Mobile Person-to-Person Payment System

• US 20070255652A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Obopay Mobile Technology India Pvt Limited (OBP Investments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Obopay Incorporated (OBP Investments, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shah, Nirav, Realini, Carol, Schwartz, David, Tumminaro, John, Hosokawa, Pete, Shawki, Hesham
• Application Number:
  US11/694,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255652A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• 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 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/223 based on the use of peer-to-peer networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3221 Access to banking information through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3227 using secure elements embedded in M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3229 Use of the SIM of a M-device as secure element
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3263 characterised by activation or deactivation of payment capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/16 : with lock-out or secrecy provision in party-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 : using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 : Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder'"'"'s mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions may be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions may be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or “widget.” The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

Claims

1. A financial transactions system comprising:

a consumer interface, coupled to a network, comprising;

a Web interface to handle transaction requests from a Web browser client;

a mobile Internet browser to handle transaction requests from a mobile Internet browser on a mobile phone client;

an SMS interface to handle transaction requests using SMS text messenging; and

a mobile client application interface to handle requests from a mobile client application executing on mobile phone client.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the consumer interface further comprises:

an interactive voice response interface to handle requests from a telephone voice channel.

3. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a pooled account for newly registered users, wherein newly registered users may conduct transactions from registered users immediately after registration.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile client application interface permits a send money transaction, loading account transaction, unload account transaction, and balance inquiry transaction.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the consumer interface further comprises:

an instant messenger interface to handle requests from an instant messenger client.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a financial partner interface;

a merchant interface, wherein users through the consumer interface can access their money at a bank coupled to the system through the financial partner interface and transfer money to merchants coupled to the merchant interface.

7. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a system of record managed by the financial transaction system, recording transaction executed through the consumer interface.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a pooled account managed by the financial transaction system, wherein a plurality of the clients accessing the system through the consumer interface have an account in the pooled account.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein a plurality of the clients do not have an account in the pooled account but instead an account at a financial institution, which has access to the system.

10. A method comprising:

providing an application program interface to conduct transactions with a first financial partner;

providing an SMS messenging interface to receive requests to conduct transactions; and

providing a mobile client application interface to receive requests to conduct transactions, wherein through the SMS messenger interface or the mobile client interface, a client may request a transfer money from a first account at the first financial partner to a second account at the second financial partner.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising:

providing an applications program interface to conduct transactions with a second financial partner, wherein through the SMS messenger interface or the mobile client interface, a client may request a transfer money from an account at the first financial partner to an account at the second financial partner.

12. The method of claim 10 comprising:

providing a system of record to record transactions requested through the SMS messenging and mobile client interfaces.