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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A paperless system for distributing and redeeming coupons and the like,
said apparatus comprising
display, selection and recording means for presenting to a customer a
display of coupons, for enabling the customer to make a selection of
coupons from the display, and for recording the selection, said display,
selection and recording means further including means for generating a
first signal identifying the customer and his/her coupon selection,
identification and checkout means for identifying the customer at a store
checkout station as the one who made the selection and for generating a
second signal identifying items purchased in the store by the customer,
matching means coupled to said display, selection and recording means and
responsive to said first and second signals for determining any matches
between the coupons selected and the items purchased,
and means for crediting the customer in accordance with the terms of the
matched coupons.
2. A paperless system according to claim 1 including clearing means
responsive to said matching and crediting means for debiting the issuer of
the matched coupons and crediting the store at which the coupons were
redeemed.
3. A paperless system according to claim 1 wherein said display, selection
and recording means comprises a video monitor for presenting said display
and a touch screen for enabling said customer to make said selection.
4. A paperless system according to claim 1 wherein said display, selection
and recording means further comprises printing means for printing a
receipt listing said selections and issuing said receipt to said customer
as a shopping aid.
5. A paperless system according to claim 4 wherein said receipt includes a
receipt number which can be entered in said identification and checkout
means in order to identify said customer as the one who made said
selection and to enable call-up of said selection from said display,
selection and recording means.
6. A paperless system according to claim 1 wherein said display, selection
and recording means comprises a plurality of electronic display screens,
at least a first of said screens being dedicated to a use including
display of said coupons.
7. A paperless system according to claim 6 further comprising means
facilitating identification of customers to said display, selection and
recording means, wherein at least one of said screens is dedicated to the
presentation of a display facilitating applications by customers for said
identification means.
8. A paperless system according to claim 1, wherein said display, selection
and recording means includes means for recording data on a card associated
with a customer.
9. A paperless system according to claim 8, wherein said display, selection
and recording means includes means for identifying a customer
identification code on said card.
10. A paperless system according to claim 8, wherein said display,
selection and recording means further includes control means responsive to
data previously recorded on a customer card.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said last name means is
capable of preventing coupon selection by said customer.
12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said identification and checkout
means comprises an automated scanning checkout system.
13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said matching and crediting
means comprises an automated scanning checkout system.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for obtaining
demographic data about users of said apparatus, means for correlating said
demographic data with said selections, and means for periodically
generating reports based on said correlations.
15. A paperless system for distributing and redeeming cents-off merchandise
coupons and the like, said system comprising
a central processing unit,
a data entry system for entering into said central processing unit
alphanumeric data relating to coupons to be distributed,
an image capture system for supplying digitized image data relating to said
coupons to said central processing unit,
a local coupon distribution and redemption unit at a store connected to
said central processing unit for receiving said alphanumeric and image
data and electronically displaying and distributing coupons corresponding
to said data,
an electronic checkout system connected to said coupon distribution and
redemption unit for receiving signals from a remote coupon selection means
regarding a customer's coupon selection and for receiving signals
regarding the items purchased by said customer in said store, and
card reading means cooperating with both said distribution and redemption
unit and said checkout system, said distribution and redemption unit,
checkout system and card reading means cooperating to issue coupons only
to holders of a predetermined card and to match coupon selections of each
such holder to purchases made in that store by the holder, whereby the
holder is electronically credited with the value of the coupons selected
in accordance with the terms of each coupon.
16. A paperless system according to claim 15 comprising security means for
detecting attempted invalid use of said card, for preventing such invalid
use, and for communicating the action taken to the holder attempting such
invalid use.
17. A paperless system according to claim 15 comprising security means for
detecting attempted invalid use of said card, for invalidating said card
in response to such attempted invalid use, and for communicating the
action taken to the holder attempting such invalid use.
18. A paperless system according to claim 17 wherein said card includes a
magnetic stripe and said security means comprise means for recording an
invalidating mark on said magnetic stripe in response to such attempted
invalid use.
19. A paperless system according to claim 15 comprising means for limiting
the number of times said card can be used under preselected circumstances.
20. A paperless system according to claim 19 wherein said means for
limiting the number of times said card can be used in a particular type of
store for unit of time comprises means for recording the date of a given
use of a given card in a particular type of store,
means for ascertaining the date of a subsequent attempted use of the same
card in the same type of store, and
means for invalidating said subsequent attempted use if said comparison of
dates indicates that the time elapsed since said given use is less than a
predetermined interval.
21. A paperless system according to claim 15 wherein said card is a
conventional credit card issued to a plurality of credit card holders
under different account numbers, each credit card having a magnetic
stripe.
22. A paperless system according to claim 15 wherein said card comprises a
special card issued to a plurality of holders under different account
numbers, each card having a magnetic stripe, and means in said central
processing unit for storing said account numbers and demographic data
relating thereto and for generating periodic reports including demographic
data about purchases of said items.
23. A paperless system according to claim 15 including means for limiting
the number of coupons for a particular item distributed in a given store
in a given time period.
24. A paperless system according to claim 23 wherein said means for
limiting the number of coupons for a particular item distributed in a
given store in a given time period comprises means in said local unit for
storing a number corresponding to the maximum number of a particular
coupon authorized for distribution in that store during that time period,
counting means for counting the number of selections of that coupon, means
for comparing the stored number and the number counted by said counting
means, and means actuated when said stored number and said counted number
are equal for preventing further distribution of said coupon during said
time period.
25. A paperless system for distributing, redeeming and clearing coupons and
the like of an issuing entity, said apparatus comprising
display, selection and recording means for presenting to a customer a
display of coupons, for enabling the customer to make a selection of
coupons from the display, and for recording the selection, said display,
selection and recording means further including means for generating a
first signal identifying the customer and his/her coupon selection,
identification and checkout means for identifying the customer at a store
checkout station as the one who made the selection and for generating a
second signal identifying items purchased in the store by the customer,
matching and crediting means coupled to said display, selection and
recording means and responsive to signals received therefrom for
determining any matches between the coupons selected and the items
purchased and for crediting the customer in accordance with the terms of
the matched coupons, and
central processing means responsive to said matches for debiting said
issuing entity and crediting said store with respect to said matched
coupons. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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This invention relates to the distribution, redemption and clearing of
coupons and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a
highly-effective and efficient method and apparatus whereby coupons (such
as cents-off merchandise coupons) can be distributed, redeemed and cleared
electronically.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Coupons are an important marketing tool for many consumer goods and
services including, but not limited to, products sold in supermarkets,
drugstores and hardware stores. "Couponing" constitutes a substantial
business per se and makes an even greater contribution to gross national
product by its stimulation of sales of promoted goods and services.
Most coupons offer "cents off" the purchase price of promoted merchandise.
There are at present seven major conventional channels plus a few
relatively new systems employing mechanized devices for the distribution
of cents-off merchandise coupons.
The most widely used and fastest growing conventional channel is the Sunday
newspaper free-standing insert (FSI), which accounted for 33% of all
coupons distributed in the U.S. during 1983.
Although this means of distribution offers widespread exposure, many of the
individuals exposed are not immediately in the market for the promoted
merchandise, and the redemption rate typically runs a mere 4.6%, so that
by far most of the coupons printed and distributed at considerable cost
are effectively wasted. In addition, about 20% of the redemptions are not
in accordance with the terms of the coupons. Such misredemptions or
fraudulent redemptions may be accidental or intentional on the part of the
customer and with or without the connivance of the retailer. In some cases
the retailer or personnel employed by the retailer may clip coupons from a
newspaper and "redeem" them for personal gain. The cost of misredemptions
in the U.S. in 1983 was approximately $350 million. Finally, the
retailer's cost of shipping and handling each coupon currently averages an
estimated $0.078. This expense is in addition to the costs paid to and
borne by other businesses involved in the distribution-redemption and
clearing cycle. One such additional cost, which is borne by the coupon
issuer, is for making test counts of coupons returned to the issuer by the
clearinghouse. This cost amounts to about $0.02 per coupon redeemed and
cleared.
This channel of distribution is characterized by the further problem that
there is no control, other than the coupon expiration date, which is
typically a fairly remote future date, over the timing of coupon
redemptions. It sometimes happens that coupon redemptions exceed
projections, resulting in excessive coupon expense. Once the coupons are
issued, there is little that can be done to protect against this expense.
Another problem characteristic of this channel of distribution is lack of
exclusivity. While a particular FSI may offer exclusivity (for example,
soap coupons limited to one brand or one manufacturer's brands), other
FSIs in the same newspaper may include competing coupons.
Still another problem of this channel of distribution is "double
couponing", which is a practice of retailers of giving double (or some
other multiple) of the face value of a coupon. The practice of double
couponing is an effective marketing tool until all stores in an area
double coupon. At that point the competitive advantage is lost and the
practice becomes a problem for the retailer. Double couponing costs an
estimated 0.66% of supermarket sales, which is clearly a serious matter in
this industry, which reports profits of only about 0.85% of sales.
A second mass-media distribution channel for cents-off merchandise coupons
is a single offer in a manufacturer's advertisement in a newspaper. This
channel accounted for 23% of coupons distributed in 1983.
A third such channel is multiple newspaper offers in a co-op format, which
accounted for 15% of coupons distributed in 1983.
A fourth such channel is magazine coupons (not including pop-out type),
which accounted for 13% of coupons distributed in 1983.
A fifth such channel is newspaper coupons printed in the body of the paper,
which accounted for 6% of coupons distributed in 1983.
The redemption rate for each of the second through fifth channels listed
above is less than 4.6%, and the drawbacks of each (misredemptions,
expense, lack of control, lack of exclusivity, double couponing, etc.) are
as substantial as those described above in connection with the Sunday
newspaper free-standing insert.
Another conventional channel of coupon distribution is direct mail, which
accounted for 3.8% of coupons distributed in 1983. The redemption rate for
this channel is 9.3%, which is higher than the rates for any of the
channels discussed previously, but, as compared to those channels, the
cost of redemption and exposure to fraud are as great, the distribution
cost is far greater, and the other drawbacks are comparable.
In-package and on-package coupons accounted for 6.2% of all coupons
distributed in the U.S. during 1983. The redemption rate ranges from 12.7%
to 18.1%, depending on the location of the coupon. This is higher than for
direct mail, but the shortcomings (misredemptions, expense, etc.) are
similar to those described above.
Recently, in-store coupon distribution systems employing mechanical devices
have been developed. In these systems, a plastic card (such as a credit or
debit card) with a magnetic stripe or UPC code is required to initiate the
coupon selection process. The selected coupons are physically issued to
the customer in-store and redeemed by the customer at a checkout station
after completion of shopping. While the coupon redemption rates for these
systems are far higher than for any previous system, misredemptions and
the cost of redemptions, clearing and test counting are problems which the
conventional mechanized distribution systems do not solve.
Moreover, the current system of clearing coupons which are distributed and
redeemed in accordance with any of the methods described above involves
physically sending redeemed coupons to a clearing house. The clearing
house returns the coupons to the manufacturer (issuer) and issues debits
and credits to the manufacturer and retailer, or factors coupons for the
retailer. This physical handling of coupons is expensive, cumbersome,
error prone and slow.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to alleviate the problems of conventional
coupon distribution, redemption and clearing systems outlined above and,
in particular, to provide such a system whereby redemption rates are
increased, the cost of coupon distribution, redemption and clearing is
reduced, and fraudulent redemptions of the type that are characteristic of
conventional coupon distribution and redemption systems are eliminated.
Other objects of the invention are to provide a system which (a) enables
close control over the number and timing of coupon redemptions, (b) makes
it possible for a coupon issuer to obtain exclusivity for the issuer's
coupons, and (c) eliminates the problem of double couponing.
Still other objects of the invention include, but are not limited to, the
following:
to provide a system in which a customer selects coupons at home or upon
entering a particular store and redeems the coupons upon completion of
shopping in that store or later, but within the period of validity of the
coupon;
to provide a system wherein coupon selections by a customer who has
properly identified himself are recorded electronically, are later matched
electronically with the customer's purchases, and are electronically
credited against the customer's bill and entered in the store's accounting
system and in a central system that advises and bills the manufacturer;
to provide a coupon distribution and redemption system which is compatible
with, or integrated into, an electronic cash register system or an
automated checkout (UPC code scanning) system;
to provide a coupon distribution and redemption system which can identify
users of the system before they make coupon selections and offer different
coupons to different users of the system on the basis of already-obtained
demographic data about the users.
A coupon distribution and redemption system according to the invention is
characterized by increased impulse sales to new product users, and
increased retailer willingness to aggressively merchandise products
promoted by the system, since use of the system by the retailer is a
source of profit in addition to the profit made on the sales of the
merchandise; complete control of coupon distribution and substantial
control of coupon redemption, including control of the quantity of coupons
distributed per period of time and per location, and control of the time
period, quantity and location of redemption; controlled market-by-market
consumer awareness programs, including FSI advertising of coupons offered;
avoidance of stockouts on heavily promoted items; and avoidance of the
need to change the prices on promoted products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing and other objects are achieved in accordance with the
invention by providing apparatus for distributing and redeeming coupons
and the like. The apparatus comprises display, selection and recording
means for presenting to a customer a display of coupons, for enabling the
customer to make a selection of coupons from the display, and for
recording the selection.
Identification and checkout means is provide for identifying the customer
at a store checkout station as the one who made the selection and for
recording items purchased in the store by the customer.
Matching and crediting means is provided for determining any matches
between the coupons selected and the items purchased and for crediting the
customer in accordance with the terms of the matched coupons.
A central processing unit responsive to the matches debits the coupon
issuing entity and credits the store with respect to the matched coupons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the protocol in accordance with which special
cards preferably used in accordance with the invention in lieu of selected
magnetic stripe cards are issued;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing coupon and advertisement image capture and
distribution in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating coupon selection and redemption in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a local coupon distribution and redemption
(CDR) unit constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a key to the symbols employed in FIGS. 7-40; and
FIGS. 7-40 comprise a flowchart showing the operation of the CDR unit of
FIGS. 1 and 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A. Summary of System Operation
For the purpose of description, the invention is described in connection
with the selection (distribution) and redemption of coupons in a store
such as a supermarket where, currently, cents-off merchandise coupons are
commonly used. As explained in a subsequent section of the specification,
other arrangements for selecting/distributing coupons are also
contemplated by the invention.
FIG. 1 represents a system in accordance with the invention. An operations
center, shown at 8, cooperates with a plurality of local stations 10. Each
of these local stations 10 will be located at a supermarket (in this
example) where the coupons are to be distributed and redeemed. The
operations center 8 typically will be centrally located with a view toward
ease of communication between it and each of the local stations 10. For
convenience, only a single operations center 8 is illustrated although the
functions of the operations center may be broken up into any desired
number of individual centers.
The operations center 8 contains a data entry system 12, an image capture
system 14 and a central processing unit 16. The specific functions of each
of these units is described below. Generally, the data entry system is
used to establish the data base which enables card issuance and the
generation (if desired) of various reports on such subjects as, for
example, demographic information relating to the individuals who have
redeemed the coupons.
The image capture system 14 essentially is responsible for enabling video
images of the coupons to be presented at the separate stores. The central
processing unit (CPU) 16 has a wide range of functions, generally handling
the clearing process controls information flow to the local units and in
the operations center itself.
Each of the local stations 10 may be considered to consist of an automated
UPC scanning checkout system 18 and a local coupon distribution and
redemption (CDR) unit 20. The local CDR unit 20 presents an electronic
display to the customer of the coupons which are available for redemption
after the customer inserts a card as described below into the unit. The
card may include a UPC code which identifies the user and a magnetic
stripe on which information can be recorded. The customer then selects the
coupons which he or she wishes to redeem. The CDR unit 20 records the
selection and makes information identifying the customer and the selected
coupons available to each of the checkout stations which comprise the
checkout system 18 of the supermarket. A receipt may be printed for the
user's convenience, identifying the selected coupons.
After the user has made his or her purchases, he or she goes to one of the
checkout stations and presents his or her card to the attendant at the
station. The attendant causes the card to be read by a suitable card
reader (such as a UPC card scanner) and the checkout system 18 then
automatically credits the customer for the coupons the customer has
selected where there are corresponding purchases against which the coupons
are to be applied.
Thereafter, information regarding the redeemed coupons is transmitted to
the central processing unit 16 which then automatically debits the
manufacturer who distributed the coupons and credits the supermarket
corresponding to the local station 10 at which the coupon was redeemed.
Hence, in the preferred embodiment, selection (distribution), redemption
and clearing are accomplished automatically without handling of paper
coupons by customer or store and thus without the possibility of the types
of fraud which now plague the industry.
In the following portion of the specification, the operations of the
individual blocks shown in FIG. 1 are described in detail. There are
numerous modifications and embellishments of the preferred embodiment
which are possible within the scope of the invention. Some of these are
described at the end of the specification in the section entitled
"Modifications and Embellishments."
B. Special Card Issuance Summary
FIG. 2 is a flowchart summarizing the procedure employed to issue a special
card for use with the invention. Preferably, the card will identify the
customer (e.g. by UPC code) and include magnetic tracks identifying the
customer and on which data can be recorded as described below. As used
herein, the term "special card" refers to such a card with the customer
identifiable by both UPC and magnetic shripe readers, as opposed to a
standard credit card (for example) which today contains a magnetic stripe
but generally does not include an UPC code to identify the customer.
Completed requests for applications for a special card represented at 22
are received by mail and from participating merchants. The requests
forwarded by merchants may be filled in on the receipts discussed above.
They contain the customer's name, address and telephone number and are
key-entered as indicated at 24 into the data entry system 12 (FIG. 1).
Edit checks verify that all required information is received. A temporary
customer number is also assigned. This data is then passed to the central
processing unit 16.
The central processor 16 edits the incoming file and compares each record
against the customer master file for potential duplications. For each
valid new request, an application 26 is generated and mailed to the
customer and the "temporary" customer record is added to the customer
temporary master file 28.
When completed applications containing the demographic data are returned by
the customer, they are read by a mark-sense reader 30 using the previously
assigned temporary customer number to eliminate re-entry of the customer's
name, address and telephone number. This data is then passed to the
central processing unit 16. The central processor 16 edits the incoming
file and flags the corresponding temporary records in the customer master
file, as indicated at 32, to indicate that the applications have been
received. The temporary master file is updated with the demographic data
and special card issuance orders are sent by magnetic tape, as indicated
at 34, to the card issuing agent 36.
Subsequently, the CPU 16 receives back a tape from the card issuing agent
36 indicating which prenumbered card was actually assigned and mailed to
that customer, as indicated at 38. At that time, the record is permanently
activated on the master file under the card number assigned, as indicated
at 40.
C. Image Capture and Distribution Summary
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image capture system 14.
Camera-ready art work for the coupon displays (and advertising screens) is
prepared in the same manner as that used for other common forms of
advertising. A digitized image of the art work is recorded electronically,
as indicated at 42. Associated parameters such as the number of coupons to
be distributed are entered via a terminal device and the graphic data is
then compacted, as indicated at 44. The compacted data and associated
parameters are passed to the central processing unit 16.
In the central processor 16, the compacted image data is blocked to
facilitate its transmission to the local CDR units 20 specified in the
parameters. The central processor 16 then transmits the new advertisement
and coupon images as necessary, as indicated at 48. CDR unit disk file
status 50 is transmitted to the central processor 16 periodically, and
this information goes to status files 52. Generally, portions of this data
are sent nightly over dial-up telephone circuits or other communication
means so that a complete new set of coupon and advertising displays is
available to the local CDR units each period. Much of the data is
identical for each "region" usually so that the operations center has
positive confirmation as to which transmissions have been properly
received and filed by each CDR unit 20 consisting of between fifty and
five hundred terminals. However, provision can also be made for entry of
data locally into the CDR's when and where such is advantageous. At 1200
baud, the data loading takes approximately 12 hours each week, although
this time can vary based on image quality, number or images and practical
limitations on data compression. Using 2400 baud reduces the update time
correspondingly. Either rate is fast enough to enable updating of the
system during late night hours, which is especially advantageous if it is
otherwise impossible to complete the update without interrupting use of
the unit 20. Compacting the data also reduces update time.
C. The Data Entry System
The data entry system 12 (FIG. 1) utilizes standard key-to-disk hardware.
The system may comprise a minicomputer with appropriate amounts of memory
and disk space for the number of terminals required. While a
communications link with the central processor 16 is a general
requirement, an optional tape drive may be necessary under certain unusual
conditions. Likewise, printing support for the data entry function
(operator productivity reports, etc.) will generally be provided by the
central processor 16.
Mark sense readers, similar to those used to grade multiple choice
examinations, are preferably used to capture data from most of the
completed applications for special cards.
Data entry software includes programs and utilities to create batch header
records, format screens, perform basic editing functions and monitor
operator productivity. The software also facilitates specialized edit
functions, assignment of temporary customer numbers, etc.
The data entry system 12 supports the various data capture functions
associated with creating and maintaining a data base of special card
customers. As such, it is used primarily to process customer input such as
application requests, applications, address changes, special card
re-issuance requests, etc.
Requests for applications are received by mail and from participating
merchants. They indicate the customer name, address and telephone number,
which must be key entered. In addition, completed applications may be
key-entered by some customers directly into the local CDR unit 20.
A header record must also be produced for each batch of application
requests, indicating constant information such as:
date
batch number
type of work
operator identification and, if applicable,
merchant identification.
The data entry system must preferably edits the data and assign a unique
temporary customer number to each request for application entered into the
system. The file is then passed to the central processor 16 (FIG. 1).
Completed applications contain the following information in machine
readable form: temporary customer number (assigned previously),
confirmation that the printed name, address and phone number are correct,
and demographic data.
Corrections to name, etc., must be key entered.
A header record should also be produced for each batch of applications,
indicating information such as date, batch number, type of work and
operator identification.
The data entry system 12 preferably edits the data and passes it on to the
central processing unit 16.
Other miscellaneous communications requiring data entry support to update
the master file include:
Change of address notices
Lost, stolen or mutilated card reports
Returned mail cancellations (card undeliverable)
Replies to requests for supplemental information.
Header records similar to those above will also normally be required for
these transaction types to minimize key entry of constant data.
D. Image Capture System
The image capture system 14 is microprocessor-based although best driven
systems may also be used. The basic components include the microprocessor
with appropriate disk capacity, a color camera capable of capturing a
color image and a color terminal display to control its operation and
display results. The device may attach locally to the central processing
unit 16 to facilitate the substantial communications requirements
involved.
The software provides the basic capabilities of the system and associates
parameter data such as screen number and location on the screen entered
via the terminal with the corresponding image record.
Finished art work for both coupons and advertising displays is captured in
digital form. The system then performs the following tasks:
Perform run length encoding or other suitable compaction
Accept and associate parameters for text overlays
Accept and associate parameters for coupon usage
Accept and associate parameters for ad usage
Display results of image digitization for evaluation
Pass data to the central processor 16.
E. Central Processing Unit
An IBM 4300 series unit is suitable for use as the central processing unit
16. Depending upon the number of customer records and local CDR units 20
supported, the CPU 16 generally requires about two megabytes of RAM
memory, approximately 500 megabytes of disk storage, a tape drive and a
printer. Various communications devices and modems are also required.
A number of intermediate systems may be provided if desired to assist in
the task of communicating with a multiplicity of CDR units 20.
The central processor 16 utilizes standard communications, data base and
statistical analysis software to the maximum extent possible.
The central processor 16 performs a variety of processing, control and
communications functions including:
Application requests: On a daily basis, the CPU 16 receives a handoff from
the data entry system 12 containing new requests for applications and
their associated header records. The system then performs the following
tasks:
Append necessary header data to each record
Print edit failures
Print input summaries/controls
Print operator productivity reports
Search for and flag records already on the master file
List flagged requests for application
Add others to master file under temporary number
Print applications/mailers
Print report of merchant submissions
Credit merchant's "account" for submissions if retailers are to be paid a
fee for collecting and submitting applications.
Delete temporary master records if application not received in 90 days.
Applications: On a daily basis, a handoff will be received from the data
entry system containing new applications and their associated header
records. The system then performs the following tasks:
Append necessary header data to each record
Print edit failures
Print input summaries/controls
Print operator productivity reports
Search for corresponding temporary records
List applications not matched
Add application date and demographic data to others
Write card issuance orders
Create daily tape for card issuance agent
Print follow-up report if card not issued in 5 days.
In a similar manner, other types of input are received from the data entry
system 12. Each must be processed in an appropriate manner. The following
tasks are required:
Append necessary header data to each record
Print edit failures
Print input summaries/controls
Print operator productivity reports
Search for corresponding records
List input not matched
Update other records as necessary.
Periodically, new images (graphic representations of the product) in
digitized form are received from the image capture system along with the
following parameters for each:
Product name
Short product description (coupons only)
Long product description (ads only)
Prize description (special coupons only)
Savings amount (coupons only)
Expiration date (coupons only)
CDR units 20 designated to receive data (individually or by region)
Start and end dates for use
Screen number
Position on screen (coupons only)
Coupon identification number (coupons only)
Advertisement identification number (ads only)
Number of coupons to be issued (coupons only)
Optionally, the entire coupon screen may be digitized as a single unit.
Preferably, coupons are digitized individually. As the terminal base
grows, further reductions in communications requirements can be achieved
by creating standard, graphic formats for coupons which will be maintained
by each CDR unit 20. At that point, only the unique portions of each
coupon will require digitization and transmission.
Special software to control the random distribution of special coupons is
provided. For promotional reasons, their redemption may be handled
manually.
The central processor 16 performs the following tasks associated with
passing this data to the CDR units 20:
Retain usage parameters
Verify usage parameters are not conflicting or incomplete
Divide data into blocks to allow partial transmissions
Broadcast blocks of data to CDR units 20
Poll CDR units 20 for blocks received
Retransmit as necessary
Retain transmission status for each CDR unit 20
React to changes in status reported by maintenance personnel
Preferably, the system similarly updates the software in each terminal.
Optionally, pre-initialized disks may be used for installations and
replacements.
Periodically, the central processor 16 calls each CDR unit 20 to collect
redemption data for processing. This data includes:
Special card number and transaction number
Redeemed coupons
Optionally, the central processor 16 also collects data on other products
purchased (without coupons) for selected customers. Such data could
include product code, quantity, price, etc.
In addition, header information will also be received which includes:
Business day
Identification of CDR unit 20
Special coupons issued
Summary of coupons issued and redeemed
Paper low and internal test sequence results
Current disk data and program status
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