SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING MOBILE COMMERCE

• US 20080270251A1
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Hedleston, James, Coelho, Sohail, Sacchetti, Paul, Gebb, Luke
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating the purchase of goods and/or services between the holder of a wireless communications device and a commerce system is disclosed. The system enables consumers who wish to participate in promotional sales offers to register with a mobile commerce system. Consumers may further define the types of items that they are interested in purchasing. Prior to the start of a promotion, the system sends a text message alert to registered consumers, giving them an opportunity to opt-in via text message from a wireless communications device. When the promotion is activated, the opted-in consumers are alerted via text message and are given an opportunity to send a text message back to the system indicative of a desire to purchase the promotional item. If defined conditions are met, the consumer'"'"'s financial account is debited in the amount of the purchase and the consumer is instructed as to how to acquire their purchase.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating a purchase of an item using a wireless device comprising:

receiving pre-approval data at a host, wherein said pre-approval data qualifies a user to be able to agree to purchase an item without the use of payment information;

issuing pre-approval status to said user;

transmitting, from a host, a notification of an offer for sale of an item;

receiving, from said user, an agreement to purchase said item and to initiate a purchase transaction; and

,

transmitting a confirmation when said agreement is accepted.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless device is at least one of:

a telephone, a personal digital assistant, and an email device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving an agreement to purchase comprises receiving an indication to reserve said item for purchase at a later time.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from said user, an indication of interest to receive additional notifications when said item is offered for sale.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving an agreement comprises receiving an agreement via at least one of:

an email, text message and verbal request.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving an agreement comprises a word, a transaction card number, a personal identification number (PIN) and a code.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting a notification of said offer for sale occurs at pre-defined times.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving an agreement to purchase said item comprises receiving an indication to initiate a purchase transaction using a portion of loyalty points.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of issuing pre-approval status comprises issuing pre-approval status upon receiving a specific transaction card account number.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving an agreement to purchase comprises receiving a bid to purchase said item.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting a notification comprises transmitting at least one of:

an item descriptor, item price, date available for purchase, and time available for purchase.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting a confirmation comprises sending a confirmation via at least one of:

text message, email message, telephone call, facsimile, and pager message.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting a notification of an offer for sale of an item is based on receiving a selection of said item from a web site.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting a notification of an offer for sale of an item is based on at least one of:

a desired price, desired quantity, desired purchase date, desired purchase time, and an item availability alert mode.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising issuing loyalty points based on at least one of said step of transmitting a confirmation and a successful purchase.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating a purchase transaction.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating a purchase transaction by automatically populating web form.

18. A commerce management utility for facilitating a purchase of an item using a wireless device, said commerce management utility configured to:

receive pre-approval data and to issue pre-approval status to a user, wherein said pre-approval data qualifies said user to be able to agree to purchase an item without the use of payment information;

transmit a notification of offers for sale of an item;

receive, from said user, an agreement to purchase said item and to initiate a purchase transaction; and

,

transmit, via a messaging gateway, a confirmation when said agreement is accepted.

19. The commerce management utility of claim 18, wherein said commerce management utility is further configured to receive an indication of interest to receive additional notifications when said item is offered for sale.

20. The commerce management utility of claim 18, further comprising a user database configured to store said pre-approval data

21. The commerce management utility of claim 18, further comprising a wireless network configured to receive said agreement to purchase and to transmit said notification.

22. A computer-implemented method for facilitating a purchase of an item using a wireless device comprising:

submitting pre-approval data to a host, wherein said pre-approval data qualifies a user to be able to agree to purchase an item without the use of payment information;

obtaining pre-approval status;

receiving, from a host, a notification of offers for sale of an item;

transmitting, to said host, an indication of interest to receive additional notifications when said item is offered for sale;

transmitting, to said host, an agreement to purchase said item and to initiate a purchase transaction; and

,

receiving a confirmation when said agreement is accepted.

23. A computer readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a general purpose computer for processing a purchase request received from a wireless device, said instructions performing the following steps:

causing receipt of pre-approval data at a host, wherein said pre-approval data qualifies a user to be able to agree to purchase an item without the use of payment information;

issuing pre-approval status to said user;

transmitting an offer for sale of an item to said user;

causing receipt of, from said user, an agreement to purchase said item and to initiate a purchase transaction; and

,

transmitting a confirmation when said agreement is accepted.

24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein said computer readable storage medium is located in a wireless device.