Method and system for electronic distribution of product redemption coupons

Abstract

Provided is a method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. The user may view, select, sort and print desired coupons from the downloaded package. The user's demographic as well as coupon selection data is provided back to the online service and coupon distributor and issuers for subsequent marketing analysis. The online service can perform subsequent coupon processing on previously downloaded coupon packages such as variation of discount amounts. The online service provider can also determine how many times a particular coupon was viewed. When the printed coupons are presented at a retail store, the discount is provided to the user. Upon redemption by the store via a coupon redeeming center, transaction data is also supplied to the coupon issuers and distributor for integration into marketing analysis. The electronic coupon system is secure due to the inclusion of user-specific identification indicia printed thereon.

1 - 46 . Cancel  
     
     
         47 . 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.    
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 47 , 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.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said first computer processor unit and said further computer processor unit are the same computer processor unit.