US20120239477A1

US20120239477A1 - Statement Portal With Receipt Tagging And Associated Enhanced Benefit Messaging

Info

Publication number: US20120239477A1
Application number: US13/357,474
Authority: US
Inventors: Allen Cueli; Lori D. VanDeloo
Original assignee: Visa International Service Association
Current assignee: Visa International Service Association
Priority date: 2011-01-24
Filing date: 2012-01-24
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: US20200005322A1; WO2012103147A2; WO2012103128A3; US11301869B2; WO2012103128A2; US20130024289A1; US10445741B2; WO2012103147A3; US20220198461A1

Abstract

Systems and methods are presented for providing a statement portal with receipt tagging and associated enhanced benefit messaging. In one potential embodiment, a method involves receiving transaction information from the payment processing network, where the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction, and receiving a photograph of a receipt. The photograph is associated, using a processor of the statement portal computer, with the purchase transaction. The system may then receive benefit information, associate the benefit information with the purchase transaction; and communicate the benefit information to a communication device to inform the consumer associated with the transaction about the benefit information. In various embodiments the benefit information communicated to the consumer may be a warranty expiration date. or an extended warranty offer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/435,771, entitled “Portable Device Data management,” filed on Jan. 24, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Warranties, bonus points, supplemental insurance, and other such benefits are frequently provided to a user of a credit card or other financial services. In other cases, such benefits are not provided as a result of a consumer's use of a financial service, but are nevertheless associated with products and services that a consumer purchases using a credit or debit card. Frequently, however, the existence of the benefit is forgotten by a consumer, and the benefit is therefore lost. Alternatively, even when the consumer has the correct information for a benefit, a benefit may require a proof of purchase or some evidence that the consumer is entitled to the benefit, and the required evidence is lost or difficult to obtain.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments according to the present innovations may exist to provide a statement portal with receipt tagging and associated enhanced benefit messaging. In one particular non-limiting embodiment, a method involves receiving transaction information from a payment processing network, where the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction, and receiving a photograph of a receipt. The photograph is associated, using a processor of the statement portal computer, with the purchase transaction. The system may then receive benefit information, associate the benefit information with the purchase transaction; and communicate the benefit information to a communication device to inform the consumer or user associated with the transaction about the benefit information.
In various alternative methods, the system may implement a method of receiving, at the statement portal computer, registration information associated with a user account and user messaging preferences for the user account associating the transaction information with the user account. The method may further involve verifying that the purchase transaction corresponds with the user messaging preferences for the account or communicating an alert message to a communication device associated with the user account when the purchase transaction corresponds with the user messaging preferences for the account.
Additional embodiments may involve a system including a database. The database may include transaction information received from a payment processing network, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction; a photograph received from a registered system user, wherein the photograph comprises a receipt photograph associated with the purchase transaction; and benefit information associated with the purchase transaction. Further, the system may include a messaging module coupled to the database, wherein the notification module comprises a processor and a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium comprising code executable by the processor for performing a method of receiving the transaction information from the payment processing network, receiving the photograph from the registered system user, receiving the benefit information, and generating an alert message using the transaction information and the benefit information.
An additional possible implementation according to the innovations presented herein includes a method of managing user purchase benefit information in conjunction with a payment processing network. The network may have enhanced messaging capabilities. In certain embodiments the method performed by the system includes transmitting, from a communication device to a statement portal computer, registration information associated with a user account and user messaging preferences for the user account; initiating, via a portable consumer device associated with the communication device, a transaction involving a payment processing network, to create a set of transaction information; receiving, at the communication device, a transaction alert based at least in part on the transaction information; transmitting, from the communication device to a statement portal, a receipt associated with the transaction information; and receiving, at the communication device, at least a portion of the transaction information, a copy of photograph of the receipt, and a benefit information alert for a benefit associated with the transaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system, according to one potential embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 2A shows a system, according to one potential embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 2B illustrates a transaction method that operates according to an embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example of an interface, according to an embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example of an interface, according to an embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example of an interface, according to an embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example of an interface, according to an embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a transaction method that operates according to an embodiment of the innovations herein.

FIG. 5A illustrates one potential embodiment of a communication device or system that may make up elements of or be used with various embodiments of the innovations presented herein.

FIG. 5B illustrates one potential embodiment of a portable consumer device that may be used with various embodiments of the innovations presented herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates one potential embodiment of a computing device or system that may make up elements of or be used with various embodiments of the innovations presented herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates one potential embodiment of a computing device or system that may make up elements of or be used with various embodiments of the innovations presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the innovations disclosed herein include systems and methods for providing enhanced personal portfolio data management in conjunction with a payment processing network and a portable device. More specifically, a system and method for storing benefit information and associated proof of payment information such as receipt information is provided, along with messaging regarding benefit timing and expiration.
Although embodiments will be illustrated with reference to specific implementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that these implementations describe innovations which may have broad use other than the specifically described implementations. As described below, enhanced personal portfolio management comprises systems and methods for a variety of functions, including a statement portal with receipt tagging and enhanced messaging. In one particular embodiment, photos of receipts may be uploaded to the portal and associated with particular transactions. Further, warranties or other benefits requiring receipt data may further be associated with the receipt and/or transaction, with associated deadlines and important dates. The system may then use enhanced messaging to remind a user of warranty or benefit deadlines.
Such a system includes advantages over systems currently known in the art. Such advantages include an improved consumer experience for transactions benefits such that users avoid the experience of having a benefits go unused or unrecognized due to lack of customer information. Users also may benefit from storage of receipt information required by a benefit, to avoid loss of the benefit or problems that may be associated with recovering proof of payment information. Merchants and service providers may further benefit from improved visibility of offered services and improved customer satisfaction associated with the user of such services.
Technical advantages may include increased integration and interoperability between transaction record systems. Specifically, receipt record information may be designed for specific and automatic interoperability with transaction data from a payment processing service or issuer computer, and my include further interoperability between benefit timing and expiration records and messaging services associated with a payment processing service or issuer computer.
FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for performing an electronic payment transaction in conjunction with a user according to an embodiment of the invention. System 100 includes user 110, portable consumer device 112, communication device 120, merchant computer 130, acquirer computer 140, payment processing network 150, IP Gateway 170, issuer computer 160, third part provider system(s) 195, and statement portal computer 198.
Systems according to the present invention which include communication between payment processing network 150, issuer computer 160, and statement portal computer 198 may include additional structures and methods for providing enhanced account statements. In one potential embodiment, statement portal computer 198 comprises, stores, and/or manipulates receipt data associated with an account of user 110. Receipt data may be provided to statement portal computer by user 110 photographing a physical receipt using communication device 120, and transmitting the photo to statement portal computer 198. Alternatively, either payment processing network 150 or issuer computer 160 may receive electronic copies of such a receipt, and provide the receipt to statement portal computer 198. The receipt may then be integrated into an account statement that may be accessed later by user 110. Further, the receipt may be in any suitable form including a JPEG file, a GIP file, a PDF file, etc.
Third party provider systems 195 may include single or multiple computing devices controlled by one or more third parties, and may provide details for benefits that are associated with particular payment transactions. Third party provider system 195 may include one or more computing devices associated with one or more third party benefit providers. Such benefit providers may manage benefits associated with portable consumer device 112 or with transactions or items purchased by user 110 using portable consumer device 112. For example, when user 110 purchases a device having an associated warranty, and the device fails in a manner covered by the warranty, the verification and compensation provided by the warranty may be managed by a third party service provider, and receiving the benefit of the warranty may require user 110 to interact with third party service provider system 195.
In one potential embodiment, a receipt is associated with tagging data. FIG. 4 includes one potential implementation of a user interface for tagging of a receipt. User 110 may tag a receipt with identifying category data prior to sending a copy of the receipt from communication device 120 to statement portal computer 198. For example, a receipt for the purchase of food at a grocery store may be tagged with a receipt tag corresponding to the category “groceries.” Alternatively, user 110 may access statement portal computer 198 and add a receipt tag to the receipt already contained in statement portal computer 198. In an alternative embodiment, payment processing network 150 or issuer computer 160 may receive receipt data in a recognizable form from a merchant computer 130 or acquirer computer 140. Payment processing network 150 or issuer computer 160 may analyze the receipt and add a receipt tag prior to transmitting the receipt to statement portal computer 198. In an alternative embodiment, statement portal computer 198 may receive receipt data and perform optical character recognition on the receipt to transform the receipt data into a recognizable electronic format. Statement portal may then analyze the receipt and add a receipt tag prior.
In one alternative embodiment, statement portal computer 198 may function as a repository for warranty receipts. In such an embodiment, statement portal computer 198 receives only warranty receipts with additional tagging information related to the receipt. Statement portal computer 198 may then provide a searchable statement to user 110 related to warranties of purchases made by user 110. Statement portal computer 198 may additionally provide warranty related messaging, such as a message to communication device 120 when a warranty associated with a receipt held by statement portal computer 198 is about to expire.
User 110 refers to an individual or organization such as a business that is capable of purchasing goods or services or making any suitable payment transaction with merchant computer 130.
As described herein electronic data and information may be associated with a transaction by being created as part of an electronic process of the transaction. For example, in a computer process that creates and transmits a signal, the signal is associated both with the device that created the signal and the process that created the signal. Further, data or electronic signals or storage records may further be associated with other signals or computer readable data in a recording medium or database by addition of association data to a database record. In one potential example, a first set of data may be analyzed with a text parser to identify the characters of the first set of data, a second set of data may be analyzed with a text parser to identify the characters of the second set of data, and a comparison process or processor may electronically compare the characters of the data. If the characters are similar, or meet association rules of the process, then information may be appended to either set of data indicating the results of the comparison.
Portable consumer device 112 refers to any suitable device that allows the payment transaction to be conducted with merchant computer 130. Portable consumer device 112 may be in any suitable form. For example, suitable portable consumer devices 112 can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). They may include smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, keychain devices. Other examples of portable consumer devices 112 include cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. In some cases, portable consumer device 112 may be associated with an account of user 110 such as a bank account.
Communication device 120 may be in any suitable form. In certain embodiments, communication device 120 may be a mobile device or mobile phone. For example, suitable communication device 120 can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). Some examples of communication device 120 include desktop or laptop computers, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. In some embodiments, communication device 120 and portable consumer device 112 are embodied in the same device. In alternative embodiments, communication device may be a desktop computer or laptop personal computer with internet access. In further alternative embodiments, communication device 120 may be any device which allows user 110 to communicate electronically with statement portal 196. Communication device 120 may communicate with computers such as merchant computer 130, issuer computer 160, or IP Gateway 170 via any acceptable communication medium and protocol, such as mobile phone standard such as 3GPP, a wireless network 802.11 connection via gateway connection to the internet, a wired connection to an additional computer or computing device, or any other method or system.
Merchant computer 130 refer to a computer operated by any suitable entity or entities (e.g., a merchant) that make a payment transaction with user 110. The merchant computer 130 may use any suitable method to make the payment transaction. For example, merchant computer 130 may use an e-commerce business to allow the payment transaction to be conducted by merchant computer 130 and user 110 through the Internet. Alternatively, merchant computer 130 may comprise a point of sale (POS) device that is specifically designed to accept data from portable consumer devices such as portable consumer device 112, and to communicate with acquirer computer 140 as part of a transaction authorization. Other examples of merchant computer 130 include a department store, a gas station, a drug store, a grocery store, or other suitable business.
Acquirer refers to any suitable entity that has an account with merchant computer 130. In some embodiments an issuer may be the same entity as an acquirer in a transaction, and thus, issuer computer 160 may also be the same computer, system, or device as acquirer computer 140.
Payment processing network (PPN) 150 refers to a network of suitable entities that have information related to an account associated with portable consumer device 112. This information includes data associated with the account on portable consumer device 112 such as profile information, data, and other suitable information.
Payment processing network 150 may have or operate a server computer and may include a database. The database may include any hardware, software, firmware, or combination of the preceding for storing and facilitating retrieval of information. Also, the database may use any of a variety of data structures, arrangements, and compilations to store and facilitate retrieval of information. The server computer may be coupled to the database and may include any hardware, software, other logic, or combination of the preceding for servicing the requests from one or more client computers. Server computer may comprises one or more computational apparatuses and may use any of a variety of computing structures, arrangements, and compilations for servicing the requests from one or more client computers. In one potential embodiment, server computer may be described by the computing device of FIG. 3. In another potential embodiment, a server computer for use with the present innovations may comprise only a portion of the elements of FIG. 3.
Payment processing network 150 may include data processing subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. An exemplary payment processing network 150 may include VisaNet™. Networks that include VisaNet™ are able to process credit card transactions, debit card transactions, and other types of commercial transactions. VisaNet™, in particular, includes a integrated payments system (Integrated Payments system) which processes authorization requests and a Base II system which performs clearing and settlement services. Payment processing network 150 may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including the Internet.
IP Gateway 170 refers to an entity that includes one or more servers and databases, and have access to various issuer data, transaction data and user data used to generate and deliver notifications and alert messages to various delivery channels. IP Gateway 170 may be part of the payment processing network 150 or may be a separate entity in communication with payment processing network 150. In certain embodiments, statement portal computer 198 may integrate messaging to user 110 through IP gateway 170 and/or payment processing network 150 to enable real time or near real time messaging with communication device 120 regarding an in process or recently completed purchase transaction.
Issuer refers to any suitable entity that may open and maintain an account associated with portable consumer device 112 for user 110. Some examples of issuers may be a bank, a business entity such as a retail store, or a governmental entity. In many cases, an issuer may also issue portable consumer device 112 associated with the account to user 110.
Statement portal computer 198 comprises a computing device that functions to provide statement information to user 110 in accordance with the various embodiments described herein. In certain embodiments, statement portal computer may be wholly or partially implemented as part of payment processing network 150 or issuer computer 160.
Transaction information or transaction data includes any details from a financial transaction, such as payment amount, user account information, payment time information, and similar such information. Transaction data may include merchant identifier or MCC data as discussed in more detail further below. Additional examples of transaction information are discussed in various embodiments of the innovations discussed herein.
Benefit information comprises any agreement or benefit provided to a user as part of a transaction, and any associated details such as expiration dates, benefit limits, replacement policies, and the like. Further examples of benefit information includes details related to item return policies, warranty policies, reward points offered to a user as a result of a particular transaction, and evidence requirements such as proof of payment policies for use of any related benefit.
Transaction information may be associated with benefit information according to various embodiments of the present innovations. The transaction data may include information corresponding to user's purchases, such as a description code (e.g., NAICS: North American Industry Classification System) associated with purchased items, cost of purchased items, and transactions. The transaction data may further include, but not limited to, a description of the purchased items, the payment accounts used, an indication of whether the purchase was made online, a confirmation number, a shipment status (e.g., order being processed, shipped, delivered, on back order, etc.), a delivery tracking number, a cancellation notice, updates, and/or the like. Still further, the transaction data may include information regarding one or more of the user's communication devices such as, but not limited to, the device name (e.g., Apple iPhone™, Motorola Droid™, etc.), means of communication adopted by each device (e.g., SMS message, Email, etc.), and a user-determinable device preference (e.g., Apple iPhone™ device) for establishing communications.
FIG. 2A shows one potential embodiment of a statement portal computer 198 that may function in various systems in accordance with the innovations presented herein. FIG. 2B details statement portal computer 298, user communication device 220, third party benefit systems 295, payment processing network 250, and issuer computer 260. The function of the just previously listed computers and devices may operate as described above fore the corresponding elements of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A further discloses details of one potential embodiment of a statement portal computer shown as statement portal computer 298. Statement portal computer 298 comprises benefit tracking module 212, user messaging and alert module 214, benefit identification module 216, transaction data receiving module 218, third party benefit communication module 222, and data management and storage module 224. All of the above listed modules which are further described below may function as software modules stored by computer readable storage 203 and executed by processor 201 as part of statement portal computer 298. Alternatively, the modules may be hardware implemented control modules, or any acceptable combination of hardware and software functioning within statement portal computer 298 to implement the functions of the innovations described herein.
FIG. 2A includes transaction data receiving module 218 for receiving transaction data. During operation of a payment processing network such as VisaNet™, the payment processing network may process a large volume of transactions that may process many thousands of transactions in fractions of a second. In certain embodiments, transaction data receiving module may communicate with payment processing network 250 to identify a subset of the transactions processed by payment processing network 250. The subset of transactions that are requested for a statement portal as data associated with statement portal users may be identified and routed by the payment processing network 250. Alternatively the transaction data receiving module 218 may have access to all transaction data passing through payment processing network 250, and may select data associated with registered statement portal users while discarding or deleting data not associated with statement portal users.
Alternatively, transaction data receiving module 218 may interact with issuer computer 260. Such an interaction may be particularly structured where a statement portal service is provided to a user of an account associated with the issuer. Transaction information for the issuer computer 260 may be forwarded to transaction data receiving module 218 if the issuer computer 260 identifies an account associated with the transaction data as being registered to use a statement portal service.
As part of the operation of statement portal computer, benefit identification module 216 may parse data from individual transactions and implement data queries to determine whether or not benefit information should be associated with a particular transaction. Individual transactions may have no benefits or benefit information associated, or may have benefit information associated for multiple benefits. For example, a single transaction may have a warranty benefit with a warranty expiration date, a purchase price protection plan with a 30 day limit to identify an identical product with a lower price, and associated rewards points with a two year expiration date. Benefit identification module may receive the transaction data with some or no benefit information associated, and function to determine whether the benefit information exists by querying third party benefit systems 295, user communication devices 220, or any other resource such as a standard benefit for a merchant identified by the transaction data. When benefits are identified by benefit identification module, benefit tracking module 212 may function as a scheduler that manages benefit related information that is associated with users, and the communication of benefit information such as expiration deadlines to the user.
Third party benefit communication module 222 may manage a communication link and a directory that allows statement portal computer 298 to interact with a plurality of third party benefit systems 295. For example, if statement portal computer 298 relies on an information sharing agreement with any particular benefit system 295, third party benefit communication module 222 may function to insure that statement portal computer 298 complies with the terms of the agreement. Similarly, user messaging and alert module 214 may function to enable communication with any number of user communication devices 220. User messaging and alert module 214 may additionally function as a secondary check on user preferences to insure that a particular user has agreed to receive particular messages from statement portal computer 298.
In addition to standard text messages or text data interaction with applications functioning on user communication devices 220, user messaging and alert module 214 may include specialized functionality for receiving photographic data of receipts that may be stored in benefit and receipt information 246 of database 226.
Finally, data management and storage module 224 may function to manage access by other modules to statement portal database 226, and to insure that transaction data, benefit information, and any other data used by the system is properly stored for future use and analysis.
The information managed by statement portal database 226 may include user registration data 228 for individual users, as well as any structure and function information required to maintain database 226. The registered user data 228 may include user messaging preferences 232 indicating when a user would or would not like to receive messages from the system, a history of user messaging responses 234 including copies of messages and user responses. Such data may or may not be associated with particular transactions, and may include preference update histories as well as responses to various requests for receipts or supplemental offers. The registration data may include any suitable information including any suitable combination of the following: a PAN (Primary Account Number) associated with a portable consumer device (e.g., payment card), a ZIP code, a mobile device identifier (e.g., mobile phone number or phone number alias), an electronic serial number (ESN), an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a digital certificate, an application identifier, and merchant website account information (e.g., username, password, security questions).
In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more databases. The location of the database(s) is discretionary: merely by way of example, a database 226 of FIG. might reside on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) a server (and/or a user computer). Alternatively, a database 226 can be remote from any or all of the computer 298 so long as the database can be in communication (e.g., via the network) with one computer 298. In a particular set of embodiments, a database 226 can reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”) familiar to those skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessary files for performing the functions attributed to the computers or servers can be stored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, as appropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 226 can be a relational database, such as an Oracle™ database, that is adapted to store, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted commands. The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a database server, as described above, for example.
Statement portal database 226 may further include data for display as part of a user statement portal, saved as statement data 242. Statement data 242 may include transaction data storage 244 that includes data received from payment processing network 250 or issuer computer 260, benefits information identified by benefits identification module 216 as described above, and any associated offers 248. Associated offers 248 may include data of offers that may be scheduled for presentation to a user along with other information or based on user selection offers. For example, if a user has a preference requesting to be notified when a warranty has 10 days remaining before expiration of the warranty, associated offers 248 may provide an offer from a third party benefit system for the user to purchase an extended warranty. Similar offers may be communicated to a user at the time of the transaction, or at any other time accepted by the user where an offer is available for presentation. Associated offers 248 may be identified by benefit identification module 216 when queries are being presented to various sources about the existence of benefits.
Thus, in certain embodiments, if benefit identification module 216 creates a benefit query that is communicated to a third party benefit system 295 by third party benefit communication module 222, a response may include an indication the transaction does or does not have an associated benefit, and may further include an offer associated with the transaction.
In alternative embodiments, benefit identification module 216 may receive transaction data from transaction data receiving module 218. Benefit identification module 216 may include a text parser that operates using processor 201 to parse text data of any received transaction data in order to identify account IDs or other identifying information from the transaction data. Benefit identification module 216 may then formulate a database query using the ID or similar text string from the text parser. When the database query is responded to, the benefit identification module forward the transaction data forward the received data to another module or may perform a comparison between the database information received and another part of the transaction data to determine whether there is an associated benefit for the transaction data.
FIG. 2B provides one potential example of a method of improved data device management for use in accordance with embodiments of the innovations presented herein. In step S202, a user 110 registers with statement portal computer 198 and communicates user registration and associated account information to the registration portal. In various embodiments, the registration may occur in a communication from communication device 120 to statement portal computer 198, or from any other computing device operated by user 110. In alternative embodiments, user 110 may interact with issuer computer 160 to create a user account with statement portal computer 198 for user 110. In such a case the information may be routed through issuer computer 160, or may occur in parallel with communications to statement portal computer 198 and issuer computer 160 from user 110.
In step S204, the user 110 makes a purchase using an account associated with the statement portal. In a typical payment transaction process, user 110 purchases goods or services by presenting his portable consumer device 112 to the merchant computer 130, merchant computer 130 generates an authorization request that includes, among other data, the data received from the portable consumer device 112. Merchant computer 130 sends the authorization request to the acquirer computer 140. Acquirer computer 140 sends the authorization request to the payment processing network 150 which passes the authorization request to the issuer computer 160. Issuer computer 160 generates an authorization response that indicates whether the transaction is approved or declined. The authorization response is sent to the payment processing network 150. Payment processing network 150 sends a copy of the authorization response the merchant computer 130 for presentation of an authorization or denial to user 110.
As part of the transaction of step S204, transaction data from the transaction is passed to the statement portal. In one embodiment, this data may be communicated to the statement portal computer 198 from payment processing network 150 via IP Gateway 170 as detailed further below. In an alternative embodiment, the transaction information may be communicated to the statement portal computer 198 via issuer computer 160.
In step S206, the user 110 takes a photograph of a receipt or proof of purchase document and uploads the photograph to the statement portal along with warranty or other benefit information and associated deadlines. In certain embodiments, only the receipt information is provided by the user, and the benefit information including expiration information is obtained automatically by the system. In certain embodiments, the photograph is taken with communication device 120. In certain other embodiments, enhanced messaging may be used to communicate a message to a user with an indication that a benefit is associated with a transaction, and that expiration deadline and proof of payment records may be beneficial for taking advantage of the benefit. The message may serve as a prompt to user 110 to photograph and upload receipt data. The message may also serve as a privacy control that allows user 110 to select whether the user wants to be notified by a message in the future regarding details of the benefit.
Further still, either as part of the prompt, or in response to a user upload of receipt or deadline information from user 110, the system may message user 110 with offers related to the benefit such as extended warranty options, or options for bonus points or bonus point expiration extensions. Such messaging may occur at or near the time of purchase. Options related to such messaging may further be controlled by user preference and registration settings stored at statement portal computer 198.
In step S208, the statement portal identifies a messaging trigger, such as a warranty expiration that is occurring within a predetermined time period. When the messaging trigger is identified, the system communicates an alert or reminder message to user 110 with the warranty or benefit expiration information. Just as above, the message may include associated offers such as benefit extension or extended warranty offers, and settings for messages associated with a messaging trigger may be set in statement portal registration settings along with the settings for the messaging associated with a new transaction discussed above.
Finally, in step S110, the statement portal computer 198 may include a record of messages sent from statement portal computer 198 to user 110, including a list of expiration reminders, related offers, and any related acceptances from the user. For example, if an extended warranty offer is communicated to user 110 for a transaction in statement portal computer 198, and the user 110 communicates an acceptance of the extended warranty offer, the record of the acceptance may be associated with the original transaction and stored at statement portal computer 198.
FIGS. 1 and 2A include various communication modules and gateways for implementing messaging and alerts between statement portals and user or third party systems. One potential messaging system involves alert messages using an IP gateway such as IP Gateway 170 of FIG. 1 or user messaging and alert module 214 of FIG. 2A. The IP Gateway 170 or alert module 214 may includes a notification server computer having a computer-readable medium (CRM) 172, and a processor (not shown) that is coupled to the CRM. The notification server computer may house more than one CRM as needed to handle expanding volumes of messages. The notification server computer may be in communication with a database such as database 226 of FIG. 2A. Database 226 may contain benefit information that is monitored by benefit tracking module 212 which is father used generate an alert messages. The alert data may simply include benefit information such as a warranty expiration data, but may additionally include associated transaction data, cardholder enrollment data, and issuer data, associated offers, or any other information.
Messages to user communication devices 220 may function using a variety of communication paths. In one embodiment, alert messages with benefit information may be communicated via e-mail servers which are server computers configured to receive an e-mail from a network connection and store the e-mail in memory for future retrieval. Mobile device carriers or communication device carriers refer to entities that provide wireless infrastructures for wireless data transfer and communication via cellular phone or other mobile devices. These may also function as communication paths. Example of such entities are AT&T™, Verizon Wireless™, T-Mobile™, etc. Any other acceptable communication format or path, including SMS messaging, telephone voice messaging, or custom messaging may be used.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show potential examples of a user interfaces to enable a communication device 120 to communicate with statement portal computer 198 of FIGS. 1A and 1C. Such a user interface may be enabled on communication device 120 as part of a device application for communicating with statement portal computer 198. Alternatively, the interface may be presented to communication device 120 as part of an alert message following a transaction such as the transaction in step S204 of FIG. 1 B. The message can be generated using rules that generate certain messages and message formats depending upon the values of certain data elements in the transaction data 174. Such data elements can include: the merchant identifier (e.g., the MCC), the amount of the transaction, and the location of the transaction. In the case of the merchant identifier, different classes of messages may be generated based on the data indicating the type of merchant or data identifying the specific merchant. For example, transaction data that indicates that a transaction is being conducted at a department store may send an intelligent alert message that indicates the name of the merchant, the amount of the purchase and the date of the purchase. In a department store transaction, the amount of the transaction is known when a point of sale terminal at the store receives data from the user's portable consumer device. Thus, in embodiments of the invention, the content in the intelligent alert message may vary depending on one or more of the following pieces of information in or information derived from an authorization request message or other data source. Such information may include or be derived from: an account number, the date, a transaction amount, and a merchant identifier (e.g., MCC, store number, merchant ID), or terminal ID.
Continuing with the department store example, a message may further include details of the store return policy, including return deadlines and proof of payment requirements, as shown in FIG. 2B. An alert message following a purchase may thus present return information, benefit information, information related to proof of payment requirements for return and benefit options; and a prompt to upload a receipt. In certain embodiments, a message and/or a receipt upload prompt may only be presented to user 110 in predetermined circumstances, such as when proof of payment is required to receive a benefit.
FIGS. 3C and 3D father show examples of user interfaces that may function as part of the present innovations. FIG. 3C discloses one potential embodiment of a registration interface for accepting registration and user messaging preference data from a user. FIG. 3D discloses an example of a statement data interface. Statement data interface may disclose transaction data such as purchase amount, time, and associated accounts. Statement data interface may additionally show benefit information such as a remaining time allowed for return of the item purchased as part of a transaction, whether an item purchased has an associated warranty, and whether any other benefits are associated with the transaction. Many other potential implementations of FIGS. 3C and 3D exist. For example, the statement data interface may include a direct option for uploading or replacing receipt data stored as part of a statement portal computer and service.
FIG. 4 describes an additional alternative embodiment that functions according to aspects of the present innovations. In step S302, the statement portal computer 198 receives user registration and associated account information. The registration information may include any user preferences on messaging, privacy, and data storage. In step S304, statement portal computer 198 receives transaction information from a payment processing service, issuer, or other source for an account associated with a user.
In step S306, the statement portal computer 198 Statement portal identifies benefit or warranty information associated with the transaction from uploaded receipt information, information provided directly by user, or information obtained from a third party service provider. Associated deadlines are identified and recorded automatically by the system based on user preferences identified as part of registration or user preference information provided to the statement portal computer 198. In step S308, the statement portal computer 198 messages user 110 with information such as warranty, benefit, or reward points expiration. The message may include associated offers such as benefit extension or extended warranty offers. Finally, in step S310, the statement portal computer 198 receives user messages or responses, and messaging and user response information is updated and stored in the statement portal. In certain embodiments, failures by the user to respond to messages may additionally be recorded in statement portal computer 198 and presented as transaction data to the user when the user reviews information in statement portal computer 198.
In one additional potential embodiment, statement portal computer 198 may function in conjunction with an additional computing service comprising Visa Feature Select (VFS) computing systems that include communication links with third party provider systems 195. In such an embodiment, VFS systems may include links to third part provider systems 195 while issuer computer 160 does not include a link to third party provider systems 195. In such a system transaction information may be provided to VFS systems by issuer computer 160, and queries communicated from VFS systems to a plurality of third party provider systems 195 to determine any benefits associated with the transactions identified. The third party provider systems return the benefit information to VFS systems, and any associated benefits are communicated to issuer computer 160 or statement portal computer 198. In alternative embodiments, the information may first be communicated to issuer computer 160 from VFS systems and then to statement portal computer 198 form issuer computer 160.
FIG. 5( a) shows a block diagram of one potential example of a mobile phone in phone 32 that can be used in embodiments of the invention. Particularly, in certain embodiments input element 32(e) of phone 32 may comprise a CCD camera or any other imaging device that may be used to create receipt information that may be uploaded to a statement portal computer to be associated with a transaction as proof of payment benefit information or transaction information. Additional details of phone 32 include that non-limiting example presented by phone 32 may comprise a computer readable medium and a body as shown in FIG. 5( a). The computer readable medium 32(b) may be present within the body 32(h), or may be detachable from it. The body 32(h) may be in the form a plastic substrate, housing, or other structure. The computer readable medium 32(b) may be in the form of (or may be included in) a memory that stores data (e.g., issuer account numbers, loyalty provider account numbers, and other elements of split payment data) and may be in any suitable form including a magnetic stripe, a memory chip, etc. The memory preferably stores information such as financial information, transit information (e.g., as in a subway or train pass), access information (e.g., as in access badges), etc. Financial information may include information such as bank account information, loyalty account information (e.g., a loyalty account number), a bank identification number (BIN), credit or debit card number information, account balance information, expiration date, consumer information such as name, date of birth, etc. Any of this information may be transmitted by the phone 32.
The phone 32 may further include a contactless element 32(g), which is typically implemented in the form of a semiconductor chip (or other data storage element) with an associated wireless transfer (e.g., data transmission) element, such as an antenna. Contactless element 32(g) is associated with (e.g., embedded within) phone 32 and data or control instructions transmitted via a cellular network may be applied to contactless element 32(g) by means of a contactless element interface (not shown). The contactless element interface functions to permit the exchange of data and/or control instructions between the mobile device circuitry (and hence the cellular network) and an optional contactless element 32(g).
Contactless element 32(g) is capable of transferring and receiving data using a near field communications (“NFC”) capability (or near field communications medium) typically in accordance with a standardized protocol or data transfer mechanism (e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near field communications capability is a short-range communications capability, such as RFID, Bluetooth™, infra-red, or other data transfer capability that can be used to exchange data between the phone 32 and an interrogation device. Thus, the phone 32 is capable of communicating and transferring data and/or control instructions via both cellular network and near field communications capability.
The phone 32 may also include a processor 32(c) (e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the phone 32 and a display 32(d) to allow a consumer to see phone numbers and other information and messages. The phone 32 may further include input elements 32(e) to allow a consumer to input information into the device, a speaker 32(f) to allow the consumer to hear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone 32(i) to allow the consumer to transmit her voice through the phone 32. The phone 32 may also include an antenna 32(a) for wireless data transfer (e.g., data transmission).
In some embodiments, information in the memory may also be in the form of data tracks that are traditionally associated with credits cards. Such tracks include Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 (“International Air Transport Association”) stores more information than Track 2, and contains the cardholder's name as well as account number and other discretionary data. Track 2 (“American Banking Association”) is currently most commonly used. This is the track that is read by ATMs and credit card checkers. The ABA (American Banking Association) designed the specifications of this track and all world banks must abide by it. It contains the cardholder's account, encrypted PIN, plus other discretionary data. Such data may be used by the system as transaction data.
FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a portable consumer device. Portable consumer device 33 may include a magnetic stripe 33(n) that has a recording of track data as described above. Portable consumer device 33 further may include customer information 33(m) including account information for an account or a primary account associated with the device and the data stored by the device. Portable consumer device 33 may additional include a contactless element 33(o) that stores track data in an element capable of communicating with a point of sale or other access device wirelessly.
FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of one potential example of a point of sale or access device that may be used with various embodiments that function according to the innovations presented herein. The access device 34 comprises a processor 34(c) operatively coupled to a computer readable medium 34(d) (e.g., one or more memory chips, etc.), input elements 34(b) such as buttons, a touchscreen display, or a combination of such interfaces, a reader 34(a) (e.g., a contactless reader, a magnetic stripe reader, etc.), an output device 34(e) (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) and a network interface 34(f). The computer readable medium may comprise instructions or code, executable by a processor. The instructions may include instructions sending and receiving authorization requests and responses, and for sending and receiving transaction interrupt queries and responses.
In addition to the embodiments of various participants and elements of the system shown in FIGS. 4-6, the computer, device, and system elements of FIGS. 1-3 may operate one or more computer apparatuses to facilitate the functions described herein. Any of the elements in the figures may thus use any suitable number of subsystems to facilitate the functions described herein. Examples of one potential embodiment including such subsystems or components are shown in FIG. 7. The subsystems shown in FIG. 7 are interconnected via a system bus 775. Additional subsystems such as a printer 774, keyboard 778, fixed disk 779 (or other memory comprising computer readable media), monitor 776, which is coupled to display adapter 782, and others are shown. Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to I/O controller 771, can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known in the art, such as serial port 777. For example, serial port 777 or external interface 781 can be used to connect the computer apparatus to a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. The interconnection via system bus allows the central processor 773 to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of instructions from system memory 772 or the fixed disk 779, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. The system memory 772 and/or the fixed disk 779 may embody a computer readable medium.
Given the above description, one potential embodiment may describe a method comprising: receiving transaction information from a payment processing network at a statement portal computer, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction; receiving a photograph of a receipt at the statement portal computer; associating, using a processor of the statement portal computer, the photograph of the receipt with the purchase transaction; receiving benefit information; associating the benefit information with the purchase transaction; and communicating the benefit information to a communication device.
Another embodiment may describe a method comprising: receiving transaction information from an issuer computer at a statement portal computer, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction; receiving a photograph of a receipt at the statement portal computer; associating, using a processor of the statement portal computer, the photograph of the receipt with the purchase transaction; receiving benefit information; associating the benefit information with the purchase transaction; and communicating the benefit information to a communication device.
Another embodiment may describe a method comprising: receiving transaction information at an issuer computer, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction; receiving a photograph of a receipt at the issuer computer; associating, using a processor of the issuer computer, the photograph of the receipt with the purchase transaction; receiving benefit information at the issuer computer; associating the benefit information with the purchase transaction using a processor of the issuer computer; and communicating the benefit information to a communication device associated with a user.
Another embodiment may describe a method comprising: receiving transaction information at an payment processing network, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction; receiving a photograph of a receipt at the payment processing network; associating, using a processor of the payment processing network, the photograph of the receipt with the purchase transaction; receiving benefit information at the payment processing network; associating the benefit information with the purchase transaction using a processor of the payment processing network; and communicating the benefit information to a communication device associated with a user.
Further, in any of the above described embodiments may be implemented as machine implemented instructions for performing the listed processes, or as computer readable instructions recorded in a computer readable instruction medium, using any of the electronic computer hardware or computer systems described herein.
The software components or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by one or more processors using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer-readable medium may also reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network.
The present invention can be implemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic may be stored in an information storage medium as a plurality of instructions adapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set of steps disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention.
The uses of individual numerical values are stated as approximations as though the values were preceded by the word “about” or “approximately.” Similarly, the numerical values in the various ranges specified in this application, unless expressly indicated otherwise, are stated as approximations as though the minimum and maximum values within the stated ranges were both preceded by the word “about” or “approximately.” In this manner, variations above and below the stated ranges can be used to achieve substantially the same results as values within the ranges. As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” when referring to a numerical value shall have their plain and ordinary meanings to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the particular subject matter is most closely related or the art relevant to the range or element at issue. The amount of broadening from the strict numerical boundary depends upon many factors. For example, some of the factors which may be considered include the criticality of the element and/or the effect a given amount of variation will have on the performance of the claimed subject matter, as well as other considerations known to those of skill in the art. As used herein, the use of differing amounts of significant digits for different numerical values is not meant to limit how the use of the words “about” or “approximately” will serve to broaden a particular numerical value. Thus, as a general matter, “about” or “approximately” broaden the numerical value. Also, the disclosure of ranges is intended as a continuous range including every value between the minimum and maximum values plus the broadening of the range afforded by the use of the term “about” or “approximately.” Thus, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it there individually recited herein.
It is to be understood that any ranges, ratios and ranges of ratios that can be formed by, or derived from, any of the data disclosed herein represent further implementations of the present disclosure and are included as part of the disclosure as though they were explicitly set forth. This includes ranges that can be formed that do or do not include a finite upper and/or lower boundary. Accordingly, a person of ordinary skill in the art most closely related to a particular range, ratio or range of ratios will appreciate that such values are unambiguously derivable from the data presented herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of this disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as, preferred, preferably) provided herein, is intended merely to further illustrate the content of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the claimed invention.
For figures and descriptions describing various embodiments of the innovations presented herein further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. References to “steps” of the present invention or innovations in the figures or detailed description should not be construed as limited to “step plus function” means, and are not intended to refer to a specific order for implementing the invention.
Use of the phrase ‘the invention’ or ‘the present invention’ is not meant to limit the claims in any manner and no conclusion should be drawn that any description or argument associated with a particular use of the phrase ‘the invention’ or ‘the present invention’ applies to each and every claim. The use of the phrase ‘the invention’ or ‘the present invention’ has been used solely for linguistic or grammatical convenience and not to effect a limitation of any nature on any of the claims.
Alternative implementations invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed invention. Of these, variations of the disclosed implementations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing disclosure. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the claimed invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the claimed invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving transaction information at a statement portal computer, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction;

receiving a photograph of a receipt at the statement portal computer;

associating, using a processor of the statement portal computer, the photograph of the receipt with the purchase transaction;

receiving benefit information;

associating the benefit information with the purchase transaction; and

communicating the benefit information to a communication device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, at the statement portal computer, registration information associated with a user account and user messaging preferences for the user account.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

associating the transaction information with the user account and verifying that the purchase transaction corresponds with the user messaging preferences for the account.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

communicating an alert message to a communication device associated with the user account when the purchase transaction corresponds with the user messaging preferences for the account.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein communicating the alert message comprises verifying the benefit information associated with the transaction and communicating the benefit information with at least a portion of the transaction information to the communication device associated with the user account.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein verifying the set of benefit information comprises: communicating at least a portion of the transaction details to a third party service provider system; and

receiving a response identifying at least a portion of the set of benefits from the third party service provider system.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the set of benefit information comprises an item return policy associated with a merchant, wherein the merchant is identified by the transaction information.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving the photograph of the receipt further comprises receiving a set of benefit information from the user in response to the alert message.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the set of benefit information comprises a warranty expiration date.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating a supplemental benefit offer associated with the benefit information after communicating the photograph of the receipt, the transaction information, and the benefit information to a user based on a deadline derived from the benefit information.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the supplemental benefit offer is an extended warranty offer associated with the purchase transaction.

12. A statement portal computer for managing device data comprising:

a database comprising:

transaction information received from a payment processing network, wherein the transaction information is associated with a purchase transaction;

a photograph received from a registered system user, wherein the photograph comprises a receipt photograph associated with the purchase transaction; and

benefit information associated with the purchase transaction; and

a processor and a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium comprising code executable by the processor for performing a method of receiving the transaction information from the payment processing network, receiving the photograph from the registered system user, receiving the benefit information, and generating an alert message using the transaction information and the benefit information.

13. The statement portal of claim 12 wherein the set of benefit information comprises a bonus points expiration date.

14. The statement portal of claim 12 wherein the database further comprises:

a set of user registration information and a set of user messaging preferences, wherein the set of user messaging preferences is accessed by the processor to control the generating an alert message using the transaction information and the benefit information.

15. The statement portal of claim 12 wherein the set of user registration information is further accessed by the processor to control the receiving the transaction information from the payment processing network, the receiving the photograph from the registered system user, and the receiving the benefit information.

16. A method comprising:

transmitting, from a mobile device to a statement portal computer, registration information associated with a user account and user messaging preferences for the user account;

initiating, via a portable consumer device associated with the mobile device, a transaction involving a payment processing network, to create a set of transaction information;

receiving, at the mobile device, a transaction alert based at least in part on the transaction information;

transmitting, from the mobile device to a statement portal, a receipt associated with the transaction information; and

receiving, at the mobile device, at least a portion of the transaction information, a copy of photograph of the receipt, and a benefit information alert for a benefit associated with the transaction.