Systems and Methods to Facilitate Retail Transactions

• US 20110022484A1
• Filed: 01/19/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boku Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Boku Incorporated
• Inventors: CAHILL, Michael, SMITH, Glyn Barry, GILLAM, Rachel Jane
• Granted Patent: US 9,697,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• 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 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/42 Confirmation, e.g. check or permission by the legal debtor of payment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate retail transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a retail terminal includes: a user interface to receive a phone number of a customer; a memory; a data communication interface; and a processor coupled with the memory and the data communication interface to transmit the phone number to a server computer to cause the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction, and to receive from the server computer a message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction. The retail terminal is to perform the transaction in response to the message from the server computer.

Claims

1. A retail terminal, comprising:

a user interface to receive a phone number of a customer;

a memory;

a data communication interface; and

a processor coupled with the memory and the data communication interface to;

transmit the phone number to a server computer, the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction; and

receive a message from the server computer, the message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction;

wherein the retail terminal is to perform the transaction in response to the message from the server computer.

2. A method implemented in a retail terminal, the method comprising:

receiving, at the retail terminal, a phone number of a customer;

transmitting, from the retail terminal, the phone number to a server computer, the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction;

receiving, at the retail terminal, a message from the server computer, the message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction; and

performing, at the retail terminal, the transaction in response to the message from the server computer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the retail terminal is a point of sale (POS) terminal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the retail terminal comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the retail terminal is positioned in a retail store for checkouts;

and the mobile phone is used to communicate with the server computer to confirm the transaction prior to the retail terminal receiving the phone number.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the retail terminal is a mobile device to perform transactions at different locations.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the transaction is confirmed via a message sent from the mobile phone as a response to a message sent from the server computer to the mobile phone.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the retail terminal is an automatic teller machine (ATM).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the performing the transaction comprises providing the funds to the customer in cash.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the server computer is to transmit a first message to the mobile phone at the phone number to request a confirmation of withdrawal of the funds from the ATM;

and the server computer provides the funds to a bank of the ATM after the server computer receives a confirmation reply to the first message.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the customer has no bank account with the bank.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile phone is used to communicate with the server computer to confirm the transaction via pre-approving the transaction prior to the providing of the phone number to the retail terminal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the server computer is to transmit the message in response to a determination that a pre-approved amount matches an amount of the transaction.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the server computer is to transmit the message further in response to a determination that a location of the retail terminal matches a location of the mobile phone where the mobile phone pre-approves the transaction.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile phone pre-approves the transaction by transmitting to the server computer a message indicating an allowable amount for the transaction and an identity of the retail terminal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity of the retail terminal comprises a phone number of a merchant operating the retail terminal.

17. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing an electronic receipt, by the retail terminal, to the mobile phone via the server computer.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the server computer is to communicate with the mobile phone to confirm the transaction via short message service (SMS).

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the server computer is to transmit the one or more premium messages prior to the retail terminal receiving the phone number of the customer.

20. A computer-readable storage media storing instructions, the instructions causing a retail terminal to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving, at the retail terminal, a phone number of a customer;

transmitting, from the retail terminal, the phone number to a server computer, the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction;

receiving, at the retail terminal, a message from the server computer, the message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction; and

performing, at the retail terminal, the transaction in response to the message from the server computer.