Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SUPPLIER FUNDS RECEPTION ELECTRONICALLY
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent
Application
Number 08 09 386.6, filed on May 23, 2008 and entitled "Transferring Funds
Electronically," United Kingdom Patent Application Number 08 09 383.3, filed
on May 23,
2008 and entitled "Customer to Supplier Funds Transfer," United Kingdom Patent
Application Number 08 09 382.5, filed on May 23, 2008 and entitled "Funds
Transfer
Electronically," United Kingdom Patent Application Number 08 09 381.7, filed
on May 23,
2008 and entitled "Supplier Funds Reception Electronically," the disclosures
of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0002] At least some embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatuses to
facilitate the
reception of funds at a supplier electronically.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Systems for ordering products and/or services over the Internet and
then making
payment via the Internet are known. Many of these conventional systems involve
identifying
credit or debit card numbers such that funds may be obtained from a bank in a
manner
substantially similar to conventional credit card transactions.
[0004] A system for instructing payment to be made via mobile telephone text
messages
is described in United States patent application publication No. 2007/0203836
Al, published
August 30, 2007. This provides an alternative method of payment that may be
considered
more secure than entering credit card details into a networked computer
system, but it has a
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disadvantage in that it requires a set up procedure in order for the method to
be deployed.
[0005] An alternative approach is described in United States patent
application
publication number 2009/0006217 Al, published January 1, 2009, which was filed
June 29,
2007 and assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/824,607. This process
has been
successfully deployed and is trading under the service mark "MOBILLCASH." The
MOBILLCASH system allows an order to be placed over the Internet and for funds
to be
transferred by transmitting a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating
text messages to a
mobile telephone held by the customer. Thus, by this method, a customer is
only required to
enter their telephone number, resulting in a charge being made to their mobile
telephone
account, from which it is then possible for funds to be transferred to the
supplier.
[0006] However, a problem with relying upon the mobile telephone network to
make
payments is that the service provider and the seller are not actually aware of
the person to
whom the sale is being made. In order to achieve the transaction, it is only
necessary to be
aware of the actual telephone number. From a seller's perspective, advantages
may be
gained from knowing the identity of the purchaser, given that it is then
possible to produce
statistics identifying the type of customers to whom sales are being made, so
that marketing
activities may become more targeted.
[0007] A problem with effecting transfers using mobile telephone technology is
that
charges for using the service tend to be grouped together with other mobile
telephony
charges, and therefore a user may be persuaded to revert back to using a
credit card so as to
identify these charges separately.
[0008] A problem with the use of mobile telephones to effect payment is that
such an
approach may encourage abuses, where particular transactions may be considered
undesirable.
[0009] A problem with systems of this type is that it does provide a
relatively
straightforward mechanism for younger users to obtain access to undesirable
material.
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SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION
[0010] Apparatuses and methods to facilitate customer to supplier funds
transfer via
premium messages are described herein. Some embodiments are summarized in this
section.
[0011] In one aspect, there is provided a system for the electronic transfer
of funds from
a customer to a supplier, including: a customer browser component connected to
a network; a
supplier browser component connected to the network; a server component
connected to the
network and having a database component; a mobile cellular telephone with a
telephone
number operable by the customer; a mobile cellular operator providing mobile
cellular
services to the mobile cellular telephone; wherein: the server 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 the supplier; the server component is configured to populate the database
with an
identification of each customer's telephone number; the server component is
configured to
prompt customers to supply additional personal data; and upon receiving
additional personal
data, the server component is configured to populate the database with the
additional
personal data.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the server component is configured to prompt
customers to supply additional personal data by issuing an additional text
message.
[0013] In another aspect, there is provided a method of transferring funds
electronically,
including: transmitting a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text
messages from a
server to a mobile cellular telephone to effect payment from the customer to a
supplier after
the customer has placed an order with the supplier via a network connected
browser;
populating a database at the server with an identification of each customer's
telephone
number; prompting customers to supply additional personal data; and upon
receiving the
additional personal data, populating the database with the additional personal
data.
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[0014] In one aspect, there is provided a system for the electronic transfer
of funds from
a customer to a supplier, including: a customer browser component connected to
a network; a
supplier browser component connected to the network; a server component
connected to the
network and having a database component; a mobile cellular telephone with a
telephone
number operable by the customer; a mobile cellular operator providing mobile
cellular
services to the mobile cellular telephone; wherein: 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 a
customer has placed
an order with a supplier; the server component is configured to populate the
database with an
identification of each the customer's telephone number; the server component
is configured
to populate the database with respect to each transaction implemented by the
transmission of
the premium rate text messages; and the server is configured to facilitate the
accessing of
transaction records for a requesting customer by receiving details of the
customer's telephone
number.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the server is configured to facilitate the
accessing of
transaction records from a requesting customer only after the customer has
supplied personal
details and become a registered user.
[0016] In another aspect, there is provided a method for providing customer to
supplier
funds transfer, including: transmitting a plurality of premium rate mobile
terminating text
messages to a mobile cellular telephone to effect a payment from a customer to
a supplier
after the customer has placed an order with the supplier; populating a
database at the server
with an indication of each customer's telephone number; populating the
database with
respect to each transaction implemented by the transmission of the premium
rate text
messages; and facilitating the accessing of transmission records from a
requesting customer
by receiving details of the customer's telephone number.
[0017] In one aspect, there is provided apparatus for the electronic transfer
of funds from
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a customer to a supplier, including: a plurality of customer browser
components connected to
a network; a plurality of supplier browser components connected to the
network; a server
component connected to the network and having a database component; a
respective mobile
cellular telephone with a telephone number operable by each of the plurality
of customers;
and at least one mobile cellular operator configured to provide mobile
cellular services to the
mobile cellular telephones, where: the server component is configured to
transmit a plurality
of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile cellular
telephone; the server
component is configured to populate the database with an identification of
each customer's
telephone number; the server component is configured to receive a
classification of the
nature of products/services sold by each supplier; the server component is
configured to
populate the database component with a table associating suppliers with their
respective
classifications; the database includes an identification of classifications
for each telephone
number; and the server allows or prohibits the transmission of the text
messages to effect
payment in dependence upon the identification of stored classifications for
the requesting
telephone number.
[0018] In one aspect, there is provided apparatus for the reception of funds
at a supplier
electronically, including: a customer browser component connected to a
network; a supplier
browser component connected to the network; a server component connected to
the network
and having a database component; a first mobile cellular telephone operable by
the customer
and having a first telephone number; a mobile cellular operator providing
mobile cellular
services for the mobile cellular telephone. The server component is configured
to transmit a
plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile
cellular telephone
to effect the transfer of funds for reception by the supplier, from the
customer after the
customer has placed an order with the supplier; and the server component is
configured to
transmit a notification message to a second mobile cellular telephone having a
second
telephone number confirming that the transfer of funds has taken place.
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[0019] In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to pair a plurality of
monitored
telephones to one supervisor telephone.
[0020] In another aspect, there is provided a method of receiving funds at a
supplier
electronically from a customer, including: transmitting a plurality of premium
rate mobile
terminating messages to a mobile cellular telephone to effect the transfer of
funds for
reception by the supplier, from the customer after the customer has placed an
order with the
supplier; and transmitting a notification message to a second mobile cellular
telephone
confirming that the transfer of funds has taken place.
[0021] The disclosure includes methods and apparatuses which perform these
methods,
including data processing systems which perform these methods, and computer
readable
media containing instructions which when executed on data processing systems
cause the
systems to perform these methods.
[0022] Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from
the
detailed description which follows.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in
the
figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar
elements.
[0024] Figure 1 shows a representation of the Internet.
[0025] Figure 2 shows components forming a preferred embodiment working within
the
environment of Figure 1 conducted within the environment of Figure 2.
[0026] Figure 3 shows procedures conducted within the environment of Figure 2.
[0027] Figure 4 shows an example of a browser.
[0028] Figure 5 details the visual display unit identified in Figure 4.
[0029] Figure 6 details graphical user interfaces displayed by the visual
display unit
identified in Figure 5.
[0030] Figure 7 shows procedures implemented by a service server.
[0031] Figure 8 details procedures for confirming a payment identified in
Figure 7.
[0032] Figure 9 details procedures for the allocation of messages identified
in Figure 7.
[0033] Figure 10 shows an example of a constraints file of the type identified
in Figure
9.
[0034] Figure 11 shows various use types.
[0035] Figure 12 shows an environment substantially similar to that of Figure
2,
implementing one embodiment.
[0036] Figure 13 shows an example of an invitation of the type identified in
Figure 12.
[0037] Figure 14 shows a graphical user interface for receiving information.
[0038] Figure 15 shows a database table for recording information.
[0039] Figure 16 shows the generation of a report.
[0040] Figure 17 details a table in database 208.
[0041] Figure 18 shows an example of procedures for the transfer of
information.
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[0042] Figure 19 illustrates the transfer of information to a user's browser.
[0043] Figure 20 shows the display of information at a user's mobile cellular
telephone.
[0044] Figure 21 shows procedures performed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment.
[0045] Figure 22 shows a table of classifications.
[0046] Figure 23 shows a graphical user interface for receiving information
from a
seller.
[0047] Figure 24 illustrates a table within database 208.
[0048] Figure 25 shows procedures for recording parental blocks.
[0049] Figure 26 shows another table within the database.
[0050] Figure 27 illustrates a preferred method.
[0051] Figure 28 illustrates a message displayed to a user when a transaction
is blocked.
[0052] Figure 29 illustrates a preferred embodiment.
[0053] Figure 30 illustrates procedures for pairing a monitored telephone to a
supervisor
telephone.
[0054] Figure 31 illustrates a screen displayed after issuing a command to
pair the
monitored telephone to a supervisor telephone.
[0055] Figure 32 illustrates a text message received on a supervisor's mobile
cellular
telephone to confirm that the monitored mobile cellular telephone has made a
payment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0056] The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to
be
construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a
thorough
understanding. However, in certain instances, well known or conventional
details are not
described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an
embodiment
in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same
embodiment; and, such
references mean at least one.
[0057] A representation of the Internet 101 is illustrated in Figure 1 in
which potential
customers are provided with customer browsers 101 to 108 and a plurality of
suppliers are
provided with supplier browsers 111 to 115. The environment therefore allows
customers to
place orders with suppliers for the delivery of products and/or services and
for the customers
to transfer funds to the suppliers in order to effect payment for the goods
and/or services.
[0058] It is known practice for a transaction to be initiated by a customer,
such as
customer 102, by the customer making a request for a web page to be served,
which provides
details of a supplier's products, allows product selections to be made and
facilitates payment
for these products.
[0059] Figure 2 shows components forming a preferred embodiment working within
the
environment of Figure 1 conducted within the environment of Figure 2.
[0060] Within the environment identified in Figure 1, a preferred aspect of
one
embodiment provides an apparatus for the electronic transfer of funds from a
customer to a
supplier as illustrated in Figure 2. A customer browser component 102 is
connected to the
Internet 101 and a supplier server component 111 is also connected to the
Internet. A service
server component 201 is connected to the Internet 101 and a mobile cellular
telephone 202 is
operable by the customer, that is to say, the same customer who is using
browser 102.
[0061] A mobile cellular operator 203 provides mobile cellular services to the
mobile
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cellular telephone 202. The service server component 201 is configured to
transmit a
plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages 204 to the mobile
cellular
telephone to effect a payment from the customer (at 102) to the supplier (at
111) after the
customer has placed an order with the supplier.
[0062] The mobile terminating premium rate messages are included in telephone
bills
received by the mobile telephone owner, resulting in payment 210 being made to
the mobile
operator 203. Thereafter, the mobile operator 203 effects the appropriate
transfer 211 to the
supplier 111. The supplier 111 has now received funds and is therefore
prompted to perform
delivery 212 of the purchased product or service.
[0063] Procedures conducted within the environment of Figure 2 are detailed in
Figure
3, in the form of a telecommunications protocol diagram. The diagram of Figure
3 includes
the browser 102, the cellular telephone 202, the supplier server 111 and the
service server
201.
[0064] Initially, the browser issues a signal 301 to request a page to be
supplied from the
supplier server 111. In response to receiving this request, a page of data 302
is returned to
the browser 102, resulting in a page being displayed to the customer at the
browser 102.
[0065] In response to reviewing the served page, a request 303 for an order is
conveyed
to the supplier server 111. In response to receiving this order, the product
server 111 makes
an invitation 304 for a payment to be made. In response to receiving an
invitation for a
payment to be made, the browser makes an instruction 305 in order to effect
the payment.
Thus, in accordance with one embodiment, payment is made by issuing premium
rate text
messages to the mobile telephone.
[0066] The supplier server 111 issues an instruction 306 to the service server
201. The
service server 201 issues a request 307 to the mobile cellular telephone 202
for a
confirmation to the effect that the payment is to be made. Thus, in order to
achieve payment
by the mobile telephone mechanism, it is necessary to enter a telephone number
and it is also
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necessary for the purchaser to be in possession of the mobile telephone so
that the purchaser
may effect that confirmation.
[0067] The mobile cellular telephone therefore issues a confirmation 308 back
to the
service server 201 (via the cellular telephone network) to the effect that the
purchase has
been confirmed.
[0068] Upon receiving the request confirmation 308, the service server
schedules and
issues a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages 309.
Thereafter, the
product, virtual product or service is sent from the supplier to the
purchaser, as illustrated by
arrow 310.
[0069] An example of a browser 201 is illustrated in Figure 4, in which a
visual display
unit 401 is provided to allow web pages to be displayed. In addition, user
input is facilitated
by a keyboard 402 and a mouse 403. The applicant has become aware that browser
environments are particularly attractive for displaying catalogues of goods
and receiving
orders for goods. However, problems arise in terms of effecting payment over
the Internet
due to security concerns. The mobile telephone system described herein thereby
provides an
alternative mechanism for payment.
[0070] Generally, the relationship between customers and mobile providers is a
strong
relationship built on mutual trust. Within the Internet environment it is
unlikely for this level
of trust to exist. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the user to have
access to a credit card or
to even possess a credit card. Furthermore, it has been found that the browser
environment is
not very successful when a supplier requests information back from a user. The
present
preferred embodiment allows information to be returned to suppliers easily via
the
customer's mobile cellular telephone.
[0071] In the example shown in Figure 4, the browser takes the form of a
desktop
computer but equally it could take the form of a laptop computer or similar
device. It is also
envisaged that the browser and mobile telephone text messaging services could
be
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constrained within a unified product, such as a high level mobile device.
[0072] Figure 5 details the visual display unit 401 identified in Figure 4.
The visual
display unit 401 in Figure 5 shows an image relevant for initiating the
process of making a
payment. Display 501 includes a field 502 in which the current price is
displayed. The user
is then prompted to identify a means of payment, which in this example shows a
credit card
link 503, a debit card link 504 and the mobile telephone account link 505. In
practice, many
of these links may be repeated for different credit card types, for example,
and often each
credit card link would include its associated logo or graphical
representation, etc.
[0073] Figure 6 details graphical user interfaces displayed by the visual
display unit
identified in Figure 5.
[0074] Having clicked through on link 505 (as shown in Figure 5) screen 601 is
displayed, that also includes a field 602 identifying the required payment.
Having clicked
through for this type of payment, it is possible that the total payment figure
may have
increased so as to include an additional charge for effecting payment via the
mobile cellular
telephone network. Thus, assuming a user wishes to continue, the user is
invited to enter
their cellular telephone number in a field 603 and the user may be asked to
confirm this
number in a further field 604. After confirming the payment, a further screen
605 may be
displayed, subject to the particular implementation of the application.
[0075] Screen 605 includes a field 606 again identifying the total payment.
The screen
then continues to say that this amount will be deducted from the telephone
account and a user
is invited to accept the transaction by clicking button 607 or declining the
transaction by
clicking cancel button 608.
[0076] Procedures implemented by the service server 201 are identified in
Figure 7. The
service server provides for the operating of a payment via the Internet in
which details are
received, of a transaction, from a product server 111 identifying a price to
be paid by the
customer. Details of the customer's mobile telephone are received at the
service server and
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thereafter a plurality of premium rate text messages are transmitted to the
mobile telephone
to effect that payment.
[0077] In response to receiving instructions 306, the service server 201 seeks
confirmation from the mobile cellular telephone in operation 701 to the effect
that payment is
to be made.
[0078] Upon receiving confirmation 308, messages are allocated in operation
702, and in
operation 703 the premium rate messages are transmitted with confirmation to
the supplier
being provided in operation 704.
[0079] Figure 8 details procedures for confirming a payment identified in
Figure 7.
[0080] The result of procedure 701 for confirming the payment is illustrated
in Figure 8,
in which the mobile cellular telephone 202 receives a message displayed on the
mobile
telephone display 801. In this example, the message states "please confirm
your payment of'
and the amount to be paid is displayed in field 802. In this example, it is
possible to confirm
the payment by operating the central navigation button 803. Alternatively, the
transaction
may be cancelled by the operation of a cancel button 804.
[0081] The confirmation of the payment creates a mobile originating message.
This
message may incur a modest charge for transmission over the mobile network. In
this
example, a dedicated mobile telephone is shown. However it should be
appreciated that the
mobile telephone designation also includes other devices with mobile telephony
functionality.
[0082] Figure 9 details procedures for the allocation of messages identified
in Figure 7.
[0083] Procedure 702 for the allocation of messages is illustrated in Figure
9. In
operation 901 a file 902 of data is read that identifies appropriate local
constraints for the
transaction. Alternatively, these details may be supplied from an
appropriately configured
database. The local constraints are relevant for the particular country in
which the financial
transaction is taking place, including appropriate currency for the
transaction and other
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regulations relating to the use of premium rate messages.
[0084] The constraints contained within file 902 identify the specific
examples of
premium rate messages that may be deployed, along with a level of payment that
is
associated with each of these messages. In addition, the constraints also
specify maximum
transaction values, usually restricting the total level of transactions that
may occur during a
day and often also identifying a maximum level of transactions that may take
place over a
month, given that many customers are billed on a monthly basis.
[0085] In this example, an operator may specify that total transactions for a
day must not
exceed 30 dollars and total transactions for the month must not exceed 400
dollars.
Typically, these constraints are applied across an operator's network and are
not allocated on
a customer-by-customer basis.
[0086] In operation 903 the total value of the transaction is divided into a
plurality of
messages such that in combination, the value of the messages adds up to the
total value of the
transaction.
[0087] In operation 904 an allocation is made over a number of months. If the
total value
of the transaction exceeds a monthly limit, it is necessary to spread the
transmission of the
messages over two or more months.
[0088] In operation 905 an allocation is made over a number of days. Again, if
either
total transactions or monthly transactions exceed the total transactions
allowed, the actual
transmissions must take place over a number of days, with a plurality of
messages being
allocated for each individual day within the batch.
[0089] It is possible for the maximum transmissions to occur within, for
example, three
days over a particular month. It is possible that the transactions could occur
over more days,
until the allocation for the month is reached. If the allocation for the month
is reached, it is
then necessary to continue making transmissions upon entering the next month.
[0090] In operation 906 the transmissions are scheduled, resulting in the
generation of a
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transmission schedule 907.
[0091] Figure 10 shows an example of a constraints file 902 of the type
identified in
Figure 9. This defines a total transmission value for the day and a total
transmission value
for the month. In addition, it identifies valid premium rate message codes.
Thus, in this
example, at line 1001 a code 861000 effects a charge of 50 cents, as shown at
line 1002.
Similarly, a code of 861100 effects a charge of 1 dollar and as illustrated at
line 1003, a
charge of 1.50 dollars is effected as a result of transmitting code 861110. A
code of 861111
results in a charge of 3 dollars and similarly a five dollar charge results
from the transmission
of code 861112.
[0092] An example of a displayed field 802 is also shown in Figure 10 which,
for the
purposes of this illustration, indicates a charge of 25.50 dollars.
[0093] Figure 11 shows various use types.
[0094] The present preferred apparatus performs a method of transferring funds
electronically in which a plurality of premium rate mobile text messages are
transmitted from
the server to a mobile cellular telephone to effect payment from the customer
to the supplier
after the customer has placed an order with a supplier via a network connected
browser. A
database is populated at the server with an identification of each customer's
telephone
number. It is then possible for customers to make purchases via this mechanism
in a
nonregistered mode of operation. However, in accordance with a preferred
aspect of one
embodiment, the customer is prompted to supply additional personal data. Thus,
as
illustrated in Figure 11, nonregistered use of the system is illustrated at
1101. After this
nonregistered use, a question is asked at 1102 of a customer as to whether
they wish to
register their use of the system. Thus, when answered in the negative, further
nonregistered
use may occur at 1101.
[0095] If, however, the customer agrees to the registration process (the
question asked in
operation 1102 being answered in the affirmative), a registration process is
performed in
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operation 1103.
[0096] Thereafter, registered use occurs in operation 1104, and thereafter in
operation
1105, transaction information may be transferred to suppliers and third
parties.
[0097] Figure 12 shows an environment substantially similar to that of Figure
2,
implementing one embodiment. Multiple premium rate mobile terminating text
messages
204 are shown being issued from the server 201 to the mobile cellular
telephone 202.
However, in addition, the user also receives an invitation 215 to supply
additional personal
information.
[0098] In an alternative preferred embodiment, after the mobile telephone has
provided a
positive response to the effect that they are prepared to register, further
communication takes
place via the browser 201 as illustrated at 215.
[0099] Figure 13 shows an example of an invitation 215 of the type identified
in Figure
12. In the example of an invitation 215 to a browser illustrated in Figure 13,
the browser
receives a message 1301 which states "would you like to receive a discount?"
In response to
receiving this, it is possible for the user to press a cancel button 1302.
Alternatively, pressing
an "OK" button 1303 results in an affirmative response being returned to the
server 201.
[00100] Figure 14 shows a graphical user interface for receiving information.
In a
preferred embodiment, personal information is received from the user via the
user's browser
102.
[00101] When the user makes use of browser 102 to effect payment via this
method again,
the user is presented with a screen of the type shown in Figure 14. At the
browser, the user
selects fields within the graphical user interface using mouse 403 and enters
the text by
keyboard 402. The user then applies a mouse click to the "send" link 1401.
[00102] In this example, a first name is received at field 1402 and a family
name is
received at field 1403. These are text boxes allowing any text entry to be
made. Further
fields 1404 to 1407 are provided in the form of pull down boxes from which
predefined
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selections can be made. Thus, in field 1404 the user is invited to identify
their gender and at
field 1405 they are invited to identify their city of residence. Similarly,
pull down box 1406
invites the user to identify a favorite entertainment and a similar pull down
box at 1407
allows a favorite hobby to be identified within the field. As previously
stated, the user then
selects link 1401 and the information is transmitted over channel 215 to the
database 208
within server 201.
[00103] Figure 15 shows a database table for recording information. Within
database 208
a table is created so as to record the information received from each user. At
column 1501 a
unique identification is given for the user which is then recorded against the
user's telephone
number at column 1502. For nonregistered use, only columns 1501 and 1502 are
populated.
Alternatively, it would be possible for telephone numbers to be recorded in a
separate linked
table.
[00104] Columns 1503 to 1508 only become populated after a registration
process. Thus,
a given name and a family name are recorded at columns 1503 and 1504
respectively in
response to receiving free text entries 1402 and 1403.
[00105] Gender is recorded at 1505 (from entry 1404), with city, entertainment
and
hobbies being recorded at 1506, 1507 and 1508, in response to entries from
1405, 1406 and
1407.
[00106] Figure 16 shows the generation of a report. It is envisaged that
personal data will
be collected over a period of time and a plurality of tables may be included
within a database
of substantially similar configuration to that shown in Figure 15. Registered
users are
identified as such, and in a preferred embodiment the user is provided with a
discount each
time the service is used. As previously described with respect to Figure 10,
the possibility of
providing an additional charges for the service was described, and in a
preferred embodiment
this charge may be made against nonregistered users whereas registered users
may be able to
make use of the service for free.
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[00107] Similarly, suppliers, such as supplier 111, may be in a position to
make use of the
service effectively for free, but a charge may be required if they wish to
obtain user
transaction data, essentially for marketing purposes. In a preferred
embodiment, it is possible
for a supplier to receive transaction data relating to the specific
transactions made with them.
Alternatively, average data may be of greater assistance such that specific
telephone numbers
are not required, whereupon it will be possible to provide a broader range of
data, including
data obtained from transactions relating to other suppliers.
[00108] Furthermore, in an alternative preferred embodiment, given that the
personal
nature of the data has been removed, it would be possible for this accumulated
data to be
made available to external parties not actually themselves registered as a
supplier.
Furthermore, the availability of this data may encourage suppliers to make
this service
available to their customers.
[00109] In a first embodiment it is possible for suppliers to gain access to
database 208.
Alternatively, it may be possible for the suppliers to receive designated
reports, such as
report 1601 of the type shown in Figure 16.
[00110] In the example shown in Figure 16, a supplier is interested in
advertising
entertainment packages and therefore wishes to know which type of
entertainments are
preferred by their existing customers. Thus, by referring to the information
collected within
column 1507, for a number of users, it is possible to perform calculations to
determine
percentages. Thus, in this example, the supplier receives information to the
effect that 40%
of their users prefer playing computer games, compared to the other options of
watching
movies, watching plays, watching sports or watching comedy. Thus, with this
information
on hand, the supplier may make an educated decision to the effect that further
website
promotions would best be directed at computer games in preference to DVDs and
movie
downloads, etc.
[00111] Figure 17 details a table in database 208, which includes a table for
recording
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each financial transaction. Nonregistered use as indicated at 1101 and
registered use as
indicated at 1104 result in the table shown in Figure 17 being populated.
[00112] Table 1701 includes a first column 1702 for recording the identity of
the user.
Thus, in this example, each user is given a unique number.
[00113] The supplier from whom the user is purchasing product/service is
identified in
column 1703, followed by an indication of the product 1704. Column 1705
records a net
price and column 1706 records a discount from the net price. This discount
represents a
discount given for being a registered user and does not relate to any
discounts given by the
supplier themselves; these being included in the net price figure. Thus,
thereafter, column
1707 records an actual price.
[00114] In this example, user 4781 has purchased product from supplier Smith,
Jones and
Big Inc. Thus a total of three products have been purchased, identified in
this example as P2,
P4 and P5.
[00115] Figure 18 shows an example of procedures for the transfer of
information, as
indicated in operation 1105.
[00116] An example of procedures for the transfer of information, as indicated
in
operation 1105, is detailed in Figure 18.
[00117] In operation 1801, information is transferred to a supplier over
channel 209, for
example. This may result in the supplier receiving customer related
information such as that
illustrated in Figure 16.
[00118] In operation 1802 information is supplied to third parties. This
information is
aggregated and does not identify specific customers. The third party does not
necessarily
make use of the service but it is possible for the third party to obtain this
information for a
price.
[00119] In operation 1803 details of the user's transactions are transferred
to the user's
browser. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, it may be possible for registered
users to obtain
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this information without additional charge.
[00120] In operation 1804 the transfer of user information to a user's mobile
cellular
telephone is illustrated. This may be available without charge, or a
predetermined number of
transmissions per month may be available without charge, after which a charge
will be made
to the user.
[00121] Operation 1803 for the transfer of information to the user's browser
results in data
being displayed at the user's browser as shown in Figure 19.
[00122] User 4781 logs on to the appropriate website and supplies appropriate
information
to allow the log on procedure to be completed. Thus, for example, it is likely
that a user
would identify their telephone and a password. Thus, having entered this
information, details
of recent transactions are supplied to the user.
[00123] In the example shown, a statement takes the form of a table. This
includes a first
column 1901 for identifying the name of the supplier, a second table 1902 for
identifying the
product, a third table 1903 for identifying the net price and a fourth table
1904 for identifying
the actual amount paid.
[00124] As it can be seen from Figure 19, the totality of the data available
in table 1701
has been filtered so as to show only the transactions for user 781.
Furthermore, in this
example, the actual discount figure (from column 1706) is not included.
However, the
system does identify the actual price paid and at 1905 a total is included,
possibly for all
transactions up to transactions included on the last mobile telephone
statement. Thus, a
payment is made for mobile telephone services as illustrated at 210, resulting
in the
transactional data being recorded as paid. Thereafter, in the preferred
embodiment, only
unpaid transactions are included. In this way, it is possible for a user to be
kept up to date as
to where they stand in anticipation of the next mobile cellular bill.
Furthermore, in an
alternative embodiment it is possible for a user to obtain historical records,
possibly on a
monthly basis.
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[00125] In response to the transfer of data to the user's mobile telephone, as
identified in
operation 1804, information is displayed on the mobile cellular telephone 202,
as shown in
Figure 20. In this example, the information is shown in a table having a first
column 2001
and a second column 2002. In this example, column 2001 identifies the product
I (P2, P4, P5
etc) and column 2002 shows the actual price paid AP2, AN and AP5 etc. The
mobile
telephone display may also include a total, shown at 2003, which would be of
particular use
to users given that it would indicate how much they have spent in a particular
month so as to
assist them with budgeting.
[00126] Figure 21 shows procedures performed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment.
[00127] The apparatus described provides for the electronic transfer of funds
from a
customer to a supplier. In the environment, a plurality of customer browser
components are
connected to a network and a plurality of supplier browser components are
connected to the
network. A server component is connected to the network and the server has a
database
component. A respective mobile cellular telephone with a telephone number is
owned by
each of the customers or users. In addition, there is a mobile cellular
operator configured to
provide mobile cellular services to the mobile cellular telephones. The server
component is
configured to transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text
messages to the
mobile cellular telephone. In addition, the server component is configured to
populate the
database with an identification of each customer's telephone number.
[00128] The server component is also configured to receive a classification of
the nature
of products/services sold by each supplier and is also configured to populate
the database
component with a table associating suppliers with their respective
classifications. The
database includes an identification of classifications for each of the
telephone numbers and
the server allows or prohibits the transmission of the text messages to effect
payment
dependent upon the identification of stored classifications for the requesting
telephone
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number.
[00129] The overall procedures performed to achieve a sale within the
environment of the
preferred embodiment are illustrated in Figure 21.
[00130] In operation 2101 items that include products, virtual products and
services are
made available. However, in order for a product or service to be available for
sale using the
method described herein, it is necessary for each product or service to be
provided with a
classification, primarily identifying an appropriate age at which the product
or service may
be received. In many instances, such classifications are readily available,
such as for movies
and computer games. Furthermore, many examples of items sold in this way will
not be
restricted and as such an appropriate designation is given.
[00131] In operation 2102 a record is made of parental blocks. Thus, it is
possible for a
parent to provide a mobile telephone to, for example, a 14 year old with an
appropriate block
being recorded such that the 14 year old may receive anything considered
appropriate for
anyone over 11 or over 13 but not over 15.
[00132] In operation 2103 a selection of an item is made and a purchase
procedure is
initiated, as described with respect to Figures 5 and 6.
[00133] Thereafter, in operation 2104, the purchase is completed which, in
accordance
with the preferred embodiment, includes a check to determine whether or not
the purchase
has been blocked.
[00134] An example of a table of classifications is shown in Figure 22. The
first column
2201 of the table includes a list of classification abbreviations and the
second column 2202
shows an appropriate description. Thus, in this example, a classification of
12 indicates that
the material is suitable for anyone over 11. A classification of 14 indicates
that it is suitable
for anyone over 13, a classification of 16 confirms that it is suitable for
anyone over 15 and a
classification of 18 means that it is only appropriate for an adult.
[00135] A classification of 0 indicates that the material is not restricted in
any way.
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Furthermore, in this embodiment, a classification of S is included showing
that the product
relates to a specialist activity. Specialist activity classifications allow
subgroups to be
defined in which additional requirements need to be met in order for the
purchase to be
allowed. For example, such a classification could be included for
pharmaceuticals, firearms
or even magic tricks.
[00136] Figure 23 shows a graphical user interface for receiving information
from a
seller.
[00137] In order to make items available for sale through the mechanism
described herein,
it is necessary for a seller to complete a registration procedure for each
product, using a
browser displaying a graphical user interface of the type shown in Figure 23.
[00138] In the interface of Figure 23, a product designation is provided at
field 2301.
Similarly, a price is specified at field 2302 and in accordance with this
preferred
embodiment, a classification is provided at field 2303.
[00139] In some embodiments an independent check may be made of the
classification.
Alternatively contractual conditions with suppliers may state that details of
further inventory
will not be received from a supplier if misclassifications are included.
[00140] Having populated fields 2301 to 2304, the supplier clicks on link
2304, effecting a
sending of the entered information to the server database 208.
[00141] Figure 24 illustrates a table within database 208.
[00142] At the database 208, each product is given a unique product
identification
number. Each unique product may be given a product identification number, with
the same
identification number being used for the same product when sold by different
sellers.
Alternatively, the product identification number may be unique for each
product sold by each
seller.
[00143] Within the database 208, tables are constructed identifying the
product
identification numbers and product descriptions, prices and classifications,
etc. However, in
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addition, indexes are established to facilitate the rapid checking of product
identification
numbers against their recorded classification.
[00144] A table 2401 is shown in Figure 24 in which each product
identification number
is recorded in a column 2402 with its appropriate classification, as supplied
by the seller
using field 2303, being recorded in column 2405. Thus, as can be seen from
this example,
product 00003 has a classification of 12 with product 0004 having a
classification of 18.
[00145] Procedures for the recording of parental blocks identified in
operation 2102 are
detailed in Figure 25. In response to requesting a parental block, a browser
used by a parent,
for example, is provided with a graphical user interface of the type shown in
Figure 25.
Using this graphical user interface, a telephone number is entered in field
2501. In field 2502
a classification block is specified. Before a block has been imposed, it is
assumed that no
restrictions exist. The highest level of blocking is to enter a classification
of 12. With
classification of 12, only non-restricted items may be paid for using this
service. With
classification 12 blocked, this automatically blocks 14, 16 and 18. Similarly,
with a block
classification of 14, only non-restricted and 12 classification products may
be purchased.
Similarly with a block of 16, only items classified 12 and 14 may be purchased
and with a
block classification of 18, adult material will be blocked but items
classified 12, 14 and 16
can be purchased.
[00146] In a preferred embodiment, additional measures may be required in
order to verify
the status of the blocked person imposing the block. Thus, for example, in
order to effect a
block it may be necessary for the parent to be in actual possession of the
mobile telephone.
[00147] Having identified the block classification, the parent is required to
specify an
unblock code in field 2503 followed by a confirmation of this code in field
2504. This code
is kept secret by the parent and will be required if the parent wishes to
adjust the level of
blocking or remove the blocking altogether. Thus, it is not possible for a
child using the
mobile telephone to remove the block unless they are aware of the unblock
code.
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Furthermore, should the unblock code become known to the user, it would be
relatively
straightforward for the parent to repeat the blocking procedure using an
alternative code.
[00148] Having completed the fields in the user interface, the parent clicks
on link 2505,
resulting in the information being supplied to the database 208.
[00149] Figure 26 shows another table within the database. In response to
receiving
parental block information, a table 2601, as shown in Figure 26, is populated
at the database
208.
[00150] Blocking information is received continually and in no particular
order.
However, in order to facilitate the fast searching of this information, a
primary key is
established at the database 208. Thus, a first column 2602 records the blocked
classifications
in order, followed by an identification of the user ID in column 2603.
[00151] A method performed within the environment and in accordance with the
preferred
embodiment is detailed in Figure 27. Thus, this method allows for funds
transfer
electronically by populating a database at the server component with an
indication of a
customer's telephone number. On receiving a classification of the nature of
the
products/services sold by each of a plurality of suppliers. The database
component is
populated with a table associating suppliers with their respective
classifications and an
indication of classifications is provided for each telephone number. The
transmission of
premium rate mobile terminating text messages to effect a payment is allowed
upon the
identification of stored classifications.
[00152] In use, an item has been selected and the purchasing procedure has
been initiated
by clicking link 505 identified in Figure 5. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 6,
it is necessary
to identify the user's telephone number first in field 603 and then in field
604. If accepted,
the user will receive a display as illustrated at 605.
[00153] Referring to the procedures identified in Figure 27, having received
data from
interface 601, an identification of the product is made in operation 2701.
This information
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will have been collected by the system during the product selection process
and therefore the
product ID should be included within data contained within the web page.
[00154] In operation 2702 the product classification is read with reference to
table 2401.
Thus, if product 0002 has been selected, the system is now aware that this has
a classification
of 0. Similarly, if product 00004 has been selected, the system is aware that
the product has
a classification of 18.
[00155] In operation 2703 the user ID is identified, and in operation 2704 a
question is
asked as to whether the user has been blocked. The classification for product
00004 is
recorded as 18, so if this product is selected, blocked classes 18 are
considered in table 2601.
In this example, this will show that user 0002, 0006, 021, 031 and 164 should
be blocked. In
addition, any user with classifications 12, 14 or 16 would also be blocked.
[00156] If the sale has not been blocked, the sale will continue in operation
2705.
However, if, for example, user 0006 attempts to purchase product 0004, the
question asked in
operation 2704 will be answered in the affirmative and the sale will be
blocked.
[00157] Figure 28 illustrates a message displayed to a user when a transaction
is blocked.
[00158] When the question asked in operation 2704 is answered in the negative,
the sale
continues, as illustrated in operation 2705, and the user is presented with an
interface 605
allowing them to accept or cancel the sale via their mobile telephone account.
However, if
the question asked in operation 2704 is answered in the affirmative, to the
effect that the sale
has been blocked, a message 2801 will be displayed on monitor 401 to the
effect that the sale
has been blocked. Thus, a message states "sorry! This purchase has been
blocked."
[00159] An illustration of a preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 29.
In a
preferred embodiment, the apparatus is configured for the reception of funds
at a supplier
electronically and has a customer browser component connected to a network, a
supplier
browser component connected to the network and a server component connected to
the
network and having a database component. In addition, a first mobile cellular
telephone is
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operable by the customer and has a first telephone number. The server
component is
configured to transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text
messages to the
mobile cellular telephone to effect the transfer of funds for reception by the
supplier, from
the customer, after the customer has placed an order with the supplier. In
addition, in
accordance with the preferred embodiment, the server component is configured
to transmit a
notification message to a second mobile cellular telephone having a second
telephone
number confirming that the transfer of funds has taken place.
[00160] In the preferred embodiment, in order to create a situation where the
notification
message is sent, a mobile cellular telephone pairing exercise is performed in
which a
supervisor telephone is identified for receiving the notification message and
a monitored
telephone is specified. Consequently, the transmission of premium rate
terminating
messages to the monitored telephone results in the transmission of the
notification message
to the supervisor telephone.
[00161] In operation 2901 the server is notified to the effect that a
monitored telephone is
to be paired to a supervisor telephone. The pairing is performed such that the
supervisor
telephone will receive an SMS text message providing details of any
transactions made by
the monitored telephone.
[00162] In operation 2902 the supervisor telephone is effectively in a standby
condition,
available for transactions to take place.
[00163] In operation 2093 a purchase is made by the supervised telephone
resulting in the
transmission of premium rate messages.
[00164] In operation 2904 an SMS message is sent to the supervisor telephone
identifying
details of the transaction. In a first embodiment, no further action is taken
and the monitored
telephone effectively returns to stage 2902 and is considered to be in standby
supervised
mode. However, in the preferred embodiment, having received an SMS message at
the
supervisor telephone, following operation 2904, it is possible for the
supervisor telephone to
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deactivate the monitored telephone. Thus, in operation 2905 a question is
asked as to
whether deactivation is to take place. When this question is answered in the
negative, control
is returned to operation 2902 and the monitored telephone returns to its
standby supervised
mode. However, if a question asked in operation 2905 is answered in the
affirmative, further
purchases by the monitored telephone are blocked in operation 2906.
[00165] Procedures for pairing a monitored telephone to a supervisor telephone
are
illustrated in Figure 30. A supervisor has access to a browser, that includes
a monitor 3001
and a mouse and keyboard similar to the items 403 and 402 shown in Figure 4.
[00166] After accessing an appropriate website, a screen is presented on
monitor 3001 as
illustrated in Figure 30. In this screen, it is possible for the supervisor to
enter a supervisor
telephone number in box 3002. Thereafter, a monitored telephone number is
entered in box
3003. The supervisor then clicks on link 3004 so as to command the server 201
to pair the
monitored telephone 202 (as shown in Figure 13) to the supervisor telephone,
as shown in
Figure 32.
[00167] After issuing a command to pair the monitored telephone to the
supervisor
telephone, the supervisor receives a second screen displayed at monitor 3001.
[00168] As shown in Figure 31 this identifies the supervisor's telephone
number at 3101.
Furthermore, the server 201 is configured to issue an activation message to
the supervisor
mobile telephone as an SMS text message. Thus, in order to establish a
telephone in a
supervisor role, the supervisor must have access to the telephone so that the
received
message can be entered. Thus, on the assumption that the supervisor does have
access to
their mobile telephone and is in a position to read the text message, the
message itself is
entered in box 3102 after which the supervisor clicks on "confirm" link 3103.
[00169] After issuing the confirm command, the supervisor is presented with a
second
screen substantially similar to that shown in Figure 31. However, on this
occasion, the
monitored telephone number is displayed and again a text message is sent to
the monitored
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telephone. Thus, in order to pair the telephones, the supervisor must be in
possession of the
monitored telephone, whereupon the received text message is entered in the
appropriate box
(similar to box 3102) and again the confirm link is activated.
[00170] A supervisor's mobile cellular telephone 3201 is shown in Figure 32.
In the
image shown, the supervisor's mobile cellular telephone 3201 has received a
text message
confirming that the monitored mobile cellular telephone 202 has made a payment
by the
process of receiving a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating messages.
Thus, in this
example, mobile telephone screen 3202 displays a message to the effect that
10.50 dollars
has been paid to a specific supplier for a particular product.
[00171] In addition, a soft menu identifies key 3203 as being available for
providing a
response to the effect that the sale is considered to be alright and thereby
requiring no further
action. Furthermore, the soft menu identifies key 3204 as being available for
generating a
message back to the server to the effect that the monitored cellular telephone
should be
deactivated. Thus, in response to a deactivation message being created,
further purchases by
the monitored telephone are blocked.
[00172] In a preferred embodiment, it is possible for a timeout to occur so
that it is not
necessary for the supervisor to operate key 3203 or key 3204. Under these
circumstances,
after a period of five minutes, for example, the system would time out and it
would be
assumed that the transaction was considered to be alright. However, in an
alternative
embodiment it would be possible for the system to be assumed blocked until a
positive
deactivation code is provided.
[00173] In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with
reference to
specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various
modifications may
be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope as set
forth in the
following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be
regarded in an
illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.
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