WO2001055976A2 - Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines - Google Patents
Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines Download PDFInfo
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- WO2001055976A2 WO2001055976A2 PCT/US2001/000144 US0100144W WO0155976A2 WO 2001055976 A2 WO2001055976 A2 WO 2001055976A2 US 0100144 W US0100144 W US 0100144W WO 0155976 A2 WO0155976 A2 WO 0155976A2
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- Prior art keywords
- consumer
- communication link
- agent
- code
- amount
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/42—Confirmation, e.g. check or permission by the legal debtor of payment
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/04—Payment circuits
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/382—Payment protocols; Details thereof insuring higher security of transaction
- G06Q20/3821—Electronic credentials
- G06Q20/38215—Use of certificates or encrypted proofs of transaction rights
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/385—Payment protocols; Details thereof using an alias or single-use codes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
- G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
- G07F19/202—Depositing operations within ATMs
Definitions
- the present invention is related to the fields of fund transfers by consumers, consumer device and bank systems and softwares that enable the same, and vending machines that accept the same. Related art.
- Another, more consistent drawback of the prior art is that the buyer and seller have to agree on using a compatible method of payment. Some sellers do not take checks. Some buyers do not have credit cards, etc.
- the present invention overcomes these problems in the prior art.
- the present invention provides methods for consumers to pay by wire transferring money or credit out of their bank account.
- the consumer uses a device, such as a telephone or other communicator, to access his agent in real time.
- the consumer's agent can be an electronic wallet at home, or a financial institution.
- the seller's agent is also accessed. This can be accomplished by the seller using a communicator, and/or connecting a coupler to a telephone line, and dialing a telephone number of his financial institution.
- the communicators can be telephones communicating by sound signals. Or they can be more advanced personal digital assistants that communicate by infra red light signals, or by radio frequency signals. A coupler can be used to enhance their communication. Moreover, the devices can be made to exchange direct current electrical signals.
- the buyer When the buyer agrees on the price to be paid, he couples his device to the seller's device, possibly through a coupler. This way the consumer's agent can communicate with the seller's agent, such as with sound signals. Then the consumer's agent transfers the money or credit to the coupler electronically, and thus to the seller's agent.
- the receiving party can transfer a confirmation payment code. If it is banks, they can create an email message.
- the invention also provides devices for implementing some of the methods. Practically, such devices are to be provided primarily by the seller.
- the devices include a telephone coupler for retrofitting with, or implementing in conjunction with various types of cashier devices.
- the coupler preferably includes a docking bay for a buyer to place a communicator, and from where to exchange signals with it.
- the seller dials simultaneously their own bank, over a second communication link. This way the buyer's bank transmits funds to the seller's bank by communicating over two communication links through the coupler.
- the invention also provides bank computers with softwares for enabling the above.
- the computers are accessible by telephone lines, and have software for validating a code authorizing purchasing from an account.
- the computers are capable of interfacing by exchanging signals with a cooperating seller's bank, for transferring funds to it.
- the seller's bank generates a payment confirmation code that is ultimately transmitted to the seller's satisfaction for releasing the goods.
- the invention obviates the need for using checks and processing them, which lowers transaction costs.
- the invention can bypass credit cards, which saves on transaction costs.
- Funds wire transferred according to the invention may be considered direct deposited, without processing delays. After all, the exchanged money is always in a bank, where it can earn interest.
- the invention also permits transactions from mixed authorities, such as from a buyer's credit card to a seller's direct funds, or to an electronic wallet, etc. Most importantly, the invention enables purchases to be made by a simple cellular telephone, whose use is proliferating. And even when a consumer does not have, or has forgotten his cellular telephone, a vendor can have an available telephone near the coupler of his cashier.
- the consumer has to make no change, or buy no new device.
- the present invention does not depend on broad consumer acceptance. As long as a few financial institutions agree on a single communication standard, such as interface communications, coding, etc., then all their consumers will be automatically compatible. And the banks have every reason to agree, so that they can collectively realize very large savings in operating costs.
- Another advantage of the invention is that, in some embodiments, a display is not needed.
- the feedback can be auditory, when telephones are used.
- a key advantage of the invention is that banks do not need to deploy and maintain specialized hardware, such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), or specialized kiosks, etc.
- ATMs Automated Teller Machines
- kiosks etc.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a buyer using a cellular telephone to make a purchase from an automated vending machine with preset prices according to a method of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a close up view of FIG. 1 to illustrate a buyer coupling his cellular telephone to the coupler of the vending machine.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating the method of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart for illustrating a first embodiment of a specific box of the flowchart of FIG. 3 that uses a chain of two party telephone calls.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a telephone connection scheme between the parties' banks for the embodiment of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a buyer using a cellular telephone to pay a street vendor according to a method of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating the method of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart for illustrating a first embodiment of a specific box of the flowchart of FIG. 7 that uses the telephone connection scheme of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a telephone connection scheme between either party and its home wallet, for various embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 10 illustrates a buyer suing a cellular telephone to pay, according to a method of the invention, a store that has an independent telephone line to the store's bank, and a dual coupler for being used by both the buyer and the seller, each for accessing their account.
- FIG. 1 1 is a flowchart for illustrating the method of FIG. 10.
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating an embodiment of a specific box of the flowchart ofFIG. i l.
- FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a telephone connection scheme between the parties' banks for the embodiment of FIG. 12.
- FIG. 14 illustrates the simplest method of the invention for a payor to pay a payee according to the scheme of FIG. 13.
- FIG. 15 is a flowchart for illustrating a method according to the invention for a device to get paid according to the scheme of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating a method according to the invention for a device to get paid according to the scheme of FIG. 13.
- FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of selected portions of a coupler of the vending machine of FIG. 1, or of the cash register of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of selected portions of the dual telephone coupler of FIG. 10.
- FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a computer of a financial institution interfacing with a customer account database according to the invention.
- FIG.s 20-A, 20-B and 20-C together are a flowchart for illustrating a method of operation for a financial institution to allow its customers to wire or receive money or credit according to the invention.
- the present invention provides methods, devices and bank computers with softwares for a consumer to wire transfer money, or authorize payment of money to a seller for purchases, at the point of sale.
- the consumer uses a device, such as a telephone, to access his bank account, and then couples the device to a cooperating coupler of the seller.
- the seller accesses his, and then they couple their telephones. This way the buyer's bank transfers money to the seller's bank.
- buyer or “consumer” is meant any form or type of payor, or someone who owes payment, or is making payment.
- eller or “vendor” it is meant any form or type of payee, whether receiving payment on the spot, or is due payment, human or automated (such as a vending machine), etc.
- bank it is meant any institution authorized to hold money for any of the parties. It is also meant any institution to transact credit transactions, such as the well known credit card institutions, e.g. MasterCard ®, Visa ®, American Express ®, Discover ®, etc.
- call it is meant a telephone call or request for establishing a communication link over any type of communication channel.
- the communicator includes transducers for converting signals from the telephone line to signals for the third communication link with the coupler. If the communicator is a telephone, the transducers are for sound, namely a speaker and a microphone. If the communicator includes an infrared port, the transducers include an IR detector and generator, such as an IR LED. If the communicator communicates with radio frequency (RF) signals, it includes an RF port, with the transducers including a RF detector and a RF generator.
- RF radio frequency
- the consumer that calls the agent.
- the consumer can dial on the telephone an access code related to a prearranged account of the consumer with the buyers' agent.
- he calls the bank issues a prompt, and then hangs up.
- the prompt can include a password, a return telephone number, or even a distress code.
- the bank can verify the customer, and then call back, to perform the remaining steps.
- a communication link is also known as comlink.
- the words “first”, “second” and “third” are merely convenient labels. As such, there is no requirement that a "first" comlink be established before a "second", etc.
- contacting can be by either the coupler establishing the second communication link, or by the buyer's agent establishing that link.
- the second comlink is preferably concurrent with the first, although that is not necessary. It is preferred that the second comlink is a telephone link.
- the second link can be hearable from the first, i.e. a conference call. Conference calls are currently more expensive than regular calls. In any event, it is preferred to have the second comlink permit synchronous communication. In other words, email is disfavored because of unpredictability (networks can be congested, etc.).
- the method includes transmitting to the vendor's agent an access code related to a prearranged account of the vendor with the merchants' financial institution. If this goes through an instrumentality of the consumer, it is best to encrypt it at the origin, and decrypt it at the destination.
- the method also comprises coupling the buyer's communicator with the seller's communicator.
- This can be direct, or through a coupler.
- the coupler is preset to cooperate with the vendor's agent, and in some embodiments the seller's communicator is not needed.
- the coupler is also known as handshake implement. It can includes a docking station for receiving the communicator.
- the docking station otherwise known as dock bay or just dock is for docking the communicator.
- the coupler is adapted to the form of communication, i.e. to the type of signals that can be exchanged. If the signals are voice signals, the coupler is also known as telephone coupler. If the signals are IR light signals or RF signals, the coupler is built accordingly.
- Coupling establishes a third communication link between the coupler and the communicator, at the same time as the first communication link is established. If the communicator is a telephone, the third communication link is by sound signals.
- the method also comprises the consumer's agent transmitting a payment authorization code to the vendor's agent over the second communication link, to effectuate the payment.
- the banks exchange codes that go through the established comlinks. At the nodes there can be a change, where an electrical signal through telephone lines can be converted to a corresponding sound or IR signal, etc. Those are coded preferably according to a uniform protocol. That protocol preferably includes instructions for how to code, whether the EFT payment code is to be transmitted over the first communication link, or whether the consumer's agent is to establish a second comlink.
- the method includes also other elements, such as entering an amount of the payment. Entering can be from the keypad of a cellular telephone, or a keypad.
- the keypad can be associated with the coupler.
- the amount can be displayed.
- the consumer avails the communicator for coupling only after the consumer agrees with the displayed amount.
- the method also includes the consumer's agent verifying that the transmitted (and requested) amount comports, or is within a spending limit of the consumer. That is either a credit limit, a cash balance, or other spending limit, depending on the arrangement.
- the method preferably includes transmitting over the first communication link a mode code, denoting whether the EFT payment code is to be transmitted over the first communication link, or whether it is the consumer's agent that is requested to establish a second comlink.
- a method according to the invention can accommodate either one of these two different types of transactions. But the preferred embodiment is accommodating both.
- the above described mode code permits both.
- the coupler transmits to the consumer's agent information for contacting the vendor's agent. Then the consumer's agent uses the contact information for addressing the vendor's agent to establish the second communication link.
- the second comlink can be by telephone. Then the vendor's agent can generate a payment confirmation code for transmitting to the consumer's agent over the second communication link, and the consumer's agent can retransmit the payment confirmation code over the first communication link to the communicator for issuing to the coupler.
- the consumer's agent transmits the payment authorization code over the first communication link, from the communicator to the coupler, and then through the second communication link. Then the vendor's agent can generate a payment confirmation code for transmitting to the coupler over the second communication link.
- the vending machine of FIG. 1 is an example of an unattended automated cashier.
- the street vendor of FIG. 6 is an example of a seller that is telephonically disconnected from the ability to receive authorization for a credit card that is tendered for payment, and thus is vulnerable to fraud. It will be appreciated that the invention gives him the option of direct depositing his revenue, without even having to come into the bank to occupy a teller. Thus he need not worry about losing the money he is collecting.
- the establishment of FIG. 10 need not have machines for checking credit cards, only a common telephone line and a dual coupler.
- a vending machine 24 has selections 25, an instruction plaque 26, and a price display 27.
- the instructions on the plaque 26 can read in full: "SELECT PRODUCT BY PRESSING BUTTON. THIS DISPLAYS THE PRICE OVER THE COUPLER. DIAL YOUR BANK, AND THEN DOCK YOUR TELEPHONE ON THE COUPLER. YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE DISPLAYED AMOUNT.”
- the vending machine 24 has a docking bay 32 for receiving a telephone or other communicator according to the invention.
- the docking bay 32 is part of a coupler that is not shown otherwise.
- the preferred docking bay 32 has insulation suitable for the intended mode of communication. It has an opening 29 for receiving the speaker of the telephone, and an opening 31 for receiving the microphone.
- Each of openings 29, 31 is preferably padded with foam to eliminate outside noises and cross talk, and is also known as receptacle.
- a consumer 28 is dialing on a communicator 30, such as a portable telephone 30, or composite personal digital assistant 30 that includes a telephone. This accesses his bank, which is remotely locates and not shown. The consumer 28 places the communicator 30 on the docking bay 32 according to arrow 32A.
- a communicator 30 such as a portable telephone 30, or composite personal digital assistant 30 that includes a telephone. This accesses his bank, which is remotely locates and not shown.
- the consumer 28 places the communicator 30 on the docking bay 32 according to arrow 32A.
- FIG. 2 is a close up view of FIG. 1, to illustrate the hand of the consumer 28 about to couple his portable telephone 30 to the coupler 32 of the vending machine 26. That is after the bank has been accessed, and will establish a third comlink 34.
- the vending machine 24 can be a machine for a variety of goods and services, namely food items, gasoline, software, newspapers, music media, etc. It can be an automated meter, such as one a parking meter (and the goods are parking time). It can also be an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), and where the goods of the vending machine is cash.
- ATM Automated Teller Machine
- the vending machine 24 additionally preferably includes a speaker for issuing sound signals to the communicator.
- the price is preferably displayed for the goods, and the sound signals encode the price.
- the consumer 28 dials in the price from the telephone 30.
- the vending machine 24 either includes an electronic wallet, or makes a telephone connection to its owner's bank account. Alternately, the vending machine 24 sends sound signals that encode an instruction for the consumer's agent to transfer money to an indicated seller's agent. That is preferred for when the consumer's agent is a financial institution.
- a flowchart 300 illustrates the method of FIG. 1. It includes boxes 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 380, 400, 410 and 420. The method includes performing the steps or acts written in all such boxes in this description. These do not have to be performed in that exact order, and can be substituted with equivalents. After step 420, the vending machine 30 releases goods.
- the confirmation can be acknowledged in a number of ways. For example, there can be a new message in the display, such as the word "PAID".
- FIG. 3 that uses a chain of two party telephone calls. This is given by boxes 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes. Again, these do not have to be performed in that exact order, and can be substituted with equivalents.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a connection scheme between the parties' banks for the embodiment of FIG. 4. As can be seen the buyer's communicator 30 reaches the buyer's bank 40 over the first comlink 36. A request 44 comes to the buyer's bank 40 to establish the second comlink 56 with the seller's bank 60. The EFT 64 is always from the buyer's bank (also known as consumer's agent) to the seller's bank or agent.
- EFT Electronic Fund Transfer, or electronic credit transfer.
- a confirmation 68 goes from the seller's bank 60 to the buyer's bank 40 though the second comlink 56.
- a resulting confirmation 72 (typically identical to confirmation 68) is retransmitted from the buyer's bank 40 through the first comlink 36 to the buyer's communicator 30.
- the confinnation becomes a signal through the third comlink 34 to the coupler 32.
- the type of signal depends on the type of communicator.
- the coupler 32 checks the code as originally produced by the seller's bank 60, and then releases the goods. If there is an error, such as no more goods in the vending machine 26, the coupler 32 can transmit back through the same channels a credit memo.
- DTMF Dual Tone Multi Frequency standard or format.
- the buyer needs to dial in a secret code for accessing his account (as is highly recommended), that transmission is easiest done by DTMF signals.
- the buyer may also be able to dial in the price. But it is far preferred that as much entering as possible is done by machines. So, the coupler can dial in the price, as part of the request 44. Since DTMF detection and generation may have to be included anyway for telephone dialing purposes, it maybe economically disadvantageous to include other components for other types of signals.
- a merchant 628 enters a price in a cash registry 630 according to the invention, which has a display 632.
- the cash registry 630 is connected to a coupler 640 that has a docking bay 642.
- the buyer 28 agrees with the price entered and shown on display 632, he inserts his portable communicator 30 in the docking bay 642.
- the method of the invention is generally similar to what is described above, and establishes a connection of the type of FIG. 5. The method is described by the flowchart 700 of FIG. 7, namely boxes 710, 720, 730, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810 and 820.
- FIG. 9 illustrates use, by either a buyer or a seller of a home electronic wallet, according to methods of the invention.
- the telephone 911 can be either the buyer's telephone (shown as 30 in FIG. 6), or a seller's telephone (shown as 952 in FIG. 10 below).
- the telephone 911 establishes a comlink 912 with an electronic wallet 913 in a home 914.
- the electronic wallet 913 later establishes a comlink 916 with a computer 917 of a bank 918, for recharging the wallet, etc.
- the embodiment of FIG. 9 has the advantage that the electronic wallet 913 can perform individualized, and thus more secure checks on an incoming call along a comlink 912.
- the disadvantage is that money in an electronic wallet does not draw interest, plus there are compatibility issues that will have to be resolved between the electronic wallet 913 and the computer 917.
- a merchant 928 enters a price in a cash registry 930 according to the invention, which has a display 932.
- the cash registry 930 is connected to a dual coupler 940 that has a buyer's docking bay 942 and a seller's docking bay 944.
- the seller 928 dials his own bank (not shown) with his telephone 952, to establish a comlink with it. Again, when the buyer 28 agrees with the price entered and shown on display 932, he inserts his cellular telephone 30 in the docking bay 942. The two telephones 30 and 952 communicate with each other via the dual coupler 940.
- the coupler amplifies the signals, but is not actually necessary. If a price is entered from either one of the telephones, and the telephones are brought together, they can operate without the coupler.
- a method of the invention is described by the flowchart 1 100 of FIG. 11, namely boxes 1110, 1120, 1130, 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, 1200, 1210 and 1220.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes.
- numbered boxes are analogous to those of FIG. 7.
- box 1190 is best performed as shown in FIG. 12, with boxes 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340, 1350, 1360, 1370, 1380.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes.
- This method of the invention is generally similar to what is described above, and establishes a connection of the type of FIG. 13. Namely, the buyer, through his communicator 30 contacts his bank 40 with a link 26 as in FIG. 5 above. In addition, the buyer's communicator 30 makes a comlink 34 with seller's dual coupler 1320 (the same coupler is shown in FIG. 9 as dual coupler 940).
- the seller's communicator 1350 (shown in FIG. 10 as 952) makes a comlink 1353 with the seller's dual coupler 1320.
- the seller's communicator 1350 also has a concurrent comlink 1356 with seller's bank 60.
- the request 1344 is transmitted through telephone comlink 36 to the buyer's bank 40.
- the buyer's bank 40 transmits the EFT payment code 1364 to the seller's bank 60.
- the seller's bank 60 transmits a confirmation payment code 1368 to seller's dual coupler 1320, and the cash register displays "PAID" or equivalent. Then the vendor knows that payment has been received, and then the goods or services must be delivered. It is highly preferred that the confirmation payment code 1368 is also transmitted to the buyer's bank 40, as a further confirmation. This may be useful if there is a question of refund, or payment in the first place.
- the mode of FIG. 13 is the preferred mode of the invention. But for vending machines, the mode of FIG. 5 may be the most economical option. Indeed, it does not require that they have a telephone connection to anything. If the vending machine is made with an electronic wallet, then the mode of FIG. 13 is also available.
- two telephones 30, 1350 are shown for a general payment, in one of the simplest embodiments. Absent the intervention of a cash register, at least one must dial the amount to be paid. This is preferably the buyer, who dials in the amount. It should be remembered that, for purposes of the invention, the payee's bank need not be remote, or accessed by telephone. It can be an electronic wallet. In addition, although telephones are shown and mentioned, they can be communicators as described above.
- a number of methods are provided for a consumer to make a payment to a vendor according to FIG. 14.
- the methods include the consumer establishing over a first telephone line a first communication link between a first telephone device and an automated agent of the consumer that may be located remotely to the consumer.
- the methods of FIG. 14 include the vendor establishing over a second telephone line a second communication link between a second telephone device and an automated agent of the vendor that is located remotely to the vendor.
- the second link may be established concurrently with the first communication link being established, for a real time application.
- the method includes additional acts, such as entering an amount to be paid (which can be done by the buyer dialing in the amount in his telephone keyboard), the consumer's agent verifying that the transmitted amount is within a spending limit of the consumer, etc.
- the invention also provides methods for a device to receive payment, and devices that practice these methods.
- the devices include but are not limited to vending machines, such as that of FIG. 1 , parking meters, cash registers such as those of FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, automated bank tellers, and dual couplers such as those of FIG. 13.
- the methods further include transmitting to a coupler of the machine a purchasing code related to the amount.
- the purchasing code can include the identity of the machine, goods intended for, price, etc. They can include time and date. They can also include an EFT mode code.
- the codes can be for the machine's identification, and the product identification. Transmitting to the coupler is for retransmitting to a buyer's agent.
- the methods further include that, when the coupler receives a reply, optionally issuing an acknowledgement of having been paid.
- the acknowledgement can be by making a sound, displaying something, printing a receipt, releasing goods (e.g. by sending a signal to a mechanism that does that), etc.
- steps include but are not limited to displaying the entered amount, and displaying a confirmation of being paid.
- the reply can be analyzed for validity as a payment confirmation code. Analyzing can include decrypting, if the latter came through exclusively through the circuits of the circuits of the buyer.
- the sent time and date can be used as kernels for encoding.
- the purchasing code can include an EFT mode code. If it requests that the seller's bank be contacted, the purchasing code can include contact data for contacting an agent of the seller.
- FIG. 14 is very well suited to institutional payees, such as utility companies, credit card companies, and any other company that receives many payments from consumers, often on a regular basis.
- the institutional payee may configure the payee's bank 60 as a deposit only account, and supply to its customers the telephone number to call for paying. A discount can be offered, since the deposit will be instant. This requires the consumer to have access to two telephone lines 36, 1356 simultaneously. Many people have multiple telephone lines today.
- FIG. 15 includes the boxes 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550 and 1560.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes.
- the purchasing code can be a mere code number posted on the machine. The buyer is to dial that code number. This way the coupler of the vending machine does not have to issue any sound signals, only receive them.
- FIG. 1 Another embodiment is now described with reference to FIG. 1 .
- This includes the boxes 1610, 1620, 1630, 1640 and 1660.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes.
- Another embodiment of the method of the invention is where establishing the first communication link is performed by two steps.
- First call back information is transmitted to the buyer's agent, preferably by a preliminary link.
- the preliminary link is either by email (from a PDA), or a preliminary telephone line connection, and from where there are transmitted telephone signals that encode the call back information.
- the buyer's agent uses the call back information to establish the first communication link.
- the latter is preferably performed after the preliminary link is discontinued, such as by hanging up the preliminary telephone line.
- the buyer's financial institution determines whether the call back information meets at least one validity criterion, and does not establish the first communication link if it does not.
- the validity criterion can be a password.
- the origin of the received call back information is one of a set of preapproved origins. This means tracing the origin of the call to establish the preliminary telephone line, and rejecting it if not from a preapproved set of enabled telephone numbers. Tracing is accomplished by receiving information about the telephone number of the caller. This feature is particularly suitable for use with cellular telephones that carry their own individual access number.
- an identification code of the communicator 30 itself.
- Such can be an identification code of a central processing unit (CPU) of the device.
- CPU central processing unit
- the buyer Upon initially setting up the account with the financial agent, the buyer causes the communicator 30 to transmit its internal id code.
- the communicator 30 is preferably built with a separate button or series of inputs that cause it to play out that code. Playing out can be in coded form, not necessarily intelligible to the buyer. (If not intelligible, then it would be harder for others to duplicate.)
- the financial agent receives it, it records it and associates it with the account. This way the account can only be accessed by using the communicator 30, which is better for security.
- the buyer again causes the communicator 30 to transmit its internal id code as part of the authorization process. This transmission can be considered as part of the password that the buyer transmits to its agent for authorization.
- a main device is a coupler 1700, shown in FIG. 17.
- the coupler 1700 can be used in connection with a vending machine, a cash register, a parking meter, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), etc.
- the coupler 1700 includes the two openings 29, 31, at the beginning and the end respectively of an in-channel and an out-channel.
- the channels include an encoder and a decoder, amplifiers, and transducers.
- the transducers can be a speaker and a microphone.
- the transducers can be a detector and an IR LED.
- the transducers can be a detector and a transmitter.
- the channels terminate at an I/O unit 1750, coupled with a microprocessor 1760, which in turn is coupled with a memory 1770.
- a program 1780 resides in the memory 1770.
- a vending machine is anything that dispenses something of value, and for which it receives money or equivalent (e.g. charge, etc.), i.e. creates a Point of Sale.
- money or equivalent e.g. charge, etc.
- Payment is acknowledged by the I/O module 1750 sending a signal to a releasing unit 1790 of the vending machine.
- the releasing unit 1790 releases the goods.
- the releasing unit 1790 releases cash.
- the releasing unit 1790 simply indicates payment.
- the releasing unit 1790 registers paid time.
- the price is selected as described elsewhere. In others, the price is dialed in by the consumer, and goods or services are released commensurately with the money paid.
- the code also provides software for the microprocessor, or the program 1780.
- the detailed descriptions which follow are presented largely in terms of display images, algorithms, and symbolic representations of operations of data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Often, for the sake of convenience only, it is preferred to implement and describe a program as various interconnected distinct software modules or features. This is not necessary, however, and there may be cases where various softwares are equivalently aggregated into a single program with unclear boundaries.
- Useful machines for performing the operations of the present invention include general pu ⁇ ose digital computers, microprocessors, or other similar devices. In all cases, there should be borne in mind the distinction between the method operations of operating a computer and the method of computation itself.
- the present invention relates to method steps for operating a computer and processing electrical or other physical signals to generate other desired physical signals.
- the present invention also relates to apparatus for performing these operations.
- This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required pu ⁇ oses or it may comprise a general pu ⁇ ose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer.
- the algorithms presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
- various general pu ⁇ ose machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these machines will appear from the description given below.
- the program of the invention need not reside in a single memory, or even a single machine. Various portions, modules or features of it can reside in separate memories, of even separate machines.
- the separate machines may be connected directly, or through a network, such as a local access network (LAN), or a global network, such as what is presently known as Internet- 1.
- LAN local access network
- Internet- 1 Internet- 1.
- the users need not be collocated with each other, but each only with a machine that houses a portion of the program.
- the program 1780 is for releasing goods in a vending machine.
- the program comprises a payment confirmation input, and software for analyzing the payment confirmation input for agreement with preset criteria. Those are as described above.
- the program comprises outputting software for outputting an enabling code.
- the coupler 940 is placed between the telephones of FIG. 14, to assist their communication. While there are similarities with components of the device of FIG. 17, it is to be noted that coding and decoding need not be in the path of the two communicators. Coding and decoding are only useful for the dual coupler, which is "eavesdropping" in the exchange between the telephones.
- the dual telephone coupler 940 is also known as a connector for two communicators. It includes a docking station 942 at the buyer's side, and a second docking station 944 at the seller's side. The docking station 944 includes receptacles 1819 for the second telephone 1350.
- the dual telephone coupler 940 also includes two channels for permitting the two docking stations 942, 944 to exchange signals that encode sounds.
- Amplifiers 1824 are preferably placed in each channel to amplify the signals, that are really sounds between the telephones 30 and 1350.
- an I/O unit 1824 eavesdrops for a coupled microprocessor 1826 with memoryl828, and inte ⁇ rets the electrical signals. When the right payment confirmation code is perceived or intercepted, the microprocessor generates an I/O signal for the associated cash register.
- the first bank receives from the second bank over the second communication link a payment confirmation code, and retransmits it through the first telephone communication link. Upon receiving it, the machine can release its goods or services.
- the payment confirmation code should be encrypted. Indeed, the vendor does not know what telephone number the consumer has dialed. Vendor's concern is that the set of received codes can be manufactured, and one transmitted artificially, thus giving the vendor the false impression that he has been paid for services or goods for which he has not been paid. This risk can be mitigated by encrypting from the vendor's bank through the consumer's telephone, and decrypting within the vendor's device. In addition, it can be combined with dates, times, squared and then truncated, etc.
- Encryption can be by using a preset series of ciphers (in encryption science this is known as a one time "notepad”). But the entries of the "notepad” can be rotating, to allow for indefinite use.
- the ciphers are programmed in common with the vendor's device and the vendor's bank account number. The ciphers can be used by themselves, or be fed into a larger algorithm as kernels for generating larger ciphers, such as with random number generators.
- the first bank i.e. the paying bank
- receives over the first telephone communication link data corresponding to an amount of the payment Then it transmits a payment code corresponding to the amount through the first communication link, and debits the account in accordance with the amount.
- An entry can be generated for customer's periodic statement. Other features can include confirming that the requested amount comports with a limit of the account prior to transmitting the payment code.
- the limit can be an available balance, an overdraft limit, or a credit limit, a per charge limit, etc.
- FIG. 20 - A, FIG. 20 - B and FIG. 20 - C a method according to the invention is described for a bank. The method is described by a flowchart 2000 that is formed when the three are placed next to each other. Many other methods are enabled in view of the present description, to enable either a scheme of FIG. 5 or that of FIG. 13.
- the telephone is picked up by the bank. If a tone is heard, the bank can act as a payee, and execution transfers to FIG. 20 - C. That is because the seller's bank is preferably called directly by a machine, either the buyer's bank (FIG. 5) or the seller's coupler (FIG. 13, adapted so that the coupler includes a module for directly dialing).
- an EFT payment code is generated.
- This can be designed in any suitable way, to be a payment or an authorization to charge credit. Preferably it includes amount of payment, and date and time it was generated. It may include data received from the seller's machine, such as machine location, kind of goods or services purchased, etc.
- an input is received that determines whether the action will be according to FIG. 5 or FIG. 13.
- the input is also called an EFT mode code, and can be given in a different order with relation to the other boxes.
- the generated EFT code is transmitted through the same channel (i.e., through the first telephone communication link). Then on to box 2100.
- FIG. 20 - B execution proceeds to FIG. 20 - B, and from there to boxes 2110, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2160, 2170, 2180, 2190.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes.
- the bank operates as a seller's bank, execution has transferred FIG. 20 - C.
- the bank will analyze the EFT payment code for validity, but it need not check a limit (will take any amount given). It will compose a payment confirmation code for the seller, and generally encrypt it as described elsewhere. If encrypted, data corresponding to the amount can follow unencrypted. This can be accomplished with boxes 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240, 2250, 2260, 2270.
- the method includes performing the steps or acts written in these boxes.
- FIG. 19 a system 2300 for a financial institution according to the present invention is now described that performs the methods of the invention.
- the system 2300 works for a bank or financial institution to work as a buyer's bank 40 or seller's bank 60 or 1360, for either one of FIG. 5 and FIG. 13.
- An Input/Output unit 2350 is provided between the line 2340 and the microprocessor 2320.
- Each I/O unit 2350 converts telephone signals to microprocessor signals. This may necessitate including a DTMF receiver and a DTMF generator as described above. In addition, a speech synthesizer is recommended, for giving occasional verbal instructions to the caller.
- a second I/O unit 2354 is provided. This is for when the system 2300 is being requested to operate as a buyer's bank, and also being requested to call a seller's bank on an outside telephone line 2360.
- FIG. 19 deliberately mixes hard objects (devices) and data structures (software), for better illustrating the inte ⁇ lay and cooperation of the components.
- the invention also provides a program for a computer of a bank.
- the program is most advantageously implemented as a computer program 2314.
- the program of the invention is made to perform the methods of the invention.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/182,177 US7720756B2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2001-01-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
AU2001227564A AU2001227564A1 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2001-01-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
US12/753,734 US8458087B2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2010-04-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
US12/753,728 US8452701B2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2010-04-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
US13/898,104 US8799156B2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2013-05-20 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17826200P | 2000-01-25 | 2000-01-25 | |
US60/178,262 | 2000-01-25 | ||
US52557500A | 2000-03-15 | 2000-03-15 | |
US09/525,575 | 2000-03-15 | ||
US22895100P | 2000-08-28 | 2000-08-28 | |
US60/228,951 | 2000-08-28 |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US52557500A Continuation | 2000-01-25 | 2000-03-15 |
Related Child Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10182177 A-371-Of-International | 2001-01-02 | ||
US12/753,728 Continuation US8452701B2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2010-04-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
US12/753,734 Division US8458087B2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2010-04-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001055976A2 true WO2001055976A2 (en) | 2001-08-02 |
WO2001055976A3 WO2001055976A3 (en) | 2002-01-03 |
Family
ID=27390955
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2001/000144 WO2001055976A2 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2001-01-02 | Methods, devices and bank computers for consumers using communicators to wire funds to sellers and vending machines |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2001227564A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001055976A2 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5604341A (en) * | 1995-03-13 | 1997-02-18 | At&T Global Information Solutions Company | ATM as video conferencing station |
US5774663A (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1998-06-30 | Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | Personal banker customer management system providing interactive video communication in real time concerning banking information |
-
2001
- 2001-01-02 WO PCT/US2001/000144 patent/WO2001055976A2/en active Application Filing
- 2001-01-02 AU AU2001227564A patent/AU2001227564A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5604341A (en) * | 1995-03-13 | 1997-02-18 | At&T Global Information Solutions Company | ATM as video conferencing station |
US5774663A (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1998-06-30 | Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | Personal banker customer management system providing interactive video communication in real time concerning banking information |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2001227564A1 (en) | 2001-08-07 |
WO2001055976A3 (en) | 2002-01-03 |
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