Paperless system for distributing, redeeming and clearing merchandise coupons
DCFirst Claim
1. A paperless system for distributing and redeeming coupons and the like, said apparatus comprisingdisplay, selection and recording means for presenting to a customer a display of coupons, for enabling the customer to make a selection of coupons from the display, and for recording the selection, said display, selection and recording means further including means for generating a first signal identifying the customer and his/her coupon selection,identification and checkout means for identifying the customer at a store checkout station as the one who made the selection and for generating a second signal identifying items purchased in the store by the customer,matching means coupled to said display, selection and recording means and responsive to said first and second signals for determining any matches between the coupons selected and the items purchased,and means for crediting the customer in accordance with the terms of the matched coupons.
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Abstract
Cents-off merchandise coupons are distributed and redeemed immediately and electronically. An electronic display of coupons valid for use in a particular store is presented to customers in that store. When a customer makes a selection of coupons from the display, the selection is recorded. The customer is subsequently identified at a store checkout station as the one who made the selection. In a preferred embodiment, the identification is made by scanning a special card adapted for use with the system. The items purchased in the store by the customer are recorded, and any matches between the coupons selected and the items purchased are determined electronically. The customer is immediately credited in accordance with the terms of the matched coupons. Redeemed coupons are periodically cleared electronically.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A paperless system for distributing and redeeming coupons and the like, said apparatus comprising
display, selection and recording means for presenting to a customer a display of coupons, for enabling the customer to make a selection of coupons from the display, and for recording the selection, said display, selection and recording means further including means for generating a first signal identifying the customer and his/her coupon selection, identification and checkout means for identifying the customer at a store checkout station as the one who made the selection and for generating a second signal identifying items purchased in the store by the customer, matching means coupled to said display, selection and recording means and responsive to said first and second signals for determining any matches between the coupons selected and the items purchased, and means for crediting the customer in accordance with the terms of the matched coupons.
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15. A paperless system for distributing and redeeming cents-off merchandise coupons and the like, said system comprising
a central processing unit, a data entry system for entering into said central processing unit alphanumeric data relating to coupons to be distributed, an image capture system for supplying digitized image data relating to said coupons to said central processing unit, a local coupon distribution and redemption unit at a store connected to said central processing unit for receiving said alphanumeric and image data and electronically displaying and distributing coupons corresponding to said data, an electronic checkout system connected to said coupon distribution and redemption unit for receiving signals from a remote coupon selection means regarding a customer'"'"'s coupon selection and for receiving signals regarding the items purchased by said customer in said store, and card reading means cooperating with both said distribution and redemption unit and said checkout system, said distribution and redemption unit, checkout system and card reading means cooperating to issue coupons only to holders of a predetermined card and to match coupon selections of each such holder to purchases made in that store by the holder, whereby the holder is electronically credited with the value of the coupons selected in accordance with the terms of each coupon.
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25. A paperless system for distributing, redeeming and clearing coupons and the like of an issuing entity, said apparatus comprising
display, selection and recording means for presenting to a customer a display of coupons, for enabling the customer to make a selection of coupons from the display, and for recording the selection, said display, selection and recording means further including means for generating a first signal identifying the customer and his/her coupon selection, identification and checkout means for identifying the customer at a store checkout station as the one who made the selection and for generating a second signal identifying items purchased in the store by the customer, matching and crediting means coupled to said display, selection and recording means and responsive to signals received therefrom for determining any matches between the coupons selected and the items purchased and for crediting the customer in accordance with the terms of the matched coupons, and central processing means responsive to said matches for debiting said issuing entity and crediting said store with respect to said matched coupons.
Specification