WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to personal, portable electronic devices such as

media players, radios, cell phones and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] Recent developments in consumer electronics have included the introduction of

portable personal communication devices such as media players (such as MP3 players,

minidisk players), cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like. In the case

of a cell phone, a user can communicate by voice, text, or other multimedia data. For

example, a cell phone user can send a text message by means of any number of

communication protocols such as the Short Message Service - Point to Point (SMS-PP)

protocol (defined in GSM recommendation 03.40). Using SMS-PP, messages are sent

via a store-and-forward mechanism to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC), which

will attempt to send the message to the recipient and possibly retry if the user is not

reachable at a given moment.

[0003] Using a cell phone or other such device to remotely enter into a commercial

transaction (such as food or drink ordering) is widespread and well understood. However,

in order to initiate such a remote transaction using a cell phone, a user must be aware that

a merchant of interest is nearby, must be aware of a list of available items for purchase by

the merchant, must be aware of a price for each item, etc. Even in those cases where all

the relevant knowledge is available and known, the user must then pay for the services or

goods purchases. In some cases, the user must use a credit or debit card by repeating very

sensitive information in a voice loud enough to be heard and understood over the phone,

or enter the information manually if speaking is not an option. In some cases, if the

merchant does not accept the particular payment method, the customer must pay using

cash thereby eliminating most, if not all, of the perceived efficiencies of remotely ordering

using the cell phone, PDA, media player, etc.

[0004] In any case, once the transaction is entered into, the customer order is then queued

up in, typically, a first in first out order without distinguishing if the order was placed

locally or remotely. In this way, a remote purchaser has only an approximate idea of a

time to actually retrieve the order. This can result in an annoying wait in a long queue if

the purchaser arrives before completion of the order. In the case of a food and/or drink

purchase, a hot drink such as coffee is picked up in a tepid state if the purchaser arrives

substantially after the ordered hot drink is ready for pickup.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for improved approaches to process a remote order.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A processing system is described that includes a wireless communication interface

that wirelessly communicates with one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of

an establishment. The wireless communication interface receives a remote order

corresponding to an item selected by at least one of the wireless client devices. A local

server computer located in proximity to the establishment receives the remote order from

the wireless communication interface and generates instructions for processing the remote

order. The local server computer then passes the processing instructions to an order

processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order.

[0007] In a particularly useful embodiment, an acknowledgement is forwarded to the

originating wireless client device indicating that the remote order has been successfully

received. Furthermore, an estimate order completion time can then visually displayed by

the wireless client device and/or audibly rendered by way of a speaker or earphone.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method of processing an order provided by one or more

wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment is described. The method is

carried out by receiving a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at least one

of the wireless client devices at a wireless communication interface that is in

communication with a local server computer in proximity to the establishment. The

remote order is then passed to and processed by the local server computer and is then

stored in a processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, a processing system is described. The processing

system includes a wireless communication interface arranged to wirelessly communicate

with one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment. The wireless

communication interface receives a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at

least one of the wireless client devices that is then passed to a local server computer

located in proximity to the establishment having a memory arranged to store data that

includes a customer preference file listing customer preferences. The local server

computer consults the customer preference file in order to generate processing

instructions for processing of the remote order. The local server computer passes the

processing instructions to a processing center for processing the remote order in response

to the processing instructions.

[0010] In still another embodiment, a method of processing a remote order provided by

one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment is described. The

method is carried out by receiving a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at

least one of the wireless client devices, consulting a customer preference file that lists

customer preferences by way of a local server computer located in proximity to the

establishment, generating a processing instruction for processing the remote order by way

of the local server computer based upon the consultation of the customer preference file,

and processing the remote order in response to the processing instruction.

[0011] In another embodiment, a wireless client device suitable for wirelessly providing a

remote order to an establishment is described. The wireless client device includes a

wireless communication interface arranged to send and receive wireless signals, a

processor for processing executable instructions, and a wireless range evaluator unit in

communication with the wireless communication interface and the processor arranged to

determine if the wireless client device is within wireless range of the establishment,

wherein when the wireless range evaluator unit determines that the wireless client device

is within wireless range of the establishment, the processor sends the remote order to the

establishment by way of the wireless communication interface.

[0012] Another embodiment provides a computer program product executable by a

processor for processing an order provided by one or more wireless client devices in the

vicinity of an establishment. The computer program product includes computer code for

receiving a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at least one of the wireless

client devices at a wireless communication interface in communication with a local server

computer in proximity to the establishment, computer code for processing the remote

order by the local server computer, computer code for storing the remote order in a

processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order, and a computer

readable medium for storing the computer code.

[0013] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the

following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description

taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a portable media player according to one embodiment of the

invention.

[0016] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a wireless system according to one embodiment of

the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the wireless system shown in FIG. 2A suitably

configured for receiving and processing a remote order from a wireless client device.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a wireless communication system in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates the wireless mobile device implemented as a wireless media

player in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the wireless media player receiving the ping signal

from a recognized merchant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the wireless media player receiving the ping signal

from the recognized merchant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows a updating a merchant status in accordance with an embodiment of

the invention.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a purchase transaction in accordance with an embodiment of the

invention.

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates authenticating a customer in accordance with an embodiment of

the invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates dealing with a customer without sufficient funds in accordance

with an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 shows how once a transaction has been authenticated and authorized the

merchant sends a purchase inquiry in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart detailing a process for a wireless transaction in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart detailing a process for determining if a wireless client

device is within range of a wireless data network in accordance with an embodiment of

the invention.

[0029] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart detailing a process for determining if a merchant is a

recognized merchant or an unrecognized merchant in accordance with an embodiment of

the invention.

[0030] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart detailing a process responding to a merchant in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart detailing a process for responding to instruction for a

recognized merchant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart detailing a process for processing a customer selection

by a merchant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart detailing a process for authenticating a customer in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart detailing a process for authorizing a customer to

purchase the selected item(s) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to a particular embodiment of the invention,

an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention

will be described in conjunction with the particular embodiment, it will be understood

that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiment. To the contrary,

it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included

within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0036] The invention provides a method, system, and apparatus for wirelessly executing a

commercial transaction using a wireless client device such as a cell phone or wireless

portable media player. When within wireless range of a participating merchant, at least

one of a number of selectable items is selected for purchase. An indication of the selected

item is then wirelessly forwarded to the participating merchant who confirms that there

are sufficient financial resources available to the consumer to complete the transaction.

The selected item(s) are then placed in a priority queue. In a particularly useful

embodiment, a time for pickup is forwarded to the wireless consumer product and

visually displayed by the wireless client device and/or audibly rendered by way of a

speaker or earphone.

[0037] The invention will now be described in terms of a client device that includes a

portable media player capable of storing a number of multimedia digital data files

connected to a media delivery accessory arranged to broadcast audio by way of a plurality

of speakers. In the case of the media player being a pocket sized portable player (such as

the IPOD™ player manufactured by Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, CA), the

multimedia data files can include MP3 files as well as any other appropriately formatted

data files. It should be noted that although the described embodiments rely upon using a

wireless portable media player, any personal communication device (such as a text

message enabled cell phone) can be used to practice the invention.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a portable media player 100 according to one embodiment of the

invention. The media player 100 includes a processor 102 that pertains to a

microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the media player 100.

The media player 100 stores media data pertaining to media assets in a file system 104

and a cache 106. The file system 104 is, typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks.

The file system 104 typically provides high capacity storage capability for the media

player 100. However, since the access time to the file system 104 is relatively slow, the

media player 100 can also include a cache 106. The cache 106 is, for example, Random-

Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to

the cache 106 is substantially shorter than for the file system 104. However, the cache

106 does not have the large storage capacity of the file system 104. Further, the file

system 104, when active, consumes more power than does the cache 106. The power

consumption is particularly important when the media player 100 is a portable media

player that is powered by a battery (not shown). The media player 100 also includes a

RAM 120 and a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 122. The ROM 122 can store programs,

utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 120 provides

volatile data storage, such as for the cache 106.

[0039] The media player 100 also includes a user input device 108 that allows a user of

the media player 100 to interact with the media player 100. For example, the user input

device 108 can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. Still further,

the media player 100 includes a display 110 (screen display) that can be controlled by the

processor 102 to display information to the user. A data bus 124 can facilitate data

transfer between at least the file system 104, the cache 106, and the processor 102. The

media player 100 also includes a bus interface 116 that couples to a data link 118. The

data link 118 allows the media player 100 to couple to a host computer over a wired

connection.

[0040] In one embodiment, the media player 100 serves to store a plurality of media

assets (e.g., songs) in the file system 104. When a user desires to have the media player

100 play a particular media item, a list of available media assets is displayed on the

display 110. Then, using the user input device 108, a user can select one of the available

media assets. The processor 102, upon receiving a selection of a particular media item,

supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder

(CODEC) 112. The CODEC 112 then produces analog output signals for a speaker 114.

The speaker 114 can be a speaker internal to the media player 100 or external to the media

player 100. For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media player 100

would be considered an external speaker.

[0041] The media player 100 also includes a wireless network interface 126 arranged to

wirelessly transmit any selected data from the media player 100 to any appropriately

configured receiver unit over a wireless network. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the

wireless network interface 126 takes the form of a "WiFi" interface according to the IEEE

802.11b or 802.1 Ig standards. Other wireless network standards could also be used,

either in alternative to the identified standards or in addition to the identified standards.

Such other network standards could include the IEEE 802.11a standard or the Bluetooth

standard.

[0042] In one embodiment, the media player 100 is a portable computing device

dedicated to processing media such as audio. For example, the media player 100 can be a

media player (e.g., MP3 player), a game player, a remote controller, a portable

communication device, and the like. These devices are generally battery-operated and

highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video

or take pictures, communicate with others, and/or control other devices. In one

implementation, the media player 100 is a handheld device that is sized for placement into

a pocket or hand of the user. By being handheld, the media player 100 is relatively small

and easily handled and utilized by its user. By being pocket sized, the user does not have

to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user

travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in

a portable computer). Furthermore, the device may be operated by the user's hands, no

reference surface such as a desktop is needed.

[0043] Although the media items of emphasis in several of the above embodiments were

audio items (e.g., audio files or songs), the media items are not limited to audio items.

For example, the media item can alternatively pertain to recorded discussions and the like.

[0044] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a wireless system 200 according to one embodiment

of the invention. The system 200 includes a central server 202 and a wired data network

204. The central media server 202 couples to the wired data network 204. The wired data

network 204 can be a global network, a wide area network, or a local area network. In

one example, the wired data network 204 pertains to some portion of the World Wide

Web. A personal computer 206 can couple to the wired data network 204. A wireless

data network 208 can also couple to the wired data network 204. The wireless data

network 208 can include one or more wireless data networks, such as cellular networks,

WiFi networks, WiMAX networks, Bluetooth networks, etc. The wireless system 200

can also include a local server 210 that can couple to one or both of the wired data

network 204 and the wireless data network 208.

[0045] The central server 202 stores or has access to numerous product data

[0046] items. The local server 210 also stores or has access to various product data items.

In addition, the system 200 supports a plurality of portable media devices 212 and 214.

The portable media device 212 can couple to the wireless data network 208 over a

wireless link 216. Similarly, the portable media device 214 can couple to the wireless

data network 208 over a wireless link 218. In this regard, the portable media devices 212

and 214 can access the central media server 202 and/or the local server 210 via the

wireless data network 208.

[0047] In one embodiment, one or more of the mobile devices, such as the mobile devices

212 and 214 illustrated in FIG. 3, can pertain to media devices. More particularly, the

media devices can pertain to media players, such as the iPod® media player from Apple

Computer, Inc. These mobile devices can include a purchase transaction management

application that operates on the mobile device to facilitate a purchase transaction between

the mobile device and a merchant with access to the servers 202 and/or 210. Given the

portability of mobile devices, mobile devices are smaller and have less resources.

Consequently, a purchase transaction management application designed for use on a

mobile device may offer less features and capabilities than would a counterpart purchase

transaction management application operating on a larger, more powerful computing

device, e.g., a personal computer. Given that the mobile devices have wireless access to

the local server 210 and/or the central server 202, the mobile devices can interact with the

servers 202 and 210 to request and/or receive product data (or other data). In this regard,

a purchase transaction management application operating on the mobile devices can

communicate with the media servers 202 and 210 to perform various tasks, including:

selecting items to purchase, receiving a periodic delivery of product content to media

devices (such as daily pushing advertisements from a server to a media device), etc.

[0048] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the wireless system 200 shown in FIG. 2A suitably

configured for receiving and processing a remote order from a wireless client device. The

system 200 includes the local server computer 210 located at an establishment 220 in

wireless communication with the wireless data network 208 by way of a wireless

communication interface 222. When the local server computer 210 receives a remote

order 224 by way of the wireless communication interface 222, the local server computer

210 generates a tagged remote order entry 226 that determines an order of processing of

the remote order 224. The tagged remote order entry 226 is, in turn, sent to and stored in

a processing queue 228 that also receives any local order entries 230 from a local ordering

system 232. In the described embodiment, the processing queue 228 is updated based

upon whether or not a particular order entry is tagged. For example, if a local order entry

is currently stored in the processing queue 228 and a next queue entry is a tagged order

entry, then the tagged order entry takes priority over the local (untagged) order entry for

processing by a local processing center 234. In this way, the establishment can prioritize,

or not, processing of remote orders over local orders as appropriate for pick up at a pick

up station 236 when completed. In a particularly useful implementation, once the

processing queue 228 has forwarded a next item to process command 238 to the local

processing center 234, the local processing center 234 originates and forwards a

notification of estimated time for completion of processing 240 to the wireless client

device 216 by way of the wireless communication interface 222 and wireless data network

208.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a wireless communication system 300 in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention. The system 300 includes a wireless mobile device 302

capable of wireless communication with a wireless network 304 in communication with a

local server computer 306 associated with a merchant 308. In the particular embodiment

described, the merchant 308 primarily provides ready to eat comestibles (such as coffee,

sandwiches, etc.) and any associated peripheral products (such as coffee grinders in the

case of the merchant 308 being a purveyor of coffee and/or coffee products). In order to

alert the wireless mobile device 302 that the wireless mobile device 302 is within range R

of the wireless network 304, the wireless network 304 periodically emits a ping signal 310

that includes a merchant ID 312 that uniquely identifies the merchant 308. The ping signal

310 is arranged such that any compatible wireless mobile devices within the range R of

the wireless network 304 will receive the ping signal 310 at a signal strength greater than

a preset threshold value.

[0050] If the wireless mobile device 302 receives such a signal, then the wireless mobile

device 302 responds (or not) to the wireless network 304 based upon any number of

predetermined conditions set forth in a customer preference file 316 stored in a memory

318 in the wireless mobile device 302. For example, if the merchant ID 312 is identified

as being associated with a recognized merchant (i.e., a merchant having had a previous

transaction with a current user of the wireless mobile device), the wireless mobile device

302 will respond based upon a set of instructions included in the customer preference file

316 corresponding to a recognized merchant. Conversely, if the merchant ID 312 is

identified as belonging to that of an unrecognized merchant (i.e., having had no previous

transaction), the response is based upon another set of instructions associated with an

unrecognized merchant.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates the wireless mobile device 302 implemented as a wireless media

player 402 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. When within the range R

of wireless data network 304, the wireless media player 402 receives a ping signal 406

that includes a merchant ID 408 that uniquely identifies a merchant 410. A processor 412

in the wireless media player 402 receives the merchant ID 408 and sends a merchant ID

recognition query 414 to a database 416 stored in a memory device 418 located in the

media player 402. The database 416 includes a list of merchants 420 that are considered

to be recognized by the user having a customer ID 422. In order to ascertain whether or

not the merchant ID 408 is recognized, the merchant ID 408 is compared to the merchant

IDs included in the list of merchants 420. If there is a hit (i.e., a match) the merchant 410

is considered to be recognized, otherwise the merchant 410 is considered to be

unrecognized. In any case, once the status of the merchant 410 is determined, a fetch

instruction command 422 is forwarded to a customer preference file 424 that responds by

providing an instruction command 426 to the processor 412 based upon whether or not

the merchant 410 is recognized.

[0052] The instruction command 426 (when executed by the processor 412) directs the

wireless media player 402 to take a predetermined action in response to the received ping

signal 406. For example, if the merchant 410 is unrecognized, a user can tailor the

customer preference file 424 to issue an instruction command that directs the wireless

media player 402 to ignore the ping signal 406. Alternatively, the user could tailor the

customer preference file 424 to issue an instruction command to update the list of

merchants 420 to include the unrecognized merchant ID 408 thereby changing the

merchant status from unrecognized to recognized.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the wireless media player 402 receiving the ping

signal 406 from a recognized merchant 502 in accordance with an embodiment of the

invention. In this example, an instruction command 504 is issued from the customer

preference file 424. The instruction command 504 is passed to and executed by the

processor 412, which in turn directs the wireless media player 402 to open a graphical

user interface (GUI) 506 on a display 508 that includes a list of items 510 previously

purchased from the merchant 502 stored in the memory 418. In the described

embodiment, each displayed item responds to a selection tool 512 by causing the wireless

media player 402 to send a selection request 514 that includes an indication 516 of the

item selected from the list 510 to the merchant 502 for additional processing. It should be

noted that, typically, the list of items previously purchased by the user is stored locally in

the memory 418. However, in some cases it may be desirable to store customer

information (such as the list of previously purchased items) on either or both the local

server 306 or the central server 202. In this way, even in those cases where a user

purchases a new item or is using a different media player than would otherwise be used

that does not have a current, or accurate, customer preference file for that particular user,

the local server 306 or remote server 202 can be used to update, or synchronize, the local

memory 418.

[0054] It should be noted that the customer preference file 424 can be as dense or sparse

as desired based on, for example, an amount of on-board memory storage available,

personal preferences of a user, etc. In some cases, the wireless media player 402 can have

more than one user associated with it such as when two or more people share the wireless

media player 402. In this case, each individual user would have a unique customer ID

that would be entered manually by the user when they took current possession of the

player 402. When multiple customer IDs are available, then each customer ID can point

to a particular customer preference file unique to that customer ID.

[0055] In some cases, whenever a wireless media player comes within range of the

wireless data network, the wireless media player can be (unbeknownst to the user)

directed to send a wireless media player identifier that uniquely identifies the particular

wireless media player to the wireless data network. The wireless media player identifier

can be used to track lost or stolen media players when the rightful owner has placed the

wireless media player identifier in a central database of lost or stolen media players. In

this way, if a lost or stolen media player is tracked, any number of subsequent actions can

be taken such as notifying the authorities, disabling the wireless media player, displaying

a notice to return the wireless media player, etc. thereby providing a strong disincentive

for stealing the player.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the wireless media player 402 receiving the ping

signal 406 from the recognized merchant 502 in accordance with an embodiment of the

invention. In this case, processor 412 directs the wireless media player 402 to generate

and forward to the merchant 502 a request 602 with an instruction 604 that directs the

merchant 502 to generate a merchant response 606 that includes information 608 that is

pushed to the wireless media player 402. In this example, the information 608 is

displayed on the graphical user interface (GUI) 506 as the list of previously purchased

items 510 thereby providing the user the capability of selecting those item(s) from the list

510 along the lines previously discussed.

[0057] Therefore, by providing a simple modification to the customer preference file 424,

any transaction between the merchant and the current user of the wireless media player

402 can be customized as appropriate. For example, if a user desires to enter into a

transaction with only particular merchants, then only those merchants whose merchant

IDs are stored in the customer preference file will be allowed to open a channel with the

user. Alternatively, some customers may prefer that no merchant advertisements can be

forwarded whereas in some cases, the user may prefer advertisements but only for a

limited number of products. By tailoring the customer preference file for each customer

and merchant, the user can provide as much control as desired in the information provided

from and/or to a particular merchant or merchant class (i.e. category of merchants, such as

food providers, etc).

[0058] In yet another scenario shown in FIG. 7, a merchant 702 is unrecognized. In this

case, the media player 402 uses a merchant ID 704 included in a ping signal 706 to update

the list of merchants 420 thereby changing the status of the merchant 702 from

unrecognized to recognized. In this particular embodiment, once the list of merchants 420

has been updated to include the merchant ID 704, the wireless media player 402 sends a

media player response 708 with an acknowledgement 710 of the receipt of the ping signal

706 to the merchant 702. In some cases, in addition to the acknowledgment 710, the

media player response 708 can include a merchant request 712 requesting that the

merchant 702 send any information, such as advertisements, daily specials, or other

enticements that the merchant 702 believes would induce the user to place an order. In

this way, the newly recognized merchant 702 can provide the database 416 with

information specific to the merchant 702 so as to facilitate a current or future transaction.

[0059] FIG. 8 illustrates a purchase transaction 800 in accordance with an embodiment of

the invention. It should be noted that the list of selectable items 510 can originate from

the memory 418, the local server 308 or the central server 202. Accordingly, starting

where FIG. 5 left off where a user has selected an item to purchase from the list of

selectable items 510, the wireless media player 402 sends the purchase request 514 having

the purchase item indicator 516, the customer ID 422, and an authentication code 802 to

the merchant 502. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the merchant 502 then proceeds to

authenticate the customer ID 422 associated with the purchase request 514 by verifying

the authentication code 802. If the purchase request 514 did not have an authentication

code 802 associated with it (i.e., a null field), then the merchant 502 sends an

authentication request 902 back to the wireless media player 402. The wireless media

player 402 then displays an authentication request icon 904 on the display 508 requesting

that the user provide a predetermined authentication code. In some cases, the

authentication code can be a pre- selected number, name, combination of words and

numbers, or any such combination. In response to the authentication request 902, the user

inputs the appropriate authentication code 802, which is then forwarded back to the

merchant 502 by the wireless media player 402 by way of an authentication response 906.

Once the merchant 502 has received the authentication code 802, the merchant 502

forwards an authentication code verification request 908 to the local computer 306 (or the

remote computer 202), which responds with an authentication code status 910. If the

authentication code 802 is not verified, then a cancellation notice 912 is forwarded back

to the wireless media player 402 canceling the transaction, otherwise, if the authentication

code 802 is verified, the merchant 502 is allowed to proceed with the transaction 800.

[0060] Referring back to FIG. 8, if the authentication code 802 is verified, then an

account enquiry 804 is made of a user account 806 associated with the customer ID 422 to

determine if there is sufficient funds in the user account 806 to complete the requested

purchase transaction 800. Again, the user account 806 can be stored in either the local

computer 306 or the central server 202, thereby providing redundancy. Referring to FIG.

10, if the user account 806 does not have sufficient funds, then any number of actions can

be taken. In one case, if the user has preauthorized access to another source of funds 1002

(such as a checking or savings account) located in a bank 1004, for example, then a

request 1006 is forwarded to the bank 1004 to access the preauthorized source of funds

1002 from which a predetermined amount 1008 is transferred to the user account 806. If

the preauthorized source of funds 1002 is either unavailable or insufficient to cover the

predetermined transfer amount, then a cancellation notice 1010 is forwarded back to the

wireless media player 402. In another embodiment, instead of a cancellation notice 1010,

a request 1012 is forwarded to the wireless media player 402 requesting the user manually

input a credit card number (either in written form using the an input icon 1014, or verbally

using a microphone 1016), for example, to cover the transaction. This could also apply in

those situations where the user does not have a preauthorized account from which to draw

additional funds when needed to replenish the user account.

[0061] In some cases, the user can direct that the user account 806 never fall below a

specified amount thereby eliminating the possibility of a transaction being cancelled for

lack of funds. In some cases, a notice can be forwarded to the wireless media player 402

indicating that the user account 806 has fallen to a preselected amount and requesting that

the user either replenish the account or authorize a transfer from the preauthorized source

of funds 1002.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, once the transaction 800 has been authenticated and

authorized, the merchant 502 sends a purchase inquiry 1102 to a database 1104 (that can

also be located on the central server 202) that includes a customer information file 1106

having information specific to the customer ID 422 and merchant information 1108

(based upon merchant IDs). The customer information file 1106 can include such

information as customer purchase history, customer product preferences (coffee with

room for cream, for example), etc.; whereas the merchant information 1108 can include

such information as current menu items, specialty menu items, and any other information

that a particular merchant deems relevant. Using the information included in the

customer preference file 1106, a processing queue 1110 is updated to include the item(s)

purchased and any particular customer preferences (such as room for cream, particular

temperature if its a hot drink, etc.). Once the processing queue 1110 has been updated,

the merchant 502 sends a purchase confirmation 1112 having information 1114 related to

the purchase that is displayed on the display 508. Such information can include an

estimate of the time for pickup in either textual or iconic form (such as a clock face), the

item ordered, the price, and any other information that the merchant 502 deems

appropriate. In some situations, the user can specify a particular time to pick up the

selected items as opposed to the merchant 502 specifying the pick up time. In some cases,

the merchant may decide to give a remote purchaser priority over those who purchased the

same or similar items locally at the merchant's place of business. In any case, once the

user has the verification notification and estimated time for pickup, the user can go

directly to the pickup station at the merchant without having to waste time waiting for an

unfinished order or arriving after a order has been finished and has lost its freshness.

[0063] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1200 for a wireless transaction in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention. At 1200, if a user having a wireless

client device is within wireless range of a merchant and if the user wants to purchase an

item for sale by the merchant at 1204, then the user selects the item to purchase using the

wireless client device at 1206. An indication of the item selected is wirelessly forwarded

to the merchant at 1208 and an order queue is subsequently updated at 1210. Once the

order queue has been updated, a notification is sent from the merchant to the wireless

client device at 1212 notifying the user that the selected item has been queued up. In

some embodiments, the notification includes more specific information related to the

transaction such as a time for pickup, etc. At 1214, the user picks up the selected item at

the merchant thereby completing the wireless transaction.

[0064] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1300 for determining if a wireless

client device is within range of a wireless data network in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention. The process 1300 begins at 1302 with the wireless data

network emitting a ping signal. At 1304, the wireless client device receives the ping

signal having a signal strength S. If, at 1306, the signal strength S is greater than a

predetermined signal strength value, then at 1308 the wireless client device is within

range of the wireless data network.

[0065] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1400 for determining if a merchant

is a recognized merchant or an unrecognized merchant in accordance with an embodiment

of the invention. The process 1400 begins at 1402 by retrieving a merchant ID from the

received ping signal and, at 1404, determining if the merchant ID is associated with a

previously recognized merchant or an unrecognized merchant. If the merchant ID is

associated with a previously recognized merchant, then at 1406, an instruction for a

previously recognized merchant is fetched from a customer preference file and the fetched

instruction is executed at 1408.

[0066] On the other hand, if it had been determined at 1404 that the merchant ID is

associated with an unrecognized merchant, then at 1410 an instruction associated with an

unrecognized merchant is fetched from the customer preference file at 1412 and executed

at 1414.

[0067] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1500 of responding to a merchant in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The process 1500 begins at 1502 by

determining if the wireless client device is to remain in communication with the

unrecognized merchant. If it is determined that communication is to cease, then the

unrecognized merchant is ignored at 1504 and the process 1500 stops, otherwise, the

unrecognized merchant is recognized at 1506. In the described embodiment, the

recognition of the heretofore unrecognized merchant can be accomplished by updating the

customer preference file to include the merchant ID associated with the heretofore

unrecognized merchant. At 1508, an instruction associated with the newly recognized

client is executed that can include requesting specific merchant information from the

merchant such as a list of current menu items that is, in turn, used to update a merchant

information file and the customer preference file stored in the wireless client device.

[0068] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1600 for responding to an

instruction from a recognized merchant in accordance with an embodiment of the

invention. The process 1600 begins at 1602 by getting a list of selectable items from

either the merchant or from the wireless client device. In the case that the list of

selectable items is from the wireless client device, a database stored in the wireless client

device is accessed at 1604 which includes a list of previously purchased items. The

merchant ID associated with the merchant is then compared to those merchant IDs

included in the list of previously purchased items at 1606 and, at 1608, the list of

previously purchased items that are associated with the stored merchant ID that matches

the current merchant ID are displayed on a display.

[0069] On the other hand, when the list of selectable items is obtained from the merchant,

then at 1610 a database stored in the wireless data network is accessed, which includes a

list of purchased items associated with a customer ID that uniquely identifies a previous

customer. At 1612, a list of stored customer IDs is compared with the current customer

ID and at 1614, the list of selectable items associated with the stored customer ID that

matches the current customer ID is sent from the wireless data network to the wireless

client device. The list of selectable items is then displayed at 1608.

[0070] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1700 for processing a customer

selection by a merchant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The process

1700 begins at 1702 with the merchant receiving a customer selection request that

includes an indication of the item(s) selected, an authentication code, and a customer ID.

At 1704, the customer is authenticated and at 1706 the customer is authorized to purchase

the selected item(s). At 1708 a processing queue is updated to include indicators of the

selected item(s). At 1710, an estimate of an amount of time required to make the selected

item(s) available for pickup is calculated.

[0071] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1800 for authenticating a customer

in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The process 1800 begins at 1802 by

determining if a customer authentication code is valid. If the authentication code is not

valid, then a determination is made at 1804 of whether or not the customer is to be

requested to supply a valid authentication code. If the customer is not requested to supply

a valid authentication code, then the customer is tagged as unauthenticated at 1806 and

the transaction is ended at 1808 thereby ending the process 1800. On the other hand, if at

1804 the customer is requested to supply a valid authentication code, then at 1810, an

authentication code request is forwarded to the customer at the wireless client device and

control is passed back to 1802 for a determination of the validity of the authentication

code. If the received authentication code is determined to be valid at 1802, then at 1812,

the customer is tagged as authenticated and control passes back to the process 1700.

[0072] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart detailing a process 1900 for authorizing a customer to

purchase the selected item(s) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The

process 1900 begins at 1902 by determining if the customer has a valid customer account.

If the customer does not have a valid customer account, then at 1904 a request is

forwarded from the wireless data network to the customer requesting that the customer

open a customer account. If, at 1906, the customer chooses to not open an account, then

the transaction is ended at 1908, otherwise, at 1910, a customer account is opened. On

the other hand, if at 1902 it has been determined that a customer does have a valid

customer account, then a determination is made at 1912 of whether or not the customer

account has sufficient funds to purchase the selected item(s). If the customer account

does not have sufficient funds, then at 1914 the customer is requested to credit sufficient

funds to the customer account. If the customer does not credit sufficient funds, then the

transaction is ended at 1908, otherwise, the account is credited with sufficient funds at

1916. In any case, if the customer account has sufficient funds to purchase the selected

item(s), either as determined at 1912 or credited at 1916, processing is passed to 1708.

[0073] The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also be implemented

in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be

embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer

readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be

read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read¬

only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data

storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be

distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is

stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

[0074] The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the

written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such

features and advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and

changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to

the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable

modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the

invention.

[0075] While this invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, there

are alterations, permutations, and equivalents that fall within the scope of this invention.

It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the

process and apparatus of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the invention

be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall

within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.