Lock-and-key consumer billing data protection for telemarketing

• US 20030187788A1
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: World Class Marketing Will Follow
• Inventors: Rothfarb, Neil Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,521,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A “lock-and-key” consumer billing data protection capability is provided to telemarketing systems which are based upon previously-acquired consumer lists. The lists contain only partial billing information for each consumer, which is insufficient to access the consumer'"'"'s account. Thus, at the time a telemarketer employing this capability communicates with a consumer to offer them a product or service, the telemarketer, the seller and any entity hired to perform billing operations for such consumer purchases all remain “locked” out from accessing the consumer'"'"'s account. When the consumer wishes to authorize the purchase of an offered product or service, the consumer must “reach into their wallet” to provide the “key” to their account, which is the missing billing information not acquired from the third-party list provider.

Claims

1. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information;

allowing a sales agent, utilizing the telemarketing system, to access only said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

receiving a first input from said sales agent indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information, stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent;

receiving a second input from said sales agent indicative of a key, wherein said key completes said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records; and

processing an order reflective of said first input and billing for said order using said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, and said key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records is a plurality of digits of a credit card account number belonging to said consumer.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said key is the remaining digits of the entire said credit card account number.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said key includes the ACS code of a credit card.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said partial billing information stored in each of said plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p digits of a credit card account number.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said key is the remaining m digits of said credit card account number, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of digits in said credit card account number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said partial billing information stored in each of said plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

9. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information;

allowing a sales agent, utilizing the telemarketing system, to access only said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

receiving a key, from said sales agent, indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information, stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent, and wherein said key completes said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records; and

processing an order for said product or service and billing for said order using said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, and said key.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said key includes the ACS code of a credit card.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said partial billing information stored in each of said plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

13. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system that stores a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a first input indicative that a consumer corresponding to the consumer identification information stored in one of the plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase an offered product or service;

receiving a second input indicative of a key, wherein said key completes the partial billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records; and

processing an order reflective of said first input and billing for said order using the partial billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records, and said key.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of allowing a sales agent utilizing the telemarketing system to access only the consumer identification information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the partial billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records is a plurality of digits of a credit card account number belonging to said consumer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said key is the remaining digits of the entire said credit card account number.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein said key includes the ACS code of a credit card.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the partial billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p digits of a credit card account number.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said key is the remaining m digits of said credit card account number, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of digits in said credit card account number.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the partial billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

22. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system that stores a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a key, indicative that a consumer corresponding to the consumer identification information stored in one of the plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase an offered product or service, and wherein said key completes the partial billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records; and

processing an order for said product or service and billing for said order using the partial billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records, and said key.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of allowing a sales agent utilizing the telemarketing system to access only the consumer identification information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said key includes the ACS code of a credit card.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the partial billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

27. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system that stores a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and billing information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a first input indicative that a consumer corresponding to the consumer identification information stored in one of the plurality of consumer records has accepted an offer to purchase a product or service;

receiving a second input indicative of a key, wherein said key corresponds to a portion of said billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records and reflects authorization by said consumer for the purchase; and

executing an order reflective of said first input and billing for said order using the billing information, stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of m+p alphanumeric characters that constitute the billing information of said consumer.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said key is m alphanumeric characters of the m+p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters that represent a portion of the m+p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

32. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system that stores a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and billing information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a key, indicative that a consumer corresponding to the consumer identification information stored in one of the plurality of consumer records has accepted an offer to purchase a product or service, and wherein said key corresponds to a portion of said billing information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records and reflects authorization by said consumer for the purchase; and

executing an order for said product or service and billing for said order using the billing information, stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of m+p alphanumeric characters that constitute the billing information of said consumer.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said key is m alphanumeric characters of the m+p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the billing information stored in each of the plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters that represent a portion of the m+p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

37. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information;

allowing a sales agent, utilizing the telemarketing system, to access said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

receiving a first input from said sales agent indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information, stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent;

receiving a second input from said sales agent indicative of a key that completes previously-obtained, partial billing information; and

processing an order reflective of said first input and billing for said order using said key.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said key is a predetermined set of p digits of a credit card account number belonging to said consumer, wherein said sales agent has no access to a remaining m digits of said credit card account number, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of digits in said credit card account number.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said key is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, wherein said sales agent has no access to a remaining m digits of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

40. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information;

allowing a sales agent, utilizing the telemarketing system, to access said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

receiving a key, from said sales agent, indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information, stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent, and wherein said key completes previously-obtained, partial billing information; and

processing an order reflective of said product or service and billing for said order using said key.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said key is a predetermined set of p digits of a credit card account number belonging to said consumer, wherein said sales agent has no access to a remaining m digits of said credit card account number, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of digits in said credit card account number.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said key is a predetermined set of p alpha-numeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, wherein said sales agent has no access to a remaining m digits of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alpha-numeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

43. A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in a telemarketing system, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information;

allowing a sales agent, utilizing the telemarketing system, to access said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

receiving a key, from said sales agent, indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information, stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent, and wherein said key matches a portion of previously-obtained, billing information; and

processing an order reflective of said product or service and billing for said order using said key.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said key is a predetermined set of p digits of a credit card account number belonging to said consumer, wherein said sales agent has no access to a remaining m digits of said credit card account number, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of digits in said credit card account number.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein said key is a predetermined set of p alpha-numeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, wherein said sales agent has no access to a remaining m digits of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alpha-numeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the previously-obtained, billing information is encrypted, and wherein said key is used to decrypt the previously-obtained, billing information.

47. A telemarketing system having consumer billing data protection capability, comprising:

storage means for storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information;

means for allowing a sales agent to access only said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

means for receiving a first input from said sales agent indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent;

means for receiving a second input from said sales agent indicative of a key, wherein said key completes said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records; and

means for processing an order reflective of said first input and billing for said order using said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, and said key.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records is a plurality of digits of a credit card account number belonging to said consumer.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein said key is the remaining digits of the entire said credit card account number.

50. The system of claim 47 wherein said key includes the ACS code of a credit card.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein said partial billing information stored in each of said plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p digits of a credit card account number.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said key is the remaining m digits of said credit card account number, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of digits in said credit card account number.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein said partial billing information stored in each of said plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.

55. A telemarketing system having consumer billing data protection capability, comprising:

storage means for storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information;

means for allowing a sales agent to access only said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;

means for receiving a key from said sales agent indicative that a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records desires to purchase a product or service offered by said sales agent, wherein said key completes said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records; and

means for processing an order for said product or service and billing for said order using said partial billing information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, and said key.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein said key includes the ACS code of a credit card.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein said partial billing information stored in each of said plurality of consumer records is a predetermined set of p alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein said key is the remaining m alphanumeric characters of the billing information of said consumer, and wherein m+p is equal to the total number of alphanumeric characters in the billing information of said consumer.