Method for selecting and paying for items with a mobile terminal

• US 20030023509A1
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Company KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Company KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Rammig, Ralf
• Application Number:
  US10/177,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20030023509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• 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: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

The conventional method of operating a vending machine is supplemented by providing a connection that is not established via a mobile radio network and the switching centers and control devices connected therewith. An additional, direct connection between the mobile terminal (i.e., the consumer/subscriber) and the vending machine is provided. The connection can for example be established via Bluetooth or IrDa standard.

Claims

1. A method of selling items in a vending machine, which comprises:

establishing a first connection, not via a mobile radio network, to enable a subscriber to select an item at the vending machine from a mobile terminal;

addressing the vending machine with the mobile terminal of the subscriber by way of a second connection via a mobile radio network;

performing an authorization check for the second connection in the network;

after a successful authorization check, enabling the vending machine to output the selected item.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises paying for the item via a billing mechanism used in the mobile radio network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first connection is a wireless connection directly between the terminal and the vending machine via a transmission interface.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first connection is a transmission link selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth link and an IrDA link.

5. A method of purchasing an item from a vending machine using a mobile terminal, which comprises:

setting up a first connection from the first terminal to the vending machine via an interface;

making a selection at the vending machine by way of the first connection;

setting up a second connection from the terminal to the vending machine via a mobile radio network;

performing an authorization check in the mobile radio network; and

outputting the selected item with the vending machine.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first connection is a transmission link selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth link and an IrDA link.

7. The method according to claim 5, which comprises performing the selection step at the vending machine by way of the first connection with menu-prompted selections.

8. The method according to claim 7, which comprises offering for selection only those items which are available in the vending machine at a time of the selection.

9. The method according to claim 7, which comprises supporting the sales process with announcements.

10. The method according to claim 5, which comprises effecting payment for the item together with a billing of the second connection in the mobile radio network.

11. The method according to claim 5, which comprises transmitting by way of the first connection information containing data selected from the group consisting of items offered and a price of the items.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein the information transmitted by way of the first connection contains a call number or parts of a call number with which the vending machine or the selected item in the vending machine is selected with a connection via the mobile radio network.