The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 01, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1997
Keith N. Fortenberry, Boca Raton, FL (US);
James J. Toohey, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Robert M. Szabo, Boca Raton, FL (US);
David J. Allard, Boynton Beach, FL (US);
International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and system for electronic distribution and redemption of coupons on a computer network. The method includes the steps of: providing an electronic coupon in the form of a machine readable computer file; permitting a user of a client machine to receive the computer file via the computer network when the user accesses a selected coupon distribution web site; storing the computer file on the client machine; and authorizing a benefit when the computer file is received by a selected coupon redemption web site via the computer network. The method can further include the steps of transmitting the computer file from the coupon redemption web site to the centralized computer facility; and verifying the authenticity of the computer file prior to authorizing the benefit.