Method and System For Service Provider Access

• US 20090119183A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Moccasio Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Moccasio Incorporated
• Inventors: MOGHUL, Amir, SHAUKAT, Shamshad, HASAN, Syed A., AZIMI, Imran
• Application Number:
  US12/201,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20090119183A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Consumer access to service and/or goods providers is provided while avoiding expending consumer and service provider resources and time to place and order with a live service and/or goods provider representative. The present invention uses ubiquitous devices and networks, such as mobile communications devices and networks, that are fast, convenient and consumer-friendly. Furthermore, consumers can obtain information related to a commercial entity based on a geographic location of the user or on an image of the commercial entity captured by a mobile communication device of the user.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating a transaction between a user and a commercial entity the method comprising:

identifying the commercial entity based on at least one of a geographic location of the user and an image of the commercial entity captured by a mobile communication device of the user;

accessing information about the commercial entity via the mobile communication device;

initiating the transaction between the user and the commercial entity via the mobile communication device; and

completing the transaction between the user and the commercial entity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating the transaction comprises placing an order for at least one of goods and services.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the commercial entity comprises a merchant.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein accessing the information comprises accessing a list of goods and services provided by the merchant.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein placing the order comprises receiving confirmation from the merchant that the order has been placed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein completing the transaction comprises performing payment for the transaction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein performing payment comprises selecting a payment option.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the payment option comprises at least one of credit card swipe at a location of the commercial entity, third party billing, and preparing account billing.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein completing the transaction comprises performing payment via the mobile communication device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the commercial entity comprises obtaining at least one of a location of the commercial entity and a selection of a category of business by the user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the location of at least one of the user and the commercial entity is obtained via location-based technology.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein location-based technology comprises one of global positioning system, wireless communication, radio frequency, and triangulation.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein obtaining a location of the commercial entity based on an image of the commercial entity captured by the mobile communication device comprises:

comparing the captured image of the commercial entity to a database; and

determining a location of the commercial entity based on the comparison.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the image captured is a representation of the commercial entity.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the representation of the commercial entity comprises a drawing of the commercial entity.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein comparing the captured image of the commercial entity is performed by one or more servers located remotely from the communication device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the database is located on the one or more servers.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating the transaction comprises initiating the transaction via voice-activation.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of identifying the commercial entity, accessing information about the commercial entity, initiating the transaction between the user and the commercial entity, and completing the transaction between the user and the commercial entity is performed using a secure connection.

18. A system for facilitating a transaction between a user and a commercial entity, the system comprising:

an identifying module for identifying the commercial entity based on at least one of a geographic location of the user and an image of the commercial entity captured by a mobile communication device of the user;

an accessing module for accessing information about the commercial entity via a mobile communication device;

a placing module for placing an order for at least one of goods and services offered by the commercial entity; and

a selecting module for selecting a payment option for payment of the placed order and effecting payment of the placed order,

19. A system for facilitating a transaction with a commercial entity, the system comprising:

a processor;

a user interface functioning via the processor; and

a repository accessible by the processor;

wherein

the commercial entity is identified based on at least one of a geographic location of the user and an image of the commercial entity captured by a mobile communication device of the user;

information about the commercial entity is accessed via a mobile communication device;

an order for at least one of goods and services offered by the commercial entity is placed;

a payment option for payment of the placed order is selected; and

payment of the placed order is effected.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is housed on a terminal.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the terminal is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, a minicomputer, a main frame computer, a microcomputer, a hand held device, and a telephonic device.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is housed on a server.

23. A computer program product for facilitating a transaction between a user and a commercial entity comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to exchange user-generated community information, the control logic comprising:

first computer readable program code means for computer readable program code means for identifying the commercial entity based on at least one of a geographic location of the user and an image of the commercial entity captured by a mobile communication device of the user;

second computer readable program code means for accessing information about the commercial entity via a mobile communication device;

third computer readable program code means for placing an order for at least one of goods and services offered by the commercial entity; and

fourth computer readable program code means for selecting a payment option for payment of the placed order and effecting payment of the placed order.

24. A method for facilitating a placement of an order between a client and an eatery, the method comprising:

identifying the eatery based on at least one of a geographic location of the client and an image of the eatery captured by a mobile communication device of the client;

accessing information about the eatery via the mobile communication device;

placing the order by the client with the eatery via the mobile communication device; and

completing payment for the order by the client to the eatery.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein accessing the information comprises accessing a menu provided by the eatery.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein placing the order comprises receiving confirmation from the eatery that the order has been placed.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein completing payment comprises selecting a payment option.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the payment option comprises at least one of credit card swipe at a location of the eatery, third party billing, and preparing account billing.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein completing payment comprises completing payment via the mobile communication device.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein identifying the eatery comprises obtaining at least one of a location of the eatery and a selection of a category of business by the client.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the location of at least one of the client and the eatery is obtained via location-based technology.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein location-based technology comprises one of global positioning system, wireless communication, radio frequency, and triangulation.

34. The method of claim 24, wherein placing the order comprises placing the order via voice-activation.

36. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one of identifying the eatery, accessing information about the eatery, placing the order, and completing payment for the order is performed using a secure connection.