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 . (canceled)  
     
     
         47 . An electronic coupon distribution system comprising: 
 a main server system, a client system and a distributed computer network;    said distributed computer network linking said main server system with said client system,    said client system being remotely located from said main server system;    said main server system calculating a device ID and assigning said device ID to said client system,    said client system being identified by said device ID;    said client system receiving said device ID from said main server system, collecting information from a user, and providing said information to said main server system,    said information being indicative of one or more demographic characteristics of said user while being insufficient to identify said user,    said main server system associating said information with said device ID and using    said information to provide coupon data to said client system,    said client system using said coupon data to generate said coupon.    
     
     
         48 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said user is unidentifiable by said main server system.  
     
     
         49 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said one or more demographic characteristics include at least one of a postal zip code associated with said user and the state in which said user resides.  
     
     
         50 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said client system stores said device ID, said client system providing said stored device ID to said main server system to request said coupon data from said main server system, said main server system using said stored device ID to identify said client system.  
     
     
         51 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein every coupon available for distribution by said electronic coupon distribution system is stored within said main server system.  
     
     
         52 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein, at a predetermined time interval, said client system interrogates said main server system for a new coupon.  
     
     
         53 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein without intervention by said user, said client system automatically transmits a request to said main server system to provide updated coupon data to said client system.  
     
     
         54 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said client system includes a listing of categories of coupons that said user wishes to receive.  
     
     
         55 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said user electronically redeems said coupon to a retailer.  
     
     
         56 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said client system displays a visual alert to inform said user of a new coupon.  
     
     
         57 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said main server system provides web pages to said user.  
     
     
         58 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said coupon data includes a set of instructions defining distribution of said coupon.  
     
     
         59 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 58  wherein said set of instructions specifies the maximum number of times said client system may generate said coupon, generation of said being impermissible after said maximum number is reached.  
     
     
         60 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said coupon is generated as a hard copy having printed data therein, said printed data including said device ID and a portion of said information.  
     
     
         61 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 60  wherein said main server system receives said coupon data from a coupon issuer, said printed data being available to said coupon issuer upon redemption.  
     
     
         62 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 61  wherein said coupon data are received from said coupon issuer by a direct electronic connection with a sponsor system.  
     
     
         63 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 61  wherein said coupon data are received from said coupon issuer by loading data from a physically transportable data storage medium.  
     
     
         64 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 61  wherein said user redeems said coupon by printing out and physically tendering said coupon to a retailer.  
     
     
         65 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said main server system receives advertising data from an advertising sponsor.  
     
     
         66 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 65  wherein said advertising data includes a plurality of advertising impressions, each of said plurality of advertising impressions including a combination of text and/or images.  
     
     
         67 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 65  wherein said advertising data is encrypted.  
     
     
         68 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 65  wherein said client system displays said advertising data as a logo, an Internet URL being associated with said logo, an Internet browser program associated with said client system being launched and directed to said Internet URL when said user selects said logo.  
     
     
         69 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein a history file within said client system contains history data.  
     
     
         70 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 69  wherein said history file is encrypted.  
     
     
         71 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 69  wherein said main server system uses said history data from client system to provide said coupon data to said client system.  
     
     
         72 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 69  wherein said main server system using said history data from client system to prepare a report, said report being available to an advertising sponsor, a coupon issuer, and a coupon referral agent.  
     
     
         73 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 69  wherein said history data identifies each coupon provided to said client system, displayed by said user, selected for printing by said user, selected for viewing by said user, advertising impressions displayed, or printed.  
     
     
         74 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said main server system provides client application software to a computer system, said computer system receiving said client application software from said main server system to establish said computer system as said client system.  
     
     
         75 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 74  wherein functions performed by said client application software include collecting said information, communicating with said main server system via said distributed computer network, and providing an interface for said user for browsing through, and selecting, coupons.  
     
     
         76 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said one or more demographic characteristics include a postal zip code associated with said user.  
     
     
         77 . An electronic coupon distribution system of  claim 47  wherein said client system updates coupon data stored in the user's remote computer without required interaction from the user.