U.S. patent application number 14/681900 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for charge-for-service near field communication transactions.
The applicant listed for this patent is EBAY INC.. Invention is credited to Kent Griffin, Carl B. Stone.
Application Number | 20150213436 14/681900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40899729 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150213436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Griffin; Kent ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
CHARGE-FOR-SERVICE NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION TRANSACTIONS
Abstract
A method for purchasing a value item using near field
communication (NFC) includes placing a NFC enabled data
communication device of a buyer of the item in close proximity to a
NFC enabled data communication device of a seller of the item, the
devices being interoperable to establish a NFC communication link
between the devices when placed in close proximity to each other,
transferring a request for payment for the item from the seller's
device to the buyer's device via the NFC link, and transmitting the
payment request, together a buyer's authorization therefor, to a
third party service provider via a network. In response to receipt
of the transmission, the service provider transfers money in an
amount equal to the purchase price of the item from a funding
account of the buyer to a receiving account of the seller, and
optionally, can send the parties a message confirming the
transfer.
Inventors: |
Griffin; Kent; (Mountain
View, CA) ; Stone; Carl B.; (Campbell, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EBAY INC. |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40899729 |
Appl. No.: |
14/681900 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12242667 |
Sep 30, 2008 |
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14681900 |
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61024758 |
Jan 30, 2008 |
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61034890 |
Mar 7, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/44 ;
705/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/322 20130101;
H04L 67/04 20130101; G06Q 20/102 20130101; G06Q 20/425 20130101;
G06Q 20/105 20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101; G06Q 20/3829 20130101;
H04B 5/00 20130101; G06Q 20/108 20130101; G06Q 20/40 20130101; G06Q
30/0601 20130101; H04L 63/06 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; G06Q
30/06 20130101; G06Q 20/10 20130101; G06Q 20/4012 20130101; G07F
17/32 20130101; G06Q 20/3278 20130101; G06Q 40/00 20130101; G06Q
20/3821 20130101; G06Q 20/223 20130101; H04W 4/50 20180201 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/32 20060101
G06Q020/32; G06Q 20/42 20060101 G06Q020/42 |
Claims
1. An electronic payment method for facilitating purchase and
transfer of a value item, the method comprising: in response to
detecting a first tap at a user device, establishing a near field
communication (NFC) link by the user device with a merchant device;
receiving, at the user device, a transaction request from the
merchant device via the NFC link; displaying, at the user device,
information corresponding to the received transaction request;
creating, at the user device, a payment request based on the
received transaction request; in response to detecting a second tap
at the user device, transmitting the payment request by the user
device to a payment provider system via a communication channel
that is distinct from the NFC link, wherein the payment request is
configured to cause the payment provider system to transfer funds
from an account associated with the user device to an account
associated with the merchant device; and receiving, at the user
device, information corresponding to the value item.
2. The electronic payment method of claim 1, wherein the receiving
information corresponding to the value item includes receiving a
transmission of the value item.
3. The electronic payment method of claim 1, wherein the receiving
information corresponding to the value item includes receiving
information for unlocking use of the value item.
4. The electronic payment method of claim 3, further comprising
receiving at the user device, in response to the first tap, a
locked version of the value item.
5. The electronic payment method of claim 1, wherein: the
displaying the information corresponding to the received
transaction request includes displaying an option to enter
modifications to the displayed information; and the creating the
payment request based on the received transaction request is
further based on the modifications.
6. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality
of machine-readable instructions which, when executed by one or
more processors of one, the other, or both of a communication
device of a user and a communication device of a seller, are
adapted to cause one, the other or both of the devices to perform a
method comprising: in response to detecting a first tap between the
user device and the merchant device, establishing a near field
communication (NFC) link between the user device and the merchant
device; receiving, at the user device, a transaction request from
the merchant device via the NFC link; displaying, at the user
device, information corresponding to the received transaction
request; generating, at the user device, a payment authorization
based on the received transaction request; in response to receiving
a user authorization at the user device, transmitting the payment
authorization by the user device to a payment provider system via a
communication channel different from the NFC link, the payment
authorization being configured to cause the payment provider system
to effect a transfer of funds from an account associated with the
user to an account associated with the merchant; and receiving a
value item at the user device.
7. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 6, wherein
the receiving a user authorization comprises detecting a second tap
between the user device and the merchant device.
8. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 6, wherein
the transaction request comprises at least one of the group
consisting of an identity of the merchant, phone number, an
address, a receiving account identity and a price of the value
item.
9. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 6, wherein
the payment authorization comprises at least one of the group
consisting of an identity of the user, a password, a personal
identification number (PIN), a phone number, an address, a payment
funding account identity and an amount of funds to be
transferred.
10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 6, wherein
the method further comprises receiving, at one, the other, or both
the user device and the merchant device, a message from the payment
provider system confirming the transfer of funds.
11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10,
wherein: the value item is received in a locked form, and the
method further comprises transmitting, from the merchant device to
the user device, information for unlocking use of the value
item.
12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein
the transmitting information for unlocking use of the value item is
in response to the receiving, at the merchant device, the message
from the payment provider system confirming the transfer of
funds.
13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 7, wherein
the value item is received after the first tap, the second tap or
after receiving, at one, the other, or both the user device and the
merchant device, a message from the payment provider system
confirming the transfer of funds.
14. A method, comprising: causing a first tap between a buyer's
communication device and a seller's communication device, the first
tap being effective to: establish a near field communication (NFC)
link between the buyer's communication device and the seller's
communication device; and transmit an offer of sale of a value item
from the seller's communication device to the buyer's communication
device via the NFC link; creating, on the buyer's communication
device, a payment authorization based on the offer of sale; causing
a second tap between the buyer's communication device and the
seller's communication device, the second tap being effective to:
transmit the payment authorization by the user device to a payment
provider via a communication channel that is distinct from the NFC
link, the payment authorization being effective to cause the
payment provider to effect a transfer of funds from an account
associated with the buyer to an account associated with the seller;
and receiving information relating to the value item at the buyer's
communication device.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving information
relating to the value item includes receiving a transmission of the
value item.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiving information
relating to the value item includes receiving information for
unlocking use of the value item.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving, at the
buyer's communication device, in response to the first tap, a
locked version of the value item.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising displaying
information relating to the offer of sale on the buyer's
communication device, wherein the displaying includes displaying an
option to enter modifications to the offer of sale, and the
creating is further based on the modifications.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the
communication channel that is distinct from the NFC link is
wireless.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving, at one,
the other, or both the buyer's communication device and the
seller's communication device, a message from the payment provider
confirming the transfer of funds.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/242,667, filed Sep. 30, 2008, which claims
benefit of U.S. Prov. App. Nos. 61/024,758, filed Jan. 30, 2008,
and 61/034,890, filed Mar. 7, 2008, the entire disclosure of each
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to financial
transactions, and more particularly, to making peer-to-peer
payments for services between mobile devices using near field
communication (NFC) in a network environment.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Arguably, mobile phones are currently the most widespread
mobile computing device in the world. They have become ubiquitous
companions in our life, enabling communication nearly anytime and
anywhere to facilitate information access to mobile services and
the Internet. In addition, mobile phones have become multimedia
computing platforms with integral digital cameras for taking
pictures and video, playing music, recording conversations, and for
organizing our lives.
[0006] Using physical objects as entry points to data and services
can ease mobile communication and information access. Augmentation
of the environment enables physical mobile interactions, which
involve a user, a mobile device, and a physical object or another
mobile device. The object is augmented with some kind of technology
and subsequently stores information, The information is typically
associated with a mobile service that might be triggered through an
interaction with the physical object. Physical mobile interactions
make it possible to bridge the gap between the physical and virtual
world. In order to support communication between the mobile device
and the augmented object, communication technologies are
required.
[0007] Different short-range communication technologies have been
integrated into mobile devices in recent years. The process began
with infrared transceivers for synchronizing applications with a
desktop computer. Bluetooth technology evolved and overcame some of
the problems experienced with infrared. However, when attempting to
connect two devices with Bluetooth, the setup is often lengthy and
is very often not user-friendly.
[0008] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is another technology
that has been easily integrated into mobile devices, such as
cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or
computers. RFID works with both active communication devices
(transceivers or read-write devices) and passive non-powered tags
(transponders). The tags are relatively small, inexpensive, and can
store information, making them suitable for augmenting physical
objects unobtrusively. The transponder is attached to objects that
are to be identified and contains information, such as product
price or vehicle identification, for example. The transceiver
device emits an electromagnetic signal that activates the tag and
enables the transceiver to read the tag's information and/or to
alter it, assuming the tag is re-writeable. Usually, the
transceiver is in communication with a computer or similar device
to which the information is passed.
[0009] Near Field Communication, herein referred to as "NFC," is
the most recently explored technology for object augmentation to
bring mobile devices and physical objects together to enable a user
to interact with the augmented objects for information and/or data
communication.
[0010] In this regard, NFC is a short range, high frequency,
wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of data
between devices over a relatively short distance, viz., 0-20 cm.
NFC is based on RFID technology and uses many of the same working
principles. The technology is standardized in ISO/IEC 18092
(International Organization for Standardization/International
Electrotechnical Commission), ECMA-340 (European association for
standardizing information and communication systems), and ETSI
102.190 (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). All of
these standards define the NFC Interface and Protocol-1 (NFCIP-1),
see FIG. 1, which specify the modulation schemes, coding, transfer
speeds and frame format of the RF interface of NFC devices, as well
as initialization schemes and conditions required for data
collision-control during initialization for both passive and active
NFC modes.
[0011] NFC is also standardized in ISO/IEC 21481 and ECMA 352,
which corresponds to NFC Interface and Protocal-2 (NFCIP-2). The
NFCIP-2 standard specifies the mechanism to detect and select one
communication mode out of three possible communication modes
typical of NFC devices (Peer-to-Peer, Read/Write Card, and Card
Emulation), as further shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] NFC is compatible with ISO/IEC 14443 type A and type B
(proximity cards operating at a maximum distance of 20 cm), ISO/IEC
15693 (vicinity cards operating at a distance from 10 cm to 2 m)
and to the FeliCa contactless smart card system. Accordingly, an
NFC device can communicate with both existing ISO 14443 smartcards
and readers, as well as with other NFC devices, and is compatible
with existing contactless infrastructure already in use for, among
other things, public transportation, payment, and
promotion/advertising.
[0013] As discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, a key feature
of NFC devices is that the NFC chip that is integrated into the NFC
device can read out an RFID tag's information, emulate a smart card
so that a reader can access its data, or communicate directly with
another NFC device in peer-to-peer fashion when the two NFC enabled
devices are brought into direct contact or in very close proximity
to each other. In other words, NFC technology enables communication
between devices that both have active power and computing
capabilities, as well as communication between powered devices and
passive tags.
[0014] For operating in Reader Mode, it is sufficient to hold the
NFC device near a compatible tag that stores some information
(typically 1 Kb-4 kb). This information could be, for example, a
bookmark of a company website in the company advertising poster, a
timetable of a bus near a bus stop, some tourist information beside
works of art near a museum, or the like. With peer-to-peer
communication mode, it is possible, for example, to synchronize
calendars between two NFC PDAs, or to set up networks (Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, or the like) simply by holding the two NFC devices in close
proximity to each other. In card emulation mode, the NFC device can
host virtual payment cards and enable the user to make payments.
For example, it is possible to buy a travel ticket while providing
management of associated customer loyalty and bonus programs. In
card emulation mode, it is also possible to control access, i.e.,
the NFC device acts as a key.
[0015] Prior to utilizing many known NFC devices for the first
time, some sort of preoperationally process is typically required.
In this regard, the present disclosure describes an activation and
authorization process that may provide security features, as well
as check NFC device compatibility and pre-configure the device
accordingly.
[0016] One example of an NFC technology application is financial
transactions. A consumer taps the NFC device on a reader to effect
a monetary transfer. Typically, a retailer enters the total amount
due, and the consumer taps the NFC device on the reader, which
causes payment details to be sent to the consumer's financial
institution. Very shortly after, the consumer and retailer receive
payment confirmation. Such a method provides advantages such as
eliminating the need to carry cash and enabling a faster financial
transaction. PayPass is an example of this type of method. However,
this method is limited in that the transfer is with a retailer at a
POS terminal or reader. Further, the consumer NFC device simply
authorizes a money transfer based on the POS terminal.
SUMMARY
[0017] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, exemplary
embodiments of peer-to-peer payments between mobile devices using
near field communication in a network environment are described
herein.
[0018] In one embodiment, a method for purchasing a value item,
such as a music download, using near field communication (NFC)
includes placing a NFC enabled data communication device of a
purchaser of the item in close proximity to a NFC enabled data
communication device of a seller of the item, the devices being
interoperable to establish a NFC communication link between the
devices when placed in close proximity to each other, transferring
the value item, together with a request for payment for the item,
from the seller's device to the buyer's device via the NFC link,
and transmitting the payment request, together a buyer's
authorization for the payment, to a third party service provider
via a network and thereby causing the service provider to transfer
money in an amount equal to the purchase price of the item from a
funding account of the buyer to a receiving account of the
seller.
[0019] A better understanding of the above and many other features
and advantages of the novel payment systems and methods of the
present invention may be obtained from a consideration of the
detailed description of some example embodiments thereof below,
particularly if such consideration is made in conjunction with the
several views of the appended drawings, wherein like elements are
referred to by like reference numerals throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows that an NFC enabled device can read out an RFID
tag's information, emulate a smart card so that a reader can access
its data, or communicate directly with another NFC device in
peer-to-peer fashion when the two NFC devices are brought in direct
contact or in very close proximity to each other.
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the establishment of a Bluetooth or a
similar short range wireless communication between two computers
using NFC.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the use of an NFC enabled computer (PC) and NFC
enabled mobile phone to download a game application from a website
directly into the mobile phone.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows an example of NFC devices communicating
consumer account information via radio frequency (RF) to a
retailer's payment terminal.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a system and method for enabling a peer-to-peer
financial transaction between mobile devices using near field
communication in a network environment in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows application(s) activation in accordance with
one embodiment.
[0026] FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively illustrate a typical "known"
request for money and a contrasting request for money in a
peer-to-peer financial transaction between mobile devices using
near field communication in a network environment in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 shows examples of various interface screens that be
applicable to the a sender's mobile device and/or a recipient's
mobile device for conducting a peer-to-peer financial transaction
between mobile devices using near field communication in a network
environment in accordance with one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described with references
to the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numbers are
used to refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in
the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted
in any limiting or restrictive manner simply because it is being
utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain
embodiments. Furthermore, various embodiments (whether or not
specifically described herein) may include novel features, no
single one of which is solely responsible for their novelty or
desirability.
[0029] As indicated above, NFC is a short-range wireless
connectivity technology that evolved from a combination of existing
contactless identification and interconnection technologies.
Operating at 13.56 MHz via magnetic field induction (i.e., two loop
antennas are located within each other's near field) and
transferring data at up to 424 Kbits/second, NFC provides simple
communication between electronic devices over relatively short
distances, viz., 0-20 cm. This means that no restrictions are
applied and no licenses are required for use of the NFC devices in
the RF band. NFC is both a "read" and "write" technology.
Furthermore, combining the read and write modes in more than two
mobile devices enables a third peer-to-peer mode by alternating
between read and write modes. As also discussed above, the
underlying layers of NFC technology follow universally implemented
ISO, ECMA, and ETSI standards. Because the transmission range of
NFC is very short, NFC-enabled transactions are relatively secure.
However, to provide more robust security, applications may use
higher layer cryptographic protocols, such as TLS, SS, or the
like.
[0030] In this regard, the NFC interface and protocols primarily
target consumer electronics users that will be able to use the
secure means of communication between various devices without
exerting much effort in configuring their "network". Communication
between two NFC-compatible devices occurs when they are brought in
close proximity with a wave or touch of the two device(s). This
action causes the respective NFC wireless interfaces of the two
devices to engage and configure the devices to link up in a
peer-to-peer network, enabling the automated and transparent
establishment of a network connection between the devices.
[0031] The NFC communication protocol distinguishes between an
Initiator device and a Target device of the NFC network
communication. Any device may be either an Initiator or a Target.
The Initiator, as indicated by the name, is the device that
initiates and controls the exchange of data. The Target is the
device that answers a request for data from the Initiator. A device
may also be both initiator and target, as described in the
peer-to-peer mode above.
[0032] The NFC protocol further distinguishes between two modes of
operation, viz., an Active mode and a Passive mode. All devices
support both communication modes. In the active mode of
communication, both devices, i.e., both the Initiator and the
Target, generate their own RF field to carry the data. In the
passive mode of communication, only one device (the Initiator)
generates the RF field while the other device (the Target) uses
load modulation to transfer the data. This can be an important
consideration for battery-powered devices, since the conservation
of battery power is generally a high priority. As such, the
protocol enables a device, such as a mobile phone, to operate in a
power-saving mode (passive mode of NFC communication). In other
words, the passive mode does not require both devices to generate
the RF field and enables a complete communication to be powered
from one side only. (The device still needs to be powered
internally, but does not have to "waste" the battery on powering
the RF communication interface.)
[0033] The difficulty in using longer-range protocols, such as
Bluetooth and Wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi), is in selecting the
correct device from a multitude of devices in the operating range
and providing the right parameters to establish the connection.
However, NFC overcomes this difficulty, as once the configuration
data has been exchanged using NFC, the devices can then easily
setup and continue to communicate over a greater range and using
faster protocols, such as Bluetooth or Wireless Ethernet
(Wi-Fi).
[0034] For example, as indicated by the dashed double-headed arrow
2 in FIG. 2, ordinarily, to establish Bluetooth communication
between two computers, the two devices need to be setup manually
with a password to protect communication. However, as indicated by
the broad arrow 1 in FIG. 2, NFC may be used as a first step in
establishing, e.g., a Bluetooth communication link by simply
touching, or "tapping" one of the two devices against the other, or
by bringing the two devices into close proximity to each other. By
touching the devices at a "hotspot," they can automatically open a
data connection link to exchange the parameters of the Bluetooth
communication and thereby seamlessly establish a secret key without
any further action being required on the part of the user. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, once the Bluetooth communication link is
established, the devices can then be moved away from each other in
a second step as communication between the devices continues using
the session of Bluetooth that was previously established.
[0035] Substantially the same NFC procedure may be used to
establish a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like)
connection with a variety of devices, from mobile phones that
enable payment or transfer of information to digital cameras that
send their photos to a television set with just a touch. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, by using an NFC enabled computer
(PC) and an NFC enabled mobile phone, a game application may be
downloaded from a website directly into the mobile phone from the
PC.
[0036] NFC capabilities further include information access via a
"smart poster" application. In this example, the user taps an NFC
enabled mobile phone to a tag embedded in a poster or similar
object, which then triggers the transmission of a uniform resource
locator (URL) to the phone. The URL could be used, for example, to
direct a user to a website at which the user can gather information
or download a special coupon or token.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5, other examples of NFC applications
include mobile cell phones, cards, or key fobs that have a built-in
integrated circuit (IC) microchip and antenna. The chip is able to
emulate contactless smart cards. Consumers can use the NFC device
to communicate consumer account information via radio frequency to
the retailer's payment terminal, such as the VIVO pay line of
contactless payment systems manufactured by VIVOtech. The payment
terminal then connects to the appropriate financial networks or
other back-end processing system to authorize the transaction. Once
authorized, the consumer completes the transaction and receives
payment confirmation.
[0038] Mobile cell phones or "wallet phones" may include a prepaid
wallet that can be used for making mobile payments. Users interact
with readers at point of sale (POS) terminals or cash machines to
recharge the wallet and access control systems located there, for
example, ticketing and reservation systems at train stations,
airports, hotels, and the like, using the wallet phone to make
purchases.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a system and
method for enabling a peer-to-peer financial transaction between
mobile devices using near field communication in a network
environment in accordance with this invention. The system and
method for enabling a peer-to-peer financial transaction between
mobile devices 100 may include a first NFC enabled mobile device
105 and a second NFC enabled mobile device 110, a network 115 to
enable connectivity between entities/elements and the flow of
information, and a third party payment provider system 120 (PPS)
for, among other things, payment processing (verification,
authorization and confirmation) of the financial transaction
between the mobile devices 105 and 110, as well as the debiting and
crediting of appropriate accounts respectively associated with each
of the users 140 and 145 thereof.
[0040] As used herein, the term "mobile device" is a broad term and
may include, but is not limited to, cell phones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), smart phones, key fobs, smartcards, computers or
PCs, or similar type of augmented objects or devices.
[0041] Each of the mobile devices 105 and 110 are NFC enabled and
may include, among other things, a user identifier 125, an NFC
service application 126, a network communication application 127,
and other applications 128, including a payment provider
application, a browser application, a toolbar application, and the
like, as may be necessary to enable NFC communication between the
mobile devices 105, 100 and the payment provider system 120 via the
network 115.
[0042] Broadly, the NFC service application 126 provides those
features that generally enable NFC communication between NFC
enabled devices, but may also enable the user to activate various
multimedia features, as well as to effect financial transactions
via icon linked applications, such as "send money," "request
money," "send contact information," "acquire contact information,"
and the like.
[0043] Likewise, the payment provider application provides those
features that generally enable the mobile device 105 and 110 to
communicate with the payment provider system 120, but may also
enable the user to activate various multimedia features, as well as
to effect financial transactions via icon linked applications, such
as "send money," "request money," "send contact information,"
"acquire contact information," and the like.
[0044] Accordingly, persons of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the use of either a NFC service application and a
separate payment provider application, or the use of a single
bundled application that is the functional equivalent of the NFC
service application and the payment provider application in any
mobile device may depend on a number of factors, including
manufacturer preferences, cost, and intended use, to name a few.
Accordingly, the term "application," "applications," or
"application(s)" as used herein indicates that either a separate
NFC service application and a payment provider application, or a
bundled application having capabilities of both the NFC service
application and the payment provider application is present in the
mobile device.
[0045] In one example embodiment, the network 115 may be
implemented as a single network or a combination of multiple
networks. For example, in various embodiments, the network may
include the Internet and/one or more intranets, landline networks,
wireless networks, and/or other appropriate types of communication
networks. In another example, the network may comprise a wireless
telecommunications network (e.g., cellular phone network) adapted
to communicate with other communication networks, such as the
Internet.
[0046] The payment provider system 120 may include, among other
things, a server identifier 130, a payment processing application
131, and an account database 132 having account information 133 and
other databases 134, as may be required to enable payment
processing between the mobile devices 105 and 110.
[0047] In one embodiment, a financial transaction between the
mobile devices 105 and 110 may include the transfer or sending of
money from the first mobile device 105 (sender) to the second
mobile device 110 (recipient). In this regard, preconditions for
the successful completion of the transfer of money between mobile
devices 105 and 110 include the assumptions that the first mobile
device 105 and the second mobile device 110 are NFC enabled; that a
payment provider service application 126, NFC service application,
or bundled application is present on the sender's 140 mobile device
105; and, that at least the sender 140 has a previously established
payment provider account 132.
[0048] In this regard, the application(s) setup may be facilitated
over-the-air (OTA), wherein, depending on implementation, an OTA
application/software download can be initiated upon an action, such
as a call to the payment provider system 120 or other dialable
service, or can be performed automatically when visiting a service
site.
[0049] Alternatively, the application(s) setup may be facilitated
by using another NFC chip, wherein, for example, a pre-loaded NFC
card issued by the payment provider system 120 or other entity may
be pre-loaded with a basic application, account information, URL,
and the like, such that, when touched to an NFC enabled mobile
device, the information is transferred to the mobile device to
permit access to an OTA site where the application/software
download can be effected.
[0050] In one embodiment, an initial payment provider application
activation process may be required to be completed prior to
utilizing the application(s) 126-129 for the first time. In this
regard, as illustrated in FIG. 7, application(s) activation may
begin with the user entering login information, such as a phone
number, pin number, email address and/or password, and the like, in
the mobile device 105, 110. The application forwards the
information and a public key (unique identifier) 125 based on the
NFC mobile device's chip to the payment provider system 120. In one
embodiment, network connectivity for the communication of voice
and/data between the mobile device 105, 110 and the payment
provider, e.g., PayPal. A Short Message Service (SMS) text message
to the mobile device is then communicated from the payment provider
system 120 may be facilitated by an HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol Secure) connection over a general packet radio service
(GPRS). GPRS is a packet based wireless communication service that
offers continuous connection to the Internet or other network 115
for mobile phone and computer users. GPRS is based on GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communication) and complements existing services
such as circuit switched cellular phone connections and the Short
Message Service (SMS), i.e., text message. Persons of skill in the
art will understand similar protocols and wireless services may be
utilized within the scope of the disclosure to enable wireless
connectivity and communication between the mobile devices and the
payment service provider.
[0051] In response to receiving the user's information and unique
identifier, the service provider system 120 sends packet
information to the mobile device 105, 110. The packet information
from the payment provider system 120 to the mobile device may
include data relating to country, currency, language, activation
code and/or security keys. A corresponding code generated by the
application is then communicated back to the payment provider
system 120 from the mobile device 105, 110.
[0052] In this regard, such a back-and-forth communication or
"handshake" between the mobile device 105, 110 and the payment
provider system 120 allows for user and/or system verification,
authorization, and compatibility check to complete the
application(s) activation process. Typically, the users 140, 145
are then notified that the application is activated. Packet
information previously sent from the payment provider system 120 to
the mobile device 105, 110 is stored on the chipset for future use
when activating the application(s) 126-129. The payment provider
system 120 may further communicate a short welcome text message to
the mobile device 105, 110.
[0053] After the initial setup and activation of the application(s)
is complete, subsequent activation of one or more of the
application(s) may occur upon activation of the mobile device. In
one embodiment, the mobile device 105 may be a cell phone in which
activation may occur upon opening the mobile device 105. Typically,
as indicated above, access or activation of the mobile device 105
will likewise activate one or more of the applications. In another
case, the sender 140 may be required to touch a feature (e.g., an
icon, pushbutton, or the like) on the mobile device 105 to access
and activate one or more of the application(s). In yet another
case, activation of one or more of the applications may occur upon
"tapping" or bringing the mobile device 105 in close proximity with
another NFC enabled device.
[0054] Upon activation of the mobile device 105, the sender 140 may
be presented with menu options for enabling various functions,
including those associated with, for example, multimedia features
(e.g., music, video, games, and the like), user contact
information, and those relating to financial transactions, such as
"request money," "send money," and the like.
[0055] The sender 140 may then choose the desired function from the
menu options, for example, "send money" in the case of a proposed
money transfer between the mobile devices 105 and 110. In one
embodiment, the sender 140 may be asked to enter, in no particular
order, funding particulars, including a funding source (e.g., MC,
VISA, AMEX, Citibank, PPS account, or other funding source
account), the amount of money to be sent, and login information
(PIN, pass code, password, or the like).
[0056] As persons of skill in the art will appreciate, in the
absence of an affirmative choice of one or more presented funding
particulars, preset default settings may be enabled. In addition,
in some embodiments, the sender 140 may be presented with the
opportunity to review and edit the payment choices prior to
communicating the payment request to the payment provider system
120.
[0057] Upon activation of the mobile device 110, the recipient 145
may, like the sender 140, be presented with various menu options
for enabling various functions, including those associated with
multimedia features (e.g., music, video, games, and the like), user
contact information, and those relating to financial transactions,
such as "request money," "send money," and the like. The recipient
140 of the intended money transfer may then choose the desired
function from, for example, "receive money" or "ready, wait"(a
default setting having implications of what is being shared) in the
case of the above described proposed money transfer between the
mobile devices 105 and 110. In one embodiment, by choosing the
"receive money" function, the recipient implicitly/explicitly
agrees to provide certain designated information, such as email
address, phone number, receiving account information, and the like,
to facilitate funding by the payment provider system 120 to the
designated recipient account, digital wallet (phone), or email
address where funds may be deposited or acquired.
[0058] The sender 140 may then simply touch or "tap" the NFC
enabled mobile device 110 of the recipient 145 with the sender's
mobile device 105 to effect the transfer of the designated
recipient information from the recipient' mobile device 110 to the
sender's mobile device 105 via NFC.
[0059] As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand,
although the method(s)/step(s) are illustrated and described herein
as occurring in a certain order, the specific order, or any
combination or interpretation of the order, is not required.
Obvious modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art, all of which will not depart from the essence of
disclosed subject matter, and all such changes and modifications
are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the
disclosure.
[0060] For example, recipient information may be acquired prior to
selecting the funding source and/or the amount of money to be sent
by the sender 140. In this regard, the acquisition of recipient
information may automatically activate the "send money" function on
the sender's mobile device 105, thereby presenting the menu options
for enabling various functions, including those relating to
financial transactions, as described above.
[0061] The sender's payment request is then automatically
communicated (submitted) to the payment provider system 120 for
processing, including, among others, verification, authorization,
distribution, and confirmation thereof. Alternatively, the sender
140 may be provided with an opportunity to review the payment
request information prior to its submission to the payment provider
system 120.
[0062] Upon the successful completion of payment processing, the
payment provider system may communicate a corresponding SMS
notification, i.e., successful transfer of funds, successful
deposit of funds, amount of transfer or deposit, or some other
related message informing the sender 140 and/or the recipient 145
of the payment processing results, such as by way of an email,
phone call, or a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message. Sender
140 and/or recipient 145 notifications may further include an
audible and/or a visible and/or a tactile indication, such as a
vibration in the respective devices.
[0063] In summary, in one embodiment, contact information of the
transfer is communicated directly via NFC from the recipient's
mobile device 110 to the sender's mobile device 105. Payment review
is done via NFC from the sender's mobile device 105 to the
recipient's mobile device 110 showing the conditions of the
financial transaction. The payment request is communicated OTA to
the payment provider system 120 in real-time, while notifications
and confirmations are communicated to the sender's mobile device
105 and the recipient's mobile device 110 via SMS and/or MMS and/or
other form of sensible indicators.
[0064] As described above, peer-to-peer payment between mobile
devices 105 and 110 may be facilitated using near field
communication in a network environment. In this regard, objects,
such as mobile devices 105 and 110, may be augmented with a chip to
permit users to gather information and/or conduct financial
transactions. Such transactions include the payment for goods,
receiving money, transferring money, and transferring and receiving
user information.
[0065] As further described above with reference to FIG. 6, a
financial transaction may include a "one-tap" process between NFC
enabled mobile devices 105 and 110 in which a single "tap" between
the mobile devices communicates contact information (e.g., cell
phone number or email address), and then communicates the payment
request to the payment provider system if the payment amount was
previously entered.
[0066] Alternatively, a financial transaction may comprise a two
step or "two-tap" process between NFC enabled mobile devices 105
and 110 in which a first "tap" between the devices communicates
contact information (e.g., cell phone number or email address), as
above, and a second "tap" between the devices communicates the
payment request to the payment provider system 120. As discussed
above, the sender 140 may be given the opportunity to review and
edit certain of the details of the transaction, e.g., payment
amount, funding account, after effecting the first tap and before
effecting the second.
[0067] The systems and methods for payment between mobile devices
105 and 110 using near field communication in a network environment
may be utilized to facilitate an "open loop" financial transaction
in which a one-time virtual credit card or debit account is issued
by the payment provider system 120 and used by a merchant so that
the user and merchant view the process as a standard financial
transaction.
[0068] Alternatively, the systems and methods for payment between
mobile devices 105 and 110 using near field communication in a
network environment may be utilized to facilitate a "closed loop"
financial transaction in which the payment provider system 120
provides POS terminals for merchants. In this regard, a user can
"tap" his or her mobile device 105 on the POS terminal to pay for
merchandise and the merchant may be paid directly through the
payment provider system 120.
[0069] FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively illustrate a typical "known"
type of request for money and a contrasting request for money in a
peer-to-peer or "face-to-face" financial transaction between mobile
devices using near field communication in a network environment in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0070] In contrast to the known four-step process for requesting
money illustrated in FIG. 8A, a money request utilizing NFC may, as
illustrated in FIG. 8B, include a first step of (1) the recipient
sending a request for money to the sender via NFC, a second step of
(2) the sender authorizing payment with the payment provider system
via an OTA transmission, and a third step of (3) the payment
provider system notifying the recipient of the transfer of funds,
as illustrated in FIG. 8B.
[0071] In this regard, by communicating information via NFC, the
sender only needs to enter a PIN to approve payment with the
payment provider system.
[0072] Similar to the money request transaction illustrated in FIG.
8B, a "charge for a service" may be conducted in a peer-to-peer
financial transaction between mobile devices using near field
communication in a network environment in accordance with one
embodiment. In this regard, in the first step of FIG. 8B,
downloadable data content, for example, a music download or a
computer game, may be communicated to the sender's mobile device
along with a money request of a specified amount for the downloaded
item from the recipient's mobile device via an NFC link. If the
sender agrees to the purchase of or the sending of money for the
music download, the process would then continue with steps (2) and
(3) substantially as described above.
[0073] In detail, in this embodiment, the recipient-seller may send
a value item (e.g., a locked music file) along with a payment
request to the sender-buyer via an NFC link between the respective
NFC enabled devices of the recipient and the sender initiated by,
e.g., a single a "tap" between the devices. If the sender does not
agree to purchase the item, the transaction is terminated, and the
value item remains locked or unusable by the user. However, if the
sender chooses to purchase the item, then the sender sends the
payment request, along with the sender's authorization to make the
payment, to a third party service provider, e.g., PayPal, which can
be effected by a second tap between the respective devices, or
alternatively, by a direct OTA communication by the sender with the
third party provider.
[0074] The third party provider then makes the payment authorized
by the sender and sends a message confirming the transaction to the
sender and the recipient. The NFC devices may connect to the
Internet to effect the money portion of the transaction. As in the
above embodiments, additional information can be transferred along
with the payment information, such as user IDs, telephone numbers,
account numbers, avatars, icons, and the like. Once the transaction
is in progress or has been completed, the users are notified
thereof, such as with an audio and/or visual indication and/or a
tactile message, e.g., a vibration of the respective recipient and
sender devices. The value item may then be unlocked, e.g., by
receipt of the confirmation message itself, or by the separate
transmission of a digital "key" from the recipient to the sender,
so that the value item can be then be used or accessed by the
sender.
[0075] It should be understood that the value item need not
necessarily be downloaded simultaneously with the payment request
from the recipient, or indeed, be a downloadable type of item at
all. Thus, in another embodiment, an "offer of sale" of the item,
i.e., a payment request alone, may be transmitted to the sender via
a first tap between the respective NFC devices of the sender and
recipient, and upon acceptance of the offer by the sender,
transmission of the payment request and authorization therefor to
the third party provider, and receipt of confirmation of the
success of the transaction by the recipient, a transmission of the
subject "goods," i.e., the music or game (in an unlocked state),
from the recipient to the sender via an NFC link between their
respective devices can then be initiated by, e.g, a second tap
between the devices. In yet another peer-to-peer embodiment, for
example, a swap meet or a flea market scenario in which the goods
are not a downloadable type, e.g., a stereo or a TV, the recipient
may simply hand the goods over to the sender upon receipt of
confirmation of the transaction. Indeed, as those of skill in the
art will appreciate, many advantageous variations on the foregoing
peer-to-peer payment transaction scenarios are possible, each
enabling the transaction to be effected quickly, easily and without
the need for cash, checks, credit cards and the known drawbacks
respectively attendant thereto.
[0076] FIG. 9 shows examples of various interface screens that can
be displayed on a sender's and/or a recipient's mobile device for
conducting a peer-to-peer financial transaction between two mobile
devices using near field communication in a network environment in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0077] Although the apparatus and methods of the present invention
have been described and illustrated herein with reference to
certain specific example embodiments thereof, it should be
understood that a wide variety of modifications and variations may
be made to these without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, as defined by the claims appended hereafter and their
functional equivalents.
* * * * *