Coupon validation network with storage of customer coupon data for credit on future purchases

• US 4,949,256 A
• Filed: 05/06/1988
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Sperry and Hutchinson Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David R. Humble
• Inventors: Humble, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail O.
• Application Number:
  US07/190,764
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/385, 235/487, 364/401, 364/405
• US Class Current: 705/14.17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/145 PLU-management

Abstract

A coupon validation network is disclosed for automatically processing product coupons which are presented for redemption by customers. The coupon validation network includes: a central control systems storing at least two database master files, a first file for all redeemable encoded coupons issued by all manufacturers participating in the network and a second file for all coupons redeemed by each retailer participating in the network. A plurality of local control systems for operation by one of the retailers store and at least three database local files, a first file of all the redeemable encoded coupons, a second file for all coupons redeemed by the retailer and a third file for customer coupon accounts of all validated redeemable coupons presented in advance for credit by each customer. A first coupon processing terminal for use in conjunction with an electronic sales register and the like adjusts a total purchase price to reflect all valid redeemed coupons and updates the second local database file. A second coupon processing terminal adapted for independent use by customers identifies all valid coupons presented in advance for later redemption credit. Data is transferred between the at least one central control system and the plurality of local control system. Retailers automatically process coupons presented for redemption by customers, manufacturers may conveniently reimburse retainers for the value of the redeemed coupons and customers can arrange for permanent access to their coupons without carrying them, the coupons being discardable after redemption for purchase or credit.

Claims

1. A coupon validation network, comprising:

at least one central control system, having means for maintaining at least two master files, the master files including a first file for all redeemable encoded coupons issued by all coupon issuers participating in the network and a second file for all coupons redeemed by each merchant participating in the network;

a plurality of control systems, each adapted for operation by one of the merchants and having means for maintaining at least three local information files, the local information files including a first file of all the redeemable encoded coupons, a second file for all coupons redeemed by the merchant and a third file customer coupon accounts, said customer coupon accounts storing data respecting all validated redeemable coupons presented in advance for credit by individual customers, including both coupons presented in conjunction with products presented for purchase by the customer, and also coupons presented at an earlier time to be used in conjunction with potential later purchases of corresponding products to be made by the customer, said third file forming an index of coupons applicable to said individual customer;

at least one first coupon processing terminal adapted for use in conjunction with an electronic sales register and the like and having means for effecting adjustment of a total purchase price to reflect all valid redeemed coupons and means for updating the second local database file, the at least one first coupon processing terminal including;

means for reading coupon account cards to be carried by customers, each card having encoded means uniquely identifying a coupon customer account;

means for reading encoded coupons presented for redemption;

means for validating the read coupons by comparison of each of the coupons with the local information file of redeemable coupons and with each product purchased during a transaction for ™

which the coupons have been presented;

means for comparing each of the coupons in any one of the customer coupon accounts with each product purchased during a transaction for cashing-in coupons presented in advance;

means for automatically accumulating credit values for validated coupons; and

means for preventing subsequent revalidation of validated coupons;

at least one second coupon processing terminal adapted for independent use by customers apart from specific purchases and sale transactions, and having means for identifying all valid coupons presented in advance for later redemption credit, and means for updating the third local information file; and

,

means for transferring data between the at least one central control system and the plurality of local control systems; and

,

means for updating the third local information file to delete cashed-in coupons and to add coupons which are presented, read and validated, but which do not correspond to any of the products purchased during the transaction;

said control systems and said first and second coupon processing terminals further including means for allowing merchants to read, validate and redeem coupons automatically, to accumulate data facilitating accurate calculation of full potential credit values, to enable the coupon issuers to conveniently reimburse the merchants for the value of valid coupons redeemed upon purchase of corresponding products and to provide customers a means for permanently claiming credit for their coupons without carrying them, the coupons being discardable after redemption for one of purchase and credit.

2. The coupon validated network of claim 1, further comprising means for printing a list of all validated redeemed coupons.

3. The coupon validation network of claim 1, wherein the means for storing a database file of purchased products forms part of the coupon processing terminals.

4. The coupon validation network of claim 1, wherein the means for storing a database of purchased products forms part of the electronic sales register.

5. The coupon validation network of claim 1, further comprising means for selecting between more than one coupon, including coupons presented in advance and coupons presented during the transaction, which apply to the same product.

6. The coupon validation network of claim 1, wherein the at least one second coupon processing terminal further comprises means for selectively displaying and printing information from each customer'"'"'s coupon account.