U.S. patent application number 12/082142 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for electronic payment system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GTECH Rhode Island Corporation. Invention is credited to Nigel Beaney, Michael Karns, Miroslaw Kula, M. John Mathieu.
Application Number | 20080195536 12/082142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33299813 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080195536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karns; Michael ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
Electronic payment system
Abstract
An electronic payment system and method facilitates electronic
commerce through controlled transfer of identification and value
representations to wireless devices. The system includes a payment
collection apparatus and a transaction apparatus, and provides for
representation of user and transaction information via
machine-readable indicia. In one embodiment, the machine-readable
indicia is a barcode. The present invention is useful in such
example applications as credit transactions, lottery system
operations, and mobile top up applications.
Inventors: |
Karns; Michael; (Exeter,
RI) ; Beaney; Nigel; (Bucks, GB) ; Mathieu; M.
John; (Greenville, RI) ; Kula; Miroslaw;
(Cranston, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAMS MULLEN
222 CENTRAL PARK AVENUE, SUITE 1700
VIRGINIA BEACH
VA
23462
US
|
Assignee: |
GTECH Rhode Island
Corporation
|
Family ID: |
33299813 |
Appl. No.: |
12/082142 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10819705 |
Apr 7, 2004 |
7370012 |
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12082142 |
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60461457 |
Apr 9, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/39 ;
705/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/102 20130101;
G06Q 20/322 20130101; G06Q 20/10 20130101; G06Q 20/32 20130101;
G06Q 40/00 20130101; G06Q 40/02 20130101; G06Q 20/3274 20130101;
G06Q 20/382 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/39 ;
705/35 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/00 20060101
G06Q040/00 |
Claims
1. A method for increasing credit in an account, comprising the
steps of: receiving, via a fulfillment component, a deposit payment
and account identification information, said account identification
information received by scanning identification indicia from a
wireless communications device; creating a message comprising said
account identification information and value information
corresponding to said payment; delivering said message to a
transaction processing component; and crediting said account in
accordance with said value information.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said indicia is a barcode.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said barcode is recalled from a
memory of said wireless device.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said barcode is requested from an
account maintaining entity.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein said barcode is displayed on a
display of said wireless device.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein said barcode is physically
integrated into said wireless device.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein said message is created by said
fulfillment component.
8. A method for processing credit transactions in connection with
received payment, comprising the steps of: receiving a deposit
payment and transaction information, said transaction information
including account identification information, transaction type, and
transaction value information; delivering said transaction
information to a transaction processing component; upon said
transaction type being a credit request, crediting said account
according to said transaction value information; and upon said
transaction type being a voucher request, issuing a voucher to a
user in the amount determined by said transaction value
information.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said voucher request is a barcode
and the step of issuing said voucher includes issuing said barcode
to a wireless device.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of said
transaction information is received by scanning a barcode from a
wireless device.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said barcode is recalled from a
memory of said wireless device.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said barcode is requested from
an account maintaining entity.
13. A system for facilitating credit transactions, comprising: a
transaction database for storing information about transaction
types in connection with electronic transactions for at least one
service provider type; a plurality of service provider account
databases for respectively storing account information including at
least account identification and account balance information for a
plurality of users associated with each of said service providers;
a transaction apparatus for receiving a deposit payment and
scanning code information displayed on a wireless communications
device, said code information corresponding to a stored transaction
type and at least one of said accounts associated with at least one
of said service provider databases; and a transaction processor in
two-way communication with said transaction database, account
databases and said transaction apparatus for receiving information
from said transaction apparatus, said received information
representing account identification information, transaction type
information and transaction amount information corresponding to
said deposit payment, said transaction processor adapted to process
said received information and perform at least one of: crediting
said account identified by said account identification information
according to said transaction amount, delivering a credit or
voucher corresponding to said payment to a wireless device.
14. A method for transferring credit among multiple accounts,
comprising the steps of: receiving a request to transfer credit
from a first credit account to a second account; receiving
identification information sufficient to identify said first and
second accounts; and receiving transaction information indicative
of transaction type and transaction amount, wherein at least one of
said identification information and said transaction information is
received by scanning a barcode displayed on a wireless device.
15. A method for facilitating credit transactions, comprising the
steps of: receiving a request from a user for a credit transfer;
attributing said request to said account for said user; delivering
a transaction code to said user's mobile device; and upon receiving
payment and decoding said transaction code, automatically crediting
said user's account.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of attributing the
request is based upon identification information provided by said
user.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of receiving the
request includes receiving a telephone call from said user and
wherein the step of attributing the request is based upon
identification of the user's telephone number when receiving the
request.
18. A method for processing transactions in connection with
received payment, comprising the steps of: receiving, via a
fulfillment component, a deposit payment and account identification
information; creating a message comprising said account
identification information and value information corresponding to
said payment; delivering said message to a transaction processing
component; and issuing a credit voucher in the form of a
barcode.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said barcode is issued to and
capable of display on a wireless device.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said barcode is embedded within
a wireless device.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein said credit voucher is delivered
to a first user, and including the steps of receiving instructions
to transfer said voucher to a second user and transferring said
barcode to the display of a wireless device of a second user.
22. The method of claim 18 including the further step of scanning,
by a fulfillment component, said barcode from said wireless device
of said second user and crediting an account of said second
user.
23. The method of claim 18 wherein said deposit payment is an
electronic representation of an account from which to draw
funds.
24. The method of claim 18 wherein said credit voucher barcode is
capable of being displayed on and optically scanned from a visual
display of a wireless device, and wherein said barcode represents a
lottery ticket.
25. The method of claim 24 including the further step of scanning
said barcode so as to activate said lottery ticket.
26. The method of claim 24 including the further step of scanning
said barcode so as to play said lottery ticket.
27. The method of claim 24 including the further step of scanning
said barcode so as to redeem said lottery ticket.
28. A method for facilitating credit transactions, comprising the
steps of: providing a user with at least one transaction code
representing an account to which funds can be deposited, and at
least one transaction code representing a transaction type request,
each of said codes being provided in the form of a barcode capable
of being presented on and read from the display a wireless device;
receiving a payment and at least one of said transaction codes from
said user.
29. The method of claim 26 wherein said transaction type request is
a credit voucher request.
30. The method of claim 26 wherein said transaction type request is
an account deposit request.
31. A mobile device, comprising: a display portion; a memory for
storing a plurality of barcodes indicative of at least one account
identifier, at least one transaction type and a plurality of value
representations; means for displaying a first barcode on said
display portion, said first barcode corresponding to said at least
one account identifier; means for displaying a second barcode on
said display portion, said second barcode corresponding to said at
least one transaction type and a value representation.
32. A system for facilitating wireless transactions, comprising: a
cellular network; a database of user accounts and transaction
types; an electronic infrastructure whereby messages can be sent to
mobile devices, said messages capable of including transaction and
account codes which can be displayed on and read from a visual
display of said mobile devices, said transaction codes including
information corresponding to a transaction type and a value
representation; means for receiving information about at least one
transaction code and at least one account code as said codes are
read from a mobile device display; means for processing said
received transaction and account code information; means for
attributing said received account code information to an individual
user.
33. The method of claim 32 including means for transferring
transaction codes among a plurality of users.
34. The system of claim 32 further including means for invalidating
codes once they have been read by said payment collection
apparatus.
35. A method for facilitating wireless transactions for a lottery
account, comprising the steps of: receiving a payment and lottery
account identifying information; and receiving a request to credit
said lottery account in the amount of said payment, wherein at
least one of said account identifying information and said request
is received by scanning a barcode displayed on a wireless
device.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein said payment is an electronic
representation of lottery winnings.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein said representation is a barcode
representation on the display of said wireless device.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein said account identifying
information, said request and said payment are represented by a
single barcode capable of being displayed on and scanned from a
display of said wireless device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/819,705, entitled "Electronic Payment System," which claims
the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/461,457, filed Apr. 9, 2003 and
entitled "Electronic Payment System," both of common assignee
herewith, the specifications of which are herein incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a payment and credit
system, and more particularly to a system and method for
facilitating execution and processing of consumer transactions.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Since the introduction of the general purpose credit card in
the 1950's, consumers have had an increasing number of options for
paying for goods and services. The credit card, for example,
provided the consumer with an opportunity to pay for goods and
services using future money, or money the consumer had not yet
earned. Frequent flyer or frequent purchaser programs have allowed
consumers to redeem earned miles or points towards goods, services
or value add-ons to purchased items. These miles or points are not
necessarily tied to a currency equivalent value. Debit cards,
introduced in the 1970's, have made it possible for consumers to
purchase items using their own banked funds, much like a
replacement for cash.
[0004] Recent legislation and worldwide banking and industry
practices are providing a clear indication of the foreseeable
future representation of money--i.e., representation in an
electronic format.
[0005] There are many examples from recent years of the
transformation from a paper-based money system to an electronic
one. In the consumer setting, the Internet has given many consumers
the option of shopping in the comfort of their own homes,
workspaces, or even while mobile. Typically, an Internet shopper
will provide his or her credit card information when making an
"online" purchase. The credit card information is validated before
the service proceeds to record the transaction and consummate
delivery of the purchased product or service to the consumer.
[0006] The particular commercial application often determines the
form in which information and representations of value are
transferred in electronic commerce. In some commercial
applications, there are several methods for executing transactions
electronically, each with their own way of handling information and
representations of value. For example, a pre-pay mobile phone
subscriber has several options for depositing funds to or "topping
up" his or her account.
[0007] First, a user may purchase a voucher at a retail location,
whereupon the user may dial the phone number on the card and
interact with either a live voice or an interactive voice response
(IVR) system to add the voucher's value to his or her account. The
user's account number is typically the same as his or her phone
number. A second means of topping up a mobile phone account is via
magnetic stripe card. In this example, the user provides their
mobile phone service provider with billing and personal data to set
up an account, and receives a magnetic stripe card, much like a
credit card, from the service provider. When the user desires to
top up their account, the user provides payment at a retail
location along with their card. The retail clerk then swipes the
card and keys in the amount corresponding to the user's payment,
and the user's mobile phone account becomes credited in the amount
of payment. As in the voucher method, the user's account number can
be his or her phone number. A third method of top up allows the
user to charge their top up to another account using the services
of an automated teller machine (ATM). In this method, the user
swipes his or her credit card, then indicates (through card swipe
or key entry, for example) his or her mobile service provider,
telephone number and amount of top up in order to credit their
account.
[0008] In each case, information is transferred in different ways,
and the representation of value takes different forms. In the
voucher system, identification information may be provided by voice
or keypad entry, while in the magnetic stripe card system,
identification information is represented on the magnetic stripe
card. Also, in the voucher system, value is represented in the
voucher itself, while in the magnetic stripe system, value is
represented by the number keyed in at the retailer location. In
either case, the user can receive a printed receipt for payment at
the retail location, and the user may also receive a text or other
message on their mobile device from their mobile service provider,
confirming the top up transaction.
[0009] Drawbacks arise in each case as well. While the paper-based
voucher system may better maintain user anonymity, it also creates
inventory problems for retailers, theft problems for retailers and
users, and requires resource expenditures (e.g., live support or
IVR system) for the mobile phone service provider. The magnetic
stripe card system avoids the inconvenience of having to dial into
an IVR system to activate the top up, but requires that users carry
around an additional card in their wallets and register personal
and billing data. This system has proven highly unappealing to
users desiring to protect their personal information.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present invention relates to an electronic commerce
system with a particular application as a system and method of
mobile top up. The system includes a payment collection apparatus
and a transaction apparatus, and provides for representation of
user and transaction information via machine-readable indicia. In
one embodiment, the machine-readable indicia is a barcode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an architectural layout of one
embodiment of the system of the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing example implementations
for a user interacting with a commercial account via a mobile
device in connection with the system of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing process steps involved in
connection with topping up a mobile phone account in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 5 through 7 show example displays capable of
representation on the display of a mobile device in connection with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing information flow in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the system of
the present invention implemented using a pre-established lottery
infrastructure.
PREFERRED MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, there is provided an
electronic commerce system 10 for facilitating consumer
transactions and transaction processing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8,
the system includes a payment collection apparatus 20, a
transaction engine 30, and at least one service provider system 40.
The transaction engine and service provider system can comprise the
transaction apparatus 50.
[0018] The payment collection apparatus 20 includes capabilities to
receive cash, credit or other payment, through human interaction or
via automated means. Examples of automated machines include
automated teller machines (ATMs), public transportation and other
ticketing machines, and self-serve lottery kiosks. A traditional
retail store is an example of a human-assisted payment collection
apparatus. In the case of a cash transaction processed locally at
the point-of-sale (POS), the means for accepting payment may be the
keyboard and associated processing which allows physical receipt of
cash to be confirmed by key entry or touch screen. In the case of
an automated machine, the means for accepting payment may be an
appropriate mechanical system, for example as used in known vending
machines. In the case of payment by credit card, the means for
accepting payment may be a conventional device for reading data
stored on the credit card or entering the number of the credit
card. The payment collection apparatus includes means for receiving
all types of payment, including cash, check, coupon, gift
certificate, debit card or credit card, for example.
[0019] The payment collection apparatus further includes the
capability to transmit and receive transaction-related information.
Appropriate communications hardware and software can be provided to
transmit and receive information through an information network 26.
The present invention can provide for payment processing to occur
at the location of the payment collection apparatus (e.g., item 20
in FIG. 8), or remotely, such as at a host server 17 (see FIG. 8)
in communication with the payment collection apparatus via local
area network or other appropriate communications network.
[0020] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the
payment collection apparatus 20 can be a retail point-of-sale (POS)
device 22 having a CPU 21 and payment receiving means 23 as is
known in the art, whereby the device 22 is capable of reading
machine readable indicia for executing transactions. For example,
the POS device 22 may be provided with credit card processing
equipment, or with a scanner or other visual detection system 24
which can detect transaction or identification indicia provided by
the user. In one embodiment, the scanner can detect a barcode or
data string representation of user identification information. In
another embodiment, the scanner can detect a barcode or data string
representation of the user's desired transaction. Some retail
terminals may have been previously outfitted with such reading 24
and communications 26 abilities, such as, for example, retail
terminals having lottery processing capabilities. In this
embodiment, the system of the present invention can leverage the
previously existing infrastructure of the lottery network to
facilitate customer interaction, network connectivity and
transaction processing.
[0021] In one embodiment, the payment collection apparatus 20 may
further be provided with an interpretation component, such as a
software program 28, for manipulating received information into
another format. For example, if the payment collection apparatus
receives a barcode representation of user identification
information, the interpretation component may translate the barcode
information into a processed message representation of the user's
identity, such as an ASCII text or other message format. This
translated information can then be provided to the transaction
component via interface 25, as described more completely
hereinafter.
Transaction Apparatus
[0022] The transaction apparatus 50 can comprise an acquiring
processor or transaction engine 30 and one or more commercial
operators 40 having processing capabilities and means for
interacting with the transaction engine 30.
[0023] The transaction engine 30 includes a storage 32 and a
processing 34 component for respectively storing and processing
information about transactions, including information about user
identification and authentication, transaction type, transaction
amount, and service provider designations. In one embodiment,
service providers or commercial operators 40 can provide a means
for the transaction engine 30 to associate or map transactions to
particular user accounts, such as by providing a defined
information format for processing the transaction, for example. The
service provider can also indicate to the transaction engine what
transaction types are available for the given service provider. In
a further embodiment, the transaction engine can provide a menu of
available transactions from which the service provider chooses. For
example, the transaction engine may accommodate the processing of
transactions whereby one user desires to credit the account of
another. However, the service provider may choose not to offer such
transaction capabilities.
[0024] Service provider designations allow the transaction engine
30 to segment and process each individual transaction according to
the service provider implicated. For example, if a transaction
relates to topping up a pre-paid mobile telephone account, the
information received from the consumer would include the user's
mobile service provider, account number, and the amount to be
credited or topped up to the account.
[0025] The transaction engine storage component 32 can store user
identification information separately or together with transaction
information. The use of a separate user database and transaction
database is advantageous, because it allows the present invention
to be implemented using an existing account database of a mobile
network operator in the top up example, by newly introducing a
transaction database. It also allows the present invention to be
implemented using a single, transaction database in combination
with plural account databases, for example for different mobile
network operators in the top up embodiment, for example. This in
turn facilitates implementation of the present invention for
different mobile networks. Lastly, the use of a separate
transaction database facilitates the application of the present
invention to areas such as lottery ticket processing, credit card
processing and other areas using a single transaction database. To
implement the account database and transaction database separately,
the databases may be provided in a separate account server and
transaction server, respectively, with a communications link
therebetween, as is known in the art.
[0026] The transaction engine 30 can process transactions with each
service provider 40 in real-time or in batch at determined time
intervals via communications link 36. Various types of information
may be processed and passed from the transaction engine to the
service provider, including the account number of the consumer
interacting with the system, the amount of the desired transaction,
the desired transaction type, the account numbers of any other
affected account holders, and confirmation type request, for
example. The confirmation type can be a user-requested form of
confirmation, whether as a printed receipt, a text message, or a
display within a network-accessible account.
Service Provider System
[0027] The service provider system 40 can include a storage 42 and
a processing 44 component for respectively storing and processing
information about transactions, including information about user
identification and authentication, transaction type, and
transaction amount. The service provider 40 may be a mobile
operator or mobile virtual network operator allowing consumers to
use the system of the present invention to top up or credit their
pre-pay mobile phone accounts. The description of a mobile operator
as a service provider is illustrative only, as the service provider
may be a credit card provider or other suitable commercial entity
desiring to implement the payment system of the present
invention.
[0028] The service provider storage component 42 can be an account
database for storing information related to each customer account.
A customer's account is created upon the customer's initiation of
service with the mobile operator. At the time of initiation of a
pre-pay account, the customer provides or is provided with a
telephone number, an account number (if different from the
telephone number) and an account value based upon the customer's
initial payment. As the customer uses his or her mobile phone, the
account value is debited based upon the terms agreed upon between
the mobile operator and the customer. The customer can use the
system of the present invention when desiring to add value to his
or her account, or the account of another mobile subscriber.
[0029] The mobile operator processes pre-pay transaction requests
received from the transaction engine and issues electronic top-ups
in the form of credit receipts or vouchers. A credit receipt can be
an indication that the customer's account has been instantly
credited. A voucher represents a prepaid credit, but requires
further customer interaction before an account will be credited in
the voucher amount. The voucher can be attributed to a particular
user's account or non-attributed.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transaction apparatus 50 can
send messages from the service provider as at 60 or the transaction
engine as at 70 in the form of text or images to the user's mobile
device 80. The messages can represent receipt information, credit
information, identification information and transaction
information, such as a credit or voucher transaction. Receipt
information may simply be a text message indicating that the user
has completed a transaction in connection with the service
provider. Credit information can be text information provided to
the user concerning his or her account, such as balance
information. Identification information can be a barcode or other
image information sent in response to a user request for a top up
or other transaction. Transaction information can be a barcode or
other image representation of an attributed or non-attributed
credit or voucher transaction. The transaction engine 30 and the
service provider processor can be provided with barcode software 48
to assist in this implementation. An example of such barcode
software includes Wasp.TM. barcode software, commercially available
from Wasp Bar Code Technologies, Plano, Tex., USA. In one
embodiment, the present invention can accommodate both
identification and transaction information in a single image or
barcode representation.
[0031] Various types of mobile devices, including personal digital
assistants and mobile phones, are capable of interacting with the
present invention. For optimal cooperation, a mobile phone or any
mobile device for use with the present invention will be capable of
transmitting text messages and short message service (SMS) via data
transceiver 81, and will have a controller 82, a memory 84 and a
visual display area 86. Example such phones are commercially
available from Motorola Corporation, Miami, Fla., USA, and Nokia
Corporation, Suomi, Finland.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the service provider 40 or the
transaction engine 30 can be provided with means 49, 39 for
communicating the message to the user's mobile device, as well as
means for receiving communications from the user. As shown in FIG.
3, the transaction engine 30 may communicate with the user and may
perform transaction processing in lieu of the service provider in
the embodiment where the transaction engine 30 acts as a stand-in
for the service provider. Such may be the case where the service
provider's system is temporarily not operating, or where the
service provider has delegated real-time responses to the
transaction engine 30. In such case, the transaction engine may
hold transaction information for the service provider until such
time as a file or batch transfer can be made.
[0033] The means by which the service provider or transaction
engine sends and receives communications with a user's device 80
can include communications software designed to operate over a
wireless network 56, for example. In one embodiment, the message is
communicated to the user's device only upon the user's request for
transaction information. In this embodiment, the system can operate
to automatically identify the user's account by the user's
telephone number, because the mobile device may be identified
directly from the request message. The request message also
provides the advantage of providing a simple mechanism by which the
user can register the desire to credit the account simply by
sending a request message to a predetermined number.
[0034] In one embodiment, the request message can be blank so that
mere receipt of a message at a predetermined telephone number
indicates the desire to credit the account. In a further
embodiment, different telephone numbers can be used to designate
different payment amounts, or the payment amount might not be
specified at all. In still a further embodiment, the text message
can include simple text identifying the desired payment amount.
However, use of such a request message is not essential. A request
could be made by any other means, such as a voice call.
[0035] In another embodiment, the user can establish rules with the
service provider or the transaction engine for when a message is to
be communicated. For example, the user may desire an attributed
voucher be sent to its mobile device anytime his or her account
balance falls below a pre-determined amount. An attributed voucher
can take the form of a barcode representation of the user's
identification information combined with the amount desired to be
deposited or topped up. A non-attributed voucher can take the form
of a barcode representation of a top up amount, which would require
some form of user identification in order to be attributed to a
particular account. Upon fulfillment of the non-attributed voucher,
the account deposit would be credited to the individual fulfilling
the transaction, whether or not the individual is the party who
paid for the voucher.
[0036] While the system is described in terms of permitting
crediting or topping up of a pre-paid mobile phone account, the
system can be adapted for use in credit transaction processing,
rewards systems, or gift certificate systems, for example. In
several embodiments, the system of the present invention can
convert the payment amount to an equivalent non-currency value,
such as minutes of phone service, for example. The transaction
engine can perform such conversions depending upon the application
involved.
Communications
[0037] The present invention can be implemented using the TCP/IP
communications transport protocol, as will be well understood to
those skilled in the art. Redundant, high bandwidth communications
links, such as frame relay with ISDN dial backup, can be employed
for additional backup support, such as between the transaction
engine 30 and the service provider component 40 as at 36.
[0038] Appropriate communications and application interfaces 25, 35
are also provided between the payment collection apparatus and the
transaction engine, and between the transaction engine and the
service provider component, such as at 37, 47. In one embodiment,
ISO 8583 and XML are the preferred real-time application messaging
interface standards used for communications between the transaction
engine and the service provider processor. For end of day and
weekly invoicing, periodic batch file interfaces can be used.
Barcodes
[0039] Barcodes are well-known data representation formats, and can
appear in one-dimensional or two-dimensional form. The
one-dimensional version uses a sequence of vertical bars and spaces
to represent numbers and other symbols. A 1-D barcode reader such
as used in connection with the present invention uses a laser beam
that is sensitive to the reflections from the line and space
thickness and variation. The reader translates the reflected light
into digital data that is transferred to a computer for immediate
action or storage. A 2-D barcode reader can comprise a web-cam type
device such as the Quadrus.TM. reader manufactured by Microscan,
Inc. of Renton, Wash., US. The two-dimensional barcode can
represent large amounts of information in a restricted area.
[0040] Any format for the one or two-dimensional barcode can be
used in connection with the present invention. In one embodiment,
the barcode format is QR Code, but other possible formats include
PDF417, Code 16K, Code 49, DataMatrix, Maxicode, Code One or Aztec
Code. Further, while a stacked two-dimensional barcode may be used,
a matrix two-dimensional barcode can increase the amount of data
stored. The ability to store large amounts of data also provides
the advantage that the barcodes may incorporate error correction
capability to allow recovery from data corruption, as well as other
encoding algorithms to enhance security, for example.
[0041] Supplying the image as a message takes advantage of the
existing messaging functionality of the mobile device. This allows
the device to store the images without the need for any special
software and provides for ease of use by the user.
[0042] The present invention may use any type of messaging for
transmitting a message to a mobile device, including SMS, MMS, EMS
or WAP. SMS (Short Message Service) is a service for sending
messages of up to 160 characters (224 characters if using a 5-bit
mode) to mobile phones that use Global System for Mobile (GSM)
communication. SMS messages can be sent to digital phones from a
web site equipped with PC Link or from one digital phone to
another. An SMS gateway is a web site that allows users to enter an
SMS message to someone within the cell served by that gateway or
that acts as an international gateway for users with roaming
capability. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, a first user
may use an SMS gateway to send a prepaid voucher to another user
via SMS.
[0043] Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) is currently being
adopted by most network operators and mobile device manufacturers,
and supports standard image formats such as GIF and JPEG, video
formats such as MPEG 4, and audio formats such as MP3, MIDI and
WAV. MMS technology works in existing GSM networks (over WAP, the
industry standard protocol for mobile data exchange) and with high
speed 3G technologies. Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) allows for
the sending of multi-media messages, consisting of pictures,
melodies, animations and styled text. If an EMS message is
delivered to a mobile phone that does not have EMS software, the
user will only see the text in the same way as an SMS message. EMS
works with the existing infrastructure laid down for SMS, and can
be used within the current GSM infrastructure.
[0044] Despite the advantages of the image being transmitted in the
form of a message, this is not essential. It would alternatively be
possible to transmit the transaction data to the mobile device in a
data format from which the mobile device would generate the
graphical representation. This would, however, require appropriate
software to be provided on the mobile device.
[0045] While one or two-dimensional barcodes can assist in the
implementation of the present invention, the graphical
representation of data may be in any other format which allows the
data to be read by a reader at the retail system. Such formats can
include representation of the data by characters to be read by a
reader incorporating an optical character recognition system.
Message Representations
[0046] As described above, messages in connection with the present
invention can represent different types of information and values
depending upon the particular aspect of the invention involved. As
such, the system of the present invention accommodates all manners
of desired transactions. For example, a user can make payment
towards a real-time credit to their account or for the receipt of a
voucher for later use. A user can also provide a credit payment for
another user's account, and can forward vouchers to other users for
their independent use.
[0047] The present invention also provides flexibility to the user
who may wish to store activated, non-attributed vouchers for use in
geographical areas where the user does not want to carry cash, for
example. The type of transaction is dependent upon the service
provider's available menu of desired transactions and the
customer's desired transaction.
Processing
[0048] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram indicating the steps for
consummating a transaction in one embodiment of the present
invention. As at 100, the user presents payment to the payment
collection apparatus along with identification information, such as
an identification barcode, and an indication of the type of
transaction desired. The account identification information in the
form of a barcode can be displayed on the user's mobile phone
display according to methods known in the art. The account
identification information may further be integrated into the
mobile device such that it does not appear on the visual display of
the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the barcode is
embedded within the device itself.
[0049] Appropriate authentication means can be implemented at this
stage in order to forestall potential fraud. In one embodiment, the
transaction engine can include means for authorizing or
authenticating the user prior to allowing a transaction to be
consummated, such as by checking the user database according to
predetermined rules. The payment collection apparatus can be set up
to block payment until receipt of the authorization by the retail
system. In one embodiment, biometric authentication can be
employed, such as voice recognition software capable of matching
the user's spoken inputs into the mobile device with pre-stored
voice inputs.
[0050] The account identification information may be retrievable
from the memory of the wireless device, or it may be requested
and/or sent from an account maintaining entity. This entity may be
the mobile service provider, or it may be the transaction engine as
described above. The request can come in the form of a phone call
to a given phone number, whereby once it is received, the mobile
provider or transaction engine can then send an encoded message
capturing the device user's identification to the wireless device.
In an alternative embodiment, the service provider may monitor the
user's account and automatically send a notice to the user's device
prompting the user for a top up before the account is depleted.
[0051] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the user can select a
desired transaction 91 and a desired account 92 from a menu on the
mobile device display 86. In the case of retrieving information
from the device memory, the user may desire to store additional
identification codes besides their own on their mobile device, such
as family members or other individuals. Such option would allow the
user the opportunity to credit a family member's account without
having to recall their account number or phone number, and without
having to request the delivery of a barcode from the service
provider.
[0052] The transaction type can be orally communicated to a retail
attendant, such as, "Please top up $20." Or the transaction type
can be communicated via information contained in machine-readable
form, including a transaction barcode. In one embodiment, the
transaction barcode 93 and the identification barcode 94 are shown
separately on the display 86 of the mobile device, such as shown in
FIG. 6. In another embodiment, the transaction information and
identification information are embodied on the display 86 in a
single barcode 95, as shown in FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that
identification and transaction information need not be limited to
the display of the device, nor to a barcode representation.
[0053] Once the user has provided payment, identification
information and/or transaction information, the system can process
the payment and any coded information so as to begin consummating
the transaction, as at 110 in FIG. 4. As at 120, the payment
collection apparatus forwards the payment information,
identification information and transaction details to the
transaction engine for further processing. As at 130, the system
determines what account or accounts will be affected by the desired
transaction. In this step, the system can manipulate the
information as necessary depending upon the transaction type. For
example, if the system is to take the user's payment (e.g., $20)
and convert the payment into a certain number of minutes of
telephone calling time, the transaction engine could perform that
step at this stage. As at 140, the system sends the determined
information to the service provider for appropriate account
adjustment and execution of the transaction at 150. At 160, the
system determines the appropriate confirmation form and delivers
the confirmation to the user.
[0054] If the user's request is to receive an electronic voucher,
the transaction engine or the mobile service provider may send a
machine-readable representation of a paid-for voucher via text
message. The user may store this code on his or her device for a
single use. The user may also forward the code to another user for
their single use. Appropriate security measures are in place such
that, if the code is transferred to more than one party, the code
is only valid for the party who has most recently received the
code. In another embodiment, the code can be regarded by the system
as invalid once it has been used. In still another embodiment, the
code can be deemed unauthorized unless more information is passed
from the would-be redeemer, such as additional authentication
information. Additional authentication information can be a
personal identification number (PIN), passcode, biometric
identification element, or other known authentication type.
[0055] In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, where an
existing lottery or retailer infrastructure is employed to
implement the present invention, a mobile customer may approach a
lottery or retail terminal and request an electronic top-up (ETU)
sale transaction for a specific mobile phone operator. It will be
appreciated that such an architecture can be used for applications
other than lottery or retailers, including a network of banks, for
example.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a mobile phone customer can
request an electronic top-up (ETU) sale transaction at the terminal
20 for a specific mobile phone operator (e.g., 40A). As described
above, transaction entry methods can include manual key entry,
play-slip entry, magnetic stripe card reading and barcode scanning.
Input information can be processed by the terminal's ETU
application and the transaction request is transmitted to the host
17 over network 14 for processing, as at step A. The ETU
application operating at host 17 logs the transaction request in
database 19 and forwards the request to the transaction engine 30
for processing, as at step B. The transaction engine ETU
application can process the transaction request and forward the
request to the corresponding service provider 40A, 40B, 40C or 40D
over network 36 for processing in real-time, as indicated by step
C.
[0057] The host or the transaction engine can decrypt the
transaction information and perform transaction checks, such as DES
encryption, checksum and system suppressions. Once the inbound
request is logged and its message header decoded, a Trace Serial
Number (TSN) can be assigned to the transaction. The TSN serves as
a common transaction reference trace number between the lottery
host and the transaction engine. The transaction engine can link
the TSN to a Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) constructed for
interfacing with the mobile operator. The UTI may vary in format
depending upon the mobile operator involved, and can typically
contain an ETU identifier, a solution provider ID code, a
distributor ID code, and a unique serial number.
[0058] A product routing code can direct the system to route the
transaction to the transaction engine via Message Exchange (MX),
for example, whereupon a timer can be set for transaction timeout
while waiting on the transaction engine. The TSN and the UTI can be
printed on ETU receipts to assist with troubleshooting as
necessary. Message Exchange (MX) is a communications protocol that
enables the transaction engine to communicate with a lottery host.
Lottery hosts such as the AlphaGOLS.TM., EuroGOLS.TM. and
ProSys.TM. systems are examples of hosts for use with the present
invention. EuroGOLS.TM., AlphaGOLS.TM. and ProSys.TM. are
commercially available from GTECH Corporation, West Greenwich,
R.I., USA. The Mx client/server architecture supports both push and
pull message flow models, allowing both client and server systems
to initiate message traffic and act as senders and receivers of
messages. The client and server side processes implemented via MX
are well-known in the art and do not necessitate detailed
explanation.
[0059] Once the transaction engine 30 logs the request in database
32 and forwards the request to the designated service provider, the
service provider processes the transaction request, records the
transaction into the appropriate database 42 account, and sends the
transaction engine a corresponding transaction response in
real-time, as at step D. The transaction engine processes and logs
the transaction response received from the service provider and
sends the host a corresponding transaction response, as at step E.
The host then logs the transaction response received from the
transaction engine and sends the lottery terminal a corresponding
transaction response, as at step F. Finally, the lottery terminal
prints either an ETU credit receipt (sale amount has been credited
to the customer's mobile account and is activated immediately or
after a grace period) or an ETU voucher, as at step G. At step H,
the service provider can also provide a text or image message to
the user on the user's mobile device. This message can be a
confirmation, or a non-attributed electronic voucher, depending on
the user's transaction request.
[0060] In the lottery terminal example, the terminal may be, for
example, an Altura.TM. model or an ISYS.TM. model, commercially
available from GTECH Corporation, West Greenwich, R.I., and can be
configured at sign-on with available mobile vendors and pertinent
information, such as their products, messaging details and ETU
parameters. The transaction may be entered via manual key entry,
play-slip entry, magnetic card reading or by providing
machine-readable indicia, such as a barcode, to a scanner at the
lottery terminal. An ETU software application can be provided for
the terminal for processing the input information and transmitting
the request to the lottery host for further processing. In the
system shown in FIG. 1, the information would be transmitted to the
transaction engine 30 of the present invention.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 9, the system of the present invention
provides for a claims and settlement system 98 in connection with
the acquiring processor or transaction engine 30. The claims and
settlement system 98 provides transaction settlement,
auto-reconciliation, and claims management for retail operators and
service providers. The system 98 also performs adjustments
processing, transaction fee processing, and balancing, monitoring
and reporting functions, while further supporting multiple
settlement entity types, such as institutions, interchanges, banks,
merchants, operators and terminals.
Multi-Lingual/Multi-Currency Support
[0062] The present invention can support communications in multiple
languages and in multiple currencies. In one embodiment, the
present invention can provide for currency conversion of credit
transactions to allow individuals to deposit payment in a first
currency for use with a mobile operator whose customer accounts are
in a second currency.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0063] The system of the present invention can be further adapted
for additional applications. For example, barcode or other machine
readable indicia can replace lottery tickets and/or play slips. A
lottery participant may desire to receive a text message having a
barcoded representation of a lottery ticket. Once paid for, the
barcode may be scanned to activate, play and/or redeem the ticket.
In one embodiment, the user can pre-establish a lottery account
allowing the user to deposit funds into the account as represented
by the barcode on the device display. The user may also request and
pay for tickets against the account balance, as well as deposit
winnings into the account through the use of the barcode on the
user's wireless device display. In this embodiment, appropriate
authentication information can be required.
[0064] As an additional example, the barcode may represent access
to one or more of the user's credit accounts. For example, if the
user holds a MasterCard.TM. account, a VISA.TM. account, and a
Discover.TM. account, the user may present the barcode at a
retailer and, upon authentication and authorization of the barcode,
the user can select to which account he or she wishes to charge the
given transaction. Alternatively, the user may have a separate
barcode for each account.
[0065] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the claims of the application rather
than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *