ITMI991913A1

ITMI991913A1 - PROCEDURE SYSTEM AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR PRINTING IN A COUPON STORE FOR DEFERRED PURCHASES FOR DISCOUNT COUPONS AND/

Info

Publication number: ITMI991913A1
Application number: IT1999MI001913A
Authority: IT
Inventors: Phillip White
Original assignee: Catalina Marketing Int
Priority date: 1998-08-24
Filing date: 1999-09-14
Publication date: 2001-03-14
Also published as: ITMI991913A0

Description

DESCRIZIONE dell’invenzione Industriale avente per titolo: DESCRIPTION of the Industrial invention entitled:

«PROCEDIMENTO, SISTEMA E SUPPORTO LEGGIBILE DA ELABO-RATORE PER LA STAMPA IN UN NEGOZIO Di BUONI PER ACQUI-STI DIFFERITI PER COUPON DI SCONTO E/O ALTRI INCENTIVI AGLI ACQUISTI IN UN NEGOZIO DI VENDITA AL DETTAGLIO» "PROCESS, SYSTEM AND PROCESSOR READABLE SUPPORT FOR PRINTING IN A DEFERRED PURCHASE VOUCHER STORE FOR DISCOUNT COUPONS AND / OR OTHER INCENTIVES TO PURCHASE IN A RETAIL STORE"

DESCRIZIONE DESCRIPTION

Riferimenti Incrociati A Domande Di Brevetto Correlate La presente invenzione è correlata ai Brevetti Statunitensi di comune proprietà Numeri 4 723 212; 4910 672; 5 173851; e 5612 868; alla Domanda di Brevetto Statunitense Numero di Serie 08/663 680, depositata il 14 Giugno 1996, e alla Domanda di Brevetto Statunitense, Numero di Caso del Mandatario 7791-0050-25, depositata il 6 Gennaio 1999, tutte le quali sono qui incorporate a titolo di riferimento. Cross References To Related Patent Applications The present invention is related to commonly owned US Patent Nos. 4 723 212; 4910 672; 5 173851; and 5612 868; U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 08/663 680, filed June 14, 1996, and U.S. Patent Application, Authorized Case Number 7791-0050-25, filed January 6, 1999, all of which are incorporated herein to reference title.

SFONDO DELL’INVENZIONE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Campo dell’Invenzione Field of the Invention

La presente invenzione riguarda generalmente sistemi di elaboratori intercollegati e, più particolarmente, sistemi di elaboratori impiegati in un ambiente di negozi di vendita al dettaglio. Discussione dello Sfondo The present invention generally relates to interconnected computer systems and, more particularly, to computer systems employed in a retail store environment. Background Discussion

FIG. 1 illustra un ambiente di un negozio di vendita al dettaglio convenzionale, includente una unità di controllo o controllore 10 di punto vendita o di "point-of-sale (POS)", un anello di punto vendita del negozio (anello POS) 12 ed una molteplicità di registri di cassa o terminali di punto vendita 14, di cui ne sono rappresentati due. Il controllore POS 10 del negozio comunica con i registri di cassa 14 attraverso l'anello POS 12 del negozio, che è una via collettrice o bus di dati che si estende attraverso il negozio da un registro di cassa 14 al successivo, e a cui sono collegati tutti i registri di cassa 14 ed il controllore POS 10 del negozio. Il controllore POS 10 del negozio ha archivi di basi dati associati (non rappresentati) per memorizzare dati pertinenti ad attività del negozio, come un archivio di registrazione di articoli definenti gli articoli disponibili per la vendita nel negozio. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional retail store environment, including a point-of-sale (POS) control unit 10, a store point-of-sale loop (POS loop) 12 and a plurality of cash registers or point of sale terminals 14, two of which are represented. The store POS controller 10 communicates with the cash registers 14 through the store POS ring 12, which is a bus or data bus that extends through the store from one cash register 14 to the next, and to which they are connected all the cash registers 14 and the POS controller 10 of the store. The store POS controller 10 has associated database files (not shown) for storing data pertinent to store activity, such as an item registration file defining the items available for sale in the store.

Gli inventori hanno riconosciuto una difficoltà con la configurazione rappresentata in FIG. The inventors have recognized a difficulty with the configuration depicted in FIG.

1, che è costituita dal fatto che questa configurazione non supporta funzioni supplementari, come ad esempio la stampa in-negozio di tagliando o buoni o coupon di sconto, e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti, la lettura e il trattamento di coupon portati al negozio dai clienti, e la lettura di altri articoli codificati presso il punto vendita, come carte bancarie, carte di fedeltà dei clienti, come carte rilasciate a compratori frequenti, carte di credito, ed assegni e cosi via. In aggiunta, quando un particolare articolo avente buoni sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con esso non è disponibile in giacenza, questa configurazione non supporta la stampa in negozio di un buono o "voucher" per acquisti differiti, il quale buono per acquisti differiti o "voucher" sarà successivamente chiamato "raincheck" . Un raincheck consente al cliente di "spendere" il coupon o buoni di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti in un momento futuro quando l'articolo risulterà disponibile in giacenza o nel negozio. 1, which consists of the fact that this configuration does not support additional functions, such as in-store printing of coupons or coupons or discount coupons, and / or other incentives to purchase, reading and processing coupons brought to the store by customers, and reading other encoded items at the point of sale, such as bank cards, customer loyalty cards, such as cards issued to frequent buyers, credit cards, and checks and so on. In addition, when a particular item with discount coupons and / or other shopping incentives associated with it is not available in stock, this configuration does not support the in-store printing of a deferred purchase voucher or "voucher", which is a voucher for purchases. deferred or "voucher" will later be referred to as "raincheck". A raincheck allows the customer to "spend" the coupon or discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives at a future time when the item is available in stock or in the store.

SOMMARIO DELL’INVENZIONE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Perciò, uno scopo della presente invenzione è quello di fornire un processo, un sistema ed un supporto leggibile da elaboratore nuovi per consentire stampa in-negozio di raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel process, system and computer readable medium for enabling in-store printing of rainchecks for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives.

I precedenti e altri scopi sono raggiunti, secondo la presente invenzione, fornendo un sistema, un procedimento, ed un supporto leggibile da elaboratore nuovi e perfezionati per consentire stampa in-negozio di raincheck per acquistare incentivi associati con articoli soggetti a raincheck, includenti un processore di incentivi per immagazzinare una pluralità di incentivi agli acquisti corrispondenti ad una pluralità di identificatori di articoli per articoli soggetti a raincheck; almeno una stampante degli incentivi; un bus del processore di incentivi accoppiante il processore di incentivi all'almeno una stampante degli incentivi; un controllore di punto vendita (POS); almeno un registro di cassa; ed un bus POS accoppiante il controllore POS, 1'almeno un registro di cassa ed il processore degli incentivi. Un rispettivo registro di cassa dell'almeno un registro di cassa è configurato per ricevere dati definenti un identificatore di articoli per un articolo che è soggetto ad un raincheck. Uno del controllore POS e del rispettivo registro di cassa è configurato per trasmettere i dati definenti l'identificatore degli articoli per l'articolo che costituisce l'oggetto del raincheck sul bus POS al processore degli incentivi. Il processore degli incentivi è configurato per generare informazione di raincheck includente almeno un incentivo agli acquisti in risposta alla ricezione dei dati definenti l'identificatore degli articoli per l'articolo soggetto al raincheck, la pluralità di incentivi agli acquisti, e la pluralità di identificatori degli articoli. Il processore degli incentivi è configurato per trasmettere l'informazione di raincheck ad una rispettiva stampante degli incentivi dell 'almeno una stampante degli incentivi sul bus del processore degli incentivi. La rispettiva stampante degli incentivi è configurata per stampare un raincheck includente l'almeno un incentivo agli acquisti in risposta alla ricezione della informazione di raincheck ricevuta dal processore degli incentivi. The foregoing and other objects are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a new and improved computer-readable system, method, and medium for enabling in-store printing of rainchecks to purchase incentives associated with raincheck items, including a processor. incentives to store a plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to a plurality of item identifiers for items subject to raincheck; at least one incentive printer; an incentive processor bus coupling the incentive processor to the at least one incentive printer; a point of sale controller (POS); at least one cash register; and a POS bus coupling the POS controller, the at least one cash register and the incentive processor. A respective cash register of the at least one cash register is configured to receive data defining an item identifier for an item which is subject to a raincheck. One of the POS controller and the respective cash register is configured to transmit the data defining the item identifier for the item that is the object of the raincheck on the POS bus to the incentive processor. The incentive processor is configured to generate raincheck information including at least one purchase incentive in response to receipt of data defining the item identifier for the rainchecked item, the plurality of purchase incentives, and the plurality of item identifiers. articles. The incentive processor is configured to transmit the raincheck information to a respective incentive printer of at least one incentive printer on the incentive processor bus. The respective incentive printer is configured to print a raincheck including the at least one purchase incentive in response to receiving the raincheck information received from the incentive processor.

BREVE DESCRIZIONE DEI DISEGNI BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Una valutazione più completa dell'invenzione e di molti dei conseguenti vantaggi di essa sarà facilmente ottenuta man mano che la medesima risulterà meglio compresa con riferimento alla seguente descrizione dettagliata quando considerata in unione con i disegni acclusi, in cui: A more complete evaluation of the invention and many of the consequent advantages thereof will be readily obtained as it is better understood with reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 è uno schema a blocchi di una convenzionale architettura di interconnessione di elaboratori di un ambiente di un negozio di vendita al dettaglio; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional computer interconnection architecture of a retail store environment;

FIG. 2 è uno schema a blocchi di una architettura di interconnessione di elaboratore o calcolatore di un ambiente di negozio di vendita al dettaglio di FIG. 1, integrata con componenti addizionali per manipolare varie addizionali funzioni presso un punto vendita o "point-of-sale (POS ) "; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer interconnection architecture of a retail store environment of FIG. 1, integrated with additional components to manipulate various additional functions at a point of sale or "point-of-sale (POS)";

FIG. 3 è un diagramma di flusso a livello superiore illustrante un processo per generare raincheck o buoni differiti per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti secondo la presente invenzione; FIG. 3 is a top level flow chart illustrating a process for generating rainchecks or deferred coupons for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 è una illustrazione di un elenco di raincheck impiegato per la stampa in-negozio di raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti secondo la presente invenzione; e FIG. 5 è un diagramma di flusso dettagliato illustrante un processo per la stampa in-negozio di raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti secondo la presente invenzione. FIG. 4 is an illustration of a raincheck list employed for in-store printing of rainchecks for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives according to the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a raincheck in-store printing process for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives according to the present invention.

DESCRIZIONE DELLE FORME DIREALIZZAZIONE PREFERITE DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED DIRECTIONAL FORMS

Sistemi di elaboratori per punti vendita o "point-of-sale (POS)" in negozi sono stati integrati con componenti addizionali per manipolare funzioni come la stampa in negozio di buoni o coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti, la lettura e l'elaborazione di coupon portati al negozio dai clienti, e la lettura di altri articoli codificati presso il punto vendita, come carte bancarie, carte di fedeltà dei clienti, come carte rilasciate a compratori frequenti, carte di credito, ed assegni, e così via. Ad esempio, i Brevetti Statunitensi posseduti in comune Numeri 4723 212; 4 910 672; 5 173 851; e 5612 868; la Domanda di Brevetto Statunitense Numero di Serie 08/663 680, depositata il 14 Giugno 1996, e la Domanda di Brevetto Statunitense, Numero di Caso del Mandatario 7791-0050-25, depositata il 6 Gennaio 1999, descrivono sistemi per generare coupon di sconto in risposta a varie eventi di transazioni di vendite rivelati presso il punto-vendita o "point-of-sale". Point-of-sale (POS) computer systems in stores have been integrated with additional components to manipulate functions such as in-store printing of coupons or discount coupons and / or other incentives to purchase, reading and processing coupons brought to the store by customers, and reading other encoded items at the point of sale, such as bank cards, customer loyalty cards, such as cards issued to frequent buyers, credit cards, and checks, and so on . For example, jointly owned US Patents Nos. 4723 212; 4 910 672; 5 173 851; and 5612 868; U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 08/663 680, filed June 14, 1996, and U.S. Patent Application, Authorized Case Number 7791-0050-25, filed January 6, 1999, describe systems for generating discount coupons in response to various sales transaction events revealed at the point-of-sale or "point-of-sale".

Facendo ora riferimento ai disegni, in cui numeri di riferimento uguali indicano parti identiche o corrispondenti nelle varie viste, e più particolarmente a FIG. 2 di essi, in essi è illustrata una architettura di un sistema elaboratore prevista per l'impiego in un ambiente di un negozio di vendita al dettaglio e, in particolare, per l'impiego in applicazioni che integrano le normali funzioni di un sistema elaboratore di punto vendita. Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or corresponding parts in the various views, and more particularly to FIG. 2 of them illustrate an architecture of a computer system intended for use in an environment of a retail store and, in particular, for use in applications that integrate the normal functions of a computer system of point of sale.

FIG. 2 illustra porzioni relative di un sistema di punti-vendita di un negozio, includente un controllore di punti vendita (POS) del negozio, indicato mediante il numero di riferimento 10, un anello di punti vendita (anello POS) del negozio 12, e una molteplicità di registri di cassa 14, di cui ne sono mostrati due. Il controllore 10 POS del negozio comunica con i registri di cassa 14 attraverso l'anello 12 POS del negozio, che è un bus di dati il quale si estende attraverso il negozio da un registro di cassa al successivo. Il controllore 10 POS del negozio ha archivi di basi di dati associati (non rappresentati) per memorizzare dati relativi ad attività del negozio, come un archivio di registrazione di articoli definente gli articolo disponibili per la vendita nel negozio. Un processore supplementare 16 è previsto ed esegue funzioni di elaborazione supplementari come generazione in-negozio di coupon di sconto e altri incentivi agli acquisti, etc. Il processore supplementare 16 è collegato all'anello 12 POS del negozio e può monitorare operazioni POS che hanno luogo presso vari registri di cassa 14. Il processore supplementare 16 è accoppiato ad una base 16' di dati per memorizzare la storia degli acquisti dei clienti, che può essere impiegata nel selezionare coupon di sconto ed altri incentivi agli acquisti, etc., da generare. Ciascun registro di cassa 14 in un simile sistema ha una stampante 18 di coupon associata. Tuttavia, si deve comprendere che ciascuna stampante 18 di coupon o registro 14 di cassa potrebbe includere una funzione di stampante a "stazione duale" per stampare sia coupon di sconto che ricevute. Quando un cliente acquista taluni articoli designati e li presenta per l'acquisto presso il registro di cassa 14, il processore supplementare 16 può generare coupon di sconto condizionati sugli articolo acquistati e su altri fattori, come la storia di acquisti del consumatore memorizzata nella base dati 16' e associata con un numero di identificazione personale o "personal-identif ication-number (PIN)" del consumatore o cliente. Così, il processore supplementare 16 è collegato a ciascuna delle stampanti 18 dei coupon, come è rappresentato mediante le linee tratteggiate 20. FIG. 2 illustrates relative portions of a store point-of-sale system, including a store point-of-sale controller (POS), indicated by reference numeral 10, a store loop (POS loop) 12, and a multiplicity of cash registers 14, of which two are shown. The store POS controller 10 communicates with the cash registers 14 through the store POS ring 12, which is a data bus which extends through the store from one cash register to the next. The store POS controller 10 has associated (unrepresented) database repositories for storing store activity data, such as an item registration file defining the items available for sale in the store. An additional processor 16 is provided and performs additional processing functions such as in-store generation of discount coupons and other purchase incentives, etc. The additional processor 16 is connected to the POS ring 12 of the store and can monitor POS operations which take place at various cash registers 14. The additional processor 16 is coupled to a database 16 'of data to store the history of customers' purchases, which can be used in selecting discount coupons and other purchase incentives, etc., to be generated. Each cash register 14 in such a system has an associated coupon printer 18. However, it is to be understood that each coupon or cash register printer 18 14 could include a "dual station" printer function for printing both discount coupons and receipts. When a customer purchases certain designated items and presents them for purchase at cash register 14, the additional processor 16 can generate conditional discount coupons on the purchased item and other factors, such as the consumer's shopping history stored in the database. 16 'and associated with a personal identification number or "personal-identif ication-number (PIN)" of the consumer or customer. Thus, the additional processor 16 is connected to each of the coupon printers 18, as represented by the dashed lines 20.

Il processore supplementare 16 può pure essere collegato ad altri dispositivi periferici associati con ciascun registro di cassa 14. Ad esempio, ciascun registro di cassa 14 può avere un cosiddetto cuneo o "wedge" associato 22. Un wedge è un dispositivo d'ingresso di dati che decodifica o legge dati, come dati di codici a barre o dati da carte codificate magneticamente, come carte bancarie, carte di fedeltà dei clienti, e carte rilasciate a compratori frequenti, carte di credito, etc. Il wedge 22 comunica le informazioni decodificate attraverso un terminale a tastiera su un elaboratore associato con ciascun registro di cassa 14. Tipicamente, il dispositivo wedge 22 è innestato nel terminale a tastiera dell'elaboratore, e la tastiera è innestata nel wedge. In alcune funzioni POS, una carta dei consumatori, come una carta bancaria, una carta di fedeltà dei clienti, come una carta rilasciata a compratori frequenti o fedeli, una carta di credito, etc., avente un identificatore unico del cliente, come un numero di identificazione personale (PIN) codificato in essa viene scandita nel dispositivo wedge 22 e l'informazione è impiegata dal processore supplementare 16 nel registrare transazioni di acquisto alla storia di acquisti o compere del consumatore associata con il PIN nella base 16' dei dati. I dispositivi wedge 22 sono collegati al processore supplementare 16 attraverso un altro gruppo di linee, indicate mediante le linee tratteggiate 24. The additional processor 16 may also be connected to other peripheral devices associated with each cash register 14. For example, each cash register 14 may have an associated so-called "wedge" 22. A wedge is a data input device which decodes or reads data, such as barcode data or magnetically encoded card data, such as bank cards, customer loyalty cards, and cards issued to frequent buyers, credit cards, etc. The wedge 22 communicates the decoded information through a keyboard terminal on a computer associated with each cash register 14. Typically, the wedge device 22 is plugged into the keyboard terminal of the computer, and the keyboard is plugged into the wedge. In some POS functions, a consumer card, such as a bank card, a customer loyalty card, such as a card issued to frequent or loyal buyers, a credit card, etc., having a unique customer identifier, such as a number personal identification code (PIN) encoded therein is scanned into the wedge device 22 and the information is used by the additional processor 16 in recording purchase transactions to the consumer's shopping history associated with the PIN in the data base 16 '. The wedge devices 22 are connected to the additional processor 16 through another group of lines, indicated by the dashed lines 24.

In aggiunta, la configurazione rappresentata in FIG.2 può essere integrata per supportare stampa in-negozio di buoni di sconto per acquisti differiti o cosiddetti "raincheck" per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti per articoli che non sono in giacenza nel negozio. Si deve notare che la possibilità di stampare in negozio raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti per articoli che non sono correntemente in giacenza in negozio, consente ai consumatori di ricevere il vantaggio dei coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti quando gli articoli si troveranno success ivamente in giacenza presso il negozio. In addition, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 can be integrated to support in-store printing of discount coupons for deferred purchases or so-called "rainchecks" for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives for items that are not in stock in the shop. It should be noted that the ability to print raincheck in-store for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives for items that are not currently in store, allows consumers to receive the benefit of discount coupons and / or other incentives to purchases when the items will subsequently be in stock at the store.

FIG. 3 è un diagramma di flusso a livello superiore illustrante un processo per generare raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti secondo la presente invenzione. In FIG. 3, nel passo S2 un dettagliante identifica offerte (ad esempio coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti) per prodotti che devono essere garantiti con raincheck se i prodotto non sono in giacenza, nel passo S4, il venditore dettagliante assegna codici di ricerca prezzo (PLU) preimpostati per ciascuna offerta identificata. Il venditore dettagliante, nel passo S6, genera una forma d'ordine di raincheck, ad esempio impiegando un cosiddetto Excel" spreadsheet, etc., ed includente la disposizione dei raincheck ed i codici PLU assegnati. FIG. 3 is a top level flow chart illustrating a process for generating rainchecks for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, in step S2 a retailer identifies offers (for example discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives) for products that must be guaranteed with raincheck if the products are not in stock, in step S4, the retailer assigns search codes price (PLU) preset for each identified offer. The retailer, in step S6, generates a raincheck order form, for example using a so-called Excel "spreadsheet, etc., and including the arrangement of the rainchecks and the assigned PLU codes.

Nel passo S8, il dettagliante trasmette la forma, ad esempio tramite posta elettronica o email, etc. , ad un sito di elaborazione dei raincheck avente accesso alle basi 16' dei dati nel negozio di vendita al dettaglio. Il sito di elaborazione dei raincheck aggiorna quindi la base dati 16' con l'informazione relativa ai raincheck tramite il processore supplementare 16 nel passo SIO. Nel passo S12 il sito di elaborazione dei raincheck trasmette una forma di approvazione, ad esempio tramite posta elettronica, etc., dal venditore dettagliante che il venditore dettagliante firma e restituisce al sito di elaborazione dei raincheck, ad esempio tramite posta elettronica, etc., nel passo S7. In step S8, the retailer transmits the form, for example by email or email, etc. , to a raincheck processing site having access to data bases 16 'in the retail store. The raincheck processing site then updates the database 16 'with the information relating to the rainchecks by means of the additional processor 16 in step SIO. In step S12 the raincheck processing site transmits a form of approval, for example by e-mail, etc., from the retailer that the retailer signing and returning to the raincheck processing site, for example by e-mail, etc., in step S7.

Il venditore dettagliante, o il sito di elaborazione dei raincheck, il passo S16 genera quindi un elenco dei raincheck previsto per essere impiegato dai cassieri e includente codici di ricerca prezzi (PLU) preassegnati per prodotti soggetti a raincheck. Nel passo S18, il venditore dettagliante visualizza per clienti le offerte per i prodotti soggetti a raincheck. Quindi, nel passo S20, quando un cliente richiede un raincheck per un prodotto non in giacenza, nel passo S22, il cassiere immette il corrispondente codice PLU per il prodotto non in giacenza presso il registro di cassa 14. Nel passo S24, il raincheck viene stampato sulla stampante 18 dei coupon, ed è consegnato al cliente e una registrazione datata della stampa del raincheck e il corrispondente codice PLU per il prodotto non in giacenza essendo memorizzati nella base dati 16' come un elenco di raincheck stampato. The retailer, or raincheck processing site, step S16 then generates a list of rainchecks intended to be used by cashiers and including preassigned price tracking codes (PLUs) for rainchecked products. In step S18, the retailer displays offers to customers for products subject to raincheck. So, in step S20, when a customer requests a raincheck for a product not in stock, in step S22, the cashier enters the corresponding PLU code for the product not in stock at the cash register 14. In step S24, the raincheck is printed on the coupon printer 18, and is delivered to the customer and a dated record of the raincheck print and the corresponding PLU code for the product not in stock being stored in the database 16 'as a printed raincheck list.

Nel passo S26, il cliente riscatta o "spende” il raincheck per il prodotto non in giacenza quando il prodotto sarà successivamente disponibile in giacenza. Rapporti settimanali elencanti raincheck stampati conformemente a codici PLU sono generati in base all'elenco dei raincheck stampato memorizzato nella base dati 16'. In step S26, the customer redeems or "spends" the raincheck for the product not in stock when the product is subsequently available in stock. Weekly reports listing rainchecks printed in accordance with PLU codes are generated based on the list of printed rainchecks stored in the base data 16 '.

Secondo la presente invenzione, raincheck sono stampati nelle stampanti 18 dei coupon del negozio di vendita al dettaglio in base a codici di ricerca prezzi (PLU) preassegnati per articoli soggetti a raincheck. I codici PLU per articoli soggetti a raincheck ed i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con essi (cioè offerte) sono memorizzati nella base dati 16'. Un elenco di raincheck viene stampato e fornito presso ciascun registro cassa 14 ed include i codici PLU e descrizioni per gli articoli soggetti a raincheck. Quando un cassiere immette un codice PLU per un articolo non in giacenza dall'elenco dei raincheck presso un registro cassa 14, questa informazione è trasmessa al processore supplementare 16. Il processore supplementare 16 genera quindi informazione di raincheck basata sul codice PLU per l'articolo non in giacenza, e i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con essa che sono memorizzati nella base dati 16'. L'informazione di raincheck è quindi trasmessa alla stampante 18 dei coupon che stampa il raincheck in base alla informazione relativa ai raincheck ricevuta. Si deve notare che il raincheck stampato può essere sotto forma di (i) un gettone consentente ad un cliente di acquistare un articolo non in giacenza quando l'articolo sarà disponibile e al prezzo che aveva quando non era disponibile e/o (ii) un coupon di sconto consentente ad un cliente di acquistare un articolo non disponibile in giacenza quando l'articolo sarà in giacenza e ad un prezzo scontato. According to the present invention, rainchecks are printed in the printers 18 of retail store coupons based on preassigned price search codes (PLUs) for items subject to raincheck. The PLU codes for items subject to raincheck and the discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with them (i.e. offers) are stored in the database 16 '. A raincheck list is printed and provided at each cash register 14 and includes PLU codes and descriptions for items subject to raincheck. When a cashier enters a PLU code for an item not in stock from the raincheck list at a cash register 14, this information is transmitted to the supplementary processor 16. The supplementary processor 16 then generates raincheck information based on the PLU code for the item. not in stock, and the discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with it which are stored in the database 16 '. The raincheck information is then transmitted to the coupon printer 18 which prints the raincheck based on the received raincheck information. It should be noted that the printed raincheck can be in the form of (i) a token allowing a customer to purchase an item that is not in stock when the item is available and at the price it had when it was not available and / or (ii) a discount coupon allowing a customer to purchase an item not available in stock when the item is in stock and at a discounted price.

FIG. 4 è una illustrazione di un elenco o lista 26 dei raincheck impiegato/a per la stampa in-negozio, presso un negozio di vendita al dettaglio, di raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con articoli soggetti a raincheck. In FIG. 4, l'elenco 26 dei raincheck include codici 28 di ricerca prezzi (PLU) e corrispondenti descrizioni 30 per gli articoli soggetti a raincheck. Quando il cassiere immette codici PLU dall'elenco 26 dei raincheck per articoli soggetti a raincheck presso i registri cassa 14, raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con gli articoli soggetti a raincheck sono stampati automaticamente nelle stampanti 18 dei coupon. FIG. 4 is an illustration of a list or list 26 of rainchecks employed for in-store printing, at a retail store, rainchecks for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with raincheck items. In FIG. 4, list 26 of rainchecks includes 28 price search codes (PLUs) and corresponding descriptions 30 for items subject to rainchecks. When the cashier enters PLU codes from the 26 raincheck list for rainchecked items at cash register 14, rainchecks for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with rainchecked items are automatically printed in 18 coupon printers .

Il processore per fornire stampa in-negozio di raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti per articoli che non sono correntemente in giacenza in negozio sarà ora illustrato facendo riferimento al diagramma di flusso rappresentato in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, nel passo S32, un cliente richiede un raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con un articolo che correntemente non si trova disponibile o in giacenza in un negozio di vendita al dettaglio. Nel passo S34, viene eseguita una determinazione relativamente al fatto se o no è disponibile un raincheck per i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con l'articolo, ad esempio impiegando l'elenco 26 dei raincheck discusso con riferimento a FIG. 4. Se non è disponibile nessun raincheck per l'articolo, nel passo S36 il conflitto viene risolto, ad esempio facendo sì che personale del negozio abbia a determinare se vi è un errore nell'elenco 26 dei raincheck o se nessun coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti sono associati con l'articolo. Se vi è un errore nell'elenco 26 dei raincheck, allora il cliente riceve un raincheck che è generato manualmente dal personale del negozio e l'elenco 26 dei raincheck e gli archivi associati nella base dati 16' sono aggiornati . The processor for providing raincheck in-store printing for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives for items that are not currently in store will now be illustrated by referring to the flowchart depicted in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, in step S32, a customer requests a raincheck for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with an item that is currently not available or in stock in a retail store. In step S34, a determination is made as to whether or not a raincheck is available for the discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with the item, for example by using list 26 of the rainchecks discussed with reference to FIG . 4. If no raincheck is available for the item, in step S36 the conflict is resolved, for example by having the store staff determine if there is an error in the raincheck list 26 or if no discount coupon and / or other purchase incentives are associated with the item. If there is an error in the raincheck list 26, then the customer receives a raincheck which is manually generated by the shop staff and the raincheck list 26 and associated archives in the database 16 'are updated.

Se, in un passo S34, viene determinato che un raincheck è disponibile per i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con l'articolo, allora nel passo S38 un codice di ricerca prezzi o "price look-up (PLU)" viene immesso per l'articolo impiegando l'elenco 26 dei raincheck presso il registro cassa 14 e trasmesso al processore supplementare 16 sull'anello POS 12 del negozio. Nel passo S40, il processore supplementare 16 ricerca il codice PLU per l'articolo e genera informazione di raincheck per i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con l'articolo. Il processore supplementare 16 trasmette quindi l'informazione di raincheck alla stampante 18 dei coupon nel passo S42. If, in step S34, it is determined that a raincheck is available for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with the item, then in step S38 a price look-up (PLU) code "is entered for the item using the raincheck list 26 at the cash register 14 and transmitted to the additional processor 16 on the POS ring 12 of the store. In step S40, the additional processor 16 searches for the PLU code for the item and generates raincheck information for the discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with the item. The additional processor 16 then transmits the raincheck information to the coupon printer 18 in step S42.

Nel passo S44, la stampante 18 dei coupon stampa il raincheck per i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con l'articolo basati sulla informazione di raincheck ricevuta ed una registrazione datata della stampa del raincheck e corrispondente codice PLU per 1 'articolo è memorizzata nella base dati 16' come un elenco di raincheck stampato mediante il processore supplementare 16. Si deve notare che il raincheck per i coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti può includere i coupon di sconto originali e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con l'articolo e/o coupon di sconto addizionali e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti per l'articolo in base al fatto che un raincheck ha dovuto essere rilasciato per l'articolo. In questo modo, i coupon di sconto addizionali e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti per l'articolo possono essere generati per favorire la compensazione di qualsiasi inconveniente al cliente per l'articolo che non risulta in giacenza. Perciò, si deve notare che il raincheck stampato può essere sotto forma di (i) un gettone o tagliando consentente ad un cliente di acquistare un articolo non in giacenza nel negozio quando l'articolo sarà disponibile e al prezzo che aveva quando non era disponibile e/o (ii) un coupon di sconto consentente ad un cliente di acquistare un articolo non in giacenza quando l'articolo risulta disponibile in giacenza e ad un prezzo scontato. In step S44, coupon printer 18 prints the raincheck for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with the item based on the raincheck information received and a dated record of the raincheck print and corresponding PLU code for 1 ' item is stored in the database 16 'as a raincheck list printed by the supplementary processor 16. It should be noted that the raincheck for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives may include the original discount coupons and / or other incentives purchases associated with the item and / or additional discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives for the item based on the fact that a raincheck had to be issued for the item. In this way, additional discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives for the item can be generated to help compensate for any inconvenience to the customer for the item that is not in stock. Therefore, it should be noted that the printed raincheck can be in the form of (i) a token or coupon allowing a customer to purchase an item not in stock in the store when the item becomes available and at the price it had when it was not available and / or (ii) a discount coupon allowing a customer to purchase an item not in stock when the item is available in stock and at a discounted price.

Da quanto precede si comprenderà che la presente invenzione rappresenta un significativo progresso nel campo di sistemi di elaboratori per negozi di vendita al dettaglio. In particolare, l'invenzione consente stampa in-negozio di raincheck per coupon di sconto e/o altri incentivi agli acquisti associati con un articolo che correntemente non risulta disponibile in giacenza in un negozio di vendita al dettaglio. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention represents a significant advance in the field of computer systems for retail stores. In particular, the invention allows in-store printing of rainchecks for discount coupons and / or other purchase incentives associated with an item that is not currently available in stock in a retail store.

I meccanismi ed i procedimenti illustrati nella presente descrizione possono essere implementati impiegando un microprocessore universale convenzionale (ad esempio il processore supplementare 16 ed il controllore POS 10 del negozio) programmato secondo gli insegnamenti della presente descrizione (si vedano ad esempio le FIG. 3 e 5) come gli esperti del ramo pertinente comprenderanno. Appropriata codificazione software può essere facilmente preparata da programmatori esperti in base agli insegnamenti della presente descrizione, come risulterà evidente agli esperti nel campo o nei campi pertinenti. Tuttavia, come risulterà facilmente evidente agli esperti del ramo, la presente invenzione può pure essere implementata mediante la preparazione di circuiti integrati specifici alla applicazione o mediante intercollegamento di una rete appropriata di circuiti componenti convenzionali. The mechanisms and processes illustrated in the present description can be implemented using a conventional universal microprocessor (for example the additional processor 16 and the POS controller 10 of the store) programmed according to the teachings of the present description (see for example FIGS. 3 and 5 ) as those skilled in the art will understand. Appropriate software coding can be readily prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art or fields. However, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may also be implemented by the preparation of application specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits.

La presente invenzione include così pure un prodotto a base di elaboratore che può essere ospitato su un supporto di memorizzazione e include istruzioni che possono essere impiegate per programmare un microprocessore per eseguire procedimenti secondo la presente invenzione. Questo supporto di memoria può includere, senza essere limitati a questi, qualsiasi tipo di disco tra cui dischi flessibili o "floppy", dischi ottici, CD-ROM, dischi magnetici-ottici, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, memorie "flash", carte magnetiche o ottiche o qualsiasi tipo di supporti adatti per memorizzare istruzioni elettroniche. The present invention thus also includes a computer-based product that can be hosted on a storage medium and includes instructions that can be used to program a microprocessor to perform methods according to the present invention. This storage medium may include, but are not limited to, any type of disk including flexible or "floppy" disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, ROMs, RAM, EPROMs, EEPROMs, "flash" memories , magnetic or optical cards or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions.

Ovviamente, numerose modifiche e varianti della presente invenzione sono possibili alla luce degli insegnamenti precedenti. Si deve perciò comprendere che, entro l'ambito protettivo delle rivendicazioni accluse, l'invenzione può essere attuata praticamente diversamente da quanto specificatamente qui descritto. 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 protective scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced differently from what is specifically described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A system for providing in-store printing of coupons or vouchers for deferred purchases, or so-called "rainchecks" to purchase incentives associated with items subject to deferred purchase through raincheck, including: an incentive processor for storing a plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to a plurality of item identifiers for rainchecked items; at least one incentive printer; an incentive processor bus coupling said incentive processor to said at least one incentive printer; a point of sale controller (POS); at least one cash register; And a POS bus coupling said POS controller, said at least one cash register and said incentive processor; wherein a respective cash register of said at least one cash register is configured to receive data defining an item identifier for an item that is subject to a raincheck; one of said POS controller and said respective cash register is configured to transmit said data defining said item identifier for said item which is subject to said raincheck on said POS bus to said incentive processor; said incentive processor is configured to generate raincheck information including at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said data defining said item identifier for said item subject to said raincheck, said plurality of purchase incentives, and said plurality of articles; said incentive processor is configured to transmit said raincheck information to a respective incentive printer of said at least one incentive printer on said incentive processor bus; And said respective incentive printer is configured to print a raincheck including said at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said raincheck information received from said incentive processor.

System according to claim 1, further comprising: a retailer site configured to identify said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said item identifiers; And an incentive processing site; wherein said retail seller site is configured to transmit the plurality of purchase incentives at said plurality of item identifiers to said incentive processing site; said incentive processing site is configured to receive said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers from said retail vendor site; And said incentive processing site is configured to store said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers through said incentive processor.

The system according to claim 2, wherein one of said retailer site and said incentive processing site is configured to generate a raincheck list including a description of items corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers together with said plurality of article identifiers; And said respective cash register of said at least one cash register is configured to receive said data defining said item identifier for an item which is subject to a raincheck based on said raincheck list.

The system of claim 2, wherein said incentive processor is configured to store a printed raincheck list comprising a list of when rainchecks have been printed and corresponding item identifiers thereto; And said incentive processing site is configured to generate a weekly report of printed rainchecks and corresponding item identifiers based on said printed raincheck list.

System according to claim 1, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises an element between a token or coupon and a discount coupon; said token or coupon allowing a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the shop and at a price when said item was subject to said raincheck; And said discount coupon allowing a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a discounted price.

The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises at least one of a token or coupon and a discount coupon; said token or coupon allowing a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a price it had when said item was subject to said raincheck; and said discount coupon allowing a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a discounted price from said price that said item had when it was subject to said raincheck.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein said article is subject to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said article is subject to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

9. A process for enabling in-store printing of deferred purchase vouchers or rainchecks to purchase incentives associated with raincheck items, including: storing a plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to a plurality of item identifiers for items subject to raincheck through an incentive processor; coupling said incentive processor to at least one incentive printer through an incentive processor bus; coupling a point-of-sale (POS) controller, at least one cash register, and said incentive processor via a POS bus; receiving at a respective cash register of said at least one cash register data defining an item identifier for an item which is subject to a raincheck; transmitting from one of said POS controller and said respective cash register said data defining said item identifiers for said item which is subject to said raincheck on said POS bus to said incentive processor; generate at said incentive processor raincheck information including at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said data defining said item identifiers for said item subject to said raincheck, said plurality of purchase incentives, and said plurality of articles; transmitting said raincheck information from said incentive processor to a respective incentive printer of said at least one incentive printer on said incentive processor bus; And printing at said respective incentive printer a raincheck including said at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said raincheck information received from said incentive processor.

10. Process according to claim 9, further comprising: identifying, in correspondence with a website of a retailer, said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers; transmitting from said retail vendor site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers to an incentive processing site; receiving at said incentive processing site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers from said retail seller site; And storing at said incentive processing site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers through said incentive processor.

11. Process according to claim 10, further comprising: generating at one of said retailer site and said incentive processing site a raincheck list including a description of items corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers together with said plurality of item identifiers; And receiving at said respective cash register of said at least one cash register said data defining said item identifiers for an item which is subject to a raincheck based on said raincheck list.

12. Process according to claim 10, further comprising: storing a printed raincheck list comprising a list of when rainchecks were printed and corresponding item identifiers thereto through said incentive processor; And generate at said incentive processing site a weekly report of printed rainchecks and corresponding item identifiers based on said list of printed rainchecks.

13. Process according to claim 9, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises one of a coupon token and a coupon or discount voucher; the process comprising one of: enabling a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock and at a price that said item had when it was subject to said raincheck through said token or coupon; and enable a user to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock and at a discounted price through said coupon or discount voucher.

The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises at least one of a token or coupon and a coupon or discount coupon; the procedure further comprising one of: enabling a user to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock and at a price when said item has been subjected to said raincheck by means of said token or coupon; And enable a user to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock and at a discounted price through said discount coupon.

15. Process according to claim 13, further comprising subjecting said article to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

16. A process according to claim 14, further comprising subjecting said article to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

17. Computer program product comprising a computer memory medium having a computer program inserted in said computer memory medium to cause a computer to provide in-store printing of rainchecks or deferred purchase vouchers to purchase incentives associated with items subject to raincheck, said computer program by performing the steps of: storing a plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to a plurality of item identifiers for items subject to raincheck through an incentive processor; coupling said incentive processor to at least one incentive printer through an incentive processor bus; coupling a point-of-sale (POS) controller, at least one cash register, and said incentive processor via a POS bus; receiving at a respective cash register of said at least one cash register data defining an item identifier for an item which is subject to a raincheck; transmitting from one of said POS controller and said respective cash register said data defining said item identifiers for said item which is subject to said raincheck on said POS bus to said incentive processor; generate at said incentive processor raincheck information including at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said data defining said item identifiers for said item subject to said raincheck, said plurality of purchase incentives, and said plurality of articles; transmitting said raincheck information from said incentive processor to a respective incentive printer of said at least one incentive printer on said incentive processor bus; And printing at said respective incentive printer a raincheck including said at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said raincheck information received from said incentive processor.

18. Computer program according to claim 17, further carrying out the steps of: identifying, in correspondence with a retail seller site, said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers; transmitting from said retail vendor site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers to an incentive processing site; receiving at said incentive processing site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers from said retail seller site; And storing at said incentive processing site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers through said incentive processor.

19. Computer program according to claim 18, further carrying out the steps of: generating at one of said retailer site and said incentive processing site a raincheck list including a description of items corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers together with said plurality of item identifiers; And receiving at said respective cash register of said at least one cash register said data defining said item identifiers for an item which is subject to a raincheck based on said raincheck list.

20. Computer program according to claim 18, further carrying out the steps of: storing a printed raincheck list including a list of when rainchecks were printed and corresponding item identifiers thereto through said incentive processor; And generate at said incentive processing site a weekly report of printed rainchecks and identifiers of corresponding articles based on said list of printed rainchecks.

A computer program according to claim 17, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises one of a coupon token and a discount coupon or coupon; the computer program also performing one of the phases of: enable a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the shop and at a price when said item has been subjected to said raincheck through said token or coupon; And enable a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a discounted price through said discount coupon.

A computer program according to claim 17, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises at least one of a token and a discount voucher or coupon; the computer program also including one of the phases of: enable a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a price when said item has been subjected to said raincheck through said token or coupon; And enable a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a discounted price through said voucher or discount coupon.

23. Computer program according to claim 21, carrying out the step of subjecting said article to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

24. Computer program according to claim 22, carrying out the step of subjecting said article to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

25. A system to allow or provide in-store printing of deferred purchase vouchers or rainchecks to purchase incentives associated with rainchecked items, including: means for storing a plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to a plurality of item identifiers for items subject to raincheck; means for coupling an incentive processing medium to at least one incentive printing medium; means for coupling point-of-sale (POS) control means, at least one cash register means, and said incentive processing means; means for receiving at a respective cash register means of said at least one cash register means data defining an item identifier for an item which is subject to a raincheck; means for transmitting from one of said POS controller means and said respective cash register means said data defining said item identifiers for said item which is subject to said raincheck to said incentive processing means; means for generating raincheck information including at least one purchase incentive in response to the receipt of said data defining said item identifiers for said item subject to said raincheck, said plurality of purchase incentives, and said plurality of item identifiers; means for transmitting said raincheck information to a respective incentive print media of said at least one incentive print medium; And means for printing at said respective incentive printing means a raincheck including said at least one purchase incentive in response to receiving said raincheck information.

A system according to claim 25, further comprising: means for identifying at a retailer site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers; means for transmitting from said retail vendor site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers to an incentive processing site; means for receiving at said incentive processing site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers from said retail seller site; And means for storing at said incentive processing site said plurality of purchase incentives corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers.

A system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for generating at one of said retailer site and said incentive processing site a raincheck list including a description of items corresponding to said plurality of item identifiers together with said plurality of item identifiers; And means for receiving at said respective cash register means of said at least one cash register means said data defining said item identifiers for an article which is subject to a raincheck based on said raincheck list.

A system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for storing a printed raincheck list comprising a list of when rainchecks have been printed and item identifiers corresponding thereto; And means for generating at said incentive processing site a weekly report of printed rainchecks and identifiers of articles corresponding thereto based on said list of printed rainchecks.

System according to claim 25, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises one of a token or coupon and a discount voucher or coupon; the system further comprising one of: means for enabling a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the shop and at a price when said item has been subjected to said raincheck by means of said token or coupon; And means for allowing a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in store and at a discounted price via said voucher or discount coupon.

A system according to claim 25, wherein said at least one purchase incentive comprises at least one of a token or coupon and a discount voucher or coupon; the system further comprising one of: means for enabling a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the shop and at a price when said item has been subjected to said raincheck by means of said token or coupon; And means to enable a customer to purchase said item subject to said raincheck when said item is in stock in the store and at a discounted price through said voucher or discount coupon.

31. A system according to claim 29, further comprising means for subjecting said article to said raincheck when said article is not in stock in the shop.

32. A system according to claim 30, further comprising means for subjecting said article to said raincheck when said article is in stock in the shop.