Patent Application
20110246316
In today's busy society, people are always looking for ways to save time and accomplish tasks more efficiently. Mobile devices are one tool that has helped people to work and function more efficiently than in years past. Functionality provided by today's mobile devices allows people to perform all manner of tasks in a faster, more convenient fashion than ever before.
However, people in society still spend precious time waiting in line for various reasons. For instance, people often wait in line to make a purchase, such as food, clothing, or to obtain various services, etc. In one example, people often wait in line to use automated teller machines (ATMs) to deposit money or to obtain cash. It would be advantageous to reduce or eliminate the time spent waiting in these lines.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the description below.
Aspects described herein relate to the pre-processing of transaction information for a transaction that is to be conducted at a transaction processing system. A user may submit transaction information and initiate the transaction prior to reaching or physically interacting with the transaction processing system. This may allow a user's wait time (e.g., while waiting in line for use of the transaction processing system) to be used more effectively. In one example, a user may submit a transaction request including a desired type of transaction, a transaction amount and/or user identification information. The transaction request may correspond to a deposit or withdrawal at an ATM device and the user identification information may include a user's bank card number and/or a personal identification number (PIN). This information may be pre-processed by a financial institution and/or the transaction processing system to determine whether the transaction is authorized and allowed. If so, once the user reaches the transaction processing system (e.g., an ATM), the user might not need to enter information such as the transaction type and the transaction amount. Instead, the user may login and immediately receive a requested amount of funds (e.g., for a withdrawal) or be prompted to insert an amount of currency (e.g., for a deposit).
According to another aspect, transactions may be stored and later forwarded or transmitted to a transaction processing system. For example, transaction information may be initially entered and stored by a user at a computing device. Because the computing device might not be within communication range of a transaction processing system (e.g., the user is entering transaction information at home whereas the transaction processing system is at a bank or retail store), the user may enter and store transaction information on a device so that once the device is within range, the user does not need to enter the information at that time. Accordingly, once the device is within communication range of the transaction processing system (e.g., a point of sale), the device may transmit the transaction information to the processing system for approval and processing. In some arrangements, the transaction information is transmitted prior to the user reaching the transaction processing system.
According to another aspect, a transaction processing system may provides various forms of confirmation upon receipt of transaction information and/or upon pre-authorizing or approving a transaction. For example, the transaction processing system may respond to a transaction initiation request with confirmation that the transaction information was received and that the transaction was approved. In another example, the transaction processing system may provide a confirmation including a transaction identifier or security code that may be used to retrieve the pre-authorized transaction upon reaching the processing system.
According to yet another aspect, transaction may be pre-processed and pre-authorized for a limited amount of time. For example, a user may be required to complete the transaction within 15 minutes or 30 minutes of receiving confirmation that the transaction is pre-approved/processed. If the user does not complete the transaction within the specified time frame, the user may be required to process the transaction anew.
The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.
In the following description of various illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present claimed subject matter.
I/O 109 may include a microphone, mouse, keypad, touch screen, scanner, optical reader, and/or stylus (or other input device(s)) through which a user of server 101 may provide input, and may also include one or more of a speaker for providing audio output and a video display device for providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphical output. Software may be stored within memory 115 and/or other storage to provide instructions to processor 103 for enabling server 101 to perform various functions. For example, memory 115 may store software used by the server 101, such as an operating system 117, application programs 119, and an associated database 121. Alternatively, some or all of server 101 computer executable instructions may be embodied in hardware or firmware (not shown).
The server 101 may operate in a networked environment supporting connections to one or more remote computers, such as terminals 141 and 151. The terminals 141 and 151 may be personal computers or servers that include many or all of the elements described above relative to the server 101. The network connections depicted in
Computing device 101 and/or terminals 141 or 151 may also be mobile terminals (e.g., mobile phones, PDAs, notebooks, etc.) including various other components, such as a battery, speaker, and antennas (not shown).
The disclosure is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the disclosure include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The disclosure may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by one or more computers and/or one or more processors associated with the computers. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects of the disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
The systems, devices, networks, etc. of
The system 200 may also include one or more networks 210a and 210b. The network(s) 210a and 210b may comprise logically separate networks while using the same physical network channels. In one or more arrangements, network 210b may be a wireless local area network within a location 204 (such as a retail store) while network 210a may comprise a publicly accessible wide area network such as the Internet. Networks 210a and 210b may provide connectivity between devices 202a, 202b and 202c, point of sale system 206, such as at a merchant, an ATM, and the like and a financial institution 208. In some arrangements, the financial institution 208 may be located remotely from location 204. Connection between the mobile devices 202 and the point of sale system/ATM 206, etc. may be wired or wireless. For example, networks 210a and 210b may comprise cellular links/connections, 802.11 connections, infrared links, optical communication links, satellite links and/or combinations thereof.
In some examples, devices 202a, 202b and 202c may be connected to one or more financial institutions such as financial institution 208 via network 210a. Communication between devices 202a, 202b and 202c and the financial institution 208 may permit use of various methods of payment for a transaction processed with devices 202a, 202b and 202c. For instance, if a user is purchasing an item and begins the transaction with mobile device 202a, the user may wish to pay for the purchase by debiting funds from one or more accounts held by financial institution 208. In particular, the user may direct the financial institution 208 to transfer funds from the user's account to an account of the retailer, merchant, service provider or the like. Additionally, communications between devices 202, financial institution 208 and point of sale system 206 may be encrypted or adhere to a security protocol to insure privacy.
In some examples, one or more personal computers 202c, stationary computer systems, work terminals, etc. may also be in communication with the financial institution 210 and/or the mobile devices 202a and 202b. For instance, a user may be connected to the financial institution 208 using his or her home computer 202c. In some examples, a user may begin a transaction at this home computer 202c and may store the transaction information for later use. The user may then later access the stored information via one of mobile devices 202a and 202b in order to complete the transaction, e.g., at point of sale 206.
In step 302 a network may be detected by the mobile device at the point of sale system, ATM, etc. For example, the mobile device may detect that a network connection may be established with the point of sale system, ATM or the like once the mobile device has entered a communication range. In step 304, the mobile device may connect to the detected network. In some examples, the mobile device may automatically connect to a network detected within a predetermined range. Additionally or alternatively, detection of a network may prompt user input to connect to the detected network. This network connection may be a wireless or other connection associated with the merchant associated with the point of sale system, financial institution associated with the ATM, etc. In some examples, the network detected may be within a predetermined range of the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device may detect the network once the device is within 3, 5 or 7 feet of the a point of sale system or ATM. This may aid in preventing connections to a network other than the desired network. Additionally or alternatively, a user may input one or more key words to aid in detecting the desired network. For instance, the user may input name of the merchant with which the transaction is being conducted. This name may be used as a keyword or search term to aid in identifying/detecting a network. In another example, the user may look for a network access point corresponding to the name of the service provider or merchant. In order to access the network, the user may be required to enter identifying information such as a bank card number and personal identification number (PIN). This prevents unauthorized or unknown users from generating excess traffic on the merchant or service provider's network and from illegally accessing confidential information. Alternatively or additionally, the user device may be pre-registered with the merchant and given authorization to access the merchant or service provider network. For example, the user may register the device using a phone number, an electronic serial number (ESN) and/or the like.
According to one or more aspects, the user may access a public network such as the Internet using his or her device. The user may then access a merchant, retailer or service provider site (e.g., a website) from which the user may then initiate a transaction by identifying the ATM, store, register, checkout aisle and/or location corresponding to the user. The user may, in one or more arrangements, be required to login or provide identifying information.
Once the user's device has established a connection with the point of sale system and/or network associated therewith, service provider or other merchant, the user may submit transaction initiation information through the device in step 306. In step 308, the user may receive confirmation that the transaction information has been received by the service provider or merchant. The confirmation may further indicate that the point of sale system or ATM or other transaction processing device is prepared to complete the transaction. For example, the retailer may transmit the transaction information to the point of sale system and receive confirmation of receipt. The retailer may then provide this confirmation to the user at the user's device. In one or more arrangements, the retailer or other entity may provide an authorization code for retrieval of the initiated transaction upon the user reaching the ATM or point of sale device. Optionally, the user's device may be notified upon completion of the transaction in step 310 (e.g., once the user has reached the point of sale or ATM and completed all transaction activities such as retrieval of funds, payment and the like). In some examples, completion of the transaction may occur when the mobile device reaches the point of sale system, for instance, after beginning the transaction while waiting in line to purchase one or more products. In some examples, an ATM transaction, such as a deposit or withdrawal, may be started at the mobile device while waiting in line for the ATM. Completion of the transaction may then occur upon reaching the ATM.
In step 504 a determination may be made as to whether there is a network connection within a predetermined range of the mobile device. If no network is detected, the mobile device may continue to search for a connection. If a network is detected, the mobile device may automatically connect to the detected network in step 506. Alternatively, the mobile device may prompt a user to connect to the detected network. In step 508 a determination is made to connect the mobile device to the detected network. If no association is made, the transaction information may be stored for later use in step 510. If the mobile device is associated with the network in step 508, the transaction may be completed in step 512. Alternatively, the transaction may not be completed in step 512 and the transaction information may be stored for later use in step 510.
The user interface 600 may further include a method of payment field 608. The method of payment may include credit card, debit card, electronic funds transfer (EFT), cash upon completion of the transaction, etc. In some examples, the method of payment may be selected from a drop down menu of options. Fields 610 and 612 provide input regions for a financial institution routing number and account number, respectively. These fields may be used with EFT is the method of payment or may be used when the transaction is an ATM withdrawal or deposit. Additional transaction information may be provided as desired and nothing in this figure or associated description should be viewed as limiting the transaction information to only those items discussed.
If, on the other hand, the transaction type is serviceable at the determined ATM location, the financial institution system may pre-authorize and pre-process the transaction in step 915. Pre-authorization of the transaction may include determining that a sufficient amount of funds exist in the user's bank account, whether the amount of funds exceeds a predefined daily withdrawal limit and the like. In one or more arrangements, pre-authorization of the transaction may include transmitting the transaction information to a local system at the ATM location for pre-processing. The financial institution system may thus receive confirmation or rejection of the pre-processing request. In other arrangements, the financial institution system may correspond to the local system at the ATM location. If the transaction has been pre-processed and pre-authorized as determined in step 920, the financial institution system may provide confirmation to the user's device in step 925. The confirmation may include a transaction identifier or other transaction code for identification of the pre-authorized transaction. The transaction code or identifier may be required for completion of the transaction (e.g., completing a purchase, receiving withdrawn funds). Otherwise, the user may be required to begin a new transaction upon reaching the ATM device. In one or more arrangements, the financial institution system may further institute a time limit within which the transaction must be completed (e.g., 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 12 hours, a day, etc.). Time limits may be enforced to insure that transaction codes are not lost and misused or otherwise compromised.
Upon reaching an ATM device, a user may enter user identification information (e.g., a bank card and a PIN). The ATM device may then immediately dispense the requested amount of funds (for a withdrawal), activate a check or currency receiving device (for deposits), dispense a requested number of stamps (for ATMs with stamp purchasing capabilities) and the like. Accordingly, with pre-processing of a transaction, the user might not have to engage in selecting the type of transaction, selecting an account from which to withdraw or to which to deposit, entering an amount of withdrawal or deposit and the like. Receipts might also be provided electronically to the user device rather than having the user wait for the receipt to print out at the ATM.
While the above example process relates to ATMs and processing of ATM transactions, other type of transactions such as product purchases and service requests may be pre-processed in similar fashion. For example, a user may identify all products he or she wishes to purchase, method of payment and amount of payment while still in a checkout line prior to reaching a cashier. Once the user reaches the cashier or checkout device (e.g., point of sale), the user submit payment, receive any change and complete the purchase. In one or more arrangements, a store employee may be required to submit confirmation that the list of products identified by the user in the transaction pre-processing information is accurate. However, the point of sale system or employee might not need to scan each item, advise the user of the total or swipe/process a credit card.
The methods and features recited herein may further be implemented through any number of computer readable media that are able to store computer readable instructions. Examples of computer readable media that may be used include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic storage and the like.
While illustrative systems and methods described herein embodying various aspects are shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, each of the elements of the aforementioned embodiments may be utilized alone or in combination or sub-combination with the elements in the other embodiments. It will also be appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.
