U.S. patent application number 11/830336 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for mobile communication systems and methods for redeeming and reporting coupons.
This patent application is currently assigned to First Data Corporation. Invention is credited to Steven E. Arthur, Douglas Byerley, John Cawthorne, Sunil Dewan, Daniel Skowronek, Christopher L. Toomer.
Application Number | 20090036103 11/830336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40304760 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090036103 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Byerley; Douglas ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDEEMING AND
REPORTING COUPONS
Abstract
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for
utilizing mobile electronic devices to redeem and report use of
various marketing offers such as coupons. According to one
embodiment, redeeming and reporting a marketing offer can comprise
transmitting information related to the marketing offer from a
mobile wallet of the mobile device to a target device. A redemption
message can be received at the mobile wallet of the mobile device
from the target device. The redemption message can indicate
acceptance of the marketing offer. At least a portion of the
redemption message can be sent from the mobile wallet of the mobile
device to a service provider system providing communication
services to the mobile device. Sending the redemption message from
the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the service provider
system can be performed via a wireless communications network such
as a cellular network.
Inventors: |
Byerley; Douglas; (Overland
Park, KS) ; Cawthorne; John; (Doylestown, PA)
; Dewan; Sunil; (Omaha, NE) ; Skowronek;
Daniel; (Parker, CO) ; Arthur; Steven E.;
(Castle Rock, CO) ; Toomer; Christopher L.;
(Parker, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER, EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
First Data Corporation
Greenwood Village
CO
|
Family ID: |
40304760 |
Appl. No.: |
11/830336 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/3223 20130101;
G06Q 20/32 20130101; G06Q 30/0207 20130101; G07F 17/42 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 30/0241 20130101;
G06Q 20/387 20130101; G06Q 30/0239 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/414.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20060101
H04M003/42 |
Claims
1. A method of redeeming and reporting a marketing offer from a
mobile wallet application of a mobile device, the method
comprising: transmitting information related to the marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to a target device;
receiving at the mobile wallet of the mobile device a redemption
message from the target device, the redemption message indicating
acceptance of the marketing offer; and sending at least a portion
of the redemption message from the mobile wallet of the mobile
device to a service provider system, the service provider system
providing communication services to the mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to transmitting
the information related to the marketing offer from the mobile
wallet of the mobile device to the target device, receiving a
selection of the marketing offer from a plurality of marketing
offers in the mobile wallet of the mobile device, wherein
transmitting the information related to the marketing offer from
the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the target device
comprises transmitting information related to the selected
marketing offer.
3. The method of claim 1, transmitting the information related to
the marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to
the target device is performed via a Near-Field Communication
between the mobile device and the target device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the redemption message
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the service provider
system is performed via a wireless communications network.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the wireless communications
network comprises a cellular network.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the
mobile wallet of the mobile device a delete message from the
service provider system and related to the marketing offer.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, in response to
receiving the delete message, deleting the marketing offer from the
mobile wallet of the mobile device.
8. A method of redeeming a marketing offer, the method comprising:
receiving at a target device information related to a marketing
offer from a mobile wallet application of a mobile device;
receiving at the target device an indication of acceptance of the
marketing offer; and in response to receiving at the target device
the indication of acceptance of the marketing offer, transmitting a
redemption message from the target device to the mobile device.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, prior to receiving at
the target device the indication of acceptance of the marketing
offer, presenting via the target device at least a portion of the
information related to the marketing offer.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving at the target device
the information related to the marketing offer from the mobile
wallet of the mobile device is performed via a Near-Field
Communication between the target device and the mobile device.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the redemption
message from the target device to the mobile device is performed
via a Near-Field Communication between the target device and the
mobile device.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the target device comprises a
point-of-sale device.
13. A method of managing one or more marketing offers, the method
comprising: receiving at a service provider system a redemption
message related to a selected marketing offer of the one or more
marketing offers from a mobile wallet of a mobile device;
generating by the service provider system a delete message related
to redemption of the selected marketing offer; and sending the
delete message from the service provider system to the mobile
wallet of the mobile device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving at the service
provider system the redemption message related to the selected
marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device
comprises receiving the redemption message via a wireless
communications network.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the wireless communications
network comprises a cellular network.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: maintaining a set
of information related to the one or more marketing offers, the
information including a status of each of the one or more marketing
offers; and updating the set of information related to the one or
more marketing offers to indicate redemption of the selected
marketing offer in response to receiving the redemption
message.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein maintaining the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers and
updating the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers is performed by the service provider system.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein maintaining the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers and
updating the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers is performed by a system originating the selected
marketing offer.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing the
redemption message from the service provider system to the system
originating the selected marketing offer.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving at the
service provider system an instruction to delete the selected
marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from
the system originating the selected marketing offer.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the delete message
and sending the delete message from the service provider system to
the mobile wallet of the mobile device are performed in response to
receiving the instruction to delete the selected marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the system
originating the selected marketing offer.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein maintaining the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers and
updating the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers is performed by an acquirer system.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing the
redemption message from the service provider system to the acquirer
system.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving at the
service provider system an instruction to delete the selected
marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from
the acquirer system.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein generating the delete message
and sending the delete message from the service provider system to
the mobile wallet of the mobile device are performed in response to
receiving the instruction to delete the selected marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer
system.
26. The method of claim 13, wherein sending the delete message to
the mobile wallet of the mobile device comprises sending the delete
message via a wireless communications network.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the wireless communications
network comprises a cellular network.
28. A system comprising: a wireless communications network; a
service provider system communicatively coupled with the wireless
communications network; a target device including a Near-Field
Communications module; a mobile device communicatively coupled with
the wireless communications network and including a Near-Field
Communications module, the mobile device adapted to execute a
mobile wallet application, the mobile wallet application
maintaining at least one marketing offer, wherein the mobile wallet
application is further adapted to transmit information related to
the marketing offer to the target device via the Near-Field
Communications module of the mobile device, receive a redemption
message from the target device via the Near-Field Communications
module of the mobile device, the redemption message indicating
acceptance of the marketing offer, and send at least a portion of
the redemption message to the service provider system via the
wireless communications network.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the mobile wallet application
of the mobile device, prior to transmitting the information related
to the marketing offer to the target device, is adapted to receive
a selection of the marketing offer from a plurality of marketing
offers and transmit the information related to the selected
marketing offer to the target device.
30. The system of claim 28, wherein the target device is adapted to
receive the information related to the marketing offer from the
mobile wallet application of the mobile device via the Near-Field
Communications module of the target device, receive an indication
of acceptance of the marketing offer, and in response to receiving
the indication of acceptance of the marketing offer, transmit the
redemption message to the mobile device via the Near-Field
Communications module of the target device.
31. The system of claim 30, wherein the target device is further
adapted to, prior to receiving the indication of acceptance of the
marketing offer, present at least a portion of the information
related to the marketing offer.
32. The system of claim 29, wherein the service provider system is
adapted to receive the redemption message related to the selected
marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device via the
wireless communications network, generate a delete message related
to redemption of the selected marketing offer, and send the delete
message to the mobile wallet of the mobile device via the wireless
communications network.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the service provider system is
further adapted to maintain a set of information related to one or
more marketing offers, the information including a status of each
of the one or more marketing offers, and update the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers to indicate
redemption of the selected marketing offer in response to receiving
the redemption message.
34. The system of claim 32, further comprising an originator system
communicatively coupled with the service provider system and
adapted to maintain a set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers, the information including a status of each of the
one or more marketing offers.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the service provider system is
further adapted to provide the redemption message to the
originating system.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the originator system is
further adapted to update the set of information related to the one
or more marketing offers to indicate redemption of the selected
marketing offer based on the redemption message from the service
provider system.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the service provider system is
adapted to receive an instruction to delete the marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the originator
system.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein the service provider system
generates the delete message and sends the delete message to the
mobile wallet of the mobile device in response to receiving the
instruction to delete the selected marketing offer from the mobile
wallet of the mobile device from the originator system.
39. The system of claim 32, further comprising an acquirer system
communicatively coupled with the service provider system and
adapted to maintain a set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers, the information including a status of each of the
one or more marketing offers.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein the service provider system is
further adapted to provide the redemption message to the acquirer
system.
41. The system of claim 40, wherein the acquirer system is further
adapted to update the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers to indicate redemption of the selected marketing
offer based on the redemption message from the service provider
system.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the service provider system is
adapted to receive an instruction to delete the marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer
system.
43. The system of claim 42, wherein the service provider system
generates the delete message and sends the delete message to the
mobile wallet of the mobile device in response to receiving the
instruction to delete the selected marketing offer from the mobile
wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer system.
44. The system of claim 28, wherein the wireless communications
network comprises a cellular network.
45. The system of claim 28, wherein the target device comprises a
point-of-sale device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
mobile commerce. More specifically, embodiments of the present
invention relate to methods and systems for redeeming and reporting
use of marketing offers such as coupons via mobile electronic
devices.
[0002] Today, merchants and service providers accept many forms of
payment. Many merchants will accept cash, credit cards, debit
cards, stored-value cards, checks, and promotional items such as
coupons. Additionally, various forms of wireless or contactless
devices have been introduced for use in various types of
transactions. For example, contactless transaction initiation is
often performed with a "smart" card or other device such as a key
fob or a mobile device such as a cell phone or Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA) containing a memory and a processor. Such a card or
device typically also includes Radio-Frequency IDentification
("RFID") or Near-Field Communications (NFC) components for
contactless communication with a Point-Of-Sale (POS) device. The
information stored in the memory of the device and communicated via
the RFID or NFC components to the POS device is generally similar
or identical to the information recorded on the magnetic stripe of
a card, i.e., account number etc. Thus, in some cases, such devices
may be utilized instead of more conventional cards.
[0003] Various types of marketing offers, such as coupons, discount
offers, etc. can be stored on the contactless device and can also
be used in the transaction. For example, a marketing offer such as
a coupon can be stored on a mobile device such as a cell phone or
PDA for use in a contactless transaction. When the coupon is
redeemed, information related to the coupon can be displayed on the
device and presented to the merchant at a POS. For example, the
mobile device can display a bar code representing the coupon that
can be scanned at the POS. The merchant is then responsible for
communicating information about the redemption of the coupon to an
entity tracking the coupon. For example, the merchant sends a
message to the provider of the coupon, a provider of wireless
services for the consumer's device, or another entity to record
redemption of the coupon.
[0004] However, this approach presents some possible problems. For
example, the merchant may not report use of a coupon. In such a
case, the consumer can re-use the same coupon even if not entitled
to do so. In other cases, even if the merchant reports use of the
coupon, it may not be in a timely enough manner to prevent re-use
of the coupon by the consumer. Hence, there is a need in the art
for improved methods and systems for redeeming and reporting use of
marketing offers such as coupons via mobile electronic devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed
for utilizing mobile electronic devices to redeem and report use of
various marketing offers such as coupons. According to one
embodiment, a method for redeeming and reporting a marketing offer
from a mobile wallet application of a mobile device can comprise
transmitting information related to the marketing offer from the
mobile wallet of the mobile device to a target device. For example,
transmitting the information related to the marketing offer from
the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the target device can be
performed via a Near-Field Communication between the mobile device
and the target device. In some cases, prior to transmitting the
information related to the marketing offer from the mobile wallet
of the mobile device to the target device, a selection of the
marketing offer from a plurality of marketing offers in the mobile
wallet of the mobile device can be received. In such a case,
transmitting the information related to the marketing offer from
the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the target device can
comprise transmitting information related to the selected marketing
offer.
[0006] A redemption message can be received at the mobile wallet of
the mobile device from the target device. The redemption message
can indicate acceptance of the marketing offer. At least a portion
of the redemption message can be sent from the mobile wallet of the
mobile device to a service provider system providing communication
services to the mobile device. Sending the redemption message from
the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the service provider
system can be performed via a wireless communications network such
as a cellular network. In reply, a delete message from the service
provider system and related to the marketing offer can be received
at the mobile wallet of the mobile device. In response to receiving
the delete message, the marketing offer can be deleted from the
mobile wallet of the mobile device.
[0007] According to another embodiment, a method of redeeming a
marketing offer can comprise receiving at a target device
information related to a marketing offer from a mobile wallet
application of a mobile device. For example, receiving at the
target device the information related to the marketing offer from
the mobile wallet of the mobile device can be performed via a
Near-Field Communication between the target device and the mobile
device. An indication of acceptance of the marketing offer can be
received at the target device. In some cases, prior to receiving at
the target device the indication of acceptance of the marketing
offer, at least a portion of the information related to the
marketing offer can be presented via the target device. In response
to receiving at the target device the indication of acceptance of
the marketing offer, a redemption message can be transmitted from
the target device to the mobile device. Transmitting the redemption
message from the target device to the mobile device may also be
performed via a Near-Field Communication between the target device
and the mobile device.
[0008] According to yet another embodiment, a method of managing
one or more marketing offers can comprise receiving at a service
provider system a redemption message related to a selected
marketing offer of one or more marketing offers from a mobile
wallet of a mobile device. For example, receiving at the service
provider system the redemption message related to the selected
marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device can
comprise receiving the redemption message via a wireless
communications network such as a cellular network. A delete message
can be generated by the service provider system related to
redemption of the selected marketing offer. The delete message can
be sent from the service provider system to the mobile wallet of
the mobile device. Sending the delete message to the mobile wallet
of the mobile device can comprise sending the delete message via a
wireless communications network such as a cellular network.
[0009] In some cases, a set of information related to the one or
more marketing offers can be maintained. The information can
include a status of each of the one or more marketing offers. The
set of information related to the one or more marketing offers can
be updated to indicate redemption of the selected marketing offer
in response to receiving the redemption message. For example,
maintaining the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers and updating the set of information related to the
one or more marketing offers can be performed by the service
provider system.
[0010] In another example, maintaining the set of information
related to the one or more marketing offers and updating the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers can be
performed by a system originating the selected marketing offer. In
such a case, the redemption message can be provided to the system
originating the selected marketing offer from the service provider
system. The service provider system can then receive an instruction
to delete the selected marketing offer from the mobile wallet of
the mobile device from the system originating the selected
marketing offer. In such cases, generating the delete message and
sending the delete message from the service provider system to the
mobile wallet of the mobile device can be performed in response to
receiving the instruction to delete the selected marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the system
originating the selected marketing offer.
[0011] In yet another example, maintaining the set of information
related to the one or more marketing offers and updating the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers can be
performed by an acquirer system. In such a case, the redemption
message can be provided by the service provider system to the
acquirer system. The service provider system can then receive an
instruction to delete the selected marketing offer from the mobile
wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer system. In such
cases, generating the delete message and sending the delete message
from the service provider system to the mobile wallet of the mobile
device can be performed in response to receiving the instruction to
delete the selected marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the
mobile device from the acquirer system.
[0012] According to still another embodiment, a system can comprise
a wireless communications network, such as a cellular network, and
a service provider system communicatively coupled with the wireless
communications network. The system can also include a target device
including a Near-Field Communications module and a mobile device
communicatively coupled with the wireless communications network
and including a Near-Field Communications module. The mobile device
can be adapted to execute a mobile wallet application. The mobile
wallet application can maintain at least one marketing offer and
can be further adapted to transmit information related to the
marketing offer to the target device via the Near-Field
Communications module of the mobile device. In some cases, the
mobile wallet application of the mobile device, prior to
transmitting the information related to the marketing offer to the
target device, can be adapted to receive a selection of the
marketing offer from a plurality of marketing offers and transmit
the information related to the selected marketing offer to the
target device.
[0013] The target device can be adapted to receive the information
related to the marketing offer from the mobile wallet application
of the mobile device via the Near-Field Communications module of
the target device. The target device can also receive an indication
of acceptance of the marketing offer. In some cases, for example,
the target device can be further adapted to, prior to receiving the
indication of acceptance of the marketing offer, present at least a
portion of the information related to the marketing offer. In
response to receiving the indication of acceptance of the marketing
offer, the target device can transmit the redemption message to the
mobile device via the Near-Field Communications module of the
target device.
[0014] The mobile device can receive the redemption message from
the target device via the Near-Field Communications module of the
mobile device. The redemption message can indicate acceptance of
the marketing offer. The mobile device can send at least a portion
of the redemption message to the service provider system via the
wireless communications network.
[0015] The service provider system can be adapted to receive the
redemption message related to the selected marketing offer from the
mobile wallet of the mobile device via the wireless communications
network, generate a delete message related to redemption of the
selected marketing offer, and send the delete message to the mobile
wallet of the mobile device via the wireless communications
network. In some cases, the service provider system can be further
adapted to maintain a set of information related to one or more
marketing offers. The information can include a status of each of
the one or more marketing offers. In such cases, the service
provider system can update the set of information related to the
one or more marketing offers to indicate redemption of the selected
marketing offer in response to receiving the redemption
message.
[0016] In another example, the system can include an originator
system communicatively coupled with the service provider system and
adapted to maintain a set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers. The information can include a status of each of
the one or more marketing offers. In such a case, the service
provider system can be further adapted to provide the redemption
message to the originating system. The originator system can be
further adapted to update the set of information related to the one
or more marketing offers to indicate redemption of the selected
marketing offer based on the redemption message from the service
provider system. The service provider system can also be adapted to
receive an instruction to delete the marketing offer from the
mobile wallet of the mobile device from the originator system. In
such cases, the service provider system can generate the delete
message and send the delete message to the mobile wallet of the
mobile device in response to receiving the instruction to delete
the selected marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile
device from the originator system.
[0017] In yet another example, the system can include an acquirer
system communicatively coupled with the service provider system and
adapted to maintain a set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers, the information including a status of each of the
one or more marketing offers. In such a case, the service provider
system can be further adapted to provide the redemption message to
the acquirer system. The acquirer system can update the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers to indicate
redemption of the selected marketing offer based on the redemption
message from the service provider system. The service provider
system can be adapted to receive an instruction to delete the
marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from
the acquirer system. In such a case, the service provider system
can generate the delete message and send the delete message to the
mobile wallet of the mobile device in response to receiving the
instruction to delete the selected marketing offer from the mobile
wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer
system upon which embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented.
[0020] FIG. 3 is block diagram illustrating, at a high level, a
system for processing transactions utilizing a mobile electronic
device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating additional details
of the system of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating additional details
of the system of FIG. 3 according to an alternative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating additional details
of the system of FIG. 3 according to yet another alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for redeeming
and reporting use of a marketing offer such as may be performed by
a mobile wallet application according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for redeeming a
marketing offer such as may be performed by a target device
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for managing
one or more marketing offers such as may be performed by a service
provider system according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] In the following description, for the purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in
block diagram form.
[0028] Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for
processing various financial transactions initiated by or otherwise
involving use of a contactless or mobile device as well as other
information related to one or more financial accounts. In some such
embodiments, the processes are executed by an entity on behalf of
one or more client organizations. The description below sometimes
provides illustrations that use an example where a client
organization is a financial institution, but there is no such
requirement for the invention and the methods are intended also to
be applicable to other types of organizations that make use of
large collections of data. For example, embodiments of the
invention may also be used for managing health-care documents or
information.
[0029] The description herein sometimes refers to "clients" and to
"customers." Reference to "clients" is intended to refer to
persons, i.e. individuals, entities, or their agents, on whose
behalf a set of information is managed. Reference to "customers" or
"consumer" is intended to refer to persons, i.e. individuals,
entities, or their agents, who are the subject of or related to
that information. Thus, merely for purposes of illustration, in the
case where the information comprises credit-card account records
for a credit card issued to Mr. Jones by Bank A, Bank A corresponds
to a client and Mr. Jones corresponds to a customer or
consumer.
[0030] In describing embodiments of the invention, reference is
sometimes made to other terms having specific intended meanings.
For example, as used herein, the term "carrier" refers to a
provider of a network and/or service for use by a mobile device.
For example, a carrier can include, but is not limited to, a
provider of a cellular or other wireless communications service for
use by a mobile device. The terms "carrier" and "service provider"
are used interchangeably herein and are intended to be
synonymous.
[0031] The term "mobile device" is used herein to refer to any
small, likely handheld, electronic device that can be used to
initiate or otherwise participate in a financial transaction. For
example, a mobile device can include, but is not limited to a
cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart
card or other contactless device, etc. Exemplary devices that may
be adapted for use as mobile devices in various embodiments of the
present invention are described in co-pending and commonly assigned
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/672,417 entitled "Contactless
Electronic Wallet Payment Device" filed on Feb. 7, 2007; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/551,063 entitled "Presentation
Instrument with Non-Financial Functionality" filed on Oct. 19,
2006; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/833,022
entitled "Mobile Payment Device with Magnetic Stripe" filed on Jul.
24, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety for all purposes.
[0032] A "mobile wallet" refers to a software application that can
reside on and/or be executed by a mobile device. According to one
embodiment, the mobile wallet can be adapted to store payment
vehicle information. In some cases, the mobile wallet can allow
storage of multiple payment vehicles and can provide a user
interface that can be used to select a specific payment vehicle.
Additionally, the mobile wallet can be adapted to provide security
to deter fraudulent and unauthorized use of the payment vehicles.
As used herein, the terms mobile device, handset, and contactless
device are intended to be synonymous. A "Mobile Wallet" can also be
referred to as a handset "container".
[0033] "Near Field Communication" (NFC) refers to short range (20
cm or less) wireless technology used to facilitate communication
between electronic devices in close proximity. For example,
embodiments of the present invention provide for the use of NFC
and/or other relatively short range communications between a mobile
device and a POS device and/or target device such as when a user of
the mobile device scans or waves the mobile device in front of or
near the POS device and/or target device when paying for goods or
services.
[0034] A "payment network" refers herein to an infrastructure that
supports that exchange of data in implementing payment
transactions. It is anticipated that the data exchange typically
proceeds between merchants and financial institutions. Examples of
existing commercial networks that are included within the
definition of "payment network" include the STAR/MAC network, the
NYCE.RTM. network, the VISA.RTM. network, and the MasterCard.RTM.
network. Access to a network by a consumer can be achieved through
entry of a secret code, such as a personal identification number
("PIN"), in combination with data extracted from the mobile device.
In some embodiments, a signature of the consumer may be used in
lieu of a secret code. In some instances, particularly in support
of transactions having a low value, a consumer might be permitted
access to the payment network with only information extracted from
the mobile device, without the need to provide a PIN or
signature.
[0035] The term "payment vehicle" is used herein to refer to a
method of payment. For example, payment vehicles can include, but
are not limited to credit, debit, stored-value, and other types of
accounts. In some embodiments, a payment vehicle can include
loyalty points or other value accumulated, for example, under a
loyalty program.
[0036] A "point-of-sale device" or "POS device" refers herein to
any physical device situated at a location where a consumer may
provide payment in support of a transaction. Such physical
locations are typically merchant locations, such as where the POS
device is operated by a clerk or is available for self-operation by
the consumers (such as a vending machine), but may also be in other
locations. For instance, certain automatic teller machines "ATMs"
may be equipped to support transactions for the sale of movie or
sporting-event tickets even remote from the merchant location;
other similar types of transactions that may be performed with a
POS device at a location remote from the merchant will also be
evident to those of skill in the art. In some cases, a personal
computer equipped with the appropriate structure may be used as a
POS device even when located on the consumer premises. Examples of
POS devices thus include, without limitation, personal computers,
cash registers, and any devices capable of reading a magnetic
stripe, an RFID chip, NFC communications, or other information from
a mobile device, contactless device, card, etc. Exemplary devices
that may be adapted for use in various embodiments of the present
invention are described in the following commonly assigned
applications, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes: U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/147,889, entitled "Integrated Point OF Sale
Device," filed Aug. 9, 1999 by Randy J. Templeton et al.; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/634,901, entitled "Point of Sale
Payment System," filed Aug. 9, 2000 by Randy J. Templeton et al.;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/116,689, entitled "Systems and
Methods for Performing Transactions at a Point-of-Sale," filed Apr.
3, 2002 by Earney Stoutenburg et al.; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/116,733, entitled "Systems and Methods for Deploying a
Point-of-Sale System," filed Apr. 3, 2002 by Earney Stoutenburg et
al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/116,686, entitled "Systems
and Methods for Utilizing A Point-of-Sale System," filed Apr. 3,
2002 by Earney Stoutenburg et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/116,735, entitled "Systems and Methods for Configuring a
Point-of-Sale System," filed Apr. 3, 2002 by Earney Stoutenburg. As
will be described, a POS device may include a target device for
receiving marketing offer information or may be separate from such
a target device.
[0037] A "POS processing system" refers to a computational system
used by merchants to control communications between POS devices and
payment networks. Such systems may be run internally by merchants,
may be run by merchant consortia, or may be outsourced to service
providers in different embodiments. Some exemplary POS processing
systems which may be adapted to operate with embodiments of the
present invention are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,886,742, 6,827,260 and 7,086,584, the complete disclosures of
which are herein incorporated by reference.
[0038] A "primary account number" or "PAN" refers to a number
assigned to an account. The PAN is generally assigned by a
financial institution maintaining the account. In most embodiments,
it is anticipated that the PAN will identify an account associated
with the wireless device. Identification of the PAN permits a
financial institution that maintains the account to make a unique
identification of the consumer initiating a payment or other
transaction and determine which of potentially several accounts is
to be used in supporting the transaction.
[0039] The terms "real time" or "near real time" are used herein to
refer to a process or action that occurs within a relatively short
time. Importantly, the terms real time and near real time are not
intended to imply an immediate or instantaneous results or action.
Rather, the terms are used to refer to process or actions that can
be performed relatively quickly such as within several seconds or
minutes.
[0040] The term "subscriber" is used herein to refer to a consumer
who has contracted with a carrier to utilized the carrier's
wireless communications network. It should be noted that the term
subscriber is used in reference to a consumer contracting with a
carrier while the terms customer/consumer, as described above, is
used in reference to a consumer contracting with a financial
services or merchant organization. It should be understood that the
"subscriber" and "consumer/customer" can be the same individual or
"user." . . .
[0041] A "target device" refers to a device used to communicate,
for example via an NFC co with a mobile wallet of a mobile device
and process one or more marketing offers from the mobile wallet of
the mobile device. For example, the target device can receive
marketing offer information from the mobile wallet of the mobile
device during a purchase or other transaction. In some cases, the
target device can comprise or be part of a point-of-sale device
installed, for example, at a merchant location. In other cases, the
target device can be separate from the point-of-sale device. In
such cases, the target device, while separate from the
point-of-sale device, may be co-located with the point-of-sale
device and may be communicatively coupled with the point-of-sale
device and/or a POS processing system.
[0042] The term "user" refers to an entity, typically a person,
that is associated with a particular mobile device. Typically, the
user is the person that owns, uses, or leases the mobile device
and/or controls the content and use of the payment vehicles
maintained within the mobile wallet of the device.
[0043] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only,
and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of
the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art
with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary
embodiment. It being understood that various changes may be made in
the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
[0044] Specific details are given in the following description to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For
example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other
components may be shown as components in block diagram form in
order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In
other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms,
structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail
in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0045] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be
described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow
diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block
diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a
sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in
parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations
may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are
completed, but could have additional steps not included in a
figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a
procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process
corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return
of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[0046] The term "machine-readable medium" includes, but is not
limited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage
devices, wireless channels and various other mediums capable of
storing, containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data. A code
segment or machine-executable instructions may represent a
procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a
subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any
combination of instructions, data structures, or program
statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment
or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,
data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information,
arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or
transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing,
message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
[0047] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware,
software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description
languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in
software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or
code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a
machine readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary
tasks.
[0048] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods,
systems, and machine-readable media for supporting use of mobile
devices in various types of financial transactions and, more
specifically, transactions involving the use of a marketing offer
such as a coupon, discount offer, etc.. Generally speaking, a
mobile device such as a cell phone, PDA, MP3 player, or other
device can be adapted to execute a mobile wallet application and
possibly other applications that provide any of a number of mobile
commerce functions. For example, the mobile wallet and other
elements described herein can allow the user of the mobile device
to use the device to make purchases, receive and maintain receipts
or other records of transactions, look up account balances,
transfer balances, etc. Furthermore, the mobile wallet application
can be adapted to store or maintain one or more marketing offers.
The marketing offers can be loaded onto or provisioned to the
mobile device in various manners. For example, provisioning a
mobile device with one or more marketing offers can be performed in
accord with the methods and systems described in U.S. application
Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number 020375-079800US) filed
______ on and entitled "Provisioning of a Mobile Device for Mobile
Commerce" which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety
for all purposes.
[0049] Marketing offers stored on or accessible by a mobile device
can be accessed and used in financial transaction such as purchases
through the mobile wallet. As will be described in detail below,
when a marketing offer is used, the mobile device can send a
message indicating redemption of the offer to an entity tracking
use of the offer. The message can be sent via a wireless
communication network, such as a cellular network, to the provider
of the communication services, i.e., the wireless service provider.
As will be seen, the service provider can track the use of the
offer or may update or inform another entity of the redemption of
the offer. In this way, redemption of the offer can be reported
from the mobile device, through the wireless communications network
and service provider to allow rapid reporting of the redemption
without relying on the merchant or other party to the
transaction.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented. In this example, the system can include one or more
server computers 105, 110, 115 which can be general purpose
computers and/or specialized server computers (including, merely by
way of example, PC servers, UNIX servers, mid-range servers,
mainframe computers rack-mounted servers, etc.). One or more of the
servers (e.g., 130) may be dedicated to running applications, such
as a business application, a web server, application server, etc.
Such servers may be used to execute a plurality of processes
related to financial transactions of one or more consumers on
behalf of one or more client financial institutions. For example,
one or more of the servers 105, 110, 115 may execute one or more
processes for recording transactions on a credit card issued to the
consumer by the financial institution. Other processes may provide
for paying a merchant for the consumer's purchase, billing the
consumer, etc The applications can also include any number of
applications for controlling access to resources of the servers
105, 110, 115.
[0051] In some embodiments, the system 100 may also include a
network 115. The network may can be any type of network familiar to
those skilled in the art that can support data communications using
any of a variety of commercially-available protocols, including
without limitation TCP/IP, SNA, IPX, AppleTalk, and the like.
Merely by way of example, the network 115 maybe a local area
network ("LAN"), such as an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring network
and/or the like; a wide-area network; a virtual network, including
without limitation a virtual private network ("VPN"); the Internet;
an intranet; an extranet; a public switched telephone network
("PSTN"); an infra-red network; a wireless network (e.g., a network
operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the
Bluetooth protocol known in the art, and/or any other wireless
protocol); and/or any combination of these and/or other networks
such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, 3G, 2.5 G, CDMA, CDMA2000, WCDMA,
EVDO etc.
[0052] The system 100 can include one or more user computers which
may be used to operate a client, whether a dedicate application,
web browser, etc. For example, the user computers can include a
client system 125 operated by a client financial institution, a
customer system 130 operated by a customer or consumer, a merchant
system 135 operated by a merchant or vendor, etc. The user
computers 125, 130, 135 can be general purpose personal computers
(including, merely by way of example, personal computers and/or
laptop computers running various versions of Microsoft Corp.'s
Windows and/or Apple Corp.'s Macintosh operating systems) and/or
workstation computers running any of a variety of
commercially-available UNIX or UNIX-like operating systems
(including without limitation, the variety of GNU/Linux operating
systems). These user computers 125, 130, 135 may also have any of a
variety of applications, including one or more development systems,
database client and/or server applications, and web browser
applications. Alternatively, the user computers 125, 130, 135 may
be any other electronic device, such as a thin-client computer,
Internet-enabled mobile telephone, and/or personal digital
assistant, capable of communicating via a network (e.g., the
network 115 described below) and/or displaying and navigating web
pages or other types of electronic documents. Although the
exemplary system 100 is shown with three user computers, any number
of user computers may be supported.
[0053] The system 100 may also include one or more databases or
repositories of enabling data 145. The database(s) of enabling data
145 may reside in a variety of locations. By way of example, a
database 145 may reside on a storage medium local to (and/or
resident in) one or more of the computers 105, 110, 115, 125, 130.
Alternatively, it may be remote from any or all of the computers
105, 110, 115, 125, 130, and/or in communication (e.g., via the
network 120) with one or more of these. In a particular set of
embodiments, the database 145 may reside in a storage-area network
("SAN") familiar to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any
necessary files for performing the functions attributed to the
computers 105, 110, 115, 125, 130 may be stored locally on the
respective computer and/or remotely, as appropriate. In one set of
embodiments, the database 145 may be a relational database that is
adapted to store, update, and retrieve data in response to
SQL-formatted commands. The repository of enabling data 145 can
include a wide variety of information related to financial
transactions related to the consumer and/or specified by different
entities such as merchants, financial institutions, third-party
advertisers, etc.
[0054] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer
system upon which various elements of the exemplary environment
illustrated in FIG. 1 may be implemented. The computer system 200
is shown comprising hardware elements that may be electrically
coupled via a bus 255. The hardware elements may include one or
more central processing units (CPUs) 205; one or more input devices
210 (e.g., a scan device, a mouse, a keyboard, etc.); and one or
more output devices 215 (e.g., a display device, a printer, etc.).
The computer system 200 may also include one or more storage device
220. By way of example, storage device(s) 220 may be disk drives,
optical storage devices, solid-state storage device such as a
random access memory ("RAM") and/or a read-only memory ("ROM"),
which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the like.
[0055] The computer system 200 may additionally include a
computer-readable storage media reader 225; a communications system
230 (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an
infra-red communication device, etc.); and working memory 240,
which may include RAM and ROM devices as described above
communicatively coupled with and readable by CPU(s) 205. In some
embodiments, the computer system 200 may also include a processing
acceleration unit 235, which can include a DSP, a special-purpose
processor and/or the like.
[0056] The computer-readable storage media reader 225 can further
be connected to a computer-readable storage medium, together (and,
optionally, in combination with storage device(s) 220)
comprehensively representing remote, local, fixed, and/or removable
storage devices plus storage media for temporarily and/or more
permanently containing computer-readable information. The
communications system 230 may permit data to be exchanged with a
network and/or any other computer or other type of device.
[0057] The computer system 200 may also comprise software elements,
shown as being currently located within a working memory 240,
including an operating system 245 and/or other code 250, such as an
application program. The application programs may implement the
methods of the invention as described herein. It should be
appreciated that alternate embodiments of a computer system 200 may
have numerous variations from that described above. For example,
customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements
might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable
software, such as applets), or both. Further, connection to other
computing devices such as network input/output devices may be
employed.
[0058] FIG. 3 is block diagram illustrating, at a high level, a
system for processing transactions utilizing a mobile electronic
device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Traditionally, a credit card may be issued to a customer by a
financial institution such as a bank and typically displays a logo
for an association that implements rules that govern aspects of use
of the card. Account information is usually printed on the face of
the card, specifying an account number and name of an authorized
holder of the card; this information is also stored together with
additional information on a magnetic stripe that is usually affixed
to the back of the card. When the cardholder wishes to execute a
transaction, such as a financial transaction for the purchase of
goods and/or services, he presents the card 320 to a clerk at a
merchant location, who swipes the card through a magnetic-stripe
reader comprised by a point-of-sale device 308. Multiple
point-of-sale devices 308-310 may have been provided at a variety
of locations by an acquirer, who acts as an intermediary between
merchants and the issuer financial institutions. As an
intermediary, the acquirer coordinates transaction routing and
performs a variety of backend processes.
[0059] The point-of-sale device 308 typically initiates a
connection to an acquirer system 312 through a network 304 such as
the Internet or another network as described above. A packet of
information that includes information read from the magnetic stripe
of the card 320, a merchant identifier, the date, and transaction
amount are forwarded by the point-of-sale device 308 through the
network 304 to the acquirer system 312. The acquirer system 312 may
store some of the information and sends an authorization request,
via financial network 313, to the issuing financial institution
316, which may be identified from a portion of the account number
read from the magnetic stripe. The transaction is authorized or
denied depending on such factors as the validity of the cardholder
name, the validity of the card number, the level of available
credit in comparison with the transaction amount, and the like. If
authorized, an authorization code is routed back through the
acquirer system 312, which captures additional information and
forwards the authorization code back to the originating
point-of-sale device 308 so that the transaction may be completed.
Periodically, such as at the end of every day, the transactions are
settled by the acquirer initiating funds transfers that fund
merchant bank accounts with total transaction amounts that may have
resulted from multiple transactions by multiple customers.
[0060] Other types of accounts may operate with similar structures,
although the details for each type of account are different. For
example, use of a debit account typically requires that the
customer provide a personal identification number ("PIN"), which
must be validated before any authorization for the transaction can
be provided. Authorization usually depends on the current level of
funds actually in the identified account rather than on a credit
level, and funds transfer is usually executed substantially
contemporaneously with providing the authorization rather than
performing periodic settlement. Other types of accounts may use
arrangements that have similar differences in their
particulars.
[0061] According to one embodiment, a mobile device 324 may be used
in addition to or instead of a card or other token representing an
account. Here, the mobile device 324 is shown for exemplary
purposes in the form of a cellular telephone. However, as noted
above, the mobile device 324 may be any of a variety of different
mobile devices including but not limited to a cell phone, PDA, MP3
player, etc. The mobile device 324 may communicate according to its
normal wireless protocols with a service provider system 330 via an
existing network of relay stations 325 In addition, the mobile
device 324 may communicate wirelessly with point-of-sale devices
314 that have been equipped for wireless communications, such as
through an NFC connection.
[0062] The mobile device 324 can be adapted to provide any of a
number of mobile commerce functions related to one or more
financial accounts such as credit accounts, debit accounts, demand
deposit accounts, stored value accounts, etc. maintained by one or
more financial institutions 316-318. The mobile device 324, for
example via the mobile wallet application, may allow the user to
review account balances, transfer balances, and/or select an
account for a particular transaction such as a purchase or other
payment. In the example of a purchase, upon selection of an account
for use in the transaction, the user of the mobile device can scan
or swipe the device 324 in front of or near the POS device 310
causing the selected account or other identifying information to be
read from the mobile device 324 via the NFC connection.
[0063] The identifying information can indicate the account to be
used in supporting transactions, for example, by including an
indication of the financial institution 316 where that account is
maintained, an account number, etc. According to one embodiment and
as will be described in detail below, rather than storing account
information on the mobile device to be read by the NFC reader,
another unique identifier may be used. For example, a combination
of the device serial number and user pin may be used to uniquely
identify the user and/or device. The account to be used for the
transaction can be indicated by information other than the account
number and later correlated to the correct account number by the
acquirer systems.
[0064] The point-of-sale device 308 typically initiates a
connection to an acquirer system 312 through a network 304 such as
the Internet or another network as described above. A packet of
information that includes information read from the mobile device
324, a merchant identifier, the date, and transaction amount are
forwarded by the point-of-sale device 310 through the network 304
to the acquirer system 312. The acquirer system 312 may store some
of the information and send an authorization request, via financial
network 313, to the issuing financial institution 318, which may be
identified from a portion of the account number read from the
mobile device 324. The transaction is authorized or denied
depending on such factors as the validity of the account holder
name, the validity of the account number, the level of available
credit in comparison with the transaction amount, and the like. If
authorized, an authorization code is routed back through the
acquirer system 312, which captures additional information and
forwards the authorization code back to the originating
point-of-sale device 310 so that the transaction may be
completed.
[0065] As will be seen, the mobile wallet and/or other applications
of the mobile device 324 may store or maintain one or more
marketing offers. Marketing offers stored on or accessible by a
mobile device 324 can be accessed through the mobile wallet and
used in financial transaction such as purchases. As will be
described in detail below, when a marketing offer is used, the
mobile device 324 can send a message indicating redemption of the
offer to an entity tracking use of the offer. The message can be
sent via the wireless communication network 325 to the provider of
the communication services, i.e., the wireless service provider
330. As will be seen, the service provider 330 can track the use of
the offer or may update or inform another entity of the redemption
of the offer.
[0066] FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating additional details
of the system of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. As in the previous example, the system 400 can comprise
a wireless communications network 325, such as a cellular network,
and a service provider system 330 communicatively coupled with the
wireless communications network 325. The system 400 can also
include a target device 401 including a Near-Field Communications
module (not shown here) and a mobile device 324 communicatively
coupled with the wireless communications network 325 and including
a Near-Field Communications module (not shown here). While
illustrated here as separate components, the target device 401 can
comprise or be part of a point-of-sale device 310. In other cases,
the target device 401 can be separate from the point-of-sale device
310. In such cases, the target device 401, while separate from the
point-of-sale device 310, may be co-located with the point-of-sale
device 310, for example, at a merchant location, and may be
communicatively coupled with the point-of-sale device 310 and/or a
POS processing system (not shown here). In other cases, in addition
to or instead of being communicatively coupled with the
point-of-sale device 310, the target device 401 may be
communicatively coupled with an acquirer system 312 or other
element of the system 400.
[0067] The mobile device 324 can be adapted to execute a mobile
wallet application 405. The mobile wallet application 405 can
maintain one or more marketing offers 410. As noted above, the
offers 410 can be provisioned to the mobile wallet 405 of the
mobile device 324 in a variety of ways. For example, information
related to the offer can be provided to the service provider system
330 by an offer provider 440 such as a manufacturer, merchant,
service provider, financial institution, or other entity. The
service provider system 330 may then transmit the offer information
to the mobile wallet 405 of the mobile device 324 via the wireless
network 325, i.e., Over-The-Air (OTA) provisioning. In other
examples, the offer 410 may be provisioned to the mobile device 324
via a download from a website, via an NFC transfer from a POS
device, or in any other of a variety of manners.
[0068] Regardless of how the offer 410 is provisioned to the mobile
wallet 405 of the mobile device 324, the offer 410 is then
available for use by the user of the mobile device 324 in a
transaction such as a purchase from a merchant. Therefore, the
mobile wallet 405 of the mobile device 324 can be further adapted
to transmit information 415 related to the marketing offer 410 to
the target device 401 via the NFC module of the mobile device 324,
for example when the user passes the mobile device 324 near the NFC
reader of the target device 401 or POS device 310 when paying for a
purchase. In some cases, the mobile wallet application of the
mobile device can store multiple offers 410. In such cases, prior
to transmitting the information 415 related to the marketing offer
to the target device 401, the mobile wallet application 405 can be
adapted to receive a selection of the marketing offer 410 from the
plurality of marketing offers. That is, the mobile wallet
application 410 may be adapted to present, via a user interface,
the offers 410 available in the wallet 405 and receive a user
selection of the offer that is intended to be used. The mobile
wallet application 405 can then transmit the information 415
related to the selected marketing offer to the target device
401.
[0069] The target device 401 can be adapted to receive the
information 415 related to the marketing offer from the mobile
wallet application 405 of the mobile device 324 via the NFC module
(not shown here). The target device 401 can include an offer
processing module 420 that receives the information 415 related to
the selected marketing offer and confirms whether the offer should
be accepted or redeemed. For example, the target device 401, via
the offer processing module 420, can be further adapted to present
an indication of at least a portion of the information 415 related
to the marketing offer to an operator of the target device 401
and/or POS device 310, e.g., a cashier. The offer processing module
420 can the receive an indication of acceptance of the marketing
offer from the operator. In response to receiving the indication of
acceptance of the marketing offer, the target device 401, for
example via the offer processing module 420 can generate and
transmit a redemption message 425 to the mobile device 324 via the
NFC module of the target device 401. In some cases, the target
device 401 may communicate information related to the marketing
offer, e.g.,a discount amount, etc., to the POS device 310. In
other cases, information such as a discount amount may be entered
by the cashier or operator of the POS device to adjust the amount
of the transaction based on the marketing offer.
[0070] The mobile device 324 can receive the redemption message 425
from the target device 401 via the NFC module of the mobile device
324. The redemption message 425 can indicate acceptance and
redemption of the marketing offer. Therefore, according to one
embodiment, the mobile wallet application 405 can be adapted to
delete the offer 410 from the mobile wallet 405 upon receipt of the
redemption message 425. Alternatively, the mobile wallet
application 405 may retain the offer 410 until instructed to delete
the offer 410 as will be described below. In either event, the
mobile device 324 can send at least a portion of the redemption
message 430 to the service provider system 330 via the wireless
communications network 325.
[0071] The service provider system 330 can be adapted to receive
the redemption message 430 related to the selected marketing offer
from the mobile wallet 405 of the mobile device 324 via the
wireless communications network 325. In the example illustrated in
FIG. 4A, the service provider system 330 can provide for management
of the use of the marketing offers via a offer management module
455. For example, the service provider system 300, via the offer
management module 455 can be adapted to maintain a set of
information related to one or more marketing offers. The
information can include a status of each of the one or more
marketing offers. In such cases, the service provider system 330
via the offer management module 455 can update the set of
information related to the one or more marketing offers to indicate
redemption of the selected marketing offer, i.e., the offer
indicated by the redemption message 430, in response to receiving
the redemption message 430. If appropriate based on the set of
information related to the marketing offer maintained by the offer
management module 455, the service provider system 330 can generate
a delete message 445 related to redemption of the selected
marketing offer and send the delete message 445 to the mobile
wallet 405 of the mobile device 324 via the wireless communications
network 325. The mobile wallet application 405 can in turn, upon
receiving the delete instruction 445 remove the offer 410 from the
wallet 405.
[0072] In other cases, based on the set of information related to
the marketing offers maintained by the offer management module 455,
no delete message may be generated. For example, some offers may be
re-usable or may have other criteria for expiration or multiple
redemptions. In such cases, the offer management module 455 and/or
the service provider system 330 can update the information related
to the offers use to track the offer's use. A delete instruction
can then be issued by the service provider system at a later time,
based on additional uses or other criteria.
[0073] FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating additional details
of the system of FIG. 3 according to an alternative embodiment of
the present invention. In this example, the system 400 includes the
target device 401, POS device 310, mobile device 324, wireless
network 325 and service provider system 330 that can be adapted to
operate as described above with reference to FIG. 4A. However, in
this embodiment, the system can include an originator system, i.e.,
a offer provider system 440, communicatively coupled with the
service provider system 330. In this embodiment, the offer provider
system 440, rather than the service provider system 330, can be
adapted to maintain a set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers, for example via an offer management module 455.
As noted above, the information can include a status of each of the
one or more marketing offers.
[0074] In this embodiment, the service provider system 330 can be
further adapted to provide the redemption message 435 to the offer
provider system 440. The offer provider system 440 can be further
adapted to update the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers to indicate redemption of the selected marketing
offer based on the redemption message 435 from the service provider
system 330. The service provider system 330 can also be adapted to
receive an instruction 450 to delete the marketing offer 410 from
the mobile wallet 405 of the mobile device 324 from the offer
provider system 440. In such cases, the service provider system 330
can generate the delete message 445 and send the delete message 445
to the mobile wallet 405 of the mobile device 324 in response to
receiving the instruction 450 to delete the selected marketing
offer from the offer provider system 440.
[0075] As noted above, in other cases, based on the set of
information related to the marketing offers maintained by the offer
management module 455, no delete message may be generated. For
example, some offers may be re-usable or may have other criteria
for expiration or multiple redemptions. In such cases, the offer
management module 455 and/or the offer provider system 440 can
update the information related to the offers use to track the
offer's use. A delete instruction 450 can then be issued to the
offer provider system 440 at a later time, based on additional uses
or other criteria.
[0076] FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating additional details
of the system of FIG. 3 according to yet another alternative
embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the system
400 includes the target device 401, POS device 310, mobile device
324, wireless network 325 and service provider system 330 that can
be adapted to operate as described above with reference to FIG. 4A.
However, in this embodiment, the system 400 can include an acquirer
system 312 such as described above communicatively coupled with the
service provider system 330. In this embodiment, the acquirer
system 312 can be adapted to maintain a set of information related
to the one or more marketing offers, for example via an offer
management module 455. As noted above, the information can include
a status of each of the one or more marketing offers.
[0077] In this embodiment, the service provider system 330 can be
adapted to provide the redemption message 435 to the acquirer
system 312. The acquirer system 312, for example via offer
management module 455, can update the set of information related to
the one or more marketing offers to indicate redemption of the
selected marketing offer based on the redemption message 435 from
the service provider system 330. The service provider system 330
can be adapted to receive an instruction 450 to delete the
marketing offer 410 from the mobile wallet 405 of the mobile device
324 from the acquirer system 312. In such a case, the service
provider system 330 can generate the delete message 445 and send
the delete message 445 to the mobile wallet 405 of the mobile
device 324 in response to receiving the instruction 450 to delete
the selected marketing offer 410 from the acquirer system 312.
[0078] As noted above, in other cases, based on the set of
information related to the marketing offers maintained by the offer
management module 455, no delete message may be generated. For
example, some offers may be re-usable or may have other criteria
for expiration or multiple redemptions. In such cases, the offer
management module 455 and/or the offer provider system 440 can
update the information related to the offers use to track the
offer's use. A delete instruction 450 can then be issued to the
acquirer system 312 at a later time, based on additional uses or
other criteria.
[0079] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for redeeming
and reporting use of a marketing offer such as may be performed by
a mobile wallet application according to one embodiment of the
present invention. In this example, the process begins with
receiving 505 a selection of the marketing offer from a plurality
of marketing offers in the mobile wallet of the mobile device. The
information related to the selected marketing offer can be
transmitted 510 from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the
target device.
[0080] A redemption message can be received 515 at the mobile
wallet of the mobile device from the target device. The redemption
message can indicate acceptance of the marketing offer. In response
to receiving 515 the redemption message, at least a portion of the
redemption message can be sent 520 from the mobile wallet of the
mobile device to a service provider system providing communication
services to the mobile device. Sending 520 the redemption message
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the service provider
system can be performed via a wireless communications network such
as a cellular network. In reply, a delete message from the service
provider system and related to the marketing offer can be received
525 at the mobile wallet of the mobile device. In response to
receiving 515 the delete message, the marketing offer can be
deleted 530 from the mobile wallet of the mobile device.
[0081] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for redeeming a
marketing offer such as may be performed by a target device
according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this
example, the process begins with receiving 605 at a target device
information related to a marketing offer from a mobile wallet
application of a mobile device. According to one embodiment, at
least a portion of the information related to the marketing offer
can be presented 610 for acceptance via the target device. An
indication of acceptance of the marketing offer can be received 615
at the target device. In response to receiving 615 at the target
device the indication of acceptance of the marketing offer, a
redemption message can be transmitted 620 from the target device to
the mobile device.
[0082] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for managing
one or more marketing offers such as may be performed by a service
provider system according to one embodiment of the present
invention. In this example, the process begins with receiving 705
at a service provider system a redemption message related to a
selected marketing offer of one or more marketing offers from a
mobile wallet of a mobile device. As noted above, according to one
embodiment, a set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers can be maintained by the service provider system.
The information can include a status of each of the one or more
marketing offers. The set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers can be updated 715 to indicate redemption of the
selected marketing offer in response to receiving the redemption
message. A delete message can be generated 715 by the service
provider system related to redemption of the selected marketing
offer. The delete message can be sent 720 from the service provider
system to the mobile wallet of the mobile device.
[0083] In another embodiment, as noted above, maintaining the set
of information related to the one or more marketing offers and
updating 710 the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers can be performed by a system originating the
selected marketing offer. In such a case, the redemption message
can be provided to the system originating the selected marketing
offer from the service provider system. The service provider system
can then receive an instruction to delete the selected marketing
offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the system
originating the selected marketing offer. In such cases, generating
715 the delete message and sending 720 the delete message from the
service provider system to the mobile wallet of the mobile device
can be performed in response to receiving the instruction to delete
the selected marketing offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile
device from the system originating the selected marketing
offer.
[0084] In yet another example, also as noted above, maintaining the
set of information related to the one or more marketing offers and
updating 710 the set of information related to the one or more
marketing offers can be performed by an acquirer system. In such a
case, the redemption message can be provided by the service
provider system to the acquirer system. The service provider system
can then receive an instruction to delete the selected marketing
offer from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer
system. In such cases, generating 715 the delete message and
sending 720 the delete message from the service provider system to
the mobile wallet of the mobile device can be performed in response
to receiving the instruction to delete the selected marketing offer
from the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the acquirer
system.
[0085] In the foregoing description, for the purposes of
illustration, methods were described in a particular order. It
should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the methods
may be performed in a different order than that described.
Additionally, the methods may contain additional or fewer steps
than described above. It should also be appreciated that the
methods described above may be performed by hardware components or
may be embodied in sequences of machine-executable instructions,
which may be used to cause a machine, such as a general-purpose or
special-purpose processor or logic circuits programmed with the
instructions, to perform the methods. These machine-executable
instructions may be stored on one or more machine readable mediums,
such as CD-ROMs or other type of optical disks, floppy diskettes,
ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flash
memory, or other types of machine-readable mediums suitable for
storing electronic instructions. Alternatively, the methods may be
performed by a combination of hardware and software.
[0086] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of
the invention have been described in detail herein, it is to be
understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously
embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to
be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the
prior art.
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