Abstract:
A method and system for transferring an electronic sum of money from a credit memory associated with a money sender to an account or to a credit memory associated with a money receiver via an intelligent network in real time via user service signaling.

Description:
The present invention relates to a method and to a system for transferring an electronic sum of money from a credit memory to an account or to another credit memory via an intelligent network; particularly, a mobile radio network. 
     Besides for use as a communication vehicle and a source of information for what has now become hundreds of millions of people, the Internet is becoming increasingly important as a source of shopping. Particularly trade in software, books and travel is already being carried out on the Internet in a significant proportion today, but also a broad spectrum of other goods and services is increasingly being ordered and paid for over the Internet. Paying for the relevant services on the Internet in the manner which was established originally and is still generally widespread today requires the relevant data records to be input separately in each case, at least by each party to the transaction, if not even for the individual transaction. This mode of payment thus allows the party to the transaction to see sensitive personal data and even to store them permanently. 
     The Internet now also has become considerably important for handling other payment operations in the business and private sectors. Virtually all banks in industrial states offer electronic handling of account management and of payment operations in the form of “electronic banking.” 
     Nevertheless, the majority of payment operations in day-to-day life are, even today, still performed using cash or by providing transfer or direct debit orders or the like in writing, or by credit card or check card. In specific areas, such as in mobile radio technology, electronic credits (“prepaid cards”) have also become significant, but considerable obstacles prevent this way of paying from being introduced on a widespread basis. 
     Altogether, it can be stated that, in the current state of development, there are an extremely confusing large number of options for paying for goods or services, and using these options in day-to-day life requires considerable alertness and a wide variety of media and modes of entry to be dealt with. This is demanding and is also associated with diverse security risks (losing data media or credit media, forgetting account data and authentication codes, etc.). 
     Besides the Internet, telecommunications, (particularly, mobile telecommunications) today represents an area of rapid technical and economic development and a significant source of economic growth and new social developments. For many of the people in industrial states, the mobile telephone (“mobile”) is increasingly becoming a universal communication and information instrument and is also increasingly being used to access goods and services. This development is also still hindered by insufficient opportunities for reliable and, at the same time, simple payment for information, goods and services ordered using a mobile. 
     Although solutions exist which allow the user of a mobile, with or without a prepaid card, to authorize payments, which are then processed in a conventional manner by debit procedures or credit card debiting, these methods presuppose, as do payment processing procedures which now have been introduced on the Internet, that the purchaser is creditworthy and has authority to use a credit card or a current account with an overdraft facility. In addition, these procedures have inherent time lags which have an adverse effect on the transparency and reliability of the overall processing. 
     The present invention is, therefore, directed toward specifying a method and a system for simplified processing of payment transactions using a data network. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention encompasses the fundamental concept of specifying a largely universal payment method on the basis of an electronic credit (prepaid account or card) which can be used for payment processing in the “B2C (Business-2-Consumer) sector” and also in the “C2C (Consumer-2-Consumer) sector”; that is to say, allows shopping in real and virtual shops, payment in catering or cultural establishments, etc., and the “transfer” of sums of money in the private sector. It also encompasses the concept of using the opportunities of an intelligent network in this regard; specifically the opportunity for processing in real time, in particular. 
     In the present case, an electronic credit is understood as a memory content of a credit memory which can be operated via a telecommunications or data network in order to perform payment transactions; in principle, regardless of whether the memory actually has a prepaid credit or whether a credit sum is not transferred until a later time. In the description below and in the patent claims, the holder of the prepaid credit who wishes to transfer a sum of money and is in a (real or virtual) shop as a purchaser or in a catering establishment as a guest is referred to generally as the “money sender.” The receiver of the sum of money to be transferred, who will usually be the owner or operator of a shop or of a catering or cultural establishment, or the like, in daily life, is referred to generally as the “money receiver” below. In addition, the money receiver and the money sender may also be applications. 
     The central piece in the proposed system and in the proposed method is a transaction server which accesses a transaction database storing the data relevant for transferring prepaid credits. The transfer operation is initiated by user-to-service signaling (USS). 
     The sum of money to be transferred is input by the money sender or receiver on his/her respective terminal or on a unit connected thereto; in particular, a cash register. This also can be done in the second phase of a procedure in which USS is first used to address the transfer service, and the money sender or receiver is then asked via an announcement or menu guidance to input the sum of money. He/she then makes the relevant input in response to this request. 
     However, it is preferable for a cohesive USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Surface Data) string to be input on the respective terminal, which string includes not only a USSD code for prepaid payments but also a specified prepaid call number for the respective party to the transfer (i.e., when input is effected by the money sender, the call number of the money receiver, and vice versa) and the sum of money to be transferred (expediently separated by a star). The USSD code for prepaid payments is a predetermined sequence of digits and characters (e.g., *94#). 
     An “originating trigger” in the switch of the respective caller (money receiver or money sender) is used to identify the USSD string as such, and the switching center (switch) uses a suitable protocol to transmit the USSD string to the transaction server, which on receiving the string starts the requested application; namely, the money transfer service. The transfer involves, in particular, accessing the transaction database (or possibly even another user database in the intelligent network, for example the HLR=Home Location Register in a mobile radio network) to check the call number from which the call is being made. The application is started only if the call is being made by a registered user of the service. When the present invention is implemented in a mobile radio network, the transfer protocol used is the MAP (Mobile Application Part) protocol, in particular, which represents a mobile network-specific extension of the known signaling system No 7. 
     This application is preferably used within the scope of a subscription by the money receiver. In this context, the money receiver normally will specify a bank account to which the money transferred to his/her electronic credit memory within the scope of the prepaid shopping application is ultimately transferred. The transaction currency also can be specified. The money sender does not need to take out a subscription for the money transfer procedure. For security reasons, however, it is preferable for the money transfer to be authorized using predetermined authentication processes; in this regard, see below. 
     The preferred subscription to the service by the money receiver likewise is not absolutely necessary. With no formal subscription, however, it is not possible to specify any bank details, wherein the sum of money transferred to the electronic credit memory (“prepaid account”) cannot be transferred further. Since, additionally, a currency cannot be specified, the application is normally limited to the currency which is valid in the country of the money sender or receiver. In this form, the method is particularly suitable for the transfer of money between private persons (“C2C”). 
     When the connection or connections have been set up to the transaction server using USS, the rest of the inputs and outputs required can be made using USSD, using a voice connection with voice input or DTMF input and voice output or via the exchange of text messages (particularly, SMS or e-mail) or using the WAP (wireless application protocol) or else using a combination of these or using an Internet protocol used in the future. 
     The aforementioned subscription process involves a data record relating to the money receiver being stored in the transaction database (“shopping database”). The money receiver&#39;s account needs to be suitable for the management of electronic credits. Likewise, it can be a prepaid account, in particular. The money receiver can use a number of telephone numbers and a number of destination accounts for the transfer of money, in which case all the telephone numbers to be used and account identifiers for all the accounts naturally need to be stored in the shopping database. (The term “account identifier” is understood below to be an account number or an account code and the possibly required server address of an external server on which the account is managed, as a whole.) Besides the aforementioned data, the money receiver data record stored in the transaction database also includes a name or company name. 
     Besides the information relating to the money receiver, the shopping database preferably also contains the information about the money sender which is required for performing the money transfer. This money sender data record contains the account number of his/her prepaid account and, if required, the server address of an external server on which the prepaid credit is managed (also occasionally referred to in the present case as “account identifier” below). It may also contain the server and operator names and, finally, an authentication data record for authenticating larger money transfers at least optionally on a case by case basis. The “address” or “key” used for this data record is preferably the money sender&#39;s call number. 
     The money sender data record can also be stored in a separate prepaid database. 
     A fundamental security component is the aforementioned authentication data record within the money sender data record. The authentication data record includes, in particular, an authentication code (PIN or the like) and/or biometric data for the money sender (e.g., papillary line or retina pattern), which code and data are used for authorizing money transfers on a case-by-case basis. This code and these data are input on the money sender&#39;s terminal or on an input unit associated therewith, are transmitted to the transaction server and are compared there with the corresponding stored data. As a result of the comparison, the transaction is enabled or blocked. The money sender&#39;s PIN or biometric data also can be input on a cash register device connected to the money receiver&#39;s terminal or on an associated input unit. 
     If the money sender has not been authenticated in this way at the very start of the money transfer process, the authentication data need to be requested. In a first embodiment, this can be done by calling the money sender&#39;s terminal and transmitting an announcement which quotes the sum of money to be used and asks the money sender to confirm it using the agreed authentication data record (PIN, biometric data or the like). Secondly, USSD or SMS can be used to send to the money sender a suitably formulated request and the sum of money to be confirmed, and the money sender responds using USSD or an SMS which contains the PIN or other authentication data. The third option is for the PIN or the like to be requested from the money sender via a WAP push page quoting the sum of money to be confirmed. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the method, the aforementioned authorization steps are not performed for very small sums, but only for sums of money which exceed a predetermined threshold value. This threshold value can be set and changed by the service provider or the money sender himself/herself. 
     The proposed solution includes the function blocks (1) start the money transfer procedure, (2) debit the money sender and (3) credit the money receiver. These function blocks can be executed on one and the same server or on different servers, which is/are collectively referred to by the term “transaction server.” The server or servers can exist centrally with a service provider or in a number of hardware implementations with this service provider or else with a number of service providers. The prepaid shopping application has, as already mentioned above, access to a “shopping database” which (according to the specific network and application concept) likewise can be provided centrally at one point, distributed over a number of points or else in a number of copies at various points. 
     The method and system are in the simplest form when the money sender&#39;s prepaid credit, the money receiver&#39;s destination account and the prepaid shopping application itself are managed or operated with one and the same service provider. If this is not the case, clearing (known as such) needs to take place for the money transfer. For this process, the documentation produced for the debiting and crediting process, particularly in the form of “log records”, can be used. 
     As a real time method, the proposed method affords improved transparency and reliability as compared with known payment processing methods and can be used, in particular, by people who have not been granted a credit facility. The user need merely have a prepaid credit ensuring sufficient coverage of the envisaged money transfer. 
     In addition, the proposed system affords the considerable advantage that the electronic money held in a prepaid account can be used not only for paying for a service having a narrow specification (specifically, telephone calls), but also in diverse ways for paying for goods, service, information, etc., in real or in virtual sales establishments of all kinds. Prepayment of the credit gives the user strict cost control and, in principle, it is not possible to get into debt unintentionally. As such, this method can be used with particular advantage for minors (or else for older people who are no longer in full possession of their mental faculties) as well, for whom there has been no comparable application to date. For paying for goods and services from different suppliers, the money receiver no longer requires a number of prepaid cards or terminals, but rather only need store a single prepaid call number. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a greatly simplified function block diagram of a first embodiment of the inventive system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a greatly simplified function block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a greatly simplified function block diagram of a third embodiment of the inventive system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic illustration of fundamental steps in the proposed application for the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It should be pointed out that, in  FIG. 1 , the assumption is made that the prepaid shopping application runs on the same server as that on which prepaid accounts of the money receiver and money sender are managed. By contrast,  FIG. 2  shows the situation in which prepaid accounts of the money sender and money receiver are managed on a different server (belonging to the same operator B 1 ) than that on which the prepaid shopping application is running.  FIG. 3  shows the situation in which the prepaid shopping application and prepaid accounts which it operates are managed on different servers belonging to different operators B 1 , B 2 .  FIGS. 1 to 3  show the case in which the transaction server is called by the money receiver&#39;s terminal, which is controlled by a cash register device. If the figures are modified by replacing the connection between the money receiver&#39;s switch and the server with a connection between the money sender&#39;s switch and the server, they show the case in which the money sender calls the transaction server. 
     The money transfer process is initiated by virtue of a USSD string of the type specified further above being sent by the terminal of the money receiver or money sender, with that part of the data string which specifies the sum of money being supplied by the cash register device connected to the terminal. Provided that the price has not been input in connection with the signaling process, the prepaid shopping application starts an announcement which asks the calling party to input the price. The caller then inputs the price. 
     The prepaid shopping application activated by the USSD string on the transaction server then transfers the data required for transferring the money (in particular the call numbers of money receiver and money sender and the sum of money) to a prepaid application on a corresponding server. This can be the transaction server itself ( FIG. 1 ) or at least one server belonging to the same operator ( FIG. 2 ) or at least one server belonging to another operator ( FIG. 3 ). The applications can also run on different servers, having been distributed in modules. 
     When the data have been transmitted, wherein the money transfer procedure has been started, a checking process is first carried out to determine whether the data medium is valid and whether the sum in the money sender&#39;s prepaid account is sufficient for the envisaged transfer process. If both are the case, the money sender is asked to input his/her PIN in order to authorize the debit operation on the sum of money to be transferred. 
     The checking process involves the prepaid shopping application accessing the shopping database and reading the money receiver data record and the money sender data record with the information contained therein regarding which server or which servers (and which operator or which operators) hold the accounts of the money receiver and the money sender. The server belonging to the money sender is identified and, if it is a server other than that on which the prepaid shopping application is running, a real time connection to a prepaid shopping application running on this foreign server is set up. 
     The prepaid shopping application on the money sender&#39;s server is sent a request to check whether the electronic credit in the money sender&#39;s prepaid account is sufficient for the envisaged money transfer. If this is not the case, the transfer is terminated with a corresponding advice signal to the terminal of the money receiver and/or money sender. If the sum of money to be transferred is covered, it is reserved in the money sender&#39;s prepaid account. 
     The aforementioned authorization is given by virtue of the money sender inputting the PIN on the money receiver&#39;s cash register. The PIN which is input is compared with the PIN stored in the money sender data record. If it is valid, the debiting process is initiated. If it is not valid, the transaction is terminated at this point and a corresponding advice signal is again transmitted. 
     The sum of money to be transferred is then debited from the money sender&#39;s prepaid account. This process is time critical and is performed in real time. If the money sender&#39;s prepaid account is on the same server as the prepaid shopping application, the credit can immediately (in real time) be reduced by the sum of money to be transferred. If the account is on a foreign server, the debit request needs to be made to the prepaid shopping application on that server, and the debit operation is performed under that application&#39;s regime. In each case, a log record is produced for the debiting process, and the money receiver is informed about the debit operation having been performed via the cash register system or a call or by SMS or the like. 
     The sum of money to be transferred is then credited to the money receiver&#39;s account, which can be a prepaid account, a real time account or a normal bank current account. This process is not time critical but needs to take place with the utmost reliability. In this case, too, a distinction needs to be made between the aforementioned variants for debiting, according to whether or not the account is managed on a foreign server. A log record is also produced for the crediting process. 
     Specific advantages of the procedure described as an exemplary embodiment using a USSD string are that the money sender can remain anonymous, and long call numbers do not need to be exchanged between money sender, money receiver and transaction server, but rather a data string need be output just once. In addition, this is done essentially automatically by the money receiver&#39;s cash register system. This shortens the time for the transaction process and reduces the rate of error during input. For each transaction, the money receiver or money sender need call the transaction server and input the sum of money just once, and saves time for other activities. Furthermore, the inputs using USSD can be made on any terminal which is customary today. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention without departing from the hereafter appended claims.