Method and system for self-checkout coupon sharing system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and system for processing coupons by a self checkout system, where the self checkout system includes at least one self checkout station coupled to a server. In a first aspect, the present invention includes receiving a coupon from a customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations, attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer, and storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction. In a second aspect, a self checkout system includes a server for managing the self checkout system and at least one self checkout station coupled to the server, where the self checkout station includes a scanner for scanning at least one item for purchase by a customer, a coupon reader for receiving a coupon from the customer, and a coupon manager. The coupon manager attempts to validate the coupon against the at least one item scanned by the customer, and if the coupon fails to validate, the coupon manager stores the coupon in a coupon pool at the server such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.

1 . A method for processing coupons by a self checkout system, wherein the self checkout system comprises at least one self checkout station coupled to a server, the method comprising: 
 (a) receiving a coupon from a customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations;    (b) attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer; and    (c) storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coupon is a paper coupon and the storing step (c) further comprises: 
 (c1) converting the paper coupon into an electronic coupon;    (c2) transmitting the electronic coupon from the one self checkout station to the server; and    (c3) destroying the paper coupon.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein storing step (c) further comprises: 
 (c1) converting the paper coupon into an electronic coupon;    (c2) collecting tracking information related to the coupon and storing the tracking information in a file at the server; and    (c3) storing the coupon in a global pool at the server, wherein the global pool is accessible by all customers.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 (d) allowing a second customer in the subsequent sales transaction to utilize the coupon in the global pool.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the allowing step (d) further comprises: 
 (d1) searching the global pool for a coupon that validates against an item scanned by the second customer during the subsequent sales transaction; and    (d2) deducting a value of the coupon from a price of the item if the coupon and the item are validated.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein storing step (c) further comprises: 
 (c1) storing the coupon in a personal pool at the server, wherein the personal pool is associated with the customer.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 (d) accessing the global pool at the server by the customer;    (e) selecting at least one coupon in the global pool; and    (f) transferring the selected coupon to a personal account at the server.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 (d) receiving the tracking information in the file by an item manufacturer;    (e) accessing the global pool at the server by the item manufacturer;    (f) selecting at least one coupon in the global pool;    (g) analyzing the tracking information for the selected coupon; and    (h) modifying the selected coupon.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the modifying step (h) further comprising: 
 (h1) modifying a price of the item based on the analysis.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 (i) implementing the modified price immediately via an electronic shelf label associated with the item.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the modifying step (h) further comprising: 
 (h1) modifying an expiration date of the selected coupon.    
     
     
         12 . A computer readable medium containing program instructions for processing coupons by a self checkout system, wherein the self checkout system comprises at least one self checkout station coupled to a server, the program instructions for: 
 (a) receiving a coupon from the customer by one of the at least one self checkout stations;    (b) attempting to validate the coupon against at least one item scanned by the customer at the one self checkout station; and    (c) storing the coupon in a coupon pool at the server if the coupon fails to validate against the at least one item, such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.    
     
     
         13 . The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the coupon is a paper coupon and the storing instruction (c) further comprises: 
 (c1) converting the paper coupon into an electronic coupon;    (c2) transmitting the electronic coupon from the one self checkout station to the server; and    (c3) destroying the paper coupon.    
     
     
         14 . The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein storing instruction (c) further comprises: 
 (c1) converting the paper coupon into an electronic coupon;    (c2) collecting tracking information related to the coupon and storing the tracking information in a file at the server; and    (c3) storing the coupon in a global pool at the server, wherein the global pool is accessible by all customers.    
     
     
         15 . The computer readable medium of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 (d) allowing a second customer in the subsequent sales transaction to utilize the coupon in the global pool.    
     
     
         16 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the allowing instruction (d) further comprises: 
 (d1) searching the global pool for a coupon that validates against an item scanned by the second customer during the subsequent sales transaction; and    (d2) deducting a value of the coupon from a price of the item if the coupon and the item are validated.    
     
     
         17 . The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein storing instruction (c) further comprises: 
 (c1) storing the coupon in a personal pool at the server, wherein the personal pool is associated with the customer.    
     
     
         18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 (d) accessing the global pool at the server by the customer;    (e) selecting at least one coupon in the global pool; and    (f) transferring the selected coupon to a personal account at the server.    
     
     
         19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 (d) receiving the tracking information in the file by an item manufacturer;    (e) accessing the global pool at the server by the item manufacturer;    (f) selecting at least one coupon in the global pool;    (g) analyzing the tracking information for the selected coupon; and    (h) modifying the selected coupon.    
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 19  wherein the modifying instruction (h) further comprising: 
 (h1) modifying a price of the item based on the analysis.    
     
     
         21 . The computer readable medium of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 (i) implementing the modified price immediately via an electronic shelf label associated with the item.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the modifying instruction (h) further comprising: 
 (h1) modifying an expiration date of the selected coupon.    
     
     
         23 . A self checkout system comprising: 
 a server for managing the self checkout system; and    at least one self checkout station coupled to the server, wherein the at least one self checkout station comprises: 
 a scanner for scanning at least one item for purchase by a customer;  
 a coupon reader for receiving a coupon from the customer; and  
 a coupon manager for validating the coupon against the at least one item scanned by the customer, wherein if the coupon fails to validate, the coupon manager stores the coupon in a coupon pool at the server such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.  
   
     
     
         24 . The self checkout system of  claim 23 , wherein the server comprises a global pool for storing the unvalidated coupon, wherein the global pool is accessible by all customers.  
     
     
         25 . The self checkout system of  claim 24 , wherein the server further comprises communication means for allowing a customer or item manufacturer to access the global pool.