JP2001351004A - Method and system for sales promotion - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve product promotion techniques by providing a system which has functions improves. SOLUTION: Sales promotion action for products to be sold in a retail store is performed by a system, a method, and a program product. Coupons are contributed to a server. A customer selects a coupon and inputs a customer ID. Later the customer purchases the selected product at the retail store and automatically receives the amount of money for the selected coupon at a POS device of a register. A product code and the customer ID are inputted to the POS device and are collated with the selected coupon. Collation data is transmitted to a data warehouse, and succeeding coupons are generated there by a data mining method. Collation data is also electronically transmitted to a product maker in order to perform electronic payment for the exchanged coupon at the retail store.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of presenting, redeeming, and fulfilling sales promotion contents of goods and services sold at retail stores, and more particularly to a method of collecting payment points from manufacturers and providers. of payment colle
ction) to a paperless system that handles such promotions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Manufacturers of merchandise sold to customers at retail stores sometimes seek to increase sales by conducting product promotion activities through special coupons. Manufacturers can offer special coupons, discounts, and products at a single price for magazines, newspapers, and flyers.
An advertisement is issued with a purchase incentive such as one purchase. If a customer wants to take advantage of these special offers,
Withdraw the coupon from the ad and buy the product at the retail store. Upon purchase, the customer gives the coupon to the clerk at the retail store to pay a special price instead of the list price, receive a discount, or get some other form of incentive. The retailer then presents the redeemed coupon to the manufacturer and receives payment corresponding to the benefit of the incentive given to the customer.

In the past, various improvements have been made to such basic coupon incentive methods. For example,
The customer may send the coupon directly to the manufacturer along with proof of purchase at the retail store. U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,900 to Krautsack describes a coupon in which a customer places a portion of a product's packaging material (such as a sticker used as a purchased sign) on a surface. The customer removes the part after purchase and pastes it on the coupon surface. After that, the coupon is paid according to the amount of the coupon,
The purchased goods can then be redeemed at a retail store or sent directly to the manufacturer.

US Pat. No. 4,732,321 to Mindrum et al.
No. 2 describes an apparatus for comparing coupons presented in exchange for purchased goods and confirming whether the product specified in the coupon has been purchased and whether the coupon date is valid. The apparatus creates and prints a coupon for other products based on the purchase of a product other than the product to which the coupon is applied.

[0005] US Patent 518569 to Pruchnicki
No. 5 describes a method and system for processing discount coupons. No printed coupon will be presented to receive the discount. Coupon indic
ia) is printed and placed next to the goods at the retail store. When the customer selects a product and moves to the counter, the scanner reads the manufacturer and the type of the product from the product. If the product is a coupon product, the coupon value is subtracted from the retail price. A central processor receives the redeemed coupon discount total value and product type data and bills the manufacturer directly or transfers the funds.

No. RE34 by Nichtberger et al.
No. 915 describes a system (such as an in-store electronic kiosk) with an electronic display of coupons used at a particular store and presented to customers at that store. The customer selects a coupon from the display. Then select the products to buy at the store. At the counter, the customer and the purchased merchandise are matched with the selected coupon. The customer gets immediate credit for the matched coupon. For the matched coupons, the central processing unit periodically debits the maker (coupon issuer) and credits the store.

Off et al. Describe a system for generating and printing a discount coupon in response to a customer purchasing a trigger product at a retail store. Coupons are usually
The coupon transaction is for a product other than the trigger product, and the customer is not notified before the purchase of the trigger product.

US Pat. No. 5,822,273 to De Lapa et al.
No. 5 describes a system for generating, printing and redeeming product coupons for specific customers. The customer and the coupon are identified by a printed coupon in a machine-readable format. The coupon is a PO when the customer purchases the product
It can be read by the S terminal. The database can be updated with the machine readable ID. Coupons redeemed by a customer can be used by that customer to select future coupons. The system can also be used to generate rebates to retailers.

US Pat. No. 6,094,911 to Kepecs describes a system for maintaining customer accounts in a discount management process. The customer can access the account by presenting a unique key.
Then select the recorded discount item. When the customer purchases the selected item at the retail store, the selected item is compared with the purchased item, and the credit is charged to the customer account.

US Pat. No. 6,001,463 to Scroggie et al.
No. 4 and No. 5970469 describe a system for distributing purchase incentives and other shopping aids through a computer network such as e-mail or the Web via the Internet. The customer logs into the system and selects a product discount. The customer can provide a unique customer ID, and the selected incentive is electronically transferred to the supermarket designated by the customer. The supermarket automatically discounts when a customer presents an item after presenting an item at the POS checkout scanner for an account.

[0011] All of the above systems are for product promotion,
There are restrictions on aspects such as coupon distribution, redemption, and settlement processing with manufacturers, and some improvements are possible, and improvements are required.

[0012]

The basic object of the present invention is to
The purpose is to improve product promotion technology by providing a system with improved functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that can improve the function of distributing product promotions.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a product promotion system that can utilize the functions of Internet communication and information distribution.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a product promotion method which can be easily realized.

The above and other objects are achieved according to embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, a method is provided for promoting a manufacturer product sold at a retail store to a customer. The method comprises the steps of: sending a coupon for a product to a server; accessing the server to select a coupon and entering a customer ID; electronically transmitting the selection and the ID to a retail processor; Steps to select a product to purchase, enter the product code and enter the retail POS
Entering the customer ID into the device, collating the code with the selected content, redeeming the selected coupon for the customer, and electronically sending confirmation and redemption confirmation to the manufacturer to redeem the selected coupon. Receiving an electronic payment.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for promoting a manufacturer's products sold at a retail store to a customer. The system is located on the server where the coupon selection and the customer ID are received from the customer on the maker side where the product coupon is posted, on the retail store side, and is electronically connected to the server, and the selection and ID are provided. A POS device that is located at a retail store and that inputs a product code and a customer ID when a customer wants to purchase a product;
Means for collating the code with the selected content, means for redeeming the selected coupon for the customer, and transfer means for electronically sending confirmation of the verification and redemption to the manufacturer and receiving electronic payment for redeeming the selected coupon including.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To better understand the present invention, including other objects, advantages and features of the present invention,
Reference is made to the figures, together with the disclosure below and the claims.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart 10 showing the steps of an embodiment of the present invention. In step 12, a coupon for the product is posted to the server. The server is any server, mainframe, personal computer, other dedicated electronic hardware, etc. that can accept the posted coupon. The server may be a Web page server at a business site of a product maker. Either the manufacturer or the retailer that sells the product to the customer can post the coupon. Posts may also be made by other parties, such as a marketing company that operates on behalf of the manufacturer.
When the server is a web page server,
With proper authentication, it can be accessed using a Web browser through the Internet Web function. The server also has a dial-up modem, LAN,
Access can also be made using other communication protocols, such as WAN, infrared (IR) connections, and the like.

At step 14, the customer accesses the server and selects one or more posted coupons to purchase at the retail store or at one of the retail chains. Customers,
The server can be accessed by various devices and methods. For example, the user can access the Internet with a personal computer, or dial in to a server from a modem of the personal computer. Customers can also use kiosk equipment in public places, such as shopping malls, libraries, airports, banks, restaurants, or the retail stores themselves who want to purchase products. The kiosk may be at another retail store. Customers can also use portable devices, such as cell phones, preferably with graphics screens, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other specialized machines that can access servers. The customer enters the customer ID associated with the retail store. The ID may be a card number input through a keyboard or a keypad, or a card number read electronically or magnetically from a card issued from a retail store or a chain store and input. The server sends the customer's selection electronically to the retail store processor at step 16. The processor may be at a retail store or at another location associated with the retail store. In step 18,
The customer selects an item for purchase at the retail store and proceeds to step 20.
Then, the code of the product is input to the POS device of the cash register. The code can be entered by scanning a barcode label attached to the product or a barcode label integrated with the product package. The customer's customer ID is also entered into the POS device.

At step 22, the code and ID entered into the POS device are collated with the coupon selected previously by accessing the server. The POS device communicates electronically with the retailer's processor so that the verification in step 22 is preferably immediate and the coupon is redeemed immediately while the customer is checking out at the cash register. Terms such as coupon special prices, discounts, etc. apply immediately so that customers can pay based on the coupon.

In step 24, verification and redemption information is electronically transmitted to the maker in order for the retailer to receive electronic payment (e.g., redemption of redeemed coupons). In a preferred embodiment, the information is transmitted from a retail store processor to a server. The server examines the information and issues electronic payment data to the retail store processor. Electronic payments can be made using a business-to-business (B2B) electronic transaction technique or other electronic funds transfer (EFT) method.

At step 26, the data, including the relational database, query database, spreadsheet, other data storage, etc., where the code, selected coupon, and ID, along with other relevant data such as the date of purchase of the customer, are provided. Sent to the house. The data warehouse can be located on any processor, but is preferably located on the server in step 12.

At step 28, a data mining operation is performed on the data stored in the data warehouse. The applicable data mining method is Kleinber
These are various and well known as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,884,305 to G et al. and US Pat. No. 5,832,482 to Yu et al. Subsequent coupons are generated based on the selected coupon and the data mining operation of the purchases of the plurality of customers. Subsequent coupons are posted to the server at step 28.

[0025]

FIG. 2 shows a system 30 for promoting a product in accordance with the present invention. The server 32 can accept the posting of the coupon, and is made to accept the selection content of the coupon and the customer ID from the customer.
The customer can use the personal computer 36 electronically connected (46) to the server 32 to select a coupon and enter the customer ID. Customers can also
(48) kiosk 3 electronically connected to server 32
8, or alternatively, a kiosk 42 (52) electronically connected to the retail store processor 34 may be used. In addition, customers can use wires, fiber optic cables, radio frequency signals,
(50) connected to the server 32 by means such as infrared rays
A portable / portable device 40 can be used.

Processor 34 is adapted to receive customer selections and IDs from server 32 using electronic connection 56.

Electronic connection 56 is a secure LAN or WAN connection in the preferred embodiment, adding a LAN adapter to both processor 34 and server 32, and
It can be connected with an AN cable. Connection 56 may also be a wireless LAN, a connection over the Internet, a dial-up modem connection, or other hardware capable of electronically transmitting and receiving data between processor 34 and server 32.

The POS device 44 located at a retail store can be used to input a product code and a customer's customer ID, such as when a customer brings a product to the device for clearing. An example of a POS is a barcode scanner that reads a barcode from a product package. Customers,
The magnetically coded customer card is inserted into the card reader of the POS device.

The processor 34 includes means for checking the code and ID input to the POS device 44 with the coupon selection received from the server 32. The checking means includes means for comparing the expiration date of the coupon with the date on which the customer actually purchased the product. Such matching means is preferably a general-purpose processor and software, but may be means including hardware dedicated to matching. Processor 34 also includes
Means for redeeming the selected coupon by adjusting the price of the matched product or satisfying the conditions of the selected coupon. The redemption means may also include software, hardware,
Alternatively, a means including a combination thereof may be used.

The processor 34 includes transfer means for electronically transmitting to the product maker, such as via connection 56, and receiving electronic payment for the redeemed coupon. Electronic payments can also be sent through connection 56.

A data warehouse (not shown) can be added to server 32, processor 34, or another processor. The data warehouse includes a data storage device such as a hard disk, is electronically connected to the processor 34, and includes a product code,
D and the selected coupon are received along with other data such as expiration date, date of purchase, etc. Subsequent coupons may be posted to the server 32, where the coupons are generated in response to mining of data stored in the data warehouse.

Having described embodiments of the present invention that are presently considered to be preferred, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Various changes and modifications are possible.

In summary, the following items are disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention.

(1) A method of promoting a manufacturer product to be sold to a customer at a retail store, wherein a step of posting a coupon for the product to a server, accessing the server, selecting the coupon, and identifying a customer ID Inputting
Electronically transmitting the selection and the ID to the retail processor; selecting the product for purchase at the retail store; entering the product code at the retail POS device; Inputting the customer ID, collating the code and the selected content,
Redeeming the selected coupon for the customer; electronically sending the verification and confirmation of the redemption to the manufacturer; receiving an electronic payment for the redemption of the selected coupon; , Including. (2) The method according to (1), wherein the server is accessed using a Web browser. (3) The method according to (1), wherein the customer ID is acquired from the server. (4) The method according to (1), wherein the code is a barcode attached to the product. (5) The method of (1), wherein the POS device is electronically connected to the processor of the retail store. (6) The method of (1), further comprising the step of electronically transmitting the code, the customer number, and the selected coupon to a data warehouse located on the server. (7) posting the subsequent coupon to the server in response to performing data mining on the code of the data warehouse, the customer number, and the selected coupon; The described method. (8) A method of providing a coupon, wherein the vendor's We
b. the Wen adapted to accept a customer number and a product coupon selection from a customer accessing the site.
b. posting the coupon at the site, electronically transmitting the customer number and the selection of the coupon to a retail store processor, and a code of the product and the specialty at a POS device located at the retail store. Entering a customer number, collating the code with the selected coupon, redeeming the selected coupon, and providing the code, the customer number, and the selected coupon to the vendor and Transmitting electronically to a data warehouse that is electronically accessible from the retail store processor. (9) The method according to (8), wherein the vendor website receives a request for a customer number and provides the customer number to the customer in response to the request. (10) The method of (8), wherein the POS device is electronically connected to the retail store processor. (11) The method of (8), further comprising the step of liquidating the selected coupon by electronically transmitting a payment to the retail store processor. (12) posting a subsequent coupon to the web site in response to performing data mining on the code of the data warehouse, the customer number, and the selected coupon; ) Described method. (13) The coupon is posted with an expiration date, and the verification includes a verification of the expiration date with an actual calendar date when the code is input to the POS device.
The described method. (14) A sales promotion system for a maker product to be sold at a retail store, wherein the coupon of the product is posted, and the server on the maker side is adapted to accept the selection content of the coupon and the customer ID from a customer. And a processor at the retail store that is electronically connected to the server to receive the selection and the ID; and a code for the product when the customer at the retail store attempts to purchase the product. A means for comparing the code and the selected content with a POS device for inputting the customer ID, and a means for redeeming the selected coupon for the customer; Transmitting means for receiving electronic payment for the redemption of the selected coupon. (15) The system according to (14), wherein the server is adapted to accept a selection of a coupon with an expiration date. (16) The system according to (15), further comprising means for comparing the expiration date with an actual date when the code is input to the POS device. (17) The system according to (14), wherein the POS device is electronically connected to the processor. (18) The (1) including a data warehouse electronically connected to the processor and receiving and storing the code, the customer ID, and the selected coupon.
7) The system according to the above. (19) A subsequent coupon is posted to the server, and the subsequent coupon is responsive to performing the data mining on the code, the customer ID, and the selected coupon stored in the data warehouse. The system according to the above (18), wherein the information is posted. (20) A computer program product for instructing a processor to process a coupon for a retail product, the first program instructing means for electronically receiving a computer readable medium, a coupon selection and a customer ID from a server. And the code of the retail product and the customer ID
A second program command means for receiving a command from the POS device;
Third program instruction means for collating the code and the selection and redeeming the selected coupon, and electronically transmitting the verification and the confirmation of the redemption to a manufacturer of the retail product, A fourth program instruction means for receiving payment for the redemption, and a fifth program instruction means for electronically transmitting the code, the customer ID, and the coupon selection to a data warehouse; Computer program product, wherein the program instruction means is recorded on the medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the steps of a product promotion method.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for promoting a product in accordance with the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 32 server 34 processor 36 personal computer 38, 42 kiosk 40 portable device 44 POS device

Continued on the front page (72) Michael Thomas Greenwood, Inventor 60605, United States, Burr Ridge, Illinois, Northgate Place 123 F-term (reference) 3E042 AA01 CC04 CD02 CD04 EA01 EA08

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A method of promoting a maker product to be sold to a customer at a retail store, the method comprising: posting a coupon of the product to a server; accessing the server; selecting the coupon; Inputting; electronically transmitting the selection and the ID to a processor of the retail store; selecting the product for purchase at the retail store; Enter the code,
Inputting the customer ID, collating the code and the selected content, and exchanging the selected coupon for the customer; and electronically confirming the collation and the exchange with the manufacturer. Transmitting and receiving an electronic payment for the redemption of the selected coupon. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said server is accessed using a web browser. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer ID is obtained from the server. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said code is a bar code attached to said product. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the POS device is electronically connected to the processor at the retail store. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically transmitting said code, said customer number, and said selected coupon to a data warehouse located on said server.
The described method. 7. The code of the data warehouse.
7. The method of claim 6, including posting a subsequent coupon to the server in response to performing data mining on the customer number and the selected coupon. 8. A method of providing a coupon, comprising: posting the coupon on a web site of a vendor adapted to accept a customer number and a product coupon selection from a customer accessing the web site. Electronically transmitting the customer number and the coupon selection to a retail processor; inputting the product code and the customer number at a POS device located at the retail store; Matching a code with the selected coupon and redeeming the selected coupon; electronically accessing the code, the customer number, and the selected coupon from the vendor and the retail store processor. Electronically sending the data to a possible data warehouse. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vendor website receives a request for a customer number and provides the customer number to the customer in response to the request. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said POS device is electronically connected to said retail store processor. 11. The method of claim 8, including the step of redeeming said selected coupon by electronically transmitting a payment to said retail processor. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of posting a subsequent coupon to said web site in response to performing data mining on said code of said data warehouse, said customer number, and said selected coupon. Item 8. The method according to Item 8. 13. The coupon is posted with an expiration date, and the collation is based on the expiration date and the P code.
9. The method of claim 8, including matching against an actual calendar date entered into the OS device. 14. A sales promotion system for a maker product to be sold at a retail store, wherein the coupon of the product is posted, and the maker's side is adapted to accept the selected content of the coupon and the customer ID from a customer. A server electronically connected to the server at the retail store to receive the selection and the ID; and wherein the customer at the retail store attempts to purchase the product. And a POS device for inputting the code and the customer ID, a means for checking the code and the selected content, and exchanging the selected coupon for the customer; Transfer means for transmitting electronically to the selected coupon and receiving electronic payment for the redemption of the selected coupon. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said server is adapted to accept a selection of coupons with expiration dates. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein said expiration date and said code are
16. The system according to claim 15, including means for comparing with an actual date input to the S device. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein said POS device is electronically connected to said processor. 18. The system of claim 17, including a data warehouse electronically connected to said processor for receiving and storing said code, said customer ID, and said selected coupon. 19. A subsequent coupon is posted to the server, and the subsequent coupon is used to perform data mining on the code, the customer ID, and the selected coupon stored in the data warehouse. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is posted in response. 20. A computer program product for instructing a processor to process a coupon for a retail product, wherein the first program electronically receives a computer readable medium, a coupon selection and a customer ID from a server. Command means; second program command means for receiving the code of the retail product and the customer ID from a POS device; and third program command means for matching the code and the selection and redeeming the selected coupon. A fourth program instruction means for electronically transmitting the verification and the redemption confirmation to the retail product maker and receiving payment for the redemption of the selected coupon; and the code, the customer ID, A fifth program command for electronically transmitting the coupon selection to a data warehouse. It includes a means, wherein the all program instruction means is recorded on the medium, a computer program product.