Convergent communications system and method with a rule set for authorizing, debiting, settling and recharging a mobile commerce account

• US 20030026404A1
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Goparaju, Murali, Kumar, Sundaram Mohan, Heitstuman, Michel, Subhashree, Radhakrishnan, Joyce, Simon James
• Granted Patent: US 7,248,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/144.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• 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 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• 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 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 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13134 : Coin boxes, payphone, prepaid
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 : Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13372 : Intercepting operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud

Abstract

A convergent communications system and method employing a rule set, having several functions, including determining, for an authorized user, at least one rule applicable at that time for authorizing a transaction and debiting an account of the authorized user, applying the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction, debiting the account, according to the at least one rule for debiting an account, in real time if the transaction is authorized and settling the real time debit to a plurality of transaction providers in accordance with at least one settlement rule. The system and method can also include determining that the authorized user does not have sufficient value in an authorized user account to debit for the transaction and recharging the authorized user account after completing a recharge routine having several functions including determining a recharge user account to transfer funds from and authorizing the transfer by at least one of referring to a pre-authorized transfer and requesting authorization from the authorized user. The system and method can also include where the transaction is requested and a connection to the plurality of transaction providers is across heterogeneous networks.

Claims

1. A convergent communications method employing a rule set, comprising:

determining, for an authorized user, at least one rule applicable at that time for authorizing a transaction and debiting an account of the authorized user;

applying the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction;

debiting the account, according to the at least one rule for debiting an account, in real time if the transaction is authorized; and

settling the real time debit to a plurality of transaction providers in accordance with at least one settlement rule.

2. The convergent communications method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the authorized user does not have sufficient value in an authorized user account to debit for the transaction; and

recharging the authorized user account after completing a recharge routine comprising

determining a recharge user account to transfer funds from, and

authorizing the transfer by at least one of referring to a pre-authorized transfer and requesting authorization from the authorized user.

3. The convergent communications method of claim 2, wherein the recharging is performed utilizing a plurality of recharge user accounts.

4. The convergent communications method of claim 2, wherein the requesting authorization from the authorized user is at least one of requesting a user PIN, requesting manual entry, requesting a user pass phrase and confirming user identity through biometric means.

5. The convergent communications method of claim 1, wherein the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

6. The convergent communications method of claim 1, wherein the applying is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for authorizing the transaction, the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

7. The convergent communications method of claim 1, wherein the settlement occurs at least one of immediately, after 3 days, at the end of a calendar month, at regularly spaced intervals and as a series of partial payments.

8. The convergent communications method of claim 1, wherein the applying the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction includes authorizing the transaction using at least one of a PIN, manual entry, a user pass phrase and confirming user identity through biometric means.

9. The convergent communications method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one rule applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm which contains the timing of the transaction authorization request as a function in the algorithm.

10. The convergent communications method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using inputs from sources of data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request.

11. The convergent communications method of claim 10, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

12. The convergent communications method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request and a content of such historical data available is constantly changing.

13. The convergent communications method of claim 12, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

14. The convergent communications method of claim 1, wherein the transaction is requested and a connection to the plurality of transaction providers is across heterogeneous networks.

15. The convergent communications method of claim 1, wherein the debiting is at least one of checking that a membership is current, reducing or increasing a number of frequent flyer miles, increasing or decreasing a merchandizing credit and recording an agreement.

16. A user input device for accessing an account in a convergent communications system, comprising:

a transmitter that transmits to the convergent communications system for accessing an authorized user account and requesting a transaction from an account manager, wherein the account manager comprises

a determiner that determines, for an authorized user, at least one rule applicable at that time for authorizing a transaction and debiting an account,

a processor that applies the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction,

a debiter that debits the account, according to the at least one rule for debiting an account, in real time if the transaction is authorized, and

a settler that settles the real time debit to a plurality of transaction providers in accordance with at least one settlement rule; and

a receiver that receives at least one of a confirmation from the account manager of accessing the authorized user account, a confirmation of authorized user account debiting and a notification of settlement.

17. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the account manager further comprises:

a determiner that determines the authorized user does not have sufficient value in an authorized user account to debit for the transaction; and

a recharger that recharges the authorized user account after completing a recharge routine comprising

determining a recharge user account to transfer funds from, and

authorizing the transfer by at least one of referring to a pre-authorized transfer and requesting authorization from the authorized user.

18. The user input device of claim 17, wherein the recharging is performed utilizing a plurality of recharge user accounts.

19. The user input device of claim 17, wherein the requesting authorization from the authorized user is at least one of requesting a PIN, requesting manual entry, requesting a pass phrase and confirming identity through biometric means.

20. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

21. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the applying is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for authorizing the transaction, the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

22. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the settlement occurs at least one of immediately, after 3 days, at the end of a calendar month, at regularly spaced intervals and as a series of partial payments.

23. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the applying the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction includes authorizing the transaction using at least one of a PIN, manual entry, a user pass phrase and confirming user identity through biometric means.

24. The user input device of claim 16, further comprising determining at least one rule applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm which contains the timing of the transaction authorization request as a function in the algorithm.

25. The user input device of claim 16, further comprising determining at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request.

26. The user input device of claim 25, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

27. The user input device of claim 16, further comprising determining at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request and a content of such historical data available is constantly changing.

28. The user input device of claim 27, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

29. The user input device of claim 27, wherein the user input device is at least one of a computer, a telephone, a cellular telephone, a computer, a point of service device and an MP3 player.

30. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the transaction is requested and a connection to the plurality of transaction providers is across heterogeneous networks.

31. The user input device of claim 16, wherein the debiter debits by at least one of checking that a membership is current, reducing or increasing a number of frequent flyer miles, increasing or decreasing a merchandizing credit and recording an agreement.

32. A convergent communications system employing a rule set, comprising:

a determiner that determines, for an authorized user, at least one rule, applicable at that time for authorizing a transaction and debiting an account of the authorized user;

a processor that applies the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction;

a debiter that debits the account, according to the at least one rule for debiting an account, in real time if the transaction is authorized; and

a settler that settles the real time debit to a plurality of transaction providers in accordance with at least one settlement rule.

33. The convergent communications system of claim 32, further comprising:

a determiner that determines the authorized user does not have sufficient value in an authorized user account to debit for the transaction; and

a recharger that recharges the authorized user account after completing a recharge routine comprising

determining a recharge user account to transfer funds from, and

authorizing the transfer by at least one of referring to a pre-authorized transfer and requesting authorization from the authorized user.

34. The convergent communications system of claim 33, wherein the recharging is performed utilizing a plurality of recharge user accounts.

35. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the requesting authorization from the authorized user is at least one of requesting a PIN, requesting manual entry, requesting a pass phrase and confirming identity through biometric means.

36. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

37. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the applying is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for authorizing the transaction, the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

38. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the settlement occurs at least one of immediately, after 3 days, at the end of a calendar month, at regularly spaced intervals and as a series of partial payments.

39. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the applying the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction includes authorizing the transaction using at least one of a PIN, manual entry, a user pass phrase and confirming user identity through biometric means.

40. The convergent communications system of claim 32, further comprising determining at least one rule applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm which contains the timing of the transaction authorization request as a function in the algorithm.

41. The convergent communications system of claim 32, further comprising determining at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request.

42. The convergent communications system of claim 41, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

43. The convergent communications system of claim 32, further comprising determining at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request and a content of such historical data available is constantly changing.

44. The convergent communications system of claim 43, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

45. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the transaction is requested and a connection to the plurality of transaction providers is across heterogeneous networks.

46. The convergent communications system of claim 32, wherein the debiter debits by at least one of checking that a membership is current, reducing or increasing a number of frequent flyer miles, increasing or decreasing a merchandizing credit and recording an agreement.

47. A convergent communications system employing a rule set, comprising:

a determiner that determines in real time a plurality of rules for authorizing, debiting and settling a transaction at a current time;

an authorizer that authorizes the transaction if a current status of an authorized user'"'"'s account or the authorized user meets the plurality of rules for authorizing the transaction at the current time;

a debiter that debits the authorized user'"'"'s account in real time and credits at least one transaction provider account; and

a settler that settles the transaction according to the at least one rule for settling the transaction.

48. The convergent communications system of claim 47, further comprising:

a second determiner that determines the authorized user does not have sufficient value in an authorized user account to debit for the transaction; and

a recharger that recharges the authorized user account after completing a recharge routine comprising

determining a recharge user account to transfer funds from, and

authorizing the transfer by at least one of referring to a pre-authorized transfer and requesting authorization from the authorized user.

49. The convergent communications system of claim 48, wherein the recharging is performed utilizing a plurality of recharge user accounts.

50. The convergent communications system of claim 48, wherein the requesting authorization from the authorized user is at least one of requesting a PIN, requesting manual entry, requesting a pass phrase and confirming identity through biometric means.

51. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the debiting is performed utilizing a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settling is performed utilizing a plurality of settlement rules.

52. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the authorizer utilizes a plurality of rules for authorizing the transaction, the debitor utilizes a plurality of rules for debiting an account and the settler utilizes a plurality of settlement rules.

53. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the settlement occurs at least one of immediately, after 3 days, at the end of a calendar month, at regularly spaced intervals and as a series of partial payments.

54. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the applying the at least one rule for authorizing the transaction includes authorizing the transaction using at least one of a PIN, manual entry, a user pass phrase and confirming user identity through biometric means.

55. The convergent communications system of claim 47, further comprising determining at least one rule applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm which contains the timing of the transaction authorization request as a function in the algorithm.

56. The convergent communications system of claim 47, further comprising a determiner that determines at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request.

57. The convergent communications system of claim 56, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

58. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the determiner that determines at least one rule, applied in real time at the time of a transaction authorization request according to an algorithm using data relating to historical events, which are considered to have relevance to the transaction authorization request and a content of such historical data available is constantly changing.

59. The convergent communications system of claim 58, wherein the historical events are an authorized user'"'"'s previous purchases or actual outcomes of historical risk assessments.

60. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the transaction is requested and a connection to the plurality of transaction providers is across heterogeneous networks.

61. The convergent communications system of claim 47, wherein the debiter debits by at least one of checking that a membership is current, reducing or increasing a number of frequent flyer miles, increasing or decreasing a merchandizing credit and recording an agreement.