Payment processing system including point-of-sale device with a unique identifier and associated methods

Abstract

A wireless communications device is for communication with a point of sale (POS) device via a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith. The wireless communications device includes a receiver module, and a memory configured to store account access information for a payment account. A processor is coupled to the receiver module and the memory, and is configured to determine the unique POS identifier using the receiver module. The processor is also configured to send the account access information to the POS device using via the secure intermediary and using the unique POS identifier, so that the POS device in turn causes a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wireless communications device for communication with a point of sale (POS) device via a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith, the wireless communications device comprising:
 a receiver module;   a memory configured to store account access information for a payment account; and   a processor coupled to the receiver module and the memory, the processor configured to
 determine the unique POS identifier using said receiver module, and 
 send the account access information to the POS device via the secure intermediary using the unique POS identifier, the POS device operable to request transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account using the account access information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The wireless communications device of  claim 1 , wherein said receiver Module comprises an image sensor; wherein the unique POS identifier is encoded in a coded image; and wherein said processor determines the unique POS identifier by capturing the coded image using said image sensor and decoding the coded image to thereby determine the unique POS identifier. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless communications device of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to encrypt the account access information before sending the account access information to the POS device, and the POS device sends the account access information to a transaction server to thereby cause the transfer of funds. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile wireless communications device of  claim 1 , wherein said memory is configured to store account access information for a plurality of payment accounts and said processor is configured to permit selection of the payment account. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile wireless communications device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display; wherein said processor is configured to receive a payment confirmation from the POS device via the secure intermediary and said processor is configured to display the payment confirmation on said display. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile wireless communications device of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to receive a payment verification request from the POS device via the secure intermediary and said processor is configured to send a payment verification to the POS device via the secure intermediary using the unique POS address. 
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a wireless communications device for communication with a point of sale (POS) device via a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith, the wireless communications device comprising a receiver module, a memory configured to store account access information for a payment account, and a processor coupled to the receiver module and the memory, the method comprising:
 determining the unique POS identifier using the receiver module in cooperation with the processor; and   sending the account access information to the POS device via the secure intermediary using the unique POS identifier, the POS device operable to request a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising encrypting the account access information before sending the account access information to the POS device, the POS device sending the account access information to a transaction server to thereby cause the transfer of funds. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the memory is configured to store account access information for a plurality of payment accounts; and the method further comprises permitting selection of the payment account via an input device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising receiving a payment confirmation from the POS device via the secure intermediary and displaying the payment confirmation on a display. 
     
     
         11 . A point of sale (POS) device for communication with a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith, the POS device comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 receive, via the secure intermediary and based on the unique POS identifier, account access information for a payment account sent to the secure intermediary by a wireless communications device, and 
 send the account access information together with transaction information to a transaction server to request a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account. 
   
     
     
         12 . The POS device of  claim 11 , further comprising a display; wherein said processor is configured to generate a coded image from the unique POS identifier; and wherein said processor is configured to display the coded image on said display for capture by the wireless communications device using an image sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The POS device of  claim 11 , further comprising a housing carrying said processor; and further comprising a substrate carried by said housing and having a coded image thereon representing the unique POS identifier for capture by the wireless communications device using an image sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The POS device of  claim 11 , wherein said processor is configured to send the account access information and the transaction information to the transaction server via the secure intermediary using a unique transaction server identifier. 
     
     
         15 . The POS device of  claim 11 , wherein said processor is configured to send the account access information and the transaction information to the transaction server via a virtual private network (VPN). 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating point of sale (POS) device for communication with a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving, via the secure intermediary and based upon the unique POS identifier, account access information for a payment account sent to the secure intermediary by a wireless communications device; and   sending the account access information together with transaction information to a transaction server to request a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising generating a coded image from the unique POS identifier and displaying the coded image on a display for capture by the wireless communications device using an image sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the account access information and the transaction information is sent to the transaction server via the secure intermediary using a unique transaction server identifier. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the account access information and the transaction information is sent to the transaction server via a virtual private network (VPN). 
     
     
         20 . A server configured to operate as a secure intermediary between a point of sale (POS) device and a wireless communications device, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device and a unique wireless communications device identifier with the wireless communications device, the server comprising:
 a network interface;   a processor coupled to said network interface and configured to:
 receive the unique POS identifier and account access information from the wireless device, and 
 send the account access information to the POS device using the unique POS identifier, the POS device operable to request a transfer of funds from a payment account associated with the account access information to a merchant account associated with the POS device. 
   
     
     
         21 . The server of  claim 20 , wherein said processor is configured to receive a transaction confirmation from the POS device and send the transaction confirmation to the wireless communications device using the unique wireless communications device identifier. 
     
     
         22 . The server of  claim 20 , wherein said processor is configured to receive a transaction verification request from the POS device and send the transaction verification request to the wireless communications device using the unique wireless communications device identifier; and wherein said processor is further configured to receive a transaction verification from the wireless communications device and send the transaction verification to the POS device using the unique POS identifier. 
     
     
         23 . A method of operating a server to act as a secure intermediary between a point of sale (POS) device and a wireless communications device, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device and a unique wireless communications device identifier with the wireless communications device, the method comprising:
 receiving, via a network interface coupled to a processor, the unique POS identifier and account access information from the wireless device; and   sending the account access information to the POS device using the unique POS identifier, the POS device operable to request a transfer of funds from a payment account associated with the account access information to a merchant account associated with the POS device.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising receiving a transaction confirmation from the POS device and sending the transaction confirmation to the wireless communications device based upon the unique wireless communications device identifier. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising receiving a transaction verification request from the POS device and sending the transaction verification request to the wireless communications device based upon the unique wireless communications device identifier; and further comprising receiving a transaction verification from the wireless communications device and sending the transaction verification to the POS device based upon the unique POS identifier.