Method and system for electronic organization of coupons
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of organizing electronic coupons, comprising:
- displaying on a client a Web page having a clickable graphic;
in response to selection of the clickable graphic by a user at said client, receiving a digital file at the client, said digital file including a coupon offer;
transferring the digital file from the client to a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is operable to extract a plurality of said coupon offers from a plurality of said digital files and to organize said plurality of said coupon offers;
upon a request by a user, displaying images representative of said coupon offers on said portable computing device; and
establishing an electronic communication link between said portable computing device and a merchant computer, whereby at least one of said coupon offers can be presented to said merchant computer for redemption.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic or “virtual” coupon is obtained when a user selects a given link in a Web page being displayed on a client machine. Preferably, the link is an image link embedded in an advertising banner that is displayed on the Web page such that user click-through on the banner automatically generates the virtual coupon. The virtual coupon is then saved to a file on the client machine. Thereafter, the virtual coupon is downloaded to a PDA via a communication link when the PDA is synchronized to the desktop. When the virtual coupon is downloaded to the PDA, it is automatically saved in a coupon file. In addition, contact information associated with the coupon provider (e.g., address and e-mail information) is automatically written to the PDA contact file. Moreover, the coupon'"'"'s expiration date is stored in PDA'"'"'s calendar, together with information for generating one or more redemption remainders that are periodically issued to the PDA user when the device is powered on. When the user desires to redeem the coupon, he or she may take the PDA to a terminal located at a retail establishment. By synchronizing the PDA to the terminal, the virtual coupon is redeemed in exchange for a discount on a given product or service.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of organizing electronic coupons, comprising:
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displaying on a client a Web page having a clickable graphic;
in response to selection of the clickable graphic by a user at said client, receiving a digital file at the client, said digital file including a coupon offer;
transferring the digital file from the client to a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is operable to extract a plurality of said coupon offers from a plurality of said digital files and to organize said plurality of said coupon offers;
upon a request by a user, displaying images representative of said coupon offers on said portable computing device; and
establishing an electronic communication link between said portable computing device and a merchant computer, whereby at least one of said coupon offers can be presented to said merchant computer for redemption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented method of organizing electronic coupons, comprising:
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displaying on a portable digital assistant (PDA) information including a link;
in response to selection of the link by a user of said PDA, receiving a digital file at the PDA, the digital file including a coupon offer, contact information, and an expiration date, wherein said portable computing device is operable to extract a plurality of said coupon offers from a plurality of said digital files and to organize said plurality of said coupon offers, contact information, and expiration dates;
storing the coupon offer and saving the contact information in a contact database in the PDA;
upon a request by said user, displaying images representative of said coupon offers on said portable computing device; and
establishing an electronic communication link between said portable computing device and a merchant computer, whereby at least one of said coupon offers can be presented to said merchant computer for redemption. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-implemented method of organizing electronic coupons, comprising:
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building a database comprising a plurality of digital files, said digital files each comprising a coupon offer;
providing a hypertext object on a web server, said hypertext object comprising a hypertext link associated with one of said digital files of said database;
transmitting said hypertext object to a client upon a request from said client, whereby said client can display a web page comprising a clickable graphic associated with said hypertext link; and
in response to selection of said clickable graphic by a user at said client, serving at least one of said digital files to said client, said at least one digital file including said coupon offer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification