Electronic coupon distribution

An on-line coupon distribution system comprising:

• a host computer;
• a secured coupon data storage area within said host computer, said secured coupon data storage area containing information about available coupons which may be requested and downloaded;
• a search function area within said host computer;
• a viewer and request area within said host computer;
• a survey area within said host computer;
• a user analysis area within said host computer;
• and
• connection means, associated with said host computer and a client computer, for connecting said host computer to a client computer without any pre-authorization;
• and
• a printer coupled to the client computer whereby the potential consumer can print a desired coupon based on the downloaded coupon information, the desired printed coupon contains identifying indicia identifying the client computer,
• whereby a potential consumer using the client computer can connect to said host computer and download information about available coupons of interest.

An on-line coupon distribution system comprising:

• a client computer;
• a printer coupled to said client computer;
• a host computer;
• a modem connected between said client computer and said host computer whereby coupon information may be downloaded to said client computer;
• a secured coupon data storage area associated with said host computer, said secured coupon data storage area containing information on available coupons;
• a survey area associated with said host computer, said survey area containing information related to consumer preferences;
• a user analysis area associated with said host computer, said survey area, and said secured coupon data storage area;
• a search function area associated with said host computer, said survey area, and said secured coupon data storage area;
• a viewer and request area associated with said host computer, said search function, said survey area, and said secured coupon data storage area;
• and
• a numerical coding and encryption area associated with said host computer and said user analysis, said numerical coding and encryption area using identifying indicia of a potential consumer to code the identity of the potential consumer, the identifying indicia includes the address of said client computer and a date,
• wherein said printer prints out a paper coupon based on the coupon information downloaded from said host computer which is coded with the identifying indicia of the potential consumer for tracking purposes.