Digital Coupon

A digital coupon replaces a paper coupon with digital data on a smartphone. Incentives such as discounts, free perks, and multiplied points are distributed / managed electronically. Compared with paper coupons, it has the advantages of zero printing costs, unlimited distribution reach, real-time tracking of usage, and easy management of expiration dates.

QR codes are involved in the entire life cycle of a digital coupon. At the distribution stage, people obtain a coupon by scanning the QR code on a poster / flyer / SNS post. At the presentation stage, they show the coupon's QR code saved on their smartphone at the register to apply the discount. At the redemption stage, the store scans the coupon's QR code to mark it as used, preventing it from being used twice.

With a dynamic QR code, you can deliver different coupons through the same QR code depending on the time period. Flexible operation such as 20% off on weekdays, 10% off on weekends, and a special coupon on rainy days can be achieved without reprinting the QR code.

As a countermeasure against fraudulent use, there is a technique of embedding a one-time token in the coupon's QR code. Each time the code is scanned, the server verifies the token, and tokens that have already been used are invalidated. Fraudulent use by forwarding screenshots can also be prevented with a QR code that changes dynamically (the code is updated at regular intervals).