METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VALIDATING ONLINE TRANSACTIONS USING LOCATION INFORMATION

• US 20100174649A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: Bouchard, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 10,482,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• 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 20/40 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 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0254 based on statistics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Abstract

A method comprising: obtaining a service point location, the service point location being associated with a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction; obtaining at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of the comparing. Also provided is an apparatus for implementing this method.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining a service point location, the service point location being associated with a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction;

obtaining at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment;

comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of said comparing.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein obtaining the service point location comprises consulting a database on a basis of the logical identifier.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises receiving a message conveying the at least one authorized transaction point location.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises generating and transmitting a message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein obtaining the service point location comprises receiving a message conveying the service point location.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises consulting a database on a basis of the transaction object information.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises validating the online transaction.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a first manner.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address.

17. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

18. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address.

19. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

20. An apparatus comprising:

an interface for receiving messages; and

a processing unit coupled to said interface, said processing unit being responsive to receipt of a message at said interface for;

obtaining a service point location, the service point location being associated with a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction;

obtaining at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment;

comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of said comparing.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein obtaining the service point location comprises consulting a database on a basis of the logical identifier.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the message conveys the at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises processing the message to obtain the at least one authorized transaction point location.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises generating and transmitting via said interface a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the message conveys the service point location, and wherein obtaining the service point location comprises processing the message to obtain the service point location.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises consulting a database on a basis of the transaction object information.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises validating the online transaction.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a first manner.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card.

31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card.

32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check.

33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account.

35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address.

36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address.

38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

39. A computer-readable medium storing a program element for execution by a computer, said program element comprising:

first program code for causing the computer to obtain a service point location, the service point location being associated with a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction;

second program code for causing the computer to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment;

third program code for causing the computer to perform a comparison of the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

fourth program code for causing the computer to perfaun an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of the comparison.

40. A method comprising:

receiving a message conveying a logical identifier;

consulting a database to obtain a service point location that is associated with the logical identifier; and

using the service point location to perform an action related to validation of an online transaction attempted to be made using end-user equipment to which the logical identifier is assigned.

41. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the message is a first message and further conveys at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises:

comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

generating and transmitting a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

42. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises generating and transmitting a second message conveying the service point location.

43. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using payment card information regarding a payment card, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a card issuing entity that issued the payment card.

44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card.

45. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card.

46. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using electronic check information regarding an electronic check, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the electronic check.

47. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using digital cash infoitnation regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the set of at least one digital cash certificate.

48. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the online transaction is an online fund transfer involving an account, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that manages the account.

49. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address.

50. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

51. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address.

52. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

53. An apparatus comprising:

an interface for receiving a message conveying a logical identifier; and

a processing unit coupled to said interface, said processing unit being operative for;

consulting a database to obtain a service point location that is associated with the logical identifier; and

using the service point location to perform an action related to validation of an online transaction attempted to be made using end-user equipment to which the logical identifier is assigned.

54. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the message is a first message and further conveys at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises:

comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

generating and transmitting via said interface a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

55. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises generating and transmitting via said interface a second message conveying the service point location.

56. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using payment card information regarding a payment card, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a card issuing entity that issued the payment card.

57. An apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card.

58. An apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card.

59. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using electronic check information regarding an electronic check, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the electronic check.

60. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the set of at least one digital cash certificate.

61. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the online transaction is an online fund transfer involving an account, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that manages the account.

62. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address.

63. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

64. An apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address.

65. An apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

66. A computer-readable medium storing a program element for execution by a computer, said program element comprising:

first program code for causing the computer to receive a message conveying a logical identifier;

second program code for causing the computer to consult a database to obtain a service point location that is associated with the logical identifier; and

third program code for causing the computer to use the service point location to perform an action related to validation of an online transaction attempted to be made using end-user equipment to which the logical identifier is assigned.

67. A method comprising:

receiving a message conveying;

a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction; and

transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment;

consulting a database to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location associated with the transaction object information; and

verifying whether one of the at least one authorized transaction point location corresponds to a service point location associated with the logical identifier.

68. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises:

transmitting a second message to request the service point location, the second message conveying the logical identifier;

receiving a third message conveying the service point location; and

comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

69. A method as claimed in claim 68, comprising handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

70. A method as claimed in claim 69, comprising handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

71. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises:

transmitting a second message conveying the logical identifier and the at least one authorized transaction point location;

receiving a third message transmitted in response to the second message and indicating whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

determining whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location based on the third message.

72. A method as claimed in claim 71, comprising handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

73. A method as claimed in claim 72, comprising handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

74. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card.

75. A method as claimed in claim 74, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card.

76. A method as claimed in claim 74, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card.

77. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check.

78. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate.

79. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account.

80. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address.

81. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

82. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address.

83. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

84. An apparatus comprising:

an interface for receiving a message conveying;

a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction; and

transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; and

a processing unit coupled to said interface, said processing unit being operative for;

consulting a database to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location associated with the transaction object information; and

verifying whether one of the at least one authorized transaction point location corresponds to a service point location associated with the logical identifier.

85. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises:

transmitting via said interface a second message to request the service point location, the second message conveying the logical identifier, said interface being adapted for receiving a third message conveying the service point location; and

comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

86. An apparatus as claimed in claim 85, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

87. An apparatus as claimed in claim 86, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

88. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises:

transmitting via said interface a second message conveying the logical identifier and the at least one authorized transaction point location, said interface being adapted for receiving a third message transmitted in response to the second message and indicating whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and

determining whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location based on the third message.

89. An apparatus as claimed in claim 88, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

90. An apparatus as claimed in claim 89, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location.

91. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card.

92. An apparatus as claimed in claim 91, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card.

93. An apparatus as claimed in claim 91, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card.

94. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check.

95. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate.

96. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account.

97. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address.

98. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

99. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address.

100. An apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

101. A computer-readable medium storing a program element for execution by a computer, said program element comprising:

first program code for causing the computer to receive a message conveying;

a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction; and

transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment;

second program code for causing the computer to consult a database to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location associated with the transaction object information; and

third program code for causing the computer to verify whether one of the at least one authorized transaction point location corresponds to a service point location associated with the logical identifier.

102. A payment card comprising at least one card element conveying payment card information, the payment card information being associated with at least one authorized transaction point, the payment card information being usable to make online transactions at each of the at least one authorized transaction point and unusable to make online transactions at points other than the at least one authorized transaction point.

103. A payment card as claimed in claim 102, wherein the payment card information is usable to make card-present transactions.

104. A payment card as claimed in claim 102, wherein the payment card is a credit card and the payment card information is credit card information.

105. A payment card as claimed in claim 102, wherein the payment card is a debit card and the payment card information is debit card information.

106. A payment card as claimed in claim 102, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point has a location that is expressed as a civic address.

107. A payment card as claimed in claim 102, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point has a location that is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.

108. A payment card as claimed in claim 102, wherein each of the at least one card element is a set of characters, a magnetic stripe, or a chip.

109. A computer-readable medium storing information regarding a virtual transaction object, the information regarding the virtual transaction object being associated with at least one authorized transaction point, the information regarding the virtual transaction object being usable to make online transactions at each of the at least one authorized transaction point and unusable to make online transactions at points other than the at least one authorized transaction point.

110. A computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 109, wherein the virtual transaction object is an electronic check and the information regarding the virtual transaction object is electronic check information.

111. A computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 109, wherein the virtual transaction object is a set of at least one digital cash certificate and the information regarding the virtual transaction object is digital cash information.

112. A computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 109, wherein the virtual transaction object is an account and the information regarding the virtual transaction object is account information.

113. A computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 109, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point has a location that is expressed as a civic address.

114. A computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 109, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point has a location that is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates.