U.S. patent application number 13/553289 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for method for image-based payment medium.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sameer Mandke, David S. Park. Invention is credited to Sameer Mandke, David S. Park.
Application Number | 20130254032 13/553289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40851487 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130254032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mandke; Sameer ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
Method for Image-Based Payment Medium
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for use of an image-based payment medium
through images stored on the consumer's mobile phone in place of
traditional plastic gift, credit or debit cards. Upon
authentication, an image is sent to the consumer's mobile phone.
The consumer displays the image at the retailer's point of sale
when completing a transaction. The image is scanned with a barcode
reader, a webcam or other scanning device and the consumer's
account in a database is debited or credited based on the amount
and type of transaction. An image-base payment medium provides for
the ability to target specific ads to the consumer, directed to the
registered mobile phone number and also to attach loyalty and
coupon programs to the account, which the recipient may redeem upon
scanning of the encoded image on the mobile phone at the point of
sale.
Inventors: |
Mandke; Sameer; (Katy,
TX) ; Park; David S.; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mandke; Sameer
Park; David S. |
Katy
Houston |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40851487 |
Appl. No.: |
13/553289 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12352598 |
Jan 12, 2009 |
8249967 |
|
|
13553289 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/32 20130101;
G06Q 20/3276 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 20/387 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0236 20130101; G06Q 20/3274 20130101;
G06Q 20/204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.55 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/20 20120101
G06Q020/20 |
Claims
1. A method for providing an image-based payment medium comprising
a) generating and storing in a database a recipient record for a
recipient, the recipient record comprising a balance of an account,
a unique image and a unique identifier for an associated mobile
device and whether there is permission to send advertisements to
the associated mobile device; b) establishing a retailer record for
a retailer in the database, the retailer record comprising an
advertisement; c) sending the unique image from the database to the
associated mobile device; d) scanning the unique image displayed on
the mobile device at a point of sale; e) validating the unique
image scanned at the point of sale, wherein the validating
comprises determining whether the unique identifier associated with
the mobile device which displayed the unique image at the point of
sale is the unique identifier associated with the mobile device of
the recipient; f) updating the recipient record for the recipient
with credits or debits to the balance of the account based on a
transaction at the point of sale and, g) sending the advertisement
to the associated mobile device for the recipient when there is
permission.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique image is a two
dimensional barcode.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the point of sale uses a barcode
scanner for scanning the unique image.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of parent application Ser.
No. 12/352,598, filed on Jan. 12, 2009, currently pending under
notice of allowance mailed Apr. 19, 2012 which is incorporated
herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This application relates to an image-based payment medium
for retail sales that employs images stored on mobile phones in
place of traditional plastic gift cards or credit cards.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Traditional plastic gift cards are prevalent in the retail
industry. The gift card industry is a relatively new one when
compared to other payment mediums such as credit or debit cards.
But gift cards are quickly becoming a gift of choice among
consumers for many reasons: convenience of the card, the personal
touch a gift card can preserve, and the ability of the recipient to
make the actual gift selection from the retailer. Gift cards as a
phenomenon have also accompanied other innovations such as gift
registries for weddings, the ultimate effect of which is to avoid
the situation in which a gift giver gives a gift that the user does
not like and will likely return.
[0007] There is little to no differentiation in the processing of
gift cards among various providers. In fact, differentiation is
perhaps the key factor in which various gift card providers may
compete, but are currently not able to do so. The gift card is
typically processed via either a magnetic stripe reader or barcode
scanner, though hand written accounting for small retailers is not
unheard of. These technologies are relatively well developed and
well entrenched in the retail sector. Most retailers now have
either a barcode scanner of some sort or a magnetic card reader.
These devices simply translate the encoded data into a data string
that uniquely identifies the gift card and is sent off
electronically to a processor to validate the balance of the card,
which is reconciled at purchase. Third party providers of gift card
services tend to give the retailer specifications on data
transmission, for both liability and cost reasons. Gift cards as a
result are very limited in functionality, unable to serve more than
one purpose or handle several strings of data that may be linked to
several different functions. This is simply a limit of the
traditional magnetic stripe and laser barcode technology.
[0008] Retailers employing an image-based payment medium for gift,
credit or debit cards, however, have several options available to
them, including text message notifications of balances and
advertisements, and the ability to apply more credit to the
recipient's account remotely. Also, whereas givers of traditional
gift cards must carry the cards until they deliver them to their
intended users, an image-based payment medium is delivered directly
to the user's mobile phone so the donor never has to worry about
handing the gift card to the user. Customizable delivery options
would allow for personalized e-cards to be delivered with the
image-based payment medium and an exact time of deliver that may be
months in advance. An image-based payment medium offers a level of
convenience and customer interaction unrealized by plastic gift
cards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One embodiment of the invention includes a method of using
an encoded image that is sent to the recipient's mobile phone to be
used much like a conventional plastic gift, credit or debit card.
Once the recipient receives the image on the mobile phone, the
recipient may present the image to a cashier at a participating
retailer, and the cashier will scan the image off of the user's
phone screen. The balance of the image-based payment medium is
credited or debited appropriately for the transaction, just as is
done currently with plastic cards. The method comprises (a) issuing
an image-based payment medium either through a website or other
means, designating a recipient of the image-based payment medium
and the recipient's mobile phone number and establishing an account
for the recipient; (b) sending an image to the recipient's mobile
phone number; and (c) scanning the image from the recipient's
mobile phone at a point of sale to validate and debit the
recipient's account for purchases made by the recipient at the
point of sale.
[0010] Another embodiment of the invention includes a
computer-implemented system. The retail establishment or a third
party provider could use a system that provides a database of
information on the holders of accounts, applications to handle the
purchase of an image-based payment medium by a donor, applications
to authenticate the account and optionally request permission from
the recipient to allow the retailer to send advertisements to the
recipient's mobile phone, and point of sale applications to handle
the crediting and debiting of accounts. The system comprises (a) a
database which keeps data related to the image-based payment medium
and the recipient of the image-based payment medium; (b) a web
based user interface for selling and authenticating the image-based
payment medium and for sending an image representing the
image-based payment medium to the recipient's mobile phone; and (c)
a point of sale system to scan the image of the image-based payment
medium from a screen of the recipient's mobile phone, interfacing
with the database to provide authentication of the image, and to
provide debits and credits to the recipient's account.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and
can be understood in detail, a more particular description of
embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had
by reference to the embodiments which are illustrated in the
appended drawings.
[0012] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a System Overview showing one embodiment of this
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a transaction flow of a typical issue
transaction in one embodiment of this invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a transaction flow of a typical
activation of an image-based payment medium in one embodiment of
this invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a transaction flow of a typical
redemption without the use of a clearinghouse in one embodiment of
this invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a transaction flow of a typical
redemption with a clearinghouse in one embodiment of this
invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction wherein a
retailer selects and schedules transmissions of advertising and the
system transmits an advertisement to a recipient's mobile phone in
one embodiment of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the
invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is
not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any
combination of the following features and elements, whether related
to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and
practice the invention. Furthermore, in various embodiments the
invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art. However,
although embodiments of the invention may achieve advantages over
other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not
a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not
limiting of the invention. Thus, the following aspects, features,
embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not
considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except
where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to "the
invention" shall not be construed as a generalization of any
inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be
considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims
except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).
[0020] One embodiment of the invention is implemented as a program
product for use with a computer system. The program(s) of the
program product defines functions of the embodiments (including the
methods described herein) and can be contained on a variety of
computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable
storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable
storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer
such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive and DVDs readable
by a DVD player) on which information is permanently stored; and
(ii) writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette
drive, a hard-disk drive or random-access memory) on which
alterable information is stored. Such computer-readable storage
media, when carrying computer-readable instructions that direct the
functions of the present invention, are embodiments of the present
invention. Other media include communications media through which
information is conveyed to a computer, such as through a computer
or telephone network, including wireless communications networks.
The latter embodiment specifically includes transmitting
information to/from the Internet and other networks. Such
communications media, when carrying computer-readable instructions
that direct the functions of the present invention, are embodiments
of the present invention. Broadly, computer-readable storage media
and communications media may be referred to herein as
computer-readable media.
[0021] In this embodiment, users interact with the database using a
graphical user interface (GUI) provided by a user interface. In a
particular embodiment, GUI content may comprise HTML documents
(i.e., web-pages) rendered on a client computer system using a
web-browser. In such an embodiment, the server system may include a
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server (i.e., a web server)
configured to respond to HTTP requests from the client system and
to transmit HTML documents to client system. The web-pages
themselves may be static documents stored on the server system or
generated dynamically using an application server interacting with
HTTP server to service HTTP requests.
[0022] In general, the routines executed to implement the
embodiments of the invention, may be part of an operating system or
a specific application, component, program, module, object, or
sequence of instructions. The computer program of the present
invention typically is comprised of a multitude of instructions
that will be translated by the native computer into a
machine-readable format and hence executable instructions. Also,
programs are comprised of variables and data structures that either
reside locally to the program or are found in memory or on storage
devices. In addition, various programs described hereinafter may be
identified based upon the application for which they are
implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it
should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature that
follows is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention
should not be limited to use solely in any specific application
identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.
[0023] In the system in this embodiment, a point of sale and kiosk
system may generally include a central processing unit (CPU)
connected by a bus to memory and storage. Each point of sale and
kiosk system is typically running an operating system configured to
manage interaction between the computer hardware and the
higher-level software applications running on the system connected
to the database via a dedicated line or through the Internet. The
server system may include hardware components similar to those used
by the client system (e.g., a CPU, a memory, and a storage device,
coupled by a bus). However, such a network environment is merely an
example of one computing environment. Embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented using other environments, regardless
of whether the computer systems are complex multi-user computing
systems, such as a cluster of individual computers connected by a
high-speed network, single-user workstations, or network appliances
lacking non-volatile storage. Further, embodiments of the invention
may be implemented using computer software applications executing
on existing computer systems, e.g., desktop computers, server
computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, and the like.
However, the software applications described herein are not limited
to any currently existing computing environment or programming
language, and may be adapted to take advantage of new computing
systems as they become available.
[0024] Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the invention
would include a computer system for managing transactions for an
image-based payment medium that would include a database 1, which
keeps data related to the image-based payment medium and a
recipient of the image-based payment medium; a web based user
interface 2, for issuing and optionally authenticating the
image-based payment medium and for sending an image representing
the image-based payment medium to the recipient's mobile phone 5;
and a point of sale system 7, to scan the image of the image-based
payment medium from a screen of the recipient's mobile phone 5,
interfacing with the database 1, to provide authentication of the
image, and to provide debits and credits to the recipient's
account. The image sent can be any unique graphics image or even a
simple one or two dimensional barcode. The image can also be a
single or multidimensional barcode embedded onto a photograph or
graphics image. The photograph or graphics image can optionally be
provided by the recipient. The Point of Sale system would use a
webcam or barcode scanner 6, to scan the image from the screen on
the recipient's mobile phone 5. Data stored in the database 1, for
each recipient account includes information to uniquely identify
the recipient and could include demographic data including the
recipient's age, zip code and gender. The data may also include an
indicator that the recipient has opted to receive advertisements on
the mobile phone 5.
[0025] The database 1 and the database management system, would
manage all information for transactions, account numbers, user
preferences, etc. It would also manage all other applications
necessary for verification of accounts, transactions, phone
numbers, emails, etc., including the Mobile Phone and Email Contact
application 4. An advertising Application 32, with a user interface
through an application management website 3, could run reports on
item performance, upload text message and email advertising, and
allow the retailer to place orders to deliver advertising on
specific dates and to specific opted-in population. Retailer's
advertising order information would be sent to the database 1; then
on a specified date and to a specified population, text and/or
email advertising is sent out and targeted recipients get text
and/or email advertising on the registered mobile phones 5.
[0026] Website, Kiosk or Point-of-Sale software 2, would collect
data necessary to complete any transactions within the system,
including data for purchase, activation, reloading, redeeming, and
canceling.
[0027] For the purchasing transaction, the donor enters the
recipient's name, personal message, recipient email, and recipient
mobile phone number to trigger sending of the activation text and
email notification to the recipient. This text directs the
recipient to go to the Application Management Website 3, to
activate the image-based payment medium. The recipient enters the
mobile phone number to which the activation message was sent and
the email address to be used for management and alerts. Optionally,
the recipient enters opt-in for advertisements to be sent to the
mobile phone 5. The recipient mobile phone 5 then receives an MMS
(or other technology) message with an encoded image representing
the account.
[0028] An Application Management Website 3, would allow system
users to manage their accounts for their respective needs.
Recipients would be able to check the balances of their accounts,
view the transaction history, manipulate and customize graphics,
resend items, and change account information. Retailers would be
able to change their account details, and also input orders through
the Advertising Application 32, to send out text message and/or
email notices, attach coupons or loyalty plans to items used by
consumers, or change logos and other graphic customization.
[0029] A Mobile Phone and Email Contact Application 4, would send
out notices to system users, such as sales, coupon, or discount
availability, as well as requested balance and account information.
The information may be sent to the users' mobile phones 5, or email
addresses. Also, the application could send out encoded image items
that are linked to accounts for redemption, such as gift items.
[0030] The Mobile Phone 5, would be used by recipients or other
system users to receive encoded image items, or notices, all sent
by request from the database.
[0031] The Hardware Scanner 6, which may take the form of a
handheld device or a webcam, would have the appropriate software to
decode the encoded image items presented at the point of
redemption, such as the point-of-sale for a retailer.
[0032] The Retailer POS and Transaction Routing Application 7,
could include software that routes a transaction from the point of
redemption, such as the point-of-sale, to the appropriate server
that is designated to handle that transaction.
[0033] Another embodiment of this invention includes a method of
providing an image-based payment medium comprising the steps of a)
issuing an image-based payment medium through a website or other
means, designating a recipient of the image-based payment medium
and the recipient's mobile phone number and establishing an account
for the recipient; b) optionally authenticating the recipient
through a web based user interface, optionally gathering
information from the recipient and sending an image to the
recipient's mobile phone number where the image can be any unique
graphic or could be a single or multi-dimensional barcode, perhaps
embedded onto a photograph or graphics image; and c) scanning the
image from the recipient's mobile phone at a point of sale with a
barcode scanner or webcam to validate and either debit or credit
the recipient's account for purchases made or returned by the
recipient at the point of sale; d) sending advertisements to the
recipient's mobile phone number, optionally only after the
recipient agrees to accept these advertisements.
[0034] In step a) of this embodiment, the donor logs onto 8, a
personal PC or a kiosk present at the store and registers 9, on the
merchant's or third party provider's website. The donor then enters
10, the amount, Buyer's name, a personal text message, a personal
voice message, phone number of recipient, email address of
recipient, and/or delivery times. The donor then enters 11, the
credit/debit card information for purchase of the image-based
payment medium. A serial number is created for the newly purchased
image-based payment medium and entered 12, in the database. The
serial number is sent to the retailer or a clearinghouse. The
serial number is used to create a corresponding code image
according to stored standards for the retailer. An activation code
is created for the transaction. The recipient is sent 13, an SMS
message informing of the purchase of the image-based payment medium
for the recipient and any message from the donor. The recipient is
also sent an email informing of the purchase of the image-based
payment medium. Optionally, the message instructs the recipient to
go to a website to activate the card using an activation code
included in the message sent to the recipient. The donor is sent
14, a message confirming completion of the transaction. In this
embodiment, the donor and the recipient may be the same entity.
[0035] In step b) of this embodiment, the recipient logs onto 15, a
personal PC or a kiosk present at a store and connects 16, to a
website given in the message sent in step 14. The recipient is
asked to enter 17, and email address and to participate in a
demographic survey. The recipient is given the option to accept
product specific advertising to be sent to the recipient's mobile
phone 5, via SMS and/or email address. The recipient also enters
the "activation code" found in SMS/email message to
activate/confirm the recipient. Also, once confirmed, the recipient
is asked to enter the phone number of the mobile phone 5, which
will receive the image. The recipient survey data is sent 18, to
the database. The encoded gift image is generated and sent 19, to
the recipient's mobile phone number. Generation of the image is
done by using a random number generator to create a unique
alphanumeric string. This string is then converted into an
alphanumeric barcode image. Optionally, any technique can be used
to assign a unique account identifier and that identifier can then
be converted into a multidimensional barcode. That barcode can be
overlaid onto any picture or graphic provided by the recipient, the
donor or the retailer. The result will be that the image will have
small imperfections where it has been merged with the barcode, and
these imperfections may even be indistinguishable to the naked
human eye. However, a machine image scanner will be able to "see"
these imperfections, and decode the barcode from the picture.
Alternately, the barcode may be embedded into the picture itself,
altering the image in some predetermined area of the picture, using
the picture's inherent color, light, and shading scheme to create
an alteration that can be scanned and decoded by a machine.
[0036] Also, a confirmation message is emailed to the recipient
with instructions on how to reissue the images. A confirmation
message is displayed 20, confirming activation of the image-based
payment medium and transmission of the image to recipient's mobile
phone 5.
[0037] In step c) of this embodiment, the recipient accesses 21 or
27, the encoded image on the mobile phone 5, at the retailer's
point of sale. A scanner or webcam decodes the image into a code
number for the image-based payment medium. The image-based payment
medium code is reconciled 22, with the database for the credit
amount to apply to the purchase. The purchase data is sent 23, to
the database and the data is updated to a corresponding email tag
along with the amount remaining in the account. This step can
optionally be done via a batch transaction. The point of sale
receives 25, the amount of the remaining on the account and the
cashier reconciles the purchase with the recipient accordingly.
Optionally, if update to the database is done in real-time rather
than by batch, an SMS message showing 26, the remaining credit on
the account can be sent to the recipient's mobile phone 5. Another
embodiment combines the functionality of the different databases
into one central or distributed database.
[0038] In step d) of this embodiment of the invention, the retailer
will run reports through an advertising application 32, against the
database 1, which will report on the image-based payment medium
performance, allow the upload of text messages and email
advertising and will allow the retailer to place orders to deliver
advertising on specific dates and to specific recipients. The
retailer's advertising order information is sent to the database
and on the time and date specified by the retailer, text and/or
email advertising is sent out to the specified recipients. The
messages are then received by the recipient's mobile phone, or
alternately, by the recipient's e-mail client.
[0039] A mobile phone as used in this specification is also known
as a wireless phone, cell phone, or cellular telephone. It is a
long-range, portable, electronic device used for mobile voice or
data communication over a network of specialized base stations
known as cell sites. In addition to the standard voice function of
a mobile phone, mobile phones may support many additional services,
and accessories, such as SMS for text messaging, email, packet
switching for access to the Internet, gaming, Bluetooth, infrared,
camera with video recorder and MMS for sending and receiving photos
and video, MP3 player, radio and GPS. Most current mobile phones
connect to a cellular network of base stations (cell sites), which
is in turn interconnected to the public switched telephone network
(PSTN) (the exception is satellite phones). In addition to cell
sites, a mobile phone may also use other network accessing devices,
such as "wi-fi", wireless Internet hotspots, voice over IP, and
satellite to facilitate its services.
[0040] It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown
and described herein are to be taken as examples of embodiments.
Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and
described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain
features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as
would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the
benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made
in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as described in the following
claims.
* * * * *