JP2003533764A - Method and system for distributing electronic coupons over a network before completing a purchase transaction based on a client's purchase history - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network according to the present invention has a computer processor and an associated memory, and an electronic retail server system including sales merchandise, and a sales promotion having a computer processor and an associated memory. A server system, the promotion server system including a database of promotion data specifying electronic coupons; and a client system having a computer processor and associated memory, selectively coupled to the electronic retail server system over the communication network. The client system. The client system establishes a primary connection with the electronic retail server system, and the client system performs a primary purchase transaction to purchase goods from the electronic retail server system. The electronic retail server system is adapted to send a cookie containing information about an item to be purchased in the primary purchase transaction to the client system. The client system establishes the next connection with the electronic retail server system on the communication network. During the next connection, the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system and sends the cookie information to the promotion server system, which sends the electronic coupon to the client system. This electronic coupon can be exchanged for a product related to the purchased product.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

(This application claims priority to provisional applications, USSN (Filed on May 9, 2000) (Field of the Invention) The present application relates to a method and system for distributing an electronic Koopn over a network, and more specifically, to confirm a purchase history of a client and complete the purchase transaction. The present invention relates to a method and system for distributing an electronic coupon to the customer based on a purchase history.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to increase the number of new customers who buy particular products, many retail stores, and in particular grocery stores, build databases of particular products. This database sells each of these primary products and links to a secondary product that is different from the product to which the database is linked for the purpose of supporting the secondary product. The customer is checked out and passes each item through the checkout so that they can be monitored and at the same time compared to the items in the database to determine which of the items are related to the secondary item. If an item is associated with a secondary item, print a coupon for the secondary item for later use by the customer.

This system allows a grocery store to provide a reward for purchasing secondary products to customers who do not normally purchase them. That's the reason why the customer purchased a particular product linked to a secondary product. This system therefore potentially creates new customers for secondary products.

Although this system is used in so-called “brick and mortar” stores, there are no systems by which online retailers can offer customers coupons for goods in this manner. Further, in the system described above, there is no way for a retailer to offer a coupon to a customer based on the customer's past purchases, and the customer cannot get the coupon until the end of the purchase transaction, and therefore Customers are unable to redeem coupons for merchandise during the current purchase transaction.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for distributing electronic coupons on a network, where the electronic coupons are provided to the customer based on the customer's purchase history and before the completion of the purchase transaction. Coupons are distributed, and the coupons can be redeemed for merchandise during the purchase transaction for receiving the coupon or at a later date.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and system for distributing electronic coupons during a purchase transaction for receiving electronic coupons or on a network where the electronic coupons can be redeemed for products at a later date. This electronic coupon is distributed based on the purchase history of the customer. The electronic retail server includes a plurality of sales items and has access to the promotion server including a promotion connection code for linking the promotion item to the promotion term that clearly indicates the electronic coupon and a database of the promotion items. Promotional products are stored in the database by product category that classifies the product. The client system is coupled to the electronic retail server system on the network and completes the purchase transaction by purchasing one of the products for sale. The electronic retail server system sends a cookie to the client system containing information about the purchased product. When the client system sequentially establishes a connection with the electronic retail server system, the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client server and sends the cookie information to the promotion server system. The sales promotion server system searches the database to find a sales promotion product within the same product category as the purchased product, creates an electronic coupon for this sales promotion product, and sends this electronic coupon to the client server. An electronic coupon is created prior to the completion of the purchase transaction, which allows the client system to redeem the electronic coupon during the purchase transaction. In an embodiment, the electronic coupon is redeemed for a product that is in the same product category as the purchased product but not the same as the purchased product.

A method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network, such as the Internet, according to the present invention provides a primary (first, first, first, primary) on the network between a client system and an electronic retail server system. The steps include establishing a connection, where the electronic retail server system includes a product for sale, the client system completes the primary purchase transaction by purchasing the product from the electronic retail server system, and the electronic retail server system relates to the purchased product. Send a cookie containing information to the client system. The method further includes establishing a next connection on the communication network between the client system and the electronic retail server system, the electronic retail server system reading the cookie from the client system and the electronic retail server being the promotion server system. Send the product information to
The sales promotion server system also sends an electronic coupon to the client system,
This electronic coupon can be redeemed for a product related to the purchased product. The client system starts the next purchase transaction during the next connection by selecting the related product, and redeem the electronic coupon for the product when the next purchase transaction is completed. The next purchase transaction can be done either during the next connection or during a connection other than the next connection.

The electronic coupon may be provided to the client system in the form of screen display data, which data may be provided electronically from the promotion server system to the client system over the communication network or from the promotion server system over the communication network. It is transmitted to the retail server system and from the electronic retail server system to the client system over the communication network. The client system can be connected to the communication network by a wired or wireless connection, and the client system can be a personal computer, an interactive television system, a mobile terminal or cell phone.

A system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to the present invention is an electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated memory, and a product for sale, a sales promotion server system having a computer processor and an associated memory, The promotional server system includes a database of promotional data identifying electronic coupons, and a client system having a computer processor and associated memory, the client system selectively coupled to an electronic retail server system over a communications network.

This client system establishes a primary connection to the electronic retail server system,
The client system processes a primary purchase transaction that purchases merchandise from the electronic retail server system. The electronic retail server system is configured to transmit to the client system a cookie containing information about a product purchased in a primary purchase transaction. The client system establishes the following connections to the electronic retail server system over the communication network. During the next connection, the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system and sends this cookie information to the promotion server system, which in turn sends an electronic coupon to the client system, the electronic coupon Are redeemed for products related to the purchased product.

In another embodiment, a system for distributing electronic coupons over a network comprises:
An electronic retail server system including a computer processor and an associated memory, the electronic retail server system including a product for sale, and a promotional server system including a computer processor and an associated memory, the database including a database of promotional data indicating an electronic coupon. It includes a sales promotion server system and a client system having a computer processor and associated memory. The client system is selectively coupled to the electronic retail server system on the network, the electronic retail as a result of a primary purchase transaction completed during a primary connection between the client system and the electronic retail server system. Contains a cookie transmitted by the server system to the client system. The cookie contains information about the product purchased by the client system during the primary purchase transaction. The electronic retail server system includes means for reading the cookie from the client system and transmitting this cookie information to the promotion server system during a next connection between the client system and the electronic retail server system. The sales promotion server system sends an electronic coupon to the client system based on the cookie information, and the electronic coupon can be exchanged for a product related to the purchased product.

In another embodiment, a method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network comprises:
In the first electronic retail server system including a sale product, the client that completes a primary purchase transaction by purchasing a product from the electronic retail server system and the electronic retail server system that sends a cookie including information about the purchased product to the client system Establishing a primary connection on the communications network with the system, and establishing a next connection on the communications network between the client system and the second electronic retail server system. The second electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system and sends merchandise information to the sales promotion server system. The sales promotion server system sends an electronic coupon to the client system, and the electronic coupon can redeem a product related to a purchased product.

In another embodiment, a system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network is a first electronic retail server system having a computer processor and associated memory, the first electronic retail server system including a product for sale, a computer. A second electronic retail server system including a processor and an associated memory, the second electronic retail server system including a product for sale, a sales promotion server system including a computer processor and an associated memory, and a database of sales promotion data clearly showing electronic coupons. And a client system having a computer processor and associated memory, the client system being selectively connectable to the first and second electronic retail server systems on the communication network. Including. The client system establishes a primary connection with the first electronic retail server system and the client system conducts a primary purchase transaction to purchase merchandise from the first electronic retail server system. The first electronic retail server system is configured to transmit a cookie to the client system, the cookie including information about a product purchased in a primary purchase transaction. The client system establishes a next connection with the second electronic retail server system on the network, during the next connection the second electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system, and the cookie Send information to the sales promotion server system. The sales promotion server system sends the electronic coupon to the client system, and the electronic coupon can redeem a product related to a purchased product.

In another embodiment, a system for distributing electronic coupons over a network comprises:
A first electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated memory, the electronic retail server system including a product for sale, a second electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated memory, the electronic retail server system including a product for sale, And a promotion server system having a computer processor and associated memory, the promotion server system including a database of promotion data identifying electronic coupons. The system is a client system having a computer processor and associated memory, the client system selectively coupled to the first and second electronic retail server systems on the network, the client system and the first electronic retail server. A cookie sent by the first electronic retail server system to the client system as a result of a primary purchase transaction completed during a primary connection between the systems, the cookie being purchased by the client system during a primary purchase transaction. Contains information about the product Means for the second electronic retail server to read the cookie from the client system during the next connection between the client system and the second electronic retail server system and to send this cookie information to the promotion server system. including. The sales promotion server system sends an electronic coupon to the client system based on the cookie information, and the electronic coupon can redeem a product related to a purchased product.

In yet another embodiment, a system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network is an electronic retail server system having a computer processor and associated memory, wherein the electronic retail server system includes a product for sale, the computer processor and associated computer. A promotional server system having a memory, the promotional server system including a database of promotional merchandise linked to promotional data identifying electronic coupons, and a client system having a computer processor and associated memory on the communication network. At the client computer system selectively coupled to the electronic retail server system at. The client system establishes a primary connection with the electronic retail server system, and the client system conducts a primary purchase transaction for purchasing a product from the electronic retail server system. The purchased product is classified within a product category. . The electronic retail server system is configured to transmit to the client system a cookie containing information about the product purchased in the primary purchase transaction. The client system establishes a next connection with the electronic retail server system on the network, during which the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system and sells the cookie information. Send to the promotion server system. The sales promotion server system includes a search device for searching a database for sales promotion products in a product category and an electronic coupon creation means for giving an electronic coupon for one of the sales promotion products in the product category to the client system. Including.

(Detailed Description of Embodiments) In addition to the above and other objects of the present invention, the present invention itself, and various features thereof will be fully understood from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. . The present invention relates to a method and system for distributing electronic coupons over a network. An electronic coupon is essentially a voucher issued by or under the authority of the issuer for the benefit of the recipient. Generally, the recipient receives the electronic coupon and then redeem it for a defined benefit some time later, on time. Preferably,
Electronic coupons enable or modify predictive transactions, such as by providing discounts on the price of goods or services provided by the issuer or the agent's agent. According to the present invention, the distribution of the electronic coupon is determined based on the purchase history of the client. When a customer purchases a product from the electronic retail server system during a primary connection with the electronic retail server, the electronic retail server system sends a cookie containing information about the purchased product to the client system. When the client system makes the next connection to the electronic retail server, the electronic retail server reads the cookie,
This cookie information is sent to the sales promotion server, and this sales promotion server transmits the electronic coupon of the product related to the purchased product to the client system.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a system 100 for distributing electronic coupons according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 includes a client system 110, a server system 120, and a server system 130, all connected to a common communication channel 160. The client system 110, the server system 120, and the server system 130 are each, for example, an IBM PC or an IBM PC compatible system,
Alternatively, an APPLE (registered trademark) MacINTOSH (registered trademark) system, or an Alpha-based computer system or SUN Microsystems available from Compaq Computer Corporation.
It is preferably an advanced computing system such as the SPARC® station computing system available from Corporation. However, it can also be used in mainframe computer systems. The communication channel 160 is preferably
A TCP / IP-based network such as the Internet or an intranet. However, well known LAN, WAN and VPN technologies can also be used.

In an embodiment of the invention, client system 110 is Microsoft
IBM P running on Windows (registered trademark) operating system
A C-compatible system, the server system 120 and the server system 130 are configured as web servers that provide access to information such as HTML format web pages according to the hypertext transmission protocol (http). The client system 110 can browse a web page, which is generally called a web browser, and therefore a We system located on the server system 120 and the server system 130 is used.
Includes software that allows access to page b. In addition, the client system 110 is a communication network, such as an interactive television system, a Web
It is a wired or wireless device that can be connected to a TV, a mobile terminal (PDA) or a mobile phone. In this embodiment, the server system 120 is an electronic retail server that sells a plurality of items for sale on the Internet, and the server 130 is the electronic retail server 12.
The database that contains the classified inventory table of the promotional items offered for sale by 0, the promotional term (term, term, item) that specifies the electronic coupon, and the inventory item in the promotional term that specifies the electronic coupon. It is a sales promotion server having a sales promotion connection code to be connected. The promotion server 130 also includes the software necessary to authenticate the electronic coupon prior to the redemption of the electronic coupon. Electronic retail server 1
Merchandise offered for sale by 20 is a product and / or service.

In an embodiment, the server system 120 is an electronic coupon that is transferred to the client system 110 in the form of a cookie stored in a storage device at the client system 110, ie, a Web server suitable for creating a single electronic coupon. Including software. The electronic coupon is preferably a data structure containing any or all of the following information elements. That is, the data representing the electronic coupon serial number, that is, the reference number; the data representing the unique key that can be used to confirm or authenticate the electronic coupon; the vendor that will authorize the electronic coupon and redeem the electronic coupon. Data; data that represents the nature of discounts and usage rights provided by electronic coupons; data that represents the server or business entity that issued the electronic coupon. In the embodiment, this electronic coupon can be issued as a part of an electronic coupon book. This coupon book includes data representing the version number of the electronic coupon book and data representing the serial number or collation number for the electronic coupon book.

In an embodiment, this electronic coupon contains all the information needed to redeem this coupon for merchandise. In particular, this electronic coupon validates or confirms the transferee (ie, the party or vendor who redeemes this electronic coupon for the goods), the nature of the discount or benefit offered, and its unique serial number or electronic coupon. Identify other data structures that can be. Therefore, a server that redeems this kind of electronic coupon for a product can obtain all the information necessary for redeeming a product from the electronic coupon. The server may even include the software needed to validate or verify the electronic coupon.

In another embodiment, the electronic coupon book includes a unique serial number or reference number and a data structure useful for validating or validating the electronic coupon book. The actual information content of this electronic coupon book can be confirmed, for example, by browsing the website for reading the coupon book serial number, and the user is provided with a list of coupons to be obtained. The advantage of this configuration is that the institution that issues the electronic coupon book can add vendors even after issuing the electronic coupon book. Therefore, if the vendor issues a specific coupon book to the client and then contracts with an organization that issues the electronic coupon book, the vendor can be added to the electronic coupon book at a later date. In order to redeem an electronic coupon of this kind for a product, the server that is about to redeem the electronic coupon for the product authenticates or verifies the validity of this coupon, and also asks the server requesting the authentication / verification for the electronic coupon. You must connect to an authentication server that shows the nature of your benefits. Another advantage of this configuration is that the electronic coupon is relatively tamper-proof due to the authentication and validation features. In many conventional systems, coupons could be copied or tampered with relatively easily by the user. That is, since there is no authentication / verification method, there is no reliable method for detecting such forgery.

Since the promotion concatenation code can be programmed into the promotion server through the electronic retail server, the electronic retail website can program promotions such as “in-store” coupons within the organization itself. Further, since the sales promotion linking code can be programmed in the sales promotion server by the manufacturer of the goods or the service provider of the goods that can be used for sale on the electronic retail website linked with the electronic retail server 120, the supply of the goods manufacturer and the services A person can promote the sale of a particular product or service.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of distributing an electronic coupon according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Indicates 0. At primary step 202, client system 110 of FIG. 1 establishes a primary connection with electronic retail server 120 for the purpose of executing a purchase transaction. After selecting the product from the electronic retail server 120, the client system 110 completes the purchase transaction by paying the selected product (step 204). Upon completion of this purchase transaction, the electronic retail server 120 sends a cookie to the client system 110, which is stored in the client system's storage device (
Step 206). This cookie contains information about the purchased product, including the categories that classify the product and the electronic retail server system that purchases the product. Examples of such categories include health care products, cosmetics, baby products, automobile products and the like. When the client system 110 establishes the next connection with the electronic retail server system 120 (step 208), the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system 110 (step 210). Thereafter, the electronic retail server system 120 sends the cookie information contained in the cookie to the sales promotion server 130 (step 212). The sales promotion server system searches its database within the categories that classify the purchased products (step 214).
). Next, the sales promotion server system randomly selects one of the sales promotion products within the related category and sends an electronic coupon to the client system 110 based on the sales promotion data linked to the sales promotion product (step 216). The customer then initiates a purchase transaction and redeems an electronic coupon for a product during the next connection, or stores the electronic coupon in storage and redeem it for a later connection with an electronic retail server system. Either can be done.

FIG. 3 shows the previous embodiment in detail. Initially, the electronic retail server 110 provides the promotion server with instructions 220 for creating a promotion link between a promotion item and a promotion. These instructions include promotional data identifying the promotional item and promotional data identifying the electronic coupon.
Next, the promotion server 130 builds a promotion link code that links the promotion product to the promotion data. As mentioned above, the promotion data is stored in categories within the database 230 of the promotion server system 130. Further, the product manufacturer or provider 250 may issue a command 252 for the purpose of linking a promotional product with promotional data for a given one of the product as described above.
Give to.

A user operating client system 110 establishes a primary connection 254 with electronic retail server 120 over communication network 160 to initiate a purchase transaction. The electronic retail server 120 allows this user to generally access the electronic retail server We.
b Select one or more of the products offered for sale by placing the product in a “shopping cart” on the site. Next, the client system 11
0 completes the purchase transaction by sending payment information to the electronic retail server 120.
Upon completion of this purchase transaction, the electronic retail server 120 sends the cookie 255 to the client system 110 and stores it in the storage device of the client system. The client system 110 then connects to the electronic retail server system 120 on the next connection 2.
Establish 56. This electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system and stores this cookie information 258 in the sales promotion server system 1.
Send to 30. Next, the sales promotion server system searches its database 230, selects a sales promotion product in the same category as the purchased product, and sends an electronic coupon linked to this sales promotion product to the client system 110. This electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data. As shown in FIG. 3, this electronic coupon may be provided from promotion server 130 to electronic retail server 120 via connection 260 and then to client 110 by electronic retail server 120 via connection 262. Further, it may be sent directly to the client 110 by the promotion server 130 via connection 264. The electronic coupon is then either redeemed for merchandise by the client system in a purchase transaction that occurs during the next connection, or stored in the storage of client 110 for a later purchase transaction.

In the subsequent purchase transaction, when the client system 110 establishes a connection with the electronic retail server 120, the electronic retail server 120 detects the electronic coupon stored in the storage device of the client system 110. The electronic retail system then authenticates the electronic coupon and modifies the purchase transaction accordingly.
As mentioned above, if the electronic coupon contains the information needed to authenticate the electronic coupon, the electronic coupon can be authenticated and redeemed for goods by the electronic retail server. In addition, the electronic retail server can access the sales promotion server that issued the coupon to obtain the information needed to authenticate the coupon.

As described above, the electronic coupon is issued based on the purchase history of the client,
It can be redeemed for a product that falls into the same category as the product purchased by the client in the previous purchase transaction. For example, if the client purchased a diaper in a previous purchase transaction, the cookie sent by the electronic retail server system to the client system would include information such as the product purchased and the category that classifies this product. In this case, when the electronic retail server system sends the cookie information to the promotional server, the promotional server searches a database of promotional items within the baby product category. Next, the promotion server system randomly selects a promotion product in this category, for example baby food, and creates an electronic coupon based on the promotion data linked to the promotion product in this database. Send the electronic coupon to the client system.

In an embodiment of the invention, client system 110 is a personal computer running browser software that connects to a Web server via the Internet or similar network. The electronic coupon is transferred to the client system in the form of a cookie stored in a storage device at the client system. This cookie can be detected by the next web server to which the client system connects. When the client system attempts to initiate a transaction with a particular web server, the web server may detect a cookie containing an electronic coupon and use the electronic coupon to enable and modify the transaction. In this embodiment, when the client system receives the electronic coupon, the user can recognize all the electronic coupons in the electronic coupon book and the nature of the privilege provided, and can redeem the electronic coupon for a product. It is possible to pay attention to the existence of the electronic coupon by using another browser screen that provides links to various websites or the Java (registered trademark) base screen. Further, the client system can be connected to a website that displays the information content of the electronic coupon book in the form of a web page that describes the nature of the electronic coupon privilege, and a link to a web page where the electronic coupon can be redeemed for a product. In another embodiment of the invention, when the client system receives an electronic coupon or coupon book, the client system may be programmed to automatically provide the electronic coupon or coupon book to the peripheral printing device. Can automatically access the hardcopy version of the coupon.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the use of the client system is either done by the consumer or customer (in its role in the business transaction) or otherwise managed, and the server system or systems are commercial. Operated by, or otherwise controlled by, the agency or agency representative authorized to enter and complete the transaction. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this process and the entire system is automated, for example by which a client system can be programmed to regularly run a website (whether or not known to the source of electronic coupons). You can browse or program the accrual server to distribute e-coupons periodically, such as by email, and even program a redeeming server to initiate transactions received from automated client systems. Electronic coupons can be automatically redeemed for merchandise as part of an automatic request. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the electronic coupon may include an expiration date, ie, a window of when the electronic coupon is valid or valid.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cookie is Java® Script.
Frames generated in the primary Web site by or other similar software code are transported or retrieved from the client system. This embodiment is We
It is compatible with the security measures included in web browsers that restrict and place themselves on b sites and also search. For example, a user browsing an electronic retail website may receive cookies from this site, but not on behalf of another site. The reason is that the cookie placed on a particular website is encoded with a signature corresponding to this website, and the browser uses this signature to create a cookie for the website only. Limit transfers. However, frames generated within electronic retail websites can place cookies on the client system, and frames generated on various websites will see the same for browsers running on the client system (ie. As long as they have the same signature), similar frames occurring in another website will later read the cookie. As in the embodiments described herein, this cookie may contain all of the required coupon information, including the complete coupon data structure required for privilege recognition, confirmation, and authentication, or the cookie This cookie acts as a pointer to a database on the promotion server, as it may only contain data that identifies the client. If this cookie contained the complete data structure, the script would contain the code needed to authenticate and verify the e-coupon. The utility of this embodiment is that the issuer or redeemer of the electronic coupon does not actually have to be the same entity. For example, a manufacturer of goods may wish to have the electronic coupon distributed to potential purchasers, but may not want to make the electronic transactions necessary to redeem the electronic coupon for goods. In this case, the product manufacturer is
It would distribute Java Script (or other similar script) to expensive buying and selling websites to create a site frame. The manufacturer of the product will provide the framing script to the product retailer at the point of sale so that the coupon can be redeemed for a sellable product.

Although the present invention has been described as including one electronic retail server accessing a promotion server, the plurality of electronic retail servers may be used to distribute electronic coupons to clients of the electronic retail server. May be combined with. Such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In this system 300, the electronic retail server 12
In addition to 0, a second electronic retail server 140 can be coupled to the promotion server 130 on the communication network 160 for the purpose of identifying the promotion item in the manner described above.
Accordingly, the client 110 can access either the electronic retail server 120 or the electronic retail server 140 to perform a purchase transaction on the communication network 160, and one or both of the electronic retail servers can promote the server 1.
You can access 30. In this embodiment, the client system 110 is primarily an electronic retail server system 1 that sends cookies to the client system 110.
20 and is subsequently connected to an electronic retail server 140 that reads the cookie and sends this cookie information to the promotion server 130. It will be appreciated that the promotion server is accessed through any number of electronic retail servers.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart 400 of a method for distributing electronic coupons according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. At step 402, the client system 110 of FIG. 4 establishes a primary connection with the first electronic retail server 120 to execute a purchase transaction. After selecting the product from the first electronic retail server 120, the client system 110 completes the purchase transaction by paying the selected product (step 404).
). Upon completion of the purchase transaction, the first electronic retail server 120 sends the cookie stored in the client system's storage device to the client system 110 (step 406). The client system 110 is the next electronic retail server system 1
Upon establishing the next connection with 20 (step 408), the next electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system 110 (step 410).
. The next electronic retail server system 120 then sends the cookie information contained in the cookie to the sales promotion server 130 (step 412). The sales promotion server system 214 searches the database within the category that classifies the purchased product (step 414). The promotion server system then randomly selects one of the promotion products within the relevant category and sends an electronic coupon to the client system 110 based on the promotion data linked to the promotion product (step 41).
6). The client then initiates a purchase transaction and redeemes the electronic coupon for merchandise during the next connection, or stores the electronic coupon in storage for later connection to the electronic retail server system. You can either redeem it for merchandise.

The previous embodiments of the present invention are implemented by a single service provider, eg, a sales promotion server system 130 of an entity that carries electronic coupons. In the scenario shown in FIG. 6, the product manufacturer 250 authorizes the promotion server 130 to create and distribute electronic coupons associated with the product. The sales promotion server 130 creates the necessary frame creation script 254 to create the electronic retail server systems 120 and 140.
Distribute to. A user operating the client system 110 establishes a primary connection 504 with the electronic retail server system 120 and purchases a product, thereby completing the purchase transaction. The client system 110 then receives the cookie 502 from the frame 506 generated by the script. The user then establishes the next connection 512 with the electronic retail server system 140, and the frame 514 generated by the resident script retrieves the cookie 515 from the client system 110. The electronic retail server system 140 establishes a communication line 516 with the promotion server system 130 and sends the information from the cookie to the promotion server system. The sales promotion server system 130 then searches its database 230,
A promotional item in the same category as the purchased item is selected and an electronic coupon linked to this promotional item is sent to the client system 110. The electronic coupon is preferably provided to the client system in the form of screen display data. As shown in FIG. 6, the sales promotion server 13 connects the electronic coupon via the connection 520.
From 0 to the electronic retail server 140 and then via the connection 522 to the client 110 by the electronic retail server 140. Also, the electronic coupon can be sent directly to the client 110 by the sales promotion server 130 via connection 524. Either the electronic coupon is then redeemed for merchandise by the client system in a purchase transaction that occurs during the next connection, or it is stored in the storage device of the client system 110 for later purchase transactions.

In another embodiment, the inventory of promotional items and associated promotional data and promotional link codes are stored in a database server system within the electronic retail server.
Such a configuration 600 is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the electronic retail server 1
50 may be coupled to client 110 over communication network 160. The electronic retail server 150 includes the database server system 152, as described above, which includes inventory of sales merchandise, promotional data identifying electronic coupons, and promotional link codes for linking promotional merchandise to promotional data. .

In this embodiment, electronic retail server 150 locally determines promotions within database server system 152. Client system 110 establishes a primary connection with electronic retail server 150 over communication network 160 to initiate a purchase transaction. When the client system 110 selects, purchases and completes a purchase transaction, the electronic retail server 150 sends a cookie to the client system. When the client system establishes the next connection with the electronic retail server, the electronic retail server system searches its database server system 152 and selects promotional items in the same category as the purchased item. The electronic coupon for the promotional item is sent to the client system 110 by the electronic retail server 150 over the communication network 160, as defined by the promotional data linked to the promotional item by the promotional link code.

Therefore, the present invention provides a system for distributing electronic coupons over a network prior to the completion of a purchase transaction. The distributed electronic coupon depends on the purchase history of the client. When a client purchases an item from an electronic retail server system during a primary connection with the electronic retail server, the electronic retail server system sends a cookie containing information about the purchased item to the client system. When the client system makes the next connection with the electronic retail server, the electronic retail server reads the cookie and sends the cookie information to a promotion server that sends an electronic coupon for the product associated with the purchased product to the client system.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, these embodiments are considered as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims rather than by the above description. Therefore, all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of these claims are to be considered as covered by the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system for distributing electronic coupons according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   4 is a flow chart of a method of distributing an electronic coupon according to the present invention.

[Figure 3]   2 is a detailed diagram of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system for distributing electronic coupons according to the present invention.

[Figure 5]   6 is a flow chart of another method of distributing an electronic coupon according to the present invention.

[Figure 6]   5 is a detailed diagram of the system of FIG. 4.

[Figure 7]   FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK , DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, J P, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR , LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, R O, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ , TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW [Continued summary] To send cookie information to the sales promotion server system for sales The sales promotion server system uses an electronic coupon as a client system. Send to the stem. This e-coupon is related to the purchased item Can be redeemed for goods.

Claims (74)

[Claims] 1. A method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network, the method comprising: Establishing a primary connection on said network between a client system and an electronic retail server system containing sales merchandise classified into at least one of a plurality of merchandise categories; B. The client system completing a primary purchase transaction by purchasing purchased products classified in a specific product category from the electronic retail server system; C. The electronic retail server system sending a cookie containing information about the purchased item to the client system; D. Establishing the following connection on the communication network between the client system and the electronic retail server system: E. The electronic retail server system reading the cookie from the client system; F. The electronic retail server sending the product information to a promotional server system, G. The method, including the step of the promotion server system sending to the client system an electronic coupon redeemable for a promotion product classified into the specific product category. 2. The method for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 3. The client system starts the next purchase transaction during the next connection by selecting the related product and redeeming the electronic coupon for the product when the next purchase transaction is completed. A method of distributing an electronic coupon on a communication network according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 3, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during the next connection. 5. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 3, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during a connection other than the next connection. 6. The communication of claim 2, wherein the electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data sent to the client system directly from the sales promotion server system on the communication network. How to distribute electronic coupons on the network. 7. The screen display data, wherein the electronic coupon is sent from the sales promotion server system to the electronic retail server system on the communication network and to the client system from the electronic retail server system on the communication network. 3. It is provided to the client system in a form.
Of distributing electronic coupons on our communication network. 8. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 2, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wired connection. 9. The electronic coupon is distributed on the communication network according to claim 8, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone. Method. 10. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 2, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wireless connection. 11. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 10, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile phone. 12. The method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 2, wherein, prior to step G, the promotional server system searches a database of promotional products within the particular product category. . 13. The electronic coupon is created based on sales promotion data linked to the sales product by the sales promotion server before the step G and after searching the database. Of distributing electronic coupons on our communication network. 14. A system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network, which is an electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device, wherein the electronic retail server system includes a product for sale, the computer processor and an associated storage. A sales promotion server system having a device, the sales promotion server system including a database of sales promotion data defining an electronic coupon, a client system having a computer processor and an associated storage device,
A client system capable of being selectively coupled to the electronic retail system on the communication network, wherein the client system conducts a primary purchase transaction for purchasing goods from the electronic retail server system; Establishing a primary connection, the electronic retail server system is configured to send a cookie containing information about the goods purchased in a primary purchase transaction to the client system, the client system on the network Establishing a next connection with a server system, during the next connection, the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system, sends the cookie information to the promotion server system, and the promotion server system. The system-time is, send an e-coupon that can be redeemed in products related to the purchased merchandise to the client system. 15. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 14, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 16. The client system starts the next purchase transaction by selecting the related product, and when the next purchase transaction is completed, the electronic coupon is redeemed for a product. A system for distributing electronic coupons on 15 communication networks. 17. The system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 16, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during the next connection. 18. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 16, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during a connection other than the next connection. 19. The communication of claim 15, wherein the electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data sent to the client system directly from the sales promotion server system over the communication network. A system that distributes electronic coupons on a network. 20. Screen display data, wherein the electronic coupon is sent from the promotion server system to the electronic retail server system on the communication network, and from the electronic retail server system to the client system on the communication network. The information is provided to the client system in a form.
A system for distributing electronic coupons on the communication network of 5. 21. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 15, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wired connection. 22. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 21, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone. . 23. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 15, wherein the client system is connected to the network by wireless connection. 24. The client system is a personal computer, an interactive television,
The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 23, wherein the system is selected from the group consisting of a mobile information terminal and a mobile phone. 25. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 15, wherein the sales promotion server system is included in the electronic retail server system. 26. A system for distributing electronic coupons on a network, which is an electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device, the electronic retail server system including a product for sale, a computer processor and an associated storage device. With the sales promotion server system,
A promotional server system including a database of promotional data defining electronic coupons, and a client system having a computer processor and associated storage, selectively connectable to the electronic retail server system on the network, and A cookie sent by the electronic retail server system to the client system as a result of the primary purchase transaction being completed during the primary connection between the client system and the electronic retail server system, by the client system during the primary purchase transaction. Comprising the client system including the cookie containing information about purchased merchandise, wherein the electronic retail server is the client during a next connection between the client system and the electronic retail server system. A system for reading the cookie from the system, and sending the cookie information to the sales promotion server system, wherein the sales promotion server system exchanges an electronic coupon for a product related to the purchased product with the cookie information. System to the client system based on. 27. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 26, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 28. The client system starts the next purchase transaction by selecting the related product, and when the next purchase transaction is completed, the electronic coupon is redeemed for a product. A system for distributing electronic coupons on 27 communication networks. 29. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 28, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during the next connection. 30. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 28, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during a connection other than the next connection. 31. The communication of claim 27, wherein the electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data sent to the client system directly from the sales promotion server system over the communication network. A system that distributes electronic coupons on a network. 32. Screen display data, wherein the electronic coupon is sent from the sales promotion server system to the electronic retail server system on the communication network and to the client system from the electronic retail server system on the communication network. 28. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 27, wherein the system is provided to the client system in a form. 33. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 27, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wired connection. 34. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 33, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone. . 35. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 27, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wireless connection. 36. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 35, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone. . 37. The system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 27, wherein the sales promotion server system is included within the electronic retail server system. 38. A method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network, the method comprising: Establishing a primary connection on the network between the client system and a first electronic retail server system containing the products for sale; B. The client system completing a primary purchase transaction by purchasing a product from the first electronic retail server system, C. The first electronic retail server system sending a cookie containing information about the purchased item to the client system; D. Establishing the following connection between the client system and a second electronic retail server system on the communication network: E. The second electronic retail server system reading the cookie from the client system; F. The second electronic retail server system sending the product information to a sales promotion server system, G. The method, including the step of the promotion server system sending an electronic coupon to the client system, the electronic coupon being redeemable for a product related to the purchased product. 39. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 38, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 40. The client system starts the next purchase transaction during the next connection by selecting the related product, and redeems the electronic coupon for the product when the next purchase transaction is completed. 40. A method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network according to claim 39. 41. The method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 40, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during the next connection. 42. The method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 40, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during a connection other than the next connection. 43. The communication of claim 39, wherein the electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data sent to the client system directly from the sales promotion server system over the communication network. How to distribute electronic coupons on the network. 44. The electronic coupon is sent on the communication network from the promotion server system to the second electronic retail server system and on the communication network from the second electronic retail server system to the client system. The method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 39, wherein the method is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data. 45. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 39, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wired connection. 46. The method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 45, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, interactive television systems, personal digital assistants and mobile phones. . 47. The method of distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 39, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wireless connection. 48. A method of distributing electronic coupons over a communication network according to claim 47, wherein said client system is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, interactive television systems, personal digital assistants and mobile phones. . 49. A system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network, which is a first electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device, wherein the first electronic retail server system includes merchandise for sale, and a computer processor. A second electronic retail server system having an associated storage device, wherein the second electronic retail server system includes a product for sale, a sales promotion server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device,
A promotional server system including a database of promotional data defining electronic coupons, and a client system having a computer processor and associated storage, selectively to the first and second electronic retail server systems on the communication network. Comprising the connectable client system, wherein the client system establishes a primary connection to the first electronic retail server system such that the client system conducts a primary purchase transaction to purchase goods from the first electronic retail server system. The first electronic retail server system is configured to send a cookie including information about the product purchased in a primary purchase transaction to the client system, the client system being configured to send the second electronic small server on the network. Establishing the next connection to the selling server system, during the next connection the second electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system, sends the cookie information to the promotion server system, and the sale The system, wherein the promotion server system sends an electronic coupon redeemable for a product related to the purchased product to the client system. 50. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 49, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 51. The client system starts the next purchase transaction by selecting the related product, and redeems the electronic coupon for the product when the next purchase transaction is completed. A system for distributing electronic coupons over 50 communication networks. 52. The system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 51, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during the next connection. 53. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 51, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during a connection other than the next connection. 54. The communication of claim 50, wherein the electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data sent to the client system directly from the promotion server system over the communication network. A system that distributes electronic coupons on a network. 55. The electronic coupon is sent from the sales promotion server system to the second electronic retail server system on the communication network and from the second electronic retail server system to the client system on the communication network. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 50, wherein the system is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data. 56. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 50, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wired connection. 57. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 56, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile phone. . 58. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 50, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wireless connection. 59. The system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 58, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, interactive television systems, personal digital assistants and mobile phones. . 60. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 50, wherein the sales promotion server system is included in the electronic retail server system. 61. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 50, wherein the sales promotion server system is included in the second electronic retail server system. 62. A system for distributing electronic coupons on a network, which is a first electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device, wherein the first electronic retail server system including merchandise for sale, a computer processor and associated computers. A second electronic retail server system having a storage device, the second electronic retail server system including a product for sale, a sales promotion server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device,
A promotional server system including a database of promotional data defining electronic coupons, and a client system having a computer processor and associated storage, selectively connecting to the first and second electronic retail server systems on the network. A cookie sent to the client system by the first electronic retail server system as a result of possible completion of a primary purchase transaction during the primary connection between the client system and the first electronic retail server system, Comprising the client system including the cookie containing information about a product purchased by the client system during a primary purchase transaction, wherein the second electronic retail server system is the client system and the second electronic retail server system. And a means for reading the cookie from the client system during the next connection between the clients and sending the cookie information to the sales promotion server system, the sales promotion server system based on the cookie information. The system wherein the system is provided with an electronic coupon that can be redeemed for a product related to the purchased product. 63. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 62, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 64. The client system starts the next purchase transaction by selecting the related product, and redeems the electronic coupon for a product when the next purchase transaction is completed. A system for distributing electronic coupons on 63 communication networks. 65. The system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 64, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during the next connection. 66. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 64, wherein the next purchase transaction occurs during a connection other than the next connection. 67. The communication of claim 63, wherein the electronic coupon is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data sent to the client system directly from the promotion server system over the communication network. A system that distributes electronic coupons on a network. 68. The electronic coupon is sent on the communication network from the promotion server system to the second electronic retail server system and on the communication network from the second electronic retail server system to the client system. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network according to claim 61, wherein the system is provided to the client system in the form of screen display data. 69. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 63, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wired connection. 70. The system for distributing electronic coupons over a communication network of claim 69, wherein said client system is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, interactive television systems, personal digital assistants and mobile phones. . 71. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 63, wherein the client system is connected to the network by a wireless connection. 72. The system of claim 71, wherein the client system is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an interactive television system, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile phone. . 73. The system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network of claim 63, wherein the sales promotion server system is included in the second electronic retail server system. 74. A system for distributing electronic coupons on a communication network, which is an electronic retail server system having a computer processor and an associated storage device, wherein the electronic retail server system including a sale product, the computer processor and the associated storage device. With the sales promotion server system we have,
A promotional server system including a database of promotional merchandise linked to promotional data defining electronic coupons, a client system having a computer processor and associated storage, selectively to the electronic retail server system over the communication network. Comprising the client system capable of being coupled, the client system having a primary connection with the electronic retail server system for conducting a primary purchase transaction in which the client system purchases products classified into product categories from the electronic retail server system. Established, the electronic retail server system is configured to send a cookie containing information about the goods purchased in a primary purchase transaction to the client system, wherein the client system is the network Establishing a next connection with the electronic retail server system above, wherein during the next connection the electronic retail server system reads the cookie from the client system and sends the cookie information to the promotion server system; A search device for a sales promotion server system to search the database for sales promotion products in the product category, and an electronic coupon for giving the client system an electronic coupon for one of the sales promotion products in the product category. The system having a creating means.