Patent ID: 7308254

Claim:
An electronic couponing method comprising the steps of: wirelessly transferring by pushing coupon information including a coupon identification (ID) number to a first portable terminal via a network regardless of location in the network and storing the coupon information therein, said coupon information entitles the carrier of the coupon information to a discount on the purchase of goods and/or services, said pushing being performed without requiring action by the first portable terminal; permitting a user of the first portable terminal to initiate a coupon matching sequence in the first portable terminal that compares the stored coupon information with wireless transmissions of promotions in effect at a retail outlet when entered and if a match occurs granting discounts on goods and services or other benefits to the user; wirelessly transferring at least part of the stored coupon information corresponding to granted discounts on goods and services resulting from said coupon matching sequence including the coupon ID number from the first portable terminal to another terminal for redemption during a transaction; validating in the another terminal the transferred coupon information if the coupon information corresponds to any of the goods and/or services involved in the transaction; if the coupon information is validated, calculating the discount provided by the coupon information to the purchase of goods and/or services.