Payment Program for Use in Point-of-Sale Transactions

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present application relates to card-free programs provided by a merchant to a customer, whereby the customer has access to functions such as payment options and/or loyalty program benefits without needing to present a physical card at a point of sale. For example, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant, whereby the customer need not present a card such as a debit card, credit card, loyalty card, or other physical tender to make a purchase. Further, the customer need not provide biometric data or otherwise use an electronic device or identifier to make a purchase. Alternatively or additionally, the customer may access a loyalty program without needing to provide a physical card or data associated with a card.

1 . A method of receiving payment by a merchant for goods purchased by a customer, facilitated by a merchant's computer system, comprising:
 (a) receiving from the customer at a point of sale, via a merchant's computer system input device, data consisting of a unique identification number and security code, wherein the unique identification number and security code is provided via customer mnemonic transfer; and   (b) associating, by the merchant's computer system, the data with account information previously provided by the customer such that the customer may pay for goods purchased from the merchant via an ACH transaction from an account.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the data is generated by the customer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the unique identification number comprises the customer's telephone number, date of birth, or both. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the point of sale is a check-out lane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the data is provided via a pinpad. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising verifying by the merchant the identity of the customer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising associating by the merchant the unique identification number with a savings program such that the customer may accumulate savings from the merchant in accordance with the savings program. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of the savings are earned on a per transaction basis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the associating enables the customer to earn a product discount, a free product, or both upon conducting a predetermined number of transactions. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of the savings are earned on a combined per transaction and product basis. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the associating enables the customer to purchase goods via the unique identification number with a plurality of merchants. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the purchasing of goods by the customer with one or more of the plurality of merchants accumulates savings from the merchants in accordance with a respective savings program. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the merchant is a grocer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the account information identifies two or more separate accounts selectable by the customer at time of payment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the separate accounts comprise accounts from different financial institutions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the separate accounts comprise a savings account, a checking account, a line of credit, a credit card account, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the line of credit or credit card account is from the merchant.