WO2006119558A1 - Execution d'actions auxiliaires sur un reseau etabli de transactions - Google Patents

Execution d'actions auxiliaires sur un reseau etabli de transactions Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006119558A1
WO2006119558A1 PCT/AU2006/000605 AU2006000605W WO2006119558A1 WO 2006119558 A1 WO2006119558 A1 WO 2006119558A1 AU 2006000605 W AU2006000605 W AU 2006000605W WO 2006119558 A1 WO2006119558 A1 WO 2006119558A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pos
ancillary
account
data
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2006/000605
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English (en)
Inventor
Brian David Christiansen
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On Q Technologies Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2005902359A external-priority patent/AU2005902359A0/en
Application filed by On Q Technologies Pty Ltd filed Critical On Q Technologies Pty Ltd
Priority to AU2006246297A priority Critical patent/AU2006246297A1/en
Priority to CA002607986A priority patent/CA2607986A1/fr
Publication of WO2006119558A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006119558A1/fr
Priority to IL187300A priority patent/IL187300A0/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to a method, system, apparatus and/or computer instruction code for operating a POS network and in particular relates to of the operation of a POS network to increase the functionality thereof.
  • POS point of sale
  • Many consumers regard the ability to electronically transfer funds from their own account to that of a merchant or service provider as highly convenient as it reduces the requirement to carry cash or other alternative forms of currency.
  • Using a POS network is convenient as there are many POS access points available to consumers in locations such as supermarkets, department stores and service stations, allowing consumers continuous 24 hour access to transfer and withdraw funds and/or use funds residing in an account to purchase goods or services from a merchant.
  • debiting, transferring and withdrawing funds from an account is generally supported by POS networks, they do not currently support other actions that are also considered useful. For example, crediting an account is not supported and this must be done at a local access point of the entity that established and operates the account, such as a bank, or an affiliated bank or financial institution.
  • POS access points the only form of credit which may be performed at POS access points is a refund of a purchase transaction. Further, refunds may only occur where a consumer has already performed a transaction with a particular merchant and, it is only that particular merchant who is able to issue the refund to credit a consumer's account.
  • the existing functionality of merchant terminals and a transaction network is governed by the Global Card Associations who also determine the identification number appearing on cards issued by a financial institution to a user. Manufacturers of merchant terminals adhere to the parameters set by the Global Card Associations when manufacturing and programming merchant terminals. Any change to the existing set of programmed functions of merchant terminals would require a software upgrade to all merchant terminals and accordingly, any proposed change would need to be evaluated, tested and approved by the various manufacturers of merchant terminals to ensure that any change implemented by the Global Card Associations could be properly effected by the installed base of merchant terminals.
  • the present invention provides a method of operating a POS network to perform ancillary actions, the method including the steps of: collecting account information associated with a user at a POS network access point; verifying said account information; entering data at the POS network access point that has a predetermined ancillary action associated with that data; transmitting a POS packet from the network access point to a processing intermediary with the data representing the ancillary action embedded within said packet; the processing intermediary receiving said POS packet, identifying said data and causing a transmission to a predetermined server for effecting said ancillary action; and the predetermined server effecting said ancillary action with respect to the verified account.
  • the ancillary action performed with respect to the account may be effected through the use of an existing POS network, without requiring costly modifications to the hardware or software that forms the existing POS network of the merchant location or the merchant's bank.
  • the data that is entered at the POS network access point is data that could normally be included in a POS transaction such that any pre-existing POS transaction apparatus or devices could process the POS packet.
  • a processing intermediary may recognise a data value as representing an ancillary action, processing of the POS packet should not cause any problem when processed by any other apparatus or devices forming part of an existing POS network.
  • processing intermediaries are provided with computer instruction code that embodies details of the data and/or data values and correlate same with predetermined ancillary actions.
  • the processing intermediary upon recognising a POS packet as representing a request for an ancillary action, intercepts and redirects the packet thus preventing same from being transmitted to its usual destination across the POS network.
  • the processing intermediary effectively monitors the passage of POS packets as they pass through to their usual destination and upon recognising a request for an ancillary action, generates a data packet for transmission to a predetermined server for effecting the ancillary action.
  • the ancillary action performed may include adding funds to an account, activating an account or deactivating an account and in a particularly preferred embodiment, monetary values that are not typically used in existing transactions over such networks are selected to correspond with particular ancillary actions to be performed.
  • the step of collecting account information associated with a user may be performed by the user presenting a user device such as a card including a magnetic strip and inserting same into a POS access point.
  • the account information may then be read from the card and transmitted across the network for verification.
  • the user device may include a barcode which may be scanned to collect account information or any other suitable storage device such as an RFID device, a biometric chip card or a suitably configured mobile phone or personal digital assistant.
  • Verifying account information may include correlating the account number stored on the magnetic strip of the card, or the barcode of the card, with an account number held on an account server.
  • the step may further include the user entering a personal identification number (PIN).
  • PIN personal identification number
  • the use of a PIN advantageously provides a level of security with respect to transactions performed at a POS access point.
  • a monetary value is used to signify and identify an ancillary action
  • the choice of monetary value will be a value that is typically not used in existing POS transactions such as an amount less than one dollar, for example one cent or one penny.
  • another typically unused data field in a POS packet such as the clerk code
  • various data fields within a POS packet may be used to signify and identify ancillary action requests depending upon fields that are typically unused.
  • one particular network may not typically use the clerk code field whereas another network may use this field on a regular basis.
  • the processing intermediary that receives the POS packet may discern the request for an ancillary action from a range of data fields within a POS packet.
  • a request for an ancillary action may make use of more than one data field, for example, the clerk code could indicate the type of ancillary action and another field could be used to indicate the amount.
  • ancillary actions are only made available to customers by a predefined set of merchants, effectively forming a "closed" environment within which ancillary actions may be effected, the merchants being familiar with the entry of the necessary data at a POS network access point that will signify and identify particular ancillary actions.
  • the predefined set of merchants would be capable of effecting the required ancillary actions for consumers and the processing intermediary would not only examine the relevant data field in a POS packet to determine the requested ancillary action but would also examine whether or not the requested ancillary action was issued by a merchant from the predefined set of merchants authorised to request the particular ancillary action.
  • the processing intermediary may also examine the identification number of the user's device as contained in a POS packet and correlate same with the issuing entity and redirect the POS packet to the entities host for further processing and effecting the requested ancillary action.
  • a cardholder When effecting ancillary actions within a closed environment, only those merchants within the predefined set of merchants will be relevant to the requested ancillary action. For example, in the event that a card holder increases the value of their account, it would only be possible to make purchases that draw value from the cardholder's account with another participating merchant within the closed environment. In one embodiment of the invention, it is expected that a closed environment would not include an automated cash dispensing apparatus and as such, once the value of a cardholder's account is increased by the supply of cash to a participating merchant, it would no longer be possible for the card holder to withdraw a cash equivalent value from their account. In this particular embodiment, a cardholder is restricted to redeeming the value of their account by purchasing goods and/or services from one or more merchants within the closed environment.
  • the predefined set of merchants display a private label logo and customer cards that enable customers to effect ancillary actions within the closed environment of the predefined set of merchants also display the private label logo.
  • customers holding a customer card with the private label logo applicable to the closed environment would only approach merchants displaying the private label logo thus indicating the acceptance of this particular type of customer card.
  • the merchant processes the customer card at their terminal which ensures that the BIN (Bank Institution No.) corresponds with a BIN that is accepted by the merchant's terminal.
  • the merchant terminal does not accept the particular type of card offered by the customer, an indication will be provided to the merchant by the terminal to indicate that the customer card will not be processed by the terminal.
  • the request for an ancillary action is transmitted to a processing intermediary that is programmed to analyse the transaction containing the request for an ancillary action and upon identifying such a request, the processing intermediary diverts the transaction to a predetermined server for effecting the requested ancillary action.
  • This embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous as it allows for the formation of a subset of merchants within an existing POS network of merchants. Further, any predefined subset of merchants within a POS network of merchants may be the only merchants able to provide ancillary actions to consumers.
  • ancillary actions are made available to customers by any merchant, effectively forming an "open" environment in which ancillary actions may be effected.
  • any merchant will be capable of effecting the required ancillary action for a consumer and further, in the event a consumer has increased the value of their account at a participating merchant, they could subsequently withdraw a cash equivalent value from their account from an automated cash dispensing apparatus connected to the POS network.
  • ancillary actions performed with respect to a user's account are performed in real time irrespective of whether they are executed in an "open” or "closed” environment.
  • the above described method does not prohibit a user device from acting as a normal debit or stored value device.
  • the user's account may be accessed by the same user device to withdraw cash from an automatic teller machine (ATM) or from a merchant at a POS access point.
  • ATM automatic teller machine
  • the user may also use the same user device to make purchases of goods and services whereby the funds are transferred from the user's account to the merchant or service providers account in real time.
  • the user device may also be used to access services provided by organisations other than banks. These services may include accessing the internet, via an internet cafe or network access point whereby the cost of the access is deducted from the account, adding value to a prepaid mobile telephone or cell phone (also known as recharging), placing telephone calls or bill and invoice payments made via the Internet, via the telephone, via SMS, MMS or at interactive payment kiosks.
  • services may include accessing the internet, via an internet cafe or network access point whereby the cost of the access is deducted from the account, adding value to a prepaid mobile telephone or cell phone (also known as recharging), placing telephone calls or bill and invoice payments made via the Internet, via the telephone, via SMS, MMS or at interactive payment kiosks.
  • ancillary actions are effected by the use of a user device that cannot request any action other than an ancillary action.
  • This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it addresses the significant concern that in operation, the requesting and effecting of ancillary actions could involve a significant degree of human error. For example, where a single user device is used to effect usual transactions in addition to ancillary actions, there is a significant potential for human error on the part of a merchant processing a user's request with respect to an ancillary action.
  • the user device is a swipe card and the BIN of the card is used to indicate that the device is only operable to request an ancillary action and/or the preferred routing of any resulting POS packet to an ancillary action server.
  • settlement preferably occurs at the end of each day with respect to the merchants providing POS access points and the banking systems connected to the POS network that have retained account balances in real time as a result of transactions occurring throughout the day.
  • Daily settlement may also involve the payment of fees to various merchants and intermediaries that have enabled a POS network to perform and settle any actions.
  • the present invention provides a server which, in use, is operably connected to a POS network, said server including: receiving means for receiving information relating to a user provided by a POS access point, said information including at least information identifying the user by an account associated with the user; verifying means for verifying the information received; a data receiving means for receiving data entered at the POS access point and a transmission means for transmitting a POS packet including the data that has a predetermined ancillary action associated with that data; a comparison means to determine whether the POS packet received represents a request for a predetermined ancillary action; and processing means for effecting said ancillary action with respect to the verified account in the event that the received POS packet includes data representing a predetermined ancillary action.
  • the receiving means and verifying means are preferably implemented as electronic processing devices operably connected to the POS network such that upon receipt of information including at least information identifying the user and an account associated with the user, the information is passed to the verifying means that subsequently transmits a request over the POS network to another connected device that can compare the user information and the account information for verification. Further, the verifying means preferably receives confirmation or otherwise from a device operably connected to the POS network and provides the confirmation or otherwise to the server.
  • the data receiving means and the comparison means are also implemented as electronic processing devices within the server and receive the data entered at the POS access point and perform a comparison to determine whether that data represents a predetermined ancillary action.
  • Predetermined ancillary actions and their corresponding data values are preferably stored in electronic memory within the server for relatively easy interrogation by the comparison means.
  • the processing means is preferably implemented as an electronic processing means for effecting any valid ancillary action requested with respect to a verified account.
  • the present invention provides a POS network when used for effecting ancillary actions, said POS network executing the following method steps: collecting account information associated with a user at a POS access point; verifying said account information; transmitting data from the POS access point to a transaction processor said data representing a predetermined ancillary action; and the transaction processor effecting said ancillary action with respect to the verified account.
  • the present invention provides a POS network including: account information collection means at a POS access point for collecting account information associated with a user; verifying means for verifying said account information; a data entry means at the POS access point for entering data that represents a predetermined ancillary action; and transmission means for transmitting the data to a transaction processor that effects ancillary actions with respect to verified accounts in accordance with the ancillary actions corresponding to the data transmitted.
  • the data entry means is implemented as part of one of those devices that are operable for receiving data entry from a user and/or merchant.
  • the data entry means is operable to receive data representing a predetermined ancillary action and similarly, the transmission means is preferably an electronic processing device contained within a POS magnetic card reader of one of the types currently used in POS networks, the transmission means operable to transmit the data entered by a user and/or merchant to a transaction processor that is preferably connected to the POS network and operable to effect actions with respect to verified accounts by having access to information pertaining to those accounts.
  • the present invention provides a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for effecting ancillary actions with respect to a user's account
  • the computer program including: computer instruction code for receiving account information associated with a user's account transmitted from a POS access point; computer instruction code for verifying said account information; computer instruction code for receiving a POS packet transmitted from the POS access point, said POS packet including data representing an ancillary action; computer instruction code for determining whether any data received in the POS packet corresponds with a predetermined ancillary action; and in the event that any data has an associated ancillary action, computer instruction code for effecting that ancillary action with respect to the verified account.
  • computer instruction code operating on a device connected to the network generates an authorisation code in the event that a user's account is verified and causes the transmission of the authorisation code to the merchant to notify the merchant of the verification of the user's account and/or an approval to effect a transaction with respect to a user's verified account.
  • the code may result in computer instructions that are implemented integrally to a computer or of a network of computers using separate software components.
  • the code may also include components of existing software that effect functions in cooperation with dedicated code developed specifically for the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method of effecting ancillary actions with respect to a user account including the steps of: the user providing account information associated with the user at a POS access point and transmitting same across the POS network for verification; entering data at the POS access point, said data representing an ancillary action to be performed on the user's account; and receiving information transmitted across the POS network confirming whether said ancillary action has been effected with respect to the user's account.
  • the present invention provides a method of effecting ancillary actions with respect to a user's account including the steps of: receiving account information associated with a user from a POS access point; verifying said account information; receiving data from said POS access point and determining whether the data represents an ancillary action; and in the event that the data represents an ancillary action, effecting said ancillary action with respect to the verified account.
  • Figure 1 is a flow chart representing the primary method steps that are effected presently over a POS network for the purpose of a cardholder purchasing goods and/or services from a merchant;
  • Figure 2 is a flow chart detailing the primary method steps presently effected for the purpose of clearing and settling the transactions between various parties as a result of a cardholder purchasing goods and/or services from a merchant;
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart of the method steps effected in a preferred embodiment of the invention for the purpose of a cardholder effecting an ancillary action over a POS network;
  • Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a POS network for effecting predetermined ancillary actions
  • FIG. 5 is a further diagrammatic representation of a POS network for effecting predetermined ancillary actions showing additional detail in relation to POS access points and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) access points.
  • EFT Electronic Funds Transfer
  • a cardholder hands their card to a merchant for payment of goods and/or services.
  • the merchant swipes the card through the POS terminal and enters the amount of the transaction.
  • merchants usually adopt a policy of refusing to process transactions that are not financially viable for the merchant to process.
  • the amount below which a transaction is not financially viable for a merchant to process will vary from merchant to merchant and country to country.
  • the amount of the transaction is then transmitted to a processing intermediary such as an Acquirer Host along with the Terminal ID which identifies the merchant location and the merchant account details.
  • the Acquirer organisation receives the transmission from the merchant and in turn submits the transaction details to the organisation that issued the cardholder's card via an established network such as the Visa/MCI/Amex network.
  • the issuing organisation verifies the card holder data and transaction amount against the cardholder's account and generates and transmits an authorisation code via the Visa/MCI/Amex network to the merchant. Transmission of the authorisation code from the Acquirer organisation to the merchant terminal is identified at step 23 and as a result of receiving an authorisation code, the merchant is effectively authorised to settle the transaction with the cardholder.
  • the merchant completes the transaction with the cardholder and the cardholder signs the transaction slip as final verification of the sale of goods and/or services from the merchant to the cardholder.
  • Step 35 the merchant transmits details pertaining to the total number and value of transactions for the day from the merchant's terminal to the Acquirer organisation and/or bank.
  • the merchant's bank account is credited with the total value of the merchants sales for the day with a service fee imposed for processing services.
  • Step 37 also includes the merchant's bank submitting this particular transaction to an established network such as the Visa/MCI/Amex network for settlement with the issuer of the cardholder's card.
  • the relevant card network eg Visa/MCI/Amex
  • the issuers bank posts the transaction to the cardholder's account, as detailed in step 43, and the cardholder receives a monthly statement from the issuer requesting payment as detailed at step 45.
  • the POS network is a large and extensive network and whilst it may reliably and efficiently effect actions that are now considered to be well accepted by consumers, it is presently only possible to effect a limited set of actions by use of a POS network despite a clear desire on the part of merchants and other processing entities to provide an increased range of actions.
  • an increase to the currently limited set of actions able to be effected by a POS network would ordinarily require a substantial expenditure by various entities to upgrade the servers and associated apparatus at POS access points and the software used to operate the POS system.
  • ancillary actions may be requested and effected by entering data at a POS network access point whereby that data indicates a predetermined ancillary action that is additional to the presently accepted set of actions that may be effected by a POS network.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart detailing the primary method steps that are effected in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention that enables a cardholder to request an ancillary action and have same effected.
  • the cardholder provides their card to a merchant for the purpose of requesting an ancillary action over the POS network.
  • the merchant receives the cardholder card and effects the same actions that would normally occur for a currently accepted action over the POS network.
  • the merchant swipes the card through the terminal thus enabling the terminal to extract the cardholder details from the card.
  • the merchant keys in data such as a nominal transaction value wherein the nominal transaction value signifies a request for a particular ancillary action that is identified by the cardholder to the merchant.
  • the merchant keys in the relevant transaction value that corresponds to the particular ancillary action requested and the transaction is transmitted along with the Terminal ID identifying the merchant location and the merchant account details to the Acquirer Host.
  • the Acquirer Host organisation receives the transaction from the merchant and analyses same to detect the inclusion of any data signifying a request for an ancillary action.
  • the Acquirer Host redirects the transaction to a predetermined server acting as an Issuer Host.
  • the Issuer Host correlates the data included in the transaction with a pre-recorded set of data values and the corresponding ancillary action and effects the ancillary action that has been requested in the transaction.
  • the ancillary action is a request to increase the value of a cardholder's account
  • the value by which the cardholder's account is to be increased may be indicated by the transaction value.
  • a one cent transaction may correspond to a fifty dollar increase in a cardholder's account
  • a two cent transaction may equate to a one hundred dollar increase etc.
  • the merchant would have already received the necessary funds equating to the value by which a cardholder required their account to be increased.
  • the cardholder account has the appropriate value added to it by the server.
  • the Acquirer Host organisation transmits the transaction received from the merchant via the Visa/MCI/Amex network thus passing the transaction with the nominal transaction value to the issuer.
  • the POS packet contained in the transmission from a merchant requesting an ancillary action will not cause any processing problems as it is processed by apparatus and devices that are presently processing POS transactions.
  • the transaction requesting an ancillary action is passed to the Issuer organisation that verifies the cardholder data and transaction amount against the cardholder's account.
  • the transaction amount is a nominal value, it is not expected that the amount would cause a cardholder to exceed their credit limit as a result of processing the nominal transaction amount.
  • the Issuer organisation will then generate and transmit an authorisation code to the merchant and although the merchant will receive the authorisation code at step 62, whereas this authorisation code would normally allow the merchant to settle the transaction, in the particular instance of requesting an ancillary action, the merchant would effectively ignore the receipt of an authorisation code.
  • the merchant has effectively completed the transaction with the knowledge that the POS transaction was transmitted to the Issuer and an authorisation code was generated and transmitted thus indicating that at least, the cardholder did not exceed their credit limit.
  • a nominal transaction value of an amount less than ten dollars is used for the purpose of signifying and identifying ancillary actions.
  • a combination of the transaction value and the BIN of the customers/purchasers card is used to effect an ancillary action.
  • ancillary actions are those actions not currently implemented by presently installed software and apparatus of existing POS networks.
  • POS access point 102 at merchant 103, a transaction acquiring server 122 such as VISA, Mastercard etc, card transaction acquiring processor 120, authorisation server 108, issuing bank 124 and the merchant or acquiring organisation 105.
  • Access point 102 includes card reader 104 for reading either a magnetic strip or a barcode of a user device. It will be appreciated that any other suitable reader may be used for reading and transmitting user and account information stored on a storage device to authorisation server 108.
  • Authorisation server 108 holds a Virtual account' whereby data relating to a particular consumer is stored.
  • Issuing bank 124 hosts the actual account for settlement of the transactions processed by authorisation server 108.
  • a user device in the form of a customer card 1 10, may use system 100 to effect ancillary actions that affect the details of the account stored on authorisation server 108, the account being associated with card 110.
  • customer card 1 10 is read by card reader 104 at POS access point 102.
  • Card reader 104 collects information relating to the account associated with the customer card 1 10 which is transmitted to the transaction acquiring processor 120 which subsequently forwards same to the card transaction acquiring server122 and authorisation server 108 to determine the validity of the customer card 110.
  • the customer enters data relating to the transaction value and then selects the account type from which the amount of the transaction value should be debited.
  • the account type relating to the previous transaction would be credited.
  • the POS packet received at the transaction acquiring server122 continues on to the card issuing entity such that the POS transaction, albeit requesting an ancillary action, is treated like any other POS transaction and continues to be transmitted to the card issuing entity.
  • the transaction acquiring server122 effectively transmits a replica of the POS packet received from the POS access point 102 to the authorisation server 108 for processing of the request for an ancillary action.
  • Authorisation server 108 executes computer instruction code that receives the POS packet and identifies the particular ancillary action requested by analysing the data embedded within the POS packet.
  • transactions that have been processed by authorisation server 108 are settled by issuing bank 124 to the merchant acquiring bank processor 105.
  • the merchant acquiring bank 105 then settles the daily transactions with each individual merchant, including any monetary amount defined in the ancillary actions.
  • System 100 includes POS access point 102 that includes a magnetic strip card reader 104, a keypad 109 and an automatic teller machine (ATM) 106.
  • the card reader 102 and ATM 106 are typical of the numerous electronic funds access points available in a wide range of locations such as supermarkets, department stores and service stations, which allow consumers 24 hour access to transfer and withdraw funds and/or use funds residing in an account to purchase goods or services from a merchant.
  • POS access point 102 could also include a barcode reader or any other suitable device to "read" information stored on any suitable user device.
  • System 100 also includes non-bank service providers, such as a kiosk 1 14 for the payment of bills or other invoices, telephony exchange 1 16 for placing telephone calls or updating a mobile or cell phone accounts, or an internet service provider 1 18.
  • non-bank service providers such as a kiosk 1 14 for the payment of bills or other invoices, telephony exchange 1 16 for placing telephone calls or updating a mobile or cell phone accounts, or an internet service provider 1 18.
  • customer card 110 is inserted into card reader 104 to collect account information associated with the user.
  • the account information stored on the magnetic strip, or in an alternative embodiment a bar code is transmitted to authorisation server 108 via the transaction acquiring server122.
  • the account information is verified at authorisation server 108 by comparing the stored data with data held on authorisation server 108.
  • Data representing a predetermined ancillary action is entered at the access point 102, by a merchant, and upon identification by the transaction acquiring server122, transmitted to authorisation server 108.
  • authorisation server 108 confirms that customer card 1 10 is associated with a valid account, the ancillary action is effected.
  • customer card 1 10 may be issued by a card governing body such as VISA. If the card is issued by a governing body, it is usual that the governing body will require that the card be authenticated as part of the normal processing procedure. This may be performed by transaction acquiring server 122 which authenticates that customer card 1 10 is a card having a valid number, and possibly verify that the customer card 1 10 has not expired.
  • a card governing body such as VISA. If the card is issued by a governing body, it is usual that the governing body will require that the card be authenticated as part of the normal processing procedure. This may be performed by transaction acquiring server 122 which authenticates that customer card 1 10 is a card having a valid number, and possibly verify that the customer card 1 10 has not expired.
  • a user would swipe their customer card 110 through the magnetic card reader 104, and account information is transferred to authorisation server 108.
  • Data representing a required ancillary action such as a monetary value, is also entered at the POS access point 102 and passed to the authorisation server 108 for validation. If the account information is valid, then the value of the account is increased.
  • a merchant carrying a merchant card 1 12 would effect the transaction at the POS access point 102 either by a cash register (not shown) or similar device connected to the POS network or by card reader 104.
  • customer card 1 10 is inserted into card reader 104, and the details are verified by authorisation server 108 as previously mentioned.
  • Data such as a monetary value, would be entered at the POS access point 102 either through the cash register or keypad 109 of card reader 104 and if valid, the POS transaction is sent to the authorisation server 108. If the ancillary action is verified a success response is transmitted back to the terminal.
  • the Merchant Upon receiving the successful response at the terminal the Merchant then enters their merchant card 1 12 into the card reader 104.
  • the merchant may have a selection of cards with each card representing a different amount such as $10.00, $20.00, $30.00 or $50.00 for increasing the value of the account.
  • the merchant swipes the card corresponding to the amount the user wishes to add to their card the action of increasing the value of the account by that amount is effected due to the authorisation server 108 receiving two contiguous transactions from the same terminal, one representing the customer identifier and ancillary action request and the second being the amount agreed by the Merchant to increase the value of the customer's account.
  • a third embodiment enables a user to add any whole dollar amount to their account.
  • customer card 1 10 is inserted into card reader 104, when prompted for the customers PIN the Merchant enters the amount required for the ancillary action.
  • the information is transmitted to transaction acquiring server122 and the authorisation server 108 for verification.
  • Data representing a request for an ancillary action such as a monetary value is extracted from the PIN field and added to the customers account. For example, a PIN of 0030 corresponds to a $30.00 increase to the customer's account.
  • the PIN may correspond to a dollar amount that is in excess of the amount that will be credited to a customer's account with the difference being to cover costs associated with providing the service of ancillary actions to a customer.
  • the monetary amount corresponding to any ancillary action is collected from a Merchant either from a pre-funded merchant account (ie an account with a positive balance preferably maintained above a threshold value) or some other previously agreed commercial arrangement such as a direct debit facility.
  • the balance of this account is preferably stored in authorisation server 108.
  • an ancillary action is requested of the authorisation server 108 that requires crediting a customer's account, the merchants account is debited by the required amount first. If this fails due to the prefunded merchant account not having sufficient funds to cover the transaction, a failed transaction response is returned to the terminal.
  • the process of effecting an ancillary action requires the ancillary action request to be authorised (ie merchant requires sufficient funds/credit) prior to the merchant completing the transaction.
  • Other ancillary actions may be performed at POS access point 102 such as activating and deactivating an account.
  • Activating an account also requires customer card 110 to be read at the POS access point by card reader 104. Again, the account is verified by comparing information stored at authorisation server 108 with the information stored on the magnetic strip of card 1 10, and may additionally be secured by the user entering a personal identification number using keypad 109. Data representing a request for a particular ancillary action, such as a monetary value is entered at the POS access point 102 and transmitted to transaction acquiring server 122 and subsequently to authorisation server 108.
  • Authorisation server 108 activates the account to allow card 1 10 to be used to add value to the account held on authorisation server 108 so that card 1 10 may be used as a normal POS card.
  • Account deactivation may occur in a similar manner, however, in this case, an alternative monetary value is used to signify this particular ancillary action. Account deactivation may be used to temporarily suspend the use of a customer card 1 10 or to close an account.
  • Customer card 1 10 may also be used to place telephone calls.
  • the user dials a nominated telephony service provider 1 16, and either quotes or dials the number on their card.
  • the user then places their call in the normal manner and the cost of the call, plus in some cases a service fee, is deducted from the account balance held on authorisation server 108 by the telephony service provider.
  • the account balance associated with the card may be used to purchase additional time for use on a mobile telephone or cell phone. In this case, the account balance is transferred from the account held on authorisation server 108 associated with card 110 to the user's mobile phone.
  • Another non-bank service provider may be an internet provider or internet cafe 118.
  • the internet cafe authenticates and passes a transaction value from the cafe 118 to authorisation server 108 to verify customer card 1 10 which is to be used to access the internet.
  • the internet access fees are then deducted from the account associated with card 1 10, and the user is able to access the internet.
  • Authorisation server 108 holds a "virtual" account and is connected to an issuing or cardholding bank. At the end of each day authorisation server 108 reports the daily transactions to the bank 124 and settlement occurs with the merchant's bank 125, and any account issuing organisations 126, 128 and 130. Daily settlement may also involve the payment of fees to the various merchants and institutions used to both increase the value of accounts and provide non- banking services. In this instance, for a user to increase the balance of their account held on authorisation server 108 by $20.00, the actual payment to the merchant may be $22.00. The extra $2.00 includes payment to the merchant of the monetary value, (for example one, two or three cents) along with a fee and also may include a fee payable to the account administrator, or the administrator of authorisation server 108. CONCLUSION
  • the present invention embodies many advantages and in particular, enables POS network service providers to increase the range of services available to users without the usual costs associated with upgrading and/or altering any of the network components currently installed at merchant locations or merchants banks that are usually involved in standard POS transactions. Additional services may be provided by a POS network effecting ancillary actions that are communicated between network components by use of data such as monetary values or data fields that are not normally used in current POS transactions.
  • the present invention avoids the significant cost impediment of upgrading existing POS networks and as such, additional services may be provided whilst avoiding the significant disadvantage of the cost associated with upgrading and/or altering network components in the usual manner.
  • Providing additional services such as crediting an account is a particularly advantageous service for consumers as it enables them to add value to an account associated with a standard POS customer card and subsequently use that standard card to purchase goods and/or services from merchants equipped with standard POS access equipment.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé pour réaliser des transactions par un réseau POS où les informations de compte associées à un utilisateur sont collectées et vérifiées. Les données sont introduites en un point d'accès POS qui est associé à une action auxiliaire particulière. Les données sont alors transmises en tant que paquet POS à un intermédiaire de traitement et l'intermédiaire de traitement reçoit le paquet POS, analyse le contenu du paquet et émet vers un serveur prédéterminé pour qu'il effectue l'action auxiliaire. L'action auxiliaire est alors effectuée par rapport au compte utilisateur vérifié.
PCT/AU2006/000605 2005-05-11 2006-05-11 Execution d'actions auxiliaires sur un reseau etabli de transactions WO2006119558A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2006246297A AU2006246297A1 (en) 2005-05-11 2006-05-11 Effecting ancillary actions on an established transaction network
CA002607986A CA2607986A1 (fr) 2005-05-11 2006-05-11 Execution d'actions auxiliaires sur un reseau etabli de transactions
IL187300A IL187300A0 (en) 2005-05-11 2007-11-11 Effecting ancillary actions on an established transaction network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2005902359 2005-05-11
AU2005902359A AU2005902359A0 (en) 2005-05-11 Effecting ancillary action over establish transaction network

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006119558A1 true WO2006119558A1 (fr) 2006-11-16

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PCT/AU2006/000605 WO2006119558A1 (fr) 2005-05-11 2006-05-11 Execution d'actions auxiliaires sur un reseau etabli de transactions

Country Status (6)

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CN (1) CN101218598A (fr)
CA (1) CA2607986A1 (fr)
IL (1) IL187300A0 (fr)
TR (1) TR200708292T2 (fr)
TW (1) TW200713104A (fr)
WO (1) WO2006119558A1 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20160060846A (ko) 2014-11-20 2016-05-31 삼성전자주식회사 디스플레이 장치 및 디스플레이 방법

Citations (9)

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US5744787A (en) * 1994-09-25 1998-04-28 Advanced Retail Systems Ltd. System and method for retail
US6044360A (en) * 1996-04-16 2000-03-28 Picciallo; Michael J. Third party credit card
US6098053A (en) * 1998-01-28 2000-08-01 Citibank, N.A. System and method for performing an electronic financial transaction
US20020152123A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2002-10-17 Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company System and method for processing financial transactions
WO2002086676A2 (fr) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-31 Mastercard International Incorporated Systeme et procede d'utilisation d'une carte prepayee
US20020194135A1 (en) * 2001-06-15 2002-12-19 Stuart Taylor System and method for providing e-services
US6547132B1 (en) * 1999-08-09 2003-04-15 First Data Corporation Point of sale payment terminal
US6876971B1 (en) * 2000-07-05 2005-04-05 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Funds distribution system connected with point of sale transaction
US20050080697A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-04-14 Foss Sheldon H. System, method and apparatus for providing financial services

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5744787A (en) * 1994-09-25 1998-04-28 Advanced Retail Systems Ltd. System and method for retail
US6044360A (en) * 1996-04-16 2000-03-28 Picciallo; Michael J. Third party credit card
US6098053A (en) * 1998-01-28 2000-08-01 Citibank, N.A. System and method for performing an electronic financial transaction
US20020152123A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2002-10-17 Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company System and method for processing financial transactions
US6547132B1 (en) * 1999-08-09 2003-04-15 First Data Corporation Point of sale payment terminal
US6876971B1 (en) * 2000-07-05 2005-04-05 Every Penny Counts, Inc. Funds distribution system connected with point of sale transaction
WO2002086676A2 (fr) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-31 Mastercard International Incorporated Systeme et procede d'utilisation d'une carte prepayee
US20020194135A1 (en) * 2001-06-15 2002-12-19 Stuart Taylor System and method for providing e-services
US20050080697A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-04-14 Foss Sheldon H. System, method and apparatus for providing financial services

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2607986A1 (fr) 2006-11-16
TW200713104A (en) 2007-04-01
TR200708292T2 (tr) 2008-01-21
IL187300A0 (en) 2008-11-03
CN101218598A (zh) 2008-07-09

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