Patent Application
20100257033
The present invention generally relates to wireless transactions, and more particularly, to conducting transactions using a wireless device.
As wireless devices evolve, they are being used more increasingly to conduct transactions with point-of-sale (POS) terminals. A user may store information related to particular merchants within a wireless device. When a POS terminal for a particular merchant is encountered, the user may have to manually search his or her wireless device for particular information related to the merchant and the transaction. This may be time consuming and off putting to customers.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method of conducting transactions using a wireless device.
A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include attempting to read information from the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving a merchant identification when an attempt to read is successful, and searching a payment table using the merchant identification. In a particular aspect, the merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof.
Further, the method may include determining whether the payment table includes a loyalty card and transmitting loyalty card information to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the loyalty card. The method may also include determining whether the payment table includes an electronic coupon and transmitting the electronic coupon to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the electronic coupon. Moreover, the method may include determining whether the payment table includes a merchant-defined payment method, retrieving the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the merchant-defined payment method, and transmitting the merchant-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal. Alternatively, the method may include determining whether the payment table includes a user-defined payment method, retrieving the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the user-defined payment method, and transmitting the user-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal.
In another aspect, a wireless device is disclosed and may include means for attempting to read information from a point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, means for receiving a merchant identification when an attempt to read is successful, and means for searching a payment table using the merchant identification. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof.
In this aspect, the wireless device may further include means for determining whether the payment table includes a loyalty card and means for transmitting loyalty card information to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the loyalty card. Additionally, the wireless device may include means for determining whether the payment table includes an electronic coupon and means for transmitting the electronic coupon to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the electronic coupon. The wireless device may also include means for determining whether the payment table includes a merchant-defined payment method, means for retrieving the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the merchant-defined payment method, and means for transmitting the merchant-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal. Alternatively, the wireless device may include means for determining whether the payment table includes a user-defined payment method, means for retrieving the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the user-defined payment method, and means for transmitting the user-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal.
In yet another aspect, a wireless device is disclosed and may include a processor that is operable to attempt to read information from a point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, to receive a merchant identification when an attempt to read is successful, and to search a payment table using the merchant identification. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof.
In this aspect, the processor within the wireless device may be further operable to determine whether the payment table includes a loyalty card and to transmit loyalty card information to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the loyalty card. The processor may also be operable to determine whether the payment table includes an electronic coupon and to transmitting the electronic coupon to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the electronic coupon. Further, the processor may be operable to determine whether the payment table includes a merchant-defined payment method, to retrieve the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the merchant-defined payment method, and to transmit the merchant-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal. Alternatively, the processor may be operable to determine whether the payment table includes a user-defined payment method, to retrieve the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the user-defined payment method, and to transmit the user-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal.
In still another aspect, a computer program product is disclosed and may include a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include at least one instruction for attempting to read information from a point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, at least one instruction for receiving a merchant identification when an attempt to read is successful, and at least one instruction for searching a payment table using the merchant identification. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof.
The computer-readable medium may also include at least one instruction for determining whether the payment table includes a loyalty card and at least one instruction for transmitting loyalty card information to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the loyalty card. Further, the computer-readable medium may include at least one instruction for determining whether the payment table includes an electronic coupon and at least one instruction for transmitting the electronic coupon to the point-of-sale terminal when the payment table includes the electronic coupon.
In this aspect, the computer-readable medium may include at least one instruction for determining whether the payment table includes a merchant-defined payment method, at least one instruction for retrieving the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the merchant-defined payment method, and at least one instruction for transmitting the merchant-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal. Alternatively, the computer-readable medium may include at least one instruction for determining whether the payment table includes a user-defined payment method, at least one instruction for retrieving the merchant-defined payment method when the payment table includes the user-defined payment method, and at least one instruction for transmitting the user-defined payment to the point-of-sale terminal.
In another aspect, a method of processing transactions at a point-of-sale terminal is disclosed and may include detecting a wireless device via a wireless link and transmitting a merchant identification to the wireless device. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof. Further, the wireless link may be a near field communication link.
In this aspect, the method may further include receiving loyalty card information from the wireless device and searching a loyalty card database using the loyalty card information. The method may also include determining whether a loyalty card is approved and transmitting an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement. Moreover, the method may include receiving an electronic coupon from the wireless device, determining whether the electronic coupon is approved, and transmitting an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement.
In yet another aspect, a point-of-sale terminal is disclosed and may include means for detecting a wireless device via a wireless link and means for transmitting a merchant identification to the wireless device. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof. The wireless link may be a near field communication link.
The point-of-sale terminal may also include means for receiving loyalty card information from the wireless device and means for searching a loyalty card database using the loyalty card information. Further, the point-of-sale terminal may include means for determining whether a loyalty card is approved and means for transmitting an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement. The point-of-sale terminal may also include means for receiving an electronic coupon from the wireless device, means for determining whether the electronic coupon is approved, and means for transmitting an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement.
In still another aspect, a point-of-sale terminal is disclosed and may include a processor. The processor may be operable to detect a wireless device via a wireless link and to transmit a merchant identification to the wireless device. The merchant identification comprises a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof. The wireless link may be a near field communication link.
The processor within the point-of-sale terminal may be further operable to receive loyalty card information from the wireless device and to search a loyalty card database using the loyalty card information. Further, the processor may be operable to determine whether a loyalty card is approved and to transmit an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement. The processor may also be operable to receive an electronic coupon from the wireless device, to determine whether the electronic coupon is approved, and to transmit an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement.
In another aspect, a computer program product is disclosed and may include a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include at least one instruction for detecting a wireless device via a wireless link and at least one instruction for transmitting a merchant identification to the wireless device. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof. The wireless link may be a near field communication link.
The computer-readable medium may further include at least one instruction for receiving loyalty card information from the wireless device and at least one instruction for searching a loyalty card database using the loyalty card information. Moreover, the computer-readable medium may include at least one instruction for determining whether a loyalty card is approved and at least one instruction for transmitting an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement. The computer-readable medium may also include at least one instruction for receiving an electronic coupon from the wireless device, at least one instruction for determining whether the electronic coupon is approved, and at least one instruction for transmitting an approval acknowledgement or a disapproval acknowledgement.
In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.
In this description, the term “application” may also include files having executable content, such as: object code, scripts, byte code, markup language files, and patches. In addition, an “application” referred to herein, may also include files that are not executable in nature, such as documents that may need to be opened or other data files that need to be accessed.
In this description, the terms “communication device,” “wireless device,” “wireless telephone,” “wireless communications device,” and “wireless handset” are used interchangeably. With the advent of third generation (3G) wireless technology, more bandwidth availability has enabled more electronic devices with wireless capabilities. Therefore, a wireless device could be a cellular telephone, a pager, a PDA, a smartphone, a navigation device, or a computer with a wireless connection.
Referring to
As shown in
The POS terminal 104 may also include a processor 120. An NFC reader 122 may be coupled to the processor 120. Moreover, the NFC reader 122 within the POS terminal 104 may include an RFID chip 124. The RFID chip 124 may be a FeliCa card, a FeliCa tag, a Mifare card, a Mifare tag, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the RFID chip 124 may be an ISO 14443-compliant contactless card. In another aspect, the RFID chip 124 may be an ISO 18092-compliant contactless card. Otherwise, the RFID chip 124 may be another contactless card well known in the art.
In a particular aspect, the RFID chip 124 may include information related to a merchant, e.g., a merchant identification. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof. In a particular aspect, the processor 120, the NFC reader 122, the RFID chip 124 or a combination thereof may serve as a means for executing one or more of the method steps described herein.
As illustrated, the POS terminal 104 may be connected to a merchant server 130. The merchant server 130 may include a processor 132 and a memory 134 that may be connected to the processor 132. In a particular aspect, the processor 132, the memory 134, or a combination thereof may serve as a means for executing one or more of the method steps described herein. The merchant server 130 may also be connected to a database 136. The database 136 may include customer information, e.g., loyalty card information. Further, the database 136 may include coupon information.
Referring to
As further illustrated in
As depicted in
In a particular aspect, one or more of the method steps described herein may be stored in the memory 244 as computer program instructions. These instructions may be executed by a processor 224, 226 in order to perform the methods described herein. Further, the processors, 224, 226, the memory 244, the instructions stored therein, or a combination thereof may serve as a means for performing one or more of the method steps described herein.
Referring now to
Moving to block 308, the attempt counter may be increased by one (1) integer. At decision 310, the wireless device may determine whether the wireless device has made successful contact with the POS terminal. If not, the method 300 may proceed to decision 312. At decision 312, the wireless device may determine whether the attempt counter is equal to a timeout condition. The timeout condition may be threshold number of attempts, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or N etc. attempts. The timeout condition may be user-defined or the timeout condition may be set during the provisioning of the wireless device.
If the attempt counter does not equal the timeout condition, the method 300 may return to block 306 and continue as described herein. Otherwise, if the attempt counter equals the timeout condition, the method 300 may continue to decision 313. At decision 313, the payment module may determine whether to proceed with the transaction without the merchant information. This determination may be made by querying the user of the wireless device that initiated the transaction. If the payment module determines to proceed, the method may continue to block 348 of
At block 314, the wireless device may transmit a failure message to a merchant that owns the POS terminal. The message may be a text message, a call, an email, or a combination thereof. Further, the message may be automatically generated by the wireless device and sent to the merchant. From block 314, the method 300 may proceed to block 316 and the wireless device may indicate a failure message to the user, e.g., via a display on the wireless device. The method 300 may then end.
Returning to decision 310, if the wireless device has made successful contact with the POS terminal, the method 300 may proceed to block 318 and the wireless device may receive merchant identification from the POS terminal. The merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof. Thereafter, at block 320, the wireless device, e.g., the payment module therein, may search a payment table stored within the wireless device using the merchant identification as a query term.
Moving to decision 322, the payment module may determine whether any merchant information is available from the payment table. If not, the method 300 may end. Otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to decision 324 of
At decision 324, the payment module may determine whether the merchant information includes a loyalty card for the merchant. If so, the method 300 may proceed to block 326 and the payment module may transmit the loyalty card information to the POS terminal. Thereafter, the payment module may receive an acknowledgement from the POS terminal. At decision 330, the payment module may determine whether the loyalty card is accepted by the POS terminal, e.g., based on the acknowledgement received from the POS terminal. If the loyalty card is not accepted by the POS terminal, the method 300 may proceed to decision 332 and the payment module may determine whether to proceed with the transaction. This determination may be made by querying the user of the wireless device that initiated the transaction. If the payment module determines not to proceed, the method 300 may continue to block 334 and the transaction may be ended by the payment module. Thereafter, the method 300 may end.
Returning to decision 330, if the loyalty card is accepted, the method 300 may proceed to decision 336. Further, returning to decision 324, if the merchant information obtained from the payment table does not include a loyalty card, the method 300 may move directly to decision 336.
At decision 336, the payment module may determine whether the merchant information includes an e-coupon for the item which the user of the wireless device is attempting to purchase. If the merchant information includes an e-coupon, the method 300 may proceed to block 338 and the e-coupon may be transmitted to the POS terminal. Thereafter, the payment module may receive an acknowledgement from the POS terminal at block 340.
Proceeding to decision 342, the payment module may determine whether the e-coupon is accepted by the POS terminal. If not, the method 300 may move to decision 344 and the payment module may determine whether to continue with the transaction, e.g., by querying the user via the user interface of the wireless device. If the payment module determines not to proceed, the method 300 may move to block 334 and continue as described herein. Otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to block 346.
Returning to decision 342, if the e-coupon is not accepted, the method 300 may also move to block 346. At block 346, the payment module may transmit a request for a total amount due to the POS terminal. Thereafter, the method 300 may continue to block 348 of
At block 348, the payment module within the wireless device may receive the total amount due from the POS terminal. Next, at decision 350, the payment module may determine whether the merchant information obtained from the payment table includes a merchant-defined payment method. For example, a particular merchant may only allow a user to pay via a debit card. Further, a merchant may only allow a user to pay using a credit card. Also, a merchant may only accept a particular type of credit card, e.g., Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express, etc. In another aspect, a merchant may only accept payment via an electronic fund transfer (EFT) or via third party payment system, e.g., PayPal. In the case in which the wireless device is unable to read the merchant information from the POS terminal at block 306, the payment module will be unable to query the payment table using a merchant identification to determine whether the merchant information obtained from the payment table includes a merchant-defined payment method and the method 300 may proceed directly to decision 356 and continue as described herein.
At decision 350, if the merchant information includes a merchant-defined payment method, the payment module may retrieve the merchant defined payment method from the payment table. Thereafter, the method 300 may proceed to block 354 and the payment module may transmit the payment information to the POS terminal. The method 300 may then proceed to block 364 of
Returning to decision 350, if the merchant information does not include a merchant-defined payment method, the method 300 may proceed to decision step 356 and the payment module may determine whether the payment table includes a user-defined default payment, e.g., from a particular account. If so, the method 300 may continue to block 358 and the payment module may retrieve the user-defined payment method from the payment table. Thereafter, the method 300 may continue to block 354 and continue as described herein.
Returning to decision 356, if the payment table does not include a user-defined default payment method, the method 300 may proceed to block 360 and the payment module may query the user for payment information, e.g., using the user interface provided by the wireless device. Thereafter, at block 362, the payment module may receive the payment method from the user. The method 300 may then continue to block 354 and continue as described herein.
Proceeding to block 364 of
Returning to decision 366, if the payment is approved, the method 300 may continue to block 370 and the payment module may request a receipt, e.g., an electronic receipt (e-receipt), from the POS terminal. At block 372, the payment module may receive the e-receipt from the POS terminal. Moreover, at block 374, the payment module may store transaction information at the wireless device, e.g., within a transaction history log. The transaction information may include the merchant identification, the payment method used, e-coupon information, loyalty card information, a transaction amount, a transaction date, a transaction time, the e-receipt, or a combination thereof. The method 300 may then end.
Referring to
Returning to decision 708, if the transmission of the merchant information is successful, the method 700 may proceed to decision 712. At decision 712, the POS terminal may determine whether a loyalty card is received. If not, the method 700 may proceed to decision 722 of
Returning to decision 716, if the loyalty card is approved by the POS terminal, the method 700 may proceed to block 722. At block 722, the POS terminal may transmit an approval acknowledgement to the wireless device. Then, the method 700 may proceed to decision 724 of
At decision 724 of
Returning to decision 730, if a request for a total is received, the method 700 may move to block 734 and the POS may transmit a total amount due. Next, payment information may be received at block 736. The method 700 may then proceed to decision 742 of
Returning to decision 726, if the e-coupon is not valid and approved, the method 700 may continue to block 738 and the POS terminal may transmit a disapproval acknowledgement. Thereafter, the POS terminal may determine whether the transaction has been ended, e.g., based on a request received from the wireless device. If the transaction is not ended, the method 700 may move to decision 730 and continue as described herein. Otherwise, if the transaction is ended by the user of the wireless device, the method 700 may end.
Returning to decision 724, if an e-coupon is not received from the wireless device, the method 700 may proceed directly to decision 730 and continue as described herein.
Moving to decision 742 of
Returning to decision 742, if the payment method is approved, the method 700 may continue to block 748 and the POS terminal may transmit an approval acknowledgement to the wireless device. At decision step 750, the POS terminal may determine whether a receipt is requested. If not, the method 700 may end. If a receipt is requested, the method 700 may proceed to block 752 and the POS terminal may transmit an e-receipt to the wireless device. Then, the method 700 may end.
It is to be understood that the method steps described herein do not necessarily have to be performed in the order as described. Further, words such as “thereafter”, “then”, “next”, etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps. These words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the method steps.
With the configuration described herein, the system and method disclosed herein provides a relatively easy way for a user to shop using a wireless device. The wireless device may communicate with a POS terminal. The POS terminal may transmit merchant information to the wireless device. The merchant information may include a merchant name, a merchant identification number, a merchant address, a merchant type, or a combination thereof.
Based on the merchant information, the wireless device, e.g., a payment module therein, may search a payment table using the merchant information as a query term, or terms. The wireless device may perform the search in order to locate a loyalty card, an e-coupon, a merchant-defined method of payment, a user-defined method of payment, or a combination thereof. The need for a user to manually locate this information is obviated through the use of the merchant information in conjunction with the payment table.
In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Although selected aspects have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that various substitutions and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.
