Electric couponing method and apparatus

A computer-readable memory for directing a computer to function in a particular manner when used by the computer, comprising:

• a first portion for storing coupon image data in a compressed format;
• a second portion for directing the computer to prompt a consumer to contact a coupon distributor to receive a validation code;
• a third portion for directing the computer to receive as input a validation code;
• a fourth portion for directing the computer to compare an authorization code with a stored code;
• and
• a fifth portion for directing the computer to print stored coupon images if the authorization code and stored codes match, said coupon images including a consumer code identifying the consumer, the consumer code derived from the validation code.

A system for distributing and generating and redeeming coupons and generating coupon redemption and marketing data, comprising:

• a first computer including a database comprising at least a list of consumer names and addresses for generating a package of data for a selected group of consumers from the list, the package of data including at least one coupon data;
• first transmitting means, for transmitting from the first computer the package of data to computers of the selected group of consumers from the list;
• data entry means, for entering in the first computer demographic and identification data received from a consumer from the selected group of consumers;
• second transmitting means, for transmitting from the first computer to a computer of the consumer a validation code so as to allow the computer of the consumer to generate at least one coupon from the at least one coupon data in the package of data;
• first generating means, for generating in the computer of the consumer, in response to a command input by a consumer, at least one coupon from the at least one coupon data in the package of data, the at least one coupon including at least a consumer identification number derived from the validation code;
• and
• processing means for processing the at least one coupon when the at least one coupon has been redeemed, to retrieve the at least customer identification number,
• wherein the first computer updates the database from information retrieved from the processing means indicating whether a consumer has redeemed the at least one coupon.

A series of operational steps to be performed with the aid of a computer for distributing and generating coupons, comprising the steps

• first, generating in a first computer a database comprising at least a list of consumer names and addresses,
• second, generating in the first computer a package of data for a selected group of consumers from the list, the package of data including at least one coupon data,
• third, transmitting from the first computer, the package of data to computers of the selected group of consumers from the list,
• fourth, prompting a consumer to provide demographic and identification data to the first computer,
• fifth, entering, in the first computer, demographic and identification data received from a consumer from the selected group of consumers,
• sixth, transmitting to a computer of the consumer, in response to received demographic and identification data, a validation code so as to allow the computer of the consumer to generate at least one coupon from the at least one coupon data in the package of data,
• seventh, generating in the computer of the consumer, in response to a command input by a consumer, at least one coupon from the at least one coupon data in the package of data, the at least one coupon including at least a consumer identification number derived from the validation code,
• eighth, processing, in the first computer, the at least one coupon when the at least one coupon has been redeemed, to retrieve the at least customer identification number, and
• ninth, updating, in the first computer, the database from information retrieved from said processing step to indicate whether a consumer has redeemed the at least one coupon.