COUPON ACHIEVING METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE

Abstract

 A method, a system, and an apparatus for implementing electronic coupons are disclosed herein. The system includes: a service subsystem, adapted to: return a preferential service correlated with an electronic coupon to a user according to a received submittal request, and use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user; and an electronic coupon management subsystem, adapted to: send the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon to the service subsystem according to the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attribute, and send the charging information required for charging for the preferential service consumed with the electronic coupon to the service subsystem. In the embodiments of the present invention, the users can consume contents and services with an electronic coupon; and preferential policies for online services or telecom services can be implemented flexibly. An electronic coupon management solution is also put forward herein to control the issuance and use of electronic coupons, combine with the traditional joint marketing mode, and facilitate the service consumers.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200810211737.2, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on September 24, 2008 and entitled "Method, System, and Apparatus for Implementing Electronic Coupons", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to communication technologies, and in particular, to a method, a system, and an apparatus for implementing electronic coupons.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, sellers generally promote commodities through preferential coupons. The coupons are generally paper slips with printed preferential information. For example, holders of a shopping coupon issued by a department store may use the coupon as a certain amount of cash equivalent for paying goods.

[0004] With popularization of mobile stations, various electronic coupons are applied to commodity sale, and bring great convenience to consumers. Currently, electronic coupons work in this way: The service system sends electronic coupon information to the mobile phones of users by means of group sending, and then the consumers can use the electronic coupon information as a right of purchasing certain consumer goods at a reduced price from the department store. For example, in a sales promotion, the McDonald's sends preferential information to mobile phones of users, and the users may use the information as a right of buying hamburger at a reduced price at the McDonalds's.

[0005] In the process of developing the present invention, the inventor finds at least the following defects in the prior art: In the prior art, the electronic coupon policy is monotonous, and electronic coupons are applicable to purchasing real commodities only and are not applicable to telecom services or network services because the electronic coupons are not properly managed.

SUMMARY

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a system, and an apparatus for implementing electronic coupons in order to apply electronic coupons to telecom services and network services.

[0007] A system for implementing electronic coupons in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a service subsystem, adapted to: return a preferential service correlated with an electronic coupon to a user according to a received electronic coupon submittal request, and use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user; and

an electronic coupon management subsystem, adapted to: send the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon to the service subsystem according to the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attribute, and send the charging information required for charging for the preferential service consumed with the electronic coupon to the service subsystem.

[0008] An electronic coupon management apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a managing processor, adapted to receive an electronic coupon generating request that carries electronic coupon attributes;

a generating processor, adapted to generate an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request;

a correlating processor, adapted to set up a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes; and

a sending processor, adapted to select a target user and deliver the electronic coupon to the selected target user.

[0009] An apparatus for implementing an electronic coupon in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a receiving processor, adapted to receive an electronic coupon submittal request;

a preferential service providing processor, adapted to return the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon submittal request; and

a charging processor, adapted to use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user.

[0010] An electronic coupon management method provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

receiving an electronic coupon generating request that carries electronic coupon attributes, generating an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request, and setting up a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes; and

selecting a target user, and delivering the electronic coupon to the selected target user.

[0011] A method for implementing electronic coupons in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

receiving an electronic coupon submittal request;

returning a preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon submittal request; and

using the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present invention, the users can consume contents and services with electronic coupons, and preferential policies for online services or telecom services can be implemented flexibly. An electronic coupon management solution is also put forward herein to control the issuance and use of electronic coupons, combine with the traditional joint marketing mode, and facilitate the service consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 

FIG. 1 shows an integrated architecture of an electronic coupon system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a structure of a service subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a structure of an electronic coupon management subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an electronic coupon management method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of electronic coupons implementation method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of making and distributing electronic coupons according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another flowchart of making and distributing electronic coupons according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of charging for a service consumed with an electronic coupon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a system for implementing electronic coupons according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a service subsystem 100, adapted to: return a preferential service correlated with an electronic coupon to a user according to a received electronic coupon submittal request, and use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user; and

an electronic coupon management subsystem 200, adapted to: send the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon to the service subsystem according to the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attribute, and send the charging information required for charging for the preferential service consumed with the electronic coupon to the service subsystem.

[0015] The electronic coupon management subsystem 200 is further adapted to receive an electronic coupon generating request, generate an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request, and set up a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, where the electronic coupon attributes include the electronic coupon service corresponding to the electronic coupon.

[0016] The electronic coupon management subsystem 200 may also serve as a module in the service subsystem 100.

[0017] In the embodiments of the present invention, the electronic coupon management subsystem 200 may generate different electronic coupons for different contents and services so that the preferential policies are diversified. Meanwhile, the service subsystem returns the relevant preferential service to the user when the user uses the electronic coupon, thus facilitating the user to use the electronic coupon to consume the relevant telecom service or network service.

[0018] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the service subsystem 100 includes:

a receiving processor 110, adapted to receive an electronic coupon submittal request submitted by a user;

a preferential service providing processor 120, adapted to return the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon submittal request; and

a charging processor 130, adapted to use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user.

[0019] In this embodiment, the electronic coupon is correlated with the preferential service, and different electronic coupons correspond to different preferential services, thus implementing flexible preferential policies for telecom services and network services and facilitating the user to use the electronic coupon to consume relevant services.

[0020] Further, the service subsystem 100 may include:

an authentication request processor 140, adapted to: send an authentication request to the electronic coupon management subsystem according to the electronic coupon submittal request received by the receiving processor 110, and receive an authentication result; and

an obtaining processor 150, adapted to obtain the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon and the charging information when the authentication requested by the authentication request processor 140 succeeds, where the preferential service providing processor 120 returns the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon to the user according to the service information obtained by the obtaining processor 150, and the charging processor 130 performs charging according to the charging information obtained by the obtaining processor 150; and

a rejecting processor 160, adapted to reject the electronic coupon submittal request when the authentication requested by the authentication request processor 140 fails.

[0021] In this embodiment, the electronic coupon may be authenticated when being used, thus ensuring controllability of the electronic coupon and managing the electronic coupon efficiently.

[0022] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the electronic coupon management subsystem 200 includes: a managing processor 210, a generating processor 220, a correlating processor 230, and a sending processor 240.

[0023] The managing processor 210 is adapted to receive an electronic coupon generating request that carries electronic coupon attributes. The managing processor 210 may serve as an interaction interface between the electronic coupon managing subsystem 200 and the administrator to receive the management instructions (such as query instruction, and instruction of making an electronic coupon) issued by the administrator. Other processors of the electronic coupon management subsystem 200 may be dispatched by the managing processor 210 uniformly.

[0024] The generating processor 220 is adapted to generate an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request received by the managing processor 210.

[0025] The managing processor 210 receives the electronic coupon generating request submitted by the service provider or operator through a management interface, and then invokes the generating processor 220 to generate an electronic coupon. Specifically, the generating processor 220 may generate a unique electronic coupon number as an electronic coupon, for example, generate an electronic coupon number according to the content information or service information (content ID or service ID), validity period of the electronic coupon, and threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon. An example of an electronic coupon number is AAAAAAAABBBBBB CCCCCDDDDDD, where: AAAAAAAA is a content ID or a service ID; BBBBBB is the validity period of the electronic coupon, and may be in a format of YYMMDD (such as 071227); CCCCC is the threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon, and is a positive integer, and may be preceded by 0s to make the length equal to five digits if it is shorter than five digits; and DDDDDD is a serial number, which starts from 0 and increases until 999999, and is reset after it reaches 999999.

[0026] The correlating processor 230 is adapted to set up a correlation between the electronic coupon generated by the generating processor 220 and the electronic coupon attributes.

[0027] The electronic coupon attributes may include the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon. In order to control and manage the issuance of electronic coupons, the electronic coupon attributes may further include the validity period of the electronic coupon, and threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon. If the electronic coupon is not transferable, the electronic coupon attributes may include the ID of the target terminal.

[0028] The sending processor 240 is adapted to select a target user and deliver the electronic coupon generated by the generating processor 220 to the selected target user.

[0029] The administrator can select the target user through a managing processor 210, and then the managing processor 210 invokes the sending processor 240 to send the electronic coupon. Specifically, the electronic coupon may be synchronized to the service subsystem 100 through a file interface, database interface or socket. The synchronized electronic coupon information may include: electronic coupon number, corresponding relation between the terminal number and the electronic coupon number. The electronic coupon information is delivered by the service subsystem 100, or notified to the user through an interface such as Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP), Main Memory (MM7), Password Authentication Protocol (PAP), and Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

[0030] In this embodiment, the electronic coupon is correlated with the preferential service; different electronic coupons correspond to different preferential services, thus implementing flexible preferential policies for telecom services and network services and facilitating the user to use the electronic coupon to consume relevant services.

[0031] Further, the electronic coupon management subsystem 200 includes: a storing processor 250, an authenticating processor 260, a preferential information feedback processor 270, and an updating processor 280.

[0032] The storing processor 250 is adapted to store the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, where the correlation is set up by the correlating processor 230.

[0033] The authenticating processor 260 is adapted to authenticate the electronic coupon use according to the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes in the storing processor 250.

[0034] Specifically, when a user attempts to use an electronic coupon content or service through the service subsystem 100, the service subsystem 100 may query for the contents to which the electronic coupon number is applied. The service subsystem 100 queries for the content or service information at the authenticating processor 260 through a socket. The information to be queried for includes at least: terminal number, and electronic coupon number. The authenticating processor 260 authenticates the electronic coupon information and the terminal information first (the contents to be authenticated include: threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon, and validity period of the electronic coupon). If the authentication succeeds, the authenticating processor 260 returns the information about the content or service consumable through the electronic coupon. If no such content is found, the returned content information or service information is empty. After the user finds the available content and selects the content to be operated with the electronic coupon, the service subsystem 100 sends an authentication request to the authenticating processor 260 through a socket. The authentication information includes at least: terminal number, electronic coupon number, and content information or service information (content ID or service ID). The authenticating processor 260 checks the consumption of the electronic coupon, and returns the charging information (such as discount information) through a response message.

[0035] The preferential information feedback processor 270 is adapted to return the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon and the relevant charging information after the authenticating processor 260 performs the authentication successfully.

[0036] The updating processor 280 is adapted to update the electronic coupon attributes stored in the storing processor 250 after the user uses the electronic coupon.

[0037] In this embodiment, the electronic coupon may be authenticated when being used, thus ensuring controllability of the electronic coupon and managing the electronic coupon more effectively.

[0038] In this embodiment, the electronic coupon is transferable. For transferable electronic coupons, the number of times of using the electronic coupon may be recorded. In this way, the user group of electronic coupons is expanded, and the cost of sales promotion is controlled effectively.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, an electronic coupon management method provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

S401: An electronic coupon generating request that carries electronic coupon attributes is received, an electronic coupon is generated according to the electronic coupon generating request, and a correlation is set up between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes.

[0040] The generated electronic coupon may be a unique electronic coupon number. Electronic coupon attributes include the preferential service. The preferential service may offer a preferential price for the contents (such as movies, pictures, and music), telecom services (such as color ring back tone, short message, and multimedia message), or Internet services (such as downloading). In order to better manage the electronic coupon, the electronic coupon attributes may further include a validity period of the electronic coupon, number of times of using the electronic coupon, and target terminal user information.

[0041] Specifically, the electronic coupon number may be generated according to the electronic coupon attributes. The electronic coupon number may include: content information correlated with the electronic coupon, preferential service information (such as content ID or service ID) correlated with the electronic coupon, validity period of the electronic coupon, threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon, and terminal user information. An example of an electronic coupon number is AAABBBCCCDDD, where: AAA is a content ID or a service ID; BBB is the validity period of the electronic coupon, and may be in a format of YYMMDD (such as 071227); CCC is the threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon, and is a positive integer, and may be preceded by 0s to make the length equal to three digits if it is shorter than three digits; and DDD is a serial number, which starts from 0. The electronic coupon number may also be composed of digits or letters that make no sense.

[0042] The correlation between the generated electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes may be set up through a mapping relation table. Table 1 is an exemplary corresponding relation between the electronic coupon number and the preferential service.

Table 1

Electronic coupon number	Preferential service
1000000008122700011000000	Color ring back tone (preferential price: 3 yuan as
...	a monthly fee)
1000000008122700011999999
1111100008092700012000000	Ring tone 2031 (50% discount)
...	Picture 3301 (free)
1111100008122000014111111	Movie (Red Cliff 4123 (preferential price: 1 yuan)
1222200009122700001000000	Weather report (free)
1222200009122700001222222
1333300009112100015000000	Weather report (preferential price: 2 yuan as a
...	monthly fee)
1333300009112100015555555	Mobile newspaper (free)

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention may apply different preferential policies (such as discount, monthly fee, and free of charge) to different services. For the same service, different preferential policies may also be applied. In Table 1, the weather report service provides two preferential modes. Different electronic coupons are equivalent to different discounts. Therefore, the preferential policies are diversified. Different electronic coupons may be sent to different users, thus implementing differentiated marketing.

[0044] In this embodiment, the table of mapping relation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes further includes a validity period of the electronic coupon and the threshold number of using the electronic coupon, with a view to managing the electronic coupon more effectively. The electronic coupons of the same preferential service may have different validity periods, and may allow different numbers of using the electronic coupon.

[0045] S402: A target terminal user is selected, and the electronic coupon is delivered to the selected target terminal user.

[0046] The service provider or operator may select the target terminal users who receive the electronic coupon according to the identity and hobbies of the user. Alternatively, the service provider or operator may select the target terminal users randomly. The service provider or operator submits the selected target terminal users to the electronic coupon management subsystem. Through an interface such as SMPP, MM7, PAP, and IVR, the electronic coupon management subsystem may send the preferential information to the transport network elements such as Short Message Service Center (SMSC), Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway (GW), and IVR. The transport network element sends the electronic coupon to the final target terminal user. The electronic coupon management subsystem may synchronize the target terminal users selected by the service provider or operator to the service subsystem, and the service subsystem delivers them to the final target terminal users.

[0047] If the electronic coupon is not transferable, the electronic coupon attributes need to include the target terminal user information. In this way, the users who attempt to use the electronic coupon subsequently can be authenticated, the group and the number of the users who receive the electronic coupon are controllable, and the cost of sales promotion is controlled effectively.

[0048] In this embodiment, the electronic coupon may also be transferable. For a transferable electronic coupon, the use of the electronic coupon may be restricted by a threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon. For example, if the threshold number of times of using an electronic coupon obtained by user A is 5, after the electronic coupon is transferred to B, the total number of times of using the electronic coupon by A and B shall not be greater than 5. In this way, the user group is expanded, and the cost of sales promotion is controlled effectively.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, an electronic coupon implementing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

S501: An electronic coupon submittal request is received.

[0050] The user may access the portal of the service subsystem through the web or WAP, and submit the electronic coupon through the portal.

[0051] S502: A preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon is returned according to the electronic coupon submittal request.

[0052] In order to manage the electronic coupon more effectively, an authentication process may be performed in this embodiment, and S502 is performed after the authentication success. The electronic coupon authentication includes not only the authentication for the electronic coupon itself, but also the authentication for the electronic coupon attributes such as the validity period of the electronic coupon and the number of times of using the electronic coupon.

[0053] After receiving the electronic coupon submittal request, the service subsystem sends the electronic coupon to the electronic coupon management subsystem for authenticating. The electronic coupon management subsystem may be set inside or outside the service subsystem. By querying for the preset correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, the electronic coupon management subsystem judges whether any information about the electronic coupon exists. If the electronic coupon information exists, the authentication succeeds. If the electronic coupon attributes further include a validity period of the electronic coupon and the number of times of using the electronic coupon and/or the target terminal ID, the electronic coupon management subsystem obtains the electronic coupon attributes, and authenticates the electronic coupon attributes. For example, the electronic coupon management subsystem judges whether the electronic coupon falls within the validity period, and whether the threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon is exceeded. If the electronic coupon is not transferable, the electronic coupon management subsystem needs to judge whether the terminal ID of the electronic coupon is consistent with the target terminal ID in the electronic coupon attributes. After the authentication succeeds, the electronic coupon management subsystem returns the managed preferential service and the charging information to the service subsystem. The service subsystem sends the preferential services corresponding to the electronic coupon to the terminal users. The preferential services may be sent to the terminal users in a list. If the authentication fails, the electronic coupon management subsystem returns an authentication failure result to the service subsystem. After receiving the authentication failure result, the service subsystem rejects the electronic coupon submitted by the user, and optionally, returns a prompt (for example, "This electronic coupon does not exist" or "This electronic coupon has expired") to the user.

[0054] S503: The electronic coupon is used to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user.

[0055] After receiving the preferential services returned by the service subsystem, the terminal user selects the desired service and sends it to the service subsystem. The service subsystem provides the corresponding service for the terminal user, and performs charging for the service consumed by the terminal user by using the electronic coupon, namely, the charging information returned by the electronic coupon management subsystem. For the electronic coupon restricted by a threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon, the service subsystem returns the information about the use of the preferential service to the electronic coupon management subsystem after the user consumes the service. The electronic coupon management subsystem updates the number of times of using the electronic coupon according to the received information.

[0056] In an embodiment, the electronic coupon may be set as transferable between terminal users. For example, terminal user 1 transfers the electronic coupon to terminal user 2, and terminal user 2 uses the electronic coupon to consume the service.

[0057] The method of implementing a transferred electronic coupon in an exemplary scenario is detailed below.

[0058] Described below is a process about how an electronic coupon management subsystem makes and distributes electronic coupons, where the electronic coupon information is distributed through a service subsystem. As shown in FIG. 6, the process includes the following steps:

S601: Through a User Interface (UI), the administrator sets electronic coupon attributes, including: services correlated with the electronic coupon, validity period of the electronic coupon, number of times of using the electronic coupon, and target terminal user; and confirms generation of the electronic coupon number.

S602: The managing processor invokes a generating processor to generate an electronic coupon list, namely, an electronic coupon number list.

S603: The managing processor invokes the correlating processor to set up a correlation between the electronic coupon number and the electronic coupon attributes.

S604: The managing processor invokes the sending processor to send the electronic coupon number.

S605: The sending processor synchronizes the electronic coupon information to the service subsystem.

S606: The service subsystem sends the electronic coupon information to the terminal user.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, in the case that the electronic coupon information is delivered by the electronic coupon management subsystem, the process includes the following steps:

S701: Through a UI, the operator sets electronic coupon attributes, including: services correlated with the electronic coupon, validity period of the electronic coupon, number of times of using the electronic coupon, and target terminal user; and confirms generation of the electronic coupon number.

S702: The managing processor invokes a generating processor to generate an electronic coupon list, namely, an electronic coupon number list.

S703: The managing processor invokes the correlating processor to set up a correlation between the electronic coupon number and the electronic coupon attributes.

S704: The managing processor invokes the sending processor to send the electronic coupon number.

S705: Through an interface such as SMPP, MM7, PAP, and IVR, the sending processor sends the electronic coupon information to the telecom network elements such as SMSC, MMSC, WAP GW, and IVR.

S706: The SMSC, MMSC, WAP GW, or IVR sends the electronic coupon information to the terminal user.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, the process of using an electronic coupon and charging the user in a specific scenario includes the following steps:

S801: The user accesses the interface of the service subsystem, inputs the electronic coupon number in the preferential area of the interface, and sends an electronic coupon submittal request.

[0061] Specifically, the user may access the portal of the service subsystem through the web or WAP, and submit the electronic coupon through the portal.

S802: The service subsystem receives the electronic coupon submittal request and sends an authentication query request.

S803: The electronic coupon management subsystem authenticates the electronic coupon, user ID, number of times of using the electronic coupon, and validity period of the electronic coupon according to the authentication query request.

[0062] Specifically, by querying for the preset correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, the electronic coupon management subsystem judges whether any information about the electronic coupon exists. If the electronic coupon information exists, the authentication succeeds. If the electronic coupon attributes further include a validity period of the electronic coupon, a threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon and/or the target terminal ID, the electronic coupon management subsystem obtains the electronic coupon attributes, and authenticates the electronic coupon attributes. For example, the electronic coupon management subsystem judges whether the electronic coupon falls within the validity period, and whether the threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon is exceeded. If the electronic coupon is not transferable, the electronic coupon management subsystem needs to judge whether the terminal ID of the electronic coupon is consistent with the target terminal ID in the electronic coupon attributes.

[0063] S804: After the electronic coupon is authenticated successfully, the electronic coupon management subsystem returns a list of services consumable by the electronic coupon and the service charging information to the service subsystem.

[0064] Specifically, after the authentication succeeds, the electronic coupon management subsystem returns the managed preferential service and the charging information to the service subsystem. The service subsystem sends the preferential services corresponding to the electronic coupon to the terminal users. The preferential services may be sent to the terminal users in a list. If the authentication fails, the electronic coupon management subsystem returns an authentication failure result to the service subsystem. After receiving the authentication failure result, the service subsystem rejects the electronic coupon submitted by the user, and optionally, returns a prompt (for example, "This electronic coupon does not exist" or "This electronic coupon has expired") to the user.

[0065] S805: The service subsystem presents the list of services consumable by the electronic coupon to the terminal user.

[0066] S806: The terminal user selects a service for consuming.

[0067] S807: The service subsystem uses the electronic coupon number, user ID, and content ID/service ID to send the service use information. The authentication for the electronic coupon, user ID, number of times of use, and validity period may be given up when the user queries for the services corresponding to the electronic coupon. Instead, the authentication is performed when the user selects the electronic coupon to consume a service.

[0068] S808: The electronic coupon management subsystem updates the number of times of using the electronic coupon.

[0069] S809: The terminal user interacts with the service subsystem to distribute the content or service.

[0070] After receiving the preferential services returned by the service subsystem, the terminal user selects the desired service and sends it to the service subsystem. The service subsystem provides the corresponding service for the terminal user, and performs charging for the service consumed by the terminal user by using the electronic coupon, namely, the charging information returned by the electronic coupon management subsystem. For the electronic coupon restricted by a threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon, the service subsystem returns the information about the use of the preferential service to the electronic coupon management subsystem after the user consumes the service. The electronic coupon management subsystem updates the number of times of using the electronic coupon according to the received information.

[0071] S810: The service subsystem performs charging for the transaction according to the electronic coupon information.

[0072] In the embodiments of the present invention, the users can consume contents and services with an electronic coupon, and preferential policies for online services or telecom services can be implemented flexibly. An electronic coupon management solution is also put forward herein to control the issuance and use of electronic coupons, control the cost of sales promotion, and support transfer of the electronic coupon. The embodiments of the present invention may be combined with the traditional joint marketing mode. For example, the electronic coupon is printed on the lid of a beverage can, or the electronic coupon is a bonus attached to the hamburger or pizza.

[0073] With description about the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art are clearly aware that the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented through hardware, or through software in addition to a necessary universal hardware platform, but the latter is preferred in most circumstances. Therefore, the technical solution under the present invention or the contributions to the prior art may be embodied as a software product. The software product may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and incorporates several instructions for instructing a computer device (for example, personal computer, server, or network device) to execute the method specified in each embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Although the invention is described through some exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make modifications and variations to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is intended to cover the modifications and variations provided that they fall in the scope of protection defined by the following claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for implementing electronic coupons, comprising:

a service subsystem, adapted to: return a preferential service correlated with an electronic coupon to a user according to a received electronic coupon submittal requeas, and use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user; and

an electronic coupon management subsystem, adapted to: send the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon to the service subsystem according to the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attribte, and send the charging information required for charging for the preferentical service consumen with the electronic coupon to the service subsystem.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic coupon management subsystem is further adapted to: receive an electronic coupon generating request, generate an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request, and set up a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, wherein the electronic coupon attributes include the electronic coupon service corresponding to the electronic coupon.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the service subsystem and the electronic coupon management subsystem are integrated into a single physical device.

4. A electronic coupon management apparatus, comprising:

a managing processor, adapted to receive an electronic coupon generating request that carries electronic coupon attributes;

a generating processor, adapted to generate an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request;

a correlating processor, adapted to set up a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes; and

a sending processor, adapted to select a target user and deliver the electronic coupon to the selected target user.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electronic coupon attributes include the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon, a validity period of the electronic coupon, and threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a storing processor, adapted to store the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, wherein the correlation is set up by the correlating processor.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

an authenticating processor, adapted to authenticate the electronic coupon use according to the correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes in the storing processor.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

a preferential information feedback processor, adapted to return the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon and the relevant charging information after the authenticating performs the authentication successfully.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

an updating processor, adapted to update the electronic coupon attributes after the user uses the electronic coupon.

10. An apparatus for implementing an electronic coupon, comprising:

a receiving processor, adapted to: receive an electronic coupon submittal request;

a preferential service providing processor, adapted to: return the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon submittal request; and

a charging processor, adapted to: use the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

an authentication request processor, adapted to: send an authentication request to the electronic coupon management subsystem according to the electronic coupon submittal request received by the receiving processor, and receive an authentication result;

an obtaining processor, adapted to obtain the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon and the charging information when the authentication requested by the authentication request processor succeeds; and

a rejecting processor, adapted to reject the electronic coupon submittal request when the authentication requested by the authentication request processor fails.

12. An electronic coupon management method, comprising:

receiving an electronic coupon generating request that carries electronic coupon attributes, generating an electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon generating request, and setting up a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes; and

selecting a target user, and delivering the electronic coupon to the selected target user.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the electronic coupon attributes include the preferential service corresponding to the electronic coupon, a validity period of the electronic coupon, and threshold number of times of using the electronic coupon.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

authenticating the electronic coupon, when the electronic coupon is used; and returning the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon, after the authentication succeeds.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

updating the electronic coupon attributes after the user uses the electronic coupon.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the delivering the electronic coupon to the selected target user further comprises:

delivering, by the electronic coupon management subsystem, the electronic coupon to the selected target user through Short Message Service Center (SMSC), Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway (GW), and Interactive Voice Response (IVR); or

synchronizing, by the electronic coupon management subsystem, the selected target terminal users to the service subsystem, and delivering, by the service subsystem, the electronic coupon to the selected target user.

17. A method for implementing electronic coupons, comprising:

receiving an electronic coupon submittal request;

returning a preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon submittal request; and

using the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the returning a preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon according to the electronic coupon submittal request further comprises:

authenticating the electronic coupon, when the electronic coupon is used; and returning the preferential service correlated with the electronic coupon, after the authentication succeeds.

19. The method according to claim 17, the authenticating the electronic coupon further comprises:

sending an authentication request to the electronic coupon management subsystem;

returning, by the electronic coupon management subsystem, the preferential service and charging information correlated with the electronic coupon, after the authentication succeeds.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising:

presetting a correlation between the electronic coupon and the electronic coupon attributes, wherein the electronic coupon attributes include the electronic coupon service corresponding to the electronic coupon.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the using the electronic coupon to charge for the preferential service selected and consumed by the user comprises:

receiving a desired service which is selected by a user from the preferential services returned by the service subsystem;

providing the desired service for the user; and

charging for the desired service consumed by the user by using the electronic coupon.

Drawing