Charles E Howe

US Patent:

53532180, Oct 4, 1994

Filed:

Sep 17, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/947285

Inventors:

James P. De Lapa - Grand Rapids MI
Charles F. Howe - Spring Lake MI

Assignee:

Ad Response MicroMarketing Corporation - St. Joseph MI

International Classification:

G06F 1521

US Classification:

364401

Abstract:

A merchandising system for generating and redeeming product discount coupons prints coupons for a selected consumer from a group of consumers by selecting particular coupons from a group of coupons to provide to the selected consumer and printing the coupons. Both the consumer and coupon identifications are encoded on the coupon in machine-readable form whereby the machine-readable code may be read at a point-of-sale terminal using a code reading apparatus. The portion of the read code corresponding to the consumer identification is replaced with a generic code to provide a substitute code. The substitute code is applied to a look-up table in order to determine coupon parameters related to the coupon identification. The entire machine-readable code may also be captured and uploaded to a central database for determining the coupon identification and consumer identification in order to update the database of consumers and coupons. In this manner, coupons redeemed by a consumer may be used in selecting future coupons for that consumer.

US Patent:

58227350, Oct 13, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/316909

Inventors:

James P. De Lapa - Grand Rapids MI
Charles F. Howe - Spring Lake MI

Assignee:

Ad Response MicroMarketing Corporation - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

G06F 1760
B42D 1500

US Classification:

705 14

Abstract:

A merchandising system for generating and redeeming product discount coupons prints coupons for a selected consumer from a group of consumers by selecting particular coupons from a group of coupons to provide to the selected consumer and printing the coupons. Both the consumer and coupon identifications are encoded on the coupon in machine-readable form whereby the machine-readable code may be read at a point-of-sale terminal using a code reading apparatus. The portion of the read code corresponding to the consumer identification is replaced with a generic code to provide a substitute code. The substitute code is applied to a look-up table in order to determine coupon parameters related to the coupon identification. The entire machine-readable code may also be captured and uploaded to a central database for determining the coupon identification and consumer identification in order to update the database of consumers and coupons. In this manner, coupons redeemed by a consumer may be used in selecting future coupons for that consumer.