Abstract:
Systems and methods for facilitating money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services include receiving, from a vendor location, a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request including a mobile wireless device phone number and a corresponding payment amount. A destination wireless service provider that serves the mobile wireless device is identified based on the phone number, and the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services request or a formatted version thereof is delivered to a billing system of the destination wireless service provider. A fulfillment confirmation or denial associated with the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request is thereafter received, and when a fulfillment confirmation is received, payment is provided to the destination wireless service provider.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/119,516, filed Dec. 3, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of money transfer payments, and more particularly to money transfer payment systems and methods to initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services via a third-party vendor. 
         [0003]    Present money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services procedures typically involve a consumer going to a retail location and providing their wireless service provider account number, which typically differs from the mobile wireless device phone number. The retail location customer service agent collects the consumer&#39;s name, address, phone number, wireless service provider name, and wireless service provider account number. The customer service agent enters all the consumer&#39;s information into the system and validates the account number with the wireless service provider. Upon validation, the customer service agent collects payment remittance from the consumer, and then completes the payment transaction. Typically, this procedure is followed for each subsequent money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services unless the consumer frequents the same retailer, and that retailer stores previously provided consumer information. While this conventional procedure functions well for many people, some consumers fail to bring their account number with them, do not know the balance due, or do not wish to provide their name and address due to privacy concerns, leading to incomplete transactions and frustration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is particularly useful for making payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services, such as while shopping at a retail outlet. In this manner, the customer can initiate the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services while attending to other shopping or errands, or while at a location not designated solely for payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services including receiving, from a vendor location, a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services request associated with a mobile wireless device phone number. The method further includes receiving a fulfillment request initiated by a customer, collecting a customer data set comprised of the mobile wireless device phone number and the payment amount, and authorizing a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services to the wireless service provider associated with the mobile wireless device phone number. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services transaction record includes, in some embodiments, an account identifier including the mobile wireless device phone number, a transaction code and additional data fields used to uniquely identify the transaction. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the method includes associating a mobile wireless device phone number with the correct wireless service provider, and providing a connection to the wireless service provider&#39;s network to facilitate the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services. In this manner, a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services may be initiated or requested at the vendor location. The vendor location, which may include a point-of-sale device, a customer service representative (CSR) or retail agent, and may be a retail outlet, vendor or merchant (e.g., grocery store, gas station, money transfer agent, shopping mall, airport, or the like), can be used to facilitate money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services between customers and wireless service providers. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention also provide systems for initiating, processing, facilitating and/or performing money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services. One such system includes a host computer system having a processor coupled to a database. The host computer system further includes code for performing various methods or method steps of the present invention. In a particular embodiment, the code includes code for receiving a fulfillment request associated with a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services record and collecting a customer data set, and for authorizing a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services associated with the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services record. 
         [0008]    In some aspects, the system includes a point-of-sale device disposed at the vendor location. The point-of-sale device is configured to receive the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services request from the customer service representative or retail agent and to provide the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services request to the host computer system. In some aspects, the point-of-sale device receives a mobile wireless device phone number and payment amount associated with the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services record, and initiates the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request. Initiation of the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request may occur, in some aspects, when the point-of-sale device sends the mobile wireless device phone number and payment amount to the host. In one aspect, the host computer system includes a first host computer having the code for establishing the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services record and a second host computer having the code for determining the associated wireless service provider to whom payment should be directed, and a third host computer having the code for formatting, authorizing and delivering the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services associated with the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services record. 
         [0009]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a system for facilitating money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a combination block and flow diagram of a system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention includes systems and methods that initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services between customers and wireless service providers. The embodiments of the present invention may be particularly useful for customers who want to make payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services without having to provide their wireless service provider name and account number. The number of locations at which a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services can be initiated is increased through use of the systems and methods of the present invention. Some embodiments result in increased transaction speed and improved convenience to the customers. 
         [0013]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the customer requests the fulfillment of the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services by communicating with a retail organization. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment can be accomplished a number of ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, a first Customer  11  may enter a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services location, such as a location enabled in accordance with the functionality described herein, and provide relevant information in the form of a mobile wireless device phone number  13  and a payment amount  14  to a customer service representative (CSR) for first Customer  11 . The CSR enters the collected information into a computer-based system using appropriate software. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the customer requests the fulfillment of the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services by communicating with a retail organization. A first Customer  11  may enter a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services location, and provide relevant information in the form of a mobile wireless device phone number  13  for a second Customer  12  and a payment amount  14  to a customer service representative (CSR). The CSR enters the collected information into a computer-based system using appropriate software. 
         [0015]    Alternatively, the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request may be accomplished when first Customer  11  enters customer information into a money transfer organization website. In these embodiments, Customer  11  provides the money transfer organization with the mobile wireless device phone number  13 , and the payment amount  14 . 
         [0016]    During the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request process, in one embodiment first Customer  11  is provided with a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services payment number. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services payment number may take a variety of forms within the scope of the present invention, including being a string of alphanumeric characters. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services payment number may be provided to first Customer  11  through a variety of mechanisms within the scope of the present invention. For example, the money transfer payment number may be provided to first Customer  11  when they request payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment, and upon completion of the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services transaction. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, during the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request process, first Customer  11  is provided with a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services account balance, or payment due. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services account balance, or payment due may be provided to first Customer  11  through a variety of mechanisms within the scope of the present invention. For example, the money transfer account balance, or payment due may be provided to first Customer  11  when they request payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment, and upon completion of the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services transaction. In one embodiment, the account balance, or payment due, associated with the mobile wireless device phone number may be determined and returned to the customer&#39;s mobile wireless device via a Customer Notification  110  using, e.g., the Short Message Service (SMS) Multimedia Message Service (MMS) or email. In another embodiment, the account balance, or payment due, associated with the mobile wireless device phone number may be determined and returned to the vendor platform  200  (also referred to herein as “Local computer system”). 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts, among other things, a system for initiating, facilitating, processing and/or performing money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services according to embodiments of the present invention. Local computer system  200  includes a terminal or browser connected to an electronic network and is used to capture, transmit and/or receive information to and from Host computer or Number Lookup System  300  and Payment System  400 . In one embodiment, the Local computer system  200  comprises a server or other computer-based apparatus for creating and maintaining money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services requests associated with mobile wireless device phone numbers. Local computer system  200 , in one embodiment, is operated by a third party such as retail vendor or money transfer organization. 
         [0019]    Local computer system  200  may comprise or be coupled to a server maintaining a terminal or browser into which the vendor or retail CSR inputs money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment data. Similarly, Local computer system  200  may have other user interfaces by which a customer enters money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment information. For example, Local computer system  200  may comprise or be coupled to a server maintaining a terminal or browser into which first Customer  11  inputs money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment data. In one embodiment, Customer  11  inputs money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment data for the mobile wireless device phone number of Customer  11 . In another embodiment, Customer  11  inputs money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment data for the mobile wireless device phone number of Customer  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0020]    Local computer system  200  further includes the hardware and software necessary to monitor, authorize, and initiate money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services between first Customer  11  and wireless service provider or Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510 . Local computer system  200  may be coupled to Number Lookup System  300  and Payment System  400  either directly or through a network. The network may include telephone networks, wide area networks, the Internet, wireless networks, and the like. Furthermore, depending on the type of processing device used to transmit the information, such devices may also be coupled to a financial network such as a credit card network or Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network, or may have a direct connection to other host computer systems. In addition, Local computer system  200  may be coupled to a terminal or browser or other interface mechanism that allows Customer  11  and/or a CSR to interface with the Host or Number Lookup System  300  and Payment System  400 . 
         [0021]    Host computer system  300  includes the hardware (including processor(s), physical data storage devices, electronic interconnects, etc.) and software necessary to communicate with Local computer system  200  and other entities, and determine the Wireless Service Provider  50  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11 . The Host Computer System  300  is comprised of several elements designed to determine the validity of syntax, and correctly identify the Wireless Service Provider  50  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11 . Cache Lookup  310  may first attempt to resolve the Wireless Service Provider  50  from an internal data source. 
         [0022]    If Carrier Found  315  determines Cache Lookup  310  contained the mobile wireless device phone number then inquiry Carrier Supported  360  is executed. Carrier Supported  360  determines whether or not the Payment System  400  supports a connection to the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and the Wireless Service Provider  50  identified by Cache Lookup  310 . If so, then a payment transaction is initiated via Initiate Transaction  410 . If Carrier Supported  360  determines there is no connection to the identified Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and the Wireless Service Provider  50  identified by Cache Lookup  310 , then an error is returned to the Local computer system  200 . In the case of an “error”, the payment transaction cannot be completed. 
         [0023]    If Carrier Found  315  determines Cache Lookup  310  did not contain the mobile wireless device phone number, then Internal Lookup  320  is executed. Internal Lookup  320  is connected to wireless number portability (WNP) Database  325 . In this embodiment, WNP Database  325  houses valid mobile wireless device phone numbers associated with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) along with their corresponding Wireless Service Provider  50 . Data is routinely gathered from External Data Sources  330 , which includes data from the MVNOs. After Internal Lookup  320  is executed then Carrier Found  335  is invoked. If Carrier Found  335  determines the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  is found, and the corresponding Wireless Service Provider  50  identified, then Carrier Found  335  routes the transaction to Update Cache  355 . After Update Cache  355  is completed, Carrier Supported  360  is executed. Carrier Supported  360  determines whether or not the Payment System  400  supports a connection to the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and the Wireless Service Provider  50  identified by Internal Lookup  320 . If so, then a payment transaction is initiated via Initiate Transaction  410 . If Carrier Supported  360  determines there is no connection to the identified Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and identified by Internal Lookup  320 , then an error is returned to the Local computer system  200 . In the case of an “error”, the payment transaction cannot be completed. 
         [0024]    If Carrier Found  335  determines Internal Lookup  320  did not contain the mobile wireless device phone number then Carrier Found  335  invokes External Lookup  340 . External Lookup  340  is connected to WNP Provider  345 . In this embodiment, WNP Provider  345  houses all valid mobile wireless device phone numbers along with their associated wireless service provider. Data is routinely gathered from external data sources, and may include sources such as the Wireless Service Providers  50  as well as third party data providers. After External Lookup  340  is executed then Carrier Found  350  is invoked. If Carrier Found  350  determines the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  is found, and the corresponding Wireless Service Provider  50  identified, then Carrier Found  350  routes the transaction to Update Cache  355 . After Update Cache  355  is completed, Carrier Supported  360  is executed. Carrier Supported  360  determines whether or not the Payment System  400  supports a connection to the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and the Wireless Service Provider  50  identified by External Lookup  340 . If so, then a payment transaction is initiated via Initiate Transaction  410 . If Carrier Supported  360  determines there is no connection to the identified Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and identified by External Lookup  340 , then an error is returned to the Local computer system  200 . If Carrier Found  350  determines External Lookup  340  did not contain the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  then an error is returned to the Local computer system  200 . In the case of an “error”, the payment transaction cannot be completed. 
         [0025]    While WNP Database  325  and WNP Provider  345  are depicted as separate systems, in some embodiments, these elements may comprise a single system with all functionality housed within system  325 . In this embodiment, WNP Database  325  houses all valid mobile wireless device phone numbers and their associated Wireless Service Provider  50 , in addition to valid mobile wireless device phone numbers associated with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) along with their corresponding Wireless Service Provider  50 . Data is routinely gathered from External Data Sources  330 , which includes data from the MVNOs and WNP Providers  345 . In this embodiment, Internal Lookup  320  performs the determination of the Wireless Service Provider  50 . Internal Lookup  320  is executed and upon completion, Carrier Found  335  is invoked. If Carrier Found  335  determines the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  is found, and the corresponding Wireless Service Provider  50  identified, then Carrier Found  335  routes the transaction to Update Cache  355 . After Update Cache  355  is completed, Carrier Supported  360  is executed. Carrier Supported  360  determines whether or not the Payment System  400  supports a connection to the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and the Wireless Service Provider  50  identified by Internal Lookup  320 . If so, then a payment transaction is initiated via Initiate Transaction  410 . If Carrier Supported  360  determines there is no connection to the identified Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  provided by Customer  11  and identified by Internal Lookup  320 , then an error is returned to the Local computer system  200 . If Carrier Found  335  determines Internal Lookup  320  did not contain the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  then an error is returned to the Local computer system  200 . In the case of an “error”, the payment transaction cannot be completed. 
         [0026]    Payment System  400  includes the hardware and software necessary to monitor, initiate, and process money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services between Customer  11  and Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510 . Initiate Transaction  410  updates the Transaction Database  415  and processes Request  425  to deliver a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services request including mobile wireless device Phone Number  210  and Payment Amount  220  to the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510 . Processing may include, e.g., formatting the original request so that the thus-formatted request is in a format acceptable to the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510 . The required format may be proprietary or conform to a public standard. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, Request  425  causes the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  to determine the appropriate wireless service provider account number associated with the mobile wireless device Phone Number  210 . In this way, the payment transaction will be associated with the correct wireless service provider account number. In one embodiment, the account balance, or payment due, associated with the mobile wireless device phone number may be determined and returned to the customer&#39;s mobile wireless device via a Customer Notification  110  via, e.g., SMS, MMS or email. Response  430  is received from Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510 . The Response  430  may be a successful or unsuccessful transaction. Response  430  may include the account number, which is then passed to the Local computer system  200  so that a receipt, that may be provided to the Customer  11 ,  12 , can include the account number. Alternatively, the account number is retained at Host system  300  for record keeping. In yet another alternative, the account number is used exclusively by the Wireless Service Provider/Carrier Billing System  510  to effect payment to the correct account, and not shared with any outside party to the transaction. 
         [0028]    Complete Transaction  420  updates Transaction Database  415  with a result status, of successful or unsuccessful. In the event Response  430  is not received, Complete Transaction  420  will assign an unsuccessful status after a predefined period of time. After updating the Transaction Database  415 , Complete Transaction  420  passes the transaction status to the Local computer system  200 . 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the Host System  300  settles, financially, with the Wireless Service Provider  50  and the vendor that operates the Local computer system  200 . This may be accomplished using electronic funds transfer (EFT), an automated clearing house (ACH) facility, or any other means that ensures that the Wireless Service Provider  50  is properly paid. Agreed upon fees may also be allocated to parties during the settlement process. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, portions of Local computer system  200  are found in retail outlets, merchants, vendors, and the like, such as grocery stores, gas stations, shopping malls, money transfer agents, airports, and the like. In one embodiment, a retail outlet has an associated vendor or Local computer system  200  coupled to a point-of-sale (POS) device. This coupling may be a direct coupling, or may be an electronic coupling through network. A direct coupling between vendor/Local computer system  200  and a point-of-sale device may comprise, for example, a point-of-sale terminal in a store location, physically or wirelessly coupled with vendor/Local computer system  200 . In some embodiments, Local computer system  200  comprises a server, a computer, or the like, which may be located in a back room of the store or retail location. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services amount is collected from Customer  11 , and any money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fees are deducted from the collected amount. In other embodiments, the POS device is instructed by Local computer system  200  to collect a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fee in addition to the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services payment amount. In some embodiments, the money transfer fee, if applicable, is a variable amount such as a percentage of the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services amount. The collection of the fee would be similar to applying a sales tax to an item being purchased at POS device. In other embodiments, the money transfer fee, if applicable, is a fixed dollar amount. Additional money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fees may be used in alternative embodiments, such as a sliding fee scale (e.g., a one-dollar fee for every twenty dollars of payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services.) In some embodiments, Local computer system  200  maintains a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fee schedule. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fee may include a fee to be paid the operator(s) of host system  400 , and may include a fee to be paid to the operator of Local computer system  200 . In some embodiments the fee is not paid directly by the Customer, but is instead collected/allocated from the payment made by the customer  11 . 
         [0032]    When Customer  11  tenders payment for items purchased at the store and/or for a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services, this payment may require further authorization. For example, if Customer  11  is not paying with cash, but instead is paying with a credit card, a standard credit card authorization may be performed using a point-of-sale terminal. Similarly, if Customer  11  is paying with a personal check, a check authentication process may be performed at a point-of-sale terminal. In some embodiments, Customer  11  will be tendering payment only for the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services. In other embodiments, Customer  11  will be tendering payment for the money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services and also additional items purchased at the store location operating a point-of-sale terminal. In this manner, Customer  11  may accomplish multiple tasks by, for example, purchasing desired groceries or other items available at a store as well as initiating a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services. 
         [0033]    The advantages of the present invention, including the examples described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , are numerous. For the consumer, the consumer now has multiple locations at which they can initiate a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services. The consumer may multi-task by making a payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services at a location at which they had already planned to purchase groceries or the like. Further, the customer need not provide the name of the wireless service provider, their account number nor their name and address in order to make payment, but instead can interact anonymously with experienced CSRs or systems. 
         [0034]    Benefits to the vendor organization are numerous as well. For example, a point-of-sale device can facilitate payment authorization through the receipt of cash. The money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services host system will receive payments quickly from the vendor through the ACH or other money transfer processing system. In some embodiments, however, money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services are made through credit card authorization, by certified funds or check authentication processes. The wireless service provider benefits by having customers who are satisfied at having additional locations at which a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services may be initiated and paid for, but have the information safely and skillfully collected by the vendor and safely and securely processed by the host system operator. 
         [0035]    Still other benefits to the vendor or retailer operating a point-of-sale device exist. First, the vendor or retailer, by participating in this process, is providing an additional service to customers that their competitors may not. This could increase consumer traffic to their store locations. For example, while the above examples describe the user proceeding to a grocery store to purchase items and at the same time initiating a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services, the reverse may happen. For example, the customer may proceed to the grocery store to initiate a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services, and while they are there purchase items. In addition to the possibility of additional purchases, increased revenue may be received by the merchant through commissions or fees paid by the money transfer payment for mobile wireless postpaid services host system. In one embodiment, the vendor or retailer receives a small fee from the money transfer organization for each money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services initiated from the vendor location. Still another advantage to the vendor would be the float available to the vendor. The vendor may have in their account the money associated with the money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services paid by their customers for a period of time before transmission of the money to host system  400 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional benefits to each of the parties of the methods of the present invention, arising from one or more components of the systems of the present invention may be realized within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0036]    The invention has now been described in detail. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be carried out in ways other than those illustrated in the aforesaid discussion, and that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited by those specific examples, but rather is to be accorded in the scope represented in the following claims.