CN1914635A - Retail marketing method - Google Patents

Retail marketing method Download PDF

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Publication number
CN1914635A
CN1914635A CNA2004800413437A CN200480041343A CN1914635A CN 1914635 A CN1914635 A CN 1914635A CN A2004800413437 A CNA2004800413437 A CN A2004800413437A CN 200480041343 A CN200480041343 A CN 200480041343A CN 1914635 A CN1914635 A CN 1914635A
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information
businessman
firm
retailer
data
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艾伦·卢鲍
卡里·布宁
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International Barcode Corp
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International Barcode Corp
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
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  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
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  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention devises a method whereby a retailer may upgrade his operation by providing his suppliers(the vendors) with labeling standards including RFID and RSS bar code, guidelines for formatting and including in those labels additional supply chain logistical information, additional information including the item number, lot and expiration dates, the time and place of manufacture, descriptions in greater depth then was hitherto possible about the goods themselves, and a method of capturing that information and feeding it into the retailer's information management systems through customized forms and middleware. The retailer uses the services of an information management corporation that sets up this program with the retailer's suppliers, thereby eliminating the associated costs of augmenting his own systems. The retailer, vendors and customers profit by that additional information through various means of feedback, and extracting that information in useful ways that provide for greater inventory control, consumer safety, more efficient movement of merchandize, information about product content to the consumer, security, supply chain logistics, compliance with government regulations for the sale of retail goods, the bioterrorism act as well as other government regulations and systems of pricing, rebates, coupons and returns by the customers.

Description

Retail marketing method
Copyright and legal notice
The part of the disclosure of this patent file comprises material protected by copyright.This copyright owner does not oppose that anyone duplicates this patent file or the patent disclosure that appear in Patent﹠Trademark Office's document or the record, but is keeping all copyrights aspect other.
The related application cross reference
The present invention on Dec 17th, 2002 file an application the 10/320th, the part splice application case of No. 995 patent application cases is also advocated the right of priority of these patent application cases according to 35U.S.C. § 120, and the content of this patent application case is incorporated herein in full with way of reference.The application's case is also advocated the right of priority of the 60/528th, No. 105 temporary patent application case of filing an application on Dec 8th, 2003 according to 35U.S.C. § 119 (e), the content of this patent application case is incorporated herein in full with way of reference.
Technical field
Do not have
Background technology
Information has become the foundation stone of any modern retail company.In order to make the retailer keep competitive power, must in such as numerous areas such as supply chain logistics, stock control, warehousing and trace information management, show professional.In aspect retail experience every other, information management also becomes the key that makes the retailer can control the flowing of goods and services, storage, order, order again, stock, sale and payment and be consistent with the government regulation of relevant Retail commodity mark and sale.If do not consider these other aspects of retail experience, then can in current market, lose competitive power.
Traditionally, the partnership of being set up between retailer and the supplier has been set the communication standard of this kind information.In its simplest form, the retailer needs each supplier to come its goods and services of mark with the thing item No..These thing item No. print in the supply of material that consigns to the retailer with machine-readable forms such as for example UPC (A) bar codes.This makes the retailer can make its supply chain logistics, stock, warehousing, retail and delivery system robotization.
Along with the system that relies on machine-readable data is more and more ripe, retailers recognize, provide more and better information will enlarge these supply chain logisticses, stock, sale and delivery system in time.The prospect of retail information system is boundless.Past, the retailer adopted the Legacy Systems that earmark such as payable at sight formula, FIFO, SAP over 25 years.Any modern solution that the retailer is used to upgrade its information management system all must comprise a kind of method that makes these Legacy Systems be suitable for the fresh information technology that adopted.
Bar code, magnetic stripe and RFID label with bigger data handling capacity are used as the method that comprises described extraneous information.
Obviously, the retailer is playing the part of the center role in the expansion of these retail information systems, because the retailer is in its goods and services is carried out the center of mark with all businessmans of setting up described system.The retailer needs as the standard setting person who is printed on the extraneous information on its goods and services by businessman.
Yet, also obviously, if all businessmans will be upset independently for its businessman sets up standard in each new retail commercial city.Should imitate which retailer's standard? does the gorilla of Ying Youwu cental (maximum retailer) come choice criteria? can these standards be accepted by the businessman of different scales in the different industries?
People have created a kind of method that solves all these problems in a kind of mode that can peddle to the retailer of all trades and professions.And described method becomes the situation of for retailer, businessman and consumer " three win ".The retailer obtains being used for this type of improvement of its system implementation is not caused the big expense or the method for start-up cost.In fact, because businessman will be required to buy and add required report, information search and the mark of retailer system, therefore described method essence and become a profit center naturally.
At first, in order to realize the renewal of this infosystem, the retailer must study its existing information system and which type of information decision needs carry out the program of all between the different entities in the supply chain, can strengthen retailer's merchandising and satisfy retail and consumer's experience of client's ability.Secondly, the retailer must create the fresh information system and all points creation procedure in the retail experience that can utilize extraneous information.Next, businessman must obtain need together offering with its commodity it requirement of retailer's information.Next, businessman must obtain its commodity are carried out the standard and the criterion of mark.Next, the retailer must create a kind of mode of collecting and receive information needed from businessman.Next, the retailer must create and a kind ofly accept described information and incorporate it in retailer's the existing information database mode.These all are huge (if not unsurmountable) obstacles for any one retailer.A kind of mode that realizes these identical targets is that the retailer requires its maximum businessman to adopt and new information and communication standard and to this paying.Work as a retailer " reluctantly " finish this work and do not prove when how supplier will have benefited from using these new standards that businessman may show huge inertia to continuing to satisfy these requirements.
Summary of the invention
System and method of the present invention relates to sell and be supplied to by businessman retailer's product and/or the relevant management of information of service (it can be referred to as work " commodity ") with the retailer.
An example of the present invention provides a kind of and is used to manage and the relevant information of commodity of being sold by the retailer and being supplied by at least one formed supply chain of businessman.At first, the developer creates one and is used to manage the system of the information relevant with the commodity of being sold by the retailer and supplied by supply chain.Institute of described system information of managing is stipulated by described retailer.Described system is designed to make the businessman in the described supply chain will be in the information by described information and described commodity are associated and provide described retailer to define before the described commodity of described retailer's shipping.For example, described information may be encoded in one be labelled in the bar coded sticker of described commodity be stored in the storer that a RFID goods that is labelled to described commodity signs or described the two a certain combination in.Next, described retailer manages the installation of described system on its supply chain by following manner: require each businessman in the described chain to buy described system and will use described system as a condition that carries on trade with described retailer from described developer.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described retailer receives the expense of an installation of the described system of management on described supply chain.For example, described expense can be paid described retailer by described developer.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the described expense that the retailer received of described chain can be based on being purchased by the businessman in the described chain.For example, described expense can be the part of the purchasing price of each system.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described retailer can use the businessman of described system to receive commodity from supply chain, and uses described system to obtain the information that is associated with the reception commodity subsequently.Next, described retailer can provide described at least one businessman that is back to the described commodity of shipping in the described supply chain with in the obtaining information at least some.The described information that sends back to the businessman the described chain from described retailer can make described businessman benefit because of following: for example, and speed and its speed of corresponding thus adjustment of making described businessman can determine to be supplied to described retailer's commodity selling to described retailer's supply of material.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a kind of confession one developer to sell a kind of method of system, and described system is used to manage and the relevant information of commodity of being sold by a retailer and being supplied by a supply chain that is formed by at least one businessman.At first, described developer advises using a program that is used in described retailer's the described system of supply chain installation to described retailer, in described program, require each businessman in the described chain to buy the described system that develops by described developer and use described system as a condition that carries on trade with described retailer.If described retailer accepts described suggestion, then described retailer sets up described program and notifies businessman in the described chain with described requirement.Described program can make described businessman buy described system from described developer by described retailer, and wherein said retailer handles from the order of described businessman and arranges described system is consigned to described businessman from described developer.
According to another embodiment, described retailer can receive the expense that a shaft of a writing brush is managed described program.For example, described retailer can keep the part of the purchasing price of each system that is bought.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described retailer can provide and make the consumer can obtain means about the extraneous information of commodity.For example, the retailer can place little information kiosk in its shop, thereby so that the consumer can be scanned acquisition about the extraneous information by described businessman merchandise provided to the bar code that is labelled on the commodity.For example, the extraneous information of some commodity (for example fruit) can comprise its country of origin so that the consumer can select and buy the commodity that originate in certain areas.In another embodiment, the obtainable extraneous information about commodity of consumer can comprise detailed attention explanation or possible sensitivity response, for example sensitivity response of food or medicine.In addition, the retailer can the Instant Ads form provide this type of extraneous information to the consumer.For example, when positive in current news report or outstanding reversely report during from the commodity (for example food) of certain areas, the retailer can be in a computer-controlled real-time display device to the consumer announce commodity be from or be not a certain area that conforms to from described news report.
In another embodiment, provide a kind of method that is used to manage the information between firm and the businessman.At first, the developer creates a system, so that firm receives and the relevant information of article that is offered described firm by a supply chain that is formed by at least one businessman by described system.Described system comprises a technical manual and one or more subsystem, wherein said technical manual is defined by described at least firm and described technical manual defines the information type that will receive by described system, and in wherein said one or more businessmans subsystem each all makes the operator of corresponding businessman subsystem provide and the corresponding to information of described technical manual to described firm by following manner: described corresponding to information stores is associated with the article that offer described firm in information-storing device and with described information-storing device.Next, described firm promotes the installation of described system in supply chain by following manner: require one or more in described at least one businessman to buy businessman's subsystem that described one or more businessmans subsystem and operation are bought from described developer, to provide information to keep the condition of trade relations as one with described firm to described firm.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described information-storing device comprises bar code.
According to another embodiment, described information-storing device comprises the RSS bar code.
In another embodiment of the present invention, described information-storing device comprises RFID goods label.
In another embodiment of the present invention, described developer promotes the installation of described system on supply chain to expense of described firm's payment.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described expense is based on and one or morely described in described at least one businessman buys described subsystem from described developer.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described system comprises firm's subsystem, so that described firm can be from moving acquired information the relevant described information-storing device of the article that businessman received of businessman's subsystem with described firm from each, and making described firm data can be sent to the businessman of one or more operation one businessman's subsystems, wherein said data and described firm were before relevant from the article that the businessman of one or more operation one businessman's subsystems receives.
In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of method that is used for the information that management is relevant with article between firm and one or more businessman.Described method relates to access data the described firm place data storage device relevant from the article that receive from described one or more businessmans with described firm, and the described data that wherein are stored in the described data storage device are to be selected according to the request that described firm sends by described one or more businessmans.Then, described firm sends to described one or more businessman with at least a portion in institute's access data.At last, described one or more businessmans assign to determine the sale relevant information that is associated with described article according to the institute's sending part in the institute's access data that is offered described one or more businessmans by described firm.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the data that access is relevant with described article comprise and read a bar coded sticker.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, described bar coded sticker comprises a Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) bar code.
In another embodiment of the present invention, described bar coded sticker comprises two-dimensional symensional symbol.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the data that access is relevant with described article comprise the access data from a radio frequency identification (RFID) device reception institute.
According to another embodiment, the data relevant with described article comprise product information.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the described sale relevant information that is associated with described article comprises orders demand information again.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the described demand information of ordering goods again makes described one or more businessman can adjust production level.
Description of drawings
In each of accompanying drawing is graphic, the present invention has been carried out graphic extension, describedly graphicly be intended to, and in each was graphic, identical reference symbol was used in reference to identical or corresponding components of generation as exemplary and indefiniteness explanation.
Fig. 1 graphic extension one coupon processing system;
A kind of reward voucher disposal route of Fig. 2 graphic extension;
A kind of conventional UCC/EAN-128 coupon format of Fig. 3 (a) graphic extension;
First embodiment of the two-dimensional bar that Fig. 3 (b) graphic extension one combines with the UCC/EAN-128 bar code;
Second embodiment of the two-dimensional bar that Fig. 3 (c) graphic extension one combines with the UCC/EAN-128 bar code;
The two-dimensional bar that Fig. 4 (a) graphic extension one combines with Code 128 bar codes;
The two-dimensional bar that Fig. 4 (b) graphic extension one combines with UPC (A) bar code.
The two-dimensional bar that Fig. 4 (c) graphic extension one combines with layer row formula bar code.
The example of the best coupon bar code of Fig. 5 (a)-(g) graphic extension.
Fig. 6 graphic extension is a kind of to be used to the method for guaranteeing that only reward voucher could be regained when buying Related product; And
Fig. 7 is a calcspar, the exemplary relationship between its graphic extension consumer, retail shop, retail information system and retailer's the supplier.
Embodiment
One external information management company (a for example development of information system merchant) checks that retailer's operation is to determine the setting up profit which type of message-driven program enlarges consumer's retail experience and increases the retailer.Should, increase the two profit of retailer and businessman and will manage by good information and realize.The extraneous information that next, must foundation can promote necessity of described new procedures.Commodity may only have for example finite information such as price, ship date, merchant identity and retail shop's numbering at present in being labelled to the bar code of commodity when being transported to the retailer.Yet the retailer will benefit by knowing the more information (for example color, size, sex, quantity or the like) about various SKU.Described extraneous information can be determined at each SKU, and it can be different because of SKU.Next, in the time will described extraneous information being associated with the commodity that are supplied to the retailer from businessman by RFID goods label and/or bar code, the RFID goods that then foundation is had the RSS barcode format that is associated be signed form.To discern the software and the hardware that are used to create and print necessity that described goods signs.Next, in the retailer's who is arranged into businessman information programme, all these new standards are transferred to businessman.Simultaneously, the retailer is with the middleware that must foundation will be designed to have following form: it will be accepted from the Business Information of businessman's available data base management system and convert thereof into the record that can be fed in retailer's information management system.
In order to realize retailer's program object, the retailer can propose the suggestion which follows to its each businessman: we need you said according to us, and the new RFID/RSS bar coding standard of using us is carried out mark to all sale and the commodity that consign to us.You will use following software and hardware to mark your commodity.You will use following form and information management technique to transmit related data.You will buy described software and hardware by the approved supplier that we identified.In return, we will continue to carry on trade with your company.We also can strengthen we and you relation by the more profitable information of product that will make you be sold to us is provided for you.Described extraneous information how to make the more profitable example of the relation of retailer/businessman by: retailer more can manage order goods again and increase each businessman the turnover of confession stock; Businessman can use and receive the information of returning from the retailer and adjust its production level; Which type of product the retailer more can will have transfer to the client among the stock; On behalf of businessman, the retailer more can handle discount, preferential and client's the return of goods; The retailer more can promote that by higher logistic efficiency the stock orders to its distribution channel again more in time, or the like.
It is a lot of that the retailer uses an outside enterprise to set up the advantage of this infosystem.At first, the retailer needn't start from scratch and puts into the melting pot the infosystem of himself.Can enlarge existing system by the middleware that can be fit to receive new data and new data is incorporated in the existing system.Secondly, the retailer needn't be for improving defrayment to its system.These costs are that businessman shares by its supplier.The 3rd, the method for the new system requirements that is used to satisfy the retailer needn't be invented by businessman.But the software and the hardware that can satisfy retailer's requirement of businessman's sporadic purchase are determined.This makes it possible to adopt the retailer's program that conforms with businessman's wish more.In addition, compare with the situation that the infosystem that retailer wherein may require each businessman to create himself comes the criterion according to retailer's appointment to operate, with reasonable prices buy a system that has developed by outside enterprise can be in a plurality of businessmans the cost of development of sharing system more effectively.The 4th, when using RFID/RSS bar code goods to sign, then can make from existing article mark system to seem transparent, because the new label of this kind can be read by existing system to the conversion of new standard as label.When with new reader and scanner placed in position, described extraneous information just can be read also by businessman can transfer to the retailer.
Exemplary relationship between Fig. 7 graphic extension consumer, retail shop, retail information system and retailer's the supplier (businessman).Be used for that information transmitted all starts from businessman between different entities.Be the described information of product information (for example thing item No. (UPC), valid period, lot number, sequence number, detailed product explanation, manufacturing location and time or the like) form can (for example) with the RFID goods label form with corresponding RSS bar code be labelled to commodity originally on one's body.When commodity arrived retailer warehouse or Distribution Center, relevant information was by forms program and middle being scanned in retailer's the infosystem.Described information is used for being formed on various sale and marketing Suggestions used in the retail shop.For example, when positive in current news report or outstanding negatively report during from the commodity (for example food) of certain areas, the retailer can be in a computer-controlled real-time display device to the consumer announce commodity be from or be not from the corresponding to a certain area of described news report.In addition, relevant information is used for providing product information to the consumer.Described information also can be used to help the consumer to obtain discount, preferential and return goods.When commodity in the shop when the retailer is passed to the consumer, the retailer is with its system that increases of the information about described commodity.About the information of stock and buying habit businessman is ordered again and the form that requires of providing and delivering is passed to supplier.By information flow-rate and the quality of amplification through the retail experience, the retailer just can make a profit by utilizing these advantages.
For example, the extraneous information of collecting and being sent to the consumer and be back to businessman can be used to promote to organize one by businessman by more effective discounting and preferential program that the shop provided.Current system lacks the shop provides ability about the accurate information of preferential and discount to the consumer.Current system lacks makes the shop consumer's information is sent back to the ability of businessman.Therefore, the consumer has to by mail or passes through the direct and businessman's talk in the Internet.This makes the retailer can not participate in preferential process to a great extent.The consumer also face in time to merchant testimony in fact the product of described businessman be to buy the task of coming there from this retailer.Businessman treats the consumer and treats thief rather than client.The benefit of reward voucher granting is minimized and the retailer can all can lose by any benefit that preferential program realizes originally.By making favor information flow through retailer's self infosystem, consumer, retailer and businessman all can be benefited.Can more freely provide discount by more reliable information about consumer, the product of being bought and retail location.
When utilizing foregoing invention, have several technology can make people use the extraneous information collecting and transfer to the consumer and be back to businessman be beneficial to businessman and organize more effective discount and preferential program by the retailer.The example of this type of technology will be set forth hereinafter in more detail.
Change into Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) or other compression and/or two-dimensional symensional symbol by the symbol that will be used for reward voucher from the UCC/EAN-128 sign indicating number, and, can be made into reward voucher with remarkable enhancement function owing to a large amount of additional informations that can be contained in the bar code symbol.In addition, by imitating the form of credit card trade, utilize the reward voucher of bar code, magnetic stripe and smart card can be processed as credit card trade by using existing or traditional credit card to handle basic facilities.This provides the fast processing of related money and the advantage that can transmit the excessive data relevant with reward voucher, and then opens a large amount of new marketing opportunities.Also make collecting reward voucher can be avoided by cashing the lengthy process of cashing at the center being used for.In addition, can expediently the present invention be carried out stage by stage by the bar-coded coupon that one dimension and two-dimensional symensional symbol are provided.
Fig. 1 has illustrated a coupon processing system.Position, point of sale (POS) 100 can be a retail shop, self-service retail kiosk, virtual location, consumer's family or other transaction location that the trader sells product or service.Term " trader " is intended to contain substantially any firm that a product or service are provided, and is included as the firm that the public, government, firm serve firm etc.Sale and product that term " sale ", " purchase " and similar terms are intended to contain on the conventional meaning are hired out and other arrangement.One scan device/reader 110 scanning one bar-coded coupon 105, or read a magnetic stripe card or smart card, a promotional card for example, wherein any all encoded with data according to the present invention.This scanner/reader 110 has and is used for sense information and with the software of information transmission to a merchant computer system 120 or a credit card terminal machine 115.Magnetic stripe card can use the known reader of swiping the card to read, and smart card can use known intelligent card reader to read.Therefore, except comprising the bar-coded coupon that is printed in the bar code symbol on the substrate (for example paper), the present invention is applicable to other data storage medium such as magnetic stripe card that stores equivalent data and smart card.Many modern POS position has had the scanner that can read one dimension and two-dimensional bar.One has the Cyclone of an example for being made by Symbol Technologies company of the scanner of RSS function.If scanner 110 can only be read one-dimensional bar code and can not read two-dimensional bar, for example, scanner 110 is incompatible with RSS, the conventional bar code part that then can read reward voucher.The independent special-purpose two-dimensional scanner 112 of one RSS compatibility perhaps, can be provided.Scanner/reader 112 can be one with the independently RSS reward voucher terminating machine of credit card terminal machine 115 collaborative works.It needs power supply and the telephone wire that can share with other terminating machine/scanner.Scanner/reader 112 can use second hand-scanner that is placed in the cashier place, only to be used to scan the RSS reward voucher.Therefore, when scanner/reader 110 is incompatible with RSS, then can use independent dedicated scanner/reader 112 to scan or read reward voucher.If scanner/reader 110 and RSS compatibility then do not need independent dedicated scanner/reader 112.In addition, reward voucher can have figure or support literal, need be handled by two-dimensional scanner to inform the described reward voucher of cashier and consumer.
The equipment that the scanning device of two-dimensional bar is just becoming even small firm also can afford.In fact, the benefit that the present invention brought before do not need to encourage the firm of scanner to obtain scanner.This comprises mainly provides service but not the firm of service industry of product to the consumer, for example, and Hair Dressing Salon, travel agency, amusement basic facilities and similar firm thereof.Owing to can be handled and scan by the mode identical with conventional reward voucher according to reward voucher provided by the present invention, thereby cashier and consumer need not to carry out special training.In addition, owing to all processing are all carried out in the electronics mode, thereby reward voucher is discardable after being scanned.The reward voucher that is abandoned can (for example) damage by tearing up, to prevent misuse.For this purpose, a shredder can be built in scanner/reader 110 or 112.
The credit card terminal machine 115 that scanner/reader 110 or 112 and can have swipe the card a reader and a keypad communicates.RS232 port on the credit card terminal machine 115 can be used for self-scanning device/reader 110 or 112 and receives data.This generic port can be used for carrying out interface with peripherals such as for example keyboard.Credit card terminal machine 115 can be the terminating machine of ubiquitous type in the firm, and its reception credit card and debit card are as the payment to its product or service.VeriFone company is a main supplier.Coupon information can be sent to credit card terminal machine 115 usually in several ways, such as, if by the described information of artificial key entry, read bar code and data are sent to the unit as the ASCII text or read magnetic stripe or smart card-reward voucher that provided so designs.Scanner 110 can (for example) communicate by a RS232 link and a merchant computer system 120 (if there is).Merchant computer system 120 can be stored about the information of purchase product, sales volume and similar information, to be used for stock control and other purpose.Merchant computer system 120 also can be stored the coupon information from scanner 110.As known in affiliated technical field, a cashier's machine and display 122 can communicate to inform the price of each article of being bought of consumer with merchant computer system 120.
According to the present invention, can comprise an account identifier of coupon issuer by scanner/reader 110 or 112 information that obtained, such as the credit or debit card number, it is the entity of application by the discount that reward voucher provided.As hereinafter further explanation of institute, the use of this account identifier allows to use existing credit card and debit card to handle basic facilities and handles a reward voucher in the electronics mode, and described existing credit card and debit card are handled upstream process equipment and the agreement that basic facilities comprise existing scanner/reader 110, credit card terminal 115 and have been in the appropriate location.Other coupon transaction information (for example product and discount) is attached on described account identifier, and is transferred to upstream equipment from the credit card terminal machine equally.Can provide coupon discount by a number percent form of close end or article normal price.In a method, the coupon information that credit card terminal machine 115 is handled from scanner/reader 110 or 112.In other method, coupon information is then handled by the merchant computer system 120 that has with credit card terminal machine 115 identity functions.In both cases, the coupon transaction information of different transaction all can be stored in credit card terminal machine 115 or the merchant computer system 120.Coupon transaction information periodically (for example every day) upload to processing enter 135 via a communication network 125 (for example telephone network) as job stacking.Importantly, described coupon transaction information is to be used for the existing protocol that credit card and debit card buy by use to transmit.The relevant criterion or the agreement that have some description credit or debit card transaction.Basic standard is ANSI X9.1-1991, and name is called " Bank CardsMagnetic Strip Data Content for Track 3 ", and it is incorporated herein by reference.According to the present invention, can imitate 3 track data from the data that coupon bar code is read in.Yet, may have many variations, and the present invention is applicable to any credit or debit card processing scheme.Can according to the service program that processing enter 135 is provided carry out coupon data in batches and handle.
ANSI X9 standard provides Transaction Information communication, described Transaction Information is, trading volume whether on the scene such as credit or debit card number, card/type of payment, date of expiration, card and consumer, merchant identifier, by safety/authorization code (for example, client's postcode), trade date and time and other information of the artificial input of cashier.When this information is used for when of the present invention, it can be known as " coupon transaction information ".The consumer uses credit card to come in the regular trading as article payments therein, reaches on the credit card trade inventory that 105 ANSI information symbols appear at the consumer to think that the consumer provides the record of this transaction.Yet according to the present invention, account identifier is relevant with coupon issuer, and the coupon information portability that comprises discount amount, product identifier, consumer data and out of Memory is in described 105 characters.
Particularly, the subclass of ANSI X9 is ANSI X9.59 Payment Card Process, and it comprises following data element.This may be common reckoning with in credit card trade.This standard is equally applicable to debit card.One Payment Card is meant credit or debit card.
The payment element that X9.59 signed:
StandardVersion X9.59 protocol version
Paycode is to trader's payment instruction
Customer account number (becoming the coupon issuer account number) LUID (client) is at the unique identifier of this locality
PrcM trader account number/identifier
PaydataC currency type and trading volume
DateS trade date/time
DateE account's time limit
SHS{OD} orders the hash table of detailed rules and regulations
The digital signature of element that DSS{VD}X9.59 signs
The added field of X9.59:
StandardVersion X9.59 protocol version
Paycode is to trader's payment instruction
LUID (client) is at the unique identifier of this locality
DateS trade date/time
SHS{OD} orders the hash table of detailed rules and regulations
The digital signature of element that DSS{VD}X9.59 signs
Yet, also can have many variations, and the present invention is intended to contain any credit card processing scheme.
What the present invention was intended to be applicable to any kind can be treated to obtain the account identifier of payment from a coupon issuer.This comprises the account number of credit card, and described credit card comprises by the all-prupose credit card of issued by banks, approval card, bank card, such as Visa Card (Visa), Master Card (MasterCard) and discovery card (Discover Card); Travel and Entertainment Card, for example, American Express Card (American Express), Diners Club (Diners Club) and white orchid very block (Carte Blanche); Be only applicable to such as a specific firm of a department store or refuelling station chain store or telephone operator or the house card in the chain store; And can similarly use ANSI X9 standard with credit card and the debit card handled.Most of associating credit card and debit card have the numbering system of following ansi standard X4.13-1983 standard, and house card, grease card and phonecard are followed the system of himself usually.Phrase " credit card number " and " debit card number " and analog thereof are intended to contain respectively any credit or debit card identifier, and no matter whether it comprises a numeric string, alphabetic string, other symbol string or its combination in any.
Under ansi standard X4.13, credit or debit card has the account number and a bit check numeral of one 15 bit digital.First bit digital in the credit card number is represented system, and for example, card is found in 3 expression tourism/recreation cards, 4 expression Visa Cards, 5 expression Master Cards and 6 expressions.The structure of described card number changes with the difference of system.For example, the American Express Card number is with 37 beginnings; Strange card of white orchid and Diners Club Card are with 38 beginnings.For American Express Card, the 3rd and 4-digit number be type and currency, the 5th be that account number, the 12nd to the 14th bit digital are that card number and the 15th bit digital among the account is check digit to the 11st bit digital; For Visa Card, second is bank number to the 6th bit digital, and the 7th is that account number and the 13rd or the 16th bit digital are check digits to the 12nd bit digital or the 7th to the 15th bit digital.For Master Card, second and the 3rd figure place, second to the 4th, second to the 5th or second to the 6th for bank number (according to second-order digit whether be 1,2,3 or other numerals decide).The numerical digit of bank number back is an account number up to the 15th bit digital, and the 16th bit digital is a check bit.
According to circumstances, coupon transaction information can be handled after each transaction immediately.For credit card terminal machine 115, another is chosen as an authorization code that obtains every transaction from processing enter 135.Authorization code guarantees that house account is in good standing, and has enough available balances.For conventional credit card is bought, can receive an identical authorization code, and described authorization code can obtain under a particular case.For example, when coupon discount surpasses certain amount of money, can obtain an authorization code.This operation can be used by (for example) and check discount amount to determine whether it finishes above software of a specified rate.Discuss as mentioned, described code can be stored by credit card terminal machine 115, and periodically uploads to processing enter 135.The trader wishes to come authorized access code according to the agreement between the supplier of itself and credit card terminal 115.For example, if less unauthorized or fraudulent transactions to conclude the business, then can take place in trader's authorized access code, thereby the low monthly fee of payable this terminal of use of trader.On the other hand, during checking treatment, when waiting for described code simultaneously, can cause delay.
Can as same conventional consumer credit card or debit card purchase, handle the coupon transaction information that is received from POS 100 with the processing enter 135 (for example) that a bank interrelates.Yet, according to the present invention, because account identifier in the coupon transaction information and coupon issuer, and non-consumer interrelates, so the discount amount of account's 155 payment reward vouchers of coupon issuer.The account of service provider 150 places be assessed and be stored in to service charge also can by processing enter 135 or other relevant entities.This expense can be similar to the disposal cost of being assessed in the conventional credit or debit card transaction, for example is a fixed expense or number percent.Included discount amount is credited to the trader account 165 who receives described reward voucher subsequently in the coupon transaction information.The trader can discern via the merchant identifier at the processing center 135 of communicating by letter with coupon transaction information by using existing protocol.Trader's account number that one database at processing enter 135 places can be used for merchant identifier and an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) (EFT) interrelates.Perhaps, trader's account number self can be carried in the coupon transaction information, in the case, need not database lookup and sends repayment.Can further discuss credit of ground awarding consumption person account as institute hereinafter equally.Advantageously, the trader can very obtain repaying apace, for example, and general one or two working day.Again because the present invention can realize the short unsteady time, so the trader is ready to receive the reward voucher of high value, , $5.00, $10.00, $50.00 or higher for example.Therefore, before by mailer with on the higher cost project of for example appliances to the consumer provide a large amount of discounts participate in returning manufacturer and other people can provide the reward voucher that has required discount simply now.Some weeks backs such as need not and obtain returning owing to the consumer receives discount when buying, so they will be more strong to this kind supply reaction by mail.These returnings can be known as " coupon rebates ".Therefore the present invention can realize that a relevant normal form how to treat reward voucher shifts, and being about to it for example before provided the field of a dollar or still less conservative savings to transfer to the field of the purchase of thousands of dollars of regular job from one.And higher-value coupons discounts can be rewarded the identical protection of handling basic facilities with existing credit card and debit card.
Fig. 2 has illustrated a reward voucher disposal route.Step 205 can occur in POS position 100 to step 225, and step 230 can occur in processing enter 135 places to step 260.At square 205 places, credit card number from reward voucher 105 through reading and importing.If received information is not shown as an effective credit card, for example according to digital number or other standard, then refusal transaction (square 225).At square 210 places, the term of validity of check reward voucher is to determine whether reward voucher expires.If expire, then refusal transaction.At square 215 places, the discount taken amount of money.If described amount can't be through reading, or be shown as with product or other standard inconsistent, then refusal transaction.At square 220 places, obtain to be encoded in other data in the reward voucher.But these data comprise the fresh information that the technology of the application of the invention is encoded, such as the distribution and information of cashing and relevant information of cashing the consumer of reward voucher of relevant reward voucher, (if available) comprises common consensus data and the particular data relevant with the individual.If above-mentioned steps completes successfully, then further handle coupon transaction information.At square 230 places, the house account of publisher or debit account are checked to determine that it is whether in good standing and whether to have enough credit lines.This can relate to acquisition authorization code as indicated above.Generally speaking, for example giant manufacturer's reputable coupon issuer can be come extension credit by processing mechanism, and it repaid the trader before the payment that obtains manufacturer.In other cases, processing mechanism can require publisher providing certain guaranty money before trader's payment.Be used to the account of coupon discount payment can be according to credit card protocols and by publisher with the transfer of funds to this account.Described account can have attached minimal balance and replenishment rate so far.If detect problem thus, then refusal transaction (square 235).Suppose this type of problem that do not detect, then at square 240 places transaction is handled, the result of processing can comprise fund is sent to retailer or other trader (square 245), deduction disposal cost (square 250) and extracts fund (square 255) from the account of manufacturer's (for example coupon issuer).Because reward voucher is handled as credit card trade, thereby according to the offer code that is provided in the coupon transaction information and as the specific detail of the transaction processing between publisher and processing unit, set up, money is withdrawn from the account of publisher, and transfer to trader account.At square 260 places,, the excessive data of population and analog thereof further analyzes and market study being used for about can being sent to a mechanism.The report that produces from coupon transaction information can be collected and periodically present to coupon issuer.Coupon issuer can from every month, weekly, every day or selected at interval At All Other Times, to receive report information and to arrange progress to trader's tender money in payment of debts.
Particularly, coupon issuer or other entity can utilize software to handle obtainable a large amount of new coupon information.By the adjustment coupon format, but advertiser and retailer's method for designing have the high marketing of marketing targetedly and collecting consumer's buying habit, consumer crowd and analog thereof to provide.For example, coupon information can comprise the distribution of relevant reward voucher and cash and cash the information of the particular consumer of reward voucher.Distributing information can comprise the geographic position that reward voucher is distributed; The particular dispensed medium, for example a newspaper or magazine title, even the specific release of a newspaper, for example, early, in or evening; And the issuing date of medium.In addition, (for example) with direct lettergram mode offer the reward voucher of particular consumer can be separately to be encoded about the consumer's identity or the people information of age, schooling, income, family status, previous buying habit or the like.
The reward voucher that the consumer prints from the website for example also can comprise the relevant consumer's who is obtained customizing messages from the reciprocation of consumer and website according to the reward voucher of network.One allow the consumer from various reward vouchers, to be selected and with its print with the internet website that is used to cash can discern uniquely with serializing to prevent repeated use.The consumer receives data to be used for by using self computing machine and printer to come print out coupons from the website.This type of reward voucher can be identical with the reward voucher printed on other medium, for example has a bar code, product pattern and relevant merchant information of cashing, restriction, offer code, discount amount and the term of validity.Described reward voucher shows in the market and is handled in the mode identical with the reward voucher of being printed by coupon issuer.Unique encoding method and sequence number guarantee that reward voucher can not be used twice or be replicated.The consumer also can suffer at reusable warning.Reward voucher also can have consumer's name.Extra people information can be sent to manufacturer during reward voucher is handled.
For example, the consumer can be required to respond an investigation to obtain the reward voucher of an item of interest purpose discount.Use the reward voucher that the data from the website print to comprise the information that from described response, obtains by the consumer.In addition, the consumer can obtain a pair of and interactional moneying-out in website or award to print a reward voucher of specifying the consumer will receive a payment or award by receiving data.In such cases, for example credit or debit card number such as check account or savings account number or other account identifier (for example bank account identifier) are encoded in the reward voucher with the credit or debit card number of coupon issuer (for example Tiao Cha promoter).The consumer is encoded in the reward voucher equally to the response of investigation.To obtain the mode of credit when having utilized the project that credit or debit card buys identical returning one for the processing mode of described reward voucher and consumer.Perhaps, can carry out the electronic funds payment to consumer's check or savings account.Perhaps, the consumer can be authorized counting of be redeemed for product similar to cumulative integral (frequent flyer miles) or service by award.Term " award " or its similar terms mean any this type of payment or the award of containing as discussed herein to the consumer.Award can not have after consumer and website interaction under the situation of any further requirement and provides.
For example, manufacturer can set up a website, wherein invites the client with extra money-making motivation to be participated in.The client fills in self credit or debit card information: valid period, account number and street address.At an investigation, the website can be stated: " the flower five-minute period is answered following ten problems and is brought in from P﹠G." client fills out a questionnaire, and then fills in one group of the text field, for security purpose, described the text field requires client's credit or debit card, valid period and street address.Subsequently, the client prints resulting reward voucher and brings the trader with it and handles.In other method, website statement: " participate in a contest with immediately from the Ying De $1 of P﹠G, 000,000." client fills in entry blank and one group of the text field of being discussed as mentioned, and the record clauses and subclauses are submitted to Website server to determine whether described client is the victor.Described consumer can be notified herein when online, thereby and obtain data with the print out coupons cashing prize.Perhaps the client can bring reward voucher authorized trader to determine whether he or she has won bonus.
Another advantage of reward voucher of the present invention is, it is one to be different from goods producer's entity that entrained extraneous information allows coupon issuer.These many chances that have been cross-marketing and other novel marketing and trade creation.In contrast, conventional reward voucher only carries UCC company number, and its identification manufacturer and its must be identical with the code on the product that reward voucher is suitable for.For example, can have one according to bar code of the present invention and discern the extra section (such as a two-dimensional bar part) of the opposing party's account identifier via the conventional part and of UCC company number identification manufacturer.For example, the Health Club can issue reward voucher and obtain the discount of sports equipment or healthy food product to allow the consumer, and perhaps the hotel can issue reward voucher and obtain the discount of automobile hire charge or enter one to have the expense in the place of local glamour to allow the consumer.In another example, individual printable reward voucher obtains the discount of a certain product or service as present to allow the recipient.
Hereinafter will discuss spendable various bar code symbologies.Generally speaking, can seem a kind of of existing reward voucher linear format according to bar code symbol of the present invention, for example UPC A or UCC-EAN-128, but add a two-dimensional symensional symbol such as the RSS symbol.According to the design of the cashier of POS position, scanner can be sought the extraneous information from arbitrary symbol.For example, if scanner is designed to seek RSS two dimension excessive data, if described scanner is found UPC (A) sign indicating number that a first numeral is " 5 ", indicate that it is a reward voucher, then the RSS 2-D data can be added to UPC (A) sign indicating number.If on the other hand, the UCC/EAN-128 of reward voucher part is by correct formatization, extraneous information-it runs into a kind of like this symbol if then described scanner can be sought.If symbol comprises causes scanner to infer that it is the necessary flag character of linear segment and the concatenation character of RSS symbol, and then the UCC/EAN-128 sign indicating number can be read as the linear segment of RSS symbol.Fortunately, scanner can be read the UCC/EAN-128 sign indicating number under the situation that has or do not have flag character and concatenation character, and can be designed to all can operate under dual mode.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to the computing machine of personal computer for example, it can be programmed to create bar code symbol disclosed herein, relate to a computer program equally, it has and is used to make described computing machine can create the software of the bar code that function disclosed herein is provided.For this purpose, can use any known software development and computer programming.Barcode Technology is a supplier of this type of software.
Fig. 3 (a) illustrates a conventional UCC/EAN-128 coupon format.Because symbol only comprises perpendicular line, thereby it is linearity or one dimension.Described symbol comprises two bar codes side by side, i.e. the UCC-EAN-128 symbol 310 on Zuo Ce UPC (A) Universial Product Code symbol 305 and right side.The scanner that is designed for this purpose can scan described two information with a single operation.
Fig. 3 (b) illustrates first embodiment of a two-dimensional bar that combines with the UCC/EAN-128 bar code.Described symbol comprises that one has a UCC/EAN-128 coupon format 320 of RSS two dimension combinational code 325 that is printed on UPC (A) the part top of described symbol.By consistent with the standard of UCC/EAN-128 coupon format, extra RSS two-dimensional signal allows to be equipped with the retailer of novel RSS scanner to use identical reward voucher with the retailer who does not have novel device.Those retailers with the new type scanner that can read RSS information will have benefited from handling reward voucher in described new mode herein.Those do not have the retailer of novel RSS scanner can continue to receive reward voucher as in the past.
Fig. 3 (c) has illustrated second embodiment of a two-dimensional bar that combines with the UCC/EAN-128 bar code.Described symbol comprises that one has UCC/EAN 128 coupon format 330 of the RSS two dimension combinational code 325 of the UCC/EAN-128 part top that is printed on described symbol.
Fig. 4 (a) is the example that design is not met the bar code symbol that requirement limited of UCC/EAN 128 coupon format standards to Fig. 4 (c).Described example provides RSS reward voucher, and it is redesigned fully so that the minimized in size of bar code, and the message exchange type between the reflection RSS two-dimensional bar that this paper discussed and extra.
Fig. 4 (a) illustrates a two-dimensional bar that combines with sign indicating number 128 bar codes.Described symbol comprises that one is printed in the two dimension combination bar code 410 of sign indicating number 128 bar codes 415 tops.
Fig. 4 (b) illustrates a two-dimensional bar that combines with UPC (A) bar code.Described symbol comprises that one is printed in the two dimension combination bar code 410 of UPC (A) bar code 435 tops.
Fig. 4 (c) illustrates a two-dimensional bar that combines with layer row formula bar code.Described symbol comprises that one is in the two-dimentional combinational code 440 of RSS layer row formula omnidirectional component 445 tops.
Fig. 5 (a) is to the example of the best coupon bar code of Fig. 5 (g) graphic extension.These examples are other examples that requirement limited that the design of bar code symbol is not met UCC/EAN 128 coupon format standards.Described example provides RSS reward voucher, and it is redesigned fully so that the minimized in size of bar code, and the message exchange type between the reflection RSS two-dimensional bar that this paper discussed and extra.Described bar code is represented spendable different size.Different structures and RSS sign pattern allow it to be used by different way.Each code includes one and carries the linear segment of varying number character, and therefore has different width, and the two dimension part of each example is identical.For example, Fig. 5 (a) carries six respectively to ten binary digits to the linear segment of Fig. 5 (g).
Because described reward voucher can use less bar code symbol, thereby whole coupon size can reduce maybe to provide more people can read sales promotion information.For example, the total area of Fig. 4 (c) form is 0.66 square inch, or be Fig. 3 (a) UCC/EAN 128 coupon format 5.25 area in square inches 12%.The RSS reward voucher is 60 extra data characters of portability also.Owing to provide identical coupon offer to need the less page, thereby can reduce advertising cost.Or the exceptional space on the reward voucher can be used for figure and analog thereof.Owing to reduce the use of paper environment is benefited.
Except the quantity of information that typical UCC/EAN-128 coupon format is had, bar-coded coupon symbol disclosed herein provides more information equally, for example, and supply number, sequence number, valid period, product ID, family's sign indicating number and value code.The RSS variant allows the information of 56,338 or 2363 more characters except 14 characters of UCC/EAN 128 coupon format.Think that at present 338 character formats are proper.
Can be the extraneous information that described reward voucher contains standard format is provided.For example, extraneous information except that standard UCC/EAN-128 coupon format can comprise: global trade project or identification number (GTIN), it has application identifier (AI) (01), has date AI (20), time, offer code, the supply term of validity, sub-offer code, issuing date and unique sequence number.For example, offer code " 12345 " can be assigned to and be printed on the Brand X soap reward voucher of the New York Times on 8/24/02 Sun., and is distributed at New York Metropolitan Region.Sub-offer code can discern morning that whether reward voucher appear at newspaper, in or in the late version.
Another problem of existing coupon format is the limited area that is exclusively used in family's sign indicating number.One family's sign indicating number is to indicate described reward voucher to be directed to which set product by manufacturer's design.Yet, owing to the characteristic of the production line of each company, so it is not always can distinguish between product.Therefore, family's sign indicating number information of expansion can use the extra dat recorder ability of reward voucher of the present invention to be encoded.
Reward voucher also can the credit or debit card account valid period and/or the term of validity of individual coupon offer encoded, wherein the latter is used in the processing procedure and sets up in order to cash the validity of reward voucher.Because manufacturer can have the coupon offer of moving simultaneously more than, so the term of validity can be different with the difference of reward voucher.The RSS reward voucher also can contain the customizing messages of putting into when being prepared for the particular dispensed method by manufacturer wherein.For example, if the reader of certain magazine or newspaper has specific lineup group, then those consensus datas can be embedded in the reward voucher that is printed on the magazine so that information can be delivered to manufacturer in the process of cashing.
Except information mentioned above, the whole character string in the reward voucher can be encrypted and be held a CRC sign indicating number and a security code.The CRC sign indicating number is used to check data integrity and reduces or eliminates significantly and duplicates and the duplicity reward voucher.Because reward voucher can have largely specificity and be printed, thereby duplicity and copying pattern can be easier to detected.Can provide other safeguard measure to use with the duplicity of avoiding credit card and debit card number, such as, be preserved for the specified number sequences of the credit card and the debit card of reward voucher, and use relationship trading according to the discount of being supplied and limit.In addition, the credit or debit card account of publisher can have according to the valid period of reward voucher an associated valid period.
The information that is contained in the two dimension part of RSS reward voucher can be encoded preventing that other people from can read and use described identical information, and prevents that processing enter from can read the information of having sealed, and the described information of having sealed is available for coupon issuer only.
In addition, for minimizing is duplicated and cheated, the reward voucher that has printed can more easily be distinguished by being assigned with unique offer code and sub-offer code in a large number.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows small businesses, individuality and other issuing entity reward voucher.Comparatively speaking, under conventional system, the company that only holds the UCC/EAN number can use existing UCC/EAN-128 coupon format to issue reward voucher.According to coupon redemption system as herein described, described system has company, individual or other entities that a credit or debit card account and has a personal computer of printing bar code software and opens to any, no matter whether it is the manufacturer in the UPC system.Estimate to produce new business opportunity.
Can should implement some technology and usage of trade so as to the system that makes reward voucher can obtain optimum utilization and obtain cashing via a credit or debit card transaction system in order to create one, described technology and usage of trade comprise:
A. bank form a partnership-must set up bank with according to the credit or debit card account who handles coupon issuer about the contractual arrangement of account in trust and minimal balance.
B. processing/scanner-use " Verifone " maybe can receive other credit card processors of coupon information from reward voucher.Use can read RSS reward voucher and traditional coupon and can with the bar code scanner of credit card processor conversation.
C. the retailer receives--and the retailer must be ready to change in house software reading and to understand RSS coupon information, upgrade checkout scanners reading the RSS reward voucher or to come the scanning reward voucher twice with its legacy system and the new two-dimentional Verifone/ scanner of installing and telephone wire, and abandons its current processor of cashing.
D. acceptance-manufacturer of manufacturer must be ready that (for example) uses and prints the reward voucher that wherein includes extra RSS information from the software of Barcode Technology.
E. client acceptance-client must be ready to use the RSS reward voucher.
Because almost without any influence, thereby this will be out of question bar code type to the consumer.Product and discount are the problems that the consumer is concerned about most.
Fig. 6 illustrates that one is used to the method for guaranteeing that only reward voucher just can be cashed when Related product is purchased.
The problem that traditional coupon is handled is that trader's computer system can't identify the new reward voucher that it is issued.This problem makes trader's computer system be difficult to understand and how to handle or how to handle new coupon offer.For example, a Related product of guaranteeing a given reward voucher comes across safety method in the customers order really to require described computer system to understand which product relevant with supply with product line.If described information is understood, then scanner and computing machine can carry out checking for twice to determine to be present in UPC (A) yard in just purchased product and the reward voucher relevant with product.For head it off, self can contain the Related product identifier RSS reward voucher, such as global trade item number (GTIN) information.GTIN is one 14 bit digital, provides more detailed information than 12 UPC sign indicating numbers that exist with packing mark symbol form.For example, the UPC sign indicating number can be discerned a product such as soap, and GTIN whether also can indicate described soap packing be a unitem, six dresses or card board package.Computer-readable goes out the GTIN of reward voucher and Related product and check the described GTIN or UPC (A) sign indicating number of the other products that occurs in described transaction.If it is complementary, then authorize coupon redemption.The UPC-A bar code symbol is a kind of bar code symbol of EAN/UPC symbol of the UCC-12 of coding authentication code.Referring to Fig. 4.GTIN can be present on all RSS bar-coded coupon.If must imitate the older UCC/EAN-128 coupon format of style, then the two dimension part of described reward voucher can be put into half of top, an existing bar code symbol type UPC left side or the right half of top of EAN-128.In these cases, GTIN does not appear.
The above-mentioned processing in Fig. 6 described.At square 605 places, scan according to reward voucher provided by the present invention at the POS place.Also scan the product of buying (square 610).These steps can take place in random order.At square 615 places, the product identifier that is provided in the reward voucher can temporarily be stored, and at square 620 places, also is stored from the product identifier of bar code on the product.These product identifier can be the GTIN sign indicating number.At square 630 places, when it can be gathered in consumer's order and carry out, determine whether be complementary from any product identifier of reward voucher and product identifier from just purchased product.The situation that if there is no do not match (square 640) is then authorized coupon discount (square 645).If have the reward voucher situation (square 650) that do not match, then do not authorize coupon discount.In addition, on (for example) cashier's machine and display, can produce a message to notify the cashier relevant described unwarranted specific coupon with the consumer.Advantageously reduce without permission and fraudulent coupon redemption.Though in conjunction with preferred embodiment the present invention is described and is illustrated, but for one of ordinary skill in the art, it is conspicuous can carrying out various changes and modifications under the situation that does not deviate from spirit of the present invention or category, and the therefore fine detail of the present invention's method and structure of being not limited to above to be stated, these variations and revise and be intended to equally be included in the category of the present invention.Except that these processes itself must or intrinsic degree, do not lie in this disclosure, be included in graphic described in each step or the particular order in stage in method or the process.In many cases, the order of process steps can change to some extent, and this does not change purpose, effect or the importance of described method.

Claims (15)

1, a kind of method that is used to manage the information between firm and the businessman, it comprises:
One developer creates a system, so that a firm receives and the relevant information of article that offers described firm by a supply chain that is formed by at least one businessman, wherein said system comprises a technical manual and one or more subsystem, wherein said technical manual is the information type that will be received by described system by described at least firm regulation and described technical manual regulation, and in wherein said one or more businessmans subsystem each all makes separately, and an operator of businessman's subsystem can be associated to provide the described information that conforms to described firm in information-storing device and with described information-storing device and the article that offer described firm by the information stores that will conform to described technical manual; And
Described firm promotes the installation of described system on described supply chain by following manner: require one in described at least one businessman family or many families to buy described one or more businessmans subsystem and move described businessman's subsystem of buying from described developer and keep the condition of trade relations to provide information to be used as one to described firm with described firm.
2, the method for claim 1, wherein said information-storing device comprises bar code.
3, as method as described in the claim 2, wherein said information-storing device comprises the RSS bar code.
4, the method for claim 1, wherein said information-storing device comprises the RFID label.
5, the method for claim 1, it comprises that further described developer pays an expense to promote the installation of described system on described supply chain to described firm.
6, a described family or many families that method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said expense are based in described at least one businessman buy described subsystem from described developer.
7, the method for claim 1, wherein said system comprises firm's subsystem, described firm subsystem make described firm can be from the described information-storing device relevant with the article that each family received of described firm from the described businessman that moves businessman's subsystem acquired information, and making described firm the tame or many families in the described businessman that moves businessman's subsystem send data, before described one described article tame or that how family is received from the described businessman that moves businessman's subsystem were relevant with described firm for wherein said data.
8, a kind of method of the information that management is associated with article between a firm and one or more businessmans, described method comprises:
From the data storage device access data that is associated from the article that described one or more businessman received with described firm, the described data that wherein are stored in the described data storage device are to be selected according to the request that described firm sent by described one or more businessmans at described firm place;
Described firm sends to described one or more businessman with at least a portion in the data of described institute access; And
Described one or more businessman assigns to determine the sale relevant information be associated with described project according to the described institute sending part of described firm in institute's access data that described one or more businessman provided.
9, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the data that access is relevant with described project comprise and read a bar coded sticker.
10, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bar coded sticker comprise a Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) bar code.
11, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bar coded sticker comprises two-dimensional symensional symbol.
12, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the data that are associated with described article of access comprise from a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and receive described institute access data.
13, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the data that are associated with described article comprise product information.
14, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the described sale relevant information that is associated with described article comprises the information that requires of ordering again.
15, method as claimed in claim 14, the wherein said order again requires information to make described one or more businessman can adjust production level.
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CN107533730A (en) * 2015-04-20 2018-01-02 格罗兹-贝克特公司 The system and method for transmitting textile tool information
US10872308B2 (en) 2015-04-20 2020-12-22 Groz-Beckert Kg System and method of transferring textile-tool information
CN107958381A (en) * 2017-11-01 2018-04-24 北京小米移动软件有限公司 Commodity processing method and processing device

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JP2007515004A (en) 2007-06-07
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KR20060121928A (en) 2006-11-29
EP1721291A1 (en) 2006-11-15
WO2006031238A1 (en) 2006-03-23

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