INTERACTIVE MARKETING NETWORK AND PROCESS USING ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATES
First Claim
1. A method of distributing and redeeming coupons, comprising:
- receiving, at a coupon service system, instructions for issuing redeemable coupons from one or more coupon issuers;
establishing a communications link between the coupon service system and one or more remote devices communicatively coupled to one or more users;
receiving, at the coupon service system, user data from the remote devices;
enabling a remote user operating at least one of the remote devices to communicate with the coupon service system over the communications link to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the user data;
storing coupon files in a database, the coupon files containing information relating to redeemable coupons offered to and selected by the remote user; and
causing selected coupons contained in the database to be automatically redeemed when the remote user effectuates a transaction using a user identifiable card.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer'"'"'s personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. Certificate issuers have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer.
4 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A method of distributing and redeeming coupons, comprising:
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receiving, at a coupon service system, instructions for issuing redeemable coupons from one or more coupon issuers; establishing a communications link between the coupon service system and one or more remote devices communicatively coupled to one or more users; receiving, at the coupon service system, user data from the remote devices; enabling a remote user operating at least one of the remote devices to communicate with the coupon service system over the communications link to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the user data; storing coupon files in a database, the coupon files containing information relating to redeemable coupons offered to and selected by the remote user; and causing selected coupons contained in the database to be automatically redeemed when the remote user effectuates a transaction using a user identifiable card.
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Specification