Utilizing near field communication to improve customer interactions

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices which utilize near field communication-style technologies in conjunction with one or more of personal devices and communication networks in order to provide for improved customer interactions with a service establishment are provided. In one embodiment an application is configured to provide for various functionality upon the triggering of a near-field communication stimulus. For example, upon scanning a near field device, an application may launch that provides a user with pre-determined information. Such information may include information regarding the nearest locations of a service establishment and approximate wait times for transactions at the listed locations. In another embodiment, the pre-determined information may include information regarding promotions available to a customer such as special offers, coupons, advertisements, and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for generating a money transfer transaction, said method comprising:
 scanning a near field communication device associated with a sending party;   retrieving profile data of the sending party;   retrieving transaction data corresponding to a receiving party and a transaction amount; and   receiving payment to fund the money transfer transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein retrieving data corresponding to a receiving party includes retrieving data which is already associated with the profile of the sending party. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving payment includes receiving payment from an account which is associated with the profile data of the sending party. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising scanning the near field communication device associated with the sending party an additional time in order to confirm the transaction details. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising scanning the near field communication device associated with the sending party in order to obtain information regarding waiting time to complete a transaction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the near field communication device associated with the sending party is scanned by an agent at a physical location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the near field communication device associated with the sending party is scanned by a kiosk associated with a money transfer service. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product having a computer readable medium with code stored thereon which, when executed performs the steps of:
 retrieving information in response to a scan of a near field communication device;   directing a user to a physical location of an entity associated with the near field communication device;   assisting the user with providing transaction details to the entity associated with the and every of communication device; and   verifying transaction details of a transaction which is completed at the physical location.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8  wherein said verifying is implemented by scanning an additional near field communication device located at the physical location. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8  wherein the retrieved information includes one or more promotional offers. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 8  wherein the near field communication device is selected from a group including a bar code, a Quick Response (QR) code, a Near Field Communication radio chip (NFC chip), a Smart Card, and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 8  wherein the computer program product comprises a mobile smart phone application. 
     
     
         13 . A system for managing transaction flow at a physical establishment, said system comprising:
 a plurality of near-field communication devices configured to be scanned by one or more customers and to direct data flow for a transaction; and   a transaction processing device configured to retrieve transaction information for a customer upon a customer scanning at least one of said near-field communication devices.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the transaction information includes customer profile information. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the customer profile information is retrieved from a user device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the customer profile information is retrieved from a central server. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein transaction information includes information corresponding to one or more products or services to be purchased by the customer. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said plurality of near-field communication devices is configured to compile waiting time data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said plurality of near-field communication devices is configured to authenticate payment for a transaction.