Patent EP1087318A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP1087318A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic redeeming of coupons and product discounts utilizing a networked products database
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 2000-09-22
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2020-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing electronic redemption of product discounts. The method includes creating an electronic database of product discounts. The electronic database is connected to and accessible by a network of data processing systems. Customers are then provided access points to said database from outside of the network. The electronic database is expanded to include customer information and each customer is provided with a unique ID. The customer's selection of products is then linked in the database to the customer's unique ID in response to an input by the customer. Finally, the discounts on the selected products are allowed to be electronically redeemed within the network.
Inventors
- 👤 Viktors c/o IBM United Kingdom Ltd. Berstis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for providing electronic redemption of product discounts,
said method comprising the steps of: creating an electronic database of said product discounts, said
electronic database being connected to and accessible by a network of data
processing systems; providing customer access points to said database; expanding said electronic database to include customer information,
wherein each customer is provided with a unique ID; linking a customer selection of products in said database to said
unique ID in response to an input by said customer; and electronically redeeming within said network applicable discounts of
said selected products.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of Claim 1, wherein said providing step includes the steps
of: providing said database with an universal resource locator (URL) web
address; providing access by a customer to said database via an Internet; and receiving a selection of products by said customer from within a web
page associated with said URL web address.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said creating step further
comprises the step of linking said network to a cash register in a retail
environment, said check-out register having an access point for entering
said unique ID, and said data processing systems being programmed to apply
said applicable discounts to a purchase price of said product on said cash
register.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
34 words
The method of any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step
of issuing a swipe card with affiliated customer information and unique ID
encoded for utilization in redeeming said applicable discounts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of Claim 4, wherein said issuing step includes the step of
encoding said unique ID on an ID triggering device, said device being one
of a plurality of devices including: a credit card; and a smart card.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
34 words
The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said linking
step further includes the step of storing electronically entered
information related to said customer's choice of products, applicable
discounts and geographic location.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
49 words
The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said linking
step further includes the steps of: providing said customer with a list of products and applicable
discounts; and receiving a customer entry via a manual selection or an input device,
of a desired product and associated discount.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of Claim 7, wherein said receiving step further includes
the steps of: scanning a coupon with a scanning device, said device being connected
to a data processing system and capable of reading UPC and discount
information from the coupon; and updating said database with said UPC and discount information.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for providing electronic redemption of product discounts,
said system comprising: means for creating an electronic database of said product discounts,
said electronic database being connected to and accessible by a network of
data processing systems; means for providing customer access points to said database; means for expanding said electronic database to include customer
information, wherein each customer is provided with a unique ID; means for linking a customer selection of products in said database
to said unique ID in response to an input by said customer; and means for electronically redeeming within said network applicable
discounts of said selected products.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of Claim 9, wherein said providing means includes: means for providing said database with an universal resource locator
(URL) web address; means for providing access by a customer to said database via an
Internet; and means for receiving a selection of products by said customer from
within a web page associated with said URL web address.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein said creating means
further comprises means for linking said network to a cash register in a
retail environment, said check-out register having an access point for
entering said unique ID, and said data processing systems being programmed
to apply said applicable discounts to a purchase price of said product on
said cash register.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
33 words
The system of any one of Claims 9 to 11, further comprising means for
issuing a swipe card with affiliated customer information and unique ID
encoded for utilization in redeeming said applicable discounts.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
43 words
The system of any one of Claims 9 to 12, wherein said issuing means
includes means for encoding said unique ID on an ID triggering device, said
device being one of a plurality of devices including: a credit card; and a smart card.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
34 words
The system of any one of Claims 9 to 13, wherein said linking means
further includes means for storing electronically entered information
related to said customer's choice of products, applicable discounts and
geographic location.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
50 words
The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said linking
means further includes: means for providing said customer with a list of products and
applicable discounts; and means for receiving a customer entry via a manual selection or an
input device, of a desired product and associated discount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of Claim 15, wherein said receiving means further
includes: means for scanning a coupon with a scanning device, said device being
connected to a data processing system and capable of reading UPC and
discount information from the coupon; and means for updating said database with said UPC and discount
information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer program for controlling the operation of a data processing
apparatus for providing electronic redemption of product discounts, said
computer program comprising program instructions for: creating an electronic database of said product discounts, said
electronic database being connected to and accessible by a network of data
processing systems; providing customer access points to said database; expanding said electronic database to include customer information,
wherein each customer is provided with a unique ID; linking a customer selection of products in said database to said
unique ID in response to an input by said customer; and electronically redeeming within said network applicable discounts of
said selected products.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.