Patent ID: 7055031
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A process for generation, delivery, and validation of electronic coupons via a telecommunication system, comprising the sub-processes of: generating a unique coupon authentication number for each of a plurality of receiving devices; delivering an electronic offer ID to one or more receiving devices; wherein a receiving device generates a coupon ID number using the receiving device's coupon authentication number and the offer ID; validating said coupon ID number when a user redeems said coupon ID number using the receiving device's coupon authentication number; wherein said telecommunication system includes a service center, a plurality of receiving devices, a display device coupled to each receiving device, a communication channel connecting said service center and each receiving device; wherein said service center comprises at least an authentication number database and a key server; wherein said receiving device comprises a persistent storage device which stores one or more public keys assigned to said receiving device, and a crypto-chip which stores one or more private keys assigned to said receiving device; submitting said offer ID number, said receiving device's serial number, and said coupon ID number to a vendor by the user that redeems said coupon; entering said offer ID number, said receiving device's serial number, and said coupon ID number by said vendor who accesses said service center; checking, by said key server, said receiving device's authentication number from said authentication number database; performing a hash function on said offer ID number using said receiving device's authentication number as a key; taking the first N digits of the hashed result and comparing the N-digit number with said coupon ID number submitted by the user; and validating said coupon if said N-digit number matches with said coupon ID number.