Method and apparatus for electronic commerce services at a point of sale

• US 7,349,884 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GSC Enterprises Inc.
• Original Assignee: GSC Enterprises Inc.
• Inventors: Gilliam, Dolly, Fatland, Tracey, Songy, Lionel Joseph Jr., Hair, Terry, Harbin, Terry, Barnett, Cheri, Odom, Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor; Gerald J.
• Application Number:
  US09/821,441
• Time in Patent Office: 2,553 Days
• Field of Search: 701/100, 374/101, 374/144, 702/130, 60/392.81, 60/391.5, 60/391.82, 606/02, 606/03, 607/75, 60/392.7, 123/435, 123/676, 705/16, 705/17, 705/18, 705/21, 705/23, 705/24, 705/35, 705/39, 705/40, 705/41, 705/42, 705/43, 705/44, 705/45
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• 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: G07F 7/04 by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

Point of sale transactions can be efficiently processed by use of a point of sale terminal having both image capture and storage capability, as well as other information input capabilities such as a MICR reader, a bar code reader, a keyboard, or similar input device. The system stores an image of the actual transaction documents, such as the bill to be paid and the check by which payment is made, for future reference and verification. In this way, paper copies of the bill need not be archived, and the check can be processed by electronic check conversion, further lowering costs. The electronic transaction information, such as biller identification, account number, payment made, and the like is forwarded from the POS location to a central data processing center in real time and authorization or denial of authorization to accept payment is returned to the POS terminal in real time. Additionally, system updates such as authorized billers, service fee schedules, and the like can be updated in real time, each time a transaction is transmitted from or to the POS terminal. Another advantageous feature is that a single POS terminal can be configured to communicate with multiple service providers and hence accommodate multiple different types of transactions such as issuing money orders, gift certificates, official checks, payroll checks, check cashing, bill paying, credit card authorization, age verification, and the like.

Claims

1. A method for processing an in-person bill payment at a point of sale location, comprising:

identifying a biller for whom payment of a payment transaction is to be received;

obtaining transaction information concerning the payment;

receiving payment for the bill;

assigning a transaction identifier to the transaction;

scanning at least one transaction document and generating at least one electronic image therefrom;

storing each electronic image in an image memory with an image identifier and linking the image identifier to a transaction identifier;

transmitting the transaction information to a payment server;

receiving from the payment server instructions regarding the transaction; and

transmitting to an image server a copy of each electronic image and the image identifier and linked transaction identifier.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the transmitted transaction information in a transaction database;

storing the transmitted electronic image and identifiers in an image database; and

forwarding selected transaction information to the biller and forwarding at least a portion of the received payment to the biller.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting magnetically stored information located on the at least one transaction document and converting the magnetically stored information into electronic transaction information.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating transaction information from said electronic image through optical character recognition.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the transaction information is generated by comparing the electronic image to a pre-stored template containing an expected electronic image.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving from the payment server additional system update instructions.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said system update instructions comprise a list of billers for whom in-person bill payment is authorized.