VALUE-ADDED SERVICES ENGINE

• US 20090112721A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Faith, Patrick, Hammad, Ayman
• Application Number:
  US12/257,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112721A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.140
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3825 Use of electronic signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• 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 20/4015 using location information
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/128 : Check-book balancing, updating or printing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 : using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215

Abstract

Systems and methods for conducting a transaction using a Value-Added Services Engine. The method initiates sending transaction information with a product identifier identifying a product associated with a transaction conducted between a merchant and a consumer to the Value-Added Services Engine. The Value-Added Services Engine is programmed to determine a benefit associated with the product. The benefit is determined after communicating with a supplier of the product. The method also receives an indication of the benefit.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a transaction, the method comprising:

initiating sending transaction information with a product identifier identifying a product associated with a transaction conducted between a merchant and a consumer to a service engine, wherein the service engine is programmed to determine or receive a benefit associated with the product, wherein the benefit is determined after communicating with a supplier of the product; and

receiving an indication of the benefit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit varies based a quantity of the product in an inventory of the supplier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the supplier checks the inventory and determines a value of the benefit based on the quantity of the product in the inventory, and wherein the supplier sends a message to the service engine with the value of the benefit.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the benefit, wherein the service engine updates the transaction information to include the benefit.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplier is a manufacturer of the product.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer initiates sending the transaction information to the service engine.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the consumer initiates sending the transaction information to the service engine using a mobile communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the merchant initiates sending the transaction information to the service engine.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit varies based a quantity of the product in an inventory of the supplier.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a message from the supplier indicating a value of the benefit, wherein the supplier determined the value of the benefit based on the quantity of the product in the inventory.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the transaction information to include the benefit.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is sent to an access device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is sent to a mobile communication device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction information is received from an access device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction information is received from a mobile communication device.

9. A computer readable medium, comprising:

code for initiating sending transaction information with a product identifier identifying a product associated with a transaction conducted between a merchant and a consumer to a service engine, wherein the service engine is programmed to determine a benefit associated with the product, wherein the benefit is determined after communicating with a supplier of the product; and

code for receiving an indication of the benefit.

10. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a computer readable medium comprising code for initiating sending transaction information with a product identifier identifying a product associated with a transaction conducted between a merchant and a consumer to a service engine, wherein the service engine is programmed to determine or receive a benefit associated with the product, wherein the benefit is determined after communicating with a supplier of the product, and code for receiving an indication of the benefit; and

a processor in communication with the computer readable medium.

11. A method comprising:

receiving transaction information with a product identifier identifying a product associated with a transaction conducted between a merchant and a consumer;

determining or receiving a benefit associated with the product, wherein the benefit is determined or received after communicating with a supplier of the product; and

sending an indication of the benefit.

19. A computer readable medium comprising code for performing the method of claim 11.

20. A server computer configured to perform the method of claim 11.