WO2001031535A1

WO2001031535A1 - Apparatus and method for communicating an electronic receipt

Info

Publication number: WO2001031535A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/029150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Minh Tan Pham; Lam Dac Tran; Patrick Fariello
Original assignee: Motorola, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-28
Filing date: 2000-10-20
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU1223001A

Abstract

A retail system (10) includes a transaction terminal (12), a converter (16), a communication adapter (20), a communication system (22), a portable device (24). The transaction terminal (12) generates a sales data (15) upon completion of a sale transaction. The sales data (15) is converted into an electronic receipt (19) by the converter (16) and broadcast to the portable device (24) by the communication adapter (20) via the communication system (22). The portable device (24) stores the electronic receipt (19) and operates on the electronic receipt (19) using an application (64). In one embodiment, the retail system (10) further includes a peripheral device (28) having a peripheral application (72). The peripheral device (28) receives the electronic receipt (19) from the portable device (24) and operates on the electronic receipt (19) using the peripheral application (72).

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING AN ELECTRONIC

RECEIPT

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to retail systems and in particular to the communication of sales receipts within a retail system.

Description of the Related Art

Retail systems enable a consumer to acquire goods and services in exchange for monetary payment. The consumer has a number of payment options including cash, credit cards, ATM debit cards, and smart cards. Electronic commerce is also becoming more readily available, providing direct access to a financial institution server for payment. Electronic commerce, however, is characterized by high network cost and complexity, and creates a heavy burden on channel loading. Presently, retail systems provide the consumer with a paper copy receipt listing all items purchased and their cost. The paper copy receipt is the consumer's proof of purchase; and is required for later product exchanges, refunds, rebates, or warranty servicing. The consumer also uses the information on the paper copy receipt to enter data into account balance, tax, or spending record.

Some suppliers periodically provide consumers with a detailed listing of expenditures. For example, telephone companies provide monthly bills listing all expenditures for the month. These monthly bills are typically printed on paper; however, recently some are providing electronic access for example through Internet web sites. The monthly listings are typically dependent upon the payment method used. For example, a monthly listing of credit card purchases, or a monthly listing from a financial institution of all debits made to an account. Money management tools and financial calculators provide the consumer a method to manage the expenditures. There are a number of software programs such as personal finance programs available to assist consumers with managing their finances. These software programs manipulate the data electronically once entered. In order to use the data from the receipts in these programs, the receipts typically have to be entered manually.

Business customers are continually streamlining their business processes to gain a competitive advantage and realize a return on their investment. For example, many corporations have implemented electronic business reimbursement systems providing a fast and efficient method for entering business expenses and electronic approval of those expenses. The fact that the paper receipt copies must be sent to the corporation's accounting office using traditional methods slows down the process considerably, thereby negating much of the positive affects of the electronic entry and approval. What is needed is a mechanism for paperless real time transaction recording distributed on individual devices to enable efficient use of receipt information within financial management and electronic transaction management software programs.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an electronic block diagram of a retail system;

FIG. 2 is an electronic block diagram of a communication system for use within the retail system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an electronic block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a communication system for use within the retail system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an electronic block diagram of a portable device for use within the retail system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5 is an electronic block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a portable device for use within the retail system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is an electronic block diagram of a peripheral device for use within the retail system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the retail system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the portable device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a processor included within the portable device of FIGs. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a rebate system in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic block diagram of a retail system 10. The retail system 10 includes a transaction terminal 12, a converter 16, a communication adapter 20, a communication system 22, and a portable device

24. In one embodiment, the retail system 10 further comprises a peripheral device 28.

The transaction terminal 12 processes a purchase of one or more items by a consumer from a merchant. The transaction terminal 12 determines the contents of the purchase, calculates the individual item's price and the total price, and receives payment of the purchased items. The individual items can be products or, alternatively, can be services. The transaction terminal 12 further generates a sales data 15 itemizing a plurality of transaction information. The sales data 15 typically includes the merchant's name, address, and phone number, the time and date of purchase, the receipt number (issued by the merchant), a listing of each item purchased, a total price for the purchase, and the payment method along with pertinent payment information. The transaction terminal 12 can be, for example, a cash register or a vending machine. Alternatively, the transaction terminal 12 can be an automated retail unit that does not require human operators for controlling the purchase or collecting the payment. Preferably, the converter 16 is coupled to and co-located with the transaction terminal 12. The converter 16 receives the sales data 15 from the transaction terminal 12 via a transaction interface 14 and converts the sales data 15 into an electronic receipt 19. One skilled in the art will recognize that the converter 16 can further generate a paper receipt along with the electronic receipt 19.

The communication adapter 20 is coupled to the converter 16 and receives the electronic receipt 19 from the converter 16 via a communication link 18. The communication adapter 20 processes the electronic receipt 19 and passes it electronically to a communication system 22 for broadcast to the portable device 24.

It will be appreciated that the communication system 22, in accordance with the present invention, can function utilizing any wireless radio frequency (RF) channel, for example, a one or two way pager channel, a mobile cellular channel, or a mobile radio channel. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the communication system 22 can function utilizing other types of channels such as infrared and Bluetooth channels. In the following description, the term "communication system" refers to any of the systems mentioned above or an equivalent.

Similarly, it will be appreciated that the portable device 24, in accordance with the present invention, can be a mobile cellular telephone, a mobile radio data terminal, a mobile cellular telephone having an attached data terminal, a one or two way pager, or a smartcard device. In the following description, the term

"portable device" refers to any of the devices mentioned above or an equivalent. Each portable device 24 assigned for use in the retail system 10 has an address assigned thereto which is a unique selective call address in the communication system 22. The address enables the transmission of the electronic receipt 19 only to the portable device 24 having that address, and identifies the messages and responses received from the portable device 24.

Table 1 below illustrates an example of a data transaction between the transaction terminal 12 and the portable device 24 within the retail system 10.

Table 1

Preferably, the retail system 10 further comprises a peripheral device 28. The peripheral device 28 can be, for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or a fax machine. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the peripheral device 28 can be any one of the peripherals mentioned above or an equivalent. The peripheral device 28 is coupled to the portable device 24 by a device interface 26. The device interface 26 can be a wireless communication channel such as an infrared link or alternatively a wired communication channel such as a RS232 connection. One skilled in the art will recognize that any equivalent communication channel can be utilized for the device interface 26.

FIG. 2 is an electronic block diagram of one embodiment of the communication system 22 for use within the retail system 10 of FIG. 1. The communication system 22 comprises a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 32, a system controller 36, at least one transmitter 40 and at least one transmit antenna 42.

The communication adapter 20 is connected via a telephone line 30, to the PSTN 32, through a telephone link 34, to the system controller 36. The telephone link 34 can be a plurality of twisted wire pairs, or a multiplexed trunk line. The system controller 36 is coupled to and oversees the operation of the transmitter 40 through one or more system links 38. The system links 38 typically are twisted pair telephone wires, and additionally can include radio frequency (RF), microwave, or audio communication links. The transmitter 40, is preferably a message store and forward station, encodes and decodes inbound and outbound telephone addresses into formats that are compatible with land line message switch computers and personal radio telephone addressing requirements, such as pager protocols. The system controller 36 can also function to encode and decode wireless messages that are transmitted or received by the transmitter 40. The system controller 36 encodes and schedules outbound messages such as the electronic receipt 19, for transmission by the transmitter 40 via the transmit antenna 42 to at least one portable device 24 on at least one radio frequency (RF) channel 44.

FIG. 3 is an electronic block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the communication system 22 for use within the retail system 10 of FIG. 1. The communication system 22 of FIG.3 includes a short-range transmitter 46 and a short-range receiver 50. Preferably, the short-range transmitter 46 is coupled to and co-located within the communication adapter 20. The short-range transmitter 46 can be integrated within the communication adapter 20 or alternatively can be connected to the communication adapter 20 via a transmitter interface 47. The short-range transmitter 46 receives the electronic receipt 19 from the communication adapter 20 and communicates the electronic receipt 19 through a short-range link 48 to the short-range receiver 50.

The communication of the electronic receipt 19, from the short-range transmitter 46, across the short-range link 48 to the short-range receiver 50 can be, for example, provided using an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication standard. IrDA is a point-to-point, narrow angle (30 degree cone), ad-hoc data transmission standard designed to operate over a distance of zero (0) to one (1) meter and at speeds of 9600 bits per second to 16 Mega bits per second.

Similarly, the communication of the electronic receipt 19, from the short- range transmitter 46, across the short-range link 48 to the short-range receiver 50 can be provided using a Bluetooth communication standard. Bluetooth is a short range, point-to-multipoint voice and data transfer standard designed to operate over a nominal distance of ten (10) centimeters to ten (10) meters, but can be extended to one hundred (100) meters by increasing transmit power. Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 Gigahertz radio frequency range. Preferably, the short-range receiver 50 is coupled to and co-located with the portable device 24. The short-range receiver 50 can be integrated within the portable device 24 or alternatively can be connected to the portable device 24 via a receiver interface 51. The short-range receiver 50 receives the electronic receipt 19 from the short-range transmitter 46, and communicates it to the portable device 24.

FIG. 4 is an electronic block diagram of the portable device 24 that operates within the retail system 10 of FIG. 1. The portable device 24 includes an antenna 52, a receiver 53, a processor 54, a memory 56 storing a subscriber list 55, an alert circuit 58, a display 60, a user interface 62, and an application 64. The antenna 52 intercepts transmitted signals from the communication system 22. The antenna 52 is coupled to the receiver 53 which employs conventional demodulation techniques for receiving the communication signals transmitted by the communication system 22 such as the electronic receipt 19. Coupled to the receiver 53, is a processor 54 utilizing conventional signal processing techniques for processing received messages. Preferably, the processor 54 is similar to the MC68328 micro-controller manufactured by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois. It will be appreciated that other similar processors can be utilized for the processor 54, and that additional processors of the same or alternative type can be added as required to handle the processing requirements of the processor 54.

The processor 54 decodes an address in the demodulated data of the received electronic receipt 19, compares the decoded address with one or more addresses stored in a subscriber list 55 of the memory 56, and when a match is detected, proceeds to process the remaining portion of the electronic receipt 19. To perform the necessary functions of the portable device 24, the processor 54 is coupled to the memory 56, which preferably includes a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Once the processor 54 has processed the electronic receipt 19, it stores the electronic receipt 19 in the memory 56. The processor 54 also sends a command to an alert circuit 58 to notify a user that the electronic receipt 19 has been received and stored. The alert circuit 58 can include a speaker (not shown) with associated speaker drive circuitry capable of playing melodies and other audible alerts, a vibrator (not shown) with associated vibrator drive circuitry capable of producing a physical vibration, or one or more LEDs (not shown) with associated LED drive circuitry capable of producing a visual alert. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other similar alerting means as well as any combination of the audible, vibratory, and visual alert outputs described can be used for the alert circuit 58. Upon receipt of the electronic receipt 19, the processor 54 preferably also sends a command to the display 60 to generate a visual notification of the receipt and storage of the electronic receipt 19. When the display 60 receives the command from the processor 54 that the electronic receipt 19 has been received and stored in the memory 56, an indication is displayed. The display 60 can be, for example, a full or partial starburst liquid crystal display utilized to display text. It will be appreciated that other similar displays can be utilized for the display 60.

In a preferred embodiment, the portable device 24 includes at least one application 64 to provide a value-added operation such as a checkbook management, financial analysis, or tax calculation. The portable device 24 performs calculations within the application 64 using the electronic receipt 19 stored in the memory 56.

Preferably, the user interface 62 is coupled to the processor 54. The processor 54, in response to the user interface 62, such as a user depressing a button or series of buttons, initiates an input signal 65 to the application 64. The application 64, in response to the input signal 65, accesses the electronic receipt 19 stored in the memory 56 for use in operation of the application 64.

FIG. 5 is an electronic block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a portable device 24 for use within the retail system 10 of FIG. 1. The reference numbers of the embodiment of FIG. 4 have been retained for those elements that are common. The portable device 24 of FIG. 5 includes all the elements and functionality illustrated in FIG. 4 and previously described; and further includes an output 66. Upon processing and storage of the electronic receipt 19 in the memory 56 or in response to the user interface 62 the processor 54 sends a command to the output 66 to output the electronic receipt 19 to at least one peripheral device 28. The peripheral device 28 can be, for example, a fax machine, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or any other equivalent peripheral device. The output 66 communicates with the peripheral device 28 via infrared, wireline, or packet data connection. Those skilled in the art will be appreciate that other communication protocols or mechanisms can be utilized for outputting the electronic receipt 19 to the peripheral device 28. Outputting the electronic receipt 19 to the peripheral device 28 allows for efficient utilization of the electronic receipt 19 by the consumer.

FIG. 6 is an electronic block diagram of the peripheral device 28 for use within the retail system 10 of FIG. 1. The peripheral device 28 preferably includes a peripheral receiver 68, a peripheral processor 70, a peripheral application 72, a peripheral display 74, a peripheral alert circuit 76, and a peripheral user interface 78.

The peripheral receiver 68 receives the electronic receipt 19 via the device interface 26 from the portable device 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Coupled to the peripheral receiver 68, is the peripheral processor 70. Preferably, the peripheral processor 70 is similar to the MC68328 micro-controller manufactured by

Motorola, Inc. It will be appreciated that other similar processors can be utilized for the peripheral processor 70, and that additional processors of the same or alternative type can be added as required to handle the processing requirements of the peripheral processor 70. Upon processing of the electronic receipt 19, the peripheral processor 70 sends a command to the peripheral alert circuit 76 to notify a user that the electronic receipt 19 has been received. The peripheral alert circuit 76 can include a speaker (not shown) with associated speaker drive circuitry capable of playing melodies and other audible alerts, a vibrator (not shown) with associated vibrator drive circuitry capable of producing a physical vibration, or one or more LEDs (not shown) with associated LED drive circuitry capable of producing a visual alert. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other similar alerting means as well as any combination of the audible, vibratory, and visual alert outputs described can be used for the peripheral alert circuit 76.

Upon receipt of the electronic receipt 19, the processor 54 preferably also sends a command to the peripheral display 74 to generate a visual notification of the receipt of the electronic receipt 19. When the peripheral display 74 receives the command from the peripheral processor 70 that the electronic receipt 19 has been received an indication is displayed.

In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral device 28 includes at least one peripheral application 72 to provide a value-added service such as checkbook management, financial analysis, or tax calculation. The peripheral device 28 performs calculations within the peripheral application 72 using the electronic receipt 19.

Preferably, the peripheral user interface 78 is coupled to the peripheral processor 70. The peripheral processor 70, in response to the peripheral user interface 78, such as a user depressing a button or series of buttons, initiates the peripheral application 72 to store the electronic receipt 19 within the peripheral application 72, and to use the electronic receipt 19 for use in it's operation. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the retail system 10 in accordance with the present invention. In Step 80, the retail system 10 checks for the occurrence of a transaction within the transaction terminal 12. The transaction typically includes a consumer making a purchase and paying for the purchase. When no transaction is detected, the retail system 10 continues periodically checking. In Step 82, when a transaction is detected, the retail system 10 then determines whether the customer has requested the electronic receipt 19. In Step 84, when no electronic receipt 19 is requested, the transaction terminal 12 prints a paper receipt. In Step 86, when the electronic receipt 19 is requested, the transaction terminal 12 communicates the sales data 15 to the converter 16 which generates the electronic receipt 19. In Step 88, the electronic receipt 19 is communicated to the portable device 24. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the portable device 24 in accordance with the present invention. In Step 90, the processor 54 processes the electronic receipt 19. In Step 92, the processor 54 stores the electronic receipt 19 in the memory 56. In Step 94, the processor 54 determines if the peripheral device 28 is connected (either wirelessly or wired) to the portable device 24. In Step 96, when the peripheral device 28 is connected to the portable device 24, the electronic receipt 19 is transferred to the peripheral device 28. In Step 98, when the peripheral device 28 is not connected to the portable device 24 or after the transfer step 96 is completed, the processor 54 checks for the presence of the application 64. In Step 100, when the application 64 is present, the application 64 is operated using the electronic receipt 19. The process is ended when no application 64 is present.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the processor 54 of the portable device 24. In Step 104, the processor 54 is in standby mode. In Step 106, the processor 54 checks for receipt of the electronic receipt 19. When no electronic receipt 19 is detected, the processor 54 returns to the standby mode of Step 104. In Step 108, when the electronic receipt 19 is received, the processor 54 checks for a validation code. The validation code can be the address of the portable device 24 or it can be a code or password specific to the portable device 24. In Step 110, when the validation code is detected, the processor 54 authenticates the code. In Step 112, when no validation code is detected or after the authentication of Step 110, the processor 54 checks for the alert circuit 58. In Step 114, when the alert circuit 58 is present, the processor 54 sends a command to the alert circuit 58 to generate an alert. In Step 116, when no alert circuit 58 is present, or after sending a command to the alert circuit 58, the processor 54 checks for the presence of the display 60. In Step 118, when the display 60 is present, the processor 54 sends a command to the display 60 to generate a visual notification. In Step 120, when no display 60 is present, or after sending a command to the display 60, the processor 54 checks for the user interface 62. In Step 100, when the user interface 62 is detected, the processor 54 sends the input signal 65 to the application 64, and the application 64 operates using the electronic receipt 19. When no user interface 62 is present, or after operation of the application 64, the processor 54 returns to the standby state of Step 104. FIG. 10 illustrates a rebate system 121 , which utilizes the benefits of the present invention. The rebate system 121 includes a manufacturer 122, a retailer 124, and a consumer 126. The manufacturer 122 sends a notification 128 of a rebate for a specific product to the retailer 124. The retailer 124 thereafter sends a registration 130 of the retailer's inventory with the manufacturer 122 using the rebated product's serial numbers or other unique identification. When the consumer 126 purchases the rebated product, the electronic receipt 19 including a unique identification 132 is sent to the consumer's portable device 24. The retailer 124 also sends a receipt identification 134 to the manufacturer 122 for later verification of rebate. When the consumer 126 submits the rebate electronically to the manufacturer, a rebate request 136 is sent from the consumer's portable device to the manufacturer 122. The manufacturer 122 verifies the validity of the rebate request 136 and processes a rebate 138 to the consumer 126. Once the rebate 138 is sent, the rebate request 136 is noted and closed for the future.

Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alterations and modifications be considered as within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A retail system for communication of a sales data comprising: a transaction terminal for generating the sales data itemizing a plurality of transactions; a converter coupled to the transaction terminal for receiving the sales data and generating an electronic receipt; and a portable device for receiving the electronic receipt..

2. A retail system for communication of a sales data as recited in Claim 1 , further comprising: a communication means coupled between the converter and the portable device for receiving the electronic receipt from the converter and transmitting the electronic receipt to the portable device.

3. A retail system for communication of a sales data as recited in Claim 2, further comprising: a communication system coupled between the communication means and the portable device for receiving the electronic receipt from the communication means and broadcasting the electronic receipt to the portable device.

4. A retail system for communication of a sales data as recited in Claim 3, wherein the communication system includes a short-range transmitter and a short-range receiver.

5. A retail system for communication of a sales data as recited in Claim 1 further comprising: a peripheral device coupled to the portable device for receiving the electronic receipt from the portable device.

6. In a retail system, a method for communication of a sales data comprising: generating the sales data in response to a transaction; converting the sales data into an electronic receipt; and communicating the electronic receipt to a portable device;

7. The method for communication of an electronic sales receipt as recited in Claim 6 further comprising: storing the electronic receipt within the portable device; and operating on the electronic receipt within the portable device.

8. The method for communication of an electronic receipt as recited in Claim 7 further comprising: transferring the electronic receipt from the portable device to a peripheral device; and operating on the electronic receipt within the peripheral device.

9. The method for communication of an electronic receipt as recited in Claim 7 wherein the generating step includes attaching a validation code, and further wherein the operating step includes authenticating the validation code.

10. A portable device for electronic sales receipt comprising: a receiver for receiving the electronic receipt; a processor coupled to the receiver for processing the electronic receipt; a memory coupled to the processor for storing the electronic receipt; and an application coupled to the memory which functions using the electronic receipt.

11. A portable device for electronic sales receipt comprising: a receiver for receiving the electronic receipt; a processor coupled to the receiver for processing the electronic receipt; a memory coupled to the processor for storing the electronic receipt; and an output for transferring the electronic receipt to a peripheral device.

12. Within an portable device, a method for receiving and processing an electronic sales receipt comprising: receiving the electronic receipt from a transaction terminal; processing the electronic receipt; storing the electronic receipt in memory; and operating a financial application using the electronic receipt.

13. A method for receiving and processing an electronic receipt as recited in

Claim 12 wherein the electronic receipt includes a validation code, and further wherein the processing step includes authenticating the validation code.

14. A method for receiving and processing an electronic receipt as recited in Claim 12 wherein the application comprises a peripheral application, and further wherein the operating step comprises transferring the electronic receipt to a peripheral having the peripheral application and operating the peripheral application using the electronic receipt.

15. A method for receiving and processing an electronic receipt as recited in

Claim 14 wherein the electronic receipt includes a validation code, and further wherein the operating step includes authenticating the validation code.