Payment program for use in point-of-sale transactions

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present application relates to card-free programs provided by a merchant to a customer, whereby the customer has access to functions such as payment options and / or loyalty program benefits without needing to present a physical card at a point of sale. For example, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant, whereby the customer need not present a card such as a debit card, credit card, loyalty card, or other physical tender to make a purchase. Further, the customer need not provide biometric data or otherwise use an electronic device or identifier to make a purchase. Alternatively or additionally, the customer may access a loyalty program without needing to provide a physical card or data associated with a card.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 702,193, filed Jul. 25, 2005, and entitled “Payment Program For Use in Point-Of-Sale Transactions,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for conducting retail sales and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for payment for retail purchases by consumers enrolled in payment and / or loyalty programs offered by a retailer. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] The retail industry has shown increasing interest in improving the convenience of the shopping experience. For example, the use of loyalty cards have enabled merchants to reward customers based upon their patronage of the merchant. Loyalty cards have also enabled merchants to provide customers with a variety of other incentives and / or conveni...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] E. A Card-Free Payment Process Suitable For Use In Financial Transactions. This process enables a customer to access selected services, for example, payment options and / or loyalty program benefits, offered by a merchant. Unlike existing services offered to customers, these and other services may be accessed through use of a unique identifying code which may be easily memorized by the customer. In accordance with this process, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant such that the customer is not required to present cash or other form of physical tender, for example, a debit card, credit card or loyalty card, provide biometric data using a uniquely identifiable body part such as a thumb or eye, or operate an electronic device configured to transmit or otherwise exchange encoded identifying information with the first merchant in order to complete the purchase. As a result, the disclosed process is directed to the first true process by which a customer may complete a transaction relying solely on mnemonic information.

Problems solved by technology

Drawbacks of such loyalty and payment systems include the requirement that a consumer must carry a physical device such as a card, RFID tag or mobile telephone or consent to a biometric scan, a process disliked by many.

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