Electronic coupon generation, distribution, reimbursement and settlement system

• US 20110106608A1
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gabriel B. Rothberg
• Original Assignee: Gabriel B. Rothberg
• Inventors: Rothberg, Gabriel B.
• Application Number:
  US12/590,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20110106608A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]

Abstract

The Electronic Coupon Generation, Distribution, Reimbursement and Settlement System is a fully integrated system that is designed to coexist with paper based coupon systems and Internet sites that generate paper coupons and as warranted replace these coupon systems.

The system is intended to be used by consumers who enroll and become active members and their representatives who initiate qualified shopping sessions at system supported point-of-sales sites.

A proprietary database management enables manufacturers (or product controllers) to provide formatted information used by the system to generate electronic coupons and distribute them to consumers at point-of-sale sites controlled by participating merchandisers located throughout the country. The system supports the immediate reimbursement of consumers and reflects the coupons generated and reimbursement earnings on the register tape for a qualified shopping trip. The system also supports all settlement between manufacturers and merchandisers and the collection of service fees related to the electronic coupons generated.

Coupon transaction history is collected for monitoring and audit purposes and appropriately selectively shared with manufacturers and merchandisers. The system uses the Internet and established secure sites to support communications and provide information and planning tools to consumers, manufacturers and merchandisers using the system. All processing, data storage and data transmissions is performed in compliance with the highly regarded data security standards established by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) for handling sensitive user information involving debit/credit card and financial transaction processing.

Claims

1. I claim as my invention the use of a proprietary integrated database management system maintained using state-of-the-art computing technology to support all processing procedures performed by the Electronic Coupon Generation, Distribution, Reimbursement and Settlement System including support of the authentication of consumers and support of the point-of-sale processing sessions including the electronic coupon generation, distribution and reimbursement processes taking place at the point-of-sale site , supporting the follow-on manufacturer/merchandiser settlement process and all subsequent monitoring, auditing and analytical procedures using transaction processing history.

2. I claim as my invention the use of a central nationally available custom Internet site to support all interactions with the Electronic Coupon Generation, Distribution, Reimbursement and Settlement System by consumer members and their representatives, merchandisers and their designated administrators, manufacturers and their designated administrators and other users requesting information;

supporting consumer membership setup and administration;

manufacturer setup, product master maintenance and electronic coupon template administration;

merchandiser point-of-sale site administration;

consumer coupon review and shopping trip planning activities; and

communications/customer service support involving all parties.

3. I claim as my invention the integration and use of access controls, security controls, monitoring processes and audit procedures to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized processing and other measures that are needed to be compliant with strict data security standards required by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard for processing sensitive consumer, manufacturer and merchandiser information used for authentication and transaction processing purposes by the Electronic Coupon Generation, Distribution, Reimbursement and Settlement System.