GB2495203A

GB2495203A - Remote coupon vault account for storing digital coupons when an online advertisement is scrolled over

Info

Publication number: GB2495203A
Application number: GB1217132.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jiri Kulik
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser LLC
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser LLC
Priority date: 2011-09-27
Filing date: 2012-09-26
Publication date: 2013-04-03
Also published as: GB201217132D0

Abstract

A coupon vault system is proposed, so that online shoppers can store digital coupons or vouchers in their account or vault by scrolling over an advertisement or commercial offer on a website without the need to be re-directed to another web page. Scrolling over an advertisement triggers the storage of a cookie or cookie-like object on the shopper s computer. The cookie-like objects placed on the shopper s computer are then recognised by the retailer s website when it is next visited and this triggers a reminder, which may be in a pop-up window, indicating to the shopper that they have a discount offer, promotion, coupon or the like for that merchant s retail website. The coupon vault may also comprise a memorable icon so that a customer will know that they can collect a digital coupon by scrolling over an online advertisement banner. The vault is facilitated remotely and a user account is managed and checked by visiting a website.

Description

METHOD OF USING A COUPON VAULT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

HELD OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods of ecommerce, and more specifically systems and methods that allow online shoppers to store coupons that they receive digitally and then redeem them on etailers websites when it is convenient for them to shop.

2. Description of the Related Art

While the digital coupon industry is fragmented, there are four basic ways of getting and using digital coupons: 1) Printing a coupon from a website that can be redeemed offline. This is the most common form of "digital" coupon online and is similar to PSI's except in how you get them. They cannot be redeemed online.

2) Loading online coupons to a retailer loyalty card. Similar to the printing example above, but instead of printing, you have it on your loyalty card. These have lower ROI, because the shopper is not reminded that they have the coupon while shopping, so it does not drive as much change in purchase behavior. These also are currently offline only.

3) An etailer allows you to store a coupon in your account on the site for later use. This allows you to redeem online, but it is easy for the shopper to forget they have it and can only be added to their account when they are already on the etailer site. If we wanted to offer this via our online ads, it would require the user to click through, which would disrupt their current experience.

4) Seeing a coupon for the first time and redeeming it when shopping an online retailer.

This is similar to an TRC (instantly redeemable coupon) in the offline world. This has many benefits, but does not allow you to impact the shopping planning stage.

None of these systems allow the online shopper to replicate their current ingrained offline habit of "clipping" coupons when they see them, saving them for when they next go shopping, then having them in front of them when they are making purchasing decisions. It is the objectives of the present invention to provide systems and methods to resolve the disadvantages with the conventional systems discussed above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly. it is not intended that the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of compoients set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed.

another embodiment inc]udes from the one particular vaiue and/or to the other particular value.

By "comprising" or "containing" or "including" is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named, lt is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified, Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a device or system does not preclude the presence of additional components or intervening components between those components expressly identified.

I

The present coupon vault system allows a user to scroll over an online ad while using the internet acid have a digital coupon stored on their account without having to go to another website. This allows them to continue their browsing experience uninterrupted. Specifically, by scrolling over the ad, a cookie-like object is placed on the shopper's computer. When they go to an etailer, the etailer's website recognizes that "cookie" and reminds them what coupons they have. Ideally, this reminder would stay with them while they shopped (e.g. a pop up window).

The present invention would allow a company to leverage, for example. its strength in Online Video and Digital Display ads to offer its coupons to shoppers in a seamless fashion that would then be available when the shopper went to the retailer of their choice.

The coupon vault could create a memorable icon that the shopper would recognize when shown in an ad and know that they will get a coupon when they scroll over the ad.

The present invention enables the shopper to avoid the need to download software to use the coupon vault, However, if they wanted, they could go to a website to check what coupons they have and manage their account.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred forms, it vi1l be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSWhatis claimed is: 1. An ecommerce system as described herein.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The ecommeite system according to Claim 1, including each and every novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A method of ecommerce as described herein.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The method according to Claim 3, including each and every novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.</claim-text>