System and method for distributing coupons through a system of computer networks
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of portable cards;
a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the first plurality of computers including a first computer for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product;
a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address;
means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product;
a first processor, responsive to the second signal, for sending a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; and
a second processor, spatially removed from the first processor, for receiving the card signal from the portable card.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for dispensing and redeeming the electronic discount coupons. The system includes a personal computer (PC) having hardware and software for receiving an electronic coupon from the system of computer networks, translating the received coupon into a binary format, and sending the binary-formatted coupon to a card-writing device. The card-writing device writes the coupon data onto a portable customer card ("smart card") approximately the size of a credit card. Subsequently, the customer goes to the store with the card. Upon completion of shopping, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting the card into the checkout station. During checkout, the customer is credited with the value of a coupon when UPC data from a bar code reader corresponds to a coupon stored on the card.
560 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of portable cards; a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the first plurality of computers including a first computer for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address; means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; a first processor, responsive to the second signal, for sending a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; and a second processor, spatially removed from the first processor, for receiving the card signal from the portable card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a plurality of portable cards; a store including a plurality of products and a reader for reading a card signal from one of the portable cards; a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the first plurality of computers including a first computer for sending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product in the plurality of products; a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address; means, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, for sending a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; and a processor, responsive to the second signal, for sending a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product.
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8. In a system including a plurality of portable cards;
- a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the first plurality of computers including a first computer;
a second computer network including a second plurality of computers, each having a respective second network address, a method of operating the system comprising the step, performed by the first computer, ofsending a first signal including a first network address, an inter-network address corresponding to a computer on another network, and a signal corresponding to a product, and wherein the method further comprises the step of sending, responsive to the inter-network address from the first signal, a second signal including a second network address and the signal corresponding to the product; sending, responsive to the second signal, a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards the card signal corresponding to the product; and reading the card signal from the portable card. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
- a first computer network including a first plurality of computers, each having a respective first network address, the first plurality of computers including a first computer;
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12. In a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a routing system for receiving a signal and generating network addresses in response to an inter-network address in the received signal, the routing system including a plurality of wide area communication links, a coupon system comprising:
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a first computer; and a second computer, wherein the first computer includes circuitry for sending a first signal to the routing system, the first signal including a signal corresponding to a product, and an inter-network address corresponding to the second computer, to cause the routing system to generate a plurality of network addresses, each of the plurality of network addresses corresponding to a respective computer in a respective computer network, and wherein the second computer includes circuitry for receiving the first signal, and wherein the system further includes; a first processor, responsive to the first signal received by the second computer, for sending a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; and a second processor, spatially removed from the first processor, for receiving the card signal from the portable card. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a routing system for receiving a signal and generating network addresses in response to an inter-network address in the received signal, the routing system including a plurality of wide area communication links, a method comprising:
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sending, from a first computer, a first signal to the routing system, the first signal including a signal corresponding to a product, and an inter-network address corresponding to a second computer, to cause the routing system to generate a plurality of network addresses, each of the plurality of network addresses corresponding to a respective computer in a respective computer network; receiving the first signal; sending, responsive to the first signal received in the previous step, a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; subsequently, moving the portable card; and receiving the card signal from the portable card. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. In a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a routing system for receiving a signal and generating a routing signal in response to an inter-network address in the received signal, the routing system including a plurality of wide area communication links, a coupon system comprising:
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a first computer; and a second computer, wherein the first computer includes circuitry for sending a first signal to the routing system, the first signal including a signal corresponding to a product, and an inter-network address corresponding to the second computer, to cause the routing system to generate a plurality of routing signals, each of the plurality of routing signals corresponding to a respective portion of a signal path between the first and second computers, and wherein the second computer includes circuitry for receiving the first signal, and wherein the system further includes; a first processor, responsive to the first signal received by the second computer, for sending a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; and a second processor, spatially removed from the first processor, for receiving the card signal from the portable card. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a routing system for receiving a signal and generating a routing signal in response to an inter-network address in the received signal, the routing system including a plurality of wide area communication links, a method comprising:
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sending, from a first computer, a first signal to the routing system, the first signal including a signal corresponding to a product, and an inter-network address corresponding to a second computer, to cause the routing system to generate a plurality of routing signals, each of the plurality of routing signals corresponding to a respective portion of a signal path between the first and second computers; receiving the first signal; sending, responsive to the first signal received in the previous step, a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; subsequently, moving the portable card; and receiving the card signal from the portable card. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification