Coupon validation network with storage of customer coupon data for credit on future purchases

Claim 1

A coupon validation network, comprising: at least one central control system, having means for maintaining at least two master files, the master files including a first file for all redeemable encoded coupons issued by all coupon issuers participating in the network and a second file for all coupons redeemed by each merchant participating in the network; a plurality of control systems, each adapted for operation by one of the merchants and having means for maintaining at least three local information files, the local information files including a first file of all the redeemable encoded coupons, a second file for all coupons redeemed by the merchant and a third file customer coupon accounts, said customer coupon accounts storing data respecting all validated redeemable coupons presented in advance for credit by individual customers, including both coupons presented in conjunction with products presented for purchase by the customer, and also coupons presented at an earlier time to be used in conjunction with potential later purchases of corresponding products to be made by the customer, said third file forming an index of coupons applicable to said individual customer; at least one first coupon processing terminal adapted for use in conjunction with an electronic sales register and the like and having means for effecting adjustment of a total purchase price to reflect all valid redeemed coupons and means for updating the second local database file, the at least one first coupon processing terminal including: means for reading coupon account cards to be carried by customers, each card having encoded means uniquely identifying a coupon customer account; means for reading encoded coupons presented for redemption; means for validating the read coupons by comparison of each of the coupons with the local information file of redeemable coupons and with each product purchased during a transaction for ™which the coupons have been presented; means for comparing each of the coupons in any one of the customer coupon accounts with each product purchased during a transaction for cashing-in coupons presented in advance; means for automatically accumulating credit values for validated coupons; and means for preventing subsequent revalidation of validated coupons; at least one second coupon processing terminal adapted for independent use by customers apart from specific purchases and sale transactions, and having means for identifying all valid coupons presented in advance for later redemption credit, and means for updating the third local information file; and, means for transferring data between the at least one central control system and the plurality of local control systems; and, means for updating the third local information file to delete cashed-in coupons and to add coupons which are presented, read and validated, but which do not correspond to any of the products purchased during the transaction; said control systems and said first and second coupon processing terminals further including means for allowing merchants to read, validate and redeem coupons automatically, to accumulate data facilitating accurate calculation of full potential credit values, to enable the coupon issuers to conveniently reimburse the merchants for the value of valid coupons redeemed upon purchase of corresponding products and to provide customers a means for permanently claiming credit for their coupons without carrying them, the coupons being discardable after redemption for one of purchase and credit.