Abstract:
An apparatus for engaging in wireless commercial transactions includes a mobile phone equipped with a dedicated actuator for initiating a commercial transaction, and an optical input for receiving information concerning prices of goods; a network hub for wireless exchange information between a commercial establishment and said mobile phone within the boundaries of the establishment; and a financial/authorization institution for associating a PIN number with said mobile phone and for authorizing transactions initiated by said mobile phone.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 USC 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/087,539, filed on Jul. 9, 2008, which is the U.S. national stage application, under 35 USC 371, of PCT/CA2004/00513, filed on Apr. 7, 2004, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/407,222, filed on Apr. 7, 2003, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,606,215 on Oct. 20, 2009, the contents of which are all herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure pertains to wireless networks, and in particular, to applications of wireless networks of a retail establishment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The recent communications revolution has increased the amount of data available to the public. The public&#39;s hunger for more and more information has been whetted by this excess of information. 
     Current systems for information dissemination, especially for disseminating to the members of the public who take public means of transportation, are currently inadequate. These systems are solely visual and static. Sandwich boards, billboards, and other very old static forms of advertising are used for such ends. However, as noted above, these systems are inadequate. Such static forms are purely visual and cannot be readily changed in response to changed conditions. Unfortunately, the ubiquity of televisions and computers have had a deleterious effect on the attention span of the average person. As such, current static systems are unable to keep people&#39;s attention. 
     Another major drawback of current systems is the lack of an audio component. Again, the proliferation of multi-media devices and the ubiquity of multi-media in today&#39;s society has the public clamoring for the same presentation type in almost all of their information input. While there are some information dissemination systems that integrate an audio portion (such as publicly accessible television sets), these can be intrusive and annoying to those who do not wish to take advantage of the system. 
     There is therefore a need for an information dissemination system that integrates both video and audio components while simultaneously avoiding becoming an annoyance to those not wishing to access the information being disseminated. Such an information dissemination system should also be dynamic in that modifying the information content should be relatively simple. Furthermore, the system should be able to keep end users (i.e. the public, especially those who are travelling in public transportation vehicles) occupied and should be able to hold their attention. Finally, it is also very desirable if such a system would be cost effective and financially self sustaining. It is therefore an object of the present invention to mitigate if not overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for engaging in wireless commercial transactions. Such an apparatus includes a mobile phone equipped with a dedicated actuator for initiating a commercial transaction, and an optical input for receiving information concerning prices of goods; a network hub for wireless exchange information between a commercial establishment and said mobile phone within the boundaries of the establishment; and a financial/authorization institution for associating a PIN number with said mobile phone and for authorizing transactions initiated by said mobile phone. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for distributing information according to one aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example setup for a video display screen for use with the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of another example set up for a video display screen for use with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4-7  show steps in making a wireless payment; 
         FIGS. 8-11  show steps in wireless shopping; and 
         FIGS. 12-17  is a block diagram of a system, when ordering and paying in a bar or restaurant. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a system for distributing information is illustrated. The system has  10  has a network hub  20 , multiple video distribution hubs  30 A- 30 E, audio distribution hubs  40 A,  40 B, and at least one telephone interface  50 . The network hub receives multiple audio feeds  60 , video feeds  70 , and hub end combined audio/video feeds  80  from a variety of sources. These feeds are then separated into dedicated audio only and video-only feeds. The dedicated audio-only feeds are sent to the audio distribution hubs  40 A,  40 B while the dedicated video-only feeds are sent to the video distribution hubs  30 A- 30 E. At the video distribution hubs, the relevant video only feeds are transmitted to multiple video display screens  90 A- 90 K by transmitters  100 A- 100 E. On the audio side, the telephone interface  50  receives the dedicated audio only feed and routes this to the telephone interface  50 . The telephone interface  50  receives telephone calls from end users who wish to access one of the audio feeds. The end users, who could be calling and using their mobile or cellular telephones, can select one of the available audio feeds. Based on the end user input, the interface  50  selects the relevant audio feed and routes this feed to the relevant end user. 
     The network hub  20  can be seen as an audio/video feed aggregator—it receives feeds from a variety of sources and collects and combines these feeds into two signals, a dedicated audio feed and a dedicated video feed. The sources from which the feeds originate may be legion—the feeds could come from the Internet, a cable TV provider, broadcast TV, broadcast radio, a dedicated video or audio signal specifically created for the system, or any other source. The network hub  20  separates the feeds depending on the content—video feeds are separated and routed differently from audio feeds using well-known methods and techniques. Video feeds are aggregated into a first single signal with different video feeds occupying different parts or frequencies of that first single signal. Audio feeds are aggregated into a second single signal with different audio feeds occupying different parts or frequencies of that second single signal. The video feed signal (the first single signal) is then transmitted to the video distribution hubs  30 A- 30 E. The audio feed signal (the second single signal) is transmitted to the audio distribution hubs  40 A,  40 B. 
     Regarding the video distribution hubs  30 A- 30 E, each one can “tune” into or isolate one of the video fees aggregated into the video feed signal from the network hub  20 . The video feed that a distribution hub tunes into is then passed to a corresponding transmitter. A transmitter then transmits the video feed to multiple video display screens. Each video distribution hub  30 A- 30 E can be a video tuner which tunes to a specific video feed in the video feed signal. Such tuners are well-known in the art. 
     The transmitters  100 A- 100 E may be, depending on the implementation, wireless, wired, or optical transmitters. The transmitters  100 A- 100 E transmit the isolated or tuned into video feed to the different video display screens. Each video transmission hub and transmitter combination services video display screens located at a specific geographic area. Thus, one geographic area may have display screens  90 A,  90 B,  90 C, showing video feed A as tuned to by video transmission hub  30 A while another geographic area may have display screens  90 G,  90 H showing video feed B as tuned to by video transmission hub  30 D. Such an arrangement allows area—or region—centric video feeds to be distributed to the proper areas. Such an arrangement also allows the system to quickly change what is being shown in the video display screen in a specific area. As an example, if an important bulletin alert occurs and is in a video Q, all of the video distribution hubs  30 A- 30 E could automatically switch to video feed Q, ensuring quick dissemination of the bulletin alert to the video display screens serviced by video transmission hubs  30 A- 30 E. Similarly, if the video feed to be sent to a specific geographic area is to be changed, then only the transmission hub which services that specific geographic area needs to have any changes made. That transmission hub may merely need to tune into a different video feed. 
     It should be noted that, to assist the viewing public in determining the content of the video feed being shown on the display screens, each video feed can be provided with closed captioning. This way, viewers can read the text of the audio for the video feed. It should further be noted that advertising and other relevant data may be inserted into each of the video feeds. This may be done by dividing the visual representation of the video feed into separate areas, with each area being provided with different data. As an example,  FIG. 2  illustrates one possible configuration of the visual representation. Area  200  may have the actual moving video being presented (such as a newscast, a situation comedy, or a soap opera program). Area  210  may present the weather forecast for the city, area  220  may present a stock market report and area  230  may present sports scores. Area  240  may be reserved for the closed captioning for the video in area  200  and area  250  may be provided for advertisements that are targeted to the end users. As noted above, the video portions of the presentation (presented in area  200 ) may be different for different areas. Similarly, different advertisements may be presented for different geographic areas. Ideally, up to ¾ of the display screen may be devoted to advertising space. Devoting such a high proportion of the screen to revenue generating advertising should produce enough revenue for the operation of the system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternative arrangement from the visual representational is illustrated. As can be seen, the main area of the screen is divided into multiple areas  200 A,  200 B,  200 C,  200 D. Each area may be dedicated to a different network video feed so that end users may have their choice of which program to view. Each video feed has its own audio feed which may be accessed by an end user as will be explained below. 
     Regarding the video display screens  90 A- 90 K, these display screens are ideally deployed at publicly viewable areas. These may be deployed inside public transportation vehicles such as subway cars and buses and they may be deployed as static installations in subway/bus stations, busy street corners, and other areas of populace concentration. Plasma display screens may be used as the display screens and, in one embodiment, such screens may be hardened and configured to withstand the elements for an outside deployment. Such a deployment may be placed outside moving vehicles such as buses, thereby providing information dissemination to not only commuters inside the vehicle but commuters outside the vehicle as well. For such mobile deployments, wireless technology may be used to transmit the video feed to the video display screens. For static deployments, wired technology such as cable, optical, and other well-known technologies, may be used for the transmission of the video feed to the video display screens. Other static deployments such as inside public transportation vehicles may use flat computer monitors to minimize deployment costs. 
     To avoid end user confusion due to the multiplicity of programs on a single screen as shown in  FIG. 3  static deployments inside transportation stations (e.g. train stations, bus stations, subway stations) and inside transportation vehicles may use multiple display screens with specific screens being dedicated to specific network video feeds. As an example, a single subway car may have 10 screens with 3 screens being assigned to show a specific news channel video feed, (e.g. CNN), 4 screens being assigned to show a specific other broadcast network (e.g. NBC), and the rest being dedicated to show a youth oriented channel (e.g. MTV). The division of the number of screens dedicated to specific types of programming can be determined by the system operator with a view towards the possible viewers given the time of day. As an example, when students are likely to be the viewers, more screens would be dedicated to youth oriented programming. 
     To further lower deployment costs, manufacturers of the display screens could offer preferential pricing for their screens to those deploying and operating the system. Such a measure would provide the manufacturers free advertising as the public would be exposed to their product for free. 
     The audio portion of the system  10  operates in a similar manner with one important difference—end users can select which audio feed to access. As noted above, the audio feed signal is received by the audio transmission hubs  40 A,  40 B. The different audio feeds can be accessed by tuning into or isolating the relevant audio feed from the rest of the audio feed signal. This is what the telephone interface  50  does, along with automatically receiving end user telephone calls and automatically routing the relevant audio feed to the relevant end user telephone call. The telephone interface  50  has multiple tuners with each tuner isolating or tuning into one of the audio feeds in the audio feed signal. Upon a request by an end user who is calling in, the relevant audio feed is diverted or routed to this end user. 
     The telephone interface  50  acts as an access point for end users. End users can call into the telephone interface (with the relevant telephone number perhaps flashed on the video display screens) and access a specific audio feed. To present a complete audio visual experience in conjunction with that with what is being presented on the video display screens, at least one of the audio feeds could be synchronized with the presentation on the video display screens. As an example, if geographic area A is showing video show A 1  on screens  90 A- 90 C and geographic area B is showing video show A 2  on screens  901 - 90 K, end users in area A would need to access the audio feed synchronized the video show A 1  while end users in the area B would need to access the audio feed synchronized to the video show A 2 . This may be done by an end user calling the telephone interface  50  and, after navigating an automated answering and menu system, accessing the relevant audio feed. This answering and menu system is well-known technology and is readily available. Thus, an end user in area A would, to get the proper audio visual experience, access a different audio feed from that accessed by an end user in area B. As yet another variant, the audio feed synchronized to a specific video show could be presented in different languages as separate audio feeds. As an example, video show A 1  showing on screens  90 A- 90 C could be synchronized to three different audio feeds—one audio feed being in English, another audio feed being in French, and a third audio feed being in Chinese. As such, an end user could access anyone of the video feeds synchronized to that specific video show in the language of preference for the end user. Thus, a single video feed being presented in a specific geographic area could be accessible to people who do not necessarily speak the exact same language. Similarly, the closed captioning presented on the video display screens could be presented in multiple languages or, if one language is predominant in a specific area, the closed captioning could be presented in that single language. The technology for routing audio feeds synchronized to a video feed is currently available and used in passenger aircraft that provides in-flight entertainment. Adapting such technology with appropriate telephone menu technology will produce the requisite telephone interface described above. 
     It should be noted that the audio feeds available need not all be synchronized to the video feeds. Other audio feeds, such as audio feeds that provide music, commentary, radio station feeds, and others, may be available, depending on the implementation. This system is ideally suited to be accessed by commuters with cellular or mobile phones  260 . Commuters, while on their morning or afternoon commute may view the video display screens inside the public transportation vehicle or in the stations while waiting for the vehicles. In concert with this, the commuters can use their mobile telephones to call the telephone interface and listen in on the audio portion of the program being presented in area  200  of the video display screen. Alternatively, the commuter may decide not to view the video program on the video display screen but merely listen to some other audio program being presented as a separate audio feed through his or her mobile telephone. However, the system need not be limited to mobile telephones. End users who have, ideally, a landline speaker phone may also access the telephone interface to listen to the different available audio feeds at work or at home. To address the different tastes of different types of people, themed audio feeds, such as all-sports, all-classical music, all-news or all-music (with different audio feeds for different types of music) may also be available. As an alternative, end users equipped with mobile telephones may receive the different audio feeds using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) technology. 
     To accommodate the different regions in a large geographic area, multiple telephone interface/audio transmission hubs may be implemented, with different telephone interfaces serving different areas. 
     To allow for a financially self-sustaining system, advertising space may be sold on either the video feeds (as explained above) or in the audio feeds. Advertisements may be sold on a per display screen basis, a regional coverage basis, or on a visibility (time visible on screen) basis. Similarly, subscription fees may be collected from end users who wish to access the audio feed. Alternatively, the system could be free to mobile telephone users with the operational and deployment costs being borne by advertisers and/or public transportation bodies. 
     The system described above is flexible enough for many different types of advertising and promotions. As an example, advertisers could include in their advertising a specific telephone code which users may enter while listening to an audio feed. Entering the code would then automatically connect the end user to the advertiser&#39;s telephone call-in center so the end user can then take advantage of the offer (e.g. a vacation trip for a low promotional price). Alternatively, end users may establish an account, with their credit cards on file, with the operators of the system. These end users may then do their shopping over the telephone based on what is being advertised on the display screens. End user choices, such as the color, size, or type of merchandise, could be entered by the end user via the telephone keypad using specific telephone codes shown in the video feeds. To verify an end user&#39;s identity, PIN (personal identification numbers) could be associated with each end user account. Such PIN numbers would be required to validate/finalize the transaction before the end user&#39;s credit card is charged and before the item is shipped to the end user&#39;s on-file address or before the end user can pick up the item. As an alternative, an end user&#39;s bank account can be tied in with the end user&#39;s system account and the purchase price of the end-user&#39;s purchase can be automatically debited to from his/her bank account. The use of PIN numbers or some similar scheme for validation for this configuration would, of course, be required for security. End users can also be provided, by of way of their mobile telephone&#39;s screen, with different payment options. A dedicated PAY button on the mobile handset can be provided so that activation of this button brings up the end user&#39;s payment option. 
     The system also offers a myriad of advantages to society and the public in general. It may be used as part of a public broadcasting system to inform the populace of alerts or emergencies. It can also increase literacy as those without mobile phones will need to read the closed captioning and/or the text on-screen to determine what is being presented. It will also produce greater usage of public transportation vehicles as passengers are not only transported from one place to another but are also entertained. Such an increase in ridership may also augur an decrease in the number of vehicles on the road, thereby leading to a more environment-friendly society. The increased advertising may also lead to greater consumer spending, thereby fueling economic growth for the areas where the system is deployed. 
       FIG. 4  shows a system  310  for acquiring goods and services and dispensing payment in any establishment. 
     The system  310  includes a POS (point-of-sale) terminal  320  that transmits its ID signal within the perimeter of a commercial establishment. To contain the signal within the boundaries of the establishment, special WI-FI paint can be used to prevent leakage of wireless signals elsewhere. 
     A portable telephone  330  equipped with an optical input  385 , such as a photo camera or scanner, includes a dedicated main actuator  360 , labeled in the illustrated embodiment with a suitable currency symbol, such as “$”. Depending on the particular telephone, the main actuator  360  can be a button on a front face of the telephone or an icon on a touch screen of the phone. In some embodiments, the main actuator  360  includes the ability to move shift focus to different portions of a display screen by shifting up and down or left to right. 
     Software integrated into the telephone  330  and POS terminal  320  allows for computing and data exchange between the telephone  330  and the POS terminal  320 . 
     Actuating the main actuator  360  establishes a connection between the telephone  330  and the POS terminal  320  of a particular establishment. This causes the name of the establishment name  325  to be displayed. In addition, actuating the main actuator  360  causes additional navigational icons, such as a PAY icon  340  and a BUY actuator  350  to be displayed, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     When paying at a cash register, the customer selects the PAY icon  340 . This results in the display shown in  FIG. 5 , in which the customer sees a PAY indicator  341 , the establishment name  325 , a list of payment options  359   a - d , frame boxes  355 A-D for receiving additional data, and YES  370  and NO  390  navigational icons. 
     The teller commences scanning products into an establishment terminal (not shown) and announces to the customer the last two digits of an invoice or special code (e.g. “7D”) generated by the terminal  310 . The customer then enters this special code in a frame box  355 A next to the selected method of payment, which in  FIG. 5  is the VISA option  359 A. 
     Alternatively other choices of payment can be selected by entering last two digits of the special code into one of the frame boxes  355 B-D next to another selected form of payment  359 B-D. Available forms of payments can include various credit card companies, customer bank accounts, or systems analogous to PAYPAL. Once the code has been properly entered, the customer selects the YES option  370  to initiate further processing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the display changes to now show the PAY indicator  341 , the establishment name  325 , selected method of payment  359  (in this case VISA), the amount  343 , invoice number  347 , and PIN box info  345 . The customer enters the PIN information  345  and selects an OK icon  375  to commence further processing. 
     After the processing and authorization  342  takes place, a final e-receipt is issued and stored on the telephone  330 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , in another mode of operation relies on the BUY icon  350 . In this mode, which is used typically while shopping, the actuating the main actuator  360  establishes a connection with the POS terminal  320 . 
     In response, the screen of mobile phone  330  displays BUY mode  351  status, along with the establishment name  325 , and shopping instruction  353 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this mode, the customer aims the optical input  385  towards the barcode or special code  365  of the product or merchandise. With the optical input  385  thus aimed, the customer actuates the main actuator  360  to scan the barcode  365 . The price is then added to a retail bill  361 . This is for multiple items, with the end result being a running tally of selected items, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     To remove an item from this tally, the customer scans its barcode and selects the CANCEL icon  395 . Upon completion of shopping, the customer presses the PAY icon  340  to switch to PAY mode operation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in PAY mode  341 , the phone displays the establishment name  325 , invoice number  347 , list of items  361 , total cost  343 , and icons OK  375  and NO  390  to either proceed with or cancel the transaction. 
     Pressing the OK icon  375  causes the display to transition to the state shown in  FIG. 10 , in which it invites selection of a payment type. Pressing the OK icon, causes the display to transition to the state shown in  FIG. 11 , in which the display invites entry of the customer&#39;s PIN  345 . Activating the YES key  375  then finalizes the sale. Authorization takes place in the processing center and final e-receipt is issued and stored on end user&#39;s phone as shown previously in  FIG. 7   
       FIGS. 12-17  illustrate the use of the system in a dining establishment. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 12 , upon activating the main actuator  360 , connection is established between the phone  330  and the restaurant&#39;s POS/terminal  320 . This causes display of the restaurant&#39;s name  401 , navigational instruction  406  for using the dedicated main actuator  360 , and a PAY button  340  and BUY button  350  options for further selection. 
     Selecting PAY  340  causes the phone to initiate a transaction similar to that described in connection with  FIGS. 4-7 . The main distinction is that in the case of a restaurant, the server either brings a physical bill at the table or sends data representative of the bill to the customer&#39;s phone. This can be carried our, for example, upon obtaining the last four digits of the customer&#39;s telephone number. 
     Pressing BUY  350  causes the phone to initiate operation in a manner similar to that described in connection with  FIGS. 8-11 , with the difference being that no scanning of bar codes is necessary. Instead, a menu  410  is displayed, complete with its sub sections  411  (i.e. appetizers, pasta, fish, meat, drinks). In this state, the phone also displays YES  370  and NO  390  buttons. 
     To make selections from the menu, one scrolls up and down the menu  411  pressing the YES icon  370  either to select an item or to enter a sub-menu corresponding to one of the sub-sections  411 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Pressing OK icon  370  on selected item from the sub-menu automatically opens a BILL  480  screen containing an order list, as shown in  FIG. 14 , with each item having a frame  455  next to it for receiving information about how many units of that item are to be ordered. This data can be entered using the telephone&#39;s numeric keypad. The display further includes a frame  433  for receiving a table number (in this case table # 9 ). This table number must be entered before selecting or ordering any items. Pressing the NO key  390  removes a selected item from the order list. Pressing the OK key  370  key returns to the sub-menu screen for further selections. Pressing the BILL key  480  icon allows viewing already selected items. 
     Once selections have been made, the customer presses the ORDER key  488  to send the full order information to the POS, as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     In the case of restaurant dining, the customer order remains in open check status. After all, the customer may want more drinks, or perhaps even another entrée. 
     To modify or add on items, the customer presses the main actuator  360  followed by the BUY key  350 . This brings the customer to the menu selection shown in  FIG. 13 . The customer then presses the OTHER icon from the sub menu  411  to make necessary changes, and presses the OK icon  370  to add new items to the total for the customer&#39;s table. 
     To make a payment, the customer presses a PAY button  340 . This causes display of a total due amount  444  and optional gratuity  443 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Depending the amount spent and on how often the diner has visited restaurant, the system may provide a discount coupon may be issued, as shown in  FIG. 17 . This coupon can be automatically applied the next time the customer dines at the restaurant. 
     The foregoing system provides numerous benefits to the public by eliminating or shortening queues at ATM in rush hours, carry cash, a wallet, plastic cards, and also by eliminating the time-consuming wait at the cash register to make payment. 
     Encrypted software will be implemented to carry out safe and secure wireless transactions. 
     In case of lost phone, the phone&#39;s various functions remain protected by the PIN. In addition, a carrier has been notified of a lost or stolen phone can remotely erase all the data from phone. 
     A system as described above can be used for purchase of items, goods, products and services in a variety of locations such as, but not limited to, businesses/stores, supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, shopping malls by entering, scanning, photographing, or copying a barcode or special price code using a mobile phone equipped with a scanner, reader, or camera. 
     Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention. 
     A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.