Wireless Client Transaction Systems And Related Methods

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

p-0002This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/665,853, filed on Jun. 28, 2012. The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

p-0003This invention relates generally to wireless identification technologies, and relates, more particularly, to wireless client transaction systems and related methods.

BACKGROUND

p-0004For the past several decades, credit cards have been the most popular form of payment at retail stores. Recently there has been a push by several credit card service providers, cellular service providers and software companies towards Near Field Communication (NFC) as an improved alternate to credit cards. NFC devices are purported to be more secure and more convenient to use, but most mobile phones today do not include NFC hardware, which adds cost and complexity to the design of mobile devices, and which has therefore not become ubiquitous in the market. Accordingly, NFC-based systems are constrained due to the lack of supported hardware in use by clients.

p-0005Therefore, a need exists in the art to develop mobile client identification systems and related methods that address such limitations of the current technology without imposing additional inconvenience or hardware upgrade costs to clients or consumers

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0006The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of examples of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in the drawings in which:

p-0007<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a high-level overview of a transaction system for wireless clients, shown in the context of a business locale.

p-0008<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a block diagram of the transaction system of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> with respect to one embodiment thereof.

p-0009<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a computer suitable for implementing an embodiment of at least a portion of the transaction system of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

p-0010<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> presents a representative block diagram of elements of the computer of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

p-0011<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates exemplary information contained by a registered customer set stored in a database of the transaction system of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates a screen of a user interface of a point of service module of the transaction system, presenting a transaction option correlated to a first user to request or process a purchase transaction.

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a client screen of a wireless client, showing a payment confirmation request received by the wireless client wireless client <b>1310</b> from the point of service module, and presented to the first user to request a confirmation of payment for the purchase transaction presented to the user in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a screen of the user interface of the point of service module of the transaction system, presenting a second transaction option correlated to a second user to request or process a purchase transaction.

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates a screen of the user interface of the point of service module of the transaction system, presenting both the first transaction option correlated to the first user and the second transaction option correlated to the second user for situations where both the first and second users are detected to be at a transaction area of the business locale proximate the point of service module.

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates a Received Signal Strength (RSS) chart in map format for a reference device type, with respect to which one or more wireless clients can be localized by the transaction system at the business locale.

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates the RSS chart in map format, with respect to which one or more wireless clients can be localized by the transaction system at the business locale.

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates a flowchart for a method of providing the wireless transaction system.

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> illustrates a flowchart for a method of transacting with wireless clients via the transaction system.

p-0020For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

p-0021The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

p-0022The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

p-0023The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

p-0024“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a power signal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electrical signals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

SUMMARY

p-0025Credit cards and NFC devices cover two ends of the payments spectrum. There is a middle ground that has not been explored much to date. The present disclosure explores this middle ground, allowing mobile phones to be used for contactless payments at retail stores, without requiring them to be equipped with NFC hardware. The proposed approach leverages existing radio on mobile phones, including WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n), WiPAN (IEEE 802.15) such as Bluetooth®, and/or cellular data (W-CDMA, HSPA, EDGE, WiMAX, LTE, etc.). Almost all phones today are equipped with one or more of these radio technologies, and by fingerprinting the radio signal profile passively via access points at a Point of Service (POS), it is possible to passively localize the mobile phone without imposing an additional hardware or software requirements. The systems and methods described herein permit a POS module to know when the client's mobile phone is close to it and ready for a transaction, such as a payment transaction, without requiring specialized NFC hardware technology.

p-0026The present disclosure describes wireless client transaction systems and methods for identifying users at transaction areas within a business locale, using passive radio fingerprinting of the users' respective wireless clients. As used herein, the term wireless client can refer to personal wireless mobile devices comprising, for example, cellular phones, smartphones, and/or tablet devices. Such transaction systems may be implemented via dedicated hardware and/or via software running on devices such as wireless access points, laptops, PCs, tablets, phones, or a combination of hardware and software on multiple devices and radios. In some examples, communication for the systems and methods herein can be implemented via WiFi (IEEE 802.11). In the same or other examples, other wireless technologies can be used, as described above.

p-0027A high-level overview of transaction system <b>1000</b> is shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, in the context of business locale <b>1900</b>, where at least part of transaction system <b>1000</b> is located at or proximate to transactional area <b>1910</b> of business locale <b>1900</b>. Transaction system <b>1000</b> relies on radio <b>1710</b> (WiFi, WiPAN, cellular, etc.) to passively scan for wireless packets of wireless clients <b>1300</b>. Upon finding such wireless packets, transaction system <b>1000</b> checks if they come from wireless client(s) <b>1300</b> of registered user(s) of wireless transaction system <b>1000</b>. Such assessment can be made, for example, based on the hardware address (MAC addresses, device unique identifiers, etc.) of the wireless client(s) <b>1300</b> of the users. Transaction system <b>1000</b> can then determine, based on the signal strength of received wireless packets of wireless client(s) <b>1300</b>, if the registered user of wireless client <b>1310</b> is within transaction area <b>1910</b> and/or proximate to POS module <b>1100</b>. Upon detecting such a situation, transaction system <b>1000</b> can identify and/or greet the user of wireless client <b>1310</b> with a transaction option correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b>, such as a transaction option for the user to pay via wireless client <b>1310</b>.

p-0028In some examples, when the user chooses such transaction option, transaction system <b>1000</b> can send a confirmation message (text message, push notification, etc.) to wireless client <b>1310</b>, prompting the user respond to the message by supplying a password, such as a personal identification number (PIN). Upon receiving the response from the user of wireless client <b>1310</b> and verifying the password, transaction system <b>1000</b> can then process and/or proceed to finalize the transaction.

p-0029In some situations, if transaction system <b>1000</b> determines that multiple wireless clients <b>1300</b> are located within transaction area <b>1910</b> and/or proximate to POS module <b>1100</b>, POS module <b>1000</b> can present multiple respective transaction options correlated to the respective multiple wireless clients <b>1300</b>. Accordingly, the appropriate user wishing to carry out the transaction can choose the proper transaction option correlated thereto, and confirm the transaction with his/her password.

p-0030The security of wireless transaction system <b>1000</b> thus remains assured provided that (1) the user does not lose his/her registered wireless client, and (2) the user's password does not get compromised. If one of the two assumptions is broken, the wireless transaction system <b>1000</b> still remains secure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

p-0031In one embodiment, a system and/or an apparatus can comprise a client ID module and a localization module. The client module can be configured to (a) scan a wireless channel set at a business locale for wireless signals of a registered customer set, to (b) identify, out of the wireless signals, first wireless packets of a first client of the registered customer set; and to (c) calculate a first client signal strength of the first wireless packets. The localization module can be configured to calculate whether the first client is at a transaction area of the business locale based on the first client signal strength and without reliance on NFC technology.

p-0032In one example, a method for transacting with wireless clients can comprise (a) scanning, via a scanning module, a wireless channel set at a business locale for wireless signals of a registered customer set, (b) identifying via the scanning module, out of the wireless signals, first wireless packets of a first client of the registered customer set, (c) calculating, via the scanning module, a first client signal strength of the first wireless packets; and (d) calculating, via a localization module, whether the first client is at a transaction area of the business locale based on the first client signal strength and without reliance on NFC technology.

p-0033In one example, a method comprise providing a client ID module, and providing at least one of a training module or a point of service module. The client ID module can comprise a scanning module and a localization module. The client ID module can be configured to (a) scan a wireless channel set at a business locale for wireless signals of a registered customer set; (b) identify, out of the wireless signals, first wireless packets of a first client of the registered customer set; and (c) calculate a first client signal strength of the first wireless packets. The localization module can be configured to calculate whether the first client is at a transaction area of the business locale based on the first client signal strength and without reliance on NFC technology. The training module can be configured to generate a first signal strength chart of a portion of the business locale for a first reference device type, against which first signal strength chart the localization module can compare the first client signal strength to locate the first client. The POS module can be configured to present, at the transaction area, a user interface comprising a first transaction option correlated to the first client based on the calculation by the localization module of whether the first client is at the transaction area.

p-0034Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims, and/or in the present description.

p-0035<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a block diagram of the transaction system <b>1000</b> introduced above in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, with respect to one embodiment thereof. Transaction system <b>1000</b> comprises client identification (ID) module <b>2210</b>, which includes scanning module <b>2210</b> and localization module <b>2220</b> in the present example. Scanning module <b>2210</b> is configured to identify the presence of one or more wireless clients <b>1300</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), and Localization module <b>2220</b> is configured to determine a location of such wireless clients <b>1300</b> within business locale <b>1900</b>. Transaction system <b>1000</b> also comprises POS module <b>1100</b>, which is configured to interface with users <b>1400</b> of wireless clients <b>1300</b> at transactional area <b>1910</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) based on wireless client information determined by client ID module <b>1200</b>. The present embodiment also comprises training module <b>2300</b>, which is configured to measure environment fingerprint information about business locale <b>1900</b> with respect to reference wireless clients, where such environment fingerprint information can be later used by client ID module <b>1200</b> to locate individual ones of wireless clients <b>1300</b> at business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Although <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates client ID module <b>1200</b> and POS module <b>1100</b> as distinct from each other, there can be embodiments where such modules can be part of each other and/or coupled together as seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. In addition, there can also be other embodiments where training module <b>2300</b> can be optional and/or detached from client ID module <b>1200</b>.

p-0036In some examples, at least part of transaction system <b>1000</b>, such as scanning module <b>2210</b> and/or localization module <b>2220</b>, can be implemented via computing device <b>1700</b>. (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) Computing device <b>1700</b> comprises a desktop computer in the present example, but there can be other examples where computing device <b>1700</b> can comprise a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, and/or other computing devices with wireless functionality. The wireless functionality of computing device <b>1700</b> can comprise radio <b>1710</b> operating pursuant to the WiFi standard (IEEE 802.11) such as in the present embodiment, but can also be based on other standards such as Bluetooth® or WPAN (IEEE 802.15), and/or cellular standards like W-CDMA, HSPA, EDGE, WiMAX, and/or LTE, among others. It is understood that additional and/or alternate hardware, radio technologies, and/or operating systems may be utilized within the scope of this disclosure.

p-0037WiFi usage on modern wireless clients such as smartphones is growing rapidly, and most smartphones include WiFi radio hardware to connect to wireless access points. Since the current trend is for cellular data plans to move from unlimited to limited and tiered bandwidth usage, it is expected that WiFi will continue to be popular on smartphones in the future.

p-0038<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a computer <b>900</b> suitable for implementing an embodiment of computing device <b>1700</b>. Computer <b>900</b> includes a chassis <b>902</b> containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a USB (universal serial bus) port <b>912</b>, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive <b>916</b>, and a hard drive <b>914</b>. A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis <b>902</b> is shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. A central processing unit (CPU) <b>1010</b> is coupled to a system bus <b>1014</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU <b>1010</b> can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.

p-0039System bus <b>1014</b> also is coupled to memory <b>1008</b> that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Non-volatile portions of memory <b>1008</b> or the ROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer <b>900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>) to a functional state after a system reset. In addition, memory <b>1008</b> can include microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS). In the depicted embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, various I/O devices such as a disk controller <b>1004</b>, a graphics adapter <b>1024</b>, a video controller <b>1002</b>, a keyboard adapter <b>1026</b>, a mouse adapter <b>1006</b>, a network adapter <b>1020</b>, and other I/O devices <b>1022</b> can be coupled to system bus <b>1014</b>. Keyboard adapter <b>1026</b> and mouse adapter <b>1006</b> are coupled in the present example to keyboard <b>904</b> and mouse <b>910</b>, respectively, of computer <b>900</b>. While graphics adapter <b>1024</b> and video controller <b>1002</b> are indicated as distinct units in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, video controller <b>1002</b> can be integrated into graphics adapter <b>1024</b>, or vice versa in other embodiments. Video controller <b>1002</b> is suitable for refreshing monitor <b>906</b> to display images on a screen <b>908</b> of computer <b>900</b>. Disk controller <b>1004</b> can control hard drive <b>914</b>, USB port <b>912</b>, and/or CD-ROM or DVD drive <b>916</b>. In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.

p-0040Network adapters <b>1020</b> can be coupled to one or more antennas. In some embodiments, network adapter <b>1020</b> can be configured for WiFi communication (IEEE 802.11), and/or may be part of a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer <b>900</b>. Such WNIC card can be a wireless network card built into internal computer <b>900</b> in some examples. A wireless network adapter can be built into internal client computer <b>900</b> by having wireless Ethernet capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset, or implemented via a dedicated wireless Ethernet chip, connected through the PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus. In the same or other embodiments, network adapters <b>1020</b> can be configured for communication via other wireless protocols, such as via WPAN (IEEE 802.15), and/or via cellular data like W-CDMA, HSPA, HSPA+, EDGE, WiMAX, LTE, or others. In other embodiments, network adapter <b>1020</b> can be a wired network adapter.

p-0041Although other components of computer <b>900</b> are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer <b>900</b> and the circuit boards inside chassis <b>902</b> need not be discussed herein.

p-0042When computer <b>900</b> is in operation, program instructions stored on hard drive <b>914</b>, on memory <b>1008</b>, on a USB drive in USB port <b>912</b>, and/or on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive <b>916</b>, can be executed by CPU <b>1010</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). Such program instructions may correspond to an operating system (OS) such as a Microsoft Windows (OS), an Apple iOS OS, a Linux OS, and/or an Android OS, among others. A portion of such program instructions can be suitable for implementing or carrying out the systems and methods described herein.

p-0043Backtracking to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2</figref>, client ID module <b>1200</b> comprises scanning module <b>2210</b>, which is configured to passively scan wireless channel set <b>1600</b> at business locale <b>1900</b> for wireless signals from wireless clients <b>1300</b> of registered customer set <b>2251</b>, and to identify, out of such wireless signals, wireless packets of respective wireless clients <b>1300</b> of registered customer set <b>2251</b>. Registered customer set <b>2251</b> can be a list or data structure with information about customers that have registered for service from transaction system <b>1000</b>, and can be accessed by scanning module <b>2210</b> from database <b>2250</b> either locally or remotely, such as via the Internet. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates an example of information contained by registered customer set <b>2251</b> as stored in database <b>2250</b>.

p-0044In the present example, with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, scanning module <b>2210</b> can scan wireless channel set <b>1600</b> for wireless signals of wireless clients <b>1300</b>, and can detect wireless packets <b>1311</b> from wireless client <b>1310</b> of user <b>1410</b>, wireless packets <b>1321</b> from wireless client <b>1320</b> of user <b>1420</b>, and wireless packets <b>1331</b> from wireless client <b>1330</b> of user <b>1430</b>. For purposes of the present example, users <b>1410</b> and <b>1420</b> have signed up their respective wireless clients <b>1310</b> and <b>1320</b> for service from transaction system <b>1000</b>, but user <b>1430</b> has not. Accordingly, as seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, client ID information <b>510</b> for wireless clients <b>1310</b> and <b>1320</b> of respective users <b>1410</b> and <b>1420</b> exists at database <b>2250</b> as part of registered customer set <b>2251</b>, but not for wireless client <b>1330</b> of user <b>1430</b>. Scanning module <b>2210</b> can thus compare data from wireless packets <b>1311</b>, <b>1321</b>, and <b>1331</b> against client ID information <b>510</b> of registered customer set <b>2251</b> to thereby identify that wireless clients <b>1310</b> and <b>1320</b> belong to registered customer set <b>2251</b> and have registered for service, and that wireless client <b>1330</b> has not.

p-0045While scanning wireless channel set <b>1600</b>, scanning module <b>2210</b> can set a radio driver for radio <b>1710</b> to a passive listening mode (e.g., “monitor” or “pseudo IBSS”), and/or to a promiscuous mode to scan for wireless packets from wireless clients <b>1300</b>. With respect to WiFi, an example of such passive listening mode configuration can be the “monitor” mode supported by Intel® wireless chipset radios using the “iwlwifi” drivers, and the “pseudolBSS” mode supported by Atheros® chipset radios using the “madwifi” drivers. In such passive listening mode, the WiFi radio does not associate to any wireless access point, but can be set to listen on any frequency/channel. Channel set <b>1600</b> supports 11 channels (from 1 to 11) in the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum for WiFi 802.11b/g, and support several channels in the 5 Ghz spectrum (the exact channels supported varies between countries) for WiFi 802.11a. Radio <b>1710</b> can be set to monitor one or more of these WiFi channels as part of wireless channel set <b>1600</b>, and can receive wireless packets that any of wireless clients <b>1300</b> transmits on such channel(s).

p-0046In some examples, scanning module <b>2210</b> can use a packet capture library, such as the Linux libpcap library, and may activate a callback module every time a new wireless packet from wireless clients <b>1300</b> is received. Such callback module of scanning module <b>2210</b> can read the packet for client statistics <b>2215</b>, including a received signal strength (RSS), transmission rate, frequency, and/or length, and can record such client statistics <b>2215</b> in a data structure such as a hash table. In some examples such data structure for client statistics <b>2212</b> can be stored at database <b>2250</b>.

p-0047As seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, radio <b>1710</b> is coupled in the present embodiment to switching module <b>2230</b>, which is configured to cause the radio driver for radio <b>1710</b> to switch between the different channels of wireless channel set <b>1600</b>. Due to the switching provided by switching module <b>2230</b>, scanning module <b>2210</b> can gather information from the wireless packets sent by wireless clients <b>1300</b> amongst the different frequency channels of wireless channel set <b>1600</b>. In order to monitor as many wireless packets as possible, switching module <b>2230</b> can be set to rapidly switch between all the possible channels of wireless channel set <b>1600</b>. Channel switching incurs latency, so it can be important to choose the most likely channels that wireless clients <b>1300</b> may transmit through. With respect to WiFi, out of the 11 possible 802.11b/g channels, only 3 are non-overlapping (1, 6 and 11), and thus most wireless access points are set up on one of these three channels. Accordingly, switching module <b>2230</b> can be configured to focus on non-overlapping channels by, for example, scanning them more repeatedly than other wireless channels. In the same or other examples scanning module <b>2210</b> can be configured to determine, via the switching provided by switching module <b>2230</b>, which channels of wireless channel set <b>1600</b> are currently high-traffic channels for wireless clients <b>1300</b> of registered customer set <b>2251</b> at business locale <b>1900</b>. Once such high-traffic channels are determined, scanning module can be configured to scan, via the switching provided by switching module <b>2230</b>, each channel of wireless channel set <b>1600</b> in a probabilistic weighted order where the high-traffic channels are scanned for the wireless signals more repeatedly than lower-traffic channels of wireless channel set <b>1600</b>. Alternatively, the scanning module <b>2210</b> could employ multiple radios, each scanning on different non-overlapping sets of frequency channels.

p-0048The wireless packets received by scanning module <b>2210</b> can be subdivided into several portions according to the packet structure designated by their corresponding wireless protocol. Scanning module <b>2210</b> can extract packet header information from the wireless packets of wireless clients <b>1300</b>. Accordingly, whether for WiFi or other wireless communication protocols, scanning module <b>2210</b> can be configured to extract client identifier information from the packet headers of wireless packets it receives. For example, scanning module <b>2210</b> can parse wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> to extract client identifier <b>13111</b> therefrom, and can then identify wireless client <b>1310</b> as pertaining to registered customer set <b>2251</b> by comparing client identifier <b>13111</b> against client ID information <b>510</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) from registered customer set <b>2251</b> in database <b>2250</b>. In some examples, scanning module <b>2210</b> can scan for wireless packets <b>1311</b>, and/or parse wireless packets <b>1311</b>, based on a WiFi IEEE 802.11 packet structure, a WPAN IEEE 802.15 packet structure, and/or based on a cellular data packet structure. In the same or other examples, client identifier <b>13111</b> can comprise at least one of a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an Extended Unique Identifier (EUI) address.

p-0049Having identified wireless client <b>1310</b> based on wireless packets <b>1311</b> as described above, the presence of wireless client <b>1310</b> within business locale <b>1900</b> is thus established. Scanning module <b>2210</b> can also determine other information, statistics, or meta-data from wireless packets <b>1311</b> about wireless client <b>1310</b> to assist in locating wireless client <b>1310</b> within business locale <b>1900</b>. In some examples, such meta-data can comprise a client device type of wireless client <b>1310</b>, where such client device type can comprise information such as a type, brand, and/or model of the wireless client <b>1310</b>. For instance, based on client identifier <b>13111</b> extracted from wireless packets <b>1311</b>, scanning module <b>2210</b> can cross-reference registered customer set <b>2251</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) for the corresponding entries for wireless client <b>1310</b>, and thus extract therefrom client device type information <b>530</b> for wireless client <b>1310</b>.

p-0050In the same or other examples, the meta-data determined by scanning module <b>2210</b> from wireless packets <b>1311</b> can comprise a bitrate for wireless packets <b>1311</b>, a frequency channel for wireless packets <b>1311</b>, and/or a received signal strength (RSS) for wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b>. The RSS can be calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> while monitoring from wireless packets <b>1311</b>, and can be a good indicator of the proximity of corresponding wireless client <b>1300</b> to scanning module <b>2210</b> and/or to transactional area <b>1910</b> at business locale <b>1900</b>.

p-0051Transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2</figref>) comprises localization module <b>2220</b> configured to determine the location of wireless clients <b>1300</b> identified by scanning module <b>2210</b>. For example, localization module <b>2220</b> can calculate whether wireless client <b>1310</b> is located at transaction area <b>1910</b> of business locale <b>1900</b> based on the RSS calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> for wireless packets <b>1311</b>. In one simplified implementation, localization module <b>2220</b> can compare the RSS for the different wireless clients <b>1300</b> at business locale <b>1900</b>, and ascertain that the one with the greatest RSS is likely to be located closest to radio <b>1710</b> and thus located at transaction area <b>1910</b>. Other localization techniques are further described below. Localization module <b>2220</b> can thus calculate such location of wireless client <b>1310</b> and/or the location of other ones of wireless clients <b>1300</b> without reliance on NFC technology, such that transaction system <b>1000</b> can be made accessible to wireless clients <b>1300</b> without requiring them to have NFC hardware or software.

p-0052Transaction system <b>1000</b> further comprises POS module <b>1100</b>, which is configured to present user interface <b>1110</b> at transaction area <b>1910</b> of business locale <b>1900</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates screen <b>6500</b> of user interface <b>1110</b>, which can be presented to a user to process a purchase transaction. For example, once wireless client <b>1310</b> has been identified by scanning module <b>2210</b> as being present at business locale <b>1900</b>, and when localization module <b>2220</b> has located wireless client <b>1310</b> as being at transaction area <b>1910</b> of business locale <b>1900</b> as described above, user interface screen <b>6500</b> can be presented with one or more transaction options <b>6510</b>, including transaction option <b>6511</b>, to process a purchase transaction. In the present example, transaction option <b>6511</b> is correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b> based on the above-described assessment by localization module <b>2220</b> that wireless client <b>1310</b> is located at transactional area <b>1910</b>. Accordingly, transaction option <b>6511</b> can identify user <b>1410</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) by name or username, and can provide an alternative to user <b>1410</b> to “pay by phone” via wireless client <b>1310</b> rather than by credit card or cash.

p-0053Upon selection of transaction option <b>6511</b> by user <b>1410</b>, POS module <b>1100</b> can emit a payment confirmation request to wireless client <b>1310</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates client screen <b>7500</b>, which shows payment confirmation request <b>7510</b> received by wireless client <b>1310</b> and presented thereat to user <b>1410</b> to request confirmation of payment for the transaction presented to user <b>1410</b> at screen <b>6500</b> of user interface <b>1110</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>). In some examples, payment confirmation request <b>7510</b> can be sent to wireless client <b>1310</b> in the form of a text message, such as an SMS (Short Message Service) message, that can be displayed by wireless client <b>1310</b>. In the same or other examples, payment confirmation request <b>7510</b> can be sent to an application or other software installed on wireless client <b>1310</b> and configured to present confirmation request <b>7510</b> to user <b>1410</b> and to request payment authentication <b>7520</b>.

p-0054After receiving payment confirmation request <b>7510</b>, user <b>1410</b> can accept the transaction by entering his or her user password as payment authentication <b>7520</b>. Payment authentication <b>7520</b> is then sent by wireless client <b>1310</b>, received wirelessly by POS module <b>1100</b>, and, if the user password is correct, POS module <b>1100</b> can proceed to carry out the transaction by billing the account of user <b>1410</b>. In the present embodiment, the user password received via payment authentication <b>7520</b> can be authenticated by POS module <b>1100</b> via comparison with a reference password previously entered by user <b>1410</b> for its account with transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The reference password can be stored, correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b>, at registered customer set <b>2251</b> for access by POS module <b>1100</b> via database <b>2250</b> in some embodiments. In the same or other embodiments, payment method information, such as credit card or bank account information, can also be stored correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b> at registered customer set <b>2251</b> so that POS module <b>1100</b> can bill the account of user <b>1410</b> accordingly upon receipt of payment authentication <b>7520</b>.

p-0055In some instances, more than one of wireless clients <b>1300</b> can be located at business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). For instance, wireless clients <b>1310</b> and <b>1320</b> could be both located at or close to transactional area <b>1910</b>. In such situations, scanning module <b>2210</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) can be configured to identify wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> and wireless packets <b>1321</b> of wireless client <b>1320</b>, and to calculate the RSS for wireless packets <b>1311</b> and <b>1321</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Localization module <b>2220</b> can then compare the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b>. Based on such comparison, if localization module <b>2220</b> determines that the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> is greater than the RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b> of wireless client <b>1320</b>, POS module <b>1100</b> can proceed to present transaction option <b>6511</b> at user interface <b>1110</b> for user <b>1410</b> as shown in screen <b>6500</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. To the contrary, if localization module <b>2220</b> determines that the RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b> of wireless client <b>1320</b> is greater than the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b>, POS module <b>1100</b> can proceed to present transaction option <b>8511</b> at user interface <b>1110</b> for user <b>14200</b> as shown in screen <b>8500</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>.

p-0056There can be situations where more than one of wireless clients <b>1300</b> can be located within transaction area <b>1910</b>, or be sufficiently close to each other, in such a way that localization module <b>2220</b> may have problems distinguishing which of users <b>1400</b> is at or closer to user interface <b>1110</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2</figref>). For instance, if wireless clients <b>1310</b> and <b>1320</b> were next to each other within transaction area <b>1910</b>, the RSS calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> for wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> could be similar to the RSS calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> for wireless packets <b>1321</b> of wireless client <b>1320</b>. In such a situation, localization module <b>2220</b> may not be able to properly ascertain which RSS is greater with a minimum degree of certainty. Localization module <b>2220</b> may thus not be able to determine whether to present transaction option <b>6511</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b> and user <b>1410</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), or to present transaction option <b>8511</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>) correlated to wireless client <b>1320</b> and user <b>1420</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). In such circumstances, as seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, POS module <b>1100</b> may present screen <b>9500</b> comprising transaction option <b>6511</b> for user <b>1410</b> to self-identify with respect to wireless client <b>1310</b>, and comprising transaction option <b>8511</b> for user <b>1420</b> to self-identify with respect to wireless client <b>1320</b>.

p-0057Transaction system <b>1000</b> can be configured in some implementations to generate aggregate statistics from the wireless packets of wireless clients <b>1300</b>, and to locate individual ones of wireless clients <b>1300</b> based on such aggregate statistics. For example, localization module <b>2220</b> can be configured to generate aggregate statistics for wireless client <b>1310</b> based on wireless packets <b>1311</b>, including an aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> throughout a latest time period.

p-0058In some examples, the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> can comprise at least one of a signal strength mean, a signal strength variance, a signal strength median, and/or a signal strength quartile. In the same or other examples, the aggregate statistics for wireless client <b>1310</b> can comprise a number of frequency channels used for wireless packets <b>1311</b> throughout the latest time period, and/or a number of wireless packets <b>1311</b> transmitted throughout the latest time period. Localization module <b>2220</b> can also be configured to generate aggregate statistics for wireless client <b>1302</b> based on wireless packets <b>1321</b>, including an aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b> for the latest time period.

p-0059Such aggregation can normalize the statistics calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> from the wireless packets of wireless clients <b>1300</b>, where such statistics could otherwise vary per individual wireless client in response to, for example, interference or movement within business locale <b>1900</b> relative to radio <b>1710</b>, scanning module <b>2210</b>, and/or POS module <b>1100</b>. Thus, the aggregation of statistics can permit the generation of more stable and less noisy RSS values with respect to which localization module <b>2220</b> can more reliably ascertain the location of wireless clients <b>1300</b> at business locale <b>1900</b>. Such aggregation can be made throughout a latest time period, which can be of approximately 2 seconds in some implementations, and which can repeat periodically. For instance, if the RSS statistics for wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> do not change significantly throughout the latest time period of aggregation, localization module <b>2220</b> can ascertain that wireless client <b>1310</b> is not moving within business locale <b>1900</b>.

p-0060In some examples, the aggregate statistics for wireless client <b>1310</b> can be based on a time-weighted standard where, with respect to the latest time period, later statistics measured or generated from later ones of wireless packets <b>1311</b> are weighted more heavily than earlier statistics measured or generated from earlier ones of wireless packets <b>1311</b>.

p-0061In embodiments where transaction system <b>1000</b> aggregates statistics as described above, POS module <b>1100</b> can be configured to present transaction option <b>6511</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b> if the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> is greater than the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b> by at least a minimum signal strength threshold difference, and/or if the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> is greater than a minimum signal strength threshold value. Similarly, POS module <b>1100</b> can be configured to present transaction option <b>8511</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>) correlated instead to wireless client <b>1320</b> if the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b> is greater than the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> by at least the minimum signal strength threshold difference, and/or if the aggregate RSS of wireless packets <b>1321</b> is greater than the minimum signal strength threshold value.

p-0062As seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, transaction system <b>1000</b> can also optionally comprise training module <b>2300</b>, which is configured to measure and generate reference environment information with respect to fingerprints of reference wireless devices at business locale <b>1900</b>. Such reference environment information an be later used to assist client ID module <b>1200</b> in locating wireless clients <b>1300</b> within business locale <b>1900</b>.

p-0063One approach for client localization in transaction system <b>1000</b> can be to generate one or more received signal strength (RSS) charts with training module <b>2300</b> with respect to stochastic distributions for wireless signals transmitted under different conditions from several locations in the area of business locale <b>1900</b>. In some examples, the RSS charts can be conceptualized in terms of a table format and/or a map format. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates RSS chart <b>10000</b> in map format <b>10100</b> for reference device type <b>10510</b> at business locale <b>1900</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates RSS chart <b>10000</b> in table format <b>11100</b> for reference device type <b>10510</b> at business locale <b>1900</b>.

p-0064The RSS charts can be constructed based on vectors of RSS measurements correlated to a specific locations and/or to specific conditions of corresponding wireless packets from a reference device type. The reference device type can relate to a specific type (cellular phone, smartphone, tablet, etc), brand, and/or model of wireless device for which the RSS chart is built. In some examples, the RSS vectors can be similar to the following: <location, reference device type, bit rate, frequency channel, packet size, RSS>, where such RSS vector specifies an RSS measured for a wireless packet received from a location within business locale <b>1900</b>, transmitted from a reference device type at a specific bitrate, frequency channel, and packet size.

p-0065Data for the RSS vectors can be generated or captured by scanning module <b>2210</b> in some implementations from wireless packets of one or more reference wireless devices, and fed to training module <b>2300</b> to construct the RSS charts. For instance, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows RSS chart <b>10000</b> in map format <b>10100</b>, with a layout of business locale <b>1900</b> comprising different locations thereat, such as transaction area <b>1920</b>, queue area <b>1920</b> and entrance area <b>10930</b>. Reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> from reference device type <b>10510</b> can be originated from different locations of business locale <b>1900</b>, and processed by training module <b>2300</b> to generate RSS vectors therefor with respect to desired ones of the different locations. For instance, reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> originated from transaction area <b>1910</b> are processed by training module to generate RSS vectors <b>10911</b>, reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> originated from queue area <b>1920</b> are processed by training module to generate RSS vectors <b>10921</b>, and reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> originated from entrance area <b>110930</b> are processed by training module to generate RSS vectors <b>109131</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a subset of corresponding RSS vectors <b>10911</b>, <b>10921</b>, and <b>10931</b> described above with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> under different bitrate, frequency channel, and packet size conditions. In the present example, as seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, reference device type <b>10510</b> comprises an iPhone® 5 from Apple® Corporation. Other RSS charts similar to RSS chart <b>10000</b> can be generated for other reference device types with respect to locations <b>1910</b>, <b>1920</b>, and <b>10930</b> if desired. RSS charts need not be tied to specific device models. For instance, more generic RSS charts may be generated for a generic device type (tablets, cellular phone, smartphones), for devices of a specific wireless carrier (AT&amp;T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.), for devices of a specific wireless technology (WiFi, WPAN, W-CDMA, HSPA, EDGE, WiMAX, LTE, etc.), and/or for devices of a specific brand, among others.

p-0066With the RSS charts generated by training module <b>2300</b>, localization module <b>2220</b> can cross-reference what the RSS of a wireless client that corresponds to reference device type <b>10510</b> is supposed to be like with respect to the different locations within business locale <b>1900</b>. Accordingly, with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, localization module <b>2220</b> can ascertain that, if the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> correlates to the RSS of one of RSS vectors <b>10911</b> in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) for a corresponding bitrate, frequency channel, and/or packet size, then wireless client <b>1310</b> is likely to be located at transaction area <b>1910</b>.

p-0067Considering the above, training module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) is configured to generate RSS chart <b>10000</b> of a portion of business locale <b>1900</b> for reference device type <b>10510</b>, as seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>. RSS chart <b>10000</b> can be generated with respect to reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), which can be determined by scanning module <b>2210</b> from reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) of reference device type <b>10510</b>. Reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> comprise nearby reference wireless packets <b>105111</b>, which are transmitted by reference device type <b>10510</b> from nearby reference location <b>1810</b>. Reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> also comprise distant reference wireless packets <b>105112</b>, which are transmitted from reference device type <b>10510</b> at distant reference location <b>1820</b>. Reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) comprise nearby reference signal strengths <b>11151</b>, which are calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> from nearby reference wireless packets <b>105111</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). Reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) also comprise distant reference signal strengths <b>11152</b>, which are calculated by scanning module <b>2210</b> from distant reference wireless packets <b>105112</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). In the present example, nearby reference location <b>1810</b> corresponds to transaction area <b>1910</b>, which is nearby to radio <b>1710</b> through which reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> are received by transaction system <b>1000</b> for processing by scanning module <b>2220</b>. Distant reference location <b>1820</b> corresponds to queue area <b>1920</b>, which is more distant with respect to radio <b>1710</b>. In other implementations, other areas of business locale <b>1900</b> can correspond to nearby reference location <b>1810</b> and/or distant reference location <b>1820</b>.

p-0068Once RSS chart <b>10000</b> is generated by training module <b>2300</b>, it can be stored for future access by localization module <b>2220</b> when determining the localization of wireless clients <b>1300</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). In some examples, RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>) can be stored at database <b>2250</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>). With respect to the example of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, to localize wireless client <b>1310</b> within business locale <b>1900</b>, scanning module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) would first identify wireless client <b>1310</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) as being present within business locale <b>1900</b>, and would determine the RSS and other information or meta-data from wireless packets <b>1311</b> as described above. Localization module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) could then compare such information about wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> against RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>). For instance, in some implementations, localization module <b>2220</b> can compare the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) against reference signal strengths <b>1150</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) that correspond to the reference device type, bitrate, frequency channel, and/or packet size of wireless packets <b>1311</b>. As an example, if the RSS from wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) corresponds to one of nearby reference signal strengths <b>11151</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), localization module <b>2220</b> can ascertain that the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> is likely to be at transaction area <b>1910</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). As another example, if the RSS from wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) corresponds to one of distant reference signal strengths <b>11152</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), localization module <b>2220</b> can ascertain that the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> is likely to be at queue area <b>1920</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

p-0069As described above, training module <b>2300</b> can also be configured to generate other RSS charts for different reference device types. Thus, besides RSS chart <b>10000</b> for reference device type <b>10510</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>), training module <b>2300</b> can generate a second RSS chart similar to RSS chart <b>10000</b> but for a second reference device type. Thus, if the client device type of wireless client <b>1310</b> did not match that of reference device type <b>10510</b> for RSS chart <b>1000</b>, or if the client device type or wireless client <b>1310</b> could not be determined, localization module <b>2220</b> could proceed to compare the RSS of wireless packets <b>1310</b> against the reference signal strengths of the other RSS charts, such as said second RSS chart, and thereby try to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b>.

p-0070Training module <b>2300</b> can also be configured to generate RSS charts for different reference bitrates. In the present example of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>, the bitrates at which reference device type <b>10510</b> can transmit reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> can vary, such that not all of reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> are transmitted at the same bitrate. RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprises entries for reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> from reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> of corresponding different reference bitrates (labeled BR-1 and BR-2). Thus, RSS vector entries for bitrate BR-1 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a first RSS chart with respect to bitrate BR-1, and RSS vector entries for bitrate BR-2 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a second RSS chart with respect to bitrate BR-2.

p-0071As previously described, to locate wireless client <b>1310</b> at business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), scanning module <b>2210</b> can be configured to determine the client device type and the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b>. Localization module <b>2220</b> can thus use such information to narrow or focus its comparison of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against such first or second RSS charts of RSS chart <b>10000</b> to localize wireless client <b>1310</b>.

p-0072For instance, if the client device type of wireless client <b>1310</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) corresponds to the reference device type of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), localization module <b>2220</b> can compare the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) against the different bitrates of the RSS vector entries in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>). Thus, if the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to bitrate BR-1, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths for bitrate BR-1 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>). Similarly, if the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to bitrate BR-2, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths for bitrate BR-2 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0073Training module <b>2300</b> can also be configured to generate RSS charts for different reference frequency channels. In the present example of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>, the frequency channels at which reference device type <b>10510</b> can transmit reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> can vary, such that not all of reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> need be transmitted at the same frequency channel. RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprises entries for reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> from reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> of corresponding different reference frequency channels (labeled FC-1 and FC-2). Thus, RSS vector entries for frequency channel FC-1 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a first RSS chart with respect to frequency channel FC-1, and RSS vector entries for frequency channel FC-2 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a second RSS chart with respect to frequency channel FC-2.

p-0074As previously described, to locate wireless client <b>1310</b> at business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), scanning module <b>2210</b> can be configured to determine the client device type and the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b>. Localization module <b>2220</b> can thus use such information to narrow or focus its comparison of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against such first or second RSS charts of RSS chart <b>10000</b> to localize wireless client <b>1310</b>.

p-0075For instance, if the client device type of wireless client <b>1310</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) corresponds to the reference device type of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), localization module <b>2220</b> can compare the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) against the different frequency channels of the RSS vector entries in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>). Thus, if the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to frequency channel FC-1, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths for frequency channel FC-1 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>). Similarly, if the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to frequency channel FC-2, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths for frequency channel FC-2 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0076Training module <b>2300</b> can also be configured to generate RSS charts with respect to both different reference frequency channels and different reference bitrates. In the present example of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>, RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprises entries for reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> from reference wireless packets <b>10511</b> of corresponding different reference bitrates (labeled BR-1 and BR-2) and different reference frequency channels (labeled FC-1 and FC-2). Thus, (a) RSS vector entries for bitrate BR-1 and frequency channel FC-1 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a first RSS chart, (b) RSS vector entries for bitrate BR-2 and frequency channel FC-2 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a second RSS chart, (c) RSS vector entries for bitrate BR-1 and frequency channel FC-2 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a third RSS chart, and (d) RSS vector entries for bitrate BR-2 and frequency channel FC-1 in RSS chart <b>10000</b> comprise a fourth RSS chart.

p-0077As previously described, to locate wireless client <b>1310</b> at business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), scanning module <b>2210</b> can be configured to determine the client device type, the bitrate, and the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b>. Localization module <b>2220</b> can thus use such information to narrow or focus its comparison of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against such first, second, third, or fourth RSS charts of RSS chart <b>10000</b> to localize wireless client <b>1310</b>.

p-0078For instance, if the client device type of wireless client <b>1310</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) corresponds to the reference device type of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), localization module <b>2220</b> can compare the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) against the different bitrates of the RSS vector entries in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), and can compare the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) against the different frequency channels of the RSS vector entries in RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0079Thus, if the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to bitrate BR-1, and the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to frequency channel FC-1, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths corresponding to both bitrate BR-1 and frequency channel FC-1 in the first RSS chart of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0080Similarly, if the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to bitrate BR-2, and the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to frequency channel FC-2, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths corresponding to both bitrate BR-2 and frequency channel FC-2 in the second RSS chart of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0081Similarly, if the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to bitrate BR-1, and the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to frequency channel FC-2, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths corresponding to both bitrate BR-1 and frequency channel FC-2 in the third RSS chart of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0082Similarly, if the bitrate of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to bitrate BR-2, and the frequency channel of wireless packets <b>1311</b> correlates to frequency channel FC-1, localization module <b>2220</b> can proceed to ascertain the location of wireless client <b>1310</b> based on a comparison between the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> against the reference signal strengths corresponding to both bitrate BR-2 and frequency channel FC-1 in the fourth RSS chart of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>).

p-0083Moving on, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates a flowchart for a method <b>12000</b> of for providing a wireless transaction system. In some implementations, the wireless transaction system can be similar to transaction system <b>1000</b> as described above with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>.

p-0084Method <b>12000</b> comprises block <b>12100</b> for providing a client ID module. In some embodiments, the client ID module can be similar to client ID module <b>1200</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>). The client ID module of block <b>12100</b> can comprise in some implementations a channel switching module (which can be similar to channel switching module <b>2230</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) as described above), a scanning module (which can be similar to scanning module <b>2210</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) as described above), and/or a localization module (which can be similar to localization module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) as described above).

p-0085Method <b>12000</b> can also optionally comprise blocks <b>12200</b> and/or block <b>12300</b>. Block <b>12200</b> can comprise providing a training module, which can be similar in some embodiments to training module <b>2300</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) as described above. Block <b>12300</b> can comprise providing a point of service module, which can be similar in some embodiments to POS module <b>1100</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2</figref>) as described above.

p-0086<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> illustrates a flowchart for a method <b>13000</b> for transacting with wireless clients via a transaction system. In some examples, the transaction system can be similar to transaction system <b>1000</b> as described above with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-12</figref>. In the same or other examples, the wireless clients can be similar to wireless clients <b>1300</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) as also described above.

p-0087Method <b>13000</b> can comprise block <b>13100</b> for generating, with a training module, a first signal strength chart of a portion of a business locale. In some examples, the training module can be similar to training module <b>2300</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) of transaction system <b>1000</b>, while the signal strength chart can be similar to signal strength chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>) or variations thereof. Similarly, the business locale can be similar to business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>10</b>), or another business locale for which wireless client localization is desired. Block <b>13100</b> can be optional in some implementations.

p-0088Block <b>13200</b> of method <b>13000</b> comprises scanning, via a scanning module, a wireless channel set at the business locale for wireless signals of a registered customer set. In some examples, the scanning module can be similar to scanning module <b>2230</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) as described above. The wireless channel set, the wireless signals, and the registered customer set can be respectively similar to wireless channel set <b>1600</b>, to the wireless signals of wireless clients <b>1300</b>, and to registered customer set <b>2251</b> as described above with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2</figref> and the different implementations of transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>).

p-0089Block <b>13300</b> of method <b>13000</b> comprises identifying via the scanning module, out of the wireless signals, first wireless packets of a first client of the registered customer set. For example, the first wireless packets of the first client can be similar to wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b>, as illustrated above in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and as described with respect to transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>).

p-0090Method <b>13000</b> also comprises block <b>13400</b> for calculating, via the scanning module, a first client signal strength of the first wireless packets. The first client signal strength can be similar to the RSS of one or more packets of wireless packets <b>1311</b> of wireless client <b>1310</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), as described with respect to transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>).

p-0091Method <b>13000</b> further comprises block <b>13500</b> for calculating, via a localization module, whether the first client is at a transaction area of the business locale based on the first client signal strength. The localization module can be similar to localization module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) in some examples, and the calculation of whether the first client is at the transaction area of the business local can be similar to one or more of the different calculations by localization module <b>2220</b> with respect to determining whether wireless client <b>1310</b> and/or <b>1320</b> is located at transaction area <b>1910</b> of business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) as described with respect to transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>).

p-0092Block <b>13600</b> of method <b>13000</b> comprises presenting a user interface to a user at the transaction area via a POS module, the user interface comprising a first payment option correlated to the first client when the localization module calculates that the first client is at the transaction area. The POS module and the user interface can be respectively similar to POS module <b>1100</b> and user interface <b>1110</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>2</b>) in some embodiments, while the first payment option can be similar to transaction option <b>6511</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6</figref>, <b>9</b>) correlated to wireless client <b>1310</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) as describes above with respect to transaction system <b>1000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>).

p-0093In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of methods <b>12000</b> or <b>13000</b> can be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/or the sequence of such blocks can be changed. For example, blocks <b>12100</b> and <b>12300</b> of method <b>12000</b> can be performed simultaneously, such as where the client ID module and the point of service module are comprised by a single unit. In the same or other examples, some of the blocks of methods <b>12000</b> or <b>13000</b> can be subdivided into several sub-blocks. For example, block <b>13500</b> of method <b>13000</b> can be subdivided into further sub-blocks, such as a sub-block for correlating the first client signal strength against the first signal strength chart generated by the training module of block <b>13100</b>, such as described above with respect to the correlation of the RSS of wireless packets <b>1311</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) with the reference signal strengths <b>11150</b> of RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>). There can also be examples where methods <b>12000</b> or <b>13000</b> can comprise further or different blocks. As an example method <b>13000</b> can comprise an additional block for emitting a payment confirmation request to the first client when the first payment option is selected by the user, as described above with respect to payment confirmation request <b>7510</b> and payment authentication <b>7520</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>). In addition, there may be examples where methods <b>12000</b> or <b>13000</b> can comprise only part of the steps described above. For instance, block <b>13100</b> can be optional in some implementations of method <b>13000</b>. Other variations can be implemented for methods <b>12000</b> or <b>13000</b> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

p-0094Although the wireless client transaction systems related methods herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For example, there can be situations where training module <b>2300</b> may not be available or where it may not be otherwise feasible to build a radio fingerprint such as described above with respect to RSS chart <b>10000</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10-11</figref>). As an alternative, localization module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) may rely on a direct comparison between the RSS of the wireless packets of the different wireless clients <b>1300</b> present at business locale <b>1900</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), and ascertain that the one with the greatest RSS is at or closest to transaction area <b>1910</b> as described above. As another alternative, localization module <b>2220</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) may predict RSS at various locations using an RF propagation model, such as the log-distance path loss model. Other model-based techniques can be used as well by localization module <b>2220</b> instead of RSS chart <b>10000</b> generated as described above by training module <b>2220</b>, such as a ray-tracing model or a Bayesian hierarchical approach.

p-0095Several other examples of such possible changes have been given in the foregoing description. Other permutations of the different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various figures are likewise contemplated. Accordingly, the disclosure herein is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of this application shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

p-0096The wireless client transaction systems related methods discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

p-0097All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claims.

p-0098Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.