Abstract:
A discount distribution system includes a discount generation unit having a processor and a memory with a program executing in the memory that performs the steps of gathering information pertaining to a product by an information gathering unit, generating a plurality of discounts associated with the product based on the information gathered, storing each of the generated discounts and associated product information in the memory of the discount generation unit, displaying a plurality of selected discounts on a display on an initiator device in response to a triggering event, distributing at least one of the plurality of discounts to a plurality of client devices based on a request from the initiator device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/416,987 titled “On Demand Discount Systems and Methods,” filed Nov. 24, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally related to the distribution of discounts to a plurality of users over a network. Specifically, the present invention is directed to distributing a discount to a plurality of users in real time. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Countless opportunities exist for merchants to extend discounts to clients. Currently, merchants utilize many different methods of distributing a discount to consumers including e-mail, Internet banner advertisements, online services, mailings, and commercials. Merchants typically plan out different discounts based on the time of year, an upcoming event, overstocking of a particular product or the desire to draw people to the merchant&#39;s store or web site. 
         [0004]    Typically the planning and distribution of a discount is performed by a person at a managerial level within an organization. A need exists for a system which allows non management employees to distribute a discount to clients based on the observations of the non management employee. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a discount distribution system including a discount generation unit having a processor and a memory, with a program executing in the memory that performs the steps of gathering information pertaining to a product by an information gathering unit, generating a plurality of discounts associated with the product based on the information gathered, storing each of the generated discounts, and the associated product information, in the memory of the discount generation unit, displaying each of the discounts on a display on an initiator device in response to a triggering event, and distributing at least one of the plurality of discounts to a plurality of client devices based on a request from the initiator device. 
         [0006]    Various other embodiments include a discount management device including an information gathering unit, a discount generation unit, a discount storage unit, and a discount distribution unit, where the discount generation unit generates a discount associated with a product based on information gathered from an information gathering unit, and stores the discount in the discount storage unit, and the discount generation unit distributes at least one discount in the discount storage unit to at least one client device of a plurality of client devices in response to a request to distribute the discount from an initiator device. 
         [0007]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the claims and drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a discount distribution system suitable for use with the methods and systems consistent with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a detailed depiction of a client device and initiator device utilized in the discount distribution system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of the operation of the distributed discount system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of the operation of presenting a discount to an initiator via an initiator device included in the discount distribution system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a user interface listing discounts available for activation by the initiator device of  FIG. 2B ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts a custom discount configuration screen that allows an initiator to create a custom discount via the initiator device of  FIG. 2B ; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts a client interface screen that allows a client to locate a discount activated by a merchant via the client device of  FIG. 2B ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts a client interface screen that display discounts on a map via the display on the client device of  FIG. 2B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0018]    The present invention allows a merchant, or service supplier, to distribute a discount to a plurality of users. Specifically, the system allows a merchant to define and store a plurality of discounts in a storage unit, and to display a list of stored discounts to an initiator of a discount via a communication device. The initiator of the discount may distribute a discount based on observations of buying patterns, excess inventory of a specific product, or any other factor which may result in additional sales. Further, the system may automatically distribute a discount based on predefined criteria stored in the database with the discount. Activating a discount is understood to mean making a discount available to users of the system. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a discount distribution system  100  suitable for use with the methods and systems consistent with the present invention. The discount distribution system  100  comprises a plurality of devices such as computers  102 ,  104 , and  106  connected via a network  108 . The network  108  is of a type that is suitable for connecting the computers  102 ,  104 , and  106  for communication, such as a circuit-switched network or a packet-switched network. Also, the network  108  may include a number of different networks, such as a local area network, a wide area network such as the Internet, telephone networks including telephone networks with dedicated communication links, connection-less network, and wireless networks. In the illustrative example shown in  FIG. 1 , the network is the Internet. Each of the computers  102 ,  104 , and  106  shown in  FIG. 1  is connected to the network  108  via a suitable communication link, such as a dedicated communication line or a wireless communication link. 
         [0020]    In an illustrative example, computer  102  serves as discount management unit that includes an input receiving unit  110 , discount generation unit  112 , and a discount distribution unit  114 . The number of computers and the network configuration shown in  FIG. 1  are merely an illustrative example. One having skill in the art will appreciate that the system may include a different number of computers and networks. For example, the discount management unit  102  may include the input receiving unit  110 , as well as, the discount distribution unit  112 . Further, the discount generation unit  114  may reside on a different computer than discount management unit  102 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2A  shows a more detailed depiction of discount management unit  102 . Discount management unit  102  comprises a central processing unit (CPU)  202 , an input output (I/O) unit  204 , a display device  206 , a secondary storage device  208 , and a memory  210 . The discount management unit  102  may further comprise standard input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a digitizer, or a speech processing means (each not illustrated). 
         [0022]    The discount management unit  102 &#39;s memory  210  can include a Graphical User Interface (GUI)  212 , which is used to gather information from a user via the display device  206  and I/O unit  204 , as described herein. The GUI  212  includes any user interface capable of being displayed on a display device  206  including, but not limited to, a web page, a display panel in an executable program, or any other interface capable of being displayed on a computer screen. The secondary storage device  208  includes an input receiving unit  214 , a merchant storage unit  216 , a discount storage unit  218 , and a client device storage unit  220 . Further, the GUI  212  may also be stored in the secondary storage unit  208 . In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the GUI  212  is displayed using commercially available hypertext markup language (HTML) viewing software such as, but not limited to, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome® or any other commercially available HTML viewing software. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  shows a more detailed depiction of client device  104  and the initiator device  106 . Client device  104  and the initiator device  106  each comprise a central processing unit (CPU)  222 , an input output (I/O) unit  224 , a display device  226 , a secondary storage device  228 , and a memory  230 . Computers  104  and  106  may each comprise standard input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a digitizer, or a speech processing means (each not illustrated). 
         [0024]    The memory  230  of the client device  104  and the initiator device  106  include a GUI  232 , which is used to gather information from a user via the display device  226  and I/O unit  224 , and a communication service  214  used to present communications to the user operating the client device  104 , or the initiator device  106 , as described herein. The GUI  232  can include any user interface capable of being displayed on a display device  226  including, but not limited to, a web page, a display panel in an executable program, or any other interface capable of being displayed on a computer screen. The GUI  232  may also be stored in the secondary storage unit  228 . The GUI  232  may also be displayed using commercially available HTML, as previously discussed. The memory  230  also includes a discount display unit  234 , which is configured to receive a discount, or listing of discounts, to transmit to the display  226 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of the operation of a distributed discount system  100 . In step  302 , the discount distribution system  100  gathers information on a discount program from a user via the GUI  212 . To gather the information, a merchant, or service provider, securely connects to the discount management unit  102  using any known method of logging into a system such as, but not limited to, a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection. Once an authorized connection is established, the merchant may enter information pertaining to each discount to be stored in the discount storage unit  218 . The information may include, but is not limited to, the amount of the discount, locations where the discount is available, dates when the discount can be active, values which cause the distribution of the discount, values which cause the discount to end, and a listing of registered users who can initiate a discount. 
         [0026]    In step  304 , after information concerning the discount is gathered, the discount is stored in the discount storage unit  218 . In step  306 , a plurality of discounts selected based on a predefined criteria are presented to the initiator device  106 . The initiator device  106  may be any device capable of displaying the discount, and may include a stationary computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, or any other device capable of displaying the discount. 
         [0027]    In step  308 , the discount distribution system  100  distributes the selected discounts to each of the plurality of client devices  104 . The client device  106  may be any device capable of displaying the discount, and may include a stationary computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, or any other device capable of displaying the discount. Each of the client devices  104  notifies a user of the client devices  104  that a discount is available. The distribution of the discount to each client device  104  may be limited based on the geographic location of each client device  104 , the demographics or preferences of a user of the client device  104 , or any other factor defined by the merchant offering the discount. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of the operation of presenting a discount to an initiator via the initiator device  106 . In step  402 , the discount management unit  102  receives a request to transmit discounts associated with a merchant in the merchant storage unit  216 , or service provider, to an initiator device  106 . The distribution may be initiated by a user of the initiator device  106 , or may be automatically initiated by the discount management unit  102 . 
         [0029]    In step  404 , the discount generation unit  216 , in the discount management unit  102 , generates a list of discounts associated with the merchant from the discount storage unit  218 . Each discount in the discount storage unit  218  includes criteria that indicate when a specific discount may, or may not, be activated by the initiator. The criteria may include, but are not limited to, a time period during which the discount is available, the products to which the discount applies, or any other criteria which would indicate when a discount can, or cannot, be offered. The criteria is specified by the merchant when the information is inputted into the discount storage unit  218 . 
         [0030]    The criteria may automatically adjust based on real time information gathered by the discount generation unit  112 . The discount generation unit  216  may be communicatively coupled to the point of sale system for the merchant, and may receive real time sales information from a “point of sale” system. The discount generation unit  216  may identify patterns in purchasing during a sales day, and allow the initiation of different discounts based on the identified patterns. At an illustrative example, the discount generation system  216  may identify a list of products where sales decrease during a specific period of a day. In response to this decrease, the discount generation system may issue a discount on these products during the periods when the product sales are lower. 
         [0031]    The discount generation system  112  may also generate discounts on popular items based on the number of transactions in a given period. If the number of transactions falls below a given threshold, the discount distribution system  112  may alert the initiator, and display a list of discounts on the initiator device  106  that would increase the sales of the merchant. These discounts may be determined based on historical sales data stored in the discount storage unit  218 . 
         [0032]    The discount generation unit  112  may also allow an initiator to create a customized discount. The customized discount may be stored in the discount storage unit  218  by the initiator after the initiator has configured the discount. To configure a customized discount, the discount generation system  112  transmits a series of predefined options to the initiator, which the initiator uses to generate the customized discount. Once all of the options are selected, the discount generation system  112  stores the new discount in the discount storage unit  218 , and the discount is distributed in the same manner as discussed herein. 
         [0033]    As an illustrative example, a coffee shop may create a plurality of discounts in the discount storage unit  218 , along with information pertaining to a desired sales goal, or number of transactions, over a period of time. The discount generation unit  216  may monitor the sales and number of transactions occurring over the predefined period. If number of transactions over the predefined period of time is less than the predefined threshold, the discount generation unit  216  may analyze historical sales data stored in the discount storage unit  218  to determine the best selling products sold by the coffee shop. The discount generation system  216  may then present a discount on popular products, as determined from the historical sales data, to the initiator for activation. 
         [0034]    In step  408 , the discount generation unit.  112  transmits a list of discounts to the initiator device  106  via the discount distribution unit  114 . In step  410 , the initiator device  106  displays a list of available discounts on the display  226  of the initiator device  106 . Upon receipt and display of the list of discounts, the initiator selects at least one of the discounts for activation. In response, the initiator device  106  transmits a list of the selected discounts to the discount generation unit  112 . The discount generation unit  112  transmits the discount, along with distribution information, to the discount distribution unit  114 . The distribution information may be information in the discount storage unit  218  that indicates specific rules for distributing the selected discount to client devices  104 . As an illustrative example, the distribution information may include a list of geographic locations where the discount applies causing the discount distribution system  116  to distribute the discount to client devices  104  located near the geographic region where the discount is available. The location of the client devices may be determined using a global positioning satellite (GPS) device coupled to each client device. 
         [0035]    In step  412 , the discount distribution unit  114  analyzes the distribution information to generate a list of client devices  104 , stored in the client storage unit  218 , that satisfy the distribution information. Based on the distribution information, the discount distribution unit  114  may transmit an update message to each potential client device  104  to determine if a particular client device  104  satisfies the requirements included in the distribution information. As an illustrative example, the discount distribution system  114  may query a plurality of client devices  104  to determine the GPS coordinates of the client devices  104 , and then apply GPS coordinates included in the distribution information to the received GPS coordinates to determine which of the plurality of client devices  104  are added to the distribution list. In step  414 , the discount distribution system  114  transmits the discount to each of the client devices  104  in the distribution list for display on the displays  226  of the client devices  104 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  depicts a user interface  500  listing discounts available for activation by the initiator device  106 . The discount distribution unit  114  transmits the discount information to the discount display unit  234  on the initiator device  106 . The discount display unit  234  receives the discount information and generates the user interface  500 . The user interface  500  includes a listing of previously defined discounts of, for example, varying lengths and values. The discount may have a defined value and length or a variable value and length. The discount  502  depicts a discount having a fixed value and a fixed length. The exemplary discount  504  has a variable value of between 15 and 30% and a fixed length. If the discount  504  is selected, the initiator is prompted via the display  226  to select a specific percentage for the discount. If the discount  506  is selected, the initiator is prompted, via the display  226 , to select a duration for the discount to remain active. If the discount  508  is selected, the discount is applied for the entire sales day, or the remaining amount of the sales day. If the discount  510  is selected, the initiator may configure a custom discount. 
         [0037]    A discount status indicator  512  is positioned on one side of the description of the discount  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508  and  510 . The discount status indicator  512  is configured to notify the initiator when a specific discount  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508  or  510  is active. The discount status indicator  512  may display a predefined color, such as green, to indicate that the discount is currently activated. The initiator may active or deactivate a discount by pressing the discount status indicator  512 , which results in the discount status indicator  512  changing color to indicate the discount is no longer activated. The discount status indicator  512  may also change color to indicate the discount is no longer active when the time period of the discount has expired. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  depicts a custom discount configuration screen  600  that allows an initiator to create a custom discount. The discount distribution unit  114  transmits the discount information to the discount display unit  234  on the initiator device  106 . The discount display unit  234  receives the discount information and generates the user interface  600 . The custom discount configuration screen  600  includes a product selection area  602 , a discount type selection area  604 , a discount amount selection area  606 , a discount duration selection area  608 , an activate discount button  610 , and a deactivate discount button  612 . 
         [0039]    To generate a custom discount, the initiator selects a product to discount from a list of predefined products. The predefined products are configured by the discount generation unit  112  based on the criteria inputted by the merchant. After the initiator selects a product to discount, the initiator selects the type of discount from the discount type selection area  604 . The type of discount to apply to a product can be predefined by the merchant in the discount storage unit  218 , or may be determined by the initiator. The type of discount may be a percentage off a product or a transaction, a fixed amount off of the price of a product, a fixed amount off the total price of a transaction, an offer to buy one of a product and get another product free, or any other discount to a product. 
         [0040]    Once the discount type is selected, the initiator may select the value of the discount by the discount amount selection area  606 . The value of the discount is selected based on the discount type selected in the discount type selection area  604 . As an illustrative example, if a percentage off discount is offered, the discount amount selection area  606  is configured to only accept percentage values. Once the amount of the discount is selected, the initiator selects the time period the discount will be made available to users by the discount duration selection area  608 . The duration of the discount may be in hours, days, weeks, months, or any other desired duration. In addition, the duration of the discount may be set to an open ended value where the discount remains open until the discount is de-activated. 
         [0041]    The merchant may define a range for the discount duration, discount amount, and discount type. Further, the amount and type of discount may be restricted by the merchant based on the product selected. The merchant may store a list of products in the discount storage unit  218  and assign a discount range, duration, and type to each product. As an illustrative example, the merchant may enter a pair of men&#39;s shoes into the discount storage unit  218 , along with configuration information pertaining to custom discounts applied to the shoes such as the maximum discount applied to the shoe, the maximum duration of a discount applied to the shoe, the types of discounts available for the shoe, and the locations where a custom discount may be applied. When an initiator selects the men&#39;s shoes to apply a custom discount, the discount generation unit  112  sends the custom discount configuration information to the initiator device  106  where the custom discount interface  600  is configured to restrict the configuration of the custom discount to the criteria sent from the discount generation unit  112 . 
         [0042]    The discount generation unit  112  may also restrict the discounts transmitted to the initiator device based on the user logged into the initiator device. As an illustrative example, if the initiator is a store clerk, the discount generation unit  112  may only transmit predefined discounts of fixed duration, while the discount generation unit  112  may transmit the option of initiating a custom discount if the initiator is a store manager. 
         [0043]    To activate the discount, the initiator presses the activate button  610 , which transmits the custom discount to the discount generation unit  112 . The discount generation unit  112  stores the discount in the discount storage unit  218 , and then sends the discount to the discount distribution unit  114 . The discount distribution unit  114  generates a distribution list, and distributes the discount as previously described. The initiator can also mark discounts as favorites for quick loading, by selecting the favorite button  616  located on the custom discount configuration screen  600 . 
         [0044]    Since the application allows for the creation of discount at anytime, dynamic discounts that respond to real time merchant and client needs are possible. In addition, clients of merchants have a simple way of receiving notification of discounts offered on products by merchants in their area. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  depicts a client interface screen  700  that allows a client to locate a discount activated by a merchant. The discount distribution unit  114  transmits the discount information to the discount display unit  234  on the client device  104 . The discount display unit  234  receives the discount information and generates the user interface  700 . The discount distribution system  112  assigns a predefined category to each product, and discount, in the discount storage unit  218 . The client interface screen  700  displays a list of the predefined categories  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 , and  710  on the display  226 , which a user may select to view subcategories of the selected category, or discounts related to the category. The client interface screen  700  includes a discount indicator icon, which indicates if a category has a discount available. If a discount is available for a particular category, the icon for that category may turn green. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  depicts a client interface screen  800  that displays discounts on a map via the display  226  on the client device  104 . The discount distribution unit  114  transmits the discount information to the discount display unit  234  on the client device  104 . The discount display unit  234  receives the discount information and generates the user interface  800 . The discount distribution unit  112  may compare the GPS information of each client device  104  to the GPS information associated with each discount to determine which discounts to distribute to each client device  104 . The discount distribution system  116  may distribute discounts to each client device  104  within a predetermined distance of the client device  104 . The discount display unit  234  may display a map  800  showing the location of each discount in relation to the client device  104 . The location of each discount may be indicated by an icon such as a triangle. When the user selects the icon, information  804  concerning the discount appears above the icon. 
         [0047]    The client interface screen may also allow a user to create a listing of favorite merchants. A user may select the icon associated with the discount which presents the user with the option of saving the merchant as a favorite. If the merchant is saved as a favorite, the discount display unit  234  saves the merchant name, GPS coordinates and other information concerning the merchant in the client storage unit  218  on the discount management unit  102 . 
         [0048]    After the client selects a discount on the client device  104 , the client may obtain directions by pressing the directions button  806 . The direction button may display turn by turn directions from the client device&#39;s current location to the merchant offering the discount. The client device  104  may use any conventional mapping software to determine the directions and route, such as Google Maps, Mapquest or any other GPS based mapping software. 
         [0049]    As an illustrative example, consider an example of a fast food store located in a large city. The owner of the store can create a number of discounts in the discount management unit  102  which are transmitted to an initiator device  106  used by a store manager working, at the store. The store manager can review the current sales activity at the store and initiate a discount offer by selecting a predefined discount or by creating a custom discount, such as a predefined offer of free French fries with the purchase of a hamburger, or a custom discount of 50% of the regular price of a hamburger. 
         [0050]    Once the discount is selected, the discount distribution system  226  transmits the discount to users who are identified as being potential purchases of the discounted products. The potential clients of the discounted products receive a notification via the client devices  104  indicating that a discount is being offered by a merchant in their area. The client can view the discount on the client device  104  and obtain, driving directions to the merchant offering the discount. 
         [0051]    Because the discount management system  100  allows an initiator, such as a store manager or clerk, to activate a discount at any location via the initiator device  106 , the process of creating and distributing discounts is simplified. Also, because merchants can control the amount, duration and products included in each discount, the merchant is protected from losing money due to improper judgment by an employee initiating a discount. 
         [0052]    In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
         [0053]    From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.