US20070016524A1 - Payment service method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

A payment service method and system involve a payment service provider, a customer/payor and a client/payee. The customer/payor enrolls in the service and is provided the unique identifier which enables him or her to conduct all transactions with the payment service provider. The customer/payor interfaces with the payment service provider through various forms of communication, and can facilitate payments to the clients/payees through the payment service provider while remaining anonymous. Various enhancements are provided for promoting the services of the clients and the payment service provider to customer bases obtained from persons enrolled in the payment service and from persons who are customers of the clients.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to financial transaction systems and methodologies, and in particular to a method and system for making payments based on a customer identification.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• A wide variety of payment methods are available to consumers of goods and services. In addition to currency, consumers are often able to use their credit in making purchases. A common system for making credit purchases involves the use of a credit card provided by a credit card issuer, such as a commercial bank or other financial institution. Non-credit transactions can be handled by debit cards, which utilize funds already deposited by the consumer for payment purposes.
• Many types of payment methodologies are dependent upon customers having relationships with financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, etc. However, a substantial percentage of consumers do not use such conventional financial institutions. These consumers are often referred to as “unbanked” because they do not maintain accounts with such institution's. Unbanked consumers are often inconvenienced in making financial transactions. For example, without bank accounts, they experience difficulty and inconvenience in obtaining negotiable instruments, making purchases on credit, etc.
• Recently there have been a number of new products which provide at least partial solutions to the problems of the unbanked and other consumers. For example, “prepay” cards allow consumers to pre-purchase various goods and services. An important example relates to the use of telecommunications services, which are available through prepaid “calling cards”. Many consumers prepay on a monthly basis for “dial tone” service. Prepaid cards can also be reloadable whereby additional value can be added by consumers for using their cards indefinitely.
• Another prior art payment system involves the use of payment service providers making payments on behalf of consumers over the Internet global computer network or by negotiable instrument. Such a payment service is available from Western Union Commercial Services under its trademark QUICK COLLECT®. This product allows consumers to make payments to Western Union agents who then transfer funds either over the Internet global computer network or issue negotiable instruments to the payees on behalf of the customers/payors. The customers submit certain identifying information each time they use this service.
• The present invention addresses the need for a payment service method and system which allow customers to gain access to the service simply by providing an identifier. For example, the payment service provider can issue the customers cards adapted for swiping to input their identifiers. A payment service is also needed which substantially instantaneously credits payments to accounts as directed by the customer. For example, customers who purchase prepaid “dial tone” telecommunications services often intend to use such services immediately.
• There is also a need for a payment service provider to retain customer information to facilitate making a payment by simply swiping a card to input the customer's ID and designating a payment amount. Enrolled customers can thus remain in the system's database indefinitly for use of the payment service on demand.
• Heretofore there has not been available a payment service method and system with the advantages and features of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In the practice of the present invention a payment service provider contracts with its clients to facilitate payments and prepayments on account from their customers. The customers enroll in the service by communicating with the payment service provider through any one of a number of different interfaces. A unique identifier is assigned to each customer and can consist of any suitable character string or similar unique identifier. For example, customers using the payment service for their telephone bills can utilize their telephone numbers as their identifiers. Commercial clients can pre-enroll their entire customer databases with the payment service provider. The payment service provider then simply issues the identifiers and processes applications for enrollment from customers. The payment service provider, or its agents, receive payments from the customers and process same for payment to the clients. The invention accommodates a variety of options and enhancements for customizing and expanding the service.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
• The principle objects and advantages of the present invention include:
• 1. providing a payment method and system;
• 2. providing such a payment method and system which utilize a payment service provider with an agent network;
• 3. providing such a payment method and system which facilitate payment to clients from the clients' customers;
• 4. providing such a payment method and system which enables customers to contact and enroll in same through a variety of different interfaces;
• 5. providing such a payment method and system which facilitate promoting the use of the payment system and method;
• 6. providing such a payment method and system which promote the products of the payment service provider's clients;
• 7. providing such a payment method and system which are adapted for promoting and cross selling other products of the payment service provider and its clients;
• 8. providing such a payment method and system which capture transactional data for use in managing a customer database; and
• 9. providing such a payment method and system which are efficient in operation and well adapted for the proposed uses thereof
• Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
• The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a payment service system embodying the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a flow chart for payments made in accordance with the method of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart for enrolling customers.
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart for implementing payment parameters.
• FIG. 5 is a flow chart for a dynamic client/customer interface.
• FIG. 6 is a flow chart for providing advertising and coupons on receipts for payments.
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart for providing an automatic repeat customer discount.
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart for cross selling services of the client.
• FIG. 9 is a flow chart for metering transactions involving accounts.
• FIG. 10 is a flow chart for providing rebates to clients.
• FIG. 11 is a flow chart for alternative payment methods.
• FIG. 12 is a flow chart for additional product support.
• FIG. 13 is a flow chart for client-specific enrollment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
• Referring the drawings in more detail, thereference numeral2 generally designates a payment system embodying the present invention. As shown in the block diagramFIG. 1, thesystem2 includes apayment service provider4 for facilitating payment from a customer/payor6 to one or more clients/payees8.
• Each customer/payor has aunique ID10, which can comprise any suitable identifier. Conventional identifiers such as name, social security number, PIN, etc. are acceptable. Moreover, thesystem2 can accommodate “anonymous” customers/payors6.Such customers6 can maintain their anonymity by creating their own ID's10. TheID10 can also comprise the customer's telephone number. Thus, thesystem2 can be used for paying for telephone services using only the customer's telephone number for identification purposes. The customer in this model does not even have to provide an address or any other personal information. Similar identification arrangements could be used with other clients8, i.e. accepting payments on accounts with the customers identified by their respective account numbers. Thecustomer6 interfaces with thepayment service provider4 through aninterface12. Theinterface12 can comprise any suitable form or device for communications, including telephone (which can incorporate voice recognition (VR)), worldwide web (Internet), mail, in-person, a point-of-sale (POS) terminal with a card reader, e-mail or any other suitable interface.
• Thepayment service provider4 can include anagent network14 which can provide point-of-sale (POS) contact points system-wide for convenient in-person accessibility by thecustomers6. Thepayment service provider4 maintains customer accounts16 which can correspond to the clients/payees8. Each client/payee can have associated therewith acustomer database18 containing pertinent information regarding thecustomers6 and their respective accounts17. The designation of accounts, subaccounts, master accounts, etc. can vary from client-to-client. Thus, as used herein the terms “account”, “subaccount” and similar terms can designate either the entire account base of a particular client8, or the individual account of a customer(s)6.
• FIG. 2 is a payment flow chart depicting a payment method which commences with the enrollment of a new customer/payor at22 whereafter anID10 is assigned at24. An account17 is established with thepayment service provider4 at26. Optionally acard20 can be issued to thecustomer6 at27. Thecard20 can comprise an ID card, a reloadable/stored value card, a credit card, a debit card, etc. Any suitable card configuration can be utilized. For example, preprinted cards with concealed customer ID's10 can be inventoried with theagent network14 for distribution upon enrollment. However, thesystem2 can function without any cards whatsoever simply by assigning unique customer ID's10 for purposes of conducting all payment transactions. A payment is made on the account at28. The payment is applied at30 and the subaccount records are updated at32. A decision is made at adecision box34 if another transaction is to be conducted. If so, the process returns to thepayment application step30 whereby the customer's payment can be applied to another account. If not, the process ends.
• FIG. 3 shows a method of enrolling the customer base of a client8 including the step of the client creating a customer database at38. At40 the database is formatted, preferably pursuant to the standards established by thepayment service provider4 to facilitate automation of the payment process. All of thecustomers6 in the client's customer database can automatically be enrolled in the payment service at42. Thecustomers6 can be notified of the payment service availability at44, whereupon the new customer can contact thepayment service provider4 at46 and activate the account at48. Thecustomer ID10 is assigned at50, the customer makes a payment on a client's account at52 and the client's records are updated at54.
• FIG. 4 shows a methodology for establishing payment parameters. At58 the client designates the products for payment service. The system and method can accommodate clients with multiple products by allowing flexibility in establishing the payment parameters for each and by accommodating different payment directions fromcustomers6 on the various products. The client designates its payment denominations (e.g. $5, $10, $20, etc. increments) at60 and applies the payment denominations to its products at62. The payment service plan can optionally be configured to accept exact payments of any amount without applying predetermined payment denominations. Payment service provider fees are established at64. The fees can reflect the nature of the clients' accounts. For example, payment bands can be input at66 wherein various bands are applicable according to the number of customers. Pricing can also be based on the ranges of principle payment amounts at68. The fees associated with the transactions are input at70. Thepayment service provider4 can set a variable fee schedule, taking into account factors such as pricing, principle and fee bands and ranges at72.
• FIG. 5 shows a dynamic client/customer interface methodology wherein the customer enrolls with the payment service provider at76, makes a payment at78 and is issued a receipt at80. The customer is assigned an ID at82. Client messaging to the customer is communicated at83 and can include the customer service number. The value of the available payment service is designated at84. A coupon is printed at85 foreligible customers6. Customer eligibility is determined at86 and ineligible customers are excluded at88.
• FIG. 6 shows an optional methodology for utilizing the customers' receipts for advertising and coupons. A client promotion is initiated at94. Alternatively, a promotion can be initiated for a non-competitor of the client at96. At98 the advertising or coupons are printed on the receipts, which are provided to the customers at100. Thecustomers6 can redeem the coupons at102. At104 the advertisement and coupon impressions are tabulated for each client and the coupon redemptions are tabulated at106. The client pays the payment service provider at108. Based on tabulated redemptions, the client can also pay the payment service provider at110. Customer data is collected from the coupon redemptions at111. The customer data can be manipulated in various ways and reported to the client at112.
• FIG. 7 shows a procedure for rewarding repeat customers with discounts. At116 the interval for the discounted payment service is set and a number of repeat transactions N is set at118 in order to qualify for a discount. A customer payment count (CPC) is set to zero at120. A customer payment is made at122 and increments the customer payment count (CPC+1) at123. At adecision box124 the customer payment count is compared to the number of payments required for discount eligibility (CPC=N?). If negative, the procedure returns to thecustomer payment step122. If affirmative, an immediate discount can be provided on the current payment charge to the customer at126. A congratulatory message to the customer is printed at128, for example on the receipt.
• FIG. 8 shows a cross-selling methodology which commences with the step of a new customer enrollment at130. A new customer screen is displayed at132 for purposes of promoting other services of the payment service provider at134. For example, other related money-transfer services of thepayment service provider4 can be promoted to thecustomer6 at136. Internet-based services can be promoted at138 and direct telephone contact services can be promoted at140. The enrollment information can be captured at142, and can reflect the services utilized by the customer. Still other services can be promoted at144.
• FIG. 9 shows a transaction metering procedure which commences with the client8 providing the card configuration at148. An ID “trap” occurs at150 whereby a first or other special transaction is identified for special handling. An account transaction counter is initiated at152 and a first transaction is logged at154. A last transaction is logged at156 and a running log of time elapsed since the last transaction (corresponding to an inactivity period) is maintained at158. At decision box160 a determination is made if the inactivity period has exceeded the maximum allowable period. If affirmative, a retire account step occurs at162 and the sub-routine ends. If negative, the sub-routine continues to track transaction recurrences at164 and monitors retentions at166. Future marketing and rebate programs are metered at168 and market records are provided to the client at170 based upon the data received in the above steps. The market records can be used as an adjunct to the client's customer database.
• FIG. 10 shows a client rebate routine wherein a number of transactions required for rebate eligibility is set with the client at174 (NTR). New customers are enrolled at176, cards are printed at178 and the clients8 are charged at180. The number of transactions (NT) is initialized to zero at182, a transaction occurs at184 and increments the number of transactions (NT+1) at186. At decision box188 a determination is made if NT=NTR? If affirmative, the cost of the card is rebated to the client at190. If negative, the routine returns to the transaction step for the next increment.
• FIG. 11 shows a methodology for making payments using various options. The customer initiates a payment at194 and provides his or her ID at196. Various payment options are displayed, and can include negotiable instruments (e.g. checks, cashier checks, money orders, etc.), credit cards, debit cards, etc. A payment method is selected at200 and is verified at202 to ensure that “good” (i.e., collectable) funds are available from thecustomer6 utilizing the selected payment method. The payment is accepted at204.
• An additional product support procedure is shown inFIG. 12 and commences with the client8 identifying multiple products to be supported at208. For example, a telecommunications client might provide various products such as prepaid dialtone, prepaid cellular, prepaid internet access and insurance. All of these products can be provided on a single card. A premium fee can be charged by thepayment service provider4 at210. Destination codes can be assigned to the client's various products and a preferred customer screen created for displaying same at212,214 respectively. The client's products can be displayed on the preferred customer screen at216 whereby the customer can choose a product to pay on at218. At220 the customer chooses the amount to pay on the chosen product. Atdecision box222 the customer has the option of choosing another product to pay on. If affirmative, the preferred customer screen with the multiple products is displayed again. Otherwise, the sub-routine ends.
• FIG. 13 shows a client-specific enrollment methodology, as contrasted with a generic enrollment procedure commencing with client-specific payment service advertising which identifies thepayment service provider4 and directs potential customers to itsagent network14. The payment service provider agent enrolls a customer on behalf of the client at226. The customer is typically either a present or prospective customer for the client's goods or services and has been directed to the payment service provider'sagent network14 as a way of paying for same. At228 the customer and the payment service provider agent select the features and pricing desired by the customer for the client's products. An account number can optionally be assigned on behalf of the client by the payment service provider agent at230. The payment service provider is paid by the customer at232, and in turn pays the agent at234.
• It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of steps and components described and shown.

Claims (29)

1-35. (canceled)

36. A payment service method, which comprises the steps of:

a) a payment service provider contracting with a client to provide payment accounts to customers of the client, wherein a customer of the client enrolls with the payment service provider and thereafter pays funds into the payment account and uses the funds to purchase goods or services from the client;

b) the payment service provider receiving account information for the customers from the client;

c) storing the account information in a database;

d) receiving a request from the customer to make a payment to a client account;

e) receiving identifying information from the customer;

f) using the database to verify status of the client account;

g) the payment service provider receiving a payment from the customer to purchase goods or services;

h) using a computer to establish the payment account with the payment service provider for the customer, wherein the computer is capable of communicating with a storage medium;

i) storing the payment account in the storage medium;

j) the payment service provider issuing and assigning a unique identifier to the customer after enrolling with the payment service provider and for purposes of making payments, wherein the unique identifier is configured to provide the customer with access to the payment account to make further payments from the payment account without providing the identifying information;

k) crediting the payment account in an amount corresponding to the payment; and

l) using a wire transfer to transfer the funds from the payment account to the client account upon receipt of the payment.

37. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of:

a) maintaining the anonymity of the customer.

38. The method ofclaim 37, wherein the unique identifier is a single, exclusive identifier and wherein the method includes the additional step of utilizing the single, exclusive identifier for the customer and associating the exclusive identifier with the payment account.

39. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of establishing an additional payment account for the customer and associating the additional payment account with an additional client.

40. The method ofclaim 37, which includes the additional step of identifying said payment account solely by the unique identifier.

41. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of said payment service provider reporting to the client activity associated with customers of said client.

42. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) said payment service provider maintaining an agent network; and

b) said customers communicating with said payment service provider through said agent network.

43. The method ofclaim 42, which includes the additional steps of:

a) enrolling the customers with said payment service provider through said agent network; and

b) said payment service provider paying a fee to an agent in the agent network for each of the customers enrolled by the agent.

44. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of:

(a) formatting a customer database of the client for use by the payment service provider.

45. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) establishing with said payment service provider an account group comprising the customers of the client; and

b) activating individual accounts upon enrollment of the customers.

46. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) the client designating products for the payment service;

b) the client designating payment denominations for each of the designated products;

c) establishing payment service provider fees;

d) inputting pricing bands based on the number of the customers of the client for the products;

e) inputting principle ranges for the products;

f) inputting associated fees for the products; and

g) setting a variable fee schedule for the payment service provider.

47. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) printing a receipt for the customer upon receipt of payment from the customer;

b) printing the unique identifier on the receipt;

c) designating a service availability value on the receipt; and

d) printing on the receipt a commercial message from the client to the customer.

48. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of:

a) printing coupons for use by said customer.

49. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) setting criteria for customer eligibility for said payment accounts; and

b) excluding ineligible customers from a database of eligible customers for said payment accounts.

50. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of:

a) communicating to said customer promotional information from said client.

51. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional step of:

a) communicating to said customer commercial messages from third parties, wherein said third parties do not compete with the client.

52. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) activating a card for said customer; and

b) storing the unique identifier on the card.

53. The method ofclaim 52, which includes the additional step of:

a) concealing the unique identifier on the card.

54. The method ofclaim 52, wherein said card comprises one of the group comprising: a credit card; a debit card; and a prepay card.

55. The method ofclaim 36, wherein the customer interfaces with the payment service provider by one of a method from among the group consisting of:

a) telephone with voice recognition;

b) Internet global computer network;

c) mail;

d) in person;

e) e-mail; and

f) point-of-sale (POS) terminal with card reader.

56. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) the payment service provider tabulating advertising and coupon impressions for the client;

b) the payment service provider tabulating coupon redemptions for the client;

c) the client paying the payment service provider for impressions;

d) the client paying the payment service provider for redemptions;

e) collecting customer data from coupon redemptions; and

f) reporting coupon redemption customer data to the client.

57. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) setting an interval for a discounted payment service;

b) counting customer payments; and

c) discounting a customer payment upon reaching said interval.

58. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) displaying a new customer screen upon enrollment of a new customer by said payment service provider;

b) capturing enrollment information concerning said new customer; and

c) promoting other services of one of said payment service provider and said client to said customer.

59. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) establishing a maximum permissible inactivity period;

b) logging customer transactions and comparing same to said maximum inactivity period;

c) detecting accounts which exceed said maximum allowable inactivity period; and

d) retiring said accounts which exceed the maximum allowable inactivity period.

60. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) tracking customer transaction recurrences;

b) monitoring customer retention;

c) metering future marketing and rebate programs for the client based on transaction recurrences and customer retention; and

d) the payment service provider providing customer transaction records to the client.

61. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) setting a required number of transactions for rebate with the client;

b) counting said transactions with the client; and

c) rebating the cost of customer cards to the client upon reaching the number of transactions required for rebate eligibility.

62. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) the client identifying products to the payment service provider;

b) displaying the products to the customer;

c) the customer selecting one or more of the products to pay on;

d) the customer selecting one or more amounts to pay on the selected products; and

e) making said selected payments on said selected products.

63. The method ofclaim 36, which includes the additional steps of:

a) providing client-specific advertising;

b) the payment service provider enrolling customers for the client; and

c) the customer and the payment service provider selecting features and pricing offered by the client.

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