(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0172028A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 11, 2003
`Abell et al.
`
`US 2003.0172028A1
`
`(54) AUTHORIZATION OF PAYMENT FOR A
`COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION WIAA
`BLUETOOTHENABLED DEVICE
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 7, 2002
`Publication Classification
`
`(75) Inventors: Jonathan Alan Abell, Jacksonville, NC
`(US); Jamel Pleasant Lynch II, Chapel
`Hill, NC (US); Charles Burhnam
`Oxrieder, Raleigh, NC (US); Usen E.
`Udoh, Durham, NC (US); William
`John Vigilante JR., Raleigh, NC (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`IBM CORPORATION
`IP Law Dept.
`Dept. 9CCA/002
`P.O. Box 12195
`Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2195 (US)
`(73) Assignee: International Business Machines Cor
`poration, Armonk, NY
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/093,173
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... G06F 17/60
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 705/40
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A personal payment System that enables a desired items to
`be purchased by the customer utilizing a wireleSS enabled
`device Such as a cellular phone, PDA, etc. The System
`comprises a background Structure that enables electronic
`payment transactions, a terminal linked to the background
`Structure having wireleSS interactive capabilities, and a cus
`tomer device with wireless capabilities that enables the
`customer to remotely interact with the terminal and autho
`rize payment for a financial transaction within the back
`ground structure. The wireleSS transmission features of the
`invention are implemented via Bluetooth protocol.
`
`
`
`RF antenna
`
`receiving
`and
`transmitting
`loc
`
`mechanism
`
`processor
`and memory
`
`authorization
`request
`algorithm
`
`logic for
`additional
`functionality
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 11, 2003 Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 11, 2003 Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`EC
`
`BO
`
`
`
`TERMINAL
`(wirelessnenabled)
`
`Customer device
`(wireless enabled)
`
`FIGURE 7
`
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`
`
`NaNa, Meckingst
`(wirelessnenabled)
`
`
`
`Customer device
`(wireless enabled)
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 11, 2003 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`FIGURE3
`
`F1GURE 4
`
`
`
`lo
`
`receiving and RF antenna
`
`"g" interce
`
`transaction
`authorization
`algorithm
`
`
`
`425
`
`
`
`th
`
`to2
`processor
`and memory
`
`RF antenna
`interface
`receiving
`"RE";
`transmitting ai AC
`
`lodic
`input G
`mechanism
`lo
`functionality
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 11, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`FGURE 6
`
`
`
`customer enters
`necessary
`information to
`enable wireless
`payment
`
`customer activates
`wireless payment
`feature on
`Customer device
`(algorithm)
`
`algorithm prepares
`payment
`authorization
`request, request
`issued via wireless
`transmitter
`
`
`
`
`
`ponse
`ved from
`
`Alert Customer of
`response
`
`NO
`
`FIGURE 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receipt of
`authorization
`request at terminal
`via wireless
`transmission
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`prepare
`transaction info.
`transmit to server
`with customer
`request for
`payment
`
`
`
`Server forwards
`authorization
`reques to payment
`authorization
`system
`
`
`
`request reviewed
`by payment
`authorization
`system
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`authorization fo
`wireless payment
`verified
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gi
`
`Transaction
`denied
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`by-pass
`authorization;
`automatically
`approve
`transaction
`
`
`
`
`
`53
`
`Sever sent
`authorization
`
`65
`
`terminal sent
`authorization
`
`5 217
`
`terminal completes
`transaction
`
`signal transmitted
`
`to customer dew ice
`alerting CUSton
`e
`of approval
`
`server forward
`S
`transaction for
`payment
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0005
`
`

`

`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`Sep. 11, 2003
`
`AUTHORIZATION OF PAYMENT FOR A
`COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION WIAA
`BLUETOOTHENABLED DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Technical Field
`0002 The present invention relates generally to wireless
`devices and in particular to Bluetooth enabled devices. Still
`more particularly, the present invention relates to a method
`and System for authorizing payment of a financial transac
`tion via a Bluetooth enabled device.
`0003 2. Description of the Related Art
`0004 Wireless technology now reaches or is capable of
`reaching virtually every location on the face of the earth.
`With the growing desire for greater mobility, flexibility, and
`improved features in wireless hand held or mobile devices,
`the computer and communications industry are continually
`finding ways to expand the functionality of these devices.
`The most recent development in the field of wireless tech
`nology is Bluetooth, which provides the Specification for
`Short distance wireless radio frequency (RF) communication
`applications. Bluetooth operates in a multi-user environment
`to allow wireleSS communication between a cellular phone,
`a computer, and other personal electronic devices within a
`Specific radius of each other.
`0005 Bluetooth has quickly gained support throughout
`the wireleSS industry for its potential in providing personal
`area networks (PANs) and its capabilities of linking multiple
`devices together. For example, Bluetooth has simplified the
`process of interconnecting cellular phones, computers,
`PDAs, printers and a number of other electronic devices.
`Further, Bluetooth enabled devices are also being produced,
`frequency hopping techniques that enable communication to
`continue flowing even in “noisy areas.
`0006 With the infrastructure in place to seamlessly con
`nect multiple mobile devices and the capability of a user to
`create a PAN with a single portable device, the extension of
`Bluetooth capabilities to other everyday usage is expected to
`be the next Stage of development.
`0007 One such everyday usage involves personal finan
`cial transactions. For example a customer in a restaurant
`purchasing a meal has to pay for the Service. Traditionally,
`Such a transaction involves the customer waiting on a bill,
`providing the waiter with payment tender (cash or credit
`card), waiting for the waiter to go to the cash register and
`ring up the Sale, and then waiting for the waiter to return
`with the change or the Signature slip for the credit card.
`Notably, current trends in personal financial transactions is
`moving towards elimination of direct cash transactions and
`payment via credit cards, which involves a background
`authorization transaction. Also, most customers today have
`a mobile device, e.g., a cellular phone, a PDA, etc. most of
`which may be designed to provide wireleSS transmission via
`Bluetooth protocol.
`0008. The present invention recognizes that a more effi
`cient method may be provided to complete in person finan
`cial transactions. A method and System that reduces the wait
`time for completion of everyday personal financial transac
`tions would be a welcomed improvement. It would be
`further desirable if a customer is able to authorize payment
`
`for a financial transaction with any mobile device So that the
`customer does not have to necessarily require a special card
`or device to complete the transaction. These and other
`benefits are provided by the invention described herein.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009 Disclosed is a personal payment system that
`enables a desired item to be purchased for by the customer
`utilizing a wireleSS enabled device Such as a cellular phone,
`PDA, etc. The System comprises a background structure that
`enables electronic payment transactions, a terminal linked to
`the background Structure having wireleSS interactive capa
`bilities, and a customer device with wireleSS capabilities that
`enables the customer to remotely interact with the terminal
`and authorize payment for a financial transaction within the
`background structure.
`0010. The background structure includes a server asso
`ciated with the terminal and a payment authorization System
`that is connected to the Server and that provides payment
`upon receipt of a confirmed request from the Server. The
`payment authorization System receives a request for pay
`ment of a transaction from the Server, Verifies that the
`payment is authorized by the customer, who is affiliated with
`the payment authorization System via an agreement and
`unique ID, and electronically issues the payment to a finan
`cial institution indicated by the Server.
`0011. In one embodiment, the server is connected to the
`payment authorization System via a wide area network
`(WAN), such as the Internet, although the two components
`may be connected via a local area network (LAN). Also, the
`payment authorization System is a customer registered Ser
`Vice with which the customer has a Service contract and all
`confirmed payments are placed on a bill issued to the
`customer. The customer registered Service may be a credit
`card authorization System, for example. However, in one
`embodiment, the payment authorization System is an elec
`tronic pre-payment System that allows the customer to set up
`an online account that allows payment to requesting Servers
`with customer authorization. customer-portable device com
`prises wireleSS communication capabilities and a payment
`request algorithm that together provide a wireleSS transmis
`Sion of a payment request, which includes a unique customer
`ID and network address information of a payment authori
`Zation Service, in response to an input by the customer. For
`Security purposes, a Special code may also be required prior
`to transmitting the payment request.
`0012. The terminal receives a wireless transmission of
`the request to complete the payment transaction from the
`customer, and in response to an initial receipt of the wireleSS
`transmission, the terminal immediately forwards the request
`along with a dollar amount for the transaction to the back
`ground structure. In one embodiment, the terminal com
`prises a memory component in which it stores data from an
`initial transaction. When the next transaction from the
`customer is received (identified by comparing the Stored
`data with data from the current request), the terminal checks
`its memory for approval of the customer and then automati
`cally permits the next transaction without requiring autho
`rization from the payment authorization System. The termi
`nal may then Send the next transaction to the payment
`authorization System for payment at a later time.
`0013 In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, the
`terminal is a component of a vending machine that provides
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0006
`
`

`

`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`Sep. 11, 2003
`
`the customer with an item selected by the customer. The item
`is provided upon receipt of a signal from the background
`Structure that indicates the financial transaction is approved.
`0.014.
`In another illustrative embodiment, the terminal is
`a cash register that rings up an amount after completion of
`a purchase by the customer. One extension of this embodi
`ment allows the customer to Scan, via the wireleSS device,
`the bar code from a bill generated for the transaction. The
`identifying information (associated with the bar code) is
`then included with the information Submitted to the back
`ground structure.
`0.015
`Notably, the wireless transmission features of the
`invention is implemented via Bluetooth protocol. Utilizing
`Bluetooth protocol, the customer device creates a personal
`area network (PAN) connecting the customer device with the
`terminal and, in certain embodiments, also connecting the
`SCWC.
`0016 All objects, features, and advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent in the following detailed
`written description.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0.017. The novel features believed characteristic of the
`invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention
`itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further
`objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood
`by reference to the following detailed description of an
`illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein:
`0.018
`FIG. 1 illustrates a system diagram of a basic
`network communication System employing the Bluetooth
`protocol within which one embodiment of the present inven
`tion may be implemented;
`0.019
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of a
`System within which remote payment authorization and bill
`payment features may be implemented according to one
`embodiment of the invention;
`0020 FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of a
`terminal with wireleSS capabilities coupled to a background
`Structure to enable the remote payment features of the
`present invention;
`0021
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram representation of a
`Bluetooth enabled customer device with which a customer
`initiates remote payment transactions according to one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`0022 FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the processing
`which occurs at the customer Side during operation of the
`remote payment process of the invention;
`0023 FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the processing
`which occurs at the terminal Side during operation of the
`remote payment authorization process of the invention; and
`0024 FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the applica
`tion of the features of the invention to a vending machine
`transaction according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE
`EMBODIMENT
`0.025 The present invention may be implemented in a
`variety of different network configurations that provide short
`
`range wireless radio frequency (RF) transmissions. The
`illustrative embodiment of the invention is however pre
`Sented with Specific reference to a network implementing
`Bluetooth protocol. This is however not meant to be limiting
`on the invention. Additionally, Specific terminal and cus
`tomer device configurations are illustrated and described
`herein. AS with the network, these specific representations
`are made for illustrative purposes only and not meant to be
`limiting on the invention.
`0026 Referring now to the figures, and in particular to
`FIG. 1, there is illustrated a cellular communication system
`50, which operates via the Bluetooth standard/protocol. The
`cellular communication System 50 includes a local area S
`network (LAN) 52. The LAN or network backbone 52 may
`be a hardwired data communication path made of twisted
`pair cable, Shielded coaxial cable, or fiber optic cable, for
`example, or may be wireleSS or partially wireleSS in nature.
`Coupled to the LAN 52 are a stationary communication unit
`53 and several access points 54. The access points 54 may
`be hardwired to the network 52 such as access point 54a or
`may be wirelessly coupled to the backbone 52 Such as access
`point 54b. Only one access point 54a is shown hardwired to
`the network backbone 52, however, it is understood that
`more than one hardwired access points may be physically
`connected to the network backbone 52. Each access point
`Serves as an entrance point through which wireleSS commu
`nications may occur with the network backbone 52. The
`wireleSS access point 54b may be employed to expand the
`effective communication range of the cellular communica
`tion System 50. AS in conventional Systems, each wireless
`access point 54b associates itself, typically by registration,
`with another access point or a host computer 60 coupled to
`the network backbone 52, whether hardwired or wireless,
`Such that a link is formed between itself and other devices
`situated on the network backbone 52.
`0027 Each access point 54 is capable of wirelessly
`communicating with other devices in the communication
`system 50 via respective antennas commonly denoted by
`reference numeral 62. A geographic cell (not shown) asso
`ciated with each access point 54 defines a region of coverage
`in which Successful wireleSS communication may occur.
`0028. The cellular communication system 50 also
`includes one or more mobile communication units 66. The
`mobile communication units 66 each include an antenna 67
`for wirelessly communicating with other devices. For
`example, the antenna 67 could be a directed disconnect type
`antenna for a more directed vertical electrical field over a
`ground plane. In the illustrative embodiments, wireleSS
`communication within system 50 occurs via Bluetooth pro
`tocol and each mobile communication unit 66 and access
`point 54 is configured according to Bluetooth Specification.
`0029. Each mobile communication unit 66 communicates
`with devices on the network backbone 52 via a selected
`access point 54 and/or with other mobile communication
`units, and/or directly with the host computer 60, if within
`cell range of the host computer 60. Upon roaming from one
`cellular to another, the mobile communication unit 66 is
`configured to associate itself with a new access point 54 or
`directly with the host computer 60 if within range. A mobile
`communication unit 66 registers with a particular access
`point which provides the particular mobile communications
`unit with wireless access to the network backbone 52.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0007
`
`

`

`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`Sep. 11, 2003
`
`Typically, access points 54 and mobile units 66 in different
`cells can communicate with each during the Same time
`period, Such that Simultaneous communication occurs in
`system 50.
`0030 The present invention extends the functional fea
`tures of Bluetooth technology to provide a method and
`System that enables wireleSS authorization of payment for
`products and/or Services. The invention requires the cus
`tomer to first establish a service contract Such as a Wireless
`Cellular agreement or credit card agreement, approving the
`utilization of the Service contract for additional authorized
`billing, and later utilizing the Service contracts as an agreed
`billing mechanism to pay for Services and/or products
`received. The illustrative embodiments of the invention are
`described with reference to specific type of purchases and
`assumes that the terminals provided for payment of these
`purchases are enabled to receive (and in Some cases trans
`mit) wireless communication.
`0.031
`FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a network
`201 by which the features of the present invention may be
`implemented. Network (or system) 201 comprises back
`ground (or transparent) components and customer accessible
`components. Background components include a server 203
`associated with the retailer or provider of the service or
`product being purchased and a payment authorization SyS
`tem 207. Payment authorization system 207 is connected to
`server 203 via a background network 205. Background
`network 205 may be a wide area network (WAN), such as
`the Internet, or a local area network (LAN). Communication
`between server 203 and payment authorization system 207
`is initiated utilizing respective IP or network addresses
`depending on the characteristics of the background network
`205 is being utilized (i.e., type of communication protocol
`being used).
`0.032 Payment authorization service 207 may be a finan
`cial Service, Such as a credit card authorization Service.
`However, the invention contemplates utilization of basic
`contracting entities Such as a cellular phone provider that
`issues periodic bills to a Subscriber. Alternatively, payment
`authorization service 207 may be an established online fund
`account, which the customer pre-pays into and is provided
`an electronic account (e.g., e-funds) with a usable balance.
`Notably, payment authorization system 207 may comprise
`any number of Subsystems that operate together to provide
`authorization to server 203 to bill for a requested service or
`product to a particular customer. In one embodiment, the
`customer is required to enable or Select an option, which
`implements Such payments prior to actually utilizing the
`customer account in this manner.
`0033. The customer accessible components of network
`201 includes terminal 209 affiliated with server 203 and
`customer-portable, wireless enabled device 211. Terminal
`209 may be a part of a larger component, Such as a vending
`machine, as described below, or may be a cash register or
`similar device. FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of repre
`sentative sub-components of terminal 209. As illustrated,
`terminal comprises wireless (or RF) antenna interface 301,
`processor 303, and memory 305. Executing on processor
`303, is a wireless authorization algorithm (processor code)
`306 that, responsive to a receipt of an activation Signal,
`implements the processes described below and illustrated in
`FIG. 5. In the illustrative embodiment, terminal also com
`
`prises a receiving and transmitting logic 307 by which it
`communicates information to and from customer-portable
`wireless device 211 via antenna interface 301 and server
`connectivity 313. Server connectivity 313 enables terminal
`209 to connect with server 203. Terminal 209 may be
`directly connected to server 203 or connected to server 203
`via an internal network (e.g., LAN) or via a wireless
`connection (e.g., Bluetooth). When connected via wireless
`connection, wireless receiver 301 and transmitter 307 are
`further utilized to communicate with server 203.
`0034. As illustrated in FIG. 4, customer-portable wire
`less device 211 comprises processor and memory 403,
`wireless (or RF) antenna interface 401, receiving and trans
`mitting logic 403, and an input mechanism 411. Addition
`ally, customer-portable, wireleSS device 211 includes an
`authorization request algorithm 407. Authorization request
`algorithm 407 comprises program code by which necessary
`information to complete a payment authorization request is
`placed in a transmission packet and prepared for transmis
`Sion. The necessary information may include customer
`entered information, and the input mechanism 411 is utilized
`to permit the customer to enter the required data/information
`to Set up authorization request algorithm 407, and to initiate
`generation of the request and Subsequent transmission via
`the antenna interface 401. Customer-portable, wireless
`device 211 may be a cellular phone, a personal digital
`assistant (PDA), such as a Palm Pilot"M, a laptop computer,
`or a Bluetooth device. Customer-portable, wireless device
`211 is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals/
`communications. Preferably, the customer-portable, wire
`leSS device 211 Supports Bluetooth protocol and communi
`cates according to Bluetooth protocol. Also, terminal 209
`preferably Supports and communicates via the Bluetooth
`protocol.
`0035. The invention finds particular applicability within a
`merchant environment. Thus, the invention provides a mer
`chant System that is enabled with a Server and/or terminal
`that Supports the Bluetooth payment method. The customer
`has a Bluetooth-enabled device, Similar to a cellular phone
`or computer, and is thus able to link to the merchant's Server
`or backend infrastructure and provide the customer's Blue
`tooth identifying (ID) information and an authorization to
`bill a particular Service contract of the customer.
`0036 FIG. 5 illustrates the backend process by which the
`bill payment via a Bluetooth enabled device is implemented.
`The process begins at block 501, and proceeds to block 503,
`which illustrates the wireleSS receipt of an authorization
`request at the Bluetooth enabled terminal. The request
`includes the customer ID and address identification of the
`payment authorization System to be utilized (e.g., by IP or
`network address). Depending on the nature of the transac
`tion, the authorization request may be accompanied by
`information about the transaction for which payment is to be
`made. A determination is made at block 505 whether a
`previous request by the Same customer has been archived.
`When no archived request exists for the customer, the
`terminal then compiles data about the transaction, if
`required, and transmits the compiled data and request to the
`server as shown at block 507. Communication between the
`terminal and the Server may be via a wired or wireleSS
`method, as described above. The server reads the address of
`the payment authorization System and forwards the request
`to the appropriate system as shown at block 509. Possible
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0008
`
`

`

`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`Sep. 11, 2003
`
`connection mechanisms between the Server and the payment
`authorization System is described above. The payment
`authorization System reviews the request as shown at block
`511 and verifies/determines that the customer is able to
`complete Such a transaction within the Service agreement as
`shown at block 512. If the customer is approved for such
`transactions, the payment authorization System informs the
`server of the approval as indicated at block 513. The server
`in turn signals the terminal of the approval as shown at block
`515, and the terminal completes the transaction as indicated
`at block 517. The terminal may notify the customer of the
`approval by issuing a wireleSS Signal to the customer's
`device as shown at block 519. In another embodiment, the
`terminals completion of the transaction entails providing
`the customer with the requested service or product. When
`the customer is not approved for Such transactions, the
`authorization request is denied as shown at block 514, and
`the process ends at block 523. Of course, alternate embodi
`ments may require the customer be signaled with the denial
`meSSage.
`0037 Returning to block 505, when a previous request is
`found in terminal memory (or in another embodiment,
`within server memory) the transaction is automatically
`approved using the previous approval information as shown
`at block 508, and the process of requesting authorization,
`etc., is bypassed. The Server then forwards the transaction
`for electronic payment from the payment authorization
`system as shown at block 521. The process then ends as
`indicated at block 523. The payment authorization system
`makes a record of the payment and later bills the customer
`for the transaction.
`0038 FIG. 6 provides a flow chart of the payment
`authorization process from the customer device Side. The
`process begins at block 601, and thereafter proceeds to block
`603, which indicates a customer entering necessary infor
`mation (e.g., customer ID, address information of payment
`authorization Systems, password-ifrequired, etc.) to enable
`wireleSS transfer of authorization data.
`0.039
`Entry of information may entail two actions: first,
`entering information to set up the payment authorization
`System (e.g., linking to a server affiliated with the Service
`contract and choosing the payment option) to later authorize
`payments and bill the customer via a regular billing method
`and; Second, entering information into the customer-portable
`device when Setting up a request authorization algorithm
`installed on the customer-portable device. The Second Set of
`information may be entered in response to prompts received
`during installation/set up of the algorithm, and may include
`a customer ID known by the payment authorization System
`and a Security code or password. The Security code ensures
`that in the event of the loss or theft of the customer device,
`another unauthorized perSon is not able to utilize the cus
`tomer device to make payments.
`0040. Returning now to FIG. 6, when a customer desires
`to make a payment utilizing the customer device, the cus
`tomer Selects the payment mode feature on the customer
`device and enters his Security code to activate the algorithm
`as shown at block 605. The algorithm generates a packet
`with necessary information and issues the packet out via a
`wireless transmitter as indicated at block 607. When the
`terminal, which receives the authorization request, is pro
`grammed to provide a confirmation of approval, and that
`
`confirmation is to be received by the customer terminal as
`indicated at block 609, the customer is alerted upon receipt
`of the approval (or rejection) as shown at block 611. The
`process then ends as shown at block 613.
`0041 One application of the invention involves utiliza
`tion of the Bluetooth payment authorization method with
`vending machines as illustrated in FIG. 7. The vending
`machine 709 is provided with a Bluetooth receiver and
`transmitter (i.e., communication logic and RF antenna) that
`transmits requests to an associated Server 703. A transaction
`with the vending machine 709 may thus be completed via
`any Bluetooth enabled device 711, such as a PDA or cellular
`phone. With a cellular phone, for example, the customer
`calls the number on the vending machine (e.g., 1-800- . . .
`). The call is connected to a background System including
`server 703 that is capable of initiating billing authorization
`request to the cellular phone contract provider 707. The
`customer's Bluetooth ID number is transferred to the back
`ground infrastructure (e.g., a server). The Bluetooth enable
`cellular phone 711 and associated customer ID is detected by
`the vending machine 709 via a Bluetooth link, and selection
`of a product from the vending machine is granted.
`0042. From the vending machine perspective, the request
`is received via Bluetooth transmission. The vending
`machine is provided with Bluetooth information from the
`infrastructure. The Vending machine thus establishes a per
`sonal area network (PAN) 701 with the approved customer
`device 711 and dispenses product and forwards information
`about the items Select to the infrastructure for payment
`processing.
`0043. Likewise, the customer utilizes the local network to
`establish a personal area network (PAN) 701 utilizing Blue
`tooth protocol. In the preferred embodiment, once the PAN
`701 is established, successive visits by the customer may not
`require the customer link initiation via the local network.
`0044 Another illustrative embodiment involves the uti
`lization of Bluetooth functionality by a customer to autho
`rize payment for the customer's restaurant bill. The custom
`er's mobile device (e.g., PDA, cellular phone, Smartcard or
`other Bluetooth enabled devices) connects (wirelessly) to
`the restaurant's Bluetooth enabled billing system. The cus
`tomer may Scan a barcode on the bill, or enter a code number
`from the bill/receipt into the Bluetooth enabled device so
`that the restaurant's computer (e.g., cashier's register/termi
`nal) is able to identify the customer and the bill is charged
`to the customer's account accordingly. Those skilled in the
`art appreciate that this proceSS may be extended to Similar
`Service providing entities. Thus, with other Service organi
`Zations, Simple connection to proximity billing equipment
`would allow patrons, waitress, hosts, and Service employees
`to offer a wireleSS connection to customers for ease of billing
`authorization.
`0045 One obvious benefit of this process is that the
`customer does not have to wait for the waiter or waitress to
`return with the customer's credit card, charge slip, and/or
`change. Further, the invention allows multiple Streams of
`near Simultaneous billing/authorization rather than individu
`alized bill generation and Signature authorization proceSS
`Ing.
`0046. As a final matter, it is important that while an
`illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been,
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013-0009
`
`

`

`US 2003/0172028A1
`
`Sep. 11, 2003
`
`and will continue to be, described in the context of a fully
`functional data processing System, those skilled in the art
`will appreciate that the Software aspects of an illustrative
`embodiment of the present invention are capable of being
`distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and
`that an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
`applies equally regardless of the particular type of Signal
`bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution.
`Examples of Signal bearing media include recordable media
`such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD-ROMs, and
`transmission media Such as digital and analog communica
`tion linkS.
`0047 Although the invention has been described with
`reference to Specific embodiments, this description should
`not be construed in a limiting Sense. Various modifications
`of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodi
`ments of the invention, will become apparent to perSons
`skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the
`invention. It is therefore contemplated that Such modifica
`tions can be made without departing from the Spirit or Scope
`of the present invention as defined in the appended