Intelligent Clearing Network

Abstract

In an embodiment, a system for validating, redeeming, and financially settling paper coupons coded with a GS1 barcode and 8110 Application Identifier comprises a real time network through which a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal communicates directly to, or through a POS controller, with an Intelligent Clearing Network (ICN) server. One or both of the POS terminal, and POS controller are installed with a ICN POS data bridge which stores computer code. The ICN server is configured to ran a real time application while in communication with the POS terminal, wherein the POS terminal transmits paper coupon data elements read from the GS1 barcode and other consumer transaction information including universal product codes purchased, and transaction details to the ICN server via the network.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at an ICN server from a retail server in a retail business located at a first location, redeemed coupon related information indicating successful redemption of a coupon, wherein the redeemed coupon related information comprises identification information from a product purchased, an application identifier, and retailer identification information and where the ICN server is at a second location that is remote from the first location;   in response to receiving the redeemed coupon related information, determining whether the redemption of the coupon was valid based on the redeemed coupon related information; and   storing, by the ICN server, the redeemed coupon related information in a redeemed coupon database, where the redeemed coupon database comprises a plurality of redeemed coupon related information received from a plurality of retailer servers.   
     
     
         39 . The method as in  claim 38 , further comprising:
 generating a coupon audit report based on the redeemed coupon database;   transmitting the coupon audit report to a manufacturer; and   in response to receiving approval for at least a portion of the coupon audit report, debiting a bank account assigned to the manufacturer based on the portion of the coupon audit report that was approved and crediting a bank account assigned to the retailer based on the portion of the coupon audit report that was approved.   
     
     
         40 . The method as in  claim 39 , wherein the ICN server provides the coupon audit report to the manufacturer in real time. 
     
     
         41 . The method as in  claim 39 , where the coupon audit report provides detailed and summary information by individual store and date. 
     
     
         42 . The method as in  claim 38 , wherein the redeemed coupon related information comprises information regarding a consumer's transaction including at least one of: date, time, store, lane, total dollar amount spent, customer ID and universal product codes. 
     
     
         43 . The method as in  claim 38 , where the ICN server is configured to communicate with a plurality of retail servers. 
     
     
         44 . The method as in  claim 38 , further comprising transmitting a redemption confirmation acknowledgement indicating that the redeemed coupon related information was received and whether the redemption of the coupon was valid. 
     
     
         45 . The method as in  claim 38 , further comprising, in response to determining that the redemption of the coupon was invalid, transmitting a redemption confirmation acknowledgement indicating that the redeemed coupon related information was received, that the redemption of the coupon was invalid and a reason why the redemption of the coupon was invalid. 
     
     
         46 . The method as in  claim 38 , further comprising:
 monitoring volume and traffic of redeemed coupons; and   identifying abnormalities indicative of attempted fraudulent coupon redemption based on the monitored volume and traffic.   
     
     
         47 . An ICN server comprising a processor; and a memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the ICN server to perform at least the following:
 to receive, at an ICN server from a retail server located at a in a retail business located at a first location, redeemed coupon related information indicating successful redemption of a coupon, wherein the redeemed coupon related information comprises identification information from a product purchased, an application identifier, and retailer identification information and where the ICN server is at a second location that is remote from the first location;   in response to receiving the redeemed coupon related information, to determine whether the redemption of the coupon was valid based on the redeemed coupon related information; and   to store, by the ICN server, the redeemed coupon related information in a redeemed coupon database, where the redeemed coupon database comprises a plurality of redeemed coupon related information received from a plurality of retailer servers.   
     
     
         48 . The ICN server as in  claim 47 , where the memory and the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to transmit a redemption confirmation acknowledgement indicating that the redeemed coupon related information was received and whether the redemption of the coupon was valid. 
     
     
         49 . The ICN server as in  claim 47 , where the memory and the computer program code are further configured to cause the ICN server:
 to generate a coupon audit report based on the redeemed coupon database;   to transmit the coupon audit report to a manufacturer; and   in response to receiving approval for at least a portion of the coupon audit report, to debit a bank account assigned to the manufacturer based on the portion of the coupon audit report that was approved and to credit a bank account assigned to the retailer based on the portion of the coupon audit report that was approved.   
     
     
         50 . The ICN server as in  claim 49 , where the coupon audit report provides detailed and summary information by individual store and date. 
     
     
         51 . The ICN server as in  claim 47 , wherein the redeemed coupon related information comprises information regarding a consumer's transaction including at least one of: date, time, store, lane, total dollar amount spent, customer ID and universal product codes. 
     
     
         52 . The ICN server as in  claim 47 , where the memory and the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus:
 to monitor volume and traffic of redeemed coupons; and   to identify abnormalities indicative of attempted fraudulent coupon redemption based on the monitored volume and traffic.   
     
     
         53 . A computer readable medium tangibly encoded with a computer program executable by a processor to perform actions comprising:
 receiving, at an ICN server from a retail server in a retail business located at a first location, redeemed coupon related information indicating successful redemption of a coupon, wherein the redeemed coupon related information comprises identification information from a product purchased, an application identifier, and retailer identification information and where the ICN server is at a second location that is remote from the first location;   in response to receiving the redeemed coupon related information, determining whether the redemption of the coupon was valid based on the redeemed coupon related information; and   storing, by the ICN server, the redeemed coupon related information in a redeemed coupon database, where the redeemed coupon database comprises a plurality of redeemed coupon related information received from a plurality of retailer servers.   
     
     
         54 . The computer readable medium as in  claim 53 , where the actions further comprise:
 generating a coupon audit report based on the redeemed coupon database;   transmitting the coupon audit report to a manufacturer; and   in response to receiving approval for at least a portion of the coupon audit report, debiting a bank account assigned to the manufacturer based on the portion of the coupon audit report that was approved and crediting a bank account assigned to the retailer based on the portion of the coupon audit report that was approved.   
     
     
         55 . The computer readable medium as in  claim 54 , where the coupon audit report provides detailed and summary information by individual store and date. 
     
     
         56 . The computer readable medium as in  claim 53 , wherein the redeemed coupon related information comprises information regarding a consumer's transaction including at least one of date, time, store, lane, total dollar amount spent, customer ID and universal product codes. 
     
     
         57 . The computer readable medium, as in  claim 53 , where the actions further comprise:
 monitoring volume and traffic of redeemed coupons; and   identifying abnormalities indicative of attempted fraudulent coupon redemption based on the monitored volume and traffic.