Method for Self-Checkout with a Mobile Device

Abstract

A method for purchasing an item using a mobile device is provided. The method includes but is not limited to inputting identification information into the mobile device which identifies the item for purchase and generating an order for the item identified by the identification information. The method also includes but is not limited to displaying on a display of the mobile device an optical machine-readable representation of the order.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for purchasing an item using a mobile device comprising:
 a server executing a first application, the server (i) receiving, from a mobile device, identification information entered into a user interface of the mobile device for each item to be purchased, (ii) executing a second application on the server in response to receiving the identification information for each item from the mobile device, (iii) creating, on the server, an order including item information upon receiving, from the mobile device, the identification information for each item to be purchased as the identification information is received by the server (iv) generating dynamically, on the server, a unique identifier representing an order, (v) storing the order associated with the item and the dynamically generated unique identifier for the order, in a state container within the first application (vi) importing the order from the state container, via the second application using the dynamically generated unique identifier and (vii) transmitting, via the second application, item information for the item to the mobile device for inclusion in a virtual shopping cart on the mobile device;   an optical scanning machine that (i) optically scans a dynamically generated optical machine-readable representation displayed by the mobile device and encoding the dynamically generated unique identifier therein, and (ii) reads the dynamically generated unique identifier of the order encoded in the optical machine-readable representation; and   a point-of-sale terminal operatively coupled to the optical scanning machine and in communication with the server, the point-of sale terminal (i) receiving the dynamically generated unique identifier representing the order from the optical scanning machine in response to scanning of the optical machine-readable representation by the optical scanning machine, (ii) transmitting the unique identifier to the server to retrieve the order, (iii) importing, by the second application, the order using the dynamically generated unique identifier from the state container; (iv) receiving from the second application on the server the order based on the dynamically generated unique identifier, (v) completing a transaction based on the order, and (vi) generating a receipt acknowledging completion of the transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server retrieves item information using the identification information, wherein the item information includes an item name, an item price, an item review, an item rating, item product details, or item location information. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server requests payment from a user of the mobile device for the total payment amount. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the point-of-sale terminal (i) receives payment from the mobile device, (ii) transmits payment information to the server, and (iv) provides the user with a receipt. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the point-of-sale terminal provides the user with a receipt by transmitting a digital copy of the receipt to the mobile device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device transmits payment information directly to the server. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receipt includes an optical machine-readable representation of receipt identification information which identifies the receipt. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server receives, from the mobile device a confirmation that the item information is related to the item for purchase. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server receives, from the mobile device a confirmation an intent to purchase items identified by item information listed in the virtual shopping cart. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mobile device dynamically updates the virtual shopping cart as additional items are identified for purchase and intent to purchase those items is confirmed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device displays a digital copy of the receipt. 
     
     
         12 . A method for purchasing an item using a mobile device having a digital camera comprising:
 capturing an image of an identifying portion of an item to be purchased with the digital camera;   initiating, via the mobile device, a session on a server, wherein the server executes a first application, in response to initiating the session;   transmitting, from the mobile device, the image of the identifying portion of the item to a server to instruct the server to include the item in an order having a dynamically generated unique identifier, wherein the dynamically generated unique identifier is generated upon the creation of the order on the server, and wherein a second application is executed on the server and the order is stored in a state container within the first application;   receiving, on the mobile device, item information associated with the item from the second application on the server based on the image of the identifying portion of the item, the item information being included in a virtual shopping cart accessible via the mobile device, wherein the second application imports the order from the state container using the dynamically generated unique identifier associated with the order;   generating dynamically, by the mobile device, an optical machine-readable representation based on the item information in the shopping cart to encode the dynamically generated unique identifier in the optical machine-readable representation;   rendering the optical machine-readable representation on a display of the mobile device for scanning by an optical scanning machine of a point-of-sale terminal, the order being retrieved in response to the scanning;   receiving, by the mobile device, a receipt acknowledging payment of the item based on the order after the order is retrieved and after payment is tendered; and   displaying the receipt on the display of the mobile device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 transmitting payment information directly from the mobile device to the server.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the receipt includes an optical machine readable representation of receipt identification information which identifies the receipt and which is displayed on the display of the mobile device. 
     
     
         19 . A computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for purchasing an item using a mobile device having a digital camera, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:
 capture an image of an identifying portion of an item to be purchased with the digital camera;   initiate, via the mobile device, a session on a server, wherein the server executes a first application, in response to initiating the session;   transmit, from the mobile device, the image of the identifying portion of the item to a server to instruct the server to include the item in an order having a dynamically generated unique identifier, wherein the dynamically generated unique identifier is generated upon the creation of the order on the server, and wherein a second application is executed on the server and the order is stored in a state container within the first application;   receive, on the mobile device, item information associated with the item from the second application on the server based on the image of the identifying portion of the item, the item information being included in a virtual shopping cart accessible via the mobile device, wherein the second application imports the order from the state container using the dynamically generated unique identifier associated with the order;   generate dynamically, by the mobile device, an optical machine-readable representation based on the item information in the shopping cart to encode the dynamically generated unique identifier in the optical machine-readable representation;   render the optical machine-readable representation on a display of the mobile device for scanning by an optical scanning machine of a point-of-sale terminal, the order being retrieved in response to the scanning;   receive, by the mobile device, a receipt acknowledging payment of the item based on the order after the order is retrieved and after payment is tendered; and   display the receipt on the display of the mobile device.   
     
     
         19 . The computer readable memory medium of claim  18 , further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to transmit payment information directly from the mobile device to the server. 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable memory medium of  claim 19 , wherein the receipt includes an optical machine readable representation of receipt identification information which identifies the receipt and which is displayed on the display of the mobile device.