TWM473568U - System for electronic coupon issuance - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic coupon and a system for electronic coupon issuance are provided. The electronic coupon includes a medium and a set of machine-readable codes recorded in the medium. For example, the set of machine-readable codes is recorded in the medium in the form of 2-dimensional barcodes. Meanwhile, the set of machine-readable codes is created by a coupon issuer according to a coupon ID.

Description

Electronic coupon issuing system

The present invention relates to a system for electronic coupons and automated processing of electronic coupons.

Discount coupons (also known as coupons) are used to provide consumers with discounts or discounts on consumption. Further, regarding the existing electronic coupons, refer to the Android application of The Coupons App, Mobile Coupons & Deals, Coupons & Shopping-GeoQpons, and the Chinese Patent Publication No. CN 102149076A.

The first aspect of the present invention provides an electronically priced voucher that can be automatically recognized by a machine for automated processing. For this reason, the technical means used in the new embodiment is that each electronic coupon has a machine readable code. In view of the fact that the electronic discount coupons in the prior art cannot meet the actual needs, especially when the existing electronic coupons still need to be manually identified and verified at the time of use, and the automatic processing mechanism cannot be provided, it is still necessary to improve.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the more significant drawbacks of the prior art.

In the case of the issuance of traditional paper coupons, in order to control the circulation of discount coupons and to avoid the use of multiple coupons for multiple uses, generally after the discount coupons are used, the store or discount coupon redemption must recover the discount coupons. .

However, most of the electronic coupons are recorded on the consumer's own recording medium (such as a personal computer or a memory in a mobile phone), so the store or discount voucher cannot be recycled after the coupon is used, and it is not mandatory to use it. Destroy or delete.

In addition, whether it is a traditional discount voucher or an electronic discount voucher, there is generally no mechanism for preventing copying, so users can easily copy it in large quantities, resulting in the inability to control the circulation of the voucher, and the store or the voucher can not Discounted coupons that are not authorized to be copied by themselves are effectively verified.

Moreover, the use of traditional discount coupons or electronic coupons cannot be tracked. In addition, if a traditional voucher or an electronic voucher is issued by a third party other than the voucher convertor (for example, an issuance service platform), the voucher redemption voucher cannot grasp the circulation amount of the voucher.

In view of the numerous defects of the discount coupons in the prior art, the technical means used in the new embodiment is that each electronic discount coupon has an exclusive corresponding coupon identification code, and accordingly, a machine containing the coupon identification code can be read. The code is on the electronic coupon. The electronic coupon certificate is generated by the issuer of the discount voucher exclusively for each electronic coupon, and different electronic coupons have different electronic coupon identification codes, so the number of identification codes can be controlled. And can further track and manage the number of electronic coupons issued and the status of use.

In addition, the issuer of the voucher can note the use status of the identification code as "valid" at the time of issuance, and when the user uses the electronic voucher, the machine can read the code by using the electronic discount voucher. The voucher redemption can electronically notify the issuer of the voucher to immediately cancel the electronic voucher identification code generated by the voucher, and record the use status of the identification code as "valid" by "effective". Avoid this electronic coupon being reused. Even if this electronic coupon is copied, the copied electronic coupon cannot be used because the corresponding identification code has been cancelled.

On the other hand, one of the technical problems to be solved by the present invention is that the traditional discount coupon cannot directly record the user's identification data at the time of production (that is, the registered discount coupon cannot be made), and the electronic discount coupon identification code of the present invention is It may contain the user's identification data (such as a phone number) and be used as a registered voucher.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic coupon issuing system includes: ■ an invoicing module, and obtaining a coupon identification code; a machine readable code production module, and a set of machine readable codes according to the coupon identification code; and a transmission module, the set of machine readable codes is electronically transmitted to the The user terminal, whereby the user terminal records the set of machine readable codes on a medium as an electronic coupon, and the coupon identification code belongs to the electronic coupon.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description and appended claims.

10‧‧‧Electronic voucher processing system

100‧‧‧Electronic voucher issuance system

102‧‧‧Invoicing module

104‧‧‧ machine readable code production module

108‧‧‧Transmission module

110‧‧‧Network Module

112‧‧‧Retirement module

114‧‧‧Settlement Module

116‧‧‧User Note Module

300‧‧‧ Discount Voucher

400‧‧‧User terminal

EV1, EV2‧‧‧ electronic coupons

In order to immediately understand the advantages of the present invention, the present invention as briefly described above will be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present invention is described with additional clarity and detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an electronic coupon issuing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic discount coupon issuing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an automated processing according to an embodiment of the present invention; Flow chart of electronic coupons; Figures 3A-3B show electronic coupons in the specific embodiment of the present invention.

First, the "electronic discount voucher issuing system" referred to in this document includes hardware and software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) corresponding to the purpose of implementing the automated process steps in the present invention. Or a combination thereof. The present invention can be implemented in various forms, such as a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or can be implemented as a software and hardware implementation, in the following Will be called "circuit", "Module" or "System". In addition, the present invention can also be implemented as a computer program product in any tangible media form, with computer usable code stored thereon.

The computer code used to perform this new operation can be written using a combination of one or more programming languages, including object oriented programming languages (eg, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like) as well as traditional programming languages (eg, C programming languages or Other similar programming languages).

The description of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart and/or block diagram of the systems, devices, methods and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present invention. Each block of the flowchart and/or block diagram, as well as any combination of blocks in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams, can be implemented using computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be executed by a general purpose computer or a special computer processor or other programmable data processing device, and the instructions are processed by a computer or other programmable data processing device to implement a flowchart and/or The function or operation described in the block diagram.

The computer program instructions can also be stored on a computer readable medium to instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to perform a particular function, and the instructions stored on the computer readable medium constitute a finished product. The instructions contained therein may implement the functions or operations illustrated in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams.

Computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device for performing a system operation on a computer or other programmable device, and executing the command on the computer or other programmable device A computer implementation program is generated to achieve the functions or operations illustrated in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams.

2A to 2, a flowchart and a block diagram of the architecture, function, and operation of the system, method, and computer program product according to various embodiments of the present invention are shown. Thus, each block of the flowchart or block diagram can represent a module, a segment, or a portion of a code that includes one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logical function. It is to be noted that in some other embodiments, the functions described in the blocks may not be performed in the order shown. For example, the blocks connected by the two icons can in fact be executed simultaneously, or in some cases depending on the functions involved. The illustrations are executed in the reverse order. It should also be noted that each block diagram and/or block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowcharts may be implemented by a system based on a special purpose hardware, or by a special purpose. A combination of body and computer instructions to perform a specific function or operation.

<Electronic Coupon Processing System>

As shown in FIG. 1A, the electronic coupon processing system 10 includes an electronic coupon issuing system 100 for an electronic coupon issuer and a discount voucher redemption system 300 for a voucher convertor (for example, a restaurant or a department store). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that Figure 1A is simplified for purposes of illustrating the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention.

The electronic coupon issuing system 100 and the voucher redemption system 300 can be connected to each other to ensure the security of the transaction, but also through the open Internet, but the transmission of the data preferably requires additional encryption. For details, please refer to the existing electronic trading system, for example, the same applicant's star Quanan ticket network (http://www.25462222.com/index.php), this new model is not intended to be limited, here The manner of reference is incorporated herein.

It should be noted that, for the electronic voucher issuing system 100 of a single electronic coupon issuer, the discount voucher redemption system 300 (ie, a plurality of restaurants or department stores) of a plurality of voucher voucher can be used to implement the present disclosure. Technology. Moreover, the present invention does not limit that the electronic coupon issuing system 100 and the coupon voucher redemption system 300 must be independent of each other. In other words, in some embodiments, the electronic coupon issuing system 100 can be integrated with a certain voucher redemption system 300. Individuals, that is, can simultaneously issue electronic discount coupons and provide redemption items.

Preferably, however, the electronic voucher issuing system 100 and the voucher voucher redemption system 300 are independent of each other, and in particular, the electronic voucher issuing system 100 is used as an electronic discount voucher issuing platform, that is, different voucher redemption The electronic coupon can be issued in cooperation with the same electronic coupon issuing system 100.

1A additionally shows a user terminal 400 (eg, a mobile phone having a display screen or a personal computer having a printing device) that can communicate electronically with the electronic coupon issuing system 100, and the electronic coupon issuing system 100 and the user terminal The 400 can communicate via a mobile phone network or other network.

1B shows a schematic diagram of an electronic coupon issuing system (ie, an electronic coupon issuing issuer) 100, which includes a billing module 102, a machine readable code producing module 104, a transmitting module 108, a network module 110, and a cancellation module. The group 112, the settlement module 114, and the user annotation module 116.

2 is an embodiment showing the automated processing of electronic coupons using the electronic coupon processing system 10 in conjunction with the system architecture of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

<request>

Step 210: In this embodiment, the user may know the offer provided by the electronic coupon, and the applicable item (such as a specific product or service) according to the advertisement or other publicity tube, and may pass through the user terminal 400 or The electronic coupon is obtained from the electronic coupon issuing system 100 through other electronic (such as a website) or a non-electronic pipeline (such as a counter).

In an embodiment, when the electronic discount coupon issuing system 100 requests the electronic coupon, the user may prompt the user to identify the information to the electronic coupon issuing system 100. For example, the electronic coupon issuing system 100 pre-specifies the user's member number or It is the email address and/or phone number provided by the user.

It should be noted that this step 210 is not a necessary step for the new model. In other embodiments, the electronic coupon issuing system 100 may also actively send the electronic coupon to the user terminal 400 (direct issuing/invoicing steps 212-216). And together with the electronic coupon, inform the electronic discount coupons and the applicable items.

<issuance/invoicing>

Step 212: The billing module 102 of the electronic coupon issuing system 100 requests an exclusive coupon identification code from an identification code database (not shown) for one of the electronic coupons to be issued at the moment. If the billing module 102 needs to issue 10 electronic coupons, it must request 10 different coupon IDs. The number of discount ticket identification codes that can be provided in the identification code database can be predetermined to correspond to the predetermined circulation amount of the electronic coupon. However, the limit on the number of the voucher identification code (that is, the scheduled circulation of the electronic voucher) can also be adjusted as appropriate.

In particular, after obtaining the exclusive coupon identification code for the electronic coupon to be issued, the billing module 102 notes the use status of the coupon identification code as "valid". The usage status annotations may be stored in the identification code database or other storage devices (not shown) accessible by the billing module 102.

Step 214: After obtaining the exclusive coupon identification code for the electronic coupon to be issued, the machine readable code creation module 104 of the electronic coupon issuing system 100 may be based on the coupon identification code and other non-essential Information creates a set of machine readable codes. Preferably, the machine readable code creation module 104 is a 2-dimensional barcode production module for creating a set of 2D barcodes according to the discount coupon identification code and other information.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic coupon issuing system 100 can create the set of machine readable codes based on the coupon identification code and user identification information (eg, a phone number) provided by the user. One of the advantages of adding user identification data to machine readable codes is that "name" is provided so that the set of machine readable codes can be tracked and controlled in use in the future.

Step 216: The transmitting module 108 of the electronic coupon issuing system 100 transmits the set of machine readable codes to the user terminal 400 through electronic means, whereby the user terminal 400 records the set of machine readable codes. The medium is used as an electronic coupon, and the electronic coupon issuing system 100 completes the issuance of the electronic coupon.

In the case that the user has provided the email address or the phone number as the user identification data, the transmission module 108 further includes a network module 110, which can be transmitted through the Internet according to the email address or according to the phone number. The telephone network transmits the set of machine readable codes to the user terminal 400. One of the advantages of this approach further ensures that the set of machine readable codes is transmitted to the address specified by the user.

It should be noted that the medium does not need to be part of the user terminal 400, but can be independent of the user terminal 400, and the medium can be implemented as various types of computer memory, magnetically readable medium, and optical type. Read media, even paper or other print media. Preferably, the medium of the present invention allows the set of machine readable codes recorded thereon to be read by the reader in a contactless manner.

Preferably, the electronic discount coupon of the present invention is a portable electronic coupon. In an embodiment, the user terminal 400 is a personal computer having a printing device. After receiving the machine readable code transmitted by the electronic coupon issuing system 100, the user terminal 400 can be printed on the paper in the form of a 2-dimensional barcode. The electronic discount coupon EV1 in the form of a paper is formed as shown in Fig. 3A and can be read in a non-contact manner by a conventional 2-dimensional barcode reader (not shown).

In another embodiment of the portable electronic coupon, the user terminal 400 is a mobile phone or other portable electronic device having a display screen, which is readable by the machine received by the electronic coupon issuing system 100. After the code, the image of the 2D barcode can be displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone to form the electronic discount coupon EV2 in a non-physical form, as shown in FIG. 3B, or through a conventional 2D barcode reader (not shown). ) Read in a contactless manner. The user terminal 400 may need to install a specific application to display an image of the 2-dimensional barcode, but this is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described here.

<Logout and Billing>

Step 218: In use, the user prompts an electronic coupon (which may be a paper or a non-physical electronic discount coupon) as described above, and the coupon redemption system 300 reads the electronic coupon with a reader (not shown). The set of machines on the machine can read the code to obtain the coupon identification code.

Step 220: The voucher redemption system 300 transmits the voucher identification code to the electronic voucher issuing system 100 by electronic means to request confirmation of whether the voucher identification code is valid. If the electronic coupon issuing system 100 confirms that the coupon identification code is valid, the cancellation module 112 further promptly changes the usage status of the coupon identification code from "valid" to "invalid", that is, cancels This electronic coupon will be avoided.

Step 222: Optionally, if the electronic coupon issuing system 100 confirms that the coupon identification code is valid and the cancellation module 112 cancels, the settlement module 114 of the electronic coupon issuing system 100 can further electronically target a predetermined The amount is automatically submitted to a predetermined object (for example, but not limited to, the voucher redemption system 300) for write-off and payment operations as a service fee to assist in issuing the voucher. In this way, the electronic coupon issuing system 100 can accurately charge according to the number of used coupons, and the service fee for issuing the coupons in the prior art is charged according to the issuance amount of the coupons, and has more A big advantage, because in general, a considerable proportion of the issued coupons are unused, and in the prior art, the issuer of the discount voucher cannot provide differentiated discount coupons and unused coupons. Billing method.

Step 224: Optionally, if the electronic coupon issuing system 100 creates an electronic coupon based on the coupon identification code and the user identification data (eg, a phone number) (step 214), the coupon redemption system 300 reads the electronic coupon. The set of machines on the machine can read the code, The user identification data is obtained (step 218), and the voucher redemption system 300 transmits the user identification data to the electronic coupon issuing system 100 in an electronic manner. Then, in this step 224, the user annotation module 116 of the electronic coupon issuing system 100 records the acquired user identification data in the cancelled coupon identification code, so that it is possible to know exactly which user the electronic coupon is. Used.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The aspects of the specific embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the novel is as shown in the accompanying claims and not as the foregoing description. All changes that fall within the meaning and scope of the patent application are deemed to fall within the scope of the patent application.

100‧‧‧Electronic voucher issuance system

102‧‧‧Invoicing module

104‧‧‧ machine readable code production module

108‧‧‧Transmission module

110‧‧‧Network Module

112‧‧‧Retirement module

114‧‧‧Settlement Module

116‧‧‧User Note Module

Claims (6)

An electronic discount voucher issuing system is operated in a computer host, comprising the following modules: a billing module, obtaining a discount voucher identification code; a machine readable code making module, and making according to the voucher identification code a set of machine readable codes; and a transfer module for electronically transmitting the set of machine readable codes to a user terminal, whereby the user terminal records the set of machine readable codes A medium is used as an electronic coupon, and the coupon identification code belongs to the electronic coupon. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a cancellation module, in response to the user prompting the electronic coupon, to confirm whether the coupon identification code is valid, and if valid, immediately cancel the coupon identification code. The system of claim 2 further comprises: a settlement module, wherein the cancellation module cancels the identification code of the coupon, and automatically performs a payment operation for a predetermined object for a predetermined amount. The system of claim 1, wherein: the billing module obtains user identification data of the user; the machine readable code creation module creates the set of machines according to the coupon identification code and the user identification data. Readable code. The system of claim 4 further includes: a logout module, in response to the user prompting the electronic coupon, confirming whether the voucher identification code is valid, and if valid, immediately canceling the voucher identification code; A user annotation module, because the cancellation module should cancel the discount coupon identification code, and record the user identification data in the coupon identification code. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the machine readable code production module is a 2D barcode production module.