Wireless Transactions for Enhancing Customer Experience

• US 20130138518A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Spencer Neil, Craine, Ari
• Granted Patent: US 9,240,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network 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 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• 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 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/36 using electronic wallets or electronic money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for facilitating a wireless transaction by coupling or associating an identifier to a location. The identifier is read, retrieved, or received by a customer'"'"'s wireless communication device to connect to a POS terminal. Once connected, the wireless communication device sends a location identifier to the POS terminal, so that the POS terminal can associate the wireless communication device with the location. Once an association is established, the POS terminal then presents options. The POS terminal receives selections, and alerts a staff member of selections and the location. In many instances, the POS terminal also adds the selection to a bill or an invoice.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a point-of-sale (POS) terminal in communication with a wireless communication device of a customer; and

a logic stored on the POS terminal for

receiving a request at the POS terminal from the wireless communication device, the request including an identifier of a location at a premise associated with the POS terminal, the identifier received by the wireless communication device of the customer, the location being one of a plurality of unique locations at the premise associated with the POS terminal, and

responding to the request.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein responding to the request includes alerting a staff member of the request.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein responding to the request includes delivery of information to the wireless communication device, the information associated with an order or a payment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the request is received in accordance with a network address that identifies the POS terminal and the identifier of the location of the customer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein responding to the request further comprises delivering information associated with a menu, the menu including a plurality of items.

6. A method comprising:

receiving a request at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal from a wireless communication device, the request including an identifier of a location at a premise associated with the POS terminal, the identifier received by the wireless communication device of a customer, the location being one of a plurality of unique locations at the premise associated with the POS terminal; and

responding to the request.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein responding to the request comprises sending a menu to the wireless communication device of the customer.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving an order for an item on the menu.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising alerting a staff member of an ordered item and the location of the customer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving a request to settle a bill for the order.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising sending the bill for the order to the wireless communication device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving a payment instruction for the order from the wireless communication device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier of a location identifies one of a seat at a table, a parking spot, a stadium seat, and a theater seat.

14. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving, by a wireless communication device, an identifier of a location of a customer, the location being one of a plurality of unique locations at a premise, each location associated with a respective identifier; and

sending, by the wireless communication device, a request from the wireless communication device to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, the request including the identifier.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises sending a request for a menu to the POS terminal.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises sending an order for an item on the menu to the POS terminal.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises sending a request for a staff member to the POS terminal.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises sending a request to settle a bill to the POS terminal.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a bill for the order.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises sending a payment for the order to the POS terminal.