Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines
First Claim
1. A coupler comprising:
- a docking bay configured to receive a communications device, wherein the communications device has an established communication link to a particular financial institution;
a module configured to receive electronic data corresponding to a price from a point of sale device;
encoder circuitry coupled to the module, wherein the encoder is configured to receive the electronic data and to provide at least one first signal corresponding to the price to the communications device for transmission to the particular financial institution;
decoder circuitry coupled to the docking bay and to the module, wherein the decoder is configured to receive at least one second signal from the communications device corresponding to a payment confirmation of the price received by the communications device from the particular financial institution; and
wherein the module is further configured to receive at least one decoded second signal corresponding to the payment confirmation and to provide at least one third signal corresponding to the payment confirmation to the point of sale device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for consumers to pay at the point of sale by using a personal communicator to wire transfer funds out of their bank account. The communicator is coupled to, and exchanges signals with a reciprocating communicator of the seller, which in turn is coupled to the seller'"'"'s bank. This way the money is transferred as an EFT payment code directly from the buyer'"'"'s bank to the seller'"'"'s bank, where it may be considered direct deposited, without processing delays. Devices also include vending machines that can receive payment this way. Bank computers are provided with systems and software for enabling the above. The bank computers are accessible by telephone lines, and work with cooperating banks by exchanging signals, for transferring the funds. The seller'"'"'s bank generates a payment confirmation code that is ultimately transmitted to the seller'"'"'s satisfaction for releasing the goods at the point of sale.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A coupler comprising:
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a docking bay configured to receive a communications device, wherein the communications device has an established communication link to a particular financial institution; a module configured to receive electronic data corresponding to a price from a point of sale device; encoder circuitry coupled to the module, wherein the encoder is configured to receive the electronic data and to provide at least one first signal corresponding to the price to the communications device for transmission to the particular financial institution; decoder circuitry coupled to the docking bay and to the module, wherein the decoder is configured to receive at least one second signal from the communications device corresponding to a payment confirmation of the price received by the communications device from the particular financial institution; and wherein the module is further configured to receive at least one decoded second signal corresponding to the payment confirmation and to provide at least one third signal corresponding to the payment confirmation to the point of sale device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification