Method of and system for making purchaser over a computer network

• US 20070226137A1
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Inventors: King, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 8,775,302 B2
• 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 20/04 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 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A method of and system for making purchases over a computer network using an ATM card or the like is provided. In accordance with the invention, a consumer transmits his ATM card number over the network to an on-line merchant. The on-line merchant then forwards the ATM card number to a third party contractor, such as a bank, that will oversee and authorize the transaction. Simultaneously or thereafter, the consumer transmits his PIN over the network to the third party contractor, who verifies that the ATM card number and PIN are valid.

Claims

1. A method of making purchases over a computer network using a first number that identifies a consumer'"'"'s account from which funds will be withdrawn to pay a purchase price and a second number associated with said first number which, when used with said first number, enables withdrawal of finds from said account, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting said first number over said network from a consumer location to an on-line merchant location;

forwarding said first number over said network from said on-line merchant location to a third party contractor location;

transmitting said second number over said network from said consumer location to said third party contractor location; and

checking at said third party contractor location whether said first and second numbers are valid.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said on-line merchant location is bypassed when said second number is transmitted from said consumer location to said third party contractor location.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said first and second numbers are transmitted over said network via encrypted connections.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said network is the Internet.

5. The method according to claim 1 including the additional step of checking at said third party contractor location whether said account has sufficient funds to cover said purchase price.

6. The method according to claim 1 including the additional step of transmitting a signal from said third party contractor location to said on-line merchant location indicating whether said first and second numbers are valid.

7. The method according to claim 5 including the additional step of transmitting a signal from said third party contractor location to said on-line merchant location indicating whether there are sufficient finds in said account to cover said purchase price.

8. The method according to claim 1 including the additional step of transmitting a signal from said on-line merchant location to said consumer location indicating whether said purchase has been authorized.

9. A system for making purchases over a computer network using a first number that identifies a consumer'"'"'s account from which finds will be withdrawn to pay a purchase price and a second number associated with said first number which, when used with said first number, enables withdrawal of funds from said account, said system comprising:

a first computer at a consumer location, said first computer being connected to said network;

a second computer at an on-line merchant location, said second computer being connected to said network; and

a third computer at a third party contractor location, said third computer being connected to said network;

wherein said first number is transmitted from said first computer to said second computer over said network;

wherein said first number is forwarded from said second computer to said third computer over said network;

wherein said second number is transmitted from said first computer to said third computer over said network;

and wherein said third computer checks whether said first and second numbers are valid.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said first computer bypasses said second computer when transmitting said second number to said third computer.

11. The system according to claim 9 wherein said first and second numbers are transmitted over said network via encrypted connections.

12. The system according to claim 9 wherein said network is the Internet.

13. The system according to claim 9 wherein said third computer checks whether said account has sufficient funds to cover said purchase price.

14. The system according to claim 9 wherein said third computer notifies said second computer whether said first and second numbers are valid.

15. The system according to claim 13 wherein said third computer notifies said second computer whether there are sufficient funds in said account to cover said purchase price.

16. The system according to claim 9 wherein said second computer notifies said first computer whether said purchase is authorized.