Method and apparatus for providing and monitoring coupons via a network
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- determining a target audience of one or more users of devices coupled to a network, wherein the target audience is determined based on one or more preferences of the users stored in the respective users'"'"' devices; and
providing a coupon to the target audience determined, wherein each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times, wherein providing a coupon to the target audience further comprises;
determining a subset of users of the network based on a preference profile;
delivering one or more coupons to the subset of users; and
monitoring redemption of the one or more coupons such that each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for targeting specific audiences for coupon distribution. In one embodiment, users of an entertainment network are monitored to determine specific preferences. Alternatively, the users may be surveyed to determine preferences. A preference profile is determined based on the preferences. Coupons are distributed only to the users that fit a coupon distributor'"'"'s chosen preference profile. The coupons may be delivered in a variety of ways. For example, coupons may be downloaded to a user'"'"'s system automatically or on demand. Alternatively, coupons may be mailed to the user automatically or on demand. The coupons may then be redeemed by the user. Coupons are provided and monitored such that each coupon may be redeemed a predetermined number of times.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining a target audience of one or more users of devices coupled to a network, wherein the target audience is determined based on one or more preferences of the users stored in the respective users'"'"' devices; and providing a coupon to the target audience determined, wherein each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times, wherein providing a coupon to the target audience further comprises; determining a subset of users of the network based on a preference profile; delivering one or more coupons to the subset of users; and monitoring redemption of the one or more coupons such that each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for providing coupons to a device coupled to a network comprising:
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means for determining a target audience of one or more users of devices coupled to the network, wherein the target audience is determined based on one or more preferences of respective users stored in the respective client devices; and means for providing a coupon to the target audience, wherein each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times, wherein means for providing a coupon to the target audience further comprises; means for determining a subset of users of the network based on a preference profile; means for delivering one or more coupons to the subset of users; and means for monitoring redemption of the one or more coupons such that each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A machine readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause an electronic device to:
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determine a target audience of one or more users of devices coupled to the network, wherein the target audience is determined based on one or more preferences of respective users stored in the respective client devices; and provide a coupon to the target audience, wherein each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times, wherein the sequences of instructions that cause the electronic device to provide a coupon to the target audience further comprises sequences of instructions that, when executed, cause the electronic device to; determine a subset of users of the network based on a preference profile; deliver one or more coupons to the subset of users; and monitor redemption of the one or more coupons such that each coupon may be used a predetermined number of times. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification