TRANSACTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20080004983A1
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hungry Machine Incorporated (Groupon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: B601 Foggy Bottom LLC (Groupon Incorporated)
• Inventors: COHN, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/764,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004983A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A transaction method and system includes a method for redeeming an item that includes providing a receiving step wherein a person who is to receive an item receives a notice of the item, the notice including a confirmation code; and a redeeming step wherein the person uses the confirmation code to redeem the item. Additionally, the method can include an accessing step wherein the person accesses a designated website; a submitting step wherein the person inputs the confirmation code at the designated website; and a selecting step wherein the person then selects an item redeeming option.

Claims

1. A method of redeeming an item comprising:

a receiving step wherein a person who is to receive an item receives a notice of the item, the notice including a confirmation code; and

a redeeming step wherein the person uses the confirmation code to redeem the item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the notice is an electronic transmission.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notice is a physical transmission.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the redeeming step further comprises:

an accessing step wherein the person accesses a designated website;

a submitting step wherein the person inputs the confirmation code at the designated website; and

a selecting step wherein the person then selects an item redeeming option.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the selecting step initiating a withdrawing step.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the withdrawing step directly deposits the item into a bank account corresponding to a provided bank account routing number.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the withdrawing step directly deposits the item into a PayPal account.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the selecting step initiating a forwarding step wherein the person gives the item to another person.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising the selecting step initiating a reserving step wherein the person deposits the item into a designated account for later use.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the redeeming step further comprises:

a providing step wherein the person provides the confirmation code to a retailer;

an authorizing step wherein the retailer inputs the confirmation code into an authorizing device;

a sending step wherein the authorizing device sends a message to a database;

a comparing step wherein the message is compared with data stored in the database;

a replying step wherein a reply, which indicates whether or not the confirmation code is valid and the item amount, is generated and sent to the authorizing device; and

a confirming step wherein the retailer confirms whether the person accepts or declines the item.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the confirming step further comprises:

an accepting step wherein if the retailer accepts via the authorizing device then a payment is automatically sent to the retailer; and

a distributing step wherein if the retailer accepts via the authorizing device then the retailer distributes the item.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the payment is selected from the group consisting of a check, wire transfer, and a credit card payment.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the retailer is selected from the group consisting of a restaurant, a bar, and a club.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the authorizing device is selected from the group consisting of a keypad, a point of sale device, and a credit card terminal.

15. A method of buying an item comprising:

an accessing step wherein a buyer accesses a designated website;

a buying step wherein the buyer enters information to buy an item;

a storing step wherein the information is stored in a database; and

a notifying step wherein the database sends a notice of the item to a person, the notice including a confirmation code.

16. A method of claim 15, wherein the information comprises the buyer'"'"'s name, the buyer'"'"'s email address, the buyer'"'"'s credit card information, a person'"'"'s name, the person'"'"'s email address, an item amount, and a note.

17. A method of claim 16, wherein the information further comprises the person'"'"'s cell phone number.

18. A method of claim 15, wherein the notice is an electronic transmission.

19. A method of claim 15, wherein the notice is a physical transmission.

20. A method of item giving, comprising:

an accessing step wherein a buyer accesses a designated website;

a buying step wherein the buyer enters information to buy an item;

a storing step wherein the information is stored in a database;

a notifying step wherein the database sends a notice of the item to a person;

a receiving step wherein the person receives the notice, the notice including a confirmation code; and

a redeeming step wherein the person uses the confirmation code to redeem the item.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the notice is an electronic transmission.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the notice is a physical transmission.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the redeeming step further comprises:

an accessing step wherein the person accesses a designated website;

a submitting step wherein the person inputs the confirmation code at the designated website; and

a selecting step wherein the person then selects an item redeeming option.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the redeeming step further comprises:

a providing step wherein the person provides the confirmation code to a retailer;

an authorizing step wherein the retailer inputs the confirmation code into an authorizing device;

a sending step wherein the authorizing device sends a message to a database;

a comparing step wherein the message is compared with data stored in the database;

a replying step wherein a reply, which indicates whether or not the confirmation code is valid and the item amount, is generated and sent to the authorizing device; and

a confirming step wherein the retailer confirms whether the person accepts or declines the item.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the confirming step further comprises:

an accepting step wherein if the retailer accepts via the authorizing device then a payment is automatically sent to the retailer; and

a distributing step wherein if the retailer accepts via the authorizing device then the retailer distributes the item.

26. A system for consumer-to-consumer item giving, comprising:

a designated website that is accessible via the internet;

a buying device, such as an online form, that allows a buyer to enter information to buy an item;

a database that stores the information into a storage device, such as computer memory;

a confirmation code generating device, such as a computer application, that generates a confirmation code;

a notifying device, such as a modem, that sends a notice of the item to a person;

a receiving device, such as a cell phone, that allows the person to receive the notice, the notice including the confirmation code; and

a redeeming device, such as an online form, that accepts the confirmation code to redeem the item.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the redeeming device further comprises:

an input device, such as an online form, for the person to input the confirmation code; and

a selecting device, such as a hyperlink, for allowing the person to select an item redeeming option.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the selecting device initiates a withdrawing device, such as a computer application.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the withdrawing device directly deposits the item amount into a bank account corresponding to a provided bank account routing number.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the withdrawing device directly deposits the item amount into a PayPal account.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the selecting device initiates a forwarding device, such as an online form, which forwards the item to another person.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the selecting device initiates a reserving device, such as a computer application, which deposits the item into a designated account for later use.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein the redeeming device is a network of retailers.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the network of retailers is a plurality of restaurants, bars, and clubs.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein each retailer in the network of retailers has an authorizing device that sends a message to the database.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the database comprises:

a comparing device, such as a computer application, which compares the message to data in the storage device.

a reply generating device, such as a computer application, which generates a reply indicating whether or not the confirmation code is valid and the item amount.

a reply sending device, such as a modem, which sends the reply to the authorizing device.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the authorizing device comprises an accepting device for accepting the item.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the database further comprises a payment device, such as a credit card terminal, which initiates a transaction that sends the retailer a payment if the item was accepted.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the payment is selected from the group consisting of a check, wire transfer, and a credit card payment.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein the authorizing device is one of the group consisting of a keypad, a point of sale device, and a credit card terminal.