Patent Publication Number: US-10789633-B2

Title: Systems and methods for facilitating purchase using merchandise holder

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for facilitating purchase using merchandise holders. 
     Related Art 
     With modern technology, consumers have access to various marketplaces and merchants to make purchases. For example, goods and products are made available to consumers via not only brick-and-mortar stores but also online stores. Nevertheless, there remains some friction in making a purchase from a service oriented merchants, such as bars and restaurants in which food or beverages have to be purchased from and served by waiters or bartenders at the merchants. For example, depending on the availability of waiters, customers may have to wait to order or pay for the food or beverages. In a popular and crowded bar or restaurant, there may be substantial delay for a customer to order and pay for the food of beverage. This delay and inconvenience may hinder the consumer from making a purchase at the bar or restaurant. Therefore, there is a need for a system or method that helps facilitate a purchase at a service oriented merchants, such as a bar or a restaurant. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a networked system suitable for implementing a process for facilitating purchase using a merchandise holder according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing a process for making a purchase using a merchandise holder with a QR code according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a process for facilitating a purchase made using a merchandise holder with a QR code according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a process for making a purchase using a merchandise holder with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanner according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a process for making a purchase using a merchandise holder with an RFID scanner and another merchandise holder with an RFID tag according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process for facilitating a purchase made using a merchandise holder with an RFID scanner according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementing one or more components in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to an embodiment, a merchandise holder, e.g., a coaster, a placemat, or the like, may be used to facilitate the purchase of food or beverage placed on the holder. For example, a customer may use a mobile device to scan a QR code on a coaster to purchase a beverage. The beverage may then be delivered to the customer by using an identification of the customer. 
     In another embodiment, the merchandise holder may include an RFID scanner to keep track of the food or beverage consumed by the customer. For example, the RFID scanner on the merchandise holder may scan RFID tags attached to the food or beverage placed on the merchandise holder and consumed by the customer. The RFID tags may include information related to the food or beverage. A payment account of the customer may be associated with the merchandise holder to pay for the food or beverage placed on the holder. Accordingly, a customer may use the merchandise holder to order, keep track of, and pay for the food or beverage placed on the holder and consumed by the customer. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a networked system  100  suitable for implementing a process for facilitating a purchase using a merchandise holder according to an embodiment. Networked system  100  may comprise or implement a plurality of servers and/or software components that operate to perform various payment transactions or processes. Exemplary servers may include, for example, stand-alone and enterprise-class servers operating a server OS such as a MICROSOFT® OS, a UNIX® OS, a LINUX® OS, or other suitable server-based OS. It can be appreciated that the servers illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be deployed in other ways and that the operations performed and/or the services provided by such servers may be combined or separated for a given implementation and may be performed by a greater number or fewer number of servers. One or more servers may be operated and/or maintained by the same or different entities. 
     System  100  may include a user device  110 , a merchandise holder  120 , a merchant server  140 , and a payment provider server  170  in communication over a network  160 . Payment provider server  170  may be maintained by a payment service provider, such as PayPal, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. A user  105 , such as a sender or customer, utilizes user device  110  to perform a transaction using payment provider server  170 . A user may utilize user device  110  to initiate a payment transaction, receive a transaction approval request, or reply to the request. Note that transaction, as used herein, refers to any suitable action performed using the user device, including payments, transfer of information, display of information, etc. For example, user may utilize user device  110  to purchase a beverage placed on merchandise holder  120 . Although only one merchant server is shown, a plurality of merchant servers may be utilized if the user is purchasing products or services from multiple merchants. 
     User device  110 , merchandise holder  120 , merchant server  140 , and payment provider server  170  may each include one or more processors, memories, and other appropriate components for executing instructions such as program code and/or data stored on one or more computer readable mediums to implement the various applications, data, and steps described herein. For example, such instructions may be stored in one or more computer readable media such as memories or data storage devices internal and/or external to various components of system  100 , and/or accessible over network  160 . 
     Network  160  may be implemented as a single network or a combination of multiple networks. For example, in various embodiments, network  160  may include the Internet or one or more intranets, landline networks, wireless networks, and/or other appropriate types of networks. 
     User device  110  may be implemented using any appropriate hardware and software configured for wired and/or wireless communication over network  160 . For example, in one embodiment, user device  110  may be implemented as a personal computer (PC), a smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, and/or other types of computing devices capable of transmitting and/or receiving data, such as an iPad™ from Apple™. 
     User device  110  may include one or more browser applications which may be used, for example, to provide a convenient interface to permit a user to browse information available over network  160 . For example, user device  110  may include a web browser configured to view information available over the Internet, such as a user account for setting up a shopping list and/or merchant sites for viewing and purchasing products and services. User device  110  may also include one or more toolbar applications which may be used, for example, to provide client-side processing for performing desired tasks in response to operations selected by the user. 
     User device  110  may further include other applications as may be desired in particular embodiments to provide desired features to user device  110 . For example, other applications may include security applications for implementing client-side security features, programmatic client applications for interfacing with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) over network  160 , or other types of applications. 
     User device  110  may also include email, texting, voice and IM applications that allow the user to send and receive emails, calls, and texts through network  160 , as well as applications that enable the user to communicate, transfer information, make payments, and otherwise utilize a smart wallet through the payment provider as discussed above. User device  110  may include one or more user identifiers which may be implemented, for example, as operating system registry entries, cookies associated with browser application, identifiers associated with hardware of user device  110 , or other appropriate identifiers, such as used for payment/user/device authentication. In one embodiment, the user identifier may be used by a payment service provider to associate the user with a particular account maintained by the payment provider. User device  110  may include a communications application with associated interfaces that enable user device  110  to communicate within system  101 ) via wired line or wireless communications. 
     User device  110  also may include an application that scans a Quick Response (QR) code or a bar code. For example, user device  110  may include a camera configured to scan an image of a QR code or a bar code. User device  110  may analyze and decode the QR code or the bar code to perform certain functions, e.g., purchase transactions. User device  110  may also include a Bluetooth communication device configured to communicate with another Bluetooth enabled device. For example, user device  110  may communicate with merchandise holder  120  via Bluetooth communication to facilitate purchase. 
     Merchandise holder  120  may be managed by a merchant. For example, merchandise holder  120  may be registered with merchant server  140 . Further, merchandise holder  120  may be associated with a customer or a customer&#39;s payment account. Thus, merchant server  140  may use merchandise holder  120  to keep track of the customer&#39;s purchase. Merchandise holder  120  may have a top surface configured to hold a bottle or a glass of drink. In an embodiment, merchandise holder  120  may be a placemat with a top surface configured to hold bowls or plates of food items. Merchandise holder  120  may include an RFID scanner configured to detect and read RFID tags attached to the drinks or the food items. For example, the RFID scanner may detect and read RFID tags attached to food items or beverages placed on merchandise holder  120 . The RFID scanner may have a specific detection range such that merchandise holder  120  may detect and read the RFID tags on the food or beverages placed on merchandise holder  120  without detecting or reading other nearby RFID tags. For example, the RFID scanner may be disposed below the top surface of merchandise holder  120 . Merchandise holder  120  may be configured to scan in a direction toward the top surface of the merchandise holder  120  and have a scanning range of approximately an inch above the top surface. Thus, the RFID scanner may scan the drinks or food items placed on merchandise holder  120  without scanning other items near merchandise holder  120 , such as items inadvertently placed near the merchandise holder. 
     Merchandise holder  120  may have a communication device configured to send and receive information via Bluetooth and/or Wifi communication. For example, merchandise holder  120  may send information regarding the food or beverage placed on merchandise holder  120  to user device  110  to update and keep track of the food or beverage consumed by the user. Merchandise holder  120  also may communicate with merchant server  140  via network  160  to update items purchased by the user. 
     Merchandise holder  120  may be a drink coaster or a food placemat configured to hold food or drinks for a customer. In still another embodiment, merchandise holder  120  may be a shopping basket, a shopping cart, a shopping tray or any item that may accompany a customer during the customer&#39;s visit to the merchant. For example, merchandise holder  120  may be configured to accompany a customer and hold merchandise items to be purchased by the customer. The merchandise items may be consumable items, such as food or drinks, or other products, such as souvenirs, key chains, or clothes. 
     Merchant server  140  may be maintained, for example, by a merchant or seller offering various products and/or services. The merchant may have a physical point-of-sale (POS) store front. The merchant may be a participating merchant who has a merchant account with the payment service provider. Merchant server  140  may be used for PUS or online purchases and transactions. Generally, merchant server  140  may be maintained by anyone or any entity that receives money, which includes charities as well as banks and retailers. In particular, merchant server  140  may be maintained by food service merchants, such as bars or restaurants. 
     Merchant server  140  may include a database identifying available products (including digital goods) and/or services (e.g., collectively referred to as items) which may be made available for viewing and purchase by a customer. Accordingly, merchant server  140  also may include a marketplace application which may be configured to serve information over network  160  to the browser of user device  110 . In one embodiment, a user may interact with the marketplace application through browser applications over network  160  in order to view various products, food items, or services offered by the merchant. 
     Merchant server  140  also may include an order processing application  155  which may be configured to facilitate the ordering and purchase of goods or services online or at a physical POS or store front. For example, order processing application  155  may process food or drink orders from customers received via merchandise holder  120 . Order processing application  155  may notify staff of the merchant to prepare and deliver food or drinks to the customers based on the orders. 
     Order processing application  155  may be configured to accept payment information from payment service provider server  170  over network  160 . For example, order processing application  155  may receive and process a payment confirmation from payment service provider server  170 , as well as transmit transaction information to the payment provider and receive information from the payment provider (e.g., a transaction ID). Order processing application  155  may be configured to receive payment via a plurality of payment methods including cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks, money orders, or the like. 
     Merchant server  140  may include a network interface  145  configured to facilitate communication with other devices via network  160 . Further, merchant server  140  may include a purchase tracking application  165  configured to keep track of purchases made by various customers. Purchase tracking application  165  may store customer accounts including information regarding customer profiles, purchase orders, payment accounts, and the like for facilitating and keeping track of purchase transactions of customers. 
     Payment provider server  170  may be maintained, for example, by an online payment service provider which may provide payment between a customer and the operator of merchant server  140 . In this regard, payment provider server  170  includes one or more payment processing applications  185  which may be configured to interact with user device  110  and/or merchant server  140  over network  160  to facilitate the purchase of goods or services, communicate/display information, and send payments by user device  110 . 
     Payment provider server  170  also may include an account database  195  configured to maintain a plurality of user accounts, each of which may include account information associated with customers, merchants, and funding sources, such as banks or credit card companies. For example, account information may include private financial information of users of devices such as account numbers, passwords, device identifiers, user names, phone numbers, credit card information, bank information, or other financial information which may be used to facilitate online transactions by users. Account information may also include identification of merchandise holder  120  associated with a user. Thus, purchases made via merchandise holder  120  may be charged to the payment account of the user. 
     Payment processing application  185  may be configured to interact with merchant server  140  on behalf of a user during a transaction to track and manage purchases made by the user and which and when funding sources are used. Payment processing application  185  may be configured to determine the existence of and to manage accounts for a user, as well as create new accounts if necessary. A network interface  175  may be configured to send or receive information to or from user device  110  and/or merchant server  140 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing a process  200  for making a purchase using a merchandize holder with a QR code according to one embodiment. At step  202 , a customer may use user device  110  to scan a code, e.g., a QR code or a bar code, printed on a coaster. For example, when a customer at a bar or restaurant wishes to order food or beverage, the customer may point a camera of user device  110  to scan the QR code on the coaster placed on the customer&#39;s table. The QR code may represent a specific food or beverage and the coaster may have a picture of the specific food or beverage. Thus, the customer may scan the QR code to purchase the specific food or beverage shown on the coaster. 
     A variety of coasters each representing a beverage or food item may be available to customers at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant. A customer may select a coaster representing a desired beverage and may scan a QR code printed on the coaster when the customer wishes to order a drink. When the customer finishes a drink, the customer may scan the QR code on the coaster again to order another drink. 
     At step  204 , user device  110  may receive the scanned image of the QR code or bar code and begin to decode the QR code or bar code. At step  206 , based on the decoded QR code or bar code, user device  110  may identify the beverage to be purchased and display the beverage to the customer. In one embodiment, the code may include a Universal Resource Locator (URL) of a product page of the merchant listing food or beverage offered at the merchant. The code may direct the user device  110  to visit the product page of the merchant. User device  110  may display the product page showing beverages offered by the merchant and allow the customer to choose the desired beverage to purchase. 
     At step  208 , the customer may choose and approve the purchase of a beverage using user device  110 . At step  210 , user device  110  may send the order and payment information to merchant server  140 . For example, user device  110  may send the information regarding the beverage to be purchased and the method of payment selected by the customer to merchant server  140 . At step  212 , user device  110  also may send the identification information of the customer to merchant server  140 . For example, a name and a picture of the customer may be sent to merchant server  140 . In an embodiment, the coaster may be associated with a location or table number of the customer and the location or the table number may be forwarded to merchant server  140 . 
     At step  214 , assuming that the payment information of the customer is valid, user device  110  may receive a confirmation from merchant server  140  that the purchase transaction has been approved. Thus, the customer may be notified that the purchase is completed and that the food or beverage will be served to the customer in due time. At step  216 , the purchased beverage may be delivered to the user based on the identification information of the user. For example, a waiter at the merchant may deliver the purchased beverage to the user based on a picture of the user or the table number of the user. In one embodiment, the customer may pick up the purchased beverage from a bar counter and a bartender may recognize the customer based on the customer&#39;s picture. 
     According to the above process, the customer may order a beverage by scanning a coaster without waiting for the waiter. Further, the waiter may receive the order electronically from merchant server  140  along with the identification information of the customer, such that the waiter may deliver the purchase beverage to the customer based on the identification information. In addition, the payment for the beverage is processed during the ordering process, such that the waiter need not keep track of or process the payment at the end of the customer&#39;s visit. Therefore, the above process may improve the order and payment process for purchases made at a service-oriented merchant for both the customer and the merchant. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a process  300  for facilitating a purchase made using a coaster with a QR code according to one embodiment. At step  302 , merchant server  140  may receive a purchasing order for a beverage and payment information from user device  110 . As noted above, user device  110  may scan a QR code on a coaster to purchase a beverage. The purchasing order may identify the beverage to be purchased. At step  304 , merchant server  140  may receive the customer&#39;s identification from user device  110 . As noted above, a picture of the customer or a location, e.g., table number, of the customer may be sent to merchant server  140 . 
     At step  306 , merchant server  140  may send the payment information to payment provider server  170 . For example, the payment information may include a method of payment and a payment account information associated with the customer. The payment information also may include information regarding the purchased amount and the purchased beverage. At step  308 , merchant server  140  may receive an approval of payment from payment provider server  170 . For example, after payment provider server  170  completes processing the payment for the purchased beverage, payment provider server  170  may send a confirmation to merchant server  140  to indicate approval of the payment. 
     At step  310 , merchant server  140  may track purchases of beverages made by the customer. For example, merchant server  140  may continue to keep track of other purchases of food or beverage by the same customer during the customer&#39;s visit to the merchant. Thus, the customer may use user device  110  to scan multiple QR codes to purchase multiple food items or beverages during the customer&#39;s visit at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant. 
     At step  312 , merchant server  140  may transmit approval of the order to user device  110 . For example, merchant server  140  may send a confirmation to user device  110  to notify the customer that the purchased order has been received and completed and that the purchased items will be delivered to the customer in due time. At step  314 , a waiter at the merchant may prepare the purchased beverage and may deliver the beverage to the customer based on the identification information of the customer. For example, based on a picture of the customer or location information, e.g., table number, of the customer, the purchased beverage may be delivered to the customer. 
     Accordingly, the merchant may receive the customer&#39;s order electronically without the waiter taking orders from the customer. Moreover, the merchant may keep track of the customer&#39;s purchase and process payment for the purchased items electronically. In addition, the merchant may serve the purchased items to the customer based on the identification information of the customer. These features allow the merchant to serve customers efficiently even when there is a shortage of staff in the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurants. Thus, customer satisfaction may be improved and sales may increase at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a process  400  for making a purchase using a merchandise holder with an RFID scanner according to one embodiment. At step  402 , merchandise holder  120  may be registered with merchant server  140 . Merchandise holder  120  may include an RFID scanner/reader configured to scan/read an RFID tag attached to a beverage or a food item placed on merchandise holder  120 . Merchandise holder  120  may be registered at merchant server  140  to be activated for use. For example, when a customer arrives at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant, a merchandise holder  120  may be activated for use by registering the merchandise holder  120  at merchant server  140 . In an embodiment, merchandise holder  120  may be a placemat configured to hold food items or drinks. 
     At step  404 , merchandise holder  120  may transmit preloaded payment information or condition on use to merchant server  140 . For example, merchandise holder  120  may include preloaded payment information of a customer and condition on use of the customer. The condition on use of the customer may include conditions such as a maximum number of alcoholic drinks allowed, types of drinks allowed, a maximum amount of purchases allowed, a maximum amount of calories allowed, or the like. Thus, merchandise holder  120  may limit an amount of drinks or purchases made by the customer. 
     In an embodiment, when a customer arrives at a merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant, the customer may cheek out a merchandise holder  120  at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant and may associate merchandise holder  120  to the customer by connecting or syncing, e.g., via Bluetooth connection, merchandise holder  120  with the customer&#39;s user device  110 . Thus, merchandise holder  120  may be associated with the customer or a payment account of the customer. 
     At step  406 , merchandise holder  120  may detect and read an RFID tag attached to a drink placed on merchandise holder  120 . For example, an RFID tag may be attached to a bottom of a drink. When the drink is placed on merchandise holder  120 , the RFID tag attached to the drink may be detected and read by merchandise holder  120 . The RFID tag may include information regarding the name, type, and price of the drink Other information, such as nutritional information, e.g., a percentage of alcohol, sugar, carbohydrates, or calories of the drink, may also be included in the RED tag. Thus, merchandise holder  120  may obtain information of the food items or drinks placed on merchandise holder  120 . Merchandise holder  120  may have a specific RFID detection range and direction, such that RFID tags attached to the food items or drinks placed on merchandise holder  120  are detected, while other RED tags near merchandise holder  120  are not detected. 
     At step  408 , merchandise holder  120  may send the drink information received from the RFID tag of the drink to merchant server  140 . For example, merchandise holder  120  may send the information, such as the time and date when the drink is placed on merchandise holder  120 , the name and type of drink, price of the drink, amount of alcohol, calories, and the like to merchant server  140 . For a food item placed on merchandise holder  120 , the nutritional information of the food item also may be sent to merchant server  140 . 
     At step  410 , the identification information of merchandise holder  120  may be sent to merchant server  140 . Thus, merchant server  140  may keep track of the drinks or food items consumed by the customer associated with merchandise holder  120 . Further, merchant server  140  may process the purchase and payment for the consumed drinks or food items using a payment account of the customer at payment provider server  170 . 
     At step  412 , after the customer finishes the visit to or purchases at the bar or restaurant, merchant server  140  may process the bill for the drinks or food items consumed by the customer with payment provider server  170  and send user device  110  of the customer with a receipt or an approval of the purchase. Further, merchant server  140  may provide the customer with a summary of the visit including food items and drinks consumed, total nutritional amounts, and the like. 
     By using the above process, a merchant or a customer may use merchandise holder  120  to keep track of drinks or food items consumed by the customer. Further, the bill for the drinks or food items may automatically be processed and paid electronically for the customer. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a process  500  for making a purchase using a merchandise holder and another coaster with an RFID tag according to one embodiment. At step  502 , merchandise holder  120  may be registered with merchant server  140 . For example, as noted above in step  402 , when a customer arrives at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant, a merchandise holder  120  may be selected by the customer and activated for use by registering the merchandise holder  120  at merchant server  140 . 
     At step  504 , merchandise holder  120  may transmit preloaded payment information, condition on use, and customer identification information to merchant server  140 . For example, as noted above in step  404 , merchandise holder  120  may include preloaded payment information of a customer, condition on use of the customer, and customer identification information. At step  506 , a second merchandise holder, e.g., a second coaster, with advertisement for a drink and an RFID tag representing the advertised drink may be scanned by merchandise holder  120 . For example, the second coaster may have an advertisement including a picture and description of the drink. The customer may b enticed by the advertisement to purchase the drink shown on the second coaster. The customer may place the second coaster on merchandise holder  120 . Merchandise holder  120  may detect and read the RFID tag embedded in the second coaster. The RFID tag embedded in the second coaster may include information indicating the advertised drink and a request for purchasing the drink. 
     At step  508 , merchandise holder  120  may send the information of the drink to user device  110  of the customer. For example, merchandise holder  120  may scan the RFID tag embedded in the second coaster to obtain information of the drink advertised on the second coaster. The information of the drink may then be sent to user device  110 . At step  510 , user device  110  may display the information of the drink to the customer. For example, the RFID tag embedded in the second coaster may include a URL link of a product page for the advertised drink. Thus, user device  110  may use the URL link to access the product webpage of the advertised drink and display the webpage to the customer. 
     At step  512 , the customer may review the information of the drink and may wish to purchase the drink. The customer may approve the purchase of the drink using user device  110 . At step  514 , user device  110  may send the purchase order for the drink and identification of merchandise holder  120  to merchant server  140 . Merchant server  140  then may process the purchase order for the drink and payment for the drink using a payment account of the customer associated with merchandise holder  120 . Further, merchant server  140  may process payment for the drink with payment provider server  170 . 
     At step  516 , user device  110  may receive a confirmation or approval of the purchase of the drink from merchant server  140 . For example, after merchant server  140  completes processing the purchase order and payment for the purchase order with payment service provider  170 , merchant server  140  may send a confirmation or approval to user device  110  to notify the customer that the purchase of the drink has been processed. 
     At step  518 , a staff at the merchant may prepare the drink and deliver the drink to the customer based on the customer identification information, e.g., a picture of the customer. For example, a picture of the customer may be associated with the purchase order of the drink. The staff at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant may prepare and deliver the drink to the customer by using the picture of the customer to identify the customer in the bar or restaurant. 
     Accordingly, process  500  may facilitate a purchase of a beverage or food items advertised on a coaster. A customer may order the advertised beverage or food items without waiting for a waiter to take order from the customer. Further, the purchase may be automatically paid for electronically and the purchased beverage or food items may be delivered to the customer using the customer&#39;s identification information. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process  600  for facilitating a purchase made using a merchandise holder with an RFID scanner according to one embodiment. At step  602 , merchant server  140  may register a merchandise holder  120 . For example, as noted in steps  402  and  502 , merchandise holder  120  may be registered with merchant server  140 . Further, merchandise holder  120  may be associated with a customer or a payment account of the customer. 
     At step  604 , merchant server  140  may receive payment information associate with the customer, condition on use, and customer identification information from merchandise holder  120 . For example, as noted in step  504 , the information associated with the customer may be preloaded on merchandise holder  120  and then sent to merchant server  140 . At step  606 , merchant server  140  may receive purchase information for a beverage or food item from merchandise holder  120  or from user device  110  of the customer. For example, the customer may order a beverage or food item by placing the beverage or food item on merchandise holder  120  or by placing another coaster with advertisement for a drink on merchandise holder  120 . Merchandise holder  120  may scan the RFID tags and send the information of the beverage or food item to be purchased to merchant server  140  or user device  110 . 
     At step  608 , merchant server  140  may receive identification information of merchandise holder  120  from merchandise holder  120  or from user device  110 . For example, the identification information, e.g., a unique RFID, may be sent to merchant server  140 . Thus, merchant server  140  may use the identification information of merchandise holder  120  to associate drinks or food items placed on merchandise holder  120  with the customer or the payment account of the customer. 
     At step  610 , merchant server  140  may verify whether the purchase satisfies the condition of use of merchandise holder  120 . For example, merchant server  140  may determine whether a drink purchase exceeds a maximum amount, a maximum alcoholic amount, or a maximum calories amount for the customer. If the maximum amount has been reached, merchant server  140  may deny the purchase request. 
     At step  612 , assuming that the condition on use is satisfied, merchant server  140  may send the payment information to payment provider server  170  to process payment for the purchased beverage or food items. Payment provider server  170  may process the payment for the purchase by debiting from the customer&#39;s payment account and crediting the merchant&#39;s account. At step  614 , merchant server  140  may receive a confirmation or approval from payment provider server  170  indicating that the payment for the purchase has been completed. For example, after payment provider server  170  finishes processing the payment, payment provider server  170  may send a confirmation or an approval to merchant server  140 . 
     At step  616 , merchant server  140  then may send the approval or confirmation of payment to user device  110  to notify the customer that the purchase has been paid. At step  618 , the purchased drink or food item may be delivered to the customer. For example, a waiter at the merchant&#39;s bar or restaurant may deliver the purchased beverage or food item to the customer based on a picture of the customer. 
     The above steps in processes  200 - 600  may be executed at one of user device  110 , merchant server  140 , and payment provider server  170 . In one embodiment, one or more steps may be executed at user device  110  or merchant server  140  while other steps may be executed at payment provider server  170 . 
     The following are exemplary scenarios in which the above processes  200 - 600  may be implemented. 
     Example 1 
     A customer visits a restaurant after work for a few drinks. The restaurant has a plurality of coasters each representing a different kind of beer. Each coaster has a name and picture of the beer it represents and a QR code identifying the beer. The customer picks up a coaster representing beer A, which is the customer&#39;s favorite drink. To order a glass of beer A, the customer uses a mobile phone to scan the QR code printed on the coaster representing beer A. The mobile phone decodes the QR code and displays beer A. The customer then uses the mobile phone to confirm purchase of beer A. 
     The mobile phone sends the purchase order for beer A to the restaurant&#39;s server. The mobile phone also sends a picture of the customer and the payment information of the customer to the restaurant&#39;s server. The restaurant&#39;s server then processes the purchase order. In particular, the restaurant&#39;s server processes payment for the purchase order by using a payment provider server. After the payment provider server approves the payment using the customer&#39;s payment account, the payment provider server confirms with the restaurant&#39;s server that the purchase order has been paid. 
     The restaurant&#39;s server then notifies a waiter at the restaurant to prepare a glass of beer A for the customer. The waiter delivers the glass of beer A to the customer by identifying the customer in the restaurant using the customer&#39;s picture. After the customer finishes the first glass of beer A, the customer array order another glass by scanning the QR code on the coaster again using the mobile phone. 
     Accordingly, the customer may order drinks without having to wait for the waiter to take the order when the restaurant is crowded. Further, ordering using the mobile phone allows the purchase and the payment to be done electronically. The customer may not have to wait for the waiter to pay for the drinks. Therefore, the customer experience is improved at the restaurant and the restaurant may realize additional business and sales. 
     Example 2 
     A customer visits a restaurant for dinner. The restaurant has RFID coasters or placemats for keeping track of purchases. The customer picks up an RFID placemats to keep track of food and drinks consumed by the customer. The customer associates the RFID placemats with the customer by synching the RFID placemat with the customer&#39;s mobile phone. The mobile phone sends customer&#39;s profile and payment information to the RFID placemat via Bluetooth communication. The RFID placemat receives the customer&#39;s payment information and the customer&#39;s diet preference, such as limits on calories and alcohol. The RFID placemat sends this information to the restaurant&#39;s server. 
     The placenta is placed on customer&#39;s dining table. Each drink and food item in the restaurant is attached with an RFID tag with identification and profile of the drink or food item. The customer orders a glass of wine, a salad, and a steak dinner. When the food items and the drink are placed on the RFID placemat, the RFID placemat detects and reads the RFID tags attached to the glass and plates of the drink and the food items. Thus, the RFID placemat identifies the food and drink ordered and consumed by the customer. 
     The RFID placemat sends information of the food and drink ordered and consumed by the customer to restaurant&#39;s server or to the customer&#39;s mobile device. The restaurant&#39;s server or the mobile device processes the purchase and payment for the food and drink consumed with a payment service provider. Further, the restaurant&#39;s server or the mobile device may analyze the nutritional information embedded in the RFID tags attached to the drinks or food items and notify the customer of the summary of the nutritional information of the dinner. 
     Thus, the RFID placemat may keep track of the food and drinks consumed by a customer. The RFID placemat may facilitate payment for the food and drinks consumed and provide the customer with the summary of nutritional information for the meal. Thus, the waiter at the restaurant no longer needs to spend time and effort recording the food or drinks consumed by the customer. Further, the customer does not have to wait to pay for the meal, because the RFID placement allows automatic payment. Accordingly, the RFID placemat provides convenience for the customer and improve customer service at the restaurant. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a computer system  700  suitable for implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In various implementations, user device  110  may comprise a personal computing device (e.g., smart phone, a computing tablet, a personal computer, laptop, PDA, Bluetooth device, key FOB, badge, etc.) capable of communicating with the network. Merchandise holder  120  may include a computer configured to facilitate communication with other devices in network  160  and implement detection and reading of RFID tags. The merchant and/or payment provider may utilize a network computing device (e.g., a network server) capable of communicating with the network. It should be appreciated that each of the devices utilized by users, merchants, and payment providers may be implemented as computer system  700  in a manner as follows. 
     Computer system  700  may include a bus  702  or other communication mechanism for communicating information data, signals, and information between various components of computer system  700 . Components include an input/output (I/O) component  704  that processes a user action, such as selecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons or links, etc., and sends a corresponding signal to bus  702 . I/O component  704  may also include an output component, such as a display  711  and a cursor control  713  (such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). An optional audio input/output component  705  may also be included to allow a user to use voice for inputting information by converting audio signals. Audio I/O component  705  may allow the user to hear audio. A transceiver or network interface  706  transmits and receives signals between computer system  700  and other devices, such as another user device, a merchant server, or a payment provider server via network  160 . In one embodiment, the transmission is wireless, although other transmission mediums and methods may also be suitable. A processor  712 , which can be a micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), or other processing component, processes these various signals, such as for display on computer system  700  or transmission to other devices via a communication link  718 . Processor  712  may also control transmission of information, such as cookies or IP addresses, to other devices. 
     Components of computer system  700  also may include a system memory component  714  (e.g., RAM), a static storage component  716  (e.g., ROM), and/or a disk drive  717 . Computer system  700  may perform specific operations by processor  712  and other components by executing one or more sequences of instructions contained in system memory component  714 . Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor  712  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. In various implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memory component  714 , and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus  702 . In one embodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readable medium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, and infrared data communications. 
     Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EEPROM, FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer is adapted to read. 
     In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be performed by computer system  700 . In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of computer systems  700  coupled by communication link  718  to the network (e.g., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks, including telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may perform instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordination with one another. 
     Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be combined into composite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or bath without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software components may be implemented as hardware components and vice-versa. 
     Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as program code and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may be implemented using one or more general purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described herein. 
     The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.