Method and system for distributing and reconciling electronic promotions
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a plurality of consumers comprising:
- a first communications network interconnected to a plurality of first computers interfacing with said plurality of consumers;
at least one second computer connected to said first communications network, said second computer maintaining an account for each consumer, said account including a database, each consumer account accessible upon presentation of a unique key over said first communications network, said accessed account showing promotion choices of items available at least one store associated with said key, said second computer recording data of selections of said promotion choices made by said consumer over said first communications network; and
a second communications network interconnecting said second computer and at least one computer at said associated store so that said second computer and said store computer can exchange recorded selection data of promotion choices and purchase data of items at said associated store over said second communications network to reconcile said selections and purchases to credit said consumer.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a consumer through the Internet is provided. An account which is associated with a unique key is maintained for each consumer account. Access is permitted to the consumer account upon presentation of the unique key over the Internet. The consumer is presented discount or other promotional choices of items available in at least one store associated with the key, or a collection of such stores, over the Internet and the selections of the discount or promotional choices made by the consumer over the Internet are recorded. Upon purchase of items at the associated store by the consumer, such data are received, and the selections and purchases are reconciled to record a credit in the customer account. Unlike paper or electronic coupons, no consumer action other than the selection of promotions desired is required for item purchase.
678 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A system for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a plurality of consumers comprising:
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a first communications network interconnected to a plurality of first computers interfacing with said plurality of consumers; at least one second computer connected to said first communications network, said second computer maintaining an account for each consumer, said account including a database, each consumer account accessible upon presentation of a unique key over said first communications network, said accessed account showing promotion choices of items available at least one store associated with said key, said second computer recording data of selections of said promotion choices made by said consumer over said first communications network; and a second communications network interconnecting said second computer and at least one computer at said associated store so that said second computer and said store computer can exchange recorded selection data of promotion choices and purchase data of items at said associated store over said second communications network to reconcile said selections and purchases to credit said consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a plurality of consumers through a communications network, comprising:
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maintaining an account for each consumer, said account including purchasing history information of said consumer; associating each consumer account with a unique key; permitting access to said consumer account, including said consumer purchasing history information, by said consumer upon presentation of said unique key over said communications network; presenting promotion choices of items available at at least one store associated with said unique key over said communications network; recording selections of said promotion choices made by said consumer over said communications network; receiving data of purchased items by said consumer at said associated store; and reconciling said promotion choices and purchases to credit said consumer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A system for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a plurality of consumers comprising:
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a first communications network interconnected to a plurality of first computers interfacing with said plurality of consumers; at least one second computer connected to said first communications network, said second computer maintaining an account for each consumer and a database of items for promotion to said plurality of said consumers, each consumer account accessible upon presentation of a unique key over said first communications network, said accessed account showing promotion choices of items available at least one store associated with said key, said second computer recording data of selections of said promotion choices made by said consumer over said first communications network; a second communications network interconnecting said second computer and at least one computer at said associated store so that said second computer and said store computer can exchange recorded selection data of promotion choices and purchase data of items at said associated store over said second communications network to reconcile said selections and purchases to credit said consumer; and a third communications network interconnecting said second computer and at least one computer at a promoter of an item, said third communications network carrying data of said item from said promoter computer for insertion into said database of items for promotion in said second computer. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54)
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55. A method for distributing and redeeming electronic promotions to a plurality of consumers through a communications network, comprising:
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maintaining an account for each consumer; associating each consumer account with a unique key; permitting access to said consumer account upon presentation of said unique key over said communications network; presenting promotion choices of items available at at least one store associated with said unique key over said communications network; recording selections of said promotion choices made by said consumer over said communications network; inferring one or more associated stores where purchase is likely to occur by said consumer; sending data of said recorded selections to said one or more associated stores within a preselected time limit after said recording selection step so that said data is sent prior to purchase of items by said consumer at one of said associated stores; receiving data of purchased items by said consumer at said one associated store; and reconciling said selections and purchases to credit said consumer. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification