CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No.

62/380,429, filed 28 August, 2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present subject matter relates to sales promotion. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to the usage of digital coupons in sales promotion.

BACKGROUND

A coupon is a printed ticket or document that can be redeemed for a financial discount or rebate when purchasing a product. Coupons are issued manufacturers of consumer packaged goods, or by retailers, or sellers, to be used in retail stores as a part of sales promotion. Coupons are widely distributed through mail, coupon envelopes, magazines, newspapers, the internet - for example in social media and email newsletter, directly from the retailer, as well as mobile devices as smartphones. Since only price conscious consumers are likely to spend the time to claim the savings, coupons function as a form of price discrimination, enabling retailers to offer a lower price only to those consumers who would otherwise go elsewhere. In addition, coupons can also be targeted selectively to regional markets in which price competition is great.

A digital coupon is a coupon that exists electronically, that may be available online for electronic orders, or may be available for download and print for redemption in person. Digital coupons are available on company websites, social media outlets, texts, and email alerts. Another type of digital coupon is a digital coupon that is offered by applications of smartphones for direct use.

The usage of classical printed coupons for sales promotions is widely known and well established. Digital coupons, despite their modern and "high tech" appearance, are still classical in nature, and do not provide a surprising or exciting aspect to consumerism in general, and the consumer's experience in particular.

SUMMARY

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

According to one aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a system for promoting a product or service, the system comprising:

a network connected to:

at least one user computing device comprising a user coupon management unit;

at least one seller computing device comprising a seller coupon management unit, and at least one server comprising a server coupon management unit,

wherein the network is configured to enable the user computing device, the seller computing device and the server to communicate one with the other,

and wherein the user computing device is configured to be activated and in response to the activation display a digital coupon.

According to another aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a method for obtaining a digital coupon, the method comprising:

activating a user computing device, and

obtaining a digital coupon that is displayed by the user computing device.

According to yet another aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a method for generating a digital coupon, the method comprising:

logging into a server through the seller computing device, and

providing information usable for generating a digital coupon. According to one embodiment, the user computing device, the seller computing device, the server, or any combination thereof, comprise a memory.

According to another embodiment, the user computing device, the seller computing device, the server, or any combination thereof, comprises an executable code configured to manage digital coupons.

According to yet another embodiment, the activating of the user computing device is by shaking the user computing device.

According to still another embodiment, the user computing device is a smartphone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms may be embodied in practice. In the drawings:

- Fig. 1 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a high level block diagram of an exemplary system for promoting a product or service.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. In discussion of the various figures described herein below, like numbers refer to like parts. The drawings are generally not to scale.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the subject matter. Some features or elements described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with features or elements described with respect to other embodiments. For the sake of clarity, discussion of same or similar features or elements may not be repeated. Although embodiments of the subject matter are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Although embodiments of the subject matter are not limited in this regard, the terms "plurality" and "a plurality" as used herein may include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". The terms "plurality" or "a plurality" may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. The term set when used herein may include one or more items. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings. An object of the present subject matter to provide a system and method for promoting a product or service in a surprising or exciting manner for enriching the consumers experience. According to one aspect, the present subject matter provides a system for promoting a product or service.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a high level block diagram of an exemplary system for promoting a product or service 100, occasionally designated hereinafter as "system 100". According to one embodiment, the system 100 may comprise a user computing device 110 that may comprise a user coupon management unit 111, a seller computing device 120 that may comprise a seller coupon management unit 121 and a server 150 that may comprise a server coupon management unit 151. The server 150 may be connected to a storage system 153 configured to store digital coupons 154. For the sake of clarity only, a digital coupon 154 may be occasionally designated hereinafter as coupon 154.

A coupon as referred to herein may be a digital object that may be presented, stored, used and communicated as further described herein. A coupon may be sent, from server 150 to user computing device 110 and may be used by a user as described herein. For example, coupons 154 may be generated, by server 150, based on information provided by sellers and a coupon selected from coupons 154 may be sent to user computing device 110 where it may be presented to, and used by, a user as described herein. Although coupons are mainly referred to herein it will be understood that any other object may be used. For example, a coupon as referred to herein may be, or may include, a gift, for example a product or discount provided upon presentation of a coupon, a discount certificate, a voucher, a credit and the like.

Any type of coupon known in the art is under the scope of the present subject matter. Some examples of types of coupons include: a gift coupon, a sale coupon and an information coupon. According to one embodiment, a gift coupon entitles the user a gift for free from a business, for example a free ticket to a movie theatre. According to another embodiment, a sale coupon provides a certain sale campaign, for example a 10% discount on ant product in a store. According to a further embodiment, an information coupon is a coupon that provides a marketing information about a seller - special events, newly introduced products or services, and the like. The aim of the information coupon is to expose users to a new information they do not know, for example a new product, a new marketing campaign, and the like. As described herein, a coupon is offered to a user after activating a computing device, like a smartphone. The activation of the computing device may be for example by shaking or tilting the computing device. According to one embodiment, only gift coupons may be offered to the user. According to another embodiment, only benefit coupons may be offered to the user. According to yet another embodiment, both gift coupons and benefit coupons may be provided to the user.

According to one embodiment, a user receives a coupon after activating a computing device, for example by shaking or tilting a computing device, like a smartphone. According to another embodiment, a user actively chooses a coupon from a list of offered coupons, without the necessity to shake the computing device.

Storage system 153 may be, or may comprise, for example, a hard disk drive or other suitable removable and/or fixed storage unit. Content, for example, coupons, may be stored in storage system 153 and may be loaded from storage system 153 into a memory of server 150 where it may be processed by a controller included in server 150.

Server 150, user computing device 110 and seller computing device 120 may comprise at least a controller that may be, for example, a central processing unit processor (CPU), a chip or any suitable computing or computational device, a memory, at least one executable code segment, one or more input devices and one or more output devices. A controller, or one or more controllers or processors, possibly across multiple units or devices, may be configured to carry out methods described herein, and/or to execute or act as various modules, units and the like, described herein. More than one computing device may be included in, and one or more computing device may be, or act as the components of, the system 100 according to some embodiments of the invention. For example, although not shown, system 100 may include a large number of user computing devices 110, a large number of seller computing devices 120 and any number of servers 150. A memory included in server 150, user computing device 110 and/or seller computing device 120 may be or may include, a non-transitory readable medium, or a computer non- transitory storage medium, for example a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Flash memory, a volatile memory and the like. Executable code included in server 150, user computing device 110 and/or seller computing device 120 may be any executable code, for example an application, a program, a process, task or script. An executable code may be executed by a controller possibly under control of an operating system. For example, executable code in user computing device 110 and/or server 150 may be an application that is configured to manage coupons as shown by units 111 and 121 and as further described herein.

Input devices included in user computing device 110 may be or may include a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen or pad or any suitable input device. It will be recognized that any suitable number of input devices may be operatively connected to user computing device 110. Output devices included in user computing device 110 may include one or more displays or monitors, speakers and/or any other suitable output devices.

As further shown, user computing device 110, seller computing device 120 and server 150 may be connected to a network 130 that is configured to enable the user computing device 110, the seller computing device 120 and the server 150 to communicate one with the other.

Network 130 may be, may comprise or may be part of a private or public internet protocol network (IP network), or the internet, or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, network 130 may be, comprise or be part of a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network. For example, network 130 may include or comprise an IP network such as the internet, a GSM related network and any equipment for bridging or otherwise connecting such networks as known in the art. In addition, network 130 may be, may comprise or be part of an integrated services digital network (ISDN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a public or private data network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireline or wireless network, a local, regional, or global communication network, a satellite communication network, a cellular communication network, any combination of the preceding and/or any other suitable communication means. Accordingly, numerous elements of network 130 are implied but not shown, for example access points, base stations, communication satellites, global positioning system (GPS) satellites, routers, telephone switches, and the like. It will be recognized that embodiments of the subject matter are not limited by the nature of network 130.

In some embodiments, user computing device 110 is a smartphone as known in the art. For example, user computing device 110 may be a cellular phone having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of executing applications, for example downloaded applications. User computing device 110 may include an accelerometer and/or gyroscope enabling the user computing device 110, and accordingly, user coupon management unit 111, to identify, sense or determine a movement and/or change of orientation, for example sense a shaking or tilting of the user computing device 110 as known in the art. User computing device 110 may comprise a GPS component enabling user coupon management unit 111 to determine a location of the device as known in the art.

An embodiment may, in response to activating a user computing device 110, for example by shaking or tilting the user computing device 110, presentation of a coupon to a user. A coupon presented to a user may be selected based on a field of interest of the user and/or based on a location of the user, for example a distance of the user from a shop, point of sale (POS), or point of purchase or point of presence (POP). Since a coupon presented to a user may be selected, for example by unit 111 or by unit 151, from a large set of coupons, a user may be surprised by the selection, for example a different coupon may be selected each time a user computing device 110, for example a smartphone, is shaken or tilted, or each time unit 111 is activated. The element of surprise associated with the selection and presentation of a coupon may add an aspect of gaming to the system 100 and method for use thereof, for example users may shake their user computing device, for example a smartphone, and be presented or provided with coupons they cannot expect or predict. Although in some embodiments, unit 111 may be activated, and caused to obtain and present a coupon, by activating user computing device 110, for example by shaking, it will be understood that other configurations may be contemplated. For example, instead of shaking or tilting user computing device 110, a button, for example a graphical user interface (GUI) button, may be used in order to cause an embodiment of obtaining and/or presenting and providing a coupon as described herein. An embodiment may enable direct communication channel, connection or interface between a seller and a customer. For example, a seller may use device 120 to register with server 150, indicate his or her location, goods or services offered as well as coupons, discounts, gifts and other offers. When an owner or operator of user device 110 shakes or otherwise maneuvers device 110 (possibly after having invoked an application as described), unit 151 in server 150 or unit 111 in device 110 may present a coupon or another offer, made by the seller, to the user. For example, based on information provided by a seller, the location of seller's POS or POP may be known to server 150 and accordingly, based on the location of a user, a coupon, gift, discount or other offers made by the seller as described may be presented or provided to the user.

As described, embodiments of the subject matter may include an element of surprise. For example, although gifts, for example free coffee, 50% discount on a specific product, and the like, may be selected, presented and/or provided to a user based on the user's fields of interest and/or based on the user's location, a gift, discount or other offer or benefit may be randomly selected from a group or set of possible gifts, discounts or offers. Accordingly, an embodiment may behave, or appear to a user, as a game. A bank of benefits, for example, gifts or discounts, for a specific user may be modified by an embodiment. For example, if a user shares the application as described, for example shares application or unit 111, a bank of benefits for the user may be increased. In order to encourage a user to use coupons, a bank of benefits may be decreased over time or based on other considerations.

An embodiment may enable a seller to address potential buyers based on their proximity to a POS. For example, coupons or gifts from a seller may be offered to users who are within a distance of no more than 1 mile, or a few minutes' drive, from a POS of the seller.

In some embodiments, user coupon management unit 111 may be, or may include, an application that may be downloaded, for example from App Store or Google play as known in the art. When the application is first launched, a logo and/or welcome screen may be presented. Any type of logo and/or welcome screen known in the art is under the scope of the present subject matter. A page enabling a user to register for service, and for example accept terms of use, may be presented as well. Any type of a registration page known in the art is under the scope of the present subject matter. For example, a page that prompts the user to provide an email address and password, a page comprising a button for registration through a social network like Facebook or Google Plus, and the like. A screen prompting a user to select fields of interest may be also presented. Any type of screen known in the art for prompting a user to select fields of interest is under the scope of the present subject matter. For example, a user may select fields of interest such as cars, sports, books and the like. Information related to a user, for example fields of interest, may be stored by unit 111 and/or sent to server 150. Fields of interest as provided by a user may be used in order to select a coupon or offer for the user. For example, if the user indicated that he or she is interested in books then a coupon for a discount in a nearby book store may be presented or provided to the user when the user's device is shaken as described.

When an application, for example an application included in unit 111, is launched or executed, a main screen may be displayed, indicating a number of shakes a user may execute. For example, an application included in unit 111 may allow or enable a user to receive a limited number of coupons or gifts offers, within a given period of time. For example, a user may shake his or her smartphone to receive a coupon or gift offer as described, however, having received three offers in a row, for example, by repeatedly activating the smartphone, for example by shaking the smartphone, the application may refrain from providing additional coupons or offers for a predetermined period of time, for example an hour. When the predetermined period of time period elapses, the application may, upon detecting or determining the smartphone was shaken, offer additional gifts or coupons as described. Such configuration may cause users to keep trying to receive coupons or gifts by repeatedly activating their devices, for example by shaking the devices. The limitation of offers per time period may add a gaming aspect or experience to a user using application according to the present subject matter. Since the user may not know which coupons or gifts will be offered, the user may repeatedly or periodically shake his or her computing device in order to be surprised with coupons, discounts or offers. According to one embodiment, a coupon, discount of gift presented or provided to a user may include an image of a product, a distance of a POS where the product can be purchased, a time until expiration of the coupon and a button enabling purchase. Other possible types of information that is displayed may include a saving or a discount, for example in percents. As described, the number of coupons or gifts provided in a time slot may be limited. Thus, once a user has exhausted the number of coupons per time unit, the time until coupons are provided may be displayed, for example in the form of a countdown clock or timer. In some embodiments, after a user has exhausted the number of coupons per time unit, launching the application may cause a display of a screen that informs the user how long he or she must wait before shaking the computing device, for example a smartphone, in order to prompt the application to provide and present additional coupons or other offers. According to another embodiment, the number of coupons that may be provided, for example by activating a smartphone, for example by shaking or tilting the smartphone as described, may be displayed to a user. In some embodiments, a status screen may inform a user how many coupons the user has and, optionally, the screen may provide details such as what products can be purchased using the coupons, the discount provided, and the like. By clicking on a coupon or object in a screen, additional details may be provided, for example information on how to reach a POS, opening hours of a POS, reviews about a product and the like.

The aforementioned screens and displays shown may be presented by coupon management unit 111 based on information received from server 150 and based on other information. For example, management of user's coupons may be performed by coupon management unit 111 , by server coupon management unit 151 or jointly by these units. For example, the list of user's coupons may be maintained in server 150 and/or on user device 110.

According to one embodiment, the value of coupons provided to a user depends on the level of activity of the user in the application. For example, a user that shakes the computing device a high number of times a day gets a greater discount, or a gift that worth more, than a user that shakes the computing device less times a day. According to another embodiment, users may be ranked according to their activities in the application, for example according to the number of activations, for example shakings, a day, according to the number of usage of coupons by the user, according to the number of sharing coupons with for example friends in social networks, and the like, and any combination thereof. Users at higher ranks are provided with more valued coupons than users at lower ranks. According to a further embodiment, a user may receive a sum of money according to his level of activity in the application. A user at higher rank may receive a higher sum of money than a user at a lower rank.

According to one embodiment, money may be given to a user after each activation, for example shaking, of the computing device. According to another embodiment, money may be given to a user periodically, according to his level of activity or rank in the application, as described above.

In some embodiments, a seller may log into server 150, through the seller computing device, and provide information usable for generating coupons, for example a specific discount for a specific product, a gift to be given upon purchase and so on. Server 150 may use information provided by a seller in order to generate coupons 154. For example, based on information from a seller, a coupon that indicates or includes a specific discount for a specific product, possibly in a specific location or store, may be generated. Accordingly, a set of coupons may be generated and stored by server 150, and the system 1 and may select one coupon from a set of coupons and send the selected coupon to a user's device. For example, a coupon may be selected based on a location of a user, for example coupons 154 may include a location, for example provided by a seller, and accordingly, based on a location of a user, for example as provided to server 150 by unit 111, server 150 may select a coupon from the set of coupons 154. In some embodiments, rather than generating coupons in advance, for example based on offers made by sellers of goods and services, coupons may be generated in real-time or on the fly.

According to one embodiment, the system provides a seller a platform for managing and administering an advertising and marketing campaign. According to this embodiment, a seller may advertise products or services in the application. The seller may change the list of products and services - add products or services, or delete products or services, from a list of products or services that are promoted by the application of the present subject matter. For example, a bakery at an end of a business day is left with a certain number of pastries that have to be given or sold otherwise they may be discarded. According to this embodiment, a representative of the bakery may log in to the application, for example with a user name and a password, a offer a certain number of pastries for free or with a high discount to users of the application that are for example in the vicinity of the bakery. When all the pastries are either given away or sold out, the representative of the bakery may delete this offer from the application.

According to one embodiment, a series of screens displayed by the application of the present subject matter, and actions performed by a user, may comprise:

Display of a welcome screen upon launching of an application, for example included in or executed by unit 111 ;

Display of a screen prompting a user to login, for example by providing an e-mail address and a password, as known in the art. A login may be used in order to track and manage user's coupons, for example server 150 or unit 111 may record or save the coupons a user has, has used, has liked and so on. Other aspects of a user may be supported by a login, for example a user profile may be associated with a user name and password such that user's preferences are known and used, for example in order to offer to the user coupons related to fields of interest of the user, for example as provided by the user and saved in the user's profile. Display of terms of use. In order to proceed, a user may be requested to accept the terms of use.

A screen prompting a user to select one or more fields of interest. As described, user preferences such as fields of interest may be stored, for example in a profile on server 150 and may be used in order to select coupons for the user.

A screen showing the number of coupons the user has, or is entitled for.

If the user is currently entitled for coupons then by activating his or her computing device, for example a smartphone, for example by shaking the computing device, a coupon may be presented.

If the user is not entitled for coupons, for example the user already got, or was presented with three coupons in the past hour, then a screen indicating the time before more coupons will be available may be displayed.

By pressing a "My coupons" button, a user may be carried to a screen that provides status of the user's coupons, for example a screen may show all coupons the user has received, the time before each of the coupons expires, a distance to a store where the coupon may be used and any other relevant information related to the coupon.

A screen prompting a user to write reviews of products, or participate in a survey, or other activities. By executing these activities the user may gain coupons. A main menu screen may enable a user to see his coupons, update a profile, for example update fields of interest, logout and the like.

According to one embodiment, the user may have an option to choose a type of business and type of benefit at an early stage, before the log in stage, namely before providing a user name and a password.

According to another embodiment, a user chooses areas of interest immediately after logging in to the application. Then a screen may display a list of relevant businesses, according to the areas of interest chosen earlier, which are in a geographic vicinity of the user. In addition, benefits, or coupons provided by these relevant businesses may also be displayed to the user.

It should be understood that all the aforementioned screens and actions are all optional, namely some of them may not be included in a series of screens and actions during usage of the application of the present subject matter. Furthermore, the order of the aforementioned series of screens and actions is not limiting the scope of the present subject matter. In other words, the aforementioned screens may be displayed and the aforementioned actions may be prompted, not necessarily in the order described above. In addition, the aforementioned screens are only exemplary, and other types of screens may be used. For example, any type of screen may be used in order to present to a user a list of all coupons the user currently has, possibly by category, location etc.. A possibly sorted or filtered list presented to a user may include a history of coupons used by the user, provided by the user for example. A screen may include any information related to a coupon, including user's reviews of a product or coupon, directions for reaching a POS where the coupon may be used and/or a list of sellers who accept the coupon, possibly including address, phone number and the like.

As described, upon detecting or determining that a user computing device 110 is shaken, tilted, turned up-side-down or otherwise maneuvered, unit 111 may send a message to server 150 requesting a coupon. A message sent from unit 111 to server 150 may include a user's identification and a location of the user, or a location of computing device 110. Server 150, or unit 151 in server 150, may use a user's identification received from unit 111 in order to find a profile of the user for example in storage 153, and thus determine preferences of the user, for example, fields of interest provided by the user as described. Server 150 may use a location received from unit 111 and user preferences in order to find relevant coupons, for example find coupons of sellers who sell products, or provide services, that are of interest to the user and who further have shops or other POSs near the user. Typically, there may be many suitable coupons and server 150 may randomly select one coupon from a group or set of suitable coupons. Server 150 may mark or record a coupon selected for a user such that a different coupon is selected each time the user shakes computing device 110 or otherwise activates unit 111. Accordingly, a user cannot anticipate what coupon he or she will receive when activating, for example by shaking, his or her computing device and thus a gamification aspect of a shopping experience is provided.

After a coupon was presented or provided to a user, the user may select one of a number of options. For example, the user may use the coupon, for example the user may show the coupon to representative of a POS and the representative, or user, may press a button on the screen of the user's computing device in order to use the coupon. At the POS, when a coupon is used or activated as described, the seller may provide a service, discount, gift or other benefit as indicated by the coupon. In addition, any other system or method known in the art of using coupons may be used in this extent, and id under the scope of the present subject matter.

When a coupon is used or activated as described, unit 111 may inform server 150 and server 150 may remove the coupon from a bank of coupons, for example from coupons 154. Server 150 may provide a seller with any information related to a coupon, for example when and where the coupon was used, by whom, and the like. Accordingly, a seller may have control on the number of coupons provided for his business as well as provided with relevant information, as described.

If a user does not want to use the coupon provided to him, the user may shake his device again in order to receive another, different coupon. In such case, the previous coupon may be returned, by unit 111, to server 150. For example, a returned, namely unused, coupon may be added back to coupons 154 and may be used again, for example provided to another user who shakes his or her computing device, as described. In some embodiments, a coupon provided to a user may be kept or stored, in the user's computing device, for a predetermined period of time, for example 24 hours. Is a stored coupon is not used during the predetermined period of time, it may be automatically returned, by unit 111, to server 150 and may be reused as described. A coupon may be shared or transferred in any suitable way. For example, a user may instruct unit 111 to send a coupon he or she received, for example by using email, instant messaging and the like. If sent, a coupon may be removed from the sending party's device and stored in the receiving party's device and a user who receives a coupon may use the coupon as described. Coupons may be provided based on user actions, for example, unit 111 may inform server 150 that the user has shared or recommended the application and, in return, server 150 may provide the user with one or more bonus coupons. In another example, upon downloading the application, for example unit 111, a user may be provided, by server 150, with a bonus or welcome coupon.

There may be several types of the coupons of the present subject matter, for example a coupon may be a gift coupon, for example a free ticket to a movie, a coupon may be a sale coupon, for example a 10% discount for any purchase, a coupon may be an information coupon providing information related to services or goods, and the like.

A coupon for a user may be selected based on the user's history and/or behavior. For example, a history of purchases made by the user may be used in order to select a coupon. For example, if server 150 identifies that the user has recently used many coupons for coffee shops, then server 150 may select, for the user, a coupon for a coffee shop and not a coupon for a toys store even if the toy store is closer to the user than the coffee shop. Any system and method known in the art may be used in order to identify or determine the user's behavior, activities or preferences and use the identified behavior, activities or preferences in for selecting coupons for the user.

In some embodiments, server 150 may push coupons to a user's computing device and unit 111 may select a coupon from a bank of coupons stored in the user's device. For example, based on a location of user device 110, that for example was reported to server 150 by unit 111 as described, server 150 may continuously, periodically or repeatedly send coupons to user device 110 and, when the user shakes the device 110 as described, unit 111 may select a coupon from a set of coupons stored in device 110. Accordingly, a coupon may be presented to a user in real-time, for example immediately when the computing device 110 is shaken. The term "real-time", also known in the art as "realtime", or "real time", as referred to herein generally relates to processing or handling of events at the rate or pace that the events occur, identified, determined or received, namely possibly defined by human perception. For example, a system according to embodiments of the present subject matter may present a coupon as described in real-time, for example within milliseconds, or other very brief periods of time, so that a coupon is presented immediately upon activating, for example shaking, a computing device as described.

An advantage of maintaining a local set of coupons is that a coupon may be provided to a user even if connection with server 150 is temporarily unavailable. For example, having stored a set of coupons locally, on computing device 110 as described, unit 111 may provide a coupon from the local set and, when connection with server 150 is restored, unit 111 may report to server 150 whether or not a coupon was used. In some embodiments, coupons may be stored locally based on a prediction. For example, using an application programming interface (API) provided by a navigation application, for example Waze or Google Maps, unit 111 may determine, (and may inform server 150 of, a route and/or destination of a trip, and server 150 may select coupons that are relevant to the locations about to be visited by the user and send them to unit 111. Accordingly, potential or relevant coupons may be stored, or prepared, in advance, on user device 110 such that they may be provided quickly, in real-time and even if server 150 cannot be reached.

It should be noted that the description of embodiments of the system and methods described herein did not encompass all the feature of systems and methods known in the art for providing digital coupons by retailers or sellers to consumers or users. The description herein aimed solely for the purpose of disclosing embodiments of the present subject matter. Therefore, any other components of systems and methods for providing digital coupons that are known in the art are under the scope of the present subject matter.

Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order in time or chronological sequence. Additionally, some of the described method elements may be skipped, or they may be repeated, during a sequence of operations of a method. While certain features of the subject matter have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the subject matter.

Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include various features described herein. It is appreciated that certain features of the subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.

Although the subject matter has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.