U.S. patent application number 13/826537 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-19 for system and method for formless, self-service registration for access to financial services.
The applicant listed for this patent is GANART TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to ARTHUR MARTIN HOLBROOK, WAYNE THOMAS MCHUGH, PURNENDU MISHRA, MOHAMED SAFIR SALIHU.
Application Number | 20130339242 13/826537 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49756810 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130339242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCHUGH; WAYNE THOMAS ; et
al. |
December 19, 2013 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMLESS, SELF-SERVICE REGISTRATION FOR
ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES
Abstract
A system for enabling users to register to use external
financial services comprises a central office comprising an
operating platform including a communication interface and a user
database having a plurality of records for individual users;
wherein the central office communicates via the communication
interface with a plurality of remote formless, self-service
registration stations; whereby a registration station scans an
identification card with a card scanner, photographs the user to
create a verification image and records a biometric parameter
unique to the user, whereupon the registration station transmits an
image of the identification card, the biometric parameter and the
verification image to the central office; wherein the operating
platform translates text from the identification card and creates a
record for the user and wherein the operating platform uses the
translated text to populate fields in the user record and retrieves
and displays the record to an administrator for review.
Inventors: |
MCHUGH; WAYNE THOMAS;
(Little Elm, TX) ; HOLBROOK; ARTHUR MARTIN;
(Flower Mound, TX) ; MISHRA; PURNENDU; (Frisco,
TX) ; SALIHU; MOHAMED SAFIR; (Carrollton,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GANART TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
Carrollton |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49756810 |
Appl. No.: |
13/826537 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61644878 |
May 9, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/40 20130101;
G06Q 20/40145 20130101; G06Q 40/02 20130101; G06Q 20/401
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/44 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/40 20060101
G06Q020/40 |
Claims
1. A method for enabling users to access financial services of
subscribing financial services with a central verification system,
comprises the steps: creating a verifiable user profile for a given
user by the steps of: the given user presenting, at a fixed
location, a verifiable identification (ID) with a photo attached
thereto, which verifiable ID can be verified by a third party as
being associated with the photograph on the verifiable ID;
inputting biometrics of the given user; taking a photograph of the
given user proximate to the fixed location at which the verifiable
ID and the biometrics are input; and transmitting the verifiable
ID, biometrics and photograph to the central verification system;
providing a unique code from the central verification system to the
given user after receipt of the verifiable ID, the input biometrics
and the photograph; initiating a financial transaction by the given
user, comprising the steps of: presenting, at a financial
transactions location a list of available financial services to the
given user in response to the given user being proximate thereto,
wherein at least one of the available financial services is from
the group of the subscribing financial services; selecting by the
given user at least the subscribing financial service; taking a
photo with a camera disposed at the financial transactions
location; inputting the biometrics by the given user at the
financial transactions location; receiving the code from the user;
transmitting the code, biometrics and photo to the central
verification system; verifying that the received at least the
biometrics and the received code that the user is in fact
associated with the central verification system; and allowing the
transaction to go forward after verification.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising completing the
transaction after verification allowing the financial transaction
to go forward.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of creating the
verifiable user profile is conducted at a physical kiosk having an
input device for receiving a verifiable ID with photograph and the
biometrics in addition to having a camera associated therewith for
taking a photograph.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the physical kiosk includes the
ability to take more than one photograph, at least one being known
by the given user taken at the time of inputting the information,
and the other photographs being capable of being taken at different
times proximate to the time of input of the information.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein there are provided multiple
cameras at different angles, wherein at least one of the cameras is
known to the given user to be taking a photograph of the given user
proximate the time of input of the information during the creation
operation and the other cameras being hidden from the given user's
knowledge and possibly the view of the given user before taking
pictures also proximate in time to the time of input of either
verifiable IDs or biometrics.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the financial transactions
location for conducting a transaction includes at least one
additional camera for taking a photograph unknown to the given user
at the time of initiating the financial transaction.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of presenting a list of
financial services comprises providing an indicator for the at
least one subscribing financial service to indicate to the given
user the one of the available financial services associated with
the verifiable user profile.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein a display is provided at the
fixed location.
9. A system for enabling users to register to use third party
external financial services, comprising: a central office
comprising an operating platform including a processor and a
communication interface, the central office including a user
database including a plurality of records for individual users
stored on a database, the user records each including a user
customer identification number, the user's name and address, an
image of an identification card of the user, a verification image
of the user and an associated biometric parameter of the user;
wherein the central office is operative to communicate via the
communication interface with a plurality of formless, self-service
registration stations remote from the central office, each of the
formless, self-service registration stations including a camera
operable to create a user verification image, a card scanner
operable to create an image of an identification card of the user,
a biometric scanner operable to record a biometric parameter of the
user and a user interface adapted to enable a user to initiate a
registration procedure for registering the user for access to third
party financial services; whereby a self-service formless
registration station scans a customer identification card with the
card scanner, the customer identification card including text
including the user's name and address, the self-service formless
registration station further photographing the user to create a
verification image of the user and recording a biometric parameter
unique to the user, whereupon the self-service formless
registration station transmits an image of the customer
identification card, the biometric parameter and the verification
image of the user to the central office; wherein the operating
platform is operable to translate text from the transmitted image
of user's customer identification card including the user's name
and address and wherein the operating platform is further operable
to create a record for the user including a customer identification
number for the user, the verification image of the user, the image
of the user's identification card and the translated text from the
user's identification card, the operating platform using the
translated text to populate fields in the user record including the
user's name and address; and wherein the operating platform is
operable to retrieve and display a user record including the user
verification image, the image of the user identification card, the
user's name and address to an administrator for review of the user
record.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the self-serviced registration
stations each include a user interface adapted to enable a user to
initiate a registration procedure for registering the user.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the user interface is operable
to enable a user to select a customer identification number.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the central office is operative
to identify attempted duplicate registrations by means of comparing
one or more of a user image captured from an identification card of
the user, a verification image of the user and an associated
biometric parameter of the user with existing user records.
13. A method of registering potential users of financial services
provided by multiple institutions with a single formless
registration, the method comprising: identifying an unregistered
potential user of services present at a terminal; prompting the
user to scan a photo identification card and capturing an image of
the photo identification card; prompting the user to enter a
biometric parameter; transmitting the captured image of the user
photo identification card to a central office remote from the
terminal; creating a user record for the user at the central
office; populating the user record with data from the scanned user
identification card and the biometric parameter; transmitting a
user customer identification number from the central office to the
terminal; and displaying the customer identification number to the
user, the customer identification number enabling a user to access
at least one of the plurality of service providers through the
central office wherein the user enters the user's customer
identification number along with the user's biometric at a terminal
remote from the central office to access the service provider.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising capturing a
photographic image of the unregistered potential user of services
present at the terminal and transmitting the photographic image of
the unregistered potential user to the central office and storing
the photographic image in the user record.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/644,878, filed May 9, 2012, entitled SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR FORMLESS, SELF-SERVICE REGISTRATION FOR ACCESS TO
FINANCIAL SERVICES (Atty. Dkt. No. GNRT-30929), the specification
of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The following disclosure relates to a system and method for
formless registration of an unbanked user for financial and similar
services.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The availability of self-service financial technology and
devices such as automated teller machines, (ATMs), and similar
devices has grown exponentially over the past several years. Such
devices typically provide banking, funds transfer, bill payment
services and the like to customers of a financial institution.
However, the devices and systems used to provide such financial
transactions have typically been limited to services provided by a
given financial service provider. Some devices do allow for
multiple services from a common location, but such service
typically requires a dedicated VPN connection between the device
and the service provider. In order to utilize such services, a
customer must typically have an account with a financial service
provider and/or a credit, debit or similar card issued by the
service provider. For example, self-service ticket machines are
typically limited to dispensing tickets and require the use of a
credit card or debit card to complete a purchase. To obtain a
credit card or debit card, a user is typically required to fill out
one or more forms and submit the completed to form to the bank or
other financial institution which processes the form, opens an
account for the customer and provides the customer with a card or
card that enables the customer to access and utilize the services
provided by the financial institution and other entities.
[0004] Currently, however, there are significant populations of
unbanked or under-banked consumers that do not have access to such
services for a number of reasons. Members of such populations may
not have a credit or debit card for a variety of reasons; for
example, language barriers, cultural factors, or simply a lack of
knowledge. Some customers may simply not wish to deal with the
paper work required to obtain a credit or debit card. Such
customers may also be unwilling to complete on-line forms that are
commonly used to register for financial and similar services.
Unbanked or under-banked populations may reside in geographic
region(s) where financial service providers do not maintain branch
offices due to demographic factors. The economics of locating an
office or store front such as a branch bank office in such regions
may preclude financial service providers from locating store fronts
or branch offices in these regions. Additionally, postal services
may be limited or non-existent in such regions.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect thereof, a method for enabling users to access
financial services of subscribing financial services with a central
verification system includes creating a verifiable user profile for
a given user. The user presents, at a fixed location, a verifiable
identification ((ID) with a photo attached that can be verified by
a third party as being associated with the photograph on the
verifiable ID. One or more biometrics of the given user are input
and a photograph of the user is taken proximate to the fixed
location at which the verifiable ID and the biometrics are input.
The verifiable ID, biometrics and photograph are transmitted to the
central verification system which provides a unique code to the
given user after receipt of the verifiable ID, the input biometrics
and the photograph. A financial transaction may be initiated by
presenting, at a financial transactions location, a list of
available financial services to the given user in response to the
given user being proximate to the location. At least one of the
available financial services is from the group of the subscribing
financial services. The user selects the subscribing financial
service and a photo of the user is taken with a camera disposed at
the financial transactions location.
[0006] One or more biometrics and the user's unique code are
received at the financial transactions location and the code,
biometrics and photo are transmitted to the central verification
system which verifies that the received biometrics and code are in
fact associated with the central verification system. The financial
transaction is then allowed to proceed. The method includes
completing the transaction after verification. The operation of
creating the verifiable user profile is conducted at a physical
kiosk having an input device for receiving a verifiable ID with
photograph and the biometrics in addition to having a camera
associated therewith for taking a photograph.
[0007] The physical kiosk includes the capability to take more than
one photograph, with at least one being known by the given user
taken at the time of inputting the information. The other
photographs are capable of being taken at different times proximate
to the time of input of the information. Multiple cameras at
different angles may be provided, such that at least one of the
cameras is known to the user at the time the information is input
during the creation operation and the other cameras being hidden
from the given user's knowledge and possibly the view of the given
user before taking pictures also proximate in time to the time of
input of either verifiable IDs or biometrics.
[0008] In another aspect, the financial transactions location for
conducting a transaction includes at least one additional camera
for taking a photograph unknown to the user at the time of
initiating the financial transaction. The step of presenting a list
of financial services provides an indicator for the subscribing
financial service to indicate to the given user the one of the
available financial services associated with the verifiable user
profile. A display is provided at the fixed location.
[0009] In one variation, a system for enabling users to register to
use external financial services comprises a central office
including an operating platform having a processor and a
communication interface. The central office further includes a user
database having a plurality of records for individual users stored
on a database. The user records each includes a user customer
identification number, the user's name and address, an image of an
identification card of the user, a verification image of the user
and an associated biometric parameter of the user. The central
office is operative to communicate via the communication interface
with a plurality of formless, self-service registration stations
remote from the central office. Each of the formless, self-service
registration stations includes a camera operable to create a user
verification image, a card scanner operable to create an image of
an identification card of the user, a biometric scanner operable to
record a biometric parameter of the user and a user interface
adapted to enable a user to initiate a registration procedure for
registering a user.
[0010] In some variations, the user interface is operable to enable
a user to enter a customer identification code during the
registration process. The user's verifiable customer identification
card is then scanned by the user with the card scanner. The
customer identification card includes the user's name and address.
The self-service formless registration station photographs the user
to create a verification image of the user and records a biometric
parameter unique to the user. The self-service formless
registration station then transmits an image of the verifiable
customer identification card, the biometric parameter and the
verification image of the user to the central office. The operating
platform is operable to translate text from the user's customer
identification card including the user's name and address. The
operating platform is also operable to create a record for the user
including a customer identification number for the user, the
verification image of the user, the image of the user's
identification card and the translated text from the user's
identification card. The operating platform uses the translated
text to populate fields in the user record including the user's
name and address. The operating platform is further operable to
retrieve and display a user record including the user verification
image, the image of the user identification card and the user's
name and address to an administrator for review of the user record.
Thus, the system and method disclosed herein enables a user to
register to user financial and similar services without filling out
paper or online forms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a system as
disclosed and described herein;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a flow chart illustrating the method of FIG.
1A;
[0014] FIG. 1C illustrates a representation of a customer
record;
[0015] FIG. 2A is diagrammatic illustration of a terminal for use
in the system of FIG. 1A;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating one possible
configuration for the terminal of FIG. 2A;
[0017] FIG. 2C is a block diagram illustrating the manner in which
different terminals may be configured in one embodiment according
to the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2D is a schematic representation of a mobile terminal
for use in the system of FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 2E illustrates a diagrammatic view of the terminal;
[0020] FIGS. 3A and 3B is a flow chart illustrating one method
implemented via the system of FIG. 1A; and
[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B is a flowchart of a second method
implemented utilizing the system of FIG. 1A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numbers are used herein to designate like elements throughout, the
various views and embodiments of a system and method for formless,
self-service registration for access to financial services are
illustrated and described, and other possible embodiments are
described. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in
some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified
in places for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate the many possible applications and
variations based on the following examples of possible
embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a system 100 as
described herein. In one embodiment, system 100 includes a
plurality of user terminals or kiosks 110. Each of the terminals
110 may have a different "character" depending on the service
modules (or external resources) available at the terminal 110. In
different variations, terminals 110 may be linked to the central
office 116 by means of a network 118 such as a local area network,
a GSM connection or by means of the public telephone system (POTS).
Central office 116 interfaces with service providers 112 via
network 118 which may be utilized to access and/or obtain service
modules corresponding to the services offered by the different
service providers. Service providers 112 may include a variety of
financial institutions such as banks, credit card companies and
other financial service providers.
[0024] As illustrated, central office 116 includes a front end
processor 122 and a back end processor 124, which together, may be
referred to as the "central office processor." Databases 126 and
128 are associated with front and back end processors 122 and 124,
respectively. Database 126 may include information regarding the
configuration, (i.e., the identity of and the services enabled on
different terminals 110) along with the information required to
interface with the terminals. Central office 116 includes a user
verification system as operative to verify the identity of a user
when the user creates an account and when the user conducts
financial transactions as hereinafter described. Database 128 may
include information required to interface with service providers
112, such as information required to format information for use by
a selected service provider 112, as well as the information
required to receive and process information received from the
service providers. User profiles with such information as age,
gender, biometric parameter data such as a palm vein scan or
fingerprint scan, the user's service history and other information
may be stored on database 126, database 128 or both. Additional
data such as transaction data, logs, analysis data and results and
performance data may also be stored on either or both of database
126 and database 128. Each of the processors 122, 124 has an
associated data interface (hardware) for communicating with
terminals 110 and service providers 112.
[0025] Each of the terminals 110 is configured as an independent
interface to a particular user utilizing that particular terminal
110. Each of the terminals 110, as will be more fully described
hereinbelow, has associated therewith service modules or external
resources that will allow the user to effectively interface with
the service provider 112 to both input information to the system
for use in the transaction and to receive an output from the
transaction, if such is appropriate, this being a
transaction-dependent operation. During the transaction, there will
be many interactions between the terminal 110 and the central
office 116, this interaction allowing less of the transaction to be
implemented on the terminal 110 and more to be implemented on the
central office. System 100 may be the same as, or similar to the
system described in U.S. Publication No. 2010/0179990, published
Jul. 15, 2010, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,929, to
Cacheria, et al., filed Jan. 9, 2010, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein for all purposes.
[0026] FIG. 1B is a flow chart illustrating a method of formless,
seamless registration for potential customers of service providers
such as financial institutions to enable potential customers to
access such services with a single registration. The process begins
at step 1000 where a potential customer approaches a kiosk or
remote terminal 110. At step 1002, the customer's presence is
sensed at terminal 110 by means of a motion detector, touch screen
or similar sensor. At step 1004, a screen is displayed prompting
the customer or potential customer to begin. At step 1006, the
customer selects "Begin" and at step 1008, the customer is prompted
to enter a customer identification number (CID). At step 1010, if
the customer enters a CID, the customer may proceed to conduct a
financial transaction at 1012 after which the process ends at step
1014. If the customer is not registered or authorized for the
service that he or she selects, the process jumps to step 1064 as
described hereafter. If the customer elects not to register, at
step 1018, the process loops back to Start at 1020.
[0027] If the customer elects to register, the customer or
potential customer is prompted to scan a photo ID such as a
driver's license, passport or similar identification card at step
1024. Preferably, the ID is one that may be verified by accessing a
public or private database including records identifying the user.
For example, if the customer ID is a driver's license, the ID may
be verified by accessing a private or public database containing
records of individuals having a driver's license. Such records may
include an individual's driver's license number, address, age and a
photo of the individual.
[0028] If the customer fails to scan a photo ID or if the photo ID
is not acceptable, for example if the ID is not legible, the
process returns to Start at step 1030. If the photo ID scan is
acceptable, the image is captured at step 1034 and the image is
processed via optical character recognition (OCR) at 1036. At step
1038, a customer record is created at a central office remote from
the kiosk or terminal and the customer record is populated with
data from the scanned and processed photo ID at step 1040. At step
1042, the customer image captured from the photo ID at step 1034 is
stored in the customer record.
[0029] FIG. 1C is a representation of a customer record. The
customer record may include fields for information such as a
customer's name, customer identification number (CID), a social
security number (SSN), a driver's license number, a driver's
license expiration date, a library card number, the customer's
address, and other pertinent information. In the case where the
scanned photo ID is a passport, for example, the pertinent
information may be captured from the passport, OCR'd and used to
populate the customer record. The customer record may also include
a biometric such as a photograph taken by the kiosk or remote
terminal, a palm vein scan, a fingerprint, a retinal scan or a
voice print.
[0030] Returning to FIG. 1B, at step 1040, the customer record is
populated with the data scanned and OCR'd from the customer ID. At
step 1042, the first customer image from the scanned ID is stored
in the customer record. At step 1044, the customer is photographed
with a local camera and the photograph may be taken multiple times
during the registration process. The second customer image from the
local camera is stored in the customer record at step 1046. After
the customer image from the scanned ID and the customer photograph
have been captured, at step 1048 the customer may be prompted to
enter a biometric, e.g., a thumb print, palm vein scan, retinal
scan, voice scan, etc. At step 1050, the customer biometric
parameter is captured and subsequently stored at step 1052 in the
customer record.
[0031] During the creation of the customer record at the central
office as hereinafter described, the central office may access
available public records using the customer's name or other
information acquired from the scanned customer ID in order to
populate other fields in the customer record as the information may
be available. In some instances, if a user is only interested in
accessing certain basic services, such as a bill pay service, a
biometric parameter may not be required. In this case the process
may skip from step 1046 to step 1054. Other services, for example,
funds transfer services may require a biometric parameter and
additional personal information. The amount of user information
required to access a service may be dictated by the service
provider or by governmental regulations.
[0032] At step 1054, a customer identification number or code (CID)
is created and stored in the customer record at step 1056. In
different variations, the user may be prompted to enter a CID of
his or her choice. This may be done, for example in conjunction
with the user photo ID scan. If the CID is assigned by the central
office, the CID is transmitted to the terminal or kiosk where it is
displayed to the customer. The display may include messages such
as, "please save this number for a future reference," or "do not
share this number with other people." A CID assigned by the central
office may be temporary, in which case, the user may select a
different CID at a later date or stage in the process. If the
customer CID has not been stored in the customer record, the
customer CID is stored in the customer record at step 1058.
[0033] At step 1060, the kiosk or remote terminal may display a
completion message such as, "congratulations, you have completed
basic registration," or a similar message. The display may also
include available services or services that are available with a
basic registration. The display may also include an instruction
such as, "in the future, you may access selected services with your
CID and your biometric parameter." During the registration process,
discrete pieces of information may be input at 110 and transmitted
to central office 116 as the information is collected. For example,
a scan of a photo ID may be captured and transmitted to central
office 116 for record creation before a biometric parameter, zip
code, telephone number or other information is collected. In other
variations, all required information may be collected at kiosk or
terminal 110 before being transmitted to central office 116 as a
single data package after which the central office may create a
user record.
[0034] Some services may require more person information than other
services. For example, a bill pay service may require minimal basic
information while a funds withdrawal or funds transfer transaction
may require additional information, such as a biometric parameter.
A user may also wish to add additional information to his or her
record, such as a biometric parameter as a further safeguard
against unauthorized use of the user's registration. At step 1062,
the customer may be prompted with a display such as "other services
require advanced registration. Would you like the convenience and
security of advanced registration?" If the customer does not elect
advanced registration at step 1064, the customer is prompted at
step 1066 to select a service. If the customer elects not to select
a service at step 1068, the process ends at step 1070. If the
customer selects a service, the service menu is displayed at step
1072 enabling the customer to access the service after which the
process ends at 1074. If a user attempts to access a service
requiring advanced registration, for example, require more personal
information or the addition of a biometric parameter, the customer
will be prompted at step 1062 to add or update his or her record or
profile with the information required to access the service.
[0035] Alternatively, if the customer selects advanced registration
at step 1064, the customer is prompted to select the desired level
at step 1076. The different levels may be designated for example as
gold, silver or platinum and the services available for each level
of registration may be displayed. If the customer selects an
advanced level of registration at steps 1078-1082, the customer is
prompted at steps 1094-1098 to enter the information required for
the selected registration level. Such information may include, for
example, a driver's license number, a social security number, an
address and/or information regarding the customer's credit lines,
for example, credit card information. Alternatively, if the
customer fails to select a particular advanced registration level,
the process ends at step 1086 and loops back at step 1090 to Start
1000. Likewise, if the customer fails to enter the required
information at step 1100, the process ends and returns to Start
1000 at step 1102.
[0036] If the customer enters the required information and the
entry is confirmed by the central office, a completion display may
be displayed to the customer at step 1106 indicating the level of
registration that the customer is registered for. The display may
include a list of the services that are available to the customer
at the selected registration level. At step 1108, the customer is
prompted to select a service for which the customer is registered.
Such services may include, for example, funds transfer, cash
withdrawal, check cashing, etc. If the customer fails to select a
service at step 1110, the process ends at step 1112 and loops back
to Start 1000. If the customer selects a service at step 1116, the
central office confirms whether or not the customer is registered
for the selected service. If the customer is not registered for the
selected service, the process loops back at step 1118 to step 1062
and the customer is prompted to select an appropriate registration
level.
[0037] If the customer is registered at the appropriate level for
the service, a prompt for the service is displayed at step 1120.
The display may prompt the customer to enter information required
for the transaction, for example, the amount of the transaction or
in the case of a funds transfer, the destination of the funds. The
customer then enters the information required to conduct the
transaction at step 1122 after which the service is accessed at
step 1124 by the central office. The transaction is then processed
through the central office at step 1126 after which the process
loops back to Start 1000 at step 1128. If the customer is not
registered at the appropriate level for the service, the process
loops back to step 1062.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of terminals 110 is
provided with a number of user interface devices (physical system
or external resources) mounted in a housing 201 to allow a user to
interface with the terminal 110. In one variation, the devices
include a keyboard 202, a magnetic card scanner 204, an ID scanner
206, a smart card scanner 208 and a touch screen 210. Other user
interface devices include a proximity sensor 212, a motion detector
214, a check scanner 216, a currency reader 218, a voice
recognition model 220 and a video camera 222. Terminal 110 may also
include a biometric parameter interface device such as a palm vein
scanner 224 for authentication purposes. Each of the user interface
devices may be connected to a CPU 244 (terminal processing unit) in
terminal 110. Each of the interface devices may be interfaced with
CPU 244 via a physical system resource interface 203 including
hardware and software enabling the physical system resource to
communicate with CPU 244.
[0039] Each of terminals 110 may also include a variety of output
interface devices (also external resources) that enable the
terminal to provide services to users. Such output devices may
include a currency dispenser 226, a magnetic card dispenser 228, a
smart card dispenser 230, ticket printers 232 and a receipt printer
234. In one embodiment, terminal 110 may also include a document
printer 236, a media display device 238, a money order dispenser
240 and an audio output device such as a speaker 242. Referring
specifically to FIG. 2A, in one variation, the media display device
238 may comprise a large, flat screen monitor for displaying
promotional information such as advertisements for different goods
and services. As illustrated, each of terminals 110 also includes a
data storage device 246 (data store) associated with CPU 244. In
one embodiment, CPU 244 interfaces with central office 116 via a
public or private network 118 (communications resource).
[0040] Referring still to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in one embodiment each
of devices 202-242 are independently controlled. Thus, if one of
devices 202-242 fails, for example, if check scanner 216 jams, the
individual device or module may be disabled along with the services
that it supports without affecting the remaining modules and
services. An operating system runs on CPU 244 (processing
platform), which, among other functions, monitors the status of
available physical system or external resources via the physical
system resources interfaces 203. In this manner, terminal 110
functions as a resources manager for managing available physical
system or external resources. For example, if ticket printer 232
fails mechanically, the ticket printing services provided by
terminal 110 may be disabled while the remaining services provided
by the terminal are still available to users. In one embodiment,
each of terminals 110 transmits a message to central office
processor 114 at predetermined intervals with the status of each of
devices 202-242. In the event that a service becomes unavailable
due to a hardware failure or similar problem, the particular
service may be "grayed out" on screen 210.
[0041] FIG. 2C is a block diagram illustrating the manner in which
different terminals 110 may be configured in system 100. Service
providers 112 may provide a wide range of different services. Each
of the service providers 112 may have configuration information
associated with the provider and/or with a service of the provider.
The configuration information may include information defining the
provider 112, and/or a service that the provider provides. The
configuration may also include a "script," e.g., an instruction set
defining a set of predetermined actions that are to be completed in
a defined sequence to enable access to the service provider and/or
service of the service provider. A configuration for a service
provider 112 and/or for a service may be downloaded from the
service provider to the central office processor 114 and, in turn,
downloaded in whole or in part to selected ones of terminals 110 to
enable a user to access the service provider of a provider service.
The instructions incorporated in the script may be executed by the
terminal 110 in conjunction with central office processor 114 to
enable a user to access a user-selected service. A given
configuration may identify the physical resources required to
access a provider 112 and/or service. In many cases, multiple
configurations or scripts may require the same physical system
resources for execution of an instruction set or script. In some
embodiments, the operating system may disable access to a provider
112 or service if a required physical system resource is
unavailable.
[0042] Referring still to FIG. 2C, company A may provide service
s1, company B may provide services s2 and s3 and company C may
provide service s4. Such services may include providing tickets for
different entertainment events, currency transfers and dispensing a
variety of stored value cards such as debit cards, gift cards and
telephone cards. However, some services may be more desirable to
different population segments at different times due to factors
such as demographics, cultural factors, income levels, holidays and
the location of a specific terminal 110. Consequently, it may be
desirable to configure different terminals 110 to provide different
services at different locations or to configure a terminal based on
a user profile. For example, as illustrated, terminal 110A may be
configured with service modules to provide service s1 and s4 from
companies A and C, respectively. Terminal 110B may be configured
with service modules to provide services s2 and s4 from companies B
and C. Terminal 110C may be configured with service modules to
provide services s1, s3 and s4 from companies A, B and C,
respectively to pay the customer's bills, transfer funds, print
receipts, coupons, money orders, tickets or similar documents.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 2D and 2E, there is illustrated a
more detailed diagram of the terminal 110 and the manner by which
it interfaces with the various physical system or external
resources. There is illustrated the processor 244, which is
operable to interface with a plurality of external resources 270,
which, as described hereinabove, can be any type of hardware
resource that allows a user to interface with the various service
providers through the central office. In general, the terminal 110
does not possess the capability to allow a user to interface with
any kind of service to conduct a financial transaction without
being connected to the central office. This is not to say that such
could not be implemented. However, for example, if a user were
provided a code that could be input to a terminal 110 through the
keypad (one of the external resources 270), this would allow the
user to retrieve cash from a cash dispenser (another one of the
external resources 270). However, if the terminal 110 did not
interface with the central office or the service provider through
the central office processor 114, then that would require the
terminal 110 to have associated therewith all of the information
necessary to authorize a particular user on that terminal 110 in
addition to preprocessed information about an already in process
financial transaction. This would mean that all of the terminals
110 would be required to have all of that information. This is not
practical for most financial transactions. These are not pay-as-you
go type terminals that would allow a user to input value and
receive value therefrom with a percentage of the input value
retained as a fee and maintained in the system independent of the
operation of any external processing system.
[0044] The processor 244 has associated therewith a light operating
system that provides the basic operating parameters to interface
with the central office, interface with the storage database 246
containing the various service modules, and also interface with the
physical system or external resources 270. In order to interface
with the external resources 270, there is provided a hardware
interface 272 associated with each external resource 270. This
external resource basically is a physical terminal or connector
that can receive a connection or cable from the external resource
270 and this will typically allow bi-directional communication.
Data can be transmitted to the external resource 270 for a printer,
for example, and information can be received back from that printer
indicating an error. Therefore, there will always be some type of
monitor function associated with a particular external resource 270
in addition to a data transfer path.
[0045] The data transfer path is illustrated by a path 274 and the
monitoring information is represented by a path 276. Any type of
well-known connection can be used to provide this. In recent years,
most external resources in the form of printers, keyboards, and the
like, utilized a conventional communication link such as a serial
USB connection. These USB interfaces utilize a common driver
interface such that plugging the USB cord from the external
resource 270 into the hardware interface will allow the processor
244 to recognize the device and essentially identify that device.
Further, after the hardware interface has been provided, there will
then be some type of driver software that will be required for the
processor 244 to effect an interface with the external resource
270. Even though the hardware interface may be a USB interface or
some proprietary interface, there still must be some type of driver
software to allow communication with the external resource. For
example, a printer may be recognized as a particular printer
through a USB interface or other type of serial or parallel port
interface, but driver software is required in order to utilize the
full functionality of that particular external printer or other
external resource. If the external resource 270 were a display,
then a particular cable or interface such as a VGA cable would be
required to interface with the display. Appropriate drivers would
be required for the display. Sometimes, the operating system itself
has predefined drivers for displays, as these are somewhat
universal. For some resources, however, special drivers would be
required to utilize the full functionality of that particular
resource.
[0046] The processor 244 then manages the resources 270 by keeping
a table of available resources. If a resource fails, this will be
communicated through the hardware interface to the processor 244
and may, in fact, require the use of the driver software to
interface with the external resource 270 to provide this monitoring
function. If the resource fails or if it is not connected, this
would be recognized by the processor 244. For example, when a
particular configuration is provided, it may require a cash
dispenser, a keyboard input and a display output in addition to a
biometric scanner. The particular software script that comprises
part of the service module will require all of these resources in
order to function. Therefore, there will be a list of available
resources that must exist in order for a particular terminal 110 to
constitute a fully operating terminal for that service in
accordance with the configuration information provided by the
central office processor 114. If one of these resources disappears,
this will disable a particular service module and this will be
communicated back to the central office 116 during the
"heartbeat."
[0047] The storage region 246 will be the area where the various
service modules "script" is stored. This is the sequence of
instructions that must be carried out in order to effect the
portion of the transactions that is associated with a particular
terminal 110. For example, one of the first transactions that will
occur and that constitutes a service module is an authorization
module. This authorization module will require authentication of an
individual by requiring them to enter certain information, such as
name, password, CID information, and even biometric data. This will
be utilized to authenticate the individual at the central office
116, after which the user will then be presented a display of the
available services that can be used or, more likely, the services
will first be provided in a "grayed-out" format to the user and
upon authentication, will be un-grayed-out so that the user knows
they now have access, i.e., they have been authenticated. After
that, the user can then select one of the service modules and, upon
selection thereof, the service module will sequentially access the
various external resources to effect the transaction in conjunction
with the central office 116, as will be disclosed hereinbelow.
Thus, each of the service modules s1, s2, s3 . . . sn will be
stored therein, which each constitute a portion of the script or
transaction process required to be executed by the terminal 110 for
a particular service. This is the configuration information that is
downloaded from the central office processor 114. However, it
should also be understood that a particular terminal 110 could have
all of the service modules fully loaded therein and all that the
central office 116 would be required to do would be to activate a
particular service on a terminal 110.
[0048] Two of the resource interfaces 272 are illustrated as being
associated with communication external resources, one being an
external resource 280 labeled COM1 and a second one 282 labeled
COM2. Each of these is interfaced with separate networks 284 and
286, respectively. For example, one communication protocol could be
a dial-up modem and the other could be an Ethernet card. Either of
these can interface a separate and different network utilizing a
separate and different protocol. Both, alternatively, could be the
same hardware resource for redundancy purposes. This resource
allows the processor 244 to communicate with the central office
116.
[0049] FIGS. 3A and 3B is a block diagram of a method implemented
via a system such as system 100 of FIG. 1A. The process begins at
30 where central office 116 receives a message from a terminal 110
at step 32 indicating that an unregistered customer is seeking to
conduct a transaction or attempting to register. At step 34,
registration script is transmitted from central office 116 to the
terminal 110 if the script is not resident on the terminal. It will
be understood that the steps described in connection with FIGS. 3A
and 3B will be conducted primarily by front end processor 122 of
central office 116 except as necessary to interface with a service
provider 112.
[0050] At step 36, registration data is received from terminal 110.
Such information may include a customer biometric and a scanned
image of the customer's verifiable ID. It will be understood that
the information may be streamed from the terminal to the central
office or transmitted as a single block of data. The information is
compared to existing customer records to identify possible
duplicate records. If it appears that the data duplicates an
existing record at step 38, an error message is transmitted to the
terminal at step 40 and the process is terminated at step 42. If no
duplicate data is detected, at step 44 the image from the user's ID
is compared to the image captured by the terminal camera.
Preferably, multiple images are captured by the terminal camera to
facilitate the comparison. The comparison may be conducted by a
human attendant of central office 116 or by an automated system
utilizing facial recognition software. If the images do not match
at step 46, an error message is transmitted to the terminal at step
40 and the process is terminated at step 42.
[0051] If the images match, the image of the user ID is OCR'd at
step 48 and a user record is created and a CID is assigned at step
50. The user record is populated with data from the scanned ID at
step 52. At step 54, available databases may be queried to identify
data that may be used to populate the user record. Such databases
may include bill payment records, telephone listing, address
listings, employment records and other commercially available
databases. If such records are located at step 56, the information
is used to populate the user record at step 58. Information
obtained in this manner may also be used to conduct a check for
duplicate or erroneous data in the user record. For example, the
comparison may identify an individual attempting to register using
another individual's identity. At this point, the user has
completed basic registration and the terminal prompts the user to
select advanced registration. If the user elects not to seek
advanced registration at step 60, a registration complete message
is transmitted to the terminal at step 62, and the process is
terminated. If the user elects to proceed with advanced
registration, and then fails to complete the registration by
providing the required information at step 64, the process is
terminated at step 66. If the user information is received, the
information is used to populate the user record at step 68 and a
registration complete message is transmitted to the terminal at 70.
If the user then elects to conduct a transaction at step 72, the
transaction is conducted at step 74 and the user is prompted to
select another transaction at step 76 and if another transaction is
selected, the process loops back to 74. If no transaction is
selected, the process is terminated at step 78.
[0052] FIGS. 4A and 4B is a flowchart illustrating a method
utilizing system 100 of FIG. 1A. At step 400, the process begins
with the user initiating a transaction at step 402 by entering the
user's CID and biometric parameter. At step 404, the user's photo
and or biometric, obtained by the terminal camera when the
transaction is initiated, is compared with the image and/or
biometric from the user's record. This check may be done at random,
for selected users, or for each transaction. The check may be
accomplished by an attendant at central office 116, or the check
may be automated, using for example, facial recognition software.
If the compared parameters do not match at step 406, the front end
processor 122 may initiate an alert at step 408 and transmit an
error message to the terminal at step 410 with the process
terminating at step 412. The alert may be displayed on a screen at
central office 116, alerting an attendant of the mismatch. The user
record may also be checked at this step for accuracy and
completeness. For example, if the record user photo ID is a
driver's license, the expiration date may be checked. If the
license is expired, the user may be prompted to update his or her
record by scanning a current driver's license. Similarly, the
address on the driver's license no longer matches other information
in the user record, the user may be prompted to update the
information or re-register for the user's selected services.
[0053] If the user photo and biometric match the user record, a
script for the user selected transmission may be transmitted to the
terminal at step 414 if the script is not resident on the terminal.
If the central office does not receive the information required for
the transaction at step 416, an error message is transmitted to the
terminal at 418 and the process is terminated at 412. If the data
is received, the transaction and user parameters may be matched
based upon preselected criteria at step 420.
[0054] Such parameters may include user transaction frequency and
type, time, transaction amount, the geographical area where the
transaction originated, etc. For example, if a transaction occurs
more than, for example 100 miles from the user's address of record,
the transaction may be denied. Similarly, if a second transaction
is attempted at a geographical location remote from the location of
a first transaction within a predetermined time window, the second
transaction may be denied. For example, if the first transaction
occurred in Chicago at 10:00 am and a second transaction was
attempted in Phoenix at 10:20, the second transaction may be
denied. Such matching may be used to identify potential fraud,
attempts to circumvent federal anti-money laundering regulations
and other activity of interest. The results of the match are
compared to a threshold value for the selected parameter or
parameters at step 422 and if the threshold is exceeded, an alert
may be generated at step 424. At step 426 a determination is made
as to whether or not to allow the transaction to continue based
upon preselected criteria. If the criterion indicates that the
transaction should not proceed, the process is terminated at step
412.
[0055] If the process is allowed to continue, the user data is
formatted and/or compiled for the user by the selected service
provider at 428 and transmitted to the provider at 430. The steps
of formatting and transmitting the data will be conducted by the
back end processor 124 of central office 116. During the course of
the transaction, data may be streamed or multiple data blocks and
instructions may be transmitted back and forth between the back end
processor and the user selected service provider as illustrated and
described in U.S. Publication No. 2010/0179990, published Jul. 15,
2010, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,929, to Cacheria, et
al., filed Jan. 9, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein for all purposes.
[0056] If the data is accepted by the selected service provider at
step 432, the transaction is conducted and the user's record
updated to reflect the transaction. If the service provider rejects
the transmitted data, an error message is transmitted to the
terminal at step 434 and the transaction is terminated at step 436.
If the user selects another transaction at 440, the process loops
back to start 400, if not, the transaction is terminated at step
444.
[0057] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having
the benefit of this disclosure that this system and method for
formless, self-service registration for access to financial
services provides a system and method for formless self-service
registration for access to financial and other services. It should
be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are
to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner,
and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and
examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further
modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions,
alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and
scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is
intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all
such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions,
alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.
* * * * *