Mobile Network Messaging Service for Secure Transaction Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mobile device users to purchase commodities online are cumbersome, requiring access to web browsers, credit cards, and shipping information, and pose security concerns due to the need to provide personal and financial information to uncertain websites.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing mobile network messaging services, such as SMS, to initiate transactions and charge purchases to the user's mobile service subscription account, eliminating the need for credit card information and shipping details by using a short code to identify retailers and items, and processing costs through the user's mobile service billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional online purchasing methods are used, then transactions can be completed, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple steps including web browser access, product location, credit card entry, and shipping information provision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential purchasing function from the complex web-based transaction system and implements it through a simplified SMS-based mechanism. The core transaction capability is separated from the cumbersome web browsing, product search, and multiple data entry steps, allowing users to complete purchases through simple text messages that trigger automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically processing transactions once the SMS message is received. The network operator's system automatically identifies the user, validates the purchase intent, processes the charge against the subscriber's account, and completes the transaction without requiring manual intervention for credit card entry, product selection, or shipping information provision.
2Reliability
If credit card information and shipping details are required, then purchases can be processed, but security concerns arise from providing personal and financial information to uncertain websites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the mobile network operator's messaging system as an intermediary between the user and the retailer. Instead of users directly providing credit card and shipping information to retailer websites, all transaction data is routed through the trusted mobile network infrastructure, which acts as a secure mediator that processes transactions using existing subscriber account information.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile network's messaging and billing systems serve multiple functions: they facilitate communication, validate purchase intent, process financial transactions, and manage subscriber accounts. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate secure payment gateways and reduces the number of data entry points where security vulnerabilities could exist.
3Productivity
If multiple steps are required for online purchasing, then transactions can be completed, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and results in unsuccessful purchases due to invalid or miss-entered information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the purchasing process into two distinct phases: (1) Advertisement presentation to the user, and (2) Purchase initiation through SMS. This segmentation separates the marketing function from the transaction function, allowing each to be optimized independently and eliminating the need for users to navigate complex web-based shopping procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-validating the user's subscription status and purchasing authorization before the actual transaction occurs. The network operator's system checks whether the subscriber has authorized transactions with the retailer through the network, and only processes the purchase if authorization is confirmed, preventing unsuccessful transactions from invalid or miss-entered information.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method enables a user of a mobile device to make purchases. From the mobile device, the user sends a messaging service short code identifying a retailer, an item identifier for an item offered for sale by a retailer and information indicating the user's intent to purchase the item to the retailer via a mobile network. The method also includes steps of receiving cost information for the item, from the system of the retailer; determining if the user has authorized transactions with the retailer through the network, and confirming the purchase of the item with the system of the retailer. Upon authorization, the cost information for the item is recorded to the subscriber's account, which enables processing of the cost information for inclusion on a bill to the user together with billing for mobile communication service provided by the network for the mobile device.