DE202017001167U1 - Arrangement for printing coupons - Google Patents

Abstract

Arrangement consisting of a device for printing coupons with an electronic circuit and a printer and a central computer, characterized in that the coupon issue can be enabled or disabled by the electronic circuit and the central computer includes a memory for coupons.

Description

In retail and logistics, barcode scanners are known to use a barcode, for example, as proof of delivery and to document the time and date of delivery or to scan a product code at the checkout.

Also state of the art are devices for transmitting clearance and authorization codes as in DE10 2004 012 149B3 documented. By means of a GSM data connection between a central computer and a stationary device, data can be received and transmitted particularly securely.

From the DE 10 2011 114 452 A1 An arrangement is known which can process identification means and print out a coupon in a format processable for a cash register. In the sense of a coupon converter, it is provided that a central computer can carry out a format conversion and adaptation of the print format.

In conventional coupon and coupon systems, it is customary for the customer to identify himself by means of an identification means (for example a customer card) at the cash register of a retailer and the cashier can also print a further coupon for the next purchase in addition to the invoice. Frequently, however, the customer also finds coupons in print media or, if he is a registered customer of a system, he receives finished printed coupons. The disadvantage is above all the lack of flexibility. Coupon promotions have to be planned long in advance and the goods have to be stored for the promotion period.

Frequently, so-called Buzzers are used in television game and television shows, which due to their size can provide a particularly fast reaction time to the underlying electrical contact.

In gaming machines, visual and audible signals are used to animate the customer and to point out special chances of winning.

The object of the invention described below is to use partial aspects of the above-mentioned techniques in such a way as to create a flexible, locally applicable coupon system and to be able to provide a multiplicity of coupons by means of a central computer, but individually to each location can be functionally tailored.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1, advantageous embodiments will be apparent in connection with the features of the claims.

The arrangement according to the invention is used to issue coupons, which are usually used for discounts of goods. Coupons are often made in paper form or are accessed online and are then z. B. as a picture in a smartphone. By presenting or scanning a coupon, the customer gets z. B. a discount on the corresponding article. Classic coupon systems are very inflexible because the action periods need to be planned well in advance so that the coupons are delivered on time and the goods are available at the right time. Coupons are therefore often only used by large chain stores that have a suitable organization.

The arrangement according to the invention is intended to create the possibility of enabling a much more flexible coupon creation and a much simpler coupon issue for the customer. Actions should be able to be implemented very promptly, even with short-term changes.

An example of the operation of the arrangement will be explained. The customer-accessible terminal consists of an electronic circuit and a printer. It can be provided that the electronic circuit is linked to a central computer. This central computer may contain print files that are formatted to be output by the electronic circuitry on the printer. For the connection between the electronic circuit and the central computer, a network can be provided which can be wired or wireless, for example using a WLAN or a mobile radio network.

Activation to print a coupon, the customer can perform a switch, the z. B. is designed as a buzzer, as used in game shows of television. Upon actuation of the buzzer by a customer, a coupon stored in the memory of the electronic circuit is printed. It can be provided that a plurality of coupons are stored and the individual coupon is selected by a random number generator. It can be provided that different coupons are stored in different quantities. The different quantities then allow, for example, limited discount campaigns to be carried out for a specific product, which are limited in terms of time and / or quantity. It can also be provided that certain coupons can be issued only in a certain period of time to z. B. in the At noon, motivate customers of a food market to buy fruit.

Other advantageous uses also exist in the dynamic sale of wares or perishable products. If you want to sell more of these products in a shorter period of time, you can offer targeted discount coupons to customers, even with a rising discount rate. It is understandable that the inventory is then limited and the coupons for an action period or for a certain amount can be released or blocked.

In other applications, customers may be alerted by optical or acoustic signals to special Couponaktionen. It can be provided that a color is associated with a state of release or blocking. For example, green may mean that a coupon may be "buzzed" while red may mean that the issue is currently locked. As a result, customers can also be animated playfully, to print a green coupon. With this function, you can then extend releases and locks for a special discount promotion over any period of time and z. B. make only 10 coupons per hour available.

The mechanical design of the terminal of the inventive arrangement may for example consist of a column in which the printer and the electronic circuit are housed. An indication of the color can be done, for example, that the column body is designed as a transparent tube that can be illuminated from the inside with suitable bulbs. The activation switch as a buzzer can be placed on top of the column, for example. Ideally, a speaker may be used to acoustically support the coupon issue. It can be provided that the coupon is also assigned an identification feature for an output of a sound signal. In extreme cases, each coupon would therefore have its own sound signal for the acoustic output or you can provide groups of coupons with different acoustic characteristics.

The central computer as part of the arrangement according to the invention can serve different tasks. On the one hand, it is very convenient to feed coupons via this computer, on the other hand, the computer can also be used to design the coupons. For the design of coupons, a web portal can be provided, where an authorized employee of a market finds appropriate design options via a browser. It may be provided to limit the location-related reloading function, so that only certain coupons and certain quantities are available for certain locations and can be transmitted from the central computer to the electronic circuit.

The networking of the central computer to the terminal as part of the arrangement according to the invention can ideally be done via a WLAN or a mobile network, since then the installation of the terminal is particularly flexible.

A further advantageous embodiment of the terminal consists in a bar code scanner or a receiver for other means of identification, z. B. the RFID codes of a smartphone. It can be provided that the customer in question can load a special coupon that offers interesting discount deals especially for him. In connection with a smartphone program (App) can be provided to establish a connection to the local device or a connection to the central computer. After identification, the customer can then trigger on the terminal by Buzzer activation button or virtually by a button in the app printing the coupon. In this sense, the term "recipient" is to be understood very broadly and broadly.

In conjunction with a barcode reader as a recipient of identification means, it is also possible to convert coupons. It can be provided to read not cash compatible coupons, to scan, to send to the head office and print when issuing a new coupon in a readable format for the POS scanner. As a result, for example, a QR code could be converted into an EAN code that can be processed by conventional standard cash registers.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004012149 B3 [0002]
• DE 102011114452 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Arrangement consisting of a device for printing coupons with an electronic circuit and a printer and a central computer, characterized in that the coupon issue can be enabled or disabled by the electronic circuit and the central computer includes a memory for coupons. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit is connected by means of a network with the central computer. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the electronic circuit is associated with an activation switch for issuing coupons. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the switch is designed as buzzer. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic circuit includes a memory for one or more coupons. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the memory contains different coupons in different amounts. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that different coupons can be released or locked at different times or for different periods. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the status of the release or blocking of the coupon issue is signaled optically or acoustically. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a coupon is linked in the memory of the electronic circuit with acoustic signals and a coupon-individual sound output. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an associated with the electronic circuit receiver for identification means. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network connection can be produced by means of the mobile radio network or other wireless radio networks.