Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOBILE BARCODE GENERATION AND PAYMENT
[0001]
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to facilitating financial
transactions and
more particularly to facilitating such transactions with a mobile device.
Related Art
[0003] Mobile devices, such as cell phones, are being used by more and
more people
world-wide. In addition to using mobile phones for voice calls, consumers can
communicate nearly anytime and anywhere to facilitate information access to
mobile
services and the Internet. Mobile phones have also become multimedia computing
platforms with integral digital cameras for taking pictures and video, playing
music,
recording conversations, and organizing and planning activities and
appointments.
[0004] More recently, mobile phones have been used in conjunction with
on-line
payment service providers, such as PayPal, Inc. of San Jose, CA. With the ever-
increasing
popularity of the Internet and of Internet commerce, both consumers and
sellers are using
the Internet to facilitate financial transactions between parties, whether
they are individuals
or companies. In on-line financial transactions, consumers may use an on-line
payment
provider to transfer money and receive money over electronic networks, such as
the
Internet. The money transfer may be for payment of goods or services. The
payment
providers supply an infra-structure, software, and services that enable users
to make and
receive payments. Mobile phone users may contract with a payment provider to
allow the
user to make payments over the phone. Typically, this requires the user to
open up an
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application on the phone, such as through a web browser. The user then
accesses his or her
on-line account by entering requested information, such as a user name, phone
number,
email, and/or password. Payment infor [nation can then be entered and
transmitted to the
payment provider, who then transfers funds from the user's account to the
payee's account.
A confirmation may then be sent to the payer and/or the payee.
[0005] While this service gives the consumer flexibility in paying for
services
anywhere using a mobile phone, the procedure can be cumbersome, time-
consuming, and
may be prone to fraudulent transfers.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one embodiment, an application on a mobile device
having a
screen, such as a cell phone, enables the user to generate a barcode on the
screen, which
can be scanned for payment. The barcode is valid for a limited period of time
(e.g., one
minute) and for a single use. Once scanned, payment is transferred from the
user's account
to the merchant's account. In one embodiment, the user first opens up the
application on
the phone, which then presents the user with a screen showing a phone number
associated
with the user and a field for the user to enter a password or PIN. After
entering a correct
password or PIN, a barcode is generated and appears on the screen, The barcode
is
generated through a payment provider, such as PayPal. Once the barcode is
generated, a
scanner, such as a CCD scanner, scans the barcode at the point of sale (POS)
or other
physical payment location. Funds are deducted from the user's account and
transferred to
the retailer's account. The user may be asked for a signature confirmation. A
receipt can
then be generated on the mobile device, and purchases tracked immediately.
[0007] According to another embodiment. a receipt can be displayed on the
user's
mobile device for performing a refund transaction. The receipt is located on
the user's
mobile device, using any suitable search, such as by date, recent activity,
store, etc. The
receipt may have been stored as part of a purchase described above. Once
located, the
receipt, in the form of a scannable barcode, is displayed on the user's
device. The receipt is
then scanned, either by the merchant or user. The returned merchandise can be
scanned
before or after the receipt is scanned. Once both the returned merchandise and
the receipt
are scanned, the information is compared to ensure that the receipt matches
the returned
merchandise. If the refund is approved, the payment provider transfers the
appropriate
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funds from the merchant's account to the user's account. The merchant and/or
user may
then be given a receipt, either electronically or in printable/paper form.
[0008] Other scannable financial products may also be generated, such as a
virtual
debit/credit card, coupons, and gift cards. If a qualifying purchase provides
the user with
an instant coupon or rebate, those can be generated as well.
[0009] As a result, users can easily and safely pay for transaction using
their mobile
phone at any location having a suitable scanning device. The user is provided
with an
alternate or additional vehicle for payment. The user does not need to worry
about carrying
and managing numerous physical payment means, such as cards, paper coupons,
paper gift
certificates, etc. Purchases can be instantly categorized and tracked via the
phone, and
receipts instantly available. For merchants or retailers, this new form of
payment may
increase sales and volume due to the ability of consumers to have an easy and
new way to
purchase items. The cost to merchants and retailers may be minimal, as
existing scanning
systems may be used or simply modified.
[0010] in another embodiment, the generated bareode contains a mix of
funding
instruments for the payment transaction. When the user "checks in" with the
payment
provider, such as by launching an app and entering login credentials, the
payment provider
retrieves user information as well as location or merchant information and
pushes all
available funding instruments to the user's digital wallet or phone. Examples
of finding
instruments include coupons, rebates, gift cards, reward points, etc. Any
loyalty or
membership information with the merchant can also be pushed to the user's
wallet.
[0011] When the user is ready to pay, transaction information may be sent,
either by
the user device or the merchant, to the payment provider. Transaction
information includes
details of items to be purchased. The payment provider can then determine
which funding
instruments are available for the transaction and generates a one-time use
barcode (such as
QR code) on the user device that includes some or all the funding instruments
or sources
available. The choice of funding sources can be determined solely by the
payment
provider, solely by the user, or a combination of both.
[0012] The merchant then scans the generated bareode for payment. A total
is
presented to the user, with all intended funding sources applied. The user can
then approve
and complete the purchase. In another embodiment, if any and all
restrictions/limitations
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on the barcode are met, the payment may be completed without the user having
to authorize.
Any loyalty cards can also be conveyed to the merchant for processing any
rewards or points
to the cards.
[0013] As a result, the user can make a purchase with a barcode
that contains multiple
funding sources, as well as convey store loyalty card information to the
merchant, with a
single scan of a barcode by the merchant. A receipt can be generated and
stored, as with the
embodiment above.
[0014] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be more
readily apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments set forth
below taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0014a] According to another embodiment, there is provided a
system comprising: a
memory storing account information for a plurality of users, wherein the
account information
comprises a user identifier, user funding sources, and barcode information for
a barcode
generated for a specific transaction, wherein the user funding sources are
selected from a
group comprising credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and store credit
accounts; a payment
service provider comprising a computer processor communicatively coupled to
the memory
and programmed to: receive information about the specific transaction,
information about a
user account and information about a merchant or location from a user device,
wherein the
information about the user account comprises at least user preferences
associated with a
plurality of funding sources; automatically determine a plurality of funding
sources available
for use by the user based on the information received about the specific
transaction, the
information received about the user account and the information received about
the merchant
or location; communicate the plurality of funding sources to the user device;
receive a
selection from the user of at least two funding sources of the plurality of
funding sources for
completing funding of the specific transaction with the merchant; generate, by
the payment
provider, a barcode containing the at least two funding sources of the
plurality of funding
sources; communicate the barcode to a user device; receive information
contained in the
barcode from the barcode being scanned on the user device by a merchant point
of sale
device; and process the payment based, at least in part, on the received
information contained
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in the barcode, wherein the processing of the payment includes at least a
debit from each of
the at least two funding sources of the plurality of funding sources.
[0014b] According to another embodiment, there is provided a non-
transitory machine-
readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which
when
executed by one or more processors of a server are adapted to cause the server
of a payment
provider to perform a method comprising: receiving information about the
specific
transaction, information about a user account and information about a merchant
or location
from a user device, wherein the information about the user account comprises
at least user
preferences associated with a plurality of funding sources selected from a
group comprising
credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and store credit accounts;
automatically determining a
plurality of funding sources available for use by the user based on the
information received
about the specific transaction, the information received about the user
account and the
information received about the merchant or location; communicating the
plurality of funding
sources to the user device; receiving a selection from the user of at least
two funding sources
of the plurality of funding sources for completing funding of the specific
transaction with the
merchant; generating, by the payment provider, a barcode containing the at
least two funding
sources of the plurality of funding sources; communicating the barcode to a
user device;
receiving information contained in the barcode from the barcode being scanned
on the user
device by a merchant point of sale device; and processing the payment based,
at least in part,
on the received information contained in the barcode, wherein the processing
of the payment
includes at least a debit from each of the at least two funding sources of the
plurality of
funding sources.
[0014c] According to another embodiment, there is provided a mobile
communication
device for performing a financial transaction, comprising: an antenna
programmed to
communicate with a payment service provider; a computer processor programmed
to:
communicate, via the antenna to the payment service provider, information
about a user
account, information about a merchant or location, and information about a
specific
transaction, wherein the information about the user account comprises at least
user
preferences associated with a plurality of user funding sources, wherein the
plurality of user
funding sources are selected from the group comprising: credit cards, debit
cards, gift cards,
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and store credit accounts; and generate display of a barcode, originated by
the payment
service provider, for completing funding of the specific transaction, wherein
the barcode
comprises a selection, received from the user, of at least two user funding
sources of the
plurality of user funding sources automatically determined to be available by
the payment
service provider in response to receiving the information about the user
account, the
information about the merchant or the location, and the information about the
specific
transaction a memory programmed to store information about the specific
financial
transaction; and a display programmed to: display the barcode and allow the
barcode to be
scanned at a merchant point of sale device for processing by the payment
service provider;
and display a notification of an authorized payment to the merchant that
includes at least a
debit from each of the at least two funding sources of the plurality of user
funding sources.
[0014d] According to another embodiment, there is provided a system
comprising: a
memory storing account information for a plurality of users, wherein the
account information
comprises a user identifier, user funding sources, and barcode information for
a barcode for
use in a transaction, wherein the user funding sources are selected from a
group comprising
credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and store credit accounts; and a
payment service provider
comprising a computer processor communicatively coupled to the memory and
configured to:
receive information about a user account and information about a merchant or
location from a
user device; automatically determine a first plurality of funding sources
available for use by
the user based on the information received about the user account and the
information
received about the merchant or location; communicate a second plurality of
funding sources
from the first plurality of funding sources to the user device; receive a
selection from the user
of at least two funding sources from the second plurality of funding sources
for completing
funding of the transaction with the merchant; generate a barcode containing
the at least two
funding sources of the second plurality of funding sources for display on the
user device;
receive information contained in the barcode from the barcode being scanned on
the user
device by a merchant point of sale device; and process the payment based, at
least in part, on
the received infoimation contained in the barcode, wherein the processing of
the payment
includes at least a debit from each of the at least two funding sources of the
plurality of
funding sources.
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[0014e] According to another embodiment, there is provided a non-
transitory machine-
readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which
when
executed by one or more processors of a server are adapted to cause the server
to perform a
method comprising: receiving information about a user account and information
about a
merchant or location from a user device, wherein the information about the
user account
comprises at least user preferences associated with a plurality of funding
sources selected
from a group comprising credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and store
credit accounts;
automatically determining a first plurality of funding sources available for
use by the user
based on the information received about the user account and the information
received about
the merchant or location; communicating a second plurality of funding sources
from the first
plurality of funding sources to the user device; receiving a selection from
the user of at least
two funding sources from the second plurality of funding sources for
completing funding of
the transaction with the merchant; generating a barcode containing the at
least two funding
sources of the second plurality of funding sources for display on the user
device; receiving
information contained in the barcode from the barcode being scanned on the
user device by a
merchant point of sale device; and processing the payment based, at least in
part, on the
received information contained in the barcode, wherein the processing of the
payment
includes at least a debit from each of the at least two funding sources of the
plurality of
funding sources.
[00141] According to another embodiment, there is provided a mobile
communication
device for performing a transaction, comprising: an antenna programmed to
communicate
with a remote on-line client; a computer processor programmed to: communicate,
via the
antenna to the remote on-line client, information about a user account and
information about a
merchant or location, wherein the information about the user account comprises
at least user
preferences associated with a plurality of user funding sources, wherein the
plurality of user
funding sources are selected from the group comprising: credit cards, debit
cards, gift cards,
and store credit accounts; and display a barcode, originated by the on-line
client, for
completing funding of the transaction, wherein the barcode comprises a
selection, received
from the user, of at least two user funding sources of a plurality of user
funding sources
automatically determined to be available by the on-line client in response to
receiving the
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information about the user account and the information about the merchant or
the location; a
memory programmed to store information about the financial transaction; and a
display
programmed to: display the barcode and allow the barcode to be scanned at a
merchant point
of sale device for processing by the remote on-line client; and display a
notification of an
authorized payment to the merchant that includes at least a debit from each of
the at least two
funding sources of the plurality of user funding sources.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing steps for a user to make a
payment from a mobile
phone according to one embodiment;
[0016] Fig. 2A is a flowchart showing steps for a payment provider to
enable a user to
make a payment from a mobile phone according to one embodiment;
[0017] Fig. 2B is a flowchart showing steps for a merchant to perform
a financial
transaction from a mobile device according to one embodiment;
[0018] Fig. 2C is a flowchart showing steps to enable a user to obtain
a refund from a
receipt on a mobile phone according to one embodiment;
[0019] Figs. 3A and 3B show a barcode generated from a mobile phone
according to
one embodiment; and
[0020] Fig. 4 is a system diagram showing various steps performed by
different parties
to a payment transaction using a mobile device according to one embodiment;
[0021] Figs. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing steps illustrating a user
experience and
a merchant/payment provider experience, respectively for using a barcode for
payment
according to other embodiments; and
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[0022] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system that can be
used to
implement one or more components of the system described herein.
[0023] Exemplary embodiments and their advantages are best understood by
referring
to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like
reference
numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the
figures,
wherein showings therein arc for purposes of illustrating exemplary
embodiments and not
for purposes of limiting the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Fig. 1 is a flowchart 100 showing one embodiment for a user to make
a payment
from a mobile phone. In step 102, a user registers with an on-line payment
provider, such
as PayPal. Registration can be through any suitable means, such as accessing
the payment
provider site and entering the required information, For example, the user may
be asked to
create an account if one has not already been established, or if an account is
established, to
fund the account if needed. The user may then be asked to enter the phone
number of the
mobile phone and a password or PIN, followed by a confirmation of that
password or PIN.
Once the user has completed registration, an application can be installed on
the user's
registered device, such as a mobile phone. When the user is ready to use the
service or
application, the user opens up the application at step 104, such as by tapping
on the
application icon on the phone. The user is then presented with a screen
showing two fields,
a phone number field and a password or PIN field. In one embodiment, the
device phone
number is already entered. Note that other identifier fields may be used, in
any suitable
combination, as long as the payment provider is provided sufficient
information to
authenticate the user. In step 106, the user enters the PIN (or any other
requested
identification information). If the PIN and phone number are verified by the
payment
provider, the user is presented with a screen showing a barcode.
[0025] In step 108, the user presents the barcode image to the merchant.
This may be
at a checkout stand or point of sale (POS) after the user has finished
shopping and the items
(and/or services) for purchase have been scanned or entered for payment. A
total is
presented to the user, at which point, the user provides the merchant a form
of payment. In
one embodiment, the user displays the barcode for the merchant to scan. =The
merchant
then scans the barcode for payment. In another embodiment, the user may scan
the
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barcode himself, such as by passing the screen through a scanner. Note that a
suitable
scanner system and type may be required depending on the device showing the
barcode.
For example, a CCD scanner may be needed to accurately scan a device having a
reflective
screen, such as on a phone. After scanning, the user may be given the option,
in step 110,
of confirming the payment, such as with a signature, checking an "accept"
icon, etc.
[0026] The merchant is then notified whether the payment was approved.
Approval
may be in the form of the payment provider transmitting, and the merchant
receiving, a text
message, such as "Approved," a visual message, such as a green light, a verbal
message,
such as from a live or automated call to the merchant, or any other suitable
indication of
approval. Denial of the payment may be indicated in similar ways, such as
"Denied," a red
light, etc. Denial of the payment may result from various reasons, such as
insufficient
funds in the user's account to make the purchase or payment, an error in
reading the
barcode, or an invalid barcode. If the denial is from an error in reading, the
merchant may
be notified accordingly and the barcode re-scanned as needed. If the denial is
from an
invalid barcode, the barcode may have expired or been used already. If denied,
an
indication of the reason may be given to the merchant and/or the user so that
the reason can
be addressed. For example, if the denial is an invalid barcode, the barcode
may be scanned
again, or a new barcode may be generated for scanning.
[0027] In one embodiment, the barcode generated on the user's phone is
valid for only
one use (e.g., one confirmed use, where the single use may be from multiple
unsuccessful
scans and one successful scan) and a specific amount of time. For example, the
barcode
may only be valid for 30 seconds or one minute after the barcode is generated.
This
increases security and minimizes misuse or fraudulent use of the barcode.
[0028] Assuming the barcode is valid and confirmed, the payment is
concluded, and
the user is given a receipt at step 112, such as from the merchant terminal in
the form of a
paper receipt or Short Message Service (SMS) message to the phone. In other
embodiments, the user may also view a receipt on the phone and manage or
otherwise track
the purchase through the payment provider. For example, the user may make
notes about
the purchase for future reference or send the purchase to another application.
The user can
also check previous transactions and view or cancel pending authorizations.
Note that in
some embodiments, the user can easily cancel this service completely, such as
when the
phone is lost. For example, the user can simply log onto the payment provider
site, enter
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information to access the account, and then cancel the service. Another
security feature
may be that the user is required to first unlock the phone before use, This
can be done in
various ways, such as biometric scan or entering an ID to unlock the phone.
For the latter,
the user is then required to enter two passwords or PINS, one for unlocking
the phone and
one for accessing the application,
[0029] rig. 2A is a flowchart 200 showing another embodiment of steps for a
payment
provider to enable a user to make a payment from a mobile phone. In step 202,
the user
registers for service with the payment provider. The payment provider receives
and
processes information entered by the user to create the application and
account if
necessary. The info, niation may include a user name, password, financial
information,
billing address, PIN-, security questions and answers, etc. Communication of
the
information may be by any means, such as through the Internet. Bluetooth, or a
wired
connection, using suitable components such as antennas and processors. Next,
the payment
provider installs the appropriate application on the user's device in step
204, which can be
done via a web browser. The application may simply be an icon on the user's
device
screen. When the user is ready to use the application or service, the user
opens the
application and enters requested information as discussed above. The payment
provider
receives this information to confirm the user in step 206. If the information
(e.g., phone
number and PIN) does not correspond to a registered user, the payment provider
may
notify the user accordingly for more chances to login. Once the user is
confirmed, the
payment provider accesses the user's account at step 208.
[0030] At step 210, the payment provider generates a barcode corresponding
to the
user's account. The barcode can be generated with standard software for
display on a
screen or terminal, such as through a processor running the software. The
barcode may
allow access to all the funds in a user's account, only a portion set aside by
the user, or be
restricted to certain merchants or products/services. For example, a parent
may set up an
account for a child with limits and restrictions for use. Restrictions may
include a
maximum amount per transaction or barcode generation, a maximum number of
transactions per time period (e.g., week or month), maximum dollar amount of
transactions
per time period (e.g., week or month), and a pre-determined expiration date of
the
agreement, such that after expiration, the user can no longer generate the
barcodes, unless
the user renews the agreement. The barcode may also be for a specific amount,
as
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specified by the user after accessing the application. For example, after
access, the user
may be given an option of entering the amount, selecting from one of several
pre-defined
amounts, or using a default amount. Restrictions may also be applied to limit
the amount
of funds for a particular merchant or potential purchase, such as a stranger
at a flea market
or from an online want-ad service.
[0031] Once the barcode is generated, the payment provider transmits the
barcode to
the user device, which displays the barcode on the device. Transmission of the
barcode can
be by the same or similar means as used to receive information from the user,
e.g., antenna,
transmitter, or transceiver. The payment provider then waits for information
from the
merchant or scanner. This information may include the merchant's name, account
information, payment amount, etc. When the information is received at step
212, the
payment provider determines whether the received information will allow the
payment
provider to make the transfer. As discussed above, information that will make
the payment
provider deny the payment can include a requested payment exceeding the
barcode limit,
an expired or already used barcode, a barcode not matching the one for the
user, an
unrecognized merchant account, etc. If the received information is proper, the
payment
provider affects a transfer of funds from the user's account to the merchant's
account in
step 214. with protocols and software executed by processors such as used by
PayPal and
other on-line financial institutions. The payment provider may also send a
confirmation to
both the user and merchant that funds have been transferred. Confirmation may
be the
same for the user and merchant or different, and may include a text message, a
visual
indicator, a voice indicator, etc.
[0032] In another embodiment, the payment provider may provide an
additional layer
of protection for the merchant, e.g., to minimize charge backs and/or obtain
proof of user
signature or consent. Initially, the merchant scans the generated barcode with
a scanner,
such as described above. The POS software at the merchant location then makes
a
DoAuthorization API call to the payment provider to authorize the payment. In
response,
the payment provider determines whether the scanned information is consistent
with the
payment provider infbrmation for the user and responds with an authorization
or decline to
the merchant. If authorized, the merchant can then display the amount for the
user to
authorize. This can be on an electronic signature pad for the user to sign or
just an OK
button for the user to press. The POS software then makes a DoCapture API call
to the
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payment provider to capture the payment. The payment provider will then
respond with an
API response to indicate whether the funds were transferred successfully. If
so, the
merchant prints a receipt for the user.
[0033] Fig. 213 is a flowchart 230 showing steps performed by a merchant
for
performing a financial transaction using a mobile device displaying a barcode,
according to
one embodiment. When a user of a mobile device desires to make a financial
transaction
with the merchant (or anyone else), the user generates and displays a barcode
on the mobile
device described above. This may be when the user has completed shopping is
ready to
check out or pay for the items at the register or point of sale. Initially, at
step 232, the
merchant records the items for purchase and the total amount owed by the
purchaser, such
as scanning the items for both a description and price. Next, at step 234, the
merchant is
presented with a barcode displayed on the user's Or purchaser's mobile device,
such as a
phone. The barcode is then scanned, at step 236, either by the merchant Of by
the user
(such as with a merchant scanner). Again, depending on the display/screen of
the user
device, an appropriate scanner is needed to accurately read the barcode, such
as a CCD
scanner. The barcode information and the purchase information are transmitted
to the
payment provider at step 238, which is processed by the payment provider. The
merchant
then receives a notification that the payment has been accepted or denied, at
step 240. If
denied, the merchant can inform the user at step 242, and the user can respond
accordingly.
Options include scanning the barcode again, generating a new barcode, or
presenting the
merchant with a new form of payment. If accepted, the merchant may receive a
confirmation of the transaction at step 244. As a result, funds are
transferred from the
user's account to the merchant's account for the purchase of the desired
item(s).
[0034] Fig. 2C is a flowchart 250 showing an embodiment for a user to
retrieve a
receipt on a mobile phone and use that for a refund at a POS. After a
purchase, such as
described above, the user may want to return the purchase for a refund. In
step 252, the
user locates the receipt on the user's mobile phone or device. The receipt may
have been
stored as part of the initial purchase, as described above. Retrieval of the
receipt may
include the application having a search menu that allows the user to locate a
transaction by
the merchant, dollar amount, date, or other category. The user can select the
desired
transaction to view details, such as item and receipt. Once the desired
receipt or
transaction is located, the barcode receipt is shown on the display of the
mobile device in
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step 254. For example, a button could be added to the transaction detail page
to display the
merchant's order ID or invoice ID (represented by the barcode). The barcode
receipt may
also be displayed or generated in any other suitable manner, such as being
captured and
stored as a barcode during the purchasing process.
[0035] Once displayed, the merchant, at step 256, scans the barcode, as
part of the
refund process. Scanning of the barcode can be done before or after the
merchant scans the
returned merchandise. Next, at step 258, the POS software at the merchant
location makes
a refund API call to initiate the refund. In one embodiment, the payment
provider can then
determine if the transaction (refund) is proper and valid. Ways in which the
payment
provider can do this include confirming whether the merchant and user accounts
are valid,
matching up the specific merchant account with the merchant, matching up the
specific
user account with the user, determining whether the refunded item was truly
purchased and
if it was purchased at the merchant, matching the returned item to what is
indicated on the
receipt, any expiration date on the receipt for refunds, etc. When the refund
is approved,
either by the payment provider or by the merchant, the payment provider
transfers the
refunded amount from the merchant's account to the user's account. The payment
provider
then transmits an API response to indicate whether the refund was successful.
If so, the
merchant, at step 260, prints a receipt that shows the refund transaction. The
refund receipt
may also be stored on the user's phone. This embodiment enables the user to
easily and
effectively manage receipts and refunds, as compared to saving, storing, and
categorizing
paper receipts.
[0036] Figs. 3A and 3B show one embodiment of a barcode generated from a
mobile
phone 300. In Fig. 3A, the user has opened up the application and is presented
with a login
screen 302. Login screen 302 includes a phone field 304, which may or may not
be
populated with the device phone number, and a password or PIN field 306, where
the user
enters his or her PIN, such as using the phone keys. After a successful login,
the user is
shown a screen with a barcode 308, which may only be valid for a certain time
period and
for a single use. The barcode shown on the screen can then be scanned for
payment at a
POS, as described above.
[0037] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing various steps performed by different
parties to a
payment transaction using a mobile device according to one embodiment. Path 1
illustrates
steps taken by a buyer to register with the payment provider or create an
account with the
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payment provider. Selected information, such as the PIN, phone number,
agreement token,
and agreement ID are stored in a database 400 of the payment provider.
Database 400 may
be stored on a local or remote server or any other suitable storage means.
Path 2 shows
steps for the buyer when he is ready to make a purchase at a store or POS. The
user PIN
and phone number are searched in database 400 to find the matching user ID.
The barcode
is generated, with an associated barcode ID. Both the user ID and barcode ID
are stored in
database 400. Path 3 shows steps for the merchant after the barcode is
generated in path 2.
After scanning the barcode, the barcode ID is checked in the database with a
matching user
ID. When confirmed, the user ID is transmitted to the merchant for
confirmation of
payment.
[0038] Fig. 5A is a flowchart 500 showing an embodiment where the barcode
contains
a plurality of funding sources or instruments for use in a transaction.
Flowchart 500
illustrates a consumer experience. The user with a mobile device may have
entered a
merchant store or at a location near one or more merchant stores. The user may
launch an
app from the mobile device, which requests the user to enter specific
authentication
information, such as PIN/password, user name, phone number, email, etc. The
user enters
the requested information into the mobile device, and in step 502, the payment
provider
processes the information to authenticate the user. For example, the payment
provider
determines whether an active account exists with the payment provider
corresponding to
the user and the information provided by the user.
[0039] Next, in step 504, the payment provider receives additional data
from the
mobile device, such as geo-location and user identification. Using the
information
received, the payment provider may determine available funding sources for the
user in
step 506. This may include determining which merchants are near the
user/mobile device
and which funding sources are available from the merchants. Note that funding
sources as
used herein may include anything used as part of a purchase, such as, but not
limited to,
coupons, gift cards, rebates, credit cards, debit cards, store credit, account
credit, discounts,
inoentives, loyalty points, and the like.
[0040] Determining available funding sources may also include determining
what
funding sources the user has associated with the user's account. Not all
account funding
sources may be available though, as some funding sources may not be able to be
used with
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the local merchant(s), have other restrictions, such as not yet in the
redemption period, not
for a particular location or branch, etc.
[0041] In step 508, a determination is made whether the user has a loyalty
card, club
membership, or reward card with the local merchant(s), such as by checking
whether any
loyalty cards are associated with the user account or wallet and if so,
whether any of those
cards are for the identified local merchant(s). If so, the card information
(e.g., name on
card and card number) is determined in step 510.
[0042] In step 512, local and/or relevant offers are determined. Offers may
include
ones specific to the merchant, to the user, to a specific type of product, to
a specific
manufacturer, or the like. The determination may be based on the user's geo-
location,
merchant incentives/promotions, user's funding source, and loyalty card
information.
[0043] In step 513, offers determined in step 512 are presented to the
user, such as on
the user device display. The offers may be include a brief description or a
more detailed
description. For the former, the user may select the offer to view more
details about the
offer.
[0044] In step 514, the user may choose one or more offers to accept. The
user may
decide not to accept any offer or may choose to accept all offers presented as
well.
Selection may be accomplished through the user clicking on or otherwise
selecting a box or
other indicator corresponding to the offer.
[0045] Any accepted offers are added to the user's wallet in step 516. The
user may be
able to view offers directly through the user's mobile device or through the
user's account
with the payment provider, such as through the payment provider site.
[0046] The user may then shop or continue shopping at a merchant store.
When ready
to checkout, the payment provider generates a barcode (such as a QR code) in
step 518.
The barcode and processing can have the same, some. or similar features of the
barcodes
and processes described in other embodiments above. The barcode contains
funding
source information as well as any loyalty cards associated with the particular
merchant. In
addition, any offers or incentives accepted by the user may also be included
in the barcode
information. Note that the barcode can be generated at different times in
different
embodiments. For example, the user may be ready to checkout (such as by
tapping or
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otherwise selecting an appropriate button or link on the user device) when the
user has
finished shopping, but before a first item is scanned, Thus, "Ready to
checkout" may be
prior to the scanning process, during the scanning process, or after all items
have been
scanned. Once scanned, the payment provider receives transaction information,
such as
through the merchant POS device or other device like a PC, tablet, or smart
phone. The
transaction information may include merchant identification information, user
identification information, total price, individual item descriptions, etc.
Note that the some
of the transaction information may be communicated to the payment provider at
different
times and need to be at the same time as when all items are scanned.
[0047] The barcode is then communicated to and displayed on the user device
in step
520. The user can present the displayed barcode to the merchant or place the
display in
dont of a scanning device. The merchant can then scan the barcode or have the
barcode
scanned, in step 522, on the mobile device. The scan be through a scanner
associated with
the merchant POS or other device, For example, if a merchant or other payment
recipient
can scan the barcode with a smart phone, tablet, or other computing device
capable of
scanning a barcode and communicating the information to the payment provider.
[0048] Fig. 5B is a flowchart 550 showing an embodiment where the barcode
contains
a plurality of funding sources or instruments for use in a specific
transaction. Flowchart
550 illustrates a merchant and/or payment provider experience. Continuing from
step 522
in Fig. 5A, the payment provider receives information contained in the scanned
barcode,
such as through a communication with the scanning device (e.g., the POS
device, smart
phone, tablet, etc.). Information contained in the scan includes transaction
details,
including funding sources, loyalty cards, and offers, as well as merchant
information, such
as a merchant identifier, merchant name, merchant location, and the like.
[0049] Using the information, the payment provider authenticates the
merchant in step
554. Authentication may include determining whether the merchant has a valid
account
with the payment provider, based in part on the merchant identifier. Other
information
may also be used to authenticate the merchant, such as whether the transaction
information
matches goods sold by the merchant, the location of the scan matches with a
confirmed
merchant location, and other authentication measures.
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[0050] The payment provider also authenticates, in step 556, the barcode
from the
received scanned information. For example, the payment provider may determine
whether
the barcode is valid (e.g., whether the barcode is associated with the user
account), whether
the funding sources can be used with the purchase, such as limits exceeded or
restrictions
placed, and risk/fraud analysis processing. For example, the user may have set
an upper
limit on the amount that can be purchased through the generated barcode. Thus,
if the total
payment exceeds that amount, the transaction may be denied, or the user may be
informed
that a different funding source, such as a credit card, will be needed to fund
the amount
over the barcode approved amount. After applying any discounts, coupons, gift
cards, etc.,
a total is obtained and the amount is debited from the user's account(s)
and/or funding
sources as applicable.
[0051] Based on the received information, such as the transaction
information, location
(user and/or merchant), and user information, the payment provider determines,
in step
558, which funding sources to use for the current transaction. In particular,
the payment
provider may determine the best or suggested mix of funding sources for the
transaction,
which can be based on user settings, user preferences, merchant information,
transaction
amount, transaction location, expiration of funding sources, etc. For example,
a store
discount or gift card that will be expiring soon may be part of the funding
sources for the
transaction. Details of different ways to determine funding sources to use may
be found in
commonly-owned U.S. Patent Appl. Serial Number 13/330,264,
filed Dec. 11, 2011. This step (or a separate step) may also
determine any reward or club membership numbers for the merchant. The funding
sources
may only be suggested funding sources that the user can approve or revise as
desired.
[0052] In step 560, a determination is made whether any offers contained
in the
barcode may be used with the purchase. For example, the payment provider may
determine whether an offer corresponds to a scanned or purchased item and
whether any
conditions of the offer are met with the transaction.
[0053] lf one or more offers may be used or applied to the purchase, the
payment
provider processes redemption of the offer(s) in step 562. This may include
the payment
provider applying the discount or incentive to the purchase to reduce an item
price.
Redeemed offers may be processed with entities offering the offers. For
example the
payment provider may notify an entity that an offer has been redeemed. The
entity may
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then settle with the merchant or the payment provider may handle settlement
between the
entity and merchant as well.
[00541 Once any applicable offers are processed and/or redeemed, the
payment
provider processes the payment in step 564. For example, the payment provide
may deduct
the purchase total from one or more user finding sources and credit a purchase
amount to
an account of the merchant.
[00551 When the payment processing is completed, the payment provider may
format a
receipt for the transaction in step 566. The receipt may list all items
purchased, any
discounts, offers, or incentives applied to each eligible purchase, funding
source(s) used,
transaction date and time, transaction location, merchant information, and any
other desired
information.
[0056] The receipt may then be presented to the User device in step 568,
which can be
stored in the user account or digital wallet on the phone as discussed herein.
The payment
provider may also send receipt data to the merchant, which may allow the
merchant to store
transaction details and/or print a physical receipt for the user.
[00571 Thus, barcode enables the user to have the barcode scanned by a POS
device,
manned or unmanned, or even by a smart phone (allowing small merchants or
payees to
process barcode payments), to quickly and easily make a payment. Because the
barcode
contains a plurality of funding sources, including offers and incentives,
and/or
loyalty/reward/membership numbers, the user can pay more intelligently and
convey
different types of information in a single barcode.
[0058] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system or device 600
according to one
embodiment, which may be suitable for implementing embodiments of various
aspects of
this disclosure, In various implementations of embodiments, device 600 may
comprise a
personal computing device, such as a personal computer, laptop, PDA, cellular
or smart
phone, a computing tablet, or other personal computing or communications
devices.
Database 400 may be within, part of, or comprise a network computing device,
such as one
or more servers, computer or processor combined to provide the payment
services. Thus, it
should be appreciated that the devices described herein may be implemented as
computer
system 600 in a manner as follows.
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[0059] In one embodiment, computer system 600 may include a bus 602 or
other
communication mechanism for communicating information, which interconnects
subsystems and components, such as a processing component 604 (e.g.,
processor, micro-
controller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), a system memory component
606 (e.g.,
RAM), a static storage component 608 (e.g., ROM), a disk drive component 610
(e.g.,
magnetic or optical), a network interface component 612 (e.g., modem or
Ethernet card), a
display component 614 (e.g., CRT or LCD for displaying the generated barcode),
an input
component 616 (e.g., keyboard or keypad for entering a PIN or password),
and/or a cursor
control component 618 (e.g., keys, mouse, or trackball). In one embodiment,
disk drive
component 610 may comprise a database having one or more disk drive
components.
Network interface component 612 may include an antenna, either separate or
integrated, to
enable transmission and reception via communication link 620.
[0060] Computer system 600 may perform specific operations by processor 604
executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in
system memory
component 606, according to steps described above. Such instructions may be
read into
system memory component 606 from another computer readable medium, such as
static
storage component 608 or disk drive component 610. The various storage or
memory
components may be used to store information about trusted sources for the
quick-approval
process. In other embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or
in
combination with software instructions to implement the invention.
[0061] Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer
to any
medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 604 for
execution. Such a
medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,
volatile
media, and transmission media. In one embodiment, the computer readable medium
is
non-transitory. In various implementations, non-volatile media includes
optical or
magnetic disks, such as disk drive component 610, volatile media includes
dynamic
memory, such as system memory component 606, and transmission media includes
coaxial
cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 602.
In one
example, transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such
as those
generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.
[0062] Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example,
floppy
disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-
ROM, any
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other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with
patterns of
holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge,
carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer is adapted to read.
[0063] in various example embodiments, execution of instruction sequences
for
practicing embodiments of the invention may be performed by computer system
600. In
various other embodiments, a plurality of computer systems 600 coupled by
communication link 620 may perform instruction sequences to practice the
invention in
coordination with one another.
[0064] Computer system 600 may transmit and receive messages, data,
information and
instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., application code) through
communication link 620 and communication interface 612. Received program code
may
be executed by processor 604 as received and/or stored in disk drive component
610 or
some other non-volatile storage component for execution.
[0065] 'Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present
disclosure may
be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and
software.
Also, where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software
components set
forth herein may be combined into composite components comprising software,
hardware,
and/or both without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where
applicable,
the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein
may be
separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or both without
departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is
contemplated
that software components may be implemented as hardware components and vice-
versa.
[0066] Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as program
code
and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable mediums. It is
also
contemplated that software identified herein may be implemented using one or
more
general purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems,
networked and/or
otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein
may be
changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to
provide
features described herein.
[0067] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present
invention to the
precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. It is contemplated that
various alternate
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embodiments and/or modifications to the present invention, whether explicitly
described or
implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. For example, entry of
a user PIN
with associated phone number may create a virtual debit card with a
corresponding
barcode. The barcode can then be scanned for normal debit card processing.
Other
examples include generation of barcodes corresponding to coupons, gift cards,
or virtually
any financial instrument. Furthermore, the generation and scanning of the
barcode can be
at any time during the transaction, such as before, during, or after items are
scanned or
otherwise recorded.
[0068] Having thus described embodiments of the invention, persons of
ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing
from the scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is limited only by the
claims.
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