Verification system for facilitating transactions via communication networks, and associated method

• US 20040122685A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bunce, Daryl
• Application Number:
  US10/325,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• 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 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety

Abstract

A system and related method for use in facilitating transactions in communication networks is provided. The system includes a mobile device configured to send and receive information over a wireless communication network. The mobile device may include a short-range wireless facility. A service provider subsystem may process identity verification requests and otherwise facilitate transactions between a mobile device user and a seller of items or services. Verification and/or facilitation functions may begin with a request from a mobile device to purchase an item or service from a seller. The request may include information identifying a user of the mobile device. Based on this information, the service provider may verify the identity of the user. An indication of this verification may be sent to the mobile device and/or the seller using a network connection. Using similar techniques, other transaction-related functions may be performed, including billing/credit card functions, delivery functions, etc.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating sales transactions using at least one communication network, the system comprising:

a mobile device comprising;

a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive information over a wireless communication network;

a mobile short-range wireless facility configured to send and receive verification request information, the verification request information including information related to a desired transaction;

a merchant subsystem comprising;

a merchant short-range wireless facility configured to receive the verification request information from the mobile device;

a merchant network access facility configured to send the verification request information over the communication network; and

a service provider subsystem comprising;

a customer database containing information associated with one or more users, wherein one of the one or more users is a user of the mobile device; and

a service provider network access facility configured to receive, via the at least one communication network, the verification request information from the merchant subsystem,

a processor configured to process at least one identity verification request based on the received verification request information, wherein the processor is coupled with the customer database and the service provider network access facility, and wherein the at least one identity verification request includes a request for verifying the identity of the user of the mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one identity verification request further includes a request for verifying the identity of the merchant.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one identity verification request further includes a request for verifying credit card or billing information associated with the user of the mobile device.

4. An apparatus for use in a wireless cellular communication network having a transaction system for facilitating transactions with sellers of items or services, the apparatus comprising:

a short range communication facility;

a wireless transceiver for exchanging communications via the wireless cellular communication network; and

at least one processor coupled with the short-range communication facility and the wireless transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured for;

sending a purchase request to a seller subsystem via the short-range communication facility, the purchase request including identification information associated with an identity of a user of the mobile device;

receiving, from the transaction system, verification information for verifying the identity of the user of the mobile device, at least some of the verification information received via the wireless communication network; and

sending to the seller subsystem the verification information via the short-range communication facility.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, from a seller subsystem, information associated with an item or service that is a subject of a transaction.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the short-range communication facility is configured to transmit and receive information via Bluetooth.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the short-range communication facility is configured to transmit and receive information via Home RF.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the short-range communication facility includes a contactless smart card.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the short-range communication facility is configured to transmit and receive information via IrDA.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the short-range communication facility is configured to transmit and receive information via infrared.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the short-range communication facility is configured to transmit and receive information via IEEE 802.11.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the apparatus further includes a cryptography facility coupled to the at least one processor, the cryptography facility configured to digitally sign information prior to sending by the processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the apparatus further includes a locator facility coupled to the at least one processor, the locator facility configured to provide to the transaction system information associated with the location of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the processor is configured to send a request to the transaction system to authorize a transaction-related charge to an account associated with the apparatus.

15. A mobile apparatus for use in a cellular system for facilitating transactions with sellers of items or services, the mobile apparatus comprising:

a wireless transceiver for exchanging communications over the wireless cellular communication network; and

at least one processor coupled with the wireless transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured for;

sending a purchase request for use by a service provider subsystem associated with the mobile apparatus, the purchase request including identification information to be used by the service provider subsystem to verify an identity of a user associated with the mobile apparatus or to directly authorize a transaction associated with the purchase request;

based on the sent request, receiving verification information from the service provider subsystem, wherein the verification information verifies the identity of the user, and wherein the verification information is for use by a seller subsystem to conclude the purchase request.

16. The mobile apparatus of claim 15 further comprising, a display facility, wherein the display facility displays the received verification information to the seller subsystem to conclude the purchase request.

17. The mobile apparatus of claim 15 further comprising, a display facility, wherein the received verification information includes a displayable bar code symbol, and wherein the display subsystem displays the received verification information to the seller subsystem to conclude the purchase request.

18. The mobile apparatus of claim 15 wherein the at least one processor is further configured for receiving, from the seller subsystem, information associated with an item or service that is a subject of the transaction.

19. The mobile apparatus of claim 15 wherein the at least one processor is further configured for sending a transaction charge request to the service provider subsystem, the transaction charge request including an authorization for the service provider subsystem to charge an account of the user associated for an item or service that is a subject of a transaction.

20. The mobile apparatus of claim 15 wherein the at least one processor is further configured for sending a delivery request to the service provider subsystem, the delivery request including an authorization for the service provider subsystem to facilitate delivery of an item.

21. An apparatus for use in a wireless telephone network for facilitating a transaction between a wireless device and a seller of an item or service, the apparatus comprising:

a database storing at least a record associated with the wireless device; and

a server computer coupled to the database and the wireless telephone network, wherein the sever computer is configured to;

receive from a requesting facility a request to verify identity or authorize a commercial transaction, the request including identity information;

verify the received identity information by comparing the identity information with information stored in the database; and

where the identity information is verified, send to the requesting facility an indication that the identity information has been verified.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the requesting facility is a subsystem associated with the seller of an item or service.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the requesting facility is the mobile device.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the identity information includes a digital signature.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the requesting facility is a subsystem associated with the seller, wherein the identity information is associated with a user of the mobile device, and wherein server computer is further configured to send the indication that the identity information has been verified to the mobile device.

26. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the requesting facility is the mobile device, wherein the identity information is associated with the seller, and wherein the server computer is further configured to send the indication that the identity information has been verified to a subsystem associated with the seller.

27. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the requesting facility is the mobile device, wherein the identity information is associated with the mobile device, and wherein server computer is further configured to send the indication that the identity information has been verified to the subsystem associated with the seller.

28. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer includes a cryptography facility, and wherein the server computer is further configured to authenticate a digital signature of a user associated with the mobile device.

29. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer includes a cryptography facility, and wherein the server computer is further configured to authenticate a digital signature of the seller.

30. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to verify an age of a user associated with the mobile device.

31. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to verify an address of a user associated with the mobile device.

32. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to verify a reputation of the seller.

33. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a locator facility, wherein the server computer is further configured to verify a location of the mobile device.

34. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to provide an electronic time stamp, wherein the electronic time stamp provides an indication of a time that a transaction between the seller of an item or service and a user of the mobile device occurred.

35. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer includes a customer billing facility, and wherein the server computer is further configured to bill a user of a mobile device for a purchase of an item or service from the seller of an item or service.

36. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to authorize charges to a third party financial service provider on behalf of a user of the mobile device.

37. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the verified identity information is sent with a digital signature, and wherein the digital signature is associated with the apparatus.

38. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to provide basic wireless communication service for the mobile device.

39. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to receive service registration information from a user of the mobile device, the service registration information including instructions for providing basic wireless communication services and enhanced transaction-related service.

40. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the server computer is further configured to receive and implement transaction parameters from a user of a mobile device, wherein the transaction parameters specify types and frequency of allowable transactions.

41. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the identity information includes an account number associated with the mobile device.

42. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the identity information includes an account number associated with a financial institution.

43. In a wireless cellular communication system, wherein the wireless cellular communication system includes one or more wireless devices and one or more server networks, a method of facilitating a transaction between a user of a mobile wireless device and a seller having a network device, the method comprising:

at the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device, sending a purchase request containing information associated with a transaction, the request including information for identifying the user of the mobile wireless device with respect to the wireless cellular communication system;

at a server facility of the wireless cellular communication system, performing an authorization of the purchase request, wherein the authorization includes verifying an identity of the user of the mobile wireless device and providing an indication of the verification; and

at the seller'"'"'s network device, consummating at least a part of the transaction based on the authorization.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the purchase request is sent from the mobile wireless device to the seller'"'"'s network device and from the seller'"'"'s network device to the server facility of the wireless cellular communication system, and wherein the consummating at least a part of the transaction includes receiving a confirmation from the user.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the purchase request is sent from the mobile wireless device to the server facility of the wireless cellular communication system, and wherein the consummating at least a part of the transaction includes receiving the provided indication from the server facility of the wireless cellular communication system.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the purchase request is sent from the mobile wireless device to the server facility of the wireless cellular communication system, and wherein the consummating at least a part of the transaction includes receiving the provided indication from the mobile wireless device.

47. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause at least one server to perform a method to provide transaction-related services to users of mobile devices and sellers of items or services, the method comprising:

obtaining a request to purchase an item or service from a seller, wherein the request originates from a mobile device and wherein the request includes information identifying a user of the mobile device;

based on the obtained information identifying the user of the mobile device, verifying the identity of the user;

where the identity of the user is verified, generating an indication of the verification; and

sending the generated indication to the mobile device using a network connection.