Method and apparatus for using quick response codes in e-commerce

Abstract

An email payment gateway configured to enable users to receive @PAY offers using print media quick response (QR) codes. A consumer views an advertisement or product having packing with a QR code and scans the QR code. Scanning the QR code generates an email addressed to the email payment gateway requesting information on the product, which is sent to the email payment gateway. The email payment gateway receives the email and responds to the consumer with an email that includes information on the products in the advertisement. Included in the email from the email payment gateway is a button enabling the recipient to purchase the relevant item. The button preferably includes a mail-to hyperlink as that generates an outgoing email reply requesting to purchase the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An email payment gateway comprising:
 a database configured to store information including an identifier and email address of a plurality of customers;   at least one processor configured to process a first email received from a user wherein the email includes a quick response (QR) code;   the processor further configured to identify a product associated with the QR code;   the processor further configured to send a second email to the user wherein the second email includes an executable hyperlink for purchasing the product;   wherein the executable hyperlink is configured to generate a third email sent from user to the email payment gateway requesting purchase of the product;   the processor further configured to process payment and purchase of the product; and   the processor further configured to send a fourth email confirming purchase of the product.   
     
     
         2 . The email payment gateway of  claim 1 , wherein the first email message includes a plurality of hyperlinks corresponding to a plurality of products wherein the second email message is generated on a condition of any one of the plurality of hyperlinks being executed. 
     
     
         3 . The email payment gateway of  claim 2 , wherein one of the plurality of hyperlinks is directly associated with the product associated with the QR code and a remaining plurality of hyperlinks is related to products similar to the product associate with the QR code. 
     
     
         4 . The email payment gateway of  claim 3 , wherein the second email message includes the UUID associated with the executed hyperlink. 
     
     
         5 . The email payment gateway of  claim 1 , wherein the QR code is scanned from an advertisement using a smartphone. 
     
     
         6 . The email payment gateway of  claim 1 , wherein the QR code is scanned from packaging of the product using a smartphone. 
     
     
         7 . The email payment gateway of  claim 1  further comprising a processor for requesting information from a user for whom customer information has not been previously input into the email payment gateway. 
     
     
         8 . The email payment gateway of  claim 7 , the processor further configured to receive an email from the user with the requested information. 
     
     
         9 . The email payment gateway of  claim 8 , the processor further configured update the user as a member of the email payment gateway.