Patent ID: 6584448
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G06Q,G07G

Abstract:
A method of redeeming an electronic coupon in the course of an online transaction, said electronic coupon having a data structure resident in a computer-readable medium of a first computer processor unit, said data structure being transferable between computer-readable media of a plurality of computer processor units over a communications channel and including information sufficient for enabling one of said computer processor units to electronically redeem said electronic coupon in the course of said online transaction, the method comprising:A. establishing a connection between said first computer processor unit and a second computer processor unit; B. transferring said data structure resident in said computer-readable medium of said first computer processor unit to a computer-readable medium of said second computer processor unit over said communications channel; C. establishing a connection between said second computer processor unit and a further computer processor unit for the purpose of initiating said online transaction; D. in response to establishing a connection between said second computer processor unit and a further computer processor unit, said further computer processor unit detecting said data structure in said computer-readable medium of said second computer processor unit; E. automatically transferring said data structure information over said communications channel from said second computer processor unit to said further computer processor unit during said online transaction; and F. said further computer processor unit providing a benefit to said second computer processor unit based on said data structure information in the course of said online transaction.