WO2012101260A1

WO2012101260A1 - Point-of-sale system for processing vouchers

Info

Publication number: WO2012101260A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/051356
Authority: WO
Inventors: André REIF
Original assignee: Mymobai Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-01-27
Filing date: 2012-01-27
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Also published as: DE102011000942A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for managing coupons. The system comprises: a server for managing coupons having coupon information; a line (21) for sending coupon information (600) to a business computer (22), and a database (110) for storing coupon information (600).

Description

description

Title: POS system for processing vouchers

BACKGROUND ART POS system manufacturers provide hardware and software for smooth payment traffic at a so-called POS terminal. The abbreviation "POS" comes from the English "point-of-sale" and means point of sale.

There are several patent applications for marketing and promotional activities around a POS terminal. The company Acardo AG has, for example, a patent application no. DE 10 2005 007928 for the expression of a voucher on a receipt for further marketing and sales promotion measures. This patent application teaches a system for printing a bar code as a voucher on the receipt, which can be redeemed at the next purchase.

There are also some patent applications on the subject of "clearing" or redemption of vouchers (also called coupons or "discount stamps").

Fig. 1 shows an example of a known clearing system 5. In this clearing system 5, a manufacturer (company) 10 wants to issue a coupon 12 for promoting a product 15 or a service as part of a sales promotion action. The manufacturer 10 cooperates with an advertising or promotion agency 60 developing the sales promotion action. The advertising or promotion agency 60 instructs a printing company 70 to print the coupons 12 and these printed coupons 12 are forwarded to one or more "distributors" 80 who distribute the coupons 12 to consumers 50. Of course, this distribution can also be achieved of a promoter, via newspaper or letter carrier or through the delivery or distribution of brochures. The consumer 50 buys the product 15 in a store 25a-25c (or takes advantage of the service). In this case, the consumer 50 dispenses the coupons 12 for the product 15. The consumer 50 receives the product 15 at a lower price.

The branches 25a-25c are connected via data links 21 to a trading computer 22 in a trading center 20. These trading computers 22 receive from the manufacturer 10 a coupon file 40 with a list of the issued coupons 12 and the associated coupon numbers. This coupon file 40 can be used by either a data transmission network z. B. Internet to the trading center 20 or z. B. a USB stick. The trading center 20 distributes the coupon file 40 to the branches 25a-25c with information about the valid coupons 12 and the corresponding coupon number. Upon redemption of the coupon 12, the coupon number on the printed coupon 12 is read by a checkout system 27 in the respective store 25a-25c and the validity of the coupon 12 is compared by comparison with the coupon number received from the trading center 20 was transmitted. The cash register system 27 has a cash register interface 28, which is connected to the data connections 21, a cash register 29, and a cash register 26. The cash register 29 stores the information about the coupons 12.

By redeeming the coupons 12 of the consumer 50 receives a discount. The retailer must be reimbursed the cost of redeeming the coupon 12 from the manufacturer 10. This refund takes place by means of a so-called clearing house 30. The trading center 20 notifies the clearing house 30 of the redemption of the coupons 12 and a value for this redemption. The clearing house 30 reimburses the trading center 20 the value of the redemption plus a so-called action fee (also called handling fee). As a result, the trading center 20 receives compensation for the redemption of the coupons 12 and an amount to cover the additional cost of redemption. This refund will be made regularly, eg. B. daily. The clearing house 30 reports the value to the manufacturer 10 and receives compensation plus an amount to cover the costs of the clearing house 30 from the manufacturer 10. The clearing between the clearing house 30 and the manufacturer 10 takes place on a regular basis - sis z. Weekly or monthly. In this conventional clearing system 5, the clearing house 30 finances the action since the refund to the trading center 20 is made earlier than the settlement with the manufacturer 10. The promotion promotion action is developed using the advertising and promotion agency 60, the printer 70, and the dispatcher 80. Experience has shown that the promotional action from the developmental stage to distribution of the coupons 12 to the consumer 50 may take several (five to twelve) weeks , The pressure of the coupons 12 takes time and the distribution of the coupons 12 through the manifold 80 may take some time. In addition, most of the so distributed coupons 12 are not used. That is, the manufacturer 10 in the coupon file 40 forwards a lot of information to the trading center 20, which will not be queried later, since the associated coupons 12 are not redeemed. The storage and transmission of the information requires additional storage space and line capacity.

The manufacturer 10 has the conventional clearing system 5 few opportunities to respond to short-term actions of competitors or to respond to other changes in the competition. Experience has shown that a lot of paper is used for printing the coupons 12, which then ends up in the bin.

Some solutions are known to promote the effectiveness of the redemption of coupons 12. The inventor has e.g. patent application No. 10 2009 003 619 entitled "User Profile Management." This patent application protects a method for mobile terminals with dynamic user profile management and integrated search application, which allows the distribution of coupons 12 via the mobile terminals.

CHARACTERS

[0010] In the drawings:

Fig. 1: a known clearing system for coupons; FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a clearing system according to this disclosure; FIG.

Fig. 3: a coupon management system;

FIG. 4 shows a procedure of issuing the coupon; FIG.

Fig. 5: a procedure of redemption of the coupon;

Fig. 6: coupon information; and

Fig. 7: a banner ad system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure describes a system 5 and method for delivering vouchers (coupons) 12 to mobile terminals 55, for example by SMS or via a network connection. The network connection is e.g. the Internet or a wireless network as well as so-called apps and mobile websites. The mobile devices 55 have a display 57, a message store 55, and a message receiver 59. A manufacturer (company) 10 may use the method and system 5 to issue the coupon 12 to a consumer 50. The consumer 50 may then purchase a product 15 or service at a discount with the mobile terminal 55 on one of the next purchases in a store 25a-25c. In this disclosure, the purchase of a product 15 using the coupon 12 will be described. Of course, the system 5 can also be used for the use of a service using the coupon 12.

Fig. 2 shows the individual elements of the system 5. The individual elements of Fig. 2, which are identical to the elements of Fig. 1, use the same reference numerals. FIG. 2 additionally shows a coupon management system 100 connected to a coupon database 110. The coupon management system 100 is connected to the advertising and promotion agency 60 via a network 105. Of course, the coupon management system 100 may be directly connected to the manufacturer 10. Each consumer 50 has one or more mobile devices 55 connected to the coupon management system 100 via a wireless network 120. The radio network 120 can, for example, be a telecommunications network based on the GSM standard, the UMTS standard or a wireless LAN.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an example of the coupon management system 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The coupon management system 100 has a coupon server 130, which is connected to the database 110 for storing the coupon information 115. The coupon server 130 is implemented as a module on a computer. A presentation processor 140 is also connected to the coupon server 130. The presentation processor 140 is for generating a representation of a website displayed on the display 57 of the mobile device 55. This presentation is an invitation to the consumer 50 to get a coupon 12. Typically, this presentation will appear in the form of a so-called "banner ad" on the website, as explained below.Of course, this presentation may appear as a complete website or be generated in some other way, eg in an app The coupon management system 100 is connected to the trading computer 22 at the trading center 20 via the network 105. The coupon management system 100 includes a coupon transmitter 112 for transmitting the coupon 12. The coupon Transmitter 112 is, for example, a module in the coupon management system 100 for generating, for example, an e-mail, an XML file, a JSON file, and / or an SMS message.

The consumer 50 can click on this presentation and is then forwarded via a URL to the coupon server 130. In this case, a coupon 12 is activated for the consumer 50 and transmitted to the mobile device 55. This transmission can be transmitted either in the form of an SMS 150 via the radio network 120 by means of the coupon transmitter 112. The transmission of the information about the coupon 12 can also take place via a Bluetooth connection. At the same time, in the coupon database 110, the coupon information 600 is stored via the activated coupon 12 as a file set 115.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary procedure of the creation of the coupon 12 and Fig. 5 shows an exemplary sequence of redemption of the coupon 12. In a first step 410 the manufacturer 10 decides that the manufacturer 10 would like to start a sales claim action together with an advertising and promotion agency 60 alone. In a second step 420, the manufacturer 10 or the advertising and promotion agency 60 creates a coupon 12 with associated coupon information 600 and stores this coupon information 600 in a next step 430 in the database 110 as a file set 115. The database 110 is stored in a computer memory.

This coupon information 600 contains i.a. the following information: a coupon number 610, the product name 620 of the product 15 (or service), a coupon value 630, a coupon value 640 and a coupon text 650. This coupon information 600 is in the form of a XML file and is shown for example in Fig. 6. The coupon number 610 may be either as a so-called EAN number above the GSI standard or as a separate number assigned by the company itself or otherwise. The coupon value 630 indicates the value of the coupon 12. This coupon value 630 could be z. For example, the value of two products for the price of one product or a discount of Euro 1 per product 15. The coupon validity value 640 contains information about the validity of the coupon 12 z. The date of validity, the region of validity, personal data on validity, etc. The coupon text 650 is the text that can be created on the mobile terminal 55 or on a ticket. The coupon information 600 may also include other information regarding the coupon 12. In addition, the coupon information 600 may also include manufacturer identification information, stores 25a-25c for redemption, redemption frequency (one or more times), delivery location, etc.

This coupon 12 is distributed in this aspect of the invention on the basis of a so-called binder ad network 700. This B anner Ad network 700 plant is shown in Figure 7. The banner ad network 700 generates on a website 710 a so-called banner 720 in the text. This banner 720 is displayed on the display 57 of the mobile device 55 in step 430. The consumer 50 clicks the banner 720 in step 440 to get the coupon 12. The required coupon information 600 is sent to the mobile device 55 in step 450 by means of the SMS message 150 and in the message. stored judge memory 58. The SMS message 150 contains a link to the coupon information 600 in eg the coupon database. It is also possible to transmit the required coupon information 600 in an email with the coupon information 600 in XML. Thereafter, we generate a representation on the mobile device 55 using the coupon information 600 (in the form of XML data). Alternatively, the coupon information 600 may be queried and displayed within a mobile website. The coupon information 600 about the issued coupons 12 are transmitted almost simultaneously in step 460 to the trading center 20 through the network. In step 470, the distribution center 20 distributes the coupon information 600 via the issued coupons 12 to the individual POS system 27 in the branches 25a-25c through the services 21. The time between the interrogation by the activation of the coupon 12 by the consumer 70 and the Provision of the coupon 12 in the POS systems 27 lasts only a few seconds, ie almost in real time. If the consumer 50 wants to redeem the coupon 12 in a final 25a - 25c, the consumer 50 purchases the product 15 or service and goes to the cash register system 27. The required coupon information 600 in the message memory 58 and from the Coupon database 110 are in the form of a code z. B. bar codes or 2-D bar codes on the display 57 of the mobile device 55 in step 510 and can be read via a reader (a kind of receiving unit 24) in the POS system 27 in step 520. This code contains at least the coupon number 610 and may possibly contain further information. The checkout system 27 compares in step 530 the coupon information 600 read in from the mobile device 55 with the coupon information 600 in the checkout system 27 in order to check the validity of the coupon 12. Should the POS system 27 find that the coupon 12 is valid, then in step 540 the discount on the price is made. The discount is usually displayed on the receipt in step 550. The consumer 50 pays the price shown. The checkout system 27 in step 560 sends the coupon information 600 (or at least only the coupon number 610) on the redeemed coupon 12 to the trading computer 22 at the trading center 20. The refund to the trade may be made in step 570 as in stand technology via the clearing house 30. As explained later, in one aspect of the invention, the clearing house 30 is not necessary. FIG. 7 shows an example of the BANNER ad network 700. The BANNER AD network 700 includes an AD network 730 that is connected to the manufacturer 10, optionally via an advertising and promotion agency 60. The advertising and promotion agency 60 or the manufacturer 10 can create the banner Ad 720 through an order to the ad network 730. The ad network 730 presents a plurality of banner ads 720 that are generated in a web page 710 by URL linking. The consumer 70 sees the website 710 on the display 57 of his mobile device 55 and can click the banner ad 720 to download the coupons 12. The banner ad network 700 may access location information of the mobile device 55 to determine a matching banner ad. This location information is determined either from a GPS module in the mobile device 55, from the information about the transmission tower or from the IP address of the mobile device 55. There are currently several large ad networks 730 that can switch mobile banner ads 720 into mobile websites and apps via online systems. To do this, an operator of an app or mobile website usually has to insert only one line of source code and have an account with a B anner Ad-Network 730. This source code contains links or links to a graphics file or HTLM code for generating the banner ad 720 on the display 77. The operators are now considered publishers and have a unique identification number, the publisher ID. Each call of the web page 710 or app screen on the mobile device 55 then sends a short piece of information with the publisher ID, and optionally the location, to send the banner ad 720 with advertisement on the mobile device 55 matching the location. This information is received and processed on the server side, from the publisher ID, an advertisement profile is called (which ad fits the app / website, quality index evaluated) and server-side, which banner ad 720 to display on the mobile device 55 is brought. This banner add also receives the coupon information 600. In another aspect of the invention, the consumer 50 may use a so-called "app" or a corresponding program on a mobile device 55, eg a smartphone, netbook or tablet computer This app allows you to show banner ads 720 (eg, banner ads) in the app on the mobile device 55. The consumer 50 can specifically search for a banner ad 720 in the app.

By the system 5, the issuing manufacturers 10 reach the almost immediate availability of the coupons 12 in the POS systems 27. Thus, the coupons 12 can be redeemed almost immediately and without delay provided. There is no cumbersome insertion of the coupon information 600 necessary. It also reduces the susceptibility to errors and reduces possible fraud attempts. The coupon exhibiting manufacturers 10 may also respond to weather conditions, an action of a competitor or operator.

It is not necessary for manufacturers 10 to obtain from retailers detailed information about the consumers 50 or information about the shopping carts containing the product purchased with the coupon.

The checkout systems 27 have a checkout interface 28 which receives a part (the coupon checkout information) of the coupon information 600 from the trading computer 22 and upon successful redemption of the coupons 12 via this checkout interface 28, the transactions to the coupon Management system 100 forwards. Cash register interface 28 receives, among other things, the coupon number 610, product number 620, coupon value 630, coupon validity 640, and coupon text 650 information shown in FIG the checkout interface 28 merely broadcasts or receives the coupon number 610 and calculates itself the coupon validity 640 and the coupon value 630 using information stored in a local database. This also assumes that these parts of the coupon information 600, have already been stored in advance in the POS system 27. The checkout systems 27 have corresponding memories and computer units for storing the coupon information 600, rules on the granting of discounts in connection with the coupon and calculation of a total price after taking into account the discount. The POS systems 27 have a reader such as a bar code reader, which can read the coupon information 600 from the mobile device 55. Also conceivable is a transmission by means of a Bluetooth connection, infrared connection or by a transmission according to the FC standard (FC = near-field communication). In this latter case, the cash register system 27 has a receiving unit 24.

The coupon management system 100 processes the transactions and calculates costs based on the coupons 12 and the purchases made. For unambiguous identification of the coupon 12, a coupon number 610 may be calculated as follows. Each issuing manufacturer 10 has a unique corporate identifier consisting of numbers and / or letters. Thereafter, the issuing manufacturer can even assign the coupon number 610. The combination of the company identifier with the coupon number 610 achieves a uniqueness that permits processing of the data and authorization for redemption locally at the merchant and also in the coupon management system. This coupon number 610 may be displayed on the mobile terminal 55 either directly or in the form of a barcode.

In another aspect of the invention, no clearing house 30 is turned on. The coupon management system 100 may determine the value of the redeemed coupons 12 in near real time and pass this value to the manufacturer 10. The manufacturer 10 can equalize the value with the trading center 20, if necessary, via an intermediate account. In practice, the compensation will not be immediate, but daily or weekly.

In another aspect of the invention, the coupon management system 100 may also obtain anonymized information about the shopping cart of the consumer 50 from the POS system 27. This information about the shopping cart can be passed on to the manufacturer 10 or to a market research institute. Embodiment

Manufacturer A has a product AI (original price 19.95 €) and a coupon A2 (30% discount), manufacturer B has a product B l (original price 9.95 €) and a coupon B2 (2 for the price of one ) provided. The consumer 50 buys these two products (AI, B l) and receives a discount of 5.99 € (30% to 19.95) due to the coupon A2 and the same product B2 for coupon B2 a second time free of charge.

[0038] This calculation is done automatically, since rules associated with the coupons 12 are deposited directly from the coupon management system 100 in the POS system 25 or the POS system 25 contains all the information to automatically create the rules themselves. These transactions between the consumer 50 and the store 25a-c are communicated to the coupon management system 100 via the checkout system 27 and checkout interface 28. Based on a selected pricing model, costs for manufacturers A and B are due.

It can be chosen between two pricing models. In the so-called "Cost per Order", a surcharge of eg 5% is calculated on the original price (1 €) In the clearing price models the manufacturer 10 is granted the discount of 5.99 plus a clearing fee (eg 0.09 Eur) Branch 25a-c will be remunerated an amount equal to the discount (5.99 €), as this amount is missing from the cash register 27. An action fee of 0.02 EUR will be charged to branches 25a-c.

The manufacturers A and B, the costs are charged accordingly and offset the branch 25a-c.

The number of consumers 50, coupons 12, issuing manufacturers 10 and branches 25a-c produces data on consumer behavior. These data can be further processed anonymously. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

5 clearing system

10 manufacturers

12 voucher (coupon)

15 product

20 commercial center

21 data connection

22 trading computer

24 receiving unit

25 branches

26 cash computer

27 POS system

28 cassettes e

29 cash register stores

30 clearing house

40 coupon file

50 consumers

55 Mobile device

57 Display

58 message memory

59 Recipients

60 advertising and promotion agency

70 printing company

80 distributors

100 coupon management system

105 network

1 10 coupon database

112 coupon stations

1 15 coupon information

120 radio network

130 coupon server 140 presentation processor

600 coupon information

610 coupon number

620 product name

630 coupon value

640 coupon validity

650 coupon text

700 banner ad network

710 website

720 banner Ad

730 ad network

Claims

claims

A system (5) for managing coupons (12) comprising:

a coupon server (130) for managing coupons (12) with coupon information (600);

- a network (105) for sending coupon information (600) to a trading computer (22);

- A database (110) for storing coupon information.

2. System according to claim 1, further comprising:

- A presentation processor (140) for generating a representation of the coupon (50) on a display (57).

3. System according to one of the preceding claims further comprising:

- a transmitter (112) for transmitting the coupons (12) to a consumer (50).

4. A method of redeeming a coupon (12) comprising:

- displaying (510) the coupon (12) on a display (57), in particular a mobile device (55);

- transmitting (520) coupon information (600) to a POS system (27);

Comparing the coupon information (600) with cash register information; and

- Calculation (540) of an advantage by comparing.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

- transmitting (560) the coupon information (600) to a management system (30, 100) for calculating (570) a refund.

6. A mobile device (55) for redeeming a coupon (12) comprising:

- a receiving device (54) for receiving coupon details (600) via a coupon (12) to be redeemed; - a memory (59) for storing the coupon details (600); and

- Display (58) for displaying a coupon (12) from the coupon details (600).

A mobile device according to claim 6, further comprising a transmitting unit (57) for sending the coupon details (600).

The mobile device (55) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the coupon details (600) include at least one of the following parameters: coupon number (610) or link.

9. POS system (27) for processing discounts from a coupon (12):

- a data connection (21) for obtaining coupon cash register information (600) about the coupon (12) to be processed;

- a memory (29) for storing the coupon cash register information (600);

- an interface (27) for receiving sent coupon details (600); and

- A cash register (26) for calculating discounts after comparing the sent coupon details (600) with the stored coupon cashier information.

10. POS system (29) according to claim 9, further comprising

- A receiving unit (24) for receiving sent coupon details (600) from a mobile device (55).

11. Interface (28) for transmitting at least part of the coupon information (600) between a central computer (100) and a POS system (27)

- a cash register interface (28) for receiving and storing the portion of the coupon information (600); and

- Memory for sending discount information about discounts granted to the central computer (22).

The interface (28) of claim 11, wherein the coupon information (600) comprises at least one of the following information:

- Coupon number (610)

- Product name (620)

- Coupon value (630); and

- Coupon validity (640)

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mobile device (55) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, a POS system according to any one of claims 8 to 9, and an interface according to claim 11 or 12th

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system performs the method of any one of claims 2 or 3.