PROMOTION VERIFICATION METHOD

• US 20130346191A1
• Filed: 07/29/2011
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: Amit Keiriwal, Steven Thomas Latham, Webb Morris
• Inventors: Morris, Webb, Latham, Steven Thomas, Keiriwal, Amit
• Granted Patent: US 10,163,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.47
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0248 Avoiding fraud

Abstract

A promotion verification method which is based upon locally stored information. The promotion verification method includes recording entry of a promotion code by a computer, determining a key from the promotion code by the computer, and applying the key to obtain promotion information associated with the promotion code by the computer.

Claims

1. A promotion verification method comprising:

recording entry of a promotion code by a computer;

determining a key from the promotion code by the computer; and

applying the key to obtain promotion information associated with the promotion code by the computer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

examining the promotion information for applicability by the computer.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing an indication that the promotion code is valid when the promotion information is applicable by the computer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording step comprises:

recording entry of the promotion code via a touch screen by the computer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording step comprises:

recording entry of the promotion code via a code reader by the computer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises:

determining whether the promotion code was used to create the key by the computer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises:

applying the key to decrypt a file containing the promotion information by the computer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises:

applying the key to decrypt a file containing an identifier of the promotion information by the computer; and

obtaining the promotion information using the identifier by the computer.

9. A promotion verification method comprising:

determining a promotion by a computer;

determining a promotion code by the computer;

creating an encryption key from the promotion code by the computer;

encrypting information associated with the promotion using the encryption key by the computer;

storing the key and encrypted information associated with the promotion at a transaction computer by the computer;

recording entry of the promotion code by the transaction computer;

determining the key from the promotion code by the transaction computer;

applying the key to obtain the information associated with the promotion by the transaction computer; and

determining that the promotion is applicable by the transaction computer.

10. A promotion verification method for an entertainment kiosk comprising:

receiving a key associated with a promotion code for the promotion and corresponding promotion information encrypted using the key from a host computer during a connection with the host computer by the entertainment kiosk;

storing the key and the promotion information in local storage by the entertainment kiosk;

recording entry of the promotion code by a customer during a transaction involving an entertainment item by the entertainment kiosk;

determining the key from local storage using the promotion code by the entertainment kiosk; and

applying the key to obtain the promotion information by the entertainment kiosk.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining whether the promotion is applicable to the entertainment item by the entertainment kiosk.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining whether the promotion is expired by the entertainment kiosk.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the entertainment kiosk is not connected to the host computer during the transaction.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining that the promotion is applicable by the entertainment kiosk;

displaying an indication to the customer that the promotion is applicable; and

including the promotion in the transaction by the entertainment kiosk.

15. An entertainment kiosk comprising:

a display;

communications circuitry;

a code input device;

local storage;

a processor for receiving via the communications circuitry a key associated with a promotion code for a promotion and corresponding promotion information encrypted using the key from a host computer during a connection with the host computer, for storing the key and the promotion information in the local storage, for recording entry of the promotion code by a customer during a transaction involving an entertainment item via the code input device, for determining the key from the local storage using the promotion code, and for applying the key to obtain the promotion information.

16. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is also for determining whether the promotion is applicable to the entertainment item and not expired.

17. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is not connected to the host computer via the communications circuitry during the transaction.

18. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is also for determining that the promotion is applicable, for displaying an indication to the customer that the promotion is applicable via the display, and for including the promotion in the transaction.

19. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the code input device comprises a touch sensitive overlay.

20. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the code input device comprises a barcode reader.