Patent ID: 7693790
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: G06Q,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of paying bills using a telecommunications line connectable to at least one remote payment computer network via a payee's agent's computer system, wherein a caller begins session using a telecommunications line to initiate a spontaneous payment transaction to a payee, the method comprising: sending a prompt from the remote payment computer network via the telecommunications line to the caller to enter an account number identifying an account of a payor with the payee in connection with the payment transaction; sending a prompt from the remote payment computer network via the telecommunications line to the caller to enter a payment number selected from one or more choices of debit forms of payment; sending a prompt from the remote payment computer network via the telecommunications line to the caller to enter a payment amount for the payment transaction; upon a payment amount being entered and during the session, the payee's agent's computer system (i) accesses a remote payment network associated with the entered payment number, (ii) sends a message to the accessed remote payment network determining, during the session, inquiring whether sufficient available funds exist in an account associated with the entered payment number to complete the payment transaction, (iii) responsive to the notification indicating that sufficient available funds exist in the associated account, sends to the remote payment network an authorization to charge the entered payment amount against the account associated with the entered payment number, (iii) adds the entered payment amount to an account associated with the entered account number, (iv) sends a notice via the telecommunications line to the caller indicating that the payment transaction has been authorized, and (v) stores the account number, payment number and payment amount are to be stored in a transaction log file of the payee's agent's computer system.