Method and system for facilitating consumer interactions for performing purchase commands

• US 10,115,105 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Inventors: Viswanath, Sri, Hyche, Eric, Shah, Mihir, Bergstrom, Peter, Burton, Michael, Levi, Dor, Sisinni, Fabio, Chennavasin, Don Albert, Ciocirlan, Marius G., Kim, Ben, Rahim, Riaz
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, William J
• Application Number:
  US14/626,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20150242941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3825 Use of electronic signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231

Abstract

Embodiments provide a computer-executed method, a computer system and computer-program product for facilitating a transaction. The method includes transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause a representation of an item to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a visual display of a computing device. The method also includes receiving, from the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input associated with a consumer and performed using the consumer interface. The method further includes, based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to a purchase command, retrieving information previously stored for the consumer, generating an order to purchase the item for the consumer, and transmitting an order confirmation configured to be displayed by the computing device.

Claims

1. A computer-executed method for facilitating a transaction, the method comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause a representation of an item to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a touch-screen visual display of a computing device, wherein the consumer interface presents an icon associated with the representation of the item;

receiving, at the touch-screen visual display of the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input;

associating the compound consumer input with the item by detecting that at least a portion of the compound consumer input occurs at a position on the touch-screen visual display corresponding to a position of the icon;

determining that the compound consumer input corresponds to a purchase command; and

based on the determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the purchase command, facilitating purchase of the item,

wherein a first portion of the consumer input is associated with the purchase command, and wherein a second portion of the consumer input is associated with a second command, and

wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of the item selected for purchase, and wherein the method further comprises;

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating purchase of one or more instances of the item based on the quantity command.

2. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the consumer interface to display a consumer input definition interface including an indication of the purchase command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer;

generating the compound consumer input based on the input definition data;

associating the compound consumer input with the purchase command; and

storing the association among the compound consumer input, the purchase command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device.

3. The computer-executable method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing the consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of a second command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generating a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associating the second compound consumer input with the second command; and

storing the association among the second compound consumer input, the second command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the purchase command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the second command for the consumer.

4. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause a second consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a second consumer interface rendered on a second visual display of a second computing device associated with a second consumer;

causing the second consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of the purchase command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generating a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associating the second compound consumer input with the purchase command; and

storing the association among the second compound consumer input, the purchase command and the second consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the purchase command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the second consumer interface of the second consumer initiates the purchase command for the second consumer.

5. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input includes one or more of:

a checkmark selection, a multi-point touchscreen press action, a mouse click action, a touchscreen tap action, a touchscreen press and hold action, a touchscreen drag and drop action, a touchscreen pinch action, a touchscreen unpinch action, a touchscreen swipe action, a touchscreen slide action, a touchscreen press action, a touchscreen pull-down action, a device shake action, a device twist action, a movement of the computing device, a change in orientation of the computing device, a touchscreen writing action, a touchscreen drawing or writing motion, a touchscreen selection of one or more alphanumeric characters, a keyboard action, a mouse action, a static or moving gesture captured by a camera, or a speaking of a sound.

6. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the purchase command initiates purchase of the item without associating the item with an electronic shopping cart.

7. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer interface includes a representation of an electronic shopping cart or a representation of a purchase drop region, and wherein the purchase command is initiated upon the compound consumer input overlapping with the representation of the shopping cart representation or the representation of the purchase drop region.

8. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time;

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

a third point at a third time subsequent to the second time;

wherein the first, second and third points are not collinear.

9. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by a point held for at least a predefined amount of time.

10. The computer-executable method of claim 9, wherein the continuous touch interaction is further defined by at least a second point at a second time subsequent to the predefined amount of time.

11. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time; and

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time;

wherein the first point and the second point define a predetermined first direction from the first point to the second point.

12. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting computer-executable instructions to alter the consumer interface in response to receiving an indication of the second command.

13. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the second command comprises a request command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause a second representation for a second item to be rendered on the consumer interface.

14. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the second command comprises a cancel purchase command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause cancellation of a purchase of the item.

15. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the second command comprises a relevance indicator command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause;

determining one or more parameters of the item;

associating or dissociating the one or more parameters with a consumer account as being relevant to the consumer account; and

determining a second item different from the purchased item based on the one or more parameters.

16. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

associating a third consumer input with a third command;

receiving third consumer input data indicating a third consumer interaction with the representation of the item; and

in response to receiving the third consumer input;

determining whether the third command has been initiated based on the third consumer input, and

processing the third command when the third command has been initiated;

wherein the second command comprises a details command requesting details of the item, and wherein the third command comprises a cancel purchase command requesting cancelation of purchase of the item.

17. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location of the computing device;

determining a language associated with the location; and

associating the compound consumer input with the purchase command based at least in part on the language.

18. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer input comprises a plurality of discontinuous interactions at substantially a single location on the surface of a touchscreen.

19. The computer-executable method of claim 18, wherein an interaction comprises a continuous touch interaction defined by, on the surface of the touchscreen:

a first point at a first time within the interaction region;

a second point a second time at a purchase drop region of the consumer interface, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first point; and

a discontinuation of the continuous touch interaction subsequent to the second time.

20. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that the purchase command has been initiated, facilitating the transaction without requesting a subsequent purchase confirmation.

21. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to receiving the compound consumer input, sending a request to the computing device for approval of facilitating the transaction without requesting subsequent purchase confirmation;

receiving payment data from the computing device;

storing the payment data; and

subsequent to receiving consumer approval data indicating approval of facilitating the transaction without requesting the subsequent purchase confirmation, facilitating the transaction with the payment data.

22. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer interface displays a geographical map of a plurality of locations at which the item may be purchased, and wherein a location of the compound consumer input on the map corresponds to selection of a geographical location for which the purchase command is carried out.

23. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the item is a promotion, the representation of the item is an impression, and the purchase command is a command for initiating purchase of the promotion for the consumer.

24. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the consumer interface is rendered by a promotion application program executing on the mobile computing device.

25. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the consumer interface is rendered by an email application program.

26. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the consumer interface is rendered by a mobile push notification protocol.

27. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the purchase command is predetermined to be associated with the compound consumer input.

28. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a speed of the compound consumer input on the consumer interface;

wherein the order is generated based on a determination that the speed of the compound consumer input satisfies a predetermined threshold speed.

29. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a speed of the compound consumer input on the consumer interface; and

upon determining that the speed does not satisfy a predetermined speed threshold, displaying a purchase confirmation interface configured to enable user input for confirming or rejecting the purchase command;

wherein the order is generated if user input confirming the purchase command is received at the purchase confirmation interface.

30. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a distance on the consumer interface covered by the compound consumer input;

wherein the order is generated based on a determination that the distance on the consumer interface covered by the compound consumer input satisfies a predetermined threshold distance.

31. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a distance on the consumer interface covered by the compound consumer input; and

upon determining that the distance does not satisfy a predetermined distance threshold, displaying a purchase confirmation interface configured to enable user input for confirming or rejecting the purchase command;

wherein the order is generated if user input confirming the purchase command is received at the purchase confirmation interface.

32. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a time period during which the compound consumer input is provided at the consumer interface;

wherein the order is generated based on a determination that the time period satisfies a predetermined threshold time period.

33. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a time period during which the compound consumer input is provided at the consumer interface; and

upon determining that the time period does not satisfy a predetermined time threshold, displaying a purchase confirmation interface configured to enable user input for confirming or rejecting the purchase command;

wherein the order is generated if user input confirming the purchase command is received at the purchase confirmation interface.

34. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a consumer interaction region on the consumer interface;

wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous slide action or a pull-down action performed on the consumer interaction region.

35. The computer-executable method of claim 34, further comprising:

displaying a consumer instruction regarding the compound consumer input at the consumer interaction region.

36. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an indicator to indicate a progress of the compound consumer input as it is provided on the consumer interface.

37. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to a purchase confirmation command, displaying a purchase confirmation interface on the consumer interface.

38. A computer system is provided comprising at least a processor, and a memory associated with the processor having computer coded instructions therein, with the computer instructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the computer system to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to cause a representation of an item to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a touch screen visual display of a computing device, wherein the consumer interface presents an icon associated with the representation of the item;

receive, at the touch-screen visual display of the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input;

associate the compound consumer input with the item by detecting that at least a portion of the compound consumer input occurs at a position on the touch-screen visual display corresponding to a position of the icon;

determine that the compound consumer input corresponds to a purchase command; and

based on the determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the purchase command, facilitate purchase of the item,

wherein a first portion of the consumer input is associated with the purchase command, and wherein a second portion of the consumer input is associated with a second command, and

wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of the item selected for purchase, and wherein the system is further configured to;

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating purchase of one or more instances of the item based on the quantity command.

39. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

cause the consumer interface to display a consumer input definition interface including an indication of the purchase command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer;

generate the compound consumer input based on the input definition data;

associate the compound consumer input with the purchase command; and

store the association among the compound consumer input, the purchase command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device.

40. The computer system of claim 39, further configured to:

cause the consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of a second command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generate a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associate the second compound consumer input with the second command; and

store the association among the second compound consumer input, the second command and the consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the purchase command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the second command for the consumer.

41. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to cause a second consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a second consumer interface rendered on a second visual display of a second computing device associated with a second consumer;

cause the second consumer interface to display a second consumer input definition interface including an indication of the purchase command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the consumer;

generate a second compound consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associate the second compound consumer input with the purchase command; and

store the association among the second compound consumer input, the purchase command and the second consumer on a non-transitory storage device;

wherein receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer interface of the consumer initiates the purchase command for the consumer, and wherein receipt of the second compound consumer input from the second consumer interface of the second consumer initiates the purchase command for the second consumer.

42. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the consumer interface includes a representation of an electronic shopping cart or a representation of a purchase drop region, and wherein the purchase command is configure to be initiated upon the compound consumer input overlapping with the representation of the shopping cart representation or the representation of the purchase drop region.

43. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time;

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

a third point at a third time subsequent to the second time;

wherein the first, second and third points are not collinear.

44. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by a point held for at least a predefined amount of time.

45. The computer system of claim 44, wherein the continuous touch interaction is further defined by at least a second point at a second time subsequent to the predefined amount of time.

46. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time; and

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time;

wherein the first point and the second point define a predetermined first direction from the first point to the second point.

47. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to alter the consumer interface in response to receiving an indication of the second command.

48. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the second command comprises a request command, and wherein computer system is further configure to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause a second representation for a second item to be rendered on the consumer interface.

49. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the second command comprises a cancel purchase command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause cancellation of a purchase of the item.

50. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of the item selected for purchase, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating purchase of one or more instances of the item based on the quantity command.

51. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the second command comprises a relevance indicator command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions configured to cause;

determining one or more parameters of the item;

associating or dissociate the one or more parameters with a consumer account as being relevant to the consumer account; and

determining a second item different from the purchased item based on the one or more parameters.

52. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

associate a third consumer input with a third command;

receive third consumer input data indicating a third consumer interaction with the representation of the item; and

in response to receiving the third consumer input;

determine whether the third command has been initiated based on the third consumer input, and

process the third command when the third command has been initiated;

wherein the second command comprises a details command requesting details of the item, and wherein the third command comprises a cancel purchase command requesting cancelation of purchase of the item.

53. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the consumer input comprises a plurality of discontinuous interactions at substantially a single location on the surface of a touchscreen.

54. The computer system of claim 53, wherein an interaction comprises a continuous touch interaction defined by, on the surface of the touchscreen:

a first point at a first time within the interaction region;

a second point a second time at a purchase drop region of the consumer interface, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first point; and

a discontinuation of the continuous touch interaction subsequent to the second time.

55. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

in response to determining that the purchase command has been initiated, facilitate the transaction without requesting a subsequent purchase confirmation.

56. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

prior to receiving the compound consumer input, send a request to the computing device for approval of facilitating the transaction without requesting subsequent purchase confirmation;

receive payment data from the computing device;

store the payment data; and

subsequent to receiving consumer approval data indicating approval of facilitating the transaction without requesting the subsequent purchase confirmation, facilitate the transaction with the payment data.

57. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the consumer interface is configured to display a geographical map of a plurality of locations at which the item may be purchased, and wherein a location of the compound consumer input on the map corresponds to selection of a geographical location for which the purchase command is carried out.

58. The computer system of claim 38, wherein the purchase command is predetermined to be associated with the compound consumer input.

59. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

detect a speed of the compound consumer input on the consumer interface;

wherein the order is generated based on a determination that the speed of the compound consumer input satisfies a predetermined threshold speed.

60. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

detect a speed of the compound consumer input on the consumer interface; and

upon determining that the speed does not satisfy a predetermined speed threshold, display a purchase confirmation interface configured to enable user input for confirming or rejecting the purchase command;

wherein the order is generated if user input confirming the purchase command is received at the purchase confirmation interface.

61. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

detect a distance on the consumer interface covered by the compound consumer input;

wherein the order is generated based on a determination that the distance on the consumer interface covered by the compound consumer input satisfies a predetermined threshold distance.

62. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

detect a distance on the consumer interface covered by the compound consumer input; and

upon determining that the distance does not satisfy a predetermined distance threshold, display a purchase confirmation interface configured to enable user input for confirming or rejecting the purchase command;

wherein the order is generated if user input confirming the purchase command is received at the purchase confirmation interface.

63. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

detect a time period during which the compound consumer input is provided at the consumer interface; and

upon determining that the time period does not satisfy a predetermined time threshold, display a purchase confirmation interface configured to enable user input for confirming or rejecting the purchase command;

wherein the order is generated if user input confirming the purchase command is received at the purchase confirmation interface.

64. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

display a consumer interaction region on the consumer interface;

wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous slide action or a pull-down action performed on the consumer interaction region.

65. The computer system of claim 64, further configured to:

display a consumer instruction regarding the compound consumer input at the consumer interaction region.

66. The computer system of claim 38, further configured to:

display an indicator to indicate a progress of the compound consumer input as it is provided on the consumer interface.

67. A computer program product is provided comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program instructions stored therein, said instructions when executed by a processor configured to:

transmit computer-executable instructions to cause a representation of an item to be displayed on a consumer interface rendered on a touch-screen visual display of a computing device, wherein the consumer interface presents an icon associated with the representation of the item;

receive, at the touch-screen visual display of the computing device, an indication of a compound consumer input;

associating the compound consumer input with the item by detecting that at least a portion of the compound consumer input occurs at a position on the touch-screen visual display corresponding to a position of the icon;

determining that the compound consumer input corresponds to a purchase command; and

based on the determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the purchase command, facilitating purchase of the item,

wherein a first portion of the consumer input is associated with the purchase command, and wherein a second portion of the consumer input is associated with a second command, and

wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of the item selected for purchase, and wherein the method further comprises;

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating purchase of one or more instances of the item based on the quantity command.