WO2001041097A1 - System for facilitating payment for goods - Google Patents

System for facilitating payment for goods Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001041097A1
WO2001041097A1 PCT/ZA2000/000235 ZA0000235W WO0141097A1 WO 2001041097 A1 WO2001041097 A1 WO 2001041097A1 ZA 0000235 W ZA0000235 W ZA 0000235W WO 0141097 A1 WO0141097 A1 WO 0141097A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer
supplier
invoice
payment
customer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2000/000235
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Brian Mollagrean
Original Assignee
Brian Mollagrean
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
Application filed by Brian Mollagrean filed Critical Brian Mollagrean
Priority to AU18233/01A priority Critical patent/AU1823301A/en
Publication of WO2001041097A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001041097A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION 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
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/04Billing or invoicing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION 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
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/04Payment circuits
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION 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
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION 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
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/38Payment protocols; Details thereof
    • G06Q20/385Payment protocols; Details thereof using an alias or single-use codes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION 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
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to a system for facilitating payment for goods
  • the goods selected are ordered by mail, telephone or more
  • the present invention seeks to overcome the potential difficulties
  • system for handling purchase and sale transactions comprising a first
  • payment collector having means for receipting payment of said invoice, and means
  • the code can be in the form of printed digits, in the form of a printed
  • the invoice is transmitted to the customer electronically and
  • the unique code is in printed digits or a bar
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a purchase and sale transaction handling system in accordance with the present invention.
  • the system also includes a number generator 12 which is able to
  • the code can be in the form of a bar code or a
  • magnetic strip and hence be machine readable.
  • it can also be in the form
  • NNNN is a supplier status code
  • DDDDD is the Julian date
  • RRRRR is a random number
  • V is a value group
  • C is a check digit
  • the supplier status code is used to identify the supplier according to its
  • the Julian date is a five-digit number giving the day of the year and
  • the value group is a function of the purchase amount, but taking into
  • the number generator 12 can be such that, once a number has been
  • the potential customer designated 14 has a personal computer and a
  • the supplier 18 is shown as having
  • the supplier's website being on a
  • the system further includes a payment collector 22.
  • the payment collector 22 The payment
  • collector 22 can be a retailer, a post office, a petrol station or any other place of
  • Payment can be by cash, credit card, cheque or in any other available manner.
  • the payment collector 22 is preferably connected by an electronic
  • a delivery service 28 which may be the post office or a courier service.
  • the server 30 which forms the Internet interface for the payment
  • Figure 1 is used, that all links are computer-to-computer and that the transaction is
  • the customer 14 accesses the supplier's website on the server 20 from his personal computer and selects the goods that are to be purchased.
  • the number is transmitted to the supplier's web server 20 and incorporated into an
  • the invoice which is generated by the supplier's web server 20.
  • the invoice is
  • the customer 14 then takes the invoice to the payment collector 22
  • the supplier involved is determined from the unique number, and the
  • the supplier 18 now has the security of knowing that the amount due
  • the supplier 18 then hands the goods to the delivery service 28 which
  • the courier, the courier or the supplier supplies the unique number to the computer

Abstract

A system for handling purchase and sale transactions between a customer and a supplier. The system comprises a main computer (10) which incorporates a number generator (12) for generating a code unique to each transaction. The main computer is connected to a further computer (20) on which the supplier has its webside. The purchase and sale information is generated by the further computer and then stored in the main computer. The unique code is generated based on the purchase and sale information transmitted to the main computer. It is then incorporated in the customer's invoice. When the invoice is paid information pertaining to payment is captured for comparison with the stored information. A match results in the supplier being electronically advised.

Description

SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING PAYMENT OF GOODS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to a system for facilitating payment for goods
purchased via the Internet, by telephone, by fax or by mail.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
So-called MOTO (Mail Order Telephone Order) suppliers have existed
for many years. The goods selected are ordered by mail, telephone or more
recently by fax. Payment was initially on a Cash on Delivery basis or on the basis
that the goods would only be dispatched once payment was received. The advent
of credit cards has meant that, in respect of most purchases, a credit card number is
provided by the customer and, on a successful debit to the card account being
made, the goods are dispatched immediately.
With the creation of the Worldwide Web or Internet, suppliers now offer
goods via their website. This is known as e-commerce. To pay for goods that are
required, the purchaser inputs his credit card number and other details and these
are received by the supplier. Once a successful debit has been made to the card
account, the supplier dispatches the goods. For people without credit cards access
to e-commerce is difficult in view of the problems involved in making payment.
Furthermore, inputting a credit card number into the Internet, despite encryption programs, is fraught with danger. If the credit card number falls into the wrong
hands, credit card fraud can result.
The present invention seeks to overcome the potential difficulties
resulting from the use of credit cards on the Internet. It also seeks to provide a
system which enables potential customers without credit cards to make use of e-
commerce.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
system for handling purchase and sale transactions, the system comprising a first
computer including means for generating a unique code, a link connecting the first
computer to a second computer on which second computer a supplier has its
website, means for transmitting from the second computer to the first computer
information pertaining to a purchase and sale transaction which the supplier and a
customer are undertaking, means for transmitting a unique code from the first
computer to the second computer upon receipt by the first computer of said
information, means for printing out an invoice incorporating said unique code, a
payment collector having means for receipting payment of said invoice, and means
for transmitting to said supplier information pertaining to said payment.
The code can be in the form of printed digits, in the form of a printed
bar code or in the form of a magnetic strip. Preferably the invoice is transmitted to the customer electronically and
is printed out by the customer. However, the invoice can be printed by the supplier
and faxed or mailed to the customer. If the unique code is in printed digits or a bar
code it is printed onto the invoice. If it is in the form of a magnetic strip it can be
stuck onto the invoice.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of handling a purchase and sale transaction which comprises transmitting
information pertaining to the transaction from a supplier's computer to a main
computer, using the main computer to generate a unique code based on the
information received from the supplier's computer, transmitting the unique code to
the supplier's computer, generating an invoice including said unique code, capturing
information pertaining to payment of the invoice, inputting to said main computer
said information pertaining to payment of said invoice, comparing the information
stored in said main computer with the information inputted pertaining to payment of
the invoice and, upon the information matching, transmitting to the supplier's
computer a signal indicative of the fact that the invoice has been paid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how
the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example ,
to the accompanying drawings in which each of the Figures diagrammatically
illustrates a purchase and sale transaction handling system in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring firstly to Figure 1 details of each supplier that has contracted
into the payment scheme are stored in a database designated 10. The following
details pertaining to each supplier are stored by the database 10:-
Name of supplier (individual, company or other legal entity)
Street address, fax and phone number
Postal address
Contact person and position
e-mail address of contact person
A user name and password that will be used to log onto the website
Bank account details
Scanned in signed contract
The system also includes a number generator 12 which is able to
generate a unique invoice code. The code can be in the form of a bar code or a
magnetic strip and hence be machine readable. However, it can also be in the form
of digits recognisable by a human operator. An example of an invoice code in the
form of a number is as follows:
S NNNN DDDDD RRRRR V C
where is the code number identifying the scheme to which the supplier
has contracted
NNNN is a supplier status code
DDDDD is the Julian date
RRRRR is a random number
V is a value group
C is a check digit
The supplier status code is used to identify the supplier according to its
stature, credit rating, security, ability to deliver, and so forth. The status will be
prominently displayed on the supplier's own website, and could be used to decide
which forms of payment the supplier will accept.
The Julian date is a five-digit number giving the day of the year and
year as DDDYY. For example, the 3rd May 2001 would translate to 12301 i.e. the
123rd day of the year "01".
The value group is a function of the purchase amount, but taking into
account only the "hundreds" portion of the amount.
0 R000 to R100
R100-01 to R200
R200-01 to R300 3 R300-01 to R400
4 R400-01 to R500
5 R500-01 to R600
6 R600-01 to R700
7 R700-01 to R800
8 R800-01 to R900
9 R900-01 to R999-99
Thus, an amount of R2345-00 would have a value group of 3.
The number generator 12 can be such that, once a number has been
generated, that number cannot be generated again. Thus each generated number
is unique. However, it is also possible for the system to re-generate a number which
has previously been generated and in respect of which number all transactions have
been entirely completed. Thus the numbers are in this case unique in the sense that
the same number is not in use in respect of two different transactions
simultaneously.
The potential customer designated 14 has a personal computer and a
web browser giving him access to the Internet. The supplier 18 is shown as having
its personal computer connected to the Internet, the supplier's website being on a
server 20. If the supplier is substantial enough it will probably have its own web
server and host its own website. The system further includes a payment collector 22. The payment
collector 22 can be a retailer, a post office, a petrol station or any other place of
business to which the customer has access and at which he can make payment.
Payment can be by cash, credit card, cheque or in any other available manner.
The payment collector 22 is preferably connected by an electronic
computer-to-computer link 24 to the computer 26 of the commercial concern which is
responsible for holding all payments and then paying them over to the supplier as
described below.
Actual delivery of the goods from the supplier to the customer is
entrusted to a delivery service 28 which may be the post office or a courier service.
The server 30 which forms the Internet interface for the payment
system incorporates and controls the number generator 12 and the database
designated 10.
It will be assumed, in the following description of how the system of
Figure 1 is used, that all links are computer-to-computer and that the transaction is
thus an e-commerce transaction. It will also be assumed that the supplier's details
have been transmitted to the server 30 through the link 32.
The customer 14 accesses the supplier's website on the server 20 from his personal computer and selects the goods that are to be purchased. Upon
the customer clicking on the button which confirms the purchase, the server 20
accesses the server 30 via the link 34. Information regarding the purchase and sale
is transmitted to the server 30 over the link 34. If the database 10 confirms that the
supplier is in good standing, a unique number is generated by the generator 12.
The number is transmitted to the supplier's web server 20 and incorporated into an
invoice which is generated by the supplier's web server 20. The invoice is
transmitted to the customer 14 and the customer then prints out the invoice. In
addition to the information normally found in an invoice, the invoice incorporates the
unique number discussed above and generated in respect of the transaction.
The customer 14 then takes the invoice to the payment collector 22
and makes a payment of the amount shown on the invoice. The payment is entered
in conjunction with the unique number, and the fact of payment, the amount paid
and the unique number are transmitted electronically to the computer 26.
The supplier involved is determined from the unique number, and the
information regarding payment etc is transmitted to the applicable supplier along an
email link 36.
The supplier 18 now has the security of knowing that the amount due
has been paid and is being held for it, and can dispatch the goods purchased. The
amount paid is retained in an account held by the concern operating the computer 26 which will normally be the concern which runs the server 30, generator 12 and
database 10.
The supplier 18 then hands the goods to the delivery service 28 which
delivers them to the customer 14, obtaining proof of delivery. The waybill number
can be, or can include, the unique number. Once delivery has been concluded by
the courier, the courier or the supplier supplies the unique number to the computer
26 at which it is correlated within the other information pertaining to the specific
transaction. Input of information pertaining to delivery is used to generate delivery
confirmation for transmission over link 36 to advise the supplier 18. The amount due
to the supplier is then paid over to the supplier.
The system of Figure 2 is specifically intended for use where the
customer 14.1 does not have an email connection. Using a catalogue or any other
means the customer makes the selection and confirms it, if necessary by fax, mail o r
telephone. This non-Internet link is shown at 38. The supplier 18.1 inputs
information pertaining to the transaction to its web server 20.1 , and this is
transmitted to the server 30.1. At this stage the unique number is generated and
transmitted to the supplier 18.1. The procedure is then as described above except
that the supplier must use a non-Internet way of sending the invoice to the customer
e.g. fax or postal service.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A system for handling purchase and sale transactions, the system
comprising a first computer including means for generating a unique code, a link
connecting the first computer to a second computer on which second computer a
supplier has its website, means for transmitting from the second computer to the first
computer information pertaining to a purchase and sale transaction which the
supplier and a customer are undertaking, means for transmitting a unique code from
the first computer to the second computer upon receipt by the first computer of said
information, means for printing out an invoice incorporating said unique code, a
payment collector having means for receipting payment of said invoice, and means
for transmitting to said supplier information pertaining to said payment.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the code is in machine
readable form.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the code is additionally in the
form of digits recognisable by the human operator.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, and including means for
transmitting the invoice to the customer electronically and means for printing out of
the invoice by the customer.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, and including means for
enabling the invoice to be printed by the supplier.
6. A method of handling a purchase and sale transaction between a
customer and a supplier which comprises transmitting information pertaining to the
transaction from a supplier's computer to a main computer and storing the
information, using the main computer to generate a unique code based on the
information received from the supplier's computer, transmitting the unique code to
the supplier's computer, generating an invoice including said unique code, capturing
information pertaining to payment of the invoice, inputting to said main computer
said information pertaining to payment of said invoice, comparing the information
stored in said main computer with the information inputted pertaining to payment of
the invoice and, upon the information matching, transmitting to the supplier's
computer a signal indicative of the fact that the invoice has been paid.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6 and including transmitting the invoice
electronically to the customer for printing by the customer.
PCT/ZA2000/000235 1999-11-30 2000-11-28 System for facilitating payment for goods WO2001041097A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU18233/01A AU1823301A (en) 1999-11-30 2000-11-28 System for facilitating payment for goods

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA997384 1999-11-30
ZA99/7384 1999-11-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001041097A1 true WO2001041097A1 (en) 2001-06-07

Family

ID=25588016

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2000/000235 WO2001041097A1 (en) 1999-11-30 2000-11-28 System for facilitating payment for goods

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1823301A (en)
WO (1) WO2001041097A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2382210A (en) * 2001-09-10 2003-05-21 Hewlett Packard Co Payment method at point of delivery comprising a readable ticket

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997008643A1 (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-03-06 Visa International Service Association Electronic bill pay system
EP0779587A2 (en) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-18 Kabushiki Kaisha N.K Kikaku On-line shopping system and the method of payment settlement
US5699528A (en) * 1995-10-31 1997-12-16 Mastercard International, Inc. System and method for bill delivery and payment over a communications network
WO1999007121A2 (en) * 1997-07-29 1999-02-11 Netadvantage Corporation Method and system for conducting electronic commerce transactions
US5883810A (en) * 1997-09-24 1999-03-16 Microsoft Corporation Electronic online commerce card with transactionproxy number for online transactions

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997008643A1 (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-03-06 Visa International Service Association Electronic bill pay system
US5699528A (en) * 1995-10-31 1997-12-16 Mastercard International, Inc. System and method for bill delivery and payment over a communications network
EP0779587A2 (en) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-18 Kabushiki Kaisha N.K Kikaku On-line shopping system and the method of payment settlement
WO1999007121A2 (en) * 1997-07-29 1999-02-11 Netadvantage Corporation Method and system for conducting electronic commerce transactions
US5883810A (en) * 1997-09-24 1999-03-16 Microsoft Corporation Electronic online commerce card with transactionproxy number for online transactions

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2382210A (en) * 2001-09-10 2003-05-21 Hewlett Packard Co Payment method at point of delivery comprising a readable ticket
GB2382210B (en) * 2001-09-10 2004-12-15 Hewlett Packard Co Payment trigger

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Publication number Publication date
AU1823301A (en) 2001-06-12

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