Abstract: Methods and systems for providing currency conversion cost estimates to customer mobile devices. In an embodiment, a payment system includes a translation computer and receives, from a customer mobile telephone, a currency conversion inquiry that includes the customer's mobile telephone number, local currency data and transaction amount data. The translation computer translates the customer's mobile telephone number into a customer payment card account number, transmits a currency conversion request to a currency conversion computer, and receives a currency conversion estimate in a home currency. The estimate includes a current foreign exchange rate plus an issuer conversion fee. The payment system computer then transmits the currency conversion estimate to the customer's mobile telephone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting a payment card system payment transaction initiated from a customer's mobile device. In an embodiment, the customer's mobile device processor receives transaction information from a payment services provider computer, and generates a request for a payment transaction including a customer identification code that identifies the customer's payment card account, the transaction amount, and instructions to transfer funds from the payment card account to a merchant payment card account. The method includes transmitting the payment transaction request to the payment services provider computer, receiving a challenge to provide at least one item of security information, transmitting the security information to the payment services provider, and then receiving a confirmation message indicating execution of the payment transaction.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transaction information at a mobile device from a merchant device. The transaction information includes a transaction amount and merchant information that identifies a merchant that operates the merchant device. The method further includes generating a funds transfer request in the mobile device. The funds transfer request includes the merchant information, information that indicates the transaction amount and information that identifies a customer of the merchant. The funds transfer request is for requesting that funds be transferred from a payment card account that belongs to the customer to a payment card account that belongs to the merchant. The method also includes transmitting, from the mobile device, the funds transfer request, to a financial institution that issued the customer's payment card account.

Abstract: A method includes a processor receiving transaction information from a merchant device, which includes a transaction amount, merchant identifying information and customer addressing information. The processer transmits the merchant identifying information to a customer mobile device, and receives a payment transaction request to transfer funds from a customer account to a merchant. The processor translates the customer addressing information into a customer payment card account number, and the merchant identifying information into a merchant payment card account number. The processor then transmits the payment transaction request to the customer's issuer financial institution, which request includes the customer payment card account number, the transaction amount, and the merchant payment card account number.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting a funds transfer. In an embodiment, a translation computer receives an inquiry that includes a mobile telephone number from a payment system computer. The process includes accessing a computer database, translating the mobile telephone number into a payment card account number, and then transmitting, by the translation computer to the payment system computer, the payment card account number in response to the inquiry.

Abstract: A method of operating a merchant device includes the merchant device receiving an input from a customer mobile device concerning a financial transaction. The method further includes the merchant device selecting a payment transaction mode of operation when the input is a request for a payment card system transaction, or selecting a payment card purchase transaction mode of operation when the input from the customer mobile device is a payment card account number. In the payment transaction mode of operation the merchant device provides transaction data to the customer's mobile device, whereas in the payment card purchase transaction mode the merchant device transmits a payment card authorization request to an acquirer financial institution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for registering a remittance customer to facilitate international funds transfers are described. In an embodiment a first financial institution computer in a first country receives the name, residence address and a mobile telephone number of a remittance customer from a first mobile network operator (MNO), and also receives image data that corresponds to documentation verifying the remittance customer's identity and residence address. A new payment card account number is generated for the remittance customer and is stored along with the image data and first mobile telephone number. The remittance customer's mobile telephone number and new payment card account number is then transmitted to a translation server of a payment system used for transferring funds internationally.

Abstract: A funds transfer system includes a first mobile telephone operating company and a first financial institution which exchanges data communications regarding funds transfer requests with the first mobile telephone operating company. The system further includes a second mobile telephone company and a second financial institution. The system also includes a payment processing network operating company. The payment processing network operating company transfers funds from the first financial institution to the second financial institution to benefit a recipient who owns a mobile telephone served by the second mobile telephone operating company.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an antenna and at least one control device coupled to the antenna. The at least one control device is selectively operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the at least one control device transmits a payment card account number via the antenna to a point of sale terminal. In the second mode, the at least one control device transmits a message to the point of sale terminal via the antenna to request that the point of sale terminal download transaction information to the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an antenna and at least one control device coupled to the antenna. The at least one control device is selectively operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the at least one control device transmits a payment card account number via the antenna to a point of sale terminal. In the second mode, the at least one control device transmits a message to the point of sale terminal via the antenna to request that the point of sale terminal download transaction information to the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an antenna and at least one control device coupled to the antenna. The at least one control device is selectively operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the at least one control device transmits a payment card account number via the antenna to a point of sale terminal. In the second mode, the at least one control device transmits a message to the point of sale terminal via the antenna to request that the point of sale terminal download transaction information to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transaction information from a merchant device. The transaction information includes a transaction amount and merchant information that identifies a merchant that operates the merchant device. The method further includes receiving, from a mobile device, a request that a funds transfer be made from a payment card account that belongs to a customer who is operating the mobile device to a payment card account that belongs to the merchant. The method also includes forwarding the request to a financial institution that issued the payment card account that belongs to the customer.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an antenna and at least one control device coupled to the antenna. The at least one control device is selectively operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the at least one control device transmits a payment card account number via the antenna to a point of sale terminal. In the second mode, the at least one control device transmits a message to the point of sale terminal via the antenna to request that the point of sale terminal download transaction information to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transaction information at a mobile device from a merchant device. The transaction information includes a transaction amount and merchant information that identifies a merchant that operates the merchant device. The method further includes generating a funds transfer request in the mobile device. The funds transfer request includes the merchant information, information that indicates the transaction amount and information that identifies a customer of the merchant. The funds transfer request is for requesting that funds be transferred from a payment card account that belongs to the customer to a payment card account that belongs to the merchant. The method also includes transmitting, from the mobile device, the funds transfer request, to a financial institution that issued the customer's payment card account.

Abstract: A method of operating a point of sale (POS) terminal includes inputting into the POS terminal information for defining a transaction. The method further includes selecting between a first mode of operation of the POS terminal and a second mode of operation of the POS terminal. In the first mode of operation the POS terminal initiates a payment card authorization request to an acquirer financial institution. In the second mode of operation the POS terminal transmits transaction information to a customer's mobile device.

Abstract: A funds transfer system includes a first mobile telephone operating company and a first financial institution which exchanges data communications regarding funds transfer requests with the first mobile telephone operating company. The system further includes a second mobile telephone company and a second financial institution. The system also includes a payment processing network operating company. The payment processing network operating company transfers funds from the first financial institution to the second financial institution to benefit a recipient who owns a mobile telephone served by the second mobile telephone operating company.

Abstract: A request is received for a funds transfer. The request includes a destination telephone number. The destination telephone number is translated into a destination payment card account number. The funds transfer is routed as a payment transaction using the destination payment card account number.