Authenticated messaging-based transactions

• US 20050192893A1
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: America Online Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: America Online Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morello, Michael Vincent, White, Billy Gene, Gaitten, Steve, McAllister, Warren Denis, Keeling, John Ernest
• Application Number:
  US10/995,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192893A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0281 Proxies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data

Abstract

Messaging-based transactions may be transmitted by using an intermediary host to receive transaction information from a sender. The sender and the transaction information are authenticated, and the transaction information is packaged as a transaction when the sender and the transaction information are authenticated. A trusted transaction message is generated configured to indicate to a recipient that the trusted transaction message has been authenticated, wherein the trusted transaction message is configured to execute the transaction when a recipient interacts with the transaction in the trusted transaction message. The trusted transaction message is transmitted.

Claims

1. A method of enabling messaging-based transactions, comprising:

accessing, from a trusted source, transaction parameters revealing at least a registrant identity, a transaction amount, and an identity for a creditor of the registrant;

accessing registered payment parameters associated with the registrant, including information related to a financial account designated by the registrant as available for application against payment requests;

generating a message reflecting at least the creditor and the transaction amount;

configuring the message to include a selectable object configured to trigger, upon selection by the registrant, a financial transfer of funds from the financial account to the trusted source in satisfaction of the transaction amount;

configuring the message to reflect a trusted status afforded to the trusted source; and

transmitting the message to the registrant such that the trusted status and selectable object are perceivable to the registrant, and such that the selectable object is accessible for selection by the registrant.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes accessing account information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes accessing a date of a bill.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes a payment due.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes accessing an amount of a bill from the creditor.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes accessing a monthly payment amount due.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes accessing a full balance.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes accessing a screen name, a legal name, an identification number, or a social security number.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes authenticating the trusted source.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the transaction parameters includes authenticating the transaction parameters.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the creditor is the trusted source.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the creditor is an entity other than the trusted source.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing registered payment parameters includes accessing the registered payment parameters prior to delivery of the message.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing registered payment parameters includes accessing information related to a source of funds.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein accessing information related to the source of funds includes accessing account information.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein accessing information related to the source of funds includes accessing credit card information.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein accessing information related to the source of funds includes accessing an electronic wallet.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein generating the message includes generating the message accessible through a messaging application.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein generating the message includes generating the message outside of an Internet web browser.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing transaction parameters includes generating accessing transaction parameters outside of the context in which a debt was incurred.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein configuring the message includes providing an option to enable the registrant to select from among more than one financial account to transfer funds to the creditor.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein configuring the message includes providing an option that enables the registrant to specify a payment amount.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein configuring the message includes providing an option that enables the registrant to specify payment in full.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein configuring the message includes providing an option that enables the registrant to specify payment of a minimum balance.

25. A method for enabling messaging-based transactions, the method comprising:

using an intermediary host to receive financial transaction information from a sender;

packaging the financial transaction information as a transaction when the financial transaction information can be authenticated;

generating a trusted transaction message configured to indicate to a recipient that the trusted transaction message has been authenticated, wherein the trusted transaction message is configured to execute the transaction in response to recipient interaction with the transaction in the trusted transaction message; and

transmitting the trusted transaction message.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein using the intermediary host to receive the financial transaction information from the sender includes receiving a transaction feed related to multiple accounts and multiple events from a transaction host.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein using the intermediary host to receive the financial transaction information from the sender includes receiving an electronic mail message.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein using the intermediary host to receive the financial transaction information from the sender includes receiving a request to transmit a trusted transaction message with the financial transaction information to the recipient.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein authenticating the financial transaction information includes comparing sender information with authoritative information for the sender.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein authenticating the financial transaction information includes determining whether a trusted communications channel provided the financial transaction information.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein authenticating the financial transaction information includes determining whether one or more similar transactions have previously occurred between the sender and the recipient.

32. The method of claim 25 wherein authenticating the financial transaction information includes determining whether a transaction type in the financial transaction information is found in a maintained list of acceptable transaction types.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein determining whether the transaction type is found in the maintained list of acceptable transaction types includes determining whether a scope of the transaction is within the threshold limits established with respect to the maintained list of acceptable transaction types.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein determining whether the transaction type is found in the maintained list of acceptable transaction types includes determining whether an amount of the transaction is within the threshold limits established with respect to the maintained list of acceptable transaction types.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein determining whether the transaction type is found in the maintained list of acceptable transaction types includes determining whether a type of goods or services in the financial transaction information is within the threshold limits established with respect to the maintained list of acceptable transaction types.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein determining whether the transaction type is found in the maintained list of acceptable transaction types includes determining whether a vendor of goods or services in the financial transaction information is within the threshold limits established with respect to the maintained list of acceptable transaction types.

37. The method of claim 25 wherein packaging the financial transaction information as the transaction includes:

retrieving user financial information associated with a user enrolled in a bill payment service,

associating the user financial information with the financial transaction information; and

storing a pending transaction so that the recipient may interact with the trusted transaction message to execute the pending transaction.

38. A computer program product that when executed generates a graphical user interface enabling a user to execute a transaction, the graphical user interface comprising:

an inbox region illustrating a trusted transaction message alongside other messages that are not trusted transaction messages; and

a trusted mail message code segment indicating that the trusted transaction mail message has been authenticated and enabling a recipient to execute a transaction by interacting with the transaction in the trusted transaction mail message.

39. The computer program product of claim 38 further comprising a reminder icon enabling a user to be reminded of the transaction appearing in the trusted transaction message.

40. The computer program product of claim 38 further comprising a calendar icon enabling a user to enter an event for the transaction in a calendaring system.

41. The computer program product of claim 38 further comprising a help icon enabling a user to report fraud.

42. The computer program product of claim 38 further comprising a help icon that to establish a Voice Over Internet Protocol session with a call center.

43. The computer program product of claim 38 further comprising a help icon to request a call back to a telephone from a customer service representative.

44. The computer program product of claim 41 wherein the help icon is configured to generate a help message requesting customer service.

45. The computer program product of claim 41 wherein the help icon is configured to provide customer and transaction information in the help message.

46. The computer program product of claim 41 wherein the help icon is configured to provide the help message to the customer call center.