ITMI20002334A1 - PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR USING A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PROMOTIONS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled:

"PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR USING A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PROMOTIONS"

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method and a system for using portable electronic devices and, more specifically, a method and a system for using a portable electronic device for managing promotions. As used herein, the term "promotion" refers to any offer, advertisement, incentive, discount voucher or coupon, business initiative, or communication to promote one or more goods and / or services. A promotion can take the form of a discount voucher or coupon, or certificate, for example.

Background Discussion

As any grocery shopper knows, many manufacturers practically distribute promotions for their products or through the mail, printing them in newspapers or magazines, wrapping them in similar or related product packaging, or printing them from a point-of-sale terminal at a cash register. response, for example in a grocery store. Also, with the proliferation of the Internet, more and more individuals are getting these "online" promotions. In most of these situations, the promotion must be in print that the user must present to a retailer at the time of purchase in order for the discount to be subtracted from the customer's receipt. This procedure often has the drawback that the customer loses the promotion and therefore is unable to use or redeem the promotion making ineffective the manufacturers' efforts to reward or expose the customer to new products. This is particularly true in the case of promotions provided at the point of sale, which are often placed in a grocery bag, to prevent re-referencing.

The ubiquitous nature of the mobile phone provides evidence of consumer demand for the convenience of wireless communications. Furthermore, as the bandwidth of wireless data connections increases as a result of technological advancements, wireless networks promise to provide the ultimate connection to the Internet, allowing users to communicate anywhere, at any time. With such convenience, remote portable data communications devices are likely to become as common as the cell phone, and a large portion of the Internet connections will take place with these portable devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for managing promotions using a portable device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for managing various customer loyalty contests, each associated with a different retail store using a portable device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for obtaining and redeeming promotions offered on the Internet, using a portable device.

These and other purposes are achieved by providing a new method, system and computer program product for managing promotions on a portable device.

According to an aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided for managing promotions on the portable device. The method upon which the portable device and the computer program product are based includes receiving promotions to the electronic portable device, storing the promotions in the electronic portable device, and electronically transmitting the promotions from the portable device to a point of sale. (POS) "at the time of a customer's transaction in a retail store. Promotions, as well as additional information related to retail products, can be received via hard-wired or wireless media from the same POS or a different POS during a previous customer transaction, or from the Internet, and can be in the form of an advertisement or a customer coupon. The portable device may also be employed to manage various loyalty accounts of various customers, by storing a plurality of retail store identifiers and corresponding customer identifiers in the portable device, and electronically transmitting the plurality of retail store identifiers. retail and associated customer identifiers from the portable device to a POS having an associated retail store identifier at the time of the customer transaction.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method, system and computer program product are provided for determining promotions to be delivered to a portable device. The process upon which the computer program system and product are based includes initializing a computer associated with a retail store, determining promotions to be offered to a customer, electronically transmitting computer-determined promotions to a customer. portable device at the time of the customer's transaction. Initialization can be performed manually or automatically in response to the interfacing of the handheld device with the system, and promotions, as well as additional information relating to retail products, can be transmitted via a hard-wired wireless medium and can be under in the form of an advertisement or a customer's coupon or discount voucher. Promotions can be determined based on a shopping history associated with the customer identifier or determined based on a product identifier. The system may also receive from the handheld device a plurality of retail store identifiers, including a retail store identifier associated with the retail store and a particular customer identifier associated with the sales store. retail where the system is positioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete evaluation of the invention - and many of the consequent advantages thereof will be readily obtained as it is better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a computerized system for distributing promotions to a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a portable device employed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3A is a retail store table for associating customer identifiers or "customer identifiers (CID)" of a particular customer with a retail store according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3B is a predetermined promotion table for associating a predetermined promotion with a CID according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3C is a purchase incentive table for associating purchase incentives with targeted promotions according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4A to 4C are exemplary promotions that can be displayed on the portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flowchart describing the process for managing promotions using a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a flowchart describing the method of providing promotions from a POS to the portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7A is a schematic illustration of a system for downloading promotions from the Internet, according to an embodiment of the present invention; And

Figures 7B and 7C are flowcharts illustrating alternative methods for providing promotions from the Internet to the portable device according to alternative embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a computer system programmed to perform one or more of the special purpose functions of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical corresponding parts in the various views, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, a computerized system for distributing promotions to a portable device according to an embodiment of the present is illustrated invention. The system of Figure 1 includes a computer or central processor or "host" 101, a database 103 of global purchases, one or more stores 105 of retail sales, a computer 107 of the purchase data, a database 109 of purchases premises, a store controller 111, a store database 113, and one or more outlets 115 each including a printer 117, a terminal 119, a scanner 121 and a data transfer unit 123.

The central computer 101 is any suitable workstation, server or other device suitable for communicating with the purchasing data computer 107 and for storing information in and receiving information from the global purchasing data base 103. The host computer 101 also determines promotions to be broadcast to customers in the retail store 105 according to an embodiment of the invention. The central computer 101 communicates with the purchase data computer 107 using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using the computer system 801 of Figure 8, for example.

The global purchases database 103 is a file that includes records containing information for providing promotions according to the present invention. This information includes information about each purchase made by a customer in the retail store 105. This information may include, but is not limited to, shelf keeping unit (SKU) information, brands, dimensions, weight, price, date and time of purchase, and customer identifier ( CID) of the customer making the purchase, for example. In one embodiment, portions of this information are obtained from barcodes on purchase items, which are scanned by the scanner 121 during a transaction. These barcodes can contain information from UPC, JAN and EAN. Records in the global purchasing database 103 contain fields along with a set of operations for search, classification, and combination functions and other database functions. The global purchases database 103 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. One or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 5 832 457; 5 649 114; 5 430 644; and 5 592 560 describe techniques for collecting customer purchase history information and for storing this information in databases such as global purchases database 103 and store database 113, for example. US Patents No. 5832 457; 5 649 144; 5430 644 and 5592 560 are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, techniques for gathering customer shopping information and for storing this information in databases, such as global purchases database 103 and store database 113 are described in other patents owned by Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International. Each patent owned by Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International is incorporated herein by reference.

Retail store 105 is generically called a retail location and a place where goods are retained for retail sales to customers. As noted above, many retail stores 105 can be connected to host or host computer 101.

The purchase data computer 107 may be implemented using the computer system 901 of Figure 8, for example, or any other suitable PC, workstation, suitable server or device for communicating with the host computer 101 for storing and retrieving information. in the local purchase database 109, to monitor data transmitted between the terminal 119 and the store controller 111 (i.e. transaction data) to control the printer 117 and the data transfer unit 123. According to one embodiment, the shopping data computer 107 determines and distributes promotions.

The local purchase database 109 is a file that includes records containing information for providing promotions according to the present invention. The records in the local purchase database 109 contain fields for associating barcodes with products in the retail store 105 (e.g. using UPC, JAN, and EAN codes) and for associating customer identifiers with promotions. The local purchasing database 109 also includes operations for search functions, classification, recombination and other functions of the database. The local purchasing database 109 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. Periodically (e.g. daily), sales transaction information stored in the local purchase database 109 is retrieved from the purchase data computer 107 and transmitted to the host computer 101, which uses that information to update the stored purchase history information. in the database 103 of global purchases.

The store controller 111 is any computer or device for communicating with the terminal 119 and for using information stored in the store base 113 to carry out transactions at the point of sale (POS) 115. A description of a controller 111 of store can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5173 851 incorporated herein by reference.

The store database 113 is an archive that includes records containing information for carrying out transactions at the store 115 by scanning barcodes printed on purchased items. The records in the store database 113 contain fields for associating barcodes with products and their corresponding prices. The store database 113 also includes operations for search, classification, recombination and other database functions, and can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired.

The retail store 105 includes one or more sales points 115. Each sales point 115 preferably includes a corresponding printer 117, a terminal 119, a scanner 121 and a data transfer unit 123. The data transfer unit 123 is coupled to the purchase data computer 107 and provides a bi-directional data communication coupling 125 with the portable device 201. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data transfer unit 123 is used to exchange promotion-related data with the portable device 201. Promotions are uploaded or downloaded via the data transfer unit 123 in response to receiving commands from the purchase data computer 107 and / or the portable device 201, e.g. example. The data transfer unit 123 may be implemented as a data terminal or port for transmitting and receiving data through a rigidly wired medium. As another example, the data transfer unit 123 may be a wireless transceiver such as an infrared transmitter and detector, or a device for implementing the "Bluetooth" radio link technology. Bluetooth is a technology specification for small form factor, low cost, short range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones and other portable devices. Alternatively, the data transfer unit 123 may be implemented as any combination of devices suitable for providing bi-directional data communication coupling 125 to provide compatibility with a variety of portable devices. According to one embodiment, the data transfer unit 12 3 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals carrying digital data streams representing various types of promotion-related information. Additionally, a clear or readable copy of the promotions transferred to the data transfer unit 123 may be printed on the printer 117 in response to the receipt of commands from the computer 107 of the purchase data, if desired.

Terminal 119 may be implemented as a standard cash register and may include a screen, credit card reader, and numeric keypad, for example. The terminal 119 communicates with the store controller 111 and with the scanner 121. The scanner 121 can be implemented as any conventional scanning device to read product information such as an item code (for example UDC, EAN, or JAN) by barcodes or other markings on the product. This information read by the scanner 121 is transmitted to the store controller 111 through the terminal 119. The store controller 111 uses the scanned information and the information stored in the store database 113 to determine transaction information including price, quantity of goods. products and product descriptions, for example.

If there are a plurality of outlets 115 within the retail store 105, then each terminal 119 is preferably arranged in a ring with the store controller 111. The purchase data computer 107 is positioned in front of the store controller 111 on the ring such that information transmitted from the terminals to the store controller is monitored by the purchase data computer 107.

It is to be understood that the system of Figure 1 is provided for exemplary purposes only, since many variations of the specific hardware and specific software employed to implement the present invention will occur spontaneously to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the functionality of the shopping data computer 107 and the store controller 111 can be combined in a single device. These and other retail computer system implementations are described in more detail in one or more of U.S. Patent Nos.

4,723 212; 4910 672; 5 173 851; 5612 868; and 6026 370, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. To implement these variations as well as other variations, a single computer (e.g., computer system 801 of Figure 7) can be programmed to perform the special purpose functions of two or more of any of the devices numbered 101 to 123 represented in Figure 1. On the other hand, two or more programmed computers can be substituted in place of any of the devices numbered 101 to 123 represented in Figure 1. Principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and replication, can also be implemented as desired to increase system robustness and performance, for example.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary portable device employed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is intended to represent any one of a variety of small screen computers such as the PalmPilot Trademarked Laptop by the Corporation of Santa Clara, California, the Palm by Palm, Inc. Trademark. of Santa Clara, California, or the laptop computer described in any of the U.S. Patent Nos. 4545 023, 5 133 076, and 5 900 875, for example. U.S. Patent Nos. 4 545 023, 5 133 076, and 5 900 875 are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the portable device 201 can be a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, or any other portable device adapted to download, emit, store and manipulate digital information.

Preferably, the portable device 201 includes a bus or bus 203 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 205 coupled with the bus 203 for processing the information. Portable device 201 also includes a memory unit 207, such as random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory device (e.g. dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) , RAM flash), coupled to the bus 203 to store information and instructions to be executed by the processor 205. In addition, the memory unit 207 can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions which must be performed by the processor 205. The memory unit 207 may further include a read-only memory (ROM) or other static memory device (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM ( EE-PROM)) to store static information and instructions for processor 205. ROM can be illustrated as a separate memory unit. A storage device 211, such as a magnetic disk, can be provided coupled to the bus 203 for storing information and instructions.

Portable device 201 also includes a display unit 213, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), coupled to bus 203 for displaying information to a user of portable device 201. Portable device 201 includes an input device 215 , such as an alphanumeric keyboard and / or cursor control, for communicating information and command selections to the processor 205.

The portable device 201 also includes an interface 217 coupled to bus 203. The interface 217 provides a bi-directional data communication coupling 125 to the data transfer unit 123 of the POS 115 or to a computer system, such as 801, illustrated in Figure 8. Interface 217 may be a data port or terminal for transmitting and receiving data through a wire medium. As another example, the interface 217 may be a wireless transceiver such as an infrared transmitter and detector or a device for implementing Bluetooth short-range radio link technology. Alternatively, the interface can be implemented as any combination of devices to provide a bi-directional data communication coupling 125 so as to provide compatibility with a variety of POS devices. In any such implementation, interface 217 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals carrying digital data streams representing various types of information.

The present invention stores information relating to customer identifications, retail stores 105, customer purchase histories, and purchase incentives, for example. This information is stored in one or more memories such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk and / or a RAM, for example. One or more databases, such as the global purchases database 103 and the store database 113, may store the information used to implement the present invention. Databases are organized using data structures (e.g. records, tables, matrices, fields, graphs, trees and / or lists or lists) contained in one or more memories, such as the memories listed above or any of the devices of storage listed later in the discussion of Figure 8, for example.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate data structures used to implement a system for managing promotions according to an embodiment of the present invention. Data structures are represented in a rational format, using tables, by which information stored in one column (i.e. field) of a table is mapped or concatenated to information stored in the same row (i.e. record) via the other column or files. other columns of the table. These data structures are used by the host computer 101 and / or the purchase data computer 107 and / or the portable device 201 to manage promotions according to the present invention. According to an embodiment, the data structure represented in Figure 3A is stored in the portable device 201 such that a customer can manage many customer loyalty accounts, while the data structures represented in Figures 3B and 3C are stored in the base data 103 of global purchases, in the database 109 of local purchases, and / or in any suitable device (s) or suitable storage media (s).

Figure 3A is a retail store table 301 which includes a field 303 for storing customer identifiers (CIDs) and a field 305 for storing a particular retail store associated with the CID in field 303. A CID is any identifier that is scanned, read, or otherwise entered into a computer system at a meeting point to identify a customer. Each customer can have a variety of CIDs, and each retail store can employ any of the CIDs to track customer purchases and provide incentives to the customer. Thus, different retail stores may have a different CID for a particular customer. Examples of possible CIDs are credit card numbers, debit card numbers, social insurance card numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account numbers, street addresses, names, email or email addresses, numbers telephone numbers, frequent shopper card numbers, buyer or shopper card identification (SCIO) or buyer loyalty card numbers issued by retail store 105 although any other suitable form of identification may be employed.

To illustrate the use of retail store table 301, Figure 3A includes three exemplary entries for a hypothetical customer having three customer loyalty accounts stored in handheld device 201. The first entry in Figure 3A shows that field 303 can include the number "12345" as a CID associated with the hypothetical customer and, in the same record, field 305 can contain the entry "ABC grocery" as a corresponding retail store. Table 301 of the retail stores also includes the customer's CID "8765" in field 303 and the corresponding entry (i.e. the entry in the same entry) "market XYZ" in field 3 05 as represented by the second entry in Figure 3A. Alternatively, instead of the store name, field 305 stores retail store identification codes or data as represented in the third entry of Figure 3A. Thus, the retail store table 301 associates each of a plurality of CIDs assigned to the hypothetical customer with a corresponding retail store 105, thereby allowing the customer to easily consolidate and manage many different loyalty cards when stored in the device. portable 201.

Figure 3B is a predetermined promotions table 307 which includes a field 309 for storing CID and a field 311 for storing predetermined promotions associated with the CID. Unlike the retail store table 301, the predetermined promotions table 307 stores CIDs of many different customers and promotions associated with each CID. Therefore, as can be seen in the exemplary items of Figure 3B, the first item in table 307 associates predetermined promotions with the hypothetical customer referred to in Figure 3A, while the second item of table 307 associates predetermined promotions with a different customer having the CID MMM765. The pre-determined promotions in field 311 can be determined based on the customer's purchase history obtained by analyzing, for example, purchasing data such as the place of purchase, a description of the items purchased, the price of each item purchased, the date and time of the transaction, and any other desired information relating to customer transactions.

Figure 3C is a purchase incentive table 313 including a field 315 to store purchase incentives and a field 317 to store promotions. The incentives or "triggers" to purchases in field 315 may be barcodes or other information which, when transmitted from terminal 119 to store controller 111, is monitored by the purchase data computer 107 and causes the data computer 107 of purchases has to distribute the corresponding promotion or promotions in field 307 to the portable device 201 through the data transfer unit 123. Thus, table 313 of incentives or purchase initiation elements associates purchase initiation elements with promotions to be delivered to a customer whose transaction satisfies one or more of the purchase incentives or triggers in field 315.

In the preferred embodiment, the retail products related to the promotions stored in field 317 are complements of, competing with, or in some way related to the items of the purchase incentives stored in field 315. The first entry of Figure 3C illustrates an example of a promotion for a product competing with an incentive or trigger product. In this example, "brand A cola" in field 315 is a purchase item or item that provides a trigger for a "$ 50 cent of brand D cola" promotion in field 317, cola B being competing. with brand A cola. Similarly, the trigger item "tea brand T" in field 315 triggers a promotion for "a 5-pound bag of sugar for 50 cents" in field 317, sugar being routinely employed with the tea, and therefore a complementary article of tea. Thus, if a customer's purchases include both brand A cola and brand T tea, then these items will be scanned at POS 115 and promotions for 50 cents of brand B cola and 50 cents of sugar bags. 5 pounds will be offered at POS 115 to the customer. The manner in which promotions in field 17 are provided in response to a trigger or trigger-incentive item in field 315 will be further described below.

As represented by the transparent or dashed fields of Figures 3B and 3C, the field 311 of the predetermined promotions and / or the field 317 of the promotions may contain a subfield 323 and 325, respectively to provide a customer condition associated with the promotions. Although all promotions require a basic condition such as the execution of any purchase, or the execution of a particular brand of product, sub-fields 323 and 325 are intended to store additional conditions and / or actions that are required. to receive the promotion prize. In a preferred embodiment, the conditions stored in fields 323 and / or 325 are loyalty conditions that require the customer to show increased loyalty to store 105, to a chain of stores including store 105 and / or to a particular brand or a particular product. Loyalty conditions may include time conditions identifying a period of time (e.g. within a week) in which other conditions must be met, purchase conditions such as purchase amount conditions identifying an amount of money that must be spent within the time indicated by the weather condition, place conditions identifying one or more places at which the purchase conditions can be met, and brand conditions identifying a brand or product that must be purchased in order to receive the remuneration or reward. For example, the first entry in Figure 3B illustrates that the customer receives a gallon of milk for only 5 cents if the customer spends $ 25 at the store associated with CID 8765 within a week. Thus, apart from the basic condition of purchasing a gallon of milk, the customer must spend $ 25 at the store associated with the CID 8765 within one week to receive the reward. As shown in Figure 3A, CID 8765 is associated with "the market or supermarket XYZ" and therefore the first entry in table 307 is designed to promote loyalty to the market-store XYZ.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are examples of promotions that can be offered to customers. As depicted in these figures, each promotion includes a reward intended to be received by the customer, and may or may not include a loyalty condition that must be met by the customer in order to receive the reward. As discussed above, the condition of fidelity indicates what a person must do to receive the reward. The reward can be a check, coupon, discount, certificate, redeemable support, and / or other positive benefit to a person who meets the condition. For example, the 401 promotion in Figure 4A includes the 503 reward (50 cents of brand B cola) which has no loyalty conditions associated with it. A customer who makes a purchase of Brand B cola at the 105 retail store accepting the promotion will receive a 50c discount with no further action.

Similarly, Figure 4B shows the 50-cent $ 407 premium from X-brand cereals. As depicted in Figure 4C, however, promotion 413 includes condition 417 which requires the customer to spend $ 25 at store 105 of retails within seven days to receive the 415 premium of a gallon of milk for 5 cents.

Promotions 401 and 405 are preferably notable offers designed to get a customer to switch to a particular product brand or to promote brand loyalty for a product. In the case of inducing a customer to switch brands, the promotion is preferably triggered by the purchase of a competing brand as discussed with reference to Figure 3C above. The 413 promotion is a remarkable offer designed to get customers to return to the 105 store.

According to an embodiment of the invention, store loyalty rewards are for basic items such as milk, eggs, bread, etc. , to encourage customers to shop for all their grocery items at store 105 instead of shopping for specific items only. However, it should be understood that each promotion can be specifically designed to suit different purposes as desired. Rewards and conditions may involve items other than grocery stores and retail stores.

In addition, promotions may include other information not represented in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C and such other information may include information that is related or unrelated to the customer's purchases or promotions offered to the customer. Finally, it must be understood that, although the promotion depicted in Figures 3A-3C and 4A-4C indicates redeemable coupons, the handheld device 201 can be used to manage other promotions such as any other offer, advertisement, incentive, commercial campaign or communication. to promote one or more goods and / or one or more services. For example, the promotion can be constituted by an advertisement that can be displayed on the viewer or display 213 of the portable device 201. The advertisement can be text and / or video.

Figure 5 is a flowchart explaining the process for managing promotions with a portable device according to the present invention. The description of this figure is provided by referring only to the purchase data computer 107, it being understood that the central computer 101 can be used in conjunction with or as a substitute for the purchase data computer 107. In step 501, the customer stores promotions received by means of the portable device 201. Promotions are stored in the memory unit 207 and / or in the storage device 201 through the interface 217 and bus 203 of the portable device 201. The storage step 501 may be executed in response to receiving promotions from POS 115 or Internet 706, for example, as will be discussed.

After the promotions have been stored within the portable device, in step 503 the customer can see the promotions on the display 213 of the portable device 201. The promotions can be viewed on the display 213 individually, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C. , for example, or views in table format allowing a user of the portable device 201 to view various promotions at the same time. The input device 215 allows a user of the portable device to communicate selections of commands to the process 205 through the bus 203, to select, delete, group and otherwise organize the promotions stored in the memory of the portable device 201. For example, a customer using the portable device 201 can see all promotions, groups of promotions to be retained, and cancel the remaining promotions. With the deemed promotions stored in the handheld device 201, the customer buys the retail items associated with the promotions held in step 503 from a retail store. This allows the customer or consumer to easily group promotions that can be redeemed at a retail store.

During the customer's purchase transaction, the scanner 211 of the POS 115 scans the items purchased by the customer including those items associated with promotions as represented in step 505. The customer preferably loads a unique CID associated with the customer from the handheld device 201 in POS 115 as in step 507 during the purchase transaction. In one embodiment, when the customer interfaces the portable device 201 with the POS 115, the retail store table 301 is transferred from the memory unit 207 through the bus 203 and the interface 217 of the portable device 201. POS data transfer unit 123 115 receives and transfers retail store table 301 to purchase data computer 107 which obtains a unique store identifier for retail store 105 or chain of stores of retail sales with which that retail store 105 is affiliated, either from the local purchases database 109 or the stores database 113. The purchase data computer 107 searches field 305 of the retail store table 301, for a store identifier that fits the identifier obtained from database 109 or database 113, and the corresponding CID in the field 303 of table 301 is determined to be the customer CID for the particular retail store 105. For example, a customer purchasing at the "ABC Grocery" store and having the table 301 of Figure 3A stored in the portable device 201 would interface the portable device 201 with a POS 115 positioned in the ABC Grocery store in order to transmit the table 301 to the computer 107 of the purchase data located in the ABC Grocery store. Computer 107 of the purchasing data then obtains the identifier element "ABC Grocery" from the database 109 of the local purchases data, for example, and adapts this identifier element with field 305 to determine the customer CID for the store "ABC Grocery ". With the CID determined, the purchase data computer 107 and the central computer 101 can monitor purchases and provide incentives to the customer as previously mentioned with reference to Figure 1.

Promotions are similarly transmitted from portable device 201 to POS 115 in step 507. Promotions are transmitted from data transfer unit 123 to purchase data computer 107. The purchase data computer 107 monitors the items scanned by the scanner 121 and transferred to the store controller 111 via the terminal 119. In step 508, the purchase data computer 107 adapts the items scanned with the promotions loaded from the portable device 201 in POS 115 in step 507. In this way, the purchase data computer applies promotions to the corresponding items purchased by the customer and automatically credits the customer's ticket in step 509.

Figure 6 illustrates the process for entering promotions into the portable device 201 from a POS 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of this figure is made with reference only to the purchase data computer 107, it being understood that the central or host computer 101 may be employed in combination with or as a substitute for the purchase data computer 107. In this embodiment, the customer makes purchases at the retail store 105 and, at the time of the customer's shopping transaction, the purchase data computer 107 is initialized as depicted in step 601. Initializing the computer. 107 of the purchase data may occur automatically in response to the customer by initiating a signal connection between the portable device 201 and the data transfer unit 123 by physical connection through a hard-wired medium or by connection through a wireless medium. Alternatively, the initialization of the purchase data computer may take place in response to a manual input from the operator of the POS 115. In any case, the initialization step 601 signals the purchase data computer 107 that a portable device 201 is interfaced with the computer 107 of the purchase data through the data transfer unit 123 of the POS 115.

After initialization, in step 603 the purchase data computer 107 determines the promotions to be distributed to the portable device 201 interfaced at POS 115. Promotions can be predetermined for example based on the history of the customer's purchase data, or determined based on trigger or incentive articles or "triggers" as will be discussed.

After determining the promotions in step 603, the purchase data computer 107 electronically transmits the promotions to the portable device 201 via the data transfer unit 123. This electronic transmission can be performed through a hard-wired medium or a wireless medium.

The transmitted promotions are then received by means of the portable device 201 which stores the promotions to start the process of managing the promotions represented in Figure 5. Preferably, the promotions transmitted by the POS 115 are downloaded simultaneously with the download of promotions in step 507 of Figure 5. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, a customer uses the portable device 201 at the time of purchase to redeem previously stored promotions and store new promotions which can be redeemed in subsequent transactions. Alternatively, the customer can redeem promotions in accordance with the process depicted in Figure 5 without receiving new promotions from POS 115. Also, it should be understood that promotions can be received from the same POS or a different POS that the customer uses to redeem promotions.

According to an embodiment, the step 603 of Figure 6 of determining promotions to be distributed to the customer's portable device 201 is carried out according to predetermined promotions obtained on the basis of the customer's purchase history. In this embodiment, and referring to Figure 1, the central computer 101 cyclically queries computer 107 for purchase data in each of the retail stores 105 for purchase history information to update the purchase history information. stored in the database 103 of global purchases. The central computer 101 generates behavior information from the purchase history information stored in the global purchase database 103. This behavioral information can be any information that a market researcher (i.e. a prospecting operator) wishes to use to determine whether a targeted promotion should be delivered to a client. Examples of behavioral information are if a customer has purchased at least 5 pounds of dog food per month in the past year, if the customer has purchased cold medicine in the last week, and if the customer is consistently purchasing lactose-free milk.

The central computer 101 compares the behavior information generated with purchase criteria stored in the database 103 of the global purchases and associated with a particular promotion. If any customer's behavior information meets the purchase criteria, then the customer's CID is stored in field 309, and the corresponding promotion is stored in field 311 of predetermined promotions table 307. In this way, the table 307 of predetermined promotions is populated with CIDs and associated promotions to be distributed to the corresponding customers.

Central computer 101 distributes predetermined promotions table 307 to retail stores 105. If desired, the predetermined promotions table 307 is divided into separate predetermined promotions tables for each retail store 105. If desired, only the CIDs of customers who frequent the corresponding retail store 105 are provided to each retail store 105 to reduce the effect of storage and transmission constraints. The predetermined promotions table 307 is received from the purchase data computer 107 and the retail store 105 and stored in the local purchases database 109.

When a customer makes a purchase in the retail store 105 and interfaces the portable device 201 with the purchase data computer through the POS 115, the customer CID table is transmitted through the data transfer unit 123 to the computer 107 of the purchase data which determines the CID as previously discussed. Alternatively, the customer's CID can be entered into POS 115 by other known means such as manual entry, optical code recognition (OPC), or scanning of a magnetic card containing the CID. Once the CID has been determined, the purchase data computer 107 uses that CID to determine if the same CID exists in field 309 of the predetermined promotions table 307. If the CID is found in chapter 309, then the corresponding predetermined promotion or the corresponding predetermined promotions in field 311 are delivered to the data transfer unit 123 at the sales point 115. The predetermined promotions are then transmitted on the coupling 125 of communications to the interface 217 of the portable device 201. The predetermined promotions are transferred through the bus 203 into the memory unit 207 of the portable device 201 where the promotions can be reviewed and organized as in step 402 of Figure 4. In this way, the promotions sent in a targeted manner to the customer whose CID has been entered in the POS 115 are distributed to the customer at the sales point 115.

In another embodiment, step 603 of Figure 6 for determining promotions to be distributed or dispensed to the customer's handheld device 201 is performed in accordance with trigger purchases in a current transaction at point of sale 115. In this embodiment , the purchase data computer 107 receives shopping triggers or incentives and related promotions which are stored in the local purchase database 109. Purchase triggers and promotions can be downloaded from the central computer 101, entered manually, or transferred by any other means suitable to the computer 107 of the purchase data (e.g. via the flexible disk or floppy disk or via connection with another computer) . Purchase triggers and promotions are stored in the purchase triggers table 313 in fields 315 and 317 respectively. Purchase triggers correspond to information of a current purchase at point of sale 115. For example, purchase triggers can be barcode information or UPC information associated with corresponding promotions 317. Thus, each purchase trigger can identify one or more products.

As discussed, the purchase data computer 107 monitors information of a current purchase transmitted from the terminal 119 to the store controller 111. Current purchase information can be generated by scanning a barcode on a product or by any other suitable method for transmitting information from a terminal at a sales outlet to a store controller. The purchase data computer 107 compares the current purchase information with the purchase trigger stored in field 315. If there is a match between any of the purchase triggers in field 315 and the current purchase information monitored by the purchase data computer 107 (e.g. if a product identified by the purchase trigger is purchased), then the purchase data computer 107 electronically transmits the corresponding promotion in field 317 to the portable device 201 via the transfer transfer unit 123. data on the communication coupling 125 to the interface 217 of the portable device 201. The promotions are transferred through the bus 103 to the memory unit 207 of the portable device 201 where the promotions can be reviewed and organized as in step 503 of Figure 5. In this way, promotions corresponding to trigger items of a current purchasing transaction know no distributed to the customer at the sales point 115.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, promotions are broadcast to the portable device 201 by a manufacturer or advertiser over a wide area network. Figure 7A is a system for downloading promotions to portable device 201 over the Internet. Various computers (for example computers 701 and 703, are connected via Internet 706 to various servers that provide information on related products and promotions, in this case, the manufacturer's server 708, the advertiser's server 709 and computer 107 of purchase data. Each server 708 and 709, and computer 107 of purchase data, is a computer, server, device and / or software for distributing promotions on the Internet 706. These promotions include discount coupons, loyalty card accounts , frequent shopper cards and / or store credits. Computers 701 and 703 and servers 708 and 709 can be implemented as a computer system such as the 801 computer system shown in Figure 8. Also, it should be understood that the computer 107 of the purchase data of Figure 7A can provide promotions through the Internet 706 by operating in association with one or more of the devices represented in Figure 1. In particular, the central computer and 101 may be employed in conjunction with or as a substitute for the purchase data computer 107 shown in FIG. 7A.

Figure 7B shows the process of entering promotions into mobile device 201 from Internet 707. In step 721, the customer accesses the website or web page containing promotions using the desktop computer or "desktop computer 701". Step 721 typically requires the customer to connect with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a telephone modem, cable modem, or similar hard-wired device to connect to the Internet 706. When connected to Internet 706, the customer uses a web browser running on computer 701 to view a web page identified by a URL associated with the manufacturer or other entity offering the promotions. The term "URL" is intended to include uniform resource names, uniform resource identifiers and their equivalent. The customer may be required to enter a customer identification code which allows manufacturers to track customers who access the URL, and use this tracking information for future promotions and future targeted advertisements.

The customer selects from the program or "browses" the Web page associated with, for example, the manufacturer groups server 708 for promotions and selects the promotions to be downloaded in step 723. The customer then enters a command on the desktop computer 701 by doing so that the promotions selected in step 723 are downloaded from the server 708 through the Internet 707 to the customer's desktop computer 701 as in step 725. The promotions are then electronically transmitted to the portable device 201 where they are received and stored to initiate the process illustrated in Figure 5. According to an embodiment, selected promotions from various servers such as servers 708 and 709, and the purchase data computer 107 can be stored in the desktop computer 701, and subsequently downloaded to the portable device 201. Furthermore, the customer can download promotions in bulk and review and organize those promotions on the 201 portable device as it is previously discussed with reference to Figure 5.

In another embodiment, the customer downloads the promotions directly into the portable device 201 without using a desktop computer as shown in Figure 7C. The portable device 201 employed in this embodiment is equipped with a device for accessing the Internet 706 by wireless means. In this embodiment, the interface 217 of the portable device 201 further provides a two-way wireless data communication link 711 with the Internet 706. The communications link 711 is typically provided by a wireless connection to an ISP. The portable device 701 preferably includes a web browser or other software for communicating over an Internet protocol (IP) network. By running this software on the mobile device 201, the customer accesses the website and looks at the web page associated with the manufacturer groups server 708 in step 731.For example, the manufacturer's web page is browsed through the browser program as with the computer desktop 701 discussed above, and promotions are selected for electronic transmission to portable device 201 in step 733. However, in step 735, promotions are then transmitted electronically from manufacturer's server 708 by wireless communications link 711 directly to portable device 20 where they are received and stored to initiate the process depicted in Figure 5. As with the desktop computer 701 discussed with reference to Figure 7B, promotions can be electronically transmitted directly to the portable device 201 from any of a variety of servers and / or in mass or selectively.

The promotions according to the present invention may be accompanied by additional information relating to the manufacturer of the retail item associated with the promotion. For example, promotions transmitted electronically by POS 115 or Internet 706 as discussed above may be accompanied by contact information such as a website, a web page, a uniform resource locator (URL) and / or address. e-mail (e-mail), for example, which a customer may use to contact the manufacturer of the product associated with the promotion or other entity such as a group of consumer representatives, to receive information and / or other promotions. This embodiment can be implemented by storing additional information in an additional associated subfield of fields 311 and 317, for example. Alternatively, the additional information can be distributed to the portable device 201 by the POS 215 based on the customer's purchase history or a trigger purchase in a manner similar to that of the promotions that have been described above. Furthermore, with reference to the transmission of promotions from POS 115 to portable device 201, the additional information received by the customer can also be an electronic receipt for the customer's current purchase transaction. Preferably, the electronic receipt can be downloaded into the customer's money management software, such as Quicken, on a desktop computer, such as the 801 described in Figure 8.

Portions of the invention may be conveniently implemented using conventional general purpose or universal computers or microprocessors programmed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary experience based on the teachings of this disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the field of software.

Figure 8 illustrates a computer system 801 on which an embodiment according to the present invention can be implemented. Computer system 801 includes a bus 803 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 805 coupled with bus 803 for processing the information. The computer system 801 also includes a main memory 807, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory device (e.g. a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM ( SDRAM), a flash RAM) coupled to bus 803 to store information and instructions to be executed by the processor 805. In addition, main memory 807 can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions that must be performed by the 805 processor. The 801 computer system also includes an 809 read-only memory (ROM) or other static memory device (such as a programmable ROM

(PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), and an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)), coupled to the 803 bus to store static information and instructions for the 805 processor. An 811 storage device, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk , is provided and coupled to bus 803 to store information and instructions.

Computer system 801 may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g., a generic logic matrix (GAL) or reprogrammable field programmable gate arrays. (FPGA). Other removable media devices (such as a compact disc, tape, and removable magneto-optical media) or high density fixed media drives or drives can be added to the 801 computer system using a bus of appropriate device (such as a small computer system interface bus (SCSI), an enhanced integrated device electronics (IDE) bus, or an ultra-direct memory access (DMA) bus. The 801 computer system it may also include a compact disc player, a compact disc read-write unit, a compact disc jukebox, each of which can be connected to the same bus device or another bus on the device.

Computer system 801 may be coupled via bus 803 to a display 813, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) for displaying information to a computer user. The viewer or display 813 can be controlled by a display card or graphics card. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard 815 and a cursor control or command 817, for communicating information and command selections to the processor 805. The cursor control 817, for example, consists of a mouse, a so-called trackball, or directional cursor keys for communicating direction information and command selections to the 805 processor and for controlling cursor movement on the 813 display. In addition, a printer may provide printed lists or lists of the data structures represented in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, or any other data stored and / or generated by the 801 computer system.

The computer system 801 executes a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to the execution by the processor 805 of one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 807. These instructions can be read into main memory 807 from another computer readable medium such as memory device 811. One or more processors in a multiprocessing arrangement may also be used to execute the instruction sequences contained in main memory 807. In forms In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software circuitry.

As previously indicated, the system 801 includes at least one computer readable medium or memory programmed in accordance with the teachings of the invention and for holding data structures, tables, records or other data described herein. Stored on any of or a combination of the computer readable media, the present invention includes software for controlling the computer system 801, for operating or driving one or more devices to implement the invention, and for enabling the computer system 801 to interact with a human user, such as a customer. This software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers or drivers, operating systems, development tools, and application software. These computer readable media further include the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if the processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the invention.

The computer code devices according to the present invention can be any interpreted or executable code mechanism including, but not limited to, writings, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and complete executable programs. Furthermore, parts of the processing of the present invention can be distributed for better performance, reliability and / or cost.

The term "computer readable medium" as used herein means any medium participating in providing instructions to the 805 processor for execution. Computer readable media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and broadcast media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical, magnetic, and magneto-optical disks, such as 911 memory device. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as 807 main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire, and optical fibers. , including the wires that make up the bus 803. The transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks or hard disks, flexible disks or floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic media, compact disks (e.g., CD-ROM) or any other optical media, punched cards, paper tape, or other physical media with hole patterns, a carrier wave (as described below), or any other media to be a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in implementing one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor 805 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be brought to a remote computer's magnetic disk. The remote computer can load the instructions for implementing the whole present invention or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and transmit the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A local modem for the 801 computer system can receive data over the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to bus 803 can receive data carried in the infrared signal and place data on bus 803. Bus 803 carries data to main memory 807 from which processor 805 retrieves and executes instructions. Instructions received from main memory 807 may optionally be stored on memory device 811 either before or after execution by processor 805.

Computer system 801 also includes a communication interface 819 coupled to bus 803. Communication interface 819 provides bidirectional data communication coupled to a network link 821 which is connected to a local area network (e.g. LAN 823) .

For example, the communication interface 819 may be a network interface card for attachment to any packet switched local area network (LAN). As another example, the communications interface 819 may be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network card (ISDN ) "or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Wireless connections can also be made. In any such embodiment, the communications interface 819 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals carrying digital data streams representing various types of information.

Network link 821 typically provides data communications across one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link 821 may provide a connection through LAN 823 to a central computer 825 or to data equipment operated by a service provider or provider, which provides data communication services over an 827 Internet Protocol (IP) network. ) (e.g. Internet 607). The LAN 823 and the IP 827 network both employ electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link 821 and through the communication interface 819, which carry digital data to and from the computer system 801, are exemplary forms of carrier waves carrying the information. The computer system 801 may transmit notifications and receive data, including program code, over the network or networks, the network link 121 and the communications interface 819.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the previous teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be implemented otherwise than specifically described herein.

Claims (73)

CLAIMS 1. A process comprising the steps of: receiving promotions to a portable electronic device; memorizing said promotions in said portable electronic device; And electronically transmitting said promotions from said portable device to a first point of sale (POS) at the time of a customer transaction in a retail store. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving promotions comprises electronically receiving said promotions from a second POS to said portable device during a previous customer transaction. 3. Process according to claim 2, wherein said first and second POS are the same POS. 4. Process according to claim 2, further comprising: distributing a customer identifier element to said second POS at the time of said previous customer transaction, wherein said promotions received from said second POS are based on said customer identifier element. Method according to claim 2, wherein said promotions received from said second POS are based on trigger elements purchased during said previous customer transaction. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving promotions comprises receiving said promotions from a wide area network to said portable device. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of receiving said promotions from a wide area network to said portable device comprises receiving said promotions from the Internet to said portable device. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of receiving said promotions from the Internet to said portable device comprises: downloading such promotions from the Internet to a desktop computer hard-wired to the Internet; And receiving said promotions electronically from said desktop computer to said portable device. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of receiving said promotions from the Internet to said portable device comprises electronically receiving said promotions directly to said portable device through a wireless communications link to the Internet to said portable device. 10. Process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: receiving in said portable device additional information relating to the customer's products. The method of claim 10, wherein said additional information comprises one of a URL and an e-mail or e-mail address associated with an entity for providing additional information relating to said customer products. 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said promotion comprises an advertisement relating to said customer products. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said advertisement comprises audio and video data, said video data being displayed on a display unit on said portable device. 14. The process of claim 10, wherein said additional information comprises a purchase receipt associated with a purchase transaction, wherein said purchase receipt can be downloaded from said portable device to said computer system including money management software employed by said customer. 15. Process according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving in said portable electronic device a customer identifier element associated with said retail store; storing said customer identifier element in said portable electronic device; And electronically transmitting said customer identifier element from said portable device to a sales point (POS) at the time of said customer transaction. 16. Process according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving in said portable device a plurality of retail store identifiers including a retail store identifier associated with said retail store, each retail store identifier having a customer identifier correspondent associated with a customer; storing said plurality of retail store identifiers and corresponding customer identifiers in said portable device; And electronically transmitting said plurality of retail store identifiers and associated customer identifiers from said portable device to said POS at the time of said customer transaction; wherein said promotions received to said portable device are based on said customer identifier element associated with said customer. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of electronically transmitting said promotions from said portable device to said POS at the time of a customer transaction comprises electronically transmitting promotions from said portable device to said POS through one of a medium with rigid wiring and a wireless support. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving promotions comprises receiving the promotions electronically through one of a rigidly wired carrier and a wireless carrier. 19. Computer readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a portable device, which, when executed by the portable device, cause the portable device to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-18. 20. A portable device comprising: a memory device having incorporated therein data related to the management of promotions; a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor being configured for: receive promotions; storing said promotions in said memory device; And electronically transmitting said projections from said portable device to a first point of sale (POS) at the time of a customer transaction in a retail store. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is configured to receive promotions by electronically receiving said promotions from a second POS to said portable device during a previous customer transaction. 22. Portable device according to claim 21, wherein said first and second POS are the same POS. A portable device according to claim 21, wherein said processor is further configured to distribute a customer identifier element to said second POS at the time of said previous customer transaction, wherein said promotions received from said second POS are based on said customer identifier element. A portable device according to claim 21, wherein said promotions received from said second POS are based on trigger items purchased during said previous customer transaction. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is configured to receive said promotions from a wide area network. A portable device according to claim 25, wherein said processor is configured to receive said promotions from the Internet. A portable device according to claim 26, wherein said promotions are downloaded from the Internet to a desktop computer hard wired to the Internet; And said processor is configured to electronically receive said promotions from said desktop computer. A portable device according to claim 26, wherein said processor is configured to electronically receive said promotions directly to said portable device through a wireless communications link from the Internet. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is further configured to receive additional information relating to customer products. A portable device according to claim 29, wherein said additional information comprises one of a URL and an e-mail address associated with an entity for providing additional information relating to said customer products. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said promotion comprises an advertisement that includes audio and video data relating to said customer products, and wherein said processor is configured for: displaying said video data on a display unit on said portable device, and reproducing said audio on said portable device. 32. A portable device according to claim 29, wherein said additional information comprises a purchase receipt associated with a purchase transaction, wherein said processor is configured to download said purchase receipt from said portable device to a computer system including money management software employed by said customer. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is further configured for: receiving a customer identifier associated with said retail store; storing said customer identifier element in said memory device; And electronically transmitting said customer identifier element from said portable device to a point of sale (POS) at the time of said customer transaction. 34. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is further configured for: receiving a plurality of retail store identifiers including a retail store identifier associated with a retail store, each retail store identifier having a corresponding customer identifier associated with a customer; storing said plurality of retail store identifiers and corresponding customer identifiers in said memory device; And electronically transmitting said retail store identifiers and customer identifiers from said handheld device to said POS at the time of said customer transaction, wherein said promotions received to said portable device are based on said customer identifier associated with said customer. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is configured to electronically transmit promotions from said portable device to said POS through one of a hard-wired carrier and a wireless carrier. A portable device according to claim 20, wherein said processor is configured to electronically receive said promotions through one of a rigidly wired carrier and a wireless carrier. 37. Portable electronic device comprising: means for receiving promotions to said portable device; means for storing said promotions in said portable electronic device; And means for electronically transmitting said promotions from said portable device to a first point of sale (POS) at the time of a customer transaction in a retail store. 38. A portable device according to claim 37, wherein said promotions are received by a second POS during a previous customer transaction, said portable device further comprises means for distributing a customer identifier element to said second POS at the time of said previous customer transaction, and said promotions received from said second POS are based on said customer identification element. A portable device according to claim 37, wherein said means for receiving said promotions to said portable device comprises: downloading such promotions from the Internet to a desktop computer hard-wired to the Internet; And receiving said promotions electronically from said desktop computer to said portable device. 40. Portable device according to claim 37, further comprising means for receiving in said portable device additional information relating to customer products. A portable device according to claim 37, further comprising: means for receiving in said portable electronic device a customer identifier element associated with said retail store; means for storing said customer identifier element in said portable electronic device; And means for electronically transmitting said customer identifier element from said portable device to a point of sale (POS) at the time of said customer transaction. 42. A portable device according to claim 37, further comprising: means for receiving in said portable device a plurality of retail store identifiers including a retail store identifier associated with said retail store, each retail store identifier having an identifier correspondent customer associated with a customer; means for storing said plurality of retail store identifiers and corresponding customer identifiers in said portable device; And means for electronically transmitting said plurality of retail store identifiers and associated customer identifiers from said portable device to said POS at the time of said customer transaction; wherein said promotions received to said portable device are based on said customer identifier element associated with said customer. 43. Process comprising: initialize a computer associated with a retail store; determine promotions to be offered to a customer; electronically transmitting said promotions determined by said computer to a portable device at the time of a customer transaction. 44. A method according to claim 43, wherein said initialization step comprises signaling to said computer when said portable device is interfaced with said computer. A method according to claim 44, wherein said signaling or notification step comprises one of: automatically signaling said computer when a signal connection is made between said portable device and a device associated with said computer, e manually signaling to said computer when said signal connection has been made. A method according to claim 43, wherein said step of determining promotions comprises: receiving a customer identifier element associated with said customer at said computer; and electronically transmitting predetermined promotions associated with said customer identifier element from said computer to said portable device. 47. A method according to claim 43, further comprising: electronically receiving from said portable device to said computer a plurality of retail store identifiers including a retail store identifier associated with said retail store, each retail store identifier having a corresponding customer identifier element associated with said customer; and determining in said computer a particular customer identifier associated with said retail store in which the computer is located, wherein said promotions electronically transmitted from said computer to said portable device are based on the particular determined customer identifier element. 48. A method according to claim 43, wherein said step of determining promotions comprises: monitor purchase items purchased by said customer during said customer transaction; disclosing trigger items or triggers among said monitored purchase items; and electronically transmitting promotions from said computer to said portable device based on said detected trigger items. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of electronically transmitting said promotions detected by said computer to said portable device comprises electronically transmitting promotions from said computer to said portable device through one of a rigidly wired carrier and a wireless carrier . 50. Process according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: electronically transmitting additional information relating to a product for which said promotion is envisaged. A method according to claim 50, wherein said step of electronically transmitting additional information comprises electronically transmitting one of a URL and an e-mail address associated with an entity to provide further information relating to said product. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of electronically transmitting a given promotion comprises electronically transmitting an advertisement to said portable device, said advertisement comprising at least one of mobile audio, text and video data. 53. Process according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: electronically transmit a purchase receipt from said computer to said portable device, wherein said purchase receipt can be downloaded from said portable device to a computer system including money management software employed by said customer. 54. Computer readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a portable device which, when executed by the portable device, cause the portable device to perform the steps in the method according to any one of claims 45-53. 55. System associated with a retail store, comprising: a memory device having data relating to promotions incorporated therein; And a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor being configured for: initialize said system; determine promotions to be offered to a customer; electronically transmitting said promotions determined by said system to a portable device at the time of a customer transaction. 56. The system of claim 55 wherein said processor is configured to initialize said system by signaling to said system when said portable device is interlocked with said system. 57. A system according to claim 56, wherein said processor is configured to signal said system by one of: automatically signaling to said system when a signal connection is made between said portable device and a device associated with said system, and manually signaling to said system when said signal connection is made. 58. System according to claim 55, wherein said processor determines promotions by: receiving a customer identifier element associated with said customer; and electronic transmission of predetermined promotions associated with said customer identifier to said portable device. 59. System according to claim 55, wherein said processor is further configured for: electronically receiving a plurality of retail store identifiers including a retail store identifier associated with said retail store, each retail store identifier having a corresponding customer identifier associated with said customer; and determining a particular customer identifier associated with said retail store with which the system is associated, wherein said promotions electronically transmitted from said system to said portable device are based on the particular identifier of the determined customer. 60. System according to claim 55, wherein said processor is configured to determine promotions by: monitoring of purchase items purchased by said customer during said customer transaction; disclosure of trigger or trigger items among said monitored purchase or purchased items; electronic transmission of promotions from said system to said portable device based on said detected trigger articles. 61. System according to the invention 55, wherein said processor electronically transmits said promotions detected by said system to said portable device by electronically transmitting promotions from said system to said portable device through one of a rigid wiring support and a wireless support. A system according to claim 55, wherein said processor is further configured to electronically transmit additional information relating to a product for which said promotion is envisaged. 63. A system according to claim 62, wherein said processor is configured to electronically transmit additional information by electronically transmitting one of a URL and an e-mail address or e-mail associated with a. entity to provide additional information relating to that product. 64. A system according to claim 55, wherein said processor is configured to electronically transmit a promotion by electronically transmitting an advertisement message to said portable device. A system according to claim 64, wherein said processor is configured to electronically transmit an advertising message to said portable device by transmitting data comprising at least one of audio, text and mobile video. 66. System according to claim 62, wherein said processor is further configured for: electronically transmit a purchase receipt to said portable device, wherein said purchase receipt can be downloaded from said portable device to a computer system including money management software employed by said customer. 67. A system associated with a retail store comprising: means for initializing said system; means for determining promotions to be offered to a customer; means for electronically transmitting said promotions determined by said system to a portable device at the time of a customer transaction. 68. System according to claim 67, wherein said means for initializing comprise one of: means for automatically signaling to said computer when a signal connection has been made between said portable device and a device associated with said computer, and means for manually signaling to said computer when said signal connection is made. 69. System according to claim 67, wherein said means for determining promotions comprise: means for electronically transmitting predetermined promotions associated with said customer identifier element from said computer to said portable device. 70. System according to claim 67, further comprising: means for electronically receiving from said portable device to said computer a plurality of retail store identifiers including a retail store identifier associated with said retail store, each retail store identifier detail having a corresponding customer identifier associated with said customer; And means for determining in said computer a particular customer identifier associated with said retail store in which the computer is located, wherein said promotions electronically transmitted from said computer to said portable device are based on the particular determined customer identifier element. 71. System according to claim 67, wherein said means for determining promotions comprise: means for monitoring purchase items purchased by said customer during said customer transaction; means for detecting trigger items or triggers between said monitored purchase items, e means for electronically transmitting promotions from said computer to said portable device based on said detected trigger articles. 72. A system according to claim 71, further comprising means for electronically transmitting additional information with one of a URL and e-mail address associated with an entity for providing further information relating to said product. 73. System according to claim 67, further comprising: electronically transmit a purchase receipt from said computer to said portable device, wherein said purchase receipt can be downloaded from said portable device to a computer system including money management software employed by said customer.