US6014636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Point of sale method and system
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
•
Filing: 1997-05-06
•
Granted: 2000-01-11
•
Expires: 2017-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment using interactive television (ITV) or the world wide web (WWW) by directly debiting a customer's bank account through electronic transfer of funds or by billing a customer's credit card account. The customer places an order for products or services on his ITV station, or through the WWW from his personal computer, and can make POS payment either by authorizing direct debit from his bank account or by authorizing a charge to his credit card account. The customer's debit and credit account information is collected by swiping the customer's debit or credit card through a magnetic stripe reader at the customer's location at the moment of sale.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Rodney Reeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:49
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/0866; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/02; G06Q20/027; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/085; G06Q20/0855; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/204; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/306; G06Q20/36; G06Q20/363; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant in an interactive network including a terminal and a server coupled to a customer bank and to the merchant, performed at the time of sale, comprising the following steps: transmitting an order form from the server to the customer using the interactive network; receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form at the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information corresponding to the customer information obtained from a card at the customer's location; (ii) identifying the customer payment option information; (iii) identifying a merchant corresponding to the customer order information; (iv) transmitting to the customer bank the customer account information and the merchant information to permit manipulation of the customer account information for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (v) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant in an interactive network including a terminal and a server coupled to a customer bank and to the merchant, performed at the time of sale, comprising the following steps: transmitting an order form from the server to the customer using the interactive network; receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form at the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information corresponding to the customer information obtained from a card at the customer's location; (ii) identifying the customer payment option information; (iii) identifying a merchant corresponding to the customer order information; (iv) transmitting to the customer bank the customer account information and the merchant information to permit manipulation of the customer account information for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (v) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the customer account information collected and stored includes customer bank account information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the customer account information collected and stored includes customer credit card account information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the customer order information includes identification of an ordered product or service and a cost for that product or service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 4, wherein a customer bank account is debited by an amount equal to the cost of the product or service ordered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 4, wherein a customer credit card account is charged an amount equal to the cost of the product or service ordered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 4, further comprising crediting the merchant account by an amount equal to the cost of the product or service ordered less transactional fees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the customer payment option information includes identification of a customer bank account.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the customer payment option information includes identification of a customer debit card account.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the customer payment option information includes identification of a customer credit card.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the transmission of customer account information and merchant account information to permit manipulation of the account balances includes transmission through an ATM network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein the transmission of customer account information and merchant account information to permit manipulation of the account balances includes transmission through a credit and issuer network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 1, wherein said detecting step includes swiping said card through a magnetic card reader.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive network is an interactive television network and the terminal is a set top box.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive network is a distributed information network and the terminal is a computer terminal.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment for a transaction by a customer to a merchant in an interactive network including a terminal and a server coupled to a customer bank and to the merchant, comprising the steps of: transmitting an order form from the server to the customer; transmitting customer order information and customer payment option information in the order form over the single interactive network to the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information from a card at the customer's location using the terminal to facilitate manipulation of the customer account information; (ii) transmitting the customer order information to a financial network to facilitate identification of the merchant and payment to the merchant of the customer order information by the customer bank; and (iii) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment for a transaction by a customer to a merchant in an interactive network including a terminal and a server coupled to a customer bank and to the merchant, comprising the steps of: transmitting an order form from the server to the customer; transmitting customer order information and customer payment option information in the order form over the single interactive network to the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information from a card at the customer's location using the terminal to facilitate manipulation of the customer account information; (ii) transmitting the customer order information to a financial network to facilitate identification of the merchant and payment to the merchant of the customer order information by the customer bank; and (iii) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein the customer account information transmitted includes customer bank account information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein the customer account information transmitted includes customer credit card account information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein the customer order information transmitted includes an ordered product or service and a cost for that product or service.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein the customer payment option information transmitted includes an identification of a customer bank account.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein the customer payment option information transmitted includes identification of a customer debit card.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein the customer payment option information transmitted includes an identification of a customer credit card.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of providing POS payment of claim 16, wherein said detecting step includes swiping said card through a magnetic card reader.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the interactive network is an interactive television network and the terminal is a set top box.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the interactive network is a distributed information network and the terminal is a computer terminal.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant in an interactive network including a terminal and a server coupled to a customer bank and to the merchant, comprising: means for transmitting an order form from the server to the customer, the server including means for performing the following functions: (i) receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form through transmission over the interactive network; (ii) detecting customer account information from a card at the customer's location using the terminal, said customer account information corresponding to the customer information and the customer payment option information; (iii) identifying a merchant corresponding to the customer order information; (iv) transmitting the customer account information and the merchant information to permit manipulation of the customer account balance and payment to the merchant; and (v) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant in an interactive network including a terminal and a server coupled to a customer bank and to the merchant, comprising: means for transmitting an order form from the server to the customer, the server including means for performing the following functions: (i) receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form through transmission over the interactive network; (ii) detecting customer account information from a card at the customer's location using the terminal, said customer account information corresponding to the customer information and the customer payment option information; (iii) identifying a merchant corresponding to the customer order information; (iv) transmitting the customer account information and the merchant information to permit manipulation of the customer account balance and payment to the merchant; and (v) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein the means for collecting and storing customer account information includes a means for collecting and storing customer bank account information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein the means for collecting and storing customer account information includes a means for collecting and storing customer credit card account information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving customer order information includes a means for receiving identification of an ordered product or service and a cost for that product or service.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 29, wherein the means for transmitting customer account information and merchant account information to permit manipulation of the account balances includes a means for debiting a customer bank account by an amount equal to the cost of the product or service ordered.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 29, wherein the means for transmitting customer account information and merchant account information to permit manipulation of the account balances includes a means for charging a customer credit card account by an amount equal to the cost of the product or service ordered.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 29, wherein the means for transmitting customer account information and merchant account information to permit manipulation of the account balances includes a means for crediting the merchant account by an amount equal to the cost of the product or service ordered less transactional fees.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving customer payment option information includes a means for receiving identification of a customer bank account.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving customer payment option information includes a means for receiving identification of a customer debit card.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving customer payment option information includes a means for receiving identification of a customer credit card.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus for providing POS payment of claim 26, wherein said means for detecting customer account information is a magnetic card reader.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant, performed at the time of sale, comprising the following steps, connecting the customer to a server; coupling the server to a customer bank and a merchant; transmitting an order form from the server to the customer; receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form at the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information corresponding to the customer information obtained from a card at the customer's location; (ii) identifying the customer payment option information; (iii) transmitting the customer account information and the merchant information to the customer bank to manipulate the customer account information for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (iv) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant, performed at the time of sale, comprising the following steps, connecting the customer to a server; coupling the server to a customer bank and a merchant; transmitting an order form from the server to the customer; receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form at the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information corresponding to the customer information obtained from a card at the customer's location; (ii) identifying the customer payment option information; (iii) transmitting the customer account information and the merchant information to the customer bank to manipulate the customer account information for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (iv) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment for a transaction by a customer with a merchant, comprising the steps of: connecting the customer to a server; coupling the server to a customer bank and a merchant; transmitting an order form from the server to the customer; transmitting customer order information and customer payment option information in the order form to the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information from a card at the customer's location; (ii) transmitting the customer account information to the customer bank for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (iii) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment for a transaction by a customer with a merchant, comprising the steps of: connecting the customer to a server; coupling the server to a customer bank and a merchant; transmitting an order form from the server to the customer; transmitting customer order information and customer payment option information in the order form to the server and performing the following steps: (i) detecting customer account information from a card at the customer's location; (ii) transmitting the customer account information to the customer bank for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (iii) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant, comprising: means for coupling a server to the customer, the merchant and a customer bank; means for transmitting an order form from the server to the customer, the server including means for performing the following functions: (i) receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form; (ii) detecting customer account information from a card, said customer account information corresponding to the customer information and the customer payment option information; (iii) transmitting the customer account information and the merchant information to a financial network for manipulation of the customer account information in the customer bank for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (iv) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for providing point-of-sale (POS) payment by a customer to a merchant, comprising: means for coupling a server to the customer, the merchant and a customer bank; means for transmitting an order form from the server to the customer, the server including means for performing the following functions: (i) receiving customer information, customer payment option information and customer order information in the order form; (ii) detecting customer account information from a card, said customer account information corresponding to the customer information and the customer payment option information; (iii) transmitting the customer account information and the merchant information to a financial network for manipulation of the customer account information in the customer bank for payment to the merchant of the customer order information; and (iv) instructing the merchant to fill the customer order information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |