System and method for controlling distribution of coupons

In a system including a computer network, a plurality of customers, and a computer that sends a coupon signal in a first signal on the computer network, the first signal including a respective destination signal corresponding to a customer in the plurality of customers, a coupon processing system comprising:

• a receiver that receives the coupon signal sent in the first signal;
• a determiner that determines whether a coupon, corresponding to the coupon signal, has been previously processed;
• and
• a transmitter that conditionally transmits the coupon, if the coupon has not been previously processed.

In a system including a computer network, and a plurality of customers, a method comprising the steps, performed for a customer in the plurality of customers, of:

• sending a first signal on the computer network, the first signal including a respective destination signal corresponding to the customer, and a coupon signal;
• receiving the coupon signal;
• after the receiving step, determining whether a coupon, corresponding to the coupon signal, has been previously processed;
• and
• conditionally processing the coupon, if the coupon has not been previously processed.

A coupon system for a system including a computer network, and a plurality of customers, the coupon system comprising:

• means for sending a first signal on the computer network, the first signal including a respective destination signal corresponding to a customer in the plurality of customers, and a coupon signal;
• means for receiving the coupon signal;
• means for determining whether a coupon, corresponding to the received coupon signal, has been previously processed;
• and
• means for conditionally processing the coupon, if the coupon has not been previously processed.

In a system including a communication system, a plurality of customers, and a computer that sends a coupon signal in a first signal in the communication system, a coupon system comprising:

• a receiver that receives the coupon signal sent in the first signal;
• a determiner that uses a record for previous coupons to determine whether a coupon, corresponding to the coupon signal, has been previously processed;
• and
• a transmitter that conditionally transmits the coupon, if the coupon has not been previously processed.

In a system including a communication system, and a plurality of customers, a method comprising the steps, performed for a customer in the plurality of customers, of:

• sending a first signal in the communication system, the first signal including a coupon signal;
• receiving the coupon signal;
• after the receiving step, using a record for previous coupons to determine whether a coupon, corresponding to the coupon signal, has been previously processed;
• and
• conditionally processing the coupon, if the coupon has not been previously processed.