CA2860117A1

CA2860117A1 - Method and system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway

Info

Publication number: CA2860117A1
Application number: CA2860117A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Marcel Vienneau
Original assignee: MOBI724 SOLUTIONS Inc
Current assignee: MOBI724 SOLUTIONS Inc
Priority date: 2014-08-20
Filing date: 2014-08-20
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Also published as: WO2016026044A1

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway, the method comprising obtaining from a payment gateway an indication of a transaction involving a user; determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction; and if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction, informing the user of said electronic coupon and transmitting to the payment gateway an indication of a credit to apply for said user in accordance with said electronic coupon.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AN ELECTRONIC COUPON
IN A TRANSACTION INVOLVING A PAYMENT GATEWAY
FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to electronic commerce.
More precisely, the invention pertains to a method and system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Coupons are widely used for promoting sales.

[0003] They are provided in various formats. Recently, electronic coupons have been introduced.

[0004] An issue with coupons, whether or not in the electronic format is that they have to be processed. This might require many steps involving the customer, such as collecting the coupon and handling it to the merchant. The merchant then has to authenticate the coupon and process it to eventually credit the customer.

[0005] A first issue with that is the fact that this may add extra handling operations for the merchant receiving the coupon. In addition, this may create frustration for other clients waiting in line at a store.

[0006] Another issue also is that there is a step of authentication/validation that may have to be performed by the merchant, which can be an issue.

[0007] Another issue is that the user may have to store the coupon somewhere prior to handling it to the merchant for use. This may be cumbersome even with electronic coupons.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a method and system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway that will overcome at least one of the above-identified drawbacks.

[0009] Features of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[00010] The invention provides a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway, the method comprising obtaining from a payment gateway an indication of a transaction involving a user; determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction; and if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction, informing the user of said electronic coupon and transmitting to the payment gateway an indication of a credit to apply for said user in accordance with said electronic coupon.

[00011] The invention provides a system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway, the system comprising a coupon processing unit operatively connected to a payment gateway, the coupon processing unit for receiving from a payment gateway an indication of a transaction involving a user; the coupon processing unit for determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction and for transmitting to the payment gateway an indication of a credit to apply for the user in accordance with the electronic coupon if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction.

[00012] An advantage of the method disclosed herein for processing an electronic coupon disclosed is that a merchant does not have to process the coupon.

[00013] Another advantage of the method for processing an electronic coupon disclosed herein is that the merchant does not have to authenticate or validate the coupon.

[00014] Another advantage of the method for processing an electronic coupon disclosed herein is that the merchant does not have to redeem the coupon.

[00015] Another advantage of the method for processing an electronic coupon disclosed herein is that the customer does not have to store the coupon.

[00016] In accordance with an embodiment, the indication of a transaction comprises a merchant ID, a corresponding payment card number identification and a transaction amount.

[00017] In accordance with an embodiment, the merchant ID, the corresponding payment card number identification and the transaction amount are extracted from an acknowledgement received from one of a payment terminal involved in the transaction and an integrated point of sales involved in the transaction.

[00018] In accordance with an embodiment, the corresponding payment card number identification is a token, the method further comprises a user registering at an electronic coupon management system, the registering comprising providing user information and a payment card number and generating the token using the payment card number.

[00019] In accordance with an embodiment, the generating of the token using the payment card number comprises transmitting the payment card number to the payment gateway, the payment gateway generating the token, the payment gateway storing the token in a token database and the payment gateway transmitting the token to the electronic coupon management system.

[00020] In accordance with an embodiment, the storing of the token by the payment gateway in a token database is performed using the payment card number as a key.

[00021] In accordance with an embodiment, the determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction comprises accessing a database with the token and the merchant ID.

[00022] In accordance with an embodiment, the informing of the user of the electronic coupon comprises at least one of sending at least one of a short message service (SMS) message and an email and using an application.

[00023] In accordance with an embodiment, the transmitting to the payment gateway of an indication of a credit to apply for the user in accordance with the electronic coupon comprises determining a credit, generating a file comprising an indication of the credit to apply and transmitting the file to the payment gateway.

[00024] In accordance with an embodiment, the file comprises all approved redemption of transactions that occurred for a given period of time.

[00025] In accordance with an embodiment, the given period of time is one day.

[00026] In accordance with an embodiment, the method further comprises generating a plurality of electronic coupons, each associated with a merchant ID and a registered user.

[00027] In accordance with an embodiment, each electronic coupon provides one of a given percentage rebate on a corresponding transaction and a given value rebate on the corresponding transaction.

[00028] In accordance with an embodiment, the payment card is one of a credit card and a debit card.

[00029] In accordance with an embodiment, the coupon processing unit is adapted to inform the user of the electronic coupon.

[00030] In accordance with an embodiment, the indication of a transaction comprises a merchant ID, a corresponding payment card number identification and a transaction amount.

[00031] In accordance with an embodiment, the system further comprises a router tokenizer located at the payment gateway, a merchant ID database located at the payment gateway and a token database located at the payment gateway, the merchant ID database comprises a plurality of merchant IDs and is operatively connected to the router tokenizer, further wherein the token database is operatively connected to the router tokenizer and comprises a plurality of tokens and further wherein the router tokenizer is operatively connected to a transaction host of the payment gateway and to the coupon processing unit, wherein the corresponding payment card number identification is a token generated using a payment card number by the router tokenizer and stored in the token database, further wherein the router tokenizer is adapted to receive an acknowledgement from the transaction host, extracts the payment card number and determines a corresponding token using the token database, further wherein the router tokenizer is adapted to send the determined token, the merchant ID and a transaction amount to the coupon processing unit if the merchant ID is located in the merchant ID database.

[00032] In accordance with an embodiment, the system further comprises a database operatively connected to the coupon processing unit, the database for storing a plurality of merchant IDs and a plurality of tokens, further wherein the coupon processing unit determines if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction by accessing the database using at least the token and the merchant ID.

[00033] In accordance with an embodiment, the further comprises a member managing unit operatively connected to the database; the member managing unit for registering a user, the member managing unit receiving user information and a corresponding payment card identification and sending a request for a token to the router tokenizer; further wherein the router tokenizer is adapted to generate a token using the provided corresponding payment card identification, to store the generated token in the token database and to provide the generated token to the member managing unit.

[00034] In accordance with an embodiment, the database further comprises campaign data, a campaign management unit operatively connected to the database for generating and managing a campaign, the campaign management unit storing the campaign data in the database.

[00035] In accordance with an embodiment, the member managing unit is accessible by a user via a website.

[00036] In accordance with an embodiment, the campaign management unit is accessible by a user via a website.

[00037] In accordance with an embodiment, the payment card is one of a credit card and a debit card.

[00038] In accordance with an embodiment, the indication of a transaction further comprises a transaction time and date.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00039] In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

[00040] Figure 1 is a flowchart that shows an embodiment of a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00041] Figure 2 is a block diagram that shows a system in which a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway may be implemented.

[00042] Figure 3 is a flowchart that shows an embodiment for registering a new merchant in a system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00043] Figure 4 is a flowchart that shows an embodiment of a method for registering a user in a system for implementing a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00044] Figure 5 is a flowchart that shows an embodiment of a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00045] Figure 6 is a flowchart that shows an embodiment of a method for processing an electronic coupon and crediting a user accordingly.

[00046] Figure 7 is an embodiment of a method for crediting a user.

[00047] Figure 8 is a block diagram that shows an embodiment of a system for implementing a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00048] Figure 9 is an embodiment of a payment gateway used for implementing an embodiment of a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving the payment gateway.

[00049] Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00050] In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the invention may be practiced.
Terms

[00051] The term "invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed in this application," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00052] The terms "an aspect," "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments,"
"the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," "certain embodiments," "one embodiment," "another embodiment"
and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00053] A reference to "another embodiment" or "another aspect" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00054] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00055] The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00056] The term "plurality" means "two or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00057] The term "herein" means "in the present application, including anything which may be incorporated by reference," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00058] The term "i.e." and like terms mean "that is," and thus limit the terms or phrases they explain. For example, in the sentence "the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet," the term "i.e." explains that "instructions"
are the "data" that the computer sends over the Internet.

[00059] The term "coupon" and like means a voucher entitling the holder to a discount for a particular product. The discount may be a rebate of a certain percentage, a certain value or a specific product/service.

[00060] Neither the Title nor the Abstract is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title of the present application and headings of sections provided in the present application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[00061] Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural and logical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00062] With all this in mind, the present invention is directed to a method and system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00063] Now referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway.

[00064] According to processing step 100, an indication of a transaction involving a user is obtained.

[00065] In one embodiment, the indication of the transaction involving the user is obtained by a payment gateway. Still in this embodiment, the indication of the transaction comprises a merchant identification (ID), a corresponding payment card number identification and a transaction amount. The indication of the transaction is extracted from an acknowledgement provided by a payment terminal involved in the transaction. It will be appreciated that the indication of the transaction may further comprise a time and a date. Alternatively, the merchant ID, the corresponding payment card number identification and the transaction amount are extracted from an acknowledgement received from an integrated point of sales.

[00066] In fact, one embodiment of this processing step is further disclosed in Fig. 5.

[00067] According to processing step 102, a determination is performed in order to find out if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction.

[00068] In one embodiment, the determination is performed using the indication of the transaction involving the user.

[00069] It will be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the determination is performing using a merchant ID and a token number associated with a payment card used for performing the transaction as disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6.

[00070] In the case where an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction and according to processing step 104, the user is informed of the electronic coupon.

[00071] It will be appreciated that the user may be informed according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the user may be informed of the electronic coupon before applying a credit. In an alternative embodiment, the user may be informed of the electronic coupon after applying a credit. It will be appreciated that the informing of the user of the electronic coupon comprises at least one of sending at least one of a short message service (SMS) message and an email and using an application.

[00072] According to processing step 106, an indication of a credit to apply is transmitted.

[00073] It will be appreciated that the indication of a credit to apply may be transmitted according to various embodiments.

[00074] An embodiment for transmitting the indication of a credit to apply is shown for instance in Fig. 7.

[00075] While this has not been disclosed in Fig. 1, a credit is then applied to the client once the indication of a credit to apply is processed.

[00076] Now referring to Fig. 2, there is shown an embodiment of a system in which an embodiment of the method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway may be implemented.

[00077] The system comprises a payment terminal 202, a payment gateway 204, an electronic coupon management system 206, and an issuing financial institu-tion 208.

[00078] A user 200, also referred to as a customer, is interacting at a merchant location with the payment terminal 202.

[00079] The user owns an electronic coupon as further explained below. It will be appreciated that the electronic coupon may be of various types.

[00080] In one embodiment, the electronic coupon comprises a reduction of a certain percentage on a given transaction.

[00081] In an alternative embodiment, the electronic coupon is for a given credit in a given currency notwithstanding the amount of the transaction.

[00082] Moreover, it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the merchant location may be a physical location, such as a shop or a virtual location such as a website.

[00083] It will be appreciated that the payment terminal 202 is used for processing a payment made by the user in exchange of a good or a service.

[00084] Again, it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that in one embodiment, the user may be located physically next to the payment terminal 202, while in another embodiment the user is not located physically located next to the payment terminal 202.

[00085] The payment terminal 202 is adapted for processing a payment card, such as a credit card or a debit card.

[00086] The skilled addressee will appreciate that the payment terminal 202 may be of various types. In one embodiment, the payment terminal 202 is Model iCT200 series manufactured by lngenicoTM or a payment application developed by Hybridpaytech World Inc.

[00087] The payment terminal 202 is operatively connected to a payment gateway 204.

[00088] The payment terminal 202 is operatively connected to a payment gateway 204 via a data network, not shown.

[00089] The skilled addressee will appreciate that the data network may be of various types. In one embodiment, the data network is a public network, like a secure link on the Internet, a virtual private network or a cellular network.

[00090] The payment gateway 204 is typically used by a payment processing entity to route information related to a payment card purchase, including an amount of the purchase, an identification of the payment card used to make the purchase, an identification of a merchant to a credit card company or a bank corresponding to the payment card used in the purchase. In fact, each merchant has a business relationship with a payment gateway where usually all of their transactions flow through.

[00091] Now referring to Fig. 9, there is shown an embodiment of the payment gateway 204.

[00092] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the payment gateway 204 comprises a transaction host 900, a router tokenizer 904, a token database 902, and a merchant ID database 906.

[00093] The transaction host 900 is used for receiving, processing and transmitting transaction data with the payment terminal 202 and with the issuing financial institution 208.

[00094] It will be appreciated that the transaction host 900 is operatively connected to the router tokenizer 904.

[00095] The merchant ID database 906 is used for storing a list of merchant IDs.
It will be appreciated that a merchant for which an electronic coupon exists is listed in the merchant ID database 906.

[00096] The token database 902 is used for storing a plurality of tokens.

[00097] It will be appreciated that a token is used in order to avoid storing many instances of a payment card numbers. The token is stored in one embodiment using the payment card as a key.

[00098] The router tokenizer 904 is operatively connected to the token database 902 and to the merchant ID database 906.

[00099] The router tokenizer 904 is further operatively connected to the transaction host 900 of the payment gateway 204. The router tokenizer 904 is adapted to receive an acknowledgement from the transaction host 900 and to extract from the acknowledgement the payment card number and the merchant ID.

[000100] The router tokenizer 904 is further used, inter alia, for generating a token using a payment card number.

[000101] The router tokenizer 904 is further used for accessing the token database 902 and the merchant ID database 906.

[000102] For instance, the router tokenizer 904 may access the token database to find out if a given token exists in the token database 902.

[000103] The router tokenizer 904 may be further used for storing a generated token in the token database 902.

[000104] Now referring back to Fig. 2, the payment gateway 204 is operatively connected to an issuing financial institution 208 via a data network, not shown.

[000105] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the data network may be of various types. In one embodiment, the data network is a public network, like a secure link on the Internet, a virtual private network or a cellular network.

[000106] The issuing financial institution 208 may be Visa(TM) of Visa Inc.
(Foster City, California).

[000107] The payment gateway 204 is operatively connected to the electronic coupon management system 206 using a data network, not shown.

[000108] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the data network may be of various types. In one embodiment, the data network is a public network, like a secure link on the Internet, a virtual private network or a cellular network.

[000109] More precisely, the electronic coupon management system 206 is used for managing coupons and their redeeming, as further explained.

[000110] In fact, it will be appreciated that the user 200 may register, in one embodiment, at the electronic coupon management system 206. The registration may be done by the user him or herself or by a third party acting of his/her behalf.

[000111] Now referring to Fig. 8, there is shown an embodiment of the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000112] In one embodiment, the electronic coupon management system 206 comprises a member management unit 800, a coupon processing unit 802, a campaign management unit 804, and a database 806.

[000113] The member managing unit 800 is used for enabling users to access the system. More precisely, the member managing unit 800 may be used for enabling users to sign up to the system, configure preferences, and review transaction data in one embodiment. It will be further appreciated that the member managing unit may secure the payment card information with a token. In one embodiment, the user registers using the member managing unit 800 by providing user information and at least one payment card identification. The at least one payment card identification may be amended over time. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the member managing unit 800 may be used for searching, adding, removing electronic coupons in a merchant category/campaign available. The member managing unit 800 may be further used for showing a history of redeemed electronic coupons with remittance dates and amounts in one embodiment. It will be further appreciated that the member managing unit 800 may be also used for providing other features such as alerts for expiring electronic coupons, alerts for addition of new campaigns from specific merchants, alerts when an electronic coupon is redeemed/unredeemed, links to social networks to share with friends, etc. It will be appreciated that a user may access the member managing unit 800 via a website which may be accessed by anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet pc.
In one embodiment, the member managing unit 800 is accessed via a dedicated application.

[000114] The coupon processing unit 802 is used, inter alia, for receiving from the payment gateway 204 an indication of a transaction involving the user 200. The coupon processing unit 802 is further used for determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction and for transmitting to the payment gateway 204 an indication of a credit to apply for the user 200 in accordance with the electronic coupon if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction.

[000115] The campaign management unit 804 is used for defining and implementing a coupon campaign. It will be appreciated that a campaign is a set of rules (e.g., value, start date, duration, etc.) defining the usability of an electronic coupon. Via the campaign management unit 804, a third party may create and assign electronic coupons to at least one registered user. In one embodiment the campaign is created for a fee. It will be appreciated that the fee may be a fixed amount in one embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the fee may be proportional with revenue generated with transactions involving the generated electronic coupons. It will be appreciated that the fee may also be based on the amount of users reached. In a further embodiment, the fee may be a combination of the fees mentioned above. In one embodiment, the third party is a merchant registered in the system. It will be appreciated that in one embodiment each coupon is associated with a merchant ID and a registered user. It will be appreciated that the third party may access the campaign management unit 804 via a website.
Also it will be appreciated that the campaign management unit 804 may be used to provide a set of reports to the third party to manage and evaluate the performance of a given campaign (e.g. number of used coupons, etc.). Financial reports may also be available and describe the cost of each coupon campaign and help the third party evaluate the revenues based on the amount of the transactions.

[000116] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the electronic coupons may be created with various parameters. They may have, for instance, a time component (i.e., valid for a certain period of time) in addition to being assigned to a given user registered in the system. As previously mentioned, the electronic coupon provides, in one embodiment, a reduction of a given fraction of an amount on a transaction performed with a given merchant while, in another embodiment, the electronic coupon provides to the user a reduction of a fixed amount on a transaction performed with a given merchant.

[000117] The database 806 is used for storing data.

[000118] The data stored in the database 806 comprise tokens. As explained, a token is used for uniquely identifying a payment card used for performing a transaction.

[000119] The data stored in the database 806 further comprise user data. It will be appreciated that the user data may be associated to a user registered in the system.
It will be appreciated that the user data may be linked to at least one token.

[000120] The data stored in the database 806 further comprises merchant data.
The merchant data is used for identifying a given merchant at which an electronic coupon may be redeemed.

[000121] The data stored in the database 806 further comprises campaign data.
The campaign data may comprise various data associated with a campaign such as, for instance, a list of the electronic coupons generated, etc.

[000122] Now referring to Fig. 4, there is shown an embodiment of a method for performing a registration of the user.

[000123] According to processing step 400, a registration is performed in the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000124] The registration is performed by accessing the electronic coupon management system 206. The electronic coupon management system 206 may be accessed according to various embodiments. For instance the accessing may be performed via a data network, such as the Internet.

[000125] Moreover and in this embodiment, the accessing may be performed using a browser accessing a website hosted by the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000126] It will be appreciated that the accessing may comprise opening an account and providing user identification data such as last name, first name, address, etc.

[000127] The accessing further comprises providing an identification of the payment card associated with the user. The skilled addressee will appreciate that more than one identification of a payment card associated with the user may be provided in the case where the user may use more than one payment card.

[000128] In one embodiment, the identification of the payment card comprises a payment card number and an expiration date.

[000129] According to processing step 402, a token request is transmitted. In one embodiment, the token request is transmitted to the payment gateway 204. It will be appreciated that the token request may be transmitted to other entities in an alternative embodiment.

[000130] It will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the token request is transmitted via a secured TCP/IP socket. Still in one embodiment, the token request comprises the number of the payment card. Still in this embodiment, the token is used in order to avoid storing the payment card number at the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000131] According to processing step 404, a token is generated.

[000132] The token is generated using the router tokenizer 904 of the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000133] In an alternative embodiment, a "widget" is opened in the processor environment, from the registration environment. This way, the number of the payment card will never leave the processor PCI-DSS compliant environment, where the tokenizer resides.

[000134] According to optional processing step 406, the generated token is stored using the card number as a key.

[000135] It will be appreciated that the generated token is stored in the token database 902 of the payment gateway 204 using the number of the payment card as its primary key. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this will ensure that the number of the payment card can only exist once in a database.

[000136] The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be provided for storing the generated token in the payment gateway 204.

[000137] According to processing step 408, the generated token is transmitted to the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000138] It will be appreciated that the generated token is transmitted to the electronic coupon management system 206 without the number of the payment card.

[000139] According to processing step 410, the token is stored with the user ID.

[000140] More precisely and in accordance with one embodiment, the token is stored with the user ID in the database 806 by the member managing unit 800 of the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000141] According to processing step 412, a confirmation is sent.

[000142] The confirmation is sent to the user to inform him or her that the given payment card has been successfully registered.

[000143] It will be appreciated that the confirmation may be sent according to various alternative embodiments.

[000144] In one embodiment the confirmation is displayed to the user on a webpage.

[000145] In an alternative embodiment, the confirmation is provided as a short message service (SMS) message to the user.

[000146] In a further alternative embodiment, the confirmation is provided to the user via an email.

[000147] It will be appreciated that a plurality of merchants may also be registered in the coupon management system 206.

[000148] Now referring to Fig. 3, there is shown an embodiment for registering a new merchant in the system.

[000149] In one embodiment, the registration of a new merchant is performed using the coupon management system 206.

[000150] More precisely and according to processing step 200, new merchant data is obtained.

[000151] The new merchant data may comprise various information such as a name, contact information, coordinates of the merchant, terminal identification number, commercial number, email.

[000152] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the new merchant data may be provided according to various embodiments.

[000153] In one embodiment, the new merchant data is provided via the campaign management unit 804 of the coupon management system 206. More precisely, the campaign management unit 804 may comprise a webserver displaying a webpage through which the new merchant data is provided.

[000154] Alternatively, the new merchant data is provided from a paper or an external website. In both cases, the information is entered in the campaign management unit 804.

[000155] According to processing step 302, new merchant ID is transmitted to the router tokenizer 904 of the payment gateway 204. It will be appreciated that alternatively, the Terminal ID may be provided to the router tokenizer 904 of the payment gateway 204.

[000156] The merchant ID will be used to determine if a transaction may be subject to a coupon. In fact, it will be appreciated that a first filtering of the incoming transactions will be performed on the basis of the merchant ID while a second filtering will be then performed on the basis of the payment card.

[000157] According to processing step, the new merchant ID is stored in a database.

[000158] In one embodiment, the new merchant ID is stored in the merchant ID
database 906 of the payment gateway 204 by the router tokenizer 904.

[000159] Now referring to Fig. 5, there is shown an embodiment of a method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving the payment gateway 204.

[000160] According to processing step 500, a transaction request is generated at the payment terminal 202.

[000161] The transaction request is generated following, or in the course of, a transaction involving a user and a merchant.

[000162] While this has not been disclosed, it will be appreciated that the transaction request generated is transmitted to the issuing financial institution 208.
The transaction request is transmitted to the issuing financial institution 208 via the payment gateway 204 in one embodiment.

[000163] According to processing step 502, a response is obtained from the issuing financial institution 208.

[000164] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the response obtained from the issuing financial institution 208 may be positive or negative, i.e., transaction approved or declined.

[000165] While this has not been disclosed, it will be appreciated that the response is obtained by the payment terminal 202. In one embodiment, the response is obtained by the payment terminal 202 via the payment gateway 204. The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be possible.

[000166] According to processing step 504, an acknowledgment is transmitted to the payment gateway 204.

[000167] The acknowledgement is transmitted to the payment gateway 204 by the payment terminal 202.

[000168] According to processing step 506, a test is performed in order to find out if the merchant ID is recognized.

[000169] It will be appreciated that the test is performed by the transaction host 900 of the payment gateway 204. The test comprises extracting the merchant ID from the acknowledgement transmitted.

[000170] In the case where the merchant ID is recognized and according to processing step 508, information is sent to the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000171] In one embodiment, the information sent comprises the merchant ID, a corresponding payment card token and a transaction amount.

[000172] The skilled addressee will appreciate that the corresponding payment card token is determined by the router tokenizer 904 by accessing the token database 902 using the corresponding payment card number.

[000173] According to processing step 510, the electronic coupon is managed accordingly.

[000174] It will be appreciated that the electronic coupon is managed by the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000175] Now referring to Fig. 6, there is shown how the electronic coupon is managed by the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000176] According to processing step 600, a test is performed in order to find out if the corresponding payment card token is in the token database. In one embodiment, the test is performed by the coupon processing unit 802 of the electronic coupon management system 206.

[000177] In the case where the corresponding payment card token is in the token database 806 of the electronic coupon management system 206 and in accordance with processing step 601, a validation is performed in order to find out if a coupon exists. .In the case where a coupon exists and in accordance with processing step 602, a corresponding account information, the amount and the merchant ID are transmitted to the coupon processing unit 802 for further processing.

[000178] According to processing step 604, a user is credited accordingly.

[000179] It will be appreciated that the user may be credited according to various embodiments.

[000180] Now referring to Fig. 7, there is shown an embodiment of crediting the user.

[000181] According to processing step 700, a file is generated.

[000182] The file is generated by the coupon processing unit 802 in one embodiment.

[000183] The file is a standard batch format that comprises all approved redemption transactions that occurred in the coupon processing unit 802 for a given period of time. In one embodiment, the given period of time is one day. The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be possible.

[000184] The file comprises, for each entry, a corresponding payment card token and a corresponding credit amount. It will be appreciated that before the file is transmitted back for processing, the tokens are replaced by the corresponding payment card numbers.

[000185] According to processing step 702, the generated file is transmitted.

[000186] The generated file is transmitted by the coupon processing unit 802 of the electronic coupon management system 206 to the router tokenizer 904 of the payment gateway 204.

[000187] According to processing step 704, each entry of the generated file is redeemed.

[000188] It will be appreciated that the redeeming of each entry comprises accessing the token database 902 with a corresponding token to obtain a corresponding payment card number and sending a refund order with the corresponding payment card number, the amount and the merchant ID to the issuing financial institution 208.

[000189] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the refund order may be provided to the issuing financial institution 208 according to various embodiments.

[000190] According to processing step 604, a user is credited accordingly.

[000191] The crediting is performed by the issuing financial institution 208 in response to the refund order received from the payment gateway 204.

[000192] In one embodiment, the transaction corresponding to the refund should show the name of the merchant and a short description of the redemption to be shown on the payment card statement. (e.g., Wal-Mart, 5% rebate on 50$+).

[000193] It will be appreciated that, in this embodiment, and upon payment by the user at the payment terminal 202, a payment processing is transmitted by the payment terminal 202 to the payment gateway 204. The payment gateway will check if the user is registered in the system and if an electronic coupon is available.
In the case where an electronic coupon is available, a refund order will be provided by the electronic coupon management system 206 to the payment gateway 204.

[000194] Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes functional equivalents of the elements described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway, the method comprising:
obtaining from a payment gateway an indication of a transaction involving a user;
determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction; and if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction, informing the user of said electronic coupon; and transmitting to the payment gateway an indication of a credit to apply for said user in accordance with said electronic coupon.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indication of a transaction comprises a merchant ID, a corresponding payment card number identification and a transaction amount.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the merchant ID, the corresponding payment card number identification and the transaction amount are extracted from an acknowledgement received from one of a payment terminal involved in the transaction and an integrated point of sales involved in the transaction.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the corresponding payment card number identification is a token, wherein the method further comprises a user registering at an electronic coupon management system, the registering comprising providing user information and a payment card number and generating the token using the payment card number.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the generating of the token using the payment card number comprises transmitting the payment card number to the payment gateway, the payment gateway generating the token, the payment gateway storing the token in a token database and the payment gateway transmitting the token to the electronic coupon management system.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the storing of the token by the payment gateway in a token database is performed using the payment card number as a key.

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction comprises accessing a database with the token and the merchant ID.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the informing of the user of said electronic coupon comprises at least one of sending at least one of a short message service (SMS) message and an email and using an application.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitting to the payment gateway of an indication of a credit to apply for said user in accordance with said electronic coupon comprises determining a credit, generating a file comprising an indication of the credit to apply and transmitting the file to the payment gateway.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the file comprises all approved redemption of transactions that occurred for a given period of time.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the given period of time is one day.

12. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising generating a plurality of electronic coupons, each associated with a merchant ID and a registered user.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein each electronic coupon provides one of a given percentage rebate on a corresponding transaction and a given value rebate on the corresponding transaction.

14. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the payment card is one of a credit card and a debit card.

15. A system for processing an electronic coupon in a transaction involving a payment gateway, the system comprising:
a coupon processing unit operatively connected to a payment gateway, the coupon processing unit for receiving from a payment gateway an indication of a transaction involving a user; the coupon processing unit for determining if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction using at least the indication of the transaction and for transmitting to the payment gateway an indication of a credit to apply for said user in accordance with said electronic coupon if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the coupon processing unit is adapted to inform the user of the electronic coupon.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indication of a transaction comprises a merchant ID, a corresponding payment card number identification and a transaction amount.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a router tokenizer located at the payment gateway, a merchant ID database located at the payment gateway and a token database located at the payment gateway, wherein the merchant ID database comprises a plurality of merchant IDs and is operatively connected to the router tokenizer, further wherein the token database is operatively connected to the router tokenizer and comprises a plurality of tokens and further wherein the router tokenizer is operatively connected to a transaction host of the payment gateway and to the coupon processing unit, wherein the corresponding payment card number identification is a token generated using a payment card number by the router tokenizer and stored in the token database, further wherein the router tokenizer is adapted to receive an acknowledgement from the transaction host, extracts the payment card number and determines a corresponding token using the token database, further wherein the router tokenizer is adapted to send the determined token, the merchant ID and a transaction amount to the coupon processing unit if the merchant ID is located in the merchant ID database.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a database operatively connected to the coupon processing unit, the database for storing a plurality of merchant IDs and a plurality of tokens, further wherein the coupon processing unit determines if an electronic coupon is associated with the transaction by accessing the database using at least the token and the merchant ID.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a member managing unit operatively connected to the database; the member managing unit for registering a user, the member managing unit receiving user information and a corresponding payment card identification and sending a request for a token to the router tokenizer; further wherein the router tokenizer is adapted to generate a token using the provided corresponding payment card identification, to store the generated token in the token database and to provide the generated token to the member managing unit.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the database further comprises campaign data, further comprising a campaign management unit operatively connected to the database for generating and managing a campaign, the campaign management unit storing the campaign data in the database.

22. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the member managing unit is accessible by a user via a website.

23. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the campaign management unit is accessible by a user via a website.

24. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the payment card is one of a credit card and a debit card.

25. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the indication of a transaction further comprises a transaction time and date.