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

• US 7,703,668 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vista USA
• Original Assignee: Vista USA
• Inventors: Hammad, Ayman, Gauthier, Patrick, Merckling, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Application Number:
  US11/584,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20070034679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235492-493, 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 included 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 base device from a portable payment device via a direct wireless connection, wherein the message code is received by the base device comprising an RF interface, wherein the message code is associated with a reward program, and wherein the portable payment device comprises a cellular phone;

generating a reward message using the message code and a dictionary associated with the base device; and

providing the reward message after the message code is retrieved.

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 message comprises points that are useable for a subsequent purchase.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the base device comprises a cellular phone.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the reward message further comprises displaying the reward message to a consumer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises:

providing an updated message code to the portable payment device using the base device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the base device is at a store.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the reward message indicates that a consumer is entitled to a discount.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the portable payment device comprises a smartcard.

10. A system comprising:

a base device configured to receive a message code from a portable payment device via a direct wireless connection, wherein the base device comprises an RF interface, wherein the message code is associated with a reward program, and wherein the portable payment device comprises a cellular phone; and

a composer configured to generate a reward message using the retrieved message code and a dictionary and send the reward message to an interface device.

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

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the composer is embedded in the base device.

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

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising an interface device coupled to the base device.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the interface device comprises a display screen, computer, printer, speaker, or PDA.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the base device is located at a store.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein the reward message is displayed on the interface device.

18. A system comprising:

a base device configured to receive a message code from a portable payment device via a wireless connection, wherein the base device comprises an RF interface, wherein the message code is associated with a reward program, and wherein the portable payment device comprises a cellular phone; and

a composer configured to generate a reward message using the retrieved message code and a dictionary and send the reward message to an interface device wherein the portable payment device and the base device are not connected to a network when the message code is received by the base device.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the dictionary is embedded in the base device.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the base device is configured to retrieve the message code from the portable payment device.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the portable payment device is configured to forward the message code to the base device.