STORING TRANSACTION DETAILS FOR MOBILE TELEPHONE TOP UPS VIA AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES
A method includes receiving a request from an automatic teller machine (ATM). The request indicates that a user of the ATM wishes to perform a current top up transaction for a mobile telephone owned by the user. The method further includes responding to the request by downloading a message to the ATM. The message contains data that indicates one or more mobile telephone carriers and one or more mobile telephone numbers that were subject to a prior top up transaction performed by the user.
Mobile telephone service is typically purchased either via a monthly payment plan or on a pre-paid basis. In the latter case, customers periodically engage in “top up” transactions from time to time in order to pre-pay for additional “air time”.
In some cases mobile telephone customers are permitted to perform top up transactions via automatic teller machines (ATMs). For example, the customer may insert his/her payment card (i.e., credit or debit card) into the ATM in order to charge the top up to his credit/debit card account.
The present inventor has now recognized that there are opportunities for enhancing the convenience of mobile telephone top up transactions undertaken via ATMs.
Features and advantages of some embodiments of the present invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments and which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:
In general, and for the purpose of introducing concepts of embodiments of the present invention, a service provider keeps a computerized record of mobile top up transaction details (e.g., identity of mobile carrier plus mobile telephone number) for top up transactions performed via ATMs by payment card holders. When a card holder initiates a new top up transaction at an ATM, communications are exchanged between the ATM and the service provider so as to download to the ATM details from previous ATM-based top up transactions by the card holder. This may facilitate the card holder's selection/input of transaction details for the current transaction.
The mobile telephone top up transaction system 100 includes a conventional payment system/ATM network 102 that may include conventional computing and telecommunication resources to link the ATMs (of which one is shown, indicated by reference numeral 108) with numerous card issuers 110 which issue ATM and/or payment cards. In accordance with conventional practices, the holders (not shown) of the ATM cards and/or payment cards may use the ATM cards and/or payment cards to perform cash withdrawals and other transactions such as mobile top up transactions via the ATMs. The ATMs may in some cases be operated by the card issuers 110 and may be located at the premises of the card issuers or at other locations such as retail stores. In some cases the ATMs may be operated by businesses that are not financial institutions. The ATM 108 may fall into any of the categories of ATMs enumerated in the previous two sentences.
As will be understood by those who are skilled in the art, the payment system/ATM network 102 also includes acquiring institutions (“acquirers”; not separately shown) which are typically financial institutions that have relationships with the ATM operators or operate the ATMs themselves and that initiate ATM transactions in response to communications from ATM operators and/or the ATMs they themselves operate (and/or from payment card transaction processors). The payment system/ATM network 102 also includes payment card issuing institutions (“issuers”) 110 that issue ATM cards (typically credit cards and/or debit cards) to individual consumers, businesses and other entities. A major component (also not separately shown) of the payment system/ATM network 102 is a transaction routing and clearing system, which routes ATM transactions from acquirers to issuers. One very well known and extensively used transaction routing and clearing system is called “Banknet” and is operated by MasterCard International Inc., the assignee hereof.
The mobile telephone top up transaction system 100 also includes a number of mobile telephone carriers 104 (also known as “mobile network operators” or “MNOs”). The mobile telephone carriers 104 operate mobile telephone service networks serving numerous mobile telephone service subscribers (not shown). The mobile telephone carriers 104 receive payments for mobile telephone top up transactions via the payment system 102/ATM network (i.e., via acquirers that have banking relationships with the mobile telephone carriers 104—these acquirers are not shown), and in response to these payments, the mobile telephone carriers 104 increase the currently available amounts of air time for the subscribers who made the payments. Examples of how the payments may be made in the mobile telephone top up transaction system 100 will be provided below.
Still further, the mobile telephone top up transaction system 100 includes a mobile top up service provider computer 112, which may be connected by suitable data communication links 114 to the payment system/ATM network 102. The mobile top up service provider computer 112 is provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As will be seen from subsequent discussion, the mobile top up service provider computer 112 handles and facilitates mobile top up transactions initiated by users (mobile telephone subscribers) via the ATM 108 (and/or via other ATMs connected to the ATM network 106). The mobile top up service provider computer 112 may be operated by or on behalf of the operator (which could be a payment card association) of the payment system/ATM network 102. Alternatively, the mobile top up service provider computer 112 may also be provided by or on behalf of other participants in the system, such as one or more of the card issuers 110, the operator of the ATM 108, one or more acquirers (not shown), or any other independent provider.
Inasmuch as the hardware constituting ATM 108 may be conventional, that hardware will now be described only in a summary fashion. The ATM 108 includes, and is controlled in its operation by, a conventional processor 202, which may be a microprocessor. The ATM 108 also includes one or more program storage devices 204 (e.g, memory device(s), mass storage, computer-readable media, or the like) which store program instructions that are executed by and control the processor 202. The program instructions are such that the ATM 108 performs processes as described below. The program storage device is in communication with the processor 202.
Further, the ATM 108 includes working memory 206 (RAM and/or flash memory, etc.), also in communication with the processor 202. Also included in the ATM 108 is a communication device 208, coupled to the processor 202. The ATM 108 is able to exchange data communications via the communication device 208 with other devices, such as the ATM network 106 (
Also, the ATM 108 includes a conventional card reader 210. The card reader 210 is in communication with the processor 202 and functions to read information from magnetic stripes and/or integrated circuit cards (ICC) on ATM cards and/or payment cards inserted into the card reader 210 by users of the ATM 108.
Still further, the ATM 108 includes a conventional cash dispenser 212. The cash dispenser 212 is coupled to and under the control of the processor 202, and operates in a conventional manner to dispense cash in response to requests entered by users into the ATM 108.
The ATM 108 also includes a conventional deposit envelope receptacle 214 which operates to receive deposit envelopes inserted by users into the ATM 108. Also included in the ATM 108 is a conventional receipt printer 216. The receipt printer 216 is coupled to the processor 202 and is controlled in a conventional manner by the processor 202 to print and dispense transaction receipts for users of the ATM 108.
Moreover, the ATM 108 includes a conventional screen and input keys (or a touch screen) 218. The screen and input keys (or a touch screen) 218 are in communication with the processor 202 and constitutes the primary data input/output component for the ATM 108. In other words, the screen and input keys (or a touch screen) 218 are the primary mechanism by which the ATM 108 provides a user interface, and are the main component by which the user communicates with the processor 202 and hence with the ATM 108.
All of the above-enumerated components of the ATM 108 are contained in and/or supported by a housing which is schematically indicated at 220.
The mobile top up service provider computer 112 may be conventional in its hardware aspects but may be controlled by software to cause it to operate in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
The mobile top up service provider computer 112 may include a computer processor 300 operatively coupled to a communication device 301, a storage device 304, an input device 306 and an output device 308.
The computer processor 300 may be constituted by one or more conventional processors. Processor 300 operates to execute processor-executable steps, contained in program instructions described below, so as to control the mobile top up service provider computer 112 to provide desired functionality.
Communication device 301 may be used to facilitate communication with, for example, other devices (such as the ATM 108 and the payment system 102).
Input device 306 may comprise one or more of any type of peripheral device typically used to input data into a computer. For example, the input device 306 may include a keyboard and a mouse. Output device 308 may comprise, for example, a display and/or a printer.
Storage device 304 may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices such as CDs and/or DVDs, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random Access Memory (RAM) devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, as well as so-called flash memory. Any one or more of such information storage devices may be considered to be a computer-readable storage medium.
Storage device 304 stores one or more programs for controlling processor 300. The programs comprise program instructions that contain processor-executable process steps of mobile top up service provider computer 112, including process steps that constitute processes provided in accordance with principles of the present invention, as described in more detail below.
The programs may include an application/program module 310 that controls the processor 300 to handle mobile telephone top up transactions initiated by users of ATM 108 and other ATMs interfaced to the payment system/ATM network 102. Details of processes implemented by the application/program module 310 will be described below in conjunction with
The programs may also include an application/program module 312 by which the mobile top up service provider computer 112 manages storage of top up transaction “details” by which is meant the mobile carrier and mobile telephone number with respect to which a particular top up transaction is carried out.
In addition to the software programs expressly listed above, the mobile top up service provider computer 112 may be programmed with other software, such as one or more operating systems, device drivers, database management programs, programs to enable the mobile top up service provider computer 112 to operate as a server computer with respect to remote client applications, communication software, etc.
The storage device 304 may also store a database 314 which contains data regarding top up transactions handled by the mobile top up service provider computer 112, and a database 316 which stores the “details” (carrier and mobile phone number) for subscribers' past top up transactions. Practices for generating and maintaining the details database 316, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, will be described below.
At block 402 in
When it is the case that a magnetic stripe (and/or ICC) card has been inserted into the card reader 210, then the process advances from block 402 to block 406. At block 406, the card reader 210 reads the card number (and possibly other information as well) from the magnetic stripe (and/or ICC) on the card and transmits the card number to the processor 202. It will be appreciated that the magnetic stripe (and/or ICC) card may be an ATM card or a payment card (credit card or debit card). The card number corresponds to the cardholder's payment or ATM card account number as used within the payment system/ATM network 102.
Following block 406 is block 408. At block 408, the ATM 108, via the touch screen 218, prompts the user to enter his/her PIN (personal identification number). This step may be implemented in a conventional fashion, using the screen and input keys (or a touch screen) 218 to display appropriate messages and allow the user to enter his or her PIN. The ATM 108 may check the validity of the entered PIN in a conventional fashion. After block 408, the process of
However, if the PIN was valid, then the process may advance from decision block 410 to block 414. At block 414, the ATM 108 may display a main menu to the user, via screen and input keys (or touch screen) 218 and wait for the user selection. An example main menu screen display is illustrated in
Referring again to
At block 420, the ATM 108 transmits to the mobile top up service provider computer 112 a request that indicates that the user wishes to perform a mobile top up transaction. The request may identify the user by his/her ATM card and/or payment card account number, as read from his/her card by the card reader 210 of the ATM 108. In effect, as will be seen, the request transmitted by the ATM 108 to the mobile top up service provider computer 112 at 420 is a request that the mobile top up service provider computer 112 download to the ATM 108 details (mobile carrier and mobile telephone number) for at least one prior top up transaction engaged in by the user on this or another ATM. The request may, for example, include a suitable code or flag to indicate that it is a request for prior top up transaction detail information. The request does not include information indicative of a carrier, a mobile telephone number or a transaction amount.
As seen from
At 426, the ATM 108 may present to the user a screen display like that shown in
(The number of pre-stored detail options presented in the screen display may be more or less than the three options 602-606 shown in
It will be observed that the screen display of
Referring again to
Following block 430 (
Following block 436, the process advances to decision block 438. At decision block 438, the ATM 108 determines whether it has received back from the mobile top up service provider computer 112 a message confirming that the mobile top up transaction has been performed. Until this occurs, the process may idle at decision block 438, as indicated by branch 440 from decision block 438. However, once the ATM 108 has received the confirmation message from the mobile top up service provider computer 112, then the process may advance from decision block 438 to block 442. At block 442, the ATM 108 may display to the user a screen display (not shown) to confirm to the user that the top up transaction has been completed. The process may then end (444).
The discussion will now consider an alternative branch from decision blocks 422 and 428 (
The process advances from block 448 to block 454. At block 454, the ATM 108 prompts the user to enter the mobile telephone number for the account that is to be topped up and waits for user input. For example, if the ATM 108 has a touch screen, then it may display a screen display like that shown in
Referring again to
Referring again to
Once the user has input his/her choice, the ATM 108 may set a state of a mobile top up details storage indicator accordingly. In some embodiments, the mobile top up details storage indicator may have three states, including: (a) a first state that indicates that new details have been entered for the transaction and that the user desires that the new details be stored in the system; (b) a second state that indicates that new details have been entered for the transaction and that the user desires that the new details not be stored in the system; and (c) a third state that indicates that the user has selected the transaction details from previously stored details (as per steps 448-450).
Upon receipt of the store/don't store indication prompted for at step 464, the process may advance from block 464 to block 430 (
Considering again decision block 462 (
It should also be understood that the screen displays shown in
At block 1202 in
When a request for a top up transaction is received, the process of
The process of
The process of
The process of
The process of
Considering again decision block 1216, assume now that the mobile top up details storage indicator received in the second request was in a state to indicate that the user entered new details for the top up transaction and the user desires that the system store the new details. In this case, the process of
Considering decision block 1216 once more, let it next be assumed that the mobile top up details storage indicator received in the second request was in a state to indicate that the user entered new details for the top up transaction but does not desire that the system store the new details. In this case, the process of
At decision block 1302 in
The process of
The process of
If the mobile top up service provider computer 112 determines at decision block 1314 that there are more items in the current record, the process of
At decision block 1316, the mobile top up service provider computer 112 determines whether there are any more records in the top up details database 316. If so, the process of
The present invention has been illustrated in the context of a transaction processing network that handles both ATM transactions and payment card transactions. However, other architectures or arrangements are also within the scope of the invention. For example, the ATM transaction network and the payment card system may be functionally separate, and the mobile top up service provider may be connected to both to provide the functionality described herein. For example, the mobile top up service provider may receive top up requests from ATMs via the ATM network, and may implement payments for the top ups via the payment card system. In some embodiments, for example, the mobile top up service provider may provide “on behalf” services to the mobile carriers, to submit payment card transactions to the acquiring institutions that service the mobile carriers. Upon receiving confirmation of authorization for the payment card system transactions, the mobile top up service provider may so inform the mobile carriers (while informing the carriers of the customers' mobile telephone numbers), which then credit the newly-purchased air time to the customers' mobile telephone accounts. Other arrangements and/or process flows are also possible, as will be recognized by those who are skilled in the art.
The flow charts and descriptions thereof herein should not be understood to prescribe a fixed order of performing the method steps described therein. Rather the method steps may be performed in any order that is practicable.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “payment card system account” includes a credit card account or a deposit account that the account holder may access using a debit card. The terms “payment card system account” and “payment card account” are used interchangeably herein. The term “payment card account number” includes a number that identifies a payment card system account or a number carried by a payment card, or a number that is used to route a transaction in a payment system that handles debit card and/or credit card transactions. The term “payment card” includes a credit card or a debit card.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “payment card system” refers to a system for handling purchase transactions and related transactions and operated under the name of MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card or a similar system.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations apparent to those skilled in the art can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a request from an automatic teller machine (ATM), said request indicating that a user of the ATM wishes to perform a mobile top up transaction for a mobile telephone; and
- responding to the request by downloading a message to the ATM, the message containing data indicative of one or more mobile telephone carriers and one or more mobile telephone numbers that were subject to prior top up transactions performed by the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request identifies the user by a payment card account number assigned to the user.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
- using the payment card account number to look up said data indicative of the mobile telephone carrier and the mobile telephone number.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- receiving a second request from the ATM, the second request confirming that the mobile telephone carrier and the mobile telephone number indicated in the message are to be subject to the current top up transaction.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second request indicates an amount of money to be applied in the current top up transaction.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
- in response to the second request, initiating a transaction in a payment card system or ATM network to credit the indicated amount of money to the mobile telephone carrier.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
- receiving confirmation that the transaction in the payment card system or ATM network has been performed successfully.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
- transmitting to the ATM a confirmation that the current top up transaction has been performed successfully.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the message contains a plurality of data items, each data item corresponding to a respective prior top up transaction and indicative of a respective mobile telephone carrier and a respective mobile telephone number that were subject to the respective prior top up transaction.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- receiving a second request from the ATM, the second request indicating a mobile telephone carrier and a mobile telephone number to be subject to the current top up transaction, the second request also including a mobile top up details storage indicator, the mobile top up details storage indicator for indicating a selection made by the user from among the following options:
- (a) selection of a previously stored mobile telephone carrier and a previously stored mobile telephone number;
- (b) entry of a new mobile telephone number and a request that the new mobile telephone number be stored;
- (c) entry of a new mobile telephone number and a request that the new mobile telephone number not be stored;
- (d) request that the new mobile telephone number be stored; and
- (e) request that the new mobile telephone number not be stored.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
- in response to the second request, storing the new mobile telephone number in association with a payment card account number assigned to the user if the mobile top up details storage indicator indicated options (b) or (d).
12. A method of operating an automatic teller machine (ATM), the method comprising:
- receiving in the ATM an indication that a user wishes to perform a current mobile telephone top up transaction;
- transmitting to a service provider a request for prior top up transaction data for the user;
- receiving the requested prior top up transaction data from the service provider;
- displaying the received prior top up transaction data to the user;
- receiving in the ATM an indication of a selection by the user of a mobile telephone carrier and a mobile telephone number from the displayed prior top up transaction data;
- receiving in the ATM from the user an indication of an amount of money for the current top up transaction; and
- transmitting a second request to the service provider, the second request indicating the amount of money and the selected mobile telephone carrier and selected mobile telephone number.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- reading a payment card account number from a payment card inserted by the user into the ATM;
- and wherein the request for prior top up transaction data identifies the user by the payment card account number read from the payment card.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- receiving from the service provider confirmation that the current mobile telephone top up transaction has been completed.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- displaying to the user an indication that the current mobile telephone top up transaction has been completed.
16. A method of operating an automatic teller machine (ATM), the method comprising:
- reading a payment card account number from a payment card inserted into the ATM by a user;
- receiving in the ATM an indication that the user wishes to perform a mobile telephone top up transaction;
- prompting the user to select a mobile telephone carrier for the top up transaction;
- receiving an indication from the user indicating selection of the mobile telephone carrier;
- prompting the user to enter a mobile telephone number for the top up transaction;
- receiving from the user entry of numeric data to indicate the mobile telephone number;
- prompting the user to indicate whether the user wishes that the selection of the mobile telephone carrier and the mobile telephone number be stored for future top up transactions;
- receiving an indication from the user as to whether the selection of the mobile telephone carrier and the mobile telephone number are to be stored; and
- sending a message to a service provider, the message including an indication of the selected mobile telephone carrier, the mobile telephone number, and an indication as to whether the service provider is to store the selection of the mobile telephone carrier and the mobile telephone number for future top up transactions.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the prompting steps includes displaying information on a display component of the ATM.
Type: Application
Filed: May 4, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 4, 2010
Inventor: Luis Filipe de Almeida Ferreira da Silva (Brussels)
Application Number: 12/435,010
International Classification: G06Q 20/00 (20060101); G06Q 50/00 (20060101); G06Q 40/00 (20060101); G06F 3/048 (20060101); G06Q 10/00 (20060101);