Abstract:
Methods and systems for managing both electronic and paper coupons that includes a coupon web application and coupon card that allows paper coupons to be electronic, paperless, easily accessible, and organized with the use of mobile devices and wireless capable kiosk. Disclosed herein, the aforementioned printed and/or electronic coupons will have the ability to be loaded via web application to mobile device and/or scanned via wireless capable kiosk or personal home scanner. These same coupons will be placed in a user account via the web application and/or placed on a coupon card that will have the capability to be scanned by a retail UPC-type scanner for the process of being redeemed. This coupon web application and coupon card allows all coupons to be captured into one place, extracted effortlessly, notifies of expiration and allows better and easier utilization.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. U.S. 61/824,801 filed May 17, 2013. 
         [0002]    All of the above-cited applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0005]    Consumers obtain paper coupons in a variety of ways. They may cut them out of a newspaper, receive them in the mail, or receive them at a Point of Service (POS) terminal when making a purchase. Sometimes paper coupons are mailed to consumers by the sponsor of the coupon or other entity. They also can receive them electronically through email accounts or by printing paper coupons off of the internet onto a home printer. 
         [0006]    Paper coupons are cumbersome to keep track of and time consuming to maintain. Many consumers do not have time to clip paper coupons. Those who use a large number of paper coupons often spend additional time sorting the coupons into categories so that a particular coupon is easier to find. Further, consumers will often receive the paper coupon some time before they intend to use it. The consumer then stores the paper coupon until they go shopping. This makes coupons poorly utilized. Out of the 302 billion coupons distributed in the year 2012, less than 1% were utilized. 
         [0007]    Conventional advertising still represents the largest chunk of the marketplace—about twice as much as digital media advertising in terms of total dollars spent. Thus, there is a need for a system that will assist merchants and manufacturers in making sure their marketing dollars are not being wasted and to allow consumers a way to manage their coupons so that they can save money and time. There is no prior art that converts already existing paper coupons into electronic coupons. 
         [0008]    Prior art has not addressed utilizing paper coupons. Prior art deals with electronic coupons coming directly from the manufacturer and not having paper coupons at all. Not only would this mean jobs lost, it would mean that in order to save money all consumers will be forced to use electronic coupons. Technology continues to grow but consumers are creatures of habit. It appears that consumers are not ready to let go of paper coupons—in 2012, less than 2% of coupons redeemed were via a mobile device. The rest were paper coupons according to the 2013 Annual NCH Coupon Facts. There is a need to find a way to utilize the paper coupons in this ever-increasing electronic world. Free-standing inserts are the dominant coupon distribution method with an estimated 90% share of distribution by volume in 2012. Consumers need a way to still utilize paper coupons, but will give them a way to manage and utilize them more proficiently. 
         [0009]    Offering a coupon management system that presents a way to convert paper coupons to electronic and taking the coupon full circle from manufacturer to retailer back to manufacturer for reimbursement to retailer. No other prior art offers such an inclusive coupon management system from beginning of coupon life to end of coupon life. 
       Advantages 
       [0010]    By using the mobile device and/or kiosk, the consumer can upload/scan coupon into the web application and/or coupon card. The web application and coupon card files the coupon and when appropriate notifies user of expiration. When utilizing coupons, user opens web application from mobile device or presents coupon card at the register, the register scanner will be able to extract all applicable coupons from the web application or coupon card. According to NCH Marketing, 28.3% of consumers do not use coupons because they expire before they could use them. This problem could be lessened with the expiration notification. 
         [0011]    The branding implement will limit each coupon to a one-time use. Scanned coupons will not be allowed to be loaded into the account without this branding. This will hinder fraudulent use of paper coupons. 
         [0012]    The coupon card and coupon web application allow all coupons to be captured into one place, extracted effortlessly, notifies of expiration and allows better and easier utilization, which will significantly increase the 1% utilization rate of the current 302 billion coupon distribution. Once the coupon gets utilized, it is extracted from the consumer&#39;s account. 
         [0013]    This process captures all paper coupons and electronic coupons into one application and allows extraction of coupons after utilization. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    The present embodiments relate generally to the distribution and management of coupons, and more particularly to the branding of paper coupons and converting said paper coupons into electronic coupons via a kiosk, personal scanner, and/or mobile device to be stored in a database and transferred to a coupon card or web application account. After said coupon is utilized, using said database to reimburse retailer from manufacturer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The existing disclosure generally relates to managing both electronic and paper coupons for the purpose of presenting users with a viable way to save on future purchases, organizing them in categories for easier access and ease of use, and providing methods and systems for coupon management systems. 
           [0016]    Various embodiments are disclosed in the following brief descriptions and accompanying drawings. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts components for implementing a coupon management system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts consumer signing up for an account via a website. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates the process for signing into an account, scanning coupon and/or loading coupons to a coupon card via a kiosk. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates the uploading of the web application onto the mobile device and example of expiration notification. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates the process of a mobile device and coupon card interaction with a universal product code (UPC)-type scanner when consumer utilizes coupon at retailer, coupon is removed from account, and consumer receives a print out of the upcoming expiring coupons. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates the process of a user utilizing the mobile application to trade a coupon with other users via social media as well as posting on social media about mobile web application to receive coupons. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates the used coupon being stored in a database and assisting a retailer in redeeming coupon from a manufacturer. 
       
    
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           100  Components of the coupon management system 
           102  Branding tool 
           104   a  Paper coupon 
           104   b  Electronic coupon 
           106  Personal digital camera 
           108  Personal scanner 
           110  Wireless capable kiosk 
           112  Mobile device camera 
           114  Personal Printer 
           116  Personal Computer 
           118  Mobile Device 
           120  Internet 
           122  Database 
           124  Coupon card 
           126  Web Application 
           128  Utilize Coupon at Register 
           202  Website Account Sign Up 
           302  Signing into Account via Kiosk Screen 
           304  Kiosk Scanner Slot to Scan Paper Coupons 
           306  Kiosk Coupon Card Insertion 
           402  Web application expiration notification bubble 
           502  UPC-type scanner 
           504  UPC-type scanner scanning web application 
           506  UPC-type scanner scanning coupon card 
           508  Printed receipt showing upcoming expiring coupons 
           602  Sharing/trading coupons via social media 
           702  Retailer 
           704  Manufacturer 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0052]    The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of example processes and tools is not intended to limit the scope of the description to the precise method or methods detailed herein. Instead, the following description is intended to be for illustrative purposes and for learning purposes. 
         [0053]    An embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , depicts components of the coupon management system  100 . The consumer signs up for an account on the website  202 . Said consumer opens said account  202  by filling in the appropriate information and creating a user name and password. Once signed up, said consumer will receive a branding tool  102  that is used to mark paper coupons  104   a  to limit said coupon to one time use. The branding tool on  FIG. 1  is represented by a letter B. Said consumer can request a coupon card  124  if said consumer prefers not to use a mobile device  118 . Said coupon card will be mailed to said consumer to the address provided when said consumer signed up for said account  202 . If said consumer chooses to use the mobile application  126 , said consumer can load the web application  126  to the mobile device  118 . Once said consumer enters said user name and password, said web application  126  is ready for use. Said coupon card  124  and said web application  126  can accept both paper coupons  104   a  and electronic coupons  104   b  that have been loaded into said account  202 . When said consumer receives a paper coupon  104   a , said consumer will use said branding implement  102  to marque paper coupon. The embodiment demonstrates choices that said consumer has—1) take a picture of said paper coupon  104   a  on either a personal camera  106  or a mobile device camera  112  and load it to said consumer&#39;s account  202  via the internet  120  and said paper coupon  104   a  will be placed in a database  122 ; 2) use a personal scanner  108  to scan said paper coupon  104   a  and load it to said consumer&#39;s account  202  via the internet  120  and stored in said database  122 ; or 3) use the kiosk  110  to scan said paper coupon  104   a  into said consumer&#39;s account  202 . When said consumer gets an electronic coupon  104   b , said consumer has the option to print said electronic coupon  104   b  on an a personal printer  114  and treat said electronic coupon  104   b  as a paper coupon  104   a  as discussed above or said consumer can load said electronic coupon  104   b  via said internet  120  on a personal computer  116  or a mobile device  118  to be placed in said database  120 . Once said electronic coupon  104   b  has been placed in said database  122 , said consumer can go to the retailer and use the web application  126  on the mobile device  118  or the coupon card  124 . Said retailer can scan either said web application  126  or said coupon card  124  via a UPC-type scanner  502  and utilized coupons will be deleted from said account  202 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 2  illustrates the process of signing up for said account  202 . Said consumer has two ways that they can sign up for said account—via mobile device  118  or personal computer  116 . One of the embodiments of signing up for said account  202  includes a choice of an electronic account to be accessed via said web application  126  or said coupon card  124  to be used with said kiosk  110 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  illustrates said consumer who has said paper coupon  104   a  and has chosen the kiosk  110  alternative to scan said paper coupon  104   a  onto said coupon card  124 . Said consumer can create said account or said consumer can log into said account  202  via the kiosk screen  302 . Once said consumer is logged into said account  202 , said consumer will insert said coupon card  124  into the allotted kiosk coupon card slot  306 . The consumer will then take said paper coupon  104   a  and insert said paper coupon  104   a  into the kiosk scanner slot  304 . Said scanner  304  will read the coupon and transmit the information onto said coupon card  124  that has been inserted by said consumer into said kiosk coupon card slot  306 . Once scan is complete, said consumer will log out of said account  202  and remove said coupon card  124 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  illustrates said web application notification  402  that said consumer receives when said consumer has loaded said web application  126  onto their mobile device  118 . One of the reasons that coupons do not get utilized is because they expire before a consumer can use them. Said web application  126  will provide a means of said web application notification  402  so that said consumer has the opportunity to use said electronic coupon  104   b  before it expires. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  illustrates said UPC-type scanner  502  at said register  128  of said retailer. When said consumer goes to said register  128 , said consumer presents said retailer with said coupon card  124  or said mobile device  118 . Said retailer scans all purchases with the UPC-type scanner  502  for the process of using said mobile device  118   504  or for the process of using said coupon card  124   506 . Once all purchases have been scanned and all transactions are complete, said retailer will print a receipt. Said printed receipt will show upcoming expiring coupons  508 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment that allows sharing and trading of said electronic coupons  104   b  via social media  602 . In said consumer&#39;s said account, there will be a link provided to give said consumer the ability to share and trade said electronic coupons  104   b  that are in said account  100  via various social media, such as twitter, linked in, facebook, google, and he like  602 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment that will assist said retailer  702  with getting reimbursed for said electronic coupon  104   b  from the manufacturer  704 . As said electronic coupons  104   b  will be stored in a database  122  after utilization, this implementation will process said electronic coupons  104   b  for said retailer  702  via electronically. Once processed electronically, the reimbursement will be paid to the retailer  702 . 
       Operation 
       [0060]    In this description, the terms “mobile device”  118  is used to refer to any of a variety of mobile or personal electronic devices including some or all of the capabilities described herein. In particular, these terms may refer to any one or all of cellular telephones, smartphones, laptops, multimedia Internet enabled cellular devices (e.g., iPhone, iPads, iPods, tablets), and similar personal electronic devices. 
         [0061]    Paper coupons  104   a  are normally distributed by print media in newspaper inserts and magazine advertisements, direct mail, and leaflets handed out at retailers. Electronic coupons  104   b  are distributed through various social media, manufacturers and retailer websites, and email. The process for a consumer of sorting through, clipping, and managing coupons is excessively onerous. Once said paper coupon  104   a  is scanned upon checkout by a UPC-type scanner  502 , a retailer  702  collects the said paper coupons  104   a  and sends them to a clearinghouse for processing. With said paper coupons  104   a , said clearinghouse has to manually sort, count and inventory said paper coupons  104   a . Said clearinghouse then creates redemption payment invoices and forwards the invoices and said paper coupons  104   a  to each manufacturer  704  for reimbursement. Said manufacturer  704  then forwards payment for services to said retailer  702  for the value of said paper coupon  104   a  plus a handling fee per said paper coupon  104   a.    
         [0062]    As this process description reveals, trying to keep track of said paper coupons  104   a  and said electronic coupons  104   b  can be time consuming and in today&#39;s busy lifestyles almost impossible to maintain and manage. Said manufacturer&#39;s  704  costs are high to print and distribute approximately 302 billion of said coupons  104   a    104   b  per year with one percent (1%) of those 302 billion said coupons  104   a    104   b  being redeemed. Low said coupon  104   a    104   b  usage is due in part to the fact that people do not have time to clip said paper coupons  104   a  and said coupons  104   a    104   b  expiring before said consumer can use them. 
         [0063]    Said manufacturers  704  are paying excessive amounts for printing and distribution of both said paper coupons  104   a  and said electronic coupons  104   b  with very little redemption and said consumers are missing numerous opportunities (approximately 299 billion) to save money. 
         [0064]    To assist said manufacturers  704 , said retailers  702  and said consumers to navigate the current limitations of the couponing system, the various inclusions provide methods and systems for managing said electronic coupons  104   b  and said paper coupons  104   a  by providing a coupon management system  100 . By using a web application  126  and/or a coupon card  124 , said consumers can take a photo of said paper coupon  104   a  with said mobile device  118  or scan said paper coupon  104   a  via a kiosk  110  located at said retailer  702 , and load said paper coupon  104   a  and/or said electronic coupon  104   b  into said web application  126  or said coupon card  124 . Said web application  126  and said coupon card  124  files said electronic coupon  104   b  and when appropriate notifies user of expiration  402 . When utilizing said coupon  104   a    104   b , user opens said web application  126  at the register, or presents said coupon card  124  at the register, said register&#39;s UPC-type scanner  502  will be able to extract all applicable said coupons  104   a    104   b.    
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0065]    Accordingly, the reader will see that, according to one embodiment of the invention, we provide a better coupon management system by turning existing paper coupons into electronic coupons. As mentioned above, paper coupons are the largest source of saving money. The process of turning existing paper coupons into electronic coupons allows the current system of distributing coupons via media to stay intact, which means no jobs loss and not changing the way the market works. Furthermore, the coupon management system has the additional advantages in that:
       it allows non-technical consumers to benefit from a coupon management system by offering an alternative with the kiosk and coupon card;   it becomes a more well-rounded system by following the coupon from its printed form to electronic form to utilization and on to its reimbursement to retailer from manufacturer;   it provides a way to lessen the fraudulent use of a coupon by utilizing the branding implement;   it provides a notification to consumers of the coupon&#39;s pending expiration which is a main cause for consumers not utilizing the coupon; and   it gives the consumer the ability to categorize coupons and manage them more proficiently.       
 
         [0071]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of various embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. 
         [0072]    Thus the scope should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.