U.S. patent application number 10/937829 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for system, method and apparatus for coupon processing and booklet.
Invention is credited to Dixon, Merritt W. III, McCreary, James B..
Application Number | 20050029798 10/937829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22195892 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050029798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dixon, Merritt W. III ; et
al. |
February 10, 2005 |
System, method and apparatus for coupon processing and booklet
Abstract
A coupon manager is provided including a front end, back end and
a central processor for facilitating the processing and settlement
of coupons. The coupons are received from customers at the front
end which may include a cashier register. The cashier scans a bar
code on the coupons and the scanned information may be supplied to
the back end. The received coupons are delivered to the back end
for imaging and processing. The back end determines whether the
coupons are valid. Valid coupons are destroyed and sent to a
destruction bin, and invalid coupons may be sent to one of a number
of other bins. The processed information is forwarded to the
central processor which collates the information from a number of
stores and reports the information to manufacturers for settlement.
The present invention also provides a booklet having a listing of
discounted items identifiable by a single bar code. The items may
be arranged by types of goods or manufacturers and/or in
alphabetical order so as to facilitate the use thereof by a
customer. The booklet may be useable by itself or with coupon
manager.
Inventors: |
Dixon, Merritt W. III;
(Savannah, GA) ; McCreary, James B.; (Stamford,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG LLP
745 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
22195892 |
Appl. No.: |
10/937829 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10937829 |
Sep 9, 2004 |
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10620050 |
Jul 15, 2003 |
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10620050 |
Jul 15, 2003 |
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10236673 |
Sep 6, 2002 |
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10236673 |
Sep 6, 2002 |
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09976234 |
Oct 12, 2001 |
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09976234 |
Oct 12, 2001 |
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09314584 |
May 18, 1999 |
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6328339 |
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60086045 |
May 19, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
283/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/20 20130101;
G06Q 20/202 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; B42D 15/00 20130101;
G06Q 30/0223 20130101; B42D 1/009 20130101; G06Q 30/0633 20130101;
G06Q 20/387 20130101; G06Q 30/0225 20130101; G07G 1/0036 20130101;
B42D 1/005 20130101; G06Q 30/0238 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
283/052 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
1. A coupon booklet for use by a customer at a number of stores,
said booklet comprising: a front cover and a back cover having a
common edge; a number of pages each coupled to said common edge; a
listing of a plurality of items entitled to discounts; and a single
bar code identifying said plurality of items; wherein said front
and back covers and said number of pages are coupled to said common
edge such that said front and back cover and said number of pages
are openable and closeable in a book-like manner.
2. The booklet according to claim 1, further comprising a table of
contents which identifies types of items set forth in said
listing.
3. The booklet according to claim 1, wherein said listing is
arranged in index form.
4. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form
includes having said plurality of items arranged
alphabetically.
5. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form
includes having said plurality of items arranged according to food
or product groups.
6. The booklet according to claim 5, wherein each group includes
sub-headings arranged according to a brand of a respective item or
items.
7. The booklet according to claim 6, wherein said sub-headings of
each brand is further sub-divided by item.
8. The booklet according to claim 4, wherein an indicator of a
respective group is provided adjacent to the respective group.
9. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form
includes having said plurality of items arranged according to
price.
10. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form
includes having said plurality of items arranged according to
manufacturers.
11. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said listing arranged
in said index form indicates a credit for each item which is
receivable upon purchase thereof and wherein said credit is
applicable to a future transaction unrelated to a present
transaction.
12. The booklet according to claim 11, wherein said credit is
applied to any of a number of accounts of said customer.
13. The booklet according to claim 11, wherein one of said accounts
is a holiday savings account.
14. The booklet according to claim 12, wherein one of said accounts
is a vacation savings account.
15. The booklet according to claim 11, wherein one of said accounts
is a tuition savings account.
16. The booklet according to claim 12, wherein one of said accounts
is an interest-bearing account.
17. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form is
color-coded.
18. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form is
color-coded in accordance with a type of said plurality of
items.
19. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein the index form is
color-coded according to a food or product group of said plurality
of items.
20. The booklet according to claim 3, wherein said index form
includes at least one miniature picture of a respective item
entitled to a discount which is postitioned proximate the listing
of said respective item.
21-35. (Cancelled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application is based on the copending provisional
application (U.S. Ser. No. 60/086,045) filed May 19, 1998 which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present invention relates to a system, method and
apparatus for processing coupons and more particularly to a system,
method and apparatus for facilitating the verification and
settlement of coupons. The present invention relates to a booklet
and a system therefor for processing information relating to
discounts of items listed therein.
[0003] Coupons are used by a large number of people to obtain
discounts on a variety of products, such as food items. Such
coupons may be presented to a retailer by a customer at the time of
sale. The retailer may send the coupons to a clearinghouse which is
operated by a clearinghouse corporation where valid coupons are
identified. The valid coupons are sent to the manufacturer who
redeems the retailer for the discount.
[0004] Retailers are typically short-changed by accepting coupons.
To explain, retailers essentially lose money on each discounted
item and count on being redeemed. Unfortunately, the clearinghouse
all too often mishandles the coupons which leaves the retailers
unreimbursed. When it is considered that retailers accept volumes
of coupons each week, it will be immediately recognized that lost
income due to coupon-mishandling costs the retail industry huge
sums each year.
[0005] Manufacturers often lose money when, for example, the
cashier or the store submits more coupons than entitled. Sometimes
this is done intentionally in order to defraud the manufacturer.
Worse, by the time the manufacturer discovers the fraud the culprit
has long absconded.
[0006] Consumers find coupons to be more hassle than their worth.
Detached or detachable coupons are unkempt and clutters one's
pockets or pocket book. Moreover, coupons are unorganized and it is
difficult to find the desired coupon when needed such as when
checking out. The disorganized nature of coupons also makes it
difficult to keep track of valid coupons such as coupons which have
not expired.
[0007] What is needed is a system which facilitates the
verification and settlement of coupons.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique
which facilitates processing of coupons for a plurality of
stores.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
coupon manager system operable for use with a plurality of stores
and having a central processor and a number of front ends and a
back end apparatus for each store.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
coupon manager system as aforesaid wherein the central processor
provides an information useable for auditing purposes.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
booklet having a plurality of items with information identifiable
with a single bar code.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
system for processing the booklet.
[0013] In accordance with the foregoing objects, there is provided
a coupon manager system for processing coupons in a predetermined
manner. The predetermined manner in at least one embodiment
determines a redemption value of the coupons. In one aspect of the
present invention, the coupon manager system includes a front end
cash register at the point of sale, a back end for processing the
coupons received and a central processing computer for receiving
and collating the processed coupon information. The central
processing computer may collate the coupon information from a
plurality of retail stores and send reports to manufacturers. The
central processing computer may function as an auditing system
which maintains account balances of redemption values owed and
paid.
[0014] The back end which may be operated independently as an
apparatus includes in at least one embodiment an image scanner for
imaging the coupons. A central processing unit determines the
validity of the coupons based on matching coupons with transactions
and/or manufacturers. In one aspect of the present invention, the
back end apparatus destroys the valid coupons. The back end
apparatus may include one or more bins for receiving the processed
coupons including a destruction bin for receiving the destroyed
coupons, a non-participating bin for receiving coupons of
manufacturers not participating in the coupon manager service, an
exception bin for receiving coupons of an anomalous nature such as
coupons which cannot be assigned to a transaction or manufacturer
and a future bin reserved for future applications.
[0015] A booklet of the present invention includes front and back
covers and pages. A listing is provided which lists the product
discounts. A single bar code is provided for a plurality of items
to be discounted. In at least one embodiment, the listing of the
booklet is an index or a table-of-contents: The index may be
organized according to any number of categories including the type
of product, price and manufacturer. The booklet may be color coded
for ease of access. In addition, the booklet may include additional
information such as coupon advertisements, sweepstakes or cash
prizes. The booklet may include any type of coupon, rebate or other
form of redemption including a credit which is credited to a credit
account. The booklet may be incorporated in an integrated system or
utilized independent of the coupon manager system such as in a
non-integrated system.
[0016] Other objects, features and advantages according to the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components
are identified by the same reference numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the coupon manager system according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2A and B are diagrams to which reference will be made
in explaining drawings of the coupon manager system of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. 3A-3I are diagrams to which reference will be made in
explaining drawings of the coupon manager system of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 4A-4C are diagrams to which reference will be made in
explaining drawings of the coupon manager system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5A and B are diagrams of the system for processing the
booklet of the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate an example of the booklet of the
present invention; and
[0023] FIGS. 7A-7G illustrate an example of the booklet of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The coupon manager system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a
front end 102, a back end 104 and a central processor 106 for
processing coupons. The front end 102 receives coupons in exchange
for goods purchased at a discount. The back end apparatus 104
processes the coupons in a predetermined manner. The central
processor 106 receives the processing information relating to the
coupons from a number of back end units located at a number of
stores. The central processor 106 collates the information and
forwards the same either electronically or otherwise to the
appropriate manufacturer(s) 108. Thus, the present invention
advantageously replaces the clearinghouse with a coupon manager
system which facilitates the verification and settlement of
coupons.
[0025] The front end 102 may be situated at the point of sale of a
retail store which comprises a number of cash registers each
operated by a cashier. Each cash register may include a bar code
reader 103 such as an in-lane scanner which uses an optical system
such as a laser for reading bar codes which may be located on the
coupons. The bar code scanner may scan universal product codes,
coupon prefixes (5 or 99), company codes, family codes, value codes
and/or check digit codes. The cashier operates the bar code scanner
by scanning the bar code on the coupon. The transaction is
electronically recorded by the cash register and forwarded thereby
to the back end apparatus 104. Data of the bar code may be
forwarded to the back end apparatus. In addition, the cashier may
enter an override on a keypad which inputs transactional
information of a discount relating to a coupon which cannot be read
by the bar code scanner. Other information such as the cashier
identification which identifies the cashier may be entered at the
cash register and forwarded to the back end apparatus for
processing with the coupons.
[0026] The back end apparatus 104 receives the coupons at an input
110 which may be a hopper or receptacle for receiving the coupons.
The hopper may shuffle the coupons by mechanical, vibration or air
operation by the use of air jets, suction cups and so forth to a
scanner 112.
[0027] The scanner 112 which may be controlled by the central
processing unit 114 (CPU) scans each coupon received from the input
110 so as to obtain an image of one or both sides of the coupon. In
at least one embodiment, the scanner obtains an image by, for
example, use of photo-optics. The scanner 112 may be a grey scale
scanner which encodes the colors of the coupon using either shades
of grey or numerical codes. The scanner 112 is preferably a digital
type scanner which obtains digital signals. Alternatively, an
analog type scanner may be utilized. In at least one embodiment,
the central processing unit 114 digitally pre-processes the digital
image of the coupon by removing imperfections therefrom by use of
imaging techniques. Such digital processing may significantly
improve the accuracy of detecting the bar code as compared to the
in-lane reader. It will be immediately appreciated that the
improved accuracy advantageously reduces the number of coupons
erroneously rejected due to a misreading of the coupon.
[0028] All or a portion of the digital image of the coupon may be
stored in a memory 116 of the back-end apparatus 104. The central
processing unit 114 may store in the memory 116 or any other
suitable recording medium the coupon images for a predetermined
amount of time such as 90 or 180 days for purposes of maintaining a
record of the image. Advantageously, manufacturers will appreciate
that the image records provide a paperless confirmation of the
redemption process which may be used as an integrity check to
reassure the manufacturer.
[0029] A coupon may have a universal product code (UPC) or an
expanded bar code. The universal product code (UPC) may be
sufficient for identifying products and prices or discounts.
However, the UPC may provide little, if any, additional information
some of which may be useful as marketing data. On the other hand,
the expanded bar code may provide information for identifying the
product and its price or discount and may also provide additional
information such as a company code, a family code, a value code, a
check digit code and other information useful as marketing data.
Until now, retailers and manufacturers were content with UPC mainly
because the UPC is the universally-accepted standard. In addition,
the excessive cost of specialized scanners which read expanded bar
codes has dissuaded retailers. The digitization of the bar code
image as prescribed by the present invention allows the expanded
bar code image to be analyzed digitally by the central processing
unit 114 thereby obviating the need for specialized scanners.
[0030] The predetermined manner in which the central processing
unit 114 processes the coupons may determine which coupons are
redeemable by the manufacturer. In addition, or in the alternative,
the predetermined manner processes the coupons to determine
marketing information including, for example, information
indicating the family or household from which the coupon is
submitted or the name of the company or manufacturer. The
information produced may be either a complete database of
information or a summary of information relating to the coupons.
The present invention may provide truncated information
representing a subset of information such as a subset of stored
images which is sent to the manufacturer as an integrity check
representing the credibility of the summary information. The
information produced may be coupled to the digital images of the
coupons such that a combined database of information and related
images is formed. The information may be printed by a local printer
(not shown) or transferred either electronically or otherwise to
the central processing system 106.
[0031] In determining which coupons are redeemable by the
manufacturer, the central processing unit 114 validates each
coupon. The central processing unit 114 may also determine whether
the manufacturer is valid. Validity may be determined by matching
the coupon as identified by the bar code to a transaction with
reference to information stored, for example, in the memory 116
which may be preloaded from any suitable means including a
recordable medium or downloaded automatically from sources such as
the central processing system 106 or an on-line source such as the
internet.
[0032] When the central processing unit 114 determines that a
coupon is valid for redemption, the coupon is directed to a coupon
destroyer 120 which destroys or physically alters the coupon to
indicate that the coupon is not to be reused. The coupon destroyer
120 may destroy the coupons by spraying a liquid such as indelible
ink or dye on the coupon, imparting a physical abrasion on the
coupon or burning the coupon by directing a laser thereon. In at
least one embodiment, the coupon is left substantially intact such
that the coupon can later be identified after destruction for
purposes of auditing. The coupon destroyer 120 may cut, shred or
obliterate the coupon entirely. In addition, the coupon destroyer
may be a spinning wheel(s) which may include a hub and spokes which
perforate the coupon as the wheel(s) spins. The destroyed coupons
are collected in a destruction bin or basket 122 whereby, in at
least one embodiment, the destroyed coupons are arranged in an
orderly manner and may be categorized according to product or
manufacturer by means operated by the central processing unit 114.
The destroyed coupons may be subsequently sent to the respective
manufacturer with a report.
[0033] Coupons which are determined by the central processing unit
114 as originating from manufacturers who are not participants in
the coupon manager system are directed to a non-participating
coupon basket or bin 124. Coupons which have expired according to
an expiration date may also be sent by the central processing unit
114 to the non-participating coupon basket 124. When the central
processing unit 114 identifies an anomaly in processing a
particular coupon, the anomalous coupon is directed to an exception
basket or bin 126. The CPU 114 determines an anomaly, for example,
when the number of coupons as counted by a counter 118 does not
match the number of transactions for the coupons. A future
applications basket or bin 128 is provided which is reserved for
future applications such as for receiving those coupons which
cannot be read either by the scanner 112 or the central processing
unit 114.
[0034] The central processing unit 114 may detect local coupons
which are redeemed by the retailer or a local company other than
the manufacturer and directs the local coupons to, for example, the
non-participating coupon basket 124. Hard to handle coupons such as
"buy-one get-one-free up to a predetermined price" are directed by
the central processing unit 114 to, for example, the future
application's basket 128.
[0035] A keypad 129 may be provided for entering information such
as the identification number of the operator or cashier. A display
131 may be provided for displaying the operations or information
relating to the result of processing by the back end apparatus
104.
[0036] The central processing unit 114 may arbitrarily assign
coupons to transactions conducted at the front end 102. For
example, "n" number of coupons as counted by counter 118 may be
matched arbitrarily with "m" number of transactions. In this
manner, the actual transaction for a particular coupon is not
necessarily matched with the associated coupon. For example, when a
cashier overrides a transaction, there may be less coupons than
transactions. In addition, a local printer 115 may be provided
which prints information relating to the processing of the back end
apparatus 104.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the present invention prevents
fraud by quickly and accurately determining the redemption value of
coupons. In addition, the central processing unit 114 may run a
series of fraud security programs on the coupons processed. Such
programs may include tabulating unlikely mixes of coupons, unlikely
redemption rates by the cashier or the store and comparisons of
coupon cuts to look for gang cuts. Suspicious results may be noted
on the manufacturer's report.
[0038] Coupon information processed by the back end apparatus 104
of a number of retail stores is forwarded to the central processing
system 106. The information may be transferred to the central
processing system 106 at predetermined intervals such as nightly.
The central processing system 106 processes the received
information which may involve collating the information in a
predetermined manner such as by manufacturer or type of goods so as
to generate a report. The central processing system 106 may
generate reports including special enhanced reports, multiple
reports and/or the digital images. The report may be broken out by
retailer's store. The reports may be available over a secured
internet access or the like. The reports may further include
information such as time of redemption, information contained in
the coupon bar code and/or information indicating the product
purchased with the coupon. The reports may include a
summary/detailed report of all items processed for settlement. The
reports may also indicate why a coupon or coupons were not
processed, such as for failure of having a bar code, only having a
partial bar code, hand-written coupon, expired coupon and so forth.
The report may indicate the total redemption value. In addition, or
in the alternative, the report may break down the coupon redemption
by categories of goods and may provide an analysis of the scanned
image of the coupon. The report may include grand totals as well as
sub-totals. The reports may be supplied to any desired party
including the manufacturer, retailer or service corporation.
[0039] It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a
system which maintains account balances between retailers,
manufacturers and a service corporation which operates the present
invention based on the information processed by the central
processor 106. For example, the central processing system 106 may
arrange to electronically transfer funds between the manufacturers
and the retailers in response to the coupon information result.
[0040] The present system may process several different forms of
coupons including, for example, individual coupons in the form of a
two-sided slip of paper, coupons coupled together or flyers. The
present system may process information on more than one side of the
coupon such as the bar code on one side and family information on
the other side.
[0041] Operations performed by the system of FIG. 1 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The purchase basket
analysis and coupon manager II will be described with reference to
FIG. 4C.
[0042] In FIG. 2A, coupons 202 are read by an ECR (Electronic
Cashier Register) bar code reader 204 which may be coupled to a
cash register in the front end 102. The information corresponding
to the bar code of the coupon is transferred to store server 206.
The store server 206 authorizes the discount transaction and
forwards the discount amount to the cashier register.
[0043] The bar codes may be decoded using a sniffer 208 which may
be a line tap between the cash register and the store server 206.
Bar code information detected by the sniffer 208 is coupled to a
buffer 210 of the back end apparatus 104 which stores the bar code
information. In addition, the transactional information may be
stored in the buffer 210.
[0044] The back end apparatus 104 receives the coupons 202 at input
210 (110) and processes the same. The processing is generally
indicated by reference numeral 212 wherein the coupons are scanned
at 214, validated at 216 and destroyed at 218. The coupons are
detemmined as valid on the basis of the data in the buffer 210
(122). Destroyed coupons are directed to the destruction basket
220. It is also possible that the data of the valid coupon images
are stored in the buffer 210. Coupons determined by the processing
as being redeemable by non-participating manufacturers are directed
to the non-participating coupon basket 222 (124). Coupons
determined as anomalous such as coupons which have no transaction
associated therewith are forwarded to the exception basket 224
(126).
[0045] FIG. 2B shows the coupon and information flow which may be
performed in the back-end 104. In step S226, the coupons are input.
The coupons are imaged in step S228 and stored in step S230. Coupon
validation is determined in step S232 and, if invalid, are directed
to the exception bin in step S234. If the coupons are anomalous,
they are forwarded to the non-participating bin in step S236. If
the coupons originate from a non-participating manufacturer, they
may be sent to the non-participating bin in step S238 which is
reserved for future applications. The coupons may be validated in
accordance with the company, family, value codes or the expiration
date. Upon validation, the valid coupons are destroyed in step S240
and forwarded to the destruction bin in step S242. Reports are
generated in detail and/or summary in step S244 based on the
results of the processing in steps S232-240 and the reports may be
electronically transferred to the manufacturer in step S246.
[0046] The processing of different types of coupons is explained
with reference to FIGS. 3A-I. It will be appreciated that the
present invention is not limited to the particular types of coupons
illustrated and may include other types of coupons as well.
[0047] FIG. 3A sets forth the processing steps for processing
normal coupons. According to the present invention, normal coupons
offer discounts to potential consumers for a product identified on
the coupon as indicated by a bar code. In step S300, the normal
coupon is identified. The normal coupon in step S301 is scanned and
the UPC is read in step S302. In at least one embodiment, the
scanning and reading is performed digitally. It is determined in
step S303 whether the coupon has been validly read. When the coupon
is not validly read, information representing this state is
generated and stored by the processor 114 into memory 116 in step
S304 and the coupon is forwarded to the exception bin in step S305.
If the coupon is validly read, information is generated indicating
that the coupon is readable in step S306.
[0048] In the matching process of step S307, the coupon is matched
to a transaction at the point of sale. In at least one embodiment,
the matching process matches the coupon to the corresponding
transaction at the point of sale. In the alternative, the matching
process arbitrarily assigns coupons to transactions based on the
type of transaction rather than matching actual transactions with
corresponding coupons. When no match is detected, information is
generated and stored to the ECR file in step S308 and the coupon is
forwarded to the exception bin in step S305. However, if a match is
detected, processor generates and stores information indicating
valid matches in the ECR file in step S309. In at least one
embodiment, a record of the valid and/or invalid matches is
maintained and checked in the matching process of step S307 to
prevent the same coupon from being used for a multiple of items or
times. In step S310, the scanned image of the validly-matched
coupons are stored in memory 116 (FIG. 1). In step S311, the stored
images are indexed for easy access. The coupon records are stored
in a database in step S312 and the valid coupons are destroyed in
step S313.
[0049] FIG. 3B sets forth the steps for processing "manufacturer"
coupons. Manufacturer coupons are input at step S314 and scanned at
step S315. If the coupon is not scannable, the code (such as a UPC
code) is entered manually in step S316. In at least one embodiment,
the manual input may include a so-called 992 bypass code or a
general manufacturer code. In either case, processor control
advances to step S317 where it is determined whether the coupon is
valid based on validity information received from a device in step
S318 or the buffer 210 (FIG. 2A) in step S319. Such validity
information may include the product, the expiration date and/or the
manufacturer. Invalid coupons are returned to the customer with no
discount in step S320; whereas, if the coupon(s) is valid,
customers receive the discount, credit or rebate in step S321.
[0050] FIG. 3C sets forth the processing steps for processing
"in-store" coupons. An in-store coupon is redeemed directly by the
retailer or by a local entity such as a distributor in contrast
with a national or regional coupon which is redeemed by a
manufacturer. Heretofore, clearinghouses erroneously disposed of
in-store-coupons although directed to return such coupons to the
retailer. The present invention advantageously processes in-store
coupons. Steps S322-329 are similar to the steps in FIG. 3B except
the processing in step S325 processes the in-store coupon.
[0051] FIG. 3D illustrates the processing of "free-item with
purchase in the same category" coupons (hereinafter "free-item
coupons). The free-item coupon credits the consumer to receive a
free item with the purchase of another item in the same category.
The process is substantially the same as shown in FIG. 3A for
processing a normal coupon except that the processing in step S337
stores the credit in memory 216 (FIG. 2A) to the customer for the
category of the item purchased. This category may be, for example,
food groups, appliances, electronics, clothes or other retail
goods. The credit may be stored in a database temporarily in the
buffer 210 (FIG. 2A), for example.
[0052] FIG. 3E shows the processing steps for processing a
"free-item" coupon. The free-item coupon entitles the consumer to a
free item. It will be appreciated that steps S344-S357 are similar
to the steps shown in FIG. 3A for processing the normal coupon
except that the processing in step S351 stores the credit of the
free item to the customer.
[0053] FIG. 3F sets forth the processing of coupons which have no
bar code on the package. It will be appreciated that the processing
steps S358-S362 are a subset of FIG. 3A wherein it is decided that
the bar code is not readable in step S361 and the coupon is sent to
the exception bin in step S362. In the present invention, the
coupon may be accepted in any event by manual input as set forth in
steps S316 and S324 of FIGS. 3B and 3C.
[0054] FIG. 3G sets forth the steps S362-S375 for processing
"multiple purchase" coupons of the same brand. A multiple purchase
coupon for the same brand entitles a consumer to apply the coupon a
multiple of times to the same brand. Multiple purchase coupons may
also be applied to other brands, manufacturers or categories. It
will be appreciated that the processing steps are similar to the
processing steps for a normal coupon as in FIG. 3A except that the
processing in FIG. 3G stores the information crediting the number
of times the coupon may be applied to any number of future
transactions.
[0055] FIG. 3H sets forth the steps S376-S389 for processing
"either/or" coupons which is similar to processing of the normal
coupon in FIG. 3A. Either/Or coupons entitle the consumer to
receive a discount for one or more of a plurality of goods. As
illustrated in step S383, first and second items are matched
separately to different transactions. If the first item matches a
transaction, then processing proceeds to step S385 for the first
item. Similarly, if the second item matches a transaction, then
processing proceeds to step S385 for the second item. Otherwise,
the processing proceeds to step S384 for either the first or second
item which does not match a transaction.
[0056] FIG. 3I sets forth the steps S390-S3103 for processing
"cross-category" coupons which is similar to processing of the
normal coupon in FIG. 3A except that in step S397 the processor
determines whether the coupon applies to the category of the item
to be purchased. A cross-category coupon entitles the consumer to
receive a discount for goods in different categories, such as
groceries, appliances, clothing, electronics or the like. The
categories may also be groups such as food groups, appliance
groups, clothing groups or electronics groups or the like. The
processing stores the categories within which the consumer is
entitled to a discount.
[0057] The booklet of the present invention may be utilized with
the coupon manager system 100 described with reference to FIGS.
1-3. However, the booklet of the present invention is not limited
and, alternatively, may be utilized with other systems such as
those shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0058] FIG. 4A illustrates a non-integrated system 400. In such
system, sales transactions may be scanned by scanner 406 at cash
register 402 and transferred and recorded to store server 404. Such
arrangement may be easily incorporated into an existing store. The
system of FIG. 4A includes a central processing computer 408 which
is coupled to the store server 404 by any suitable means including
wired or wireless communication.
[0059] In operation, the central processing computer 408 stores
predetermined information relating to discounts in the store server
404. As items or goods are scanned using scanner 406, associated
transactional information is forwarded to the store server 404.
When the scanner 406 scans a discount coupon, recognized by the UPC
code, the store server 404 accesses the information stored therein
to determine whether the coupon is redeemable. In at least one
embodiment, the coupon is a booklet of discounts with a single UPC
code Such booklet is more fully described hereinafter.
[0060] FIG. 4B shows an integrated system 412 of the present
invention. Similar to the system of FIG. 4A, the integrated system
includes a cash register 414 and a scanner 416 in communication
with the store server 418. In this embodiment, a tap 420 (which may
be a line tap) taps the communication between the cash register 414
or scanner 416 and the store server 418. Back end apparatus 422
determines whether the information received identifies the booklet
of the present invention and/or discounts for items. The store
server 418 determines the discount based on the discount
information forwarded by the back end apparatus. The discounts are
relayed to the cash register 414. The back-end apparatus 422 may be
similar to the back end apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and may operate
similarly. A central processing computer 424 is coupled to the back
end apparatus 422 for processing the discount information. The
central processing computer 424 may be similar to the central
processing computer shown in FIG. 1 and may operate similarly. The
processed discount information is forwarded to the respective
manufacturers 426 for settlement. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1,
various reports relating to the discount information may be
forwarded to the manufacturers.
[0061] The discount information and the reports prepared by the
central processing computer 424 may be available or supplied to the
manufacturers by way of a website on the internet or on-line
service. The discount information may include, for example,
information corresponding to the total redemption value owed to a
particular retailer and/or the break down of the discounts. The
website, or as a stand-alone application, may enable electronic
fund transfer capability which electronically transfers funds
between the retailer, manufacturer and service corporation based on
account balances generated by the processing. Processing of the
booklet will now be further explained with reference to FIG.
4C.
[0062] Coupons or booklet 428 are scanned by ECR bar code reader
430. The scanned bar code information is supplied to store server
432. The store server 432, based on a comparison result to be
explained, outputs to display 434 the discounted value of the items
to be purchased. Alternatively, a gun 438 may be provided for
scanning the bar code of the booklet 428 wherein a controller 436,
based on a comparison to be explained, determines which products if
any are to be discounted and forwards the information to the store
server 432. A printer 440 may be provided to print information
corresponding to the discount. A tap 442 (which may be a line tap)
taps the communication between the reader 430 and the store server
432 to obtain transactional information and forwards the same to a
buffer 444 for storage thereat.
[0063] The scanned coupons may be supplied to an input coupon
basket 448. A scanner 450 scans the coupons and the processor
validates the coupons at 452 based on the data stored in the buffer
444. Valid coupons are slated to be destroyed in 454 and forwarded
to a destruction basket in 464. Similar to the embodiment of FIG.
1, an exception basket 456 and a non-participating basket 458 are
provided. In addition, a purchase basket analysis processing is
performed 460 based on the information in the buffer 444 which
determines the purchases. A secondary back end apparatus 462 which
repeats or simultaneously performs the processing hereindescribed
may be provided for fill redundancy.
[0064] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate examples of the booklet 600(700) of
the present invention. The coupon booklet 600(700) is envisioned
for use by a potential customer to receive discounts for
corresponding items in the booklet purchased at any number of
stores. The booklet comprises a front cover 602(702) and a back
cover 604(704) which share a common edge 606(706). In addition to
the front and back covers, the booklet may contain a number of
in-between pages such as those shown in FIGS. 6B-F and 7B-F which
are coupled to the common edge. As shown in FIG. 6B for example,
the booklet includes a listing 608(708) of a plurality of items and
prices associated therewith which may present discounts. The
listing may also be on the front and back covers or the inside flap
thereof. As shown in FIG. 7A, the booklet may include as shown in
FIG. 7A, a single bar code 710 for identifying the plurality of
items 712 to which the consumer is entitled to discount(s) 614(714)
when scanned in a sales transaction. In at least one embodiment,
the front and back covers and the in-between pages are coupled
together so that the front and back cover and in-between pages are
pivotable about the common edge in a book-like manner from an open
position to a closed position. It will be appreciated that the
single bar code of the booklet of the present invention may be
replaced with another form of identification such as a serial
number or the like.
[0065] A booklet may be considered a small scale edition of a book.
Although the booklet may be of any size, as illustrated in FIGS. 6
and 7, the booklet may have the dimensions of 31/2.times.6 inches
which is found to be a convenient size which is small enough to be
carried but large enough not to be misplaced as well as
identifiable in a container such as a pocket or hand bag. The
booklet may be a collection of sheets fastened together along one
edge. The book or booklet may be trimmed at the other edges to form
a single series of uniform leaves. In the alternative, the booklet
may be a collection of folded sheets bound between covers into a
volume. In addition, the booklet may be a stack of sheets of paper
interleaved alternately with the material.
[0066] The listing of items in the booklet may be formed in an
index or table-of-contents form such that the items are organized
according to a predetermined manner such as alphabetical order,
food groups, discount prices, manufacturer or the like. The index
or table-of-contents may be arranged according to the type of
product such as groceries, appliances, cameras, clothing, cookware,
electronics, footwear, furniture, jewelry, watches, outerwear or
the like. Sub-headings may be provided, for example, for each group
which are arranged according to a manufacturer, product-line or the
like. The index or table-of-contents may be segregated by lateral
dividing lines 616(716) shown in FIGS. 6B and 7C, for example,
which segregate the different indices or contents according to, for
example, category. The lateral dividing lines may be
variably-spaced such that an area between adjacent lateral lines is
variable.
[0067] It is also within the present invention to arrange the items
for discount according to combinations of items which the retailer
and/or manufacturer wish to combine for sale such as baby food and
diapers or peaches and cream. Sometimes it is desired to combine in
the booklet undersold items with popular items such as combining
pork rinds which are undersold with more popular products such as
bacon.
[0068] It is within the scope of the present invention to arrange
the items for discount with prominent headings 618(718). In at
least one embodiment, the headings are prominently displayed in a
larger font-size 620(720) than the products 622(722) and/or
arranged prior to the respective products. It will be appreciated
that this feature of the present invention advantageously allows
the potential customer to more quickly identify the goods.
[0069] It is also within the present invention to color-code the
booklet. For example, the prominent headings may be color-coded
with different colors, such as green 624(724) for groceries, blue
626 for electronics, silver 728 for appliances and multi-colors 730
for film and camera products. Although it is shown in the figures
that the headings are color coded, portions or entire areas
corresponding to, for example, different categories of goods may be
color coded. It will be appreciated that color-coding
advantageously assists the consumer to quickly locate desired
discounts.
[0070] The booklet of the present invention may also provide a
miniature picture 732 positioned proximate or adjacent the item
entitled to the discount. In at least one embodiment, the miniature
picture is a miniature of an actual photograph of the product. It
will be instantly recognized that the use of such miniature
pictures is extremely useful to the consumer in identifying the
product. Combined with the index or table-of-contents, the
potential consumer quickly determines from the index or
table-of-contents the discount information and instantly is made
aware and confirms by visually inspecting the miniature picture the
product to be purchased.
[0071] In addition, or in the alternative, the booklet of the
present invention includes additional advertisements and/or
information. This may include sweepstakes information or instant
savings information 734 which awards the consumer with a prize such
as cash or credit or a trip in exchange for particular uses of the
booklet in order to entice the consumers to use the booklet. The
information may also include coupons 736 prominently displayed in
noticeable portions of the booklet such as the inner front page in
order to highlight the discount which may be listed in the index or
table-of-contents.
[0072] The booklet of the present invention includes a single bar
code which entitles the consumer to a plurality of the discounts in
the booklet. It will be instantly appreciated that this
advantageously allows the consumer to carry a single, convenient
and compact book representative of a plurality of coupons without
the necessity or hassle of carrying detachable or detached coupons.
It will further be appreciated that the book arrangement allows the
consumer to easily hold the booklet along the common edge in the
palm of one hand while flipping through the pages quickly and
conveniently as a book rather than detached coupons. In at least
one embodiment, the booklet is self-contained and has no detachable
parts such that the consumer advantageously maintains all of the
information in a neat, compact booklet without the problems of
messy, detachable or detached coupons or information.
[0073] In addition, the consumer may not need to examine the
booklet at all; and may simply submit the booklet upon each
shopping transaction for scanning to obtain the discounts which
coincidentally are in the booklet. Further, the consumer may use
the booklet a number of times which obviates the need for coupon
hunting and clipping. The products in the booklet may be discounted
once or a plurality of times according to records maintained by the
back end apparatus of the present invention.
[0074] The bar code may be a UPC code but, alternatively, may be
another type of code such as an extended code which contains
manufacturer, value or family information. This is particularly
advantageous in marketing where the booklets may be mailed to a
particular family with a unique family code which identifies for
the retailer/manufacturer which family is purchasing a particular
product or products. This information may be processed by the
present invention and relayed to the manufacturer in the form of a
demographics marketing report for future marketing to either the
family or region where the family lives.
[0075] The booklet of the present invention in at least one
embodiment is substantially rectangular in shape having front and
back covers with a common edge and pages therebetween. The common
edge may be formed of a spine or a folded line of a number of
papers. Alternatively, the front and back covers and in-between
pages may be coupled together by any suitable fixing method such as
staples, glue or a spiral binder or the like. While the booklet of
the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as being
substantially rectangular with uniform edges, it is within the
present invention that the booklet may be in another shape and/or
may have non-uniform edges. The booklet of the present invention
may include tabs on the pages which may be labeled with an
indicator thereby providing an index.
[0076] The booklet of the present invention may provide discounts
or discounted prices for items purchased. In addition, or in the
alternative, the items purchased using the booklet may provide the
consumer with other entitlements, including the coupon entitlements
described herein with reference to FIGS. 3A-4C. In addition, or in
the alternative, the entitlements may be a credit granted to the
consumer which may credit an account held electronically for the
consumer. A credit may be different from a coupon discount because
a credit is applied to a future transaction not necessarily related
to the present transaction. Such credit accounts may be, for
example, a vacation account which accumulates credit for the
consumer for cash value or items purchased at a later date for the
consumer's vacation. The account may also be a holiday or birthday
account for saving credit for cash value or to be applied to items
purchased for a holiday or birthday. The account may be a tuition
savings account whereby credits are applied to the tuition of the
consumer or relative of the consumer. The credit account may be an
account for cash value including an interest bearing account which
accumulates interest such as a money market account. It will be
appreciated that the credit accounts of the present invention
advantageously promotes loyalty of the consumer to the retailer,
manufacturer or service corporation.
[0077] The system of the present invention may include the manner
in which the booklet is distributed and used. In at least one
embodiment, the booklet is issued for predetermined time periods
such as monthly in ride-along direct mail pieces to consumers.
Participating stores which participate in the system may have a
list of offers downloaded to either the store server or the back
end processor described herein. When the consumer checks out, the
booklet is handed to the cashier who scans the single bar code on
the booklet. It will be instantly appreciated that this
advantageously allows the consumer to obtain any discounts which
may be available without the consumer having to find the discount.
The system of the present invention may automatically transfer the
information and/or the electronic find transfer at predetermined
intervals such as nightly. At the end of the predetermined time
period, a new booklet is distributed and the previous information
is either automatically deleted or replaced by new information. It
may be also within the processing of the present invention to
establish payment of the booklets, the distribution and/or number
of items in the booklet. It is also within the present invention to
establish a partnership with a bank or other financial institution
to establish savings accounts for consumers from and through direct
deposit of the savings the consumer receives by utilizing the
booklet in accordance with the credit aspect of the present
invention.
[0078] The booklet may also include, as shown in FIG. 7G, extended
front 702 and back covers 704 which extend past the pages
encloseable therebetween. In one embodiment, the extended portion
is a tab or opposing tabs 734(a) and 734(b) formed which may be
detachable along a perforated edge 736. An advertisement 738, which
may include a coupon, may be provided on the tab. It will be
appreciated that the tab easily distinguishes the booklet of the
present invention from junk mail.
[0079] The processing steps for the integrated coupon booklet are
shown in FIG. 5A. In step S500, the coupon booklet is presented and
in step S502 the booklet is scanned. In step S504 it is determined
whether the bar code, such as a UPC, is readable and in step S506
the operator manually keys in the booklet bar code when unreadable.
In step S508, it is determined whether the bar code is valid and,
when invalid, it is determined that an incorrect format of the bar
code is scanned in step S510 and manual entry of the bar code by,
for example, a keypad is retried in step S506. In the alternative,
when it is determined that the bar code is invalid it is further
decided that, for example, an expired booklet is granted a grace
period such as one day or week in step S512 and/or the maximum
number of uses of the booklet is extended in step S514. The results
of the processing in steps S512 and S514 are recorded and may be
reported in the report(s).
[0080] When it is determined that the bar code is valid, processing
in step S514 compares a customer order to a coupon table which may
contain one or more pieces of discounting information relating to a
discount, credit or rebate relating to a particular item. The table
may be downloaded/updated by the central processing computer of the
present invention. When no match is determined in step S516 between
a particular sales transaction and coupon information, the discount
for that item is ignored in step S518. Otherwise, control advances
to step S520 wherein the discount is authorized. In step S522, the
item authorized for a discount is added to a list. In step S524,
detailed and/or summary reports of the discounts are stored and/or
printed and in step S526 the booklet discount is added to a total
to be forwarded to a particular manufacturer for redemption.
[0081] FIG. 5B sets forth steps S528-S556 for processing coupons or
booklet (see FIG. 5B) according to the non-integrated system which
are similar to the steps set forth in FIG. 5A.
[0082] The present coupon processing may be set forth in a computer
program which may be stored in a suitable medium such as an optical
disk or the like;
[0083] As is to be appreciated, finding, cutting out, and carrying
a large number of coupons may be inconvenient for a customer. The
present invention provides a booklet which overcomes these
disadvantages. Such present booklet will now be described.
[0084] It will be appreciated that, while the present invention was
described in terms of coupon redemption, the present is not limited
thereto and is applicable to other forms of redemption such as
rebates or credit accounts.
[0085] Although the booklet present invention has been described
with a single bar code only for each booklet, it is within the
present invention to include one or more bar codes each
representing a plurality of items in the booklet.
[0086] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention and
modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is
to be understood that this invention is not limited to those
precise embodiments and modifications, and that other modifications
and variations may be effected by one skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *