Method and apparatus for a lockouit mechanism to prevent operating a system in real-time

Abstract

A technique is provided that dynamically controls the speed at which a mobile device user can use funds. More specifically, the technique provides a lockout mechanism, which temporarily prevents the mobile device user from accessing and thus spending the funds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a cloud computing service programmed to:
 receive a first user input from a mobile application running on a mobile client and having a user interface, wherein the first user input selects a first vendor graphic from a set of vendor graphics presented in the user interface; 
 receive a second user input from the mobile application, wherein the second user input selects a first item graphic from a set of item graphics associated with the first vendor graphic and presented in the user interface; 
 enable an order screen to be presented in the user interface after the second user input has been received, wherein the order screen shows a content based on the first user input and the second user input, wherein the content includes (a) a numerical value associated with the first item graphic, and (b) a barcode associated with the numerical value; 
 complete a transaction associated with the numerical value based on the bar code being read from the order screen; 
 receive a third user input from the mobile application after the transaction is complete, wherein the third user input selects a second item graphic from the set of item graphics presented in the user interface; 
 perform a first level of verification associated with the mobile application after the third user input has been received; 
 perform a second level of verification associated with the mobile application in response to the first level of verification succeeding; 
 activate a lockout logic in response to the second level of verification failing such that the lockout logic causes the set of item graphics presented in the user interface to be (a) idle in the user interface and (b) not interactive in the user interface, and thereby temporarily prevent the user interface from enabling an electronic purchase associated with the second item graphic via the mobile application in response to receiving the third user input, until the lockout logic is deactivated; and 
 enable the electronic purchase associated with the second item graphic via the mobile application in response to receiving the third user input and the second level of verification succeeding. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of vendors corresponds to a set of bars. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first item graphic or the second item graphic is associated with a drink. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first item graphic or the second item graphic is associated with a song. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first item graphic or the second item graphic is associated with a pre-designated geographical area. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein performing the first level of verification comprises verifying a number of credits available towards the electronic purchase associated with the second item graphic at a discounted price due to a membership logic associated with the set of vendors. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is programmed to present a notice in the user interface indicating a remedy to overcome the first level of verification failing in response to the first level of verification failing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic purchase is a first electronic purchase, wherein the server is programmed to present a message in the user interface encouraging a second electronic purchase of a credit to overcome the first level of verification failing in response to the first level of verification failing. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is programmed to return control of the user interface into a state prior to the first level of verification failing in response to the first level of verification failing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is programmed to present an upgrade screen in the user interface programmed to receive a fourth user input for upgrading a current membership level. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout logic is activated such that the lockout logic causes the set of item graphics presented in the user interface to become temporarily inactive in the user interface. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout logic is activated such that the lockout logic causes the set of item graphics presented in the user interface to become lighter in color compared to when the set of item graphics is active in the user interface before the third user input. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout logic is activated such that the lockout logic causes a notification window to be presented in the user interface indicating that an electronic ordering capability via the user interface is disabled for a preset amount of time. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout logic is activated such that the lockout logic causes a notification window to be presented within the user interface presenting a count clock which counts until a time when the user interface will enable an electronic placement of a next electronic order via the set of item graphics presented in the user interface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout logic is activated such that the lockout logic causes the set of item graphics presented in the user interface to be (a) idle in the user interface and (b) not interactive in the user interface, until an electronic reordering capability via the user interface is re-enabled to make the electronic purchase associated with the second item graphic via the mobile application and the mobile client is notified of such re-enablement via a vibration thereof.