Method and apparatus for validating credit information during home delivery of order
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a home delivery system for validating credit tendered to a delivery person when the person delivers an order to a recipient at a residence,(a) a host computer with memory means for storing credit validation data;
- (b) portable housing means carried by the delivery person;
(c) credit data entry means mounted in said housing means for entering credit information concerning the recipient;
(d) data processing means mounted in said housing means and coupled with said credit data entry means for storing said credit information;
(e) first transmission means mounted in said housing means and operatively associated with said data processing means to transmit said credit information from said portable housing means over a cellular telephone line and to said host computer for examination to generate validation information indicating whether said credit information is acceptable;
(f) receiver means mounted in said housing and operatively associated with said data processing means;
(g) printer means mounted in said housing and operatively associated with said data processing means; and
,(h) second transmission means operatively associated with said host computer for transmitting said validation information to said receiver means to generate validation information signals from said receiver means to said data processing means, said data processing means, when said validation information signals indicate said credit information is acceptable, activating said printer to print a receipt for the recipient to confirm that the order was delivered to the recipient and paid for by the recipient.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for delivering an order to a home and utilizing credit information to verify and accept payment for the order. The method and apparatus verify credit information on site at the door of a home contemporaneously with delivery of an order.
246 Citations
3 Claims
-
1. In a home delivery system for validating credit tendered to a delivery person when the person delivers an order to a recipient at a residence,
(a) a host computer with memory means for storing credit validation data; -
(b) portable housing means carried by the delivery person; (c) credit data entry means mounted in said housing means for entering credit information concerning the recipient; (d) data processing means mounted in said housing means and coupled with said credit data entry means for storing said credit information; (e) first transmission means mounted in said housing means and operatively associated with said data processing means to transmit said credit information from said portable housing means over a cellular telephone line and to said host computer for examination to generate validation information indicating whether said credit information is acceptable; (f) receiver means mounted in said housing and operatively associated with said data processing means; (g) printer means mounted in said housing and operatively associated with said data processing means; and
,(h) second transmission means operatively associated with said host computer for transmitting said validation information to said receiver means to generate validation information signals from said receiver means to said data processing means, said data processing means, when said validation information signals indicate said credit information is acceptable, activating said printer to print a receipt for the recipient to confirm that the order was delivered to the recipient and paid for by the recipient.
-
-
2. In a method for delivering an order to a residence and utilizing credit information to accept payment for the order,
(a) delivering the order to a recipient at the door of a designated residence; -
(b) transmitting, from a location at the door of the residence, credit information concerning the recipient to a host computer for examination by the host computer to generate validation information signals indicating whether said credit information is acceptable; (c) transmitting said validation information signals to said location at the door of the residence; and
,(d) printing, at said location at the door of the residence and when said validation information signals indicate said credit information is acceptable a receipt for the recipient to confirm that the order was delivered to and paid for by the recipient.
-
-
3. In a method for delivering an order to the recipient of a home and utilizing credit information from the recipient to accept payment for an order,
(a) transporting the order in a vehicle to a designated residence, said vehicle including a cellular telephone; -
(b) collecting, at a location distal from the vehicle and at the door of the residence, credit information tendered by the recipient in paying for the order; (c) transmitting said credit information from said location to said cellular telephone in said vehicle; (d) transmitting said credit information from said cellular telephone over a cellular telephone line and to a host computer for examination by the host computer to generate validation information indicating whether said credit information is acceptable; (e) generating validation information signals carrying said validation information; (f) transmitting said validation information signals to said location; and
,(g) printing at said location, when said validation information signals indicate said credit information is acceptable, a receipt for the recipient to confirm to the recipient that the order was delivered to and paid for by the recipient.
-
Specification