Systems and methods for automatically processing customer discounts and generating marketing data

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A store or other entity distributes checks that designate a value for a consumer discount to be received toward the purchase of goods and/or services. The document or instrument within which the discount is indicated is actually a check that may be processed in accordance with the normal processing and routing of any other check that a business may receive in exchange for goods and/or services. Advantageously separate processing above and beyond that which is normally provided for normal check processing is not required. The check is drawn for a nominal amount and is usually substantially less than the value of the discount that is received by the consumer. Banks will still process the …