System, method and article of manufacture for commerce utilizing a bar code-receiving terminal

• US 20020030105A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Michael R., Miller, Gregory P., Carpenter, William H. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030105A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for bar code-based electronic commerce. First, a representation of a bar code is received from a user at a terminal. The representation of the bar code is obtained by scanning a bar code of an item. Information relating to obtaining the item is presented on a display of the terminal. Input relating to obtaining the item is received from the user in response to the presented information.

Claims

1. A method for bar code-based electronic commerce, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a representation of a bar code at a terminal from a user, wherein the representation of the bar code is obtained by scanning a bar code of an item;

(b) presenting information relating to obtaining the item on a display of the terminal;

(c) receiving input from the user in response to the presented information, wherein the user input is for obtaining the item.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the item is a rental item, wherein the information presented includes rental information.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the user input includes payment information for paying a rent of the rental item.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the item is a product, wherein the terminal dispenses the product upon receiving payment information from the user.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the item is a product, wherein the terminal dispenses a ticket upon receiving payment information from the user, wherein the ticket is exchanged for possession of the product.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the item is a product, wherein the product is sent to the user after receiving payment information from the user.

7. A computer program product for bar code-based electronic commerce, comprising:

(a) computer code for receiving a representation of a bar code at a terminal from a user, wherein the representation of the bar code is obtained by scanning a bar code of an item;

(b) computer code for presenting information relating to obtaining the item on a display of the terminal;

(c) computer code for receiving input from the user in response to the presented information, wherein the user input is for obtaining the item.

8. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the item is a rental item, wherein the information presented includes rental information.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the user input includes payment information for paying a rent of the rental item.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the item is a product, wherein the terminal dispenses the product upon receiving payment information from the user.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the item is a product, wherein the terminal dispenses a ticket upon receiving payment information from the user, wherein the ticket is exchanged for possession of the product.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the item is a product, wherein the product is sent to the user after receiving payment information from the user.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the item is a rental item, wherein the information presented includes rental information.

15. A system as recited in claim 14, wherein the user input includes payment information for paying a rent of the rental item.

16. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the item is a product, wherein the terminal dispenses the product upon receiving payment information from the user.

17. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the item is a product, wherein the terminal dispenses a ticket upon receiving payment information from the user, wherein the ticket is exchanged for possession of the product.

18. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the item is a product, wherein the product is sent to the user after receiving payment information from the user.

13. A system for bar code-based electronic commerce, comprising:

(a) clogic for receiving a representation of a bar code at a terminal from a user, wherein the representation of the bar code is obtained by scanning a bar code of an item;

(b) clogic for presenting information relating to obtaining the item on a display of the terminal;

(c) clogic for receiving input from the user in response to the presented information, wherein the user input is for obtaining the item.