US4896791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupon dispensing system
Assignee: TSS Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-11-10
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Granted: 1990-01-30
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Expires: 2008-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A coupon dispensing system which displays a number of images, each image representing a product to be promoted and including a product selection area to be manipulated by a consumer to select that product. A switch is associated with each selection area to register the selection. The system receives an access code unique to the consumer, records product selections made by the consumer, compares the product selected by the consumer with a preselected quota, and issues a coupon for the product selected by the consumer if the quota for that consumer is not exceeded.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/387; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G07B; G07B1/00; G07B1/02; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/33; G07G1/12; G07G1/14; G07G1/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A consumer selectable coupon dispensing system, comprising: one or more image areas, each image area including means for displaying a representation of a product to be promoted for which a single coupon is selectable; each image area further including an associated selection device to be manipulated by a consumer to select a coupon for said product; switch means associated with each selection device to register the current coupon selection; input means for receiving an access code identifying the consumer; means, within the system and responsive to said input means, for identifying coupons previously issued to said consumer; means, responsive to said means for identifying, for establishing a coupon quota for said consumer; means, responsive to said means for establishing a coupon quota and said means for registering the current coupon selection, for comparing said current coupon selection made by the consumer with the consumer's coupon quota, and for preventing issuance of the selected coupon if the consumer's established quota has been exceeded; means, responsive to said means for comparing, for printing the selected coupon; means, responsive to said means for comparing, for updating said means for identifying coupon selections made by the consumer, to include the current selected and printed coupon; and means for recording and storing within the system, said consumer's updated coupon selections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A consumer selectable coupon dispensing system, comprising: one or more image areas, each image area including means for displaying a representation of a product to be promoted for which a single coupon is selectable; each image area further including an associated selection device to be manipulated by a consumer to select a coupon for said product; switch means associated with each selection device to register the current coupon selection; input means for receiving an access code identifying the consumer; means, within the system and responsive to said input means, for identifying coupons previously issued to said consumer; means, responsive to said means for identifying, for establishing a coupon quota for said consumer; means, responsive to said means for establishing a coupon quota and said means for registering the current coupon selection, for comparing said current coupon selection made by the consumer with the consumer's coupon quota, and for preventing issuance of the selected coupon if the consumer's established quota has been exceeded; means, responsive to said means for comparing, for printing the selected coupon; means, responsive to said means for comparing, for updating said means for identifying coupon selections made by the consumer, to include the current selected and printed coupon; and means for recording and storing within the system, said consumer's updated coupon selections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which said pictorial representation includes a photographic print of that product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which said means for displaying includes a sheet of material carrying said pictorial representation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which each of said switch means includes a touch-sensitive membrane switch having an active switch area at said product selection device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which said access code is a numeric or alphanumeric code and said input means includes keypad means for entering said access code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which said means for comparing and preventing includes clock means for establishing a time period during which said quota is imposed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 6 in which said means for comparing and preventing further includes means for restricting coupon issuance per product for each consumer during each time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 7 in which said means for restricting limits coupon issuance to one coupon per product per time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 7 in which the products are grouped in categories and said means for restricting limits coupon issuance per product category, per time period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 9 in which said means for restricting limits coupon issuance to one coupon, per product category, per time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which said means for printing includes means for printing indicia on each coupon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 11 in which said indicia includes a logo for that product.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 in which said means for comprising and preventing further includes means for selecting an expiration date to be printed on said coupon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 13 in which said means for selecting includes timing means for determining the date of issuance of said coupon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coupon dispensing system of claim 1 further including message display means, responsive to said input means identifying the consumer, for presenting messages to the consumer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |