Patent ID: 8740073

Claim:
A method for storing and redeeming an electronic certificate using an initially unpowered wireless smart card, the method comprising: storing tag data on an initially unpowered wireless smart card that is inductively powered when brought into the proximity of an electromagnetic field and that is unpowered when outside of the proximity of the electromagnetic field, wherein storing tag data includes interfacing the initially unpowered wireless smart card with a powered tag writer located on a smart poster for wirelessly communicating the tag data, wherein power from the powered tag writer establishes a first electromagnetic field that is used to activate the wireless smart card and to wirelessly communicate the tag data from the powered tag writer to the wireless smart card and wherein the tag data includes at least one of a certificate identifier and a location identifier; receiving the tag data via a wireless transmission from the wireless smart card at a wireless smart device reader during an electronic transaction, wherein the wireless smart card is powered by a second electromagnetic field generated by the wireless smart device reader, and wherein the wireless smart device reader is located at a point of sale site; sending, from the wireless smart device reader, transaction data, which includes at least the tag data and a vendor identifier, to a back-end server; and at the wireless smart device reader, receiving an electronic certificate from the back-end server, the electronic certificate being obtained by the back-end server using the tag data and the vendor identifier, wherein the electronic certificate includes at least one of an electronic coupon, an electronic ticket, an electronic customer loyalty card, or an electronic promotion.