Method and system for transaction of electronic money with a mobile communication unit as an electronic wallet

• US 20010007983A1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Published: 07/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Infohub Corporation
• Original Assignee: Infohub Corporation
• Inventors: Lee, Jong-II
• Application Number:
  US09/796,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20010007983A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/223 based on the use of peer-to-peer networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3226 Use of secure elements separate from M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3678 e-cash details, e.g. blinded, divisible or detecting double spending
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

A electronic monetary system comprising a mobile communication unit as an electronic wallet for transactions including electronic payments, money transfer, and recharging the electronic account.

The security of the electronic transactions is confirmed by circulating a confirmation number through a loop formed by an E-wallet managing server through the wireless network to the mobile communication unit of the user.

Claims

1. A method for an E-wallet managing server to issue a certain amount of electronic money to a user, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, and the requested amount of electronic money, which the user provided on the user'"'"'s ARS call to the ARS server of said E-wallet managing server;

sending a message including a confirmation number generated by said E-wallet managing server to said user'"'"'s mobile communication unit on a wireless network;

fetching the confirmation number that the user entered on his ARS call to the ARS server of said E-wallet managing server according to the number displayed on the display of his mobile communication unit;

opening a new electronic account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the password, and then depositing the request amount of electronic money to the new electronic account for the user after verifying the validity by comparing between the fetched confirmation number entered on the ARS call with the confirmation number initially transmitted to the user'"'"'s mobile communication; and

informing the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit of the completion of the requested transaction.

5. The method for an E-wallet managing server to issue an amount of electronic money as claimed in

claim 1

,

2

, 3, or 4 wherein said opening step of a new electronic account includes a step of recharging the electronic account with the requested amount of electronic money.

6. The method for an E-wallet managing server to issue an amount of electronic money as claimed in

claim 1

,

2

, 3, or 4 wherein said advising step includes a step of sending to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit either one or a combination from the group comprising the balance of the electronic account, the issued amount of electronic money, and the recharged amount of money.

2. A method for an E-wallet managing server to issue an amount of electronic money to a user, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, and the request amount of electronic money, which the user provided on the web page of said E-wallet managing server;

sending a message including a confirmation number generated by said E-wallet managing server to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

fetching a confirmation number that the user entered on the web page of the E-wallet managing server with reference to the number displayed on the display of his mobile communication unit;

opening a new electronic account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, and then depositing the requested amount of electronic money to the new electronic account for the user after verifying the validity of the fetched confirmation number entered on the web page by comparing the fetched number with the confirmation number initially transmitted to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

informing the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit of the completion of the requested transaction.

3. A method for an E-wallet managing server to issue an amount of electronic money to a user, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, the name/data/amount of money transferred into the bank account under the E-wallet managing server, which the user provided on the web page of said E-wallet managing server;

checking the name/data/amount of money transferred into the bank account under the E-wallet managing server;

sending a message including a confirmation number generated by said E-wallet managing server to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

fetching a confirmation number that said user entered on the web page of said E-wallet managing server with reference to the number displayed on the display of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

opening a new electronic account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, and then depositing said requested amount of electronic money to said new electronic account for said user after verifying the validity of the fetched confirmation number on the web page with comparison to the confirmation number initially transmitted to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

informing the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit of the completion of the transaction that the user requested.

4. A method for an E-wallet managing server to issue an amount of electronic money to a user on a network, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the password of the user and the requested amount of electronic money, which were transmitted from the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit having a function of electronic wallet;

opening a new electronic account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, and then depositing the requested amount of electronic money to the new electronic account for said user after verifying the validity of the fetched confirmation number on the web page with comparison to the confirmation number initially transmitted to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

advising the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit of the completion of the transaction that the user requested.

7. A method for an E-wallet managing server to control the electronic money transfer from a first user'"'"'s account to a second user'"'"'s account, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the first user'"'"'s password, which the first user provided on the web page of said E-wallet managing server;

notifying the balance of the first user'"'"'s account to the first user on the web page of said E-wallet managing server;

taking the data including the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the requested amount of money to be transferred, which the first user provided on the web page of said E-wallet managing server;

performing a money transfer from the first user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, to the second user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

sending messages including the balance of account to each mobile communication unit of both users after the requested transaction, respectively.

9. The method as claimed in

claim 7

or

claim 8

wherein said step of sending a message including the balance of account after transaction comprises a steps of:

assigning a password arbitrarily to the second user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit if the second user does not have an electronic account; and

sending a message including the balance of account and the arbitrarily assigned password to the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit if the second user is a new customer to the E-wallet managing server.

10. The method as claimed in

claim 7

or

claim 8

wherein said E-wallet managing server further comprises an ARS server and a web server.

11. The method as claimed in

claim 7

wherein said step of taking the data including the phone number of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the first user'"'"'s password further comprises steps of:

sending a confirmation number to the mobile communication unit of the first user;

taking the confirmation number, returned from the first user, which the first user provided on the web server page of said E-wallet managing server in accordance with the received confirmation number displayed on the display of the mobile communication unit; and

verifying the returned confirmation number with reference to the confirmation number that was initially transmitted to the mobile communication unit of the first user.

8. A method for an E-wallet managing server to control the electronic money transfer from a first user'"'"'s account to a second user'"'"'s account, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the first user'"'"'s password, which have been sent from the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit having a function of electronic wallet wherein the first user enters his password either on keypad or by menu;

sending a message including the balance of the first user'"'"'s account to the mobile communication unit of the first user;

taking the data including the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the requested amount of money to be transferred, which have been provided by the first user and sent from the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit having a function of electronic wallet;

performing a money transfer from the first user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, to the second user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

sending a message including the balance of account to each mobile communication unit of both users, respectively, after the requested transaction.

12. A method for an E-wallet managing server to manage an electronic commerce between a buyer and a seller, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the buyer'"'"'s password, and the requested amount of money to be paid for a purchase item, which are sent from the seller'"'"'s web server after the buyer provides the data including the phone number of his mobile communication unit, password, and a purchasing item on the seller'"'"'s web page;

sending an approval message to the seller'"'"'s web server and deducting the requested amount of money from the buyer'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

sending a message including the details of the transaction and the balance of electronic money account designated by the phone number of the seller'"'"'s mobile communication unit.

13. A method for an E-wallet managing server to manage an electronic commerce between a buyer and a seller, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the buyer'"'"'s password, and the requested amount of money to be paid for a purchasing item, which are sent from the seller'"'"'s web server after the buyer provides the data including the phone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit, password, and a purchasing item on the seller'"'"'s web page;

sending a confirmation number to the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

taking a returned confirmation number from the seller'"'"'s web server, which the buyer has entered on the seller'"'"'s web page in accordance with the received confirmation number displayed on the display of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

verifying the returned confirmation number with comparison to the confirmation number initially sent to the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

sending an approval message to the seller'"'"'s web server and deducting the requested amount of money from the buyer'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit; and

sending a message including the details of the transaction and the balance of electronic money account designated by the phone number of the seller'"'"'s mobile communication unit.

14. A method for an E-wallet managing server to inform the user of the balance of electronic money in the user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the password, comprising steps of:

receiving a request for informing the user of the balance of electronic money in the user'"'"'s account from the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit when the user either pushes a balance inquiry button on the keypad or selects a balance inquiry menu of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit;

referring to the balance of the user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the user'"'"'s password; and

sending a message including the referred balance of the user'"'"'s account to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit.

15. A method for an E-wallet managing server to inform the user of the balance of electronic money in the user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the password, comprising steps of:

receiving a request for informing the user of the balance of electronic money in the user'"'"'s account from the user'"'"'s ARS call wherein the user enters the phone number of his mobile communication unit and his password; and

referring to the balance of the user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the user'"'"'s password; and

announcing a message including the referred balance of the user'"'"'s account on the user'"'"'s ARS call.

16. The method as claimed in

claim 15

wherein said step of receiving the request further comprises a step of sending a message including the referred balance of the user'"'"'s account to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit.

17. A method for an E-wallet managing server to inform the user of the balance of electronic money in the user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the password, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the buyer'"'"'s password, and a request for informing the user of the balance of electronic money in the user'"'"'s account when the user visits the homepage of the E-wallet managing server and enters said data on the web page;

referring to the balance of the user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the user'"'"'s password; and

providing the referred balance of the user'"'"'s account in the web page of the E-wallet managing server.

18. The method as claimed in

claim 17

wherein said step of providing the referred balance further comprises a step of sending a message including the referred balance of the user'"'"'s account to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit.

19. An electronic monetary system comprising:

an ARS server processing the issuance of electronic money, the recharging of an electronic account, the inquiry of the balance of the account, and the money transfer upon the request of an user on the ARS call;

an E-wallet managing server controlling the issuance of electronic money, the recharging of an electronic account, the inquiry of the balance of the account, and the money transfer;

a web server with homepage for interfacing the user for the transactions of said electronic money account on internet; and

a mobile communication unit with a function of electronic wallet, the phone number of which constitutes the electronic account with a corresponding password.

20. The electronic monetary system as claimed in

claim 19

wherein said mobile communication unit comprises:

an encoding/decoding module for processing a data for wireless communication;

a memory module for storing the phone number, the password, the balance of account, and the details of the transaction;

an output module for displaying a data message for transactions of electronic money on wireless network;

an encryption/decryption module for secure data communication on the wireless network; and

a button for selection or a menu for the operation for an electronic wallet.

21. The electronic monetary system as claimed in

claim 20

wherein said data processed by said encoding/decoding module comprises:

a designator stating the electronic wallet;

an OP code changing the status of the mobile communication unit;

an amount record corresponding to said OP code; and

an SMS message in correlation with said OP code.

22. The electronic monetary system as claimed in

claim 20

wherein said data processed by said encoding/decoding module comprises:

a designator stating the electronic wallet;

an OP code corresponding to a specific transaction performed in the mobile communication unit;

an amount record corresponding to said OP code; and

an SMS message in correlation with said OP code.

23. A method for an E-wallet managing server to issue an amount of electronic money to a user, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the password, and the a requested amount of electronic money, which has been sent from the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit having a function of electronic wallet, wherein the data of the requested amount of electronic money is provided by the user on the keypad button or from the menu;

sending a message for approval of the requested transaction to a server of the mobile communication company providing the mobile communication service;

opening a new electronic account with the requested amount of electronic money for the user wherein the corresponding amount of real money will be billed to the user by the mobile communication company; and

sending a message of the completion of the requested transaction with details including the balance of electronic money in the electronic account to the user'"'"'s mobile communication unit.

24. A method for an E-wallet managing server to manage an electronic commerce between a first user and a second user, comprising steps of:

taking the data including the phone number of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, the first user'"'"'s password, the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit, and the requested amount of electronic money to be transferred from the server of the mobile communication company wherein the first user enters the data including the phone number of the second user'"'"'s mobile communication unit and the requested amount of money to be transferred either on the button of the keypad or by menu of the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit having a function of electronic wallet so that the first user'"'"'s mobile communication unit sends the data to the sever of the mobile communication company;

checking the balance of the first user'"'"'s account designated by the phone number of the mobile communication unit;

sending a message for approval of the requested transaction of transferring electronic money between the first user'"'"'s account and the second user'"'"'s account to the server of the mobile communication company providing the mobile communication service; and

sending a message of the completion of the requested transaction with details including the balance of electronic money in the electronic account to the first user'"'"'s and second user'"'"'s mobile communication units.

25. A method for an E-wallet managing server either to issue or to recharge an amount of electronic money to a user, comprising steps of:

taking a request for issuing or recharging said amount of electronic money in the user'"'"'s electronic account designated by the phone number of the mobile communication unit from the user'"'"'s ARS call to the ARS server of the E-wallet managing server wherein the user enters the password and the requested amount of money;

opening or recharging the requested amount of electronic money to the user'"'"'s account; and

sending a message of the completion of the requested transaction with details including the balance of electronic money in the electronic account.