Determining Status of Low-Cost Tags Used to Facilitate Mobile Transactions

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating payments using low-cost barcode or RFID tags are disclosed. Such tags can be attached or affixed to physical, real-world objects thus allowing the objects to be purchased using a customer mobile device, without the need for a dedicated, on-site point-of-sale system. The tags may be constructed from paper, metal, leather, plastic or some other low-cost material. The tag allows a unique visual identifier such as a tag code to be imprinted so that it can be read using a mobile camera or other sensor enabled telephone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for confirming a state of a low-cost tag for facilitating payment between a buyer and a seller utilizing a mobile device, the tag comprising a tag number and a proof of payment number, comprising the steps of:
 (a) accessing, via a tag service provider, tag status information associated with the tag number; and   (b) receiving, from the tag service provider, a tag status, the tag status indicating utilization of the tag in a transaction;   wherein, when the transaction occurs, the proof of payment number is provided to the buyer and the seller; and   wherein the received tag status indicates a transaction occurrence if the proof of payment number has been provided to the buyer and the seller.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving step (b) may return an intermediate transaction status, the intermediate transaction status being one of: provisioned;
 checked out; and checkout ready.