DISPENSING DIGITAL OBJECTS TO AN ELECTRONIC WALLET

• US 20110145049A1
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.), Zatawire Inc.
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Braverman, Mark, Graham, John David Trevor, Hertel, Alexander Wolfgang Karl Kurt, Hertel, Philipp Frank Hermann Udo
• Granted Patent: US 9,361,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• 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 20/384 using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0275 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/009 User recognition or proximity detection

Abstract

A configuration system and method is disclosed that includes a unified and integrated configuration that is composed of a payment system, an advertising system, and an identity management system such that the unified system has all of the benefits of the individual systems as well as several additional synergistic benefits. Also described are specific configurations including the system'"'"'s access point architecture, visual wallet simulator user interface, security architecture, coupon handling as well as the system'"'"'s structure and means for delivering them as targeted advertising, business card handling, membership card handling for the purposes of login management, receipt handling, and the editors and grammars provided for customizing the different types of objects in the system as well as the creation of new custom objects with custom behaviors. The configurations are operable on-line as well as through physical presence transactions.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for adding a digital object to a user'"'"'s electronic wallet on a device, the method comprising:

interacting with an access point associated with the digital object to obtain an access point identifier;

transmitting, to a transaction authority, the access point identifier received from the access point in response to the interaction;

receiving the digital object from the transaction authority based on the access point identifier, the digital object associated with the access point; and

adding the digital object to the electronic wallet.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the access point, a dispenser for dispensing the digital object into the electronic wallet; and

receiving, via the dispenser, the access point identifier from the access point.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein adding the digital object to the electronic wallet comprises:

displaying, via the dispenser, the digital object received from the transaction authority on a display of the device; and

receiving user input selecting the displayed digital object from the dispenser to add the digital object to the electronic wallet.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the user input comprises dragging and dropping the displayed digital object from a first location on a screen of the device to a second location on the screen of the device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

responsive to receiving the user input, providing an indication to the transaction authority to store the digital object in an account that is associated with the user at a location that is remote from the device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a digital object associated with the access point is executable by the device in order to interact with the user through customized functional behavior defined by an owner of the access point.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the digital object comprises an instance of a credit card digital object, the instance of the credit card digital object associated a name of a card holder, an account number associated with the credit card digital object, and expiry data associated with the credit card digital object.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the digital object comprises an instance of a coupon digital object, the instance of the coupon digital object associated with at least a coupon identifier and the access point.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the instance of the coupon digital object is further associated with a value of the coupon digital object, a claim status, expiry data, and terms and conditions of the coupon digital object.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the digital object comprises an instance of a business card digital object that specifies information about an entity.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the digital object comprises an instance of a membership card digital object, the instance associated with an identifier of the instance of the membership card digital object.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the access point comprises a short-range transmitter access point.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein interacting with the access point comprises wirelessly connecting to the short-range transmitter access point using short-range wireless communication, the short-range transmitter access point coupled to a physical object.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the access point comprises a geographical area access point that is associated with a predefined geographical area.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein interacting with the access point comprises:

identifying a physical location of the device; and

transmitting the physical location to the transaction authority to identify the geographical area access point identifier associated with the physical location.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the access point comprises a manual code input access point.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein interacting with the access point comprises:

receiving user input comprising the access point identifier visually indicated by the manual code input access point; and

transmitting the access point identifier to the transaction authority.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein receiving the user input comprises receiving an image including the access point identifier.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein receiving the user input comprises:

receiving an audio signal of the user'"'"'s voice speaking the access point identifier; and

translating the audio signal to identify the access point identifier in the audio signal.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the image comprises a barcode, the method further comprising:

interpreting the barcode to identify the access point identifier.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the digital object represents a physical object found in a physical wallet.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the digital object comprises a multi-part coupon digital object that includes a plurality of coupon digital objects, the multi-part coupon digital object formed from a combination of the plurality of coupon digital objects.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving each of the plurality of coupon digital objects incrementally over time from the transaction authority.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving the plurality of coupon digital objects from the transaction authority, each of the plurality of coupon digital objects received responsive to interaction with a distinct access point.

25. A computer-implemented method for providing a digital object for dispensing to an electronic wallet on a device, the method comprising:

receiving, from the device, an access point identifier identifying an access point in communication with the device, the receipt of the access point identifier indicative of a request for a digital object associated with the access point;

identifying from among a plurality of digital objects associated with the access point, a digital object to provide to the device based at least in part on the access point identifier; and

transmitting the digital object to the device for addition to the electronic wallet.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 25, wherein identifying from among the plurality of digital objects the digital object comprises:

receiving contextual information from the device, the contextual information comprising at least an indication of whether the user explicitly requested the digital object;

identifying a profile associated with the user, the profile indicative of preferences of the user; and

selecting the digital object to transmit to the user based at least in part on the contextual information and the preferences of the user.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 25, wherein identifying the digital object from among the plurality of digital objects comprises:

receiving a plurality of bids from advertisers, each bid indicative of a request from an advertiser to provide a digital object that is associated with the advertiser to the device; and

selecting the digital object based on the plurality of bids from the advertisers.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 25, wherein transmitting the digital object comprises:

accessing a definition of the digital object, the definition governing an appearance and functional behavior of the digital object;

creating an instance of the digital object based on the definition; and

providing the instance of the digital object to the device.

29. A computing device for adding a digital object to a user'"'"'s electronic wallet on the device, the device comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions comprising instructions for;

interacting with an access point associated with the digital object to obtain an access point identifier;

transmitting, to a transaction authority, the access point identifier received from the access point in response to the interaction;

receiving the digital object from the transaction authority based on the access point identifier, the digital object associated with the access point; and

adding the digital object to the electronic wallet; and

a processor for executing the computer program instructions.

30. The computing device of claim 29, wherein the computer program instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving, from the access point, a dispenser for dispensing the digital object into the electronic wallet; and

receiving, via the dispenser, the access point identifier from the access point.

31. The computing device of claim of claim 30, wherein adding the digital object to the electronic wallet comprises:

displaying, via the dispenser, the digital object received from the transaction authority on a display of the computing device; and

receiving user input selecting the displayed digital object from the dispenser to add the digital object to the electronic wallet.

32. A system for providing a digital object for dispensing to an electronic wallet on a computing device, the system comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions comprising instructions for;

receiving, from the device, an access point identifier identifying an access point in communication with the device, the receipt of the access point identifier indicative of a request for a digital object associated with the access point;

identifying from among a plurality of digital objects associated with the access point, a digital object to provide to the device based at least in part on the access point identifier; and

transmitting the digital object to the device for addition to the electronic wallet; and

a processor for executing the computer program instructions.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein identifying the digital object from among the plurality of digital objects comprises:

receiving a plurality of bids from advertisers, each bid indicative of a request from an advertiser to provide a digital object that is associated with the advertiser to the device; and

selecting the digital object based on the plurality of bids from the advertisers.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein transmitting the digital object comprises:

accessing a definition of the digital object, the definition governing an appearance and functional behavior of the digital object;

creating an instance of the digital object based on the definition; and

providing the instance of the digital object to the device.

35. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions for adding a digital object to a user'"'"'s electronic wallet on a device, the computer program instructions comprising instructions for:

interacting with an access point associated with the digital object to obtain an access point identifier;

transmitting, to a transaction authority, the access point identifier received from the access point in response to the interaction;

receiving the digital object from the transaction authority based on the access point identifier, the digital object associated with the access point; and

adding the digital object to the electronic wallet.

36. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the computer program instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving, from the access point, a dispenser for dispensing the digital object into the electronic wallet; and

receiving, via the dispenser, the access point identifier from the access point.

37. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein adding the digital object to the electronic wallet comprises:

displaying, via the dispenser, the digital object received from the transaction authority on a display of the computing device; and

receiving user input selecting the displayed digital object from the dispenser to add the digital object to the electronic wallet.

38. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions for providing a digital object for dispensing to an electronic wallet on a computing device, the computer program instructions comprising instructions for:

receiving, from the device, an access point identifier identifying an access point in communication with the device, the receipt of the access point identifier indicative of a request for a digital object associated with the access point;

identifying from among a plurality of digital objects associated with the access point, a digital object to provide to the device based at least in part on the access point identifier; and

transmitting the digital object to the device for addition to the electronic wallet.

39. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein identifying the digital object from among the plurality of digital objects comprises:

receiving a plurality of bids from advertisers, each bid indicative of a request from an advertiser to provide a digital object that is associated with the advertiser to the device; and

selecting the digital object based on the plurality of bids from the advertisers.

40. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein transmitting the digital object comprises:

accessing a definition of the digital object, the definition governing an appearance and functional behavior of the digital object;

creating an instance of the digital object based on the definition; and

providing the instance of the digital object to the device.