Method and system for electronic organization of coupons

• US 6,385,591 B1
• Filed: 05/11/1999
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey W. Mankoff
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey W. Mankoff
• Inventors: Mankoff, Jeffrey W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cuong H.
• Application Number:
  US09/309,989
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: G06/F 1.760, 705/1, 705/14, 705/16, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/14.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• 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 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said electronic communication link is established at a terminal located at a retail establishment.

3. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the digital file transferred to the portable computing device also includes other data transferred to the portable computing device.

4. The method as described in claim 3 wherein the other data includes a map.

5. The method as described in claim 3 wherein the other data includes a hyperlink to a provider'"'"'s web site.

6. The method as described in claim 3 wherein the other data includes reminder dates.

7. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the reminder dates are used to generate reminder messages on the portable computing device.

8. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the digital file is served from a server at which a plurality of digital files are maintained.

9. A computer-implemented method of organizing electronic coupons, comprising:

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.

10. The method as described in claim 9 wherein the digital file includes an unalterable digital representation of a coupon.

11. The method as described in claim 9 wherein the digital file is served to the PDA over a secure link.

12. The method as described in claim 9 wherein the coupon offer is associated with a given user identifier to prevent use of the coupon offer by a third party.

13. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the given user identifier is a cookie.

14. A computer-implemented method of organizing electronic coupons, comprising:

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.

15. The method of claim 14 and further comprising providing other data in said digital files in addition to said coupon offer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said other data is contact information relating to the contact information for redemption of the coupon.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said contact information comprises a hyperlink.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said database comprising a plurality of digital files is stored on an ad server and wherein said hypertext object is stored on a web server, and wherein said ad server and said web server are different physical computers.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said coupon offer further comprises category information whereby said coupon offer can be automatically organized at said client.