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EP0512413A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of identifying users of coupons

Assignee: RR Donnelley and Sons Co
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Filing: 1992-04-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-04-30
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Abstract

Abstract A method of identifying users of coupons includes marking a set of stamps with a code that identifies a particular user. The stamps are then distributed to the user identified by the code, and the user is instructed to secure a stamp on each coupon the user redeems when making purchases. The code is then read and entered into a database along with the identity of the item purchased.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert H. Savin

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
A method of tracking purchasers of articles who use an item, such as a coupon, in a purchase, comprising the steps of: producing a set of identifiers; marking each identifier in said set with a specific identifying indicia; providing said marked set of identifiers to a user associated with said specific identifying indicia; instructing said user to secure at least one of said identifiers to an item such as a coupon and to obtain a first article using said item; and reading said identifying indicia.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 wherein said identifying indicia on each said identifier identifies said user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 wherein said item identifies said first article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of recording said identifying indicia in a database.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 wherein said identifying indicia comprises bar code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of reading into a database other articles purchased at the same time as said first article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of establishing an expiration date for said identifiers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of tracking claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of validating each said set of identifiers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 80 words
A method of identifying users of coupons, comprising the steps of: preparing a set of stamps; marking each stamp in said set of stamps with the same identifier, said identifier corresponding to a specific user; providing said specific user with said set of marked stamps; instructing said specific user to secure one of said marked stamps to any coupon obtained by said user and to redeem said coupon with said stamp secured thereto; and reading said identifier into a database.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method of identifying users of coupons set forth in claim 9 further comprising the step of recording the identity of goods purchased with each coupon with a marked stamp and the identity of other goods purchased at the same time by said specific user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of identifying users of coupons set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of marking each stamp in said set of stamps comprises marking each stamp with a bar code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of identifying users of coupons set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of marking each stamp in said set of stamps comprises marking each stamp with an alpha-numeric code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 53 words
The method of identifying users of coupons set forth in claim 9 further comprising the steps of establishing a date of expiration of said set of marked stamps, and preparing a second set of stamps to be marked and provided to said specific user after the expiration of said set of marked stamps.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of identifying users of coupons set forth in claim 9 further comprising the step of validating said marked set of stamps before use by said specific user.

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