Systems and methods for determining an authorization threshold

• US 6,755,344 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated), Western Union
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mollett, Cassandra, Brauckman, Susan Diane, Smith, David Wayne, Walker, David A., Bethscheider, Alan Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Application Number:
  US10/387,045
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/381, 235/375, 235/472, 235/380, 235/379, 705/23, 705/26, 705/16, 368/29, 368/239, 368/82
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that determine a threshold value for an authorization check, such as an age verification, that is performed at a point of sale or other point of access control where access to a product, service, location, event, or the like, is restricted to individuals who meet an authorization threshold. In embodiments associated with purchases that comprise a variety of items for purchase and a variety of associated age-related authorization thresholds, systems and methods are described for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase as a whole that will authorize the purchase of the items. In embodiments in which a purchaser'"'"'s authorization is checked with respect to a determined threshold value, a record of the authorization check can be stored and can subsequently be retrieved to verify that an authorization check for the encounter was carried out using the determined threshold value.

Claims

1. A process for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising at least one item, the process comprising:

(i) identifying an item that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

(ii) identifying an age-related authorization threshold associated with the item;

(iii) repeating acts (i) and (ii) for the items of the purchase;

(iv) selecting an authorization threshold to be the authorization threshold for the purchase;

(v) calculating the age of the purchaser; and

(vi) storing in a memory a record indicative of the purchase and of the calculated age of the purchaser.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein identifying an item that a purchaser is attempting to purchase comprises receiving an electronic identifier signal associated with the item, and wherein identifying an age-related authorization threshold associated with the item comprises using the electronic identifier to access stored information about an age-related authorization threshold associated with the item.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein selecting an authorization threshold comprises selecting one of the identified authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold for the purchase.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein selecting an authorization threshold comprises selecting a highest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein selecting an authorization threshold comprises selecting a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein selecting an authorization threshold for the purchase comprises selecting an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein selecting an authorization threshold for the purchase comprises selecting an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein selecting an authorization threshold for the purchase comprises defining an authorization threshold whose range encompasses the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein selecting an authorization threshold for the purchase comprises defining an authorization threshold whose range is the intersection of the authorization threshold ranges Identified for the items in the purchase.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein calculating the age of the purchaser comprises:

obtaining birth date identification information about the purchaser;

obtaining information that can be used to determine the current date; and

using the birth date identification information and the current date information to calculate the current age of the purchaser.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein obtaining birth date identification information about the purchaser comprises receiving information entered using at least one of the methods comprising:

scanning in, reading electronically, keying in manually, and inputting orally.

12. The process of claim 10, wherein obtaining birth date identification information about the purchaser comprises obtaining information from at least one of:

magnetically encoded information on an identification card, a driver'"'"'s license, a smart card, a bar code, a transponder, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a security key, a computer file, a fingerprint of the purchaser, an iris scan of the purchaser, a voice sample of the purchaser, and other biometric information available from the purchaser.

13. The process of claim 10, wherein obtaining birth date identification information about the purchaser comprises obtaining information that allows access to a stored record of the purchaser'"'"'s birth date.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein storing a record in memory comprises storing the calculated age of the purchaser.

15. The process of claim 1, wherein storing a record in memory comprises storing the age-related authorization threshold for the purchase.

16. The process of claim 1, wherein storing a record in memory comprises storing an identifier for the transaction.

17. The process of claim 16, wherein storing an identifier for the transaction comprises recording at least one of:

the time of the transaction, the date of the transaction, and a numeric identifier for the transaction.

18. The process of claim 1, wherein storing a record in memory comprises storing at least one of the group comprising:

an identification indicator for the purchaser, an identification indicator for a clerk assisting with the purchase, an amount of the purchase, an indication of the items purchased, and an indication of item types associated with the purchase.

19. The process of claim 1, further comprising comparing the calculated age of the purchaser and the selected age-related authorization threshold for the purchase.

20. The process of claim 1, wherein an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase delimits ages of purchasers who are authorized to make the purchase and ages of purchasers who are not authorized to make the purchase.

21. The process of claim 20, further comprising:

comparing the calculated age and the selected age-related authorization threshold; and

not allowing the purchase to be completed if the calculated age indicates that the purchaser is not authorized to make the purchase.

22. The process of claim 1, further comprising displaying the calculated age of the purchaser to a clerk associated with the purchase.

23. A point of sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase that comprises a plurality of items, the point of sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to identify items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

a computer memory configured to store a database of age-related authorization information regarding items available for purchase, the information comprising identification information for the items and age-related authorization thresholds associated with the items, wherein at least two different age-related authorization thresholds exist; and

a computer processor configured to receive a plurality of signals from the item identifier apparatus that identify the plurality of items of the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the received item identifier signals to access the database of age-related authorization information in the computer memory and to select, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the computer processor is further configured to determine an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase by selecting one of the accessed authorization thresholds for the identified items of the purchase to be the age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold by selecting a highest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold by selecting a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

27. The device of claim 23, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by selecting an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

28. The device of claim 23, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by selecting an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

29. The device of claim 23, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by defining an authorization threshold whose range encompasses the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

30. The device of claim 23, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by defining an authorization threshold whose range is the intersection of the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

31. The device of claim 23, further comprising:

a data input apparatus configured to receive personal information about the purchaser and to transmit the information to the computer processor;

a clock configured to transmit to the computer processor information indicative of the current time and date; and

wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the personal information and the current date information to calculate the current age of the purchaser.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the data input apparatus is further configured to obtain the personal information about the purchaser by receiving information entered using at least one of the methods comprising:

scanning in, reading electronically, keying in manually, and inputting orally.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein the data input apparatus is further configured to obtain the personal information about the purchaser by obtaining information from at least one of:

magnetically encoded information on an identification card, a driver'"'"'s license, a smart card, a bar code, a transponder, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a security key, a computer file, a fingerprint of the purchaser, an iris scan of the purchaser, a voice sample of the purchaser, and other biometric information available from the purchaser.

34. The device of claim 31, wherein the data input apparatus Is further configured to input information that can be used by the computer processor to access a stored record of the purchaser'"'"'s birth date.

35. The device of claim 31, wherein the age-related authorization threshold for the purchase delimits ages of purchasers who are authorized to make the purchase and ages of purchasers who are not authorized to make the purchase, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to compare the current age of the purchaser to the age-related authorization threshold for the purchase to determine if the purchaser is authorized to purchase the items.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the computer processor is further configured to store in a computer memory a record of the purchase that comprises an identifier for the purchase and a record of the age calculation.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the computer processor is further configured to not allow the purchase to be completed if the calculated age indicates that the purchaser is not authorized to make the purchase.

38. The device of claim 23, further comprising a display apparatus for displaying the calculated age of the purchaser to a clerk associated with the purchase.

39. A computerized system for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising a plurality of items, the system comprising:

means for obtaining electronic identifiers for a plurality of items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

means for using the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items, wherein an item may be associated with one of at least two age-related authorization thresholds; and

means for determining that select, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the means for obtaining electronic identifiers for items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase comprise means for receiving electronic identifier signals associated with the items.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the age-related authorization information comprises age-related authorization thresholds associated with items available for purchase, and wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items comprise means for selecting one of the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase further comprise means for selecting a highest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase further comprise means for selecting a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

44. The system of claim 39, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase comprise means for selecting an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

45. The system of claim 39, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase comprise means for selecting an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

46. The system of claim 39, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase comprise means for defining an authorization threshold whose range encompasses the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

47. The system of claim 39, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the means for determining an authorization threshold for the purchase comprise means for defining an authorization threshold whose range is the intersection of the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

48. A software module that gives a device the capability to:

obtain electronic identifiers for a plurality items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

use the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items, wherein the age-related authorization information associated with an item comprises one of at least two ape-related thresholds; and

determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

49. The software module of claim 48, wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to access age-related authorization thresholds associated with the item in the database.

50. The software module of claim 49, wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select one of the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase.

51. The software module of claim 50, wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select a highest authorization threshold from amongst the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase.

52. The software module of claim 50, wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase.

53. The software module of claim 49, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

54. The software module of claim 49, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

55. The software module of claim 49, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to define an authorization threshold for the purchase whose range encompasses the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

56. The software module of claim 49, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to define an authorization threshold for the purchase whose range is the intersection of the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

57. A computerized process for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising a plurality of items, the process comprising:

obtaining electronic identifiers for a plurality of items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

using the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items, wherein an item may be associated with one of at least two age-related authorization thresholds; and

determining, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

58. A point-of-sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising at least one item, the point-of-sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to transmit identifying electronic signals associated with items that a purchaser wishes to purchase;

a database of age-related authorization threshold information for items available for purchase;

a table of electronically stored records associated with age calculations performed in association with purchases; and

a computer processor configured to receive the item-identifying signals from the item identifier apparatus, to use the item-identifying signals to access in the database age-related authorization threshold information that is related to the items in the purchase, and to select one of the accessed age-related authorization thresholds to be the age-related authorization threshold for the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to calculate the age of the purchaser and to store in the table a record indicative of the purchase and of the calculated age of the purchaser.

59. A process for determining an authorization threshold for a purchase comprising at least one item, the process comprising:

(i) identifying an item associated with a purchase;

(ii) accessing stored information about the item that is indicative of an authorization threshold associated with the item;

(iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii) for each of the items in the purchase; and

(iv) selecting one of the thresholds to be the authorization threshold for the purchase.

60. A point of sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase that comprises a plurality of items, the point of sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to identify items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

a computer memory configured to store a database of age-related authorization information regarding items available for purchase, the information comprising identification information for the items and age-related authorization thresholds associated with the items; and

a computer processor configured to receive a plurality of signals from the item identifier apparatus that identify the plurality of items of the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the received item identifier signals to access the database of age-related authorization information in the computer memory and to determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, wherein the computer processor is further configured to determine an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase by selecting one of the accessed authorization thresholds for the identified items of the purchase to be the age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

61. The device of claim 60, wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold by selecting a highest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

62. The device of claim 60, wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold by selecting a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

63. A point of sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase that comprises a plurality of items, the point of sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to identify items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

a computer memory configured to store a database of age-related authorization information regarding items available for purchase, the information comprising identification information for the items and age-related authorization thresholds associated with the items, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item; and

a computer processor configured to receive a plurality of signals from the item identifier apparatus that identify the plurality of items of the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the received item identifier signals to access the database of age-related authorization information in the computer memory and to determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by selecting an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

64. A point of sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase that comprises a plurality of items, the point of sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to identify items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

a computer memory configured to store a database of age-related authorization information regarding items available for purchase, the information comprising identification information for the items and age-related authorization thresholds associated with the items, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item; and

a computer processor configured to receive a plurality of signals from the item identifier apparatus that identify the plurality of items of the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the received item identifier signals to access the database of age-related authorization information in the computer memory and to determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by selecting an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

65. A point of sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase that comprises a plurality of items, the point of sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to identify items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

a computer memory configured to store a database of age-related authorization information regarding items available for purchase, the information comprising identification information for the items and age-related authorization thresholds associated with the items, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item; and

a computer processor configured to receive a plurality of signals from the item identifier apparatus that identify the plurality of items of the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the received item identifier signals to access the database of age-related authorization information in the computer memory and to determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by defining an authorization threshold whose range encompasses the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

66. A point of sale device for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase that comprises a plurality of items, the point of sale device comprising:

an item identifier apparatus configured to identify items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

a computer memory configured to store a database of age-related authorization information regarding items available for purchase, the information comprising identification information for the items and age-related authorization thresholds associated with the items, wherein the computer memory is further configured to store for each item in the database an age-related authorization threshold that defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of the item; and

a computer processor configured to receive a plurality of signals from the item identifier apparatus that identify the plurality of items of the purchase, wherein the computer processor is further configured to use the received item identifier signals to access the database of age-related authorization information in the computer memory and to determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to select an authorization threshold to authorize the purchase by defining an authorization threshold whose range is the intersection of the authorization threshold ranges identified for the items in the purchase.

67. A computerized system for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising a plurality of items, the system comprising:

means for obtaining electronic identifiers for a plurality of items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase, wherein the means for obtaining electronic identifiers for items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase comprise means for receiving electronic identifier signals associated with the items;

means for using the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items; and

means for determining, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

68. A computerized system for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising a plurality of items, the system comprising:

means for obtaining electronic identifiers for a plurality of items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

means for using the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items, wherein the age-related authorization information comprises age-related authorization thresholds associated with items available for purchase; and

means for determining, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, the means for determining comprising means for selecting one of the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase further comprise means for selecting a highest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

70. The system of claim 68, wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase further comprise means for selecting a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

71. A computerized system for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising a plurality of items, the system comprising:

means for obtaining electronic identifiers for a plurality of items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

means for using the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items; and

means for determining, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase further comprise means for selecting an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

72. A computerized system for determining an age-related authorization threshold for a purchase comprising a plurality of items, the system comprising:

means for obtaining electronic identifiers for a plurality of items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

means for using the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items; and

means for determining, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item, and wherein the means for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase further comprise means for selecting an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

73. A software module that gives a device the capability to:

obtain electronic identifiers for a plurality items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

use the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items;

determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items;

access age-related authorization thresholds associated with the item in the database; and

select one of the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase.

74. The software module of claim 73, wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select a highest authorization threshold from amongst the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase.

75. The software module of claim 73, wherein the software module further gives the device the capability to select a lowest authorization threshold from amongst the accessed authorization thresholds to be the authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase.

76. A software module that gives a device the capability to:

obtain electronic identifiers for a plurality items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

use the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items;

determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items;

access age-related authorization thresholds associated with the item in the database, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item; and

select an authorization threshold that defines the broadest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.

77. A software module that gives a device the capability to:

obtain electronic identifiers for a plurality items that a purchaser is attempting to purchase;

use the electronic identifiers to access a database of age-related authorization information associated with the items; and

determine, based at least in part on the age-related authorization information, an age-related authorization threshold that authorizes the purchase of the items;

access age-related authorization thresholds associated with the item in the database, wherein an authorization threshold defines a range of authorized ages for purchase of an item; and

select an authorization threshold that defines the narrowest range from amongst the authorization thresholds identified for the items in the purchase.