Methods and systems for electronic receipt transmission and management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods and apparatus for the generation, transmission, storage and manipulation of electronic receipts which communicate itemized purchase transaction information. Preferred embodiments comprise wireless vendor devices and wireless purchaser devices which transmit electronic receipts at a point-of-sale for documentation of a purchase transaction. Further processing of the electronic receipt information may be performed with a purchaser device or with a secondary computing device after subsequent receipt transmission to that secondary device.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for receiving and maintaining electronic receipt information, said system comprising: 
 a vendor device for determining itemized purchase information such as items purchased, tax, the payment form, or approval information and compiling said purchase information into an electronic receipt;    a short range communications device coupled to said vendor device for transmitting said receipt;    a purchaser device for receiving and storing said receipt;    a short range communications device coupled to said purchaser device; said short range communications device coupled to said purchaser device being capable of receiving an electronic receipt from said short range communications device coupled to said vendor device.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said secondary computing device is a desktop computer.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said secondary computing device provides electronic receipt compilation and management.  
     
     
         4 . A method for receiving and maintaining electronic receipt information, said method comprising the acts of: 
 determining itemized purchase information with a vendor device;    compiling said purchase information into an electronic receipt;    transmitting said electronic receipt to a purchaser device.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the act of identifying a purchaser device user using a bio-metric input device coupled to said purchaser device.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the act of transmitting said electronic receipt from said purchaser device to a secondary computing device.  
     
     
         7 . The method of claim further comprising the acts of: 
 compiling said electronic receipt information with other electronic receipt information from other purchases;    storing said compiled information; and    transmitting said compiled information to said purchaser device.    
     
     
         8 . An electronic receipt for recording purchase transaction details, said receipt comprising: 
 an itemized list of items purchased in a transaction;    a purchase price for each of said items; 
 a category assignment for each of said items for organization of said items.  
   
     
     
         9 . A system for collating and storing electronic receipts, the system comprising: 
 a purchaser device for transmitting electronic receipts of various differing formats; 
 a server for receiving said electronic receipts; and  
 software loaded or said server for stripping data from said receipts and compiling said data in a common format.  
   
     
     
         10 . A system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the compiled data is used for participation in loyalty programs, discounts, or coupons.