Transaction processing platform for faciliating electronic distribution of plural prepaid services

• US 7,280,644 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EWI Holdings Inc. (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EWI Holdings Inc. (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Paschini, Miles, Rose, Marshall, Hazel, Patrick K., Herbinaux, Larry, Tamari, Roni Dolev, New, Darren
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US11/007,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20060120519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 37911415-11416, 37911418-1142, 379/114.26, 379 9302- 9304, 379/93.22, 379/144.01, 37914406-14408, 713/184, 705/27
• US Class Current: 379/114.16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• 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 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• 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 2017/2593 : code management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 : Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• 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: H04M 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A transaction processing platform capable of facilitating the distribution to consumers of various types of prepaid products is disclosed. The transaction processing platform is configured to interface with one or more providers of such prepaid products in order to facilitate the procurement or activation of the products. The platform includes a conduit interface through which service request messages are received and respectively utilized to generate transaction requests for corresponding types of prepaid services. A supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, is configured to route a first of the transaction requests through a first supply interface associated with a first type of prepaid service. The supply interface arrangement also routes a second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with a second type of prepaid service. The platform is also configured to provide supplier response information received through the supply interfaces to the conduit interface.

Claims

1. A method for processing transactions involving prepaid services, the method comprising:

generating, in response to a first service request message received through a conduit interface, a first transaction request for a first type of prepaid service;

generating, in response to a second service request message received through the conduit interface, a second transaction request for a second type of prepaid service;

routing the first transaction request to a first supply interface associated with the first type of prepaid service;

routing the second transaction request to a second supply interface associated with the second type of prepaid service; and

providing, based upon supplier activation information received through the first supply interface, a first service activation response to the conduit interface.

2. The method of claim 1 further including receiving personal identification number (PIN) information through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request.

3. The method of claim 2 further including forwarding the PIN information to the conduit interface.

4. The method of claim 1 further including:

generating, in response to a third service request message received through the conduit interface, a third transaction request for the first type of prepaid service;

routing the third transaction request to the first supply interface wherein the first type of prepaid service requires point-of-sale activation.

5. The method of claim 4 further including:

receiving, through the first supply interface, additional supplier activation information in response to the third transaction request; and

providing an additional service activation response to the conduit interface.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first service request message is encoded consistent with a first format associated with the first type of prepaid service and wherein the second service request message is encoded consistent with a second format associated with the second type of prepaid service.

7. The method of claim 2 further including retrieving, based upon the second transaction request, the PIN information from a local PIN database connected to a local area network.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the PIN database includes records relating to PINs associated with a plurality of prepaid service suppliers.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the records associated with at least one of the plurality of prepaid service suppliers pertain to multiple different amounts of prepaid services.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least the first service request message includes information identifying a card type and wherein the generating the first transaction request includes determining a product type associated with the card type.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the product type is selected from the set consisting of personal identification number and point-of-sale activation.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the generating the first transaction request further includes determining region identification information based upon the card type.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the generating the first transaction request further includes determining carrier identification information based upon the region identification information wherein the carrier identification information is utilized in identifying the first supply interface.

14. The method of claim 2 further including retrieving, based upon the second transaction request, the PIN information from a remote PIN database operatively coupled to a wide area network.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the remote PIN database includes records relating to PINs associated with a plurality of prepaid service suppliers.

16. A platform for processing prepaid service transactions, the platform comprising:

a conduit interface through which a first service request message and a second service request message are received and respectively utilized to generate a first transaction request for a first type of prepaid service and a second transaction request for a second type of prepaid service; and

a supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, configured to route the first transaction request through a first supply interface associated with the first type of prepaid service and to route the second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with the second type of prepaid service wherein supplier response information received through the first supply interface and the second supply interface is provided to the conduit interface.

17. The platform of claim 16 wherein the supplier response information received through the second supply interface comprises a personal identification number (PIN) retrieved from a local PIN database in communication with the platform through a local area network.

18. The platform of claim 16 wherein the supplier response information received through the second supply interface comprises a personal identification number (PIN) retrieved from a remote PIN database disposed in a location remote from the platform.

19. The platform of claim 16 wherein the first supplier interface includes a first request queue into which the first transaction request is placed.

20. The platform of claim 19 wherein a local PIN database is accessible through the second supply interface via a local area network.

21. The platform of claim 19 wherein a remote PIN database is accessible through the second supply interface via a wide area network.

22. The platform of claim 21 wherein the remote PIN database includes records associated with a plurality of suppliers.

23. The platform of claim 19 wherein the supplier response information received through the first supply interface comprises prepaid service activation information.

24. The platform of claim 23 wherein a local PIN database is accessible through the second supply interface via a local area network.

25. The platform of claim 16 wherein the first service request message includes information enabling the conduit interface to determine that the first service request message is associated with the first type of prepaid service and wherein the second service request message includes information enabling the conduit interface to determine that the second service request message is associated with the second type of prepaid service.

26. The platform of claim 16 wherein the first service request message includes information identifying a first card type and wherein the conduit interface includes a card types table which is accessed in connection with determining a first product type associated with the first card type.

27. The platform of claim 26 wherein the first product type corresponds to point-of-sale activation.

28. The platform of claim 26 wherein the card types table further includes region identification information and wherein the conduit interface further includes a regions table containing carrier identification information, the regions table being indexed as a function of the region identification information.

29. The platform of claim 28 wherein the conduit interface further includes a carriers table containing information identifying telecommunications carriers, the carriers table being indexed as a function of the carrier identification information.

30. A method for processing requests for prepaid services communicated to a transaction processing platform, the method comprising:

receiving, through a first platform interface, a request for a personal identification number (PIN) generated by a first carrier entity;

receiving, through a second platform interface, a request for activation of a first prepaid card issued by a second carrier entity; and

routing a first transaction request based upon the request for the PIN to a first supply interface associated with the first carrier entity and routing a second transaction request based upon the request for activation to a second supply interface associated with the second carrier entity.

31. The method of claim 30 further including:

receiving a PIN through the first supply interface in response to the first transaction request;

receiving a first activation response through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request; and

generating a first message containing the PIN for transmission through the first platform interface and generating a second message containing the first activation response for transmission through the second platform interface.

32. The method of claim 31 further including retrieving the PIN from a database in response to the first transaction request.

33. The method of claim 30 further including:

receiving, through the second platform interface, a request for activation of a second prepaid card issued by the second carrier entity;

routing a third transaction request based upon the request for activation of the second prepaid card to the second supply interface; and

receiving a second activation response through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein the request for a PIN is included within a first message encoded in a first format and the request for activation of a first prepaid card is included within a second message encoded in a second format, the routing including distinguishing the first format from the second format.

35. A method for processing transactions involving prepaid services, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first end-user interface device, an identification number associated with a prepaid card wherein the prepaid card is issued by a first carrier entity;

receiving, at a second end-user interface device, a request for a PIN generated by a second carrier entity;

generating, at the first end-user interface device, a first service request message based upon the identification number;

generating, at the second end-user interface device, a second service request message based upon the request for the PIN;

communicating the first service request message and the second service request message to a transaction processing platform; and

routing, within the transaction processing platform, a first transaction request based upon the first service request message to a first supply interface and routing a second transaction request based upon the second service request message to a second supply interface wherein the first supply interface is associated with the first carrier entity and the second supply interface is associated with the second carrier entity.

36. The method of claim 35 further including:

receiving an activation response through the first supply interface in response to the first transaction request;

receiving a PIN through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request;

generating a first response message based upon the activation response and a second response message based upon the PIN;

communicating, to the first end-user interface device, a first response message relating to activation of the prepaid card; and

communicating, to the second end-user interface device, a second response message containing a PIN.

37. A method for processing transactions involving prepaid services, the method comprising:

generating, in response to a first service request message received through a conduit interface, a first transaction request for a first type of prepaid service provided by a first carrier entity;

generating, in response to a second service request message received through the conduit interface, a second transaction request for a second type of prepaid service provided by a second carrier entity;

routing the first transaction request to a first supply interface associated with the first carrier entity;

routing the second transaction request to a second supply interface associated with the second carrier entity; and

providing, based upon supplier activation information received through the first supply interface, a first service activation response to the conduit interface.

38. The method of claim 37 further including receiving personal identification number (PIN) information through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request.

39. The method of claim 38 further including forwarding the PIN information to the conduit interface.

40. The method of claim 37 further including:

generating, in response to a third service request message received through the conduit interface, a third transaction request for a third prepaid service provided by the first carrier entity;

routing the third transaction request to the first supply interface wherein the first type of prepaid service and the third prepaid service require point-of-sale activation.

41. The method of claim 40 further including:

receiving, through the first supply interface, additional supplier activation information in response to the third transaction request; and

providing an additional service activation response to the conduit interface.

42. The method of claim 38 further including retrieving the PIN information from a local PIN database connected to a local area network.

43. The method of claim 38 further including retrieving the PIN information from a remote PIN database connected to a wide area network.

44. A method for processing transactions involving prepaid services, the method comprising:

generating, in response to an order for prepaid services received through a conduit interface, a first transaction request for a first type of prepaid service;

generating, in response to the order, a second transaction request for a second type of prepaid service;

routing the first transaction request to a first supply interface associated with the first type of prepaid service;

routing the second transaction request to a second supply interface associated with the second type of prepaid service; and

providing, based upon supplier activation information received through the first supply interface, a first service activation response to the conduit interface.

45. The method of claim 44 further including receiving personal identification number (PIN) information through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request.

46. The method of claim 45 further including transmitting, through the conduit interface, the PIN information and the first service activation response to a remote terminal.

47. The method of claim 44 further including receiving, through the second supply interface, error information indicating that product corresponding to the second transaction request is unavailable.

48. The method of claim 47 further including transmitting, through the conduit interface, an error message indicating that the order cannot be fulfilled.

49. The method of claim 44 wherein the order includes information identifying a card type and wherein the generating the first transaction request includes determining a product type associated with the card type.

50. A method for processing transactions involving prepaid services, the method comprising:

generating, in response to an order for prepaid services received through a conduit interface, a first transaction request for multiple units of a product relating to a first type of prepaid service;

routing the first transaction request to a first supply interface associated with the first type of prepaid service; and

providing, to the conduit interface, product information received through the first supply interface in response to the first transaction request.

51. The method of claim 50 further including:

generating, in response to the order, a second transaction request for multiple units of a product relating to a second type of prepaid service; and

routing the second transaction request to a second supply interface associated with the second type of prepaid service.

52. The method of claim 51 further including receiving personal identification number (PIN) information through the second supply interface in response to the second transaction request.

53. The method of claim 51 further including receiving, through the second supply interface, error information indicating that product corresponding to the second transaction request is unavailable.

54. The method of claim 53 further including transmitting, through the conduit interface, an error message indicating that the order cannot be fulfilled.