Coupon dispenser and method for generating coupons

• US 6,151,587 A
• Filed: 07/23/1998
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: In-Store Promotions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John T. Matthias
• Inventors: Matthias, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Tod R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, JAGDISH
• Application Number:
  US09/121,548
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/16, 235/383, 235/381
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

A computer implemented coupon dispensing system is provided. The computer implemented coupon dispensing system includes a display area, a memory arrangement, a processor, and a printer. The display area includes a display screen having a plurality of product identification cells for selecting a product type. The memory arrangement is configured to store information comprising product identification information, product discount information, and product location information for locating a product in a store. The processor is coupled to the memory arrangement and the display screen and is configured to process the information stored in the memory arrangement in order to generate selected product data packets including selected product identification information, selected product discount information, and selected product location information. The printer is coupled to the processor and is provided for printing coupons having selected product identification information, selected product discount information, and selected product location information. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons is provided.

Claims

1. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system comprising:

a display area comprising a display screen having a plurality of product identification cells, said plurality of product identification cells including a graphic display for identifying a product and said plurality of product identification cells provided for selecting the identified product;

a memory arrangement configured to store information comprising product identification information, product discount information, and product location information for locating a product in a store;

a processor coupled to said memory arrangement and said display screen and configured to process the information stored in the memory arrangement in order to generate selected product data packets including selected product identification information, selected product discount information and selected product location information;

printer coupled to said processor for printing coupons having selected product identification information, selected product discount information and selected product location information.

2. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises a capacitive system.

3. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises a variable resistance system.

4. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises an optical detecting system.

5. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, further comprises a keypad.

6. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 5, wherein the keypad comprises a handicap keypad.

7. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein the memory arrangement comprises a disk drive for storing information.

8. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, further comprising an additional printer coupled to said processor for printing coupons having selected product identification information, selected product discount information, and selected product location information for locating a product in a store.

9. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, further comprising a modem for providing remote access to said memory arrangement.

10. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein the memory arrangement is configured for storing information including number of signals generated for a product, date of signal generation for a product, and time of day for generating a product.

11. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein the computer implemented coupon dispensing system includes a display wall containing said display area and includes between about 50 and 150 of said product identification cells.

12. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of product identification cells comprise a button which can be depressed to generate a detectable signal.

13. A computer implemented coupon dispensing system for dispensing coupons according to claim 1, further comprising a keyboard for inputting information.

14. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons comprising steps of:

(a) generating a coupon identifying signal by providing a display screen having a plurality of product identification cells, wherein said plurality of product identification cells comprise a graphic display for identifying a product, and selecting at least one of the plurality of product identification cells to select the identified product;

(b) processing the coupon identifying signal and data provided in a memory arrangement to generate a coupon printing signal, said memory arrangement configured to store information comprising product identification information, product discount information, and product location information for locating a product in a store; and

(c) printing a coupon from a printer upon receipt of the coupon printing signal, said coupon including product identification information, product discount information, and product location information for locating a product in a store.

15. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 14, wherein the display screen comprises a capacitive system.

16. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 14, wherein the display screen comprises a variable resistance system.

17. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 14, wherein the display screen comprises an optical detecting system.

18. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 14, wherein said step of generating a coupon identifying signal comprises touching at least one of the plurality of cells.

19. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 14, further comprising a step of recording date and time information for selection of at one of the plurality of cells.

20. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 19, further comprising a step of accessing the memory arrangement via modem.

21. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of product identification cells comprise a button for depressing.

22. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons comprising steps of:

(a) providing a computer implemented coupon dispensing system comprising;

a display area comprising a display screen having a plurality of product identification cells, said plurality of product identification cells including a graphic display for identifying a product of said plurality of product identification cells provided for selecting the identified product;

a memory arrangement configured to store information comprising product identification information, product discount information, and product location information for locating a product in a store;

a processor coupled to said memory arrangement and said display screen and configured to process the information stored in the memory arrangement in order to generate selected product data packets including selected product identification information, selected product discount information and selected product location information;

printer coupled to said processor for printing coupons having selected product identification information, selected product discount information and selected product location information;

(b) selecting a product identification cell; and

(c) generating a coupon from the printer, the coupon having selected product identification information, selected product discount information and selected product location information.

23. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 22, wherein the display screen comprises a capacitive system.

24. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 22, wherein the display screen comprises a variable resistance system.

25. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 22, wherein the display screen comprises an optical detecting system.

26. A computer implemented method for dispensing coupons according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of product identification cells comprise a button which can be depressed for selecting a product identification cell.