Self-contained personal data collector for redeeming coupons

Claim 2

A self-contained personal data collector for redeeming product coupons having product code information in machine readable form thereon, the data collector comprising: (a) a first memory device containing a product coupon list having a plurality of entries, each entry including product code information for a product; (b) a scanner for scanning machine readable product code information from a coupon; (c) a comparator for comparing the scanned product code information with the entries of the product coupon list in the first memory device to find a match; (d) a display for displaying the matched product code information; (e) means for assigning a unique identifier to the matched product code information; and (f) a second memory device for storing a list of matched product code information and corresponding unique identifiers as individual item entries, wherein the item entries can be retrieved and tallied by a register at a product purchase location.

Claim 3

The data collector of claim 1 wherein: (a) the product code information on the coupon is in bar code form and the product code information for each entry of the coupon list includes a UPC bar code numeric code and product information in ASCII form; (b) the data-collector further comprises a converter for converting the scanned coupon information from bar code form to UPC form; and (c) the comparator compares the coupon information with the UPC code of each entry of the coupon list.

Claim 4

The data collector of claim 2 further comprising a third memory device for storing the scanned and unmatched bar code information for retrieval and accounting by said register.

Claim 5

The data collector of claim 2 wherein the product information includes coupon value, expiration date, and product identification.

Claim 6

The data collector of claim 4 wherein each entry in the coupon list further includes a product description, and the display displays the product information and the product description.

Claim 7

The collector of claim 1 further comprising user input means for allowing a user to elect storing the matched product code information in the second memory device.

Claim 8

The collector of claim 6 wherein the user input means further allows a user to delete an item entry from the list in the second memory device.

Claim 9

The collector of claim 7 wherein the user input means further allows a user to display a catalog of the item entries in the list stored in the second memory device on the display.

Claim 10

The collector of claim 1 further comprising means for downloading the item entries from the second memory device to the register.

Claim 11

A self-contained personal data collector for redeeming product coupons having product code information in machine readable form thereon, the data collector comprising: (a) a first memory device containing a product coupon list having a plurality of entries, each entry including a UPC bar code numeric code and product information in ASCII form, wherein the product information includes coupon value, expiration date, product identification, and product description; (b) a scanner for scanning machine readable product code information from a coupon; (c) a converter for converting the scanned coupon information from bar code form to UPC code; (d) a comparator for comparing the converted UPC code information with the UPC code of each entry of the product coupon list in the first memory device to find a match; (e) a display for displaying the matched product code information; (f) means for assigning a unique identifier to the matched product code information; (g) a second memory device for storing a list of matched product code information and corresponding unique identifiers as individual item entries, wherein the item entries can be retrieved and tallied by a register at a product purchase location; (h) a third memory device for storing the scanned and unmatched bar code information for retrieval and accounting by said register; and (i) user input means for allowing a user to: (1) elect storing the matched product code information in the second memory device; (2) delete an item entry from the list in the second memory device; and (3) display a catalog of the item entries in the list stored in the second memory device on the display.

Claim 12

A self-contained personal data collector for redeeming product coupons having product code information in machine readable form thereon, the data collector comprising: (a) a first memory device containing a product coupon list having a plurality of entries, each entry including a UPC bar code numeric code and product information in ASCII form, wherein the product information includes coupon value, expiration date, product identification, and product description; (b) a scanner for scanning machine readable product code information from a coupon; (c) a converter for converting the scanned coupon information from bar code form to UPC code; (d) a comparator for comparing the converted UPC code information with the UPC code of each entry of the product coupon list in the first memory device to find a match; (e) a display for displaying the matched product code information; (f) means for assigning a unique identifier to the matched product code information; (g) a second memory device for storing a list of matched product code information and corresponding unique identifiers as individual item entries, wherein the item entries can be retrieved and tallied by a register at a product purchase location; (h) a third memory device for storing the scanned and unmatched bar code information for retrieval and accounting by said register; and (i) user input means for allowing a user to: (1) elect storing the matched product code information in the second memory device; (2) delete an item entry from the list in the second memory device; and (3) display a catalog of the item entries in the list stored in the second memory device on the display.

Claim 13

The collector of claim 10 further comprising means for downloading the item entries from the second memory device and from the third memory device 28 to the register.

Claim 16

The method of claim 12 wherein the product code information on the coupon is in bar code form and the product code information in each entry of the coupon list includes a UPC code and production information in ASCII form, and wherein the method further comprises the step of converting the scanned coupon information from bar code form to UPC code, and the step of comparing comprises comparing the converted UPC code with the UPC code of each entry of the coupon list.

Claim 17

The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of storing the scanned and unmatched bar code information in a third memory device for retrieval and accounting by said register.

Claim 18

The method of claim 13 wherein the product information includes coupon value, expiration date, and product identification.

Claim 19

The method of claim 15 wherein each entry in the coupon list further includes a product description, and the step of displaying comprises displaying the product information and the product description.

Claim 20

The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of accepting user input for allowing a user to elect storing the matched product code information in the second memory device.

Claim 21

The method of claim 17 wherein the step of accepting user input includes accepting user input to allow a user to delete an item entry from the list in the second memory device.

Claim 22

The method of claim 18 wherein the step of accepting user input includes accepting user input to display a catalog of the item entries in the list stored in the second memory device on a display.

Claim 23

The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of downloading the item entries from the second memory device to a register at a product purchase location for tallying.

Claim 26

The system of claim 21 wherein: (a) the product code information on the coupon is in bar code form and the product code information for each entry of the coupon list in the data-collector includes a UPC bar code numeric code and product information in ASCII form; (b) the data-collector further comprises a converter for converting the scanned coupon information from bar code form to UPC form; and (c) the comparator of the data-collector compares the coupon information with the UPC code of each entry of the coupon list.

Claim 27

The system of claim 22 wherein the data collector further comprises a third memory device for storing the scanned and unmatched bar code information for retrieval and accounting by said register system.

Claim 28

The system of claim 22 wherein the product information includes coupon value, expiration date, and product identification.

Claim 29

The system of claim 24 wherein each entry in the coupon list of the data collector further includes a product description, and the display displays the product information and the product description.

Claim 30

The system of claim 21 wherein the data collector further comprises user input means for allowing a user to elect storing the matched product code information in the second memory device.

Claim 31

The system of claim 26 wherein the user input means further allows a user to delete an item entry from the list in the second memory device.

Claim 32

The system of claim 27 wherein the user input means further allows a user to display a catalog of the item entries in the list stored in the second memory device on the display.