Coupon computer and method for handling coupons

• US 4,670,853 A
• Filed: 09/04/1984
• Issued: 06/02/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyce A. Stepien
• Original Assignee: Joyce A. Stepien
• Inventors: Stepien, Joyce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Archie E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shaw, Dale M.
• Application Number:
  US06/646,848
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 364/70 S, 364/708, 364/709, 364/715, 364/900 MS File, 206/216, 206/42 S, 150/52 R, 150/131, 150/147
• US Class Current: 708/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

An apparatus for handling manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupons includes a sheet support, and at least one labeled pocket secured to said sheet support for defining files for holding and storing manufacturer'"'"'s coupons. A coupon computer is mounted on the sheet support for storing information with respect to coupons the shopper may have so that the shopper may locate the coupon and apply the same to the purchase of an article. The coupon computer includes a keyboard for entering coupon information, and a first register for storing the coupon information. Coupon information may be retrieved from the coupon computer. A method for handling manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupons including the step of typing on a keyboard of a computer which is attached to the sheet support coupon information comprising the name of the item the coupon represents, the size or brand of the item, the value of the coupon, the expiration date of the coupon, and the particular file which represents one of a plurality of pockets that are secured to the sheet support and which will hold and store the manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupon. The method additionally includes situating the manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupon in one of the plurality of pockets, entering the coupon information into a memory system of the computer, and typing on the keyboard of the computer the name of the item the coupon represents in order that the memory system may be searched to locate the coupon information.

Claims

1. A means for handling manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupons comprising

a pliable sheet support means;

at least one labeled pocket secured to said sheet support means for defining files for holding and storing manufacturer'"'"'s coupons;

a coupon computer means mounted to said sheet support means for storing information with respect to coupons the shopper may have so that the shopper may locate the coupon and apply the same to the purchase of an article;

said coupon computer means comprises a keyboard means for entering coupon information;

a first register means for storing the coupon information;

a means for retrieving the coupon information; and

a means for checking for expired or no longer needed coupon information.

2. The means for handling of claim 1 wherein said computer means additionally comprises a means for deleting from memory coupon information.

3. The means for handling of claim 2 wherein said keyboard means comprises alphabetical and numerical keys.

4. The means for handling of claim 3 wherein said computer means additionally comprises a screen means for registering the item, the size/brand of the item, and value of the coupon, the expiration date of the coupon, and the file corresponding to the labeled pocket that holds and stores the particular manufacturer'"'"'s coupon.

5. A method for handling manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupons by a shopper including the steps of:

(a) typing on a keyboard means of a computer means which is attached to a pliable sheet support means coupon information comprising the name of the item the coupon represents, the size or brand of the item, the value of the coupon, the expiration date of the coupon, and the particular file which represents one of a plurality of pockets that are secured to said sheet support means and which will hold and store the manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupons;

(b) situating the manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupon in said one of said plurality of pockets;

(c) entering said coupon information into a memory system means of said computer means;

(d) typing on said keyboard means of said computer means the name of the item the coupon represents;

(e) searching the memory system means of said computer means in order to locate said coupon information which will be displayed on a computer screen of said computer means;

(f) restoring subsequently said coupon information in said memory system of said computer means;

(g) repeating steps (a)-(f) for all discount coupons to be used;

(h) recalling from said memory system means on said computer screen coupon information for each coupon that is to be used by the shopper;

(i) checking the particular file on the computer screen which represents said one of a plurality of pockets holding the particular manufacturer'"'"'s discount coupon needed by the shopper;

(j) retrieving the coupon of step (i) from the particular file of step (i); and

(k) repeating steps (h)-(j) for each coupon that is to be used by the shopper.

6. The method of claim 5 additionally comprising deleting simultaneous to step (j) from the memory system means of said computer means the coupon information on each coupon that is used by the shopper.

7. The method of claim 6 additionally comprising checking the memory system means of said computer means for expired coupons.

8. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising deleting expired coupons from said memory system means of said computer means.