Abstract:
A method of completing a purchase transaction in which a customer may conduct a video conferencing session with a financial institution to facilitate payment. In one example embodiment, the method includes attempting by a transaction terminal to complete a payment through a payment authorization system, receiving by the transaction terminal a notification from the payment authorization system of a problem resulting in the payment not being completed, establishing by the transaction terminal a video conferencing session with the representative of a financial system of a financial institution associated with the customer to correct the problem, and completing by the transaction terminal the payment through the payment authorization system in accordance with an outcome of the video conferencing session.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to point of sale systems and methods, and more specifically to a method of completing a purchase transaction. 
         [0002]    During a purchase transaction, a customer may be unable to complete payment for goods or services using a payment card for various reasons. For example, the amount of a purchase transaction may result in the customer&#39;s credit or debit limit being exceeded for a single transaction. As another example, another company may have placed a block or hold on the customer&#39;s payment card to ensure adequate funds are available. Under such circumstances, the customer must look to alternative payment methods. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to provide a method of completing payment which overcomes these problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method of completing a purchase transaction is provided. 
         [0005]    In one example embodiment, the method includes attempting by a transaction terminal to complete a payment through a payment authorization system, receiving by the transaction terminal a notification from the payment authorization system of a problem resulting in the payment not being completed, establishing by the transaction terminal a video conferencing session with the representative of a financial system of a financial institution associated with the customer to correct the problem, and completing by the transaction terminal the payment through the payment authorization system in accordance with an outcome of the video conferencing session. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example payment system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example transaction terminal; and 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A-3B  form a flow diagram of an example method of completing a purchase transaction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an example payment system  10  includes transaction computer system  20 , one or more financial systems  40 , mobile communication device  40 , and payment authorization system  50 , all connected via network  60 . 
         [0011]    Transaction computer system  20  may include one or more processors, memory, and program storage. Transaction computer system  20  may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft, Linux, Google, or Apple operating system. 
         [0012]    Transaction computer system  20  may include a self-service checkout system or an assisted-service checkout system. 
         [0013]    Transaction computer system  20  may execute software which is stored in a computer readable medium, such as a memory. For example, transaction computer system  20  may execute web browser software. 
         [0014]    Transaction computer system  20  also executes transaction software  22 , which records items for purchase and processes payment for the items. Transaction software  22  may be a web application that is executed using web browser software. 
         [0015]    Transaction computer system  20  also executes video conference software  24  for establishing a video conferencing session with a financial system  30  of the customer when a customer requires assistance to complete a payment during a transaction. 
         [0016]    A customer may be unable to complete payment for goods or services using a payment card for various reasons. For example, the amount of a purchase transaction may result in the customer&#39;s credit or debit limit being exceeded for a single transaction. As another example, another company may have placed a block or hold on the customer&#39;s payment card due to ensure adequate funds are available. 
         [0017]    In one example embodiment, video conference software  24  may include a plug-in software component executed within web browser software and controlled by transaction software  22 . 
         [0018]    In another example embodiment, video conference software  24  is a stand-alone application. 
         [0019]    In one example embodiment, video conference software  24  may obtain contact information for establishing a video conferencing session from contact information  26 . Transaction system  20  may maintain contact information  26  for local or major banks, either locally or on an in-store server. 
         [0020]    In another example embodiment, video conference software  24  may obtain contact information for establishing a video conferencing session from a customer. 
         [0021]    Financial system  30  may include one or more processors, memory, and program storage. Financial system  30  may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft, Linux, Google, or Apple operating system. Financial system  30  may execute software which is stored in a computer readable medium, such as a memory. For example, financial system  30  may execute web browser software. 
         [0022]    Financial system  30  also executes video conference software  42 , which interacts with video conference software  24  during a video conferencing session. 
         [0023]    In one example embodiment, video conference software  42  may include a plug-in software component executed within web browser software to open a video conferencing session within the web browser window or in a new window. 
         [0024]    In another example embodiment, video conference software  42  is a stand-alone application that opens a video conferencing session in a new window. 
         [0025]    Financial system  30  may require some form of authentication to ensure that the customer is not a thief or imposter. 
         [0026]    In one example embodiment, financial system  30  may execute communication software  34 , which sends a message to customer mobile communication device  40  using customer contact information in customer profiles  36 . The message may be sent 
         [0027]    The message may include a text or email message that mobile communication device  40  receives and displays using communication software  42 . The message may contain a code that the customer must enter into transaction system  20  in order to continue with the video conferencing session. 
         [0028]    In another example embodiment, the message may require the customer to reply to the message by taking and sending a self-image using a camera of mobile communication device  40 . 
         [0029]    For debit card transactions, customer entry of a PIN may also serve to authenticate the customer, alone or in combination with other authentication procedures. 
         [0030]    During the video conferencing session, a representative of financial system  30  may determine and approve a solution for completing payment, or not, depending upon the customer and the circumstances. 
         [0031]    For example, if the customer&#39;s credit or debit limit would be exceeded for a single transaction, the representative may choose to increase the customer&#39;s credit limit. 
         [0032]    As another example, if a block or hold has been placed on the customer&#39;s debit card to ensure adequate funds are available, the representative may suggest a short-term loan. The customer and the representative may complete the load procedures during the video conferencing session. 
         [0033]    Financial system  30  updates a customer bank record when credit has been authorized following a video conferencing session. 
         [0034]    Mobile communication device  40  may include one or more processors, memory, and program storage. Mobile communication device  40  may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft, Linux, Google, or Apple operating system. Mobile communication device  40  may execute software which is stored in a computer readable medium, such as a memory. 
         [0035]    Payment authorization system  50  performs authorization and settlement functions when a customer chooses to pay with a payment card, such as a credit or debit card. Payment authorization system  50  may be a merchant acquirer or processor. Payment authorization system  50  receives a request from transaction computer system  20  containing payment card information, including but not limited to the payment card number, the card expiration date, the amount of the order, and the PIN, if the payment card is a debit card. Payment authorization system  50  sends the payment card information to a financial system  30  that issued the payment card, which may include a bank or a credit card association. 
         [0036]    The financial system  30  that issued the payment card validates the card number and expiration and checks the amount of the order against an available credit limit. Financial system  30  then either authorizes or denies the payment and sends a corresponding response to payment authorization system  50 , which then forwards the response to transaction system  20 . 
         [0037]    Network  60  may include one which uses the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). Network  60  may include a combination of local area and wide area networks. Network  60  may include any combination of wireless or wired networks. Network  60  may include a combination of private and public networks, including a global communication network, also known as the Internet. Network may include any combination of wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and/or near field communication (NFC) standard circuitry 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an example transaction computer system  20  includes processor  70 , touch screen  72 , payment peripheral  74 , printer  76 , and communication circuitry  78 . 
         [0039]    Processor  70  executes transaction software  22  and video conference software  24 . 
         [0040]    Touch screen  72  displays transaction screens from transaction software  22  and captures operator inputs and selections during a transaction. 
         [0041]    In one example embodiment, video conferencing occurs on touch screen  72 . 
         [0042]    In another example embodiment, video conferencing occurs on secondary or customer display coupled to processor  60 . 
         [0043]    Payment peripheral  74  captures payment information, and may include a card reader, personal identification number (PIN) keypad, signature capture pad, or other peripheral used to accomplish payment, or any combination of such peripherals. 
         [0044]    Printer  76  prints documents such as receipts and coupons during a transaction. 
         [0045]    Communication circuitry  78  may include wired or wireless networking circuitry, Bluetooth and/or NFC standard circuitry. 
         [0046]    To facilitate video conferencing sessions, example transaction computer system  20  also includes camera  80  and sound circuitry  82 . Camera  80  captures digital video images during a video conferencing session. Sound circuitry  82  captures and produces sounds during a video conferencing session. Sound circuitry  82  includes a microphone and speakers. 
         [0047]    In one example embodiment, touch screen  72  includes a surrounding bezel and the camera and microphone are located in the bezel. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an example transaction method begins with step  80 . 
         [0049]    In step  80 , transaction software  22  displays a screen prompting an operator to provide payment. 
         [0050]    The customer uses payment peripheral  74  to capture payment information from a customer payment card. 
         [0051]    In one example embodiment, the customer uses a card reader to capture payment information from a credit card. 
         [0052]    In another one example embodiment, the customer uses a card reader to capture payment information from a debit card and uses a PIN keypad to enter a PIN. 
         [0053]    In step  82 , transaction software  22  receives encrypted payment information from payment peripheral  74 . 
         [0054]    In step  84 , transaction software  22  sends the encrypted payment information to payment authorization system  50 . 
         [0055]    In step  86 , transaction software  22  receives an indication from payment authorization system  50  regarding the status of the payment. 
         [0056]    For example, transaction software  22  may receive a communication from payment authorization system  50  indicating that the customer&#39;s payment was accepted. 
         [0057]    As another example, transaction software  22  may receive a communication from payment authorization system  50  indicating that the customer&#39;s credit limit would be exceeded. 
         [0058]    As another example, transaction software  22  may receive a communication from payment authorization system  50  indicating that the customer&#39;s account has insufficient funds for a debit card transaction. 
         [0059]    In step  88 , transaction software  22  displays a message alerting the operator regarding the status of payment. if the payment was not accepted, operation continues to step  90 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  100 . 
         [0060]    In step  90 , transaction software  22  displays a menu of choices. 
         [0061]    At this point, the customer may take various steps to try to complete payment. For example, the customer may try a different payment card. As another example, the customer may pay with cash money currency. 
         [0062]    Alternatively, the customer may choose to contact the bank that provided the payment card that resulted in payment not being accepted to determine what the problem was and attempt to find a solution for completing payment. 
         [0063]    In step  92 , transaction software  22  records an operator selection to begin a video conferencing session with a representative of the financial institution  30  that denied payment. 
         [0064]    In step  94 , transaction software  22  begins a video conferencing session with the representative of the financial institution  30 . 
         [0065]    Transaction software  22  may begin the video conferencing session using contact information  26 . 
         [0066]    Alternatively, transaction software  22  may begin the video conferencing session using customer provided contact information. 
         [0067]    During the video conferencing session, camera  80  captures images of the customer and sends the images to video conference software  32  for display. Similarly sound circuitry  82  captures customer audio and sends it to video conference software  32 . Sound circuitry  82  also receives and plays audio from video conference software  32 . In addition, the customer may an input device, such as the touch interface of touch screen  72 , in order to send certain sensitive information to the representative that the customer does not want others in the vicinity to hear. 
         [0068]    The representative may ask the customer for authenticating information, either through speech or messages, such as text or email messages, to the customer&#39;s mobile communication device  40  using communication software  34 , or a combination of both. 
         [0069]    In one example embodiment, the representative may ask the customer for name, date of birth, and other information stored in customer profiles  36 . 
         [0070]    In another example embodiment, the representative may send the customer a code, which the customer can access using mobile communication device  40 , and ask that the customer enter the code into transaction system  20  in order to continue with the video conferencing session. 
         [0071]    In another example embodiment, the representative may ask the customer to take a self-image using a camera of mobile communication device  40  and send it to the representative via email or text message. 
         [0072]    For debit card transactions, customer entry of a PIN may also serve to authenticate the customer, alone or in combination with other authentication procedures. 
         [0073]    In step  96 , transaction software  22  ends the video conferencing session with the financial institution. Operation returns to step  90  to enter another choice. 
         [0074]    If the problem with the first attempt to pay was a credit limit, the outcome of the video conferencing session may have been an increase in the customer&#39;s credit limit by the representative. 
         [0075]    In step  98 , transaction software  22  records an operator selection to try payment again. Operation returns to step  80 . 
         [0076]    In step  100 , transaction software  22  finalizes the transaction to reflect that payment was successfully made and prints a receipt using printer  76 . 
         [0077]    Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.