MOBILE COMMERCE SYSTEM
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.