Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet automatic loading system are described. In an embodiment, a virtual wallet server receives, from a consumer device, automatic-loading parameter data associated with funding a consumer's virtual wallet account, stores the automatic-loading parameter data, determines that at least one trigger condition associated with the consumer's virtual wallet account is met, and generates a standard authorization request message that includes an auto-load transaction amount and at least one payment account number (PAN) of a funding account. The process also includes the virtual wallet server routing the standard authorization message to a payment network authorization system, receiving an authorization response approved message, crediting the consumer's virtual wallet account and incrementing a stored value of the consumer's virtual wallet account, and transmitting an automatic-loading advisement message to the consumer device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet automatic loading system are described. In an embodiment, a virtual wallet server receives, from a consumer device, automatic-loading parameter data associated with funding a consumer's virtual wallet account, stores the automatic-loading parameter data, determines that at least one trigger condition associated with the consumer's virtual wallet account is met, and generates a standard authorization request message that includes an auto-load transaction amount and at least one payment account number (PAN) of a funding account. The process also includes the virtual wallet server routing the standard authorization message to a payment network authorization system, receiving an authorization response approved message, crediting the consumer's virtual wallet account and incrementing a stored value of the consumer's virtual wallet account, and transmitting an automatic-loading advisement message to the consumer device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for person-to-person and person-to-merchant remittances from a person having a closed loop system account to merchants who are not members of the closed loop system. In an embodiment, a payment gateway computer receives a remittance transaction request from a payment services provider (PSP) computer associated with a closed-loop system, maps an alias identifier into a shadow account number assigned to the sender in an open-loop payment authorization system, determines that the alias identifier mapped into a valid shadow account number, debits a stored value account for the remittance transaction amount, credits a shadow account in the open-loop payment authorization system for the remittance transaction amount, generates an authorization request for an open-loop payment transaction and transmits it to the open-loop payment authorization system, receives an authorization response from the open-loop payment authorization system, and transmits an approval response.

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: Systems and methods that synchronize consumer accounts between disparate payment account systems. In some embodiments, a payment network receives an authorization request for a consumer transaction from a merchant acquirer processor including original payment credentials. The process includes transmitting a query to credential mapping database, receiving a response including a primary account number (PAN) and a multi-entity flag, transmitting the authorization request to an issuer financial institution (FI), receiving an approval response from the issuer FI. The process also includes routing the authorization request and the multi-entity flag to a payment gateway to forward to an appropriate stored value account (SVA) processor, receiving a disposition message indicating approval of the transaction by the SVA processor, and transmitting an authorization response to the merchant acquirer processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for person-to-person and person-to-merchant remittances from a person having a closed loop system account to merchants who are not members of the closed loop system. In an embodiment, a payment gateway computer receives a remittance transaction request from a payment services provider (PSP) computer associated with a closed-loop system, maps an alias identifier into a shadow account number assigned to the sender in an open-loop payment authorization system, determines that the alias identifier mapped into a valid shadow account number, debits a stored value account for the remittance transaction amount, credits a shadow account in the open-loop payment authorization system for the remittance transaction amount, generates an authorization request for an open-loop payment transaction and transmits it to the open-loop payment authorization system, receives an authorization response from the open-loop payment authorization system, and transmits an approval response.

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: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet system to improve the operation of decoupled debit payment account schemes are described. In an embodiment, the process includes a virtual wallet server receiving a peer to peer purchase authorization request from an originating payment service provider (PSP). The virtual wallet server maps the virtual wallet account number to a consumer funding account, validates the consumer, applies issuer-defined business rules to the purchase transaction details, determines that the issuer-defined rules are satisfied, and generates and routes a standard purchase authorization request message to a first payment network authorization system for routing to an issuer of the funding account.

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: A payment system computer receives a request for a funds transfer from a sender to a recipient. The payment system computer routes a request to authorize funding of the funds transfer to a first financial institution. The payment system computer receives an authorization response that includes sender information that satisfies know your customer (KYC)/anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. A mobile telephone number of the recipient is translated into a recipient account number, wherein the recipient account number corresponds to a recipient account at a second financial institution different from the first financial institution. The payment system computer then transmits the sender information and the funds to the second financial institution to satisfy KYC/AML requirements and for crediting to the recipient account.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet system are described. In an embodiment, the process includes receiving, at a virtual wallet server, a virtual wallet account number and payment transaction details that includes a payment amount, and then mapping the virtual wallet account number to at least one funding account associated with a consumer. The method also includes validating the consumer and the payment transaction details, generating a standard purchase authorization request message and routing it to an issuer of the at least one funding account, and receiving an authorization response approving the payment transaction. The process further includes loading the consumer's virtual wallet account in real time to match the payment amount, and routing an authorization approval message to an originating acquirer. Such a virtual wallet system with automatic-loading capabilities substantially improves the operation of decoupled debit payment account schemes.

Abstract: A payment system receives, from a first financial institution, a request for a funds transfer. The request originates from a sender who has an account with the first financial institution. The payment system routes the funds transfer to a second financial institution for the benefit of a recipient. The payment system receives, from the second financial institution, the recipient's name and residential address.

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 method includes receiving, in a computer, a transaction request from a payment services provider. An end user identifier included in the request is mapped into a payment card system account number. The end user identifier identifies an end user who has been assigned the payment card system account, and who is a subscriber to a closed-loop payment system operated by the payment services provider. Funds from the payment services provider are credited to a shadow open-loop system payment card account identified by the payment card system account number. An authorization request for an open-loop system transaction is sent to an acquirer financial institution that represents a merchant with which the end user is dealing, and is received back from a payment card system authorization system by the same computer that received the transaction request from the payment services provider and that generated the authorization request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet system are described. In an embodiment, the process includes receiving, at a virtual wallet server, a virtual wallet account number and payment transaction details that includes a payment amount, and then mapping the virtual wallet account number to at least one funding account associated with a consumer. The method also includes validating the consumer and the payment transaction details, generating a standard purchase authorization request message and routing it to an issuer of the at least one funding account, and receiving an authorization response approving the payment transaction. The process further includes loading the consumer's virtual wallet account in real time to match the payment amount, and routing an authorization approval message to an originating acquirer. Such a virtual wallet system with automatic-loading capabilities substantially improves the operation of decoupled debit payment account schemes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a volume control valve for controlling a flow of water to a shower head. The volume control valve is configured for joining between a shower neck and the shower head. A guide tube includes a cable joined to the volume control valve for operating the volume control valve by motion of the cable. The guide tube is configured for extending vertically downward from the volume control valve along a shower wall. A control mechanism including a lever and joined to a distal end of the guide tube enables an adjustment of the flow of water. The control mechanism is configured for joining to the shower wall where a controlled motion of the lever is translated by the cable as a linear motion to the volume control valve thereby operating the control valve.