WO2017187362A1

WO2017187362A1 - Advertising system method using different printed unique coupons

Info

Publication number: WO2017187362A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/052410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Tonelli; Gino ALFINO
Original assignee: Alessandro Tonelli; Alfino Gino
Priority date: 2016-04-26
Filing date: 2017-04-26
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: WO2017187458A1

Abstract

A computer-implemented method, comprising programming a data processing unit to process electronic data and to electronically print a number "n" (n > 1) defined and determined of unique URLS, wherein said data processing unit performs a step of unique electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A", and wherein said data processing unit performs a further step of unique electronic association of each of said alphanumeric code of a first type "A" with an alphanumeric code of a second type "B" which is never repeated, or with a third alphanumeric code of a third type "C", said step of unique electronic association and said further step of unique electronic association comprising a storage of said electronic associations in a memory readable and writable by said data processing unit.

Description

ADVERTISING SYSTEM METHOD USING DIFFERENT PRINTED

UNIQUE COUPONS

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the technical field of direct marketing.

In particular the invention relates to the world of discount coupons in order to expand distribution, generating a trial of new or existing products, maintaining and increasing market share, stimulating purchase repetition, reducing the level of inventories, and increasing seasonal or occasional sales.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, the market coupons is divided into printed coupons, online coupons, and mobile coupons, and often this distinction is minimal; therefore the three types of market overlap one another. For example, the paper market uses profiling techniques as does those online.

In the subsequent part of the description the advantages and drawbacks of various markets will be thoroughly discussed.

As per printed coupons, they are principally characterized by high printing costs and costs of distribution. Furthermore, printed coupons are static in terms of space and time: their distribution can be carried out only periodically and is limited to a certain geographical and temporal context.

Printed coupons require expensive profiling of the target, based on geographical location and personal interests of the people to whom they are addressed.

Printed coupons are subject to mailing support facilities in order to be distributed, and their use is limited to traditional shopping using coupons as virtual payment method or cash. Printed coupons are not unique and can be easily subject to counterfeiting.

Printed coupons are likely to be lost and cannot be traced, in the sense that the emitting company cannot know who has delivered them, the targeted consumers to whom they were delivered, the day on which they were delivered. It is difficult to analyze the returns and determine the elasticity of the demand respect to the offer: changing the offer to improve demand would create more effective offers to the benefit of both the parties: the seller and the final consumer. As per their static value, it has been noticed that the value of paper coupons can't be modified in the middle of the advertising campaign, or when the coupon is already in the consumer's possession.

The sales network needed to implement coupon discounts is a huge obstacle to the spread of good paper coupons, because it is difficult and expensive to build and maintain it.

Paper coupons do not allow flexibility in a business strategy within the same marketing campaign: in general, one decides to create a discount coupon, for example of 5% within the same campaign and with an identical coupon code. It would be better, within the same campaign, to create coupons with different percentages (5%, 10%, 20%), and to assess the sensitivity / response of the targeted consumers at which the campaign has been aimed on the basis of three discount percentages.

While being characterized by some drawbacks, paper coupon still possess some advantages among which can be found their universality. In fact, paper coupons are universal, meaning they can be useful to everyone, without age limitations, since they are not correlated to any technological support and they are not subject to technological means. For this reason, using paper coupons reveals simple and straightforward. Furthermore, they are not invasive.

As per the on-line and mobile discount coupons, it has been considered that the on-line market is principally directed to a target user being provided with computers and internet. In particular, the market for coupons on mobile phones is even more special and specific.

The online and mobile coupon market, at the moment, is not as simple and straightforward as that of the paper coupon, as they require familiarity with technology. Therefore, on-line and mobile coupons are not suitable for being easily usable by people.

Applicant has further noticed that the online and mobile market may be invasive, since the online market provides for the forwarding of email (often associated with SPAM), and the second sends the coupons to one's smart phones or tablets, which are extremely personal tools.

The mobile market is expensive as it involves the collection of data and the consensus of those who should receive coupons, according to currently laws and regulations in force in the vast majority part of the countries of the world.

Nonetheless, the applicant has found that the market for online coupons is cheaper respective to that of the paper coupons: sending coupons via email and email databases is not very expensive.

The mobile market offers the best contextuality of time and space: through the geo location one can send the consumers ad hoc offers depending on the place in which they are located at a given time.

On line coupons lead users to perceive that, thanks to the web, one can access special offers, or lower prices.

Web and mobile technologies allow a coupon to be more useful, in order to achieve its marketing objectives: a shopkeeper, when they issue a voucher, distribute it in a given period, and make it valid for a certain period. If the voucher was made of paper, it might easily be lost.

Discount Coupons, in electronic format, are more accessible, providing the user with an application that keeps these coupons organized on the basis of their expiration date.

Resuming, the Applicant has analyzed the following considerations:

- a unique discount code (for example, if we print the same coupon code on 2000 coupons ) is easily copyable.

- the same discount code within the same coupons campaign makes the campaign rigid and static.

- 95% of on-line shops provide the opportunity to enter an alphanumeric coupon to get a discount: the problem is that, with a single discount code, there are limits to data analysis and results.

- using an identical discount code in the same campaign does not allow the use of different types of discounts, according to the type of customer (for example, I would like to assign a discount code of 10% to those who spend over€ 50,00, 15 % to those who spends over 200 Euros, within the same campaign). One can not diversify the same campaign of coupon discounts according to the customer's budget, or as a function, for example, of the coupon's destination.

- using the same discount codes in the same campaign does not allow one to create incentives for using the discount code: for example, with different discount codes, one could decide to award two customers who have used the coupons of a campaign: at the end of the campaign, we communicate two random coupon codes to the customers that have used the coupon codes of a campaign. The two customers, owner of the two random coupon codes, are entitled to another additional discount of 10%, for example. In this way, one could increase the return of a campaign.

- using identical discount codes in the same campaign does not allow flexibility in a business strategy within the same campaign: in general, one decides to create a discount coupon, for example, of 5%, within the same campaign, with an identical coupon code. It would be better, within the same campaign, to create coupons with different percentages (5%, 10%, 20%) and / or coupons of 20 euros, for example, so as to evaluate the sensitivity / target response of the various consumer targets at which the campaign is aimed according to the different values of the coupons, since each coupon has a different discount code.

- paper coupons are difficult to organize and carry. - using identical discount codes in the same campaign does not allow one to use different expiration dates for each coupon. For example, using different coupon codes in a campaign of 2000 coupons, allows one to send 1000 coupon that expire in 2 months, and another 1000 coupons that expire in 4 months.

- using identical discount codes in the same paper coupon marketing campaign works well for the traditional distribution of coupons: they are sent exclusively using traditional postal service.

A scope of the present invention is therefore to disclose a device and method which are capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention as will be disclosed in the subsequent part of description, the high cost of printing paper coupons, for a campaign (for example, of 2000 coupons), in which each coupon of the campaign has a different alphanumeric discount code and a different URL (a campaign of 2000 coupons means a campaign with 2000 different URL printed on each paper coupon).

According to the invention is therefore disclosed a computer-implemented method, comprising programming a data processing unit to process electronic data and to electronically print a number "n" (n > 1) defined and determined of unique URLS, wherein said data processing unit performs a step of unique electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A", and wherein said data processing unit performs a further step of unique electronic association of each of said alphanumeric code of a first type "A" with an alphanumeric code of a second type "B" which is never repeated, or with a third alphanumeric code of a third type "C", said step of unique electronic association and said further step of unique electronic association comprising a storage of said electronic associations in a memory readable and writable by said data processing unit.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the electronic association of said third type of alphanumeric code "C" with said alphanumeric code of said first type "A" is such that it comprises a generation of a single code of said third type "C" to be associated to a plurality of said alphanumeric codes of said first type "A". In other words this means that the third type of alphanumeric code "C", which is a discount code, is always the same for each alphanumeric code of the first type "A".

According to a further aspect of the present invention said computer- implemented method comprises a step of configuring said data processing unit to create a graphic two-dimensional code univocally associated to said electronic association, and a further step of storing in said memory said graphic two- dimensional code in the same file or directory wherein said electronic association is stored.

Preferably but in a non-limiting extent, said graphic two-dimensional code is a QR code.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the computer implemented method according to the present invention further comprises a step of programming said data processing unit to electronically create a format for a paper coupon and to transmit said format so created to a printer for printing at least one paper coupon, wherein on said at least one paper coupon, more than one URL and wherein said more than one URL is the URL that was subject of the electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A".

According to a further aspect of the present invention, on said paper coupon the alphanumeric codes of said second type "B" are not visible.

According to a further aspect of the method according to the present invention, in said computer implemented method there is a step of programming said data processing unit to introduce in said format also the alphanumeric code of said first type "A", said step being subsequently followed by a step of printing said at least one paper coupon provided by said alphanumeric code of said first type- According to a further aspect of the present invention is therefore realized a system for printing paper coupons provided by electronically accessible discount codes, said system comprising:

- a memory electronically connected to a data processing unit, wherein in said memory a plurality of electronic association between URLs and alphanumeric codes is stored;

- a data processing unit configured for controlling a printer to print at least one paper coupon provided with a number "n" of unique URLs,

- means for configuring said data processing unit to electronically uniquely associate each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A", and to electronically uniquely associate each of said alphanumeric code of a first type "A" with an alphanumeric code of a second type "B" which is never repeated, or with a third alphanumeric code of a third type "C", said unique electronic association and said further unique electronic association comprising a storage of said electronic associations in said memory being readable and writable by said data processing unit.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the system according to the present invention comprises, in said electronic association of said third type of alphanumeric code "C" with said alphanumeric code of said first type "A" comprises means generating a single code of said third type "C" to be associated to a plurality of said alphanumeric codes of said first type "A".

According to a further aspect of the present invention said system comprises means to create a graphic two-dimensional code univocally associated to said electronic association, and to store in said memory said graphic two-dimensional code in the same file or directory wherein said electronic association is stored.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, said system comprises means to electronically create a format for a paper coupon and to transmit said format so created to a printer for printing at least one paper coupon, wherein on said at least one paper coupon, more than one URL and wherein said more than one URL is the URL that was subject of the electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A".

According to a further aspect of the present invention, said system comprises means to introduce in said format also the alphanumeric code of said first type "A", said step being subsequently followed by a step of printing said at least one paper coupon provided by said alphanumeric code of said first type.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

These and other features of the invention will be clearer in the embodiment disclosed in the subsequent part of description with the aid of the following figures wherein:

- figure 1 shows a first flow chart of the method according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a second flow chart of the method according to the present invention, concerning the initialization of variables;

- figure 3 shows a third flow chart of the method according to the present invention, concerning the generation is sequence of alphanumeric codes of a first type;

- figure 4 shows a fourth flow chart of the method according to the present invention, concerning the generation is sequence of alphanumeric codes of a second type;

- figure 5 shows a fifth flow chart of the method according to the present invention, concerning the generation in sequence of a url/alphanumeric codes; and

- figure 6 shows a sixth flow chart of the method according to the present invention, concerning the printing in sequence of n coupons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

As previously mentioned above the present invention concerns a computer implemented method and electronic device for generating coupons.

In detail the principle of the computer implemented method according to the present invention is to electronically generate, at least temporarily load in a memory and subsequently print unique and definite number "n" of certain URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) hereinafter mentioned as "n" URLS , wherein "n" > 1 and it is set in a first step of the method as illustrated in figure 2, in the variable $number_coupon which is stored in the memory. The variable $number_coupon is used to uniquely associate each of these URLs to a unique first alphanumeric code (code A) which every time is electronically generated and at least temporarily stored in memory never appears in a form already generated. The variable $number_coupon is further used to uniquely associate each unique and different alphanumeric code (A) to a unique discount code (B) or to a discount code (C) that is always the same, in a coupon campaign. In essence, the first alphanumeric code (A) acts as an electronic communication bridge between a unique URL and a unique discount code of the second alphanumeric code type (B) or the same discount code of type (C).

In other words, the operation of the method according to the present invention is the one that follows:

URL/( UNIQUE ALPHANUMERIC AL CODE 1 ) ^ ^ ( Al )

UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service)

URL/( UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE 2 ) ^ ^ ( A2 )

UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service)

URL/( UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE 3 ) - -> ( A3 )

UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service) URL/( UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE n ) <r ( An )

UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service)

wherein the double-pointed arrow means an electronic biunivocal association.

Each alphanumeric code, Al, A2, A3 ... up to An, may be associated with a discount code (coupon Bl, B2, B3 ...Bn) that is always different or to a discount code coupon C, that is always the same:

( Al ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service) ( Bl ) ( coupon 1)

( A2 ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service) ( B2 ) ( coupon 2)

( A3 ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service) ( B3 ) ( coupon 3)

( An ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service) ( Bn ) ( coupon n)

OR

( Al ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service)

( C ) ( coupon 1)

( A2 ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service)

( C ) ( coupon 2)

( A3 ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service)

( C ) ( coupon 3)

( An ) UNIQUE ALPHANUMERICAL CODE (service) ( C ) ( coupon n)

The computer implemented method according to the present invention is conceived for making a data processing unit of an electronic computer or device electronically create an advertising campaign to be transmitted to at least one customer, wherein said advertising campaign is represented by a group of "n" electronic coupons, with "n"> 1.

As disclosed in figure 2, the method according to the invention comprises a step of electronic definition of configuration connection 100, followed by a subsequent step 200 of printing of a code for a specific customer, wherein the step 200 comprises selecting a specific code of the first alphanumeric code (A). As illustrated in figure 2, in other words, one can decide whether to make each alphanumeric code of type (A) on each coupon of the group of "n" coupons, visible, along with its corresponding URL/alphanumeric code n. In fact, in the "INIZIALIZATION OF VARIABLES", we define the variable:"$print_code_for_customer". This variable can have two values: true or false.

The method according to the present invention further proceeds with an electronic initialization of software variables performed by the data processing unit. In particular in the step disclosed in figure 2 in block 300, "n" corresponds to the variable : $number_coupon.

The method further proceeds with the data processing unit sets as last URL as a cleared string (block 400) followed by two subsequent steps wherein the random number variables var_a and var_b are them cleared too (blocks 500, 600).

The method further proceeds in associating to the variable var_c the result of the operation GET_C() (block 700) and subsequently associating the customer_coupon to the same value of the variable var_c (block 800).

As illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, ( C ) is fixed at the beginning of the computer-implemented method herewith discloses and therefore stored in the memory associated to the data processing unit at least for the time the present method is executted, or ( C ) can have a null value. If ( C ) is fixed, it means that the data processing unit performs a step of fix and storing an alphanumeric value for ( C ), that will represent the same coupon code for all the "n" coupons of the campaign. In particular, (C) can only be made visible after having accessed the corresponding and unique URL/(UNIQUE CODE ALPHANUMERIC AL 1 , 2, 3,... n ), on the respective destination web page URL/(UNIQUE CODE ALPHANUMERIC AL 1 , 2, 3,... n ) directly (only after having accessed the corresponding URL/(UNIQUE CODE ALPHANUMERICAL1, 2, 3,... n )), or after entering its corresponding Al, A2, A3, up to An on the corresponding web page.

( Bl, B2, B3 ...Bn ) codes represent the same percentage discount or more different percentage discounts, a discount in any single currency, or different discounts in cash in any currency.

( C ) represents a percentage discount or a discount of any single currency or value.

After the variables are initialized according to the description above, and according to figure 2, then the computer implemented method according to the present invention provides for generating a sequence of alphanumeric codes of the first type (A). Such an operation is disclosed in the second part of the diagram in figure 1 and in figure 3.

Figure 3 show as a cyclic process for which a number n of alphanumeric codes of a first type is generated.

At first (bloc 301) a reference variable g is electronically set to zero, and unless the number of such a variable - electronically incremented of a single unit for each passage reaches the number $number_coupon (block 302, exit NO), at first (block 303) the data processing unit performs a generation of a random number to be assigned to the variable var_a, which is subsequently electronically modified (block 304) and then provides for storing such a new value into an array (block 305). Finally, the variable $g is incremented of a single unit (block 306).

Figure 4 shows a generation of a second sequence of alphanumeric codes of a second type of code (B). The diagram takes place when the variable $g reaches the number of coupons previously stored (see exit No, block 302 of diagram of figure 3). At first (bloc 307) the reference variable g is electronically newly set to zero, and unless the number of such a variable - electronically incremented of a single unit for each passage reaches the number $number_coupon (block 308, exit NO), at first (block 309) the data processing unit performs a generation of a random number to be assigned to the variable var_b, which is subsequently electronically modified (block 310) and then provides for storing such a new value into an array (block 311). Finally, the variable $g is incremented of a single unit (block 312).

As illustrated in figure 5 of the drawings, the method according to the present invention further includes a subsequent set of steps of generations of URLs/alphanumeric codes n. The above set of steps takes place when the variable $g reaches the number of coupons previously stored (see exit No, block 308 of figure 4). At first (bloc 313) the reference variable g is electronically newly set to zero, and unless the number of such a variable - electronically incremented of a single unit for each passage reaches the number $number_coupon (block 314, exit NO), at first (block 315) the data processing unit performs a generation of a random number to be assigned to the variable last_url, which is subsequently electronically modified (block 316) and then provides for storing such a new value into an array (block 317). Finally, the variable $g is incremented of a single unit (block 318).

Finally, in figure 6 is discloses how on each paper coupon (block 319) there is an URL/(UNIQUE CODE ALPHANUMERICAL n) printed, of the campaign of "n" coupons. The "n" campaign coupons are printed in a step of sequential printing; each URL/(UNIQUE CODE ALPHANUMERICAL n) is different from the others within the same campaign of "n" coupons. As Illustrated in figure 6 of the drawings, if (block 320) the variable "$print_code_for_customer" is true (block 320, exit No), then the software prints (block 321), on each coupon, in addition to the URL/alphanumeric code n, the corresponding code of type (A) (block 322). If the variable "$print_code_for_customer" is false, the software only prints on each coupon the URL/alphanumeric code n, from 1 up to n.

Resuming, through the aforementioned computer-implemented method, the data processing unit that is employed in the electronic system according to the present invention performs processing of data to create and electronically print a number "n" (n > 1) defined and determined of unique URLS (Uniform Resource

Locators) ( URL1,URL2, URL3 to URLn ) in any language and way (for example, by means of a QR code or another two-dimensional code), to uniquely associate each of these URLS to a unique alphanumeric code always different (code Al, codeA2, codeA3....to An), and to uniquely associate each unique and different alphanumeric al code (A) to a discount code (B), always different ( B l, B2, B3,....to "n" ) or to a discount code (C), which would always be the same for each code of type ( A ); substantially the code (A) acts as a communication bridge between a unique URL and a discount code of type (B) or of type (C), wherein on each paper coupon more than one URL/(UNIQUE CODE ALPHANUMERICAL n ) of the same campaign can be printed, if one wants to give one's customers more than one discount in the same campaign and wherein on each paper coupon, an URL belonging to different coupon campaigns can also be printed.

Each (Al, A2, A3 ...An) can 'be made visible or invisible on the printed coupon and is different from its respective and corresponding ( B l, B2, B3 ... up to Bn ) ( each code of type (B) is different from one another ), or C only.

The advantages of the computer implemented method according to the present invention are clear from the description that precedes. In particular, the present invention allows for generating an electronic campaign of "n" ( n>l ) paper coupons with a different URL address printed in sequence on each coupons and / or printed on each coupon of the sequence an alphanumeric code of type (A), different every time for each coupon of the campaign: a campaign of 10,000 coupons involves 10,000 paper coupons with 10,000 different URLS, which correspond to 10,000 codes of the first type (A) , that may correspond to 10,000 discount codes of the second type (B), all different, or to a single discount code (C), equal for all 10.000 coupons.

The computer-implemented method according to the present invention advantageously allows the user to link the world of paper coupons to the world of online coupons and the world of mobile market coupons (smart phones and tablets). The coupons that are generated through the present invention, begin on paper, can remain so (for example if a citizen wants to take them to the supermarket to use them at the checkout), or they can be displayed on a website or on an app for smart phones and tablets, which keeps and organizes them, if necessary. Those who are more technologically inclined can keep our coupons with them at all times on their smart phones, using the virtual soul of the paper coupons, or spend them directly online with a simple click, if the coupons have been issued by an ecommerce.

Furthermore, our paper coupons (each paper coupon is unique from one another, because we have a unique URL/alphanumeric code n on each paper coupon) will give, an unique discount code of type (B) or an identical discount code of type (C) to each consumer. The coupons according to the invention cannot be copied, because their source (URL/alphanumeric code n ) cannot be copied as well.

Also, I can design, create and manage a campaign of 10000 coupons of various kinds ( aimed at the same consumer target ), as follows: 2000 coupons with a discount of 5%, 2000 coupons with a discount of 10% , 2000 coupons with a discount of 15% , 1000 coupons with a discount of 20% , 3000 coupons with a discount of 20,00 (euro, dollar, etc), and then to analyze, within the same consumer demographic, the different responses to the various types of coupons, thus understanding consumer reactions and planning the following campaign on the basis of the data collected.

For example, through the computer implemented method according to the present invention it is advantageously possible to design, create and manage a campaign of 10000 coupons of various kinds, aimed at different consumer demographic targets, and then analyze the data in a very simple manner, using appropriate algorithms.

In short, the aim of the present invention is to render possible to print, in sequence, paper coupons with a virtual soul, making our printed coupons more flexible, dynamic, and manageable, adapting to clients' behavior and to sellers' objectives.

From an industrial point of view, it can be inferred that the intention is to create a platform where any shop or online store in any country of the world will be able to share, trade, sell, or auction a small space in the boxes they send every day . This space is sufficient for a small envelope, containing a few grams of a single coupon or multiple coupons, printed using our patented software. The platform, in addition, automatically manages these links between online stores and/or traditional shops. What is more, the platform handles sequential the printing and delivery of these coupons to online stores and/or traditional shops that need to use our types of advertising campaigns. Above all, this platform manages, organizes and shares data related to the infinite marketing relationships that will accrue.

Such a software allows one to manage and distribute one's paper coupons with a virtual soul in a cheaper and more automatic way; one does not need a franchise network in order to sell or distribute coupons: this software is the basis for the automatic creation of an infinite number of coupons, which are subsequently bought and sold on the same platform. Since this platform works almost independently, and since it uses existing distribution channels, there are no franchise or distribution costs: for example, an online store which sells ink and toner cartridges would sell its advertising spaces on the platform, and at the same time, the same online inkjet store, could buy advertising space from another online store, on our platform. So those who sell and buy advertising space on our platform are one and the same; there are no intermediaries.

The platform will sell paper coupons with a virtual soul and will take royalties on the sale of the micro advertising spaces in the boxes, shipped daily by shops and online stores.

The platform is capable, due to the nature of these paper coupons with a virtual soul, to manage the responses of the various campaigns automatically, in real time. The value of the coupons can even be altered, in real time, if one estimates that the discount value established at the beginning of a campaign is not giving the desired results. For example, sending the following coupon: "a fantastic discount for you at: www.couponbybox.com/abdc3g that you can use on the site (example): www.lamiastampante.it (printing supplies and compatible toner cartridges and original). A consumer would go to this page: www.couponbybox.com/abdc3g ( each consumer would go on a web page with a different URL/ alphanumeric code n ) and would find an alphanumeric discount code that would correspond to a 10% discount: they would begin to be tracked, so if I see that few consumers activate the corresponding discount code of 10%, I can decide, in real time, to alter the discount from 10% to 20%, so as to elicit a better response to the existing campaign.

If the coupons, delivered to consumers, were simply paper and had identical codes, as traditional coupons do, adjusting the discount would not be possible. It is not currently possible to react in real time to low demand or to stimulate or improve offers by providing a greater discount, when the coupons have already been physically delivered. With our system, it would be possible to control a coupon campaign in real time, even if one uses an identical discount code of type (C), with a different URL for each coupon.

With this software, one can create paper coupons with a virtual soul, so it is possible to imagine a new way to distribute paper coupons, besides traditional postal distribution. The life of our paper coupons would be different from the life of the traditional paper coupon. The software allows one to print coupons with a virtual soul automatically, depending on a given campaign and a defined number of "n" coupons.

Example:

Exclusive campaign of 2000 coupons ( "n" = 2000 ) (it means that the individual company's coupons would be shipped by themselves, not with another company's coupons ). The computer implemented method according to the invention:

1) Generates and maintains in memory the URL/(alphanumeric code 1),

URL/(alphanumeric code 2), URL/( alphanumeric code 3), URL/( alphanumeric code 2000).

2) Generates and maintains in memory 2000 alphanumeric codes Al, A2, A3 ... .A2000 (the Al, A2, A3, ... A2000 can be printed or not printed on real paper coupons ).

3) Tracks the URL/(alphanumeric code from 1 to 2000) ( referred to point 1), their respective Al, A2 codes, A3 ... .A2000 ( referred to point 2), and keeps these unique, corresponding relationships memorized.

4) Generates and maintains in memory 2000 alphanumeric codes Bl, B2, B3 ... .B2000 (type B codes are provided for those online or traditional shops that have systems set up to manage different coupon codes) (these codes type B are the real discount codes, which are used on the shop which promotes the coupon campaign: they are made visible to each consumer who receives the unique paper coupons when he or she goes on the respective URL page in point 1) and / or types in the box the respective code Al, A2, A3 ... A2000 printed along with URL/(alphanumeric code 1), URL/(alphanumeric code 2), URL/( alphanumeric code 3), URL/( alphanumeric code 2000)). For those online shops or traditional shops, whose system manages a single identical alphanumeric coupon code at a time ( code of type (C) ), the software allows the unique code C to be fixed at the beginning. Obviously, C is different for each campaign, and each shop. 5) Associates Al, A2, A3, ... .A2000 to the respective B l, B2, B3, ... .B2000 (or only C) and keeps these unique, corresponding relationships memorized.

6) Configures and generates 2000 coupons (COUPON1, COUPON2, COUPON3 ... COUPON2000), uniquely identifying each with an URL/(alphanumeric code

1), URL/(alphanumeric code 2), URL/(alphanumeric code 3),

URL/(alphanumeric code 2000) and / or respectively with the alphanumeric codes Al, A2, A3 ... .A2000

7) Allows one to print, in organized succession, the whole campaign of 2000 coupons.

The software stores in the memory of the device all the URLs/( alphanumeric code n ) assigned to the printed campaign, so that the URLS/( alphanumeric code n ) used in a previous campaign are not reused in another campaign.

The software combines these different URLS of a particular coupons campaign to (A, Al, A2, ... An), keeps these codes (A, Al, A2, ... An) memorized and then associates these (A, Al, A2, ... An) to (B, Bl, B2, B3, ....Bn) or to (C); the software stores these relationships and allows one to use these combinations to change the discount value of the coupons themselves, if necessary.

With the computer implemented method and system according to the present invention, every company, even if they don't sell online, may distribute these paper coupons using our platform, because these coupons can also be used in a classic supermarket. In fact, we can associate a code of the first type (A), a code of the second type (B), or a unique URL to an unique QR code, which can be displayed and read at the cash register of a supermarket checkout.

In our case, the QR code ( or another type of two-dimensional code ) is not used to distinguish each coupon from the others (as at present). The QR code is useful to allow the coupon to be spent in supermarkets, according to supermarket standards.

It is finally clear that to the method and system according to the present invention a plurality of adaptations and additions can be brought without for this departing from the scope of the invention as provided by the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising programming a data processing unit to process electronic data and to electronically print a number "n" (n > 1) defined and determined of unique URLS, wherein said data processing unit performs a step of unique electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A", and wherein said data processing unit performs a further step of unique electronic association of each of said alphanumeric code of a first type "A" with an alphanumeric code of a second type "B" which is never repeated, or with a third alphanumeric code of a third type "C", said step of unique electronic association and said further step of unique electronic association comprising a storage of said electronic associations in a memory readable and writable by said data processing unit.

2. A computer- implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic association of said third type of alphanumeric code "C" with said alphanumeric code of said first type "A" is such that it comprises a generation of a single code of said third type "C" to be associated to a plurality of said alphanumeric codes of said first type "A". In other words this means that the third type of alphanumeric code "C", which is a discount code, is always the same for each alphanumeric code of the first type "A".

3. A computer implemented method according to claim 2, said method further comprising a step of configuring said data processing unit to create a graphic two-dimensional code univocally associated to said electronic association, and a further step of storing in said memory said graphic two- dimensional code in the same file or directory wherein said electronic association is stored.

4. A computer-implemented method according to claim 3, wherein said graphic two-dimensional code is a QR code.

5. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a step of programming said data processing unit to electronically create a format for a paper coupon and to transmit said format so created to a printer for printing at least one paper coupon, wherein on said at least one paper coupon, more than one URL and wherein said more than one URL is the URL that was subject of the electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A".

6. A computer-implemented method according to claim 5, wherein said paper coupon the alphanumeric codes of said second type "B" are not visible.

7. A computer-implemented method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of programming said data processing unit to introduce in said format also the alphanumeric code of said first type "A", said step being subsequently followed by a step of printing said at least one paper coupon provided by said alphanumeric code of said first type.

8. A system for printing paper coupons provided by electronically accessible discount codes, said system comprising:

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein in said electronic association of said third type of alphanumeric code "C" with said alphanumeric code of said first type "A" comprises means generating a single code of said third type "C" to be associated to a plurality of said alphanumeric codes of said first type "A".

10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising means to create a graphic two-dimensional code univocally associated to said electronic association, and to store in said memory said graphic two-dimensional code in the same file or directory wherein said electronic association is stored.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said graphic two-dimensional code is a QR code.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising means to electronically create a format for a paper coupon and to transmit said format so created to a printer for printing at least one paper coupon, wherein on said at least one paper coupon, more than one URL and wherein said more than one URL is the URL that was subject of the electronic association of each of said unique URLS to a unique alphanumeric code of a first type "A".

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said paper coupon the alphanumeric codes of said second type "B" are not visible.

14. A system according to any one of claims 8-13, further comprising means to introduce in said format also the alphanumeric code of said first type "A", said step being subsequently followed by a step of printing said at least one paper coupon provided by said alphanumeric code of said first type.