processing server, wherein the redemption data received by the automated clearing house server is reported to an originating financial institution.

31. A method as in claim 21, wherein when the universal product codes corresponding to the first coupon related information are trigger universal product codes, GS1 databar coupon related information corresponding to target universal product codes is transmitted by the ICN server to the POS terminal, wherein at least one of the target universal product codes is corresponds to a product that at least one of the trigger universal product codes corresponds to, wherein at least one of the target universal product codes corresponds to a product that none of the trigger universal product codes corresponds to.

32. A computer readable medium storing computer code for processing GS1 databar coupons across a network, comprising:

computer code configured to transfer first GS1 databar coupon related information including universal product code information from a terminal across the network;

computer code for receiving, interpreting, and comparing the first GS1 databar coupon related information at an intelligent clearing network (ICN) server;

if a GS1 databar coupon code is validated, computer code for retrieving GS1 databar coupon codes and any corresponding target universal product codes triggered by the validation of the GS1 databar coupon codes from a centralized database;

computer code configured to transmit the retrieved GS1 databar coupon codes to the terminal via the network; and

computer code configured to redeem the GS1 databar coupon codes, wherein the ICN server is configured to transmit second GS1 databar coupon related information to a point-of-sale (POS) controller via the ICN network, wherein a POS terminal is configured to transmit third GS1 databar coupon related information to the POS controller through an ICN POS data bridge upon successful redemption of a GS1 databar coupon, wherein the third GS1 databar coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, GS1 databar coupon code of the second GS1 databar coupon related information, an application identifier, and retailer identification information.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, further comprising computer code configured to notify the ICN server of successful GS1 databar paper coupon redemptions.

34. A computer readable medium storing computer code for processing coupons across an intelligent clearing network (ICN) network, comprising:

computer code for permitting a user to download and print out a GS1 databar paper coupon accessed via the world wide web, the coupon having first GS1 databar paper coupon related information;

computer code for transferring the first GS1 databar paper coupon related information including universal product code information from a terminal across the ICN network;

computer code for receiving, interpreting, and comparing the first GS1 databar paper coupon related information at an ICN server;

if a GS1 databar paper coupon code is validated, computer code for retrieving GS1 databar paper coupon codes and any corresponding target universal product codes triggered by the validation of the GS1 databar paper coupon codes from a centralized database;

computer code for transmitting the retrieved GS1 databar paper coupon codes to the terminal via the network; and

computer code for redeeming the GS1 databar paper coupon codes, wherein the ICN server transmits second GS1 databar paper coupon related information to a point-of-sale (POS) controller via the ICN network, wherein a POS terminal transmits third GS1 databar paper coupon related information to the POS controller through an ICN POS bridge upon successful redemption of a GS1 databar paper coupon, wherein the third GS1 databar paper coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, GS1 databar paper coupon code of the second coupon related information, an application identifier, and retailer identification information, further comprising computer code for notifying the ICN server of successful coupon redemptions.

35. A point of sale (POS) terminal comprising:

a first interface configured to receive information regarding a transaction to purchase at least one product;

a second interface configured to receive information from and transmit information to a retailer server;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store point of sale bridge computer code for redeeming a manufacturer first GS1 databar paper coupon contained in a promotion request message received through the second interface, the processor configured to receive information from the first interface and to receive and transmit information through the second interface and configured to execute the point of sale bridge computer code, wherein second GS1 databar paper coupon related information is received via an intelligent clearing network (ICN) network, wherein a point-of-sale (POS) terminal transmits third GS1 databar paper coupon related information to a POS controller through ICN POS bridge upon successful redemption of a GS1 databar paper coupon, wherein third the GS1 databar paper coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, GS1 coupon code of the second GS1 databar paper coupon related information, an application identifier, and retailer identification information, wherein the first interface is configured to communicate with a universal product code reading device.

36. A point of sale (POS) retailer server comprising:

a first interface configured to receive information from and transmitting information to a point of sale terminal;

a second interface configured to receive information from and transmit information to an intelligent clearing network server via a network;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store computer code for a point of sale bridge configured to format a promotion request message and send the promotion request message in real time to an intelligent clearing network server promotion redemption real time service, the processor being configured to receive and transmit first GS1 databar paper coupon related information through the first and second interfaces and configured to execute the point of sale bridge computer code, wherein the POS retailer server is configured to receive second GS1 databar paper coupon related information via an intelligent clearing network (ICN) network, wherein the POS retailer server is configured to transmit third GS1 databar paper coupon related information through ICN POS bridge computer code upon successful redemption of a GS1 databar paper coupon, wherein the first GS1 databar paper coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, an application identifier, and retailer identification information.

37. An Intelligent Clearing Network (ICN) server comprising:

a processor;

an interface configured to permit communications over a network; and

an ICN database, wherein the processor of the ICN server is configured to control the execution of an ICN promotion manager application, an ICN database application, and an ICN promotion redemption service and is configured to receive and transmit data and commands through the interface, wherein the ICN server is configured to receive first coupon related information from a point of sale (POS) controller, wherein the ICN server is configured to transmit second coupon related information to the point of sale (POS) controller via an ICN network, wherein the POS controller is configured to transmit the third coupon related information to the POS controller upon successful redemption of a GS1 databar paper coupon, wherein the third GS1 databar paper coupon related information comprises identification information from the product purchased, an application identifier, and retailer identification information.