SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICES FOR PURCHASE OF ITEMS AND DELIVERY TO A LOCATION WITHIN A PREDETERMINED COMMUNICATION RANGE

• US 20160110796A1
• Filed: 10/15/2014
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Chang, Ching-Tang, Lin, Tsung-Hsien, Hsuan, Wei-Yi, Lee, Yi-Sheng
• Granted Patent: US 9,996,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

Systems, methods, and mobile computing devices for purchase of items and delivery to a location within a predetermined communication range are disclosed. According to an aspect, a mobile computing device includes a first communications module having a predetermined communication range and configured to receive an indication of one or more items for purchase and delivery to a location within the predetermined communication range. The mobile computing device also includes a user interface and an item ordering manager. The item ordering manager is configured to receive user input via the user interface for selecting one or more of the items for purchase and delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range. The item ordering manager is also configured to use the communications module to communicate identification of the one or more of the items to a second communications module within the predetermined communication range.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device comprising:

a first communications module having a predetermined communication range and configured to receive identification of one or more items for purchase and delivery to a location within the predetermined communication range;

a user interface configured to present the identification of the one or more items; and

an item ordering manager comprising at least a processor and memory, and configured to;

receive user input via the user interface for selecting one or more of the items for purchase and delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range; and

use the communications module to communicate identification of the one or more of the items to a second communications module within the predetermined communication range.

2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the first communications module and second communications module each comprises a near field communications (NFC) module.

3. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the item ordering manager is configured to:

receive a communication request from the second communications module;

send an acknowledgement to the second communications module for accepting the request;

receive information from the second communications module; and

control the user interface to present the information to a user.

4. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the item ordering manager is configured to control the user interface to present information about the items.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen display, and

wherein the item ordering manager is configured to:

control the touchscreen display to display the identification of the one or more items;

control the user interface to display graphical information about the one or more items; and

receive user touch input for selecting at least one of the items.

6. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the items comprise restaurant menu items.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the item ordering manager is configured to conduct a transaction for purchasing the one or more selected items.

8. A system comprising:

a communications module having a predetermined communication range; and

a centralized ordering manager comprising at least a processor and memory, and configured to;

use the communication module to receive indication of a presence of a mobile computing device within the predetermined communication range;

use the communication module to communicate to the mobile computing device indication of one or more items for purchase and delivery to a location within the predetermined communication range;

use the communication module to receive selection of one or more of the items for purchase and delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range; and

initiate a transaction with the mobile computing device for purchasing the one or more selected items.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communications module is a first communications module,

wherein the mobile computing device comprises a second communications module, and

wherein the first communications module and second communications module each comprises a near field communications (NFC) module.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the centralized ordering manager is configured to communicate, to the mobile computing device, information that the communications module is a near field communications (NFC) interface for purchasing the items for delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the items comprise restaurant menu items.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the centralized ordering manager is configured to:

determine the location of the mobile computing device; and

generate the indication of the one or more items based on the location.

13. A method comprising:

receiving identification of one or more items for purchase and delivery to a location within a predetermined communication range of a mobile computing device;

presenting the identification of the one or more items; and

receiving user input for selecting one or more of the items for purchase and delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range; and

communicating identification of the one or more of the items to a communications module within the predetermined communication range.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communications module comprises a near field communications (NFC) module.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving information from the communications module that indicates that the communications module is an interface for purchasing the items for delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range; and

controlling the user interface to present the information to a user.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising controlling the user interface to present information about the items.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

controlling a touchscreen display to display the identification of the one or more items;

controlling a user interface to display graphical information about the one or more items; and

receiving, at the touchscreen display, user touch input for selecting at least one of the items.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the items comprise restaurant menu items.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising conducting a transaction for purchasing the one or more selected items.