Transaction processing platform for facilitating electronic distribution of plural prepaid services

• US 10,614,447 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2019
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EWI Holdings Inc. (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EWI Holdings Inc. (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Tamari, Roni Dolev, Herbinaux, Larry, New, Darren, Paschini, Miles, Hazel, Patrick K., Rose, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawley, Talia F
• Application Number:
  US16/376,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20190236588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 : with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/201 : automatic recharging with predetermined amount at threshold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/204 : on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/12 : using calling, telephone credit/debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/22 : with automatic recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection the account is recharged automatically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/24 : with on-line recharging of an account or card, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/2593 : code management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 : Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 : Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A transaction processing platform capable of facilitating the distribution to consumers of various types of prepaid products is disclosed. The transaction processing platform is configured to interface with one or more providers of such prepaid products in order to facilitate the procurement or activation of the products. The platform includes a conduit interface through which service request messages are received and respectively utilized to generate transaction requests for corresponding types of prepaid services. A supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, is configured to route a first of the transaction requests through a first supply interface associated with a first type of prepaid service. The supply interface arrangement also routes a second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with a second type of prepaid service. The platform is also configured to provide supplier response information received through the supply interfaces to the conduit interface.

Claims

1. A method for processing transactions involving prepaid services performed by a transaction processing platform having a processor and computer program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the transaction processing platform to perform the method comprising:

receiving from a client terminal operative for wireless communication, via an interface of the transaction processing platform, a first type of prepaid product purchase request, wherein the first type of prepaid product purchase request is associated with a first type of prepaid product;

contacting, subsequent to receiving the first type of prepaid product purchase request, a service provider of the first type of prepaid product purchase request;

receiving in real-time, indication of purchase of the first type of prepaid product and a personal identification number associated with the first type of prepaid product; and

electronically distributing the first type of prepaid product to the client terminal, wherein the purchase request is received from the client terminal via electronic communication and the first type of prepaid product is distributed via electronic communication to the client terminal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein electronic communication comprises wireless communication.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via a URL associated with the transaction processing platform.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the client terminal and a provider of the first type of prepaid product interface through a platform database to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

contacting a service provider of a second type of prepaid product request associated with a second type of prepaid product; and

electronically distributing the second type of prepaid product to the client terminal, wherein the client terminal and the service provider of the first type of prepaid product and the service provider of the second type of prepaid product interface through the transaction processing platform to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product and the second type of prepaid product.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

determining advertising to provide to a customer based on information in a customer record associated with the client terminal through a platform database, wherein advertising is provided to the customer through the client terminal.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving from the client terminal a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request comprises a second type of prepaid product, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is generated in response to the first type of prepaid product request and electronically delivered to the client terminal.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via a URL associated with the transaction processing platform.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the client terminal and a provider of the first type of prepaid product interface through a platform database to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

contacting a service provider of a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is associated with a second type of prepaid product; and

electronically distributing the second type of prepaid product to the client terminal, wherein the client terminal and the service provider of the first type of prepaid product and the service provider of the second type of prepaid product interface through the transaction processing platform to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product and the second type of prepaid product.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining advertising to provide to a customer based on information in a customer record associated with the client terminal through a platform database, wherein advertising is provided to the customer through the client terminal.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving from the client terminal a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request comprises a second type of prepaid product, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is generated in response to the first type of prepaid product request and electronically delivered to the client terminal.

13. A method for processing prepaid product transaction requests performed by a transaction processing platform having a processor and computer program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the transaction processing platform to perform the method comprising:

receiving a prepaid product transaction request message from a client terminal via an interface of the transaction processing platform, wherein the prepaid product transaction request message is associated with a first type of prepaid product;

determining an appropriate service provider associated with the first type of prepaid product;

routing the transaction request to the appropriate service provider;

receiving a response comprising a personal identification number associated with the first type of prepaid product; and

delivering the personal identification number to the client terminal;

wherein the client terminal is operative for wireless communication, the request message was received via electronic communication, and the personal identification number is delivered to the client terminal via electronic communication.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein electronic communication comprises wireless communication.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via a URL associated with the transaction processing platform.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the client terminal and a provider of the first type of prepaid product interface through a platform database to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

contacting a service provider of a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is associated with a second type of prepaid product; and

electronically distributing the second type of prepaid product to the client terminal, wherein the client terminal and the service provider of the first type of prepaid product and the service provider of the second type of prepaid product interface through the transaction processing platform to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product and the second type of prepaid product.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

determining advertising to provide to a customer based on information in a customer record associated with the client terminal through a platform database, wherein advertising is provided to the customer through the client terminal.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving from the client terminal a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request comprises a second type of prepaid product, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is generated in response to the first type of prepaid product request and electronically delivered to the client terminal.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via a URL associated with the transaction processing platform.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the client terminal and a provider of the first type of prepaid product interface through a platform database to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

contacting a service provider of a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is associated with a second type of prepaid product; and

electronically distributing the second type of prepaid product to the client terminal, wherein the client terminal and the service provider of the first type of prepaid product and the service provider of the second type of prepaid product interface through the transaction processing platform to enable real-time procurement of the first type of prepaid product and the second type of prepaid product.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

determining advertising to provide to a customer based on information in a customer record associated with the client terminal through a platform database, wherein advertising is provided to the customer through the client terminal.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving from the client terminal a second type of prepaid product request, wherein the second type of prepaid product request comprises a second type of prepaid product, wherein the second type of prepaid product request is generated in response to the first type of prepaid product request and electronically delivered to the client terminal.

25. The method of claim 13 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via the Internet.

26. The method of claim 14 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via the Internet.

27. The method of claim 13 wherein service provider services may be provided through activation of the first type of prepaid product.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein activation of the first type of prepaid product is remote.

29. The method of claim 13 wherein the personal identification number uniquely identifies the first type of prepaid product.

30. The method of claim 13 wherein a customer directly inputs a request for the first type of prepaid product into the client terminal.

31. The method of claim 13 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via a browser program.

32. The method of claim 14 wherein the transaction processing platform is accessed via a browser program.