Interaction of a wireless telephone with a transaction unit
First Claim
1. A method for conducting transactions by a wireless telephone with a transaction unit, comprising the steps of:
- establishing a telecommunication call to the transaction unit by the wireless telephone upon the wireless telephone preparing to engage in a transaction for purchase of goods with the transaction unit;
transmitting account identification information via the telecommunication call to the transaction unit by the wireless telephone before engaging in the transaction;
verifying the account identification information by the transaction unit with an account database system via a data path distinct from the telecommunication call before engaging in the transaction;
generating a transaction number defining a purchase cost of the goods by the transaction unit;
transmitting the transaction number to the wireless telephone by the transaction unit via the telecommunication call;
transmitting acceptance of the transaction to the transaction unit via the telecommunication call by the wireless telephone upon a user of the wireless telephone confirming that the transaction number received from the transaction unit is correct;
transmitting the transaction number to the account database system via the data path by the transaction unit upon receipt of the acceptance of the transaction; and
charging an account defined by the account identification information for the cost of purchasing the goods by the account database system upon receipt of the transaction number from the transaction unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Utilizing a wireless telephone to function as a transaction device. In a first embodiment, the wireless telephone places a call to the transaction unit directly. For example, the transaction unit may be a cash register at a supermarket. The wireless telephone then transfers to the transaction unit account information specifying the type of account against which the transaction is to be billed and identification of that transaction. The transaction unit responds with a transaction number that is transmitted to the wireless telephone. The user of the wireless telephone then confirms the transaction when the correct transaction number is displayed on the transaction unit. After the transaction is completed, the transaction unit transmits the data defining the transaction to the wireless telephone which stores this information in a database associated with the account against which the transaction was charged. In a second embodiment, the transaction number is not visually displayed but rather is transmitted over a second transmission media by the transaction unit to the wireless telephone confirming that the correct transaction is taking place.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for conducting transactions by a wireless telephone with a transaction unit, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a telecommunication call to the transaction unit by the wireless telephone upon the wireless telephone preparing to engage in a transaction for purchase of goods with the transaction unit;
transmitting account identification information via the telecommunication call to the transaction unit by the wireless telephone before engaging in the transaction;
verifying the account identification information by the transaction unit with an account database system via a data path distinct from the telecommunication call before engaging in the transaction;
generating a transaction number defining a purchase cost of the goods by the transaction unit;
transmitting the transaction number to the wireless telephone by the transaction unit via the telecommunication call;
transmitting acceptance of the transaction to the transaction unit via the telecommunication call by the wireless telephone upon a user of the wireless telephone confirming that the transaction number received from the transaction unit is correct;
transmitting the transaction number to the account database system via the data path by the transaction unit upon receipt of the acceptance of the transaction; and
charging an account defined by the account identification information for the cost of purchasing the goods by the account database system upon receipt of the transaction number from the transaction unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification