Method and apparatus for defining, distributing and redeeming SMS and MMS coupons

• US 8,818,842 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anuvu IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Sara Lee Ellis
• Inventors: Liu, David Wanqian
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHORNESKY, ADAM B
• Application Number:
  US13/333,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20120095814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14.1
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• 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 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows advertisers to define and distribute Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem the received coupons, where such SMS and MMS coupons are used by businesses to promote their products and services to consumers.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for advertisers to define and distribute Short Messaging Service (SMS) and/or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem received coupons, comprising the steps of:

via a computing device, providing an advertisement that is used to publicize SMS/MMS coupons and/or MMS coupons, said advertisement comprising at least an SMS/MMS dialing number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve a coupon, a coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a first SMS/MMS text message to said SMS/MMS dialing number to retrieve a coupon, wherein a consumer receives the coupon;

receiving a second SMS message sent by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon;

responsive to the second SMS message sent by the consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via an SMS/MMS-enabled device, verifying, by a computing device, validity of the coupon by cross referencing said coupon code with an identity code defined in the coupon; and

via a computing device, sending an SMS/MMS coupon to said SMS/MMS-enabled device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said sent SMS/MMS coupon and a text message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services and an authentication code for verifying authenticity of said sent coupon.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

via a computing device, providing an SMS/MMS coupon message that comprises a promotion code for an advertiser to use later in identifying a promotion when the coupon is presented via a SMS/MMS-enabled device and wherein said authentication code comprises a globally unique serial number that is used to verify authenticity of the coupon.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

via a computing device, routing all message sent to the SMS/MMS dialing number to a preconfigured processing server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an instruction for SMS/MMS messaging is shown as any of a banner on an advertisement, a call out box on said advertisement, in said advertisement as text and/or graphics, as audio instructions on how to retrieve said coupon using SMS/MMS messaging.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

via a computing device, for each SMS/MMS coupon sent to said SMS/MMS-enabled device, tracking subsequent actions in connection with each said SMS coupon and/or MMS coupon.

6. An apparatus for distributing SMS/MMS coupons, comprising:

a database comprising advertisements and at least one SMS/MMS coupon comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to a sent SMS/MMS coupon, and a text/multimedia message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services, wherein each coupon is associated with an advertisement;

a Web interface for registering said SMS/MMS coupons;

a storage element containing at least one advertisement that promotes products and services and publicizes an SMS/MMS coupon, comprising at least an SMS/MMS dialing number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve a coupon, a coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a first SMS text message to said SMS/MMS dialing number via a SMS/MMS-enabled device to retrieve a coupon;

wherein an advertisement, along with an associated coupon, is chosen from said database and is displayed in public media;

at least one SMS/MMS-enabled device for sending a message to said SMS/MMS dialing number and, responsive thereto, receiving any of an SMS and MMS coupon; and

an SMS processing server for receiving an SMS message sent to said SMS/MMS dialing number and, responsive thereto, sending a SMS/MMS coupon to an SMS/MMS-enabled device that originated said message, wherein a consumer receives the SMS/MMS coupon, receiving a second SMS message by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon, responsive to the second SMS message sent by a consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via a SMS/MMS-enabled device, via a computing device, using said coupon code to cross reference an identity code defined in an SMS and/or MMS coupon.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a processor programmed for receiving advertiser input comprising an advertisement, along with an SMS/MMS coupon, into said database through said Web interface.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a processor programmed for specifying a coupon code and a text message for the coupon for each SMS/MMS coupon responsive to advertiser input.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a processor programmed for checking and ensuring the uniqueness of a coupon code.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said advertisement is shown on a digital sign and said advertisement, along with a coupon, is transmitted electronically and displayed in real time.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a process programmed for routing an SMS/MMS text message to said SMS/MMS processing server;

wherein said SMS/MMS processing server is preconfigured to process all incoming messages to said SMS/MMS dialing number.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein when an SMS/MMS coupon message or an MMS coupon message that matches a coupon code is found in said database, said coupon message is sent to said SMS/MMS-enabled device.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising;

a process programmed for tracking subsequent actions in connection with each SMS/MMS coupon sent.

14. A method for redeeming SMS/MMS coupons, comprising the steps of:

providing an advertisement that is used to publicize SMS coupons/MMS coupons, said advertisement comprising at least an SMS/MMS dialing number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve a coupon, a coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a first SMS/MMS text message to said SMS/MMS dialing number to retrieve a coupon, wherein a consumer receives the coupon;

receiving a second SMS message sent by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon;

responsive to the second SMS message sent by the consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via an SMS/MMS-enabled device, verifying, by a computing device, validity of the coupon by cross referencing said coupon code with an identity code defined in the coupon; and

sending an SMS/MMS coupon to said SMS/MMS-enabled device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said sent SMS/MMS coupon, and a text message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services;

said consumer presenting said sent SMS/MMS coupon at point-of-purchase in a physical store via a SMS/MMS-enabled device to obtain a promotion;

said store asking for additional information necessary to obtain said promotion, said additional information comprising at least an identity code and an authentication code included in said coupon;

said store using said identity code to look up details of said promotion;

said store asking said consumer for said authentication code;

said store using said authentication code to validate authenticity of said coupon;

upon verification of said authentication code, said store providing said promotion to said consumer for products and services associated with said promotion.

15. An apparatus for advertisers to define and distribute Short Messaging Service (SMS) and/or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem received coupons, comprising:

a storage element containing at least one advertisement that is used to publicize SMS/MMS coupons;

a display element for displaying said advertisement on any of digital signs, televisions, billboards, newspapers, magazines, other printed media, and Internet Web pages, said advertisement comprising at least an SMS/MMS dialing number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve a coupon, a coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send an SMS text message to said SMS/MMS dialing number via a SMS/MMS-enabled device to retrieve a coupon;

an identity element for, responsive to an SMS message sent by a consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via said SMS/MMS-enabled device, using said coupon code to cross reference an identity code defined in an SMS/MMS coupon; and

a sending element for sending an SMS/MMS coupon to said SMS/MMS-enabled device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said SMS/MMS coupon, and a text message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a processor programmed for providing an SMS/MMS coupon message that comprises a promotion code for an advertiser to use later in identifying a promotion when the coupon is presented and an authentication code comprising a globally unique serial number that is used to verify authenticity of the coupon.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein all messages sent to the SMS/MMS dialing number are routed to a preconfigured processing server.

18. An apparatus for distributing SMS/MMS coupons, comprising:

a database comprising advertisements and any of SMS/MMS coupons comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion code associated to a particular SMS/MMS coupon and a text/multimedia message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services and MMS coupons comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon;

a Web interface for registering said SMS/MMS coupons;

a storage element containing at least one advertisement that promotes products and services and publicizes an SMS/MMS coupon, the advertisement comprising at least an SMS/MMS dialing number, the dialing number comprising a predetermined code used to retrieve a coupon, a coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send an SMS/MMS text/multimedia message to said SMS/MMS dialing number to retrieve a coupon;

wherein an advertisement, along with an associated coupon, is chosen from said database and is displayed in public media;

at least one SMS/MMS-enabled device for sending an SMS/MMS message to said SMS/MMS dialing number and, responsive thereto, receiving an SMS and MMS coupon via said at least one SMS/MMS-enabled device; and

an SMS/MMS processing server for receiving an SMS message sent to said SMS/MMS dialing number from an SMS/MMS-enabled device and, responsive thereto, sending an SMS/MMS coupon to an SMS/MMS-enabled device that originated said SMS/MMS message.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a processor programmed for storing an advertisement, along with an SMS/MMS coupon, in said database, responsive to input of said advertisement and said SMS/MMS coupon by an advertiser via said Web interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a processor programmed for receiving advertiser input comprising specification of a coupon code and a text message for each SMS/MMS coupon.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

checking and ensuring the uniqueness of a coupon code.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a processor programmed for electronically transmitting and displaying said coupon on a digital sign in real time.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a processor programmed for routing an SMS/MMS text/multimedia message to said SMS/MMS processing server;

wherein said SMS/MMS processing server is preconfigured to process all incoming messages to said SMS/MMS dialing number.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a processor programmed for sending said coupon message to said SMS/MMS-enabled device responsive to detection of an SMS/MMS coupon message that matches a coupon code in said database.

25. An apparatus for redeeming SMS/MMS coupons, comprising:

a coupon on an SMS/MMS-enabled device, the coupon presented by a consumer via said SMS/MMS-enabled device at point-of-purchase in a physical store to obtain a promotion, said SMS/MMS coupon comprising;

an advertisement that is used to publicize SMS/MMS coupons and/or MMS coupons;

said advertisement comprising at least an SMS/MMS dialing number comprising a predetermined code for retrieving a coupon, a coupon code, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a message to said SMS/MMS dialing number from a SMS/MMS-enabled device to retrieve a coupon;

a processor programmed for, responsive to a message sent by a consumer to said SMS dialing number from a SMS/MMS-enabled device, cross referencing an identity code defined in an SMS/MMS coupon using said coupon code; and

a processor programmed for sending an SMS/MMS coupon to said SMS/MMS-enabled device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said coupon and a message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services;

a data store containing additional information comprising at least an identity code and an authentication code included in said coupon;

a processor programmed for looking up details of said promotion responsive to input of said identity code by said physical store;

a processor programmed for validating for authenticity of said coupon responsive to input of said authentication code by said physical store;

a processor programmed for outputting verification of said authentication code, precedent to provision of said promotion to said consumer by said physical store for products and services associated with said promotion.

26. A computer-implemented method for advertisers to define and distribute electronic coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem received coupons, comprising the steps of:

via an device, providing an advertisement that is used to publicize electronic coupons, said advertisement comprising at least a number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve an electronic coupon, an electronic coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a first SMS/MMS text message to said SMS/MMS dialing number to retrieve a coupon, wherein a consumer receives the coupon;

receiving a second SMS message sent by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon;

responsive to the second SMS message sent by the consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via an SMS/MMS-enabled device, verifying, by a computing device, validity of the coupon by cross referencing said coupon code with an identity code defined in the coupon;

and

via an device, sending an electronic coupon to said electronic device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said sent electronic coupon and a text message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services and an authentication code for verifying authenticity of said sent electronic coupon.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

via an device, providing a coupon message that comprises a promotion code for an advertiser to use later in identifying a promotion when the electronic coupon is presented via an device and wherein said authentication code comprises a globally unique serial number that is used to verify authenticity of the electronic coupon.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein an instruction for messaging is shown as any of a banner on an advertisement, a call out box on said advertisement, in said advertisement as text and/or graphics, as audio instructions on how to retrieve said electronic coupon using messaging.

29. An apparatus for distributing electronic coupons, comprising:

a database comprising advertisements and at least one electronic coupon comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to a sent electronic coupon, and a text/multimedia message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services, wherein each electronic coupon is associated with an advertisement;

an interface for registering said electronic coupons;

a storage element containing at least one advertisement that promotes products and services and publicizes an electronic coupon, comprising at least a number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve an electronic coupon, an electronic coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a message to said dialing number via an device to retrieve an electronic coupon;

wherein an advertisement, along with an associated coupon, is chosen from said database and is displayed in public media;

at least one electronic device for sending a message to said number and, responsive thereto, receiving an electronic coupon; and

a processing server for receiving a message sent to said number and, responsive thereto, sending an electronic coupon to an device that originated said message, wherein a consumer receives the coupon;

receiving a second SMS message sent by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon;

responsive to the second SMS message sent by the consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via an SMS/MMS-enabled device, verifying, by a computing device, validity of the coupon by cross referencing said coupon code with an identity code defined in the coupon.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said advertisement is shown on a digital sign and said advertisement, along with an electronic coupon, is transmitted electronically and displayed in real time.

31. A method for redeeming electronic coupons, comprising the steps of:

providing an advertisement that is used to publicize electronic coupons, said advertisement comprising at least a number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve an electronic coupon, an electronic coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a message to said number via an device to retrieve an electronic coupon, wherein a consumer receives the coupon;

receiving a second SMS message sent by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon;

responsive to the second SMS message sent by the consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via an SMS/MMS-enabled device, verifying, by a computing device, validity of the coupon by cross referencing said coupon code with an identity code defined in the coupon

and

sending an electronic coupon to said electronic device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said sent electronic coupon, and a text message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services;

said consumer presenting said sent electronic coupon at point-of-purchase in a physical store via an device to obtain a promotion;

said store asking for additional information necessary to obtain said promotion, said additional information comprising at least an identity code and an authentication code included in said electronic coupon;

said store using said identity code to look up details of said promotion;

said store asking said consumer for said authentication code;

said store using said authentication code to validate authenticity of said electronic coupon;

upon verification of said authentication code, said store providing said promotion to said consumer for products and services associated with said promotion.

32. An apparatus for advertisers to define and distribute electronic coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem received electronic coupons, comprising:

a storage element containing at least one advertisement that is used to publicize electronic coupons;

a display element for said advertisement on any of digital signs, televisions, billboards, newspapers, magazines, other printed media, and Internet Web pages, said advertisement comprising at least a number comprising a predetermined code that is used to retrieve an electronic coupon, an electronic coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a message to said number via an device to retrieve an electronic coupon;

an identifying element for, responsive to a message sent by a consumer to said number via said electronic device, using said electronic coupon code to cross reference an identity code defined in an electronic coupon; and

a sending element for sending an electronic coupon to said electronic device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said electronic coupon, and a text message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services.

33. An apparatus for distributing electronic coupons, comprising:

a database comprising advertisements and any of electronic coupons comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion code associated to a particular electronic coupon and a text/multimedia message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services and electronic coupons comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon;

an interface for registering said electronic coupons;

a storage element containing at least one advertisement that promotes products and services and publicizes an electronic coupon, the advertisement comprising at least a number comprising a predetermined code used to retrieve an electronic coupon, an electronic coupon code, and advertising content that describes products, services, or/and promotions, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a text/multimedia message to said number to retrieve an electronic coupon;

wherein an advertisement, along with an associated electronic coupon, is chosen from said database and is displayed in public media;

at least one electronic device for sending a message to said number and, responsive thereto, receiving an electronic coupon via said at least one electronic device; and

a processing server for receiving a message sent to said number from an device and, responsive thereto, sending an electronic coupon to an device that originated said electronic message, wherein a consumer receives the coupon;

receiving a second SMS message sent by the consumer to verify that the consumer is properly receiving the coupon;

responsive to the second SMS message sent by the consumer to said SMS/MMS dialing number via an SMS/MMS-enabled device, verifying, by a computing device, validity of the coupon by cross referencing said coupon code with an identity code defined in the coupon.

34. An apparatus for redeeming electronic coupons, comprising:

an electronic coupon on an device, the electronic coupon presented by a consumer via said electronic device at point-of-purchase in a physical store to obtain a promotion, said electronic coupon comprising;

an advertisement that is used to publicize electronic coupons;

said advertisement comprising at least a number comprising a predetermined code for retrieving an electronic coupon, an electronic coupon code, said advertisement instructing consumers to send a message to said number from an device to retrieve an electronic coupon;

a processor programmed for, responsive to a message sent by a consumer to said number from an device, cross referencing an identity code defined in an electronic coupon using said electronic coupon code; and

a processor programmed for sending an electronic coupon to said electronic device comprising at least an identity code that uniquely identifies the electronic coupon and enables a merchant to look up details of a promotion associated to said electronic coupon and a message that describes details of a promotion for products and/or services;

a data store containing additional information comprising at least an identity code and an authentication code included in said electronic coupon;

a processor programmed for looking up details of said promotion responsive to input of said identity code by said physical store;

a processor programmed for validating for authenticity of said electronic coupon responsive to input of said authentication code by said physical store;

a processor programmed for outputting verification of said authentication code, precedent to provision of said promotion to said consumer by said physical store for products and services associated with said promotion.