PAYMENT PROGRAM FOR USE IN POINT-OF-SALE TRANSACTIONS

• US 20070022008A1
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safeway Incorporated (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Blackhawk Marketing Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Kingsborough, Donald, Roche, Talbott, Shaw, Julianna, Llach, Teri
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.170
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present application relates to card-free programs provided by a merchant to a customer, whereby the customer has access to functions such as payment options and/or loyalty program benefits without needing to present a physical card at a point of sale. For example, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant, whereby the customer need not present a card such as a debit card, credit card, loyalty card, or other physical tender to make a purchase. Further, the customer need not provide biometric data or otherwise use an electronic device or identifier to make a purchase. Alternatively or additionally, the customer may access a loyalty program without needing to provide a physical card or data associated with a card.

Claims

1. A method of enrolling a customer in a merchant savings program, comprising:

(a) presenting electronically to the customer at a point of sale terms and conditions of the savings program; and

(b) accepting electronically by the customer at the point of sale the terms and conditions of the savings program.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the presenting and accepting are via a pinpad.

3. A method of enrolling a customer in a merchant savings program, comprising:

(a) providing by the customer a unique identification number generated by the customer; and

(b) associating by the merchant the unique identification number with the savings program such that the customer may accumulate savings from the merchant in accordance with the savings program.

4. A method of enrolling a customer in a merchant payment program, comprising:

(a) providing by the customer data comprising account information and a unique identification number generated by the customer; and

(b) associating by the merchant the unique identification number with the account information such that the customer may conduct business with the merchant via an ACH transaction from the account.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the unique identification number comprises the customer'"'"'s telephone number, date of birth, or both.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the data further comprises a security code for authorizing the payment of goods purchased from the merchant.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the data is provided at a point of sale.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the data is provided in a check-out lane.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein all or a portion of the data is provided via a pinpad.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the pinpad is associated with a [cash] register.

11. The method of claim 4 further comprising verifying by the merchant the identity of the customer.

12. The method of claim 4 further comprising verifying by the merchant the validity of the account information provided by the customer.

13. The method of claim 4 further comprising cross-checking the identity of the customer against a list of prohibited customers.

14. The method of claim 4 further comprising associating by the merchant the unique identification number with a savings program such that the customer may accumulate savings from the merchant in accordance with the savings program.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing the customer with a loyalty card having a unique card number and associating by the merchant the unique card number with the account information such that the customer may conduct business with the merchant via an ACH transaction from the account by using the unique identification number, the unique card number, or both.

16. The method of claim 4 wherein the customer may conduct business via the unique identification number with one or more merchants in addition to the enrolling merchant.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the customer may conduct business via the unique identification number, the unique card number, or both with one or more merchants in addition to the enrolling merchant.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the other merchants provide the customer with an additional unique card number associated with a savings program of the other merchant and the additional unique card number is associated with the account information such that the customer may conduct business with the other merchant via an ACH transaction from the account by using at least one of the unique identification number, the unique card number, the additional unique card number, or combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the conducting of business by the customer with the enrolling merchant or one or more other merchants accumulate savings from one or both of such merchants in accordance with the respective savings program.

20. The method of claim 4 further comprising presenting electronically to the customer at a point of sale terms and conditions of the savings program;

and accepting electronically by the customer at the point of sale the terms and conditions of the savings program.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the presenting and accepting are via a pinpad.

22. The method of claim 4 wherein the business conducted comprises paying for goods purchased from the merchant.

23. The method of claim 4 wherein the merchant is a grocer.

24. The method of claim 4 wherein the account information identifies two or more separate accounts such that the customer may select the account at time of payment.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the separate accounts comprise accounts from different financial institutions.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the separate accounts comprise a savings account, a checking account, a line of credit, a credit card account, or combinations thereof.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the line of credit or credit card account is from the merchant.

28. The method of claim 4 further comprising providing one or more additional unique identification numbers corresponding to one or more additional users authorized by the customer and associating the one or more additional unique identification numbers with the account information such that the additional authorized users may likewise conduct business with the merchant.