Data Translator

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for translation and validation of representations of data for use in retail transactions. The systems and methods may be implemented by a device including at least one circuit. In some implementations a device may comprise a scanning component and a display component. The scanning component may be operable to capture data corresponding to a first representation of the data. The screen may be operable to display a second representation of the data. The data may correspond to coupon data associated with the sale of a product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for translation of a visual representation of a multi-use coupon, the method comprising:
 capturing a first representation of the multi-use coupon with a scanning component of a device;   determining a code configured to identify the multi-use coupon;   verifying on a remote server the code configured to identify and validate the multi-use coupon to be valid, and determining the remaining non-zero number of available uses available on the multi-use coupon;   generating a second representation of the multi-use coupon including a representation of the remaining non-zero number of available uses available on the multi-use coupon; and   displaying the second representation of the multi-use coupon on a screen of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the code comprises an offer code corresponding to a sale offer fora product. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first representation comprises a matrix barcode. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second representation on the screen is configured to be compatible to be read with a barcode scanner. 
     
     
         5 . The method according  claim 1 , wherein verifying the code configured to identify the coupon comprises communicating with a database on the remote server via a network connection to identify the validity of the coupon. 
     
     
         6 . The method according  claim 5 , further comprising communicating usage information confirming a usage of the coupon to the database. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the usage information comprises a location or a retailer identification, the location or the retailer identification identifying a retailer where the coupon is redeemed. 
     
     
         8 . The method according  claim 6 , further comprising updating the validity of the coupon based on the usage information and updating usage information in the database to limit usage of the coupon. 
     
     
         9 . The method according  claim 5 , further comprising verifying a validity of the data via the network connection prior to generating the second representation. 
     
     
         10 . A system for translation of a visual representation of data, the system being in communication with a remote server for validation of a multi-use coupon, the system comprising:
 a scanning component operable to capture a first representation of the data corresponding to a multi-use coupon;   a screen operable to display a second representation of at least a portion of the data;   a communication interface operable to communicate via a network connection to the remote server; and   at least one circuit in communication with the scanning component, the screen, and the communication interface, the at least one circuit operable to:
 capture the data from the first representation with the scanning component; 
 communicate usage information based on the data via the communication interface; 
 receive verification from the remote server via the communication interface identifying whether the coupon is valid including usage information of a remaining non-zero number of available uses of the multi-use coupon; 
 generate the second representation of at least the portion of the data in response to identification of the multi-use coupon as valid; and 
 display the second representation of the data on the screen including the remaining non-zero number of available uses of the multi-use coupon. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one circuit is further operable to verify a validity of the data via the network connection prior to generating the second representation. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one circuit is further operable to communicate the data via the communication interface to identify a user account associated with the data. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the user account is further accessible by an application configured to operate on a mobile device. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface. 
     
     
         15 . The system according  claim 10 , wherein the at least one circuit is further operable to communicate via the communication interface the usage information confirming a usage of the multi-use coupon to the database. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the usage information comprises a location or a retailer identification, the location or the retailer identification identifying a retailer where the multi-use coupon is redeemed. 
     
     
         17 . The method according  claim 15 , further comprising updating the validity of the coupon based on the usage information and updating usage information in the database to limit usage of the coupon.