Importance

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Abstract

An electronic coupon having an associated redemption function for use over a communications channel includes a computer-readable medium associated with a computer processor, the computer-readable medium being encoded with a data structure. The data structure includes data representative of a version number of the electronic coupon, data representative of a party capable of redeeming the electronic coupon, and data representative of a serial number identifying the electronic coupon. The data structure is adapted for providing a benefit in the course of an online transaction based on the redemption function. A method of redeeming an electronic coupon in the course of an online transaction, the electronic coupon including information sufficient for enabling a computer processor unit to electronically redeem the electronic coupon in the course of the online transaction, includes transferring the electronic coupon from a first computer processor unit to a second computer processor unit over a communications channel; transferring the electronic coupon over the communications channel from the second computer processor unit to a further computer processor unit during the online transaction; and the further computer processor unit providing a benefit to the second computer processor unit based on the information in the course of the online transaction.

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First Claim