Coupon exchanging and check writing system
First Claim
1. A method related to coupons, comprising:
- providing at least a first conventional coupon that includes product information related to a first product;
inputting said first conventional coupon to an apparatus used in outputting at least one exchange coupon;
controlling whether an exchange coupon should be outputted by said apparatus using said inputted first conventional coupon;
outputting by said apparatus at least a first exchange coupon that includes product information related to a second product, different from said first product, said apparatus being responsive to receiving said first conventional coupon wherein outputting of said first exchange coupon depends upon at least receipt of said first conventional coupon;
purchasing said second product;
ascertaining that said second product was purchased;
redeeming, after said outputting step, said first exchange coupon and not redeeming said first conventional coupon based on said step of purchasing said second product.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic coupon exchange system is disclosed whereby the exchange system both generates and redeems coupons. Upon entering a retail sales store, consumers can exchange conventional coupons for exchange system coupons which are only applicable to the retail sales store entered. The exchange system invalidates a conventional coupon and prints an exchange system coupon for a product promoted by the coupon exchange system. Consumers are enticed to use the exchange system coupons since the coupons can be redeemed for cash via checks printed immediately upon redemption of the coupons or by having an account credited. Consumers are also enticed to use the new coupons by games and bonus prizes associated with the exchange system coupons. The exchange system redeems exchange system coupons without the use of retailer funds. Thus, retailers obtain full price for products purchased with the exchange system coupons. Data stored by the exchange system for printing an exchange system coupon can be modified remotely at substantially any time. Thus, exchange system coupons can be modified as needed to target consumers patronizing a particular retail sales store by offering exchange coupons having sufficient discounts or other enticements to motivate consumers into using the exchange system coupons.
230 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method related to coupons, comprising:
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providing at least a first conventional coupon that includes product information related to a first product; inputting said first conventional coupon to an apparatus used in outputting at least one exchange coupon; controlling whether an exchange coupon should be outputted by said apparatus using said inputted first conventional coupon; outputting by said apparatus at least a first exchange coupon that includes product information related to a second product, different from said first product, said apparatus being responsive to receiving said first conventional coupon wherein outputting of said first exchange coupon depends upon at least receipt of said first conventional coupon; purchasing said second product; ascertaining that said second product was purchased; redeeming, after said outputting step, said first exchange coupon and not redeeming said first conventional coupon based on said step of purchasing said second product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for redeeming coupons, comprising:
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providing a first coupon having first product information said first coupon including differentiation means for distinguishing said first coupon from conventional coupons that are used in obtaining discounts on purchased products; purchasing said first product from a seller thereof, the seller having a check writer system; inputting said first coupon to said check writer system; reading said first product information using said check writer system; determining whether a check for an amount should be written using said inputted first coupon, said determining step including ascertaining whether said first product was purchased from the seller; and printing a check using said check writer system for an amount based on said first product information, said check identifying a payor different from the seller of said first product. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for generating and redeeming exchange coupons, comprising:
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first means for receiving a first coupons, said first means including means for ascertaining whether said first coupon is an exchange coupon; second means responsive to said first means for generating a first exchange coupon having first product information related to a first product, said first exchange coupon including means for differentiating said first exchange coupon from a coupon that is not an exchange coupon, said first exchange coupon not being generated by said second means when said first means receives an exchange coupon, with said second means outputting said first exchange coupon in response to ascertaining that at least said first coupon was received by said first means, wherein said outputting of said first exchange coupon is dependent on said first coupon being received by said first means; third means for reading said first product information from said first exchange coupon; and fourth means responsive to said third means for redeeming said first exchange coupon but not redeeming said first coupon based on said first exchange coupon product information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for redeeming a coupon, comprising:
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input means for receiving a first coupon having first product information; scanning means for reading said first product information using said first coupon, said first product information being associated with a first product for purchasing from a seller and said first coupon including means, other than said first product information and expiration information, for indicating that said first coupon is acceptable for redemption and for determining that said first coupon is to be rejected when said means for indicating is not present; comparing means responsive to said first product information for determining whether an amount should be generated; and printing means responsive to said comparing means for providing a check in an amount based on said first product information, and in which the payor of said check amount is different from the seller of said first product. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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Specification