TWI486889B - Apparatus and method for electronic coupon delivery - Google Patents

Description

Discount coupon delivery device and discount coupon delivery method

The present invention relates to an electronic system and method of operating the same, and more particularly to a voucher delivery device and a voucher delivery method.

Vendors or merchants often offer discounts to convince consumers to buy their products. These offers include giving or selling discount coupons to consumers. The use of discount coupons has been around for a long time, the purpose is to develop new customers or let old customers come back to consume, in order to establish consumer loyalty, and thus generate more value.

However, traditional coupons are usually presented in paper form and are not environmentally friendly. In addition, it takes time for consumers to queue up to order or purchase discount coupons. In view of this, how to deliver coupons more efficiently becomes an important issue.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a voucher delivery device for facilitating the transfer of a voucher to a mobile communication device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a voucher delivery device includes at least a point-of-sale terminal and a cash register. The point-of-sale terminal includes a coupon selection interface, a user number input interface and an indicator. When using the point-of-sale terminal, the coupon selection interface can obtain the coupon selection information; the user number input interface can obtain the user number of the mobile communication device; the indicator can select the information according to the user number of the mobile communication device and the coupon, indicating the passage The code is used to direct the mobile communication device to transmit the pass code to the telecommunication system, so that the telecommunication system can return the voucher to the mobile communication device. The cash register can then read the coupon from the mobile communication device.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of delivering a voucher to facilitate the transfer of a voucher to a mobile communication device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivering a voucher includes at least the following steps:

(a) obtaining information on the selection of discount coupons;

(b) obtaining the subscriber number of the mobile communication device;

(c) directing the passcode based on the subscriber number of the mobile communication device to direct the mobile communication device to transmit the passcode to the telecommunications system, causing the telecommunications system to return the coupon to the mobile communication device;

(d) Reading the coupon from the mobile communication device.

It can be seen from the above embodiments of the present invention that the application of the present invention has the following advantages:

1. It is not necessary to print out the voucher and it is environmentally friendly.

2. Save time for consumers to queue up to purchase or purchase discount coupons.

3. To increase the number of customers for the business, create a topic of discounted consumption.

In order to make the description of the present invention more complete and complete, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and the accompanying drawings. On the other hand, well-known elements and steps are not described in the embodiments to avoid unnecessarily limiting the invention.

The technical aspect of the present invention is a discount coupon delivery device that can be widely used in convenience stores, department stores, or other commercial fields. A specific embodiment of the coupon delivery device will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a voucher delivery device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the voucher delivery device 100 includes at least a point of sale terminal 110 and a cash register 120. The point-of-sale terminal 110 includes a coupon selection interface 111, a subscriber number input interface 112, and an indicator 113.

When the point-of-sale terminal 110 is used, the coupon selection interface 111 can obtain the coupon selection information; the subscriber number input interface 112 can obtain the subscriber number of the mobile communication device 170; the indicator 113 can be based on the subscriber number and discount of the mobile communication device 170. The coupon selection information, indicating the passcode, is used to direct the mobile communication device 170 to transmit the passcode to the telecommunications system 180, causing the telecommunications system 180 to return the coupon to the mobile communication device 170. The cash register 120 can then read the coupon from the mobile communication device 170.

The voucher selection interface 111 may display one or more coupons for selection by the consumer, wherein the voucher may be, for example, a cash coupon, a buy one get one coupon, a limited merchandise discount coupon, a discount card, or the like. The consumer can select the desired coupon through the coupon selection interface 111; accordingly, the coupon selection interface 111 can accept the coupon selection information.

In order to allow the consumer's desired coupon to be transmitted to the consumer's mobile communication device 170, the subscriber number input interface 112 allows the consumer to enter the subscriber number of the mobile communication device 170; accordingly, the indicator 113 can indicate the passcode to guide The mobile communication device 170 transmits the passcode to the telecommunications system 180, causing the telecommunications system 180 to return the coupon to the mobile communication device 170.

The above-mentioned coupon selection interface 111 and user number input interface 112 can be integrated into a user interface device, such as a graphical human interface, for the convenience of the consumer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various other human-machine interfaces may also be an implementation manner of the coupon selection interface 111 and the subscriber number input interface 112.

The indicator 113 can include a display module to display a passcode, and the mobile communication device 170 can manually transmit the passcode to the telecommunications system 180, for example, the consumer can transmit the passcode to the telecommunications system 180 using the mobile communication device 170; or The indicator 113 can include a Bluetooth module to transmit the passcode to the mobile communication device 170, and the mobile communication device 170 can transmit the passcode to the telecommunications system 180 either automatically or manually.

The coupons returned by the telecommunications system 180 may be short messages or the like for receipt by the mobile communication device 170. The mobile communication device 170 can be a mobile phone, and the user number of the mobile communication device 170 is the door number of the mobile phone. Additionally, the voucher that telecom system 180 transmits back to mobile communication device 170 may contain a bar code to facilitate reading by cash register 120. As for the barcode in the coupon, for example, it may be a QR code (Quick Response Code), which has an anti-counterfeiting mechanism and can reduce the possibility of being repeatedly transmitted and utilized. Compared to ordinary bar codes, QR codes can store more data, and there is no need to line up the bar code scanner when scanning like a normal bar code.

In FIG. 1, the coupon delivery device 100 can also include a material management system 130. The cash register 120 can be an electronic cash register to facilitate connection with the data management system 130. In practice, the consumer can hold the mobile communication device 170 to the cash register 120 for settlement; when the cash register 120 reads the discount coupon from the mobile communication device 170, the information related to the discount can be obtained from the data management system 130.

For a more detailed description of the operation between the above indicator 113 and other devices, please refer to FIG. 2, which is an indicator 113 of FIG. 1, a mobile communication device 170, and a telecommunication system 180 with a short message service platform 190. Block diagram. As shown, the indicator 113 includes a transmission module 114 and a display module 115. In use, the transmission module 114 can transmit the user number of the mobile communication device 170 and the coupon selection information to the short message service platform 190, so that the short message service platform 190 provides the pass code; the display module 115 can display the pass code for guiding The mobile communication device 170 transmits the passcode to the telecommunications system 180, and the telecommunications system 180 obtains the coupon from the short message service platform 190 in accordance with the passcode and transmits the coupon to the mobile communication device 170.

The above-mentioned short message service platform 190 can receive the user number of the mobile communication device 170 and the coupon selection information, and provide a pass code and a discount coupon, wherein the discount coupon is a short message. The short message service platform 190 can communicate the passcode to the indicator 113 and the telecommunications system 180 and communicate the coupon to the telecommunications system 180. The telecommunications system 180 can check whether the passcode transmitted by the mobile communication device 170 matches the passcode transmitted by the SMS service platform 190; if so, the telecommunications system 180 transmits the coupon to the mobile communication device 170.

The above-mentioned short message service platform 190 and the telecommunication system 180 can be separately disposed and connected through a network; or the short message service platform 190 can be integrated into the telecommunication system 180. However, this is not intended to limit the invention, and those skilled in the art should consider the need for flexibility at the time.

For a more detailed description of the operation of the cash register 120 and the data management system 130, please refer to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram of the cash register 120, the data management system 130, and the mobile communication device 170 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the cash register 120 includes a barcode reading module 121, a commodity reading module 122, and a payment module 123. The data management system 130 includes a database 131 and a data checking unit 132.

In the data management system 130, the database 131 can be used to record commodity data, discount data, and discounted commodity amount data; the data management system 130 and the cash register 120 can be connected through a network. When the cash register 120 is used, the barcode reading module 121 can obtain the barcode contained in the discount coupon; the commodity reading module 122 can obtain the commodity code. The data checking unit 132 may transmit the discounted item amount data to the cash register 120 when the item code matches the item data and the bar code matches the discount item. Therefore, the payment module 123 can obtain the discounted product amount data.

In practice, if the consumer holds the mobile communication device 170 to the cash register 120 for merchandise checkout, the barcode reading module 121 can read the barcode contained in the coupon from the mobile communication device 170, for example, if the coupon is included in the coupon The bar code reading module can read the QR code from the mobile communication device 170. The commodity reading module 122 can obtain the commodity code of the commodity, such as reading the barcode or code indicated on the commodity. On the other hand, the data checking unit 132 may obtain the barcode and the commodity code from the cash register 120, and then compare whether the commodity code matches the commodity data in the database 131 and compare the barcode with the discount data; if yes, the data checking unit 132, the discounted commodity amount data can be transmitted to the cash register 120, so that the payment and payment module 123 can obtain the discounted commodity amount data, so that the consumer can pay for the commodity according to the amount stated in the discounted commodity amount data.

Another aspect of the present invention is a discount coupon delivery method that can be widely used in convenience stores, department stores, or other commercial fields. A specific embodiment of the method for delivering the coupon will be described below with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a discount coupon delivery method 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the stored value method 200 includes at least steps 210, 220, 230, and 240. It should be understood that the steps mentioned in the embodiment can be adjusted according to actual needs, and can be performed simultaneously or partially simultaneously, unless the order is specifically stated. As for the hardware device for carrying out these steps, since the previous embodiment has been specifically disclosed, the description thereof will not be repeated.

In FIG. 4, the coupon selection information can be obtained in step 210; in step 220, the subscriber number of the mobile communication device can be obtained. Then, in step 230, a pass code may be indicated according to the user number of the mobile communication device, thereby guiding the mobile communication device to transmit the pass code to the telecommunication system, so that the telecommunication system returns the voucher to the mobile communication device. Then, at step 240, the coupon can be read from the mobile communication device.

In step 230, the voucher returned by the telecommunication system may be a short message or the like for the mobile communication device to receive. As for the mobile communication device, the user number of the mobile communication device and the mobile communication device is the door number of the mobile phone. Additionally, the voucher that the telecommunications system transmits back to the mobile communication device can contain a bar code to facilitate reading when step 240 is performed. As for the barcode in the coupon, for example, it may be a QR code, which has an anti-counterfeiting mechanism and can reduce the possibility of being repeatedly transmitted and utilized.

In step 230, the user number of the mobile communication device can be transmitted to the short message service platform, so that the short message service platform can provide the pass code; then, the pass code is displayed to guide the mobile communication device to send the pass code to the telecommunication system, the telecommunication system. Obtain a voucher from the SMS service platform based on the passcode and transfer the voucher to the mobile communication device.

The above-mentioned newsletter service platform can receive the user number of the mobile communication device and the discount coupon selection information, and provide the pass code and the discount coupon accordingly, wherein the discount coupon is a short message. The SMS service platform can transmit passcodes and coupons to the telecommunications system. The telecommunication system can check whether the pass code transmitted by the mobile communication device matches the pass code transmitted by the short message service platform; if so, the telecommunication system transmits the voucher to the mobile communication device.

The voucher returned by the telecommunication system to the mobile communication device in the above step 230 may contain a barcode. In step 240, the barcode may be obtained, for example, reading the QR code contained in the coupon from the mobile communication device; and, in addition, obtaining the commodity code, for example, reading the barcode or code indicated on the commodity. Next, the barcode and the commodity code are transmitted to the data management system, so that the data management system provides the amount of the discounted commodity amount. Then, the information on the amount of the discounted goods is obtained from the data management system.

It can be seen from the above embodiments of the present invention that the application of the present invention has the following advantages:

1. It is not necessary to print out the voucher and it is environmentally friendly.

2. Save time for consumers to queue up to purchase or purchase discount coupons.

3. To increase the number of customers for the business, create a topic of discounted consumption.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

100. . . Discount coupon delivery device

110. . . Point of sale terminal

111. . . Discount coupon selection interface

112. . . User number input interface

113. . . Indicator

114. . . Transmission module

115. . . Display module

120. . . cashier

121. . . Bar code reading module

122. . . Commodity reading module

123. . . Payment module

130. . . Data management system

131. . . database

132. . . Data checking unit

170. . . Mobile communication device

180. . . Telecommunications system

190. . . Newsletter service platform

200. . . Discount coupon delivery method

210. . . step

220. . . step

230. . . step

240. . . step

1 is a block diagram of a discount coupon delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the indicator, mobile communication device and telecommunications system with the SMS service platform of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the cash register, data management system, and mobile communication device of Figure 1.

4 is a flow chart of a method for delivering a voucher in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

100. . . Discount coupon delivery device

110. . . Point of sale terminal

111. . . Discount coupon selection interface

112. . . User number input interface

113. . . Indicator

120. . . cashier

130. . . Data management system

131. . . database

132. . . Data checking unit

170. . . Mobile communication device

180. . . Telecommunications system

Claims (7)

A discount coupon delivery device comprising: a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a coupon selection interface for obtaining a coupon selection information; a subscriber number input interface for obtaining a subscriber number of a mobile communication device; An indicator includes a Bluetooth module for transmitting a pass code to the mobile communication device according to the user number of the mobile communication device and the coupon selection information, and the mobile communication device automatically sends the pass code to the mobile communication device a telecommunication system for causing the telecommunication system to transmit a discount voucher containing a QR code to the mobile communication device; a cash register comprising: a code reading module for reading the voucher from the mobile communication device The QR code; a product reading module for obtaining a product code; and a payment module; and a data management system comprising: a database for recording a product data, a discount data and a discount a product amount data; and a data checking unit for using the product code when the product code matches the product data and the bar code matches the discount data The amount information is transmitted to the cash register, and the payment module of the cash register is used to obtain the amount of the discounted product. The discount coupon delivery device of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone, and the mobile communication device has a subscriber number of the mobile phone. The coupon delivery device of claim 1, wherein the coupon is a short message. The coupon delivery device of claim 1, wherein the cash register is an electronic cash register. A method for delivering a voucher includes at least the following steps: (a) utilizing a point-of-sale terminal to obtain a coupon selection information; (b) utilizing the point-of-sale terminal to obtain a subscriber number of a mobile communication device; (c) Using the Bluetooth module of the point-of-sale terminal to transmit a pass code to the mobile communication device according to the user number of the mobile communication device and the coupon selection information, and the mobile communication device automatically sends the pass code to the mobile communication device a telecommunication system for causing the telecommunication system to transmit a voucher containing a QR code to the mobile communication device; and (d) reading the voucher from the mobile communication device using a cash register, and obtaining an item code; And the commodity code is transmitted to a data management system, so that the data management system provides a discounted commodity amount data; and the discounted commodity amount data is obtained from the data management system. The method for delivering a coupon according to claim 5, wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone, and the user number of the mobile communication device is a door number of the mobile phone. The method for delivering a voucher as claimed in claim 5, wherein the voucher returned by the telecommunication system is a short message.