Patent ID: 6996579

Claim:
An e-coupon distribution method for distributing e-coupons redeemable for value in the purchase of goods or services from a seller, comprising: (i) maintaining a mobile user profile and seller profile data in database memory; (ii) receiving a request for at least one e-coupon from a mobile electronic device of a user; (iii) receiving location information for the requesting mobile electronic device; (iv) determining a seller local to the location of the mobile electronic device; (v) determining an initial threshold number of requests for the seller based on the seller's margin for the goods or services associated with the e-coupon, the advertising fee charged for the distribution of the e-coupon, estimated rates of e-coupon redemption, and the number of additional e-coupons expected to be offered during a processing cycle by other sellers local to the location of the mobile electronic device in response to the mobile user request; (vi) determining whether the number of pending requests during the processing cycle for said e-coupon is greater than or equal to the initial threshold; and (vii) when the number of pending requests for said e-coupon is greater than or equal to the initial threshold, sending said e-coupon to the mobile electronic device.