ADVERTISEMENT EXCHANGE NETWORK

Abstract

A method of providing storing and viewing purchase receipts that are associated with purchases made in the presence of a specific mobile device, comprising the steps: providing a server; providing a database; providing at least one point of sale terminal; and providing an intercept module. Users with mobile devices may engage the mobile devices with the point of sale terminal during payments to capture the transaction data. The mobile device may have a unique identification. The intercept module may intercept a print command and the server may associate the purchase receipt with the unique identification. The receipt, now associated with the unique identification, may be stored, associated with an advertisement, printed, and/or displayed.

Claims

1. A method of providing storing and viewing purchase receipts that are associated with purchases made in the presence of a specific mobile device, comprising: providing a server; providing a database; providing at least one point of sale terminal; and providing at least one intercept module; wherein at least one user has at least one mobile device; wherein said at least one mobile device is configured to wirelessly engage with said at least one intercept module when a first payment is made at said at least one point of sale terminal; wherein said at least one mobile device has a unique identification; intercepting by said at least one intercept module a first print command of a first purchase receipt related to said first payment; forwarding by said at least one intercept module said first print command to said server; processing by said server said first print command, such that a first processed print command is generated; storing on said database said first processed print command; determining by said at least one intercept module said unique identification of said at least one mobile device; sending to said server said unique identification of said at least one mobile device by said at least one intercept module; associating by said server a plurality of information related to said first purchase receipt with said unique identification; sending by said server to said at least one intercept module a first unique weblink; and sending by said at least one intercept module to said at least one mobile device said first unique weblink; wherein said first unique weblink is related to said first purchase receipt; and wherein said first unique weblink is configured to be opened by said at least one user on said at least one mobile device, such that said at least one user may access said first purchase receipt through said weblink.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: wherein said at least one mobile device is configured to wirelessly engage with said at least one intercept module when a second payment is made at said at least one point of sale terminal; intercepting by said at least one intercept module a second print command of a second purchase receipt related to said second payment; forwarding by said at least one intercept module said second print command to said server; processing by said server said second print command, such that a second processed print command is generated; storing on said database said second processed print command; recognizing by said at least one intercept module and said server said unique identification of said at least one mobile device; associating by said server a plurality of information related to said second purchase receipt with said unique identification; sending by said server to said at least one intercept module a second unique weblink; sending by said at least one intercept module to said at least one mobile device said second unique weblink; wherein said second unique weblink is related to said second purchase receipt; and wherein said second unique weblink is configured to be opened by said at least one user on said at least one mobile device, such that said at least one user may access said second purchase receipt through said weblink.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one point of sale terminal of said second payment and said at least one an intercept module of said second payment, are different from said at least one point of sale terminal of said first payment and said at least one an intercept module of said first payment.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein during future payments made when said at least one mobile device engages with one or more future intercept modules, a plurality of future purchase receipts are generated that are associated with said unique identification.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said one or more future intercept modules pull said unique identification from said at least one mobile device for said plurality of future purchase receipts.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a web application on said server associates said unique identification with a unique profile of said at least one user that uses said at least one mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said unique profile comprises a plurality of information and metadata associated with said first purchase receipt, said second purchase receipt, and said plurality of future purchase receipts; wherein said first purchase receipt, said second purchase receipt, and said plurality of future purchase receipts combined comprise all of said purchase receipts.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said server associates an advertisement with one or more of said all of said purchase receipts.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said advertisement associated with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts is based on the factors selected from the group of factors consisting of: market demand; purchase receipt information; unique profile information, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: transmitting by the server said advertisement with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts to said at least one intercept module.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps: displaying said advertisement with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts on said at least one mobile device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: printing said advertisement with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said server associates an advertisement with said first purchase receipt.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein said server associates an advertisement with said first and second purchase receipts.

15. A method of providing storing and viewing purchase receipts that are associated with purchases made in the presence of specific mobile device, comprising the steps: providing a server; providing a database; providing at least one point of sale terminal; and providing at least one intercept module; wherein at least one user has at least one mobile device; wherein said at least one mobile device is configured to wirelessly engage with said at least one intercept module when a payment is made at said at least one point of sale terminal; wherein said at least one mobile device has a unique identification; intercepting by said at least one intercept module a first print command of a first purchase receipt; forwarding by said at least one intercept module said first print command to said server; processing by said server said first print command, such that said first processed print command is generated; storing on said database said first processed print command; determining by said at least one intercept module said unique identification of said at least one mobile device; sending to said server said unique identification of said at least one mobile device by said at least one intercept module; associating by said server a plurality of information related to said first purchase receipt with said unique identification; sending by said server to said at least one intercept module a first unique weblink; sending by said at least one intercept module to said at least one mobile device said first unique weblink; wherein said first unique weblink is related to said first purchase receipt; wherein said first unique weblink is configured to be opened by said at least one user on said at least one mobile device, such that said at least one user may access said first purchase receipt through said weblink; wherein said at least one mobile device is configured to make a second payment at said at least one point of sale terminal; intercepting by said at least one intercept module a second print command of a second purchase receipt; forwarding by said at least one intercept module said second print command to said server; processing by said server said second print command, such that second processed print command is generated; storing on said database said second processed print command; recognizing by said at least one intercept module and said server said unique identification of said at least one mobile device; associating by said server a plurality of information related to said second purchase receipt with said unique identification; sending by said server to said at least one intercept module a second unique weblink; sending by said at least one intercept module to said at least one mobile device said second unique weblink; wherein said second unique weblink is related to said second purchase receipt; wherein said second unique weblink is configured to be opened by said at least one user on said at least one mobile device, such that said at least one user may access said second purchase receipt through said weblink; wherein all future payments made by said at least one mobile device have a plurality of future purchase receipts that are associated with said unique identification; wherein said at least one intercept module pulls said unique identification from said at least one mobile device for said plurality of future purchase receipts; wherein a web application on said server associates said unique identification with a unique profile of said at least one user that use said at least one mobile device; wherein said unique profile comprises a plurality of information and metadata associated with said first purchase receipt, said second purchase receipt, and said plurality of future purchase receipts; wherein said first purchase receipt, said second purchase receipt, and said plurality of future purchase receipts combined comprise all of said purchase receipts.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said server associates an advertisement with one or more of said all of said purchase receipts.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said advertisement associated with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts is based on the factors selected from the group of factors consisting of: market demand; purchase receipt information; unique profile information, and combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step: transmitting by the server said advertisement with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts to said at least one intercept module.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step: displaying said advertisement with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts on said at least one mobile device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step: printing said advertisement with said one or more of said all of said purchase receipts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network and shows the process flow of the advertisement exchange network.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network and shows two users exchanging advertisements and content over the advertisement exchange network.

[0030] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow charts of one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network and show the interconnections of multiple routers, point of sale terminals, servers, databases, and personnel of the advertisement exchange network.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network and shows the configuration of the intercept module displayed to a user when using the web application.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an example of a test printout page of one embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network.

[0033] FIG. 6 is an illustration of another embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network and shows a template page when configuring a receipt.

[0034] FIG. 7 is an illustration of one embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network and shows the functionality of adding content to the receipt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. However, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be realized, the device and system of the present disclosure may be capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the graphs, figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For instance, point of sale terminal typically refers to any electronic data processing unit where a transaction occurs in exchange for goods or services, including without limitation, a physical electronic cash register, dedicated point of sale hardware used for checkout, smartphone, tablet, laptop, and/or mobile point of sale device. The point of sale terminal may also refer to the location where the sale is conducted, money changes hands and a receipt is given. The term electronic data processing unit refers to any device that processes information with an integrated circuit chip, including without limitation, mainframe computers, work stations, servers, desktop computers, portable computers, laptop computers, telephones, smartphones, embedded computers, wireless devices including cellular phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, digital media players, portable game players, and hand-held computers. The terms Internet and World-Wide-Web refer to any collection of networks using standard protocols, whether Ethernet, ATM, FDDI, WI-FI, Token ring, or any combination thereof.

[0038] The terms advertisement, advertising, or ad generally refer to any form of communication for marketing that is used to inform, encourage, or persuade an audience to continue or take some new action with respect to a commercial offering. The term coupon generally refers to a ticket or document that can be exchanged for a financial discount or rebate when purchasing a product. The term receipt preferably refers to a written acknowledgment or electronic transmission such as an e-receipt that a specified article or sum of money has been received and usually records the purchase of goods or service obtained in exchange for the tendered funds.

[0039] One embodiment of the present disclosure may be an advertising exchange network that preferably allows one or more participating users to print an advertisement of their own creation and/or additional information, at a participating business' point of sale. The advertisement exchange network typically utilizes an intercept module (IM) that interconnects between the printer and the point of sale system or device. Preferably, the IM may be a tangible piece of hardware that may be physically installed between each POS and Printer to provide the functionality described herein. The IM intercepts the original POS command, relays it to the servers, then receives new commands from the servers, and then passes new commands to the Printer. Upon issuance of a print command by the point of sale device or terminal, the intercept module preferably intercepts the print command and generally modifies the print command to add advertising in the form of images, text, messages, coupons, barcodes, codes, or the like. The intercept module then preferably relays the new print command to the printer or mobile computing device which will print or display the receipt, advertisements, and any other pertinent information, as directed by the advertisement exchange network. The new information added to the receipt is preferably dynamic and is preferably added by the users, administrators or algorithms through a web application. A credit system may also be utilized to encourage advertising, exposure, and cross-advertising and equality to all the participating members.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network and shows the process flow of the advertisement exchange network. As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network 100 preferably includes: a server 105; database 110; point of sale terminal 115; intercept module (IM) 120; device provisioning services application 125; and printer 130. The server 105 is preferably a hardware configuration with a central processing unit that includes a web application 135 for providing users with a web portal (e.g., business portal 137 or consumer portal 139) to perform various functions for creating, editing, and downloading advertisements. Specifically, the web application 135 is preferably a front end hosted presence used to handle various account management functions and customer services such as viewing network nodes, creating an account, managing an account, ordering a IM, creating an advertisement, creating a campaign, and monitoring a campaign. The web application 135 also preferably provides information to users such as information regarding the advertisement exchange network 100 and its functionality. Furthermore, the server 105 preferably collects information from its users and generally updates the database 110 with the information. Such information preferably includes instructions 123 as to how to customize an advertisement and content 124, which is typically substantive information or creative material used for the advertisement (e.g., images, advertisements, coupons, receipts, dynamic advertisements, or any information). The database 110 is preferably any hardware or software configuration that stores, collects, and/or sends structured data including instructions 123 and content 124. The database 110 also allows one or more users to query or search such content via the device provisioning services application 125. The database 110 may include an account management 140, which typically is a portion of the database 110 that stores user accounts, and configuration database 145, which typically includes various configuration information of the intercept module 120. The device provisioning services application 125 is preferably a software application that queries the database 110 for instructions and creates/generates the intercept module commands (i.e., instructions read by the intercept module 120). The device provisioning services application 125 may utilize the provision services 148, a service process that typically provides operating instructions to and from the intercept module 120, database 110, and server 105, and is preferably installed onto the intercept module 120, database 110, and/or server 105. The device provisioning services application 125 also preferably provides data manipulation and configuration management for the intercept module 120 by controlling, deploying, and reporting to the intercept module 120. The intercept module 120 is preferably an embedded computing device that interconnects between a point of sale terminal 115 and printer 130 and preferably intercepts print commands from a point of sale system terminal 115. The intercept module 120 preferably sends outgoing print commands (i.e., intercept module commands) to the printer 130 and typically performs other various actions, including without limitation: (1) downloading the instructions from the database 110; (2) burning or storing content into the printer's 130 memory as needed; (3) receiving/intercepting and editing print commands sent from the point of sale terminal 115; (4) sending the intercept module commands to the printer 130; (5) storing and recording one or more incoming print commands from the point of sale terminal; (6) uploading print commands to the database 110; and (7) providing reports regarding the daily count of print commands received by the database 110. The intercept module 120 may also include a system monitor 111, which is typically a software process or service or hardware configuration that collects and stores data or information such as receipts, print commands, content, and intercept module commands within the advertisement exchange network 100. The printer 130 is typically any device that accepts any printer command language (PCL) involving texts, graphics, and intercept module commands from the intercept module 120, but may also receive PCLs from the server 105, database 110, device provisioning services application 125, or point of sale terminal 115. Preferably, the printer 130 receives the PCL information and transfers such information onto paper to produce receipts and/or advertisements. The point of sale terminal 115 is preferably any hardware or software configuration that performs transactions involving the exchange for goods or services and typically produces one or more print commands, which are typically sent to the printer 130 but intercepted by the intercept module 120. The point of sale terminal 115, for instance, may be a physical electronic cash register, dedicated point of sale hardware used for checkout, or a specially programmed wired or wirelessly connected computer. Although FIG. 1 shows the server 105, database 110, point of sale terminal 115, intercept module 120, and device provisioning services application 125 to be separate components of the advertisement exchange network 100, two or more of these components may be combined as a single component without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 1 also shows the preferred process flow of the advertisement exchange network 100. Typically, a user will login through the business portal 137 or consumer portal 139 of the web application 135 and will enter information to the advertisement exchange network 100 by inputting instructions 123 and/or content 124 (e.g., advertisements) onto the receipts. The web application 135 thereafter preferably collects instructions 123 from the user and typically updates the database 110 by storing the instructions 124 into the database 110. Other information such as content 124 (e.g., images, advertisements, coupons, etc. . . . ), account information, and intercept module configuration may also be stored into the database 110. When a good or service transaction is typically made at the point of sale terminal 115, the point of sale terminal 115 preferably sends a print command 150 to the printer 130, and the print command 150 is preferably intercepted by the intercept module 120 via the intercept application 153 of the intercept module 120. Upon receipt of the print command 150 by the intercept application 153, the intercept module 120 typically utilizes the device provisioning services application 125 to analyze the print command 150 and preferably queries or searches the database 110 for one or more instructions 123 or content 124 relevant to the print command 150.

[0042] After gathering instructions 123 or content 124, the device provisioning services application 125 preferably creates/generates intercept module commands, which are instructions that are read by the intercept module 120, and preferably sends the intercept module commands to the intercept module 120. Preferably, the intercept module 120 stores the intercept module commands for later printing or downloading, but may be immediately transferred to the printer 130 for printing. Typically, the instructions 123 and content 124 are transferred through physical mediums 155 such as serial, universal serial bus, or Ethernet ports, but may be transferred wirelessly via Bluetooth, NFC, iBeacon or WiFi.

[0043] The advertisement exchange network 100 may also utilize a credit system. Specifically, the intercept module 120 may track advertisements being printed. Each time a user or business prints an advertisement (or information of any type) for another store, the store which originally printed the advertisement will preferably receive credit for displaying an ad while the advertisement exchange network 100 also receives credit for providing the infrastructure. However, it should be understood that any fraction or variation credit may be used to identify that a user has participated in the system.

[0044] Regarding the web application 135, the web application 135 preferably includes: (1) a landing page; (2) how it works page; (3) explore the network page; (4) home page; (5) enrollment function (i.e., account settings); (6) intercept module configuration function (intercept module configuration function) (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5); (7) creating an advertisement function (shown in FIG. 6); (8) creating a campaign function; (9) account balance validation tool; (10) payment page; and (11) advertisement validation function. Specifically, the landing page is preferably the web page that displays the login menu where a user enters his or her username and/or password for login validation. If the incorrect username and/or password is inputted, the user may be redirected to the account reset page. The how it works page is preferably the web page that informs the user about how the advertisement exchange network 100 functions. The explore the network page is preferably the web page that shows a map with points of interests depicting network nodes (e.g., point of sales or searchable business addresses) of each user and is preferably searchable by the user. Specifically, the network nodes are preferably areas or locations on a geographic area which preferably shows participating members or users of the advertisement exchange network 100 and may typically comprise of at least one intercept module 120, point of sale terminal 115, and/or printer 130.

[0045] One embodiment of the web application may comprise a home page, which is generally the opening or main page of a website, intended to provide information about the advertisement exchange network 100 or its business owner. The home page may include a menu bar, which preferably provides links to other various areas of the web application 135 such as the advertisement library, campaign tool, equipment configuration, account settings page, and tutorial page. The advertisement library preferably provides a summary of existing advertisements along with options to create/delete/edit an advertisement. The campaign tool preferably provides the options to create, manage, and deploy campaigns (i.e., credits distribution) to the advertisement exchange network 100. The equipment configuration preferably provides the user with options to acquire an intercept module 120, validate the intercept module 120, install a new intercept module 120, decommission an intercept module 120 (i.e., remove an intercept module 120 from service), and repair and service an intercept module 120. The account settings page also preferably provides the user with: (1) account balance settings involving the credit system of the advertising exchange network 100; (2) store settings to view/reject/configure advertisements or ads queued in a store; (3) account information (e g , name, contact, address); (4) billing information; and (5) password information. The tutorial page preferably provides the user with text and video information regarding the advertisement exchange network 100.

[0046] Regarding the enrollment function (i.e., account settings), the enrollment function preferably provides the user with options in enrolling with the advertisement exchange network 100 by preferably providing: (1) a login header; (2) forms and transaction information for purchasing an intercept module 120; and (3) background tasks as to creating an account.

[0047] Regarding the intercept module configuration function, the intercept module configuration function preferably includes configuration settings to connect and install the intercept module 120. Specifically, the user will typically login/sign into his or her account and generally access the intercept module installation instructions in the advertisement exchange network 100. After connecting the intercept module 120 to the point of sale terminal 115, printer 130, and internet, the intercept module 120 preferably prints a test printout page (i.e., test receipt) from the network. Once the intercept module 120 is properly installed, the user is typically prompted to launch into the receipt configuration tool (shown in FIG. 4) where the user preferably has options in: (1) selecting images and logos for the receipt header and receipt watermark; (2) configuring where, how, and how many advertisements will appear on the user's receipt; (3) adding various ads or advertisements such as header ads, banner ads, and trailer ads; and (4) viewing the distribution of credits for the advertisement exchange network 100.

[0048] Regarding creating an advertisement function, the creating an advertisement function preferably allows the user to select: (1) the size of his or her advertisement; (2) templates from publicly available advertisements, which typically include standard ads, double size ads, or banners; and (3) logo or standard image. The user also preferably has the option to add content of the ad or coupon to the template and other relevant information (e.g., telephone information, business hours information, and address information). There may be graphic areas that indicate the image will not be included onto the receipt (e.g., checkered areas), and the user may have a basic selection of fonts, font modifiers (e.g., bold, underline, italics), premium clip art, and watermarking. The user may also be informed of with a summary of coupon/advertisement impression costs such as the maximum number of receipt credits awarded per advertisement.

[0049] Regarding the creating a campaign function, the creating a campaign function preferably allows the user to browse the different network nodes, which, as discussed above, typically contain information about each participating user or store (e.g., competing stores, non-competing stores, and recommended stores). Under the creating a campaign function, the user may be able to view the different network nodes/stores and filter each store by type or proximity (preferably, the user will select three to five preferred locations for printing). The creating campaign tool may also include prompts to initiate action from a user (e.g., user prompts that state: Your campaign is projected to print 100 ads/day. Double your daily exposure for just x/day or Market to one of our exclusive members for an added cost of just x/day).

[0050] Regarding the account balance validation tool, the advertisement exchange network 100 may use an account balance validation tool to estimate the credits needed for a campaign based upon average advertisement counts for the stores printing advertisements. Specifically, the advertisement exchange network 100 preferably checks the user's accounts to determine whether sufficient credit exists to continue a campaign for a certain time period. If the account has insufficient credit to run a desired campaign or if the user desire greater repetition that what is offered, the user may be prompted to either purchase more credit at a given price or change the campaign advertisement count or run time. Alternatively, if the user desires to purchase more credit, the user may be given the option to do so via online banking such as Paypal or credit card.

[0051] Regarding the payment page, the cost of each advertisement may be displayed to the user and may vary per location. Because the advertisement exchange network 100 is preferably free of charge for its advertising space, the cost of short term advertisements (e.g., advertisements printed today or tomorrow) may be reduced to the lowest acceptable amount. Preferably, the payment page will display the minimum quantity of advertisements, which preferably cannot be reduced, and also may allow the user to update the amount of advertisements that he or she would like to purchase. The payment page may also display the total of the transaction, method of payment, transaction confirmation, and credits given to the user.

[0052] Regarding the advertisement validation function, the advertisement exchange network 100 preferably performs an automated check for any foul or offensive language or derivatives present in the user's advertisement. If any language matches with a dictionary's terms that refer to foul language, the advertisement is preferably not submitted. Preferably, the advertisement exchange network 100 will track and record the number of occurrences relating to the account in question, and may allow any administrator (shown in FIG. 3) to edit or alter the advertisement. Preferably, a copy of the advertisement will be emailed to all locations set to print the advertisement, and preferably the advertisement exchange network 100 will identify to the user when the new advertisement should print to the store. The advertisement validation function may also allow a user to also view and reject the advertisement.

[0053] The advertisement exchange network 100 will typically also include administrators. The administrator may have privileges on one or more accounts and will typically inherit all privileges on any account. Example of such privileges include: updating metadata or information on any account, adding credits to an account, debiting credits from an account, changing an account username, and changing an account password. Additionally, the administrator may be able to (1) view advertisements printed on any given day and advertisements submitted for review; (2) approve/reject advertisement for review, (3) view revenue that is generated by day, week, or month; (4) view total balance of an account; (5) update the intercept module 120 software remotely; (6) activate/deactivate intercept module 120 remotely; (7) stop printing at any location; (8) access any advertisements created in all accounts; (9) be apprised as to any malicious or suspicious behavior on behalf of any account; and (10) disable any account, if necessary.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network and shows two users exchanging advertisements and content over the advertisement exchange network. As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network 200 preferably includes: business A 201; business B 202; business A owner 205; business owner B 206; transaction A 210; transaction B 211; network 215; intercept module A (IM A) 220; intercept module B (IM B) 221; printers 225, 226; receipt A 230; and receipt B 231. Preferably, receipt A 230 may include: a logo 235, transaction detail 236, business B advertisement 237, and network advertisement 238. Preferably, the receipt B 231 may include: a logo 245, transaction detail 246, business A advertisement 247, and network advertisement 248. In this embodiment, IM A 220 and IM B 221 typically send copies of the print command 150 to the network 215 for storage. Network 215 preferably includes: server 105; database 110; and other components, as shown in FIG. 1. Users of the advertisement exchange network 200 can typically retrieve, view, and download a soft copy of their receipt online at any time or have a copy of the receipt sent directly to their mobile computing device. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, transaction A 210 is completed at point of sale terminal A 250 located at business A 201. Once transaction A 210 is completed, a print command 150 is typically sent to IM A 220 and is later sent and stored at the network 215. Similarly, when transaction B 211 is completed at point of sale terminal B 251 of business B 202, a print command 150 is generally sent to IM B 221 and is later sent to the network 215 for storage. Business owner A 205 who is preferably a user or participant of the advertisement exchange network 200 can typically customize in real time any receipts of other users of the advertisement exchange network 200 (which preferably includes business owner B 206). Business owner A 205 would typically be able to customize the logo 245, transaction detail 246, business A advertisement 247, and network advertisement 248. Similarly, like business owner A 205, business owner B 206 may be able to customize the logo 235, transaction detail 236, business B advertisement 237, and network advertisement 238. The receipts may be downloaded from the network 215 at any time for printing or for electronic storage. Although FIG. 2 shows the users to be physical companies, it should be understood that this present disclosure may include online businesses as well.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the Owners A and B can only change their own ads and their own logos. Further, the system could be configured to place ads at the top of the receipt. In that case the header is an ad and not a logo, then business A could preferably customize 245.

[0056] Typically, the owners and users may be prohibited from changing the original receipt data itself. The owners are adding to that receipt data or changing how it is displayed. But the system preferably may not change the actually receipt data of describing what was purchased for what price at what time.

[0057] Preferably, the system itself controls the network ads. Participating businesses may be able to choose which ads they will not print, they will, generally, not be able to select the ads they want to print.

[0058] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow charts of one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network and show the interconnections of multiple routers, point of sale terminals, servers, databases, and personnel of the advertisement exchange network. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, one embodiment of the advertisement exchange network 300 preferably includes: point of sale controller 305; store network 308; point of sale terminals 310, 311; intercept modules 315, 316; router 320; printer 322, 323; Internet 330; servers 335, 336; business network 340; database 345; configuration database 347; account management database 348; firewall 350; and administrators 355. Generally, the point of sales controller 305, which is optional, is typically any hardware configuration that directs or regulates the point of sales terminals 310, 311 and is typically done through a store network 308. The intercept modules (IM) 315, 316, which are preferably interconnected between the point of sale terminals 310, 311 and printers 322, 323, may be connected to the Internet 330 via router 320 or switches. The IMs 315, 316 may be configured as a master/slave relationship, which is typically a communication protocol in which the master device (i.e., intercept module 315) controls one or more other slave devices (i.e., intercept module 316), such that the direction of control is preferably from the master to the slave(s). Additionally, the salve device may be an identical device as the master device and may function substantially similar as the master device. Although FIGS. 3A and 3B show[s] a master/slave model, it should be understood that the system of the present disclosure may include other communication protocol models as well such as the client/server model (i.e., server program responds to requests from a client program). The servers 335, 336 may be connected to the Internet 330 and business network 340, which is typically any collection of computers and other hardware interconnected by communication channels for the sharing of resources and information. The business network 340 may include a configuration database 347 and account management 348 and is preferably protected by a firewall 350 for the administrators 355.

[0059] In this embodiment, information may be downloaded from the Internet 330 to the IMs 315, 316 when a good or service transaction is made at the point of sale terminal 310, 311. The point of sale controller 305 preferably regulates the transactions at each point of sale terminal 310, 311, thereby regulating any outgoing print commands between the point of sale terminal 310, 311 and IMs 315, 316. Once the IMs 315, 316 intercept the outgoing print commands, the IMs 315, 316 preferably downloads instructions through the Internet 330 via the device provisioning services application. Administrators 355 may be used to maintain the servers 335, 336 and databases (e.g., configuration database 347; account management 348) to ensure that the advertisement network is running properly. Furthermore, administrators 355 will preferably have one or more administrative privileges, as discussed above.

[0060] FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network and shows the configuration of the intercept module displayed to a user when using the web application. As shown in FIG. 4, the receipt configuration tool 400 of the web application 135 preferably includes: receipt credits 402, 404, 406, 408; configurations 410, 413, 415, receipt headers 420, 430, 440; transaction information 422, 432, 442; trailer advertisements 424, 426, 434, 436, 444; and banner advertisements 428, 438, 448. Preferably, after the user connects the intercept module 120 to the point of sale terminal 115, the advertisement exchange network 100, 200, 300 will preferably print a test printout page (shown in FIG. 5) from the advertisement exchange network100, 200, 300 rather than the point of sale terminal 115. After a test printout page is printed successfully, the web application 135 will preferably launch a screen that will typically configure the intercept module 120 and will preferably reveal several configurations 410, 413, 415. Specifically, the user typically selects an image/logo for their receipt header 420, 430, 440 if one is desired (i.e., header 420, 430, 440 of the transaction information 422, 432, 442). The user then should be typically provided with options on where, how, and how many advertisements will appear on their receipt. The user will be shown the default configuration (which may only be one or more transaction information 422, 432, 442 and one or more trailer advertisements 424, 426, 434, 436, 444) along with a preview of the configuration. Preferably, the user will have the option to add one or more of the following: header advertisements 420, 430, 440, banner advertisement 428, 438, 448, additional trailer advertisements 424, 426, 436, 434, 444, and the like. Furthermore, the user will preferably be shown the maximum number of receipt credits 402, 404, 406, 408 that can be earned with each configuration 410, 413, 415, and the user will preferably receive credits based upon the selection of each desired configuration.

[0061] FIG. 4 also shows the distribution of receipt credits awarded per advertisement. Credits are preferably distributed based upon the location of each advertisement and the number of advertisements. For example, FIG. 4 shows that when an advertisement is made at trailer advertisement 444, four credits are preferably distributed. Additionally, three credits are preferably distributed for the receipt headers 420, 430, 440 while one credit may be distributed for trailer advertisements 424, 426, 434, 436. Furthermore, one credit or six credits may be distributed for banner advertisements 428, 438, 448. Although FIG. 4 shows only four variations of receipt credits and three different configurations, it should be understood that any number of receipt credits, configurations, receipt headers, transaction information, trailer advertisements, and banner advertisements may be used without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 5 is an example of a test printout page of one embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network. As shown in FIG. 5, the test printout page 500 preferably includes at least configuration 505. The configurations 505 may include: receipt headers 520; transaction information 522; trailer advertisement 524; and banner advertisement 528. Like the illustrations shown in FIG. 4, the receipt header 520 preferably contains image or logos of the user's businesses while the transaction information 522 is preferably information relating to the transaction made at the point of sale. The trailer advertisement 524 is preferably any form of marketing used to encourage a commercial offering, and the banner advertisement 528, web banner, or banner ads are preferably any form of advertising on the World Wide Web delivered by an advertising or ad server.

[0063] FIG. 6 is an illustration of another embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network and shows a template page when configuring a receipt. As shown in FIG. 6, the creating an advertisement function 600 preferably includes a configuration 610. The configuration 610 may include: receipt header 630; transaction information 632; trailer advertisement 634; and banner advertisement 636. Like the test printout page 500 shown in FIG. 5, the receipt header 630 preferably contains image or logos of the company generating the receipt. The transaction information 632 is preferably information relating to the transaction made at the point of sale. The trailer advertisement 634 is preferably any form of marketing used to encourage a commercial offering. Like the test printout page 500, banner advertisement 636 web banner, or banner ads are preferably any form of advertising on the World Wide Web delivered by an advertising server.

[0064] FIG. 7 is an illustration of one embodiment of the web application of the advertisement exchange network and shows the functionality of adding content to the receipt. As shown in FIG. 7, one embodiment of the web application 700 preferably includes: account record window 705; receipt header 710; transaction information 715; trailer advertisement 720; end of print job 725; and banner advertisement 730. The account record window 705 preferably includes: name 733; account identification number 735; telephone information 737; business hours information 739; address information 740; checkboxes 742, 744, 746; first field 748; second field 750; and third field 752. Preferably, the trailer advertisement 720 includes: first field 754; second field 756; third field 758; and background graphic 760. When a user adds content (e.g., advertisements, coupons, etc. . . . ) to the receipt, the user will likely be prompted to enter information in the web application 700. Specifically, the user will typically be prompted to enter information in the account record window 705 such as the name 733 of the user or business; the account identification number 735 of the user; telephone information 737; business hours information 739; and address information 740. Preferably, the user will enter his or her telephone number in the first field 748; his or her business hours in the second field 750; and his or her address in the third field 758, and such information will typically be copied onto the first field 754, second field 756, and third field 758 of the trailer advertisement 720. The checkboxes 742, 744, 746 may also be used to disable or enable the transfer of such information onto the receipt. The background graphic 760 is any image, graphic picture, or logo that may be placed within the trailer advertisement 720. The end of print job 725 preferably indicates when the print job of printing the receipt is completed. Although FIG. 7 shows the telephone information, business hours information, and address information in the trailer advertisement field, it should be understood that such information may be placed anywhere in the receipt such as the receipt header, transaction information, and end of job. Furthermore, any additional or subset of the information may be added onto the receipt without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] One embodiment of the advertisement exchange network may have the intercept module send the information related to the transaction (such as the purchase receipt) to the server for processing and storage in the database. Preferably, the information is sent immediately upon the intercept module intercepting/receiving the information. The server may be in the Cloud. If desired, the intercept module may send some of the receipts, with or without the added advertisement, to the printer for printing. Once the intercept module intercepts the print command, it forwards the command to the server for processing and storage in the database.

[0066] Regarding how the portable device or smartphone sends a NFC tap to the intercept module, NFC refers to a set of communication protocols. The NFC protocol stack. The system uses the NFC protocol stack to send information between the phone and the intercept module.

[0067] The purchase does not have to be made on the mobile device. The transaction could involve a purchase paying with cash or a credit card, for example. As the cashier takes the payment the user could then NFC tap the phone to the IM (which contains an NFC reader). It is also possible the reader may be plugged into the IM and not actually part of the IM but an accessory device to it.

[0068] Depending on what operating system is being used on the mobile device, there may be a need to load an app on the mobile device in order to create a unique identification (ID) for the device. For most Android systems, a unique device ID can be queried without the need to load an app or proprietary software onto the mobile device. Currently for devices using iOS, an app and the latest update of the operating system is required for the device to create a unique ID and communicate with the intercept module. It is anticipated that iOS will ultimately open NFC as Android has.

[0069] Although the system, device, and method of the present disclosure uses NFC similar to Apple Pay, Google Pay and Master Pass, the system of the present disclosure is not a payment system and has no fiscal considerations. Where payment systems (Apple Pay, etc.) simply authorize final amounts between a credit card company and merchant, the present system captures what goods and services have been purchased and by who, in addition to what the final total spent was at the particular store. Upon a NFC tap on the intercept module, the intercept module pushes a unique identification (UID) and a weblink to the mobile device. The intercept module associates that UID with the current and future purchase receipts in the database. In this disclosure, an NFC tap is also a touchless payment made with a mobile device.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the unique ID will only be pushed to any specific mobile device once. That UID will then be recognized by the system and the intercept module when that same mobile device is used again during a subsequent purchase (NFC tap).

[0071] Regarding what occurs with a NFC tap on the intercept module, one embodiment comprises: [0072] Once the intercept module intercepts the print command, the intercept module forwards the command to the server for processing and storage in the database. [0073] Accessing a UID [0074] The smartphone or mobile device, through firmware, software, or an App, preferably allows full NFC stack functionality. [0075] The intercept module may have a NFC reader that reads the UID from the smartphone (assuming this is the second or more time of the NFC tap) and sends it to the server. [0076] The server may associate the data of the purchase receipt with the UID, which makes the smartphone UID the UID specific to the present disclosure. [0077] In one embodiment, the smartphone may allow for some amount (limited) NFC functionality, (it can push web links, but cannot query the mobile device UID). [0078] The intercept module NFC reader may query the web browser of the smartphone for a data packet, such as a cookie, which contains the UID. [0079] If the cookie is found containing the UID, the UID is sent to the server. [0080] The server may then associate the UID with the data that is part of the purchase receipt. [0081] If a cookie containing the UID is not found, such as when the mobile device is first used in association with the system of the present invention, the intercept module requests a new UID from the server. [0082] The server may then create a new UID and associate the data of the purchase receipt with that UID in the database. [0083] The server sends a unique web-link to the intercept module. [0084] The intercept module may push/send the web-link to the smartphone via the NFC stack. [0085] The user may then open the web-link, which places the UID in the browser of the mobile device via a cookie. [0086] In another embodiment, the smartphone preferably allows only limited NFC functionality, comprising, cannot read a phone UID, cannot push a weblink, but it can interact with an approved App that is loaded onto the smartphone. [0087] The intercept module searches for an App on the smartphone via the NFC stack. This App may be part of the system and method of the present disclosure. [0088] If the App is found, the intercept module retrieves the UID stored within the App. [0089] If the App is not found, the intercept module prompts the user to download the App, preferably from an approved app store. [0090] During installation of the App, the server may generate the UID and send it to the App. [0091] After installation, the intercept module may search for the App on the mobile device and retrieve the UID. [0092] Once the UID is established it is preferably used for all future taps with that mobile device. Each future time the phone is used, which may include a NFC tap, the intercept module preferably pulls the UID from the phone and associates the UID to the purchase receipt in the cloud. [0093] The UID preferably maps to a unique profile (that is created in the server and stored in the database) by the system of the present invention of an individual that is associated with the mobile device. [0094] The unique profile may be populated with metadata of all of the purchase receipts associated with the UID (and that mobile device). [0095] The server may select or generate an appropriate advertisement for the current purchase receipt based on such factors as, market demand, the information within the receipt (what was purchased), the user's unique profile, or a combination thereof. [0096] The server may associate the chosen advertisement with the purchase receipt and then either transmit it to the intercept module for printing, or simply display it on the display of the mobile device, if the user elects not to print the purchase receipt. [0097] The consumer, via the UID stored on their mobile device, may look up and retrieve the purchase receipts that are associate with that UID (which is all of the receipts for which the phone was NFC tapped. [0098] The IUD could be the mobile device's own unique identification, a cookie within the mobile device's browser, or a unique identification stored in a proprietary App that is loaded on the mobile device.

[0099] One embodiment of the device, method, and system of the present disclosure, is an instore rewards program, above and beyond the functionality of providing a targeted advertisement to the purchaser: (a) A customer makes repeated purchases at a particular store, wherein the user performs a NFC tap with their smartphone for each purchase; (b) The intercept module associates all purchase receipts with the smartphones UID and populates the user's unique profile with information and data from the purchase receipt; (c) When the total purchases or purchase amounts at the particular store surpass a given amount, an appropriate (i.e., based on the unique profile of the user) reward is selected by the server and printed on the purchase receipt, which may then be redeemed; (d) The consumer, appreciating the reward, uses the UID to review past purchasing records at that store and is exposed to more targeted advertisements.

[0100] Each time that mobile device is used within the method of the present disclosure, which might include a NFC tap, the intercept module may pull the UID from the mobile device and store the UID in the cloud with the purchase receipt, thus associating the mobile device with the purchase receipt and all information on the purchase receipt.

[0101] Users can use the weblinks provided to, then or later, retrieve purchase receipts from the cloud. Upon a purchase, and NFC tap, with the mobile device, the intercept module may push a unique identification (UID) and weblink to the mobile device and the server associates that UID with the purchase receipt in the database. The UID will only be pushed to the mobile device once, and the UID is set for that device, and is used within the systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure. The UID is preferably used in association with all NFC purchases made with that mobile device. Each future time the phone is used with a purchase that involves a NFC tap, the intercept module will pull the UID from the mobile device and associate it with the purchase receipt in the cloud. Preferably, the UID will map to the unique profile of the individual user of that mobile device. The unique profile may be populated with the information and/or metadata from all of the purchase receipts associated with the UID associated with the unique profile. The server may select or generate an appropriate advertisement to be printed on or displayed on the purchase receipt. The appropriate advertisement may be based on such factors as, market demand, the information, goods, or services shown on the purchase receipt, information related to the unique profile, and/or combinations thereof. Preferably, the server will transmit the chosen advertisement to the intercept module, which ensures that the advertisement is printed on the purchase receipt, now or later. In one embodiment, the consumer may use the UID stored on their phone to look up and retrieve any and all receipts for which the phone used to make a touchless payment, such as with a NFC tap.

[0102] Preferably, the mobile devices used with the system are not the Point of Sale terminals. The mobile devices are a way to associate different transactions at different stores to the same purchasing entity and ultimately the same person/profile. If a user NFC taps his or her phone at a point of sale terminal during a transaction, the system (server and intercept module) may pair the UID with that transaction (purchase and purchase receipt). The transactions will change but the mobile device/user will have the same UID. The intercept module preferably sends all purchase receipts to the cloud and some to the printer for printing, if that is desired by the user.

[0103] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications which are set forth in this specification, including in the claims which follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range which is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0104] Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.