Abstract:
The present invention provides systems and methods for distributing coupons by a retailer. The coupons distributed in the invention are “third-party” coupons, that is, coupons for goods or services that are unrelated to those of the retailer and offered by a third-party retailer. For example, if the coupons are being distributed by a supermarket, then the coupons may be for tools at a home-improvement store or for tax services by an accountant. The distribution methods of the invention increases the revenue of a retailer. More specifically, a consumer is presented a coupon when the value of the transaction exceeds a threshold. In a number of embodiments, the threshold is the average sale per transaction of the retailer. Accordingly, consumers will be motivated to increase spending so that coupons can be earned. The methods and apparatus of the invention are equally applicable to both “brick and mortar” and “click and mortar” retailing. In the latter, consumers may shop on the Internet and print out coupons during checkout if the threshold for a particular website is met.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60/406,389 filed Aug. 27, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to methods for operating a register at a retail stores and to methods for enhancing revenue at retail stores. The invention also relates to devices, systems, and software for implementing the methodology of the invention. 
     Coupons are conventionally distributed in print media, over the Internet, or at a retail store (either on display or printed on the back of receipts). Conventional coupons are for fixed amounts and are distributed regardless of an individual sale. In addition, a number of retail stores may offer discounts based on the total sales price of a transaction. For example, a store may state, “Receive $5 off on purchases of $40 or more.” This conventional coupon system has been in place for years and has remained relatively static. 
     In view of the foregoing, there remains a need in the retail industry for a coupon system that motivates consumers to increase the amount of an individual transaction and, therefore, to increase revenues of participating retailers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides systems and methods for distributing coupons by a retailer. The coupons distributed in the invention are “third-party” coupons, that is, coupons for goods or services that are unrelated to those of the retailer and offered by a third-party retailer. For example, if a supermarket is distributing the coupons, then the coupons may be for tools at a home-improvement store or for tax services by an accountant. 
     The distribution methods of the invention increase the revenue of a retailer. More specifically, a consumer is presented a coupon when the value of the transaction exceeds a threshold. In a number of embodiments, the threshold is the average sale per transaction of the retailer. Accordingly, consumers will be motivated to increase spending so that coupons can be earned. The revenue of a retailer may be further enhanced by selling advertising space within the retailer&#39;s establishment to participating third-party retailers. 
     The methods and apparatus of the invention are equally applicable to both “brick and mortar” and “click and mortar” retailing. In the latter, consumers may shop on the Internet and print out coupons during checkout if the threshold for a particular website is met. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a check-out counter; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system for printing coupons; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating revenue-generating methodology; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a Retail Store and Participating Retailers; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of advertising space placards; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a placard; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating methodology of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of coupons; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating alternative methodology of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a Internet-based coupon issuing system; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a graphical user interface for use in an Internet-based coupon system; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating server methodology of issuing coupons; 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating consumer methodology for receiving coupons; and 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of a pop-up window for enabling the selection of coupons. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention presents apparatus, systems, devices, methods, and processes for generating and increasing revenue at a retail store. According to a number of embodiments of the invention as exemplified in  FIG. 1 , a check-out stand  100  of a retail store may include a register  102  with a till  104  and a printer  106  for printing receipts. In addition, a number of embodiments may also include a display  108  and a keypad  110 . 
     The check-out stand  100  may also include a scanner  112  for scanning UPC codes and a point-of-sale (POS) device  114  for scanning debit and credit cards. In addition, in a number of embodiments, such as grocery stores, the check-out stand  100  may also include counter space  116  and a conveyor belt  118 . The check-out stand  100  may further include a secondary monitor  119  visible to consumers passing through the check-out stand. The secondary monitor  119  may be a touch screen-type monitor so that a consumer may select a coupon as described in more detail below. 
     Referencing  FIG. 2 , in a number of embodiments the register  102  may include a computer with a processor  120  and memory  122 . The processor  120  may be in communication with the keypad  110 , the scanner  112 , and the printer  106 . 
     Referencing  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a Retail Store A may generate revenue by selling, leasing, or renting advertising space to Participating Retailers M, N, and O (step S 100 ). The advertising space may be in the form of placards  124  located at, for example, the counter space  116  or the conveyor belt  118  at the check-out stand  100 . Alternatively, the placards  124  may be located throughout the store, for example, on the doors  126 , entry mats  127 , or shopping carts  128  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In other embodiments, the advertising space may be in the form ads  129  shown on the consumer display  119  at the check-out stand  100 . 
     In a number of embodiments a shown in  FIG. 6 , a placard  124  or an ad  129  may include a logo of a Participating Retailer and text to the effect, “Purchase more than $(threshold T) at Retail Store A and receive a coupon for (percentage P)% off your next purchase at Participating Retailer M.” According to a number of embodiments, the threshold T may be the average sale per customer of Retail Store A. 
     According to some of the embodiments, Retail Store A may sell advertising space to more than one Participating Retailer, as shown by way of example of the plurality of placards  124  at the counter  116  in  FIG. 1 . Each Participating Retailer may have a different threshold T and a different percentage P. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , Retail Store A sells the products of Entity B, C, and D. According to a number of embodiments, the Retail Store A sells advertising space to Participating Retailers unassociated with the products of the Entities. For example, if Retail Store A is a supermarket selling milk, bread, and fruit (i.e., goods of Entities B, C, and D), then Retail Store A may sell advertising space to retailers of automotive parts, clothing, and dental services (i.e., goods and services of Participating Retailers M, N, and O). 
     Once advertising space is sold to a Participating Retailer, then the Retail Store A may increase the average sale of Retail Store A by printing coupons for one or more Participating Retailers when an individual total sale exceeds a minimum purchase requirement or threshold T, for example, the average sale (step S 102 ). Shoppers at Retail Store A may be motivated to purchase more goods and/or services of Retail Store A so that their individual total sale exceeds the threshold T in order to receive discounts at the Participating Retailers. Accordingly, the average sale of Retail Store A will be increased. 
     According to a number of embodiments as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , during an individual sale of a shopper at a check-out stand  100  of Retail Store A, the processor  120  adds the price of each item purchased by the shopper to reach a total sale S(t) (step S 110 ). The prices may be input through the scanner  112  or the keypad  110 . The processor  120  may then compare the individual total sale S(t) to a threshold T, for example, the average individual sale S(avg) of the Retail Store (step S 112 ). If the total sale S(t) is greater than the average sale S(avg) (step S 114 ), then the processor  120  may cause the printer  106  to print a coupon for one or more of the Participating Retailers (step S 116 ). If the total sale S(t) is not greater than the average sale S(avg), then the processor  120  may cause the printer  106  to print a receipt for the individual sale (step S 118 ). The average sale S(avg) may be stored in the memory  122 . 
     In some of the embodiments, if the total sale S(t) is not greater than the average sale S(avg), the processor  120  may cause the printer  106  to print a message on the receipt indicating that if the shopper had spent $(difference D) more, then a coupon would have been printed, where the difference D is between the average sale S(avg) and the total sale S(t) for the individual. 
     According to a number of embodiments, the processor  120  may be configured to maintain a current average sale S(avg). That is, the processor  120  may recalculate the average sale S(avg) after each purchase with the current individual total sale S(t) (step S 120 ). In retail stores with a plurality of check-out stands  100 , a centralized computer may be used to maintain the current average sale of all of the check-out stands. The process continues for the next individual sale (step S 122 ). The current average sale S(avg) may be displayed in the store, such as on the secondary monitor  119  (see  FIG. 1 ) or on a central display in the store (not shown). 
     An example of a coupon  130  that may be printed when the total individual sale S(t) exceeds a threshold T is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The coupon  130  may include the name of the Participating Retailer, the percentage of the discount, an expiration date, a coupon number, a barcode, etc. As mentioned, coupons  130  for each of the Participating Retailers may be printed when the threshold T is exceeded. 
     According to some of the embodiments, the printed coupons  130  may be individually printed and presented to the shopper at Retail Store A or may be printed on the receipt (either the front or the back of the receipt) at step S 118 . In addition, if more than one coupon  130  is printed, there may be perforations between the coupons to facilitate separation by a user. 
     More than one printer may be used to perform the printing of the coupons  130 . For example, in a number of embodiments, the check-out stand  100  may include a dedicated printer  132  for printing the coupons  130 , while the other printer  106  prints the receipt. 
     According to some of the embodiments, the display  108  at the check-out stand  100  may display a running total T(r) of the individual sale so that a shopper is informed of whether or not the threshold T is likely to be met by the individual sale. If, for example, the running total T(r) is short of the threshold T by a small amount, then the shopper will be motivated to make an impulse purchase of goods located at the check-out stand  100  to push the running total T(r) [and, therefore, the total sale S(t)] over the threshold T. 
     According to other embodiments of the invention as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the processor  120  may be configured to increase the percentage P as a function of the total sale S(t). For example, if the threshold T is exceeded by the total sale S(t), then a coupon  130  for one or more Participating Retailers may be printed. The percentage P of the discount of the coupon  130  may be a function of the amount of the total sale S(t) over the threshold T. 
     More specifically, if the total sale S(t) is greater than or equal to the threshold T but less than a first limit T( 1 ), then the processor  120  may cause the printer  106  to print a first percentage P( 1 ) (e.g., 10%) on the coupon  130  (step S 124 ). If the total sale S(t) is greater than or equal the first limit T( 1 ) but less than a second limit T( 2 ), then the processor  120  may cause the printer  106  to print a second percentage P( 2 ) (e.g., 15%) on the coupon  130  (step S 126 ). If the total sale S(t) is greater than or equal the second limit T( 2 ) but less than a third limit T( 3 ), then the processor  120  may cause the printer  106  to print a third percentage P( 3 ) (e.g., 20%) on the coupon  130  (step S 128 ). 
     The limits T may be fixed or may be recalculated for each individual sale based on the current average sale S(avg). In addition, the limits T may be a fixed amount greater than the threshold T or may be percentage of the current average sale S(avg), e.g., 110% of S(avg), 120% of S(avg), etc. 
     In other embodiments, the system  100  may enable a user to select the coupon. More specifically, if the threshold T is exceeded, a plurality of coupons may be displayed on the second monitor  119  (see  FIG. 1 ). The user may then selected which of the coupons is to be printed. The selection may be verbally or through the use of a touch screen, for example. 
     In addition to the “brick and mortar” retail example provided above, the principles of the present invention are analogously applicable to Internet commerce as well. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a network  140  including a consumer computer  142  with a monitor  143  connected to a seller server  144  via the world-wide web  146  enables consumers to receive coupons on their own printer  148  according to the invention. 
     Referencing  FIG. 11 , an example of a graphical user interface (GUI)  150  for display on the monitor  143  of the consumer computer  142  in accordance with the principles of the invention is illustrated. The GUI  150  may include a shopping cart  152  such as item information and unit price. Additionally, the GUI  150  may include a threshold field  154 , a subtotal field  156 , and a difference field  158 . 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the server  144  maintains the threshold T for a particular website and displays the threshold T (S 130 ) in the threshold field  154  of the GUI  150 . When shopping (S 132 ), a consumer then adds items from the website to the shopping cart (S 134 ). The server.  144  may then maintain a running subtotal S(sub) and display the subtotal S(sub) (S 136 ) in the subtotal filed  156 . In addition, the difference between the threshold T and the subtotal S(sub) may be calculated and displayed (S 138 ) in the difference field  158 . 
     The consumer may then view the subtotal S(sub) (S 140 ) and the difference to determine whether or not the threshold T has been reached. In accordance with this embodiment, a signal that the threshold T has been reached may be in the form of a positive difference, i.e., subtotal S(sub) less threshold T. If the threshold T has not been reached, the consumer may continue shopping (S 144 ) to increase the value of the transaction until the threshold T is met, if desired. 
     If the subtotal S(sub) is greater than the threshold T (i.e., if the difference is positive), then the server  144  may enable a select coupon icon  160  (S 146 ) in the GUI  150 . This may also act as a signal (see step S 142 ). If the select coupon icon  160  is selected (S 148 ), then a pop-up window  162  may be displayed with a plurality of coupon choices  164 , one of which the consumer may select, as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     If the consumer does not want to continue shopping, then a checkout icon  166  may be selected (S 150 ), thereby initiating a checkout sequence (S 152 ). Upon checking out, if the threshold T was met, then the consumer may print out the selected coupon (S 154 ), with the coupon being printed (SI  56 ) at the printer  148 . 
     In the foregoing description, coupon is used to describe a coupon issued by Retailer A for the goods or the services of Retailer B, wherein the goods/services of Retailer B are unrelated to those of Retailer A. Accordingly, for the purposes of this description, these coupons are referred to as third-party coupons. 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide the foundation for numerous alternatives and modifications thereto. These and other modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described above but by the scope of the appended claims.