METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ELECTRONIC COUPONS
First Claim
1. A method for applying an electronic coupon, the method comprising:
- sending an electronic coupon from a server to a consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device upon a request by the consumer;
receiving by the server from the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon, the verification request containing a merchant identifier and a characteristic of the consumer;
verifying the verification request and sending a verification result to the mobile electronic device to allow redemption of the coupon by the merchant; and
storing at the server the verification request for future coupon processing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and a system for managing electronic coupons utilize a merchant identifier and a consumer characteristic, and package such information into a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon as a form of receipt or proof of redemption. The server sends an electronic coupon to the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device upon request. During a purchase, the consumer presents the electronic coupon to the merchant, and receives a merchant identifier. The merchant identifier and a consumer characteristic are included into a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon and sent to the server. The server verifies the verification request according to the information contained therein to allow the redemption of the coupon, and stores the verification information for future coupon processing.
38 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for applying an electronic coupon, the method comprising:
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sending an electronic coupon from a server to a consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device upon a request by the consumer; receiving by the server from the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon, the verification request containing a merchant identifier and a characteristic of the consumer; verifying the verification request and sending a verification result to the mobile electronic device to allow redemption of the coupon by the merchant; and storing at the server the verification request for future coupon processing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for applying an electronic coupon, the method comprising:
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receiving an electronic coupon from a server at a consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device; receiving at the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device a merchant identifier; sending to the server from the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon, the verification request containing the merchant identifier and a consumer characteristic; and receiving from the server a notice indicating a verification result. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A server system adapted for managing electronic coupons, the server system comprising at least one server computer which has a processor, a data storage, and communication means, the server system being programmed to perform the following acts:
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sending an electronic coupon to a consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device; receiving from the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon, the verification request containing a merchant identifier and a consumer characteristic; verifying the verification request for redemption; and storing the verification request for future coupon processing.
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20. A downloadable software application package stored on one or more computer readable media, the software application package including a plurality of instructions that, when installed on a mobile electronic device and executed by a processor through user interaction, causes the mobile electronic device to:
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receiving an electronic coupon from a server; receiving a merchant identifier; sending to the server a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon, the verification request containing the merchant identifier and a consumer characteristic; and receiving from the server a notice indicating a verification result.
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21. A system adapted for managing electronic coupons, the system comprising:
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a coupon server system including at least one server computer which has a processor, a data storage, and communication means; and a software application package downloadable to a mobile electronic device communicating to the coupon server system through a wireless network, wherein the coupon server system is programmed to send an electronic coupon to the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device, receive from the consumer'"'"'s mobile electronic device a verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon containing a merchant identifier and a consumer characteristic, verify the verification request, and store the verification request for future coupon processing, and wherein the downloadable software application package including a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the mobile electronic device through user interaction, causes the mobile electronic device to receive the electronic coupon from the coupon server system, receive the merchant identifier from a merchant, send to the coupon server system the verification request for redemption of the electronic coupon, and receive from the coupon server system a notice indicating a verification result.
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Specification