Wireless system for broadcasting, receiving, storing and selectively printing coupons and the like in a retail environment

A system for distributing packets of information to individual receiver/printer terminals at cooperating retail locations, said system including:

• means for creating said packets of information in digital format;
• means for identifying intended recipients of said packets of information;
• means for establishing a sequence of distribution of said packets of information;
• a wireless network for transmitting said packets of information to said retail locations;
• and
• a network of dedicated, standardized high-speed printer appliances at said retail locations, each of said appliances being adapted to:
• receive said transmitted packets of information from said wireless network;
• select and accept those packets of information intended for each of said receiver/printer terminals from all those received;
• process and store said accepted packets of information;
• convert said accepted packets of information into a printable format at each individual receiver/printer terminal;
• receive and process a request to print accepted packets of information at individual receiver/printer terminals;
• automatically print said accepted packets in response to said request;
• and prevent misuse and unauthorized copying of said packets of information;
• wherein said means for identifying including a database manager having a directory of all printer appliances and means for identifying those printer appliances to which each of said packets are intended to be distributed.

A method for distributing packets of information to individual receiver/printer terminals at cooperating retail locations, said method including the steps of:

• creating said packets of information in a digital format;
• transmitting said packets of information to a network of dedicated, standardized high-speed printer appliances at said retail locations over a wireless network;
• receiving said transmitted packets of information from said wireless network at accepted appliances;
• processing and storing selected packets of information from all those received;
• converting said accepted packets of information into a printable format at each individual receiver/printer terminal;
• receiving and processing a request to print said accepted packets of information at individual receiver/printer terminals;
• automatically printing said accepted packets in response to said request;
• preventing misuse and unauthorized copying of said packets of information;
• and
• detecting the removal of said printed packet from said appliance and thereafter printing an additional copy of said packet.

A method for distributing redeemable retail coupons to individuals at selected retail locations, said method including:

• creating said coupons in a digital format;
• transmitting said coupons to a network of printer appliances at said locations over a wireless network;
• selectively receiving, processing and storing said transmitted coupons at selected appliances;
• converting said coupons into a printed format for distribution to said individuals;
• and
• detecting the removal of a printed coupon from said appliance and thereafter printing an additional coupon for distribution.