Abstract:
Internet, web-based platform that offers low cost advertising venue for companies and a convenient shopping venue for customers. The system includes storage capacity to store information on purchased and redeemed coupons, and includes logic to analyze the effectiveness of a marketing campaign based on statistical analysis of redeemed coupons relative to purchased coupons. One embodiment includes a system capable of automatically comparing and analyzing the customers&#39; stored preferences with posted coupons, and automatically sending a listing of coupons that match the customer&#39;s preference by email, text message, or by any commercially available communication mode. Another embodiment includes a coupon sales revenue sharing function between the web site and the matched coupon company that credits both the web site&#39;s account and the company&#39;s account for each coupon sold, where the company&#39;s shared revenue portion can be limited.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation In Part application of International Application Number PCT/US2011/001191, entitled ELECTRONIC COUPON SYSTEM filed on Jul. 7, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related generally to the internet marketing and sales of electronic coupons, and in particular to a process of the web site hosting company having an option to share a portion of the internet coupon sales with the company offering the coupon. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Current marketing technology ranges from coupons in entertainment books, ads in yellow page phone books, newspaper advertisements, magazine advertisements, and local direct mailings. These methods are all very expensive ways for small businesses to advertise their services and products. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is an internet, web-based platform that offers a low cost advertising venue for companies and a convenient shopping venue for customers. Companies are provided an affordable, virtual marketing venue that rewards the company for creative coupon offers that entice customers to purchase coupons for a nominal fee and to patronize the company&#39;s establishment or use its services. Companies can target advertising in specific markets. Customers can find places and services of interest based on geographical location (for example, by area code or zip code) that offer discounts through the purchase of nominally priced coupons. The places and services of interest can be restaurants, theaters, amusement parks, museums, hotels, transportation, dry cleaners, etc. 
         [0005]    The web site hosting company can charge a monthly subscription fee for: (i) the services of posting, promoting, and managing the coupon sales, (ii) distributing and tracking of the purchased coupons for marketing evaluation, and (iii) analyzing the effectiveness of a coupon-based marketing campaign based on statistical analysis of redeemed coupons relative to purchased coupons. The system includes storage capacity to store information on purchased and redeemed coupons, and includes logic to analyze the effectiveness of a marketing campaign based on statistical analysis of redeemed coupons relative to purchased coupons. Even if a customer does not buy the coupon, the customer will see the coupon ad for that company, which results in inexpensive or free advertising (depending on the number of coupons sold during the month) for the company. Companies have peace of mind because the chances of a customer actually purchasing a coupon and utilizing it are very high. The coupon purchase virtually ensures customers will solicit the coupon provider&#39;s business. 
         [0006]    One embodiment of the present invention includes a system capable of automatically or periodically comparing and analyzing the customers&#39; stored preferences with the posted coupons, and automatically or periodically sending a listing of coupons that match the customers&#39; preference by email, text message, or by any commercially available communication mode. Automatic comparison and matches are generated either upon registration of a new customer or upon posting of a new coupon that meets the preference criterion of the customer. 
         [0007]    One embodiment of the present invention includes a coupon sales revenue sharing feature that credits the company&#39;s account for each coupon sold up to an agreed upon limit or no limit. The credit can reduce or eliminate the company&#39;s future subscription fee, such as the next month&#39;s subscription fee. In the case where the limit is equivalent to the monthly subscription fee, the company&#39;s advertising is free. In the case where the limit is greater than the monthly subscription fee or no limit, the company makes money from the posting of the coupon and the internet, web-based platform of the present invention becomes a profit center for the company as well as free advertising venue. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, the invention will now be described, for the purposes of illustration and not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of the network of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of the process for a company to register and join the web site, and the process for a registered company to post coupons according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of the process for a customer to register to join the internet, web-based platform, and the process for a registered customer to search and purchase posted coupons according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of the customer coupon purchasing process according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of the company account crediting process according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of the logic process to analyze purchased and redeemed coupons according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Now turning to  FIG. 1  illustrating a schematic of one embodiment of the network  10  of the present invention. Network  10  includes companies  12  and customers  14  that link with internet, web-based platform (web site)  15  via the internet  16 . Internet, web-based platform (web site)  15  includes web host server  18  in communication with storage device  20  that contains data base  22  of system files (coupon purchase data  22 A and redeemed coupon data  22 B) and logic. 
         [0016]    Now turning to  FIG. 2  illustrating a flow diagram of the registration process for a company  12  to join the web site  15  of the present invention, and the process for a registered company  12  to post coupons according to one embodiment of the present invention. Company  12  logs on to web site  15  (Block  24 ). If it is the first time company  12  has signed on to web host server  18  (Block  26 ), then company  12  must register for service (Block  38 ) before being able to post coupons. Company  12  will provide information including but not limited to street address, city, state, zip code, type of business, and billing information. Company  12  can include surrounding zip codes in the search field such that customer  14  will receive the company&#39;s information along with similar companies in the particular zip code searched by customer  14 . National business chains can download all store location zip codes. 
         [0017]    Continuing with  FIG. 2 , a new company  12  must establish an account and pay the subscription fee of at least one month in advance (Block  32 ) prior to posting any coupons (Block  31 ), in a subscription fee is required. After registering, new and existing companies  12  can opt not to pay the subscription fee (Block  30 ) and terminate the session (Block  36 ). As long as an existing company  12  is up to date with its subscription fee (Block  28 ) or pays the outstanding balance of the subscription fee (Block  32 ), company  12  can add coupons (Block  31 ), or delete or modify coupon offers (Block  34 ). One embodiment of the present invention will have tier levels of subscription fees from a basic plan that limits the number of coupons posted per month (as few as one coupon per month up to a fixed number of coupons per month) to an unlimited plan that allows company  12  to post unlimited coupons. In the case where company  12  is allowed a limited number of postings (Block  29 ), then company  12  will only be allowed to delete or modify existing posting if company  12  has reached it limit of postings (Block  34 ). During a session, company  12  can make as many modifications, additions, or deletions providing that company  12  stays within the system and program parameters (such as payment of subscription fee and limited number of postings). Another embodiment of the present invention does not require any subscription fees for Company  12  to be a member of the web site. Company  12  can pay the subscription fee with any financial instrument or means, such as electronic funds transfer, electronic check, debit card, credit card, standard check, cash (if hand delivered to the web host&#39;s office), etc. Once company  12  is registered and posted coupons, the web site  15  will add company  12  to mass mailing listing in data base  22  (Block  33 ) that market web site  15  to potential customers  14  in defined areas to enhance web traffic. 
         [0018]    Company  12  can limit or not limit the number of coupons sold, the value of the coupon, expiration period of the coupons, and other restrictions, such as the coupon is good for use only during certain times and days of the week, providing none of the restrictions violate local, state, and federal consumer protection laws, for which company  12  is fully and solely responsible for compliance therewith. Company  12  can post multiple specials and post pictures. The coupon can be printable or stored on a smart device in Point-Of-Sale compatible electronic format. The coupon can be uniquely number, bar coded, or include other commercially available tracking technology containing the date of sale, date of expiration (if any), and other indicia as necessary for tracking purposes. 
         [0019]    Now turning to  FIG. 3  illustrating a flow diagram of the process for a customer  14  to register and join the web site  15 , and the process for a registered customer  14  to search and purchase posted coupons according to one embodiment of the present invention. The process starts with customer  14  logging on to web site  15  (Block  40 ). If it is the first time customer  14  is logging on to web site  15  (Block  42 ), then customer  14  must register (Block  44 ). Customer  14  will provide email address, billing address, and form of payment of deposit money for the customer account. The deposited money can be fully refundable if no coupons are purchased under certain conditions. Customer  14  fills out an online profile of what type of coupons customer  14  is interested in to create a preference list of items based on location (such as area code, zip code, city, county, state, country, etc.) including but not limited to products, food cuisine, activities, amusements, entertainment, cultural events, sporting events, and other service venues. Web site  15  will match customer coupon preferences with posted coupons at a predetermined time, such as immediately, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc. (Block  58 ) and send emails or text message to customer  14  listings of any coupon deals offered in those area&#39;s through web site  15  to customer  14  at a predetermined time, such as immediately, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc., selected by customer  14  (Block  60 ). Customer  14  can also browse web site  15  for coupons (Block  46 ). Customer  14  can select a coupon to purchase (Block  48 ) either from the email or text message (Block  60 ) or coupons found when browsing (Block  46 ). 
         [0020]    Continuing with  FIG. 3 , the present invention will verify that there is sufficient funds in the account for customer  14  to purchase coupons (Block  50 ). If there are not sufficient funds in the account to purchase the coupon, then a pop up screen will appear and prompt customer  14  to replenish the account to continue with the transaction (Block  52 ). If customer  14  does not replenish the account (Block  54 ), then the session is terminated (Block  56 ) and customer  14  can no longer participate on the web site  15  until the account is replenished. If customer  14  does replenish the account (Block  54 ) or there is sufficient funds in the account (Block  50 ), then the customer  14  authorizes the debit of the account by the agreed upon amount per coupon (for example, $0.50) and customer&#39;s account is debited (see  FIG. 4 , Block  61 ) accordingly. 
         [0021]    Continuing with  FIG. 4 , once customer&#39;s account is debited by the purchase price of the coupon (Block  61 ), then the system determines (Block  62 ) whether the transaction is under a non-revenue sharing agreement (Block  63 ) or a revenue sharing agreement (Block  65 ) between web site  15  and matched coupon company  12 . If the agreement is a non-revenue sharing, then the web site&#39;s account is credited the full purchase price of the coupon (Block  67 ). If the agreement is a revenue sharing agreement, then the debited amount can be shared between the web site  15  and matched coupon company  12  by an agreed upon portion of the coupon purchase price (for example, $0.50), known as a full shared credit, for example 50/50 split or $0.25 each (Block  64 ). One embodiment of the present invention provides for sharing a portion of the purchase price of the coupon up to a predetermined limit, which can include the full purchase price of the coupon or in other words matched coupon company  12  or the web site  15  can receive up to 100 percent of the coupon price. The predetermined limit may be a portion of the company&#39;s monthly subscription fee up to the entire subscription fee. Another embodiment of the present invention may have no limit to the shared portion, thereby making web site  15  a profit center for company  12 . After the debiting of customer&#39;s account and crediting of matched coupon company&#39;s and web site&#39;s account, the purchased coupons are sent or transmitted to customer  14  as disclosed above (Block  66 ). The coupon purchasing session is terminated (Block  68 ) once the purchased coupons are sent (e.g., U.S. Postal Service or other courier services like UPS or Federal Express) or otherwise transmitted (e.g., email or text message) to customer  14 . Another embodiment of the present invention the coupon is free and does not require the coupon to be purchased, and therefore there is no revenue sharing feature to that embodiment. Another embodiment of the present invention has no revenue sharing feature even if a coupon is purchased, meaning that web site  15  receives 100 percent of the purchase price of the coupon. 
         [0022]    Customer  14  redemption of the coupon to the matched coupon company  12  is not required for crediting the web site account with the purchase price of the matched coupon less an applied shared payable (if any) allocated to the matched coupon company  12 , and crediting the matched coupon company payment account with the applied shared credit (if any). Requirements to share the coupon purchase price between the web site  15  and the matched coupon company  12  is that sharing (if any) be done after the step of debiting the customer payment account and prior to the coupon being redeemed by the customer  14  from the matched coupon company  12 . The web site account and the matched coupon customer account will be credited the agreed portion of the purchase price of the coupon prior to sending the coupon to the customer  14 . 
         [0023]    Now turning to  FIG. 5  illustrating a flow diagram of the company account crediting process according to one embodiment of the present invention. Web site  15  checks the current month&#39;s account balance for company  14  (Block  70 ). The system will determine whether the company&#39;s shared credit of the revenue from the sales of coupons is limited (Block  71 ). Depending on terms and conditions agreed upon by the web site  15  and the company  12 , for example if there is no limit, then the company&#39;s account is credited its full shared credit (Block  76 ). If the credit of its full share exceeds the next month&#39;s subscription, then the excess is either accumulated to pay subsequent months&#39; subscriptions or paid out in the form of cash to company  12  (Block  79 ). If there is a limit to the company&#39;s share of the revenue from the sales of coupons, the system will determine whether the monthly credits are less than the agreed upon monthly limit (if any) discussed above (Block  72 ). If the company&#39;s account has been credited to an amount equal the limit, then the full shared credit amount of the company&#39;s share portion is credited to the web site&#39;s account along with the web site&#39;s full share (Block  82 ) and the session continues (Block  84 ) back to  FIG. 4 , Block  66 , to send the coupons to the customer after crediting the company&#39;s account and/or the web site&#39;s account. If the company&#39;s monthly credits is less than the agreed upon limit, then the system determines whether the company&#39;s monthly credit is greater than the agreed upon limit after crediting the next full shared credit (Block  74 ). If the company&#39;s monthly credit is less than the agreed upon limit after the next shared credit entry, then the company&#39;s account is credited its full shared credit (Block  76 ). If the company&#39;s monthly credit is more than the agreed upon limit after the next shared credit entry, then the system will automatically generate a report for web site  15  to review company limit (Block  75 ) and determine whether to increase the limit, eliminate the limit, or not change the limit (Block  77 ). If the decision is to not change the limit, then the system will determine the shared credit amount to reach the limit and credit the company&#39;s account by that amount or the applied shared credit (Block  78 ). The applied shared credit is the difference between the monthly credit limit and the current accumulated monthly shared credit. The web site&#39;s account will by credited the remaining portion of the company&#39;s full shared credit (full shared credit minus the applied shared credit) along with the web site&#39;s full shared credit (Block  80 ) and the session is terminated (Block  84 ). 
         [0024]    As mentioned above, as customers  14  purchase coupons from web site  15 , web site  15  can give back a portion of the revenue (known as shared revenue) to the company  12  (also referred to as the matched coupon company) that posted the coupon. The company&#39;s share is credited back into the company&#39;s account that posted the coupon to cover the monthly flat fee for the following month. If company  12  sells enough coupons, then the flat fee subscription could be completely covered. In the event the percentage paid back to company exceeds the next month&#39;s flat fee amount, then there are two possibilities: (i) web site  15  keeps the money over and above the monthly fee, or (ii) web site  15  can apply the credit to future months subscriptions or distribute the excess to the company turning this business relationship into a profit center. 
         [0025]    Below are possible scenarios of the distribution of revenue from the sale of coupons. The examples are not intended to limit the present invention to any particular subscription fees, revenue sharing percentages or fixed amounts, or coupon purchase prices. 
         [0026]    First Fact Pattern: 
         [0027]    1. Company  12  pays a flat fee monthly subscription of $50.00. 
         [0028]    2. Web site  15  agrees to share or give back to company  12  20% (80/20 split) of the $0.25 coupon purchase or $0.05 for each coupon purchased under certain conditions. 
         [0029]    Scenario One: Company&#39;s share limit is not reached illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0030]    1. Company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit is $50.00 (Block  71 ). 
         [0031]    2. On the 15th day of the current month, company  12  has sold 500 coupons during the current month and company  12  has been credited $25.00 as its current accumulated monthly shared credit. 
         [0032]    3. Company  12  sells  20  coupons on 16th day of the current month for a potential shared credit of $1.00 (20 coupons time $0.25 per coupon times 0.2). 
         [0033]    4. The company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit ($25.00) is less than the company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit is 550.00 (Block  72 ). 
         [0034]    5. The addition of the new shared credit ($1.00) to the company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit ($25.00) will result in the company&#39;s new accumulated monthly shared credit ($26.00) being less than the company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit ($50.00) (Block  74 ), so the new shared credit ($1.00) can be credited to the company&#39;s account (Block  76 ). 
         [0035]    Scenario Two: Company&#39;s shared credit limit is reached after credit of the next shared credit illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]    1. Company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit is $50.00 (Block  71 ). 
         [0037]    2. On the 15th day of the current month, company has sold 500 coupons during the current month and has been credited $25.00 as its current monthly shared credit. 
         [0038]    3. The company&#39;s current monthly shared credit ($25.00) is less than the company&#39;s monthly credit shared limit is $50.00 (Block  72 ) for a remaining monthly credit shared limit of $25.00. 
         [0039]    4. Company  12  sells  500  coupons on 16th day of the current month for a potential shared credit of $25.00 (500 coupons time $0.25 per coupon times 0.2). 
         [0040]    5. The addition of the new shared credit ($25.00) to the company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit ($25.00) will result in the company&#39;s new accumulated monthly shared credit ($50.00) being equal to the company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit ($50.00) (Block  74 ), so the new shared credit ($25.00) can be credited to the company&#39;s account (Block  76 ). 
         [0041]    Scenario Three: Company&#39;s shared credit limit will be reached by partial portion of company&#39;s shared credit illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0042]    1. Company&#39;s monthly credit shared limit is $50.00 (Block  71 ). 
         [0043]    2. On the 15th day of the current month, company  12  has sold 500 coupons during the current month and company  12  has been credited $25.00 as its current accumulated monthly shared credit. 
         [0044]    3. The company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit ($25.00) is less than the company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit is $50.00 (Block  72 ) for a remaining monthly credit shared limit of $25.00. 
         [0045]    4. Company  12  sells  1000  coupons on 16th day of the current month for a potential shared credit of $50.00 (1000 coupons time $0.25 per coupon times 0.2). 
         [0046]    5. The addition of the new shared credit ($50.00) to the company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit ($25.00) will result in the company&#39;s new accumulated monthly shared credit ($75.00) being greater than the company&#39;s monthly credit shared credit limit ($50.00) (Block  74 ), so a partial shared credit of $25.00 is added to the $25.00 of the company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit making the company&#39;s new accumulated monthly shared credit $50.00 (Block  78 ). The partial shared credit of $25.00 is credited to the company&#39;s account (Block  78 ) and the remaining $25.00 shared credit is credited to the web site&#39;s account (Block  80 ). 
         [0047]    Scenario Four: There is no limit to Company&#39;s share of the revenue from the sales of coupons illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0048]    1. Company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit is infinite (Block  71 ). 
         [0049]    2. On the 15th day of the current month, company  12  has sold 500 coupons during the current month and company  12  has been credited $25.00 as its current monthly shared credit. 
         [0050]    3. Company  12  sells  1000  coupons on 16th day of the current month for a potential shared credit of $50.00 (1000 coupons time $0.25 per coupon times 0.2). 
         [0051]    4. The new shared credit ($50.00) added to the company&#39;s current monthly shared credit ($25.00) will result in the company&#39;s new accumulated monthly shared credit ($75.00), which is $25.00 greater than the company&#39;s flat fee monthly subscription of $50.00. The partial shared credit of $25.00 is credited to the company&#39;s account (Block  76 ), and the remaining $25.00 shared credit (which is in excess of the next month&#39;s subscription) is either accumulated to pay subsequent month&#39;s subscription or the web site  15  can send company  12  is check or other financial instrument for $25.00 (Block  79 ). 
         [0052]    Scenario Five: Company&#39;s share limit is reached before credit of the next shared credit illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0053]    1. Company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit is $50.00 (Block  71 ). 
         [0054]    2. On the 15th day of the current month, company has sold 1000 coupons during the current month and has been credited $50.00 as its current monthly shared credit. 
         [0055]    3. Company  12  sells  1000  coupons on 16th day of the current month for a potential shared credit of $50.00 (1000 coupons time $0.25 per coupon times 0.2). 
         [0056]    4. The company&#39;s current accumulated monthly shared credit ($50.00) is not less than the company&#39;s monthly shared credit limit of $50.00 (Block  72 ). 
         [0057]    5. The entire or full company shared credit ($50.00) is credited to the web site&#39;s account (Block  82 ). 
         [0058]    Second Fact Pattern: 
         [0059]    1. Company  12  pays a flat fee monthly subscription of $50.00. 
         [0060]    2. Web site  15  does not share revenue with Company  12 . 
         [0061]    Scenario: Entire purchase price of coupon is credited to web site account as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0062]    1. Customer  14  buys (4) coupons for Company A&#39;s product or service at $0.25 per coupon for a total of $1.00. 
         [0063]    2. Customer&#39;s account is debited $1.00. (Block  62 ) 
         [0064]    3. Web site&#39;s account is credited $1.00. (Block  63 ) 
         [0065]    4. Web site  15  sends or transmits the (4) coupons to Customer  14 . 
       (Block  66 ) 
       [0066]    Now turning to  FIG. 6  illustrating a flow diagram of the logic process to analyze purchased and redeemed coupons according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system stores coupon purchase data  22 A (see  FIG. 1 ) in storage device  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) for comparison with redeemed coupon data  22 B (see  FIG. 1 ) ( FIG. 6 , Block  86 ). Company  12  transmits data regarding redeemed coupons  22 B to the system for storage device  20  ( FIG. 6 , Block  88 ). System logic compares the redeemed coupon data  22 A with the coupon purchase data  22 B. Reports  23  (see  FIG. 1 ) can be generated by web site  15  and companies  12  for marketing and advertising strategy ( FIG. 6 , Block  92 ). Providing these reports enhance value of the web site  15  and create more business opportunities for web site  15  and companies  12 .  FIG. 6 , 
         [0067]    While the disclosure has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.