CA2364734A1

CA2364734A1 - Electronic paper coupon processing system

Info

Publication number: CA2364734A1
Application number: CA002364734A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Randall Gene Shoemake
Original assignee: POS RESOLUTIONS L.L.C.
Current assignee: POS RESOLUTIONS LLC
Priority date: 2001-12-07
Filing date: 2001-12-07
Publication date: 2003-06-07

Abstract

A paper coupon processing system involves accessing transaction information generated during a product purchase in which a paper coupon was redeemed by the product seller. The transaction information is preferably analyzed only after the transaction has been completed. The coupon identifier associated with the paper coupon is matched with a list of validating product identifiers. The list includes one or more validating product identifiers that validate redemption of the coupon. The transaction information and the validating product identifier list are compared to determine whether any of the product identifiers for the purchased products correspond with one of the validating product identifiers. Such correspondence verifies that the product necessary to validate redemption of the coupon was purchased, and the coupon issuer is notified, preferably by an EDI report along with ACH
data, that the seller validly redeemed the coupon. A reimbursement payment, preferably in the form of a wire transfer, is then made to the seller.

Description

ELECTRONIC PAPER COUPON PROCESSING SYSTEM
MICROFICHE SOURCE CODE APPENDIX
A Microfiche Appendix containing a source code of modules of the computer program configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention is appended hereto as 1 sheet of microfiche containing a total of 22 frames and is hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a system for processing a paper coupon redeemed when a product is purchased. More particularly, the preferred form of the present invention concerns an electronic paper coupon processing system that uses a list of products known to validate redemption of the coupon to determine if the coupon was in fact validly redeemed and then reports validated coupon redemptions to the coupon issuer so as to facilitate accurate and prompt reimbursement of the product seller.

2. Discussion of Prior Art The traditional manner in which a product seller (e.g., a grocery store) is reimbursed for redeeming paper coupons is inaccurate and protracted. In particular, traditional paper coupon redemption techniques typically involve having the store place all of the redeemed coupons in a plastic bag. The bag is sent to a regional clearing house and weighed and the weight is used as an invoice number. The coupons are manually cleared as described below, and the store is required to wait five to seven weeks, or even longer, to be reimbursed for coupons it has redeemed: In some instances, the weight of the bag is used to provide the store with an estimated reimbursement advance before the coupons are actually cleared with the manual process.
Furthermore, the coupon redemption payment to the store is reduced by the value of declined coupons and is adjusted to include the store's share of the processing/handling fee paid by the coupon issuer. Any reduction in the reimbursement and payment of processing/handling fees are determined by further manual processing of the paper coupons. Specifically, the regional clearing house manually sorts the paper coupons so that they may be forwarded to respective national clearing houses. The national clearing house then has laborers manually scan in the offer code (i.e., bar code providing various coupon issuer information) on each paper coupon. Although current paper coupon processing techniques do not permit the clearing house and/or the coupon issuer to determine whether a paper coupon has been validly redeemed (i.e., redeemed when the specified couponed product is purchased), the clearing house and/or coupon issuer are able to determine if the paper coupon is valid (e.g., not expired, having an incorrect or fraudulent offer code) based upon the inputted offer code information. If a paper coupon is invalid; it is declined and the store's reimbursement is reduced based on the value of the declined coupon. For each valid coupon; the coupon issuer pays the clearing houses) a handling/processing fee that is shared with the store. The regional clearing house makes the reimbursement payment to the store only after the coupons have been cleared as just described. Such clearance traditionally takes at least five to seven weeks.
Not only does the store have to wait an exceptionally long period of time to receive reimbursement for the coupons it has redeemed, reimbursement payments based on coupon weight is terribly inaccurate. Although some stores use various procedures to account for coupon redemption versus reimbursement (e.g., the store itself weighs the bag sent to the regional clearing house, the store compares cashier reports to the actual coupon values, etc.), such information is used only internally within the store and does not affect the store's reimbursement. Because reimbursements for redeemed coupons are typically made piecemeal by the various coupon issuers, even internal accounting procedures are inadequate in determining the number or value of outstanding coupons for the store.
The traditional paper coupon processing system is also fraught with potentials for fraud. For example, as a result of coupon redemptions not being validated in traditional processing systems, stores can stuff the coupon bags with unused paper coupons. It is possible for a store to include in the bag coupons that were simply cut from the paper and never involved in any transaction whatsoever. Such a scheme is referred to as "gang clipping." It is also possible for store personnel to insert unredeemed coupons into a cashier's till and remove from the till cash equal to the value of the unredeemed coupons.
For example, a cashier may personally insert twenty dollars ($20) worth of coupons in his/her till and pocket the cash equivalent.
A number of conventional point of sale (POS) systems include validation capabilities that reduce the risk of unredeemed coupons being traded for cash.
However, conventional validation techniques typically involve only UPC comparisons during the transaction. As will be described, such a comparison is often ineffective in assuring that the coupon was redeemed only when the appropriate product (i.e., the couponed product) was purchased. Moreover, it is believed that such validation information has never been used to facilitate reimbursement to the store.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Responsive to these and other problems, an important object of the present invention is to provide a paper coupon processing system that provides prompt and accurate reimbursement to the product seller. It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a paper coupon processing system that essentially eliminates the risk of invalid or fraudulent coupon redemption. Another important object of the present invention is to provide a paper coupon processing system that supplies both the product seller and the coupon issuer with greater information (e.g., customer buying habits, customer demographics, etc.) than is presently available. Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a paper coupon processing system that is inexpensive to implement and maintain. Furthermore, an important obj ect of the present invention is to provide a paper coupon processing system that detailedly reports validly redeemed and declined coupons.
In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of the preferred embodiment, the present invention concerns a paper coupon processing system that reimburses a product seller only for validated coupon redemptions that are reported to the party responsible for instructing reimbursement o the product seller.
Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that a coupon is validly redeemed when one or more products specified by the coupon issuer is purchased. The present invention is capable of providing such a reimbursement technique while permitting the use of commonly available transaction information to verify that the coupon was validly redeemed by a seller.
In particular, the inventive system involves inputting coupon and product identifiers during a transaction, which may simply comprise the standard technique of scanning traditional product and coupon UPC's. The identifiers are compared to determine whether the product corresponding to the product identifier qualifies as the product required to be purchased for valid coupon redemption. This step is performed or at least confirmed after the transaction has been completed, thereby ensuring that the qualified, validating product was in fact purchased. Validation of the coupon is reported to the party responsible for reimbursing the seller, and the seller is reimbursed based upon the validated coupon data reported to the responsible party.

One aspect of the present invention concerns the use of a validating product identifier list, wherein the list includes at least one validating product identifier for a product that validates redemption of a corresponding coupon identifier. A coupon identifier in the transaction information is matched with the corresponding product identifier list, and the transaction information (including the coupon identifier and the product identifiers) for the products) purchased during the transaction) and the validating product identifier list are compared to determine whether the transaction information includes a validating product.
Of course; if it is determined that the transaction information includes the validating product, redemption of the coupon is validated.
The present invention also concerns the manner in which the seller is reimbursed based upon the verification of valid coupon redemptions. In addition, use of the validated coupon data to make a reimbursement payment to the seller is also encompassed by the present invention.
The inventive paper coupon processing system permits reimbursement of the seller to be entirely dependent upon valid coupon redemptions. Consequently, the risk of fraudulent coupon redemption is essentially eliminated. Furthermore, reimbursement to the seller is faster and more accurate than conventional paper coupon processing techniques. It is believed that these advantages are primarily attributable to the fact that the system is computer implemented and traditional transaction information is used. Further, reimbursement payments are based upon marrying the coupon identifier with the known validating product identifiers) contained in the post transaction information.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of computer and communications equipment that may be used to implement certain aspects of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a high level flow diagram broadly depicting certain steps performed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a paper coupon, particularly illustrating the UPC and offer code traditionally printed on the couporn;
FIG. 4 is a printout of information from a POS system after data from a transaction has been converted into a universally readable array; and 5 FIG. 5 is a printout of coupon offer codes matched when coupon UPC's, wherein the offer codes have preferably been inputted separate from the POS
and are for coupons redeemed during a specific set of transactions (e.g., coupons from a single cashier's till).
l0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, however, certain aspects of the present invention are implemented with a computer program that operates a website that is hosted by and can be accessed with computer equipment br~adly referred to by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. The computer program and equipment illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a program and equipment that may be used to implement the present invention and may be replaced or supplemented with other software and equipment without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The illustrated computer equipment broadly includes web hosting computer equipment 12 and a computer system 14 operated by the paper coupon processing system administrator or coordinator, a computer system 16 operated by a coupon issuer that wishes to utilize the paper coupon processing system, and multiple computer systems 18 each operated by a product seller that wishes to utilize the paper coupon processing system. The computer systems 14,16,18 are coupled with the web hosting computer equipment 12 by a commuiucations network 20. Although the communications network 20 is preferably the Internet; the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to other communications networks, such as a local area network, a wide area network, a wireless network, or an intranet.
The web hosting computer equipment 12 operates or hosts a website that serves as a repository for data and programs used to implement certain aspects of the present invention as will be more detailedly described. The web hosting computer equipment 12 includes conventional web hosting operating software and an Internet connection such as a modem, DSL convertor or ISDN convertor. The equipment 12 is preferably assigned a URL
and corresponding domain name so that the website hosted thereon can be accessed via the Internet in a conventional manner. The web hosting computer equipment 12 may be any suitable configuration and include such items as web server computers, e-mail servers, S database servers, applications servers, firewall security devices, etc. It is also noted that the principles of the present invention are not limited to a system utilizing a website. For example, the coupon issuer computer system 16 and product seller computer systems 18 may be directly linked by a suitable communications network or the systems 16 and 18 may be interlinked by the operator computer system 14.
The computer system 14 is operated by an administrator or operator of the present invention and may include any conventional computing equipment such as a server computer 22 and a plurality of personal computers 24 coupled thereto. The computer system 14 may be used to monitor the operation of, upload data to and receive data from the web hosting computer equipment 12. The configuration and type of equipment used in the system 1 S 14 may be varied as desired. Further, as indicated above, it is possible to provide the paper coupon processing system without the computer system 14.
The computer system 16 is representative of computer equipment that maybe used by a coupon issuer that wishes to utilize the paper coupon processing system to reimburse product sellers for validly reimbursed coupons. The particular computer equipment used by the coupon issuer is not critical to the present invention and may include, for example, a server computer 26 coupled with a plurality of personal computers 28.
Although only one coupon issuer computer system 16 is shown, any' number of coupon issuers and their other computing systems may be coupled with the web hosting equipment 12 via the communications network.
Each of the computer systems 18 is representative of the computer equipment used by a typical product seller who has the occasion to redeem a paper coupons) during the sale of a product. A prime example of such a product seller is a retail grocery store, although other types of retail or wholesale product sellers are entirely within the ambit of the present invention. The illustrated systems 18 are relatively standard in configuration and each may include, for example, a plurality of POS units 30 (e.g., computerized registers) linked to a server 32. A personal computer 34 is also provided so that the POS information may be accessed and used for any suitable purpose (e.g., internal accounting).
Although the systems 18 are illustrated as being identical in configuration, those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that such similar configurations are unnecessary and each of the systems 18 may be similarly or differently varied from the illustrated arrangement. It is only preferred that each of the systems 18 have the ability to facilitate the input of and access to product and coupon identifiers.
For purposes which will be described, the POS units 30 are each preferably operable to record product and coupon identifiers during a transaction. As is customary, each POS unit 30 includes a bar code scanner (not shown) so that bar code identifiers on each of the products and coupons are inputted by the POS unit. These identifiers are traditionally in the form of a UPC. The present invention, however, encompasses the use various other types of product and coupon identifiers. For example, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to products and coupons having RFID identifiers and a POS
units) having a transmitter/receiver to input the RFID identifiers during a transaction. The POS units may alternatively be configured to accept online transactions from customers, and the POS units may form part of the server 32 in such an alternative arrangement. It will also be appreciated that, notwithstanding the use of traditional UPC identifiers, a cashier will often be required to manually input product and coupon identifiers and the POS units 30 are configured to permit such manual entries. For purposes which will be described, the personal computer 34 is also preferably provided with a bar code scanner (not shown).
The inventive paper coupon processing system includes multiple computer programs stored in or on computer-readable medium residing on or accessible by the web hosting equipment 12 and/or the computer systems 14,16,18. For security reasons, actual validation of the coupons) redeemed by the product seller preferably occurs at the website and the computer program configured to perform such coupon validation is preferably accessible only by the web hosting computer equipment 12 (e.g., stored in or on computer-readable medium residing on the equipment 12). However, it is entirely within the ambit of the present invention to permit coupon validation to be additionally or alternatively preformed by one or all of the computer systems 14,16,18. As will be apparent from the following description, other computer programs are accessed or reside on each of the computer systems 14,16,18 to implement the paper coupon processing system as described herein.
Each of the computer programs preferably comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions in the associated computer equipment. The computer programs can each be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, and execute the instructions. In the context of this application, a "computer-readable medium"
can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electro-magnetic, infrared, or semi-conductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific, although not inclusive, examples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable, programmable, read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disk read-only memory (CDROI~. The computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
The paper coupon processing system selected for illustration comprises a series of steps, generally referenced by the numeral 36 in FIG. 2, that are preferably performed in sequence, although the sequence may varied as will subsequently be indicated.
Generally speaking, the preferred method includes step 38 of inputting product and coupon identifiers in connection with a transaction, step 40 of validating redemption of the coupon, step 42 of reporting to the coupon issuer whether the coupon was validly redeemed, and step 44 ofreimbursing the product seller for valid coupon redemption. The steps 38,40,42,44 may be performed by separate computer programs or a single program that includes module segments or portions of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function or functions.
A transaction between the product seller and a customer traditionally involves the customer selecting one or more products and presenting the products) to the product seller so that a total purchase price may be determined and then tendered by the customer.
Such selection and presentation to the product seller is typically done manually at a store, although the principles of the present invention encompass an online store setting where digitally represented products are selected and presented for purchase and the customer is able to enter paper coupon identifiers or select virtual representations of paper coupons.
However, for the sake of brevity, the description of the preferred embodiment will focus on the traditional setting, involving manual selection of the products) from store shelves and presentation of the products) to the seller. The coupon processing system 36 particularly '5 concerns a transaction in which the customer presents one or more paper coupons for the products) being purchased.
Moreover, the coupon processing method 36 concerns paper coupons that are to be redeemed by the product seller only when a specific product or products are purchased.
Such coupons are commonly issued by a manufacturer of a product who, by issuing the coupon, is attempting to provide an incentive to customers to purchase its product. In this instance, the manufacturer wishes to reimburse the product seller only for coupon redemptions involved in a transaction in which the desired, specified product is purchased.
The products) that validates) coupon redemption (i.e., the products) which the manufacturer is trying to create an incentive to purchase) will be referred to herein as a "validating" or "couponed" product(s).
Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that products and coupons are each typically provided with an identifier that is unique for that particular item. That is, no two identifiers are the same. The identifiers associated with the products) and coupons) presented by the customer are currently used by the product seller in the transaction. As will subsequently be described, each product identifier is matched with a respective purchase price and each coupon identifier is typicallymatched with a redemption value (although some POS systems still require manual entry of the coupon redemption value), with the amount owed by the customer being based on the aggregate of all purchase prices less all redemption values.
An exemplary depiction of a paper coupon 46 is provided in FIG. 3. The coupon 46 is traditionally printed on any suitable material (e.g., standard paper stock), although it is again noted that the principles of the present invention contemplate the use of a virtually represented (e.g., digitally displayed) paper coupon. The illustrated coupon 46 is rectangular in shape and includes a product display area 48 and a relatively smaller coupon identifier area 50. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that the product display area 48 is preferably arranged in the usual manner and, consequently, includes indicia depicting the validating product and the value of the coupon (i.e., the monetary amount the customer will be redeemed for purchasing the validating product and presenting the coupon). The coupon identifier area 50 is preferably printed with bar coding to provide a paper coupon identifier 52 unique to the specific coupon illustrated. As is customary, the illustrated bar code identifier 52 includes a UPC 52a and an offer code 52b, each of which preferably represents a string of numbers. The string of numbers represented by the bar coding is often 5 reproduced on the coupon, as shown in FIG. 3, and it is noted that the illustrated UPC 52a represents the number string "50099721076" and the illustrated offer code 52b represents the number string "810203".
Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that the numbers represented by the preferred bar code identifier 52 provide various information. With respect to the UPC
10 52a, the leading number "5" serves to identify the UPC 52a as a coupon UPC
as opposed to a product UPC: The next five digits "00997" represent the unique manufacturer number and desirably are identical to the manufacturer number on the product itself;
however, a single manufacturer will often use several different manufacturer numbers on its products (e.g., as a result of acquiring another manufacturer, the single remaining manufacturer may have and continue to use two manufacturer numbers). After the manufacturer number, the three digits "210" are referred to as the family code and, because the validating product desirably has the same family code, are intended to represent the validating product, although only three numbers are manifestly insufficient in numerous instances (e.g., a coupon that is redeemable for a free gallon of milk when a specific brand of cookies is purchased cannot represent all of the possible validating products in the family code). The last two digits "76" comprise a value code and are intended to represent the redemption value of the coupon.
Although each coupon UPC is unique, a single offer code may correspond to and be printed on several different coupons. Furthermore, the offer code 52b is a different style of bar coding than the UPC 52a. The offer code S2b is a key item specific to the coupon issuer and is arranged to provide information (e.g., source of coupon such as a magazine versus a newspaper versus a register-printed coupon, expiration date, etc.) designated by the issuer. In the past, the offer code 52b has been scanned by the national clearing house simply to deten~nine if the coupon should be declined. For example, the national clearing houses scan the offer code 52b to determine whether the coupon has expired or the offer code is even recognizable as being authentic. Of course, the coupon issuer may also scan the offer codes of coupons it receives from the clearing house to track the information provided by the offer codes (e.g., to determine whether coupons provided in newspapers or magazines are more likely to be redeemed).

Although not illustrated, it is noted that the product identifier comprises a UPC that is similar to the coupon UPC 52a but includes only a manufacturer number, a family code, and a product number. As described, the product identifier and at least part of the coupon identifier 52 (i.e., the coupon UPC 52a) are preferably similar in bar coding configuration (e.g., both are UPC bar codes) so that the scanner (not shown) of the POS unit 30 can quickly identify and read the codes. It is, however, entirely within the ambit of the present invention to provide altogether different types of product and coupon identifiers, although the POS unit 30 will preferably then need to be configured to read both types of identifiers. The principles of the present invention are also equally applicable to alternative bar coding. It is also possible to provide the coupon 46 with a single bar code. Yet further, the principles of the present invention also encompass the use of product and coupon identifiers other than the preferred bar coding. For example, it is entirely within the ambit of the present invention to configure each of the product and coupon identifiers as a RFID.
Turning specifically to step 38, the preferred method first involves inputting the product and coupon identifiers during a transaction in which one or more products are purchased and at least one coupon is redeemed. With the preferred equipment, a cashier attending the POS unit 30 scans with the POS scanner the product UPC for each product to be purchased and the coupon UPC 52a for each coupon to be redeemed. Entering of the product and coupon identifiers may alternatively be performed by the customer (occurring with existing honor-type self checkout lines) or performed automatically (e.g., if RFID
identifiers are used). In the traditional manner, the cashier is instructed to redeem only coupons for which the validating products have been purchased, although such manual validation is often unlikely because coupons are often presented at the end of the transaction after most of the products are sacked and returned to the cart. The POS unit 30 may also be provided with a standard, so-called "sniffer" that is designed to provide real-time validation of coupon redemptions. As previously indicated, because of the possible differences in manufacturing numbers between the coupon and validating products) and the possibility of multiple validating products for each coupon, sniffers are only sporadically effective.
The POS unit 30 is preferably arranged to record and store on a suitable medium the scanned product and coupon UPC's at the completion of a transaction. Each transaction is preferably completed a$er all of the product and coupon UPC's have been entered and is preferably effected by totaling the amount owed by the customer (accounting for coupon redemptions) and receiving payment from the customer. The payment by the customer may be in any suitable form (e.g, cash, credit card, check, food stamps, etc). The POS unit 30 is preferably designed to write a file containing the transaction data (the product and coupon UPC's) once the transaction is completed. That is, each file preferably recorded by the POS unit 30 contains data for an individual transaction.
The POS unit 30 may alternatively be configured to transfer information real-time during the transaction or at the end of the transaction. With such an alternative arrangement, the transferred information is preferably stored for further processing or immediately processed as will subsequently be described. In any case; the product and coupon UPC's entered by the POS unit are arranged so that the inputted data associated with each completed transaction is clearly identifiable. For example, the POS unit 30 may alternatively be configured to record the product and coupon UPC's inputted for numerous transactions in a continuous string. In such an alternative arrangement, the POS unit 30 would be operable to insert an indicator for each UPC or at the end of each of the transactions so that the transactions may be separately processed during step 40.
The paper coupon processing system 36 includes an inventive technique for validating coupon redemptions, and the principles of the present invention are applicable to the use of this technique during a transaction (i.e., before the transaction is completed) or after completion of the transaction without processing the transactions separately. However, the transaction is most preferably completed before step 40 is performed and each transaction is preferably processed separately to reduce the risk of fraudulent coupon redemptions. Such a sequence facilitates reliable validation of the coupon by not only establishing that the coupon was in fact redeemed by the product seller (confirms coupon was involved in a completed transaction) but also limiting the search for a validating product identifier to the transaction in which the coupon was redeemed (ensures that the validating product was purchased during a transaction in which the coupon was redeemed). In other words, the preferred sequence eliminates the risk of gang clipping and improper attempts to marry an unredeemed coupon with a validating product identifier entered as part of a transaction in which the coupon was not actually redeemed, The principles of the present invention are also equally applicable to separate entry of the coupon and product identifiers (e.g., entering the coupon identifier after the transaction has been completed); however, for the reasons just described, it is most desirable to provide some manner in which the coupon identifier can be matched with the transaction data for the transaction in which the coupon was redeemed.

The files preferably stored by the POS unit 30 for each transaction are periodically pulled from the unit 30 by the server 32, and the program module for performing this step forms part of the Microfiche Source Code Appendix. The program is designed to pull the POS files at set intervals of time (e.g., every thirty minutes). It is also noted that the preferred program also serves to activate a file conversion program, which will be described, and transfer the converted files via the communications network 20 to the host equipment 12.
However, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to alternative POS
units that are designed to periodically transfer the files to the server (as opposed to the server pulling the files from the POS units). It is also possible to alternatively configure the product seller system 18 so that the POS units and server are in continuous, real-time communication with one another, wherein transaction data is continuously being transferred from the POS
unit to the server.
Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that most, if not all, POS
units record data in a proprietary language. It is desirable to convert the transaction data and files into a universally or more widely readable format, and the preferred paper coupon processing method 36 consequently includes a file conversion program. An example of a program module for converting POS files recorded by the POS unit 30 forms part of the Microfiche Source Code Appendix. The exemplary source code is specifically designed for converting information stored by a POS unit sold by IBM into an ASCII array.
Such an array is reproduced in FIG. 4 and is generally referenced by the numeral 54.
However, it is entirely within the ambit of the present invention to use other brands of POS units (e.g., NCR POS
units, etc.) and to convert the transaction data into other recognizable formats (e.g., WINDOWS file, text file, etc.).
As previously described, conversion of the POS files is preferably activated automatically by the server 32, although the system 36 may alternatively be configured to permit user-controlled or even manual file conversion. As also previously described, the converted transaction files are automatically transferred via the communications network 20 to the host equipment 12. The Microfiche Source Code Appendix also includes an example of a communications program module that is automatically activated to periodically transfer converted files via the communications network 20 from the server 32 to the hosting equipment 12.
In the preferred embodiment, step 38 further includes the step of inputting the offer code for each coupon redeemed by the product seller. Entry of the of the offer code is preferably performed by the product seller, although the principles of the present invention encompass entry by the system operator or coupon issuer. Because the offer code is traditionally a different type of bar coding than the product and coupon UPC's, the preferred method 36 involves entry of the offer code separate from entry of the UPC's (permits the POS units 30 to be configured to read only UPC bar codes). As noted, the product seller's personal computer 34 is provided with a scanner for facilitating entry of the offer code. The personal computer 34 is typically located in a back office and the entry of offer codes of redeemed coupons will preferably be performed by a office clerk. It will be appreciated that dual recording of the coupon (entry of both the coupon UPC and offer code) provides another layer of protection against fraudulent coupon redemptions.
The offer codes for the coupons redeemed by a single cashier are preferably inputted and associated with the transaction files generated by the POS unit 30 operated by that cashier. In other words, the coupons from a cashier's till are scanned in with the computer 34 and in some way linked or joined with the transaction files created by the POS
unit 30 from which the till was retrieved. Most preferably, a file containing the inputted offer codes is created and associated with POS files containing the transaction data in which the coupons were to have been redeemed. These files are then transferred to the hosting computer equipment 12 so that redemption of the coupons may be validated. In essence, the data transferred to the hosting computer equipment 12 is transaction information preferably comprising the transaction files written by the POS unit 30 and the offer codes inputted in connection with those transaction files.
Again, it is entirely possible to alternatively configure the POS units 30 to permit entry of the offer code during the transaction; however, simple association of the coupon offer codes for a given cashier with the cashier's transaction data is sufficient because it is only necessary to match the offer code with the corresponding coupon UPC
and then search the transaction file containing that coupon UPC to determine if a validating product was purchased. As will be described, it is also alternatively possible to entirely eliminate the step of inputting the offer code (or to permit entry by the coupon issuer separate from step 40) so that the validation technique 40 is based upon only the coupon UPC.
Step 40 involves actual matching of the coupon identifier 52 with a validating product identifier. Again, this step is preferably performed at the hosting equipment 12 to reduce the risk of tampering by the product seller or coupon issuer, although validation may alternatively or additionally occur at the computer systems 16 and 18 if desired. Until broadband communications are more practical and widely available, it may be desirable to perform step 40 at the product seller's computer system 18 so that the only data needing to be transmitted via the communications network 20 is validating product and coupon identifiers for each validly redeemed coupon. In this instance, the product seller may be 5 instructed to forward to the manufacturer, destroy, or permit re-use of the coupons. In any case, sufficient information to verify valid coupon redemption is provided to the manufacturer. It may also be possible to configure the system 36 so that redemption of certain manufacturer's coupons is validated on the seller's computer system 18 and the redemption of other manufacturer's coupons is validated at the hosting computer equipment 10 12, depending on the preference of the manufacturer.
The validation technique 40 preferably begins with the step of accessing the transaction information. With the illustrated embodiment, step 40 is performed at the hosting equipment 12 by processing the transaction information (preferably the transaction files generated by the POS unit 30 and the offer code file generated by the personal computer 34) 15 that has been forwarded by the seller's system 18. The principles of the present invention are, however, equally applicable to accessing the transaction information in other suitable manners, as it is only necessary that the information be, in any suitable manner, made available and readable by the hosting equipment 12. The step of accessing the transaction information shall consequently be interpreted to encompass receiving information from the seller's system 18, pulling information from seller's system 18, or in any other suitable manner opening and reading the files containing the transaction information (with any suitable computer equipment, such as the seller's computer system 18, etc.).
Of course, the step of accessing the transaction information would be simplified, or possibly altogether eliminated, in an alternative arrangement involving entry of the coupon UPC
and offer code at the POS unit and validation of redeemed coupons at the seller's computer system.
Once the transaction information is accessible, the file containing the scanned offer codes is read and each offer code in the file is matched with corresponding information provided in an offer code table. The offer code table essentially comprises a database categorized by offer codes, with the table listing for each offer code the coupon UPC(s) corresponding to that offer code and the product UPC(s) for products) that validate redemption of the coupon (i.e., the products) that must be purchased during a transaction for the coupon to have been validly redeemed during that transaction). Of course, it is desirable to have a database containing the appropriate information for every printed coupon available to the public, although such a comprehensive database may be unavailable at the outset or limited based upon manufacturer cooperation. There are no known databases similar to the offer code table described herein, and it is believed that the table will consequently need to be newly created as the paper coupon processing system 36 is fist implemented.
Furthermore, the database will likely require routine updates as new coupons are introduced, coupon UPC(s) are retired, etc. Creating or updating the database will essentially involve scanning or otherwise entering the offer code for the coupon, scanning or otherwise entering each coupon UPC corresponding to the offer code, and scanning or otherwise entering the validating product UPC(s). The offer code table is preferably created and updated with the help of participating manufacturers to help ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein.
If the offer code does not match with any of the codes of the table, reimbursement for the redeemed coupon is either declined or a secondary validation technique (described below) may alternatively be used. However, if the offer code does match with one of the offer codes of the table, the coupon UPC(s) that correspond with the offer code are identified and an array containing the scanned offer codes (i.e., the offer codes inputted for the coupons from the cashier's till) and the corresponding coupon UPC's is preferably created. Such an array is generally referenced with the numeral 56 in FIG. 5.
Each item of the array 56 includes the offer code and the corresponding coupon UPC(s). For example, with respect to the coupon 46 shown in FIG. 3, the item 58 includes a numerical representation 58a of the coupon UPC 52a and a numerical representation 58b of the offer code 52b. It is particularly noted that the offer code 52b of the illustrated coupon 46 corresponds with only the coupon UPC 52a (i.e., there are not multiple coupon UPC's used in connection with the offer code 52b), and this may be said for each of the offer codes depicted in FIG. 5.
The offer code array 56 is then compared with the transaction data generated by the POS unit 30 to locate a transaction containing the corresponding coupon UPC. Ifnone of the transaction files include a corresponding coupon UPC, reimbursement for the redeemed coupon is either declined or a secondary validation technique (described below) may alternatively be attempted. Assuming a transaction file having the corresponding coupon UPC is located, the data array and the validating products) listed in the offer code table for that offer code are compared to determine if the transaction data includes a validating product identifier. For illustrative purposes, the transaction data file containing the array 54 (see FIG. 4) includes an item 60 having the matching coupon UPC.
The array 54 is then compared with the appropriate section of the offer code table (i.e., that section of the table containing information for the coupon offer code 52b) to determine if the array 54 includes a product identifier listed in the table. Again, for purposes of illustration, item 60 of the array 54 includes a product identifier corresponding with a purchased product that validates redemption of the coupon. Validation of the coupon redemption is reported to the coupon issuer and the seller is reimbursed, as will subsequently be described.
On the other hand, if the transaction array 54 did not include item 60, reimbursement for redemption of the coupon 46 is declined or the secondary validation technique (described below) may alternatively be used.
As noted above, the use of the offer code in the validation step 40 is preferred because it provides an additional layer of protection and valuable information beyond that provided by the coupon UPC. However, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to a validation technique that uses only the coupon UPC. For example, the hosting equipment 12 may alternatively be configured to search each of the transaction files for a coupon UPC (a UPC having a leading "5" digit) and, if such a file is located, matching the coupon UPC with corresponding information in a lookup table and comparing that information and the transaction file to determine if a validating product was purchased.
As also noted above, reimbursement to the product seller may be declined for numerous reasons. However, in each instance, it may desirable to alternatively attempt to validate the coupon using a secondary, less reliable technique. This technique involves the process of reviewing the transaction array itself and comparing the coupon UPC
with the product UPC(s) to determine if the validating product was purchased. The comparison first involves identifying the family code portion of the coupon UPC and then comparing the product UPC(s) to determine whether any of the product UPC(s) include the identical family code. If so, redemption of the coupon is validated and such validation is reported in the manner subsequently described. If there is no match between the family codes of the coupon and product UPC's, the manufacturer number is identified in the coupon UPC and it is then determined whether the transaction file contains a product UPC having the identical manufacturer number. If so, the redemption of the coupon is validated and such validation is reported to the coupon issuer in the manner described hereinbelow. For coupons that remain un-validated after the internal transaction comparison or as an alternative thereto, the secondary validation technique may include manual clearing of the coupons in a manner similar to that currently utilized (the coupons are sent to a clearing house for manual processing).
Thus, for example, if the scanned offer code is not found in the offer code table, the system will be instructed to search all of the corresponding transaction files (all of the transaction files generated by the cashier's POS unit) for any coupon UPC
that was not matched with an offer code. If such a coupon UPC is located, the secondary validation process within the transaction file is performed. If no such coupon UPC is located, the coupon can be declined or, if desired, processed manually.
The hosting equipment 12 includes software designed to report to the coupon issuer coupon validations and declinations in accordance with step 42. The report may be organized in any suitable manner and provide any desired amount of available information regarding the coupon redemption. Using the array 54 as an example, the available information is typically provided by the data recorded by the POS unit, although additional information (such as the offer code recorded by the computer 34) may also be provided. It 1 S is particularly noted that each item of the array includes a cashier identification number set 64 representing a specific one of the product seller's cashiers and, in the illustrated array 54, comprising the number "163". The second set of numbers of each item is a customer identification number set 66, which in the illustrated array comprises the number "486562830". The customer identification number will typically be the same for each item of the transaction data and, in most cases, this number is made available by a so-called "frequent customer card" presented during the transaction (credit card or other types of customer identification tools may of course be used). A date identification symbol set 68 representing the date on whick the transaction occurred (e.g., July 18, 2000) is also provided.
The next portion of each item comprises the UPC number set 70 setting forth the numbers represented by the product or coupon UPC bar code (e.g., the UPC number set for the validating product is "00000999912"). The purchase price or value number set representing the price of the product or redemption value of the coupon is next (note, the price of the validating product is $4.99 and the value of the coupon is $1.00). Finally, the transaction number for the product seller is represented in the last column as the transaction number set 74. The number assigned to each transaction is typically based upon each business day, and the illustrated transaction number of "8" consequently indicates that the array 54 was generated during the product seller's eighth transaction for July 18, 2000.

The report generated during step 42 preferably includes for each coupon that has been validly redeemed the coupon offer code, the coupon UPC, the validating product UPC(s), the date the coupon was validly redeemed, the purchase price of the validating product, and the coupon value redeemed to the customer. The validated coupon redemption reports are preferably organized by product seller (e.g., for each product seller store or chain of stores). If desired, the report can be provided with a product seller identifier such as a store number. Furthermore, the reported information is preferably categorized by coupon.
Each declined coupon is also preferably reported to the coupon issuer in a manner to provide as much information as possible regarding the declined coupon (e.g., the offer code, the coupon UPC, etc.).
Of course, the report could include virtually any other information about the transaction. For example, to obtain a frequent shopper number, the customer will often be required to provide personal information (such as sex, marital status, address, etc.), and this information could also be provided to the coupon issuer. Information concerning the coupon 1 S (e.g., a limit on the number of validating products that can be purchased, coupon expiration date, coupon source, etc.) may also be provided. The report may further include the coupon issuer's identification and address (e-mail, post office box; etc.).
Furthermore, the report may also include the manner in which redemption of the coupon was validated (e.g., validation based upon the offer code table vs. the secondary validation technique). The report may alternatively include only product seller identification and the amount to reimburse the product seller for validly redeemed coupons.
In any case, the report essentially comprises an instruction to issue a reimbursement payment to the product seller for coupons the seller validly redeemed. In fact, the report may include ACH data for directing that a wire transfer be made to the product seller. In the preferred embodiment, the report is at least in part in EDI
format and is periodically forwarded via the communications network 20 from the equipment 12 to the coupon issuer system 16. However, the report may alternatively or additionally be provided to the coupon issuer in any other suitable format (e.g., a daily written format faxed to the coupon issuer, weekly e-mails, etc.). The coupon issuer's computer system 16 may alternatively be configured to pull the report from the web hosting equipment 12. Although the coupon issuer will likely want to verify the validation report in some manner, the performance of step 42 preferably causes the reimbursement payment to be made automatically and immediately upon generation of the report such that any such verification occurs after the product seller has been reimbursed. It is also possible for the system operator to issue the reimbursement payment form its own account and then collect payment from the coupon issuer.
Step 44 involves reimbursing the product seller for coupons it has validly 5 redeemed during a given time (e.g., a day, a week, etc.). The reimbursement payment may be made in any suitable manner. For example, the reimbursement payment to the product seller may comprise a cash payment, a credit for money that is or will be owed to the manufacturer for products the seller has or will purchase, a wire transfer (e.g., ACH payment made via the communications network 20), a paper check, etc. The reimbursement payment 10 is preferably made by the coupon issuer, although an aggregate payment made by the system operator for all coupons validly redeemed in a given time period (e.g., a day) may alternatively be made. In any case, the reimbursement payment is preferably accompanied by or provided concurrently with a report that is similar to that provided to the coupon issuer.
That is, the product seller is preferably provided with a report of valid and declined coupon 15 redemptions and as much information as possible about each (e.g., the coupon UPC; offer code UPC, validating product UPC, cashier identification, transaction number, coupon issuer identification, coupon expiration, shopper identification, the manner in which the coupon was validated, etc.).
It is noted that the transaction information and the coupon validation 20 information provided to and generated by the hosting equipment 12 is preferably stored and maintained for later data mining (e. g., the information may later be sorted by geographic area, customer gender, etc.). Furthermore, the hosting equipment 12 is provided with suitable security tools to require user login and password information and, based on that information, restrict access to the information and validation programs) contained on the equipment. It is also desirable to encrypt in any suitable manner for privacy purposes the data transferred to and from the equipment. The system operator preferably has access to all of the information contained within the equipment 12, with the system operator preferably accessing the information through the computer system 14 and via the communications network 20. The system operator will preferably charge the coupon issuer for each coupon processed by the system (including both coupons that have been validly redeemed and coupons far which reimbursement is declined), although such per coupon processing charges maybe eliminated altogether or in favor of use fees charged to persons given restricted access to the database information.

The use of the preferred coupon processing methodology 36 should be apparent from the foregoing description. Thus, it shall be sufficient to explain that when a coupon is redeemed by a product seller during a transaction, the information inputted in connection with that transaction is used in validating redemption of the coupon. With particular respect to the preferred embodiment, the inputted offer code for each redeemed coupon is associated with specific coupon information in a offer code table, and this information is compared to the post-transaction data (the POS-generated data including the product and coupon UPC's) to determine whether the validating products) was/were purchased during the transaction. The use of this unique database in validating coupon redemptions is believed to provide an incredibly reliable tool in associating a coupon with a validating product. The results of this comparison are used in instructing that a reimbursement payment be made to the product seller for coupons validly redeemed by the product seller. A report is also preferably provided to the product seller either along with or in the same time frame as the reimbursement payment. With the inventive system, reimbursement payments are therefore based upon post transaction information that has been processed to ensure that the coupon was validly redeemed.
The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for electronically processing a paper coupon to be redeemed when a qualified, couponed product is purchased from a seller, the paper coupon processing method comprising the steps of:
(a) inputting a product identifier associated with a product purchased from the seller;
(b) inputting a coupon identifier associated with the paper coupon;
(c) after the product has been purchased, comparing the coupon identifier and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the couponed product;
(d) reporting to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the comparison of the coupon and product identifiers establishes that the purchased product qualifies as the couponed product; and (e) if the purchased product qualifies as the couponed product, reimbursing the seller.

2. A paper coupon processing method as claimed ire claim 1;
step (a) including the step of scanning in a product bar code provided on the product, with the product identifier comprising the product bar code, step (b) including the step of scanning in a coupon bar code provided on the paper coupon, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon bar code.

3. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 1, step (c) including the steps of matching the coupon identifier with a couponed product identifier list, wherein the list includes a couponed product identifier corresponding to the couponed product, and comparing the couponed product identifier list and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the couponed product.

4. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 3; and (f) if there is no match between the product identifier and the couponed product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the couponed product.

5. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 4, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

6. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 3; and (f) accessing transaction information that includes the product and coupon identifiers inputted in connection with the purchase of the product, step (c) including the step of comparing the couponed product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the couponed product identifier.

7. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 6, step (b) including the steps of entering a first coupon identifying code generally at the time the purchase is made and entering a second coupon identifying code after the first coupon identifying code is entered, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon identifying codes, step (c) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (c) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the couponed product identifier list.

8. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 7; and (g) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination to the seller.

9. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim l, step (d) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the couponed product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the couponed product was not purchased.

10. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 1, step (e) including the step wire transferring the reimbursement to the seller.

11. A computer-implemented method of processing a paper coupon via a networked computer that communicates via a communications network with a product seller who redeemed the paper coupon, the paper coupon processing method comprising the steps of (a) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network a coupon identifier associated with the paper coupon redeemed by the product seller;
(b) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network a product identifier associated with a product purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed;
(c) matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and (d) comparing the validating product identifier list and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as a validating product.

12. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 11; and (e) if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

13. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 12, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

14. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 11; and (e) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network transaction information that includes the product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, step (d) including the step of comparing the validating product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

15. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 14, step (a) including the step of receiving at the networked computer via the communications network separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon identifying codes, step (c) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (c) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

16. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 15; and (f) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination via the communications network to the seller.

17. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 11; and (e) reporting via the communications network to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

18. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 17, step (e) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

19. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 1 l; and (e) if the purchased product qualifies as the validating product, instructing reimbursement to the product seller for redemption of the paper coupon.

20. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 19; and making a reimbursement payment to the product seller via the communications network.

21. Validated paper coupon data generated by a method comprising the steps of (a) receiving at a networked computer via a communications network a coupon identifier associated with a paper coupon redeemed by a product seller;
(b) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network a product identifier associated with a product purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed;
(c) matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and (d) comparing the validating product identifier list and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as a validating product.

22. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 21; and (e) if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

23. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 22, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

24. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 21; and (e) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network transaction information that includes product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, step (d) including the step of comparing the validating product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

25. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 24, step (a) including the step of receiving at the networked computer via the communications network separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon identifying codes, step (c) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (c) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

26. A computer-implemented method of processing a paper coupon redeemed by a seller when a product is purchased, wherein the paper coupon is associated with a coupon identifier and the product is associated with a product identifier, the paper coupon processing method comprising the steps of:
(a) matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and (b) comparing the validating product identifier list and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as a validating product.

27. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 26; and (c) if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

28. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 27, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

29. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 26; and (c) accessing transaction information that includes product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, step (b) including the step of comparing the validating product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

30. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 29, said coupon identifier comprising separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, step (a) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information,

31 step (a) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

31. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 30; and (d) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination to the seller.

32. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 26; and (c) reporting to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

33. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 32, step (c) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

34. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 26; and (c) if the purchased product qualifies as the validating product, instructing reimbursement to the product seller for redemption of the paper coupon.

35. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for directing operation of a computer, the computer program comprising:
a code segment for matching a coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of a paper coupon corresponding to the coupon identifier; and a code segment for comparing the validating product identifier list and a product identifier to determine whether a product corresponding to the product identifier qualifies as a validating product.

36. A computer program as claimed in claim 35; and a code segment for comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product, if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier.

37. A computer program as claimed in claim 36, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

38. A computer program as claimed in claim 35; and a code segment for accessing transaction information that includes product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, said comparing code segment including a code segment that compares the validating product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

39. A computer program as claimed in claim 38, said coupon identifier comprising separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, said matching code segment including a code segment that identifies the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, said matching code segment further including a code segment that matches the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

40. A computer program as claimed in claim 39; and a code segment for declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination to the seller, if the coupon identifying codes do not match.

41. A computer program as claimed in claim 35; and a code segment for reporting to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

42. A computer program as claimed in claim 41, said reporting code segment including a code segment that itemizes by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

43. A computer program as claimed in claim 35; and a code segment for instructing reimbursement to the product seller for redemption of the paper coupon, if the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

44. Validated paper coupon data generated by a method comprising the steps of:
(a) matching a coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of a paper coupon corresponding to the coupon identifier; and (b) comparing the validating product identifier list and a product identifier to determine whether a product corresponding to the product identifier qualifies as a validating product.

45. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 44; and (c) if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

46. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 45, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

47. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 44; and (c) accessing transaction information that includes product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, step (b) including the step of comparing the validating product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

48. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 47, said coupon identifier comprising separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, step (a) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (a) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

49. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 48; and (d) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and generating a report that accounts the declination to the seller.

50. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 44; and (c) generating a report that notifies a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

51. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 50, step (c) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

52. A computer-implemented method of processing a paper coupon redeemed by a seller, wherein the paper coupon is associated with a coupon identifier, the paper coupon processing method comprising the steps of:
(a) accessing transaction information from the seller, wherein the information includes the coupon identifier and a product identifier corresponding to a product purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed;
(b) matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and (c) comparing the transaction information and the validating product identifier list to determine whether the product qualifies as a validating product.

53. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 52; and (d) if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

54. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 53, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

55. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 52; and said coupon identifier comprising separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, step (b) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (b) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

56. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 55; and (d) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination to the seller.

57. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 52; and (d) reporting to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

58. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 57, step (d) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

59. A paper coupon processing method as claimed in claim 52; and (c) if the purchased product qualifies as the validating product, instructing reimbursement to the product seller for redemption of the paper coupon.

60. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for directing operation of a computer, the computer program comprising:
a code segment for accessing transaction information from a seller, wherein the information includes a coupon identifier corresponding to a paper coupon redeemed by the seller and a product identifier corresponding to a product purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed;
a code segment for matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and a code segment for comparing the transaction information and the validating product identifier list to determine whether the product qualifies as a validating product.

61. A computer program as claimed in claim 60; and a code segment for comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product, if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier.

62. A computer program as claimed in claim 61, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

63. A computer program as claimed in claim 60; and said coupon identifier comprising separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, said matching code segment including a code segment that identifies the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, said matching code segment further including a code segment that matches the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

64. A computer program as claimed in claim 63; and a code segment for declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination to the seller, if the coupon identifying codes do not match.

65. A computer program as claimed in claim 60; and a code segment for reporting to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

66. A computer program as claimed in claim 65, said reporting code segment including a code segment that itemizes by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

67. A computer program as claimed in claim 60; and a code segment for instructing reimbursement to the product seller for redemption of the paper coupon, if the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

68. Validated paper coupon data generated by a method comprising the steps of:

(a) accessing transaction information from a seller, wherein the information includes a coupon identifier corresponding to a paper coupon redeemed by the seller and a product identifier corresponding to a product purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed;

(b) matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and (c) comparing the transaction information and the validating product identifier list to determine whether the product qualifies as a validating product.

69. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 68; and (d) if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

70. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 69, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

71. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 68; and said coupon identifier comprising separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, step (b) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (b) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

72. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 71; and (d) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and generating a report that accounts the declination to the seller.

73. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 68; and (d) generating a report that notifies a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

74. Validated paper coupon data as claimed in claim 73, step (d) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

75. A computer-implemented method of reimbursing a product seller for redeeming a paper coupon, wherein the reimbursement method occurs via a networked computer that communicates with the product seller via a communications network, the paper coupon reimbursement method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network a coupon identifier associated with the paper coupon redeemed by the product seller;
(b) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network a product identifier associated with a product purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed; and (c) if the product identifier validates redemption of the paper coupon, instructing reimbursement of the product seller.

76. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 75;
(d) before step (c), matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and (e) before step (c), comparing the validating product identifier list and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as a validating product.

77. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 76; and (f) before step (c), if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier, comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

78. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 77, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

79. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 76; and (f) receiving at the networked computer via the communications network transaction information that includes the product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, step (e) including the step of comparing the validating product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

80. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 79, step (a) including the step of receiving at the networked computer via the communications network separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon identifying codes, step (d) including the step of identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step (d) further including the steps of matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

81. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 80; and (g) if the coupon identifying codes do not match, declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination via the communications network to the seller.

82. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 75; and (d) reporting via the communications network to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

83. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 82, step (d) including the steps of itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

84. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 75; and (d) making a reimbursement payment to the product seller via the communications network.

85. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for directing operation of a networked computer, the computer program comprising:
a code segment for receiving at the networked computer via a communications network a coupon identifier associated with a paper coupon redeemed by a product seller;

a code segment for receiving at the networked computer via the communications network a product identifier associated with a purchased product; and a code segment for instructing reimbursement of the product seller when the product identifier validates redemption of the paper coupon.

86. A computer program as claimed in claim 85;
a code segment for matching the coupon identifier with a validating product identifier list, wherein the list has at least one validating product identifier that validates redemption of the paper coupon; and a code segment for comparing the validating product identifier list and the product identifier to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as a validating product.

87. A computer program as claimed in claim 86; and a code segment for comparing corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers to determine whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product, if there is no match between the product identifier and the at least one validating product identifier.

88. A computer program as claimed in claim 87, said corresponding parts of the product and coupon identifiers including similar coupon issuer identifying codes.

89. A computer program as claimed in claim 86; and a code segment for receiving at the networked computer via the communications network transaction information that includes the product and coupon identifiers provided in connection with the purchase of the product, said comparing code segment including a code segment for comparing the validating , product identifier list and the transaction information to determine if the transaction information includes the at least one validating product identifier.

90. A computer program as claimed in claim 89, said first-mentioned receiving code segment including a code segment for receiving at the networked computer via the communications network separately entered first and second coupon identifying codes, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon identifying codes, said matching code segment including a code segment for identifying the first coupon identifying code within the transaction information, step matching code segment further including a code segment for matching the second coupon identifying code with the first coupon identifying code and with the validating product identifier list.

91. A computer program as claimed in claim 90; and a code segment for declining reimbursement of the coupon and reporting the declination via the communications network to the seller, if the coupon identifying codes do not match.

92. A computer program as claimed in claim 85; and a code segment for reporting via the communications network to a party responsible for reimbursing the seller whether the purchased product qualifies as the validating product.

93. A computer program as claimed in claim 92, said reporting code segment including a code segment for itemizing by coupon the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was purchased and the number of coupons redeemed by the seller during a transaction in which the validating product was not purchased.

94. A computer program as claimed in claim 85; and a code segment for making a reimbursement payment to the product seller via the communications network.

95. A method of reimbursing a product seller for redeeming a paper coupon, the paper coupon reimbursement method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving post-transaction data verifying that a product qualified to validate redemption of the paper coupon was purchased when the paper coupon was redeemed; and (b) issuing a reimbursement payment to the product seller once the post-transaction data has been received.

96. A paper coupon reimbursement method as claimed in claim 95, step (b) including the step of transferring the payment electronically.

97. A computer-implemented method of being reimbursed for redemption of a paper coupon based upon a product purchased by a customer, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) inputting a product identifier associated with the product purchased by the customer;

(b) inputting a coupon identifier associated with the paper coupon;

(c) redeeming a value of the paper coupon to the customer; and (d) forwarding the product and coupon identifiers to a party responsible for instructing reimbursement of a seller who redeemed the paper coupon; and (e) if the party validates the redemption of the paper coupon based upon a comparison of the product and coupon identifiers, receiving a reimbursement payment.

98. A method as claimed in claim 97; and (f) before steps (d) and (e), completing the transaction involving the customer's purchase of the product.

99. A method as claimed in claim 98, step (f) being performed after steps (a) through (c).

100. A method as claimed in claim 99, step (f) including the steps of tendering a purchase payment amount to the customer and receiving the purchase payment from the customer.

101. A method as claimed in claim 97, step (a) including the step of scanning in a product bar code provided on the product, with the product identifier comprising the product bar code, step (b) including the step of scanning in a coupon bar code provided on the paper coupon, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon bar code.

102. A method as claimed in claim 6, step (b) including the steps of entering a first coupon identifying code generally at the time the purchase is made and entering a second coupon identifying code after the first coupon identifying code is entered, with the coupon identifier comprising the coupon identifying codes.