Patent ID: 8380622
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method for finalizing an electronic fund transfer that is matched to an invoice for payment to be made from a first party having a first financial account at a first financial institution to a second party having a second financial account at a second financial institution using a transfer network system in communication with the first party, the second party, the first financial institution and the second financial institution, the method comprising: receiving an invoice authorization document from the first party digitally signed using a first digital certificate issued by and in accordance with a procedure of a certificate authority in communication with the transfer network system; authenticating the first digital certificate via the certificate authority to confirm that the signer of the invoice authorization document has the authority to assent to payment of the invoice; storing a copy of the signed digital invoice authorization document in a database associated with the transfer network system; sending a payment authorization request from the transfer network system to the first party; receiving the payment authorization request from the first party digitally signed using a second digital certificate issued by and in accordance with the procedure of the certificate authority; authenticating the second digital certificate via the certificate authority to confirm that the signer of the payment authorization request has the authority to assent to a transfer of funds from the first financial account of the first party at the first financial institution to the second financial account of the second party at the second financial institution; storing a copy of the signed digital payment authorization request in the database associated with the transfer network system; sending a copy of the signed digital payment authorization request to the first financial institution; receiving an electronic payment instruction from the first financial institution; forwarding the electronic payment instruction to the second financial institution; and receiving an electronic payment receipt from the second financial institution.