WO2001007987A2 - Systemes et procedes d"achevement de transactions - Google Patents

Systemes et procedes d"achevement de transactions Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001007987A2
WO2001007987A2 PCT/US2000/020450 US0020450W WO0107987A2 WO 2001007987 A2 WO2001007987 A2 WO 2001007987A2 US 0020450 W US0020450 W US 0020450W WO 0107987 A2 WO0107987 A2 WO 0107987A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
profile
information
provider
order
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/020450
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2001007987A3 (fr
Inventor
Alexander S. West
Stephen Brissette
Original Assignee
Stephenson Partners
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stephenson Partners filed Critical Stephenson Partners
Priority to AU64963/00A priority Critical patent/AU6496300A/en
Priority to CA002380366A priority patent/CA2380366A1/fr
Publication of WO2001007987A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001007987A2/fr
Publication of WO2001007987A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001007987A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present application relates to systems and methods for completing transactions, and more particularly to systems and methods for decreasing in-store process time for habitual retail transactions.
  • the problem lies in the traditional method of ordering. No matter what product or service is that is being provided and how fast that order can be fulfilled, the order must still get from the customer to the provider, the provider needs to be able to provide the good or service, the customer needs to pay for the good or service, and the good or service must change hands from the provider to the customer.
  • This default may contain information related to personal information, payment information, and a preferred rental information and will be stored in a convenient location (102).
  • the default then requires him to enter the default to complete the transaction. That is, the user needs to either approve the default (105) to send it to the provider (108) or needs to enter changes to the default (106) and send the altered default to the provider (107), before a transaction can be completed (109).
  • These steps require that the user must access the profile via a device that can accept their input and require the user to spend time approving or modifying the default and communicating the result to the provider.
  • the device therefore needs to have some form of display to present the user with the profile, and must be able to accept a variety of input from the user.
  • This limitation can require additional time for the user to spend entering or verifying information, and can limit the types of devices and location of devices, that can be used to retrieve the default.
  • the time it takes for entering text can create an additional line where preferred customers are required to wait for other preferred customers to finish using the device. In this case, the device essentially becomes an automated cashier having the user communicate with a computer "employee" instead of the human.
  • a profile that was previously generated by a user can be stored on a storage device, permitting the user to retrieve the profile and transmitting at least a portion the profile from the storage device to a provider where the portion transmitted bypasses presentation to the user, and completing the transaction between the user and the provider based on information in the transmitted portion.
  • the profile might include the order or payment information in certain embodiments.
  • the storage device may also be a database.
  • the user can generate the profile through many methods, including generating the profile over a network such as the Internet or World Wide Web, through the use of an audio communication such as over a telephony device, or through the use of a hardcopy that can then be mailed in or transmitted (for instance by facsimile machine) to the storage device.
  • a network such as the Internet or World Wide Web
  • an audio communication such as over a telephony device
  • a hardcopy that can then be mailed in or transmitted (for instance by facsimile machine) to the storage device.
  • an information retrieval system which could be a computing device, and may enter input into a data entry device.
  • This input may include an entry identifier such as alphabetic, numeric or alphanumeric codes; scannable or machine-readable codes such as bar codes, magnetic codes, or digital signatures; biometric identifiers such as voice identification or fingerprint identification; or any combination of entry identifiers.
  • the entry identifier could be provided to the user in a tangible form such as a card, tag, sticker, or printed page or stored on a mechanical or electrical device.
  • the following terms generally have the meanings provided below, but these meanings are not intended to limit the clear scope and meaning of any of these terms as known by people skilled in the art.
  • 'User' generally denotes an entity, such as a human being, using a device, such as one allowing access to a system for creating a profile and then completing a transaction based on the profile.
  • the user will generally be interested in the acquisition of a good or service that they purchase on a regular or habitual basis but such regular activity is not necessary. Although it generally refers to a user interested in a particular good or service (for example, a hamburger), it could also refer to a user interested in a general class of goods or services (for example, fast food), or a personalized good or service.
  • a user could also be representing a company, agency , association, or any other entity, either in an employee, agency, contractor or any other relationship seeking to acquire goods or services for the benefit of that entity.
  • a user could also be an automated process seeking to acquire goods or services.
  • a user can also be a provider in a different transaction, or a different part of the same transaction.
  • 'Browser' generally denotes, among other things, a process or system that provides the functionality of a client, such that it interconnects by a network to one or more servers.
  • the browser may be Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Netscape's Navigator, or any other commercial or custom-designed browser or any other thing allowing access to material on a network.
  • 'Client' generally denotes a computer or other thing such as, but not limited to, a personal digital assistant (PDA), pager, phone, WebTV system, or any software or hardware process that interconnects by a network with one or more servers.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • 'Server' generally denotes one or more computers or similar devices that interconnect by a network with clients and that have application programs running therein, such as for the purpose of transferring computer software, data, audio, graphic and/or other similar material.
  • a server can be a purely software based function. Server also includes any process or system for interconnecting via a network with clients.
  • 'Provider' generally denotes an entity interested in providing goods or services in exchange for value.
  • a provider will generally be a commercial entity seeking to exchange goods or services for currency or monetary instruments, but it could also be any entity seeking to sell goods or services, or exchange goods or services for other goods or services.
  • a provider need not be commercial or for profit.
  • a provider includes users seeking to solicit donations to charitable causes, or seeking investment opportunities.
  • a provider could also be an entity representing a company, agency , association, or any other entity, either in an employee, agency, contractor or any other relationship seeking to provide goods or services to potential users for the benefit of that entity.
  • a provider can alternatively be an automated process such as, but not limited to, an automated sales program.
  • a provider can also be a user in a different transaction, or a different part of the same transaction.
  • Data Entry Device is generally a device that allows a user to input some type of identifier to retrieve a profile and either supply, or signal another device to supply, information from that profile to a provider.
  • a data entry device could typically be, but is not limited to, a computing device; a PDA; a wireless transmitter/receiver; a bar code scanner; a voice recognition system or other type of biometric recognition system; a magnetic card reader; a smart card reader; a numerical, alphanumeric, or other type of key entry system; any type of data entry device attached to a network; a wireless or landline phone or system; a text recognition system; a touch screen; a pointing device; a sound or light sensor; or any other type of device or combination of devices that allows the entry of any type of identifier that can uniquely identify a user.
  • FIG. 1A is a high-level diagram of the prior art.
  • FIG. IB is a high level diagram of one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram of the set-up portion of one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram of the usage portion of one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2C is a diagram of one embodiment of a relationship marketing portion of one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an example of templates and the generation of a profile in one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an example of an embodiment of the invention in a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR).
  • QSR Quick Service Restaurant
  • FIG. 5 shows a sample card for providing an entry identifier to a user in one embodiment of the invention.
  • a provider could be any type of provider, as discussed above, and could provide any type of goods or services based on the order provided.
  • the system is generally described as a construct executing at least partially over the World Wide Web utilizing Internet software executing within a browser, other software executing in a server, and/or software proprietary to an operator of the system and/or the provider.
  • the present invention may be implemented by Active-X , Java, C++, other programming languages, other custom software schemes, telecommunications and database designs, or any of the previous in any combination.
  • the system can also be implemented on any type of network including the Internet, the World Wide Web, an intranet or extranet system, a proprietary network, or any other type of network recognized by those skilled in the art existing now or in the future.
  • FIG. IB An overview of a method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. IB.
  • a user creates in step (123) a profile on the system, this profile including information.
  • the profile will generally include an order, which includes instructions meant for the provider to describe what the user wishes to purchase, and additional information about the user.
  • the profile may also only include the order. In some cases when the user retrieves his profile, only the order will be transmitted to the provider. However, for simplicity of discussion, the phrases transmission of a profile and transmission of an order will both be used regardless of whether the order is transmitted alone or with other information from the profile.
  • the profile is then stored in step (125) in a storage device until it is retrieved by the user in step (127). When retrieved, the profile is sent in step (129) from the storage device to a provider without being presented to the user. In this way, the profile bypasses the decision making steps of the user.
  • a user's account will also be debited or charged when the profile is retrieved for the cost of the order included in the user's profile.
  • the provider knows a customer has placed an order and has instructions (based on the order) describing how to complete the transaction in step (121).
  • the act of a user "retrieving" a profile does not necessarily mean that the profile is returned to the user, or that the user himself actually calls up the profile.
  • the term “retrieve” as used also refers to the act of the user desiring to access, use, or otherwise activate the profile so that the profile can be used to transmit the order or the profile to a provider as discussed below. Therefore the act of retrieving could be performed by an automated system based on a recorded command from the user, and/or the retrieval can result in the profile being presented in a manner that bypasses the user. In an example, the act of entering an identifier into a data entry device would be sufficient to "retrieve" the profile even if the data entry device was unable to display or process the profile.
  • the method allows consumers to speed the transaction process for frequently purchased food items by registering their frequently purchased products and payment preferences on the Internet or by telephone, prior to the store visit.
  • the preference data specific to a particular consumer is stored in a data warehouse. Once registered, the consumers may, for example, scan bar-coded tags keyed to their registered preference data at any of store in the chain. Once scanned, preference data is printed or displayed in the preparation area of the store, thereby allowing the consumer to bypass the ordering/payment portion of the store visit.
  • the method permits more purchasing consumers to visit a particular store, more transactions can be carried out within a store. This is because the system allows retailers to decrease consumer time in the store, particularly in line, thus increasing net turnover and throughput, and simultaneously reducing the number of consumers who "balk", leave, or refuse to enter a too-busy store.
  • FIG. 2 shows a layout of a process in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • the process is illustrated with several interrelated sub-processes.
  • FIG. 2A shows the set-up portion of the method that allows the user to create or change what is included in a profile including the order. This sub-process will generally be carried out by the user at some time prior to the purchase of their order and may be done far in advance of the purchase.
  • FIG. 2B shows the actions when the profile is retrieved for the purpose of completing a transaction. These two activities will be temporally separated and may be used a different number of times. Generally a user would set up a profile once and use it many times, but such activity is not necessary.
  • FIG. 2A shows the set-up portion of the method that allows the user to create or change what is included in a profile including the order. This sub-process will generally be carried out by the user at some time prior to the purchase of their order and may be done far in advance of the purchase.
  • FIG. 2B shows the actions when the profile is
  • FIG. 2C shows an optional third activity where a system operator, or the system, can record data and/or perform data analysis based on the profiles.
  • the user (301) accesses a device which will permit her to enter information into the profile.
  • the device comprises a client (303) connected to a network (304) through a browser where a server (305) is designed to receive the profile.
  • This connection can be through a wired or wireless connection.
  • the server (305) provides a template (307) such as an Internet form which the user can populate with information and return to the server.
  • a template such as an Internet form which the user can populate with information and return to the server.
  • Such a form is however not necessary and any method for communicating information from a client to a server over a network can be used in the generation of the profile.
  • the user (301) uses a telephony device (313), such as a landline phone, wireless phone, telephony equipped computing device (such as a VoIP system), or other aural communication device and calls a receiving system (315) such as an intelligent network component, voice mail system, a telephone, a computer modem, or a human operator, which then records information for the profile as it is spoken.
  • a receiving system such as an intelligent network component, voice mail system, a telephone, a computer modem, or a human operator, which then records information for the profile as it is spoken.
  • the user (301) writes out on a physical medium (321) the desired information for the profile. And then sends this information via a transfer device (323), such as a facsimile machine, which then communicates the profile either directly or after interpretation.
  • a transfer device such as a facsimile machine
  • the depicted embodiments do not present all available embodiments for getting the profile from the user to the system but are merely exemplary.
  • Other methods for receiving a profile include, but are not limited to, using printed material provided on paper which may be mailed or scanned; interactive digital or analog information in the form of audible questions in which audible answers are recorded on a telephone, in-store kiosk, or any other audio communications device; or visual electronic information on any presentation device such as a computer screen, touch sensitive screen, television, personal digital assistant, or any other visual communications device.
  • the profile is sent to a information processing system (333).
  • the profile may include purchasing information for automatic charging of a purchase when the profile is retrieved.
  • purchasing may be performed using third party purchasing instruments such as credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, or prepaid service programs. In these cases, it may be desirable to insure that there is available credit or funds available on that payment instrument to the user (301).
  • an authorization system (335) such as a credit checking system could be contacted by the information processing system (333), to insure that the user is authorized to use that payment instrument and possibly to allow a credit limit or account balance to be generated at the information processing system (333).
  • the information processing system (333) will generally be a computing device or processor, although it could be any device or system capable of controlling the receipt of profiles, the storage of profiles, and the retrieval of profiles.
  • the information processing system (333) will generally include a database (337) or another type of storage device such as, but not limited to, removable storage, magnetic storage such as magnetic disks, optical storage, volatile or non- volatile solid state memory, any analog storage device, a hard copy or paper storage device, any other storage device known now or later discovered, or any combination of storage devices, for storing the profiles and/or other information related to the profiles.
  • the information processing system (333) can also include data collection functions that allow data on the users who have generated profiles, or those profiles themselves, to be collected. This data may be of any type known to the art, and may be stored, duplicated, analyzed, aggregated, mined, or altered by any method known to the art as part of the information processing system (333).
  • the system uses the resources of the provider as part of the storage, retrieval, and/or data collection functions.
  • This may be a local network (339) present at the provider that could be at a single physical location or could interconnect multiple physical locations in a network.
  • the local network (339) could be a single computing device or other device having the functionality of being able to store and retrieve profiles.
  • the use of a local network (339) could be desirable in transactions involving QSRs.
  • Many QSRs provide local networks (339) connecting individual physical locations and used for storing menu items, recipes, inventory and other information specific to the individual location.
  • That information may also be updated on a regular basis from a home or master system to insure that the local QSR receives all necessary information and support from the home office regardless of location. For instance, when the QSR home company decides to add a new menu item, marketing materials, recipes, ordering information, and other information can be sent from the home office via the local network to QSR locations. Those QSR locations then have access to all necessary information to insure that they can provide the new product and that the new product is universally presented across all QSRs.
  • that local network comprises a database (341) or other storage device, either at the home location, at the local QSR location, or at some other convenient location, for storing user profiles.
  • the profiles would be sent from a central location (either the information processing system (333) or a central location on the local network (339)) and changes to the profiles can be transferred from this central location with a regular update sent to each individual QSR location.
  • the individual QSRs could then all have their own databases of the profiles. It may be desirable to include profiles of users registered to a particular QSR so that each local establishment has records of those having profiles that might be used at that particular restaurant.
  • this local storage can allow regionalization of storage (for instance only storing certain profiles in certain geographical areas) to save resources, or could allow a single profile to be quickly added or updated across a wide geographical area.
  • the information processing system (333) or a central controller on the local network (339) could be used to store the profiles, the data entry device then accessing that central location to retrieve the profile via a network or other communication.
  • This embodiment could be beneficial because it allows cheaper central storage as well as the potential for quicker updating of the profiles.
  • the information processing system (333) stores the profiles and is accessed to retrieve a profile. It should be noted that this is for convenience only and any statement of the retrieval of a profile and/or any other information from or by the information processing system (333) could easily be altered to retrieve the profile and/or information from or by any alternative storage location, and all such alterations are included within the scope of this disclosure. Further, any extra functionality attributed to the information retrieval system (333) could also be included on any other appropriate system on or off the local network (339) and all such embodiments are included in this disclosure.
  • the local network (339) could also provide valuable information back to the information processing system (333). For example, the local network (339) could maintain records of when certain users retrieved their profiles and/or where they were retrieved (for example the specific QSR retrieved, or even the specific device used for retrieval). This information could be useful to predict customer behavior and future customer trends. Information related to performance of the QSR for profile-based transactions could also be returned to allow a collection of data on a QSRs performance on the profile based transactions to ensure that sufficient customer service is being provided.
  • the system could use this returned information for marketing or other promotional purposes.
  • the information processing system (333) can receive information from either the data entry device (353) and/or the local network (339) related to the retrieval of the profile, or other statistics related to the profile. This information can then be stored by the information processing system (333) and/or can be evaluated, tracked, mined, summarized or in any other way manipulated to generate useful statistics related to the profile. These statistics could then alternatively be sent back to the local network (339) for use by the provider to identify regular customers' patterns and purchasing habits, could be sent to the data entry device (353) for any purpose, or could be used by the information processing system (333) or an operator of the information processing system for any purpose.
  • the data could further be combined from profiles from users across multiple providers in a similar industry, or across multiple industries, to compile more general statistics.
  • the information could also be used in "on-the-fly" generation of marketing or other opportunities. For instance a user could automatically receive a 10 th purchase free, or could be provided with a discount for coming in so many times in a certain time period.
  • Customer messages could also be generated based on the profile, for instance an out-of-town user ordering according to their profile at a different location could be announced to staff so they could ask the visitor how their travel is going. Further, random games or contests could be performed giving a user a chance to win a prize whenever they retrieved their profile.
  • the system could also allow passive access to the data through terminal (343) to allow either the provider or an operator of the system to generate finance or marketing reports, sales data, usage rates, or any other type of collection of data that may be desired.
  • Active access could also be provided through terminal (343) allowing a human operator to introduce special offers, marketing offers, offers for free samples, free products, bonus and special pricing, or anything that might be desired to improve the relationship with the user or to promote additional marketing to the user.
  • the terminal could also be used to generate, discontinue, or alter the on-the-fly opportunities.
  • FIG. 2B more directly shows how the profile enables a transaction to be completed when it is retrieved by the user (301).
  • the user (301) wishes to engage in a transaction based on her profile, she retrieves her profile at a data entry device (353). This will generally be done via some form of identifier which uniquely identifies the user to the data entry device (353).
  • the data entry device can be anything allowing the user to access her profile, and it need not be able to communicate directly with the user.
  • the data entry device (353) could be a bar code reader and the user (301) could have a printed card with a bar code thereon. The user may be unable to provide any information to the bar code reader other than the bar code they have been presented with.
  • the data entry device then communicates with the information processing system (333) to retrieve the profile. Once retrieved, the transaction ordered by the profile can take place automatically. For instance, the central controller could access an authorization system (335) to charge the user for the order contained therein and could communicate the order to the Local network (339) or directly to the provider to place the order. In a QSR system, this communication could comprise translating the order from the profile into a presentation on the food preparation area's presentation device (373) for the preparation of orders. This presentation can be of any form used in the art but will often be a computer screen listing the components of the order and the rank of the particular order with regard to other orders to be prepared. The provider can then fulfill the order which has been presented to them which completes the transaction.
  • FIG. 3 shows one embodiment for creating a user profile.
  • a collection of data templates (201) that the user will populate with specific information they wish to store in the profile.
  • data templates there are three data templates (201); a payment information template (203), a personal identification template (205), and a provider's menu template (207). It is not necessary to include these particular three templates as part of the profile and the information requested by these templates could be provided on any number of templates in any order, or, a different number of templates could be provided asking for any information that may be desirable for a profile (209).
  • the profile (209) could only include a single template from this set or a subset of templates, could include additional templates not shown here, or could comprise any combination of templates provided or not shown.
  • templates need not be used and the user could input data freehand in any order.
  • the information collected comprises the profile (209) and will generally be the aggregate of the order outlined by the user based upon the templates, including the goods and services to be delivered to the user, the ways in which the user would like the goods and services to be modified, if at all, the manner in which the provider will be compensated by the user for the goods, and any other information provided by the user.
  • the manner of payment chosen by the user is to use a third- party payment system such as a credit or debit card, data may be included to obtain any needed authorizations for the expected amount of the transaction. None of this information, however, need be included.
  • the system could also be configured to take in any information desired to be placed in the user's profile (209).
  • the sample templates presented in FIG. 3 are simplified but could represent a system where the information collected relates to a regular or habitual purchase of food from a QSR with a relatively constant menu.
  • the payment information therefore asks for information which could be used to perform the transaction for food.
  • the intended payment instrument is a credit, bank, or debit card although other payment schemes such as, but not limited to, prepaid transactions, smart card or other prepaid card transactions, cash transactions, bill-me-later type transactions, transactions involving the extension of credit to the user, barter transactions, or any combination of these could be used instead of or in addition to the credit/debit transaction shown.
  • various information is collected about the user to facilitate payment.
  • the telephone number of the card holder (235), and her e-mail address (237) are also included fields. These fields are often included as part of verification information with regards to credit cards, although any or all of them can not be provided.
  • the payment information has a field for demographic information (239) which can be used to allow the user to enter general information about herself which could be used for marketing, data collection, or promotional purposes. A user might be asked to provide demographic information such as, but not limited to, her sex, income, education, or purchasing history.
  • the next template provided asks for personal information.
  • This information could be used to uniquely identify the user or could be used to allow an operator of the system to contact the user directly. Such contact could be for, but is not limited to, providing special offers, verifying information, security concerns, providing billing information, or for any other purpose known in the art.
  • the personal information requested includes the user's name (251), address (253), telephone number (255), E- mail address (257) and again demographic information (259). As discussed previously, any selection of these fields or other fields may be present in a template without deviating from the scope of this invention.
  • the final template shown is the provider's menu template (207). Which is where the user produces the order. The order is the particular purchase with all options that the user wishes to have recorded in the profile.
  • the template is one that might exist for a QSR with a very small menu, in particular, there are only two items provided, Item 1 (271) and Item 2 (272). This menu is by no means dispositive and any listing of menu items in any number could be included.
  • the template is referred to as a "menu" there is no need for the items to be food items.
  • menus of items including, but not limited to, retail goods, wholesale goods, services, personalized goods, personalized services, food items, tickets, rental items, charitable donations or causes, information services, news services, subscription services, or any other type of good, service or other thing that might be of interest to a user.
  • a menu could also provide a plurality of different types of items, for instance a food service menu might also have options for plates, silverware, chopsticks, or other commonly desired items associated with food.
  • the menu provided is also shown to be static.
  • This simple food service template is only provided as an easily understood example.
  • Item attributes are choices or options that are available for a particular item. In some cases, the selection of an attribute might be required (such as the size cup used for a beverage) while in other cases the attributes may be optional additions to the item (for example getting lettuce on a hamburger).
  • the item attributes include size (273) for Item 1 (271) and color (275) for item 2 (272).
  • These attributes can correspond to different options for the items provided on the menu.
  • the user has four different sizes of Item 1 (271) to select from: small, medium, large and extra large (277).
  • the user here has selected to receive Item 1 (271) and has selected (279) to receive a medium sized version of Item 1 (271).
  • the user has also selected to receive Item 2 (272) and has chosen to receive (289) a light version (282) of item 2 (272).
  • the attributes provided may be dependent on the type of good or service offered.
  • attributes for example, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, sauce, or bun
  • cooking level rare, medium, well-done
  • size single, double, quarter-pounder
  • sub-attributes could be provided. For instance, if the user selects to have cheese, a second selection for a type of cheese (American, Cheddar, Monterey Jack) could be provided.
  • These sub-attributes could also be provided as part of the template allowing for virtually any collection of offerings that the provider is willing to provide. To get outside the food service arena, it is also clear that attributes could be provided for any good.
  • a clothing item could have the attributes of color, size, fabric, brand name, or others. Services could also have attributes such as time, duration, requested servicer, etc. It should be clear to one of skill in the art that the only limitation on what could appear as attributes is limited only by the type of item on the menu and the imagination and willingness of the provider to provide.
  • the attributes are shown with fixed entries which are selected by the user. These fixed entries may be desirable to provide a limited universe of selections but in an alternative embodiment of the invention, blank fields could be provided that the user could fill in. These fields could allow virtually limitless selection options for the user, allowing him to type in whatever he desires.
  • Attributes need not be limited to textual statements but could instead provide thumbnail sketches or other representations.
  • the system could also select the actual good to be provided based on multiple attribute entries. As an example, let us use the purchase of coffee. Coffee can be provided in a multiplicity of cup sizes. Coffee can also have different amounts of cream or milk added to make the coffee a particular color. Instead of asking the user how much cream to place in their coffee, the system could have a color guide showing pictures or other representations of many popular colors. The user could then select the appropriate color and cup size. With both these selections, the system could then translate the user's selection into what is required in the preparation.
  • the user's selection of a large coffee in the third color grade could be provided to the provider as large with 0.6 ounces of cream, while a small in the third color grade could be provided as small with 0.3 ounces of cream.
  • These coffees being the same net color due to the ratio of coffee vs. cream.
  • This translation of what is understood by the user to what is actually seen by the provider exists in one embodiment of the invention and goes beyond merely allowing a customer to interrelate attributes.
  • the system could translate from a user understandable code (for example: hamburger with lettuce, tomato, and no onion) to a code usable by the food preparer and expected by the food preparer (for example H: L,T, ⁇ »).
  • a user understandable code for example: hamburger with lettuce, tomato, and no onion
  • H for example H: L,T, ⁇ »
  • the information is stored in a profile (209) which is sent to the information processing system (333).
  • the information processing system (333) will then store the profile on some storage device whether local to the information processing system or on another network or system.
  • the storage would generally take place in a database (337) such as, but not limited to, a relational database, an object database, or any other type of database known in the art. It can also be any other type of storage medium known to the art.
  • the profile (209) may be sorted with some unique identifier (213) to identify that profile (209).
  • This unique identifier may be based on information entered in the profile (209) (such as the value in the name field (251)) or could be an assigned identifier placed according to some determination when the profile (209) is created.
  • Systems for identifying data, such as the profile, for later retrieval are well known to the art and any method could be used.
  • the unique identifier (213) is a unique number assigned to the profile by the system. The user will then be provided with some method of accessing the profile identified by this unique identifier, generally by being provided with some type of entry identifier which makes reference to the unique identifier or is the unique identifier.
  • FIG. 5 shows a tangible frequent buyer card including a plastic or other durable card (501) imprinted with a figure (503) depicting the use of the card (in particular that this is a Big Burger Corp. Meal X-press card).
  • the card also has a printout of the user's name (505) and a barcode (506) which is the user's entry identifier and from which the user's profile can be retrieved.
  • FIG. 5 shows a tangible frequent buyer card including a plastic or other durable card (501) imprinted with a figure (503) depicting the use of the card (in particular that this is a Big Burger Corp. Meal X-press card).
  • the card also has a printout of the user's name (505) and a barcode (506) which is the user's entry identifier and from which the user's profile can be retrieved.
  • FIG. 5 shows a tangible frequent buyer card including a plastic or other durable card (501) imprinted with a figure (503) depicting the use of the
  • an entry identifier may be, but are not limited to, alphabetic, numeric or alphanumeric codes; scannable or machine-readable codes such as bar codes, magnetic codes, or digital signatures; biometric identifiers such as voice identification or fingerprint identification; or any combination of entry identifiers.
  • the entry identifier may be provided to the user in such a way that the entry identifier could be verbally communicated to the provider or entered by the user or the provider into a data entry device, for example the user could remember the entry identifier or provide a suitable body part for a biometric scan.
  • the entry identifier may also be provided to the user in some tangible single use or reusable form as shown in FIG 5 such as a card, tag, sticker, printed page, or any other tangible form, which tangible form can be provided to the provider or presented to data-entry equipment provided for this purpose.
  • the entry identifier could also be provided internal to a machine and stored by a user on any electrical or mechanical machine, such as but not limited to, a computing device, a PDA, a cellular telephone, a watch, a device specifically built for the purpose of maintaining the entry identifier, or any other type of device
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of the system working in a QSR to complete a transaction.
  • the user (401) arrives at the restaurant and presents their entry identifier (403) to the data entry point.
  • the entry identifier (403) is a bar code printed on a plastic card (404) that is presented to a bar code reader (405).
  • the bar code reader (405) then contacts the information processing system (333) where the user's profile (209) is stored.
  • the information processing system (333) then contacts an authorization system (335) which approves the transaction and charges the user's account that was provided in the profile.
  • the profile (209) is retrieved and is translated into an order readable by a presentation device (373) to be presented to the food preparer (not shown).
  • the order appears to the food preparer (not shown) on the presentation device (373) allowing the food preparer (not shown) to prepare the order and a product (415) is made available to the user (301) for immediate pickup.
  • the user (301) therefore simply retrieves their profile and bypasses any lines waiting to order and instead goes directly to the order pickup area to receive the order which is already being prepared.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un système et un procédé qui permettent de réaliser une transaction et dans lesquels un profil qui a été généré auparavant par un utilisateur peut être stocké sur un dispositif de stockage, ceci permettant à l"utilisateur de retrouver le profil et d"envoyer au moins une partie du profil de ce même dispositif de stockage à un fournisseur, cette partie n"étant pas présentée à l"utilisateur et la transaction étant achevée entre l"utilisateur et le fournisseur sur la base des informations contenues dans ladite partie.
PCT/US2000/020450 1999-07-27 2000-07-27 Systemes et procedes d"achevement de transactions WO2001007987A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU64963/00A AU6496300A (en) 1999-07-27 2000-07-27 Systems and methods for the completion of transactions
CA002380366A CA2380366A1 (fr) 1999-07-27 2000-07-27 Systemes et procedes d'achevement de transactions

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14583599P 1999-07-27 1999-07-27
US60/145,835 1999-07-27

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WO2001007987A2 true WO2001007987A2 (fr) 2001-02-01
WO2001007987A3 WO2001007987A3 (fr) 2002-06-20

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Cited By (5)

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WO2001013298A2 (fr) * 1999-08-18 2001-02-22 Netcommerce Procede et systeme favorisant l'acte d'achat
SG115453A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2005-10-28 Oneempower Pte Ltd Activity management method
EP2439694A1 (fr) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-11 NCR Corporation Techniques pour traitement des transactions à base des profils automatiques
US11037149B1 (en) 2016-12-29 2021-06-15 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Systems and methods for authorizing transactions without a payment card present
US11068937B1 (en) 2016-12-27 2021-07-20 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Systems and methods for determining real time available capacity of a merchant

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US5345501A (en) * 1991-07-15 1994-09-06 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Telephone central office based method of and system for processing customer orders
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WO1998028900A1 (fr) * 1996-12-23 1998-07-02 Swisscom Ag Procede et systeme de transmission de commandes par un reseau de telecommunications
EP0926911A2 (fr) * 1997-10-28 1999-06-30 International Business Machines Corporation Procédé de demande d'information spécifique à un usager au moyen d'un téléphone mobile
WO1999067938A1 (fr) * 1998-06-23 1999-12-29 Swisscom Ag Procede permettant de proposer, de commander et de vendre des biens et des services
EP1016999A2 (fr) * 1998-12-14 2000-07-05 Fujitsu Limited Système d'achat électronique

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WO1990011661A1 (fr) * 1989-03-23 1990-10-04 Pacific Bell Systeme de commande de marchandises et de services sur catalogue avec securite accrue
US5345501A (en) * 1991-07-15 1994-09-06 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Telephone central office based method of and system for processing customer orders
US5664110A (en) * 1994-12-08 1997-09-02 Highpoint Systems, Inc. Remote ordering system
WO1998028900A1 (fr) * 1996-12-23 1998-07-02 Swisscom Ag Procede et systeme de transmission de commandes par un reseau de telecommunications
EP0926911A2 (fr) * 1997-10-28 1999-06-30 International Business Machines Corporation Procédé de demande d'information spécifique à un usager au moyen d'un téléphone mobile
WO1999067938A1 (fr) * 1998-06-23 1999-12-29 Swisscom Ag Procede permettant de proposer, de commander et de vendre des biens et des services
EP1016999A2 (fr) * 1998-12-14 2000-07-05 Fujitsu Limited Système d'achat électronique

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001013298A2 (fr) * 1999-08-18 2001-02-22 Netcommerce Procede et systeme favorisant l'acte d'achat
WO2001013298A3 (fr) * 1999-08-18 2002-03-28 Netcommerce Procede et systeme favorisant l'acte d'achat
SG115453A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2005-10-28 Oneempower Pte Ltd Activity management method
AU784524B2 (en) * 2002-02-27 2006-04-27 Oneempower Pte Ltd Activity management method
US9286603B2 (en) 2002-02-27 2016-03-15 Oneempower Pte Ltd Activity management method
EP2439694A1 (fr) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-11 NCR Corporation Techniques pour traitement des transactions à base des profils automatiques
US11068937B1 (en) 2016-12-27 2021-07-20 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Systems and methods for determining real time available capacity of a merchant
US11037149B1 (en) 2016-12-29 2021-06-15 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Systems and methods for authorizing transactions without a payment card present
US11704666B1 (en) 2016-12-29 2023-07-18 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Systems and methods for authorizing transactions without a payment card present

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CA2380366A1 (fr) 2001-02-01
WO2001007987A3 (fr) 2002-06-20

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