Compact protocol and solution for substantially offline messaging between portable consumer device and base device

• US 7,690,560 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hammad, Ayman, Gauthier, Patrick, Merckling, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Application Number:
  US11/491,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235492-493, 380/247, 705/14
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A method for providing messaging between a portable device and base device is provided. The method includes communicating one or more message codes maintained in the portable device to the base device. The base device then composes a message for a user of the portable device using a dictionary of message codes. The message codes have corresponding message values, which are used to generate the message for the one or more message codes. The generated message is then provided to the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a message code at a portable payment device, wherein the message code is associated with a reward program, and wherein the portable payment device comprises a cellular phone;

providing the message code in the portable payment device to a base device located at a store via a wireless connection, wherein the base device is associated with a dictionary that contains a message associated with the message code; and

receiving a reward after the message code is received by the base device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the base device comprises a point of sale terminal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the reward includes points that are useable for a subsequent purchase.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the base device comprises an RF interface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the portable payment device and the base device are not connected to a network when the message code is provided to the base device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a reward message associated with the message code after the message code is received by the base device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the base device is a first base device, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an updated message code; and

providing the updated message code to a second base device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first base device is at a first store and the second base device is at a second store.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the reward is a discount.

10. A method comprising:

receiving a message code at a portable payment device, wherein the portable payment device comprises a cellular phone;

providing the message code in the portable payment device to a base device located at a store; and

receiving a reward message after the message code is received by the base device, wherein the base device is associated with a dictionary that contains a message associated with the message code.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the reward message comprises a loyalty message.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the base device comprises a point of sale terminal.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the reward message is a variable message.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the base device comprises an RF interface.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the portable payment device and the base device are not connected to a network when the message code is provided to the base device.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the reward message comprises viewing the reward message on a display coupled to the base device.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the base device is a first base device, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an updated message code; and

providing the updated message code to a second base device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first base device is at a first store and the second base device is at a second store.

19. A method comprising:

receiving an encrypted message at a payment module controlled by an operating system of a wireless telecommunication device, wherein the encrypted message is decrypted by the payment module;

transmitting the decrypted message from the payment module to a device located at the point-of-sale; and

receiving an encrypted reward message at the payment module after the decrypted message is received by the device at the point-of-sale, wherein the device is associated with a dictionary that contains a message associated with a message code.