Transferring Funds Electronically

• US 20100017285A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boku Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vidicom Limited
• Inventors: SMITH, Glyn Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.360
• 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 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/42 Confirmation, e.g. check or permission by the legal debtor of payment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/105 Financial transactions and auctions, e.g. bidding auctioneering devices in packet switching networks H04L12/1804
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods to transfer funds electronically via premium messages. In one aspect, an apparatus to electronically transfer funds from a customer to a supplier includes: a server component connected to a network; and a database component coupled to the server component. The server is configured to transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile cellular telephone to effect a payment from the customer to the supplier after the customer has placed an order with the supplier. The server component is configured to populate the database component with an identification of the customer telephone number. The server component is configured to prompt the customer to supply additional personal data. In response to the additional personal data, the server component populates the database component with the additional personal data.

Claims

1. An apparatus to electronically transfer funds from a customer to a supplier, the customer having a mobile cellular telephone with a telephone number, a mobile cellular operator providing mobile cellular services to the mobile cellular telephone, a customer browser component connected to a network, a supplier browser component connected to the network, the apparatus comprising:

a server component connected to the network; and

a database component coupled to the server component, wherein the server is configured to;

transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile cellular telephone to effect a payment from the customer to the supplier after the customer has placed an order with the supplier;

populate the database component with an identification of the telephone number of the customer;

prompt the customer to supply additional personal data; and

populate the database component with the additional personal data in response to the additional personal data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to transmit the plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages spread over a number of days.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the customer is prompted to supply further information about the customer via the customer browser component.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein after the customer supplies information about the customer to become a registered customer, the server component is to apply a discount to a purchase made by the registered customer prior to transmitting the premium rate mobile terminating text messages.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the server component is configured to provide to the supplier browser information derived from the additional data received from the customer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the server component is configured to use the database component to store the additional data received from the customer.

7. A method to transfer funds electronically, the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages from a server to a mobile cellular telephone having a telephone number to effect payment from a customer to a supplier after the customer has placed an order with the supplier via a network connected browser;

populating a database at the server with an identification of the telephone number;

prompting the customer to supply additional personal data; and

in response to the additional personal data, populating the database with the additional personal data.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising scheduling transmission of the premium rate mobile terminating text messages to avoid exceeding a pre-established maximum daily limit.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising prompting the customer to supply further information about the customer via the browser.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising identifying the customer as a registered customer after receiving the information about the customer and applying a discount to purchases made by the registered customer prior to the transmitting of the premium rate mobile terminating text messages.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising supplying to the supplier information derived from the additional personal data received from the customer.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing the additional personal data within the database.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions, the instructions causing a computer to perform a method, the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to a mobile cellular telephone having a customer telephone number to effect payment from a customer to a supplier after the customer has placed an order with the supplier via a network connected browser;

populating a database with an identification of the customer telephone number;

prompting the customer to supply additional personal data; and

in response to the additional personal data, populating the database with the additional personal data.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises scheduling transmission of the premium rate mobile terminating text messages to avoid exceeding a pre-established maximum daily limit.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises prompting the customer to supply further information about the customer via the browser.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises identifying the customer as a registered customer after receiving the information about the customer and applying a discount to purchases made by the registered customer prior to the transmitting of the premium rate mobile terminating text messages.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises providing to the supplier information derived from the additional personal data received from the customer.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises storing the additional personal data within the database.