SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING PERSON-TO-PERSON FUNDS TRANSFERS VIA WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20080270300A1
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Saunders, Peter D., Beenau, Blayn W., Peart, Lee J., Jones, Jessica U.
• Granted Patent: US 8,688,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/223 based on the use of peer-to-peer networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

A funds-transfer system includes a processor and a memory storing control logic for causing the processor to enable a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via a mobile telephone. The control logic includes program code for causing the processor to receive a payment request transmitted from a mobile telephone of the buyer. The payment request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by the seller, and the payment request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone. The payment request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, and information identifying the financial account held by the buyer. The control logic also includes program code for causing the processor to charge the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer and to transfer the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller. Additionally, the control logic includes program code for causing the processor to provide a payment acknowledgment to the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and to the seller.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to enable a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via mobile telephones, the control logic comprising:

first computer-readable program code for causing the computer to receive a funds-transfer request transmitted from a mobile telephone of the seller,

wherein the funds-transfer request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by the seller,

wherein the funds-transfer request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone, and

wherein the funds-transfer request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, and information identifying the financial account held by the seller;

second computer-readable program code for causing the computer to charge the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer and to transfer the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller; and

third computer-readable program code for causing the computer to provide a payment acknowledgment to the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and to the seller.

2. A computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the information identifying the financial account held by the seller is transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone.

3. A computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the payment acknowledgment is provided to the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

4. A computer program product according to claim 1,

wherein the information identifying the financial account held by the seller includes a telephone number of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone, and

wherein the payment acknowledgment is a text message sent to the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

5. A computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the payment application is uploaded to the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone when the computer receives a request from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

6. A computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the funds-transfer request includes authentication information used to authenticate the seller.

7. A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to enable funds to be transferred between a first party and a second party via mobile devices, the control logic comprising:

first computer-readable program code for causing the computer to receive a request transmitted from a mobile device of the first party,

wherein the request is for a transfer of funds to a financial account held by the first party from a financial account held by the second party,

wherein the request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the first party'"'"'s mobile device, and

wherein the request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, information identifying the financial account of the first party, and information identifying the financial account of the second party;

second computer-readable program code for causing the computer transfer the purchase amount between the financial account held by the first party and the financial account held by the second party; and

third computer-readable program code for causing the computer to provide a payment acknowledgment to the first party'"'"'s mobile device and to a the second party'"'"'s mobile device.

8. A computer program product according to claim 7, wherein the first party'"'"'s mobile device is a mobile telephone or a wireless email device.

9. A computer program product according to claim 7,

wherein the mobile device of the second party is a mobile telephone or a wireless email device, and

wherein the information identifying the financial account of the second party is transmitted from the second party'"'"'s mobile device to the first party'"'"'s mobile device.

10. A computer program product according to claim 7, wherein the first party is a payer and the second party is a payee.

11. A computer program product according to claim 7, wherein the first party is a payee and the second party is a payer.

12. A computer program product according to claim 7, wherein the payment application is uploaded to the first party'"'"'s mobile device when the computer receives a request from the first party'"'"'s mobile device.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to enable a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via mobile telephones, the control logic comprising:

first computer-readable program code for causing the computer to upload a payment application to a mobile telephone of the seller upon an upload request transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the computer,

wherein the uploaded payment application is personalized for the seller in accordance with identification information transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the computer, and

wherein the uploaded payment application is stored in a memory of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone;

second computer-readable program code for causing the computer to receive a funds-transfer request transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone,

wherein the funds-transfer request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by a seller, and

wherein the funds-transfer request is transmitted in accordance with the payment application and identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, a telephone number for a mobile telephone of the buyer and information identifying the financial account held by the seller.

third computer-readable program code for causing the computer to charge the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer and to transfer the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller; and

fourth computer-readable program code for causing the computer to provide a payment acknowledgment to each of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

14. A computer program product according to claim 13, wherein the telephone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone identifies the financial account held by the buyer.

15. A computer program product according to claim 13, wherein the funds-transfer request identifies the financial account held by the buyer.

16. A computer program product according to claim 13, wherein the telephone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone is inputted to the payment application via a wireless transmission.

17. A computer program product according to claim 13, wherein the telephone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone is manually inputted to the payment application using a keypad of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

18. A computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing control logic for causing the processor to enable a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via mobile telephones, wherein the control logic includes:

first computer-readable program code for causing the processor to receive a funds-transfer request transmitted from a mobile telephone of the seller,

wherein the funds-transfer request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by the seller;

wherein the funds-transfer request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone, and

wherein the funds-transfer request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, and information identifying the financial account held by the seller;

second computer-readable program code for causing the processor to charge the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer and to transfer the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller; and

third computer-readable program code for causing the processor to provide a payment acknowledgment to the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and to the seller.

19. A computer system according to claim 18, wherein the information identifying the financial account held by the seller is transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone.

20. A computer system according to claim 19, wherein the payment acknowledgment is provided to the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

21. A computer system according to claim 18,

wherein the information identifying the financial account held by the seller includes a telephone number of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone, and

wherein the payment acknowledgment is a text message sent to the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

22. A computer system according to claim 18, wherein the payment application is uploaded to the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone when the computer system receives a request from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

23. A computer system according to claim 18, wherein the funds-transfer request includes authentication information used to authenticate the seller.

24. A computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing control logic for causing the processor to enable funds to be transferred between a first party and a second party via mobile devices, wherein the control logic includes:

first computer-readable program code for causing the processor to receive a request transmitted from a mobile device of the first party,

wherein the request is for a transfer of funds to a financial account held by the first party from a financial account held by the second party,

wherein the request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the first party'"'"'s mobile device, and

wherein the request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, information identifying the financial account of the first party, and information identifying the financial account of the second party;

second computer-readable program code for causing the processor to transfer the purchase amount between the financial account held by the first party and the financial account held by the second party; and

third computer-readable program code for causing the processor to provide a payment acknowledgment to the first party'"'"'s mobile device and to a communication device of the second party.

25. A computer system according to claim 24, wherein the first party'"'"'s mobile device is a mobile telephone or a wireless email device.

26. A computer system according to claim 24,

wherein the communication device of the second party is a mobile telephone or a wireless email device, and

wherein the information identifying the financial account of the second party is transmitted from the second party'"'"'s communication device to the first party'"'"'s mobile device.

27. A computer system according to claim 24, wherein the first party is a payer and the second party is a payee.

28. A computer system according to claim 24, wherein the first party is a payee and the second party is a payer.

29. A computer system according to claim 24, wherein the payment application is uploaded to the first party'"'"'s mobile device when the computer receives a request from the first party'"'"'s mobile device.

30. A computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing control logic stored therein for causing the processor to enable a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via mobile telephones, wherein the control logic includes:

first computer-readable program code for causing the processor to download a payment application to a mobile telephone of the seller upon a download request transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the computer system,

wherein the downloaded payment application is personalized for the buyer in accordance with identification information transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the computer system, and

wherein the downloaded payment application is stored in a memory of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone;

second computer-readable program code for causing the processor to receive a funds-transfer request transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone,

wherein the funds-transfer request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by the seller, and

wherein the funds-transfer request is transmitted in accordance with the payment application and identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, a telephone number for a mobile telephone of the buyer, and information identifying the financial account held by the seller;

third computer-readable program code for causing the processor to charge the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer and to transfer the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller; and

fourth computer-readable program code for causing the processor to provide a payment acknowledgment to each of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

31. A computer system according to claim 30, wherein the telephone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone identifies the financial account held by the buyer.

32. A computer system according to claim 30, wherein the funds-transfer request identifies the financial account held by the buyer.

33. A computer system according to claim 30, wherein the telephone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone is inputted to the payment application via a wireless transmission.

34. A computer system according to claim 30, wherein the telephone number of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone is manually inputted to the payment application using a keypad of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.

35. A method for a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via mobile telephones, the method comprising:

receiving a funds-transfer request transmitted from a mobile telephone of the seller,

wherein the funds-transfer request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by the seller,

wherein the funds-transfer request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone, and

wherein the funds-transfer request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, and information identifying the financial account held by the seller;

charging the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer;

transferring the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller; and

providing a payment acknowledgment to the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and to the seller.

36. A method for funds to be transferred between a first party and a second party via mobile devices, the method comprising:

receiving a request transmitted from a mobile device of the first party,

wherein the request is for a transfer of funds to a financial account held by the first party from a financial account held by the second party,

wherein the request is transmitted from a payment application stored in the first party'"'"'s mobile device, and

wherein the request identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, information identifying the financial account of the first party, and information identifying the financial account of the second party;

transferring the purchase amount between the financial account held by the first party and the financial account held by the second party; and

providing a payment acknowledgment to the first party'"'"'s mobile device and to the mobile device of the second party.

37. A method for a buyer to transfer funds to a seller via mobile telephones, the method comprising:

uploading a payment application to a mobile telephone of the buyer seller upon an upload request transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the computer,

wherein the uploaded payment application is personalized for the seller in accordance with identification information transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone to the computer, and

wherein the uploaded payment application is stored in a memory of the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone;

receiving a funds-transfer request transmitted from the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone,

wherein the funds-transfer request is for a transfer of funds from a financial account held by the buyer to a financial account held by the seller, and

wherein the funds-transfer request is transmitted in accordance with the payment application and identifies a purchase amount to be transferred, a telephone number for a mobile telephone of the buyer and information identifying the financial account held by the seller;

charging the purchase amount to the financial account held by the buyer;

transferring the purchase amount to a financial account held by the seller; and

providing a payment acknowledgment to each of the buyer'"'"'s mobile telephone and the seller'"'"'s mobile telephone.