WO2016142830A1

WO2016142830A1 - System and method for issuing and redemption of electronic coupons using a coupon platform

Info

Publication number: WO2016142830A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nishith SHAH
Original assignee: The Quopn Company Private Limited
Priority date: 2015-03-06
Filing date: 2016-03-05
Publication date: 2016-09-15

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for issuing and redemption of electronic coupons. The system comprises comprise a campaign module, a coupon issuance module and a coupon redemption module. The campaign module receives multiple campaigns corresponding to multiple products. The campaign module further renders a set of campaigns on a consumer device. The coupon issuance module enables a consumer to perform actions corresponding to one or more campaigns based upon coupon issuance rules. Further, the coupon issuance module assigns a code to the one or more campaigns, wherein the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. The coupon redemption module validates the set of electronic coupons by comparing product metadata of the purchased products with the multiple campaigns. Further, the coupon redemption module redeems each of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer based upon coupon redemption rules.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ISSUING AND REDEMPTION OF ELECTRONIC COUPONS USING A COUPON PLATFORM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

[001] The present application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent

Application No. 3810/MUM/2014, filed on March 06, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to a computer- based platform facilitating issuance of multiple electronic coupons and redemption thereof.

BACKGROUND

[003] One of the key stages involved in a product lifecycle management includes promoting marketing and business development initiatives by different enterprises corresponding to multiple products manufactured and sold by these enterprises. In this endeavor, these enterprises focus on implementing several means/mechanisms that would facilitate reaching end consumers for the products being manufactured. One of means is to provide a campaign management system wherein multiple coupons may be issued to the consumers who can redeem the coupons at appropriate retail stores/chains in order to avail the discount and other offers linked to the campaign management. However, there are certain challenges associated with the conventional methods of facilitating campaign management.

[004] One of the challenges is to target or influence the end consumers in an organized manner. Conventionally, the enterprises distribute their products to the end consumers through a retail sector comprising a plurality of small and medium retailers. The retail sector works in an unorganized manner and hence it is very difficult for the retail sector to directly influence experience of the end consumers. In multiple cases, the enterprises distribute the products through a network of wholesalers (primary sales) and distributors (secondary sales). Hence, they have limited visibility and influence over actual workings at the retailer level (tertiary sales).

[005] Another challenge is to track the validity and expiry of the coupons issued to the end consumers. This may be due to fact that the end consumers may not be aware of the location of the retail stores authorized for facilitating the redemption of the coupons. Further, the end consumers have no feasibility to redeem their coupons concurrently or at a single instance without providing details associated to each coupon individually to the retailer. Further, each coupon may have to be redeemed at a different location. These may result in unnecessary delay and complexities associated to the redemption of coupons. Yet another challenge with the existing methods is that enterprises are not capable of tracking or monitoring data analytics with respect to number of coupons issued, number of coupons redeemed, number of end consumers redeeming the coupons and in turn purchasing their products, and the like. Further, in the existing systems, the coupons may be pre-fed into the POS device and hence validation of the coupons may be done at the POS device. Therefore, the retailers may have to deploy a separate POS device capable of storing the coupons, validating the coupons against the products being purchased by the consumer and thereby redeeming the coupons. The coupons being pre-fed into such dedicated POS device may therefore be specific to individual retailers/loyalty programs. Furthermore, the existing systems may not validate the actual sale of the products.

SUMMARY

[006] Before the present systems and methods, are described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described herein, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not explicitly, illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to systems and methods for facilitating issuance of electronic coupons and redemption thereof using a computer-based platform and the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the disclosure nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[007] In one implementation, a system for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons is disclosed. The system may comprise a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may comprise a plurality of modules executed by the processor. The plurality of modules may comprise a campaign module, a coupon issuance module and a coupon redemption module. The campaign module may be configured to receive a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products. In one aspect, the plurality of campaigns may be received from an enterprise device coupled with the system. The plurality of campaigns comprises at least a plurality of campaign rules. Furthermore, the campaign module may be configured to render a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on a consumer device. Further, the coupon issuance module may enable a consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based on a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. The coupon issuance module may further be configured to assign a code, from a plurality of codes pre- stored in a database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions performed, by the consumer, corresponding to the one or more campaigns. In an embodiment, the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. The set of electronic coupons may be stored in a first data repository (also referred hereinafter as "mycart store"). The coupon redemption module may be configured to capture product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer at a retail store. In an aspect, the product metadata may be captured from a retailer device (or a Point of Sale device) present within the retail store. Further, the coupon redemption module may be configured to authenticate the consumer based upon a unique identifier and a personal identifier associated with the consumer. The coupon redemption module may further be configured to compare the product metadata associated with each of the set of products with the plurality of campaigns associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons in the first data repository. It must be understood that based upon the comparison, the EAN code/barcode, associated with each product, in the product metadata is mapped with the EAN code/barcode, associated with the corresponding product, present in a campaign. Therefore, as a result of such mapping, each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons may be validated. Finally, the coupon redemption module may be configured to redeem an offer associated with each electronic coupon of set of electronic coupons to the consumer at a single instance based upon the validation of the set of coupons. In an embodiment, the offer may be redeemed using a second set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. Thereafter, the set of electronic coupons redeemed may be moved from the first data repository (or the mycart store) to a second data repository (also referred hereinafter as "redeemed coupons store"). [008] In another implementation, a method for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons is disclosed. The method may comprise receiving a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products. In one aspect, the plurality of campaigns may be received from an enterprise device coupled with the system. The plurality of campaigns comprises at least a plurality of campaign rules. The method may further comprise rendering a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on a consumer device. Further, the method may comprise enabling a consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based on a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. The method may further comprise assigning a code, from a plurality of codes pre- stored in a database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions, performed by the consumer, corresponding to the one or more campaigns. In an embodiment, the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. The set of coupons electronic coupons may be stored in a first data repository (or a mycart store). Further, the method may comprise capturing product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer at a retail store. In an aspect, the product metadata may be captured from a retailer device (or a Point of Sale device) present within the retail store. Further, the method may comprise authenticating the consumer based upon a unique identifier and a personal identifier associated with the consumer. Further, the method may comprise comparing the product metadata associated with each of the set of products with the plurality of campaigns associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons. It must be understood that based upon the comparison, the EAN code/barcode, associated with each product, in the product metadata is mapped with the EAN code/barcode, associated with the corresponding product, present in a campaign. Therefore, as a result of such mapping, each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons may be validated. Furthermore, the method may comprise redeeming an offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer. In an embodiment, the offer may be redeemed using a second set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. Thereafter, the set of electronic coupons redeemed may be moved from the first data repository (or the mycart store) to a second data repository (or a redeemed coupons store). In an embodiment, the aforementioned method may be performed by a processor using a programmed instructions stored in a memory. [009] In yet another implementation, a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program executable in a computing device for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons is disclosed. The program may comprise a program code for receiving a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products. In one aspect, the plurality of campaigns may be received from an enterprise device coupled with the system. The plurality of campaigns comprises at least a plurality of campaign rules. The program may further comprise a program code for rendering a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on a consumer device. Further, the program may comprise a program code for enabling a consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based on a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. The program may further comprise a program code for assigning a code, from a plurality of codes pre-stored in a database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions, performed by the consumer, corresponding to the one or more campaigns. In an embodiment, the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. The set of coupons electronic coupons may be stored in a first data repository (or a mycart store). Further, the program may comprise a program code for capturing product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer at a retail store. In an aspect, the product metadata may be captured from a retailer device (or a Point of Sale device) present within the retail store. Further, the program may comprise a program code for authenticating the consumer based upon a unique identifier and a personal identifier associated with the consumer. Further, the program may comprise a program code for comparing the product metadata associated with each of the set of products with the plurality of campaigns associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons. It must be understood that based upon the comparison, the EAN code/barcode, associated with each product, in the product metadata is mapped with the EAN code/barcode, associated with the corresponding product, present in a campaign. Therefore, as a result of such mapping, each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons may be validated. Furthermore, the program may comprise a program code for redeeming an offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer. In an embodiment, the offer may be redeemed using a second set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. Thereafter, the set of electronic coupons redeemed may be moved from the first data repository (or the mycart store) to a second data repository (or a redeemed coupons store). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and systems disclosed in the document and the drawings.

[0011] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a network implementation of a system for facilitating issuance of electronic coupons and redemption thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram depicting working of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 illustrates the method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

[0017] The present subject matter discloses a system (also referred hereinafter as "a coupon platform") for issuance and redemption of electronic coupons. The coupon platform may enable a consumer to register on the coupon platform. The consumer may register using his/her mobile number. The mobile number is linked to a unique identifier (ID) and a person identification number (PIN) associated with the unique identifier (ID). The unique identifier (ID) and the person identification number (PIN) are utilized for identifying and/or authenticating the consumer on the coupon platform. It must be noted that the PIN is dynamically updated after every transaction/redemption of coupons. The coupon platform may create a demographic profile associated with the consumer on the coupon platform. The demographic profile may be created based upon demographic information comprising gender, age, location, interests, preferences and the like. The coupon platform may receive a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products. The plurality of campaigns may be received from enterprise devices belonging to different enterprise partners manufacturing and/or selling the plurality of products. The plurality of campaigns comprises name of products, brands, companies, offer details, offer values (discounts), SKUs on which the offers are applicable along with their barcodes/EAN codes, start dates associated with each campaign, end dates associated with each campaign, issue/redeem caps per consumer for each campaign, overall campaign caps for each campaign, geographical information and a plurality of campaign rules associated with each campaign.

[0018] In one embodiment, the coupon platform may be enabled to randomly generate a plurality of codes, hereinafter also referred to as alphanumeric codes, which may be stored in a database of the coupon platform. It is to be noted that each of the alphanumeric codes, stored in the database, is unique.

[0019] In one embodiment, a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns may be rendered on a consumer device associated with the consumer. In one embodiment, the set of campaigns may be rendered randomly on the consumer device. In alternative embodiment, the set of campaigns may be rendered based upon at least one of the demographic profile of the consumer, purchase behavior of the consumer, preferences of the consumer, frequency of purchase of products, predefined time period associated with the display of the campaigns, caps set for issuance and redemption of campaigns for each consumer and overall cap for issuance and redemption of each campaign. The set of campaigns may be sorted based upon requirements and/or the preferences of the consumer. In one embodiment, the coupon platform may enable the consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns of the set of campaigns based upon a first set of rules, of the plurality of campaign rules, hereinafter also referred to as coupon issuance rules. The coupon platform may assign an alphanumeric code, from the plurality of alphanumeric codes stored in the database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions performed by the consumer. In an aspect, the one or more campaigns assigned with the alphanumeric code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. It is to be further noted that each of the alphanumeric code is unique and hence each of the set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer is also unique and therefore may be redeemed only once. The set of coupons may be stored in a mycart store corresponding to the consumer, on the coupon platform for future use and redemption. In one aspect, only the set of electronic coupons stored in the mycart store may be applicable for redemption.

[0020] In one embodiment, the coupon platform may display, on the consumer device, a plurality of retail stores facilitating the redemption of the set of electronic coupons. The consumer may visit a retail store, of the plurality of retail stores, facilitating purchase of products and redemption of the set of electronic coupons stored in the mycart store. In one embodiment, once the consumer completes the purchase of the products at the retail stores, he/she may proceed to checkout at a retailer device (hereinafter also referred as "POS device") of the retail store. In one aspect, at least few products purchased by the consumer may correspond to the set of electronic coupons stored in the mycart store. A person responsible for processing the checkout may scan the products present in the shopping cart of the consumer using a barcode scanner attached to the POS device. Based upon the scanning, relevant information associated with the purchase of the products including product barcode/ EAN code, quantity of a product, product description and the like is captured and stored in a form of product metadata in the POS device. The retail personal may enter the unique identifier (ID) and the personal identification number (PIN) associated with the unique identifier in the POS device in order to validate or authenticate the consumer. The product metadata, the consumer identifier, the PIN, a retail store identifier (store ID) and a POS device identifier (POS ID) may be transferred to the coupon platform. [0021] The coupon platform may authenticate the consumer using the ID and the PIN.

It is to be noted that the PIN used for authentication is applicable only for current transaction/redemption and is dynamically updated for future transactions/redemptions.

Further, the coupon platform may validate the POS device using the combination of store ID and the POS ID. After the validation of the consumer and the POS device, the coupon platform may compare the product metadata with the plurality of campaigns in order to determine redemption offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons. In one embodiment, based upon the comparison, barcode/EAN code present in one or more campaigns may be mapped with the product barcode/EAN code present in the product metadata. Therefore, is to be noted that the set of electronic coupons corresponding to the one or more campaigns having barcode/EAN code mapped with the product barcode/EAN code may be eligible for the redemption. In one embodiment, the redemption offer associated with the set of electronic coupons eligible for the redemption is based upon a second set of rules, of the plurality of campaign rules, hereinafter also referred to as coupon redemption rules.

[0022] The coupon platform may transmit a first acknowledgement message along with a transaction identifier (TXID) to the POS device, wherein the acknowledgement message is indicative of valid transaction (corresponding to the TXID) for the purchase of the products and the redemption of the set of electronic coupons applicable to the products. After the receipt of the first acknowledgement message, the POS device may enable the consumer to process the payment with applicable discount and offers based upon the coupon redemption rules. After the completion of the payment, the POS device may transmit a second acknowledgement message to the coupon platform, wherein the second acknowledgement message is indicative of successful transaction. In an embodiment, based upon the authentication of the consumer, the one or more electronic coupons along with the POS ID and the store ID, the coupon platform may transmit only a single acknowledgement message (ACK) along with the TXID in order to authorize the payment with applicable discount/offers for the current transaction

[0023] Subsequent to successful transaction and accordingly the redemption of the electronic coupons, the coupon platform may move the electronic coupons being redeemed from the mycart store to the redeemed coupons store. Similarly, the consumer may utilize the coupon platform for redemption of the coupons associated with different transactions at different retail stores. While aspects of described system for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons may be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system.

[0024] Referring now to Figure 1, a network implementation 100 of a system 102 for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Although the present subject matter is explained considering that the system 102, also referred hereinafter as coupon platform, is implemented on a server, it may be understood that the system 102 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a cloud-based computing environment and the like. It will be understood that the systeml02 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more user devices including an enterprise device 103, consumer device 104 and a Point of Sale (POS) device 105. In one implementation, the system 102 may comprise the cloud-based computing environment in which a user may operate individual computing systems configured to execute remotely located applications. Examples of the user devices may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, a workstation and the like. The user devices are communicatively coupled to the systeml02 through a network 106.

[0025] In one implementation, the network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network 106 can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network 106 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.

[0026] Referring now to Figure 2, the system 102 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the system 102 may include one or more processors or one or more co-processors or a combination of a processor and a coprocessor, collectively referred hereinafter as processor(s) 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204, and a memory 206. The processor(s) 202 may be implemented as microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, graphical processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor(s) 202 are configured to fetch and execute processor-executable instructions stored in the memory 206.

[0027] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. Further, the system 102 comprises the application layers and the APIs for communication by the system 102 with the enterprise device 103, the consumer device 104 and the Point of Sale (POS) device 105. The I/O interface 204 may allow the system 102 to interact with the user directly or through the user devices. Further, the I/O interface 204 may enable the system 102 to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface 204 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 204 may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.

[0028] The memory 206 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory 206 may include modules 208, and data 210.

[0029] The modules 208 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The module 208 described herein may be implemented as software modules that may be executed in the cloud-based computing environment of the system 102. In one implementation, the modules 208 may include a campaign module 212, a coupon issuance module 214, a coupon redemption module 216, and other modules 218. The other modules 218 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the system 102.

[0030] The data 210, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 208. The data 210 may also include a database 220, a first data repository 222 (also referred to as a mycart store

222), a second data repository 224 (also referred to as redeemed coupons store 224) and other data 226. The other data 226 may include data generated as a result of the execution of one or more modules in the other modules 218. The detail working of the system 102 along with modules 208 are further described referring Figure 1 and 2 as below.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, the system 102 may enable a consumer to register the consumer device 104 on the system 102, hereinafter referred to as a coupon platform 102. The consumer needs to register the consumer device 104 using name, mobile number to use the coupon platform 102. An SMS containing an activation code or a personal identification number (PIN) may be transmitted to the mobile phone associated with the consumer. The consumer may enter the PIN which is verified by the coupon platform 102. Upon verification of the mobile number and the PIN, the consumer may be allowed to access the coupon platform 102 via the consumer device 104.Upon successful registration; a unique alphanumeric identification number (ID) (also referred hereinafter as unique identifier) may be generated and associated or linked with the mobile number. It is to be noted that the PIN is dynamic and is updated after every successful transaction and/or redemption of the electronic coupons.

[0032] After the registration, the coupon platform 102 may enable the consumer to create a consumer profile and/or demographic profile on the coupon platform 102. The consumer profile may be created based upon demographic information. The demographic information may comprise date of birth, gender, email, location, shopping category preferences and the like. Further, the consumer profile may comprise a profile picture, the name, the unique identification number (ID) and the mobile number. At any point of time, the consumer may access the coupon platform 102 to update the demographic information. Further, the coupon platform 102 may randomly generate a list of plurality of unique alphanumeric codes and store the plurality of unique alphanumeric codes in the database 220.

[0033] Now referring to figure 2, after the creation of the demographic profile and the generation of the unique alphanumeric codes, the campaign module 212 may receive a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products. The plurality of campaigns may be received from different enterprise partners manufacturing and/or selling the plurality of products. An enterprise partner may access the coupon platform 102 using the enterprise device 103 and submit a campaign corresponding to the products manufactured and/or sold by the said enterprise partner. Each campaign comprises name of products, brands, companies, offer details, offer values (discounts), SKUs on which the offers are applicable along with their barcodes/EAN codes, start dates of each campaign, end dates of each campaign, issue/redeem caps per consumer for each campaign, overall campaign caps for each campaign, geographical information and a plurality of campaign rules associated with each campaign. In an embodiment, the plurality of campaigns may be stored in the database 220.

[0034] In one embodiment, the campaign module 212 may render a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on the consumer device 104. In one embodiment, the set of campaigns is selected randomly for rendering on the consumer device 104. In another embodiment, the set of campaigns may be selected based upon at least one of the demographic profile of the consumer, purchase behavior of the consumer, preferences of the consumer, frequency of purchase of products, predefined time period associated with the display of the campaigns, caps set for issuance and redemption of campaigns for each consumer and overall cap for issuance and redemption of each campaign. In an example, the set of campaigns may include those campaigns that suit to a male of age between 25-40 years. Similarly, the set of campaigns may be selected based upon other requirements and other preferences of the consumer. The consumer may sort and list the set of campaigns based upon his/her requirements.

[0035] Subsequent to the rendering of the set of campaigns on the consumer device

104, the coupon issuance module 214, as illustrated in figure 2, may enable the consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based upon a first set of rules, of the plurality of campaign rules, hereinafter referred to as coupon issuance rules. In one embodiment, the one or more actions may comprise, but not limited to, viewing a video, making a call, playing a video game, performing an activity on a social media such as Facebook® or Twitter®, clicking icon associated to a coupon, sending a Short Message Service (SMS), connecting over an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and the like. More particularly, the coupon issuance module 214 may enable the consumer to perform a certain action, on the consumer device 104, corresponding to at least one campaign based on at least one coupon issuance rule. In one example, the consumer may be enabled to view a complete video or a partial video. In another example, the consumer may be enabled to play the online video game. In yet another example, the consumer may be enabled to complete an online survey. After the performance of the action, the coupon issuance module 214 may assign an alphanumeric code, from the plurality of alphanumeric codes stored in the database 220, to the one or more campaigns. In an aspect, the one or more campaigns assigned with the alphanumeric code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. The set of electronic coupons may be stored in the mycart store 222 for future use and redemption. The mycart store 222 therefore hosts the electronic coupons that may be redeemable. In one example, the mycart store 222 may be a SQLite Database.

[0036] After the issuance of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer, the coupon redemption module 216 shown in figure 2 may display, on the consumer device 104, a plurality of retail stores facilitating the redemption of the set of electronic coupons. More particularly, the coupon redemption module 216 may display, on the consumer device 104, an electronic map highlighting a plurality of retail stores where the set of electronic coupons may be redeemed by the consumer. The consumer may access the electronic map to identify the retail stores where the set of electronic coupons may be redeemed.

[0037] Now referring to figure 1, the consumer may enter premises of one of the retail stores hosting the POS device 105 capable of processing the payment of the purchased products as-well-as redemption of the set of electronic coupons present in the mycart store 222. It is to be understood that the POS device 105 is a standard existing POS device deployed at the retail store and not a specific POS device adapted specifically for the redemption of the coupons. The POS device 105 may be registered with the coupon platform 102. The POS device 105 may be assigned with a device identifier (POS ID). Further, the retailer store hosting the POS device 105 is assigned with store identifier (store ID). In one embodiment, the retail store facilitating the redemption of coupons may be identified based on combination of the POS ID and the store ID. In one embodiment, the plurality of POS devices within a single retail store may have unique identifiers. Further, different retail stores may have similar nomenclatures for POS devices present in these stores. For example, a device named POS1 may be present in store A as well as store B. Therefore, the combination of store ID and the POS ID may be used to identify the POS device facilitating the redemption. The consumer may carry the consumer device 104 while shopping at the retail store. The consumer may purchase one or more products available for purchase at the retail store. In one aspect, the products available for purchase may be associated with the plurality of coupons present on the coupon platform 102.

[0038] In one embodiment, subsequent to purchase of the one or more products, the consumer may proceed to check out at the POS device 105. In one aspect, at least few products purchased by the consumer may correspond to the set of electronic coupons stored in the mycart store 222. In one embodiment, a retail personal responsible for processing the checkout may scan the one or more products present in the shopping cart of the consumer using a barcode scanner attached to the POS device 105. Based upon the scanning, relevant information associated with the one or more products including a product barcode/EAN code, quantity of a product, product description and the like is captured and stored in a form of product metadata in the POS device 105. The retail personal may input the unique identifier (ID) of the consumer and the personal identification number (PIN) associated with the unique identifier in the POS device 105. Further, the product metadata, the ID, the PIN, the store ID and the POS ID are transferred to the coupon redemption module 216.

[0039] In one embodiment, the data format of the product metadata received on the coupon platform may be of different data formats which depend on the type of POS device used. In one example, the data format may be JSON, XML and the like. The product barcode may be compatible to the International Article Number (EAN-13) format. The coupon platform 102 may utilize standard Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to process the product metadata received of different data formats. The APIs are based upon REST or SOAP protocol. Further, the APIs uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) for facilitating the secured transaction.

[0040] After the receipt of the product metadata, the ID, the PIN, the store ID and the

POS ID the coupon redemption module 216 may authenticate the consumer based on a combination of the ID and the PIN. Further, the coupon redemption module 216 may authenticate the POS device 105 based on a combination of the store ID and the POS ID. After the authentication of the consumer and the POS device 105, the coupon redemption module 216 may compare product metadata with the plurality of campaigns stored in the database 220 in order to determine an offer associated with redemption of each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons. In one embodiment, based upon the comparison, barcode/EAN code present one or more campaigns may be mapped with the product barcode/EAN code present in the product metadata. The set of electronic coupons corresponding to the one or more campaigns having barcode/EAN code mapped with the product barcode/EAN code may be eligible for the redemption. In one embodiment, the redemption offer associated with the electronic coupons eligible for the redemption is based upon a second set of rules, of the plurality of campaign rules, hereinafter referred to as coupon redemption rules. Each redemption rule may indicate a valid offer corresponding to at least one of the set of electronic coupons. In one example, the validity of each electronic coupon may be determined based on the start date of the corresponding campaign, the end date of the corresponding campaign, the issue/redemption cap of the corresponding campaign, validity of the retail store with respect to the redemption of the electronic coupon and the like.

[0041] The coupon redemption module 216 may transmit a first acknowledgement message (ACK1) to the POS device 105. The first acknowledgement message (ACK1) may indicate validity of transaction associated with the purchase of the one or more products and the redemption of the electronic coupons applicable to the one or more products. Therefore, with the ACK1, the coupon redemption module 216 may transfer a unique transaction identifier (TXID) associated to the transaction. Additionally, the coupon redemption module 216 may transfer, based upon the coupon redemption rules, redemption data comprising total discount value, list of discounts/offers applicable, discount percentage, itemized discounts against valid coupons or the TXID, description of the offers and the like.

[0042] After the receipt of the ACK1 along with the TXID and the redemption data, the POS device 105 may enable the consumer to process the payment with applicable discount and offers based upon the redemption data. After the completion of the payment, the POS device 105 may transmit a second acknowledgement message (ACK2) to the coupon redemption module 216. The second acknowledgement message indicates successful completion of the transaction associated with the TXID. In an embodiment, based upon the authentication of the consumer, the one or more electronic coupons along with the POS ID and the store ID, the coupon redemption module 216 may transmit only a single acknowledgement message (ACK) along with the TXID in order to authorize the payment with applicable discount/offers for the current transaction. Subsequent to the successful transaction and redemption of the set of electronic coupons, the coupon redemption module 216 may move the set of electronic coupons being redeemed from the mycart store 222 to the redeemed coupons store 224. In this manner, the consumer may utilize the coupon platform 102 for redemption of the electronic coupons corresponding to different transactions.

[0043] In one embodiment, the enterprise partner, via the enterprise device 103, may be enabled to track and/or monitor status associated with the plurality of electronic coupons. The enterprise partner may be provided with data analytics such as number of electronic coupons being issued, number of electronic coupons being redeemed, the stores and/or retail stores where the electronic coupons are redeemed. Further, the data analytics may be displayed based on year-wise, quarter-wise, month-wise, category-wise, age-wise and other analytic parameters. A dashboard may be provided on the coupon platform 102, wherein the said dashboard is capable of generating various analytics charts based upon the analytics data. Such data analytics may assist the enterprises to modify the product offerings, the campaign management and the other business development strategies.

[0044] Referring to figure 3 is a flow diagram depicting working of the coupon platform 102. As shown, at step 302, the campaign module 212 receives a plurality of campaigns on the coupon platform 102. At step 304, the campaign module 212 renders a set of campaigns from the plurality of campaigns on the consumer device 104. Thereafter, at step 306, the consumer performs one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns of the set of campaigns via the coupon issuance module 214. The one or more actions are performed in accordance with coupon issuance rules. At step 308, each campaign of the one or more campaigns, corresponding to which the one or more actions are performed, are assigned with a unique code by the coupon issuance module 214. The unique code is randomly assigned from the plurality of codes stored in the database 220. Each campaign assigned with the code indicates an electronic coupon issued to the consumer. Therefore, the coupon issuance module 214 issues the set of electronic coupons to the consumer. The set of electronic coupons are stored in the mycart store 222.

[0045] In order to redeem the coupons, at step 310, the consumer may visit a retail store, purchase the products in the retail store and proceed to checkout at the POS device belonging to the retail store. As shown in figure 3, the retail store/POS device is connected with the coupon platform 102. Further, as shown in figure 3, at step 312, the retail personal may scan the products for billing into the POS device thereby capturing product metadata for each product purchased by the consumer. As step 314, the retail personal enters the unique identifier and the PIN, associated with the consumer, into the POS device. The product metadata, the unique identifier, the PIN, and the retail store data (POS ID, store ID) are transmitted to the coupon redemption module 216 as shown. The coupon redemption module 216 authenticates the consumer based upon the unique identifier and the PIN. Further, the coupon redemption module 216 authenticates the retail store based upon the retail store data received.

[0046] Based upon the authentication of the consumer as-well-as the retail store, the coupon redemption module 216 may compare the product metadata with the plurality of campaigns pre- stored in the database 220 in order to validate the set of electronic coupons. Based upon the comparison, the EAN code barcode, associated with each product, in the product metadata is mapped with the EAN code/barcode, associated with the corresponding product, present in a campaign. Therefore, as a result of such mapping, each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons may be validated. The coupon redemption module 216 may, based upon the mapping, transmit the transaction identifier (TXID) with applicable discounts corresponding to products being purchased by the consumer. At step 316, it is checked whether the discounts are applicable for the transaction being conducted corresponding to the TXID. If the discounts are applicable at step 316, then at step 318, the discount is applied on the transaction amount by deducting the discount amount. Else, at step 320; an error, indicating no discount applicable, is displayed on the POS device. The discount amount applicable is determined by sending request to the coupon redemption module 216 by the POS device. The coupon redemption module 216 sends the response to the POS device indicating the applicability of the discount amount. Finally, at step 322, a discounted bill is printed. The discounted bill is determined based upon deduction of the discount amount from the actual transaction amount. After the successful redemption of the coupons, these coupons are removed from the mycart store 222. The coupons removed from the mycart store 222 are stored in the redeemed coupons store 224 as shown in figure 3.

[0047] Referring to figure 4 is a flow chart illustrates a method implemented by the processor 202 of the system 102 by executing a plurality of modules 208 stored in the memory 206. According to the present disclosure the steps in which the method 400 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 400 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 400 without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 300 may be considered to be implemented in the above described in the system 102.

[0048] At block 402, a plurality of campaigns may be received from an enterprise device 103. The plurality of campaigns is related to campaign management initiatives by the enterprise corresponding to products manufactured and/or sold by the enterprise. The plurality of campaigns may comprise at least a plurality of campaign rules. In one implementation, the plurality of campaigns may be received by the campaign module 212. The plurality of campaigns may be stored in the database 220. [0049] At block 404, a set of campaigns, from the plurality of campaigns, may be rendered on the consumer device 104. In one embodiment, the set of campaigns may be rendered based on at least one of the demographic profile of the consumer, purchase behavior of the consumer, preferences of the consumer, frequency of purchase of products, predefined time period associated with the display of the campaigns, caps set for issuance and redemption of campaigns for each consumer and overall cap for issuance and redemption of each campaign. In one implementation, the set of campaigns may be rendered by the campaign module 212.

[0050] At block 406, a consumer may be enabled to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based upon a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules. In one implementation, the consumer may be enabled to perform the one or more actions by the coupon issuance module 214.

[0051] At block 408, the one or more campaigns may be assigned with a code, from a plurality of codes pre-stored in the database 220, based upon the one or more actions performed by the consumer. In one aspect, the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer. The set of electronic coupons may be stored in the mycart store 222 of the coupon platform 102. In one implementation, the coupon issuance module 214 may assign the code to the one or more campaigns.

[0052] At block 410, product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer, in a retail store may be captured via the coupon redemption module 216.

[0053] At block 412, the consumer may be authenticated based upon a unique identifier and a personal identification number (PIN). In one implementation, the consumer may be authenticated by the coupon redemption module 216.

[0054] At block 414, the product metadata associated with each of the set of products may be compared with the plurality of campaigns, stored in the database 220, associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons. In one implementation, the product metadata associated with each of the set of products may be compared with the plurality of campaigns by the coupon redemption module 216. It must be understood that based upon the comparison, the EAN code/barcode, associated with each product, in the product metadata is mapped with the EAN code/barcode, associated with the corresponding product, present in a campaign. Therefore, as a result of such mapping, each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons gets validated.

[0055] At block 416, an offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons may be redeemed to the consumer at a single instance based upon the validation of each electronic coupon using coupon redemption rules. In one implementation, the set of electronic coupons may be redeemed by the coupon redemption module 216.

[0056] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages.

Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.

[0057] Some embodiments enable a system and a method that provides electronic coupons to the consumer based upon at least one of the demographic profile of the consumer, purchase behavior of the consumer, preferences of the consumer, frequency of purchase of products, predefined time period associated with the display of the campaigns, caps set for issuance and redemption of campaigns for each consumer and overall cap for issuance and redemption of each campaign.

[0058] Some embodiments enable a system and a method that enables the consumer to redeem the coupons a single instance, in a real time, using a standard POS device deployed at the retail store without requiring a specific POS designed for redemption of the electronic coupons. The standard POS device may redeem the electronic coupons based on the consumer identifier and scanning of product barcode/EAN code.

[0059] Some embodiments enable a system and a method that enables various brands to run promotions and then measure conversions in terms of the coupon redemptions and in turn actual sales in real time across such retailers.

[0060] Although implementations for methods and systems for facilitating issuance of electronic coupons and redemption thereof have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the implementations and/or embodiments are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for facilitating issuance of electronic coupons and redemption thereof.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A system 102 for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons over a computer based platform, the system comprising:

a processor 202; and

a memory 206 coupled with the processor 202, wherein the memory 206 stores a plurality of modules 208 executed by the processor 202, and wherein the plurality of modules 208 comprises:

a campaign module 212 configured to

receive a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products, wherein the plurality of campaigns is received from an enterprise device, and wherein the plurality of campaigns comprises at least a plurality of campaign rules; and

render a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on a consumer device;

a coupon issuance module 214 configured to

enable a consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based upon a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules; and

assign a code, from a plurality of codes pre-stored in a database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions, performed by the consumer, corresponding to the one or more campaigns, wherein the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer; and

a coupon redemption module 216 configured to

capture product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer at a retail store, wherein the product metadata is captured from a retailer device present within the retail store during a checkout process at the retailer device;

authenticate the consumer based upon a unique identifier and a personal identifier associated with the consumer;

compare the product metadata associated with each of the set of products with the plurality of campaigns associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons; and redeem an offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer at a single instance based upon the validation of the set of coupons, wherein the offer is redeemed using a second set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of campaigns further comprises name of products, brands, companies, offer details, offer values (discounts), SKUs, barcodes/EAN codes, start dates associated with each campaign, end dates associated with each campaign, issue/redeem caps per consumer for each campaign, overall issue/redemption caps for each campaign, and geographical information.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of campaigns is rendered on the consumer device based upon at least one of demographic profile of the consumer, purchase behavior of the consumer, preferences of the consumer, frequency of purchase of products, predefined time period associated with the display of the campaigns, caps set for issuance and redemption of campaigns for each consumer and overall cap for issuance and redemption of each campaign.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more actions comprise at least one of viewing a video, making a call, playing a video game, performing an activity on a social media, clicking icon associated to a coupon, sending a Short Message Service (SMS), and connecting over an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein is the code assigned to the one or more campaigns is a unique alphanumeric code, and wherein each of the set of electronic coupons is stored in a first data repository.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the product metadata further comprises at least a barcode/ EAN code, a quantity of a product, and a product description.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the barcode/EAN code, associated with each product, in the product metadata is mapped with the barcode/EAN code, associated with the corresponding product, in a campaign based upon the comparison of the product metadata with the plurality of campaigns, and wherein the mapping facilitates in the validation of each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the redemption of the offer comprises

transmitting a first acknowledgement message to the retailer device, wherein the first acknowledgement message is indicative of validate transaction for the purchase of the set of products and the redemption of the set of electronic coupons applicable corresponding to the set of products;

receiving a second acknowledgement message from the retailer device, wherein the second acknowledgement message is indicative of successful transaction conducted at the retailer device, wherein the transaction comprises processing the payment, with applicable offer corresponding to each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons, for the set of products; and

moving the set of electronic coupons from the first data repository to the second data repository.

9. A method for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products, wherein the plurality of campaigns is received from an enterprise device, and wherein the plurality of campaigns comprises at least a plurality of campaign rules;

rendering, by the processor, a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on a consumer device;

enabling, by the processor, a consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based upon a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules;

assigning, by the processor, a code, from a plurality of codes pre-stored in a database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions, performed by the consumer, corresponding to the one or more campaigns, wherein the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer;

capturing, by the processor, product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer, wherein the product metadata is captured from a retailer device present within the retail store during a checkout process at the retailer device;

authenticating, by the processor, the consumer based upon a unique identifier and a personal identifier associated with the consumer;

comparing, by the processor, the product metadata associated with each of the set of products with the plurality of campaigns associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons; and

redeeming, by the processor, an offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer at a single instance based upon the validation of the set of coupons, wherein the offer is redeemed using a second set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program executable in a computing device for facilitating issuance and redemption of electronic coupons, the program comprising:

a program code for receiving a plurality of campaigns corresponding to a plurality of products, wherein the plurality of campaigns is received from an enterprise device, and wherein the plurality of campaigns comprises at least a plurality of campaign rules;

a program code for rendering a set of campaigns of the plurality of campaigns on a consumer device;

a program code for enabling a consumer to perform one or more actions corresponding to one or more campaigns, of the set of campaigns, based upon a first set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules;

a program code for assigning a code, from a plurality of codes pre-stored in a database, to the one or more campaigns based upon the one or more actions, performed by the consumer, corresponding to the one or more campaigns, wherein the one or more campaigns assigned with the code indicate a set of electronic coupons issued to the consumer;

a program code for capturing product metadata associated with a set of products, of the plurality of products, being purchased by the consumer, wherein the product metadata is captured from a retailer device present within the retail store during a checkout process at the retailer device;

a program code for authenticating the consumer based upon a unique identifier and a personal identifier associated with the consumer; a program code for comparing the product metadata associated with each of the set of products with the plurality of campaigns associated with the plurality of products in order to validate the set of electronic coupons; and

a program code for redeeming an offer associated with each electronic coupon of the set of electronic coupons to the consumer at a single instance based upon the validation of the set of coupons, wherein the offer is redeemed based upon a second set of rules of the plurality of campaign rules.