U.S. patent application number 10/007108 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-07 for method and system for processing payments for remotely purchased goods.
Invention is credited to Van Luchene, Andrew S., Walker, Jay S..
Application Number | 20030149632 10/007108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25474528 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030149632 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker, Jay S. ; et
al. |
August 7, 2003 |
Method and system for processing payments for remotely purchased
goods
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided whereby goods can be purchased
from a remote seller such as a catalog marketer, and paid for at a
local register, such as that of a local retailer. A point-of-sale
system operable by a local seller processes, in a user-friendly
manner, purchase codes identifying remote sellers to enable
transactions including payments for both local and remotely
purchased goods. A processor operable by a remote seller generates
data for use by the local seller in receiving and processing a
payment for goods purchased from the remote seller. A processor
operable by a processing merchant permits the processing merchant
to facilitate the remote sales and local payments, reconciling the
related transactions occurring at the remote seller and the local
seller. Further provided is a process for use by a customer
enabling remote purchase of goods with subsequent local payment at
a convenient location.
Inventors: |
Walker, Jay S.; (Ridgefield,
CT) ; Van Luchene, Andrew S.; (Norwalk, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALKER DIGITAL
FIVE HIGH RIDGE PARK
STAMFORD
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
25474528 |
Appl. No.: |
10/007108 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10007108 |
Nov 12, 2001 |
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08940265 |
Sep 29, 1997 |
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6381582 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0613 20130101;
G06Q 30/0635 20130101; G06Q 20/02 20130101; G06Q 20/208 20130101;
G06Q 30/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/23 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of processing a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising the steps of: inputting a code relating to a purchase of
goods into a point-of-sale system; processing said code to
determine if said code identifies local goods or remote goods to be
purchased from and controlled by a remote seller; if said
processing step identifies remote goods, then determining a price
for said remote goods, generating data to indicate a payment has
been received for said remote goods, and transmitting for use by
said remote seller data indicating that said payment has been
received for said remote goods.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of
determining a price for said remote goods includes requesting said
price from a remote party.
3. A method of processing a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising the steps of: receiving at a point-of-sale system a code
relating to a purchase of goods; inputting said code into said
point-of-sale system; processing said code in said point-of-sale
system to determine if said code identifies local goods or remote
goods to be purchased from and controlled by a remote seller; if
said processing step identifies remote goods, then determining a
price for said remote goods, receiving a payment for said remote
goods, and transmitting for use by said remote seller data
indicating that said payment has been received for said remote
goods.
4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said step of
determining said price comprises requesting said price from a
remote party.
5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said step of
requesting said price from a remote party includes requesting said
price directly from said remote seller.
6. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said step of
requesting said price from a remote party includes requesting said
price from a third-party intermediary who receives said price from
said remote seller.
7. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said step of
determining said price comprises the step of deriving said price
from said code.
8. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said step of
processing said code to determine if said code identifies local
goods or remote goods comprises the steps of: storing a plurality
of product codes indicating locally sold goods; storing a plurality
of merchant codes indicating remote goods; and comparing said code
with at least one of said plurality of product codes and said
plurality of merchant codes.
9. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said code comprises
a barcode, and said step of inputting said code into said point of
sale system comprises scanning said barcode.
10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said barcode
identifies a merchant, and further including the step of requesting
an order code including further information relevant to said
purchase.
11. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said step of
transmitting for use by said remote seller data indicating that
said payment has been received for said remote goods includes
transmitting said data directly to said remote seller.
12. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said step of
transmitting for use by said remote seller data indicating that
said payment has been received for said remote goods includes
transmitting said data to a third-party intermediary for
transmission to said remote seller.
13. A method in accordance with claim 12 and further including the
step of selecting said third-party intermediary from a plurality of
third-party intermediaries.
14. A method in accordance with claim 3 and further including the
steps of: requesting an order code; and transmitting said order
code to said remote seller with said data indicating that said
payment has been received.
15. A method for a remote seller to process a payment for the sale
of goods, comprising the steps of: receiving a remote order for a
purchase of goods; generating a code and a purchase price for said
order; providing order data for use by a point-of-sale system of a
local seller in receiving a payment for said order; receiving
payment data confirming said payment has been paid at said
point-of-sale system of said local seller; initiating, responsive
to said payment data, the shipment of said goods; and receiving a
payment for said order from said local seller.
16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said local seller
comprises a third-party retailer having a contractual relationship
including said remote seller.
17. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of
providing order data includes providing at least one of said code
and said purchase price.
18. A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said step of
providing order data comprises providing said order data directly
to said local seller.
19. A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said step of
providing order data comprises providing said order data to a third
party for transmission to said local seller.
20. A method in accordance with claim 19 and further including the
step of selecting said third party based on the identity of said
point-of-sale system.
21. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of
providing order data comprises providing said order data responsive
to said step of receiving an order.
22. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of
providing order data comprises the steps of: receiving a request
for said order data for use by said point-of-sale system; and
providing said order data responsive to said step of receiving a
request for said order data.
23. A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein said step of
receiving a request for said order data includes receiving said
request from said point-of-sale system.
24. A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein said step of
receiving a request for said order data includes receiving said
request from said local point-of-sale system through a third
party.
25. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of
receiving a remote order for the purchase of goods includes
receiving said remote order by telephone.
26. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of
receiving a remote order for the purchase of goods includes
receiving said remote order through a computer data network.
27. A method of processing a payment for a sale of goods,
comprising the steps of: receiving, by a processor from a remote
seller, data relating to an order for goods; receiving, by said
processor from a local seller, data indicating a payment has been
received at a point-of-sale system for said order for goods; and
transmitting, from said processor to said remote seller, data
indicating that said payment has been received by said local seller
whereby to initiate the delivery of said goods by said remote
seller.
28. A method in accordance with claim 27 wherein said data relating
to an order for goods includes at least one of a code and a
purchase price, and further including the step of transmitting for
use, from said processor to said local seller, at least one of said
code and said purchase price.
29. A method in accordance with claim 27 wherein said local seller
comprises a third party having a contractual relationship with said
remote seller.
30. A method of submitting a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising the steps of: transmitting an order for the purchase of
goods to a remote merchant; receiving a code and a purchase price
for said order from said remote merchant; providing at least one of
said code and said purchase price for use by a point-of-sale system
of a local seller in processing said payment for said order;
submitting said payment to said local seller at said point-of-sale
system; and receiving said goods from said remote merchant.
31. A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein said step of
transmitting an order for the purchase of goods to said remote
merchant includes transmitting said order by telephone.
32. A method in accordance with claim 31 wherein said step of
transmitting an order for the purchase of goods to said remote
merchant includes transmitting said order through a computer data
network.
33. Apparatus for processing a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising: a point-of-sale system including a processor and a
memory connected to said processor; said memory storing
instructions for controlling said processor; and said processor
operative to receive a code relating to a purchase of goods;
process said code to determine if said code identifies local goods
or remote goods to be purchased from and controlled by a remote
seller; if said code identifies remote goods, then determine a
price for said remote goods, generate data to indicate receipt of a
payment for said remote goods, and transmit to said remote seller
data indicating that said payment has been received for said remote
goods.
34. Apparatus in accordance with claim 33 wherein said
point-of-sale system is further operative to transmit a request for
said price to a remote party.
35. Apparatus for processing a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising: a point-of-sale system including a processor and a
memory connected to said processor; said memory storing
instructions for controlling said processor; and said processor
operative to receive a code relating to a purchase of goods;
process said code to determine if said code identifies local goods
or remote goods to be purchased from and controlled by a remote
seller; if said code identifies remote goods, then determine a
price for said remote goods, receive an indication of payment of
said price for said remote goods, and transmit to said remote
seller data indicating that said payment has been received for said
remote goods.
36. Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said processor is
further operative to transmit a request for said price to a remote
party.
37. Apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said request is
transmitted directly to said remote seller.
38. Apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said request is
transmitted to a third-party who receives said price from said
remote seller.
39. Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said processor is
further operative to derive said price from said code.
40. Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein: said memory
further contains a plurality of product codes indicating locally
sold goods and a plurality of merchant codes indicating a plurality
of remote sellers; and said processor operative to compare said
code with at least one of said plurality of product codes and said
plurality of merchant codes, whereby to determine if said code
identifies local goods or a remote seller.
41. Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said code
comprises a barcode, and said point-of-sale system further
comprising a barcode scanner connected to said processor and
operative to scan said barcode.
42. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41 wherein said barcode
identifies a merchant, said processor further operative to generate
a request for an order code containing further information relevant
to said purchase.
43. Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said processor is
operative to transmit said data directly to said remote seller.
44. Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said processor is
operative to transmit said data to a third-party intermediary for
transmission to said remote seller.
45. Apparatus in accordance with claim 44 wherein said processor is
operative to select said third-party intermediary from a plurality
of third-party intermediaries.
46. Apparatus for use by a remote seller in processing a payment
for a sale of goods, comprising: a processor; a memory connected to
said processor and storing instructions for controlling said
processor; said processor operative to receive purchase data
relating to a remote order for a purchase of goods, generate a code
and a purchase price for said remote order, generate order data for
use by a point-of-sale system of a local seller in receiving a
payment for said order, receive payment data confirming said
payment has been paid at said point-of-sale system of said local
seller, generate delivery data to initiate, responsive to said
payment data, the shipment of said goods to said consumer, and
receive verification data indicating receipt of said purchase price
from said local seller.
47. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 wherein said local seller
comprises a third party having a contractual relationship including
said remote seller.
48. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 wherein said order data
includes at least one of said code and said purchase price.
49. Apparatus in accordance with claim 48 wherein said processor is
operative to initiate the transmission of said order data to said
local seller.
50. Apparatus in accordance with claim 48 wherein said processor is
operative to initiate the transmission of said order data to a
third party for transmission to said local seller.
51. Apparatus in accordance with claim 50 wherein: said memory
further contains information identifying a plurality of third
parties and a plurality of point-of-sale systems; said processor
further operative to select said third party based on an identity
of said point-of-sale system.
52. Apparatus in accordance with claim 48, wherein said processor
is operative to output said order data responsive to said operation
of receiving an order.
53. Apparatus in accordance with claim 48 wherein said processor is
operative to: receive a request for said order data; and provide
said order data responsive to said request.
54. Apparatus in accordance with claim 53 wherein said processor is
operative to receive said request from said point-of-sale
system.
55. Apparatus in accordance with claim 53 wherein said processor is
operative to receive said request from said local point-of-sale
system through a third party.
56. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 and further including
means connected to said processor for receiving said order data by
telephone.
57. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 and further including
means connected to said processor for receiving said order data
through a computer data network.
58. Apparatus for processing a payment for a sale of goods,
comprising: a processor; a memory connected to said processor and
storing instructions for controlling said processor; and said
processor operative to receive from a remote seller order data
relating to an order for goods, store in said memory said order
data, receive from a local seller payment data indicating a payment
has been received at a point-of-sale system for said sale of goods,
store in said memory said payment data, and transmit, to said
remote seller, verification data indicating that said payment has
been received by said local seller whereby to initiate the delivery
of said goods by said remote seller.
59. Apparatus in accordance with claim 58 wherein said order data
includes at least one of a code and a purchase price, and wherein
said payment data includes at least one of said code and said
purchase price.
60. Apparatus in accordance with claim 58 wherein said local seller
comprises a third party having a contractual relationship with said
remote seller.
61. Apparatus for processing a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising: means for inputting a code relating to a purchase of
goods into a point-of-sale system; means for processing said code
to determine if said code identifies local goods or remote goods to
be purchased from and controlled by a remote seller; and means, if
said code identifies remote goods, for determining a price for said
remote goods, generating data to indicate a payment has been
received for said remote goods, and transmitting to said remote
seller data indicating that said payment has been received for said
remote goods.
62. Apparatus for processing a payment for a purchase of goods,
comprising: means for receiving at a point-of-sale system a code
relating to a purchase of goods; means for inputting said code into
said point-of-sale system; means for processing said code in said
point-of-sale system to determine if said code identifies local
goods or remote goods to be purchased from and controlled by a
remote seller; and means, if said code identifies remote goods, for
determining a price for said remote goods, receiving a payment of
said price for said remote goods, and transmitting to said remote
seller data indicating that said payment has been received for said
remote goods.
63. Apparatus for processing a payment for the sale of goods,
comprising: means for receiving a remote order for a purchase of
goods; means for generating a code and a purchase price for said
order; means for providing order data for use by a point-of-sale
system of a local seller in receiving a payment for said order;
means for receiving payment data confirming said payment has been
paid at said point-of-sale system of a local seller; means for
initiating, responsive to said payment data, a shipment of said
goods; and means for receiving payment of said purchase price from
said local seller.
64. Apparatus for processing a payment for a sale of goods,
comprising: means for receiving, by a processor from a remote
seller, data relating to an order for goods; means for receiving,
by said processor from a local seller, data indicating a payment
has been received at a point-of-sale system for said order for
goods; and means for transmitting, from said processor to said
remote seller, data indicating that said payment has been received
by said local seller whereby to initiate a delivery of said goods
by said remote seller.
65. An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable
medium having computer-readable program code means stored thereon
for controlling a computer to process a payment for a purchase of
goods, said computer-readable program code means including program
code for inputting a purchase code relating to a purchase of goods
into a point-of-sale system; program code for processing said
purchase code to determine if said purchase code identifies local
goods or remote goods to be purchased from and controlled by a
remote seller; program code, if said purchase code identifies
remote goods, for determining a price for said remote goods,
receiving a payment for said remote goods, and transmitting for use
by said remote seller data indicating that said payment has been
received for said remote goods.
66. An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable
medium having computer-readable program code means stored thereon
for controlling a computer to process a payment for a purchase of
goods, said computer-readable program code means including program
code for receiving a remote order for a purchase of goods; program
code for generating a purchase code and a purchase price for said
remote order; program code for providing data for use by a
point-of-sale system of a local seller in receiving a payment for
said remote order; program code for receiving data confirming said
payment has been paid at said point-of-sale system of a local
seller; program code for initiating, responsive to said receiving
data, the shipment of said goods; and program code for receiving a
payment for said order from said local seller.
67. An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable
medium having computer-readable program code means stored thereon
for controlling a computer to process a payment for a purchase of
goods, said computer-readable program code means including program
code for receiving, by a processor from a remote seller, data
relating to an order for goods; program code for receiving, by said
processor from a local seller, data indicating a payment has been
received at a point-of-sale system for said order for goods; and
program code for transmitting, from said processor to said remote
seller, data indicating that said payment has been received by said
local seller whereby to initiate the delivery of said goods by said
remote seller.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
processing payments for goods, and more particularly to systems and
methods for the local processing of payments for remotely purchased
goods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] While direct, point-of-sale marketing represents the single
largest channel of retail sales, catalog sales have in recent years
experienced extraordinary growth. Recent reports indicate that 53
percent of all American adults purchased merchandise by catalog in
calendar year 1996, and that catalog sales will generate $76.8
billion dollars of revenue in 1997.
[0003] Point-of-sale marketing, typically represented by
conventional direct-to-customer sales in retail stores, provides
buyers with many well-established benefits. Such retail sales
permit customers to select goods in a hands-on manner. The customer
experiences the `instant gratification` associated with receiving
the purchased goods immediately upon completion of the sale.
Further, point-of-sale marketing provides customers with
substantial flexibility in payment options, such options including
cash, credit and debit cards, lay-away plans, and other options
known to those skilled in the art.
[0004] Drawbacks to conventional point-of-sale marketing include a
selection that is typically limited to available retail stock.
Further, point-of-sale marketing requires a customer to travel,
sometimes at inconvenient times or for inconvenient distances, to
examine and select products at the retail establishment.
[0005] In contrast, catalog marketing typically provides customers
with a broader range of selections while enabling a customer to
shop from the convenience of their home or office. The instant
gratification of store shopping is exchanged for slightly delayed
but convenient delivery to a location specified by the consumer.
One significant drawback of catalog shopping, however, is the lack
of flexibility provided in payment options.
[0006] The majority of catalog purchases are conducted by telephone
and paid for by credit card. Many consumers, however, do not feel
secure in providing their credit card number to a `stranger` over a
telephone. Other consumers may not wish to assume the revolving
debt often associated with credit card use, while still other
consumers may not even possess a credit card.
[0007] While catalog purchases can be and often are paid for by
check, this presents a somewhat distracting and unwieldy method of
payment for the consumer. In addition to physically writing the
check, the buyer must mail the check to the catalog order
processing department, and include either an order form (if
ordering through the mail) or an order number (if the order was
previously placed by telephone). The buyer thus assumes not only
the delay of product shipping, but the further delay associated
with the mailing, and perhaps clearing, of the check. Money orders
present similar difficulties to checks, with the additional
inconvenience of having to purchase the money order itself.
[0008] Cash payments are typically not an option for a catalog
purchase. It is known to be very unsafe to mail cash currency
through public mail systems, and many catalog order processors do
not even have the capability to handle cash.
[0009] Some methods of retail sales are known which attempt to
merge the benefits of both catalog and point-of-sale marketing.
British Airways has implemented a program whereby in-flight airline
passengers can order goods from a catalog, pay for the goods while
on the plane using credit cards or cash, and subsequently receive
the purchased goods at the designated delivery location. The
selection, however, is limited to the catalog(s) offered through
the program.
[0010] Many programs are known for door-to-door sales of catalog
goods, with payment being collected by the seller at the time of
sale or delivery (if the goods are hand-delivered). Amway, Fuller
Brush, Avon, and Mary Kay are examples of companies that employ
door-to-door catalog ordering and payment programs. These programs,
of course, suffer from the shared drawback of offering a very
limited catalog selection. Such programs may offer one or two
proprietary and topic-focused catalogs for the customer to select
from. This is in contrast to the thousands of direct marketing
catalogs generally available to buyers.
[0011] Some retailers have established cooperative combinations of
both retail store and catalog divisions. JCPenney, one of the
largest retail store and catalog marketers in the United States,
employs a system wherein customers can conveniently shop
interchangeably between JCPenney stores and the JCPenney catalog.
That is, consumers can make a catalog purchase while at a retail
store, and/or receive a catalog purchase through a retail store.
These types of systems, however, suffer from the same drawbacks
described above; that is the limited selection of catalogs from
which the customer may order at any given retail store. Further, to
the best of applicant's knowledge, catalog orders placed remotely
must be paid for remotely, and do not accrue the flexible payment
options available to those who travel to and shop within the
store.
[0012] Warehouse type retailers are known wherein customers travel
to a large retail store to browse both in-stock goods and store
catalogs. Goods selected for purchase can be identified by entry
into a computer order/inventory system, which checks inventory,
optionally accepts a credit card payment, and directs the customer
to a pick-up counter to receive the goods. Service Merchandise Co.
is one example of such a retailer. Such stores, while perhaps
providing a larger-than-normal selection of goods, still are
limited to providing those goods maintained in stock and/or
available through their individual store catalog.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,394 to Roach et al. (Roach) shows an
automated order and delivery system wherein a point-of-sale
computer system is enabled to cooperate with a warehouse computer
system to facilitate the shopping, product delivery and check-out
processes. In Roach, the point-of-sale system is used to develop
order and delivery information at the point-of-sale, and transmit
that information to the warehouse system. The warehouse system is
then operated to facilitate fast product delivery and/or shipping.
The purchase and delivery information is communicated to the
check-out register to facilitate checkout. While facilitating
in-store shopping, Roach does not enable a buyer to select from a
wider selection of goods than is typical in a retail store
environment.
[0014] Retail stores are known wherein customers are invited to
shop from catalogs, placing their orders for catalog goods through
catalogs made available at the retail location. To the best
knowledge of applicant, such stores operate by collecting customer
orders through local point-of-sale systems, collecting funds
directly from customers, and subsequently placing orders and making
payments to the catalog merchants. As will be appreciated, the
selection of catalogs from which a customer may select merchandise
will likely be very limited to those provided by the retailer.
Further, such a system requires that a customer travel to the store
to browse catalogs and select goods.
[0015] On-line systems are known wherein a shopper may connect, for
example over the Internet, to an on-line catalog retailer. The
customer may purchase goods, and submit payment through an
electronic interchange of information, or by telephone or mail.
Such systems suffer from the drawbacks of conventional catalog
ordering with respect to payment options. That is, a consumer must
either provide a credit card to a remote `stranger`, suffer the
inconvenience of writing and mailing a check, or deal with the
complex electronic payment systems described below.
[0016] Electronic payment systems are known for facilitating
payments for electronic transactions. First Virtual, for example,
permits buyers to establish credit card-based accounts, and to use
a personal identification number to submit payment for an
electronic transaction. The credit card payment is then handled in
an off-line manner by First Virtual. Such systems have the drawback
of being complicated to establish and use, as well as ultimately
requiring the use of a credit card. Further, such payment systems
are not universally accepted amongst merchants.
[0017] The use of automatic teller machines (ATMs) for paying bills
and for making limited purchases of goods such as tickets is known
in the art. Likewise, dedicated kiosks similar in function to ATMs
are known for facilitating the sale and/or delivery of goods such
as airline tickets. Giselle's Travel Bureau, for example, has
implemented a system where travel reservations are made by
telephone, and tickets can subsequently be claimed at a remote,
dedicated machine. Similarly, a company called Docunet has
established a practice wherein customers make travel bookings over
the phone or Internet, for airline tickets that are subsequently
picked up at ATMs.
[0018] The above-described ATM-systems and dedicated kiosks provide
the advantage of permitting some flexibility in location for
payment and for pick-up of goods. However, to the best knowledge of
applicants, they are very limited in their scope of use--that is
they are limited to a relatively small selection of goods/services.
They are also limited in their options for payment, typically
accepting only credit account information or codes indicating a
pre-payment has been made.
[0019] There thus exists a need in the art for a retail system and
process which provides consumers with the vast selection of goods
available through catalog marketers, combined with the flexibility
of payment options proffered by retail stores. Such a system and
process should desirably offer the convenience of home shopping
available through the use of catalogs, and the further convenience
of flexible payment options at favored retail stores.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved system and method for facilitating a payment for remotely
purchased goods at a local point-of-sale system.
[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and
method for enabling buyers to pay for a catalog purchase without
necessitating the use of a credit card or a mailed payment.
[0022] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method and system for processing a payment for
a purchase of goods by a local seller, the method including the
step of inputting a code relating to a purchase of goods into a
point-of-sale system. The code is processed to determine if it
identifies local goods or remote goods to be purchased from and
controlled by a remote seller. If the processing step identifies
remote goods, then a price is determined for the remote goods, data
is generated to indicate a payment has been received for the remote
goods, and data indicating that the payment has been received for
the remote goods is transmitted for use by a remote seller.
[0023] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
method and system for a remote seller to process a payment for a
sale of goods is provided, the method including the step of
receiving a remote order for a purchase of goods. A code and a
purchase price are generated for the order. Order data is provided
for use by a point-of-sale system of a local seller in receiving a
payment for the order. Payment data is received confirming the
payment has been paid by the consumer at the point-of-sale system
of the local seller, and, responsive to receiving the payment data,
the goods are shipped. Payment is subsequently received for the
order from the local seller.
[0024] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method and
system of processing a payment for a sale of goods by a processor
merchant is provided, the method including the step of receiving,
from a remote seller, data relating to an order for goods. Next
there is received, from a local seller, data indicating a payment
has been received at a point-of-sale system for the order for
goods. The processor then transmits to the remote seller data
indicating that the payment has been received by the local seller,
whereby to initiate the delivery of the goods by the remote
seller.
[0025] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a
method for a customer to submit a payment for a purchase of goods,
including the step of transmitting an order for the purchase of
goods to a remote merchant. The customer receives a code and a
purchase price for the order from the remote merchant, and provides
at least one of the code and the purchase price for use by a
point-of-sale system of a local seller in processing the payment
for the order. Payment is submitted to the local seller at the
point-of-sale system, and the goods are received from the remote
merchant.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0026] The operation of the invention, as well as objects,
features, and advantages thereof, are described in further detail
below with reference to the drawing Figures, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a payment processing system
connected in accordance with the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the local POS system of FIG.
1;
[0029] FIG. 2B is a table showing sample contents of the order
database from the POS system of FIG. 2;
[0030] FIG. 2C is a table showing sample contents of the inventory
database from the POS system of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the remote processor system of
FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3B is a table showing sample contents of the merchant
database from the remote processor system of FIG. 3A;
[0033] FIG. 3C is a table showing sample contents of the merchant
order database from the remote processor system of FIG. 3A;
[0034] FIG. 4A is a block diagram of the remote seller system of
FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 4B is a table showing sample contents of the order
database from the remote seller system of FIG. 4A;
[0036] FIG. 4C is a table showing sample contents of the retail
store database from the remote seller system of FIG. 4A;
[0037] FIG. 4D is a table showing sample contents of the item
database from the remote seller system of FIG. 4A;
[0038] FIG. 4E is a table showing sample contents of the customer
database from the remote seller system of FIG. 4A;
[0039] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a process by which a customer
makes a purchase of goods using the system of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing a process by which the remote
seller computer system transmits purchase data to the remote
processing computer system;
[0041] FIGS. 6A-C together comprise a flowchart showing a process
by which the local POS system communicates with the remote
processing computer system to process a payment for purchased
goods; and
[0042] FIGS. 7A-B together comprise a flowchart showing an
alternate processor merchant process to that shown and described
with respect to FIG. 6B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] System Structure
System Overview
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 1, a retail system 10 is shown
including a remote seller system 12 connected to a local
point-of-sale (POS) system 14 through a remote processor system 16.
These systems are suitably interconnected by data links 18, 20,
comprising for example telephone connections or electronic network
connections. A buyer system 22 is connected to remote seller system
12 by a suitable data link 24. In the present embodiment data link
24 comprises an Internet connection, for example a conventional
world-wide-web browser, established through a telephone line. A
plurality of point-of-sale (POS) terminals 26A, 26B, 26n are
connected to local POS system 14, for example through a
conventional computer data network.
[0045] As will be explained in further detail below, remote seller
system 12 comprises a remote retail transaction processing system,
in the present embodiment a computerized order processing system
operated by a remote seller herein described as a catalog marketer.
Local POS system 14 with POS terminals 26A-n comprises a
conventional, commercially available POS processing system. Remote
processor system 16 comprises a conventional computer system
connected and programmed to operate in accordance with the present
invention, while buyer system 22 comprises a conventional home
computer, again connected and programmed to implement the present
invention.
[0046] As will be further described below, retail system 10 enables
a customer operating buyer system 22 to make a remote purchase from
remote seller system 12, and to subsequently pay for that remote
purchase through a local retailer operating local POS system 14.
Remote processor system 16 functions to facilitate the transaction
by reconciling the payment made by the customer at local POS system
14 with the purchase made by the customer from remote seller system
12.
Local POS System
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2A, local POS system 14 comprises a
conventional POS processing system, for example of the type
commercially available from NCR as the 7052 POS workstation, or the
NCR System 3000 workstation with Regi$tore.RTM. software. Though
such systems are well known in the art, for purposes of explanation
the system is shown herein as including a central processing unit
28 connected to a data storage device 30. Data storage device 30 is
shown to store two databases, an order database 32 and an inventory
database 34, each described in further detail with respect to FIGS.
2B and 2C, respectively. Data storage device 30 further includes
software instructions for controlling the operation of local POS
system 14 in a manner described herein below.
[0048] Through conventionally known apparatus (not shown), local
POS system 14 is connected to operate with POS terminals 26A-n and
remote processor system 16.
[0049] In the present embodiment, local POS system 14 can comprise
the point-of-sale processing system of any local retail
establishment convenient to the customer. Alternatively, local POS
system 14 can comprise an automatic teller machine (ATM) convenient
to the customer. As used herein, the term "POS system" includes a
conventional point-of-sale processing system, an ATM machine, and
any other appropriate system for receiving and processing financial
payments from customers. Further as used herein, the term "local"
is used to describe a location operating a POS system and deemed
convenient by the customer operator of buyer system 22 to visit for
purposes of submitting a payment. In contrast, the term "remote" is
used to describe a seller separate from the local POS system, in
this embodiment the catalog merchant, and from which the customer
makes a purchase without a physical visit to a premises. As will be
appreciated, the invention has particular application where the
remote seller is geographically distant from the customer and the
customer's selected local POS system.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 2B, order database 32 is seen to
include a plurality of records 40, 42, 44, 46, each including four
fields indicated at 48, 50, 52, 54. Fields 48 and 52 comprise,
respectively, an order code and a price paid, or purchase price,
for that particular order. As will be further described below,
order code 48 and at least a portion of the corresponding price
paid 52 are assigned by remote seller system 12 at the time of a
sale to the buyer. A date paid field 54 is included to indicate the
date on which a payment 52 for a particular order code 48 has been
made. A catalog merchant code 50 is provided to identify a
particular catalog merchant, and is typically established in local
POS system 14 pursuant to a contractual agreement between the
remote seller and the local seller operating POS system 14.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 2C, inventory database 34 is seen to
include a plurality of records 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, each having
associated therewith three fields. A product/merchant code 66,
input into local POS system 14 typically by scanning a barcode at a
time of purchase/payment, identifies either a product code for a
locally sold product (see records 56, 60), or a merchant identifier
(see records 58, 62, and 64). A product/merchant name 68 results
from processing product merchant code 66 and identifies either the
name of a locally sold product (see records 56, 60), or a remote
merchant (see records 58, 62, and 64). A price field 70 indicates
either the price of the local goods (see records 56, 60), or an
appropriate code indicating that further information, typically
comprising an order code, must be requested from the customer to
complete the transaction--indicated here as "REQUEST ORDER CODE" in
records 58, 62, 64.
[0052] Thus with reference to FIG. 2C, one significant feature of
the present invention is seen to include in local POS system 14
appropriate data for processing scanned barcodes (or other
appropriately entered codes, such as typed in product SKU's) to
identify both locally sold goods and remote sellers (catalog
merchants in the illustrated embodiment). As will be seen from a
discussion of the operation set out below, this feature of the
invention confers the significant advantage of being able to
process both the sale of local goods and remote catalog sales at a
single POS register. Again as is further described below, the sale
of local goods is processed in a conventional manner, while
transactions identified as involving a remote seller are processed
in a manner appropriate to the relationship with the remote
seller.
Remote Processor System
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 3A, remote processor system 16 is seen
to include a central processing unit (CPU) 72 connected to a data
storage device 74. Data storage device 74 is shown to store two
databases, a merchant database 76 and a merchant order database 78,
each described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 3B and 3C,
respectively. Data storage device 74 further includes software
instructions for controlling the operation of remote processor
system 16 in a manner described herein below.
[0054] Through conventionally known apparatus (not shown), remote
processor system 16 is connected to operate with local POS system
14 and remote seller system 12.
[0055] Remote processor system 16 may comprise one of many
conventionally known processing systems, such as an IBM-compatible
personal computer running a Microsoft Windows.RTM. operating
system. Likewise, data storage device 74 is a conventional data
storage system, for example comprising an appropriate combination
of a magnetic or optical disk storage medium and semiconductor
memory including random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory
(ROM). Alternatively, the function of remote processor system 16
and/or storage device 74 may be distributed across multiple systems
in a conventional manner.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 3B, merchant database 76 is seen to
include four records 80, 82, 84, 86, each containing four fields: a
catalog merchant code 88 containing data of like nature to field 50
of FIG. 2B, a merchant name 90, a merchant address 92, and a
merchant phone number 94. The merchant name, address, and phone
number are identifying information for each particular
merchant.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 3C, merchant order database 78
contains four records 96, 98, 100, 102, each including six fields:
an order code 104 containing information of like nature with field
48 of FIG. 2B, a price field 106, a catalog merchant code 108
containing information of like nature to field 88 in FIG. 3A, a
retailer merchant code 110, a posting date 112, and a fulfillment
date 114. Price field 106 includes a price for a particular
purchase order identified by order code 104. Retailer merchant code
110 identifies the retailer from whom a payment is received for a
particular order, and is established between the retailer and the
operator of remote processor system 16. Posting date 112 and
fulfillment date 114 indicate the dates that particular order
information has been received from a catalog merchant, and that
data has been received from a retail merchant indicating receipt of
payment, respectively.
[0058] In the present embodiment of the invention, the processor
merchant operating remote processor system 16 is a credit card
clearing house, for example First Data Corporation. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that established
infrastructure exists for supporting data communications between
credit card clearing houses and the POS systems of retail
merchants.
[0059] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the processing
merchant can comprise the operator of a special purpose system
established to practice applicant's invention. In yet another
embodiment, remote processor system 16 (and its operator) may be
omitted entirely, with remote seller system 12 communicating
directly with local POS system 14.
Remote Seller System
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 4A, remote seller system 12 is shown
to be substantially identical in structure to remote processor
system 16 (FIG. 3A) described above. Briefly, remote seller system
12 is shown to include a central processing unit (CPU) 120
connected to a data storage device 122. Remote seller system 12 may
comprise the same or functionally similar hardware and software to
that described above with respect to remote processor system 16. In
contrast to the earlier described system, data storage device 122
of remote seller system 12 includes four databases: an order
database 124, a retail store database 126, an item database 128 and
a customer database 130. As will be described in further detail
below, these databases are established and operated to enable
remote seller system 12 to track the sale of goods to customers,
and the subsequent payment for those goods remitted through local
POS system 14. Data storage device 122 further includes the
software instructions for operating remote processing system 16 in
accordance with the process described herein below.
[0061] With reference now to FIG. 4B, order database 124 is seen to
include three records 132, 134, 136, each containing nine fields.
These fields are shown herein populated with data exemplary of that
employed by a catalog merchant. Examining these fields, an order
code field 140 is provided containing data of like nature to
similarly named fields 104 and 48, contained in order database 32
(FIG. 2B) and merchant order database 78 (FIG. 3C), respectively. A
field 142 is provided to store a customer name. An order price
field 144, date ordered code 146, and date paid code 148 contain
data of like nature to price field 106, posting date 112, and
fulfillment date 114 of merchant order database 78 (FIG. 3C). That
is, the order price indicates the total price of a customer order,
the date ordered indicates the date that the customer order was
submitted (which may be identical to the posting date in the
merchant order database), and the date paid date indicates the date
that funds are paid to the local POS system operator by the
customer (which is likely the same as the fulfillment date in the
merchant order database).
[0062] Continuing now with the contents of order database 124, an
items ordered field 150 includes a code or other descriptor of
purchased goods comprising an order. A local POS operator field 152
identifies a retail store establishment that received and remitted
a payment for an order. A delivery address field 154 contains an
address to which goods associated with a purchase are
delivered.
[0063] With reference now to FIG. 4C, retail store database 126 is
seen to include three records 160, 162, 164, each including four
fields: a retailer merchant code 166 of like nature with field 110
of merchant order database 78, and a retail store name 168, retail
store address 170, and retail store telephone number 172. Each
record of retail store database 126 thus identifies a specific
retail store.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 4D, item database 128 is indexed by an
item number field 174 of like nature to field 150 of order database
124 (FIG. 4B). Item database 128 contains four records 176, 178,
180, 182, each of which contains five additional fields to item
number field 174: a written descriptor field 184 describing a
particular good, and size 186, color 188, price 190, and quantity
in stock 192 fields containing additional information about each
particular good.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 4E, customer database 130 includes
three records 174, 176, 178 each containing information relating to
and identifying a particular customer. A customer identifier field
180 is provided, which may comprise a unique identification code
provided by the catalog merchant specific to each customer or to
each transaction. Associated with each customer identifier 180 are
name, address, and phone number fields 182, 184, and 186,
respectively, providing identifying information about the customer.
A credit card number field 188 includes a credit card number or
other payment information provided by a customer for payment
purposes. The present invention being directed to better serving
customers who choose not to pay the catalog merchant by credit card
(at least not directly), credit card number field 188 is blank for
such customers. See, for example, the customers identified in
records 176 and 178. The field does, however, contain appropriate
information for customers who do pay directly by credit card, such
as the customer Bill Smith identified in record 174.
[0066] Operation
Establishing Preliminary Relationships and Data
[0067] In practicing the present invention, preliminary
relationships are preferably established between the catalog
merchant who operates remote seller system 12, the processing
merchant who operates remote processor system 16, and the retail
merchant who operates local POS system 14. More specifically,
contractual relationships are established between the parties
whereunder the retail merchant agrees to accept and forward
customer payments to the catalog merchant in exchange for an agreed
upon payment or other remuneration. Other contractual relationships
are preferably established between the processing merchant and the
other two parties, whereunder the processing merchant is
compensated for processing the customer payment information in the
manner described below.
[0068] At this time preliminary identification and record-keeping
data is exchanged between the parties and entered into the
appropriate database records and fields. Information established
during this preliminary phase of operation may include: catalog
merchant codes, various names, addresses, and telephone numbers,
retailer merchant codes, and the like. Similarly, other operating
data will have been entered into the databases of the various
parties, including for example, customer information (where
available), and product and pricing information.
Catalog Order Processing
[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-b, a process is shown whereby a
catalog merchant operates remote seller system 12 to receive a
catalog order from a customer and process that order to facilitate
payment at local POS system 14. The process described herein
includes the function of remote processing system 16 as an
intermediary between the remote seller and the local retailer.
While this embodiment is the preferred embodiment, it will be
understood that the function of remote processing system 16 is
optional: the system may be omitted in its entirety and replaced by
direct communications between remote seller system 12 and local POS
system 14.
[0070] Referring first to FIG. 5A, the ordering process is
initiated through the provision of catalog information by the
catalog merchant to the customer (step 200). This step may be
implemented through, for example, the provision of a paper catalog,
or through the provision of on-line electronic catalog data, for
example using the Internet. As used herein, the term "goods"
includes all appropriate manner of products and services amenable
to sale by the processes described herein.
[0071] In the first interaction with the customer, the customer
contacts the catalog merchant and provides identifying information
(step 202). Customer contact may include an electronic
communication through, for example, the Internet, a telephone call
to a live operator, or a telephone call to an interactive voice
response unit (IVRU) operated by remote seller system 12. In the
present embodiment, the customer contact with the catalog merchant
will be described as through the operation of buyer system 22 over
the Internet. During this contact, the customer supplies
identifying information, including for example name, address and
telephone number. Preliminary analysis may indicate the customer is
already registered or established with the catalog merchant. If
not, the customer data is entered into appropriate fields in
customer database 130 (FIG. 4E), and an appropriate customer
identifier assigned (step 204).
[0072] Once communications are established between the catalog
merchant and the customer, the customer order is taken by the
merchant (step 206). In the present embodiment, this is
accomplished through the receipt of a conventional electronic order
form. Many other conventional systems are known for order taking,
including telephone and paper systems. In response to the receipt
of the order, the catalog merchant generates a purchase number
(also known as an order or confirmation number) and a purchase
price and transmits both to the customer (step 208).
[0073] The customer is queried to determine if he would like to pay
for the order at a local retail store (step 210). This query may be
in the form of a question on the electronic order form. If the
answer is no, a payment is collected in a conventional manner (step
212), for example by electronic or telephonic receipt of a credit
card number with payment authorization.
[0074] If the customer indicates a preference to pay for the
purchase at a local retail store, a list of available stores is
provided for his selection (step 214). These stores are selected
from amongst those with which relationships have been established,
as described above, and again may be provided on the electronic
order form. The list of available stores is preferably tailored to
the geographic convenience of the customer, which may be determined
automatically through the electronic ordering process in a well
known manner.
[0075] Continuing with reference to FIG. 5B, the customer selection
of a local retail store is transmitted to the catalog merchant's
remote seller system by the customer's buyer system (step 216), and
an order record is entered into order database 124 (FIG. 4B) of the
catalog merchant system (step 218). Customer information is copied
from or connected by computer-based data links to customer database
130, and the remaining order information is entered into the order
database 124 (FIG. 4B).
[0076] To facilitate the customer payment to be made at a local
retail store, the catalog merchant selects an appropriate
processing merchant (step 220), and transmits the order record
information to the remote processing system of same (step 222).
This order data is used to populate the appropriate fields of
merchant order database 78 (FIG. 3C) (step 224) for subsequent use
by the processor merchant. The customer may select to print the
Internet page (s) identifying and describing the remote seller and
the purchased goods for subsequent use at the local store,
particularly if these pages include barcodes that can desirably be
used in the process below. At this point, the order process is
complete.
[0077] It will be understood that there will likely be multiple
processor merchants servicing different remote sellers and
different local retail stores. Processor merchants may be
established, for example, based on geography, or based on
established contractual relationships with remote sellers and/or
local retail stores. Where multiple processor merchants exist, the
remote seller will select the appropriate one for transacting with
in accordance with the local store selected by the customer for
remittance of payment. Alternatively, the remote seller may provide
the customer with a list of all local sellers from which the
customer may select at the time of payment. Such a list will
include local sellers pre-established with the catalog seller and
processor merchant to receive such payments.
Local Retail Store Payment Process
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 6A, a process is shown whereby the
customer travels to the selected local retail store to submit the
payment for the order through the local POS system 14 (step
226).
[0079] Upon arrival at the store, the customer may choose to visit
a register to pay the catalog charge, or to first shop for locally
provided goods: i.e. those goods available at the store. At an
appropriate time, the customer approaches a register of the local
POS system and submits any locally selected goods along with order
information on the catalog purchase, to initiate payment (step
227). In the described embodiment, the customer submits either the
catalog itself or the printed Internet page(s) to initiate the
payment process. The barcode, typically printed on or within the
catalog or on the Internet page(s), is scanned into the register
just as the barcodes on associated local goods are scanned (step
228), each catalog barcode thus providing a corresponding merchant
code. In alternate embodiments, the customer may submit a code
provided by the catalog merchant, or even just the name of the
catalog merchant so that the register operator can select and enter
an appropriate code.
[0080] Upon entry of the catalog merchant barcode into the local
POS system, the barcode is used with product/field code 66 of
inventory database 34 to determine the appropriate record to be
processed. After a record is identified, the corresponding price
field 70 is examined to determine if the barcode is representative
of local goods or a remote seller (steps 232, 234). If the price
field indicates a price, i.e. a local good as is the case with
records 56 and 60, the price is added to the purchase in a
conventional manner (step 236). If the price field returns a
"request order code" or similar instruction, then the register
operator is informed that the transaction involves a remote seller
and further catalog order information is requested.
[0081] In the described embodiment, the register operator is
prompted to request an order code from the customer (step 238). As
described above, this order code has been provided to the customer
from the catalog merchant, and is communicated to the register
operator verbally or in paper format (i.e. written or printed
barcode format). The order code is entered by the operator into the
local POS system (step 240) and both the catalog merchant code and
the order code are transmitted to the remote processor system of
the processor merchant. In an alternative embodiment, the order
price can be encoded into the order code provided by the remote
seller, and decoded at the local point-of-sale system by the
point-of-sale processor. Such methods for encoding and decoding
information are well known in the art.
Processor Merchant Clearing Process
[0082] With reference now to FIG. 6B, the remote processor system
of the processor merchant receives the catalog merchant code and
the order code (step 250) transmitted by the local POS system.
Merchant order database 78 (FIG. 3C) is interrogated to determine
if the received catalog merchant code and the order code match the
contents of any single record, that is if the received codes match
the contents of retailer merchant code 110 and order code 104 for
any of records 96-102 (steps 254, 256).
[0083] If the remote processing system has no record of the
transaction, a "no records match" or similar message is transmitted
back to the local POS system (step 256) for communication to the
customer (step 258).
[0084] If a record is found that matches the received data, then
the remote processing system transmits the price from field 106 of
the appropriate record of merchant order database 78 back to the
local POS system (step 260). A new record with the order
information, i.e. order code, catalog merchant code, price paid,
and date paid, is entered into order database 32 (step 262). The
price is then displayed to the customer for payment (step 264).
Alternate Processor Merchant Clearing Process
[0085] With reference now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is disclosed an
alternate embodiment of the processor merchant clearing process
described above. More specifically, in this embodiment, the remote
seller system does not provide the remote sales record to the
remote processor system until after it has been requested by the
remote processor system.
[0086] Examining now FIG. 7A, the remote processor system receives
the merchant code and order code from the local POS system (step
300). In contrast to the method described above, in this embodiment
the remote processor system does not maintain any records
identifying potential transactions. Instead, upon receipt of the
information from the local POS system, the remote processor system
identifies a remote seller based on the received merchant code, and
transmits the order code to that seller's remote seller system
(step 302). The remote seller system receives the order code (step
304) and interrogates order database 124 (FIG. 4B) to determine if
a record exists including the received order code and a
corresponding order price (step 306).
[0087] If no order record is identified including the received
order code, then the remote seller system transmits an "invalid
order code" or similar message to the remote processor system (step
308), who in turn transmits a similar message to the local seller
system (step 310). The local seller may then, for example, request
from the customer another order number, or void the
transaction.
[0088] If an order record is identified including the received
order code, then the order price is retrieved from field 144 of
order database 124 and transmitted to the remote processor system
(step 312). The remote processor system transmits the order charge
to the local seller POS system (step 314), where it is in turn used
to bill the customer (steps 316, 318).
[0089] With reference now to FIG. 7B, upon receipt of payment from
the buyer, the local POS system generates and transmits a payment
verification message to the remote processor system (step 320), who
in turn receives the message and creates and stores a new record in
merchant order database 78 (FIG. 3C) (step 322).
[0090] The remote processor system transmits a payment verification
message to the remote seller system (step 324), who then populates
the date paid field 148 of order database 124 (FIG. 4B) with the
receipt date of the payment verification (step 326). The remote
seller system then initiates delivery of the goods to the
buyer.
Processing the Customer Payment
[0091] With reference now to FIG. 6C, the customer submits a
payment to the register operator of the local POS system (step
270). In accordance with a feature and advantage of the present
invention, the options for such payment are as flexible as those
typically available at a local retail merchant. That is, the
customer may submit cash, a check, a credit card or other payment
account indicator, a payment towards a layaway account, or any
payment type acceptable to the local store.
[0092] Upon receipt of the payment, the register is appropriately
operated and the local POS system is programmed to automatically
transmit verification of the payment to the remote processing
system of the processor merchant (step 272). The remote processor
system enters the date of receipt of the verification into the
fulfillment date field 114 of merchant order database 78 (step
274), whereby to indicate receipt of the payment verification. The
remote processor system then transmits a verification of payment to
the catalog merchant's remote seller system (step 276), initiating
fulfillment of the order by the catalog merchant. In the present
embodiment, the remote seller system updates date paid field 148 of
order database 124 (step 278), automatically initiating a
fulfillment process culminating in shipping of the goods to the
customer (step 280). Many acceptable automated fulfillment
processes and systems are known in the art.
Reconciling Accounts
[0093] Periodically, for example at the end of a monthly billing
cycle, the processor merchant, the local retail merchants, and the
catalog merchants reconcile their various accounts and transactions
and settle financial payment obligations in accordance with the
prearranged contracts described above. Moneys owed by the retail
merchant to the catalog merchant may be paid according to any
agreed schedule and in any appropriate manner, including direct
payments such as a check or electronic funds transfer, and indirect
payments through an appropriate third party, such as a credit card
processor or the processor merchant. As used herein, statements
that payments are received by a remote seller from the local POS
system operator are intended to include all appropriate payment
methods, including direct and indirect payment methods.
SUMMARY
[0094] There has thus been described a new and improved system and
method which enables customers to pay for remote purchases from
third parties at local establishments. The invention provides the
flexibility of payment options available at a local store with the
convenience and vast selection of catalog or remote purchasing.
While the invention has been described with respect to paying for
catalog orders at local retail stores, it will be obvious that it
has much broader application, being useful wherever it is
convenient or desirable for a customer to make a local payment for
a remote purchase.
[0095] While the present invention has been described with respect
to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize
that it has broad application, and is not thus limited.
* * * * *