Patent Publication Number: US-2015073911-A1

Title: Point of sale item payment option systems and methods

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present application generally relates to an item payment option point of sale and more specifically to offering a potential consumer a credit option or incentive for purchasing an item when the user interacts with an item point of sale device. 
     2. Related Art 
     Consumers may visit merchants to purchase so called “big ticket” items, such as televisions, computers, furniture, or other expensive merchandise. While doing so, the consumer may browse through many similar items while looking for an item that matches both the consumer&#39;s needs and available funds. In a store location, the consumer may refrain from purchasing merchandise believed to be too expensive based on their current financial situation. Unlike an online environment, the consumer may not be offered credit options because the merchant may be unaware of the consumer&#39;s financial information and purchasing interests. Thus, the consumer may not receive potential credit offers and savings. Therefore, in such a merchant storefront, the consumer may make a purchase without being fully informed of the consumer&#39;s purchasing power or even forego a purchase completely, creating a suboptimal situation for both the consumer and the merchant. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a networked system suitable for implementing the process described herein according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary item point of sale device with a user device application interface displaying a credit option for purchasing an item according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary process by a payment provider server for providing credit options to a user after receiving user information from an item point of sale device according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementing one or more components in  FIG. 1  according to an 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 
     In certain embodiments, a consumer may visit a merchant either to browse items for sale or look to purchase a specific item. The merchant may place various items for sale along with an item point of sale display, for example, a plaque or informational stand stating the item&#39;s price, specifications, sale offers, or other information relevant to a consumer when purchasing the item. In addition to the item point of sale display, the merchant may place an item point of sale (POS) device with the item. The item POS device may include a communication module enabling wired or wireless communication with a user device, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, or other device a consumer may possess. When the consumer engages the item POS device with the user device, the item POS device may request a credit option for payment of the item to be provided to the consumer, and may display the credit option or may transmit the credit option to the user device for display to the consumer. The consumer may then select an accept option if the user is satisfied with the credit option and would like to purchase the item using the credit option. 
     In another embodiment, the user scans a product identifier, such as a barcode, associated with the item of interest or captures an image of the item. The item information, including price, is communicated to the merchant and/or a payment service provider. The information, along with user information, may be processed by the merchant and/or the payment service provider to determine one or more credit products and/or incentives to provide to the user. The credit and/or incentives can be a combination offered by the merchant, the payment service provider, or both, which may be communicated to the user device. The user may then purchase the item from the user device with one or more of the credit products and/or incentives. As used herein, POS device may include a passive product identifier, a tag, a label, an active device, or any other suitable identifier that can be used to convey information about the item to a user device. 
     In some embodiments, a consumer may set up an account with a payment service provider or other credit provider. The credit provider may include information corresponding to the consumer&#39;s credit score, available assets, or other information relevant to extending credit amounts to the consumer. Additionally, a user device may include information identifying the consumer with the account. For example, the consumer may install a payment application or other financial application on the user device possessing login information, cookies, or other identifiers corresponding to the account. In other embodiments, the user device may include other information capable of matching the consumer with the account, such as a consumer name, address, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, a consumer may not possess an account with a credit provider and, therefore, the payment service provider/credit provider may be chosen by the merchant store or at random when a credit option is requested by the consumer. 
     Thus, a consumer may travel to a merchant store of the consumer&#39;s preference during a shopping trip with a user device. When the consumer browses various items for purchase, the consumer may view an item point of sale display and an item point of sale device. The consumer may “swipe” or otherwise engage the user device with the item POS device over a wired or wireless connection, for example, using near field communication, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, radio, infrared, or other connection. Once the item POS device is connected to the user device, the item POS device may receive identifying information for the consumer. The item POS device may utilize the information to connect to a payment/credit provider and determine a credit option to provide to the consumer for purchase of the item. The payment/credit provider may determine the credit option based on consumer personal information, an account identifier, and/or a user device identifier. For example, the credit option may be based on information in a user account, such as past purchases of items using credit, available funds and future earnings, future one time payments (e.g. a tax refund), or in embodiments where the consumer has not established a user account, the payment/credit provider may receive financial information to determine a credit option for the consumer. The payment/credit provider may then transmit the credit amount back to the item POS device, which may display the credit option to the consumer, or may in turn transmit the credit option to the user device. The credit option may include an accept option, which may then initiate acceptance of the credit option with the payment/credit provider, or, conversely, a decline option. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a networked system  100  suitable for implementing the process described herein according to an embodiment. As shown, system  100  may comprise or implement a plurality of devices, servers, and/or software components that operate to perform various methodologies in accordance with the described embodiments. Exemplary device and servers may include device, stand-alone, and enterprise-class servers, operating an OS such as a MICROSOFT® OS, a UNIX® OS, a LINUX® OS, or other suitable device and/or server based OS. It can be appreciated that the devices and/or servers illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be deployed in other ways and that the operations performed and/or the services provided by such devices and/or servers may be combined or separated for a given embodiment and may be performed by a greater number or fewer number of devices and/or servers. One or more devices and/or servers may be operated and/or maintained by the same or different entities. 
     System  100  includes a user  102 , a user device  110 , an item point of sale (“POS”) device  120 , a merchant device  130 , and a payment provider server  140  in communication over a network  150 . User  102 , such as a consumer, may utilize user device  110  while browsing items at a merchant store or location corresponding to merchant device  130 , such as a retail storefront. In certain embodiments, payment provider server  140  may receive information identifying user  102  and item POS device  120 , determine a credit option for an item corresponding to item POS device  120 , and transmit the credit option to one or more of user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or merchant device  130 . 
     User device  110 , item POS device  120 , merchant device  130 , and payment provider server  140  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  150 . 
     User device  110  may be implemented using any appropriate hardware and software configured for wired and/or wireless communication with item POS device  120 , merchant device  130 , and/or payment provider server  140 . 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, wristwatch with appropriate computer hardware resources, eyeglasses with appropriate computer hardware (e.g. GOOGLE GLASS®) and/or other types of computing devices capable of transmitting and/or receiving data, such as an IPAD® from APPLE®. Although a user device is shown, the user device may be managed or controlled by any suitable processing device. Although only one user device is shown, a plurality of user devices may be utilized. 
     User device  110  of  FIG. 1  contains a browser/credit application  112 , other applications  114 , a database  116 , and a communication module  118 . Browser/credit application  112  and other applications  114  may correspond to processes, procedures, and/or applications executable by a hardware processor, for example, a software program. In other embodiments, user device  110  may include additional or different software as required. 
     In various embodiments, browser/credit application  112  may be utilized by user  102  with user device  110  to establish, access, and maintain user account(s) and engage in online transactions using the user account(s). For example, browser application  112  may be utilized to establish one or more user accounts with a payment provider, a financial institution, or other credit provider. Browser application  112  may access the payment/credit provider to utilize and/or maintain the user accounts. The payment/credit providers may interact with other service providers, for example, by facilitating transactions using the user accounts. User  102  may utilize browser application  112  to interact with the payment/credit providers, for example, accepting credit options, negotiating credit terms, viewing credit balances, making payments, or other online interactions. 
     In other embodiments, browser/credit application  112  may correspond to a software application for accessing and interacting with a payment/credit provider. Thus, browser/credit application  112  may act as an interface with a payment/credit provider to establish user accounts, accept credit options, negotiate credit terms, view credit balances, make payments, or other online interactions. Additionally, browser/credit application  112  may include an option to scan for local item POS units and transmit user information, such as user personal information, a user account identifier, user financial information, and a user device identifier. Browser/credit application  112  may transmit further information, such as payment/credit provider associated with browser/credit application  112 . In such embodiments, browser/credit application  112  of user device  110  may utilize short range wireless communication with the item POS device, such as near field communication, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, radio, infrared, or other connection. Browser/credit application  112  may correspond to an application available for download over network  150 , for example, from a payment/credit provider. 
     In various embodiments, user device  110  includes other applications  114  as may be desired in particular embodiments to provide features to user device  110 . For example, other applications  114  may include security applications for implementing client-side security features, programmatic client applications for interfacing with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) over network  150 , or other types of applications. Other applications  114  may also include email, texting, voice and IM applications that allow a user to send and receive emails, calls, texts, and other notifications through network  150 . In various embodiments, other applications  114  may include financial applications, such as banking, online payments, money transfer, or other applications associated with payment provider server  140 . Other applications  114  may contain software programs, executable by a processor, including a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to provide an interface to the user. 
     User device  110  may further include database  116  which may include, for example, identifiers such as operating system registry entries, cookies associated with browser/credit application  112  and/or other applications  114 , identifiers associated with hardware of user device  110 , or other appropriate identifiers, such as identifiers used for payment/user/device authentication or identification. In one embodiment, identifiers in database  116  may be used by a payment/credit provider, such as payment provider server  140 , to associate user device  110  with a particular account maintained by the payment/credit provider. 
     Database  116  may further contain user information or may include data to access user information. Thus, database  116  may contain further user personal information (e.g. a name, social security number, user financial information, or other identifying information), a user account identifier, and a user device identifier. In various embodiments, database  116  may include information to access user information including online account access information. 
     In various embodiments, user device  110  includes at least one communication module  118  adapted to communicate with item POS device  120 , merchant device  130  and/or payment provider server  140 . In various embodiments, communication module  118  may include a DSL (e.g., Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) modem, an Ethernet device, a broadband device, a satellite device and/or various other types of wired and/or wireless network communication devices including microwave, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and near field communication devices. 
     Item POS device  120  may be may be implemented using any appropriate hardware and software configured for wired and/or wireless communication with user device  110 , merchant device  130 , and/or payment provider server  140 . For example, in one embodiment, item POS device  120  may be implemented as a display device including a hardware processor for executing applications stored in a memory and a communication module. Item POS device  120  may also 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®. Although an item POS device is shown, the item POS device may be managed or controlled by any suitable processing device. Although only one item POS device is shown, a plurality of item POS devices may be utilized. 
     Item POS device  120  of  FIG. 1  contains a credit search application  122 , identifiers  124 , and a communication module  126 . Credit search application  122  may correspond to processes, procedures, and/or applications executable by a hardware processor, for example, a software program. In other embodiments, item POS device  120  may include additional or different software as required. 
     In various embodiments, credit search application  122  may be utilized to communicate with user device  110 , merchant device  130 , and/or payment provider server  140 . Credit search application  122  may receive user information from user device  110  using wired or wireless communication. Credit search application  122  may receive the user information by requesting user information when a communication link is established between user device  110  and item POS device  120 . In other embodiments, user device  110  may transmit user information to item POS device  120 , for example, when user device  110  connects to item POS device  120  and runs an application, such as browser/credit application  112 . Additionally, credit search application  122  may retrieve identifiers corresponding to item POS device  120 , such as identifiers  124 , which may include identifiers associated with hardware of item POS device  120  or other appropriate identifiers user for identifying item POS device  120  and/or an associated item. 
     Using user information and identifiers corresponding to item POS device  120 , credit search application  122  may initiate a credit search process with a payment/credit provider, such as payment provider server  140 , for an item corresponding to item POS device  120 . The credit search process may include determining a payment/credit provider associated with the user information, determining credit availability using the user information, and/or determining a credit option for a user corresponding to the user information, for example, user  102 . In other embodiments, the credit search process may search one or a plurality of available payment/credit providers and determine one or more credit options available to user  102 . 
     Once credit search application  122  determines at least one credit option for user  102  to utilize to pay for an item corresponding to item POS device  120 , credit search application  122  may provide the credit option(s) to user  102 . Credit search application may transmit the credit option to user device  110  for display to user  102 . However, in other embodiments, item POS device  120  may include a display and input device, and user  102  may view and accept/decline the credit option using item POS device  120 . Additionally, in certain embodiments, credit search application  122  may transmit the credit option to a merchant device, such as merchant device  130 , for acceptance by user  102 , or may transmit user  102 &#39;s response to the merchant device. 
     Item POS device  120  may further include identifiers  124 , for example, identifiers such as operating system registry entries, cookies associated with credit search application  122 , identifiers associated with hardware of item POS device  120 , or other appropriate identifiers. In one embodiment, identifiers  124  may be used by a payment/credit provider, such as payment provider server  140 , to associate item POS device  120  with a particular product. 
     In various embodiments, item POS device  120  includes at least one communication module  126  adapted to communicate with user device  110 , merchant device  130  and/or payment provider server  140  over network  150 . In various embodiments, communication module  126  may include a DSL (e.g., Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) modem, an Ethernet device, a broadband device, a satellite device and/or various other types of wired and/or wireless network communication devices including microwave, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and near field communication devices. 
     Merchant device  130  may be maintained, for example, by a merchant or seller offering various items, products, and/or services through a merchant location. Generally, merchant device  130  may be maintained by anyone or any entity that receives money, which includes charities as well as retailers and restaurants. In this regard, merchant device  130  may include processing applications, which may be configured to interact with user device  110  and/or payment provider server  140  to facilitate the sale of products, goods, and/or services. 
     Merchant device  130  may be implemented using any appropriate hardware and software configured for wired and/or wireless communication with user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or payment provider server  140 . For example, in one embodiment, merchant device  130  may be implemented as a single or networked personal computer (PC), a smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, and/or other types of computing devices at a merchant location capable of transmitting and/or receiving data. Although a merchant device is shown, the merchant device may be managed or controlled by any suitable processing device. Although only one merchant device is shown, a plurality of merchant devices may be utilized. 
     Merchant server  130  includes a purchase application  132  and a network interface component  134 . Purchase application  132  may correspond to processes, procedures, and/or applications executable by a hardware processor, for example, a software program. In other embodiments, merchant device  130  may include additional or different software as required 
     Purchase application  132  may be configured to provide a convenient interface to permit a salesperson to select, review, and sell items to user  102 . For example, purchase application  132  may be implemented as an application having a user interface enabling the user to buy products available at a merchant corresponding to merchant device  130 . Thus, purchase application  132  may include an interface displaying user selected products for purchase, including product information, purchase price, and total purchase costs. In some embodiments, purchase application  132  may correspond more generally to a web browser configured to view merchant information available over the Internet or access a website corresponding to products available from a merchant. Thus, purchase application  132  may also be utilized to access merchant websites and engage in online transactions, for example purchasing of inventory available in at other merchant locations, warehouses, or different merchants. 
     Purchase application  132  may further include information corresponding to a payment method selected by user  102 . For example, purchase application  132  may include cash, check, credit card, credit option, or other payment method. Thus, if user  102  selects to pay using the credit option for an item corresponding to item POS device  120 , purchase application  132  may display the credit amount and engage in the proper steps of accepting, authorizing, and/or receiving the credit option, including a monetary amount of the credit option, and completing purchase of the products using the credit option. Purchase application  132  may communicate with a payment/credit provider, such as payment provider server  140  over network  150  to authorize the credit amount extended to user  102 , and receive payment from the payment/credit provider. In other embodiments, purchase application  132  may communicate with user device  110  and/or item POS device  120  to receive information corresponding to the credit option. 
     In various embodiments, merchant device  130  includes at least one network interface component  134  adapted to communicate with user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or payment provider server  140  over network  150 . In various embodiments, communication module  134  may include a DSL (e.g., Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) modem, an Ethernet device, a broadband device, a satellite device and/or various other types of wired and/or wireless network communication devices including microwave, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and near field communication devices. In other embodiments, network interface component  134  may communicate directly with user device  110  and item POS device  120  without network  150 . 
     Payment provider server  140  may be maintained, for example, by an online payment service provider, which may provide credit services and/or processing for financial transactions on behalf of a user with a merchant. In this regard, payment provider server  140  includes one or more processing applications which may be configured to interact with user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or merchant device  130  to facilitate an offer and acceptance of credit options and/or payments. In one example, payment provider server  140  may be provided by PayPal®, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., USA. However, in other embodiments, payment provider server  140  may be maintained by or include a credit provider, financial services provider, financial data provider, and/or other service provider, which may provide credit options based on user, item, and/or merchant information. Payment provider server  140  may additionally perform credit option authorization and payment of goods with credit, for example, the exchange of goods between a merchant and user  102  based on credit extended to user  102 . 
     Payment provider server  140  of  FIG. 1  includes a credit application  142 , other applications  144 , user accounts  146 , and a network interface component  148 . Credit application  142  and other applications  144  may correspond to processes, procedures, and/or applications executable by a hardware processor, for example, a software program. In other embodiments, payment provider server  140  may include additional or different software as required. 
     Credit application  142  of payment provider server  140  may be configured to communicate information with user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or merchant device  130  over network  150 . In various embodiments, credit application  142  receives user information corresponding to user  102  and item information corresponding to item POS device  120  (e.g. an item identifier, price, item reduced price sale information, and/or other item information), determines a credit option to extend to user  102  for the item, and communicates the credit option to user  102 . Credit application  142  may additionally receive merchant information identifying the merchant. Credit application  142  may receive the user information and/or item information from user device  110 , item POS device  120 , or both. Credit application  142  may transmit additional information with the credit option, such as credit card offers, credit terms, revolving credit options (e.g. a bill me later option), or other information. 
     Credit application  142  may determine a credit option based on user information, such as user personal information, a user account identifier, and a user device identifier, and item information. For example, credit application  142  may include user credit rating review processes, processes to determine user assets and debts, user purchase and payment history, or other processes necessary to determine an amount of credit to extend to user  102 . In various embodiments, credit application  142  may access a user account stored on or external to payment provider  140  to determine the credit amount, including a payment account with payment provider server  140 , bank accounts, credit card accounts, or other user accounts. Credit application  142  may receive an account identifier from user device  110 , or otherwise identify the account through an identifier corresponding to user  102 /user device  110 . 
     Credit application  142  may further receive item information from item POS device  120 . Item information may include item identification or an item identifier enabling item identification (e.g. a bar code or serial number), item price, and additional item information include sale offers and/or warranties. Item information may be utilized by credit application  142  with user information to determine a credit option. Credit application  142  may receive the user information and item information from item POS device  120 , for example after user device  110  connects to item POS device  120 . However, in other embodiments, user device  110  and/or merchant device  130  may provide one or both of the user information and item information to credit application  142 . 
     Credit for the particular item and user may be determined using additional information, such as merchant offers and incentives, user financial information, time/day of year, etc. For example, a user may scan or otherwise capture item information for a diamond necklace at Store A. The payment provider may determine that Store A offers special incentives for loyal shoppers, Store A needs to sell the necklace soon since more will be arriving, the user will be having additional funds soon (due to an upcoming monthly work payment deposit), debts were just paid (such as a mortgage payment), high credit score, numerous successful transactions with the payment provider, the user is a loyal customer of Store A, the user typically makes minimum payments but on time, and the user&#39;s wife&#39;s birthday is coming up. In this case, the user may be presented with a credit option of low monthly payments with the first payment not due until shortly after work funds are expected to appear, a store incentive of 10% off (for loyal customers), and $500 off (to incentivize a quick sale). Thus, an incentive may also be determined and transmitted with or in place of a credit option. 
     In various embodiments, payment provider server  140  includes other applications  144  as may be desired in particular embodiments to provide features to payment provider server  140 . For example, other applications  144  may include security applications for implementing server-side security features, programmatic server applications for interfacing with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) over network  150 , or other types of applications. Other applications  144  may contain software programs, executable by a processor, including a graphical user interface (GUI), configured to provide an interface to a user. 
     Additionally, payment provider server  140  may include user accounts  146 . As previously discussed, user  102  may establish one or more user accounts with payment provider server  140 . User accounts  146  may include user information, such as name, address, birthdate, payment/funding information, additional user financial information, and/or other desired user data. User  102  may link user accounts  144  to user device  110  through a user device identifier. Thus, when a device identifier corresponding to user device  110  is transmitted to payment provider server  140 , e.g. from user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or merchant device  130 , a user account belonging to user  102  may be found. However, in other embodiments, user  102  may not have previously established a user account. Thus, payment provider server  140  may determine a credit option using different user information, such a name, social security number, user financial information, or other user information. 
     In various embodiments, payment provider server  140  includes at least one network interface component (NIC)  148  adapted to communicate with network  150  including user device  110 , item POS device  120 , and/or merchant device  130 . In various embodiments, network interface component  148  may comprise a DSL (e.g., Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) modem, an Ethernet device, a broadband device, a satellite device and/or various other types of wired and/or wireless network communication devices including microwave, radio frequency (RF), and infrared (IR) communication devices. 
     Network  150  may be implemented as a single network or a combination of multiple networks. For example, in various embodiments, network  150  may include the Internet or one or more intranets, landline networks, wireless networks, and/or other appropriate types of networks. Thus, network  150  may correspond to small scale communication networks, such as a private or local area network, or a larger scale network, such as a wide area network or the Internet, accessible by the various components of system  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary item point of sale device with a user device application interface displaying a credit option for purchasing an item according to an embodiment. Merchant environment  200  shows a user device application interface corresponding generally a software interface of a browser/credit application, executable by one or more hardware processors, and an item POS device and corresponding item. The item POS device may provide a credit option to a user for the item. Thus, user device  210 , browser/credit application interface  212 , and item PUS device  220  may correspond generally to user device  110 , browser/credit application  212 , and item POS device  120 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 . 
     Item  260  corresponding to television brand X may be an item for purchase at a merchant location  200 , such as a retail storefront. Item  260  may correspond to merchandise for purchase and pick-up at the merchant location. However, in other embodiments, item  260  may correspond just to an item display or item information and item  260  may be deliverable or picked-up at a later date. In some embodiments, item  260  may correspond to services instead of goods. 
     Item  260  may be on display for purchase with an item POS device  220 , include item information  280 , such as item description, price, sale amount, warranty, or other information associated with the sale of item  260 . Additionally, item POS device  220  include communication interface  270 , which may correspond generally to a physical embodiment of communication module  126  of  FIG. 1 . For example, communication interface  270  may correspond to a small pad or area that states, “Swipe phone here for credit options!” In such an embodiment, communication interface  270  may include a near field communication unit configured to connect and interact with user device  210 , such as by retrieving user information from user device  210  and utilizing the user information with item information to determine a credit option for a user corresponding to user device  210 . In other embodiments, communication interface  270  may correspond to a different wired and/or wireless communication module, including microwave, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth low energy. 
     Item POS device  220  contains item information  280 , such as item identification, item price, item sale information (e.g. item reduce price sale offer/information), and item data (e.g. size, weight, contents, etc.). Item information  280  may include information sent to item device  210  and/or a payment/credit provider. Additionally, item information  280  may be displayed for a user to view when browsing or searching items available for purchase. Item information may further correspond to an item identifier (e.g. a bar code, serial number, or other identifying information), merchant information (e.g. merchant name, merchant location, merchant sale information, merchant stock information, or other information corresponding to a merchant), and a visual image capturable by the user device (e.g. a picture of the item, a scannable bar code, or other image/photograph that a user may capture using a user device.) 
     Item POS device  220  is in communication with user device  210  through wired and/or wireless communication, including wireless network, a headphone or other input/output jack, microwave, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, and/or near field communication. User device  210  includes a browser/credit application interface  212  displaying item information  282  and credit option  292 . As previously discussed, browser/credit application interface  212  may correspond generally to browser/credit application  112  of  FIG. 1 . Thus, browser/credit application interface  212  may correspond to a software interface, where the software is configured to communicate with item POS device  220  to facilitate providing credit options for item  260  to a user. 
     Item information  282  may correspond generally to all or some subset of item information  280  visible in browser/credit application interface  212 . Item information  282  may additionally include further information, such as stock/availability, sale prices available online, at other merchant locations, or with other merchants. As shown in  FIG. 2 , item information  282  includes a name of item  260 , “television brand X,” and a price, “$1,999.” 
     Browser/credit application interface  212  further displays credit option  292 . Credit option  292  may correspond generally to an amount of credit extended to a user to purchase item  260 , including credit terms. Credit option  292  may include a credit preauthorization amount, a credit card offer, a revolving credit amount, an installment credit amount, or other credit option. Credit option may be extended to the user when user device  210  connects with item POS device  220 . Item POS device  220  may receive user information from user device  210 , for example, user personal information, a user account identifier, user financial information, and a user device identifier. Item POS device  220  may then connect to a network and send a request for a credit option to a payment/credit provider, such as payment provider server  140  of  FIG. 1 . Item POS device  220  may transmit the user information with item information, and in some embodiments, merchant information. The payment/credit provider may determine an amount and terms of at least one credit option using the user information, item information, and/or merchant information. 
     In other embodiments, credit options  292  may correspond to an incentive and/or include one or more incentives for display to the user with a credit option. An incentive may correspond to merchant offers and/or incentives to entice a user to purchase an item. The incentives may include rebates or money back offers, loyal customer sales, good credit and/or payment history incentives, or other offers to obtain a purchase by a user. 
     Once the payment/credit provider has determined at least one credit option to extend to a user for item  260 , the payment/credit provider may transmit the credit option(s) to item POS device  220 . Item POS device  220  may then transmit the credit option(s) to user device  210  for display to the user. The credit option may also include a means for acceptance of the credit option, such as a button to initiate an executable process, a hyperlink to the payment/credit provider, a text message with the credit option and instructions to accept the credit option, or other process. In some embodiments, where browser/credit application interface includes an application with a graphical user interface (GUI), the application may include a process to accept the credit option. 
     Alternatively, where item POS device  220  does not include a network connection, item POS device  220  may connect to a merchant device and transmit user information and item information for the merchant device to request a credit option. In other embodiments, user device  210  may receive item information from item POS device  220  and utilize a network connection to connect to a payment/credit provider to request a credit option. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary process by a payment provider server for providing credit options to a user after receiving user information from an item point of sale device according to an embodiment. Note that one or more steps, processes, and methods described herein may be omitted, performed in a different sequence, or combined as desired or appropriate. 
     At step  302 , a payment/credit provider server, such as payment provider server, receives user information and item information after a communication between a user device and an item POS device. Item POS device  120 / 220  may transmit the user information and the item information when user  102  connects user device  110 / 210  to item POS device  120 / 220  using wired or wireless communication, such as a wired connection, wireless network connection, near field communication, radio communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, and Bluetooth low energy communication. In other embodiments, the user device may transmit the user information and/or item information, or a merchant device/server corresponding to the item POS device may transmit the user information and/or item information to the payment provider. 
     User information may correspond to user personal information, a user account identifier, user financial information, and a user device identifier. User information may enable a payment/credit provider to determine a credit option to extend to user  102 . For example, user information may include asset/debt information, income stream information, credit information, tax information, or other user financial information. Item information may correspond to an item identifier, an item price, and an item reduced price sale offer. Item information may determine the amount and/or availability of a credit option to extend to user  102 . 
     Once user information and item information is received, one or more credit options or one or more incentives is determined for an item corresponding to the item POS device using the user information and the item information, at step  304 . The one or more credit options may include at least one of a credit card option, an installment credit option, and a revolving credit option. Thus, the credit options may include multiple credit options with different terms and/or different services, giving user  102  options to select a credit option that fits user  102 . Additionally, one or more incentives may be determined, where the one or more incentives correspond to a loyal customer discount, a good credit discount, a discount based on inventory levels, a seasonal discount, and a merchant specific discount. 
     At step  306 , a message including the one or more credit options or the one or more incentives is transmitted for display to the user. The message may also include a means to accept the credit option, including instructions, a button with an executable process, a hyperlink or embedded link/process, or other process. Additionally, the message may be transmitted to item POS device  120 / 220  for display to user  102 , or item POS device  120 / 220  may transmit the message including the credit option to user device  110 / 210  for display to user  102 . In other embodiments, the message including the credit option may be transmitted directly to user device  110 / 210 , or may be transmitted to merchant device  130  for acceptance by user  102  at merchant device  130 , including payment for item  260  with merchant device  130 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computer system  400  suitable for implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the user device 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. The merchant server and/or service 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 and service providers may be implemented as computer system  400  in a manner as follows. 
     Computer system  400  includes a bus  402  or other communication mechanism for communicating information data, signals, and information between various components of computer system  400 . Components include an input/output (I/O) component  404  that processes a user action, such as selecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons, image, or links, and/or moving one or more images, etc., and sends a corresponding signal to bus  402 . I/O component  404  may also include an output component, such as a display  411  and a cursor control  413  (such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). An optional audio input/output component  405  may also be included to allow a user to use voice for inputting information by converting audio signals. Audio I/O component  405  may allow the user to hear audio. A transceiver or network interface  406  transmits and receives signals between computer system  400  and other devices, such as another user device, a merchant server, or a service provider server via network  150 . In one embodiment, the transmission is wireless, although other transmission mediums and methods may also be suitable. One or more processors  412 , 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  400  or transmission to other devices via a communication link  418 . Processor(s)  412  may also control transmission of information, such as cookies or IP addresses, to other devices. 
     Components of computer system  400  also include a system memory component  414  (e.g., RAM), a static storage component  416  (e.g., ROM), and/or a disk drive  417 . Computer system  400  performs specific operations by processor(s)  412  and other components by executing one or more sequences of instructions contained in system memory component  414 . Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor(s)  412  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. In various embodiments, non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memory component  414 , and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus  402 . 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  400 . In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of computer systems  400  coupled by communication link  418  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 both 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.