Patent Publication Number: US-2007121840-A1

Title: Storing notice of remittance received in a distributed data network

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/057,233, filed Feb. 15, 2005, entitled “Presentation and Payment of Bills Over a Wide Area Communications Network,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/301,068, filed Apr. 28, 1999, entitled “Electronic Bill Presentment Technique With Enhanced Biller Control” (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,856,974), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/017,169, filed Feb. 2, 1998, entitled “Distributed Data Accessing Technique” (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,567), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/645,521, filed Aug. 22, 2003. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to distributed data networks and, more particularly, to a distributed data accessing technique.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      There are two prevalent models for electronic bill presentment that are currently used in industry. The first is an aggregation model  10 , which is shown in  FIG. 1 . In its simplest form, the aggregation model  10  includes a customer  12 , an aggregator  14 , and a plurality of billers  16 . The customer  12  can be, for example, an individual person, a family, or a business. The aggregator  14  can be a financial institution (FI) such as, for example, a bank. Alternatively, the aggregator  14  can be a separate entity which acts on behalf of a sponsor  18 , which can also be an FI such as a bank. Each biller  16  can be of any billing institution type such as, for example, a local telephone company, a local electric company, a retail outlet, or a national long distance telephone company.  
      Each biller  16  provides customer-related invoice data to the aggregator  14 . The aggregator  14  serves: as an intermediary between each biller  16  and the customer  12  by providing bill presentment directly to the customer  12 , potentially on behalf of the sponsor  18 .  
      There are two variants of the aggregation model  10  resulting from the ownership, or “branding”, of the presentation experience and the communication channel between the aggregator  14  and the customer  12 . In one variant, the aggregator  14  may offer aggregator-branding, thus totally owning both the presentation experience and the communication channel between the aggregator  14  and the customer  12 . In the other variant, the aggregator  14  may offer sponsor-branding, thus staying “behind the scenes” in terms of the presentation experience and supporting the communication channel between the aggregator  14  and the customer  12  on behalf of the sponsor  18 .  
      The second prevalent model for electronic bill presentment is a biller direct model  20 , which is shown in  FIG. 2 . In its simplest form, the biller direct model  20  includes a customer  12  and at least one biller  16 . In the biller direct model  20 , each biller  16  retains the customer-related invoice data and the full relationship with the customer  12  (i.e., the presentation experience and the communication channel). The customer  12  may have software for providing a capability similar to Web browser bookmarking so as to allow easy navigation between billers, and thus some level of virtual aggregation. However, there is no actual aggregation such as with the aggregator  14  of the aggregation model  10  described above.  
      The above-described models present a dichotomy between a sponsor-centric view and a biller-centric view of bill presentment. That is, the aggregation model  10  allows the aggregator  14  and/or the sponsor  18  to use customer-related invoice data, bill presentment, and the communication channel between the aggregator  14  and the customer  12  for cross-selling or other peripheral services. The biller direct model  20 , on the other hand, insures that control of customer-related invoice data, bill presentment, and the communication channel between the biller  16  and the customer  12  remains with the biller  16 .  
      Also, neither of the above-described models adopt a truly customer-centric view. That is, neither of the above-described models allow a customer  12  to interact directly with individual billers  16  while retaining the benefits of interacting with a single aggregator  14  such as, for example, the ability to retain a single authentication and log-in procedure and a common bill presentation framework. Further, neither of the above-described models allow a customer  12  to retain the benefits of interacting with a single aggregator  14  while allowing the aggregator  14 , billers  16 , and sponsor  18  to retain certain preferences such as, for example, the ability to retain control of customer-related data and a communication channel with each customer  12 . Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a distributed data accessing technique which addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings of the above-described models.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to the present invention, a distributed data accessing technique is provided. The technique can be realized by storing, at a first network station. information identifying data which is available at a second network station. The first network station can be, for example, an electronic payment and customer service entity. The second network station can be, for example, a billing entity such as a utility company. The information identifying the data that is available at the second network station can be, for example, information which indicates that a bill is available at the second network station.  
      A signal is generated at the first network station. The signal represents the information identifying the available data and linking information to the second network station. The lihking information can be, for example, a web site address along with some additional parameters.  
      The signal is transmitted to a third network station. The third network station can be, for example, a user entity such as a personal computer. The transmitted linking information is operable at the third network station to establish a network link over which the identified available data is transmittable from the second network station to the third network station. That is, the third network station can invoke the linking information so as to create, for example, a link to the web site of a utility company.  
      The signal is typically generated in response to a request for data. Such a request can include an identification of a user so that the user can be authenticated. The signal is then generated after the user is authenticated. The request is typically received from the third network station. The request, as well as any other events that occur between the various network stations, can be logged at the first network station. The logged events can then be accessed by an entity located outside of the network such as, for example, a centralized customer service center.  
      The identified available data is typically stored at the second network station. However, the identified available data can be provided to the second network station by an entity located outside of the network. Such an outside entity could be, for example, a legacy billing system or an established billing aggregator.  
      The first network station can receive a notification that the identified available data was transmitted from the second network station to the third network station. The identified available data is preferably transmitted from the second network station directly to the third network station over the network link. The identified available data can be transmitted from the second network station to the third network station so as to be displayed in a presentation format. The presentation format can be, for example, an Internet web page or a frame of an Internet web page.  
      In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the identified available data can be identified available first data, the linking information can be first linking information, the network link can be a first network link, and further information identifying second data which is available at a fourth network station can be stored at the first network station. Similar to the second network station, the fourth network station can be, for example, a billing entity such as a retailer. The information identifying the second data that is available at the fourth network station can be, for example, information which indicates that a bill is available at the fourth network station.  
      The signal that is generated at the first network station can further represent the further information identifying the available second data and second linking information to the fourth network station. As with the first linking information, the second linking information can also be, for example, a web site address.  
      The signal can again be transmitted to the third network station, and the transmitted second linking information is operable at the third network station to establish a second network link over which the identified available second data is transmittable from the fourth network station to the third network station. The third network station can therefore invoke the second linking information so as to create, for example, a link to the web site of the retailer.  
      The signal can again be generated in response to a request for data. The request can include an identification of a user so that the user can be authenticated for use with more than one network station. That is, only a single authentication procedure is required for use with both the second and the fourth network stations. As before, the request, as well as any other events that occur between the various network stations can be logged at the first network station. The logged events can then be accessed by an entity located outside of the network such as, for example, a centralized customer service center.  
      The identified available second data is typically stored at the fourth network station. However, as with the second network station, the identified available second data can be provided to the fourth network station by an entity located outside of the network. Again, such an outside entity could be, for example, a legacy billing system or an established billing aggregator.  
      The first network station can receive a first notification that the identified available first data was transmitted from the second network station to the third network station, and a second notification that the identified available second data was transmitted from the fourth network station to the third network station. The identified available first data is preferably transmitted from the second network station directly to the third network station, and the identified available second data is preferably transmitted from the fourth network station directly to the third network station. Both the identified available first data and the identified available second data can be transmitted to the third network station so as to be displayed in a presentation format. The presentation format can be, for example, an internet web page or a frame of an internet web page. It should be noted that the identified available first data and the identified available second data can be presented in separate frames of an internet web page at the same time. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the appended drawings. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention, but are intended to be exemplary only.  
       FIG. 1  is an aggregation model for electronic bill presentment.  
       FIG. 2  is a biller direct model for electronic bill presentment.  
       FIG. 3  is an infrastructure diagram of a distributed database entity in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an electronic bill presentment and payment system in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an electronic payment and customer service (EPCS) entity in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 , extended to include certain associated directly related systems.  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 , extended to include certain associated indirectly related systems.  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 , extended to include certain associated customer care entities.  
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 , extended to include a centralized customer care entity.  
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart diagram showing initial sign-on data and message flows between a user entity and a banking entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart diagram showing sign-on and authentication data and message flows between a user entity, a banding entity, and an EPCS entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart diagram showing bill availability data and message flows between a user entity, a banking entity, and an EPCS entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 13A  is a flowchart diagram showing billing entity presentment data and message flows between a user entity, a billing entity, and an EPCS entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 13B  is a flowchart diagram showing billing aggregator bill presentment data and message flows between a user entity, a billing entity, an EPCS entity, and an established billing aggregator in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 13C  is a flowchart diagram showing alternative system bill presentment data and message flows between a user entity, an EPCS entity, and an alternative bill presentment and payment system in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart diagram showing bill payment data and message flows between a user entity, an EPCS entity, and a billing entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart diagram showing bill remittance and debiting data and message flows between an EPCS entity and a billing entity and a banking entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 16  shows an example of a branded interface having a sign-on request prompt that includes a username field and a password field.  
       FIG. 17  shows an example of a banking entity home page, including a “view bills” icon, a “view checking account” icon, and a “view savings account” icon.  
       FIG. 18  shows a first modified banking entity home page having a frame presenting new bill availability data.  
       FIG. 19  shows a second modified banking entity home page having a frame presenting detailed bill data.  
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart diagram showing customer service data and message flows between a centralized customer service center, and an EPCS entity, a billing entity, and a banking entity in the electronic bill presentment and payment system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFER EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an infrastructure diagram of a distributed database entity  30  in accordance with the present invention. The distributed database entity  30  comprises a database component  32  and a plurality of message interfaces  34 - 40  for facilitating communication between the database component  32  and other distributed database entities and system components. The database component  32  typically contains data that is controlled or “owned” by the controller or “owner” of the distributed database entity  30 . For example, if the distributed database entity  30  is owned by a financial institution (FI) such as a bank, then the database component  32  could contain information such as checking and savings account balances. It should be noted, however, that the database component  32  can also contain data from other distributed database entities and system components, as will be described in detail below.  
      The plurality of message interfaces  34 - 40  includes an internal message interface  34 , an external message interface  36 , a partner message interface  38 , and a customer care message interface  40 . The internal message interface  34  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between the given distributed database entity  30  and other distributed database entities, or other system components having an internal message interface. For example, in a bill presentment and payment system, communication between a banking entity and a billing entity may be required. The external message interface  36  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between the given distributed database entity  30  and any existing system(s) that are directly related to the given distributed database entity  30 . For example, an FI such as a bank can have an existing direct deposit account (DDA) system. The partner message interface  38  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between the given distributed database entity  30  and any existing system(s) that are indirectly related to the given distributed database entity  30 . For example, in a bill presentment and payment system, communication with an established billing aggregator may be necessary to satisfy customer demands. The customer care message interface  40  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between the given distributed database entity  30  and a customer care entity. For example, in a bill presentment and payment system, a billing entity may allow a third party to access bill data in order to provide feedback to bill customers. It should be noted that all of the above-described interfaces will be described in greater detail below.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a schematic diagram of a versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system  50  in accordance with the present invention. The system  50  comprises a user entity  52 , a banking entity  54 , a billing entity  56 , and an electronic payment and customer service (EPCS) entity  58 . For purposes of this detailed description, the user entity  52 , the banking entity  54 , the billing entity  56 , and the EPCS entity  58  are each distributed database entities  30  as defined above. Thus, the user entity  52 , the banking entity  54 , the billing entity  56 , and the EPCS entity  58  each has a database component  32 , an internal message interface  34 , an external message interface  36 , a partner message interface  38 , and a customer care message interface  40 . It should be noted, however, that the user entity  52 , the banking entity  54 , the billing entity  56 , and the EPCS entity  58  are not required to have a database component  32 , an internal message interface  34 , an external message interface  36 , a partner message interface  38 , and a customer care message interface  40 . That is, the user entity  52 , the banking entity  54 , the billing entity  56 , and the EPCS entity  58  are only required to have an internal message interface  34  so that communications can take place between each entity.  
      At this point it should be noted that although only a single user entity  52 , banking entity  54 , billing entity  56 , and EPCS entity  58  is shown in the system  50 , it is common to have a plurality of such entities in an actual versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system in accordance with the present invention.  
      As previously described, an internal message interface  34  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between distributed database entities. Thus, since the user entity  52 , the banking entity  54 , the billing entity  56 , and the EPCS entity  58  are all distributed database entities, they all communicate through internal message interfaces  34 . The communications are performed over interconnections  60 , which can be electrical wire, optical fiber, or microwave-based interconnections.  
      At this point it should be noted that each internal message interface  34 , as well as each external message interface  36 , partner message interface  38 , and customer care message interface  40 , can be implemented using any number of existing message-based communication systems such as, for example, a TCP/IP message-based communication system running on the infrastructure of the internet. Alternatively, the internal message interfaces  34 , the external message interfaces  36 , the partner message interfaces  38 , and the customer care message interfaces  40  could be implemented with proprietary messaging software on a private network or intranet. It should also be noted that there are no requirements as to the nature of the messaging protocol, or any middleware used to support the messaging.  
      The user entity  52  is typically a personal computer (PC) that is directly connected to the system  50 , or is connected to the system  50  through a network server. Thus, the database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  can be located on the PC (e.g., a traditional “fat” client), or on the network server (e.g., an HTML browser client). It should be noted that the database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  can also be located in one of the other distributed database entities, which can download data to the user entity  52  (e.g., a Java client). It should also be noted that the database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  can be distributed among all three of the above-listed locations, owing to the distributed nature of each database component  32 . Thus, each database component  32  should not be thought of as a single, monolithic database. Rather, each database component  32  is better described as a distributed repository of data categorized by the entity that “owns” the data.  
      Wherever it is located, the database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  stores data that is related to the type of user interface (UI) that is being presented to a subscriber of the system  50 . For example, the database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  can store data that is related to the particular type of presentation technology being used (e.g., a “fat” client, an IITML browser client, or a Java client), a specific application, or a particular version. The database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  can also store data that is related to a particular computing session such as, for example, the existence of a computing session and/or the duration of a computing session. The database component  32  associated with the user entity  52  can further store subscriber authentication data, which is described in detail below.  
      The main function of the user entity  52  is to build a UI using data obtained from the other distributed database entities, and then present the UI to a subscriber of the system  50 . The presentation of the UI to a subscriber is dependent upon the particular type of presentation technology being used (e.g., a “fat” client, an HTML browser client, or a Java client). For example, a UI for a Java client requires that presentation data be downloaded from one of the other distributed database entities.  
      Other functions of the user entity  52  include storing certain data locally so as to facilitate off-line editing and viewing, maintaining a state in a connectionless environment (e.g., an HTTP environment), and sensing the availability of software updates and managing their subsequent application. All of these functions depend on the nature of the client (e.g., a “fat” client, an HTML browser client, or a Java client). As previously indicated, another function of the user entity  52  includes storing subscriber authentication data (e.g., a security ticket) that is used to gain access to other distributed database entities in the system  50 .  
      The banking entity  54 , which is typically an FI such as, for example, a bank, is generally viewed as a primary point of presence for a subscriber to the system  50 , typically providing an appearance of aggregation to the subscriber. This view is held primarily due to the trust that consumers typically place in a bank brand, and the fact that bank customers who already bank online are also likely to want to receive bills online. Thus, in the following discussion, the banking entity  54  is assumed to be the aggregator of the system  50 . It should be noted, however, that any one of the other entities could also be the aggregator of the system  50  in accordance with the present invention. There are several factors which can be used to determine aggregator status such as, for example, market clout.  
      The banking entity  54  typically gains access to the system  50  through a network server. Thus, the database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54  can be located in the network server. It should be noted that the database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54  can also be located in a system associated with the banking entity  54  such as, for example, a DDA system. Such a DDA system could be accessed through the external message interface  36  of the banking entity  54 , as described in detail below. It should further be noted that the database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54  can also be located in one of the other distributed database entities, or be distributed among many of the above-mentioned locations, owing to the distributed nature of each database component  32 .  
      Wherever it is located, the database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54  stores bank-specific subscriber profile data profile such as, for example, subscriber names and addresses and subscriber account numbers. The database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54  can also store account information such as, for example, static account information (e.g., lease rate, principle), and dynamic account information (e.g., balance). The database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54  can further store profile data specifically associated with the FI such as, for example, graphics, business rules, banking-related transaction histories, and aggregation relationships such as those between the FI and billers.  
      Since it is likely that the system  50  will be used with existing banking systems such as, for example, an existing DDA system, one of the main functions of the banking entity  54  is the continuation of current banking and bill payment functionality including the maintaining of customer profiles and already existing interfaces. In its role as aggregator, the banking entity  54  also provides data to the user entity  52  to be used for the creation of a navigation portion of a UI. For an HTML browser client, this data would be used to create a navigation frame, but not a content specific frame. It should be noted that the banking entity  54  can also provide data to the user entity  52  to be used for the creation of a UI for traditional banking and bill payment.  
      Since the banking entity  54  is generally viewed as the primary point of presence for a subscriber to the system  50 , the banking entity  54  also functions as the likely, but not exclusive, entry point for subscriber sign-on. Thus, the banking entity  54  typically controls the sign-on and authentication procedures for subscribers through the user entity  52 . It should be noted that the banking entity  54  typically works in conjunction with the EPCS entity  58  in controlling the authentication procedure, as described in detail below.  
      Another function of the banking entity  54  includes tracking bank related events and storing them in an event tracking database, which is typically associated with the EPCS entity  58 , as also described in detail below.  
      The billing entity  56  is typically a biller such as, for example, a utility company. The billing entity  56  typically gains access to the system  50  through a network server. Thus, the database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  can be located in the network server. It should be noted that the database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  can also be located in a system associated with the billing entity  56  such as, for example, a legacy billing system. Such a legacy billing system could be accessed through the external message interface  36  of the billing entity  56 , as described in detail below. It should further be noted that the database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  can also be located in one of the other distributed database entities, or be distributed among many of the above-mentioned locations, owing to the distributed nature of each database component  32 .  
      wherever it is located, the database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  stores biller-specific subscriber profile data such as, for example, subscriber names and addresses and subscriber account numbers and types (e.g., business vs. residential phone line). The database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  also stores billing data for use by the user entity  52  in building the UI for the subscriber. The billing data can include bill availability data, detailed billing data, ads and other cross-sale displays and links, and bill payment terms and conditions.  
      The database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  can also store biller transaction history such as, for example, bill data manipulation (e.g., viewing, searching, sorting), and cross-sell events. The database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56  can further store biller profile data such as, for example, graphics, business rules, and relationships with aggregators such as banks.  
      The main function of the billing entity  56  is to provide billing data to the user entity  52  for use in creating the UI for the subscriber. The billing entity  56  also provides bill availability data to an aggregator database, whether it is located in the banking entity  54 , the EPCS entity  58 , or another entity, to provide notice of bill availability to subscribers. The billing entity  56  can also access legacy billing systems through the external message interface  36  of the billing entity  56 , as indicated above.  
      Another function of the billing entity  56  includes tracking biller-related events and storing them in an event tracking database, which is typically associated with the EPCS entity  58 , as described in detail below.  
      The EPCS entity  58  can generally be described in terms of a data processing system  70 , such as shown in  FIG. 5 . The data processing system  70  preferably comprises at least one processor (P)  72 , memory (M)  74 , and input/output (I/O) interface  76 , which are connected to each other by a bus  78 , for implementing the functions of the EPCS entity  58 , as described in detail below.  
      Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the EPCS entity  58  typically gains access to the system  50  through a network server. Thus, the database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  can be located in the network server. It should be noted that the database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  can also be located in a system associated with the EPCS entity  58  such as, for example, a legacy aggregating system. Such a legacy aggregating system could be accessed through the external message interface  36  of the EPCS entity  58 , as described in detail below. It should further be noted that the database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  can also be located in one of the other distributed database entities, or be distributed among many of the above-mentioned locations, owing to the distributed nature of each database component  32 .  
      Wherever it is located, the database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  stores bill payment-specific subscriber profile data such as, for example, subscriber names and addresses, subscriber DDA account numbers, and subscriber credit ratings. The database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  also stores bill payment warehouse data such as, for example, user-specific payees, single occurrence payments, and recurring payments/models.  
      As previously described, both the banking entity  54  and the billing entity  56  track and store events in an event tracking database. This event tracking database is typically located in the database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58 . The event tracking data that is stored typically comprises event summaries and links to other databases, perhaps residing at other entities, which provide event details and/or an audit trail.  
      The database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  also stores bill payment transaction histories, and system subscriber profile data such as, for example, metadata about subscribers and metadata about subscribers&#39; relationships to other entities (e.g., a list of billers that a subscriber has enabled). The database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  further stores billing-related profile information on the system aggregator and billers such as, for example, metadata about billing arrangements (e.g., flat rate, per subscriber, event-driven, etc.), and aggregation data such as, for example, new bill availability and messages or special announcements available from the billing entity  56 . the database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  still further stores security data such as, for example, required sign-on information and macro-level authorizations. The database component  32  associated with the EPCS entity  58  additionally stores customer service data such as, for example, FAQ&#39;s, FI and biller contact information, and problem resolution data.  
      The EPCS entity  58  is the glue that holds the distributed database entities together. The EPCS entity  58  accomplishes this by functioning as an integration agent by maintaining bill payment profiles and warehouse data, aggregating bill availability and status data (but not bill content or presentation), and maintaining an event tracking database (or audit trail) that can be accessed by all of the database entities. Also, in order to facilitate a single point of sign-on, the EPCS entity  58  functions as the authentication gate keeper. This doesn&#39;t mean to imply that the EPCS entity  58  necessarily maintains user identification numbers and/or passwords. However, it does imply that the EPCS entity  58  accepts sign-on requests and doles out authentication “tickets” in response, in conjunction with the banking entity as described above.  
      It should be noted that, like user identification numbers and passwords, other data elements, like event details, may end up being virtually aggregated by the EPCS entity  58 , but may still physically reside in a distributed manner across several of the database entities.  
      It should also be noted that the EPCS entity  58  may also route e-mail messages to and from the various database entities, as well as store e-mail messages sent to and from the various database entities,  
      As previously described, an internal message interface  34  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between distributed database entities. As also previously described, each internal message interface  34  can be implemented using any number of existing message-based communication systems, or with proprietary messaging software on a private network or intranet. Furthermore, the message specification or file format can be either standard (i.e., open) or proprietary With this mind, the following types of messages are examples of messages which may be employed to implement an internal message interface  34  in accordance with the present invention.  
      Depending upon the nature of the presentation technology being used (e.g., a “fat ” client, an HTML browser client, or a Java client), the user entity  52  may need to process an internal message to store a security ticket for later use in gaining access to other distributed database entities in the system  50 . The user entity  52  may also need to process an internal message to update any resident software. The user entity  52  may further need to process an internal message containing various types of information (assuming a push model). The user entity  52  may additionally need to process internal e-mail messages such as, for example, those for receiving data from other database entities.  
      The banking entity  54  will process an internal message to add/update/delete/retrieve FI branding information, as well as an internal message to add/update/delete an entry from a list of billers that have been aggregated. The banking entity  54  will also process an internal message to activate a subscriber for home banking via a messaging protocol, which can be an existing messaging protocol such as, for example, OFX or a batch process. The banking entity  54  will further process an internal message to query/update bank subscriber profile data for purposes of customer care. The banking entity  54  will still further process an internal message to query bank transaction history for customer care and for linking to the event tracking database. The banking entity  54  will still further process an internal message to retrieve a list of billers available under the FI sponsor umbrella. An alternative to this is to place the list of billers available under the FI sponsor umbrella in an aggregation database. However, placing the list of billers available under the FI sponsor umbrella allows the EPCS entity  58  to tailor the list by FI sponsor. The banking entity  54  will additionally process internal e-mail messages such as, for example, those for sending data to other database entities, receiving data from other database entities, and broadcasting data to other database entities.  
      The billing entity  56  will process an internal message to add/update/delete/retrieve biller branding information, as well as an internal message to activate a subscriber for electronic bill presentment via a messaging protocol, which can be an existing messaging protocol such as, for example, OFX or a batch process. The billing entity  56  will also process an internal message to retrieve bill availability data, retrieve bill detail data, and retrieve bill presentation specifications or content. For example, the retrieved data could be URL links to ads and notices, HTML data, or OFX data. The billing entity  56  will further process an internal message to query/update biller subscriber profile data for purposes of customer care. The billing entity  56  will still further process an internal message to query biller transaction history for customer care and for linking to the event tracking database. The billing entity  56  will additionally process internal e-mail messages such as, for example, those for sending data to other database entities. receiving data from other database entities, and broadcasting data to other database entities.  
      The EPCS entity  58  will process internal event tracking messages. Such event tracking messages are used to gain access to two types of information in the event tracking database: summary data and a link to another database entry that can provide more detail. Such detail includes subscriber enrollment data, subscriber service activation data (e.g., biller, bill payment, banking, etc.), sign-on data, bill availability data, bill viewed data, bill payment generated data (optionally associated with presented bill data), subsequent bill payment events data (e.g., submitted, processed, failed, cleared, remittance received by biller, etc.), cross-sell events data (e.g., ad/offer viewed, ad/offer clicked, product/service purchased), terms &amp; conditions viewed data, e-mail created/read/deleted data.  
      The EPCS entity  58  will also process any internal messages related to subscriber profile data such as, for example, to add/modify/delete/read subscriber profile data, often as a function of the events listed above (e.g., enrollment, activation, etc.).  
      The EPCS entity  58  will also process internal security messages. Such internal security messages may relate to authentication, which result in the EPCS entity 0.58 issuing a security ticket. It should be noted that an authentication request does not have to come as a result of a subscriber “surfing” to the network server of the banking entity  54 . It may be initiated if a subscriber tries to gain access to the billing entity  56 , and thereby not even contacting the banking entity  54 . The point being that with a security ticket a subscriber is generally allowed to freely traverse any database entity in the system  50  without going through repeated sign-on procedures.  
      An internal security message may also relate to macro-level authorization, wherein a security ticket may contain the credentials to allow a subscriber access to a particular billing entity, but doesn&#39;t address micro-level authorization issues such as allowed operations.  
      An internal security message may also relate to getting a security ticket without authentication. Such a message will originate from a trusted party (e.g., an FI performing its own authentication). Therefore, a security ticket is provided without performing an authentication.  
      It should be noted that the use of a security ticket enables, but does not mandate, a single sign-on procedure. In other words, a database entity such as, for example, the billing entity  56  may, for whatever reason, require additional authentication information.  
      The EPCS entity  58  will further process internal messages relating to aggregation data. For example, an EPCS entity  58  will process an internal message to create a link to summary or detailed bill information, or to create a link to message, notice, ad, or some other kind of non-bill information that is available from the billing entity  56 .  
      The EPCS entity  58  will still further process an internal message to query/update bill payment transaction history for purposes of customer care.  
      The EPCS entity  58  will additionally process internal e-mail messages such as, for example, those associated with routing e-mail, picking-up e-mail, and querying and e-mail mailbox.  
      The EPCS entity  58  may also process internal messages related to data mining. Such messages are handled very carefully with respect to privacy, perhaps even providing an ACL or other mechanisms to ensure privacy. The results of such messages may be delivered out of band (e.g., by batch).  
      As previously described, an external message interface  36  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between a given distributed database entity  30  and any existing system(s) that are directly related to the given distributed database entity  30 . As also previously described, each external message interface  36  can be implemented using any number of existing message-based communication systems, or with proprietary messaging software on a private network or intranet. Furthermore, the message specification or file format can be either standard (i.e., open) or proprietary.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a schematic diagram of the versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system  50 , along with some associated directly related systems. The associated directly related systems comprise a desktop database  80 , a DDA system  82 , a legacy billing system  84 , and a legacy remittance system  86 . The communications between the various database entities and their associated directly related systems are performed over interconnections  88 , which can be electrical wire, optical fiber, or microwave-based interconnections.  
      Depending upon the nature of the presentation technology being used (e.g., a “fat” client, an HTML browser client, or a Java client), the user entity  52  may need to process an external message in order to communicate with an existing system such as, for example, the desktop database  80 , To support such a legacy system, it may be necessary to implement the external message interface  36  of the user entity  52  in the context of an existing, and possibly extended, protocol specification, such as Gold, NPC, or OFX.  
      The banking entity  54  will process external messages to and from an existing system such as, for example, the DDA system  82  in order to query and update information such as, for example, subscriber profile data, subscriber account data, out-of-band (e.g., ATM) account activity, and statement history. It&#39;s also conceivable that the banking entity  54  would need to interface with other banking systems (e.g., stops). Thus, the external message interface  36  of the banking entity  54  is a key feature of the versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system  50 .  
      The billing entity  56  will process external messages to and from an existing system such as, for example, the legacy billing system  84  in order to query and update information such as, for example, subscriber profile data, subscriber account data, account activity, and statement history. Most of this data is industry, if not biller, specific. Thus, the external message interface  36  of the billing entity  56  is a key feature of the versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system  50 .  
      The EPCS entity  58  will process external messages to and from an existing system such as, for example, the legacy remittance system  86 . The legacy remittance system  86  could be, for example, ACH, RPP, RPS, or Direct Send.  
      As previously described, a partner message interface  38  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between a given distributed database entity  30  and any existing system(s) that are indirectly related to the given distributed database entity  30 . As also previously described, each partner message interface  38  can be implemented using any number of existing message-based communication systems, or with proprietary messaging software on a private network or intranet. Furthermore, the message specification or file format can be either standard (i.e., open) or proprietary.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a schematic diagram of the versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system  50 , along with some associated indirectly related systems. The associated indirectly related systems comprise a personal finance system  90 , a banking system  92 , an established billing aggregator  94 , and an alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 . The communications between the various database entities and their associated indirectly related systems are performed over interconnections  98 , which can be electrical wire, optical fiber, or microwave-based interconnections.  
      Depending upon the nature of the presentation technology being used (e.g., a “fat” client, an HTML browser client, or a Java client), the user entity  52  may need to process a partner message in order to communicate with a partner such as, for example, the personal finance system  90 . The personal finance system  90  could be, for example, a personal financial manager (PFM) software package such as, for example, Quicken or Money.  
      The banking entity  54  will process partner messages to and from a partner such as, for example, the banking system  92 .  
      The billing entity  56  will process partner messages to and from a partner such as, for example, the established billing aggregator  94 . Such a partner relationship may be required if a large group of subscribers are using the established billing aggregator  94 , and thereby have the leverage to demand that all of their bills come through the established billing aggregator  94 . The established billing aggregator  94  is essentially treated as a proxy for the billers that it represents. Thus, subscribers to the established billing aggregator  94  will have equal footing as subscribers to the present system  50 . This means that subscribers to the established billing aggregator  94  will receive the same event tracking, customer service, and payment processing functionality as subscribers to present system  50 . Of course, to gain the additional functionality provided by the present system  50 , the established billing aggregator  94 , or someone acting on their behalf, will need to provide the same programming support that is required of any biller participating in the present system  50 .  
      To present a bill generated by the established billing aggregator  94 , the present system  50  would, for example, receive bill availability data and the URL of a web server of the established billing aggregator  94 , and the billing entity  56  would then point to the web server of the established billing aggregator  94  to get an HTML presentation of detailed bill data. In this scenario, the partner message interface  38  would be essentially the same as an internal message interface  34 , but possibly with added bulk transfer capability.  
      The EPCS entity  58  will process partner messages to and from a partner such as, for example, the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 . Such a partner relationship may be required if a billing entity  56  has a subscriber base that is split between using the present system  50  and the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 . In such a scenario, the present system  50  could function as a billing aggregator for the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 , and vice-versa. However, the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96  and its subscribers would not receive any of the benefits of the messaging functionality provided by the present system  50 . Only the minimum amount of functionality would be provided. That is, the partner message interface  38  would only provide what is required to present bills through the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 , and not offer any of the advantages provided by the present system  50 . The goal being to have the billing entity  56  encourage all of its subscribers to access bills through the present system  50 .  
      It should be noted that the EPCS entity  58  will typically require the capabilities of a billing entity  56  in order to present bills to and from the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 .  
      As previously described, a customer care message interface  40  defines messages that are used to communicate and query data between a given distributed database entity  30  and a customer care entity. As also previously described, each customer care message interface  40  can be implemented using any number of existing message-based communication systems. or with proprietary messaging software on a private network or intranet. Furthermore, the message specification or file format can be either standard (i.e., open) or proprietary.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a schematic diagram of the versatile electronic bill presentment and payment system  50 , along with some associated customer care entities. The associated customer care entities comprise a user entity self service center  100 , a banking entity customer service center  102 , a billing entity customer service center  104 , and an EPCS customer service center  106 . The communications between the various database entities and their associated customer care entities are performed over interconnections  108 , which can be electrical wire, optical fiber, or microwave-based interconnections.  
      Depending upon the nature of the presentation technology being used (e.g., a “fat” client, an HTML browser client, or a Java client), the user entity  52  may need to process a customer care message in order to communicate with a customer care entity such as, for example, the user entity self service center  100 . The user entity self service center  100  could be, for example, a self service diagnostic tool.  
      The banking entity  54  will process customer care messages from a customer care entity such as, for example, the banking entity customer service center  102 . A customer care message may be a request for data or a request to modify existing data. The banking entity  54  will process such customer care messages by providing the requested data or providing a confirmation that the existing data has been modified, respectively, to the banking entity customer service center  102 . The banking entity customer service center  102  could be, for example, a third party telemarketing group that is allowed access to banking and overall system data in order to provide feedback to system subscribers.  
      The billing entity  56  will process customer care messages from a customer care entity such as, for example, the billing entity customer service center  104 . A customer care message may be a request for data or a request to modify existing data. The billing entity  56  will process such customer care messages by providing the requested data or providing a confirmation that the existing data has been modified, respectively, to the billing entity customer service center  104 . The billing entity customer service center  104  could be, for example, a third party telemarketing group that is allowed access to billing and overall system data in order to provide feedback to system subscribers.  
      The EPCS entity  58  will process customer care messages from a customer care entity such as, for example, the EPCS entity customer service center  106 . A customer care message may be a request for data or a request to modify existing data. The EPCS entity  58  will process such customer care messages by providing the requested data or providing a confirmation that the existing data has been modified, respectively, to the EPCS entity customer service center  106 . The EPCS entity customer service center  106  could be, for example, a third party telemarketing group that is allowed access to event and overall system data in order to provide feedback to system subscribers.  
      It should be noted that all of the customer care entities described above could be consolidated into a centralized customer service center  110 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . In such an scenario, each of the database entities would process customer care messages to and from the centralized customer service center  110  similar to as described above. The communications between the various database entities and the centralized customer service center  110  would be performed over interconnections  112 , which can be electrical wire, optical fiber, or microwave-based interconnections.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 10-15 , there are shown flowchart diagrams of data and message flows between the various entities within the system  50 . These flowchart diagrams assume that the user entity  52  is an HTML browser client, the banking entity  54  is the primary point of presence for a subscriber to the system  50 , the billing entity  56  controls bill presentment, and the EPCS entity  58  controls bill payment.  
      In  FIG. 10 , a subscriber at the user entity  52  accesses the web site of the banking entity  54  in step  200 . In return, the banking entity  54  presents a branded interface to the user entity  52 , including a sign-on request prompt in step  202 .  FIG. 16  shows an example of such a branded interface  120 , wherein the sign-on request prompt includes a username field  122  and a password field  124 .  
      In  FIG. 11 , the user entity  52  submits a sign-on request with authentication credentials in step  204 . The banking entity  54  messages the EPCS entity  58  with the authentication credentials of the subscriber and the event is logged in step  206 . The EPCS entity  58  provides a security ticket to the banking entity  54  in step  208 . The banking entity  54  delivers the security ticket to the user entity  52  and presents its “home page” to user entity  52  in step  210 .  FIG. 17  shows an example of such a home page  130 , which includes a “view bills” icon  132 , a “view checking account” icon  134 , and a “view savings account” icon  136 .  
      It should be noted that either the EPCS entity  58  or the banking entity  54  could perform the authentication procedure, but in either case the event is still logged in the event tracking database.  
      In  FIG. 12 , the subscriber selects the “view bills” icon  132  in step  212 . The banking entity  54  messages the EPCS entity  58  with an aggregation data request and the event is logged in step  214 . The EPCS entity  58  presents aggregation data of new bill availability to user entity  52  in step  216 .  FIG. 18  shows a first modified home page  140  having an EPCS entity frame  142  presenting the new bill availability data, which includes an “electric bill” icon  144 , a “gas bill” icon  146 , a “phone bill” icon  148 , a “cable bill” icon  150 , a “credit card bill” icon  152 , and an “all bills” icon  154  which allows all bills to be presented simultaneously, albeit in separate frames.  
      In  FIG. 13A , the subscriber selects the “gas bill” icon  146  and is linked to the billing entity  56  along with the security ticket in step  218 . The billing entity  56  messages the EPCS entity  58  to log the “view bill” request event in step  220 . The billing entity  56  presents detailed bill data to the user entity  52  in step  222 .  FIG. 19  shows a second modified home page  160  having a billing entity frame  162  presenting the detailed bill data, which includes the subscriber name, subscriber address, account number, usage, and cost, and a “pay bill” icon  164 .  
      icon  164  and messages the EPCS entity  58  with a forward dated pay bill request so the event is logged in step  224 . The EPCS entity  58  messages the billing entity  56  with a pay bill request notification along with a bill identification number in step  226 .  
      In  FIG. 15 , the EPCS posts a debit with the banking entity  54  and the event is logged in step  228 . The EPCS entity  58  then remits a payment to the billing entity  56  and the event is logged in step  230 .  
       FIG. 13B  can be substituted for  FIG. 13A  in the above-described sequence of flowchart diagrams to show how detailed bill data can be provided by the established billing aggregator  94  thru the partner message interface  38  of the billing entity  56 . In  FIG. 13B , the subscriber again selects the “gas bill” icon  146  and is linked to the billing entity  56  along with the security ticket in step  232 . The billing entity  56  again messages the EPCS entity  58  to log the “view bill” request event in step  234 . However, in this case, detailed bill data is available only from the established billing aggregator  94 . Thus, the billing entity  56  accesses the established billing aggregator  94  through its partner message interface  38  in step  236 . In response, the established billing aggregator  94  provides detailed bill data to the billing entity  56  in step  238 . The billing entity  56  then presents the detailed bill data to the user entity  52  in step  240 .  
      It should be noted that, in an alternative embodiment, the established billing aggregator  94  could present the detailed bill data directly to the user entity  52 .  
       FIG. 13C  can be substituted for  FIG. 13A  in the above-described sequence of flowchart diagrams to show how detailed bill data can be provided by the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96  thru the partner message interface  38  of the EPCS entity  58 . In  FIG. 13C , the subscriber selects the “gas bill” icon  146  and is linked back to the EPCS entity  58  along with the security ticket and the event is logged in step  242 . In this case, detailed bill data is available only from the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 . Thus, the EPCS entity  58  accesses the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96  through its partner message interface  38  in step  244 . In response, the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96  provides detailed bill data to the EPCS entity  58  in step  246 . The EPCS entity  58  then presents the detailed bill data to the user entity  52  in step  248 .  
      It should be noted that, as previously described, the EPCS entity  58  will typically require the capabilities of a billing entity  56  in order to present bills to and from the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96 . Alternatively, it should be noted that detailed bill data can be provided by the alternative bill presentment and payment system  96  thru the partner message interface  38  of the billing entity  56  in a manner similar to that as described in  FIG. 13B .  
      Referring to  FIG. 20 , there is shown a flowchart diagram of data and message flows between the centralized customer service center  110  and the various entities within the system  50 . A subscriber  170  contacts the centralized customer service center  110  regarding a bill payment in step  250 . The centralized customer service center  110  accesses the event tracking database in the EPCS entity  58  to see if a view bill, pay bill, remit payment, or debit posting event has been logged in step  252 . If more detailed information regarding, for example, the posting of a debit for a bill, the centralized customer service center  110  can access the database component  32  associated with the banking entity  54 , as shown in step  254 . Similarly, if more detailed information regarding, for example, the remitting of a payment for a bill, the centralized customer service center  110  can access the database component  32  associated with the billing entity  56 , as shown in step  256 . It should be noted that, although not shown, the EPCS entity  58  can log all of the above-described accesses performed by centralized customer service center  110 .  
      As is apparent from the foregoing description, the system  50  allows a subscriber to interact directly with individual billers while retaining the benefits of interacting with a single aggregator such as, for example, the ability to retain a single authentication and log-in procedure and a common bill presentation framework. The system  50  also allows a subscriber to retain the benefits of interacting with a single aggregator while allowing the billers and banks to retain certain preferences such as, for example, the ability to retain control of subscriber-related data and a communication channel with each subscriber.  
      At this point it should be noted that while the foregoing detailed description was directed to an electronic bill presentment and payment technique, any number of system types can employ the distributed database entities  30  to facilitate distributed data accessing within a network in accordance with the present invention.  
      The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the present invention in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.