Wireless electronic couponing technique
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,determine to store coupon information including coupon identifiers (IDs) and promotions granting discounts;
receive one or more requests for one or more discounts from at least one mobile terminal in proximity to the apparatus;
validate the one or more requests to grant the one or more discounts to the at least one mobile terminal based, at least in part, on a comparison of the one or more discounts and the coupon information; and
determine to transmit the promotions to the mobile terminal based, at least in part, on the validated one or more requests, the granted one or more discounts, or a combination thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic couponing technique includes transferring coupon information, which may include a coupon ID (identification) to a first portable terminal and storing same therein. The portable terminal displays a representation of the transferred coupon information on a display thereof. The stored coupon information may be transferred from the portable terminal to another terminal for redemption. The stored coupon information may also be transferred from the portable terminal to another portable terminal. Various schemes may be used to transfer the coupon information including a Bluetooth low-range radio link or an optical bar code scanner scanning an optical bar code or an infrared link or a wireless link from the portable terminal. The Internet or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) may also be used in transferring the coupon information to and from the various terminals.
60 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, determine to store coupon information including coupon identifiers (IDs) and promotions granting discounts; receive one or more requests for one or more discounts from at least one mobile terminal in proximity to the apparatus; validate the one or more requests to grant the one or more discounts to the at least one mobile terminal based, at least in part, on a comparison of the one or more discounts and the coupon information; and determine to transmit the promotions to the mobile terminal based, at least in part, on the validated one or more requests, the granted one or more discounts, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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determining to store coupon information including coupon identifiers (IDs) and promotions granting discounts; receiving one or more requests for one or more discounts from at least one mobile terminal in proximity to the apparatus; validating the one or more requests to grant the one or more discounts to the at least one mobile terminal based, at least in part, on a comparison of the one or more discounts and the coupon information; and determining to transmit the promotions to the mobile terminal based, at least in part, on the validated one or more requests, the granted one or more discounts, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps:
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determining to store coupon information including coupon identifiers (IDs) and promotions granting discounts; receiving one or more requests for one or more discounts from at least one mobile terminal in proximity to the apparatus; validating the one or more requests to grant the one or more discounts to the at least one mobile terminal based, at least in part, on a comparison of the one or more discounts and the coupon information; and determining to transmit the promotions to the mobile terminal based, at least in part, on the validated one or more requests, the granted one or more discounts, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification