Network Systems and Methods Utilizing Mobile Devices to Enhance Consumer Experience
First Claim
1. A method for charging a wireless service account, the method comprising:
- a billing system of a wireless service provider network communicating with a transaction terminal to receive a customer identification associated with a wireless service account;
the billing system determining whether the wireless service account is authorized to be charged as payment in a transaction;
if the billing system determines that the wireless service account is authorized to be charged as payment in the transaction, the billing system notifying the transaction terminal that the wireless service account is authorized to be charged as payment in the transaction;
receiving, at the billing system, a charge request from the transaction terminal, the charge request comprising an amount to charge the wireless service account;
the billing system charging the wireless service account the amount identified in the charge request.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Network systems and methods for utilizing mobile devices to enhance customer experiences are disclosed herein. A first aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to acquire a membership to a membership program and subsequently access benefits of the membership program via a mobile device. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to redeem coupons for sales transactions via a mobile device. Yet another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to acquire a map including the location of requested items. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to search for an item and in response receive the availability and in some instances a map location of the requested item. Yet another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to pay for item using a remote charging method.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for charging a wireless service account, the method comprising:
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a billing system of a wireless service provider network communicating with a transaction terminal to receive a customer identification associated with a wireless service account; the billing system determining whether the wireless service account is authorized to be charged as payment in a transaction; if the billing system determines that the wireless service account is authorized to be charged as payment in the transaction, the billing system notifying the transaction terminal that the wireless service account is authorized to be charged as payment in the transaction; receiving, at the billing system, a charge request from the transaction terminal, the charge request comprising an amount to charge the wireless service account; the billing system charging the wireless service account the amount identified in the charge request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 5. The method of claim t further comprising the billing system awarding points to the wireless service account for the wireless service account being used as payment in the transaction.
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12. A method for operating a mobile device to charge a wireless service account as payment in a transaction, the method comprising:
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a mobile device establishing a connection with a transaction terminal; the mobile device communicating with the transaction terminal for completing a transaction, including; the mobile device transmitting to the transaction terminal a customer identification used by the transaction terminal to determine whether a wireless service account identified by the customer identification is authorized to be charged as payment in the transaction; the mobile device receiving a notification from the transaction terminal that the wireless service account is authorized to be used as payment in the transaction; and in response to receiving the notification, the mobile device instructing the transaction terminal to charge the wireless service account as payment in the transaction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a transaction terminal to charge a wireless service account as payment for a transaction, the method comprising:
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a transaction terminal receiving from a mobile device a customer identification identifying a customer associated with a wireless service account; the transaction terminal communicating with a billing system of a wireless service provider network to provide the customer identification to determine whether the wireless service account is authorized to be used as payment in a transaction; the transaction terminal receiving a notification from the billing system indicating whether the wireless service account is authorized to be used as payment in the transaction; the transaction terminal generating a charge request comprising an amount to be charged to the wireless service account; and the transaction terminal transmitting the charge request to the billing system thereby instructing the billing system to charge the amount to the wireless service account. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification