Patent•
Electronic bill pay system
18 Oct 1994-
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a bill pay system where participating consumers (12) pay bills (30) to participating billers (14) through a payment network (102) operating according to preset rules (104).
Abstract: A bill pay system (figure 4) wherein participating consumers (12) pay bills (30) to participating billers (14) through a payment network (102) operating according to preset rules (104). The participating consumers (12) receive bills (3) from participating billers (14) (paper/mail bills, e-mail notices, implied bills for automatic debts) which indicate an amount, and a unique biller identification number (120). To authorize a remittance, a consumer (12) transmits (2) to its participating bank (16) a bill pay order (122) indicating a payment date, a payment amount, the consumer's account number with the biller (14), a source of funds (232) and the biller's (14) biller identification number, either directly or by reference to static data containing those data elements. Bank C (16) then submits a payment message (124) to a payment network (102), and the payment network (102), which assigns the biller reference numbers, forwards (268) the payment message to the biller's bank (18). For settlement, the consumer's bank (16) debits the consumer's (12) account and is obligated to a net position with the payment network (102); likewise, the biller's bank (18) receives a net position from the payment network (102) and credits the biller's bank account (268). If the consumer's bank (16) agrees to send non-reversible payment messages (124), the consumer's bank (16) does not submit the transaction until funds are good unless the consumer's bank (16) is willing to take the risk of loss if funds are not good, in the case of a guaranteed payment network (102).
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Patent•
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24 Oct 1995
TL;DR: In this article, a network-based sales system includes at least one buyer computer for operation by a user desiring to buy a product, a merchant computer, and a payment computer.
Abstract: A network-based sales system includes at least one buyer computer for operation by a user desiring to buy a product, at least one merchant computer, and at least one payment computer. The buyer computer, the merchant computer, and the payment computer are interconnected by a computer network. The buyer computer is programmed to receive a user request for purchasing a product, and to cause a payment message to be sent to the payment computer that comprises a product identifier identifying the product. The payment computer is programmed to receive the payment message, to cause an access message to be created that comprises the product identifier and an access message authenticator based on a cryptographic key, and to cause the access message to be sent to the merchant computer. The merchant computer is programmed to receive the access message, to verify the access message authenticator to ensure that the access message authenticator was created using the cryptographic key, and to cause the product to be sent to the user desiring to buy the product.
1,697 citations
Patent•
03 Jun 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a system for controlling and monitoring access to network servers that includes client-server sessions over the Internet, where when the user attempts to access an access-controlled file, the server subjects the request to a secondary server which determines whether the client has an authorization or valid account.
Abstract: This invention relates to methods for controlling and monitoring access to network servers. In particular, the process described in the invention includes client-server sessions over the Internet. In this environment, when the user attempts to access an access-controlled file, the server subjects the request to a secondary server which determines whether the client has an authorization or valid account. Upon such verification, the user is provided with a session identification which allows the user to access to the requested file as well as any other files within the present protection domain.
1,321 citations
Patent•
25 Mar 1999
TL;DR: In this article, a credit card system is presented which has the added feature of providing additional limited use credit card numbers and/or cards, which can be used for a single or limited use transaction, thereby reducing the potential for fraudulent reuse of these numbers and or cards.
Abstract: A credit card system is provided which has the added feature of providing additional limited use credit card numbers and/or cards. These numbers and/or cards can be used for a single or limited use transaction, thereby reducing the potential for fraudulent reuse of these numbers and/or cards. The credit card system finds application to “card remote” transactions such as by phone or Internet. Additionally, when a single use or limited use credit card is used for “card present” transactions, so called “skimming” fraud is eliminated. Various other features enhance the credit card system, which will allow secure trade without the use of elaborate encryption techniques. Methods for limiting, distributing and using a limited use card number, controlling the validity of a limited use credit card number, conducting a limited use credit card number transaction and providing remote access devices for accessing a limited use credit card number are also provided.
1,198 citations
Patent•
27 Feb 2006
TL;DR: In this article, a system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for technology sharing during demand and supply planning in a network-based supply chain environment, and steps included are providing locator and mapping capabilities utilizing the network.
Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for technology sharing during demand and supply planning in a network-based supply chain environment. Steps included are providing locator and mapping capabilities utilizing the network. Technology that includes streaming audio, stereo audio and video data is also shared utilizing the network. Encryption capabilities for the technology are also included. Further, searching capabilities are provided utilizing the network in addition to logging events and passive user profiling. The event logging includes logging network operations. User profile data is automatically received and stored. User profile data includes user identity, state, preferences and interests. User profile data is also automatically exported to an active profile manager which automatically adds additional user profile data. Additional user profile data includes information related to whether the user is a service provider or a manufacturer and the location of user.
1,143 citations
Patent•
31 Oct 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a bill delivery and payment system in which users (100) are able to access a server computer (160) on a communications network (110) to obtain bill information and pay bills.
Abstract: In a bill delivery and payment system, users (100) are able to access a server computer (160) on a communications network (110) to obtain bill information and pay bills. For example, such a communications network (110) may be the Internet or the World Wide Web thereof. Using a personal computer (100), a user can access a Web site provided by the server computer (160) to view the bill information and instruct the server computer (160) as to the details of the bill payment. In a second embodiment, without visiting the web site, users are provided with electronic bills containing bill information in the form of electronic mail (e-mail) at their e-mail addresses. After opening an electronic bill, a user can make the bill payment by replying to the electronic bill.
1,040 citations
References
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Patent•
29 Sep 1987
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a system for interactive on-line electronic communications and processing of business transactions between a plurality of different types of independent users including at least a plurality sellers, and a plurality buyers, as well as financial institutions, and freight service providers.
Abstract: A system for interactive on-line electronic communications and processing of business transactions between a plurality of different types of independent users including at least a plurality of sellers, and a plurality of buyers, as well as financial institutions, and freight service providers. Each user can communicate with the system from remote terminals adapted to access communication links and the system may include remote terminals adapted for storage of a remote data base. The system includes a data base which contains user information. The data base is accessed via a validation procedure to permit business transactions in an interactive on-line mode between users during interactive business transaction sessions wherein one party to the transaction is specifically selected by the other party. The system permits concurrent interactive business transaction sessions between different users.
1,733 citations
Patent•
10 Dec 1990
TL;DR: In this paper, a practical system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) involves distributing portable terminals to a user base.
Abstract: A practical system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) involves distributing portable terminals to a user base. The terminals include a multi-line display, keys “pointing to” lines on the display, and additional keys. Contact is established between the terminals and a central computer operated by a service provider, preferably over a dial-up telephone line and a packet data network. Information exchange between the central computer and the terminal solicits information from the terminal user related to requested financial services (e.g., for billpaying, the user provides payee selection and amount and his bank account PIN number). The central computer then transmits a message over a conventional ATM network debiting the user's bank account in real time, and may pay the specified payees the specified amount electronically or in other ways as appropriate. Payments and transfers may be scheduled in advance or on a periodic basis. Because the central computer interacts with the user's bank as a standard POS or ATM network node, no significant software changes are required at the banks' computers. The terminal interface is extremely user-friendly and incorporates some features of standard ATM user interfaces so as to reduce new user anxiety.
1,711 citations
Patent•
26 Feb 1990
TL;DR: In this article, an automated order and payment system for use by consumers to rapidly order products and services from any location at which the consumer is present at the time of ordering is presented.
Abstract: An automated order and payment system for use by consumers to rapidly order products and services from any location at which the consumer is present at the time of ordering. The system receives information about the products/services to be ordered by means of signals generated by scanning identification codes imprinted in advertising media or displayed to a consumer on a television screen. A special version of the invention is modified to accept voice command via a voice recognition means for those physically handicapped persons unable to perform manual data entry tasks. The consumer uses an optical scanning means embodied in a Order Computer Terminal to scan the identification code associated with a company and identification codes associated with the products/services desired. This product and company information is stored in the Order Computer Terminal along with credit information retrieved from a plurality of storage means used on credit cards and subsequently transmitted when desired by the consumer to a Central Computer System. The Central Computer System simultaneously receives information from multiple order computer terminals and verifies that the products or services from the desired company are in fact available. The Central Computer System also verifies the credit worthiness of the consumer by searching for such information from credit data bases. When the Central Computer System determines that the desired products/services are available and that the consumer is credit worthy, an order verification signal is sent to the individual consumer's order computer terminal whereupon the consumer verifies that he/she wishes to order the products/services communicated to the central computer system. Once the consumer verifies the order, the automated order and payment system places the order for the products/services desired and provides the appropriate credit reference to the supplier of the product/service. The automated order and payment system capabilities are more fully set forth herein.
624 citations
Patent•
01 Oct 1992TL;DR: An electronic bill payment system and method include billing equipment for creating approval records and generating approval numbers for each pre-authorized subscriber as discussed by the authors, which also includes an interactive payment approval apparatus into which subscribers dial to approve payment and which determines, based upon information collected, whether to initiate electronic funds transfer.
Abstract: An electronic bill payment system and method include billing equipment for creating approval records and generating approval numbers for each pre-authorized subscriber. The system also includes an interactive payment approval apparatus into which subscribers dial to approve payment and which determines, based upon information collected, whether to initiate electronic funds transfer. An approval record data base and a call history log data base are also part of the bill payment system. To approve electronic bill payment a subscriber, once pre-authorized, need only dial up the payment approval apparatus and enter the assigned approval number. A series of security checks and comparisons are performed to guard against accidental and malicious entry of approval numbers. Once all security checks are cleared, a confirmation number is announced to the subscriber, and an electronic funds transfer is initiated.
548 citations
Patent•
27 May 1986
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an electronic funds transfer system that assures that funds to be electronically transferred are actually present to be transferred, by sending both the debit side and the credit side of the transaction as described in automated clearing house records to a payor's financial institution or data processor and comparing both records to assure the funds are present before releasing the funds to the payee.
Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic funds transfer system that assures that funds to be electronically transferred are actually present to be transferred. This is accomplished by sending both the debit side and the credit side of the transaction as described in automated clearing house records to a payor's financial institution or data processor and comparing both records to assure the funds are present before releasing the funds to a payee. The release of funds to a payee is accomplished by the sending of a credit by an automated clearing house record to a payee's financial institution or data processor or by the printing and mailing of a check if the payee is not a member of the automated clearing house.
516 citations