BOKU, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160055549 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS DONATIONS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate donations via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange having a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. For a payment to a merchant, the common format processor provides a user interface configured to present charity donation options in response to a phone number being specified in the user interface to identify a fund source. The common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm the payment to the merchant and a donation to a separate charity organization specified via the user interface. | 02-25-2016 |
20150149349 | REDEEMABLE CODE TO TEXT - A method and system of processing a sale of an article, a virtual article, a service or a functionality such as a game is described. A code is generated by a server. A charge request is transmitted to an account server to charge an account of a user for a value of the code. The code is transmitted to a user device. The code is then processed by redeeming the code, wherein redemption of the code includes receiving the code from a user device and in response allowing access to the user device to the article, virtual article, a service or a functionality. | 05-28-2015 |
20150127554 | MERCHANT MANAGED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEXT-TO-PAY SUBSCRIPTIONS AT A SUBSCRIPTION SERVER - A subscription identifier is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a subscription identifier text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the subscription identifier text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a renewal notification text message to the subscription server. The subscription server updates an account having the subscription identifier to reflect a new expiration. | 05-07-2015 |
20150127532 | TEXT SUBSCRIPTION IDENTIFIER TO RENEW SUBSCRIPTION - A subscription identifier is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a subscription identifier text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the subscription identifier text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a renewal notification text message to the subscription server. The subscription server updates an account having the subscription identifier to reflect a new expiration. | 05-07-2015 |
20150127503 | MERCHANT MANAGED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEXT-TO-PAY SUBSCRIPTIONS AT A BILLING SERVER - A subscription identifier is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a subscription identifier text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the subscription identifier text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a renewal notification text message to the subscription server. The subscription server updates an account having the subscription identifier to reflect a new expiration. | 05-07-2015 |
20150088711 | TEXT-TO-PAY FOR A NEW SUBSCRIPTION - A code is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a code request text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the code request text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a code redemption text message to the user device including the code and a link to a redemption page of a website of a subscription server. The subscription server processes redemption to a code and transmits an account set up page to the user device. | 03-26-2015 |
20150073881 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR METERED PARKING AT A PARKING SERVER - A parking request text message is transmitted from a user mobile phone to a billing server and is forwarded to a parking server. The parking server makes a charge API call to the billing server, including a custom text, an amount to be billed and a msisdn of the mobile phone. The billing server charges an account at a carrier server corresponding to the msisdn, receives a charge confirmation from the carrier server, transmits a billing result to the parking server, and sends a confirmation text message to the user mobile phone with the custom text. The parking server updates a parking data structure to indicate that parking has been allotted based on a parking identification in the parking request text message. | 03-12-2015 |
20150073880 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR METERED PARKING AT A BILLING SERVER - A parking request text message is transmitted from a user mobile phone to a billing server and is forwarded to a parking server. The parking server makes a charge API call to the billing server, including a custom text, an amount to be billed and a msisdn of the mobile phone. The billing server charges an account at a carrier server corresponding to the msisdn, receives a charge confirmation from the carrier server, transmits a billing result to the parking server, and sends a confirmation text message to the user mobile phone with the custom text. The parking server updates a parking data structure to indicate that parking has been allotted based on a parking identification in the parking request text message. | 03-12-2015 |
20150058221 | TEXT-TO-PAY FOR REDEEMABLE CODES - A method and system of processing a sale of an article, a virtual article, a service or a functionality such as a game is described. A code is generated by a server. A charge request is transmitted to an account server to charge an account of a user for a value of the code. The code is transmitted to a user device. The code is then processed by redeeming the code, wherein redemption of the code includes receiving the code from a user device and in response allowing access to the user device to the article, virtual article, a service or a functionality. | 02-26-2015 |
20150052049 | SILENT SMS TRIGGERING FOR MOBILE BILLING AT A BILLING SERVER - The invention provides a method of processing transactions with a billing server, including receiving, with the billing server, a transaction request API call from a merchant computer including a msisdn, transmitting, with the billing server, a transaction request response to the merchant computer in response to the transaction request API call, including a transmission ID, receiving, with the billing server, a payment authorization text message from a consumer device at the msisdn including a transaction ID, determining, with the billing server, a match between the transaction ID in the text message with the transaction ID in the transaction request response and if a match is determined between the transaction ID's, transmitting, with the billing server, a charge request to a carrier server to charge an account on the carrier server corresponding to the msisdn. | 02-19-2015 |
20150052034 | SILENT SMS TRIGGERING FOR MOBILE BILLING AT A MERCHANT SERVER - The invention provides a method of processing transaction with at least one merchant computer, including receiving, with the at least one merchant computer, a confirmation of a purchase from a consumer device, triggering, with the at least one merchant computer, in response to the confirmation of the purchase, a silent text message to the consumer device, wherein a purchasing unit on the consumer device responds to the silent text message by sending a text message with a unique transaction ID to a short code of a billing server via a carrier server to the billing server and receiving, with the at least one merchant computer, in response to triggering the silent text message, a callback notification from the billing server with the transaction ID. | 02-19-2015 |
20140324696 | BILLING GATEWAY AUTHORIZE-AND-CAPTURE METHOD AND SYSTEM - A transaction is authorized by receiving an authorize API call from a merchant server, detecting a select carrier server, and transmitting an authorize request to the select carrier server. The carrier server will then reserve an amount of funds based on the authorization request. The authorized transaction is then recorded based on the authorize request. The consumer may then request to cancel the transaction. If a capture request is received, a determination is made whether the cancel request has been received and whether the authorized transaction has been cancelled. If the transaction has not been cancelled, a billing request is transmitted to the carrier server so that the carrier server charges for the transaction. | 10-30-2014 |
20140323082 | BILLING GATEWAY CHARGE METHOD AND SYSTEM - The billing gateway charge method and system are disclosed. A charge is processed by receiving a charge API call from a merchant server, detecting a select carrier server from a plurality of servers, transmitting a charge request to the select carrier server, and returning a charge result callback notification to the merchant server. If the charge request fails, the merchant server can submit a new request and an indication of acceptance and failure of the charge request is returned to the merchant server based on the new requests provided that the new request has a new request-id. A continue method allows for managing consumer opt-in in order to complete a transaction. Once the transaction is completed, a refund request from the merchant server can be processed by transmission to the carrier server. | 10-30-2014 |
20140279456 | MERCHANT MANAGED SUBSCRIPTIONS AT A MERCHANT SERVER - A system and method is described for managing subscriptions between a consumer mobile phone, merchant server, billing server and carrier server. A charge-info method is used for the merchant server to retrieve charge elements from the billing server for constructing a user interface for the consumer mobile phone. An opt-in method is used to confirm a consumer's opt-in for a subscription. A remind-charge method is used to remind the consumer of an upcoming charge on the subscription. A charge method allows the merchant server to charge a user account on a carrier server via the billing server. A cancel method is used for the consumer to cancel the subscription. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279455 | MERCHANT MANAGED SUBSCRIPTIONS AT A BILLING SERVER - A system and method is described for managing subscriptions between a consumer mobile phone, merchant server, billing server and carrier server. A charge-info method is used for the merchant server to retrieve charge elements from the billing server for constructing a user interface for the consumer mobile phone. An opt-in method is used to confirm a consumer's opt-in for a subscription. A remind-charge method is used to remind the consumer of an upcoming charge on the subscription. A charge method allows the merchant server to charge a user account on a carrier server via the billing server. A cancel method is used for the consumer to cancel the subscription. | 09-18-2014 |
20140235202 | MOBILE BILLING OPERATOR SERVER PROGRAMMED FOR USER ACQUISITION WITHIN A REPEAT PAYMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM - A repeat payment computer system includes a merchant server and mobile billing operator server that are programmed for user acquisition through carrier billing and subsequent conversion to credit card billing. An advantage of the process is that the user does not have to enter credit card information for the default billing cycles to occur. The user only enters a phone number and password. Fewer barriers are provided for the user to become a regular repeat customer of the merchant server. The fees associated with mobile billing according to the default billing cycles have to be paid by the merchant server and may be too high in the long run. The merchant server can avoid the high fees associated with carrier billing by switching the user to billing according to the credit card information provided. The user is typically switched after the user has already become a regular customer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235198 | MERCHANT SERVER PROGRAMMED FOR USER ACQUISITION WITHIN A REPEAT PAYMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM - A repeat payment computer system includes a merchant server and mobile billing operator server that are programmed for user acquisition through carrier billing and subsequent conversion to credit card billing. An advantage of the process is that the user does not have to enter credit card information for the default billing cycles to occur. The user only enters a phone number and password. Fewer barriers are provided for the user to become a regular repeat customer of the merchant server. The fees associated with mobile billing according to the default billing cycles have to be paid by the merchant server and may be too high in the long run. The merchant server can avoid the high fees associated with carrier billing by switching the user to billing according to the credit card information provided. The user is typically switched after the user has already become a regular customer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235197 | TEXT-TO-BILL TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A text-to-bill processing transaction system is described. A consumer transmits a text message having a merchant keyword component and a transaction details component. The merchant keyword component is used to find a select merchant server from a merchant server data store. The transaction details component is then routed to the select merchant server. The select merchant server then returns a charge amount corresponding to the transaction details component and a fulfillment message. A billing gateway then causes entry of the charge amount against a phone number in an accounts database of a carrier server. A success message transmission module transmits a text message back to the consumer that includes the fulfillment message. The fulfillment message may for example be a code that has to be entered by a consumer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140214508 | CARD LINKED OFFERS - The invention provides a computer-based method of managing electronic transactions. A plurality of merchant accounts with offers are stored in a data store. A card number and a mobile phone number are then stored. Due to registration of the card number at least one of the offers is transmitted to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number. A charge advisory is received after transmitting the offer to the consumer mobile phone. The offer is then applied against an account having a card number that matches a card number in the charge advisory. | 07-31-2014 |
20140172538 | OFFER INSERTION SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts are stored in a data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. Each merchant account has a merchant account identifier. A merchant offer is stored in the data store in association with the merchant account having the respective merchant account identifier. A push module associates the merchant offer with the consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device, the charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A transaction processing system that processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171020 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SELECTIVELY AUTHENTICATE VIA MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS - Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. After a payment request identifying the phone number is received in the interchange, the common format processor is to determine whether to skip mobile communications with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm/authenticate the request, based on real time information about the current transaction, the historical transaction data related to the phone number, and other data such as social graph data related to the user of the phone number. | 06-19-2014 |
20140141745 | SYSTEM AND METHODS TO PROCESS USER INITIATED TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods are provided to process transactions initiated by users of mobile devices. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store phone numbers of users, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to transmit at least one premium message to a mobile phone at a first telephone number to provide an amount to the mobile phone using funds associated with a second telephone number, in response to a request initiated from a mobile phone at the second telephone number. | 05-22-2014 |
20140089175 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a communication interface to receive an input from a merchant; a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers for delivery of premium messages sent by the system to collect funds for purchases made by customers; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters to send the premium messages. The common format processor determines a combination of one or more premium messages, in response to a first customer making a first purchase from the merchant at a first price. The total price of the one or more premium messages is based on the first price and a portion of service charges associated with the one or more premium messages, where the portion is specified by the input received via the interface. | 03-27-2014 |
20140087690 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO RESTRICT PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods are provided to selectively restrict payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store restriction data in association with a phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with mobile controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. In response to a payment request identifying the phone number and a merchant, the common format processor determines whether to reject the payment request based at least in part on the restriction data and the identity of the merchant. If the request is not rejected, the common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to confirm the payment request. | 03-27-2014 |
20140074633 | TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION WITH A VARIABLE-TYPE USER-STORED ACCOUNT IDENTIFIER - Each of a plurality of consumer accounts in a data store has a first consumer account identifier. Login information is received from a consumer device over the network interface device. The first consumer account identifier is received from the consumer device and stored in association the consumer account. The first consumer account identifier is storable as one of at least two types of identifiers and the storing by the consumer device of the first consumer account identifier is only permitted upon successful login based on the login information. The charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including the amount and the second consumer account identifier. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 03-13-2014 |
20130346224 | TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION WITH A NON-MSISDN ID AND AUTHORIZATION BY COMMUNICATING WITH A CONSUMER DEVICE - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier. A second consumer account identifier is received in a point-of-sale device. A charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier is received, wherein the second consumer account identifier is not an MSISDN. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. An authorization request is transmitted to a consumer device. A response to the authorization request is received from the consumer device, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account, wherein the charge request is processed if the response is the authorization response. | 12-26-2013 |
20130317980 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE REPEATED PURCHASES - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate repeated purchase and payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to identify a prior payment transaction associated with a phone number in response to a message from a mobile phone having the phone number, communicate with a merchant to repeat a purchase according to the prior payment transaction, and transmit via one of the converters premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for a payment to repeat the purchase. | 11-28-2013 |
20130311379 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO APPROVE ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to communicate with the mobile phone of a user to confirm the identity of the user using a user terminal separate from the mobile phone for subsequent payment requests from the user terminal to be fulfilled using the account identifier. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311262 | OFFER REDEMPTION RATE BASED SELECTION AND DISPLAY OF OFFERS - This invention relates generally to a transactions network and to a method and system for managing electronic transactions, in particular merchant offers such as voucher entries having discounts associated with them. A voucher application module stores a record of each time that a respective voucher entry of a plurality of voucher entries stored in the data store is redeemed. A score calculator calculates a redemption rate at which the voucher entry is redeemed. A ranking module ranks the voucher entries based one the scores of the voucher entries of a plurality of the merchant accounts. A notification module preferentially transmits voucher entries that are displayed in accordance with their ranking. | 11-21-2013 |
20130304589 | BIDDING ON TRANSACTION DATA - Transaction data of consumers is stored in a data store. Offer entries of merchants are received from a plurality of merchant computer systems and stored in the data store in association with respective merchant accounts. At least a representation of the transaction data is transmitted to the merchant computer system. A bid is received from each of the merchant computer system for the transaction data. The bids are compared and an activation level of one or more of the offer entries is set based on the comparison of the bids. The offer entry is transmitted to a consumer device based. The transmission of the offer entry is dependent on the activation level of the offer entry. | 11-14-2013 |
20130304554 | TRANSACTION DATA RETRIEVAL AND TARGETING - Offer entries are received from merchant computer systems and stored in association with respective merchant account. Transaction data of consumers is received from a network computer system and profile are built utilizing the transaction data. A consumer is then targeted by transmitting a selected one of the offer entries to a consumer device based at on the profile. | 11-14-2013 |
20130268336 | MERCHANT OFFER APPROVAL - Consumer and merchant accounts are stored in the data store of a server computer system. Voucher entries are received from merchant computer systems and stored in association with the merchant accounts. Consumer account identifiers are pushed from the server computer system to a network computer system. A list of consumer account identifiers is maintained at the network computer system is checked to determine whether a consumer account identifier in a charge request matches any one of the consumer account identifiers in the list. Reserve checking is provided in when in discount checking mode. A voucher redemption system matches a merchant account identifier in a discount checking call received from the network computer system to one of the merchant account identifiers to identify one of the voucher entries. The transaction clearing system transmits a response with a discount amount of the voucher entry to the network computer system. | 10-10-2013 |
20130246145 | CARD LINKING - A computer-based system for managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of first card numbers is received over a network interface device. Each respective first card number is stored in a data store in association with a respective consumer account. A charge advisory is received over the network interface device, the charge advisory including a charge advisory card number. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first card numbers with the second card number. The charge advisory is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 09-19-2013 |
20130246144 | TRANSACTION ADVISORY BASED MERCHANT VOUCHER REDEMPTION - A plurality of merchant accounts are stored in a data store. A voucher entry is received over from a merchant computer system and stored in the data store. A charge advisory is received and used to identify a selected one of the voucher entries. A notification is received from a server computer system bank account of settlement from a merchant account payment infrastructure of a discount amount of the voucher entry. A central account is updated based on the notification. A settlement instruction is transmitted for settlement based on the discount amount. The last one central account is updated based on the settlement instruction. | 09-19-2013 |
20130232048 | TRANSFERRING CREDITS FROM A CARRIER ACCOUNT - A stored value in a consumer account is increased by transferring credits from a carrier computer system. Credits are retrieved from the carrier computer system and transmitted to a consumer device. The consumer selects how many credits to transfer and the credits are converted to a credit amount using an exchange rate. The stored value is then increased by the credit amount and the carrier computer system is notified of the transfer. | 09-05-2013 |
20130211933 | TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION WITH A NON-MSISDN ID AND AUTHORIZATION BY COMMUNICATING WITH A CONSUMER DEVICE - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier. A second consumer account identifier is received in a point-of-sale device. A charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier is received, wherein the second consumer account identifier is not an MSISDN. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. An authorization request is transmitted to a consumer device. An response to the authorization request is received from the consumer device, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account, wherein the charge request is processed if the response is the authorization response. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211932 | TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION WITH A VARIABLE-TYPE USER-STORED ACCOUNT IDENTIFIER - Each of a plurality of consumer accounts in a data store has a first consumer account identifier. Login information is received from a consumer device over the network interface device. The first consumer account identifier is received from the consumer device and stored in association the consumer account. The first consumer account identifier is storable as one of at least two types of identifiers and the storing by the consumer device of the first consumer account identifier is only permitted upon successful login based on the login information. The charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including the amount and the second consumer account identifier. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211931 | TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION WITH A NON-PAN ID AND PIN - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier that is not a PAN and a respective first PIN. A charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including an amount, a second consumer account identifier and a second PIN. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. The processing of the charge request is only permitted upon a favorable comparison of the first PIN and the second PIN. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211930 | TRANSACTION AUTHENTICATION WITH AN MSISDN AT A POS ROUTED THROUGH A MERCHANT ACQUIRER COMPUTER SYSTEM - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier. A second consumer account identifier in the form of an MSISDN is received in a point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device transmits the charge request, including an amount and the second consumer account identifier, to a merchant acquirer computer system, which routes the charge request. The charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including the amount and the second consumer account identifier. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211898 | EXPENSE TRACKER - The invention provides a computer-based method of managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier. A rule is stored in association the consumer account. A charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including a charge amount and a second consumer account identifier. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. The rule of the selected consumer account is retrieved in response to receiving the charge request and an action is executed based on the rule. | 08-15-2013 |
20130204745 | DEFAULT PHONE BILL CHARGING - A consumer payment control system receives a request to increase a stored value of the consumer account by a credit value, transmits a funding request to a consumer account funding infrastructure, the funding request including a credit value, and increases a stored value of the consumer account by the credit value. A communication and routing module receives a charge request, including an amount and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts. A transaction processing system processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. The consumer payment control system determines whether a top-up confirmation has been received from the consumer account funding infrastructure after a predetermined period of time, and causes charging of the consumer account if the top-up confirmation has not been received. | 08-08-2013 |
20130191199 | DYNAMIC OFFERS - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A dynamic amount is dynamically determined based on historic transaction data of a plurality of first charge requests of a consumer account. A merchant offer is associated with the consumer account, including the dynamic amount. A transaction is then processed, including receiving a second charge request, and processing the second charge request based on the dynamic amount. | 07-25-2013 |
20130185192 | TRANSACTION INITIATED AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT FOR MERCHANT OFFERS - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts are stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first MSISDN as a consumer account identifier. A plurality of merchant accounts are stored in the data store, each having a respective first merchant account identifier. Merchant offers are received and stored within the data store in association with the merchant accounts. A second MSISDN is identified from a charge request and is matched to the first MSISDN to identify respective consumer account. A second merchant account ID is received in the charge request and is matched to one of the first merchant account ID's to identify one of the merchant accounts. A merchant offer of the merchant account is then associated with the consumer account. The charge request also includes an amount that is processed against the selected consumer account. | 07-18-2013 |
20130166361 | ACCOUNT-DEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION AND INSERTION OF REDEEMABLE MERCHANT OFFERS - The invention provides a computer system for managing electronic transactions. A voucher entry is stored in the data store. A plurality of consumer accounts including at least first and second consumer accounts are stored in the data store, each consumer account having a respective first consumer account identifier, and the voucher entry is associated with the first consumer account. A network API determines whether the voucher entry is associated with the first consumer account, and transmits the voucher entry to a network server if the voucher entry is associated with the first consumer account. A voucher import module receives the voucher entry and the first consumer account identifier of the second consumer account over the network interface device and associates the voucher entry with the second consumer account. | 06-27-2013 |
20130151385 | ACTIVATING AN ACCOUNT BASED ON AN SMS MESSAGE - A plurality of consumer accounts are stored in a data store before being activated by consumers, each having a first pass code and a first PAN or other consumer account identifier. A data exchange module receives an SMS message including a second pass code and extracts a first phone number from the message. A consumer account activation module identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by matching the second pass code with a selected one of the first pass codes, and stores the first phone number as a second phone number in association in the selected consumer account. A communication and routing module receives a charge request including a second PAN, and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first PANs with the second PAN. A transaction processing system then reduces a stored value of the identified consumer account based on the charge. | 06-13-2013 |
20130151318 | TRANSIT BILLING NETWORK - A transit billing network is described. All commuter accounts are initially blacklisted at all entry transit readers within a transit operator system. A commuter is provided with a transit pass, linked to a mobile device. Individual commuter accounts are unblacklisted when a commuter transmits an SMS with an account number printed on the transit pass, a phone number is extracted from the SMS and the commuter increases a stored value of the commuter account. A list of unblacklisted accounts is pushed to all entry transit readers to allow access to select commuters. The stored value can then be used to pay for a fare amount using the transit pass. When the stored value has dropped below a minimum value, a communication process provides for warning messages to be transmitted using the phone number, and optionally automatically retrieve funds by transmitting Multiple Premium Messages. | 06-13-2013 |
20130138562 | PASS-THROUGH PAYMENT SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer accounts stored in the data store. A payment source storing module stores a plurality of payment sources. A payment source selector is set upon receiving a payment source selection to indicate a selected one of the payment sources. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device. A transaction processing system determines a payment source selected with the payment source selector, and processes the charge request based on the payment source selected by the payment source selector. | 05-30-2013 |
20120330823 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROVIDE ACCESS CONTROL VIA MOBILE PHONES - Systems and methods are provided to allow parental control via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a phone number with information indicative of an age of a user of the phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to use one converter of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to obtain parental consent, in response to a request from a third party website, such as a social networking website. | 12-27-2012 |
20120295580 | Systems and Methods to Detect Fraudulent Payment Requests - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate fraud detection in payments made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers; and an interchange that includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters configured to interface with a plurality of controllers of mobile communications in transmitting premium messages to the phone numbers to collect funds for making payments on behalf of users of the phone numbers. The system includes a fraud detection engine configured to use the payment transaction records to detect a potentially fraudulent activity in payments requested via a phone number and configured to communicate with a server of a telecommunication carrier of the phone number to further process the activity based on an indication of abnormality in the telecommunication usage pattern of a mobile phone at the phone number. | 11-22-2012 |
20120282893 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SUGGEST PRICES - Systems and methods are provided to suggest prices for payments to be processed via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange having a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to collect funds for processing payments via transmitting premium messages through the converters. The system further includes a network communications interface configured to receive a query from a merchant device identifying at least one attribute of at least one customer. In response, the common format processor determines a set of discrete price points and uses the network communications interface to communicate the set of price points to the merchant device. | 11-08-2012 |
20120278152 | CUSTOMER TO SUPPLIER FUNDS TRANSFER - Apparatuses and methods to facilitate customer to supplier funds transfer via premium messages. In one aspect, an apparatus to electronically transfer funds from a customer to a supplier includes: a server component connected to a network; and a database coupled to the server component. The server component is configured to: transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile cellular telephone to effect a payment from the customer to the supplier after the customer has placed an order with a supplier; populate the database with an identification of the telephone number of the customer; populate the database with at least one transaction record related to the premium rate text messages; and facilitate access to the transaction record by the customer via the telephone number of the customer. | 11-01-2012 |
20120276870 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE REPEATED PURCHASES - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate repeated purchase and payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to identify a prior payment transaction associated with a phone number in response to a message from a mobile phone having the phone number, communicate with a merchant to repeat a purchase according to the prior payment transaction, and transmit via one of the converters premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for a payment to repeat the purchase. | 11-01-2012 |
20120276868 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS DONATIONS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate donations via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange having a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. For a payment to a merchant, the common format processor provides a user interface configured to present charity donation options in response to a phone number being specified in the user interface to identify a fund source. The common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm the payment to the merchant and a donation to a separate charity organization specified via the user interface. | 11-01-2012 |
20120238242 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS TRANSACTIONS BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORKING - Systems and methods to authenticate and process requests received via social networking websites. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a first phone number of a user with an identification of the user in a social networking website; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers of mobile communications. The converters communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor receives a request including the identification of the user, identifies the first phone number of the user based on the data stored on the data storage facility, and uses the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the first phone number to confirm the request. | 09-20-2012 |
20120233027 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PURCHASES ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system is described to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications, including a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers in different formats for delivery of premium messages, and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters in a common format to send the premium messages. The common format processor receives a web request from a mobile phone, in response to a user selection within a mobile application executed separately from a browser application on the mobile phone, provides a web page in response to confirm a pre-defined purchase, transmits at least one premium message to the mobile phone using a first converter to obtain funds for the pre-defined purchase, and communicates with the merchant to make the pre-defined purchase on behalf of the user. | 09-13-2012 |
20120221437 | Systems and Methods to Automate Social Networking Activities - Systems and methods are provided to automate certain social networking activities in response to payments processed via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store social networking preferences with a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to communicate with a third party social networking site in accordance with the social networking preferences on behalf of the user, during processing of the payment, such as posting a message about a purchase, checking the user in at a location of the merchant, etc. | 08-30-2012 |
20120215619 | OFFER INSERTION SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts are stored in a data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. Each merchant account has a merchant account identifier. A merchant offer is stored in the data store in association with the merchant account having the respective merchant account identifier. A push module associates the merchant offer with the consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device, the charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A transaction processing system that processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 08-23-2012 |
20120215609 | VOUCHER REDEMPTION - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts stored in the data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request, including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A merchant offer is received from the merchant computer system and stored in the data store. A voucher redemption system identifies a selected one of the voucher entries based on the charge request. A transaction processing adjusts the first amount to a second amount that is less than the first amount based on the discount of the selected voucher entry and processes the second amount based on the account detail of the selected consumer account. | 08-23-2012 |
20120173413 | PAN CHARGING TO ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED WITH AN MSISDN - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer accounts are stored in the data store, each consumer account having a first phone number as a first consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request, including an amount and a second consumer account identifier. The second consumer account identifier is an individual account identifier forming part of a personal account number. The communication and routing module identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first phone numbers with the individual account identifier. A transaction processing system processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173348 | Systems and Methods to Process Payments via Account Identifiers and Phone Numbers - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility that stores data associating a phone number of a user and an account identifier of the user. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor uses one of the converters to transmit premium messages to the phone number to collect funds via a telecommunication carrier, receives a payment request having the account identifier, identifies the phone number based on the account identifier, and makes a payment on behalf of the user using the collected funds. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173322 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROVIDE REFERRAL REWARDS VIA MOBILE DEVICES - Systems and methods to reward referrals via mobile communications are described. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility storing a value in association with a first phone number. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and with the controllers in different formats. The common format processor is configured to use one converter of the plurality of converters to communicate with a first mobile phone at the first phone number to confirm a payment request and identify the second phone number. In response to confirmation of the payment request, the common format processor rewards the user of the second mobile phone via a code representing a benefit. | 07-05-2012 |
20120171990 | Systems and Methods to Restrict Payment Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to selectively restrict payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store restriction data in association with a phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with mobile controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. In response to a payment request identifying the phone number and a merchant, the common format processor determines whether to reject the payment request based at least in part on the restriction data and the identity of the merchant. If the request is not rejected, the common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to confirm the payment request. | 07-05-2012 |
20120157062 | Systems and Methods to Selectively Authenticate via Mobile Communications - Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. After a payment request identifying the phone number is received in the interchange, the common format processor is to determine whether to skip mobile communications with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm/authenticate the request, based on real time information about the current transaction, the historical transaction data related to the phone number, and other data such as social graph data related to the user of the phone number. | 06-21-2012 |
20120157042 | Systems and Methods to Accelerate Transactions Based on Predictions - Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor includes a risk engine and a transaction engine. The risk engine estimates a risk in a billing process; and the transaction engine determines whether or not to notify a merchant of the predicted result of billing based on the suggestion from the risk engine and/or other information, such as the status of the wireless telecommunications network. | 06-21-2012 |
20120142312 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS TRANSACTION REQUESTS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate on-site processing of transaction requests. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm a request and to receive a confirmation of the request via the telephone. The request is received via a user interface embedded in a web page of a first website without reloading or refreshing the web page. | 06-07-2012 |
20120066120 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS PAYMENTS VIA A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via real-time communications. In one aspect, a method includes: receiving, in a computing device, a payment request from a user terminal of a user, where the payment request identifies a merchant and an identifier that identifies the user on a data communications network for real-time communications connections with the user; communicating using the identifier by the computing device on the data communications network to secure funds from the user for the payment request; and in response to a success in securing the funds via the communicating using the identifier on the data communications network, transmitting a message from the computing device to the merchant to indicate a payment to the merchant using the funds on behalf of the user. | 03-15-2012 |
20120041870 | Systems and Methods to Identify Carrier Information for Transmission of Premium Messages - In one aspect, a system includes an interchange with a data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange is to receive a request identifying a phone number, a payment amount and a payee, and in response, use a pinging message to determine telecommunication carrier information of the phone number, select a converter, determine a set of premium messages in accordance with the telecommunication carrier information, and use the selected converter to transmit the set of premium messages to the phone number to collect funds to pay the payee on behalf of a user of the mobile phone. | 02-16-2012 |
20120011059 | Systems and Methods to Receive Funds via Mobile Devices - In one aspect, a system includes an interchange with a data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange is to receive a request identifying a source phone number and a destination phone number, use a first converter to communicate with a mobile phone at the source phone number to obtain a confirmation of the request, obtain an amount of funds from a funding source associated with the source phone number, and use a second converter to transmit a message to a mobile phone at the destination phone number to indicate the availability of the amount of funds. | 01-12-2012 |
20110276478 | Systems and Methods to Manage Information - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility that stores purchase receipts in association with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format, to obtain a confirmation of a payment request that identifies a phone number, a merchant and a purchase from the merchant. After a confirmation is received, the interchange is to use funds associated with the phone number to pay the merchant for the purchase and to receive and store a receipt for the purchase from the merchant. | 11-10-2011 |
20110258062 | Systems and Methods to Provide Credits via Mobile Devices - Systems and methods to provide credits or refunds via mobile phones. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility storing phone numbers and records of payments associated with the phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The common format processor is to determine a phone number in response to a request from a merchant, to store data representing an amount credited or refunded to the phone number according to the request from the merchant, and to use one of the converters to communicate a message to the mobile phone to indicate availability of the refund or credit. | 10-20-2011 |
20110238483 | Systems and Methods to Distribute and Redeem Offers - In one aspect, a system includes an interchange with a data storage facility to store data associating an offer with a phone number. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The common format processor is configured to use one of the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to process a payment to a merchant, to determine, for the payment, whether the offer is applicable based on the data associating the offer with the phone number, and to apply a benefit of the offer towards the payment if the offer is applicable. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237232 | Systems and Methods to Provide Offers on Mobile Devices - Systems and methods to propagate and redeem offers via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility storing a value in association with a first phone number. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and with the controllers in different formats. The common format processor is to re-associate the value with a second phone number and to use one converter of the converters to communicate a reference of the value to a telephonic apparatus at the second phone number, in response to a request from a telephonic apparatus at the first phone number, when the request includes the second phone number and a reference to the value. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237222 | Systems and Methods to Provide Access Control via Mobile Phones - Systems and methods are provided to allow parental control via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a phone number with information indicative of an age of a user of the phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to use one converter of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to obtain parental consent, in response to a request from a third party website, such as a social networking website. | 09-29-2011 |
20110217994 | Systems and Methods to Automate Transactions via Mobile Devices - Systems and methods are provided to automate transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating phone numbers with accounts and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor has an application programming interface to receive requests, such as a charge request having an identification of a phone number, an identification of a merchant, and an amount, and a status request having an identification of the first request, and is to transmit a message to a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to confirm the charge request, using one of the converters. | 09-08-2011 |
20110213671 | Systems and Methods to Process Payments - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility that stores data associating a phone number with an account, such as a balance of the account, identification information of a plurality of funding sources, and security data for authentication. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format, to facilitate authentication of the payment requests received from various payment terminals. The requests are authenticated via both the security data and communications with a mobile phone having the phone number. After the authentication, the payments are effected using the account. | 09-01-2011 |
20110185406 | Systems and Methods to Authenticate Users - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store account information with a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate authentication of the user to sign in the account. | 07-28-2011 |
20110173106 | Systems and Methods to Route Messages to Facilitate Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account and a phone number associated with the account and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to select a first controller based at least in part on reducing cost, and to instruct the first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to transmit a first message to a mobile device at the phone number to facilitate a transaction related to funds associated with the phone number. | 07-14-2011 |
20110143711 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SECURE TRANSACTIONS VIA MOBILE DEVICES - Systems and methods are provided to improve security of payment transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange having a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format for the confirmation of payment requests, made via mobile phones. The common format processor is to determine a risk of a payment request being fraudulent based on the personal identification information associated with a mobile phone and, after the payment request is confirmed and when the risk is below a threshold, to communicate one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds to fulfill the payment request. | 06-16-2011 |
20110143710 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility to associate an account identifier with a telephone number. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to instruct a first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number to confirm a transaction to fund the account identified by the account identifier, to transmit, via the first converter, one or more premium messages to the telephone to collect funds, and to add the funds to the account. | 06-16-2011 |
20110125610 | Systems and Methods to Automate the Initiation of Transactions via Mobile Devices - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers in different formats for delivery of premium messages; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters in a common format to send the premium messages. In one embodiment, the common format processor is to obtain an authorization for the initiation of communications with a mobile phone of a user for subsequent payments to a merchant. After obtaining the authorization, the common format processor may directly initiate communications with the mobile phone, using one of the converters, to obtain confirmation of payments directly requested by the merchant. Upon confirmation with the mobile phone, the common format processor may send premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for making the confirmed payments. | 05-26-2011 |
20110082772 | Systems and Methods for Purchases on a Mobile Communication Device - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers in different formats for delivery of premium messages; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters in a common format to send the premium messages. In one embodiment, the common format processor is to receive a web request from a mobile phone, in response to a user selection within a mobile application executed separately from a browser application on the mobile phone, to provide a web page in response to confirm a pre-defined purchase, to transmit at least one premium message to the mobile phone using a first converter to obtain funds for the pre-defined purchase, and to communicate with the merchant to make the pre-defined purchase on behalf of the user. | 04-07-2011 |
20110078077 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers in different formats for delivery of premium messages sent by the system to collect funds; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters in a common format to send the premium messages. The common format processor is configured to receive requests to pay respective merchants according to respective purchase prices for respective items purchased by respective customers, dynamically determine respective service fees for processing respective payments for the respective items to have different ratios between the respective service fees and the respective purchase prices, determine combinations of premium messages, and send the combinations of the premium messages to respective mobile phones of the respective customers via a telecommunication carrier. | 03-31-2011 |
20110071922 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a communication interface to receive an input from a merchant; a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers for delivery of premium messages sent by the system to collect funds for purchases made by customers; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters to send the premium messages. The common format processor determines a combination of one or more premium messages, in response to a first customer making a first purchase from the merchant at a first price. The total price of the one or more premium messages is based on the first price and a portion of service charges associated with the one or more premium messages, where the portion is specified by the input received via the interface. | 03-24-2011 |
20110035302 | Systems and Methods to Accelerate Transactions - Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a memory to store transaction records indicating actual amounts of funds collected via a first plurality of premium messages transmitted to a first plurality of phone numbers; and a processor coupled with the memory to transmit, to a second plurality of phone numbers, a second plurality of premium messages to collect payments on behalf of a merchant. Before funds collected via the second premium messages become available, the processor identifies a portion of a total amount of funds charged via the second premium messages, based at least in part on the transaction records stored in the memory, and offers to provide the portion to the merchant. | 02-10-2011 |
20110022484 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Retail Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate retail transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a retail terminal includes: a user interface to receive a phone number of a customer; a memory; a data communication interface; and a processor coupled with the memory and the data communication interface to transmit the phone number to a server computer to cause the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction, and to receive from the server computer a message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction. The retail terminal is to perform the transaction in response to the message from the server computer. | 01-27-2011 |
20100306099 | Systems and Methods to Process Transactions Based on Social Networking - Systems and methods to authenticate and process requests received via social networking websites. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a first phone number of a user with an identification of the user in a social networking website; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers of mobile communications. The converters communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor receives a request including the identification of the user, identifies the first phone number of the user based on the data stored on the data storage facility, and uses the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the first phone number to confirm the request. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306015 | Systems and Methods to Schedule Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange coupled with a data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to instruct a first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to communicate with a mobile phone at a mobile phone number of a user to schedule at least one future transaction, and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect, via a telecommunication carrier of the mobile phone, funds in accordance with an amount scheduled for the future transaction. | 12-02-2010 |
20100299220 | Systems and Methods to Confirm Transactions via Mobile Devices - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate electronic payment transactions using the account identifier. | 11-25-2010 |
20100267362 | Systems and Methods to Process Transaction Requests - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate on-site processing of transaction requests. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm a request and to receive a confirmation of the request via the telephone. The request is received via a user interface embedded in a web page of a first website without reloading or refreshing the web page. | 10-21-2010 |
20100250687 | Systems and Methods to Process Transactions Based on Social Networking - Systems and methods to verify and process requests received via social networking websites. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associated with a first phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers of mobile communications. The converters communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor receives a request from a first user via a social networking website, identifies a first phone number of the first user and a second phone number of a second user, based on the social networking website, and uses the converters to communicate with at least one of the mobile phones at the first and second phone numbers to confirm and/or approve the request. | 09-30-2010 |
20100235276 | Systems and Methods to Process User Initiated Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to process transactions initiated by users of mobile devices. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store phone numbers of users, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to transmit at least one premium message to a mobile phone at a first telephone number to provide an amount to the mobile phone using funds associated with a second telephone number, in response to a request initiated from a mobile phone at the second telephone number. | 09-16-2010 |
20100223183 | Systems and Methods to Provide Information - Systems and methods are to provide information to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store and associate personal information of a user with a telephone number of the user, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to communicate with the mobile phone of a user to approve the providing of the personal information from the data storage facility to a website. | 09-02-2010 |
20100216425 | Systems and Methods to Approve Electronic Payments - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to communicate with the mobile phone of a user to confirm the identity of the user using a user terminal separate from the mobile phone for subsequent payment requests from the user terminal to be fulfilled using the account identifier. | 08-26-2010 |
20100191648 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account and a phone number associated with the account and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate deposit transactions and payment transactions. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191646 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Electronic Payments - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate electronic payment transactions using the account identifier. | 07-29-2010 |
20100190471 | Systems and Methods to Control Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to control online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a first telephone number with a second telephone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to receive a payment request including the first telephone number, identify the second telephone number based on the data, and communicate with a mobile phone at the second telephone number for approval of the payment request. | 07-29-2010 |