Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOBILE ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION SYSTEM,
DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/03,121, filed on September 15, 2003, the contents of which are
incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a system, device and method for
conducting
electronic transactions, and more specifically, the present invention relates
to electronic
transactions utilizing a wireless communications device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electronic transactions conducted over the Internet, also known as
electronic
commerce or e-commerce, have enabled individuals to purchase products without
leaving
their homes. Typically, an e-commerce shopper will access a web site, scroll
through goods,
some of which may not be available, and then "check out". The check out
process involves
providing payment information and arranging for shipping. Many e-commerce
retailers
charge a significant fee above the actual shipping cost for shipping.
Additionally, the
shopper has to wait for the goods they purchased to be delivered.
[0004] Payment is typically arranged by providing a credit card number online.
A
significant number of e-commerce shopper's have concerns about providing
credit card
information over the Internet. Although the liability for credit card holders
is limited to $50
under the Fair Credit.Billing Act if an unauthorized charge is timely
reported, the consumer
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ultimately pays for the fraud via interest rates and other fees.
[0005] New payment systems have been developed which respond in part to the
security concerns about providing credit card information to third parties by
facilitating the
payment portion of a transaction. However, these new payment systems do not
respond to
concerns where an item is ordered and the e-commerce retailer does not deliver
the selected
item. The payment system will still charge the shopper's account as soon as
the item is
ordered. Months may pass before the situation is resolved, ultimately
resulting in a dispute to
the credit card company.
[0006] The proliferation of Internet retail services and advertising has
enabled our
society to become ever more paperless. E-commerce web sites employ many
advertising
methods to that draw Internet users to their web sites. However, coupons are
distributed on
paper rather than provided electronically.
[0007] Beyond the wired Internet, wireless e-commerce has tal~en the beneFts
of the
Internet and added mobility. Therefore, it is advantageous to combine the
benefits of wireless
e-commerce with the mobility of wireless devices such as cellular phones and
PDAs to
provide immediate completion of a transaction.
[0008] One such system that combines wireless mobility and retail commerce is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,861, "Electronic Shopping System Utilizing a
Program
Downloadable Wireless Telephone", issued June 10, 2003 to Ogasawara. The '861
patent
discloses a wireless telephone connected with a bar code scanner as a
substitute for a personal
shopping terminal. The '861 patent is an advance in wireless e-commerce,
however the
system does have shortcomings. The '861 patent does not provide for selecting
an item while
the shopper is not in the store. Furthermore, the '861 system is limited to
purchasing items
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that have an associated barcode. Lastly, the '861 system does not provide a
means for
malting the transaction more paperless, nor is it applicable to services such
as air travel, hotel
or rental car accommodations.
[0009] Thus, it is desirable to provide a system, device and method for
electronic
transactions using a wireless device to select an item, service or discount
remotely.
Furthermore, there is a need to provide for paperless redemption of a coupon,
a prepaid
transaction, an electronic negotiable instrument, a smn from a credit account,
and a sum from
a debit account.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A system for conducting electronic transactions, comprises a wireless
communication device having memory storage, a display screen and a
microprocessor, where
the device is adapted to receive a transaction program and data. The
transaction program is
stored in the memory storage, the program contains instructions executable by
the
microprocessor to produce indicia representative of value on the display
screen. The indicia
representative of value is selected from the group consisting of an identifier
of a purchased
good, an identifier of a purchased service, a coupon, a discount, a prepaid
transaction, an
electronic negotiable instrument, a sum from a credit account, a sum from a
debit account. A
scanner is in communication with a merchant server for reading the indicia
from the device.
A provider server is accessible by the merchant server for storing and
retrieving user account
information.
[0011] The system may include a scanner that reads the indicia from the screen
of the
device. Furthermore, the indicia may be a two dimensional barcode. The
wireless
communication device may further comprise an antemza for communication with
said
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provider server. The indicia may further be interpreted to be representative
of a product or
seance.
[0012] A wireless communication device for conducting electronic transactions,
where the device is adapted to receive a transaction program and data
comprises a memory
storage for storing a transaction program and a display screen for displaying
information to a
user. The device also comprises a microprocessor for executing instructions
contained within
the transaction program to produce indicia representative of value, where
value is selected
from the group consisting of an identifier of a purchased good, an identifier
of a purchased
service, a coupon, a discount, a prepaid transaction, an electronic negotiable
instrument, a
sum from a credit account, and a sum from a debit account, where the indicia
is readable by a
scanner in communication with a merchant server, where the merchant server is
adapted to
access a provider server for storing and retrieving user account information.
[0013] A scanner may read the indicia from the screen of the wireless
communication
device. The indicia may be a two dimensional barcode. The wireless
communication device
may further comprise an antenna for communication with said provider database.
The indicia
may also be representative of a product or service.
[0014] A method of conducting electronic transactions comprises the steps of
providing a wireless communication device having memory storage, a display
screen and a
microprocessor, the device being adapted to receive a transaction program and
data.
Selecting a transaction and generating an indicia of value where value is
selected from the
group consisting of an identifier of a purchased good, an identifier of a
purchased service, a
coupon, a discount, a prepaid transaction, an electronic negotiable
instrument, a sum from a
credit account, and a sum from a debit account. Retrieving the indicia of
value, providing the
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indicia of value to a merchant scanner and redeeming the indicia of value.
[0015] The indicia may be downloaded from a remote server. Alternatively, the
indicia may be generated by the wireless communications device. The indicia
may be a two
dimensional bar code. The indicia of value may be redeemed by scanning the
indicia from
the screen of the wireless device. A further step may include entering a
password before the
step of retrieving the indicia of value.
[0016] Fuuther objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
become
apparent to those slcilled in the art from analysis of the following written
description, the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the system for conducting
electronic
transactions according to the principles of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram revealing a wireless communication device and
provider server in further detail.
[0019] FIGS. 3a through 3c reveal sample screens displayed by a transaction
program
according to principles of the present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 4a through 4c reveal sample screens displayed by the transaction
program for retrieving indicia according to principles of the present
invention.
[0021] FIGS. 5a through Sd reveal sample screens displayed by the transaction
program for selecting a transaction according to principles of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] A system provider enables a user to engage in electronic transactions
by
employing a wireless communications device in conjunction with proprietary
software.
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Through encryption algorithms that make sensitive data unreadable in real
time, the system
provider becomes a secure payment system provider to consumers.
[0023] With initial reference to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of a system
10 for
conducting electronic transactions according to the principles of the present
invention is
shown. The system 10 for conducting electronic transactions comprises a
wireless
communications device 20 having a display screen 24 with indicia representing
value, a good
or service thereon. A scanner 50, which in the present embodiment is a bar
code scanner is in
communication with a merchant server 60 via a cable 52. The scanner 50 may be
directly or
indirectly coupled to the merchant server 60. For example the scanner 50 may
first being
communication with a point-of sale system which then transmits data to the
merchant server
60.
[0024] A provider server 70 is in communication with a network 80 via a line
82,
such as the Internet or a wireless networlc. The networlc 80 is in
communication with a
cellular network 90 via a line 84. The provider server 70 is accessible by the
merchant server
60 via a line 86, a PBX or any data transmission system lcnown in the art.
[0025] Referring now also to FIG. 2, is a block diagram revealing a wireless
communication device and provider server in further detail is shown. Wireless
device 20
comprises memory storage 22, an IO port 29, function electronics 23, a display
screen 24, a
keypad 25 and memory card reader 27 in communication with a microprocessor 26.
An
antenna 28 is in communication with function electronics 23 and enables device
20 to send
and receive data. Alternatively, IO port 29 may enable device 20 to send and
receive data,
instead of, or in addition to antenna 28. It should be noted however, that any
communication
technology known the art including infrared, laser, or radio, such as
Bluetooth~, may be
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employed to transmit and receive data. The scanner 50 may be a commercially
available bar
code scanner, such as a laser, laser diode, or charge coupled device.
Additionally, scanner SO
may scan from any of the above mentioned communication technologies,
including, but not
limited to direct couple through an IO port, infrared, laser, or radio, such
as from the antenna
28.
[0026] In the irninediate embodiment, device 20 is a cellular telephone,
however it
should be apparent to those skilled in the art that any wireless device may be
substituted for a
cellular telephone including, but not limited to, a PDA (personal digital
assistant), a handheld
computer, or any device that comprises memory storage, a display screen and
microprocessor.
[0027] The provider server 70 comprises a commerce program 72 and database 74.
The provider database 74 may include information such as a username, password,
bank
account information, credit card information, selected coupons, a prepaid
transaction, an
electronic negotiable instrument, a sum from a credit account and a sum from a
debit account.
The commerce program 72 provides instructions to enable a user to conduct
electronic
transactions.
[0028] The merchant server 60 receives signals from the scanner 50 and
communicates with the provider server 70. The merchant server 60 may also
contain its own
database for inventory and sales tracking.
[0029] A transaction program 30 is stored in the memory storage 22 of device
20.
The program 30 may be downloaded by wireless communications, such as radio
signals, laser
or infrared, wire communications, such as through the IO port 29, or from
external media,
such as a memory card through card reader 27. The program 30 contains
instructions
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executable by the microprocessor 26 to enable a user to browse and select
goods, services and
coupons. Furthermore, a user may employ the program 30 to locate a
participating retailer or
service provider.
[0030] A user selects a transaction by choosing a good, service, discount or
coupon.
Once the transaction is selected, the user pays for the good or service by
using the transaction
program 30 to contact the provider server 70 to cause the commerce program 72
to debit a
credit account, debit a debit account, create an electronic negotiable
instrument, create an
identifier of a purchased good, or create an identifier of a purchased
service. The database 74
records the actions tal~en by the commerce program 72. The database 74 may
also record a
prepaid transaction, a selected coupon, a discount, as well as any other
pertinent user
information, preferences or information indicative of purchasing habits.
[0031] In one embodiment, the transaction program 30 stored on device 20 will
create
an indicia 40 representative of value, where value is selected from an
identifier of a
purchased good, an identifier of a purchased service, a coupon, a discount, a
prepaid
transaction, an electronic negotiable instrument, a sum from a credit account,
and a sum from
a debit account. The indicia may also be representative of a product or
service.
Alternatively, the commerce program 72 on the provider server 70 may create
the indicia 40,
which is subsequently downloaded by the device 20.
[0032] When a user is ready to complete a transaction at a participating
retailer, the
user will retrieve the indicia 40 of value by providing the indicia 40 of
value to a merchant
scanner 50 and redeem the indicia 40. In the preferred embodiment, the user
will command
the transaction program 30 to display indicia 40 representative of value on
the display screen
24 of device 20.
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[0033] An indicia 40 representative of value will appear on the screen 24. In
the
preferred embodiment, the message is a two dimensional bar code. Experiment
has shown
that in the best mode, the user of the present invention will cause the
backlight of the screen
24 to illuminate to provide the best image for scanning by the scanner 50. A
scanner 50 will
scan the indicia 40 from the wireless device 20. In the preferred embodiment,
the scanner 50
scans indicia 40 from the screen 24. However, it is contemplated to be within
the scope of
the present invention that the indicia 40 may be scanned from the wireless
device 20 by any
means known in the art, including communication devices based on infrared,
laser, or radio
frequency or electrical signals. For example, an infrared port (not shown)
disposed in device
20 may communicate the indicia 40 to scanner 50.
[0034] In one mode of operation the wireless communication device 20 is in
communication with a device adapted to communicate with a networlc, such as a
personal
computer connected to the Internet. Any means known in the art for
communication between
a wireless device and personal computer may be employed, including, but not
limited to, a
cradle or cable. The data necessary to generate indicia 40 representative of
value or the
indicia 40 may be downloaded from the provider server 70 to the wireless
device 20 through
IO port 29 coupled to a personal computer. Furthermore, the browsing and
selection of an
item may be completed through a personal computer and then the necessary data
to generate
indicia or indicia may be downloaded to the device 20. Therefore, the device
20 does not
necessarily need to be capable of data transmission through an antenna 28 in
order to be
operable within the system 10 of the present invention.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3a through 3c, sample screens 24 displayed by a
transaction program 30 reveal an example of using the present invention as a
payment
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system. Specifically, FIG. 3a reveals an exemplary menu screen for malting a
payment to a
merchant. The user will select the "Get Barcode" option to retrieve a stored
barcode. The
program 30 will prompt the user to enter a password, as shown in FIG. 3b. The
user will then
enter a password, more specifically a user PIN, to access the indicia 40,
which in the present
example is a 2-dimensional barcode. The indicia 40 expires once it has been
redeemed, as
shown in FIG. 3c.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 4a through 4c, sample screens 24 displayed by a
transaction program 30 reveal an example of using the present invention as to
redeem
coupons. Specifically, FIG. 4a reveals an exemplary menu screen for retrieving
a coupon to
present to a merchant. The user will select the "Find Coupons" option to
retrieve a stored
indicia 40 of a coupon, which in this example is a barcode. The program 30
will display a list
of available coupons, as shown in FIG. 4b. The user will then select a coupon
to display.
The program 30 will then display a coupon on the screen 24 for scanning as
shown in FIG.
4c.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 5a through Sd, sample screens 24 displayed by a
transaction program 30 on device 20, which in the present example is a
cellular phone 20,
reveal an example of using the present invention to select a transaction.
Specifically, FIG. 5a
reveals an exemplary menu screen for selecting among a number of services
available to a
user of the system 10 of the present invention. The user will select the
"Flights" option to
brows available flights. The program 30 will display a list of available
search criteria, as
shown in FIG. 5b. The user will then select criteria, which in the present
example is
"Cheapest". The program 30 will then display a query menu for dates on the
screen 24, as
shown in FIG. 5c. The program 30 will then display matches that have been
found on the
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screen 24, as shown in FIG. 5d. The user may now select a flight and pay for
the service.
Later at an airport terminal, the user will prompt a scanner 50 to scan the
device 20 to print a
ticket or boarding pass.
[0038] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes the preferred
structure and
control system for the present invention. However, one slcilled in the art
will readily
recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims,
that
various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without
departing from the
true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
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