Interactive marketing network and process using electronic certificates

• US 8,050,969 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: News America Marketing Properties LLC (News Corporation)
• Original Assignee: News America Marketing Properties LLC (News Corporation)
• Inventors: Levin, Hillel, Barbour, James A., Schornberg, Albert, Anderson, Bradley A., Gentry, Gary D., Golden, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alvarez; Raquel
• Application Number:
  US12/157,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20080288353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/10, 705/14.1, 705/14.33, 705/14.38, 705/14.49, 705/14.67, 705/14.73, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/14.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0457 the tickets being sent electronically
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/38215 Use of certificates or encrypted proofs of transaction rights
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• 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 data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer'"'"'s personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection. Certificate issuers also have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer.

Claims

1. A method of distributing and redeeming coupons, comprising:

receiving, at a coupon service system, instructions for issuing redeemable coupons from one or more coupon issuers;

establishing a communications link between the coupon service system and one or more remote devices communicatively coupled to one or more users;

receiving, at the coupon service system, user data from the remote devices;

enabling a remote user operating at least one of the remote devices to communicate with the coupon service system over the communications link to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the user data;

storing coupon files in a database, the coupon files containing information relating to redeemable coupons offered to and selected by the remote user; and

causing selected coupons contained in the database to be automatically redeemed when the remote user effectuates a transaction using a user identifiable card.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a cellular communications link to execute at least one of enabling the remote user to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons, transmitting the coupon files for storage at the database, or redeeming the selected coupons contained in the database.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a satellite communications link to execute at least one of enabling the remote user to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons, transmitting the coupon files for storage at the database, or redeeming the selected coupons contained in the database.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a cable communications link to execute at least one of enabling the remote user to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons, transmitting the coupon files for storage at the database, or redeeming the selected coupons contained in the database.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving, at the coupon service system, user data that includes user demographics or behavioral patterns; and

enabling remote user access to one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the user demographics or behavioral patterns.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving, at the coupon service system, user data that includes regional demographic data; and

enabling remote user access to one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the regional demographic data.

7. A method of distributing and redeeming coupons, comprising:

receiving, at a coupon service system, instructions for issuing redeemable coupons from one or more coupon issuers;

establishing a communications link between the coupon service system and one or more remote devices communicatively coupled to one or more users;

receiving, at the coupon service system, user data from the remote devices;

enabling a remote user operating at least one of the remote devices to communicate with the coupon service system over the communications link to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the user data including user demographics or behavioral patterns;

storing coupon files in a database, the coupon files containing information relating to redeemable coupons offered to and selected by the remote user; and

causing selected coupons contained in the database to be automatically redeemed when the remote user effectuates a transaction using a user identifiable card.

8. A system for distributing and redeeming coupons, comprising:

a coupon service system operable to receive instructions for issuing redeemable coupons from one or more coupon issuers, and operable to receive user data from one or more remote devices communicatively coupled to one or more users;

a communications link providing communications amongst at least two of the coupon service system, the coupon issuers, or the remote devices;

a first remote device from the plurality of devices operable to enable a remote user to communicate with the coupon service system to access one or more selective offers for redeemable coupons based on the user data; and

a database storing coupon files containing information relating to redeemable coupons offered to and selected by the remote user, wherein the database is operably coupled to at least one of the remote devices to permit selected coupons contained in the database to be automatically redeemed when the remote user effectuates a transaction using a user identifiable card.