Promotion processor and management system

Abstract

A data processing system employs a unique coded promotional vehicle to attract customers into retail establishments for the purchase of discounted goods. The promotional vehicle includes coupon styled graphics integrated with a code to allow data tracking by the store pursuant to purchases by that customer. The promotional vehicle is easier and less costly to distribute compared to the prior art, avoids cutting of coupons, and post purchase redemptions. The system further allows more targeted discounting at a lower cost, and substantially reducing fraud by eliminating post purchase coupon processing and redemption. Additionally, the system provides for selective deactivation of the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A data processing system for tracking and processing in-store discounts to purchasers of select goods during the checkout process wherein said discounts are associated with select goods, said system comprising: 
 a distributed discount vehicle, characterized by two or more promotions for select goods including descriptive material to provide information at least identifying the discounts associated with the promotions, wherein said vehicle further includes a select code that permits machine reading and tracking of said vehicle during checkout, said code uniquely identifying the promotions associated with the vehicle;    a checkout processing terminal including computer based tracking of purchased items and the prices thereof, where some of said items are subject to discounted pricing, wherein said processing includes a code data reader for receiving the code from the vehicle during checkout; and    a data processor attached to said checkout terminal for receiving information regarding transactions associated with checkout, the discounted products forming a part of the transactions and the discounts associated with the code received from said vehicle and processing said discounts in accord with said code identified promotion, wherein said data processor selectively deactivates the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use-, said data processor being further connected to memory for storing data associated with said transaction.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a membership card including a unique customer identification code for system tracking of transactions by one or more customers.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said checkout processing terminal included machine based code reading equipment for scanning said vehicle code and entering into memory information associated with said code.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said processor includes programming to permit data presorting upon scanning during checkout.  
     
     
         5 . A distributed discount vehicle for use with a data processing system for tracking and processing in-store discounts to purchasers of select goods during the checkout process wherein said discounts are associated with select goods, said discount vehicle comprising: 
 two or more promotions for select goods including descriptive material to provide information at least identifying the discounts associated with the promotions, wherein said vehicle further includes a single select code that permits machine reading and tracking of said vehicle during checkout, said select code uniquely identifying all the promotions associated with said vehicle, said select code being selectively deactivated for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without being deactivated for the discounts not used so that said select code may remain selectively active for future use.    
     
     
         6 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 5 , further comprising a freestanding insert including a plurality of sheets, and including at least one advertisement or commercial associated with at least one of said promotions associated with said discount vehicle.  
     
     
         7 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of sheets are folded.  
     
     
         8 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of sheets are placed in a newspaper for distribution to a potential customer.  
     
     
         9 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 6 , further comprising a redemption vehicle including said code and a list of said select goods.  
     
     
         10 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein said list includes at least one representation of each of said select goods selected from a group including an image, written description, sale price, discount amount, name, slogan, and trademark.  
     
     
         11 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 9 , further including additional information selected from a group including instructions, advertisements, commercials, names of participating retailers, category headings, and store aisles numbers.  
     
     
         12 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein said redemption vehicle is releasably attached to said discount vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 5 , further comprising a single sheet or card including at least one advertisement or commercial associated with at least one of said promotions associated with said discount vehicle.  
     
     
         14 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein said information includes at least one representation of each of said select goods selected from a group including an image, written description, sale price, discount amount, name, slogan, and trademark.  
     
     
         15 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 13 , further including additional information selected from a group including instructions, advertisements, commercials, names of participating retailers, category headings, and store aisles numbers.  
     
     
         16 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 13 , further comprising a redemption vehicle including said code and a list of said select goods.  
     
     
         17 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein said list includes at least one representation of each of said select goods selected from a group including an image, written description, sale price, discount amount, name, slogan, and trademark.  
     
     
         18 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 16 , further including additional information selected from a group including instructions, advertisements, commercials, names of participating retailers, category headings, and store aisles numbers.  
     
     
         19 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein said redemption vehicle is releasably attached to said discount vehicle.  
     
     
         20 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 13 , further comprising an upper portion, a lower-portion, and a redemption vehicle.  
     
     
         21 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 20 , further comprising a fold or crease between said upper-portion and said lower-portion.  
     
     
         22 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of said upper-portion and/or a plurality of said lower-portion.  
     
     
         23 . The distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 20 , wherein said redemption vehicle is releasably attached to said discount vehicle.  
     
     
         24 . A data processing system according to  claim 1  wherein said select code becomes inactive after a predetermined time.  
     
     
         25 . A data processing system according to  claim 24  wherein said select code becomes inactive 45 to 90 days after becoming active.  
     
     
         26 . A distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 5  wherein said select code becomes inactive after a predetermined time.  
     
     
         27 . A distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 26  wherein said select code becomes inactive 45 to 90 days after becoming active.  
     
     
         28 . A distributed discount vehicle according to  claim 5  and further comprising a checklist printed thereon, said checklist containing a list of all discounts provided by said vehicle, said checklist being printed on a surface of said vehicle on which visible marks may be made for tracking of discounts used by redemption of said vehicle.