Mobile commerce system

Abstract

A mobile commerce system including a multiplicity of Mobile Device-Point of Sale Communication(MPC)-equipped mobile devices, a plurality of MPC-enabled Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, at least one POS configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-enabled POS devices, at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-equipped mobile devices and at least one mobile marketing platform server operative to introduce Transaction Value Certificate (TVC)-related functions and to communicate both with the at least one POS configuration server and the at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server to coordinate operation thereof so that the MPC-enabled POS devices will be “tap-ready” for carrying out the TVC-related functions.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for conducting transactions using transaction value certificates (TVCs), comprising:
 in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor:
 receiving a TVC parameter for an offer to be made in a TVC and a customer profile; 
 generating a POS set-up instruction for a point of sale device based on the TVC parameter; 
 communicating the POS set-up instruction to a point of sale configuration server; 
 preparing a TVC mobile set-up instruction based on the TVC parameter and the customer profile; and 
 communicating the TVC mobile set-up instruction to a mobile device; 
 wherein the TVC is communicated to a TVC wallet hosted by the mobile device; and 
 wherein the TVC communicated to the TVC wallet is tap-ready at the point of sale device. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the TVC comprises a validity condition comprising at least one of a validity duration and a validity location. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the customer profile comprises at least one of an age, a gender, a location, and a shopping preference. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the POS set-up instruction comprises a data display instruction. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the POS set-up instruction comprises the TVC parameter to be downloaded to a point of sale device 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the TVC mobile set-up instruction comprises at least one of an advertising message and a coupon generating instruction. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the TVC parameter is received in a template comprising at least one of a store designation for the TVC and a TVC type. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the TVC type comprises at least one of a coupon, a voucher, a gift card, and a prepaid card. 
     
     
         27 . A method for conducting transactions using transaction value certificates (TVCs), comprising:
 in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor:
 receiving, from a TVC mobile marketing platform server, a TVC mobile set-up instruction comprising a TVC parameter; 
 activating a TVC based on the TVC mobile set-up instruction; 
 selecting a customer to receive the TVC based on at least one of a customer profile and a location of a mobile device associated with the customer; and 
 communicating the TVC to a TVC wallet executed by the mobile device associated with the selected customer; 
 wherein the TVC communicated to the TVC wallet is tap-ready a point of sale device. 
   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 determining a location of the mobile device associated with the customer.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the TVC comprises at least one of a coupon, a loyalty card, a voucher, a gift card, a prepaid card, and a negative value. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the TVC further comprises an advertising message. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the customer profile comprises at least one of an age, a gender, a location, and a shopping preference. 
     
     
         32 . A method for conducting transactions using transaction value certificates (TVCs), comprising:
 in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor:
 receiving a POS configuration data stream from a POS configuration server for configuring the information processing apparatus to be tap ready for implementation of a TVC, the POS configuration data stream comprising TVC data; 
 storing the TVC data; 
 presenting the TVC data on a display of the information processing apparatus; 
 receiving a mobile device data stream from a mobile device prior to, during and following implementation of the TVC; 
 identifying a TVC wallet executed by the mobile device; 
 receiving the TVC from the TVC wallet; 
 receiving payment card data from the mobile device; and 
 completing the transaction with the TVC. 
   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the mobile device data stream is received in a tap. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the TVC comprises at least one of a coupon, a loyalty card, a voucher, a gift card, a prepaid card, and a negative value. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein a plurality of TVCs are available, and the method further comprises receiving a selection of one of the plurality of TVCs. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the selection of one of the plurality of TVCs is received at a user interface provided by the information processing apparatus. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the payment card data is received in a second tap. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the TVC and the payment card data are received in the tap.