Network systems and methods utilizing mobile devices to enhance consumer experience
First Claim
1. A method for providing and accessing membership accounts via a mobile device in a store network, the method comprising:
- a wireless access point sending a member identification request to a mobile device upon the mobile device being detected by the wireless access point;
receiving, at the wireless access point, a member identification response from the mobile device in response to the member identification request, if a member identification is stored in a memory of the mobile device;
the member identification response comprising the member identification;
receiving, at the wireless access point, a new member identification request in response to the member identification request, if no member identification is stored in the memory of the mobile device;
the new member identification request requesting a new member identification;
if the member identification is received;
the wireless access point forwarding the member identification to a membership database;
authenticating, at the membership database, the member identification; and
authorizing, at the membership database, the user of the mobile device to access a membership account associated with the member identification;
if the new member identification request is received;
the wireless access point forwarding the new member identification request to the membership database;
generating, at the membership database, a new member identification;
sending, from the membership database through the access point, the new member identification to the mobile device for storage in the memory; and
authorizing, at the membership database, the user of the mobile device to access a membership account associated with the new member identification.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Network systems and methods for utilizing mobile devices to enhance customer experiences are disclosed herein. A first aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to acquire a membership to a membership program and subsequently access benefits of the membership program via a mobile device. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to redeem coupons for sales transactions via a mobile device. Yet another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to acquire a map including the location of requested items. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to search for an item and in response receive the availability and in some instances a map location of the requested item. Yet another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to pay for item using a remote charging method.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for providing and accessing membership accounts via a mobile device in a store network, the method comprising:
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a wireless access point sending a member identification request to a mobile device upon the mobile device being detected by the wireless access point; receiving, at the wireless access point, a member identification response from the mobile device in response to the member identification request, if a member identification is stored in a memory of the mobile device;
the member identification response comprising the member identification;receiving, at the wireless access point, a new member identification request in response to the member identification request, if no member identification is stored in the memory of the mobile device;
the new member identification request requesting a new member identification;if the member identification is received; the wireless access point forwarding the member identification to a membership database; authenticating, at the membership database, the member identification; and authorizing, at the membership database, the user of the mobile device to access a membership account associated with the member identification; if the new member identification request is received; the wireless access point forwarding the new member identification request to the membership database; generating, at the membership database, a new member identification; sending, from the membership database through the access point, the new member identification to the mobile device for storage in the memory; and authorizing, at the membership database, the user of the mobile device to access a membership account associated with the new member identification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for providing and accessing membership accounts via a mobile device in a store network, the system comprising:
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a wireless access point that is in communication with a mobile device and a membership database; the wireless access point being configured to; send a member identification request to the mobile device upon the mobile device being detected by the wireless access point; receive a member identification response from the mobile device in response to the member identification request, if a member identification is stored in a memory of the mobile device;
the member identification response comprising the member identification;receive a new member identification request in response to the member identification request, if no member identification is stored in the memory of the mobile device;
the new member identification request requesting a new member identification;if the member identification is received; forward the member identification to a membership database, wherein; the membership database is configured to; authenticate the member identification; and authorize the user of the mobile device to access a membership account associated with the member identification; if the new member identification request is received, the wireless access point being configured to; forward the new member identification request to the membership database, wherein; the membership database is configured to; generate a new member identification; send the new member identification to the mobile device for storage in the memory; and authorize the user of the mobile device to access a membership account associated with the new member identification. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification