PURCHASING, REDEMPTION AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHEREIN A BUYER TAKES POSSESSION AT A RETAILER OF A PRODUCT PURCHASED USING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

• US 20110099082A1
• Filed: 11/29/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Van Luchene, Andrew S., Tedesco, Daniel E., Fincham, Magdalena M., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US12/955,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20110099082A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

Purchasing, redemption and settlement systems and methods are provided wherein a buyer takes possession of a product at a retailer. A purchasing system may communicate with a buyer through a communication network to establish a first price for a product between the buyer and a seller. The purchasing system may also arrange for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price. Verification information, which enables the retailer to authorize the buyer to take possession of the product, is transmitted to the retailer. The buyer provides a payment, based on the first price, to the purchasing system in exchange for the right to take possession of the product at the retailer. In one embodiment, the purchasing system receives a buyer offer, including an offer price, related to the product. In another embodiment, the purchasing system transmits redemption information, including a redemption code, to the buyer. The redemption information may also include information that enables the creation of a voucher to be used when taking possession of the product. The purchasing system may also receive information related to an attempt by the buyer to take possession of the product, including the redemption code, from the retailer.

Claims

3-1. The method of claim 1, wherein said arranging for the buyer to purchase the product comprises receiving payment from the buyer of an amount based on the first price.

19. A purchasing system device, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions that when executed by said processor result in;

arranging through a communication network for a buyer to purchase a product from a seller, wherein the buyer agrees to pay a first price for the product;

sending redemption information to the buyer, the redemption information enabling the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price; and

providing to the retailer a third price for the product once the buyer takes possession of the product at the retailer, wherein the third price is a price for the product agreed upon between the retailer and the seller and is not based on the first price that the buyer agreed to pay for the product.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor result in:

arranging through a communication network for a buyer to purchase a product from a seller, wherein the buyer agrees to pay a first price for the product;

sending redemption information to the buyer, the redemption information enabling the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price; and

providing to the retailer a third price for the product once the buyer takes possession of the product at the retailer, wherein the third price is a price for the product agreed upon between the retailer and the seller and is not based on the first price that the buyer agreed to pay for the product.