Automated System for Optimizing Retail Savings Using Coupons

摘要

A computerized system for optimizing the use of store and manufacturer coupons by consumers. The system maintains a store profile database storing attributes of retail stores, including location and coupon policy rules, a coupon profile database storing the attributes of current and future coupons, a sale profile database storing attributes of sale events at the stores, and a subscriber profile database storing identifiers of stores preferred by the subscriber, subscriber preferences, and the like. A matchup process executed by the system interrogates the databases to identify matches among stores, coupons, and sale events, and provides the subscriber with a list of those matches, from which the subscriber can enter shopping list inputs that identify items that the subscriber wants to purchase, including coupons possessed by the subscriber. A transactionator process executed by the system uses the shopping list inputs to create suggested transactions for the subscriber that minimizes out-of-pocket cost, maximizes savings, or maximizes the value of items purchased within a spending limit.