Patent ID: 7640183

Claim:
An electronic coupon processing system for eliminating a presentation of printed coupons at a checkout register, comprising: a plurality of consumer identification means wherein each consumer identification means is associated with a consumer; a plurality of consumer accounts associated with said plurality of consumer identification means; a database for storing information for each of said plurality of consumer accounts; at least one means separate from a checkout register for each consumer to enter unutilized coupon information from printed coupons in the consumer's possession into said associated consumer account based on input of the consumer's consumer identification means so as to eliminate any need to present printed coupons at a checkout register; at least one checkout register capable of collecting a consumer's purchase information, said register additionally being connected to said database; means associated with said checkout register for reconciling the unutilized coupon information in each consumer's consumer account with the consumer's purchase information based solely on input of said consumer's consumer identification means; and means for updating said consumer's consumer account to reflect utilization of coupons, wherein said at least one means for each consumer to enter unutilized coupon information from printed coupons is the only means provided for consumers to add unutilized coupon information into their consumer account, the system includes means to add unutilized coupon information directly to consumer accounts; and means for providing Internet review of unutilized coupon information in a consumer's consumer account based on input of said consumer's consumer identification means.