초록 ▼

A network for processing retail sales transactions includes a customer transceiver with a unique customer number, a reader receiving the customer number and sending it to a point-of-sale device where it is combined with transaction information to form a transaction entry. The transaction entry is se

A network for processing retail sales transactions includes a customer transceiver with a unique customer number, a reader receiving the customer number and sending it to a point-of-sale device where it is combined with transaction information to form a transaction entry. The transaction entry is sent through a merchant computer to a transaction processing system having a customer database. The transaction processing system references an entry in the customer database corresponding to the customer/transmitter ID number and routes the transaction entry to a payment processing system specified in the customer database entry.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system comprising: a merchant transceiver, comprised of a transceiver antenna, that (a) sends a first radio frequency communication to a customer transceiver and (b) receives a second radio frequency communication conveying a customer/transmitter identifier from said custom

What is claimed is: 1. A system comprising: a merchant transceiver, comprised of a transceiver antenna, that (a) sends a first radio frequency communication to a customer transceiver and (b) receives a second radio frequency communication conveying a customer/transmitter identifier from said customer transceiver; a point-of-sale device processor, in communication with said merchant transceiver, that (a) captures transaction data and (b) transmits an authorization request to a transaction processing system; and a transaction processing system comprising a memory having program instructions, and a processor configured to use said program instructions to (a) receive said authorization request, (b) determine, from said customer/transmitter identifier and a merchant identifier, a payment method corresponding to a payment processor, (c) transmit an authorization request to said payment processor for authorization and (d) transmit to said point-of-sale device said payment processor's response to said authorization request, wherein a merchant is associated with a given brand, wherein the merchant identifier is the same for all stores associated with the given brand, wherein each customer/transmitter identifier is associated with a customer account and wherein each customer account identifies a pre-assigned payment method for each merchant identified in the customer account and, in multiple customer accounts, the pre-assigned payment methods vary for transactions with merchants associated with different brands. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a customer transceiver comprising memory and a processor coupled to said memory, wherein said customer transceiver receives the first radio frequency communication and subsequently transmits the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer/transmitter identifier, and wherein said processor is adapted to read data from, and write data to, said memory. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said customer transceiver is further comprised of a security device operable to capture biometric data and to convert said data into an electronic representation of said data. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said biometric data is a fingerprint. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein said biometric data is a palm print. 6. The system of claim 3, wherein said customer transceiver processor is adapted to: compare an electronic representation of said captured biometric data with a digital image stored in said customer transceiver memory; and transmit said customer/transmitter identifier when said captured biometric data is identical to said digital image stored in said customer transceiver memory. 7. The system of claim 2, wherein said customer transceiver processor is adapted to: compare a transaction amount with a dollar amount stored in said customer transceiver memory; and inhibit transmission of said customer/transmitter identifier when said transaction amount is greater than said dollar amount. 8. The system of claim 2, wherein said customer transceiver processor is adapted to subtract a transaction amount from a dollar amount stored in said customer transceiver memory when said transaction is authorized. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a customer transceiver comprising memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and a keyboard coupled to the processor, wherein said customer transceiver receives the first radio frequency communication and subsequently transmits the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer/transmitter identifier, and wherein said processor is operable to transmit information stored in said memory, or manually entered via said keyboard. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a customer transceiver embedded inside an article of clothing, wherein the customer transceiver receives the first radio frequency communication and subsequently transmits the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer/transmitter identifier. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a customer transceiver embedded inside an item of jewelry, wherein the customer transceiver receives the first radio frequency communication and subsequently transmits the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer/transmitter identifier. 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a customer transceiver embedded inside an electronic device, wherein the customer transceiver receives the first radio frequency communication and subsequently transmits the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer/transmitter identifier. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said merchant transceiver is further comprised of: a processor coupled to the transceiver; and a keyboard coupled to the processor; wherein said processor is operable to receive information manually entered into said keyboard or received via said transceiver. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said merchant transceiver is further comprised of a display device for displaying information to a user. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein said merchant transceiver is further comprised of a printer for printing a receipt. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein said merchant transceiver is further comprised of a memory operable to store information relating to a transaction. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein said merchant transceiver is further comprised of a communication interface for communicating with at least the point-of-sale device. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said communication interface provides wireless connectivity to the point-of-sale device. 19. The system of claim 1 wherein said customer/transmitter identifier does not contain a customer's credit card or debit card number. 20. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a customer transceiver comprising memory, wherein said customer transceiver generates operating power after receiving the first radio frequency communication and subsequently transmits the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer/transmitter identifier. 21. The system of claim 1, wherein the point-of-sale device combines the transaction data with the customer/transmitter identifier and the merchant identifier to form the authorization request. 22. A computer-implemented method comprising: transmitting a first radio frequency communication to a customer transceiver; receiving a second radio frequency communication including customer identification data at a receiver; creating an authorization request based in part upon the receipt of the customer identification data, the authorization request comprising transaction data and the received customer identification data; communicating the authorization request to a transaction processor; selecting a payment method corresponding to a payment processor, at the transaction processor, based at least in part upon information associated with the customer identification data and a merchant identifier stored in a database accessible by the transaction processor; and communicating with the selected payment processor for approval and payment, wherein a merchant is associated with a given brand, wherein the merchant identifier is the same for all stores associated with the given brand, wherein the customer identification data is associated with a customer account, and wherein each customer account identifies a preassigned payment method for each merchant identified in the customer account and, in multiple customer accounts, the preassigned payment methods vary for transactions with merchants associated with different brands. 23. The method of claim 22, the creating an authorization request further comprising: communicating said customer identification data to a point-of-sale device and having the point-of-sale device create the authorization request. 24. The method of claim 23, said receiver is coupled to said point-of-sale. 25. The method of claim 23, said point-of-sale device is integral with said receiver. 26. The method of claim 23 wherein the point of sale device is coupled to a security device that prevents unauthorized use of the transceiver. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the security device further comprises a biometric recording device. 28. The method of claim 23 further comprising: inputting a password or Personal Identification Number (PIN) into a security device in communication with said point of sale device. 29. The system of claim 22 wherein said customer identification data does not contain a customer's credit card or debit card number. 30. The method of claim 22, further comprising: processing the purchase transaction for approval and payment. 31. The method of claim 22, wherein the communicating the authorization request to a transaction processor further comprises encrypting the authorization request. 32. The method of claim 22, further comprising: processing the authorization request at the transaction processor according to one of the one or more preassigned payment methods. 33. The payment method of claim 22, wherein the preassigned payment method(s) are preselected by a customer. 34. The method of claim 22, further comprising: upon receiving the first radio frequency communication subsequently transmitting, from the customer transceiver, the second radio frequency communication that conveys the customer identification data. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the customer transceiver generates operating power after receiving the first radio communication. 36. The method of claim 22, wherein the authorization request further comprises the merchant identifier. 37. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of determining, from said transaction data, a loyalty award and storing information pertaining to said loyalty award with the customer account information. 38. The method of claim 37 where the loyalty award is redeemable with a merchant other than the merchant associated with the merchant identifier. 39. The method of claim 38 where the loyalty award is credited in the customer account using a another merchant identifier. 40. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: determining, from said customer identification data, loyalty award program data that corresponds to said customer identification data, said merchant identifier, or a combination thereof, wherein the loyalty award program data comprises a loyalty award amount that is redeemable with a merchant other than the merchant associated with the merchant identifier. 41. A method for processing transactions comprising the steps of: receiving a communication at a point-of-sale device, said communication comprising customer identification data; transmitting an authorization request from said point-of-sale device to a transaction processing system, said authorization request comprising a merchant identifier, transaction data, and said customer identification data; and receiving a response to said authorization request from said transaction processing system, wherein a merchant is associated with a given brand, wherein the merchant identifier is the same for all stores associated with the given brand, wherein the customer identification data is associated with a customer account, and wherein each customer account identifies a pre-assigned payment method for each merchant identified in the customer account and, in multiple customer accounts the preassigned payment methods vary for transactions with merchants associated with different brands. 42. A method for collecting consumer purchasing trend information in a transaction processing system, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: receiving a communication at one of a plurality of point-of-sale devices, said communication comprising customer identification data; transmitting an authorization request from one of said plurality of point-of-sale devices to said transaction processing system, said authorization request comprising a merchant identifier, transaction data, and said customer identification data; and updating a database with said transaction data and said customer identification data, wherein a merchant is associated with a given brand, wherein the merchant identifier is the same for all stores associated with the given brand, wherein the customer identification data is associated with a customer account, and wherein each customer account identifies a pre-assigned payment method for each merchant identified in the customer account and, in multiple customer accounts the pre-assigned payment methods vary for transactions with merchants associated with different brands. 43. A method of monitoring customer progress in a merchant award program, comprising the steps of: receiving a communication at one of a plurality of point-of-sale devices, said communication comprising customer identification data; transmitting an authorization request from one of said plurality of point-of-sale devices to a transaction processing system, said authorization request comprising a merchant identifier, said transaction data, and said customer identification data; and crediting a customer account in a database with loyalty points indicative of said transaction data, wherein a merchant is associated with a given brand, wherein the merchant identifier is the same for all stores associated with the given brand, wherein the customer identification data is associated with a customer account, and wherein each customer account identifies a pre-assigned payment method for each merchant identified in the customer account and, in multiple customer accounts, the pre-assigned payment methods vary for transactions with merchants associated with different brands. 44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the loyalty points are redeemable with a merchant other than a merchant associated with the merchant identifier.