United States Patent [w]
`Powell
`
`US005806044A
`[ii] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,806,044
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`[54] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`DISTRIBUTING COUPONS THROUGH A
`SYSTEM OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Ken R. Powell, P.O. Box 6265, Athens,
`Ga. 30604
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 603,482
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 20, 1996
`
`Int. CI.6
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI
`
`G06F 17/60; G06F 13/00
`705/14; 235/383; 364/400;
`395/200.3; 395/200.43; 395/200.79
`[58] Field of Search
`235/375, 383,
`235/385; 364/400; 370/400, 401; 395/200.3,
`200.31, 200.43, 200.49, 200.6, 200.79;
`705/10, 14, 20, 24, 400
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1987 Stepien
`4.670.853
`6/1987 Lemon et al
`4,674,041
`4,872,197 10/1989 Pemmaraju
`4,882,675 11/1989 Nichtberger et al
`4,949,256
`8/1990 Humble
`5,047,614
`9/1991 Bianco
`5,185,695
`2/1993 Prachnicki
`5.192.854
`3/1993 Counts
`5,287,181
`2/1994 Holman
`5,305,197
`4/1994 Axler et al
`5,380,991
`1/1995 Valencia et al
`5,420,606
`5/1995 Begum et al
`5,502,636
`3/1996 Clarke
`5,557,721
`9/1996 Fite et al
`5,612,959
`3/1997 Takase et al
`5,621,727
`4/1997 Vaudreuil
`
`364/705.01
`705/14
`379/93
`703/14
`705/14
`235/385
`705/14
`235/375
`348/473
`705/14
`235/385
`345/156
`705/10
`705/14
`370/390
`370/60
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Printout from DIALOG: Maurer, Michael, "Digital text
`broadcast soon will hit Detroit radio waves," Grain's Detroit
`Business (MI), p. 3, Jul. 25, 1994.
`Print out from DIALOG: Bachman, Katy, "Now you can
`interact with your radio, (new interactive radio known as
`Coupon-Radio)," Direct v6, nlO, p. 32 (2), Oct., 1994.
`
`Printout from DIALOG: Vizard, Frank, "Radio typecasting.
`(Radio Data Systems)," Popular Mechanics, v l 7 0, n8, p.
`90(2), Aug. 1993.
`
`printout from ClipNet (4 pages), received via the World
`Wide Web (No Date).
`
`printout from Coupons Online (2 pages), Copyright 1995,
`received via the World Wide Web.
`
`printout ol Decker Drugs Coupon (1 page), Copyright 1995,
`received via the World Wide Web.
`
`IS07816-2: 1988(E), Identification cards—Integrated cir(cid:173)
`cuit (s) cards with contact—Part 2, International Organiza(cid:173)
`tion for Standardization (ISO).
`
`ISO/IEC 7816-3: 1989 (E), Identification cards—Integrated
`circuit(s) cards with contacts—Part 3: International Organi(cid:173)
`zation for Standardization (ISO).
`
`ISO/IEC 7816-3: 1989/Amd.l: 1992 (E), Part 3: Amend(cid:173)
`ment 1: Protocol type T = l, asynchronous hall duplex block
`transmission protocol., International Organization for Stan(cid:173)
`dardization (ISO).
`
`Primary Examiner—Edward R. Cosimano
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—-Jerome D. Jackson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for dispensing and redeeming the electronic dis(cid:173)
`count coupons. The system includes a personal computer
`(PC) having hardware and software for receiving an elec(cid:173)
`tronic coupon from the system ol computer networks, trans(cid:173)
`lating the received coupon into a binary format, and sending
`the binary-formatted coupon to a card-writing device. The
`card-writing device writes the coupon data onto a portable
`customer card ("smart card") approximately the size ol a
`credit card. Subsequently, the customer goes to the store
`with the card. Upon completion ol shopping, the customer
`redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by
`inserting
`the card
`into
`the checkout station. During
`checkout, the customer is credited with the value ol a
`coupon when UPC data from a bar code reader corresponds
`to a coupon stored on the card.
`
`29 Claims, 20 Drawing Sheets
`
`REMOVE PRODUCTS
`FROM SHELVES AND
`BRING TO
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`DETERMINE PRICE FOR
`EACH PRODUCT
`DEPENDING ON
`WHETHER CARD CONTAIN!
`COUPON FOR PRODUCT
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 20
`Sheet 1 0f 20
`
`5,806,044
`5,806,044
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`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 2
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 2
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`S
`9
`
`02
`Sheet 2 of 20
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`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 20
`Sheet 3 0f 20
`
`5,806,044
`5,806,044
`
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`
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`
`NS520:E
`
`9:220:2NGE2:$025229:$02522
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 4
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`3011
`
`3021
`
`LAN 115 ADDRESS!
`FOR
`!
`COMPUTER 238
`!
`
`IP ADDRESS
`FOR
`COMPUTER 276
`
`COUPON DATA
`
`3010
`
`3020
`
`3002
`
`Fig. 3A
`
`3013
`
`3021
`
`3030
`
`WAN 130 ADDRESS
`FOR
`!
`COMPUTER 272
`!
`
`IP ADDRESS
`FOR
`COMPUTER 276
`
`COUPON DATA
`
`3012
`
`3020
`
`3004
`
`Fig. 3B
`
`3030
`
`— 24-
`
`3015
`
`3021
`
`A-
`;
`16
`LAN 135 ADDRESS!
`FOR
`!
`COMPUTER 276
`!
`
`A-
`
`IP ADDRESS
`FOR
`COMPUTER 276
`
`3014
`
`3020
`
`3006
`
`Fig. 3C
`
`COUPON DATA
`
`3030
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`425
`
`423
`
`Fig. 4
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`o rs
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`Ln
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`LD
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`j— c:
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`lease i
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`rid Pasta. P
`id is a coupi
`
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`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`4170
`
`4I5
`
`Fig. 6
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 20
`Sheet 8 0f 20
`
`5,806,044
`5,806,044
`
`Or
`
`mrmmmwnm_.____________lFunk-ILL.
`|_______.__u___lDfifi
`
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`
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`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 9
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`Sep- 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 20
`Sheet 9 0f 20
`
`5,806,044
`5,806,044
`
`em
`
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`
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`
`
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`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 10
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`113
`
`Fig. 8A
`
`Fig. 8B
`
`133
`
`LIGHTHOUSE
`LIGHT BULBS
`
`LIGHTHOUSE
`LIGHT BULBS
`
`LIGHTHOUSE
`LIGHT BULBS
`
`Fig. 8C
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`SEND COUPON
`THROUGH NETWORK
`
`RECEIVE COUPONS ON
`HOME COMPUTER
`
`WRITE COUPON ONTO
`CUSTOMER CARD
`
`BRING CUSTOMER CARD
`TO RETAIL STORE
`
`REMOVE PRODUCTS
`FROM SHELVES AND
`BRING TO
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`DETERMINE PRICE FOR
`EACH PRODUCT
`DEPENDING ON
`WHETHER CARD CONTAINS)
`COUPON FOR PRODUCT
`
`Fig. 9
`
`9003
`
`9005
`
`9010
`
`9020
`
`9025
`
`9035
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 12 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`• n
`n n
`• D
`D D
`
`190
`
`Fig. 10A
`
`2421
`
`2422
`
`2423
`
`2424
`
`2410
`
`2430
`
`2420
`
`>*
`
`J
`
`2410
`
`2420
`
`190
`
`Fig. 10B
`
`•2425
`
`-2426
`
`•2427
`
`-2428
`
`\
`
`2420
`
`Fig. 10C
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`2465
`
`2450
`
`2460—^ 2435'
`
`2452
`
`STATION INTERFACE
`2425
`
`+ / »
`
`190
`
`2470
`
`Fig. 11
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 14
`
`

`

`U . S. P a t e nt
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 14 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`445
`
`MODEM 410
`
`A
`
`Fig. 12
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 15 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`920
`
`922
`
`UPC READER
`910
`
`CARD INTERFACE
`915
`
`DISPLAY 917
`
`925
`
`MODEM 930
`
`«
`
`*•
`
`A
`
`900
`
`Fig. 13
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 16
`
`

`

`U . S. P a t e nt
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 16 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`TRANSLATE TEXT INTO
`BINARY COUPON DATA
`
`RESET CARD
`AND RECEIVE
`ANSWER TO RESET
`
`14005
`
`14010
`
`^
`ELIGIBLE
`CONSUMER CARD?
`
`Y
`
`14020
`
`FIG. 14
`
`SEND DATA
`BLOCK
`
`14040
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 17 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`30:
`
`7170312350
`I
`200
`7170312780
`I
`50
`
`30: 7170312350
`I
`200
`7170312780
`I
`50
`7170312682
`I
`150
`
`2435
`
`2435
`
`Fig- ISA
`
`Fig. I5B
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 18 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`RESET CARD AND
`RECEIVE
`ANSWER TO RESET
`
`SEND STATION-TYPE
`CODE TO CARD
`
`I
`I
`
`RECEIVE TABLE 2435
`FROM CARD
`
`SCAN PRODUCT
`
`16002
`
`16004
`
`16005
`
`16010
`
`16020
`
`DEDUCT DISCOUNT
`
`16030
`
`DISPLAY PRICE
`
`16040
`
`N
`
`16042
`
`DISPLAY
`TOTAL PRICE
`
`FIG. 16
`
`16044
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 19
`
`

`

`U . S. P a t e nt
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 19 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`SEND
`ANSWER TO RESET
`
`V
`RECEIVE DATA
`FROM STATION
`
`*
`
`17010
`
`17015
`
`v
`ADD DATA TO
`CARD MEMORY LIST
`
`17030
`
`^
`'f^PC
`
`^\
`^
`IMTFRFflfF?
`
`Y
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`
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`
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`
`i
`
`^
`
`^
`
`^
`
`\^
`
`Y
`^^^
`^CHECKOUT STATION^>-
`v
`^ ^ ^^
`^ ^ 1 7 0 70
`
`i
`
`\ r
`SEND TABLE 2345
`TO STATION
`
`^ S^
`
`[
`
`N
`
`17080
`
`FIG. 17
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1998
`
`Sheet 20 of 20
`
`5,806,044
`
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`900
`
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`900
`
`CENTRAL FINANCIAL
`COMPUTER
`
`911
`
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`903
`
`y iz —
`
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`CHECKOUT STATION
`
`903
`
`903
`
`Fig. 18
`
`SWY&KRG 1007 - Page 21
`
`

`

`5,806,044
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`DISTRIBUTING COUPONS THROUGH A
`SYSTEM OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to a retail system and,
`more particularly, to a system and method for distributing
`discount coupons through a system of computer networks.
`2. Description of Related Art
`Discount coupons are a popular means to stimulate sales
`of products such as grocery store items. In 1992, approxi(cid:173)
`mately 310 billion coupons were distributed and 7.7 billion
`coupons were redeemed, saving customers $4 billion. It has
`been estimated that in-store couponing coupled with adver(cid:173)
`tising increases sales by 544%.
`A typical marketing scheme involves placing coupons in
`a newspaper, by printing the coupons in the newspaper or by
`inserting coupon inserts into the newspaper, and allowing
`customers to bring the printed coupons to a store for
`redemption. One problem with this scheme is that the
`redemption rate is typically only a few percent of the
`coupons printed, the unredeemed coupons representing an
`overhead associated with this scheme. To alleviate this
`overhead, another marketing scheme involves distributing
`the coupons in the store, thereby avoiding the cost of
`printing coupons in a newspaper, and capitalizing on the fact
`that 66% of buyer decisions are made at the time of product
`purchase. Both the in-store scheme and the newspaper
`scheme, however, are susceptible to fraud by an unscrupu(cid:173)
`lous retailer that requests reimbursement payments by pre(cid:173)
`senting unredeemed coupons to the clearing house. Other
`schemes include delivering coupons to customers through
`the mail, distributing coupons in or on the product package,
`and distributing coupons at checkout. All of these schemes
`have an overhead cost of handling the coupons and of
`sending the redeemed coupons to a clearing house to enable
`product manufacturers to reimburse retailers for the reduc(cid:173)
`tion in proceeds resulting from coupon redemptions.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`convenient and stimulating shopping environment that
`allows the customer to acquire discount coupons through a
`system of computer networks and to redeem the coupons
`electronically.
`To achieve these and other objects of the present
`invention, a system comprises a plurality of portable cards;
`a first computer network including a first plurality of
`computers, each having a respective first network address,
`the first plurality of computers including a first computer for
`sending a first signal including a first network address, an
`inter-network address corresponding to a computer on
`another network, and a signal corresponding to a product; a
`second computer network including a second plurality of
`computers, each having a respective second network
`address; means, responsive to the inter-network address
`from the first signal, for sending a second signal including
`a second network address and the signal corresponding to
`the product; a first processor, responsive to the second signal
`for sending a card signal, to a portable card in the plurality
`of cards; the card signal corresponding to the product; and
`a second processor spatially removed from
`the first
`processor, for receiving the card signal from the portable
`card.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
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`According to another aspect of the present invention, a
`system comprises a plurality of portable cards; a store
`including a plurality of products and a reader for reading a
`card signal from one of the portable cards; a first computer
`network including a first plurality of computers, each having
`a respective first network address, the first plurality of
`computers including a first computer for sending a first
`signal including a first network address, an inter-network
`address corresponding to a computer on another network,
`and a signal corresponding to a product in the plurality of
`products; a second computer network including a second
`plurality of computers, each having a respective second
`network address; means, responsive to the inter-network
`address from the first signal, for sending a second signal
`including a second network address and the signal corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the product; and a processor, responsive to the
`second signal, for sending a card signal to a portable card in
`the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the
`product.
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
`in a system including a plurality of portable cards; a first
`computer network including a first plurality of computers,
`each having a respective first network address, the first
`plurality of computers including a first computer; a second
`computer network including a second plurality of
`computers, each having a respective second network
`address, a method of operating the system comprising the
`step, performed by the first computer, of sending a first
`signal including a first network address, an inter-network
`address corresponding to a computer on another network,
`and a signal corresponding to a product, and wherein the
`method further comprises the step of sending, responsive to
`the inter-network address from the first signal, a second
`signal including a second network address and the signal
`corresponding to the product; and sending, responsive to the
`second signal, a card signal to a portable card in the plurality
`of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product; and
`reading the card signal from the portable card.
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
`in a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a
`routing system for receiving a signal and generating network
`addresses in response to an inter-network address in the
`received signal, the routing system including a plurality of
`wide area communication links, a coupon system compris(cid:173)
`ing a first computer; and a second computer, wherein the first
`computer includes circuitry for sending a first signal to the
`routing system, the first signal including a signal corre(cid:173)
`sponding to a product, and an inter-network address corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the second computer, to cause the routing
`system to generate a plurality of network addresses, each of
`the plurality of network addresses corresponding to a respec(cid:173)
`tive computer in a respective computer network, and
`wherein the second computer includes circuitry for receiving
`the first signal, and wherein the system further includes a
`first processor, responsive to the first signal received by the
`second computer, for sending a card signal to a portable card
`in the plurality of cards, the card signal corresponding to the
`product; and a second processor, spatially removed from the
`first processor, for receiving the card signal from the por(cid:173)
`table card.
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
`in a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a
`routing system for receiving a signal and generating network
`addresses in response to an inter-network address in the
`received signal, the routing system including a plurality of
`wide area communication links, a method comprising
`sending, from a first computer, a first signal to the routing
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`5,806,044
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`system, the first signal including a signal corresponding to a
`product, and an inter-network address corresponding to a
`second computer, to cause the routing system to generate a
`plurality of network addresses, each of the plurality of
`network addresses corresponding to a respective computer
`in a respective computer network; receiving the first signal;
`sending, responsive to the first signal received in the previ(cid:173)
`ous step, a card signal to a portable card in the plurality of
`cards, the card signal corresponding to the product;
`subsequently, moving the portable card; and receiving the
`card signal from the portable card.
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
`in a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a
`routing system for receiving a signal and generating a
`routing signal in response to an inter-network address in the
`received signal, the routing system including a plurality of
`wide area communication links, a coupon system compris(cid:173)
`ing a first computer; and a second computer, wherein the first
`computer includes circuitry for sending a first signal to the
`routing system, the first signal including a signal corre(cid:173)
`sponding to a product, and an inter-network address corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the second computer, to cause the routing
`system to generate a plurality of routing signals, each of the
`plurality of routing signals corresponding to a respective
`portion of a signal path between the first and second
`computers, and wherein the second computer includes cir(cid:173)
`cuitry for receiving the first signal, and wherein the system
`further includes a first processor, responsive to the first
`signal received by the second computer, for sending a card
`signal to a portable card in the plurality of cards, the card
`signal corresponding to the product; and a second processor,
`spatially removed from the first processor, for receiving the
`card signal from the portable card.
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
`in a system including a plurality of portable cards, and a
`routing system for receiving a signal and generating a
`routing signal in response to an inter-network address in the
`received signal, the routing system including a plurality of
`wide area communication links, a method comprising
`sending, from a first computer, a first signal to the routing
`system, the first signal including a signal corresponding to a
`product, and an inter-network address corresponding to a
`second computer, to cause the routing system to generate a
`plurality of routing signals, each of the plurality of routing
`signals corresponding to a respective portion of a signal path
`between the first and second computers; receiving the first
`signal; sending, responsive to the first signal received in the
`previous step, a card signal to a portable card in the plurality
`of cards, the card signal corresponding to the product;
`subsequently, moving the portable card; and receiving the
`card signal from the portable card.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIGS. 1A and IB are a schematic diagram of a system of
`computer networks, in accordance with a first preferred
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram emphasizing a part of the system
`shown in FIGS. 1A and IB.
`FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are diagrams showing a discount
`coupon sent through a system of computer networks from
`computer 230 to Home 160.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of a personal computer inside Home
`160.
`FIG. 5 is the display of the personal computer showing an
`electronic coupon received through the system of computer
`networks into home 160.
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`FIG. 6 is a side view of the card-writing device in the
`personal computer for writing coupons onto portable cards
`in home 160.
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are a schematic diagram of a retail store
`in the preferred system.
`FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are enlarged views of some
`products shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a processing performed in the
`preferred system.
`FIG. 10A is a plan view of one of the customer cards in
`the preferred system.
`FIG. 10B is a side view of the card shown in FIG. 10A.
`FIG.
`10C is an enlarged, partial view of the card shown
`10A.
`in FIG
`11 is a block diagram of the customer card.
`FIG.
`12 is a block diagram of the personal computer
`FIG.
`shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the check-out station shown
`in FIG. 7B.
`FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a step of the processing shown
`in FIG. 9.
`FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams of some memory
`contents of a customer card at different points in time.
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart of another step of the processing
`shown in FIG. 9.
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the processings of step 9010 and
`of step 9035 of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a system including a
`clearing house and multiple check-out stations.
`The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in
`and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
`embodiments of the invention and, together with the
`description, explain the principles of the invention, and
`additional advantages thereof. Throughout the drawings,
`corresponding parts are labeled with corresponding refer(cid:173)
`ence numbers.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`FIGS. 1A and IB show a system of computer networks for
`distributing coupons in accordance with a first preferred
`embodiment of the present invention. Computer networks
`105, 111, 115,130,135,138,125, 279,142,148,144,146,
`281, and 151 are interconnected. Each computer network
`includes a plurality of computers. Each of homes 152, 154,
`156,158,160,162,164,166,168,171,172,174,176,178,
`181, 182, 310, and 320 is coupled to one of the computers
`networks via a respective telephone signal path 177.
`The system includes portable customer cards 215, 225,
`235, 245, 255, 275, 285,190, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365,
`367, 369, 375, and 385. Each customer card is a portable
`customer card, approximately the size of a credit card. Each
`card contains a random access memory for storing electronic
`coupons.
`A computer 230 within network 115 stores electronic
`coupons and distributes the stored coupons to the homes. As
`represented schematically in FIGS. 1A and IB, a customer
`carries her respective card from her home to a store. A
`computer in each home receives a coupon from computer
`230, via one or more of the computer networks, and stores
`the received coupon onto one of the cards. For example, a
`computer in home 160 receives a coupon signal from
`computer 230 via networks 115,130, and 135 and stores the
`received coupon onto card 190.
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`5,806,044
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`FIG. 2 shows a section of the preferred system, empha(cid:173)
`sizing a path between computer 230 and home 160. Network
`115 is a local area network (LAN), network 130 is a wide
`area network (WAN), network 135 is an LAN, and network
`279 in a LAN.
`Network 115 includes a plurality of first computers,
`computers 234, 238, 230, 236, and 232. Each of these first
`computers has a respective network address uniquely iden(cid:173)
`tifying the computer on network 115. The first computers
`can communicate with each other by sending data packets in
`a certain format. Each network-115-packet has a field con(cid:173)
`taining the destination address of the packet. Each network-
`115-packet is in a format conforming to the communication
`protocol of network 115, meaning, for example, that the
`packet has a destination address field offset a certain number
`of bits from the start of the packet, and that the destination
`address field has a certain number of bits. Computer 230
`includes circuitry (hardware and software) for sending a data
`packet through transmission cable 117. The circuitry
`includes software for constructing a packet, having the
`packet format of network 115, containing a discount coupon
`identifying a product.
`Network 130 includes a second plurality of computers,
`computers 254, 250, 252, 258, 256, 262, 260, and 272.
`Computer 230 sends this product-identification signal to
`home 160 via computer 238, as described in more detail
`below. Each of these second computers has a respective
`second network address uniquely identifying the computer
`on network 130. The second computers communicate with
`each other by sending a packet in the format for network
`130.
`The data packet from computer 230 includes a destination
`address field allowing computer 238 to recognize that the
`data packet is to be received by computer 238. Computer
`238 has an address on both LAN 115 and WAN 130,
`meaning that computer 238 has circuitry for recognizing an
`its own address in a network-115-formatted packet sent over
`network 115, and has circuitry for recognizing an its own
`address in a network- 130-formatted packet sent over net(cid:173)
`work 130. Thus, computer 238 acts to route packets between
`networks 155 and 130. In other words, computer 238
`includes circuitry, responsive to an address on network 115,
`for receiving a packet in the format of network 115, con(cid:173)
`taining an electronic coupon identifying a certain product,
`and for sending a second packet in the format of network
`130, the second packet containing a signal identifying the
`certain product. When computer 238 receives a packet
`destined for computer 276, computer 238 constructs a
`packet addressed to computer 272, using the protocol for
`network 130.
`Computer 272 has an address on both WAN 130 and LAN
`135 and, therefore, computer 272 acts to route packets
`between networks 130 and 135. When computer 272
`receives the packet, computer 272 constructs a packet
`addressed to computer 276, using the protocol of network
`135.
`More specifically, computer 230 constructs an "IP" packet
`addressed to computer 276, using the Internet Protocol (IP).
`Computer 230 then imbeds this IP packet within a network-
`115-formatted packet addressed to computer 238, using the
`protocol of network 115. When computer 238 receives the
`packet, computer 238 reads the IP address, determines that
`the IP packet should be sent over network 130, and imbeds
`the IP packet within an network-130-formatted packet
`addressed to computer 272, using the protocol of network
`130.
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`When computer 272 receives the packet, computer 272
`reads the IP address, determines that the IP address corre(cid:173)
`sponds to computer 276, and imbeds the IP packet in a
`packet addressed to computer 276, using the protocol of
`network 135.
`FIG. 3A shows data packet 3002 in the format of network
`115, sent by computer 230 through cable 117. Header field
`3010 includes a 20 bit destination address field 3011 iden(cid:173)
`tifying computer 238 on network 115. Destination address
`field 3011 is 16-bits removed from the beginning of the data
`package 3002. Header 3010 contains other fields, including
`a 20-bit field containing the address of the sender of packet
`3002, and a field containing data correction bits. Field 3020
`includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address field 3021 iden(cid:173)
`tifying computer 276. Field 3030 includes electronic coupon
`information in ASCII (American Standard Code for Infor(cid:173)
`mation Interchange) text form.
`Computer 238, which resides on both LAN 115 and WAN
`130, includes circuitry to translate packet 3002 received
`from computer 230, into packet 3004 shown in FIG. 3B.
`Packet 3004 includes header field 3012. Header 3012
`includes a 16 bit destination address field 3013 identifying
`computer 272 on WAN 130. Address field 3013 is 32-bits
`removed from the start of packet 3004. Header 3012 has
`other fields, including a field identifying the sender of packet
`3004, and a field containing data correction bits.
`Computer 238 determines that the packet should be sent
`to computer 272 on network 130 by reading a routing table.
`The routing table has an entry for network 135. The entry for
`network 135 identifies network 130 and computer 272 as the
`path to be used when computer 238 is sending a packet to a
`computer on network 135. Thus, computer 238 constructs
`packet 3004 in response to IP address field 3021 in packet
`3002.
`As shown in FIG. 2, computer 238 sends a packet to
`computer 272, via computers 250, 254, 258, and 260.
`In other words, each packet is essentially a type of signal
`having a network address of a certain length and having a
`certain number of digits. A signal on one network may
`include a first network address 01 digits removed from the
`start of the signal. A signal another network may include a
`second network address is 02 digits removed from the start
`of the signal, wherein 01 is not equal to 02, and the first
`network address includes Nl digits and the second network
`includes N2 digits, wherein Nl is not equal to N2.
`Computer 272, which resides on both WAN 130 and LAN
`135, includes circuitry to translate packet 3004 received
`from computer 238, into packet 3006 shown in FIG. 3C.
`Packet 3006 includes header field 3014. Header 3014
`includes an address field 3015 identifying computer 276 on
`LAN 135. Header 3014 includes a 16 bit destination address
`field 3015 identifying computer 276 on LAN 135. Address
`field 3015 is 24-bits removed from the start of packet 3006.
`Header 3014 has other fields, including a field identifying
`the sender of packet 3006, and a field containing data
`correction bits.
`Thus, the preferred system may be conceptualized as
`computers sending packets containing electronic coupons.
`The preferred system may also be conceptualized as
`programs, running on the computers, that send electronic
`mail (Email) messages to each other. Each Email message
`includes one or more of the packets described above. The
`programs include a coupon server (not shown), running on
`computer 230, for constructing the Email message and
`sending the Email message to a customer, and Mail Transfer
`Agents and a User Agent (not shown) that route the Email
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`5,806,044
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`messages between each other and ultimately store an Email
`message into an electronic mail box for the recipient of the
`message. An electronic mailbox is a memory area readable
`by the owner of the mail box. For example, FIG. 2 shows
`mail box 277 readable by personal computer 400 in home
`160.
`FIG. 4 shows a personal computer 400 within home 160.
`Computer 400 includes a modem 410, a CRT display 420, a
`keyboard 425, a mouse 423, and a coupon-writing device
`415. To receive an electronic coupon, the user establishes a
`telephone connection between computer 400 and computer
`276 through modem 410. Subsequently, the user logs onto
`computer 276 and invokes a program to read Email stored in
`mailbox 277.
`FIG. 5 shows CRT display 420 after the mail-reading
`program reads a coupon message from mailbox 277. As
`shown in FIG. 5, coupon data 3030 includes the ASCII text
`of an electronic mail (Email) message. Message field 5010
`iden