Universal electronic coupon card
AssigneeIt Card Holdings, LLC
InventorRussell N. Ferguson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to consumer coupons, and more specifically to an electronic coupon card and system for managing coupon distribution and redemption. The instant invention provides a system and method of securely managing an electronic coupon database which implements and manages discounts for customers without requiring the customer to actively seek out, download and/or print the coupon. Additionally, the instant invention provides a system and method for managing electronic coupon discounts and payments to retailers for redeeming electronic coupons.
Claims20
A method of electronically distributing coupons to consumers including the steps of:
- providing a coupon card to a consumer, said coupon card having electronic data storage thereon;
- presenting said coupon card at a point of sale;
- providing a system server, said system server having an electronic database of coupons thereon, said system server being remote from said point of sale;
- providing a reader for interpreting said electronic data storage at said point of sale;
- scanning a list of products to be purchased;
- providing an electrical communication between said system server and said point of sale;
- providing a search engine for searching said electronic database of coupons for comparison to said list of products to be purchased at said point of sale;
- returning a list of coupons related to said list of products to be purchased;
- applying said list of coupons to a purchase price of said list of products to be purchased.
A method of electronically distributing coupons to consumers including the steps of:
- providing a coupon card to a consumer, said coupon card having electronic data storage thereon;
- presenting said coupon card at a point of sale;
- providing a system server, said system server having an electronic database of coupons thereon, said system server being remote from said point of sale;
- providing a reader for interpreting said electronic data storage at said point of sale;
- scanning a list of products to be purchased;
- providing an electrical communication between said system server and said point of sale;
- providing a search engine for searching said electronic database of coupons for comparison to said list of products to be purchased at said point of sale;
- returning a list of coupons related to said list of products to be purchased;
- applying said list of coupons to a purchase price of said list of products to be purchased;
- compiling a list of coupons utilized across multiple points of sale in said system server;
- compiling a list of point of sale companies where said coupons were redeemed;
- distributing said list of coupons redeemed and said list of point of sale companies to originators of said coupons, whereby an electronic transfer of funds commensurate to the value of said coupons utilized is initiated to said point of sale companies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.