American Express has been granted a patent for secure mobile checkouts. The system involves a mobile checkout device that scans products in a store, determines the product identifier, and transmits the data to a checkout application. The device then initiates a transaction with a payment network to purchase the product, and the payment network authorizes the purchase with the merchant. The patent also includes a method for deactivating a security system at the merchant location upon receiving a transaction authorization. GlobalData’s report on American Express gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on American Express, payment actuated vending was a key innovation area identified from patents. American Express's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Secure mobile checkouts using product scanning and transaction authorization
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11687907B2) describes a method and system for secure checkout services using a computing device and a secure checkout device. The method involves determining the location of a client device within a merchant location using a geo-fence boundary and a merchant identifier. The client device scans product data, including a product identifier and a user transaction account identifier, which is then used to retrieve product data and generate a transaction data packet. This packet, containing the merchant identifier, product identifier, product price, and user transaction account identifier, is transmitted to a payment network for authorization.
Upon receiving the transaction authorization, the client device sends a deactivation signal to a secure checkout device using near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), or Bluetooth. This deactivation signal is used to deactivate a security system associated with the exit area of the merchant location, allowing the product to be taken out. The transaction authorization also includes an exit signal that contains the product identifier, indicating that the product is allowed to exit the merchant location. The client device then transmits this exit signal to the security system, deactivating it.
The patent also mentions the association of merchant-specific data with the merchant identifier, such as product images, descriptions, reviews, rebates, or discounts. Additionally, the method includes retrieving product discounts associated with the merchant identifier and generating a price comparison interface that displays the product price at different merchant locations.
The patent further describes a secure checkout device that includes a computing device, a scanning device, and a memory. The device determines the merchant location based on the merchant identifier and the location of the device within the geo-fence boundary. It scans the product using a barcode, QR code, or universal product code (UPC) to retrieve product data and generate a transaction data packet. The device then transmits this packet to a payment network for authorization and sends a deactivation signal to the product's security device upon receiving the transaction authorization.
Overall, this patent presents a method and system for secure checkout services that streamline the payment process and ensure the safe exit of products from a merchant location.
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