Abstract:
A method of completing a transaction using payment information received from a personal wireless device. The method includes the steps of recording items for purchase, determining a total price of the items, displaying a prompt to provide payment for the total price, and wirelessly receiving payment information from a personal wireless device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to co-pending application Ser. No. 10/656,784, entitled “METHOD OF WIRELESSLY TRANSFERRING PERSONAL INFORMATION TO A COMPUTER”, filed Sep. 5, 2003, and having as inventor, John Goodwin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to transaction completion methods and wireless communication methods, and more specifically to a method of completing a transaction using wirelessly transferred payment information. 
     During a transaction, a personal identification number (PIN) entry device may prompt a customer to swipe a credit or debit card to provide payment information for completing the transaction. A signature capture device may prompt a customer to sign on the device to complete payment. 
     It would be desirable to provide a method of completing a transaction using wirelessly transferred payment information. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a method of completing a transaction using wirelessly transferred payment information is provided. 
     The method includes the steps of recording items for purchase, determining a total price of the items, displaying a prompt to provide payment for the total price, and wirelessly receiving payment information from a personal wireless device. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method of completing a transaction using wirelessly transferred payment information. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of completing a transaction which prompts a customer to wirelessly transfer payment information for completing the transaction. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of completing a transaction which accepts payment information from a wireless device in addition to a magnetic strip reader. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a transaction system; and 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the transaction method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , wireless device  12  communicates with computer system  14 . Computer system  14  may include a kiosk, retail terminal, or other computer for completing a transaction. 
     Computer system  14  includes transceiver  32  for wirelessly communicating with wireless device  12 . Computer system  14  receives payment information  30  from wireless device  12 . 
     As a transaction processing computer system, computer system  14  includes processor  44  for executing transaction processing software  42 . Transaction processing software  44  records items for purchase and obtains price information from a price file, such as a price look-up file (PLU)  62 . PLU file  62  may be stored in transaction server  60 . 
     Computer  14  may include additional components to function as intended. As a transaction processing computer, computer  14  may include barcode reader  34 , input device  36 , display  38 , printer  40 , card reader  46 , signature capture device  48 , personal identification number (PIN) pad  50 , and customer display  52 . 
     Barcode reader  34  reads barcodes on purchased items. 
     Input device  36  may include a keyboard or touch input device. 
     Display  38  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT) display. 
     Printer  40  prints receipts. 
     Card reader  46  reads loyalty and payment cards, such as credit and debit cards. Card reader  46  may include a magnetic stripe reader or smart card reader. 
     Signature capture device  48  captures a customer signature. Signature capture device  48  may include a display  54  for prompting the customer to enter payment information and enter a signature. 
     PIN pad  50  records customer PIN numbers. PIN pad may include display  56  for prompting the customer to enter the payment information, including the type of payment card. 
     Customer display  52  displays information helpful to the customer, such as transaction information, and may be used to display a prompt for payment information. 
     Wireless device  12  may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other type of wireless communication device. Wireless device  12  may communicate over RF, infrared, or other communication band. For example, wireless device  12  may be a Bluetooth-standard device. A common format, such as XML, may be used to normalize communication of personal information  30  and other data between computer system  14  and wireless device  12 . 
     In an example embodiment, wireless device  12  includes controller  16 , transceiver  18 , storage medium  20 , keypad  22 , and display  24 . 
     Controller  16  controls operation of wireless device  12 , including transferring of payment information  30  to computer system  14 . 
     Transceiver  18  wirelessly sends and receives information. During a transaction, transceiver  18  sends payment information  30 . Transceiver  18  may also wirelessly send other data and be used for voice communication. 
     Keypad  22  records payment information  30  or records commands to send payment information  30  from storage medium  20  to computer system  14 . 
     Display  24  displays communication information. Display  24  may additionally display a prompt to enter payment information sent in a wireless message from computer system  14 . 
     Storage medium  20  stores payment information  30 . Storage medium  20  may additionally store transaction details, including a digital receipt from transaction processing software  42 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the operation of transaction processing software  42  is illustrated in detail beginning with Start  70 . 
     In step  72 , transaction processing software  42  records purchased items. Transaction processing software  42  may obtain item information through barcode reader  34  or input device  36 . 
     In step  74 , transaction processing software  42  determines prices of the purchased items. Transaction processing software  42  preferably determines the prices from PLU file  62 . 
     In step  76 , transaction processing software  42  displays a prompt to provide payment information  30 . If computer system  14  is a retail transaction terminal, transaction processing software  42  displays the prompt on display  54  of signature capture device  48 , display  56  of PIN pad  50 , or customer display  52 . If computer system  14  is a kiosk, transaction processing software  42  displays the prompt on display  38 . Transaction processing software  42  may additionally send a message to wireless device  12  containing a command to display the prompt. 
     In step  78 , transaction processing software  42  receives payment information  30  from wireless device  12  through transceiver  32 . The owner of wireless device  12  responds to any of the displayed prompts by sending payment information  30  from storage medium  20  or by entering payment information  30  in keypad  22 . 
     In step  80 , transaction processing software  42  applies payment information  30  to the transaction. 
     In step  82  transaction processing software  42  completes the transaction by sending wireless device  12  a digital receipt. 
     In step  84 , operation ends. 
     Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.