Method for mobile electronic commerce

• US 8,078,507 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2004
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IP Holdings Incorporated (IP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: IP Holdings Incorporated (IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Rao, Sunil K., Rao, Sanjay K., Rao, Raman K.
• Primary Examiner(s): FADOK, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US10/852,305
• Time in Patent Office: 2,759 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/14, 705/26.62, 705/27.2
• US Class Current: 705/27.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/953 Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/40 Processing or translation of natural language natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 13/00 Voting apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0057 using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0404 the mobile station comprising multiple antennas, e.g. to provide uplink diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 : MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15 : Active relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 : Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 : Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2867 : Physical combinations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 : Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/08 : each combination of signals in different channels being represented by a fixed frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 : using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 : using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 : Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 : for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 : Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 : Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 : Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 : User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 : for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 : to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 : with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/58 : including a multilanguage function
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 : with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 : Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 : specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 : Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0005 : Switch and router aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0062 : Network aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 : using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 : Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 : Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 : Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 : Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 : Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 : Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 : adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and a system for real time mobile electronic commerce transactions, utilizing smart wireless RF tags, a mobile communication device, and a central server. The method describes utilization of a ubiquitous mobile communication device such as cell phone, PDA, laptop computer and other stationary and mobile devices for enabling execution of electronic commerce transactions in conjunction with items, products and services that are identified by either embedded or attached smart wireless RF tags. The system describes the means for the individual mobile device user and or the store to conduct transactions seamlessly with a mobile device, a central server, a multi-channel multiplexing transmitter/receiver and smart wireless RF tags. The system provides information about prices and transactions involving products and services in real time over a wireless link and enables the user and the vendor to track transactions in real time for customer utility such as price comparison, real time execution of transactions utilizing the mobile device as a point of sale terminal; and further enables the vendor to manage inventory, supply chains, automated checkout, payment, loss prevention and security. The system further teaches a method for mobile commerce transaction in one or more languages utilizing smart wireless RF tagged items. Additionally, a method and system for enhancing the information contained within the smart wireless RF tags is described.

Claims

1. A real time transaction system and apparatus comprising

a mobile device,

a vendor'"'"'s local or network server wherein the server uses a lookup table and a stored user profile to set an environment specific to the user for a transaction;

at least one customized search engine table accessible and viewable on the mobile device for launching a search engine function by selecting a parameter of interest from the table, wherein the search engine table is set up by a mobile device user;

means for wireless-communication of the servers-with a mobile device;

means for the wireless communication by the mobile device being enabled in one or more protocols;

means for the wireless communication by the mobile device being enabled in one or more protocols with the smart wireless RF tag enabled items;

means for the communication being initiated in a time based mode, static mode or dynamic mode either by the vendor or the mobile device user;

means for the communication having permissions set by vendor or mobile device user;

means for the communication including data, text, still images, audio or video, and other types;

means for the communications content of the smart wireless RF tag in conjunction with the communication content of the vendor and other information servers to include marketing, product, service, price, availability and other information in one or more languages and including different currencies;

means for enabling the communication on one or more input/output channels of a mobile device;

means for the mobile device being contemporaneously enabled to perform one or more similar or disparate functions as desired by the mobile device user on other input/output channels.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further comprises a user customizable list in the form of a configurable list which is imputed on a PC or other convenient input means and down loaded onto the mobile device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the local server or network server is programmed to learn search needs and patterns to artificially learn the user'"'"'s search behavior, preferences and search patterns and generate a customized and dynamically responsive artificial intelligence search engine function.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein value optimization factors of a user are inputted to generate an algorithm to drive individual satisfaction on all factors.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a matching routine at the local or network server which allows a desired action to be parsed into a more suitable form for processing, including language conversion.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for auto adjusting and decreasing a vendor'"'"'s inventory for a sold item and automatically notifying a supplier, placing an order for the item and scheduling delivery of the item.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the user profile is updated with information relating to the user.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a zone controller which causes an audible or other notification to a vendor if a customer attempts to remove or add an item from a predefined control zone under the supervision of the zone controller.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one a flag which is set for regularly interrogating a site and notifying the user of an event triggering a need which has been expressed by the user.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further comprises a camera acquiring images of the user and goods, and the mobile devices sends the images to the server or a third party to assist in the transaction process.

11. In a mobile electronic commerce system, a secure method for mobile electronic commerce transactions comprising:

utilizing a multifunction communication device configured with a central portable compute, command and control means for voice and data information, said multifunction communication device comprising a mobile device

communicating between and among a mobile device and a central server for voice and data information including text, speech, audio, video, graphics and other forms of information, communicating between the mobile device and a central server by one or more wired or wireless communication methods and protocols;

including

configuring a mobile device for single channel or multi channel communication;

including configuring a mobile device for communication with radio frequency smart wireless RF tag enabled products and services utilizing one or more communication protocols designed for specific communication with one or more different types of smart wireless RF tags;

including

configuring a mobile device for smart wireless RI tag enabled transactions in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server;

utilizing smart wireless RF tags specifically enabled for identifying, describing, modifying, storing and communicating information related to specific products/services, and further including unique identifying information related to the specific smart wireless RI tag itself;

communicating between and among a mobile device and a smart wireless RI tag, including communicating between a smart wireless RI tag and a central server in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a mobile device;

transmitting a query from a mobile device to a smart wireless RF tag for desired information related to a mobile electronic commerce transaction in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server,

receiving a response from the smart wireless RF tag to the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server,

formatting the query and the response for by the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server;

processing the query and the response information within the mobile device, utilizing the processing, storage and database capabilities of the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with the processing, storage and database capabilities of a central server, a local server, a network server or a combination thereof;

setting up at least one customized search engine table accessible and viewable on the mobile device to launch a search engine function by selecting a parameter of interest from the table, wherein the search engine table is set up by a user of the mobile device;

utilizing the mobile device for selected mobile electronic commerce transactions;

executing mobile electronic commerce transactions at a selected time and in a selected manner utilizing the capabilities of the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with the capabilities of a central server, a local server, a network server or a combination thereof wherein a server uses a lookup table and a stored user profile to set an environment specific to the user for an electronic commerce transaction.

12. A mobile electronic commerce system comprising:

a multifunction communication device configured with a central portable compute, command and control means for voice and data information, said multifunction communication device comprising a mobile device,

a central server wherein the server uses a lookup table and a stored user profile to set an environment specific to the user for a transaction,

at least one customized search engine table accessible and viewable on the mobile device for launching a search engine function by selecting a parameter of interest from the table, wherein the search engine table is set up by a mobile device user,

a smart wireless RF tag,

means wired or wireless communication,

means for communicating between and among a mobile device and a central server for voice and data information including text, speech, audio, video, graphics and other forms of information,

means for communicating between the mobile device and a central server by one or more wired or wireless communication methods and protocols;

including means for configuring a mobile device for single channel or multi channel communication;

including

means for configuring a mobile device for communication with radio frequency smart wireless RF tag enabled products and services utilizing one or more communication protocols designed for specific communication with one or more different types of smart wireless RF tags;

including

means for configuring a mobile device for smart wireless RF tag enabled transactions in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server;

means for utilizing smart wireless RF tags specifically enabled for identifying, describing, modifying, storing and communicating information related to specific products/services, and further including unique identifying information related to the specific smart wireless RF tag itself;

means for communicating between and among a mobile device and a smart wireless RF tag, including means for communicating between a smart wireless RF tag and a central server in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a mobile device;

means transmitting a query from a mobile device to a smart wireless RF tag for desired information related to a mobile electronic commerce transaction in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server;

means for receiving a response from the smart wireless RF tag to the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server;

means for formatting the query and the response by the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with a central server;

means for processing the query and the response information within the mobile device, utilizing the processing, storage and database capabilities of the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with the processing, storage and database capabilities of a central server, a local server, a network server or a combination thereof;

means for utilizing the mobile device for a selected mobile electronic commerce transaction;

means for executing mobile electronic commerce transactions at a selected time and in a selected manner utilizing the capabilities of the mobile device in a standalone manner or in conjunction with the capabilities of a central server, a local server, a network server or a combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the multifunction communication device further comprises a user customizable list in the form of a configurable list which is imputed on a PC or other convenient input means and down loaded onto the multifunction communication device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein a local server or network server is programmed to learn search needs and patterns to artificially learn the user'"'"'s search behavior, preferences and search patterns and generate a customized and dynamically responsive artificial intelligence search engine function.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein value optimization factors of a user are inputted to generate an algorithm to drive individual satisfaction on all factors.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a matching routine at the local or network server which allows a desired action to be parsed into a more suitable form for processing, including language conversion.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising a means for auto adjusting and decreasing a vendor'"'"'s inventory for a sold item and automatically notifying a supplier, placing an order for the item and scheduling delivery of the item.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the user profile is updated with information relating to the user.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising a zone controller which causes an audible or other notification to a vendor if a customer attempts to remove or add an item from a predefined control zone under the supervision of the zone controller.

20. The system of claim 12, further comprising at least one a flag which is set for regularly interrogating a site and notifying the user of an event triggering a need which has been expressed by the user.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the multifunction communication device further comprises a camera for acquiring images of the user and goods, and the multifunction communication device sends the images to the server or a third party to assist in the transaction process.

22. A mobile electronic commerce system of claim 12 comprising:

means for utilizing a mobile communication device configured with a single or multi channel communication capability, including

means for utilizing a mobile communication device configured with a multi channel multiplexing transmitter/receiver, MMTR or other hardware/software implementations for enabling communication on one or more channels of communication of a mobile device in a sequential or multiplexed manner;

including means for utilizing a selected first channel of the mobile device for voice and data information, means utilizing the selected first channel or a selected second channel of a single or multi channel mobile device for communication with a plurality of smart wireless RF tags in a sequential or multiplexed manner;

means for transmitting a query from the mobile device to one or more smart wireless RF tags, including querying specific and uniquely identifiable smart wireless RF tags;

means for receiving a response from one or more specific smart wireless RF tags,

means for formatting the query to and the response from a plurality of smart wireless RF tags for ease of information comparison, analysis and selection of the specific smart wireless RF tag for a selected transaction,

means for selecting the first smart wireless RF tag, the second smart wireless RF tag and or the Nth smart wireless RF tag for the desired transactions;

means for associating the information related to a specific smart wireless RF tag with one or more specific products and or services;

means for executing mobile electronic commerce transactions by means of the mobile device and a plurality of smart wireless RF tags related to specific products and services in a standalone manner, utilizing the processing, storage and database capabilities of the mobile device itself or in conjunction with the processing, storage and database capabilities of a central server, a local server and a network server or a combination thereof.

23. A smart wireless RF tag transaction enabled point of sale terminal system for mobile electronic commerce transactions comprising:

a fixed in place point of sale terminal configured for communication of voice and data by wired or wireless means on one or more channels, such as by configuring a point of sale terminal with a MMTR or other similar implementations in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software;

a central server, wherein the server uses a lookup table and a stored user profile to set an environment specific to the user for a transaction;

a mobile device of the customer configured for communication, computation, command and control of voice and data information;

at least one customized search engine table accessible and viewable on the mobile device for launching a search engine function by selecting a parameter of interest from the table, wherein the search engine table is set up by a mobile device user and at least one flag which is set for regularly interrogating a site and notifying the user of an event triggering a need which has been expressed by the user;

smart wireless RF tag enabled products and services,

means for communication between the point of sale terminal, one or more smart wireless RF tag enabled products and services, a central server and a mobile device,

means for periodic or continuous communication between the point of sale terminal and one or more smart wireless RF tags for one or more applications including pricing, inventory and control purposes,

means for periodic or continuous communication between the point of sale terminal and the central server for one or more uses including pricing, inventory and control purposes;

means for communication, including automatic communication, between the point of sale terminal and a mobile device,

means for identification and recognition, including automatic identification and recognition of the mobile device/mobile device user by the point of sale terminal,

means for the point of sale terminal to communicate on one or more channels information related to products and services in the nature of voice;

speech, text, audio, video and data in one or more languages,

means for the mobile device user to query the smart wireless RF tags and or the point of sale terminal,

means the smart wireless RF tags and or the point of sale terminal to respond to a query by the mobile device user,

means for the mobile device user to format the query and the response in a selected format for transmission and or receiving on one more channels of the mobile device,

means for executing transactions utilizing the mobile device and further utilizing voice, audio, video, graphics, text, speech in one or more languages,

means for executing a selected mobile electronic commerce transaction at a selected time utilizing the processing power, storage and database capabilities of the mobile device by itself, including

means for executing mobile commerce transactions in conjunctions with the processing power, storage, database and multi channel transmit/receive capabilities of the point of sale terminal, a central server, a local server, a network server or a combination thereof.

24. A smart wireless RF tag transaction enabled point of sale terminal system for mobile electronic commerce transactions of claim 23 comprising:

means writing information to the smart wireless RF tag from a point of sale terminal,

means for reading information contained within the smart wireless RF tag from a point of sale terminal,

means for modifying information contained within the smart wireless RF tag from a point of sale terminal,

means for uniquely identifying a smart wireless RF tag and the associated product and or service from a point of sale terminal,

means for uniquely encoding specific information onto a smart wireless RF tag including customer information, location, date and time of transaction, transaction identification number, transaction enabling sales clerk, transaction enabling point of sale device identification number, customers mobile device number, customer profile, payment method and other information;

means for writing information and or modifying information upon transaction events such as selection, payment and checkout,

means for automatic payment and checkout in conjunction with the users mobile device, users transaction profile and other resident within the mobile device of the customer, means for encoding the selected transaction information for secure checkout from vendor premises and for further utility in a home, office or other customer location,

means for the selected transactions at the selected time or in real time utilizing a mobile device and a point of sale terminal.

25. A smart wireless RF tag transaction enabled point of sale terminal system for mobile electronic commerce transactions of claim 24 comprising:

means for maintaining an inventory list and database related to different categories of smart wireless RF tagged items within a central server,

means for maintaining a detailed cross reference list and database of specifically identifiable products/services and their associated smart wireless RF tag identification number,

means for modifying/updating the database as each individual item is sold, scrapped, or checked out,

means for associating a price/cost to each smart wireless RF tagged item,

means for associating a source such as the manufacturer that the item is sourced from,

means for associating economic order quantities for each type of items,

means for a point of sale terminal to communicate with the central server directly or by means of the MMTR,

means for the point of sale terminal to update the status of the items within its zonal control periodically or continuously,

means for the point of sale terminal to modify and update the database of the store'"'"'s central server when an item is purchased or if other actions alter the status of the item and its associated smart wireless RE tag,

means for the point of sale terminal and or the stores central server to communicate and update the database of the manufacturer maintained on the manufacturer'"'"'s server,

means for real time mobile commerce transactions utilizing a customers mobile device relating to smart wireless RF tagged products/services,

means for real time management of the entire supply chain of the item as each mobile device executes a mobile electronic commerce transaction related to specific smart wireless RF tagged products/services.