METHOD FOR SELF-CHECKOUT WITH A MOBILE DEVICE

• US 20120095853A1
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: von Bose, Samuel John, Nelms, David Martin, Todd, Jason Richard, Webb, Timothy Wayne, Carmon, David Jordan, Marbut, Philip Wayne, White, Kelly Lee, Kieffer, Bradley Joseph, O'Neil, Kier A, Phillips, Christopher Joseph, Barnett, Brian Scott, Bowlin Williams, Kristen Rachelle, Ryner, Douglas Jahe, York Gocio, Michelle, Rector, Mindy Dawn, Gilliam, Chad Clinton, Irvin, Leslie Shawn, Davis Garner, Catherine, Leonhardt, Cord Cameron, Letts, Shannon Elizabeth, Ford Salmon, Jessica
• Granted Patent: US 10,121,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A method for purchasing an item using a mobile device is provided. The method includes but is not limited to inputting identification information into the mobile device which identifies the item for purchase and generating an order for the item identified by the identification information. The method also includes but is not limited to displaying on a display of the mobile device an optical machine-readable representation of the order.

Claims

1. A method for purchasing an item using a mobile device comprising:

inputting identification information into the mobile device which identifies the item for purchase;

generating an order for the item identified by the identification information; and

displaying on a display of the mobile device an optical machine-readable representation of the order.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving item information using the identification information, wherein the item information includes an item name, an item price, an item review, an item rating, item product details, or item location information.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising confirming that the item information is related to the item for purchase.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a virtual shopping cart containing the item information.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising confirming an intent to purchase items identified by item information listed in the virtual shopping cart.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical machine-readable representation is a barcode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the order and the order number associated with the order are both generated on a remote server which is in communication with the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

scanning the optical machine-readable representation of the order from the display of the mobile device with an optical scanning machine; and

transmitting the scanned representation of the order to a remote server to retrieve the order.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

retrieving the order from the remote server using the scanned representation of the order, wherein the order includes a total payment amount; and

requesting payment from a user of the mobile device for the total payment amount.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving payment from the user of the mobile device;

transmitting payment information to the remote server;

generating a receipt indicating acceptance of the payment information; and

providing the user with a receipt.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing the user with a receipt in includes transmitting a digital copy of the receipt to the user.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising displaying the digital copy of the receipt on the display of the mobile device.

13. A computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for purchasing an item using a mobile device having a digital camera, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:

capture an image of an identifying portion of the item with the digital camera;

analyze the identifying portion of the item and generating identification information which identifies the item for purchase;

generate a virtual shopping cart containing item information representing the item, wherein the item information is retrieved using the identification information; and

transmit payment information from the mobile device to a remote server for acceptance of an order for the item identified by the identification information.

14. The computer readable memory medium of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to receive and display a receipt on a display of the mobile device.

15. The computer readable memory medium of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to receive and display on a display of the mobile device an optical machine-readable representation of the order.

16. The computer readable memory medium of claim 13, wherein the order includes a total payment amount, and wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to request payment from a user of the mobile device for the total payment amount.

17. A method for purchasing an item using a mobile device having a digital camera comprising:

capturing an image of an identifying portion of the item with the digital camera;

analyzing the identifying portion of the item and generating identification information which identifies the item for purchase;

generating a virtual shopping cart containing item information representing the item;

generating an order for the item identified by the identification information;

tendering payment for the item;

transmitting payment information to a remote server for acceptance;

generating a receipt indicating acceptance of the payment information; and

displaying the receipt on a display of the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the tendering payment for the item includes:

displaying on a display of the mobile device an optical machine-readable representation of the order;

scanning the optical machine-readable representation of the order from the display of the mobile device with an optical scanning machine;

transmitting the scanned representation of the order to a remote server to retrieve the order;

retrieving the order from the remote server using the scanned representation of the order, wherein the order includes a total payment amount; and

requesting payment from a user of the mobile device for the total payment amount.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the tendering payment for the item includes:

transmitting payment information directly from the mobile device to the remote server;

generating a receipt indicating acceptance of the payment information; and

providing a user of the mobile device with a receipt.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the receipt includes an optical machine-readable representation of receipt identification information which identifies the receipt and which is displayed on the display of the mobile device.

21. A computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for maintaining and conducting a virtual transaction, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:

access a session of a virtual terminal sales application upon receiving a point of sale message;

load transaction state information into the virtual terminal sales application session; and

process the transaction state information using the open session of the virtual terminal sales application.

22. The computer readable memory medium of claim 21 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to generate transaction state information in response to the point of sale message.

23. The computer readable memory medium of claim 21 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to save the transaction state information upon processing the transaction item.

24. The computer readable memory medium of claim 23 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to close the session of the virtual terminal sales application upon saving the transaction state information.

25. The computer readable memory medium of claim 21, wherein the transaction state information includes listing of every item in the virtual transaction.

26. The computer readable memory medium of claim 21, wherein the transaction item includes a payment for an item within virtual transaction.

27. The computer readable memory medium of claim 21 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to determine if the virtual terminal sales application is available for use before opening the session.

28. The computer readable memory medium of claim 21 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to access an open session of a virtual terminal sales application from a plurality of virtual terminal sales application upon receiving a point of sale message.