Apple Passbook App: Apple Passbook App, The Future is Now

Apple Passbook App: On Thursday morning, AppleInsider took the time to dig up information on a new patent filing from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The patent is for the company’s Passbook app, one that is sure to grow in popularity now that it is pre-installed on all new iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Press Info

Here is an excerpt from the article:

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday published Apple’s patent application for an “Integrated coupon storage, discovery, and redemption system,” a property covering the receipt, storage and use of digital coupons on mobile device. Also mentioned is the ability for the system described to use near-field communication technology when redeeming coupons, a protocol not yet supported by current Apple products.

If you are interested in reviewing the entire patent, in great detail, visit this link from the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The abstract of the patent is as follows:

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing and redeeming electronic coupons on a mobile device. The invention may also cause a mobile device to generate an alert when it is at or in the vicinity of a location such as a retail store where an electronic coupon held by the mobile device may be redeemed. An alert may also be caused when the mobile device is used in a sales transaction at the location. The electronic coupons may be redeemed in a number of ways including scanning an image displayed on the mobile device, communicating with a wireless network, or through an integrated near field payment system offered by the location.

While the majority of the text may be difficult for the average reader to understand, it boils down to one major concept: the Passbook app will offer a method for the management and redemption of digital coupons.

Here is a follow up from the AppleInsider piece:

The invention calls for a “coupon wallet” that stores unique identifying coupon information, such as numbers or barcodes, which can be scanned or input into the mobile device via a camera or touchscreen. Other embodiments allow for a server to transmit coupon codes, or have them received through email messages.

With this latest patent filing, it is safe to say that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is buying further into the mobile revolution (as if we didn’t already know that).

What are your thoughts on this latest patent? Will the Passbook app be the next “big thing” for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) or will it flop?

Check back here for more updates on Apple Passbook App.

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