System and method for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer

• US 20040226995A1
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Smith, Gerald W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,988,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02

Abstract

A system for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer includes a consumer interface and a settlement administrator. The consumer interface is configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer, and the settlement administrator is configured to receive the consumer identity signal and to receive an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer. The settlement administrator is further configured to facilitate one or more payments between an account of the merchant and an account of the consumer upon receipt of the consumer identity signal and the amount owing signal. In addition, the system may include an incentive administrator configured to emit an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer. The incentive administrator may be configured to receive the consumer identity signal so that the incentive offer may be based at least in part on the consumer identity signal.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer comprising:

a consumer interface and a settlement administrator;

wherein said consumer interface is configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer;

wherein said settlement administrator is configured to receive said consumer identity signal and to receive an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer; and

wherein said settlement administrator is further configured to facilitate one or more payments between an account of said merchant and an account of said consumer upon receipt of said consumer identity signal and said amount owing signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said amount owing signal is indicative of an inventory of purchases of said consumer and wherein said settlement administrator is configured to determine an amount owing based at least in part on said inventory.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said consumer interface is further configured to receive and retain an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said consumer interface is further configured to emit said offer signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said settlement administrator is further configured to receive an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said payment is based at least in part on said offer signal.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an incentive administrator configured to emit an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said incentive administrator is configured to receive a consumer identity signal and wherein said incentive offer is based at least in part on said consumer identity signal.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a merchandising administrator in communication with said settlement administrator and said incentive administrator;

wherein said settlement administrator is further configured to provide merchandising information to said merchandising administrator;

wherein said merchandizing administrator is configured to receive said merchandising information and to provide incentive information to said incentive administrator; and

wherein said incentive offer is based at least in part on said merchandizing information.

10. A method for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer comprising:

providing a consumer interface configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer;

receiving said consumer identity signal;

receiving an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer; and

facilitating one or more payments between an account of said merchant and an account of said consumer.