Telephonic Payment Processing for Online Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online payment systems fail to adequately address the needs of fee-based services by not providing simple access authorization, metering of session length, and efficient handling of micro-payments, particularly for services that require time-based payments and lack user comfort in sharing financial information with unknown providers.
Innovation Solution
A phone-based payment processing system that allows users to access and pay for online services through a phone call, where the payment service charges and collects fees based on the duration of the call, enabling access to protected resources without establishing a direct financial relationship with the service provider, and using telephony accounts for real-time authorization and metering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing payment services (PAYPAL, credit card) are used for online services, then payment processing is available, but they lack metering and session control to charge fees based on service length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a telephony-based intermediary payment system that mediates between users and online service providers. The telephone network acts as a trusted third-party intermediary that handles payment processing, metering, and session control, eliminating the need for users to directly share financial information with service providers while enabling flexible time-based charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the telephone network perform multiple functions beyond traditional voice communication. The telephony system universally handles payment authorization, session metering, duration tracking, and fee collection, making a single system capable of addressing multiple payment processing requirements that previously needed separate specialized systems.
2Ease of operation
If users share financial information with service providers for payment, then payment processing is enabled, but user comfort and security are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The telephone network serves as a secure intermediary that eliminates direct exposure of financial information. Users authenticate through the trusted telephony channel without sharing card numbers or financial details with service providers, reducing security risks while maintaining convenient payment processing through the familiar telephone interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to autonomously authorize and control payments through their existing telephony accounts without requiring them to manually share financial information. The telephone network automatically handles authentication, authorization, and payment execution, allowing users to maintain control over their financial data while enjoying convenient payment capabilities.
3Productivity
If traditional payment systems are used for micro-payments, then transactions can be processed, but transaction costs are high and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The telephony-based system enables continuous payment processing integrated with the ongoing service session. Unlike traditional batch processing, the system continuously meters session duration and accumulates fees in real-time, allowing seamless micro-payment handling without interrupting service delivery or requiring multiple separate transaction steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges payment processing, session metering, duration tracking, and fee collection into a single integrated telephony transaction. This consolidation eliminates multiple separate operations required by traditional payment systems, reducing both transaction time and associated costs while enabling efficient handling of small-value micro-payments.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, access to an online resource is enabled by associating a telephony number with a network resource that is made available at a network location, where network resource is protected so as to be inaccessible without access being provided for users individually. A particular user may be detected in initiating a telephony session using the number. Access to the network resource may be activated or authorized for the particular user in response to detecting the user initiating the telephony session.