WIRELESS POINT-OF-SALE TRANSACTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A wireless consumer transaction system for carrying out consumer transactions at a point-of-sale establishment, comprising:
- a wireless station affiliated with a point-of sale system, said wireless station configured to automatically detect the presence of a wireless handheld device within a microcellular region, and to convey a menu of user options to the wireless handheld device;
a local computer configured to convey, via the wireless station, a menu of user options to the wireless handheld device, to receive, via the wireless station, responsive user selections from the wireless handheld device, and to determine a point-of-sale transaction price based upon said user selections;
a network interface for communicating with a remote processing center to obtain approval for a point-of-sale transaction; and
a point-of-sale terminal communicatively coupled to said computer, said point-of-sale terminal displaying an indication of whether the point-of-sale transaction was approved by the remote processing center.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless consumer transaction system and method includes wireless equipment coupled to a point-of-sale system, whereby consumers are enabled to set up and carry out point-of-sale transactions in an automated or semi-automated manner using a wireless device. Users entering within the coverage area of the wireless equipment are prompted to conduct a point-of-sale transaction. The point-of-sale system transmits menu options to the user'"'"'s wireless device. The user selects from the options provided, and is given the ability to purchase the desired goods or services in an automated manner using the wireless device. The wireless equipment of the point-of-sale system is preferably coupled to a point-of-sale computer, which is in turn coupled to a remote processing center. An automated purchase transaction may be conducted by obtaining approval and/or automatically withdrawing funds from the remote processing center in response to user-initiated activity.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless consumer transaction system for carrying out consumer transactions at a point-of-sale establishment, comprising:
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a wireless station affiliated with a point-of sale system, said wireless station configured to automatically detect the presence of a wireless handheld device within a microcellular region, and to convey a menu of user options to the wireless handheld device; a local computer configured to convey, via the wireless station, a menu of user options to the wireless handheld device, to receive, via the wireless station, responsive user selections from the wireless handheld device, and to determine a point-of-sale transaction price based upon said user selections; a network interface for communicating with a remote processing center to obtain approval for a point-of-sale transaction; and a point-of-sale terminal communicatively coupled to said computer, said point-of-sale terminal displaying an indication of whether the point-of-sale transaction was approved by the remote processing center. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for facilitating consumer transactions at a point-of-sale system affiliated with a point-of-sale establishment, the method comprising the steps of:
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automatically detecting, at a wireless station associated with the point-of-sale system, the presence of the wireless handheld device; automatically establishing communication between the wireless station and the wireless handheld device; transmitting, via the wireless station, a menu of options for presentation on a display portion of the wireless handheld device; receiving from the wireless handheld device, via the wireless station, one or more responsive user selections; determining a transaction price based upon the user selections; triggering an automated transaction with a remote processing center, whereby funds in a user account associated with the remote processing center are utilized to purchase the user selections at the point-of-sale establishment; automatically receiving, at the point-of-sale system, a point-of-sale transaction approval message from the remote processing center; displaying an indication of the point-of-sale transaction approval at a point-of-sale terminal; and durably storing a record of the point-of-sale transaction for later access. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification