Method and architecture for online receipts

• US 20030216983A1
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bodin, William Kress
• Application Number:
  US10/150,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216983A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/047 using payment protocols involving electronic receipts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/389 Keeping log of transactions for guaranteeing non-repudiation of a transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

A method, program, and system for consolidating and routing electronic receipt data are provided. The invention comprises receiving identification data from a user and authenticating the user'"'"'s identity. Electronic receipt data is then retrieved from a point of sale terminal within a computer network and routed to a repository, wherein the repository is associated with the user. In one embodiment, the receipt data is converted into Receipt Markup Language (RML), which is a DTD of XML. In another embodiment, the receipt data is routed to a plurality of destinations, according to user preferences.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving user identification data at a point of sale client within a computer network;

authenticating the user identification data;

sending the point of sale client an address for a repository associated with the user identity; and

routing electronic receipt data sent from the point of sale client to the repository.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein authentication of the user identification data is by means of user data and preferences stored on a network server.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of authenticating the user identification data further comprises calling a servlet that can communicate with the point of sale client by means of XML and receipt markup language.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic receipt data is formatted in receipt markup language.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

duplicating the receipt data; and

routing the duplicate on at least one of a plurality of destinations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the routing destinations are specified by user preferences.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the repository is on a server.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the repository is on a second client within the computer network, and wherein the second client has a persistent connection to the network.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the repository is on a pervasive computing device.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from a pervasive computing device to access electronic receipt data in the repository, wherein the request includes user identification data associated with the repository;

sending the requested electronic receipt data to the pervasive computing device.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising uploading an applet to the pervasive computing device, wherein the applet communicates with the repository by means of XML and receipt markup language.

12. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for use in a data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions for receiving user identification data at a point of sale client within a computer network;

second instructions for authenticating the user identification data;

third instructions for sending the point of sale client an address for a repository associated with the user identity; and

fourth instructions for routing electronic receipt data sent from the point of sale client to the repository.

13. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein authentication of the user identification data is by means of user data and preferences stored on a network server.

14. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein the second instructions further comprise a servlet that can communicate with the point of sale client by means of XML and receipt markup language.

15. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein the electronic receipt data is formatted in receipt markup language.

16. The computer program product according to claim 12, further comprising:

fifth instructions for duplicating the receipt data; and

sixth instructions for routing the duplicate on at least one of a plurality of destinations.

17. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein the routing destinations are specified by user preferences.

18. The computer program product according to claim 12, further comprising:

seventh instructions for receiving a request from a pervasive computing device to access electronic receipt data in the repository, wherein the request includes user identification data associated with the repository;

eight instructions for sending the requested electronic receipt data to the pervasive computing device.

19. The computer program product according to claim 18, further comprising:

ninth instructions for uploading an applet to the pervasive computing device, wherein the applet communicates with the repository by means of XML and receipt markup language.

20. A method comprising:

a receiving component for receiving user identification data at a point of sale client within a computer network;

an authentication component for authenticating the user identification data;

a communication component for sending the point of sale client an address for a repository associated with the user identity; and

a routing component for routing electronic receipt data sent from the point of sale client to the repository.