Intelligent clearing network

Abstract

A system for validating, redeeming, and financially settling coupons is described. The system includes a real time network through which a Point-of-Sale (POS) device communicates with an Intelligent Clearing Network (ICN) server. The ICN server is configured to run a real time application while in communication with the POS device, wherein the POS device transmits coupon data elements read at the POS device and other consumer transaction information including universal product codes purchased, and transaction details to the ICN server via the network. The ICN server validates the coupon data elements and provides the POS device information in order to redeem coupons. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a server, data elements from a point-of-sale device for validation and redemption during a transaction, the data elements including product code information of an item to be purchased and coupon information, where the coupon information is received at the point-of-sale device located at a first location, where the server is at a second location that is remote from the first location;   validating at least one coupon based at least in part on the product code information and the coupon information; and   in response to validating the at least one coupon, sending a coupon message that indicates whether the at least one coupon has been validated for redemption in the transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the coupon information comprises a serial number that uniquely identifies an instance of coupon, where the at least one coupon comprises the instance of the coupon. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , where validating the at least one coupon comprises verifying that the serial number is loaded in a database of authorized coupon serial numbers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where validating the at least one coupon comprises verifying, for each of the at least one coupon, whether the coupon is not loaded in a database of unacceptable coupons. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication that an instance of a coupon is printed, where the digital coupon comprises a serial number that uniquely identifies the instance of the coupon; and   in response to receiving the indication that the instance of the coupon is printed, adding the serial number to a database of authorized coupon serial numbers.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where the coupon information comprises a master coupon information,
 where the method further comprises, in response to receiving the master coupon information, identifying at least two coupons, where the at least two coupons are associated with the master coupon, and   where the at least one coupon comprises the at least two coupons.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding first coupon details for a first coupon to a coupon database;   receiving second coupon details for the first coupon; and   in response to receiving the second coupon details for the first coupon, updating the coupon database with the second coupon details,   where receiving the data elements occurs after updating the coupon database,   where the at least one coupon comprises the first coupon and   where the coupon message further comprises at least a portion of the second coupon details.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving redemption information for the transaction indicating that the at least one coupon has been redeemed;   in response to receiving the redemption information, storing the redemption information in a redemption database; and   generating a redemption data report based on the redemption information database regarding at least one transaction, where the redemption data report comprises, for each transaction of at least one transaction, information identifying an item purchased redeeming at least one coupon during the transaction.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , where the coupon is a Women Infants and Children program voucher. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , where the point-of-sale device comprises a computer performing an on-line purchase. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where validating the at least one coupon is further based on a zone assigned to the point-of-sale device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving redemption information for the transaction indicating that the at least one coupon has been redeemed;   analyzing the redemption information in order to detect an alert event; and   in response to detecting an alert event, generating a notification that the alert event occurred.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , where generating the notification comprises sending a message to the first location. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , where an alert event is one of:
 when redemption of a coupon which was indicated as invalid is performed;   when the data elements include an account number for customer in a given customer class;   when redemption of a coupon at a price that is not authorized is performed;   when a threshold number of redemptions by a specific clerk of coupons at prices that are not authorized is reach;   when redemption of a coupon at a price sufficiently different from a price that is authorized is performed;   when an average amount of time between transactions by a specific clerk exceeds a threshold time; and   when a threshold number of manual inputs of coupon information indicates a potential point-of-sale device failure.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising a processor; and a memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
 receiving, at a server, data elements from a point-of-sale device for validation and redemption during a transaction, the data elements including product code information of an item to be purchased and coupon information, where the coupon information is received at the point-of-sale device located at a first location, where the server is at a second location that is remote from the first location;   validating at least one coupon based at least in part on the product code information and the coupon information; and   in response to validating the at least one coupon, sending a coupon message that indicates whether the at least one coupon has been validated for redemption in the transaction.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , where the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus:
 to receive an indication that an instance of a coupon is printed, where the digital coupon comprises a serial number that uniquely identifies the instance of the coupon; and   in response to receiving the indication that the instance of the coupon is printed, to add the serial number to a database of authorized coupon serial numbers.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , where the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus:
 to receive redemption information for the transaction indicating that the at least one coupon has been redeemed;   to analyze the redemption information in order to detect an alert event; and   in response to detecting an alert event, to generate a notification that the alert event occurred.   
     
     
         18 . A computer readable medium tangibly encoded with a computer program executable by a processor to perform actions comprising:
 receiving, at a server, data elements from a point-of-sale device for validation and redemption during a transaction, the data elements including product code information of an item to be purchased and coupon information, where the coupon information is received at the point-of-sale device located at a first location, where the server is at a second location that is remote from the first location;   validating at least one coupon based at least in part on the product code information and the coupon information; and   in response to validating the at least one coupon, sending a coupon message that indicates whether the at least one coupon has been validated for redemption in the transaction.   
     
     
         19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 18 , where the actions further comprise:
 receiving an indication that an instance of a coupon is printed, where the digital coupon comprises a serial number that uniquely identifies the instance of the coupon; and   in response to receiving the indication that the instance of the coupon is printed, adding the serial number to a database of authorized coupon serial numbers.   
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 18 , where the actions further comprise:
 receiving redemption information for the transaction indicating that the at least one coupon has been redeemed;   analyzing the redemption information in order to detect an alert event; and   in response to detecting an alert event, generating a notification that the alert event occurred.