Checkout chassis chat platform

A computerized method for integrating message-based services with external execution environments includes receiving from a first external execution environment a request to access message-based services of a messaging software. A processor determines whether the first external execution environment includes a pre-existing relationship with the messaging software. If no, the processor requests access to a second external execution environment on behalf of the first external execution environment. The processor receives a response from the second external execution environment granting the access; and the processor grants the request from the first external execution environment to access the message-based services in the messaging service while integrating services from the second external execution environment to the messaging software. If yes, the processor identifies parameters associated with the pre-existing relationship and grants the request from the first external execution environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a nonprovisional patent application of the provisional patent application, Ser. No. 62/385,241, filed on Sep. 8, 2016, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention generally relates to artificial intelligent software applications instantiated in a messaging software that handle cross-platform processing of commands.

BACKGROUND

The Internet is one of the most significant innovations in bringing people together, despite the physical distances between them. It paves the way for more interactions between people. For example, electronic mail, one of the most frequently used communication means in the Information Age, could not be so prevalent without the Internet.

As communication devices become mobile, so are communication means. While voice communications via telephone numbers are still the norm, short messaging or text messages are becoming the default communication method. Moreover, these text messages have evolved to be capable of handling more than just alphanumerical contents. For example, messaging software is capable of allowing text messages in the form of “chat messages” or “instant messages” to include hyperlinks, voice messages, graphics, images, videos, and animations such that they capture the full range of expressions and emotions that the participants wish to convey.

As such, there is a desire to build an all-inclusive or an all-capable messaging software to handle all aspects of a user's activities. While this may be desirable, this in-app architecture requires the app/software itself includes all necessary software infrastructure, data structure, data schemas, protocol layers, encryption layer, encryption keys, etc., to be fully comprehensive. This would inevitably increase the complexity of the software and significantly increases the risk of bugs, security holes, virus attacks, as well as privacy loopholes, etc. Moreover, despite the increased capabilities of mobile devices, the messaging software with such design still suffers issues of limited resources, such as limitation on power supply, data storage, or processing power.

It is desirable therefore to further expand the scope of the activities to enable chat participants to perform many additional tasks other than chats or conversing via the messaging software without adding burdens to the messaging software/app. It is also desirable to enable seamless transfer of information or data across software boundaries from the messaging software/app.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention create flexibilities that elevate the capabilities of a messaging software/app. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a base layer of information infrastructure for a messaging software, such as a chat app/software, to communicate with another app/software or to a server hosted by another party. In a further embodiment, aspects of the invention provide a seamless integration of external execution environments to the messaging software such that the messaging software may provide is message-based or message-centric services to the external execution environment.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity so not all connections and options have been shown to avoid obscuring the inventive aspects. For example, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment may often not be depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein may be defined with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. These illustrations and exemplary embodiments may be presented with the understanding that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of one or more inventions and may not be intended to limit any one of the inventions to the embodiments illustrated. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods, systems, computer readable media, apparatuses, or devices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description may, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a diagram illustrates a system of a seamless transition between a smaller display device and a larger display device during purchase interactions according to one embodiment of the invention. The system100includes a number of participants, such as a messaging software102, a data payload execution platform104, a merchant106and a user114. In one example, the data payload execution platform104and the merchant106may be considered as external execution environment with respect to the messaging software102. In another embodiment, the messaging software102, the data payload execution platform104, and the merchant106include a number of hardware components associated therewith. For example, the messaging software102may be stored in a memory of a mobile computing device (see alsoFIGS. 7 and 8) and the mobile computing device includes processor(s) for executing the messaging software102. The messaging software102may be made available to the user114via a user interface (graphical or audio) such that the user114may interact with the messaging software102. Moreover, the messaging software102may issue computer-executable links, commands, instructions, etc., to other software, apps, hardware, or the like via an application programming interface (API). In another embodiment, the messaging software102may issue computer-executable links embedding instructions or commands for the user114to select the computer-executable links via the user interface.

Similarly, the data payload execution platform104may include server(s) (see alsoFIG. 9), database, or the like. The data payload execution platform104may be interfaced with the user114via an app or software installed or instantiated on the mobile device as the messaging software102. In a further example, the data payload execution platform104may be a payment processing system, a payment network, or the like. The interfaced app or software of the data payload execution platform104may be a checkout app, a wallet app, or the like. The data payload execution platform104may further communicate with other systems, such as server(s) run or operated by banking institutions, etc. In one embodiment, the data payload execution platform104may generate computer-executable links, commands or instructions for consumption by the messaging software102and/or the merchant106.

Also, the merchant106may be a content provider (e.g., news feeds, web content) or a provider of goods or services that may conduct business with the user114. The merchant106may include its computer systems that handle inventory management, warehouse management, order processing, or the like. The merchant106may further include a web portal displaying one or more goods or services for purchase or transaction with the user114and the user114may be able to visit the web portal from the messaging software102. In another embodiment, the merchant106may generate or create computer-executable links for user114to interact or select. In a further embodiment, the merchant106may generate computer-executable links, commands or instructions for consumption by the messaging software102and/or the data payload execution platform104.

In one embodiment, the messaging software102may include a messaging ID108associated with the messaging software102. In one example, the messaging ID108may include information of the user114(based on what is available on the messaging software102), version information of the messaging software102, hardware identification of the mobile device on which the messaging software102is executed, or the like. Similarly, the data payload execution platform104may include a platform ID110that may identify the user114with the data payload execution platform104, version information of the data payload execution platform104, hardware identification of the mobile device on which the data payload execution platform104is executed, or the like. Likewise, the merchant106may include a provider ID112that may include a merchant name, a merchant's contact information (e.g., telephone, website address, address), a merchant's social media links, etc.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a diagram depicts flows of information to and from a messaging software/app according to one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, a connection between the platform ID110and the messaging ID108may be optionally established. In one example, the connection may be established when the user114first operates the messaging software102and/or the data payload execution platform104. In another embodiment, the connection may be established in response to an invitation sent by the messaging software102once the messaging software102has identified the presence of the data payload execution platform104. For example, the messaging software102may review a list of installed app/software of the mobile device periodically. In one embodiment, the user114may initiate the connection between the data payload execution platform104and the messaging software102. In one example, the user114may be using the data payload execution platform104and wishes to connect the two. The user114may click on a computer-executable link provided in the data payload execution platform104to make the connection. In another embodiment, the user114may click or select a computer-executable link provided by contents provided within the data payload execution platform104. For example, suppose the data payload execution platform104is a payment processing platform and may include a checkout or wallet app associated therewith. The user114may, through the checkout/wallet app, add or associate his or her bank accounts, credit card accounts, or the like in the data payload execution platform104. When accessing contents in the checkout/wallet app, the user114may review and select computer-executable links therein and one of such computer-executable links may request the permission of the user114to connect the messaging software102with the data payload execution platform104.

Of course, such connection between the data payload execution platform104and the messaging software102make a variety of message-based features from the data payload execution platform104, such as chat-based account alerts and notifications, to the user114via the messaging software102. At the same time, in another example, the connection may enable message-based customer support, message-based card linked offers and conversational commerce to the user114via the messaging software102. As such, the data payload execution platform104may fully leverage the existing capabilities of the messaging software102and the messaging software102may adaptively and also seamlessly provide the user114using information from the data payload execution platform104.

In an alternative embodiment, the connection between the data payload execution platform104and the messaging software102may be established after an internal connection has been made in the data payload execution platform104. For example, the user114may first make sub-account connections within the data payload execution platform104. For example, the user114may have a number of financial accounts, loyalty accounts, or the like managed by the data payload execution platform104. As such, the data payload execution platform104may become the central depository for the user114of these accounts. In such an embodiment, the user114may further give permission or authorization to the data payload execution platform104to link with the messaging software102. This authorization or permission may give the data payload execution platform104access to chat based services and commerce across all of their bank relationships that the user114has previously connected. With this embodiment, the data payload execution platform104may further manage all of the message software102's integration and identity linking and management on behalf of the sub-accounts. This link further efficiently and significantly reduces the cost/effort to the sub-accounts to take advantages of the capabilities and functions of the messaging software102.

In addition to the approaches that the data payload execution platform104and the messaging software102, there may be other methods to connect the data payload execution platform104and the messaging software102. One of such methods involve the merchant106. In such an example, the merchant process106may, through the web portal of the merchant106or an artificial intelligent or bot of the merchant106, request credentials (such as sending a signal) from the messaging software102. In one example, the merchant106may submit such request via an API published by the messaging software102. In response from such request from the merchant106, the messaging software102issues instructions or calls (such as sending a signal) to the data payload execution platform102. The instructions or calls, may include information for a number of objects that are responsive to the request from the merchant106. For example, if the merchant106's request includes a request to conduct a business with the user114through the messaging software102, the call or instruction to the data payload execution platform102from the messaging software102may then include a listing of cards/accounts that may be capable to conduct such business along with addresses associated therefore. In another embodiment, in order to protect the privacy of the user114, the messaging software102may only receive a representation of the cards only, and not the actual payment authorization number (PAN) or payment authorization token.

The data payload execution platform104responds to the instructions or call from the messaging software102and the messaging software102subsequently sends the response (such as sending a signal) to the user114such that the user114may directly respond in the messaging software102. For example, the user114may select card/address within the messaging software102. In another embodiment, the user114may further select any additional information that may be sent along from the data payload execution platform104to the messaging software102. For example, the user114may additionally select objects, such as loyalty program cards, accounts, or other information to be passed to the merchant106.

In an alternative embodiment, the user114may setup additional security measures within the messaging software102such as authentication via biometric (via the mobile device), one-time-password, etc., such that future processing may be more convenient.

Once the user selects the desirable choice, in one embodiment, the selection is transmitted back to the data payload execution platform104for one more confirmation. The data payload execution platform104may next transmit a signal to the messaging software102with the confirmation. This signal may then trigger the messaging software102to send the confirmation to the merchant106. Using this confirmation, the merchant106may further compose a processing confirmation that includes the earlier confirmation from the data payload execution platform104and other data packets that are relevant and pertinent to the business. This processing confirmation is next transmitted to the data payload execution platform102and the data payload execution platform104may process the processing confirmation and respond thereto to the merchant106.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a diagram illustrates an exemplary data structure of a data packet transmitted supplied by a messaging software/app according to one embodiment of the invention. The data structure300may include at least one of the following data fields for storing data that may be used by and consumed by the messaging software102. For example, the data structure300includes a data field for storing a messaging ID302, a platform ID304, service code(s)306, alert trigger (on/off)308, and a support link/parameter310. In one embodiment, the service code(s)306may include a list of codes of services provided by the messaging software102. In another embodiment, the support link/parameter310may include data, computer-executable link that the messaging software102may include in its data packets.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a diagram illustrates an exemplary data structure400of a data packet to be consumed by a data payload execution platform according to embodiments of the invention. In one example, the data structure400may include one or more of the following data fields: a platform ID402, a platform sub-account information404, service code(s)406, alert trigger (on/off)408, support link/parameter410, messaging service code(s)412, and messaging support link/parameter414. In one embodiment, the support link/parameter410may include link, computer-executable link to an artificial intelligence (“AI”) of the data payload execution platform104that may be instantiated in the messaging software102to provide support to the user114. Similarly, the messaging support link/parameter414may provide a similar AI associated with the messaging software102to identify message-based or chat-based services within the data payload execution platform102.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a diagram illustrates an exemplary data structure500of a data packet submitted by a provider according to one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the merchant106may be a provider. In one embodiment, the data structure500may include one or more data fields include at least the following: a provider ID502, provider account504, content data and parameter506, authentication508, messaging ID510, user information,512and provider support link/parameter514. In one example, the content data and parameter506includes information or data associated with the goods or services provided by the merchant106. For example, suppose the merchant106conducts transactions with the user114. As such, the content data and parameter506may include information or data such as a description of the goods, the price of the goods, the quantity of the goods, etc. In one embodiment, the provider support link/parameter514may provide an AI associated with the merchant106to identify message-based or chat-based services within the merchant106.

In another embodiment, the merchant106may further include other fields or information than those in the data structure500. For example, the merchant106may previously enroll with the data payload execution platform104. In this case, the merchant106may include a computer-executable link to a profile established with the data payload execution platform104as part of the authentication field508. With such example, the messaging software102may in turn, upon receive the data packet from the merchant106, include such profile link when communicating with the data payload execution platform104.

In another embodiment, the merchant106may establish a separate profile directly with the messaging software102. For example, such profile may include information such as the name of the merchant106, as well as possible information, while meeting the security or privacy criteria established by the merchant106, from the messaging software102may be accepted. For example, the merchant106may include in the profile which credit card, types of credit cards (e.g., cards issued from one country v. another) and currencies the merchant106may accept; location where the merchant106may ship any products or items to and other common configuration settings.

With such profile between the merchant106and the messaging software102, the messaging software102may enroll the merchant106automatically to the data payload execution platform104because of the previously established relationship. In a further embodiment, the data payload execution platform104may even further enable or add decryption keys back to the merchant106so the merchant106may decrypt payloads from the data payload execution platform104.

In another embodiment, a third party, such as another solution provider platform, may have already registered or linked with the merchant106, as well as other members of the third party, on behalf of the merchant106. Suppose this third party then establish a connection with the messaging software102. With this connection, the third party wishes to enable the capabilities of the messaging software102to all of its members, and in turn, gain access to the data payload execution platform104. In such an embodiment, the merchant106may then include information of the third party, as well as the messaging ID of the third party with the messaging software102in the data structure500. From this approach, members of the third party would not miss out the opportunity to be connected with the messaging software102and the data payload execution platform104.

FIG. 6illustrates a flowchart of handling a messaging-centric processing according to one embodiment of the invention. At602, receiving a request at a messaging software from a merchant. The request includes a request to access to message-based services provided by the messaging software. The request may further include information such as those in data structure500. In another embodiment, the merchant may wish to gain access to the message-based services provided by the messaging software such that those services may be better integrated into services of the merchant. At604, the messaging software determines if the merchant has a preexisting relationship therewith. If the determining is negative, at606, the messaging software processes the request. If the determination is positive, the messaging software reviews the request to identify association of the pre-existing relationship. For example, as previously discussed, the merchant may already have a relationship with a third party or the data payload execution platform. Once identified, the messaging software may verify the association and identify any parameters associated with the relationship. The messaging software may grant the request at612and execute messaging-centric or messaging-based services therein.

Returning to606, the messaging software may next interact with the data payload execution platform to enable access to the data payload execution platform by the merchant at614. At616, the messaging software may grant message-based services' access to the merchant for integration with merchant services.

FIG. 7may be a high level illustration of a portable computing device801communicating with a remote computing device841but the application may be stored and accessed in a variety of ways. In addition, the application may be obtained in a variety of ways such as from an app store, from a web site, from a store Wi-Fi system, etc. There may be various versions of the application to take advantage of the benefits of different computing devices, different languages and different API platforms.

In one embodiment, a portable computing device801may be a mobile device112that operates using a portable power source855such as a battery. The portable computing device801may also have a display802which may or may not be a touch sensitive display. More specifically, the display802may have a capacitance sensor, for example, that may be used to provide input data to the portable computing device801. In other embodiments, an input pad804such as arrows, scroll wheels, keyboards, etc., may be used to provide inputs to the portable computing device801. In addition, the portable computing device801may have a microphone806which may accept and store verbal data, a camera808to accept images and a speaker810to communicate sounds.

The portable computing device801may be able to communicate with a computing device841or a plurality of computing devices841that make up a cloud of computing devices811. The portable computing device801may be able to communicate in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the communication may be wired such as through an Ethernet cable, a USB cable or RJ6 cable. In other embodiments, the communication may be wireless such as through Wi-Fi (802.11 standard), Bluetooth, cellular communication or near field communication devices. The communication may be direct to the computing device841or may be through a communication network102such as cellular service, through the Internet, through a private network, through Bluetooth, etc.FIG. 8may be a simplified illustration of the physical elements that make up a portable computing device801andFIG. 9may be a simplified illustration of the physical elements that make up a server type computing device841.

FIG. 8may be a sample portable computing device801that is physically configured according to be part of the system. The portable computing device801may have a processor850that is physically configured according to computer executable instructions. It may have a portable power supply855such as a battery which may be rechargeable. It may also have a sound and video module860which assists in displaying video and sound and may turn off when not in use to conserve power and battery life. The portable computing device801may also have volatile memory865and non-volatile memory870. It may have GPS capabilities880that may be a separate circuit or may be part of the processor850. There also may be an input/output bus875that shuttles data to and from the various user input devices such as the microphone806, the camera808and other inputs, such as the input pad804, the display802, and the speakers810, etc. It also may control of communicating with the networks, either through wireless or wired devices. Of course, this is just one embodiment of the portable computing device801and the number and types of portable computing devices801is limited only by the imagination.

As a result of the system, better information may be provided to a user at a point of sale. The information may be user specific and may be required to be over a threshold of relevance. As a result, users may make better informed decisions. The system is more than just speeding a process but uses a computing system to achieve a better outcome.

The physical elements that make up the remote computing device841may be further illustrated inFIG. 9. At a high level, the computing device841may include a digital storage such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, flash storage, non-volatile storage, etc. Structured data may be stored in the digital storage such as in a database. The server841may have a processor1000that is physically configured according to computer executable instructions. It may also have a sound and video module1005which assists in displaying video and sound and may turn off when not in use to conserve power and battery life. The server841may also have volatile memory1010and non-volatile memory1015.

The database1025may be stored in the memory1010or1015or may be separate. The database1025may also be part of a cloud of computing device841and may be stored in a distributed manner across a plurality of computing devices841. There also may be an input/output bus1020that shuttles data to and from the various user input devices such as the microphone806, the camera808, the inputs such as the input pad804, the display802, and the speakers810, etc. The input/output bus1020also may control of communicating with the networks, either through wireless or wired devices. In some embodiments, the application may be on the local computing device801and in other embodiments, the application may be remote841. Of course, this is just one embodiment of the server841and the number and types of portable computing devices841is limited only by the imagination.

The claimed system and method may address several technical problems and challenges, some of which are described. Currently, entering potential sensitive data across networks makes users nervous to the point that a sale may be lost or money or time saving tips or coupons may not be received. By using a proprietary network such as a payment network, to transfer potentially sensitive data, security may be higher and users may be more open to joining additional beneficial programs. Similarly, moving data from one payment system to another loyalty system has felt risky to some users, but by using a proprietary, trusted network, the data may be communicated in a more trustworthy fashion. In addition, formatting data and communicating data in a manner which may be understood by a variety of additional programs is a technical challenge or problem which the system and method has addressed.

The user devices, computers and servers described herein may be general purpose computers that may have, among other elements, a microprocessor (such as from the Intel Corporation, AMD or Motorola); volatile and non-volatile memory; one or more mass storage devices (i.e., a hard drive); various user input devices, such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a microphone; and a video display system. The user devices, computers and servers described herein may be running on any one of many operating systems including, but not limited to WINDOWS, UNIX, LINUX, MAC OS, or Windows (XP, VISTA, etc.). It is contemplated, however, that any suitable operating system may be used for the present invention. The servers may be a cluster of web servers, which may each be LINUX based and supported by a load balancer that decides which of the cluster of web servers should process a request based upon the current request-load of the available server(s).

The user devices, computers and servers described herein may communicate via networks, including the Internet, WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, other computer networks (now known or invented in the future), and/or any combination of the foregoing. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art having the present specification, drawings, and claims before them that networks may connect the various components over any combination of wired and wireless conduits, including copper, fiber optic, microwaves, and other forms of radio frequency, electrical and/or optical communication techniques. It should also be understood that any network may be connected to any other network in a different manner. The interconnections between computers and servers in system are examples. Any device described herein may communicate with any other device via one or more networks.

The example embodiments may include additional devices and networks beyond those shown. Further, the functionality described as being performed by one device may be distributed and performed by two or more devices. Multiple devices may also be combined into a single device, which may perform the functionality of the combined devices.

The various participants and elements described herein may operate one or more computer apparatuses to facilitate the functions described herein. Any of the elements in the above-described Figures, including any servers, user devices, or databases, may use any suitable number of subsystems to facilitate the functions described herein.

Any of the software components or functions described in this application, may be implemented as software code or computer readable instructions that may be executed by at least one processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++, or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques.

The software code may be stored as a series of instructions or commands on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network.

It may be understood that the present invention as described above may be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art may know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Recitation of “and/or” is intended to represent the most inclusive sense of the term unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

One or more of the elements of the present system may be claimed as means for accomplishing a particular function. Where such means-plus-function elements are used to describe certain elements of a claimed system it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art having the present specification, figures and claims before them, that the corresponding structure is a general purpose computer, processor, or microprocessor (as the case may be) programmed to perform the particularly recited function using functionality found in any general purpose computer without special programming and/or by implementing one or more algorithms to achieve the recited functionality. As would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that algorithm may be expressed within this disclosure as a mathematical formula, a flow chart, a narrative, and/or in any other manner that provides sufficient structure for those of ordinary skill in the art to implement the recited process and its equivalents.

While the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms, the drawings and discussion are presented with the understanding that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of one or more inventions and is not intended to limit any one of the inventions to the embodiments illustrated.

The present disclosure provides a solution to the long-felt need described above. In particular, the systems and methods described herein may be configured for improving data payload execution systems. Further advantages and modifications of the above described system and method will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The disclosure, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative system and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described above. Various modifications and variations can be made to the above specification without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure, and it is intended that the present disclosure covers all such modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.