System, method and apparatus for coupon processing and booklet

Abstract

A coupon manager is provided including a front end, back end and a central processor for facilitating the processing and settlement of coupons. The coupons are received from customers at the front end which may include a cashier register. The cashier scans a bar code on the coupons and the scanned information may be supplied to the back end. The received coupons are delivered to the back end for imaging and processing. The back end determines whether the coupons are valid. Valid coupons are destroyed and sent to a destruction bin, and invalid coupons may be sent to one of a number of other bins. The processed information is forwarded to the central processor which collates the information from a number of stores and reports the information to manufacturers for settlement. The present invention also provides a booklet having a listing of discounted items identifiable by a single bar code. The items may be arranged by types of goods or manufacturers and/or in alphabetical order so as to facilitate the use thereof by a customer. The booklet may be useable by itself or with coupon manager.

1 . A coupon booklet for use by a customer at a number of stores, said booklet comprising: 
 a front cover and a back cover having a common edge;    a number of pages each coupled to said common edge;    a listing of a plurality of items entitled to discounts; and    a single bar code identifying said plurality of items;    wherein said front and back covers and said number of pages are coupled to said common edge such that said front and back cover and said number of pages are openable and closeable in a book-like manner.    
   
   
       2 . The booklet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a table of contents which identifies types of items set forth in said listing.  
   
   
       3 . The booklet according to  claim 1 , wherein said listing is arranged in index form.  
   
   
       4 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form includes having said plurality of items arranged alphabetically.  
   
   
       5 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form includes having said plurality of items arranged according to food or product groups.  
   
   
       6 . The booklet according to  claim 5 , wherein each group includes sub-headings arranged according to a brand of a respective item or items.  
   
   
       7 . The booklet according to  claim 6 , wherein said sub-headings of each brand is further sub-divided by item.  
   
   
       8 . The booklet according to  claim 4 , wherein an indicator of a respective group is provided adjacent to the respective group.  
   
   
       9 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form includes having said plurality of items arranged according to price.  
   
   
       10 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form includes having said plurality of items arranged according to manufacturers.  
   
   
       11 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said listing arranged in said index form indicates a credit for each item which is receivable upon purchase thereof and wherein said credit is applicable to a future transaction unrelated to a present transaction.  
   
   
       12 . The booklet according to  claim 11 , wherein said credit is applied to any of a number of accounts of said customer.  
   
   
       13 . The booklet according to  claim 11 , wherein one of said accounts is a holiday savings account.  
   
   
       14 . The booklet according to  claim 12 , wherein one of said accounts is a vacation savings account.  
   
   
       15 . The booklet according to  claim 11 , wherein one of said accounts is a tuition savings account.  
   
   
       16 . The booklet according to  claim 12 , wherein one of said accounts is an interest-bearing account.  
   
   
       17 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form is color-coded.  
   
   
       18 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form is color-coded in accordance with a type of said plurality of items.  
   
   
       19 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein the index form is color-coded according to a food or product group of said plurality of items.  
   
   
       20 . The booklet according to  claim 3 , wherein said index form includes at least one miniature picture of a respective item entitled to a discount which is postitioned proximate the listing of said respective item.  
   
   
       21 - 35 . (Cancelled)