Abstract:
A coupon service application operated on multiple platforms, including mobile devices, PC/Internet and display screens on home appliances. The application maintains a home inventory defining the consumable products within a user&#39;s home and a shopping list defining the consumable products the user wishes to purchase, and compares the home inventory and shopping list against a database of available coupons. Users can share and save coupons, use coupons for online purchases, check their home inventory while away from home, monitor the price of certain products and compare the price against an average price and track historical savings. The application maintains a recipe bank, suggests recipes based on the home inventory, and enables users to select recipes, adding ingredients therefrom to the shopping list, all while identifying coupons for items on the shopping list and the home inventory. Users can input a budget, and tracks spending against the budget.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/453,770, filed Mar. 17, 2011, entitled “Coupon Service App for Mobile Devices, Internet, Home Hub Portal, PC, TV and Major Appliance Display Screens Including Laundry, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Oven Displays.” 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/421,423 entitled “Methods and Systems For Appliance Community Service Management,” filed Mar. 15, 2012, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/421,499 entitled “Methods and Systems for Device Management with Sharing and Programming Capabilities,” filed Mar. 15, 2012. 
     All of the above-cited applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to monitoring a user&#39;s purchasing histories, inventories and favorite brands for the purpose of presenting users with coupons for savings on future purchases, and more particularly to methods and systems for coupon service applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technological advances have introduced a new level of connectivity to our society, allowing users to monitor and direct many aspects of their lives remotely. Household devices are typically stand-alone devices, and they are usually not connected to a broader network which may include other appliances and devices. Providing wireless management, sharing and programming capabilities allow users to communicate remotely with their devices, and thus exploit their devices more effectively and efficiently. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates, in block diagram form, components of an example computer network environment suitable for implementing the example household device management system. 
         FIG. 2  is a system diagram of an example device management system. 
         FIGS. 3-5  are system diagrams depicting the coupon service application as it appears on mobile phones, PCs/the Internet, and an LCD appliance display, respectively. 
         FIG. 6  depicts the coupon service application as it appears on a mobile device. 
         FIG. 7  shows a user using the mobile application to scan a universal product code in order to determine whether any available coupons exist for that product. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a flowchart showing further detail of how the mobile application scans universal product codes to identify coupons and deliver same to a user. 
         FIG. 9  shows a user using the mobile application to search for available coupons exist for a given product. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a user using the mobile application to share a coupon with other users via social media, email, or directly between mobile applications. 
         FIG. 11  shows a user saving a coupon within the mobile application for later use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of example methods and apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the description to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead, the following description is intended to be illustrative so that others may follow its teachings. 
     Example methods and systems for providing device management with sharing and programming capabilities are disclosed herein. In general, the disclosed examples allow for the management through the monitoring and/or controlling of enabled household devices. This way, users may retrieve information and interact with their household devices remotely. Moreover, users may use information retrieved from their household devices in other applications, such as shopping, social networking, scheduling, food preparation, budget management, accounting, tax-preparation, etc. 
     With reference to the figures, the following disclose various example systems and methods for providing home device management. To this end,  FIG. 1  illustrates a processing device  20 , illustrated in the exemplary form of a mobile communication device, a processing device  20 ′, illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer system, and a processing device  20  illustrated in schematic form, such as, for example, an appliance is provided with executable instructions to provide a means for a customer, e.g., a user, consumer, etc., to interact with the device  20  and/or to access a host system server  68 . Generally, the computer executable instructions reside in program modules which may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures; etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processing devices  20 ,  20 ′,  20 ″ illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be embodied in any device having the ability to execute instructions such as, by way of example, a home appliance, a personal computer, mainframe computer, personal-digital assistant (“PDA”), cellular telephone, tablet, e-reader, or the like. Furthermore, while described and illustrated in the context of a single processing device  20 ,  20 ′,  20 ″ those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the various tasks described hereinafter may be practiced in a distributed environment having multiple processing devices linked via a local and/or wide-area network whereby the executable instructions may be associated with and/or executed by one or more of multiple processing devices. 
     For performing the various tasks in accordance with the executable instructions, the example processing device  20  includes a processing unit  22  and a system memory  24  which may be linked via a bus  26 . Without limitation, the bus  26  may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. As needed for any particular purpose, the system memory  24  may include read-only memory (ROM)  28  and/or random-access memory (RAM)  30 . Additional memory devices may also be made accessible to the processing device  20  by means of, for example, a hard disk drive interface  32 , a magnetic disk drive interface  34 , and/or an optical disk drive interface  36 . As will be understood, these devices, which would be linked to the system bus  26 , respectively allow for reading from and writing to a hard disk  38 , reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk  40 , and for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk  42 , such as a CD/DVD ROM or other optical media. The drive interfaces and their associated computer-readable media allow for the nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the processing device  20 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that other types of non-transitory computer-readable media that can store data and/or instructions may be used for this same purpose. Examples of such media devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, random-access memories, nano-drives, memory sticks, and other read/write and/or read-only memories. 
     A number of program modules may be stored in one or more of the memory/media devices. For example, a basic input/output system (BIOS)  44 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the processing device  20 , such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM  28 . Similarly, the RAM  30 , hard drive  38 , and/or peripheral memory devices may be used to store computer-executable instructions comprising an operating system  46 , one or more applications programs  48  (such as a Web browser), other program modules  50 , and/or program data  52 . Still further, computer-executable instructions may be downloaded to one or more of the computing devices as needed via a network connection, for example. 
     To allow a user to enter commands and information into the processing device  20 , input devices such as a keyboard  54  and/or a pointing device  56  are provided. While not illustrated, other input devices may include a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, a camera, touchpad, touch screen, motion sensor, etc. These and other input devices would typically be connected to the processing unit  22  by means of an interface  58  which, in turn, would be coupled to the bus  26 . Input devices may be connected to the processor  22  using interfaces such as, for example, a parallel port, game port, firewire, or a universal serial bus (USB). To view information from the processing device  20 , a monitor  60  or other type of display device may also be connected to the bus  26  via an interface, such as a video adapter  62 . In addition to the monitor  60 , the processing device  20  may also include other peripheral output devices not shown, such as, for example, speakers, cameras, printers, or another suitable device. 
     As noted, the processing device  20  may also utilize logical connections to one or more remote processing devices, such as the host system server  68  having associated data repository  68 A. In this regard, while the host system server  68  has been illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer, it will be appreciated that the host system server  68  may, like processing device  20 , be any type of device having processing capabilities. Again, it will be appreciated that the host system server  68  need not be implemented as a single device but may be implemented in a manner such that the tasks performed by the host system server  68  are distributed amongst a plurality of processing devices/databases located at different geographical locations and linked through a communication network. Additionally, the host system server  68  may have logical connections to other third party systems via a network  12 , such as the Internet, LAN, MAN, WAN, cellular network, cloud network, enterprise network, virtual private network, wired and/or wireless network, or other suitable network, and via such connections, will be associated with data repositories that are associated with such other third party systems. Such third party systems may include, without limitation, systems of banking, credit, or other financial institutions, systems of third party providers of goods and/or services, systems of shipping/delivery companies, etc. 
     For performing tasks as needed, the host system server  68  may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the processing device  20 . In addition, the host system server  68  would generally include executable instructions for, among other things, receiving information regarding at least one appliance&#39;s energy usage, receiving information regarding the operation of the smart grid, and providing a scheduling service to coordinate the use of the appliance. 
     Communications between the processing device  20  and the host system server  68  may be exchanged via a further processing device, such as a network router (not shown) that is responsible for network routing. Communications with the network router may be performed via a network interface component  73 . Thus, within such a networked environment, e.g., the Internet, World Wide Web, LAN, cloud, or other like type of wired or wireless network, it will be appreciated that program modules depicted relative to the processing device  20 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the non-transitory memory storage device(s) of the host system server  68 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example device management system  100  in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. In this example, the system  100  comprises a device manager  110  in communication with at least one device, such as a household device  120 . The device manager  110  may be a computer program, mobile app, website, database, or any other appropriate electronic format. The device manager  110  may be displayed on an electronic device, such as, for example, a personal computer, a mobile device, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a retail kiosk, and/or a physical medium using, such as, for example, the Internet, an internal network, or a social network. While in this example the device manager is illustrated as being . . . , it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the device manager  110  may be internal and/or external, integrated with the appliance  120 , another device, and/or the server  68  or other peripheral devices. 
     The appliance  120  may be any household appliance such as a refrigerator and/or freezer unit, oven, microwave, pantry, slow cooker; bread machine, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, tool chest, home entertainment system, television, coffee maker, etc. It will be understood that there are many other devices and/or appliances that may be used with the device manager  110  without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although the presently described embodiment comprises one device  120  in communication with device manager  110 , it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a plurality of devices, such as the appliance  120  described in this example, may be in communication with the device manager. 
     The device manager  110  may be in communication with device  120  via Internet, LAN, MAN, WAN, cellular network, cloud network, enterprise network, virtual private network, wired and/or wireless network, Bluetooth, infrared, or other suitable network. In one example of the disclosure, the device, such as a household appliance  120 , may communicate information such as the status of the household appliance  120 , the contents of the household appliance  120 , the age of the household appliance  120 , the condition of the household appliance&#39;s  120  contents, the condition of the household appliance&#39;s  120  component&#39;s, etc. 
     For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the household appliance  120  may be a refrigerator and/or freezer unit, and the household appliance  120  may communicate information such as the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer unit, food items contained in the refrigerator and freezer unit, the purchase date of the food items, the “best-by” date of the food items, the quantity of the food items, the purchase price of the food item, and/or any other relevant information. 
     In another example of the present disclosure, the household appliance  120  may be an oven, and in that example the household appliance  120  may communicate information such as the temperature of the oven, the oven time, etc. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the household appliance  120  may be a dishwasher and in that embodiment the household appliance  120  may communicate the contents of the dishwasher, the status of the contents, the cycle that the dishwasher is in, etc. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the device manager  110  is in communication with a wireless router  140 . The device manager  110  may transmit the information received from the device  120  to the wireless router  140  which in turn transmits the information to the host system server  68 , or other suitable service, such as a cloud service through the network  12 , including an Internet, cellular, wireless, wired, LAN, tethered, and/or any other suitable connection. 
     In one disclosed example the device manager  110  may also receive certain inputs  130 , that the device manager  110  uses in coordination with the information received from the appliance  120 . These inputs  130  may be, for example, images retrieved from a user&#39;s camera, information received from a UPC scanner, a user&#39;s location information, information received an organization, text messages received by a user, emails received by a user, weather information, social updates received by a user, etc. The inputs  130  may originate from a camera or a microphone or any other peripheral coupled to the peripheral interface  58  of the device  20 . 
     In one example of the present disclosure, the device  120  is a refrigerator and/or freezer unit. In that example, the device manager  110  allows the user to monitor and control the refrigerator and/or freezer and access a list of the contents thereof, using information from the device  110  as well as other inputs  130 . For example, the device manager  110  may monitor and control the temperature of the refrigerator freezer unit. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may compile a home inventory of goods contained in the refrigerator and/or freezer unit and store the contents of the home inventory on the hard drive  38  or as data  68 A on the host server  68 . The home inventory allows the user to remotely monitor the contents of the refrigerator and freezer unit, or the contents of any other device coupled to the network  12 . The home inventory may be a contemporaneous snapshot of the user&#39;s current refrigerator and freezer contents, and enables users to make decisions on the go regarding what the family will eat for dinner that evening, whether certain additional food items or ingredients need to be purchased, and whether any available coupons could be used to save money in the purchase of those food items or ingredients. 
     The device manager  110  may also monitor and save the user&#39;s home inventory history to determine and monitor the items that a user historically keeps in the refrigerator and freezer unit. The device manager  110  may use the home inventory in conjunction with inputs  130  such as a recipe database, a retail organization&#39;s catalog, universal product codes scanned from the retail location, nutritional information database, information from a user&#39;s social network, etc. The device manager  110  may use the home inventory to develop recipe suggestions, develop purchase suggestions, analyze usage statistics, develop a nutritional and/or diet plan, sync to a user&#39;s calendar, share information on a social network, etc. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may use a home inventory to develop a shopping list of items using information received from the refrigerator and freezer unit, such as the home inventory, the quantity of food items and the status of those items. The device manager  110  may use a user&#39;s home inventory history to develop suggestions for users to put on the shopping list. The device manager  110  may also use inputs  130  such as, for example, inputs from a camera or a UPC scanner taken at a retail location, to add or remove items to a home inventory, and to add or remove items from a shopping list. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may compile a list of a user&#39;s preferred items. For example, the device manager  110  may use a user&#39;s home inventory history to determine a user&#39;s preferred items. In another example, the device manager  110  may determine a user&#39;s preferred items based on food group, seasonality, origin, brand, nutritional information, allergy information, etc. In another example, the user may add or remove preferred items to the list compiled by the device manager  110 . 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may allow a user to organize his home inventory, for example, based on preferred items, special dietary foods, holiday foods, nutritional information, seasonality, weight loss, family member preferences, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may use inputs  130  from a user&#39;s calendar. For example, the user&#39;s calendar may contain menu plans, social engagements, weight loss plans, nutritional information, etc. The device manager  110  may, for example, suggest purchases of certain items based on the ingredients needed for an upcoming menu plan, a visitor with certain dietary restrictions, and/or a user&#39;s weight loss and/or nutritional goals. The device manager  110  may also use a user&#39;s calendar in order to set up future social engagements, coordinate shared purchases, plan community events, coordinate shopping events, etc. The device manager  110  may distribute invitations, and facilitate group chats, group voting, group messaging etc. In one specific example the device manager  110  may extend a picnic invitation to a number of additional users and each additional user may respond with the items that they are bringing. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may use the home inventory and/or a user&#39;s historical home inventory to set recurring orders for certain items. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may sync with a tax preparation application in order to determine and track which items are tax deductible. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may use the home inventory to generate and suggest coupons and/or retail offers from a retail organization. The device manager  110  may receive inputs  130  from a retail organization about coupons or other retail offers that are currently available. The device manager  110  may then use the inputs  130  received from the retail organization in combination with the home inventory and/or a user&#39;s home inventory history to develop and/or suggest retail offers. For example, the device manager  110  may suggest a retail offer for items that a user is low on, an item that complements a user&#39;s home inventory, an item on a user&#39;s preferred item list and/or an item from a user&#39;s shopping list. In another example, device manager  110  may suggest a coupon or retail offer from an alternative brand as compared to the brand that a user currently possesses, and/or a brand that is currently on a user&#39;s preferred item list. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may also redeem coupons or other retail offers received from a retail organization. For example, the device manager  110  may operate on a cellular phone, tablet, computer, laptop, PDA etc. and a user may use the device manager  110  to redeem retail offers when online shopping, and/or during in-store purchases. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may monitor the prices of certain items using information received from one or more retail organizations. The device manager  110  may monitor the sales prices of items such as a user&#39;s preferred item and/or items on a user&#39;s shopping list, and alert the user when the item reaches a certain sales price. The device manager  110  may also track historical price information for certain items, such as the average local price, the price trend, the seasonal average price, the current price as compared to the average price, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may allow a user to browse through coupons using motion activation, voice command, hand gestures etc. In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  allows a user to share coupons through email, social networks, wireless networks, directly between cellular phones, Bluetooth, LAN, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may develop and suggest instructions sets. For example, if the device  120  is a tool chest, the instruction set may be instructions for building a certain object. For example, if the device  120  is a home entertainment system, the instruction, set may be a music playlist and/or settings for an audio entertainment system. 
     If, for example, the device  120  is a refrigerator and freezer unit, the instruction set may be a recipe. In that example, the device manager  110  may suggest recipes based on, for example, the items currently on a user&#39;s home inventory, a user&#39;s personal preferences, a user&#39;s stated preferences, and categories such as cuisine type, seasonality, occasion, ratings, popularity, nutritional information, allergy information, etc. The device manager  110  may also allow users to input recipes, for example by selecting existing recipes from online databases, manually inputting recipes, inputting recipes using a digital scanner, capturing a recipe using a camera, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may use a recipe to automatically add and/or suggest items for a user&#39;s shopping list. The device manager  110  may also suggest side dishes, desserts, beverage accompaniments, etc. based on a user&#39;s selected recipes, home inventory, shopping list, available retail offers, calendar, social network updates, etc. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may use inputs  130  such as information received from a UPC scanner, and/or a camera identifying an items) at a retail location. The device manager  110  may use the item identified to suggest recipes based on the home inventory. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may receive information and commands from multiple users. For example, the device manager  110  may access calendars for multiple users for the purposes of meal planning, holiday planning, birthday planning, schedule coordination, and other multi-user events. The device manager  110  may allow users to select recipes, shopping list items, home inventory, online wish list items, etc. for certain calendar events. In addition, the users may use the device manager  110  to schedule social activities at public venues, such as restaurants, theme parks, movie theatres, entertainment centers, shopping malls, etc. and the device manager  110  will automatically search for coupons for those venues. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the users may ask the device manager  110  for suggestions for social activities and/or public venues by inputting information such as user preferences, retail offers, locational data, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may make an home inventory of items based on their location, for example, kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry room, bed room, garage, workshop, home office, etc. In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may allow users to organize items in a home inventory based on where they are purchased. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure the device manager  110  may be used for budgeting purposes. For example, the device manager  110  may receive inputs  130  from the user such as weekly, daily, monthly, or yearly budgeting goals. The budgeting goals may be further divided based on category of spending, calendar events, type of items purchased etc. The device manager  110  may track spending based on items on a device&#39;s home inventory, and/or items on a user&#39;s shopping list. The device manager  110  may also provide budgeting information based on information retrieved from retailers, such as price information and retail offers. Additionally, the device manager  110  may track a user&#39;s savings based on his or her purchase history, home inventory, shopping list and/or information about retail offers. The device manager  110  may also track historical budgeting, expenditure, and savings information. The device manager  110  may also use locational data to identify item prices at retail locations both in-store and online. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may allow a user to communicate and connect with additional users. For example, the device manager  110  may allow a plurality of users to participate in group buying for volume discounts. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may allow users to send alerts, messages, reminders, etc. to users regarding items on their home inventory, items on their shopping list, retail offers, device status, recipes etc. The device manager  110  may also allow users to post information and/or updates on social networking sites regarding items on their home inventory, items on their shopping list, retail offers, device status, recipes, etc. The device manager  110  may also be used for gaming purposes, for example, allowing users to participate in a game tracking their purchases, competing for retail offers, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  allows users to customize their privacy settings to determine the amount and nature of information to share with the device manager, other users, social networks, retail organizations, etc. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may be used to control settings on the device  120 . For example, if the device  120  is a refrigerator and freezer unit, the device manager  110  may remotely control the temperature of the device. In another example, if the device  120  is an oven, the device manager  110  may remotely turn the oven on for pre-heating purpose, and/or remotely turn the oven off. If the device  120  is a dishwasher, the device manager  110  may remotely turn the dishwasher on, or change the dishwasher&#39;s settings at the user&#39;s command. 
     The device management system  100  of the present disclosure may give and respond to voice commands. For example, the inputs  130  may be in the form of vocal commands from a user. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device manager  110  may communicate reminders, alerts, and instructions via audible commands. For example, the device manager  110  may read a selected recipe, notify users of the home inventory, notify users of items on a shopping list, notify users of retail offers, notify users of a device&#39;s status, etc. 
     The device manager  110  of the present disclosure may be displayed and/or formatted in HTML, JSON, XML and/or any other appropriate format. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a system diagram  300  for a mobile application. Once a user has downloaded the application at step  310 , the user can enter the home page through one of several methods: (1) opening the application and signing in as a registered user, step  315 ; (2) scanning a universal product code, step  320 ; or (3) scanning a QR (Quick Response) Code, step  325 . The user then either views a coupon  350 , or is taken to a homepage  330 , where the user is given the choice to view notifications  335 , find coupons  340 , or view their coupon book  345 . From viewing a coupon  350 , the user can choose one of several options at step  360 , including redeeming the coupon at an online retail store, sending the coupon through email or text/MMS, sharing the coupon via social media, or save the coupon in their coupon book. 
     Once a user downloads the app and a registered user logs in, the app begins at a homepage/coupon list. The homepage may include links to notifications of newly-identified coupons, a user&#39;s book of saved coupons, as well as the ability for users to search for coupons using both text searching and universal product code scanning. Once a user chooses a coupon to be viewed, the coupon can be (1) used in connection with a purchase performed through the mobile device, (2) saved to the user&#39;s coupon book; or (3) shared with friends via social networking sites, email, MMS, or through “bumping” mobile devices. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a system diagram  400  for using the coupon service application on the Internet through a PC. Once a user completes the registration process  410 , or a user signs into a previously created account at step  415 , the user is taken to a homepage  420 . From the homepage  420 , the user can change user preferences  425 , view notifications  430 , find coupons  435 , or view their coupon book  440 . Each of those steps enables a user to view a coupon  450  and from there, the user can choose one of several options at step  460 , including redeeming the coupon at an online retail store, printing the coupon, sending the coupon through email or text/MMS, sharing the coupon via social media, or saving the coupon in their coupon book. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a system diagram  500  for using the coupon service application through a home appliance display screen is depicted. Once a user has installed the appliance  510 , the user is prompted for coupon preferences at step  520 . From then on, the user starts the appliance application at the homepage  530 , where the user can choose to view notifications, find and view coupons, and browse their coupon book at step  540 . After viewing a coupon  550 , the user may choose from a variety of coupon controls at  560 , which enable the user to dismiss, save or use the coupon, share the coupon via email and/or text/MMS, or edit the user&#39;s coupon preferences back to step  520 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the display screen  600  of the coupon service application as it would appear on a mobile device. Using the buttons displayed on the top banner  610 , users can search for available coupons or products, either by selecting the top button  612 , which will activate the mobile device&#39;s camera for scanning a universal product code, or by entering text into the search box  614 , and selecting the “Search Product” button  616 . Immediately below the top banner  610 , a group of icons enables users to vary the display and speed of coupons shown, followed directly below by a panel  618  showing the coupon&#39;s identifying information: the title of the coupon, the store and location where it can be used, and the expiration date, if any. The majority of the screen depicts the coupon&#39;s content, with a small banner  620  thereabove which shows the primary coupon actions, including (1) “Share,” which allows users to share the coupon via email, MMS, social media, or directly between mobile devices; (2) “Save,” which allows users to save the coupon in their book of saved coupons, (3) “X,” which allows a user to close and bypass an undesired coupon, and (4) a right arrow, which allows a user to utilize the coupon immediately by purchasing the item online through the mobile application, a related application, or the World Wide Web. Below the coupon content is a Savings Tabulator  625 , which displays the user&#39;s savings for coupons which have been used. 
       FIGS. 7A-7E  depict the mobile application being used to scan a universal product code. The user selects the “Scan Product” button  710  in  FIG. 7A  which activates the mobile device&#39;s camera for scanning a universal product code. The user scans the product code in  FIG. 7B , and the application will then search for coupons for that product and any similar products as shown in  FIG. 7C . The application then returns the results for viewing by the user in  FIG. 7D . If no coupons are identified, the application will tell the user that no results were found, as depicted in  FIG. 7E . 
       FIGS. 8A-8G  collectively show a flowchart which depicts further detail of how universal product codes may be scanned to identify coupons, and how a user can set his or her preferences regarding how those coupons will be delivered to a user. In  FIG. 8A , a user scans a product code, and the user is then prompted in  FIG. 8B  to log in or sign up to enable the features of the coupon service application. Next, a confirmation is displayed is  FIG. 8C , asking the user to confirm which product was scanned. The user is then prompted to provide his or her preferences for how coupons will be received in  FIG. 8D , including through email, text/SMS, or shared on social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter. Finally, in  FIG. 8E , the application shows that the user&#39;s coupon preferences have been saved. Per the user&#39;s preferences, coupons are then delivered to the user— FIG. 8F  for text message/SMS, and  FIG. 8G  for email. 
       FIGS. 9A-9D  shows a user utilizing the text search aspect of the mobile application, which allows users to identify coupons by brand or product name.  FIG. 9A  shows a user entering the name of the product in the text box  910  and selects the “Search Products” button  920 . The application will then search for coupons, as depicted in  FIG. 9B , for that product and any similar products, and return the results for viewing by the user, as shown in  FIG. 9C . If no coupons are identified, the application will tell the user that no results were found, as depicted in  FIG. 9E . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10C , a user can share coupons through the mobile application by selecting the “Share” button  1010 . A set of “Share options”  1020  then appears, as shown in  FIG. 10B , enabling users to share the coupon via text/SMS, social media, or directly between mobile devices, through “bumping” the two mobile devices.  FIG. 10C  depicts two users “bumping” two mobile devices to share the coupons as described herein. 
       FIGS. 11A-11B  depict the mobile application being used to save a coupon to a user&#39;s book of saved coupons. The user selects the “Save” button  1110 , which saves the coupon and enables the user to view lists of various coupons. 
     Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the-contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.