WO2003098501A2

WO2003098501A2 - Internet payment

Info

Publication number: WO2003098501A2
Application number: PCT/GB2003/002190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Read; Simon Bargate; Mark Jones; Michael Korecki; Ashley Chadwick
Original assignee: Yates Web Marketing Limited
Priority date: 2002-05-22
Filing date: 2003-05-21
Publication date: 2003-11-27
Also published as: AU2003236887A1

Description

INTERNET PAYMENT

The present invention relates to Internet payment.

The Internet is increasingly used by consumers to buy goods and services. The most common way of paying for goods and services over the Internet is using a credit card. A consumer wishing to purchase an item will select that item at a website, then enter credit card details at the website. The server supporting the website contacts the credit card provider and debits the payment from the credit card. The item is then issued to the consumer.

A disadvantage of using credit card payments is that it involves the consumer transmitting their credit card details over the Internet. Whilst it is conventional to do this via a secure connection, there remains a risk that the credit card details may be obtained by a third party. The consumer may be inhibited from purchasing goods and services via the Internet due to worry about the risk of third parties obtaining their credit card details. One way in which the passage of credit card details via the Internet has been reduced is by storing a consumer's credit card details at a website's server and placing an identifying cookie on the consumer's computer. When the consumer logs on to the website on a subsequent occasion, the consumer is identified via the cookie, and the consumer's credit card details are retrieved from the server. Whilst this arrangement is advantageous it does not eliminate the requirement to send credit card details via the Internet at least once. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the consumer may not wish to have a cookie placed on his computer.

A fundamental difference between cash transactions and credit card transactions is that whilst cash transactions are anonymous credit card transactions may be traced. There may be instances in which a consumer wishes to purchase goods or services over the Internet anonymously. There is currently no established mechanism whereby this may be done. Initial trials have been performed in the United Kingdom of a system known as reverse billing. Reverse billing is designed for mobile phone users. A user contacts the company that provides his mobile phone service, and gives permission in advance for the company to bill him for goods or services purchased over the Internet. In one known system the user may pay for access to a website using reverse billing. The user begins at the website from which the user wishes to purchase an item. The user types his telephone number in at the web site. The website sends a Short Message Service (SMS) message to the user's mobile phone. The message includes a code which the user must enter at the website. The website then passes data to a server of the company that provides the user's mobile phone service, instructing a debit to be made from the account associated with the telephone number of the user's mobile phone. The user is then provided with the required item (this may be for example access to restricted pages of a website). Sending the code to the user's mobile phone provides security since the user must be in possession of the mobile phone in order to receive the code.

Many mobile phone service providing companies sell pre-paid mobile phone sets. The set comprises a mobile phone for which a payment is made directly, via a shop, to an account of a mobile phone service provider. For example, a user may purchase in advance £10 worth of use for a mobile phone by going to a suitable shop and paying £10 cash at the shop. The £10 is transferred, via a cash register at the shop, to the account associated with that mobile phone (the account is identified using the telephone number of the mobile phone). Since the user does not need to sign up to a credit agreement the user may buy the phone and pre-pay for use of the phone anonymously using cash. Reverse billing may be performed using a pre-paid mobile phone. This is advantageous because it allow goods and services to be purchased over the Internet anonymously.

A disadvantage of the known reverse billing system is that each time the user wishes to access restricted pages of a website the user must re-enter his telephone number, whereupon a code is sent to his phone by SMS, and must enter the code. If the user wishes to avoid providing his telephone number this then the user may give permission for a cookie to be placed on his computer such that the next time the user wishes to access the website from the computer, the computer is automatically identified and the code is automatically sent to the user's mobile phone (i.e. the user does not need to re-enter his telephone number). A disadvantage of this system is that the user must enter an authorisation code each time he wishes to access the website. A further disadvantage of the use of a cookie is that the user must access the website from the computer on which the cookie is placed. In addition, the anonymity of the user is compromised, since the cookie is retained on the user's computer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide Internet payment which overcomes or mitigates at least one of the above disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided an Internet payment method comprising receiving a user identifier and a telephone number, storing the user identifier and telephone number in a database, transmitting an authorisation code to the telephone number and debiting an amount from an account associated with the telephone number, receiving the authorisation code from the user via a payment website, comparing the received authorisation code with the transmitted authorisation code, and if the received authorisation code corresponds with the transmitted authorisation code, providing an item and recording in the database data which indicates that the item may subsequently be provided again without the user being required to enter an authorisation code and without requiring a further debit from the account.

The invention is advantageous since upon the purchase of electronic goods, such as an on-line newspaper, the invention retains a record that the newspaper has been purchased by the user, and allows the purchaser to return to the newspaper at a subsequent time by providing a user identifier. The user is not constrained to always use the same Internet access point. The account associated with the telephone number may be a mobile telephone account, or a bank account. The term "bank account" is used to include a credit card account and any other account from which payments can be made.

The invention also provides an Internet payment system comprising means for receiving a user identifier and a telephone number, a database for storing the user identifier and telephone number, means for transmitting an authorisation code to the telephone number, means for debiting an amount from an account associated with the telephone number, means for receiving the authorisation code from the user via a payment website, comparison means for comparing the received authorisation code with the transmitted authorisation code, and means for providing an item, wherein the database includes data which indicates that the item may subsequently be provided again without the user being required to enter an authorisation code and without requiring a further debit from the account.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing.

A server provides a newspaper, some pages of which may be accessed without charge, other pages being restricted to users that have paid for access. In order to access the restricted pages the user provides permission to reverse bill a telephone account (usually a mobile phone). The user provides at the website a user identifier and password, together with his her telephone number. The server sends a Short Message Service (SMS) message containing an authorisation code to the telephone number, and debits the cost of the newspaper from the user's mobile phone account. The user enters the authorisation code at the website, thereby enabling the user to access the newspaper.

The user identifier, password and the user's telephone number are retained in a database at the server, together with the fact that the user has paid for the newspaper. If at some later time the user wishes to access the newspaper again, the user goes to the newspaper website and enters his/her user identifier and password. The server consults the database to check that the newspaper has already been paid for, then allows the user to access the newspaper.

The invention is advantageous because it allows the user to access the newspaper multiple times, with only one payment being made. The invention does not rely upon information being stored on the user's computer (or other Internet access device). Instead, the information is stored at the newspaper server and associated with the user's user identifier and password. This is advantageous because it allows the user to access the newspaper website from different Internet access devices.

The reverse payment system may be set up so that a summary of previous transactions is available at the newspaper website. The user may view his transaction summary by entering his user identifier and password at the newspaper website. The website may be configured to allow the user to access a given newspaper any number of times following an initial payment for access. For example, the user may access the newspaper website from home in the morning, pay for that day's newspaper by entering his user identifier and password, and entering a code which is sent to his mobile phone as an SMS message. The user may subsequently access the newspaper using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) phone on the way to work. To do this the user goes to the newspaper website, enters his user identifier and password, and selects the day's newspaper from the list of previous transactions. The user may at a subsequent time access the newspaper again in the same manner, for example using a computer at work. It will be appreciated that this arrangement is advantageous since it allows access to the newspaper website by the user from any number of different Internet capable machines. Since the user uses a user identifier and password combination there is no need for a cookie to be placed on each of the machines used by the user.

Access to the newspaper may be restricted on a time basis. For example, the newspaper may be available for only one week. At the end of the week the newspaper may be removed from the website. Alternatively, access to the newspaper may be stopped, the user being given the option of purchasing a further week's access to the newspaper upon payment of a subsequent fee.

The user may purchase more than one service from a given website. For example, the user may purchase different publications from the newspaper website, including Monday's newspaper, Sunday's magazine, etc. Where this is the case, the user upon entering his identifier and password is presented with a list of publications that have been purchased by him, and selects the publication that he wishes to view.

Encryption using known encryption methods is used to prevent third parties accessing communication between a user and the server.

Each individual purchase requires separate authorisation by the user using the method described above (i.e. for each individual purchase the server sends an authorisation code to the user's mobile phone in the form of an SMS text message, and the user enters the code at the website). Since the telephone number of the user is retained at the server, there is no need for the user to re-enter his telephone number at the website.

If the user has a contract with a mobile phone service provider then in order to use reverse billing the user must give specific permission to the mobile phone service provider for reverse billing to take place. The newspaper website, for example, displays a general reverse billing authorisation code. The user types this code into his mobile phone and sends it as an SMS message to his mobile phone service provider. This establishes that the user has given permission for reverse billing to be used to purchase services from the newspaper website. Permission to use reverse billing to purchase services from other websites is given separately (each website has a different authorisation code).

The user may wish to remain anonymous. To do this, the user may anonymously purchase a pre-paid mobile phone together with a payment in advance for use of the mobile phone. The cost of purchasing access to the newspaper is automatically debited from the pre-payment by associating the cost of the newspaper with the SMS text message containing the authorisation code that is sent to the user's mobile phone. In other words, if the cost of purchasing access to the newspaper is 40 pence, then 40 pence will be debited from the mobile phone account upon sending the SMS text message to the user's mobile phone. If the amount of payment in advance held on the user's account is less than 40 pence, then the SMS text message will not be sent, and the user will not be able to access the newspaper.

As described above, the reverse payment system may be administrated by software running at the newspaper website's server. An alternative embodiment of the invention may be based upon a link between the newspaper website's server and a dedicated reverse billing administration server. When a user wishes to buy access to a newspaper, he selects an appropriate icon on the newspaper website, whereupon he is transferred to the dedicated reverse billing administration server. The user then performs the steps described above. Once these steps have been completed the reverse billing administration server transfers the user back to the newspaper website, and in addition sends data to the newspaper website indicating that the user may be allowed to access the newspaper that has been purchased.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention the reverse billing administration server sells access to a variety of services directly from the reverse billing administration server via a website supported by the server. The website allows the user to select from a variety of services and to purchase a specific selected service, in a manner analogous to the selection and purchase of a newspaper from the newspaper website. The services are provided via links from the reverse billing website to websites supporting the service. This is done by for example restricting access to a uniform resource locator (URL) for a given part of a website, and allowing access to that URL only once a payment has been made via reverse billing. In each case, a record of the services that have been purchased by the user is stored at the reverse billing website, and is associated with the user's identity. This allows the user to subsequently access previously purchased services by going to the reverse billing website and providing a user identifier and password. Some services may be stored on the reverse billing server and provided directly from the reverse billing website.

The embodiment of the invention which allows purchases of a variety of different services from a reverse billing website has the advantage that it provides in effect a shop window which displays a variety of services for purchase. The services may be arranged in categories, for example music, video, magazines, etc, thereby allowing the user to locate services of interest more efficiently. This is advantageous for the providers of the services because it will bring their services to the attention of many users as they browse the reverse billing website.

The reverse billing website allows the user to browse through services arranged in categories in order to select a new purchase. In addition, the reverse billing website includes a list of services previously purchased by the user, to which the user may return without further payment. This list may also be arranged in categories to allow the user to review previously purchased services more efficiently.

Access to a service may be limited on a time basis. For example, a given edition of a magazine may be available to a user for up to one year following payment by the user.

Access to music may be purchased using the embodiment of the invention. For example, the user may wish to listen to music recorded by a particular artist. The user, instead of downloading the music to his computer, listens to the music from a website at which the music is retained. The user makes a payment for the music by entering a user identifier and a password, then entering a code which has been transmitted to his mobile phone by the music website server. The user is then allowed access to the music, and may access the music at any subsequent time via any suitable Internet device, provided that he enters his identifier and password. Thus, the user may for example listen to the music by accessing the website from a computer in his home, or via a WAP phone. Access to the music may be limited on a time basis. For example, the user may pay a fee to be able to access the music as often as he wants for one month.

Access to other suitable services may be provided using the invention. For example a video stream may be accessed for a limited period of time (this could be football matches played by a particular team for one month). Access to games may be provided using the invention. Other services for which access may be provided using the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As an alternative to limiting access to services on a time basis, access to services may be limited on a 'number of accesses' basis (i.e. the user may access the service a limited number of times).

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a user may register with a website providing services to which access is sought (or alternatively at a centralised website) by providing a username, password and mobile telephone number. During this registration procedure a user also provides details of a bank account and gives permission for a provider of the service (or of the centralised website) to deduct money from that bank account. Thus, a bank account is associated with the username, password and mobile telephone number. When access to a service is to be obtained, a user simply enters their username and password in the manner described above, a fee is deducted from the bank account, a message is sent to the mobile telephone number containing an authorisation code, and this authorisation code is used to access a service in the manner described above.

It will be appreciated that the specific embodiments of the invention may be distributed across several computers using conventional techniques, and that any reference to a server should be interpreted so as to refer to one or more computers.

It will be appreciated that references to SMS messages in the foregoing description are in no way limiting, but are instead to be construed broadly to include all messaging protocols including amongst others MMS. The invention may be used for purchases via the Internet, irrespective of the protocol used to access the Internet. For example, Internet communications may be sent using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), or using wireless technologies e.g. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The invention may be used with currently undeveloped protocols, or emerging protocols, such as Internet Protocol Version 6 including (IPV6).

Claims

1. An Internet payment method comprising receiving a user identifier and a telephone number, storing the user identifier and telephone number in a database, transmitting an authorisation code to the telephone number and debiting an amount from an account associated with the telephone number, receiving the authorisation code from the user via a payment website, comparing the received authorisation code with the transmitted authorisation code, and if the received authorisation code corresponds with the transmitted authorisation code, providing an item and recording in the database data which indicates that the item may subsequently be provided again without the user being required to enter an authorisation code and without requiring a further debit from the account.

2. An Internet payment method according to claim 1, wherein the account associated with the telephone number is a mobile telephone account, or a bank account

3. An Internet payment method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises, upon the user subsequently returning to the payment website, receiving the user identifier from the user, and using the data held in the database to determine the item or items for which a payment has previously been made, and providing the item or items to the user without requiring the user to enter an authorisation code and without requiring a further debit from the user's account.

4. An Internet payment method according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that an authorisation code and an associated debit from an account is required in order to provide an item, the telephone number to which the authorisation code is sent is determined using the data held in the database.

5. An Internet payment method according to any preceding claim, wherein the account associated with the telephone number is a mobile telephone account, and debiting from the account associated with the telephone number is performed by sending debit instructions via the Internet to a telephone service provider.

6. An Internet payment method according to claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein where a payment has previously been made for a plurality of items, the payment website displays identifiers for these items to allow the user to select one or more of the items.

7. An Internet payment method according to claim 6, wherein the identifiers are displayed at the payment website in groups of related items, to allow the user to review the identifiers efficiently.

8. An Internet payment method according to any preceding claim, wherein the item provided comprises access to a restricted area of a service website.

9. An Internet payment method according to claim 8, wherein the server that supports the payment website also supports the service website, and the method further comprises transferring the user to the restricted area of the service website following payment.

10. An Internet payment method according to claim 8, wherein the payment website includes a link from a service website, and the method further comprises, when a user is directed to the payment website from the service website, arranging for a payment to be made from the user's account, and subsequently directing the user back to the service website, and transferring data to the service website indicating that a payment has been made.

11. An Internet payment method according to claim 8, wherein the item provided comprises access to restricted areas of service websites, the method further comprising, upon a payment being made for access to a given service website, providing a uniform resource locator (URL) via which the user may access the restricted area of that service website.

12. An Internet payment method according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the service website provides one or more of text, images, video- stream, games and music.

13. An Internet payment method according to claim 12, wherein access is limited to a predetermined period following the date upon which the debit takes place.

14. An Internet payment method according to claim 12, wherein access is limited to a predetermined number of accesses following the debit.

15. An Internet payment method according to any preceding claim, wherein the user identifier comprises a user name and a password.

16. An internet payment method comprising transmitting a user identifier and a telephone number via the Internet to a server, receiving an authorisation code, transmitting the authorisation via the Internet to the server and obtaining an item, wherein the method further comprises subsequently accessing the item by transmitting the user identifier without receiving or transmitting the authorisation code.

17. A computer program for carrying out the method of any of claims 1 to 16.

18. A carrier medium carrying computer readable code for causing a computer to execute procedure according to the method of any of claims 1 to 16.

19. An Internet payment system comprising means for receiving a user identifier and a telephone number, a database for storing the user identifier and telephone number, means for transmitting an authorisation code to the telephone number, means for debiting an amount from an account associated with the telephone number, means for receiving the authorisation code from the user via a payment website, comparison means for comparing the received authorisation code with the transmitted authorisation code, and means for providing an item, wherein the database includes data which indicates that the item may subsequently be provided again without the user being required to enter an authorisation code and without requiring a further debit from the account.

20. An Internet payment system according to claim 19, wherein the system further comprises means for receiving the user identifier from the user upon the user subsequently returning to the payment website, means for determining the item or items for which a payment has previously been made, using the data held in the database, and means for providing the item or items to the user without requiring the user to enter an authorisation code and without requiring a further debit from the user's account.

21. An Internet payment system according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the means for debiting is arranged to debit from the account associated with the telephone number by sending debit instructions via the Internet to a telephone service provider.

22. An Internet payment system according to claim 20 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the system further comprises means for displaying identifiers for items for which a payment has previously been made, to allow the user to select one or more of the items.

23. An Internet payment system according to claim 22, wherein the identifiers are displayed at the payment website in groups of related items, to allow the user to review the identifiers efficiently.

24. An Internet payment system according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the item provided comprises access to a restricted area of a service website.

25. An Internet payment system according to claim 21, wherein the server that supports the payment website also supports the service website, and the system is aπanged to transfer the user to the restricted area of the service website following payment.

26. An Internet payment system according to claim 24, wherein the payment website includes a link from a service website, and the system further comprises, means for arranging for a payment to be made from the user's account when a user is directed to the payment website from the service website, and means for subsequently directing the user back to the service website and transferring data to the service website indicating that a payment has been made.

27. An Internet payment system according to claim 24, wherein the item provided comprises access to restricted areas of service websites, the system further comprising, means for providing a uniform resource locator (URL) via which the user may access the restricted area of that service website, upon a payment being made for access to a given service website,

28. An Internet payment system according to claim 25 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the service website provides one or more of text, images, video- stream, games and music.

29. An Internet payment system according to claim 28, wherein access is limited to a predetermined period following the date upon which the debit takes place.

30. An Internet payment system according to claim 28, wherein access is limited to a predetermined number of accesses following the debit.

31. An Internet payment system according to any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein the user identifier comprises a user name and a password.

32. An Internet payment method substantially as hereinbefore described.

33. An Internet payment system substantially as hereinbefore described.