Device, method, and system for real-time couponing

Details Device, method, and system for real-time couponing Device, method, and system for real-time couponing

H - Electricity

04

L

H04L 12/16 (2006.01) G06F 17/30 (2006.01) G06K 19/06 (2006.01) G06F 17/60 (2000.01)

Patent

CA 2309021

A method, system, and a device, such as a web-enabled appliance, for providing electronic couponing to a user via a network, such as the Internet. The coupon information is collected at a server on the network, referred to as the eCouponCard Site, by for example, transmission to the server from merchants or by the server periodically collecting coupon information from merchants. The device, which is connectable to the network by, for example, wire or cordless/wireless coupling, receives the coupon information from the server and transmits the information to a coupled smart card. The smart card is then taken to a merchant location for redemption of the coupon. At the merchant location, the coupon is redeemable electronically if the merchant has a smart card reader, or a redemption device is provided at the merchant location or elsewhere for printing a paper coupon for redemption. The redemption device is also capable of providing communication to the merchant or the server via, for example, a network to reconcile the redemption. The paper coupon optionally includes a bar code for reading by conventional bar code readers at the merchant location. In one variation, the server includes, or is coupled to one or more databases, and has a processor for storing information about the coupons, reconciling redemption information, providing information regarding redemption, and varying coupon and merchant information. For example, the server is capable of varying the value or availability of a coupon to adjust or otherwise balance supply and demand.

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