US6584448B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and system for distributing and redeeming electronic coupons
Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corp
•
Filing: 1999-11-09
•
Granted: 2003-06-24
•
Expires: 2019-11-09
Abstract
Abstract An electronic coupon having an associated redemption function for use over a communications channel includes a computer-readable medium associated with a computer processor, the computer-readable medium being encoded with a data structure. The data structure includes data representative of a version number of the electronic coupon, data representative of a party capable of redeeming the electronic coupon, and data representative of a serial number identifying the electronic coupon. The data structure is adapted for providing a benefit in the course of an online transaction based on the redemption function. A method of redeeming an electronic coupon in the course of an online transaction, the electronic coupon including information sufficient for enabling a computer processor unit to electronically redeem the electronic coupon in the course of the online transaction, includes transferring the electronic coupon from a first computer processor unit to a second computer processor unit over a communications channel; transferring the electronic coupon over the communications channel from the second computer processor unit to a further computer processor unit during the online transaction; and the further computer processor unit providing a benefit to the second computer processor unit based on the information in the course of the online transaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Raviv Laor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/387; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0224; G06Q30/0225; G06Q30/0239; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A method of redeeming an electronic coupon in the course of an online transaction, said electronic coupon having a data structure resident in a computer-readable medium of a first computer processor unit, said data structure being transferable between computer-readable media of a plurality of computer processor units over a communications channel and including information sufficient for enabling one of said computer processor units to electronically redeem said electronic coupon in the course of said online transaction, the method comprising: A. establishing a connection between said first computer processor unit and a second computer processor unit; B. transferring said data structure resident in said computer-readable medium of said first computer processor unit to a computer-readable medium of said second computer processor unit over said communications channel; C. establishing a connection between said second computer processor unit and a further computer processor unit for the purpose of initiating said online transaction; D. in response to establishing a connection between said second computer processor unit and a further computer processor unit, said further computer processor unit detecting said data structure in said computer-readable medium of said second computer processor unit; E. automatically transferring said data structure information over said communications channel from said second computer processor unit to said further computer processor unit during said online transaction; and F. said further computer processor unit providing a benefit to said second computer processor unit based on said data structure information in the course of said online transaction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
A method of redeeming an electronic coupon in the course of an online transaction, said electronic coupon having a data structure resident in a computer-readable medium of a first computer processor unit, said data structure being transferable between computer-readable media of a plurality of computer processor units over a communications channel and including information sufficient for enabling one of said computer processor units to electronically redeem said electronic coupon in the course of said online transaction, the method comprising: A. establishing a connection between said first computer processor unit and a second computer processor unit; B. transferring said data structure resident in said computer-readable medium of said first computer processor unit to a computer-readable medium of said second computer processor unit over said communications channel; C. establishing a connection between said second computer processor unit and a further computer processor unit for the purpose of initiating said online transaction; D. in response to establishing a connection between said second computer processor unit and a further computer processor unit, said further computer processor unit detecting said data structure in said computer-readable medium of said second computer processor unit; E. automatically transferring said data structure information over said communications channel from said second computer processor unit to said further computer processor unit during said online transaction; and F. said further computer processor unit providing a benefit to said second computer processor unit based on said data structure information in the course of said online transaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 , further including the step of authenticating said electronic coupon as a function of said information, so as to prevent the use of a counterfeit coupon by said second computer processor unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 , further including the step of said further computer processor unit recovering a value corresponding to said benefit from said first computer processor unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 , further including the step of said further computer processor unit electronically recovering a value corresponding to said benefit from said first computer processor unit, as a function of said information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first computer processor unit and said further computer processor unit are the same computer processor unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-23 | 2006-12-23 | 2007-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-23 | 2010-12-23 | 2011-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-23 | 2014-12-23 | 2015-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |