Apple Inc. may have its eye on a market much bigger than the iPod and Mac computer crowd — a newly-filed patent shows the company is looking at creating a system that will make sales for retail stores better and faster.
In an application with the U.S. Patent Office filed on Dec. 20, Apple described a wireless system that would allow consumers to use a mobile device — such as an iPhone or iPod Touch — to place an order at a store before they even get there.
Apple and Starbucks in September announced a deal that allows free Wi-Fi access to iTunes for iPhone and iPod owners in cafes.
(Associated Press)
The system would place the order with a computer in the participating store, bill the customer automatically and notify them when their purchase was ready for pickup. The customer could then pick up their purchase from a special counter, thus bypassing other customers in line.
One of the goals of the patent is to eliminate the "annoying wait in a long queue if the purchaser arrives before completion of the order," Apple said in its application.
Customers could order their favourite coffee or hamburger on their mobile device while on their way to a cafe or fast-food restaurant, and have it ready for them by the time they get there.
Apple has a policy of not speaking about products and services it has yet to release and on Thursday would not comment about the patent application.
The payment system could be used by just about any retail operation, but media speculation on Thursday pointed to Starbucks as a likely candidate given that the two companies have an existing relationship. Apple in September announced iPhone and iPod owners could connect to its online iTunes store for free over the Wi-Fi networks in Starbucks cafes.
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