Method and system for using a camera cell phone in transactions

• US 20050197968A1
• Filed: 02/23/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Das, Pardeep K., Spencer, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification

Abstract

A method facilitating a transaction between a camera-phone user and a business entity. The business entity produces a printed medium indicating a transaction. The printed medium includes a barcode that includes direct contact data for communicating with the business entity. The barcode further includes specific transaction data relating to the transaction in the printed medium. Using the digital camera feature, the user captures a digital image of the barcode. The camera-phone is programmed to decode the digital image to retrieve the direct contact data and the transaction data embedded in the barcode. The camera-phone then automatically initiates a direct communication with the business entity via the mobile communications device using the decoded direct contact data. One communications are established, the camera phone further transmits the transaction data derived from the barcode to further facilitate the transaction.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating a transaction with a business entity from a printed medium using a mobile communications device, the printed medium having a barcode, the barcode including direct contact data for the business entity and transaction data relating to the transaction, the method comprising:

capturing a digital image of the barcode with the mobile communications device;

decoding the digital image in the mobile communications device to retrieve the direct contact data and the transaction data;

initiating a communication with the business entity via the mobile communications device using the decoded direct contact data; and

transmitting the transaction data to the business entity to facilitate the transaction.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of:

storing user information in the mobile communications device; and

transmitting the user information to the business entity subsequent to initiating the communication, the user information facilitating the transaction.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is a cell phone having a digital camera and the step of capturing the digital image is done with the cell phone digital camera.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the direct contact data is a phone number for the entity, and the step of initiating the communication comprises automatically dialing the decoded phone number.

5. The method of claim 4 further including conducting a voice transaction as part of the communication.

6. The method of claim 5 further including storing user information in the mobile communications device;

and transmitting the user information to the business entity subsequent to initiating the communication, the user information facilitating the voice transaction.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the direct contact data is a web address for the entity, and the step of initiating the communication comprises automatically contacting the web address.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the transaction data includes an identifier of a unique offer associated with the printed medium, and further including a step of the business entity initiating a transaction routine for the unique offer upon receiving the transaction data.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the transaction data further includes an identification of the printed medium from which the transaction data was retrieved, and further including a step of the business entity tracking printed medium sources of incoming communications.

10. The method of claim 1 further including, after initiating the communication, steps of:

receiving a transaction query at the mobile communications device from the business entity; and

transmitting response data responsive to the transaction query to the business entity, said response data being input by a user of the mobile device.

11. A method for facilitating a transaction with a business entity from a printed medium using a mobile communications device, the method comprising:

printing a barcode on the medium, the barcode including direct contact data for the business entity and transaction data relating to the transaction;

receiving communications at the business entity through a communication channel identified by the direct contact data;

receiving the transaction data through the communication channel; and

processing the transaction based on the transaction data received through the communication channel.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of receiving transaction data further includes receiving user information, the user information facilitating the transaction.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the communications received at the business entity are from a cell phone having a digital camera, and the transaction data including information derived from the barcode and wherein the direct contact data is a phone number for the entity, and the step of receiving communications comprises receiving an automatically dialed call to the phone number.

14. The method of claim 13 further including conducting a voice transaction as part of the communication.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein user information is stored in the cell phone and the method further includes a step of receiving the user information at the business entity subsequent to initiating the communication, the user information facilitating the voice transaction.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the direct contact data is a web address for the entity, and the step of receiving communications comprises maintaining the web address, and receiving communications at the web address.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the transaction data includes an identifier of a unique offer associated with the printed medium, and further including a step of initiating a transaction routine for the unique offer upon receiving the transaction data.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the transaction data further includes an identification of the printed medium from which the transaction data was retrieved, and further including a step of the business entity tracking printed medium sources of incoming communications.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of processing the transaction further includes:

transmitting a transaction query from the entity requesting further details regarding the transaction; and

receiving response data responsive to the transaction query, said response data being input by a remote user.