Importance

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Abstract

A method and an apparatus is disclosed for redeeming coupons having encoded information such as bar codes, and for capturing coupon redemption data. A scanner, such as a hand-held bar code scanner, captures the coupon's encoded information, together with timestamp information identifying when the coupon was redeemed. This information is first transferred to a local processor. The local processor automatically uploads the coupon redemption data in real-time to a central coupon database management system, via a data communication link, such as the Internet. The central coupon database management system gathers statistical information among a plurality of redeemed coupons, and is capable of analyzing the statistical information for patterns in redemption frequencies, relative to a plurality of media outlets by which associated coupons were distributed to consumers.

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First Claim