Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.
1. A method comprising:
emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device;
establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device;
transferring payment information from the mobile device to a point of sale terminal using the close-proximity communication device;
switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode; and
receiving, at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, a transaction confirmation from the point of sale terminal via the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, the transferring of the payment information and the receiving of the transaction confirmation being carried out within a single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of a close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device is controlled to automatically cycle between an emulation mode and the information receiving communication mode during the single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the close-proximity communication link is established when the close-proximity communication device is in the emulation mode.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information receiving communication mode comprises a peer-to-peer communication mode.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the close-proximity communication link comprises a near-field communication (NFC) link.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction confirmation comprises a receipt.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising displaying the receipt on the mobile device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the payment method comprises a credit card.
9. A mobile device comprising:
a close-proximity communication device;
a processor coupled with the close-proximity communication device, the processor being configured to cause the close-proximity communication device to:
emulate a payment method;
establish a close-proximity communication link with a point of sale terminal;
transfer payment information from the mobile device to the point of sale terminal;
switch to an information receiving communication mode; and
receive a transaction confirmation from the point of sale terminal, transferring the payment information and receiving the transaction confirmation to be carried out within a single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of a close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
10. The mobile device of claim 9 , wherein the processor further causes the close-proximity communication device to automatically cycle between an emulation mode and the information receiving communication mode during the single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
11. The mobile device of claim 9 , wherein the information receiving communication mode comprises a peer-to-peer communication mode.
12. The mobile device of claim 9 , wherein the close-proximity communication device comprises a near-field communication (NFC) device.
13. The mobile device of claim 9 , wherein the transaction confirmation comprises a receipt.
14. The mobile device of claim 13 , further comprising a display coupled with the processor, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the receipt to be presented on a display of the mobile device.
15. A method comprising:
entering an information receiving communication mode of a close-proximity communication device at a point of sale terminal;
receiving payment information from a mobile device using the close-proximity communication device;
switching the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal to a transfer mode; and
transferring, to a close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, a transaction confirmation from the point of sale terminal via the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal, the receiving of the payment information and the transmitting of the transaction confirmation being carried out within a single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining if transfer whether the transferring of the transaction confirmation is requested.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein switching the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal further comprises automatically switching the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal after receiving payment information from the mobile device during the single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the transfer mode is an emulation mode.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the transfer mode is a peer-to-peer mode.
20. A point of sale terminal comprising:
a close-proximity communication device;
a processor coupled to the close-proximity communication device to cause the close-proximity communication device to:
switch the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal to an information receiving communication mode;
receive payment information from a mobile device using the close-proximity communication device;
switch the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal to an emulation mode; and
transfer, to a close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, a transaction confirmation from the point of sale terminal via the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal, receiving payment information and transmitting the transaction confirmation being carried out within a single instance of the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device being within range of the close-proximity communication device of the point of sale terminal.
21. The point of sale terminal of claim 20 , wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the transfer of the transaction confirmation is requested.