System and method for distributing personal identification numbers over a computer network

• US 6,526,130 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EWI Holdings Inc. (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EWI Holdings Inc. (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Paschini, Miles
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/619,392
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 329/93.12, 329/90.01, 329/93.17, 329/93.25, 329/114.19, 329/114.2, 329/114.15, 329/114.17, 329/144.01, 329/110.01, 705/56, 705/58, 705/72
• US Class Current: 379/93.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/201 automatic recharging with predetermined amount at threshold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/204 on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/12 using calling, telephone credit/debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/22 with automatic recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection the account is recharged automatically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/24 with on-line recharging of an account or card, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

The present invention comprises a system and method for providing a personal identification number (PIN) to a client terminal over a computer network. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a server receives a request for a PIN over a network, the request originating from a user at a client terminal. The request is associated with a requested monetary unit and a requested provider. The server retrieves from a database a PIN associated with the requested monetary unit and requested provider. The server transmits the retrieved PIN to the client terminal over the network, wherein the PIN is transmitted to the client terminal on-demand in response to the customer'"'"'s request.

Claims

1. A method of providing a personal identification number (PIN) to a client terminal, comprising:

receiving a request for a PIN over a network, the request originating from a user at a client terminal, the request associated with a requested monetary unit and a requested provider selected from among a set of available providers;

retrieving from a database a PIN associated with the requested monetary unit and requested provider;

transmitting the retrieved PIN to the client terminal over the network, wherein the PIN is transmitted to the client terminal on-demand in response to the user'"'"'s request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein no inventory of PINs is stored at the client terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for a PIN over a network, and the transmission of the PIN to the client terminal over the network are by secure transmissions.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PIN is used for accessing pre-paid telephone service and the provider is a telephone service provider.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting to the client terminal a plurality of products or services available; and

receiving from a user at the client terminal a selection of one of the available products or services.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting to the client terminal a plurality of provider names for the requested product or service; and

receiving from a user at the client terminal a selection of one of the available provider names.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

transmitting to the client terminal a plurality of monetary denominations available for the requested provider; and

receiving from the client terminal a selection of one of the available monetary denominations.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

transmitting to the client terminal a plurality of regions available for the requested provider; and

receiving from the client terminal a selection of the one of the available regions.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from the client terminal to view rate information; and

transmitting rate information to the client terminal.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting the user at the client terminal to enter payment for the requested PIN.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a user enters payment by one of:

a) inserting cash into a receptacle at the client terminal;

b) entering credit card or debit card or smart card information or swiping a card through a receptacle; and

c) paying cash to an operator associated with the client terminal.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a dealer remits a portion of the payment to an account associated with the server by one of:

a) transferring funds from a dealer'"'"'s account into the account associated with the server by an electronic funds transfer;

b) charging a portion of the payment to a dealer'"'"'s credit account; and

c) charging a portion of the payment to a dealer'"'"'s credit card.

13. The method of claim 1, further including:

printing a receipt for the user, the receipt including the requested PIN number.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the receipt includes instructions for placing a telephone call using the PIN number.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the PIN has an expiration date.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the client terminal is an automated kiosk.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the client terminal uses a touch-screen interface.

18. The method of claim 1, further including a purchase ordering method, comprising:

receiving a plurality of individual purchase orders from the user, each individual purchase order associated with a requested provider, a requested monetary denomination, and a requested number of PINs.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the user of the purchase ordering method receives a wholesale discount.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is operative to transmit to the client terminal a plurality of available provider names for said selected one of said products and services and to receive from the client terminal a selection of one of the available provider names.

20. A system for providing a personal identification number (PIN) to a user, comprising:

a server receiving a request for a PIN over a network, the request originating from a user at a client terminal, the request associated with a requested monetary unit and a requested provider selected from among a set of available providers;

a database located on the server;

wherein the server retrieves from the database a PIN associated with the requested monetary unit and requested provider, and transmits the PIN to the client terminal over the network on-demand in response to the user'"'"'s request.

21. A system for providing personal identification numbers (PINs), comprising:

a server coupled to a network, the server receiving a request for a PIN, the request received over the network originating from a client terminal wherein the request includes a provider selected from among a set of available providers;

a database located on the server, the database containing PINs,

wherein the server retrieves a PIN from the database in response to receiving the request, and transmits the retrieved PIN on-demand to the client terminal in response to said request from said client terminal.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein

the database contains a plurality of PINs for a plurality of providers, and

the user requests a PIN for a specific provider.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein

the database contains a plurality of PINs for a plurality of providers, each PIN associated with a specific monetary value, and

the user requests a PIN for a specific provider of a specific monetary value.

24. The system of claim 21, further including:

a printer located in or near said user terminal, said printer printing out the PIN for the user when received from said server.

25. Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, performing a method for providing a personal identification number (PIN) to a client terminal, comprising:

receiving a request for a PIN over a network, the request originating from a user at a client terminal, the request associated with a requested monetary unit and a requested provider selected from among a set of available providers;

retrieving from a database a PIN associated with the requested monetary unit and requested provider;

transmitting the retrieved PIN to the client terminal over the network, wherein the PIN is transmitted to the client terminal on-demand in response to the user'"'"'s request.

26. A system for providing personal identification numbers (PINs), comprising:

a database containing PINs associated with a plurality of available products and services wherein certain of said products and services are available in a plurality of monetary denominations;

a server in communication with the database, the server receiving a request for a PIN transmitted over a network from a client terminal wherein the request indicates user selection of a selected one of said products and services and a selected one of said plurality of monetary denominations;

wherein the server retrieves a PIN from the database in response to receiving the request, and transmits the retrieved PIN on-demand to the client terminal in response to said request from said client terminal.