WO2002017191A1

WO2002017191A1 - Method and system for redemption of electronic coupons

Info

Publication number: WO2002017191A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/025994
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael P. Carfagna
Original assignee: Electronic Equities, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-08-21
Filing date: 2001-08-21
Publication date: 2002-02-28
Also published as: AU2001285112A1

Abstract

A method and system for providing a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company, in a manner which is intended to drive traffic from the internet to bricks and mortar, clicks and bricks, or cyber stores. A promotion for a product or service from a supplying company is displayed (101), preferably via the internet or as a wireless-accessible promotion. An order request (105) is received from a customer for a payment for the product or service. Responsive to a consumer purchase, a coupon and a receipt (107) are issued, preferably in electronic or digital format, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion corresponding to a company position (such as an equity position) in the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds to payment for a product or service from a supplying company. A method and system for redeeming a coupon are provided, wherein the customer provides the receipt and coupon to the supplying company, and the supplying company redeems the company position portion from the issuing company.

Description

TITLE: Method and System for Redemption of Electronic Coupons

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to the issuance and redemption of electronic coupons. More specifically, the invention relates to coupons, issued to a consumer, that represent a discount on a product or service at a participating supplier, which, when redeemed by that supplier, convert to an equity or non-equity or other position in the issuing company, such as warrants, stock, stock options, convertible debt, bonds, or notes.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THERELATED ART

Frequently, suppliers are reluctant to lower the price for a product or service more than they normally would, or at times of the year when they normally would not offer such product or cost savings to customers. Often, suppliers are reluctant to offer cost savings to customers, either directly or indirectly, at certain times of the year, for fear of eroding their overall profit margins or image in the market. Since most suppliers rely solely on their own formula for profit margin calculations, there is little opportunity for companies to break this cycle.

Traditionally, companies have been able to break the cycle by making deals with suppliers to move their excess inventory or out of season merchandise at higher discount prices than the supplier would normally, as a method for cleaning up the balance sheet. Nevertheless, the suppliers usually dictate certain terms and conditions, such as where these companies may market the products or services, so as not to impinge on existing franchises or brand image in the marketplace.

Another conventional way that intermediary companies convince suppliers to offer them higher than normal discounts is by giving, directly to suppliers, equity instruments in the intermediary company's business. Since there is no way of knowing the effectiveness of these promotions at the beginning of the equity offering, these companies are generally offered products or services from suppliers with certain restrictions as to quality, type, time and location for marketing these products or services.

In recent years, and with the growth of the Internet, it has become more popular for new companies to offer warrants or equity instruments to supplying companies, in return for the rights to sell or gain access to their products or services. One Internet company in particular, Priceline.com, was an innovator in the granting of warrants to participating suppliers. In the Priceline.com prospectus of April 1, 1999, they mention Delta Airlines as a holder of warrants in the company. The warrants were offered directly from Priceline.com to Delta and may be exercised at a predetermined strike price. The equity transfer agreement between the two companies did not guarantee prices, discounts, availability or routes but rather outlined the terms and conditions under which Delta tickets may be marketed through Priceline.com.

Companies have been exchanging equity instruments in return for more favorable business relationships long before the Internet existed.

A number of approaches have been attempted to convince suppliers to lower prices or to encourage consumers to purchase products or services. Some of these involve providing stock in a company to a consumer as the purchaser incentive. For example, U.S. patent Number 5,233,514, Ayyoubi, et al., discloses a system and method for a consumer to acquire a stock or similar equity position in a company through the purchase of qualifying products or services offered by the company, by accumulating credits toward the purchase of stock in the company based on the quantity of goods or services purchased. Ayyoubi, however allows the award points to be used by the consumer in purchasing stock in the company selling the purchased products. U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,141, Spector discloses a computerized merchandising system in which a customer purchases a certificate that can be used for redemption of a stock certificate in the selling company. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,480, Kalina, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,736, Ferguson et al. both disclose methods for customer incentives that accumulate credits while making purchases; the credits are used or redeemed for mutual funds or put away for a retirement account.

Other approaches involve the accumulation of purchase points by consumers to be redeemed for a reward. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,026, Hoffman discloses a system and data processing arrangement for promoting purchases and account activity in a credit card account or other consumer transaction involving sales of goods or services and rewards a customer for purchases by providing a high rate of return for funds invested by the customer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,019, Schultz et al. discloses a marketing method for providing manufacturing purchase reward offers to member consumers by automatically tracking the purchases of member consumers through the use of bar-coded membership cards and using the purchase records in a data processing system to determine if the required purchases have been made to earn a reward. U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,016, Fredregill et al. discloses a computer implemented consumer transaction point accumulation system in which a consumer earns and accumulates points for immediate use during a transaction at participating retailer outlets, wherein at each transaction, a customer's identification number is transmitted to a host data base which stores customer records including customer balances of points accumulated to date. U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,412, Storey discloses a fully integrated on-line frequency award program where a user browses on-line and places orders; user award points are calculated; and users may purchase from an award catalog. Many of these incentive/reward approaches have been automated. For example,

U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,648, Golden et al. discloses a data processing system issuing electronic certificates through "online" networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,277, Khosla discloses a method for automated issuance of a coupon redeemable for goods or services purchased in a transaction involving a purchaser at a non-secure terminal on a public network. U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,038, Powell,_discloses a system for dispensing and redeeming the electronic discount coupons. U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,634, Scroggie et al. discloses a system and method for delivering purchasing incentives and a variety of other retail shopping aids through a computer network, such as by E-mail over the internet or the World Wide Web. U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,007, Jovicic et al. discloses an electronic coupon communication system for generating and redeeming unique product discount coupons over public computer networks such as the Internet. Such systems are designed to encourage particular consumer behavior. However, none of these suggest that a party such as the retailer (not the consumer) ultimately redeems the incentive. Further, nothing suggests that the incentive is tied to an equity or non-equity position in a company. Moreover, none of these encourage a supplier to offer incentives. None of these are designed to influence or measure supplier behavior.

None of these system's primary purpose is to grant dual incentives to the consumer and supplier, respectively, so that the consumer is driven to a supplier's bricks and mortar store, clicks and bricks store or cyberstore where he/she receives a discount or other promotion and the supplier is rewarded with increased store sales and the opportunity to achieve an equity or non-equity position in the issuing company.

None of these systems utilize the customer as the delivering agent or medium for equity or non-equity exchange. Moreover, none of these systems provide an incentive to the supplier to cause greater discounts in exchange for equity or non-equity in an issuing company. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems noted above are addressed by a company issuing customers electronic, digital or hard copy receipts and/or coupons or credit cards representing cost savings or discounts, which, when redeemed at a participating supplier for their products or services and when converted by the supplier become equity or non-equity instruments in the issuing company. The customer is used as the connection between the issuing company and the supplier, thereby allowing more control over the effectiveness of the promotion and in assessing the value of the equity or non-equity owned in the issuing company. A supplier is then more willing to increase the discount on products or services as well as the time of year and location where they may be marketed, as the upside potential is their holding of equity instruments in the issuing company. A potential added benefit to the supplier is incremental profits obtained by the supplier through increased customer awareness and traffic for its products or services.

According to the invention, there is provided a method for providing a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company. The steps include issuing, responsive to a consumer request, a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion corresponding to a company position in the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds a product or service from a supplying company. According to one alternative, the company position portion corresponds to an equity position in the issuing company. According to another alternative, the company position portion corresponds to a non-equity position in the issuing company. According to yet another alternative, the company position portion corresponds to a right of value owned by the issuing company.

The method may include receiving a request from a consumer for the product or service, wherein the issuing step is responsive to receipt of the request. Further, receiving a request may optionally include validating the payment prior to the issuing step. Further, the method may optionally include displaying a promotion for the good or service.

In accordance with an alternative, the coupon and receipt are provided electronically. In accordance with another embodiment, the coupon and receipt are provided substantially simultaneously. In yet another embodiment, the coupon and receipt are provided on a same hard copy. In a further alternative, the coupon and receipt are provided digitally.

There is also provided a method for providing a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company. The steps include displaying a promotion for a product or service from a supplying company; receiving an order request from a consumer for a payment for the product or service, and wherein the issuing step is responsive to receipt of the order request, and validating the payment; and electronically issuing, responsive to a consumer purchase and if the payment is validated, a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion corresponding to a company position in the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds to payment for the product or service from the supplying company.

There is also provided a method of redeeming a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company. The steps include receiving a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a promotion portion and a company position portion, and the receipt corresponds to a payment for a product or service from a supplying company; providing, responsive to the reception of the coupon and receipt, the product or service; and redeeming the company position portion from the issuing company. Alternatives and options are provided in these methods, as in the first above- mentioned method. Also, according to an alternative, redeeming includes providing the company position portion to the issuing company, and receiving confirmation of the company position portion.

There is also provide a method of redeeming a coupon from an issuing company for a product or service from a supplying company. The steps include receiving a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion from the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds to a payment for a product or service from a supplying company; and providing the coupon and receipt to the supplying company, and receiving the product or service from the supplying company. According to one embodiment, the coupon and receipt are electronically received, substantially simultaneously.

In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a device for redeeming a company position in an issuing company and providing payment for products or services of a supplying company. The device includes a coupon, the coupon including a company position portion corresponding to a company position in the issuing company; and a receipt, the receipt corresponding to a payment for a product or service from a supplying company. In one alternative, the coupon and receipt are electronic.

In one alternative, the company position portion corresponds to an equity position in the issuing company. In another alternative, the company position portion corresponds to a non-equity position in the issuing company. In yet another alternative, the company position portion corresponds to a right of value owned by the issuing company.

Optionally, the payment of the payment portion has been validated. According to the invention, there is provided an electronic system for redeeming a company position in an issuing company and providing payment for products or services of a supplying company. The system includes an electronic coupon, the coupon including a company position portion in the issuing company; and an electronic receipt, the receipt corresponding to a payment for a product or service from a supplying company. According to one alternative, the coupon and receipt are output in hard copy. According to another alternative, the coupon and receipt are electronic stored in a card. In yet another alternative, the coupon and receipt are digital.

Other alternatives and options mentioned in connection with the method apply equally to the system.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart outlining the general method of issuing promotional offers which are redeemed by a participating supplier for an equity or non-equity position in the issuing company. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizing a networked customer interface.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the invention utilizing a traditional media customer interface.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the invention utilizing a hybrid traditional media/networked customer interface.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the invention utilizing a hybrid networked/traditional media customer interface.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternative method for redeeming an equity or non-equity instrument. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternative method for redeeming an equity or non-equity position in the licensor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an alternative method for redeeming a hybrid equity instrument/equity or non-equity position in the licensor.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a receipt and coupon according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention provides a system and method whereby a company displays to a customer, products or services offered for sale, along with promotional offers of participating suppliers. In general, the customer views a fulfillment company's computer system, web site, affiliated web site, catalog, television advertisement, print advertisement, radio advertisement or other advertising medium, and orders products or services offered for sale along with the promotional offers from participating suppliers. Once the customer sends an order confirmation (preferably with prepayment advice), the fulfillment company issues a receipt (electronically or otherwise) for the purchase, along with a coupon which represents a preset discount for additional purchases of products or services at the participating suppliers. The term "receipt" as used herein is intended to mean a hard copy, electronic acknowledgement or digital representation of payment; the term "coupon" as used herein is intended to mean a hard copy, electronic or digital representation, digital smart card or electronic certificate which can be submitted for redemption; the coupon might accumulate. In the preferred embodiment, the receipt and coupon are initially issued electronically, and they are frequently referred to herein as "electronic"; however, the invention is intended to cover hard copy or digital receipts and/or coupons .

The term "issuing company" is used to refer to the company issuing the equity or non-equity position.

The term "fulfillment company" is used to refer to the company issuing the receipt and/or coupon. The issuing company and the fulfillment company may be different, or may be one and the same, depending on the implementation. Both are generally referred to as the "company". In Figures 1-6, the term "issuing" company is used to specifically indicate such company. The term "supplying company" (or "supplier") is used to refer to a company providing products or services to the consumer.

The participating supplier receives the coupon, preferably together with the receipt, from the company's customer through the customer's submission, in person, digitally, electronically, or through the mail; and the participating supplier then presents the electronic coupon(s) to the issuing company in return for a predetermined amount of warrants, stock, stock options, or other equity instruments in the issuing company ("equity position"), or for bonds, notes, or convertible debt ("non-equity position") (collectively "company position"). Very basically, the invention includes issuing an electronic coupon to a customer, allowing the customer to use the coupon in connection with purchases of products/services at a participating supplier, and redeeming the coupon from the supplier to the issuing company in exchange for an equity or non-equity position in the issuing company. Preferably, the coupon is associated with a receipt. Reference is made to Fig. 1, outlining the general method of issuing promotional offers which are redeemed by a participating supplier for an equity or non-equity position in the issuing company. At step 101, a fulfillment company displays a promotion through push or pull technology such as on its web site or affiliated web site, for products or services offered for sale, with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 103, a customer visits or views, through his/her computer network, browser, or wireless web device (e.g., palm pilot, cell phone, video monitor) the fulfillment company's promotion, web site, or affiliated web site, and orders products or services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers.

At step 105, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the customer's order, preferably along with payment advice, for products or services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers.

At step 107, the fulfillment company issues to the customer an electronic receipt (preferably) (or alternatively a hard copy, receipt or credit card) for products or services ordered, along with a coupon, for the promotional offer and as payment towards additional purchases of products and services at participating suppliers. The coupon represents the equity or non-equity position in an issuing company, to be redeemed from a supplier to the issuing company.

At step 115, the customer goes directly to one of the participating suppliers, with the receipt for the ordered products or services, and the customer exchanges the electronic coupon as payment towards additional purchases. Alternatively, at step 109, the customer requests the fulfillment company to submit its receipt for products or services ordered from participating suppliers, and also to exchange its electronic coupon as payment towards additional products or services, with instructions to have the order shipped directly to the customer.

Then, at step 117, the participating supplier submits the electronic coupon to the issuing company, and in return, receives warrants, stocks, stock options, or other equity position or non-equity position in the issuing company. As reflected in step 111, the fulfillment company may display through catalog, television advertisement, radio advertisement, print advertisement, etc. (collectively,

"traditional media"), the products or services offered for sale, together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. This advertising informs the consumer about the incentive.

As reflected in step 113, the customer places an order to the fulfillment company through telephone, fax, e-mail, online order, or by mail for products or services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers.

FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate in block diagram form the preferred embodiment of the invention, using the customer/coupon as the delivering agent for the equity or nonequity transfer between the issuing company and the supplier.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizing a networked customer interface. As illustrated, at step 201, the fulfillment company displays on a computer network system, wireless web device, or the internet, a participating supplier's products or services for sale, along with promotional offers, using electronic coupons to be used towards additional purchases. At step 203, the customer visits the site and orders products/services offered for sale, preferably together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 205, responsive to a customer visit to this computer network system, wireless web device, web site or affiliated web site, and upon receipt of a customer's order (preferably with prepayment advice) for a participating supplier's goods or services, the company displaying the items for sale issues a receipt (by mail or electronically) for the order along with an electronic coupon representing a cost saving or preset discount on further purchases. At step 207, once the customer receives the receipt for the products or services ordered, he/she may go to the participating supplier to pick up the purchased merchandise as at step 211, and exchanges the electronic coupon preferably for further savings on additional purchases. Having received the electronic coupon, at step 213, the supplier then submits the received electronic coupon to the issuing company, and receives an equity or non-equity position. Some customers may prefer to have the company displaying the products or services of participating suppliers forward their receipt of purchases and electronic coupon on to the supplier with further instructions to have the order for products or services shipped directly to the customer, as at step 209.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the invention initiated via a traditional media customer interface. As illustrated, at step 301, a fulfillment company displays through traditional media, products or services offered for sale, together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 303, the fulfillment company receives an order from a customer. At step 305, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the order (preferably with prepayment advice) for products or services offered for sale along with promotional offers from participating suppliers; and at step 307, it issues a receipt for the order, along with a coupon (preferably electronic) representing a cost savings or preset discount on further purchases. Once the customer receives his/her receipt for the product/service ordered, at step 311, the customer may go to the supplier to pick up the merchandise and exchange the coupon for further savings on additional purchases. The supplier then submits the coupon back to the issuing company and receives a predetermined amount of equity or non-equity position in the issuing company, at step 313. As discussed above, some customers may prefer to have the fulfillment company simply forward the receipt and/or coupon to the supplier, and to have the products/services shipped to the customer, step 309. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the invention utilizing a hybrid traditional media/networked customer interface. In this example, at step 401, the fulfillment company displays through traditional media, the products/services offered for sale, together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 403, the customer visits the fulfillment company's computer network system, wireless web device, web site or affiliated web site, and orders products or services from participating suppliers. At step 405, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the customer order (preferably with prepayment advice) for products/services, and preferably issues a receipt for the order together with an coupon (preferably electronic) representing a cost savings or preset discount on further purchases. Once the customer receives the receipt for the products/services ordered, they may physically go to the participating supplier to pick up the merchandise and exchange the coupon for further savings. Having received the coupon, the supplier submits the coupon back to the issuing company and receives a predetermined equity or non-equity position. Some customers may prefer to skip the step of physically retrieving the merchandise and have the fulfillment company simply forward the coupon and/or receipt to the supplier, to exchange for the merchandise.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the invention utilizing a hybrid networked/traditional media customer interface. Here, at step 501, the fulfillment company displays on its central computer network, wireless web device, web site or affiliated web site, products/services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 503, a customer places an order for products/services offered for sale together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 505, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the customer order for products/services along with the promotional offers from participating suppliers, and responsive thereto, issues a receipt for the order and a coupon representing a purchase incentive such as a cost savings or discount on further purchases. At step 507, the customer, responsive to receiving the receipt, presents the coupon and receipt at the participating supplier. At step 511, the customer picks up the ordered merchandise. At step 513, the supplier, having received the coupon, submits the coupon to the issuing company and receives an equity or nonequity position in the issuing company. The customer may present the coupon and/or receipt in person step 511, or have it delivered to the supplier, step 509.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternative method for redeeming an equity or non-equity instrument. In this illustration, the supplier receiving the coupons distributes all or a portion of the coupons to their supplier(s) or employee(s), which in turn submit the coupons in return for equity or non-equity positions in the issuing company. At step 601, the fulfillment company displays on its central computer network, wireless web device, web site or affiliated web site, products/services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 603, a customer visits the display, and at step 613, places an order for products/services offered for sale together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 605, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the customer order for products/services along with the promotional offers from participating suppliers, and responsive thereto, at step 607, issues a receipt for the order and a coupon representing a purchase incentive such as a cost savings or discount on further purchases. The customer, responsive to receiving the receipt, presents the coupon and receipt at the participating supplier. At step 615, the customer picks up the ordered merchandise. At step 617, the supplier, having received the coupon, distributes all or a portion of the equity or non-equity represented by the coupon to their supplier(s) or employee(s), which in turn submits the coupon to the issuing company and receives an equity or non-equity position in the issuing company. The customer may present the coupon and/or receipt in person step 615, or have it delivered to the supplier, step 609.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of another alternative method for redemption. As illustrated here, there is an issuing company and a second company. The second company provides some right of value, such as a license or option right, to the issuing company (step 701). In consideration, the fulfillment company issues the coupon for redemption of an equity or non-equity position in the second company. At step 703, the fulfillment company displays on its central computer network, wireless web device, web site or affiliated web site, products/services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 705, a customer visits the display, and at step 715, places an order for products/services offered for sale together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 707, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the customer order for products/services along with the promotional offers from participating suppliers, and responsive thereto, at step 709, issues a receipt for the order and a coupon, representing a purchase incentive such as a cost savings or discount on further purchases. The customer, responsive to receiving the receipt, presents the coupon and receipt at the participating supplier. At step 717, the customer picks up the ordered merchandise. At step 719, the supplier, having received the coupon, may distribute all or a portion of them to their supplier(s) or employee(s) which in turn submits the coupon to the second company and receives an equity or non-equity position in the second company. The customer may present the coupon and/or receipt in person, step 717, or have it delivered to the supplier, step 711.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an alternative method for redeeming a hybrid equity instrument/licensing position. As illustrated here, there is an issuing company and a second company. The second company provides some right of value, such as a license or option right, to the fulfillment company. In consideration, the issuing company issues the coupon for redemption of an equity or non-equity position not only in the issuing company, but also in the second company. The second company provides some right of value, such as a license, to the issuing company (step 801). In consideration, the fulfillment company issues the coupon for redemption of an equity or non-equity position in the issuing company. At step 803, the fulfillment company displays on its central computer network, wireless web device, web site or affiliated web site, products/services offered for sale with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 805, a customer visits the display, and at step 815, places an order for products/services offered for sale together with promotional offers from participating suppliers. At step 807, the fulfillment company receives and accepts the customer order for products/services along with the promotional offers from participating suppliers, and responsive thereto, at step 809, issues a receipt for the order and a coupon representing a purchase incentive such as a cost savings or discount on further purchases. The customer, responsive to receiving the receipt, presents the coupon and receipt at the participating supplier. At step 817, the customer picks up the ordered merchandise. At step 819, the supplier, having received the coupon may distribute all or a portion of them to their supplier(s) or employee(s), which in turn submits the coupon to the issuing company and receives a certain amount of equity or non-equity position in the issuing company, as well as the second company. The customer may present the coupon and/or receipt in person, step 817, or have it delivered to the supplier, step 811.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a possible receipt 901 and coupon 903 according to the invention. The receipt 901 symbolizes that consideration has been exchanged for a product or service. The coupon 903 may be redeemed as at least partial consideration toward an other purchase of product or service. The coupon includes at least two parts: a promotion portion 905, and a company position portion 907. The promotion portion 905 includes an inducement for the consumer to make the other purchase, such as a discount in pricing. The promotion portion 905 is intended to be redeemed by the consumer from a company, such as a supplier, offering the other purchase. The company position portion 907 includes information corresponding to an equity or non-equity position in a company. The company position portion 907 is intended to be redeemed by the supplying company from the issuing company. The receipt and coupon could be a hard copy receipt and coupon. Alternatively, they could be digital, or in the form of an electronic copy; such digital or electronic copy could be stored on a chip, strip, digital assistant, personal computer, etc. As a further alternative, the receipt and/or coupon could be distributed in the form of a credit card or smart card or similar, with which the receipt and/or coupon are electronically associated. Such card could accumulate the equity or non-equity position.

The receipt and coupon are generated as follows. A fulfillment company desiring to issue incentives for purchases of its products or services arranges, with a supplier to advertise or otherwise promote the incentives via the coupon and receipt. The fulfillment company issuing the incentives advertises or otherwise promotes the incentives, either on-line, via a wireless web system or via traditional media. Upon request (electronic or otherwise) from a consumer, the issuing company issues the coupon and receipt. The receipt is intended to indicate that the consumer has pre-paid for a product or service Usually, before issuing the coupon and receipt, the fulfillment company has validated that the pre-payment was accepted through any of the usual payment acceptance methods. The coupon and receipt are then received by the supplier (usually from the consumer having presented the coupon and receipt). The supplier would then provide the pre-paid service or product. Also, responsive to presentation of the coupon and receipt, the supplier forwards the equity or non-equity position portion to the issuing company.

While the preferred mode and best mode for carrying out the invention have been described, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will appreciate that various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention are possible, and will fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for providing a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company, comprising the step of:

(A) issuing, responsive to a consumer request, a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion corresponding to a company position in the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds to a product or service from a supplying company.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the company position portion corresponds to an equity position in the issuing company.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a non-equity position in the issuing company.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a right of value owned by the issuing company.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an order request from a consumer for a payment for the product or service, and wherein the issuing step is responsive to receipt of the order request.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of receiving an order request further includes validating the payment prior to the issuing step.

7. The method of claim 1, further including the step of displaying a promotion for the good or service.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon and receipt are provided electronically.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon and receipt are provided substantially simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon and receipt are provided on a same hard copy.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coupon and receipt are provided digitally.

12. A method for providing a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company, comprising the steps of: (A) displaying a promotion for a product or service from a supplying company; (B) receiving a request from a consumer for the product or service, and wherein the issuing step is responsive to receipt of the request, and validating a payment for the product or service; and

(C) electronically issuing, responsive to a consumer purchase and if the payment is validated, a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion corresponding to a company position in the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds to payment for the product or service from the supplying company.

13. A method of redeeming a coupon from an issuing company for a position in the issuing company, comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a promotion portion and a company position portion, and the receipt corresponds to a payment to be made for a product or service from a supplying company;

(B) providing, responsive to the reception of the coupon and receipt, the product or service; and

(C) redeeming the company position portion from the issuing company.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the company position portion corresponds to an equity position in the issuing company.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a non-equity position in the issuing company.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a right of value owned by the issuing company.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of redeeming includes providing the company position portion to the issuing company, and receiving confirmation of the company position portion.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the payment has been validated.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupon and receipt are issued electronically.

20. A method of redeeming a coupon from an issuing company for a product or service from a supplying company, comprising the steps of: (A) receiving a coupon and a receipt, wherein the coupon includes a company position portion from the issuing company, and the receipt corresponds to a payment to be made for a product or service from a supplying company; and

(B) providing the coupon and receipt to the supplying company, and receiving the product or service from the supplying company.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupon and receipt are electronically received, substantially simultaneously.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the payment has been validated.

23. A device for redeeming a company position in an issuing company and providing payment for products or services of a supplying company, comprising:

(A) a coupon, the coupon including a company position portion corresponding to a company position in the issuing company; and

(B) a receipt, the receipt corresponding to a payment to be made for a product or service from a supplying company.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the coupon and receipt are electronic.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the company position portion corresponds to an equity position in the issuing company.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a non-equity position in the issuing company.

27. The device of claim 23, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a right of value owned by the issuing company.

28. The device of claim 23, wherein the payment of the payment portion has been validated.

29. An electronic system for redeeming a company position in an issuing company and providing payment for products or services of a supplying company, comprising:

(A) an electronic coupon, the coupon including a company position portion in the issuing company; and

(B) an electronic receipt, the receipt corresponding to a payment to be made for a product or service from a supplying company.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the coupon and receipt are output in hard copy.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the coupon and receipt are electronic stored in a card.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein the coupon and receipt are digital.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein the company position portion corresponds to an equity position in the issuing company.

34. The device of claim 29, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a non-equity position in the issuing company.

35. The device of claim 29, wherein the company position portion corresponds to a right of value owned by the issuing company.

36. The device of claim 30, wherein the payment corresponding to the receipt has been validated.