System for facilitating the ordering and paying of services by means of a communication network
First Claim
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1. Apparatus comprising:
- a facilitating unit for enabling services by providing communication routes among a user terminal, a service unit and a support unit, the facilitating unit comprising;
a voice response system;
a communication server connected to the voice response system by both a control link and a data link, the voice response system being configured for receiving a service request and passing the service request to the communication server via the control link; and
the communication server being configured for establishing, in response to the service request, a communication route from the voice response system, via the data link and the communication server, to the support unit; and
the support unit comprising a security module for receiving payments from a debit card associated with the user terminal, wherein the support unit is coupled to the communication server through a communication link and the facilitating unit is connected, via a communication network, to both the terminal and the service unit.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a system (1) for electronic orders and payments by means of a communication network (6), such as a telephone network. A facilitating unit (2) comprising a voice response system (21) and a communication server (22) makes it possible, with the aid of simple subscriber equipment (8, 10) and a smart card (9), to order services and to effect electronic payments. The facilitating unit (2) is designed so as to be readily scalable and expandable. Preferably, it is also possible to revalue a smart card (9) by way of the system (1) of the invention.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a facilitating unit for enabling services by providing communication routes among a user terminal, a service unit and a support unit, the facilitating unit comprising; a voice response system; a communication server connected to the voice response system by both a control link and a data link, the voice response system being configured for receiving a service request and passing the service request to the communication server via the control link; and the communication server being configured for establishing, in response to the service request, a communication route from the voice response system, via the data link and the communication server, to the support unit; and the support unit comprising a security module for receiving payments from a debit card associated with the user terminal, wherein the support unit is coupled to the communication server through a communication link and the facilitating unit is connected, via a communication network, to both the terminal and the service unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for providing electronic financial services comprising:
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a communication network; a support unit; a payment device; a terminal coupled to both the communication network and the payment device, the terminal comprising an interface device that exchanges information with said payment device; a service unit coupled to the communication network; and a facilitating unit coupled to both the communication network and the support unit, wherein the facilitating unit comprises a voice response system and a communication server, the voice response system being connected to the communication server by both a control link and a data link, the voice response system being arranged for receiving a service request and transferring, via the control link, the request to the communication server, the communication server being arranged for establishing, in response to the service request, a communication route from the voice response system, via the data link and the communication server, to the support unit; wherein; the support unit comprises a security module for receiving payment from a debit card as the payment device and associated with the user terminal; the support unit is coupled to the communication server through the communication link; and the facilitating unit is capable of being connected, via the communication network, to both the terminal and the service unit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for providing communication routes among a user terminal, a service unit and a support unit and for enabling a financial transaction to occur between the user terminal and the support unit, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a service request and passing, via a control link, the service request to a communication server; establishing, in response to the service request, a communication route from a voice response system, via a data link and the communication server, to the support unit; and receiving a payment from a debit card associated with the user terminal at a security module associated with said support unit, the support unit being coupled to the communication server through a communication line.
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Specification