Patents Assigned to Boku, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8768778
    Abstract: Effecting an electronic payment from customers to vendors over the Internet is disclosed. A vendor offers a product to potential customer over the Internet. A customer browsers the Internet and the customer has a mobile cellular phone configured to receive premium rate mobile terminating text messages. Transaction details are transmitted from the vendor to the browsing customer. Order details are then transmitted from the browsing customer to the vendor that require a payment to be made by the customer. In order to effect payment, a plurality of premium rate text messages are transmitted to the mobile cellular phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: Glyn Barry Smith
  • Publication number: 20140171020
    Abstract: Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. After a payment request identifying the phone number is received in the interchange, the common format processor is to determine whether to skip mobile communications with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm/authenticate the request, based on real time information about the current transaction, the historical transaction data related to the phone number, and other data such as social graph data related to the user of the phone number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Jang Kim, Ron Hirson
  • Publication number: 20140172538
    Abstract: The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts are stored in a data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. Each merchant account has a merchant account identifier. A merchant offer is stored in the data store in association with the merchant account having the respective merchant account identifier. A push module associates the merchant offer with the consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device, the charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A transaction processing system that processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yoo
  • Publication number: 20140141745
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to process transactions initiated by users of mobile devices. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store phone numbers of users, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to transmit at least one premium message to a mobile phone at a first telephone number to provide an amount to the mobile phone using funds associated with a second telephone number, in response to a request initiated from a mobile phone at the second telephone number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: Glyn Barry Smith
  • Patent number: 8700530
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to process transactions initiated by users of mobile devices. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store phone numbers of users, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to transmit at least one premium message to a mobile phone at a first telephone number to provide an amount to the mobile phone using funds associated with a second telephone number, in response to a request initiated from a mobile phone at the second telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: Glyn Barry Smith
  • Patent number: 8700524
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to selectively restrict payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store restriction data in association with a phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with mobile controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. In response to a payment request identifying the phone number and a merchant, the common format processor determines whether to reject the payment request based at least in part on the restriction data and the identity of the merchant. If the request is not rejected, the common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to confirm the payment request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Williams, Jonathan Michael Kingston, Kelly Jane Mullins
  • Patent number: 8699994
    Abstract: Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. After a payment request identifying the phone number is received in the interchange, the common format processor is to determine whether to skip mobile communications with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm/authenticate the request, based on real time information about the current transaction, the historical transaction data related to the phone number, and other data such as social graph data related to the user of the phone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Jang Kim, Ron Hirson
  • Patent number: 8688512
    Abstract: The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts are stored in a data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. Each merchant account has a merchant account identifier. A merchant offer is stored in the data store in association with the merchant account having the respective merchant account identifier. A push module associates the merchant offer with the consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device, the charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A transaction processing system that processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yoo
  • Publication number: 20140089175
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a communication interface to receive an input from a merchant; a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers for delivery of premium messages sent by the system to collect funds for purchases made by customers; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters to send the premium messages. The common format processor determines a combination of one or more premium messages, in response to a first customer making a first purchase from the merchant at a first price. The total price of the one or more premium messages is based on the first price and a portion of service charges associated with the one or more premium messages, where the portion is specified by the input received via the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hirson, Michael Cahill
  • Publication number: 20140087690
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to selectively restrict payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store restriction data in association with a phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with mobile controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. In response to a payment request identifying the phone number and a merchant, the common format processor determines whether to reject the payment request based at least in part on the restriction data and the identity of the merchant. If the request is not rejected, the common format processor uses one of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to confirm the payment request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Williams, Jonathan Michael Kingston, Kelly Jane Mullins
  • Publication number: 20140074633
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of consumer accounts in a data store has a first consumer account identifier. Login information is received from a consumer device over the network interface device. The first consumer account identifier is received from the consumer device and stored in association the consumer account. The first consumer account identifier is storable as one of at least two types of identifiers and the storing by the consumer device of the first consumer account identifier is only permitted upon successful login based on the login information. The charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including the amount and the second consumer account identifier. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yoo
  • Patent number: 8660911
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a communication interface to receive an input from a merchant; a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers for delivery of messages sent by the system to collect funds for purchases made by customers; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters to send the messages. The common format processor determines a total price of one or more messages, in response to a first customer making a first purchase from the merchant at a first price. The total price of the one or more messages is based on the first price and a portion of service charges associated with the one or more messages, where the portion is specified by the input received via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hirson, Michael Cahill
  • Patent number: 8630904
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of consumer accounts in a data store has a first consumer account identifier. Login information is received from a consumer device over the network interface device. The first consumer account identifier is received from the consumer device and stored in association the consumer account. The first consumer account identifier is storable as one of at least two types of identifiers and the storing by the consumer device of the first consumer account identifier is only permitted upon successful login based on the login information. The charge request is received over a network interface device, the charge request including the amount and the second consumer account identifier. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yoo
  • Publication number: 20130346224
    Abstract: A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier. A second consumer account identifier is received in a point-of-sale device. A charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier is received, wherein the second consumer account identifier is not an MSISDN. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. An authorization request is transmitted to a consumer device. A response to the authorization request is received from the consumer device, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account, wherein the charge request is processed if the response is the authorization response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yoo
  • Patent number: 8615437
    Abstract: A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A plurality of consumer accounts is stored in a data store, each consumer account having a first consumer account identifier. A second consumer account identifier is received in a point-of-sale device. A charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier is received, wherein the second consumer account identifier is not an MSISDN. A selected one of the consumer accounts is identified by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. An authorization request is transmitted to a consumer device. An response to the authorization request is received from the consumer device, and the charge request is processed based on an account detail of the selected consumer account, wherein the charge request is processed if the response is the authorization response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yoo
  • Publication number: 20130317980
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate repeated purchase and payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to identify a prior payment transaction associated with a phone number in response to a message from a mobile phone having the phone number, communicate with a merchant to repeat a purchase according to the prior payment transaction, and transmit via one of the converters premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for a payment to repeat the purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Boku, Inc
    Inventors: Kurt Davis, Jang Kim, David Yoo, James Goodsall
  • Publication number: 20130311377
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate repeated purchase and payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to identify a prior payment transaction associated with a phone number in response to a message from a mobile phone having the phone number, communicate with a merchant to repeat a purchase according to the prior payment transaction, and transmit via one of the converters premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for a payment to repeat the purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Boku,Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Davis, Jang Kim, David Yoo, James Goodsall
  • Publication number: 20130311378
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate repeated purchase and payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to identify a prior payment transaction associated with a phone number in response to a message from a mobile phone having the phone number, communicate with a merchant to repeat a purchase according to the prior payment transaction, and transmit via one of the converters premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for a payment to repeat the purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Boku,Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Davis, Jang Kim, David Yoo, James Goodsall
  • Publication number: 20130311262
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a transactions network and to a method and system for managing electronic transactions, in particular merchant offers such as voucher entries having discounts associated with them. A voucher application module stores a record of each time that a respective voucher entry of a plurality of voucher entries stored in the data store is redeemed. A score calculator calculates a redemption rate at which the voucher entry is redeemed. A ranking module ranks the voucher entries based one the scores of the voucher entries of a plurality of the merchant accounts. A notification module preferentially transmits voucher entries that are displayed in accordance with their ranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Hirson
  • Publication number: 20130311379
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to communicate with the mobile phone of a user to confirm the identity of the user using a user terminal separate from the mobile phone for subsequent payment requests from the user terminal to be fulfilled using the account identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Boku, Inc.
    Inventor: Glyn Barry Smith