CLIAMS:What is claimed is:
1. A method for verifying location of a customer from a plurality of customers, the method comprising:
a. receiving a purchase request from the customer from a plurality of customers, wherein the purchase requestof the customer comprises:
i. identity information of a mobile device of the customer; and
ii. shipping location information;
b. transmitting a location request token to a location tracker for retrieval of a location information of the mobile device of the customer, wherein the location request token comprises the identity information associated with the mobile device of the customer;
c. collecting the location information of the mobile device from the location tracker; and
d. verifying the shipping location information based on the collected location information of the mobile device.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the location tracker which stores the identity information associated with the mobile device of the customer and the location information of the mobile device of the customer.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprises processing the transaction upon successful verification of the shipping location of the customer.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprises notifying the customer to update the shipping location information upon unsuccessful verification response.
5. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprises periodically sending updated location information of the mobile device of the customer to the location tracker by the customer.
6. The method as claim 2, further comprises issuing a message to the customer to update the location when failure occurs during updating the location periodically.
7. A system for verifying the location information of a plurality of customers, the modules comprising:
a. a transceiver for receiving a location information of a mobile device of the customer and receiving the purchse request from the customer, sending a location request token to the location tracker;
b. a database to store the plurality of data; and
c. a verifier module to verify the customer location and the identity information of the mobile device with the shipping location information;
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, further comprises a transmitting module in the customer’s end, which transmit location information of the customer.
9. The system as claimed in claim 7, further comprises a database at the location tracker to store the location information of the customer.
,TagSPECI:SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING CUSTOMER LOCATION
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to online transaction and in particular, it relates to verification of location of a customer in an online transaction.
BACKGROUND
This rise of mobile device based work culture has made it necessary to provide unrestricted and easy access to mobile enterprise applications from any device while ensuring the same or higher level of security than in the desktop based workspace environment. It is proving to be beneficial to both merchants and customers. Customers often associate online transactions with deals or lower prices, due to auction sites and easy cross-referencing via search engines. In addition, using the Internet to purchase goods or services facilitates merchant competition. Customers can visit many websites in a small time frame.
In an online transaction, the customer and the merchant are only aware of the information shared between them. However, as they interact in a virtual space, their physical or geographical location is unknown. The transaction in virtual space is sometimes undesirable as security is compromised. Merchants may desire to validate the location of customers before completing any transaction. This ensures that all the rules with respect to import or export, censorship, tax etc. that apply to a particular transaction are followed.
In well known methods, during an online transaction, there are a few people who send wrong information about their location for the purpose of committing fraud. Existing methods for reducing fraud which verify the physical or geographical location of the customer aren’t robust. During an online transaction, operations can be severely impacted if the transaction systems or database is unavailable due to data corruption, system failure, or network availability issues. Additionally, like many modern online information technology solutions, some systems require offline maintenance which further affects the cost-benefit analysis.
However, even if the customer’s location is identified by the merchant site with their co-operation, both the parties may not be sure if the network is secure. Sometimes, the network is vulnerable to security attacks which question the integrity of the network. This creates an impression on the customer about disadvantages of online transaction such as cost, false sense of security, and inconvenience.
In light of the above discussion, there is a need for a system and a method, which would overcome all the above stated problems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.
In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for verification of a customer location by a merchant. The method and system include a customer with a mobile device that contains an app, which periodically updates the current location in the location tracker. Further, the customer sends a purchase request to the merchant that includes the identity information of the customer and the shipping location.
Furthermore, the merchant after receiving the purchase request sends the identity information associated with the mobile of the customer to the location tracker. Accordingly, the location tracker sends back the current customer location information to the merchant, which further verifies the location information to the shipping location.
Furthermore, if the location information is same as the shipping location, then the merchant processes the transaction further, else it sends a notification to the customer to update the location.
Additionally, if the update of the location by the mobile device is stopped due to some technicalities, then the location tracker notifies the mobile device to update the location manually, after an interval of time. Moreover, if the customer fails to update the location manually, the location tracker notifies the merchant to notify the customer to update the location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an illustration of entities for verification of a location information of a customer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an illustration of a flowchart for verification of the location of the customer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration of a block diagram of a system for verification of location information of the customer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a detailed illustration of the flowchart for verification of the location of the customer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 5 is an illustration of a sequence diagram of a method for verification of the customer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 7 is an illustration of a mobile device entering a shipping location information, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 8 is an illustration of the mobile device entering a identity information associated with the mobile of the customer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and
Figure 9 is an illustration of the mobile device sending a purchase request, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments, which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Figure 1 is an illustration of an interaction between various entities 100 of the present invention. The entities include a customer 140 with a mobile device 110, a location tracker 120 and a merchant 130.
In perspective of the present invention, the customer 140 refers to a user who purchases one or more goods from the merchant 130. In an embodiment, the customer 140 refers to a user who makes online transaction and the recipient is the merchant. The customer 140, completing a sale, pays the merchant 130. In another embodiment, the customer 140 is an employer and the merchant 130 is an employee. The employer pays the employee remuneration for the services rendered by the employee.
In perspective of the present invention, the mobile device 110 refers to a handheld device the can be used to communicate over a communication network. Examples of mobile device 110 include but not to be limited to a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless email terminal, a laptop, a tablet computer, and the like. The examples for communication network include, but not being limited to a local area network, a wide area network, a wireless network, a telecommunication network, and the like. Examples of telecommunication network include but not limited to a global system for mobile communication (GSM) network, a general packet radio service (GPRS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and the like.
In perspective of the present invention, the location tracker 120 refers to a third party server that stores automatic update of the location information transmitted by the mobile device 110 along with a identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140. Moreover, the location tracker 120 transmits the location information when requested by the merchant 130 using the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140.
In perspective of the present invention, the merchant 130 refers to a server, which accepts a purchase request. Accordingly, transmits the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 to the location tracker 120. The merchant server 130 receives the location information of the customer 140 by the location tracker 120 and verifies the shipping location information to the location information present in the purchase order.
In an embodiment, the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 relates to digital signatures. In this embodiment, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card holds digital certificates of the customer 140 and in order to use the certificates, the customer 140 has to enter a personal, secret code. The mobile device 110 accordingly verifies the entered security code and allows access to the digital certificates of the customer 140, stored on the subscriber identification module (SIM) card.
In another embodiment, the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 is identity code unique to the mobile device 110. The examples for identity code include but not being limited to an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Mobile Subscriber Identity Number (MSIDN) of the mobile device 110. In another example, a key generator, present on the mobile device 110, generates the identity code. The identity code is used to identify the mobile device 110, thereby serving the purpose of a unique identifier.
In yet another embodiment, the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 relates to biometric signatures and digital signatures. In this embodiment, a combination of inherence factor and possession factor is used. The customer 140 scans customer 140’s thumbprint on the mobile device 110. The mobile device 110 generates and transmits a response comprising the digital signature of the customer 140 and the scanned biometric signature. The digital signature is stored on the subscriber identification module (SIM) card or on the mobile device 110.
Figure 2 is an illustration of a flowchart 200 for verification of the location of the customer 140 that starts at step 210. In step 220, the merchant 120 receives a purchase request from the customer 140. Each purchase request includes the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 and the shipping location information.
In an embodiment, the customer 140 selects the product (or products) from the plurality of the products listed on the interactive platform to create the purchase request.
Further in step 230, the merchant server 130 send the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 to the location tracker 120. This step notifies the location tracker 120 to send updated location information of the customer 140.
Furthermore, in step 240, the merchant server 130 collects the location information of the customer 140, transmitted by the location tracker 120 based on the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140. The location information of the customer 140 is stored in the location tracker 120, which is updated by the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 periodically.
Furthermore, in step 250 the merchant server 130 verifies the shipping location information of the customer 140. Verification is done by comparing the shipping location information in the purchase request to the customer 140 location information based on the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 collected from the location tracker 120.
In step 260, the transaction is completed on the positive verification result, by delivering the selected product (products) to the customer. And the process terminates in step 270
Figure 3 is an illustration of block diagram for verification of location information of the customer 140, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The block diagram 300 of the merchant 350 includes a transceiver module 310, a database 320, a processing module 330 and a verification module 340.
As explained above the transceiver module 310 receives the purchase request from the customer 140, which contain the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 and the shipping location information. In addition, it transmits the identity information of the customer 140 to the location tracker 120. Accordingly, it receives the location information of the customer 140, which is stored in the location tracker 120. Further, it transmits notifications to the customer 140 to update the shipping location if the verification result is negative.
As explained above the database 320 is used to store the shipping location information and the identity information associated with the mobile device 110 of the customer 140. The database 320 further stores the location information collected from the location tracker 120 for further verification.
As explained above the verification module 330 is used to verify the customer 140 location information to the shipping information. The verification module 330 gives two different types of output based on the verification done. The positive verification results in further processing of the transaction. The negative verification results in notifying the customer 140 to update their shipping location.
As explained above the processing module 330 is used to process the purchase request on positive verification of the shipping location information. The processing module 330 is used to complete the transaction and deliver the product (products) to the customer 140.
Figure 4 is illustration of the detailed flowchart 400 for the verification of the location information of the customer 140, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. At step 410, the process is initiated for verification of the location information of the customer 140. The steps 320-340 of the flowchart 400 are repeated as per steps 220-240 of the flowchart 200 described in the detail description of Figure 2. At step 450, the shipping location information is further verified with the location information of the customer 140. If the shipping location information is same as the received location information. Moreover, the verification module further processes the transaction. If the shipping location is not as same as the received location information, later in step 470 a notification is sent to the customer 140 to update the correct shipping location. In step 480, the merchant 130 receives an updated shipping location from the customer 140, accordingly it convolutes to step 450. At step 490, the flow chart 400 is terminated.
Figure 5 is sequence diagram 500 illustrating the verification of the location information of the customer 140, in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 requesting the customer 140 to enter the shipping location of the customer 140 with the help of a mobile application, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates the mobile device 110 of the customer 140 requesting the customer 140 to enter the identity information associated with the mobile 110 of the customer 140 with the help of the mobile application, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates the mobile device 110 sending the purchase request entered by the customer 140 via a communication network to the merchant, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
This written description uses examples to describe the subject matter herein, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims