U.S. patent application number 13/735090 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for electronic bill presentment and payment system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.. Invention is credited to Thomas W. Poplawski, Khoon-Hong Tan.
Application Number | 20130124406 13/735090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26909593 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130124406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poplawski; Thomas W. ; et
al. |
May 16, 2013 |
Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment System and Method
Abstract
A method and system using a communication network such as the
Internet to allow registered users the flexibility to pay a bill by
using traditional non-electronic payment methods after receiving an
e-mail notification. The e-mail notification contains at least
summary information which is formatted in the form of a remittance
which can be included with the non-electronic form of payment
allowing a user to retain the ability to pay a bill
non-electronically while still being electronically notified that
the bill is coming due. Additionally, a registered user has the
option to pay a bill electronically after receiving the e-mail by
clicking on an appropriate web address embedded within that e-mail.
The registered user will either be directed to a biller website or
a Customer Service Provider (CSP) and/or a Business Service
Provider (BSP) website and given the option to pay the bill
electronically.
Inventors: |
Poplawski; Thomas W.;
(Huntington, NY) ; Tan; Khoon-Hong; (Summit,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
26909593 |
Appl. No.: |
13/735090 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09772601 |
Jan 30, 2001 |
|
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13735090 |
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60215003 |
Jun 29, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/102 20130101;
G06Q 20/14 20130101; G06F 40/14 20200101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; G06Q
20/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/40 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20120101
G06Q010/10 |
Claims
1-32. (canceled)
33. An electronic bill presentment and payment system providing a
billing service to payers having user devices for paying at least
one biller, the system comprising: at least one computer memory
storing instructions and data; at least one computer processor
accessing the memory and executing the instructions to perform
steps including; hosting a website for establishment and
administration of user billing information; sending data to the
user devices including mobile devices accessing an internet web
browser, the data including an email with an embedded URL for the
hosted website, the email notifying the user device of an option
for the payers to register for the billing service and become
registered users; sending billing notifications to registered
users, the billing notifications including an email having a
billing summary enabling the registered user to pay the bill and an
embedded URL enabling the registered user to access to full billing
information; when the registered user selects the URL,
authenticating the user and presenting a full billing statement for
electronic payment; and processing the payment as requested by the
registered user.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein authentication includes at
least one of a secure user name and password combination and a
biometric identification scheme.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein the system is operated by a
bank and processing the payment comprises generating an ACH
instruction when the payer is not a customer of the bank and the
payment does not generate an ACH instruction when the payer is a
customer of the bank.
36. The system of claim 33, wherein the billing summary enabling
the user to pay the bill enables the user to pay the bill using a
paper check.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the billing summary can be
printed as a remittance slip for return of payment with the paper
check.
38. The system of claim 33, wherein the email message further
includes links to informational messages selected by the
biller.
39. The system of claim 33, wherein sending the billing
notifications to the user devices enables the user device to
present to the at least one payer an electronically-selectable
option such that the payer can interactively elect (a) paying the
at least one bill electronically or (b) printing a portion
formatted as a printable remittance slip and mailing the remittance
slip with a payment of the at least one bill.
40. The system of claim 33, wherein the website is maintained by
the at least one biller.
41. The system of claim 33, wherein the website is maintained by a
Billing Service Provider (BSP), the BSP performing billing services
for the at least one biller.
42. The system of claim 33, wherein the website is maintained by a
Customer Service Provider (CSP) the CSP performing billing services
for the at least one biller.
43. The system of to claim 33, further comprising: registering the
at least one biller with a billing service provider (BSP), wherein
the BSP interfaces with the at least one biller with respect to the
presentment of the at least one bill; and registering the at least
one payer with a customer service provider (CSP), wherein the CSP
interfaces with the at least one payer with respect to the payment
of the at least one bill.
44. The system of claim 43, wherein the BSP and CSP are the same
entity.
45. The system of claim 43, wherein the BSP is a bank.
46. The system of claim 43, wherein the CSP is a bank.
47. The system of claim 33, wherein the electronic summary
information contains at least a name of the at least one biller, a
statement date, a minimum amount due, a total amount due and a due
date.
48. A method for using an electronic bill presentment and payment
system to provide a billing service to payers having user devices
for paying at least one biller, the method comprising: storing
instructions and data in at least one computer memory; accessing
the memory and executing the instructions using at least one
computer processor to perform steps including; hosting a website
for establishment and administration of user billing information;
sending data to the user devices including mobile devices accessing
an internet web browser, the data including an email with an
embedded URL for the hosted website, the email notifying the user
device of an option for the payers to register for the billing
service and become registered users; sending billing notifications
to registered users, the billing notifications including an email
having a billing summary enabling the registered user to pay the
bill and an embedded URL enabling the registered user to access to
full billing information; when the registered user selects the URL,
authenticating the user and presenting a full billing statement for
electronic payment; and processing the payment as requested by the
registered user.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein authentication includes at
least one of a secure user name and password combination and a
biometric identification scheme.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein the system is operated by a
bank and processing the payment comprises generating an ACH
instruction when the payer is not a customer of the bank and the
payment does not generate an ACH instruction when the payer is a
customer of the bank.
51. The method of claim 48, wherein the billing summary enabling
the user to pay the bill enables the user to pay the bill using a
paper check.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the billing summary can be
printed as a remittance slip for return of payment with the paper
check.
53. The method of claim 48, wherein the email message further
includes links to informational messages selected by the
biller.
54. The method of claim 48, wherein said step of sending the
billing notification to the user device enables the user device to
present to the at least one payer an electronically-selectable
option such that the payer can interactively elect (a) paying the
at least one bill electronically or (b) printing a portion
formatted as a printable remittance slip and mailing the remittance
slip with a payment of the at least one bill.
55. The method of claim 48, wherein the website is maintained by
the at least one biller.
56. The method of claim 48, wherein the website is maintained by a
Billing Service Provider (BSP), the BSP performing billing services
for the at least one biller.
57. The method of claim 48, wherein the website is maintained by a
Customer Service Provider (CSP) the CSP performing billing services
for the at least one biller.
58. The method of claim 48, further comprising: registering the at
least one biller with a billing service provider (BSP), wherein the
BSP interfaces with the at least one biller with respect to the
presentment of the at least one bill; and registering the at least
one payer with a customer service provider (CSP), wherein the CSP
interfaces with the at least one payer with respect to the payment
of the at least one bill.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the BSP and CSP are the same
entity.
60. The method of claim 58, wherein the BSP is a bank.
61. The method of claim 58, wherein the CSP is a bank.
62. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic summary
information contains at least a name of the at least one biller, a
statement date, a minimum amount due, a total amount due and a due
date.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related and claims priority to U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/215,003, filed Jun. 29,
2000, entitled ELECTRONIC BILL PRESENTMENT AND PAYMENT SYSTEM AND
METHOD, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a system and
method for Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) and more
specifically to a system and method for EBPP providing flexible
options for both billers and payers.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many financial experts believe that the banking industry is
on the brink of a revolution in the area of EBPP. Consumers are
starting to realize the convenience of electronic bill payment and
billers are recognizing the reduced costs and reductions in late
and delinquent payments provided by EBPP.
[0004] Nevertheless, some problems exist in the present electronic
bill paying systems that limits widespread acceptance among payers
and billers alike. Consumers are naturally skeptical of a system
that seems to lessen their ability to control their resources.
Present electronic bill paying systems do not facilitate the kind
of control that payers are accustomed to having in a traditional
paper system such as cash or checks.
[0005] A further problem exists in that payers have diverse
computer hardware, software and expertise. Conventional EBPP
systems require a payer to install special software to view a
scanned copy of a bill. Billers face the problem of having to be
able to accommodate all kinds of payers, with all kinds of diverse
hardware and software systems.
[0006] Furthermore, in prior EBPP systems, if a payer wanted to pay
a bill by another means, i.e., send a check, the payer is left
without a remittance slip to accompany the check.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an EBPP system that allows
a payer some measure of flexibility and control over a payment
while offering the benefits of an electronic bill paying system.
The EBPP system should allow billers to electronically present
bills to all payers regardless of the payer's particular computer
configuration or expertise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention allows a payer to decide how a
specific bill will be processed. The payer receives an e-mail
notification containing summary information with respect to a
pending bill and can issue a paper check or schedule an electronic
payment of the bill using the EBPP system. The summary information
can either be contained in the body of the e-mail message or linked
as an attachment to the e-mail.
[0009] A copy of the summary information contained in or attached
to the e-mail presentment message is in the form of a remittance
slip as is found in a traditional paper based bill. The bill
recipient is able to print out the remittance slip which can then
be included by the payer along with the non-electronic form of
payment (e.g. cash or check).
[0010] The present invention allows the payer to view a full copy
of the bill within the chosen browser environment. The e-mail
presentment message preferably includes an embedded Uniform
Resource Locator (URL) that is "clickable" enabling the payer to go
directly to a web site containing the full billing information. If
the payer's e-mail program does not support embedded URL's, a link
address can be copied and pasted into the payer's browser. No
special software is required other than the program (e.g., browser)
the payer uses to access the Internet.
[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that the
biller transparently sends bill information to a customer service
provider (CSP) and/or a Biller Service Provider (BSP) which
generates an HTML formatted copy of the bill for use by the
payer.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention is that the
biller has two hosting options available. The biller can choose to
host the registration, log-in and authenticationr on its own site.
Alternatively, the biller can allow a CSP/BSP to provide the
complete hosting required to allow payers to utilize the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example hardware arrangement for
an electronic bill presentment and payment method and system
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the functional elements of site
processors and user terminals constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates the structure and transaction flow
according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows the initial contact with payer according to the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart outlining both a biller hosted and a
CSP/BSP hosted system and method arranged in accordance with the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the general data flow
from biller to payer.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow chart detailing the payment options
arranged in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numbers refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a diagram
of an example of an electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP)
system shown generally as 100 comprises one or more information
processors, one or more databases 125 and one or more user
terminals 140. Although information processor 120 is shown separate
from database 125, database 125 could be contained within processor
120. Database 125 can communicate with information processor 120
via connection 160 using any known communication method, including
a direct serial or parallel interface or via a local or wide area
network (for example, the Internet).
[0021] User terminals 140 and information processors 120
communicate over data connection 135 through communication network
160. Communication network 160 can be any communication network,
but is preferably the Internet or some other global computer
network. Data connection 135 can be any known arrangement for
accessing communication network 160 such as dial-up serial line
interface (SLIP), protocol point-to-point protocol (PPP),
integrated services digital network (ISDN), dedicated leased line
servers, broadband (cable) access, frame relay, digital subscriber
line (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), or any other
acceptable access technique.
[0022] User terminals 140 have the ability to send and receive data
across communication network 160 and the ability to display the
received data on a display device using appropriate communication
software such as an Internet web browser. By way of example,
terminals 140 may be personal computers such as INTEL,
Pentium-based computers or APPLE, Macintosh computers, but are not
limited to such computers. Other terminals which can communicate
over a global computer network, such as palm top computers,
personal digital assistance (PDAs) and mass marketed Internet
access devices, i.e., WebTV can be used.
[0023] According to the present invention, user terminals 140
access communication network 160 and receive an electronic
notification from a CSP/BSP notifying the user of a billing
obligation. The notification is generally in the form of an email
with that email being printable as is known in the art.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the functional elements of information
processor 120 include a central processing unit (CPU) 180 used to
execute software code in order to control the operation of the
information processor 180, read only memory (ROM) 200, random
access memory (RAM) 220, at least one network interface 240 to
transmit and receive data to and from other computing devices, such
as user terminals 140, a storage device 260 such as a floppy disk
drive, hard disk drive, tape drive, CD rom and the like for storing
program code, database as application data, and one or more input
devices 280 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
[0025] The various components of information processor 120 need not
be physically contained within the same chassis or even located at
a single location. For example, storage device 260 may be located
at a site which is remote from the remaining elements of
information processor 120 and may even be connected to CPU 180
across communication network 160 via network interface 240.
[0026] The nature of the invention is such that one of ordinary
skill in the art of writing computer executable code (software)
will be able to implement the described functions using one or a
combination of popular computing programing languages.
[0027] One of the functions performed by information processor 120
is that of hosting a website for the establishment and
administration of user billing information. A website typically
communicates with web browsers using the hypertext transfer
protocol (HTTP) to send and receive data, including HTML web page
data and executable JAVA applets. Of course any known data transfer
protocol and website definition language can be used to implement
the present invention.
[0028] As used herein, references to displaying data on a terminal
refer to the process of communicating data to user terminal 140
across communication network 160, and processing the data such that
the data can be viewed on the user terminal 140 using an Internet
browser or the like. A display screen on user terminal 140 displays
data which allows a user to "move" from website to website, and
even to display a composite image comprised of data gathered from
multiple websites.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the process for registering payers 30 to
sign-up as users of the present invention. Billers 10 initiate
contact with customers 30 by notifying them of the option to
register for the EBPP service according to the present invention.
This notification is preferably by e-mail 22 which includes an
embedded URL which directs the payer 30 to a website that enables
the payer 30 to register for the service (as will be described in
more detail below). Alternatively, the biller 10 can provide an
insert to be included in a traditional paper-based invoice mailed
to the payer 30 that describes the EBPP system and method and
invites the payer 30 to enroll in the EBPP service.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, billers 10 typically utilize an
accounting system 5 that includes computers and data input devices
to collect and organize the billing data 15 as is known in the art.
The billing data 15 is preferably sent as bulk billing data 800
containing all the billing data 15 for a specified period of time
(e.g. one month) to the Customer Service Provider (CSP) and/or
Business Service Provider (BSP) 20. The CSP/BSP 20 loads the bulk
billing data 800 into a database 125. The CSP/BSP 20 utilizes
computers, servers, and communication software and hardware to
electronically accept the bulk billing data 800 as is known in the
art. Using the data provided in the billing data 15 from the
billers 10, the CSP/BSP 20 produces electronic notifications 25
(i.e., e-mails) that are sent to the payers 30 notifying them of an
upcoming bill.
[0031] The CSP/BSP 20 generates the electronic notifications in the
form of e-mail notifications 25 as discussed above. The e-mail
notifications 25 are preferably transmitted to payers 30 via a
communication network 160 such as the Internet. In one embodiment,
the e-mail notifications 25 are sent directly to the payers 30. In
an alternative embodiment, the email notifications 25 are
transmitted to the payers 30 through a third party provider such as
CheckFree.TM..
[0032] The e-mail notification 25 informs the payer 30 that a bill
has been generated by the biller 10 for payment by the payer 30.
The e-mail notification 25 contains at least summary information
regarding the bill. The summary information can be included in the
body of the e-mail 25 or can be included as an attachment.
[0033] Although FIG. 3 only shows two payers 30 and two billers 10,
it is understood that the system and method of the present
invention can support a plurality of billers 10 and a plurality of
payers 30. Each CSP/BSP 20 can support a plurality of billers
10.
[0034] The summary level information included in the e-mail
notification 25 is formatted in the same manner as a remittance
slip in a traditional paper-based invoice. The summary information,
therefore, includes at least the biller's name, statement date,
minimum amount due and total amount due.
[0035] The e-mail notification 25 also includes an embedded URL
which directs the payer 30 to a website where the full billing
information may be viewed. Once at the web-site, the payer 30 is
required to accomplish a log-on procedure as is known in the art
such as by providing a proper user-name and password. Once
authenticated, the payer 30 is able to view full billing
information.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, billers 10 have two options
available to them with respect to hosting electronic access to the
on-line information according to the present invention. The biller
10 can chose to host the enrollment, log-on and authentication of
the payers 30 or have the CSP/BSP 20 host the enrollment, log-on an
authentication. An advantage of the biller hosted embodiment is
that the payer 30 is directed to the biller's website 510 directly
by clicking on or typing in the URL contained in the email 25 (FIG.
3). This allows the biller to advertise or inform payers 30 of
information selected by the biller 10.
[0037] In the biller hosted embodiment, the biller 10 must have
computer hardware and software required to host the website 510.
Alternatively, the biller 10 can let the CSP/BSP 20 handle all
hosting operations. The biller choosing to let the CSP/BSP 20 host
the system need not invest in the hardware and software needed to
host the services but must pay the CSP/BSP 20 for performing this
service.
[0038] Two alternative methods of enrolling the payer 30 are
illustrated in FIG. 5. Of course, a user would only enroll through
one or the other of these options since the end result of either
method is a registered payer 30.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, email notification 22
contains the website URL to either the biller's website 510 or the
CSP/BSP's website 530 depending on which option biller 10 chooses.
In step S100, payer 30 is directed to the biller's website 510
(S-110) if the CSP/BSP 20 is not hosting the service. Payer 30 is
directed to the biller's enrollment page 520 (S115). User
information is requested including name, password selection and
other security account information (S-120). If the user is approved
(S-125), a user account is created (S-135) and a user approval
notification 36 is sent out (S-140). The user notification can
contain a URL to the biller's website 510, password and any other
information the biller 10 or CSP/BSP 20 chooses. If the user is
denied enrollment, a notification 34 is sent out informing the user
of the denial (S-130).
[0040] If the CSP/BSP 20 is hosting the service, the user is
directed to the CSP/BSP's website 530 (S-105) and then directed to
the CSP/BSP's enrollment page 540 (S-145). Again as in step S-120,
user information is requested such as name, account number,
password (S-160). If the user is approved (S-150) a user account is
created (S-165) and a user approval notification 42 is sent to the
user notifying him or her of the decision to approve enrollment
(S-170). If the user is denied, a denial notification 38 is sent to
the user (S-155).
[0041] FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate the process by which billing
information is transmitted from the biller 10 to the CSP/BSP 20 and
notifying the payer 30 of an upcoming bill. As discussed earlier,
the billing information is preferably sent as bulk billing data 800
(S-200) from the biller 10. Typically, the bulk billing data 800
originates from the biller's accounting system 5. The bulk billing
data 800 is for a specified period of time, generally a month and
includes all of the billing data 15 for all the participating
payers 30 of the biller 10. The CSP/BSP 20 performs a formatting
operation on the "raw" bulk billing data 800 in order to generate a
billing summary (S-210) (e.g., biller name, minimum amount due,
total due, etc.). Alternatively, the biller 10 itself can generate
this summary information prior to the transmission to the CSP/BSP
20. The CSP/BSP 20 incorporates this summary information into an
e-mail 25 and sends the e-mail notification 25 to the payer 30
informing him or her of the bill originating with the biller 10
(S-220). As described above, the email notification 25 also
contains a URL that can be used by the payer 30 to connect to a
website to view the full billing information.
[0042] As previously discussed, the e-mail 25 contains a summary of
the bill that is detailed enough for the payer 30 to manually pay
the bill using a traditional non-electronic form of payment such as
by check, cash, money order or other non-electronic means and
typically remits payment using traditional non-electronic means
(e.g., by mail). A payer 30 using this option is automatically
notified when a bill is due, but retains the ability to pay the
bill using traditional methods.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, the payer 30 receives the e-mail 25
and then decides whether or not to pay the bill electronically
(S-500). If the payer 30 decides not to pay the bill
electronically, the e-mail 25 is printed (S-505). A check, cash or
money order or other non-electronic form of payment is included
with the printed e-mail 25 and sent to the biller with the printed
e-mail 25 serving as a remittance form ensuring proper crediting of
the payer's account (S-515).
[0044] If payer 30 chooses to pay the bill electronically (S-500),
he or she is directed to either the biller's website 510 or the
CSP/BSP's website 520 depending upon the billing option chosen
(S-520). In the case where the biller is hosting the service, the
payer 30 is directed to the biller's website 510 (S-525). The payer
must be authenticated to ensure that the user attempting to log-in
is actually the payer 30 and authorized to use the system.
Authentication occurs using traditional security measures such as
user-names, passwords, etc. as is known in the art (S-530). If
authentication fails, the session is either ended or the user is
returned to the billing website to try to log-in again (S-535).
Lock-out procedures can be implemented if too many incorrect log-in
attempts are recorded or other security measures as is known in the
art to ensure proper security. The authenticated user is directed
to a payment screen 500 hosted by the CSP/BSP (S-540). Payer 30 is
presented with the full statement detail of the bill and with an
option to pay the bill electronically 300. Payment screen 500 may
also have links to other information as shown in step S-575 and
will be discussed in more detail below. Once payer 30 chooses to
pay the bill on-line by clicking the appropriate link 300, an
electronic payment request (S-555) is sent across communication
network for ACH processing (S-565) which credits the biller's
account on behalf of payer 30 (S-570). Other links may optionally
be included to return payer to the main website 510 to view
advertisements or informational messages selected by the biller
10.
[0045] If the CSP/BSP is hosting the service, payer 30 is directed
to the CSP/BSP's website 520 (S-545) for authentication as above.
Payer 30 who fails to be authenticated is either allowed to try the
log-in procedure again or the session can be ended (S-560). As
above, standard security measures are known in the art to ensure
that payer 30 is authorized to use the service. If payer 30 is
authenticated (S-550) he or she is directed to the payment screen
500 and given the option to pay electronically. As above, the payer
30 choosing to pay electronically, presses the appropriate link 300
which sends an electronic payment request (S-555) through a
communication network to the ACH processing (S-565) which credits
the biller's account on behalf of payer 30 (S-570).
[0046] As is known in the art, all security information as well as
personal billing information is transmitted using security
encryptions schemes such as secure sockets layer (SSL). Any secure
username/pass-word and/or biometric schemes may be used to verify
the identity of the payer 30. An Automated Clearing House (ACH)
instruction is generated that debits the payer's account (e.g., a
Demand Deposit Account (DDA)) and credits the biller's account.
Access to the ACH is provided by securely connecting to the United
States ACH Network through a Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Department. Alternatively, the user could make this payment via a
credit card, funds transfer, or any other acceptable form of
electronic payment. It is preferred that the CSP/BSP 20 that
processes payments from payers 30 is a bank with established
electronic links to the US ACH Network. It is possible, however,
for a non-bank to practice the present invention by establishing
their own link to the US ACH Network.
[0047] As part of the ACH process, the biller is provided
remittance data concerning the transaction. If the payer is a
customer of the CSP/BSP 20, then internal book entries can take the
place of an ACH and no ACH is generated. Of course the payer 30
does not have to be a customer of the CSP/BSP 20. While there is no
requirement that the payer 30 be a customer of the CSP/BSP 20, a
biller 10 utilizing the present invention would have to be a
customer of the CSP/BSP 20. In the preferred embodiment, the
CSP/BSP 20 is a bank, but a non bank can also function as the
CSP/BSP 20. Additionally, the CSP can be a separate and distinct
entity from the BSP, functioning together to perform the required
services.
* * * * *