UNIVERSAL INTERACTIVE ADVERTISING AND PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC ACCESS ELECTRONIC COMMERCE AND BUSINESS RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

• US 20020077889A1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: KOLLS, H. BROCK
• Granted Patent: US 6,609,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0272 Period of advertisement exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• 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 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

The present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system for networking, monitoring and controlling electronic commerce and vending equipment. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones, facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC). Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. The first network and second network can be the same network. Complete control of a vending machine'"'"'s functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network. Remote connection to the network includes Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission. The present invention allows a user to obtain authorization for use, pay for products and services, and conFigure the vending equipment with a smart card, or magnetic card (card). Magnetic cards include smart card, credit card, debit card, pre-paid, automated teller machine (ATM) or other bank or private issued card. Users can also use a hotel room key/card or other insertion type-identifying device. Additionally, biometric identification such as hand writing, voice, finger, hand, or eye (iris scan) can be utilized to control the system.

Claims

1. A public access electronic commerce terminal for simultaneously controlling a plurality of vending machines and conducting electronic commerce transactions comprising:

a transaction control device interconnected with at least one of said plurality of vending machines for controlling said interconnected vending machine;

an input device interconnected with said transaction control device for inputting user data;

a display device interconnected with said transaction control device for displaying information;

a telephone interface controller interconnected with said transaction control device, for monitoring and controlling data communications;

a user control panel interconnected with said transaction control device; and

an interactive user response system interconnected with said transaction control device for allowing a user to interactively data communicate to local or remote locations.

2. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said input device is a magnetic card reader, whereby magnetic cards, credit cards, smart cards, debit cards, pre paid cards, automated teller cards, or other bank and or private label cards can be read.

3. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display means displays interactive advertising and information related to the processing of a vending transaction and or an electronic commerce transaction.

4. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transaction control device is a debit card terminal.

5. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transaction control device is a credit card terminal.

6. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transaction control device is a public PC.

7. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transaction control device is a network PC.

8. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transaction control device is a coin and or cash acceptor.

9. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said telephone interface control means is a VSAT interface.

10. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said telephone interface control means is an ISDN interface.

11. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said telephone interface control means is an ADSL interface.

12. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said telephone interface control means is a T1 telecommunication interface.

13. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said telephone interface control means is a TCP/IP network interface.

14. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said telephone interface control means is a wireless communication interface.

15. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said telephone interface control means is a dedicated hardwired interface.

16. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said user control panel is a touch screen.

17. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said user control panel is a plurality of push buttons.

18. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an infrared communication means, for communicating with other said terminals and other data communicating equipment.

19. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode indicator means, for optically communicating a plurality of status conditions.

20. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an equipment control means for controlling usage of said vending machine.

21. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a vend counter control means, for monitoring, counting, and controlling cycle event of said vending machine.

22. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a mouse/keyboard control means, for controlling usage of a personal computer.

23. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a printer/modem control means, for controlling usage of a printer.

24. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a hardware security interface means.

25. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a voice/handwriting capture and recognition means.

26. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a biometric reader means.

27. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a local area network means.

28. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 27, wherein said local area network means can interface to a property management information system.

29. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 27, wherein said local area network means can interface to a management information system.

30. The public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 27, wherein said local area network means is an interface to a universal server.

31. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 27, wherein said local area network means can interface to a point of sale system.

32. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interactive user response system is further comprised of a speaker and a microphone interconnected with said transaction control device, to communicate audio for audio conferencing.

33. A public access electronic commerce terminal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interactive user response system is further comprised of a camera interconnected with said transaction control device, to communicate video for video conferencing.

35. A transaction processing method in accordance with claim 34, further including the step of determining if a dynamic identification interchange step is required based on said transaction data whereby said transaction data can undergo a swap data step, an append data step, a convert data step, a route data step, and or a process data step.

37. A smart card revaluing method in accordance with claim 36, wherein, after the step of communicating said transaction data to a universal server, the user is prompted to enter a desired revalue amount.

38. A smart card revaluing method in accordance with claim 36, wherein the step of communicating said transaction data to a universal server can include a dynamic identification interchange step to convert said transaction data by way of a swap data step, an append data step, a convert data step, a route data step, and or a process data step.

40. A method of distributing, monitoring and effectuating electronic commerce transactions in accordance with claim 39, wherein said for of identification requested is a magnetic card, wherein said magnetic card includes a credit card, a smart card, a debit card, a prepaid card, an automated teller card, or a bank or private label card.

34. A transaction processing method for processing vending and electronic commerce transactions by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) capturing transaction data;

b) identifying transaction type based on said transaction data;

c) evaluating the validity of said transaction type;

d) communicating said transaction data; and

e) processing said transaction data.

36. A smart card revaluing method for altering the stored value on a smart card by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) detecting a smart card has been inserted into a smart card reader writer;

b) retrieving transaction data from said smart card;

c) communicating said transaction data to a universal server;

d) evaluating the validity of said transaction data; and

e) processing said transaction data.

39. A method of distributing, monitoring, and effectuating electronic commerce transactions with interactive advertising by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps:

a) distributing advertisements for an electronic commerce items over a network of terminals;

b) monitoring user responses to said advertisements;

c) allowing said user to obtain more information on said advertisements or to purchase said electronic commerce items;

d) requesting said user to present a valid form of identification to start a transaction when said user is currently not in a transaction;

e) determining transaction data;

f) communicating said transaction data to a universal server; and

g) adding said electronic commerce items purchased to said user'"'"'s current transaction charges.

41. A method of buying goods and services by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) allowing a user to respond to an advertisement;

b) requesting said user to present a valid form of identification to start a transaction when said user is currently not in a transaction;

c) determining transaction data;

d) communicating said transaction data to a universal server;

e) processing said transaction data to bill customer; and

f) delivering said goods or items purchased by said user.

42. A method of buying goods and services in accordance with claim 41, whereby said customers are billed by at least one of the followings ways:

credit card;

smart card;

debit card;

magnetic cards;

PMS system;

MIS system;

POS system;

in store account; and

;

other database and financial means.

43. A method of buying goods and services in accordance with claim 41, wherein the step of delivering purchased items to a customer is further comprised of the steps:

a) placing an order with a distribution fulfillment center; and

b) shipping said goods directly from said distribution fulfillment center to said user or a store outlet.

44. A dynamic identification interchange method for exchanging one form of identification for another form of identification through the use of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps:

a) obtaining transaction data;

b) data communicating said transaction data to a universal server, whereby said transaction data can undergo by way of said dynamic identification interchange a swap data step, an append data step, a convert data step, a route data step, or a process data step; and

c) returning the resultant of step b for further processing.

47. A method of collecting customer survey information in accordance with claim 46, wherein the step of processing said customer survey form includes the step of routing said customer survey form to any desired remote location or database.

45. A method of tracking system errors by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) testing to see if a preprogrammed number of non-system-use hours has elapsed;

b) testing to see if any networked equipment is in an error condition;

c) allowing a remote location to poll a universal server to data communicate with a plurality of public access electronic commerce terminals and vending equipment requesting system status information;

d) determining if an error condition is present based on said system status information; and

e) allowing said universal server to process said error condition handling procedures.

46. A method of collecting customer survey information by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining transaction data;

b) data communicating transaction data to a universal server;

c) prompting a user to enter data into a customer survey form;

d) data communicating said transaction data including said customer survey form to said universal server; and

e) processing said customer survey form.

48. A method of providing a help desk by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) initiating a help or service request;

b) communicating said help or service request to a universal server;

c) allowing said universal server to render said help or service when said help or service request can be resolved by said universal server;

d) allowing said universal server to request said help or service from another data communicating device when said help of service request can not be resolved by said universal server;

e) communicating data, and or video data, and or audio data from a data communicating device to said public access electronic commerce terminal system requesting said help or service; and

f) terminating said help or service request.

49. A method of printing data by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) requesting permission to print from a universal server;

b) determining if said public access electronic commerce terminal system is preprogrammed with a network address to send said print data;

c) determining where said print data will be data communicated;

d) data communicating said print data;

e) testing if data communication was successful; and

f) sending print data to said universal server when data communication was unsuccessful.

50. A method of processing post vend transaction data by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) data communicating said post vend transaction data to a universal server;

b) determining whether post vend transaction routing is required;

c) routing said post vend transaction data for settlement when required;

d) routing said post vend transaction data for posting when required;

e) processing said post vend transaction data in accordance with said universal server'"'"'s programmed settings; and

f) determining if said post vend transaction data processing was successful.

51. A method of servicing a request from a universal server, a property management system, a point of sale system, a management information system, a personal computer, and or a user by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) determining if a service condition has been requested;

b) responding to said service condition by data communicating an acknowledge;

c) determining whether data communications with the universal server is required to resolve the service request;

d) data communicating with said universal server to resolve the service request when required; and

e) resolving said service condition.

52. A method of performing a transaction by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system comprising the steps of:

a) capturing transaction data when an identification form is presented;

b) determining if said identification form is valid;

c) processing said transaction data;

d) determining a processing limit from said transaction data;

e) determining whether a print receipt is required from said transaction data;

f) validating said transaction data;

g) enabling equipment for use based upon the receipt of an “

approved”

response in step f;

h) allowing goods and service to be vended;

i) displaying advertising on said public access electronic commerce terminal system;

j) allowing a customer to purchase items advertised on said public access electronic commerce terminal system;

k) testing for maximum authorization limit reached based upon said transaction data;

l) reauthorizing identification when the processing limit has been reached;

m) printing a transaction receipt when required; and

n) data communicating said transaction data.

53. A method of performing a transaction in accordance with claim 52, whereby said transaction data is processed by a universal server, and or a property management system, and or a point of sale system, and or a management information system, and or a personal computer.

54. A public access electronic commerce terminal for simultaneously controlling a plurality of point of sale systems and conducting electronic commerce transactions comprising:

a transaction control means interconnected with at least one of said plurality of point of sale systems for controlling said interconnected point of sale system;

an input means interconnected with said transaction control device for inputting user data;

a display means interconnected with said transaction control device for displaying information;

a telephone interface control means interconnected with said transaction control device, for monitoring and controlling data communications;

a user control panel interconnected with said transaction control device; and

an interactive user response means interconnected with said transaction control device for allowing a user to interactively data communicate to local or remote locations.

55. A carrier including a computer program, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a transaction by way of a public access electronic commerce terminal system, the computer program causing the computer to perform the steps of:

a) capturing transaction data when an identification form is presented;

b) determining if said identification form is valid;

c) processing said transaction data;

d) determining a processing limit from said transaction data;

e) determining whether a print receipt is required from said transaction data;

f) validating said transaction data;

g) enabling equipment for use based upon the receipt of an “

approved”

response in step f;

h) allowing goods and service to be vended;

i) displaying advertising on said public access electronic commerce terminal system;

j) allowing a customer to purchase items advertised on said public access electronic commerce terminal system;

k) testing for maximum authorization limit reached based upon said transaction data;

l) reauthorizing identification when the processing limit has been reached;

m) printing a transaction receipt when required; and

n) data communicating said transaction data.