System and method for coordinating payment identification systems

• US 20050216354A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Modiv Media (Catalina Marketing Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vayusa, Inc. (Modiv Media, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bam, Ajay R., Chen, Troy, Stock, Walter, Wesley, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US10/877,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216354A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• 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: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for completing a purchase when the customer is not at the point of sale. According to an embodiment, there is established a communication connection for the customer to transmit an identifier uniquely associated with the customer to a merchant when placing an order for merchandise. The unique identifier along with data pertaining to the order for merchandise is communicated to a control system. The control system then obtains acceptance for making the purchase from the user that is associated with the unique identifier.

Claims

1. A method for making a purchase, said method comprising:

during a purchasing process and under control of a merchant, obtaining from a customer a unique identifier for a purchase, wherein said customer is not at the point of sale;

communicating said unique identifier together with data pertaining to said purchase to a control system common to a plurality of merchants and to a plurality of potential customers;

under control of said control system and using said unique identifier, requesting authorization from said customer for said purchase; and

communicating said authorization to said merchant.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of:

a phone number, a pager number, an e-mail address, and a text messaging address.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said unique identifier comprises:

a PIN selected by said customer that is associated with a device to contact said customer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said requesting comprises:

receiving a communication from said customer; and

confirming that said customer matches said unique identifier.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said communication from said customer identifies a method of payment.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said method of payment is selected from the group consisting of:

a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said merchant communicates said unique identifier together with said data pertaining to said purchase to a control system.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said control system communicates said authorization to said merchant.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein a method of payment is associated with said unique identifier.

10. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

receiving a gratuity amount from said customer.

11. The method of claim 4 wherein said communication is selected from the group consisting of:

a phone call, a pager message, an e-mail message, and a text message.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said requesting comprises:

under control of said merchant, placing said customer in contact with said control system.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said obtaining from a customer a unique identifier and said requesting from said customer authorization are performed over independent communication channels.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein at least one of said communication channels is a cellular telephone connection.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said purchase is made remotely.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said purchase is delivered to said customer.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said requesting occurs after said purchase is delivered to said customer.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

under control of said control system and upon receipt of said unique identifier, associating said unique identifier with any loyalty or reward programs relevant to said purchase.

19. A method for pre-authorization of payment for a purchase by a user, said method comprising:

selecting a location identifier corresponding to a point of sale where a purchase is to be made;

transmitting said selected location identifier to a system common to a plurality of points of sale;

entering in said system a unique identifier associated with said user; and

under control of said system and upon receipt of said unique identifier and said selected location identifier, requesting authorization for payment in advance of said purchase.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

in response to said authorization for payment, transmitting said authorization to a location where said purchase is to be made.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

entering in said system a gratuity to be added to the amount of said purchase.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said gratuity is entered as a percentage.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said gratuity is entered as a dollar amount.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein the amount of said purchase is not known at the time of said transmitting.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein said authorization includes authorizing said purchase to be made by a person other than said user.

26. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

under control of said system and upon receipt of said authorization, querying said user about needs for associated goods and services.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said associated goods and services are selected from the group consisting of:

maps, location information, reservations, discounts, coupons, dining services, and entertainment.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said associated goods and services comprise:

providing information about said user'"'"'s contacts that have made a similar purchase.

29. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

requesting delivery of said purchase to a specified location.

30. The method of claim 19 wherein said authorization of payment expires after a specified period of time if said purchase has not been completed.

31. A system for completing purchases when a customer is not at a point of sale, said system comprising:

means for communicating to a merchant a unique identification associated with a communication device of a customer placing an order for merchandise;

means for communicating said unique identification together with data pertaining to said order for merchandise to a system serving a plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers; and

means controlled by said system for obtaining acceptance for the purchase of said merchandise from said customer identified by said unique identification.

32. The system of claim 31 further comprising:

means for communicating said obtained acceptance to said merchant.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein said obtaining means comprises:

a temporarily established connection from said system to said customer.

34. The system of claim 31 wherein said communicating said unique identification and said obtaining acceptance for said purchase occur simultaneously.

35. A system for completing purchases when a customer is remote from a merchant, said system comprising:

means for communicating to said merchant a unique identification associated with a communication device of said customer placing an order for merchandise;

means for communicating said unique identification together with data pertaining to said order for merchandise to a system serving a plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers; and

means controlled by said system for obtaining acceptance of payment for said merchandise from said customer identified by said unique identification.

36. The system of claim 35 further comprising:

means for communicating said obtained acceptance to said merchant.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein said obtaining means comprises:

a temporarily established connection from said system to said customer.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein said obtaining means further comprises:

a SMS message delivered to a cellular telephone of said customer.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said SMS message gives said customer the option to accept or reject payment for said purchase.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein said SMS message allows said customer to enter a gratuity when said purchase is accepted.

41. The system of claim 37 wherein said temporarily established connection is a cellular connection.

42. The system of claim 35 wherein a communication occurring over said means for communication to a merchant occurs over the same communication connection in which said order for merchandise is placed with said merchant.

43. A system for completing a purchase when a customer is not at a point of sale, said system comprising:

a communication device for transmitting to a merchant an identifier uniquely associated with a customer placing an order for merchandise;

a system for receiving said identifier and data pertaining to said order for merchandise from said merchant; and

a connection controlled by said system for making contact with said customer and obtaining acceptance of payment for said purchase of said merchandise from said customer.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein said communication device is selected from the group consisting of:

cellular phone, pager, PDA, e-mail, and text messaging device.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein said unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of:

a phone number, a pager number, an e-mail address, and a text messaging address.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein said system for receiving said identifier serves a plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers.

47. A system for pre-authorizing payment for a purchase by a customer, said system comprising:

a communication device for sending a location identifier and a unique identifier;

a system serving a plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers for receiving said location identifier and said unique identifier;

a communication connection between said system and said customer for requesting authorization of payment in advance of said purchase; and

a communication connection between said system and a location associated with said location identifier for transmitting said authorization of payment to said location where said purchase is to be made.

48. A method for making a purchase, said method comprising:

during a purchasing process, communicating an identifier associated with a user together with data pertaining to said purchase to a control system common to a plurality of merchants and to a plurality of potential users;

under control of said control system and using said unique identifier, obtaining authorization for payment of an amount due from said user for said purchase; and

transmitting said amount due to said merchant as payment for said purchase.

49. The method of claim 48 further comprising:

sending a receipt to said merchant identifying said amount due has been transmitted.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein said merchant contacts said system to confirm receipt of said amount due.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein said user authorizes said payment by entering a PIN.