Mobile Communication and Coupon-Pushing System and Method

• US 20140195327A1
• Filed: 01/03/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tezhq, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tezhq, Inc.
• Inventors: Poskrobko, Jakub Tomasz, Jones, Sherri L.
• Application Number:
  US14/146,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20140195327A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

A system and method for providing discount coupons to a customer in a business establishment such as a restaurant. A control server associated with the business establishment is configured to communicate over a wireless communication link with a mobile telecomputing device, such as a smart phone, of the customer. The control server enables the customer to request services utilizing the customer'"'"'s smart phone. The control server sends the discount coupons to the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device proactively or in response to customer or waiter requests.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing discount coupons to a customer in a business establishment, the method comprising:

communicably connecting a mobile telecomputing device of the customer to a control server associated with the business establishment;

the control server providing at least one virtual service-request button on a display of the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device, wherein pressing the at least one virtual service-request button enables the customer to request services from the business establishment utilizing the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device; and

pushing the discount coupons by the control server to the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device for display thereon.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the business establishment is a restaurant, and the step of providing at least one virtual service-request button on a display of the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device includes providing a button that enables the customer to utilize the mobile telecomputing device to request service from a waiter.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of pushing the discount coupons to the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device includes proactively pushing the coupons to the mobile telecomputing device by the control server when the customer registers with the server.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of pushing the discount coupons to the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device includes proactively pushing the coupons to the mobile telecomputing device by the control server when the waiter requests the coupon.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of pushing the discount coupons to the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device includes pushing the coupons to the mobile telecomputing device by the control server in accordance with restaurant instructions.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the control server providing a page for display on the mobile telecomputing device that includes virtual buttons for requesting or redeeming the coupons.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

detecting that the customer has pressed the button for requesting coupons;

send to the mobile telecomputing device, a list of available coupons page for the restaurant;

detecting that the customer has selected an available coupon; and

storing the selected coupon in an account for the customer.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

detecting that the customer has pressed the button for redeeming coupons;

the control server notifying the waiter that the customer desires to redeem the selected coupon stored in the customer'"'"'s account;

receiving an indication from the waiter that redemption of the selected coupon is approved; and

storing an indication that the selected coupon has been redeemed.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

storing the discount coupons by the control server in an account for the customer;

determining that the customer has redeemed one of the discount coupons or the discount coupon has expired; and

removing the redeemed or expired discount coupon from the customer'"'"'s account.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

storing the discount coupons by the control server in an account for the customer;

determining that the customer has transferred one of the discount coupons to another customer; and

removing the transferred discount coupon from the customer'"'"'s account.

11. A system for providing discount coupons to a customer in a business establishment, the system comprising:

a control server associated with the business establishment; and

a wireless communication link for communicating between the control server and a mobile telecomputing device of the customer;

wherein the control server is configured to;

provide at least one virtual service-request button on a display of the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device, wherein pressing the at least one virtual service-request button enables the customer to request services from the business establishment utilizing the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device; and

push the discount coupons to the customer'"'"'s mobile telecomputing device for display thereon.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the business establishment is a restaurant, and the control server is configured to provide a virtual service-request button on the display that enables the customer to utilize the mobile telecomputing device to request service from a waiter.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control server is configured to proactively push the coupons to the mobile telecomputing device when the customer registers with the server.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control server is configured to proactively push the coupons to the mobile telecomputing device when the waiter requests the coupon.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control server is configured to push the coupons to the mobile telecomputing device in accordance with restaurant instructions.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control server is further configured to provide a page for display on the mobile telecomputing device that includes virtual buttons for requesting or redeeming the coupons.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the control server is further configured to:

detect that the customer has pressed the button for requesting coupons;

send to the mobile telecomputing device, a list of available coupons page for the restaurant;

detect that the customer has selected an available coupon; and

store the selected coupon in an account for the customer.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the control server is further configured to:

detect that the customer has pressed the button for redeeming coupons;

notify the waiter that the customer desires to redeem the selected coupon stored in the customer'"'"'s account;

receive an indication from the waiter that redemption of the selected coupon is approved; and

store an indication that the selected coupon has been redeemed.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein the control server is further configured to:

store the discount coupons in an account for the customer;

determine that the customer has redeemed one of the discount coupons or the discount coupon has expired; and

remove the redeemed or expired discount coupon from the customer'"'"'s account.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein the control server is further configured to:

store the discount coupons in an account for the customer;

determine that the customer has transferred one of the discount coupons to another customer; and

remove the transferred discount coupon from the customer'"'"'s account.