DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention generally relates to depiction of messages such as advertisements and coupons. More particularly, the invention relates to depiction of contextual messages in a mobile point of sale (mPOS) system.

BACKGROUND
With the advent of mobile payment technologies and availability of smart phones, mobile point of sale (mPOS) is fast gaining popularity in ecommerce and mobile payments. In contrast to fixed POS terminals, mPOS enables completion of customer transactions at any place. For example, employee of a retail store can complete customer transactions or payments through the mPOS anywhere a customer is shopping in the retail store without having the need for the customer to wait at a specific checkout counter. Further, the mPOS is able to provide the details of customer transactions to both the customer and the merchant.
Generally, the mPOS constitutes an mPOS device, an mPOS dongle for receiving payment information from customer, an mPOS application installed on the mPOS device, and an mPOS server communicatively coupled to the mPOS device. The mPOS device is a smart mobile device such as a mobile phone and a tablet. The mPOS application receives the payment information from the mPOS dongle and sends transaction information including the payment information other relevant details to the mPOS server. The mPOS server sends the transaction information to a merchant acquirer (bank or financial institute in contract with a merchant implementing the mPOS). The merchant acquirer then sends the transaction information to an issuer bank. The merchant acquirer typically sends the transaction information through a card association, such as Visa®, MasterCard®, Discover®, American Express®, and Diners Club®. Upon receiving the authorization from the issuer bank, the merchant acquirer completes payment process and sends confirmation to the mPOS server. The mPOS server, upon receiving the confirmation form the merchant acquirer, sends a transaction confirmation to the mPOS device indicating completion of transaction and a conformation to the customer indicating successful payment.
As the mPOS is enabled to receive the payment from the customer from anywhere, the mPOS is hugely popular in retail sector. In addition to offering mobile payment, the mPOS also provides value added services such as consumer-facing services to enhance customer engagement during the checkout process. Examples of such services include customer-loyalty programs, coupons and offers, customer receipts, product discovery, and location and navigation services. The coupons and offers are provided to the customer either through email or on a mobile phone while the customer is in-store based on personal details, purchase history, and preferences of the customer. However, present mPOS do not provide any channels or methodologies for displaying advertisements.
To supplement for advertisements, merchants, such as retail owners, display advertisements on electronic display devices at designated areas such near fixed POS terminals at checkout counters and at strategic locations. Such display of advertisements typically engages customers while waiting at the checkout counters or strolling in the store. However, such advertisements may not be of any value to the customers and only add to entertainment factor since the advertisements are not relevant to a particular customer. In addition, such advertisements may generate impressions but do not provide any effectiveness in terms of ad-revenues to the merchants. Further, even though the merchants may identify relevant and contextual advertisements for customers based on available customer information stored in a database, such relevant and contextual advertisements are still targeted towards a large group of customers and are not tailored specifically to each customer. This inability translates into loss of interests by advertisers such as manufacturers, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, and service providers, in placing advertisements with the merchants and consequently loss of ad-revenues by the merchants. Similarly, return of investments (ROI) on such display of advertisements is comparatively less for advertisers as the advertisements are not highly relevant and targeted to a particular customer waiting at the checkout counter. Rather, the display of advertisements is part of mass marketing strategy by the advertisers.
Thus, there is a need to offer targeted and highly relevant advertisements to each customer while reducing the checkout time in mPOS environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein, provides for depiction of contextual messages in a mobile point of sale (mPOS) system.
Accordingly, the mPOS system includes at least one mPOS device coupled to an mPOS server. The at least one mPOS device further includes a receiving unit, a processor, a customer-facing terminal (CFT) and a merchant-facing terminal (MFT). The at least one mPOS device receives information about a product being purchased by a customer through the receiving unit. The receiving unit can receive such information through one of a barcode scanner coupled to the at least one mPOS device, a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled to the at least one mPOS device, a touch panel coupled to the at least one mPOS device, the MFT of the at least one mPOS device, and a keypad coupled to the at least one mPOS device. The received information is displayed on both the CFT and the MFT.
Upon receiving the information about the product being purchased, the at least one mPOS device sends the information to the mPOS server through the processor. The mPOS server includes a receiving unit, a processor, and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives the information about the product being purchased from the mPOS device. Upon receiving the information, the processor of the mPOS server accesses a database storing a plurality of messages. The messages can be advertisements, offers, and coupons. The processor of the mPOS server selects a message subset from the database based on the received information. Thereafter, the processor of the mPOS server categorizes one or more messages from the message subset as contextual messages. A message is categorized as a contextual message if a relevancy index of the message with respect to the information of the product being purchased is above a threshold limit and/or if a bid flag associated against the message is set. The relevancy index of the message is determined based on a plurality of parameters such as customer parameters, merchant parameters, external parameters, and advertiser parameters. Upon categorization, the transmitting unit of the mPOS server sends the one or more contextual messages to the at least one mPOS device. The processor of the at least one mPOS device receives the one or more contextual messages and displays the contextual messages on the CFT along with the information about the product being purchased.
Thus, the mPOS system offers various possibilities for providing highly relevant and targeted advertisements to a particular customer during a checkout process and anywhere in-store. This also enables merchants and advertisers to explore other channels of advertising beyond the traditional channel of advertisements such as displaying of advertisements on electronic displays.
The advantages of the invention include, but not limited to, assessing relevancy of messages to a particular customer by considering a multitude of parameters such as merchant parameters, customer parameters, external parameters, and advertiser parameters, thereby performing a comprehensive assessment to identify contextual messages. Further, the relevancy of the message is determined in real time, thereby displaying only those messages to the particular customer, which are highly relevant to the customer and have potential for cross selling or up selling. Additionally, effective utilization of the customer’s waiting time is made during the checkout process by engaging the customer to go through a carousel of contextual messages, which are directly related to the product being purchased and are highly relevant to the customer. In other words, targeted messages are displayed to the customer on the CFT of the mPOS device thereby not only quickening the checkout process but also effectively engaging the customer during the checkout process. This translates into higher ROI for the advertisers and consequently higher ad-revenues to the merchants.
Furthermore, the contextual messages are identified from a message subset having messages, which match with the information of the product being purchased. Thus, the computational time and resources used for finding a contextual message are considerably reduced.
These and other aspects as well as advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings, which are listed below for quick reference.
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method for depicting contextual messages in a mobile point of sale (mPOS) system, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary mPOS system depicting contextual messages, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary in-store mPOS environment for depicting contextual messages in an mPOS system, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 4a illustrates an exemplary mPOS device including a customer-facing terminal and a merchant-facing terminal, implemented in the exemplary in-store environment as described in Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 4b illustrates an exemplary customer-facing terminal of the mPOS device described in Figure 4a, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 4c illustrates an exemplary merchant-facing terminal of the mPOS device described in Figure 4a, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method (100) of depicting contextual messages in a mobile point of sale (mPOS) system, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. In said embodiment, the method (100) comprises: receiving (101), by a receiving unit of a mPOS device, information about at least one product; transmitting (102), by a processor of the mPOS device, the information about said at least one product to a mPOS server; accessing (103), by the mPOS server, a database storing thereupon a plurality of messages and selecting a message subset, wherein the message subset includes one or more messages that match with the information about said at least one product; retrieving (104), by the mPOS server, from the message subset, one or more contextual messages, wherein a message is categorized as a contextual message if a relevancy index of the message with respect to the information about said at least one product is above a threshold limit and/or a bid flag associated against the message is set; transmitting (105), by the mPOS server, the one or more contextual messages to the processor; and depicting (106), on a customer-facing terminal of the mPOS device, by the processor, the information about said at least one product and the one or more contextual messages.
In a further embodiment, the method (100) further comprises: assigning (107), by the mPOS server, a ranking to the one or more contextual messages, wherein the ranking is assigned to a message based on an effectiveness value of the message and a bid value of the message; and transmitting (108), by the mPOS server, the ranking assigned to the one or more contextual messages to the processor, wherein the one or more contextual messages are depicted on the CFT according to the ranking.
In a further embodiment, the information about said at least one product is received from one of a barcode scanner coupled to the mPOS device, a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled to the mPOS device, a touch panel coupled to the mPOS device, a merchant-facing terminal (MFT) of the mPOS device, and a keypad coupled to the mPOS device.
In a further embodiment, the bid flag associated against the message is set by the mPOS sever when a bid value of the message is a maximum bid value.
In a further embodiment, the relevancy index of the message is determined, by the mPOS server, based on a plurality of parameters, the plurality of parameters including customer parameters, merchant parameters, external parameters, and advertiser parameters.
In a further embodiment, the customer parameters include one or more of demographics of a customer, previous purchase history of the customer, one or more items being purchased by the customer, a recency of visit by the customer, a frequency of visit by the customer, and an average ticket size.
In a further embodiment, the merchant parameters include location of merchant and a category of the merchant.
In a further embodiment, the external parameters include one or more of time of a purchase, day of the purchase, week of the purchase, and month of the purchase.
In a further embodiment, the advertiser parameters include one or more of effectiveness of the message, category of the message, and a bid value of the message.
In a further embodiment, the message is one of an advertisement, an offer, and a coupon.
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary mPOS system (200), in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. As would be understood, the mPOS system (200) is capable of implementing the method as described with reference to preceding figure 1.
In said embodiment, the mPOS system (200) comprises: at least one mPOS device (201) comprising: a receiving unit (202) to receive information about at least one product; a processor (203) to send the information said at least one product to a mPOS server (204); and a customer-facing terminal (CFT) (205) to display the information about said at least one product; and the mPOS server (204) coupled to the at least one mPOS device (201), the mPOS server (204) comprising: a receiving unit (206) to receive the information about said at least one product from the at least one mPOS device (201); a processor (207) coupled to a database (208) storing thereupon a plurality of messages, the processor (207) adapted to: select a message set from the database, the message subset includes one or more messages that match with the information about said at least one product; and retrieve from the message subset, one or more contextual messages, wherein a message is categorized as a contextual message if: a relevancy index of the message with respect to the information about said at least one product is above a threshold limit; and/or a bid flag associated against the message is set; and a transmitting unit (209) to transmit the one or more contextual messages to the at least one mPOS device (201), thereby enabling the processor (203) of the at least mPOS device (201) to depict the one or more contextual messages on the CFT (205) of the at least one mPOS device (201).
In a further embodiment, the receiving unit (202) of the at least one mPOS device (201) receives the information about said at least one product from one of a barcode scanner coupled to the at least one mPOS device (201), a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled to the at least one mPOS device (201), a touch panel coupled to the at least one mPOS device (200), a merchant-facing terminal (MFT) of the at least one mPOS device (201), and a keypad coupled to the at least one mPOS device (201).
In a further embodiment, the processor (207) of the mPOS server (204) further: assigns a ranking to the one or more contextual messages, wherein the ranking is assigned to a message based on an effectiveness value of the message and a bid value of the message; and transmits the ranking assigned to the one or more contextual messages to the processor (203) of the at least one mPOS device (201), wherein the one or more contextual messages are depicted on the CFT (205) of the at least one mPOS device (201) according to the ranking.
In a further embodiment, the processor (207) of the mPOS server (204) server sets the bid flag associated against the message when a bid value of the message is a maximum bid value.
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary in-store mobile point of sale (mPOS) environment (300) for depicting contextual messages in an mPOS system (301), in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. Examples of such in-store mPOS environment include retail stores, malls, and restaurants that implement mPOS for completing customer transactions.
In said in-store mPOS environment (300), a publisher or a merchant can install the mPOS system (301) comprising of one or more mPOS devices (302) (hereinafter referred to as mPOS device (302)) communicatively coupled to a mPOS server (303) over a network (not shown in figure) to provide contextual messages to customers on the mPOS devices (302). For the sake of brevity, the figure illustrates only one mPOS device coupled to the mPOS server (303). Examples of the network include wireless network, wired network, and cloud based network.
The mPOS device (302) is a smart mobile device or terminal, such as a smart phone, a notebook, a netbook, and a tablet, that enables completion of customer transactions such as payment anywhere in the in-store environment (300) rather than at a fixed place. The mPOS device (302) includes a receiving unit (304), a customer-facing terminal (CFT) (305), a merchant-facing terminal (MFT) (306), and a processor (307). In one embodiment, the mPOS device (302) is a smart mobile device having dual screen such that one screen functions as the CFT (305) and other screen functions as the MFT (306). In another embodiment, the mPOS device (302) is a smart mobile device having a single screen divided into two portions such that one portion functions as the CFT (305) and other screen functions as the MFT (306).
The mPOS device (302) further includes an mPOS payment component (308) for receiving payment information from a customer. The mPOS payment component (308) can support multiple payment methods such as debit/credit cards, Europay®, MasterCard® and Visa® (EMV) chip-based cards, Near field communication (NFC) based payments, Bluetooth based payments, cloud based mobile payments, and third party payment solutions along with current security technologies for securing payment information. As such, the mPOS payment component (308) can be provided to the mPOS device (302) as an external device or as on-terminal application. In one example, the mPOS payment component (308) is a card reader coupled to the mPOS device (302) for receiving the payment information by swiping or dipping cards. In another example, the mPOS payment component (308) is a card slot provided on the mPOS device (302) for receiving payment information by swiping or dipping cards. In one another example, the mPOS payment component (308) is an application installed on the mPOS device (302) that is suitable for receiving payment information from other mobile devices through NFC, Bluetooth, cloud, and other methods. Additionally, the mPOS device (302) includes an mPOS application or module (309) for receiving the payment information from the mPOS payment component (308) and sending the payment information to the mPOS server (303) for completion of payment. In one embodiment, the mPOS module (309) resides in memory (not shown in the figure) of the mPOS device (302). The memory can be either internal to the mPOS device (302) or external to the mPOS device (302).
In operation, the receiving unit (304) of the mPOS device (302) receives information about a product being purchased by a customer. The information about the product being purchased includes name of the product and category of the product. The receiving unit (304) may receive the information about the product being purchased through one of a barcode scanner coupled to the mPOS device (302), a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled to the mPOS device (302), a touch panel coupled to the mPOS device (302), the MFT (306), and a keypad coupled to the mPOS device (302). Upon receiving the information from the receiving unit (304), the processor (307) in association with the mPOS module (309) sends the information about the product being purchased to the mPOS server (303) for further processing. Although, the processor (307) has been described as transmitting the information in association with the mPOS module (309), it may be understood that in other embodiments, any hardware component can be adapted to transmit the information in association with the mPOS module (309).
The mPOS server (303) is further communicatively coupled to a database (310) storing a plurality of messages over a network (not shown in figure). Examples of the network include wireless network, wired network, and cloud based network. The messages can be promotional offers (hereinafter referred interchangeably as offers), advertisements, and coupons. Additionally, the mPOS server (303) may be communicatively coupled to second database (not shown in the figure) storing other information about products and services available in the store. In one embodiment, the database (310) and the second database are a single database storing both the plurality of messages and the other information about products and services available in the store.
The mPOS server (303) further includes a receiving unit (311), a processor (312), a transmitting unit (313), a bidding module (314) and an ad-matching module (315). In one embodiment, the bidding module (314) and the ad-matching module (315) resides in memory (not shown in the figure) of the mPOS server (304).
The bidding module (314) enables the mPOS server (303) to receive the messages from advertisers such as manufacturers, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, and service providers. The bidding module (314) also enables the advertisers to bid for ad-spaces for their messages in the mPOS system. In one embodiment, the advertisers can log on to a client module (not shown in the figure) of the bidding module (314) through their computing device (316). The advertisers may provide preference for target segment such as demographics and market information along with a bid value for each of the messages through the client module. The bidding module (314) may implement any known bidding algorithm for providing ad-space. Additionally, the bidding module (314) enables the advertisers to manage their messages, and monitor effectiveness of the messages & corresponding return on investments on the messages. Moreover, the bidding module (314) enables the merchants to define or manage the ad-space and keep track of ad revenues from the messages. Thus, the bidding module (314) provides an offline channel to connect the merchants and the advertisers. Upon successful bidding, the mPOS server (303) saves the messages along with relevant information such as target segment and bid value, in the database (310). Additionally, the mPOS server (303) also set a big flag associated against the message in the database (310) when the bid value of the message is maximum bid value.
Further, the ad-matching (315) enables the mPOS server (303) to identify contextual messages from the database (310) and provide the contextual messages to the customers. Accordingly, the receiving unit (311) of the mPOS server receives the information about the product being purchased from the mPOS device (301). Upon receiving the information, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303) in association with the ad-matching module (312) accesses the database (310) and selects a message subset from the plurality of messages stored in the database (310). The message subset includes one or more messages that match with the information about the product being purchased. In an example, upon receiving information about a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera from the mPOS device (302), the mPOS server (303), and in particular the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315) selects a message subset from the database (310) that includes messages such as advertisement, coupons, discount offers, and promotional offers, that are related to memory cards, tripod stands, lenses, cleaning equipment, books, magazines, subscription to magazines & books, warranties, and other products in same family of DSLR camera with additional features.
Upon selecting the message subset, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315), categorizes the messages from the message subset into contextual messages. The contextual messages are those messages selected from the message subset that are highly relevant to the customer and have potential for making an up-sell or cross-sell to the customer. The one or more messages in the message subset are categorized based on a relevancy index of the message and/or the big flag associated against the message.
Accordingly, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303) in association with the ad-matching module (312) calculates the relevancy index of the messages in the message subset in real time. The relevancy index of a message is indicative of a relevance of the message to the customer. The relevancy index is calculated based on a plurality of parameters in real-time upon the selection of the message sub-set. The plurality of parameters includes customer parameters, merchant parameters, external parameters, and advertiser parameters. The customer parameters demographics of the customer, previous purchase history of the customer, contents of basket or shopping cart that includes other products being purchased by the customer, a recency of visit by the customer, a frequency of visit by the customer, and an average ticket size. The merchant parameters include location of merchant and a category of the merchant. The external parameters include time of a purchase, day of the purchase, week of the purchase, and month of the purchase. The advertiser parameters include one or more of effectiveness of the message, category of the message, and a bid value of the message.
Upon calculating the relevancy index of the messages, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303) in association with the ad-matching module (315), categorizes a message as a contextual message if the relevancy index of the message with respect to the information about the product being purchased is above a predetermined threshold limit. The predetermined threshold limit can be either a default pre-set value or a value set by the merchant. Similarly, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303) in association with the ad-matching module (315) categorizes a message as a contextual message if the big flag associated against the message is set. As described earlier, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303) in association with the bidding module (314) sets the bid flag when the bid value of the message is maximum bid value. In one embodiment, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315), first categorizes the messages from the message subset against which the bid flag is set. Thereafter, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315), calculates the relevancy index of those messages against which the bid flag is not set and then categorises the messages with relevancy index above the predetermined threshold limit. In another embodiment, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315), simultaneously checks the big flag and calculates the relevancy index of messages if the bid flag is not set for each message. In one embodiment, the calculated relevancy index for the each message is made available through the client module of the bidding module (311) to the advertisers.
Further, upon categorizing one or more messages from the message subset as contextual messages, the processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315), also assigns ranking to the contextual messages based on the bid value of the message and effectiveness value of the message. In an embodiment, the effectiveness value of the message is determined based on success measures of the message such as redemption of coupon, display of advertisement, and purchase of product associated with a promotional offer. In an example, the effectiveness value of a coupon is determined based on number of times the coupon is acquired. In another example, the effectiveness value of an advertisement is determined based on number of times the advertisement is displayed.
Upon assigning the ranking to the contextual messages, the transmitting unit (313) of the mPOS server (303) sends or transmits the contextual messages and the ranking of the contextual messages to the processor (307) of the mPOS device (302). Upon receiving the contextual messages and the ranking of the contextual messages, the processor (307) in association with the mPOS module (309) displays the contextual messages along with the information about the product being purchased on the CFT (305) of the mPOS device (302). In one embodiment, the information about the product being purchased is displayed on a first portion of the CFT (305) and the contextual messages are displayed on a second portion of the CFT (305). As described earlier, the contextual messages are messages such as advertisements, offers, and coupons, targeted to the customer based on the products being purchased by the customer. Although, the processor (307) of the mPOS device (302) has been described as receiving the information in association with the mPOS module (309), it may be understood that in other embodiments, any hardware component can be adapted to receive the information in association with the mPOS module (309).
Further, the above-described process of displaying of contextual messages is repeated for each of the products being purchased by the customer. The processor (312) of the mPOS server (303), in association with the ad-matching module (315), continuously updates or modifies the relevancy index of the messages displayed on the CFT (305) of the mPOS device (302). The modification of the relevancy index is based on various events such as acquiring of coupon, display of advertisement, purchase of product associated with a promotional offer. In an example, the relevancy index of a coupon is modified when the coupon is acquired upon being displayed on the CFT (305) of the mPOS device (302). In another example, the relevancy index of an advertisement is modified when the advertisement is displayed on the CFT (305) of the mPOS device (302). In yet another example, the relevancy index of a promotional offer is modified when a product associated with the promotional offer is purchased.
Additionally, the processor (307) of the mPOS device (302) in association with the mPOS module (309) displays billing information about the product being purchased by the customer on the MFT (306) of the mPOS device (302). The MFT (306) also displays one or more contextual messages selected by the customer that are displayed on the CFT (305). In an example, the MFT (306) displays the coupons selected by the customer on the CFT (305). In another example, the MFT (306) displays products purchased by the customer based on the promotional offer displayed on the CFT (305). In such example, value of the product is added to the billing information. In addition, the above-described process of displaying of contextual messages is repeated.
Further, as would be understood, upon completion of receiving information of all the products being purchased by the customer and other details, the customer can complete the transaction by making the payment through the mPOS payment component (308). The payment can be processed as known in the art. Upon successful processing of the payment, the mPOS device (302) may generate a paper bill having the billing information and the payment information. In addition, the mPOS device (302) may print the selected contextual messages such as coupon on the paper bill or send the selected contextual messages to a mobile device of the customer.
Thus, the present invention provides a complete mPOS solution comprising the bidding module (314) and the ad-matching module (315) that spans across a complete lifecycle for displaying the contextual messages on the mPOS device (302) including identifying contextual messages, distributing contextual messages, and calculating effectiveness of the contextual messages. As such, both the advertisers and the merchants can track and monitor the effectiveness of messages and returns on the messages easily and effectively. Additionally, the mPOS solution comprising the bidding module (314) and the ad-matching module (315) creates a contextual message network in offline space connecting advertisers, merchants, and customers.
Furthermore, the selection of contextual messages is performed at one-to-one level with the customer and the selected contextual messages are displayed to the customer at a point of purchase during checkout process. This not only improves effectiveness of the displayed contextual messages but also increases return on investments on the messages.
Although, the bidding module (314) and the ad-matching module (315) are depicted as on-terminal modules or applications installed on the mPOS server (303), the bidding module (314) and the ad-matching module (314) can provided as cloud based modules that can be accessed by the mPOS server (303). In another embodiment, both the bidding module (314) and the ad-matching module (315) can be provided as a single mPOS solution. However, in either of the above scenarios, the scope of the invention remains same. Further, it is to be understood that although the description is provided with respect to one or more products being purchased, the principles of the invention are equally applicable to one or more services being purchased.
Figure 4a illustrates an exemplary mPOS device (400), implemented in the exemplary mPOS system (301) as described in Figure 3 above, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. As would be understood, the mPOS device (400) includes other components as described with reference to preceding Figure 3.
As described earlier, the mPOS device (400) is a smart mobile device, such as a smart phone, a notebook, a netbook, and a tablet, that enables completion of customer transactions or payments anywhere in-store rather than at a fixed place. The mPOS device (400), therefore, can be easily integrated with existing infrastructure of a merchant. The mPOS device (400) includes a customer-facing terminal (CFT) (401) and a merchant-facing terminal (MFT) (402). In present embodiment, the mPOS device (400) is a smart mobile device having dual screen such that one screen functions as the CFT (401) and other screen functions as the MFT (402). In another embodiment, the mPOS device (400) is a smart mobile device having a single screen divided into two portions such that one portion functions as the CFT (401) and other screen functions as the MFT (402).
The mPOS device (400) further includes a processor (not shown in the figure), an mPOS module (not shown in the figure), and an mPOS payment component (not shown in the figure) for receiving payment information. The mPOS payment component can support multiple payment methods such as debit/credit cards, Europay®, MasterCard® and Visa® (EMV) chip-based cards, Near field communication (NFC) based payments, Bluetooth based payments, cloud based mobile payments, and third party payment solutions along with current security technologies for securing payment information.
The mPOS device (400) further includes a receiving unit (not shown in the figure) for receiving information about a product being purchased. The receiving unit can receive such information from various devices coupled to the mPOS device (400), such as a barcode scanner, a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled, a touch panel, the MFT (402), and a keypad. In one embodiment, the mPOS device (400) is coupled over wireless network with the various devices. In another embodiment, the mPOS device (400) is coupled over wired network with the various devices. In yet another embodiment, the various devices are in-built units of the mPOS device (400). Additionally, the mPOS device (400) can either be coupled to a printer or include an in-built printer for printing billing information on a paper bill.
The mPOS device (400) is further communicatively coupled with an mPOS server (not shown in the figure) over a network (not shown in the figure) for display of contextual messages. Examples of the network include wireless network, wired network, and cloud based network. As would be understood, one or more such mPOS devices (400) can be coupled to the mPOS server to cater to all customers in a store.
As discussed in reference to Figure 3 above, upon receiving the information about a product being purchased, the mPOS device (400) in association with the mPOS module sends the information to the mPOS server. Upon receiving such information from the mPOS device (400), the mPOS server, in association with an ad-matching module (not shown in the figure), accesses a database storing the plurality of messages and selects a message subset based on the received information. The message subset includes messages that match the product being purchased. Thereafter, the mPOS server in association with the ad-matching module categorizes one or more messages from the message subset as contextual messages. A message from the message subset is categorized as a contextual message if a relevancy index of the message with respect to the received information is above a threshold limit and/or if a bid flag associated against the message is set. Upon categorization, the mPOS server sends the contextual messages to the mPOS device (400). The mPOS device (400) in association with the mPOS module receives the contextual messages from the mPOS server and displays the contextual messages on the CFT (401) along with the information about the product being purchased.
Figure 4b illustrates the exemplary customer-facing terminal (CFT) (401) of the mPOS device (400) as described in Figure 4a, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
The CFT (401) is a display unit displaying contextual messages 403-1, 403-2, 403-3, …, 403-N (hereinafter-referred to as contextual messages (403)) along with the information about the product being purchased. In one example, the CFT (401) is a touch screen panel. In one embodiment, the CFT (401) is divided into two portions such that the information about the product being purchased in displayed on a first portion of the CFT (401) and the contextual messages (403) are displayed on a second portion of the CFT (401). For the sake of brevity, the figure illustrates only the second portion of the CFT (401) displaying the contextual messages (403).
As described in reference to Figure 3, the contextual messages (403) are displayed on the CFT (401) according to a ranking assigned to the each of the contextual messages (403). The ranking is assigned to each of the contextual message by the mPOS server based on a bid value of the message and an effectiveness value of the message. Additionally, a scroll mechanism (404) is enabled for scrolling through the second portion of the CFT (401). As would be understood, the scroll mechanism (404) is enabled when the displayed contextual messages exceed window borders of the second portion of the CFT (401).
Further, each of the contextual messages (403) includes a text portion, an image portion, and optionally an action icon. The action icon allows a customer to perform an action on the message. In one example, the action icon is provided in the contextual message if the contextual message is a coupon to enable a customer to acquire the coupon. Upon clicking on the action icon, the coupon can be either printed on a paper bill or sent to a mobile device of the customer. In another example, the action icon is provided in the contextual message if the contextual message is promotion offer to enable a customer to select the promotional offer. Upon purchasing a product advertised in the promotional offer, the customer can select the promotional offer and the product is added to list of products being purchased by the customer. In another example, the action icon is not provided in the contextual message if the contextual message is an advertisement.
Furthermore, relevancy index of a message is continuously modified upon displaying the message as a contextual message on the CFT (401). The relevancy index is modified based on various events associated with the message such as acquiring of coupon, display of advertisement, purchase of product associated with a promotional offer. In an example, the relevancy index of a coupon is modified when the coupon is acquired upon being displayed on the CFT (401). In another example, the relevancy index of an advertisement is modified when the advertisement is displayed on the CFT (401). In yet another example, the relevancy index of a promotional offer is modified when a product associated with the promotional offer is purchased.
Figure 4c illustrates the exemplary merchant-facing terminal (MFT) (402) of the mPOS device (400) as described in Figure 4a, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
The MFT (402) is a display unit displaying information about a product being purchased (405). In one example, the MFT (402) is a touch screen panel. The MFT (402) may also display information pertaining to an action performed by the customer on the contextual messages (403) displayed on the CFT (401). Thus, the MFT (402) may also display coupons (406) selected by the customer on the CFT (401). The coupons (406) may be either printed on a paper bill or sent to a mobile device of the customer. The MFT (402) may also display the products purchased based the promotional offers (407). As would be understood, value of products purchased based the promotional offers (407) is then added to the total billing.
While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Clearly, the invention may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A method of depicting contextual messages in a mobile point of sale (mPOS) system, said method comprising:
- receiving, by a receiving unit of an mPOS device, information about at least one product;
- transmitting, by a processor of the mPOS device, the information about said at least one product to a mPOS server;
- accessing, by the mPOS server, a database storing thereupon a plurality of messages and selecting a message subset, wherein the message subset includes one or more messages that match with the information about said at least one product;
- retrieving, by the mPOS server, from the message subset, one or more contextual messages, wherein a message is categorized as a contextual message if:
- a relevancy index of the message with respect to the information about said at least one product is above a threshold limit; and/or
- a bid flag associated against the message is set;
- transmitting, by the mPOS server, the one or more contextual messages to the processor; and
- depicting, on a customer-facing terminal (CFT) of the mPOS device, by the processor, the information about said at least one product and the one or more contextual messages.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information about said at least one product is received from one of a barcode scanner coupled to the mPOS device, a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled to the mPOS device, a touch panel coupled to the mPOS device, a merchant-facing terminal (MFT) of the mPOS device, and a keypad coupled to the mPOS device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bid flag associated against the message is set by the mPOS sever when a bid value of the message is a maximum bid value.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relevancy index of the message is determined, by the processor, based on a plurality of parameters, the plurality of parameters including customer parameters, merchant parameters, external parameters, and advertiser parameters.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the customer parameters include one or more of demographics of a customer, previous purchase history of the customer, one or more items being purchased by the customer, a recency of visit by the customer, a frequency of visit by the customer, and an average ticket size.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the merchant parameters include location of merchant and a category of the merchant.

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the external parameters include one or more of time of a purchase, day of the purchase, week of the purchase, and month of the purchase.

8. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the advertiser parameters include one or more of effectiveness of the message, category of the message, and a bid value of the message.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprises:
- assigning, by the mPOS server, a ranking to the one or more contextual messages, wherein the ranking is assigned to a message based on an effectiveness value of the message and a bid value of the message; and
- transmitting, by the mPOS server, the ranking assigned to the one or more contextual messages to the processor, wherein the one or more contextual messages are depicted on the CFT according to the ranking.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message is one of an advertisement, an offer, and a coupon.

11. A mobile point of sale (mPOS) system for depicting contextual messages, the mPOS system comprising:
- at least one mPOS device comprising:
- a receiving unit to receive information about at least one product;
- a processor to send the information said at least one product to a mPOS server; and
- a customer-facing terminal (CFT) to display the information said at least one product; and
- the mPOS server coupled to the at least one mPOS device, the mPOS server comprising:
- a receiving unit to receive the information about said at least one product from the at least one mPOS device;
- a processor coupled to a database storing thereupon a plurality of messages, the processor adapted to:
- select a message set from the database, the message subset includes one or more messages that match with the information about said at least one product; and
- retrieve from the message subset, one or more contextual messages, wherein a message is categorized as a contextual message if:
- a relevancy index of the message with respect to the information about said at least one product is above a threshold limit; and/or
- a bid flag associated against the message is set; and
- a transmitting unit to transmit the one or more contextual messages to the at least one mPOS device, thereby enabling the processor of the at least mPOS device to depict the one or more contextual messages on the CFT of the at least one mPOS device.

12. The mPOS system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the receiving unit of the at least one mPOS device receives the information about said at least one product from one of a barcode scanner coupled to the at least one mPOS device, a quick response (QR) code scanner coupled to the at least one mPOS device, a touch panel coupled to the at least one mPOS device, a merchant-facing terminal (MFT) of the at least one mPOS device, and a keypad coupled to the at least one mPOS device.

13. The mPOS system as claimed in claim 11, wherein::
- the processor of the mPOS server further assigns a ranking to the one or more contextual messages, wherein the ranking is assigned to a message based on an effectiveness value of the message and a bid value of the message; and
- the transmitting unit of the mPOS server further transmits the ranking assigned to the one or more contextual messages to the processor of the at least one mPOS device, wherein the one or more contextual messages are depicted on the CFT of the at least one mPOS device according to the ranking.

14. The mPOS system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processor of the mPOS server sets the bid flag associated against the message when a bid value of the message is a maximum bid value.