Premium SMS Payment System for Charge Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for customer-to-supplier funds transfer over the Internet face challenges, particularly with mobile telephone technology, where charges are grouped with other mobile telephony charges, prompting users to revert to credit card payments for charge separation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for electronic funds transfer using premium rate mobile terminating text messages, where a server component transmits messages to a customer's mobile telephone, populates a database with transaction records, and facilitates access to these records after personal details are supplied, allowing payment confirmation and transaction recording without requiring a credit card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile telephone technology is used for funds transfer, then security is improved and setup is simplified, but charge transparency deteriorates as charges are grouped with other mobile telephony charges
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mobile telephony charges by creating a separate, identifiable record for premium rate message charges. The server component generates and transmits premium rate messages that are distinctly recorded in the database, allowing users to identify and separate these charges from standard mobile telephony charges in their billing statements.
2Loss of information
If conventional credit card systems are used, then charge separation is achieved, but security risks and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a server component as an intermediary between the user's mobile telephone and the payment processing system. This server receives requests from web servers, transmits premium rate messages to the user's mobile device, and manages the database of transaction records, thereby enabling secure mobile-based payment without requiring users to handle sensitive credit card information.
3Loss of information
If premium rate text messages are transmitted for payment, then charge transparency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service payment processing where the user's mobile telephone automatically receives and processes premium rate messages without requiring manual intervention. The server component automatically transmits the messages and the user's mobile device automatically processes them, with charges being separately identified in the billing system, reducing the need for complex user interaction while maintaining charge transparency.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods to facilitate customer to supplier funds transfer via premium messages. In one aspect, an apparatus to electronically transfer funds from a customer to a supplier includes: a server component connected to a network; and a database coupled to the server component. The server component is configured to: transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile cellular telephone to effect a payment from the customer to the supplier after the customer has placed an order with a supplier; populate the database with an identification of the telephone number of the customer; populate the database with at least one transaction record related to the premium rate text messages; and facilitate access to the transaction record by the customer via the telephone number of the customer.