Abstract: A method is proposed for a payer, to make a payment to a payee, such as a merchant. The payer's communication device automatically acquires payment facilitation data comprising payee account identification data identifying a payment account associated with the payee and maintained by an acquirer. The payment facilitation data preferably also includes transaction data describing the payment, such as the amount of the payment. From the payment facilitation data, the communication device generates a payment request which is transmitted to an issuer at which the payer maintains a payment account. The issuer communicates with the acquirer, typically via a payment network, to arrange for a payment to be made, and the payment is credited to the payment account associated with the payee, and debited from the payment account associated with the payer. Thus, a payment is effected without the payee ever receiving confidential information about the payer's payment account.

Abstract: A method is proposed for a payer, to make a payment to a payee, such as a merchant. The payer's communication device automatically acquires payment facilitation data comprising payee account identification data identifying a payment account associated with the payee and maintained by an acquirer. The payment facilitation data preferably also includes transaction data describing the payment, such as the amount of the payment. From the payment facilitation data, the communication device generates a payment request which is transmitted to an issuer at which the payer maintains a payment account. The issuer communicates with the acquirer, typically via a payment network, to arrange for a payment to be made, and the payment is credited to the payment account associated with the payee, and debited from the payment account associated with the payer. Thus, a payment is effected without the payee ever receiving confidential information about the payer's payment account.

Abstract: A method is proposed for a payer, to make a payment to a payee, such as a merchant. The payer's communication device automatically acquires payment facilitation data comprising payee account identification data identifying a payment account associated with the payee and maintained by an acquirer. The payment facilitation data preferably also includes transaction data describing the payment, such as the amount of the payment. From the payment facilitation data, the communication device generates a payment request which is transmitted to an issuer at which the payer maintains a payment account. The issuer communicates with the acquirer, typically via a payment network, to arrange for a payment to be made, and the payment is credited to the payment account associated with the payee, and debited from the payment account associated with the payer. Thus, a payment is effected without the payee ever receiving confidential information about the payer's payment account.

Abstract: A method for facilitating supply of a requested service, being supplied after successful identity authentication, is provided. The method includes utilizing a network switch to link a service provider, which offers the requested service, to a biometric data archive, which performs verification of received biometric data to authenticate identity. The method also includes receiving, in the network switch, a result of the biometric data verification from the biometric data archive. The method further includes directing the result to the service provider for the service provider to determine supply of the requested service based on the result.

Abstract: A method for facilitating supply of a requested service, being supplied after successful identity authentication, is provided. The method includes utilizing a network switch to link a service provider, which offers the requested service, to a biometric data archive, which performs verification of received biometric data to authenticate identity. The method also includes receiving, in the network switch, a result of the biometric data verification from the biometric data archive. The method further includes directing the result to the service provider for the service provider to determine supply of the requested service based on the result.

Abstract: A method is proposed for a payer, to make a payment to a payee, such as a merchant. The payer's communication device automatically acquires payment facilitation data comprising payee account identification data identifying a payment account associated with the payee and maintained by an acquirer. The payment facilitation data preferably also includes transaction data describing the payment, such as the amount of the payment. From the payment facilitation data, the communication device generates a payment request which is transmitted to an issuer at which the payer maintains a payment account. The issuer communicates with the acquirer, typically via a payment network, to arrange for a payment to be made, and the payment is credited to the payment account associated with the payee, and debited from the payment account associated with the payer. Thus, a payment is effected without the payee ever receiving confidential information about the payer's payment account.