MULTI-PARTYTRANSACTION PAYMENTNETWORK BRIDGE APPARATUS
AND METHOD
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] Aspects of the disclosure relate in general to financial
services. Aspects include an apparatus, system, method and computerreadable
storage medium to enable commodity voucher transactions.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] For centuries, financial transactions have used
currency, such as banknotes and coins. In modern times, however,
payment cards are rapidly replacing cash to facilitate payments. A
payment card is a card that can be used by an accountholder and
accepted by a vendor or merchant to make a payment for a purchase or in
payment of some other obligation. An example of a payment card includes
a stored-value card (such as a transit card or gift card), credit card, debit
card, automatic teller machine (ATM) card, or charge card.
[0003] Payment cards are affiliated with payment networks,
which are operational networks that enable monetary exchange between
parties.
[0004] While payment cards are increasingly used throughout
the world, globally there remain 2.5 billion adults who are currently
excluded from the formal financial system. In addition, while (in 201 1)
cross-border funders committed at least US$25 billion to microfinance or
financial services for the poor, over 200 million micro-to-medium
enterprises in developing economies lack access to affordable financial
services and credit.
[0005] In a non-financial context, a voucher is a certificate or
bond that is worth a certain value. For example, vouchers may be used
for housing, travel, or food.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments include a system, device, method and
computer-readable medium to enable commodity voucher transactions.
[0007] In a method of processing an electronic voucher
transaction, electronic voucher information is read with an electronic
voucher interface. The electronic voucher information contains a
cardholder identifier, and a number of unredeemed electronic vouchers. A
processor totals a number of goods or services to be redeemed with an
electronic voucher, calculates the number of vouchers required to redeem
the number of goods or services, and compares the number of
unredeemed electronic vouchers and the calculated number of vouchers
required to redeem the number of goods or services. The processor denies
the electronic voucher transaction when the number of unredeemed
electronic vouchers is less than the calculated number of vouchers
required to redeem the number of goods or services.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an electronic voucher transaction system
configured to process non-monetary transactions, and to perform
financial transactions that traverse a Non Governmental Organization
(NGO) network with a payment network.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an example electronic voucher card
with a photograph of an aid recipient.
[0010] FIGS. 3A-C depict an electronic voucher device. FIG. 3A
shows an electronic voucher device displaying a menu selection
embodiment. FIG. 3B illustrates an electronic voucher device displaying
pictograms or pictures as part of an authentication process embodiment.
FIG. 3C is a block diagram of the electronic voucher device embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mobile point-of-sale
device embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a NGO network
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a payment network
configured to process electronic restricted cash vouchers that traverse the
NGO network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] One aspect of the disclosure includes the realization
that a payment processor may be used to enable commodity voucher
transactions. Such transactions include restricted commodity vouchers,
restricted cash vouchers, and network restricted cash vouchers.
[0015] In another aspect of the disclosure, a payment
processor may be used to facilitate secure financial transactions involving
vouchers.
[0016] Another aspect of the disclosure includes the
realization that a payment network system may be used to provide
restricted commodity vouchers or restricted cash vouchers. Such a
system leverages a payment network to track and report, rather than
process payments. Such a system may be used to provide restricted
commodity vouchers or restricted cash vouchers for non-governmental
organizations (NGOs).
[0017] An aspect of the disclosure includes the understanding
that many aid recipients that receive vouchers are illiterate, rendering
conventional password or personal identification number (PIN) techniques
ineffective.
[0018] A further aspect of the disclosure is the realization that
aid vouchers may be used to train aid recipients on using the modern
financial system. Electronic vouchers may be used as the gateway to
using payment cards and payment accounts by former aid recipients.
[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a
system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to
enable commodity voucher transactions. In some embodiments, vouchers
may be used as electronic cash vouchers.
[0020] In some embodiments, a system is configured to enable
trading of restricted commodity vouchers, restricted cash vouchers, and
network restricted cash vouchers.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an electronic voucher transaction system
1000 configured to process non-monetary transactions, and to perform
financial transactions that traverse a Non-Governmental Organization
(NGO) network 1100 with a payment network 6000, constructed and
operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] The system described herein enables electronic
vouchers 100 (e-Voucher or e-voucher), which can be embodied as
electronic voucher cards 100a or electronic voucher devices 100b.
Electronic voucher cards 100a or electronic voucher devices 100b may be
distributed by NGOs to aid recipients. While embodiments described
herein are described in an NGO aid context, it is understood that the
technology and embodiments may have other applications, such as
healthcare, transit, agriculture, social benefits or other closed-loop or
semi-closed-loop voucher applications.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, an electronic voucher card 100a is
a physical card, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Electronic voucher card 100a is
similar to a conventional payment card and may be encoded with a
magnetic stripe on the opposite side (not shown) or contain a chip
encoded with electronic voucher information. The electronic voucher
information may include the number of unredeemed vouchers and an
electronic image of the aid recipient. The electronic image of the aid
recipient may be a Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic
Experts Group (JPEG), or other image format known in the art.
Additionally, the electronic voucher card 100a may have a photograph
102 of the aid recipient to provide another verification of the aid
recipient's identity. The photograph 102 may be the same image as the
electronic image or an alternate image.
[0024] An electronic voucher device 100b may be an electronic
wallet, mobile phone, tablet computer, or virtual account device capable
of storing an electronic voucher. An example electronic voucher device
100b embodiment will be described in greater depth below.
[0025] An aid recipient may use an electronic voucher 100 at
selected merchants 11lOa-b approved by the NGO. The NGO may restrict
the electronic vouchers for a selected basket of goods or selections from
the merchant 1110.
[0026] Because the merchants 1110 may be located in a
disaster-stricken area with unreliable communication with the NGO
network 1100, the electronic voucher transaction occurs using the
electronic voucher and an NGO mobile point-of-sale (POS) device 1112. At
the time of a voucher transaction, the number of unredeemed vouchers
and the electronic image are read by or transmitted to the NGO mobile
point-of-sale device 1112. The merchant 1110 then uses the electronic
image to verify the identity of the aid recipient and provides the goods or
services specified by the voucher program. Alternatively, in embodiments
that use an electronic voucher device 100b, aid recipients may be asked
to type in a visual personal identification image (VPII), an authentication
using pictograph or image selection or sequence. The VPII is selected by
the aid recipient in advance of the voucher transaction. During
authentication, the aid recipient selects the images that constitute the
VPII. In some embodiments, the VPII may require images to be selected
sequentially; in other embodiments, the selection of images need not be
sequential, but all the images of the VPII must be identified. The images
or pictographs used may vary from one disaster-relief area to another. In
yet other embodiments, a numeric personal identification number (PIN)
may be used. Embodiments may adopt a combination of authentication
solutions, such as photo identification and a numeric PIN, for example.
[0027] In alternate embodiments, where direct communication
with the NGO network is possible, NGO may distribute electronic
vouchers to aid recipients for use at NGO-approved merchants 11lOa-b,
and ATMs 1120a-c. Transactions that take place within entities connected
to the NGO network 1100 are processed by NGO network 1100 and its
voucher transaction management system 5140.
[0028] In parallel, payment network 6000 also processes
financial transactions on an interbank network 2 100, where payment
card acquirer financial institutions 2200 ("acquirer") and issuer financial
institutions 2300 ("issuer") may be connected.
[0029] Payment network 6000 is a payment network capable
of processing payments electronically over NGO network 1100. An
example payment network 6000 includes MasterCard International
Incorporated of Purchase, New York. Payment network 6000 may analyze
and score financial transactions for the probability of fraud. The
transaction scores may be expressed as a probability of fraud from zero
(entirely fraudulent) to one (100% chance of no fraud), or scored between
zero (fraudulent) and 1,000 (100% not fraudulent).
[0030] An acquirer 2200 is a bank, credit union, or other
financial institution configured to process transaction data from
merchants 2 1lOa-b and prepares authorization formatted data for the
payment network 6000. Merchants 2 110 are any vendors that accept
payment cards or payment accounts.
[0031] An issuer 2300 is the bank, credit union, or other
financial institution that provides the credit for the financial payment
transaction. Issuer 2300 processes data (authorization requests),
forwarded from the acquirer 2200 by interbank network 2 100, and
prepares the authorization formatted response (approvals/ declines) . In
the following description, issuer 2300 acts as a program manager for a
NGO payment network. Aprogram manager is an entity, such as the non
governmental organization, that provides the aid voucher/ token or other
representation of the aid. Program manager contracts with a merchant
1110 to redeem the voucher, compensating merchant 1110 for their
services, and sets the conditions for the voucher program. In the following
example, issuer 2300 is a program manager. It is understood that in some
embodiments, a program manager and issuer may be different entities. In
some embodiments, issuer 2300 may be directly connected to the NGO
network 1100.
[0032] In addition, automated teller machines 2120a-b may
also be coupled to interbank network 2100.
[0033] Electronic vouchers leverage a payment network
embodiment where the infrastructure embodiment is used for tracking
and reporting rather than payment. In such an embodiment, transactions
do not move money; instead, the embodiment leverages a payments
infrastructure to track and report on data and information flows. In other
words, there is no payment settlement over the network.
[0034] In such an embodiment, an open payment network:
• Does not require payment sanctioning for acquiring and issuing
entities;
• Does not require fiduciary accounts;
• Allows for open competition because the network uses standard and
open protocol; and,
• Less need for regulatory challenges as there is no need to monitor
and regulate the movement of money (i.e., solution could be
deployed for aid relief in a sanctioned country).
[0035] Embodiments may use a traditional payments
infrastructure, but do not require payment to flow over the network.
Rather, the payments infrastructure tracks and collects data.
[0036] As this is not a monetary transaction, it allows for a
broader list of participants on the merchant and consumer side.
[0037] Such an embodiment allows for a single
implementation on which multiple players can engage.
[0038] Turning to FIGS. 3A-C, these figures depict an
electronic voucher device, constructed and operative in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 3A shows an electronic voucher device displaying a
menu selection embodiment, allowing the selection of an electronic
voucher or an alternate payment method.
[0040] FIG. 3B illustrates an electronic voucher device 100b
displaying pictograms or pictures as part of an authentication process
embodiment. The electronic voucher device 100b is encoded with the
electronic voucher information, including the number of unredeemed
vouchers and authentication information. The authentication information
may be a biometric component, such as an electronic image of the aid
recipient. The electronic image of the aid recipient may be a Graphics
Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), or
other image format known in the art. During authentication of the
electronic voucher device 100b, aid recipients may asked to type in a
Visual personal identification image (VPII), an authentication using
pictograph or image selection or sequence. The VPII is selected by the aid
recipient in advance of the voucher transaction. During authentication,
the aid recipient selects the images that constitute the VPII. In some
embodiments, the VPII may require images to be selected sequentially; in
other embodiments, the selection of images need not be sequential, but all
the images of the VPII must be identified. The images or pictographs used
may vary from one disaster-relief area to another.
[0041] Once the aid recipient is authenticated, the NGO
mobile POS device 1112 verifies that there are an adequate number of
unredeemed vouchers, and then decrements the number of unredeemed
voucher by the amount corresponding to the goods or services received by
the aid recipient.
[0042] FIG. 3C is a block diagram of the electronic voucher
device 100b embodiment. When used in conjunction with a NGO mobile
POS device 1112, electronic voucher device 100b may be used to assist in
enabling electronic voucher redemption. In this example, electronic
voucher device 100b is a mobile phone. Electronic voucher device 100b
may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA)
or other portable computing device known in the art capable of
communicating electronic voucher information to the NGO mobile POS
device 1112.
[0043] Electronic voucher device 100b may run a real-time
operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central
processing unit (CPU) 3100, a non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium 3200, and an antenna 3300. An example operating system may
include Apple iOS, Google Android Operating System, Blackberry OS,
FireFox mobile operating system, Microsoft Windows, and the like.
Electronic voucher device 100b may further include a screen or display
device 3400, manual input 3500, speaker 3600, microphone 3700, and
Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna 3800.
[0044] Processor 3100 may be any central processing unit,
microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known
in the art. It is understood that processor 3100 may temporarily store
instructions and data in Random Access Memory (not shown).
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, processor 3 100 is functionally
comprised of an electronic voucher application 3 110, a data processor
3120, and application interface 3130.
[0046] Electronic voucher application 3 110 enables the
functionality for the aid recipient to redeem an electronic voucher.
Electronic voucher application 3 110 may further comprise: point-of-sale
interface 3 112, visual authentication engine 3 114, voucher manager
3 116, and image rendering engine 3 118.
[0047] A point-of-sale interface 3 112 is a program or service
that that communicates with NGO mobile point-of-sale device 1112.
Point-of-sale interface 3 112 may communicate using wireless antenna
3300 using Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other
wireless standard known in the art.
[0048] Visual authentication engine 3 114 is configured to
authenticate the aid recipient using non-written communication of a
Visual personal identification image, and may do so in conjunction with
image rendering engine 3 118. Image rendering engine 3 118 is configured
to render images stored in an image database 3220. These stored images
may include pictures or pictograms used for a Visual personal
identification image, and may include a picture of the aid recipient.
[0049] Voucher manager 3 116 is configured to track electronic
voucher usage and supply, and may store its information in an e-Voucher
database 3210.
[0050] Data processor 3 120 enables processor 3100 to
interface with storage media 3200, antenna 3300, screen 3400, manual
input 3500, speaker 3600, microphone 3700, GPS antenna 3800,
computer memory or any other component not on the processor 3100.
The data processor 3120 enables processor 3100 to locate data on, read
data from, and write data to these components.
[0051] Application interface 3130 may be any graphical user
interface known in the art to facilitate communication with the user of the
electronic voucher device 100b; as such, application interface 3130 may
communicate with the user via screen 3400, manual input 3500, speaker
3600, or microphone 3700.
[0052] These structures may be implemented as hardware,
firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as
storage media 3200. Further details of these components are described
with their relation to method embodiments below.
[0053] Antenna 3300 may be any data port as is known in the
art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data across a
telecommunications network, computer network, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, nearfield
communications, contactless point-of-sale network, and the like.
Examples of such a network include a digital cellular telephony network.
Antenna 3300 allows electronic voucher device 100b to communicate via
a digital cellular telephony network. Furthermore, antenna 3300 allows
electronic voucher device 100b to detect and communicate with NGO
mobile point-of-sale device 1112.
[0054] Screen 3400 may be any liquid crystal display (LCD)
display, light emitting diode (LED) screen, touch-sensitive screen, or other
monitor known in the art for visually displaying images and text to a user.
[0055] Manual input 3500 may be buttons, a conventional
keyboard, keypad, track pad, trackball, or other input device as is known
in the art for the manual input of data. In some embodiments, manual
input 3500 may be integrated into a touch-sensitive screen 3400. In other
embodiments, manual input 3500 may be a virtual keyboard.
[0056] In addition, a speaker 3600 may be attached for
reproducing audio signals from processor 3100. Speaker 3600 may also
be able to generate ultrasonic signals for detection by sensors 1100.
Microphone 3700 may be any suitable microphone as is known in the art
for providing audio signals to processor 3100. Microphone 3700 is also
configured to receive ultrasonic signals from sensors 1100.
[0057] GPS antenna 3800 is satellite-based navigation
antenna that allows electronic voucher device 100b to ascertain its
location by triangulating with satellites as one skilled in the art can
appreciate.
[0058] It is understood that microphone 3700, speaker 3600,
and GPS antenna 3800 may include appropriate digital-to-analog and
analog-to-digital conversion circuitry as appropriate.
[0059] Storage medium 3200 may be a conventional
read/ write memory, such as a flash memory, memory stick, transistorbased
memory, or other computer-readable memory device as is known in
the art for storing and retrieving data.
[0060] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, storage medium 3200
may store the e-Voucher database 3210, and image database 3220. When
present, e-Voucher database 3210 is a data structure or database that
contains electronic voucher information, which may include, but is not
limited to: voucher account information, number of unredeemed
vouchers, expiration dates and aid recipient name. In embodiments that
also support financial transactions, e-Voucher database 32 10 may further
include a payment card information (such as primary account number
(PAN), expiration dates and accountholder name), and electronic checking
account numbers.
[0061] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a NGO mobile point-of-sale
device 1112 embodiment, constructed and operative in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure. NGO mobile point-of-sale device
1112 may be used at a merchant 1110, and may be supplied to the
merchant 1110 by the NGO for use in conjunction with aid distribution
via electronic vouchers.
[0062] NGO mobile POS device 1112 may run a multi-tasking
operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central
processing unit (CPU) 5100, a non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium 5200, and a network interface 5300. An example operating
system may include Apple iOS, Google Android Operating System,
Blackberry OS, Firefox mobile operating system, Microsoft Windows, and
the like.
[0063] Processor 4100 may be any central processing unit,
microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known
in the art. It is understood that processor 4100 may communicate with
and temporarily store information in Random Access Memory (RAM) (not
shown) .
[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, processor 5100 is functionally
comprised of an electronic voucher manager 4 110, a data processor 5120,
and user interface 5130.
[0065] Electronic voucher manager 4 110 is a component
configured to perform risk estimation by analyzing financial transactions.
Electronic voucher manager 4 110 may further comprise: a bill generator
4 112, and voucher billing interface 4 114.
[0066] Bill generator 4 112 is the component of electronic
voucher manager 4 110 that generates an itemized bill based on items
ordered or redeemed by aid recipient. Bill generator 4 112 may access a
voucher unit database 4220 for the redemption value of vouchers, goods,
and services.
[0067] Voucher billing interface 4 114 is the structure or
component capable of processing electronic billing, including electronic
presentation of bills generated by bill generator 4 112, and electronic
payments received (via an electronic voucher interface 4400) from an
electronic voucher 100. Voucher billing interface 4 114 may store voucher
billing receipts 42 10 in a database.
[0068] Data processor 4120 enables processor 4100 to
interface with storage medium 4200, network interface 4300, electronic
voucher interface 4400 and any other component not on the processor
4100. The data processor 4120 enables processor 4100 to locate data on,
read data from, and write data to these components.
[0069] User interface 4130 is any structure that allows
shopkeepers, wait staff, and merchant employees to enter orders and
access electronic voucher manager 4 110.
[0070] These structures may be implemented as hardware,
firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as
storage medium 5200. Further details of these components are described
with their relation to method embodiments below.
[0071] Network interface 4300 may be any data port as is
known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data
across a computer network, examples of such networks include
Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring networks.
Network interface 4300 allows NGO mobile POS device 1112 to
communicate with NGO network 1100.
[0072] Electronic voucher interface 4400 is any data port
known in the art configured to read/ write data from an electronic voucher
card 100a or communicate with an electronic voucher device 100b. In
some embodiments, electronic voucher interface 4400 can be a payment
card reader/ writer. In other embodiments, electronic voucher interface
4400 is a device configured to wirelessly communicate with electronic
voucher device 100b; example electronic voucher interfaces include, but
are not limited to: Infra-Red (IR), Bluetooth, contactless, or Near Field
Communication interfaces.
[0073] Computer-readable storage medium 4200 may be a
conventional read/ write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy
disk drive, optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive,
digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital versatile disk (HDDVD)
drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto -optical drive, optical drive, flash
memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, magnetic tape or other
computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and
retrieving data.
[0074] In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, storage medium 4200
may also contain voucher billing receipts 4210, and a voucher unit
database 4220. Voucher billing receipts 4210 is configured to store
records of billing transactions created by bill generator 4 112 and paid via
voucher billing interface 4 114. Voucher unit database 4220 is a data
structure configured to store for the redemption value of vouchers, goods,
and services at a merchant; for example, in a food market setting, voucher
unit database 4220 contains the redemption value of a voucher for food
available at the market.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a NGO network 1100
embodiment, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure. In embodiments that are
intermittently connected to merchant 1110, NGO mobile POS device 1112
is brought into contact with NGO network 1100 to facilitate tracking of
electronic vouchers. In embodiments that are electronically connected to
merchant 1110, NGO network 1100 may authorize electronic voucher and
communicate restricted cash transactions, and may do so in conjunction
with payment network 6000; in such embodiments, NGO network 1100 is
configured to process financial transactions that traverse an NGO
network with a payment network 6000.
[0076] NGO network 1100 may run a multi-tasking operating
system (OS) and include at least one processor or central processing unit
(CPU) 5100, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 5200,
and a network interface 5300.
[0077] Processor 5100 may be any central processing unit,
microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known
in the art. It is understood that processor 5100 may communicate with
and temporarily store information in Random Access Memory (RAM) (not
shown) .
[0078] As shown in FIG. 5, processor 5100 is functionally
comprised of a NGO network processing engine 5150, NGO-payment
network interface 5 110, a payment purchase engine 5130, a voucher
transaction management system 5140, and a data processor 5120.
[0079] NGO network processing engine 5150 is any structure
that enables the NGO network 1100 to communicate with and process
data and/or transactions, including from merchants 1110, and ATMs
1120. In some embodiments, this functionality may be handled by
payment network 6000.
[0080] NGO-payment network interface 5 110 is the structure
that allows NGO network 1100 and payment network 6000 to
communicate with each other. NGO-payment network interface 5 110 may
apply a set of rules that govern the types of transactions that may occur
between payment network processing engine 5 112 and NGO network
processing engine 5 150. These rules may be referred to as NGO-payment
network interface rules 5220.
[0081] Fraud scoring engine 5 118 is a structure that scores
financial transactions from payment network processing engine 5 112
and/or NGO network processing engine 5150 for fraud. Fraud scoring
engine 5 118 may use decision tree logic, association rule learning, neural
networks, inductive logic programming, support vector machines,
clustering, Bayesian networks, reinforcement learning, representation
learning, similarity and metric learning, spare dictionary learning, and
ensemble methods such as random forest, boosting, bagging, and rule
ensembles, or a combination thereof.
[0082] Payment- purchase engine 5130 may be any structure
that facilitates voucher transactions or payment from customer accounts
at an issuer 2300, or NGO 1200 to an ATM 1120/2120 or merchant
1110/2 110. The customer accounts may include electronic voucher
accounts, payment card accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts
and the like.
[0083] Voucher transaction management system 5140 is
configured to manage the NGO transactions on an NGO network 1100. In
some embodiments, voucher transaction management system 5 140
further comprises: registration interface 5142, transaction monitoring
system 5144, and reporting and investigation service 5146.
[0084] Registration interface 5 142 is a structure that allows
the program manager to establish the NGO program rules, such as
identifying registered merchants and aid recipients, and enable their
participation through the provision or sanction of an appoint of sale
system and electronic voucher, respectively.
[0085] In embodiments where NGO network 1100 is in direct
communication with merchant 1110, transaction monitoring system 5144
enables a NGO-point-of-sale device (POS) to validate the authenticity of a
voucher, grants aid recipients permission to use the voucher, and verifies
the appropriateness of the merchant/ aid-recipient combination, In some
embodiments, the transaction monitoring system 5144 further enables an
aid recipient or merchant 1110 to determine the number of unredeemed
electronic vouchers and the available commodities for the aid recipient,
and tracking of completed transactions that use the electronic voucher.
[0086] Reporting and investigation service 5 146 is the
electronic service that allows transactions to be monitored and allows
registered entities to audit, investigate, analyze, and report transaction
activity. In some embodiments this functionality includes the program
management capability to interface with payment-purchase engine 5130,
to compensate a merchant 1110 for goods and services rendered.
[0087] Data processor 5 120 enables processor 5100 to
interface with storage medium 5200, network interface 5300 or any other
component not on the processor 5100. The data processor 5120 enables
processor 5 100 to locate data on, read data from, and write data to these
components.
[0088] These structures may be implemented as hardware,
firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as
storage medium 5200. Further details of these components are described
with their relation to method embodiments below.
[0089] Network interface 5300 may be any data port as is
known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data
across a computer network, examples of such networks include
Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring networks.
Network interface 5300 allows NGO network 1100 to communicate with
vendors, accountholders, and/or issuer financial institutions.
[0090] Computer-readable storage medium 5200 may be a
conventional read/ write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy
disk drive, optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive,
digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital versatile disk (HDDVD)
drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto -optical drive, optical drive, flash
memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, magnetic tape or other
computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and
retrieving data. Significantly, computer-readable storage medium 5200
may be remotely located from processor 5100, and be connected to
processor 5100 via a network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide
area network (WAN), or the Internet.
[0091] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, storage medium 5200
may also contain a NGO voucher account database 5230, NGO merchant
database 5210, and NGO payment network interface rules 5210. A NGO
voucher account database 5230 is configured to store NGO payment
accountholder information, such as NGO payment card and account
information, NGO transaction information related to NGO accountholder
accounts, and any other NGO payment accountholder-related
information. NGO merchant database 5210 is configured to store NGOapproved
merchant information, such as their account information. As
described above, NGO-payment network interface rules 5220 include a set
of rules and restrictions that govern the types of transactions that may
occur between payment network processing engine 5 112 and NGO
network processing engine 5150 ("cross-network interface rules"). For
illustrative purposes only, example NGO-payment network interface rules
5220 may include limitations on the types of merchants that an NGO-aidrecipient
may pay outside the NGO network 1100; for example, the NGOaid
recipient may be restricted to purchases of food or temporary shelter.
Another example limitation may include the amount of cash that an NGOaid-
recipient may withdraw from an ATM 2120 outside the NGO network
1100.
[0092] These structures may be implemented as hardware,
firmware, or software encoded on a non-transitory computer readable
medium, such as storage media. Further details of these components are
described with their relation to method embodiments below.
[0093] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a payment network 6000,
constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Payment network 6000 is configured to process
electronic restricted cash vouchers that traverse an NGO network 1100,
constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0094] Payment network 6000 may run a multi-tasking
operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central
processing unit (CPU) 6100, a non-transitory computer- readable storage
medium 6200, and a network interface 6300.
[0095] Processor 6100 may be any central processing unit,
microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known
in the art. It is understood that processor 6100 may communicate with
and temporarily store information in Random Access Memory (RAM) (not
shown) .
[0096] As shown in FIG. 6, processor 6100 is functionally
comprised of a payment network processing engine 6 112, NGO network
processing engine 6 114, NGO-payment network interface 6 116, a fraud
scoring engine 6 118, a payment purchase engine 6160, a transaction
management system 6140, and a data processor 6120.
[0097] Payment network processing engine 6 112 is the
structure that enables the payment network 6000 to communicate with
and process data and/or transactions via the interbank network 2100,
including from acquirer 2200 and issuer 2600.
[0098] NGO network processing engine 6 114 is any structure
that enables the payment network 6000 to communicate with and process
data and/or transactions via the NGO network 1100, including from
merchants 1110, ATMs 1120.
[0099] NGO-payment network interface 6 116 the structure
that allows payment network processing engine 6 112 and NGO network
processing engine 6 114 to communicate with each other. NGO-payment
network interface 6 116 may apply a set of rules that govern the types of
transactions that may occur between payment network processing engine
6 112 and NGO network processing engine 6 114. These rules may be
referred to as NGO-payment network interface rules 6250.
[00100] Fraud scoring engine 6 118 is a structure that scores
voucher and/or financial transactions from payment network processing
engine 6 112 and/or NGO network processing engine 6 114 for fraud.
Fraud scoring engine 6 118 may use decision tree logic, association rule
learning, neural networks, inductive logic programming, support vector
machines, clustering, Bayesian networks, reinforcement learning,
representation learning, similarity and metric learning, spare dictionary
learning, and ensemble methods such as random forest, boosting,
bagging, and rule ensembles, or a combination thereof.
[00101] Payment-purchase engine 6130 may be any structure
that facilitates payment from customer accounts at an issuer 2300, or
NGO network 1100 to an ATM 1120/2120 or merchant 1110/21 10. The
customer accounts may include payment card accounts, checking
accounts, savings accounts and the like.
[00102] Transaction management system 6140 is configured to
manage the NGO transactions on an NGO network 1100. In some
embodiments, transaction management system 6140 further comprises:
registration interface 6142, transaction monitoring system 6144, and
reporting and investigation service 6146.
[00103] Registration interface 6142 is a structure that allows
the program manager to establish the NGO program rules, such as
identifying registered merchants and aid recipients, and enable their
participation through the provision or sanction of an appoint of sale
system and voucher, respectively.
[00104] Transaction monitoring system 6144 enables a
merchant point of sale device (POS) to validate the authenticity of a
voucher, grants aid recipients permission to use the voucher, and verifies
the appropriateness of the merchant/ aid-recipient combination, In some
embodiments, the transaction monitoring system 6144 further enables an
aid recipient or merchant 1110 to determine the balance on the voucher
and the available commodities for the aid recipient, and tracking of
completed transactions that use the voucher.
[00105] Reporting and investigation service 6146 is the
electronic service that allows transactions to be monitored and allows
registered entities to audit, investigate, analyze, and report transaction
activity. In some embodiments this functionality includes the program
management capability to interface with payment-purchase engine 6130,
to compensate a merchant 1110 for goods and services rendered.
[00106] Data processor 6120 enables processor 6100 to
interface with storage medium 6200, network interface 6300 or any other
component not on the processor 6100. The data processor 6120 enables
processor 6100 to locate data on, read data from, and write data to these
components.
[00107] These structures may be implemented as hardware,
firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as
storage medium 6200. Further details of these components are described
with their relation to method embodiments below.
[00108] Network interface 6300 may be any data port as is
known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data
across a computer network, examples of such networks include
Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring networks.
Network interface 6300 allows payment network 6000 to communicate
with vendors, accountholders, and/ or issuer financial institutions.
[00109] Computer-readable storage medium 6200 may be a
conventional read/ write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy
disk drive, optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive,
digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital versatile disk (HDDVD)
drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto -optical drive, optical drive, flash
memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, magnetic tape or other
computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and
retrieving data. Significantly, computer-readable storage medium 6200
may be remotely located from processor 6100, and be connected to
processor 6100 via a network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide
area network (WAN), or the Internet.
[001 10] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, storage medium 6200
may also contain a payment network accountholder database 6210,
payment network merchant database 6220, NGO accountholder database
6230, NGO merchant database 6240, and NGO payment network
interface rules 6250. Payment network accountholder database 6210 is
configured to store payment accountholder information, such as payment
card and account information, transaction information related to
accountholder accounts, and any other payment accountholder-related
information. Payment network merchant database 6220 is configured to
store merchant information, such as merchant account information. A
NGO accountholder database 6230 is configured to store NGO payment
accountholder information, such as NGO payment card and account
information, NGO transaction information related to NGO accountholder
accounts, and any other NGO payment accountholder-related
information. NGO merchant database 6240 is configured to store NGOapproved
merchant information, such as their account information. As
described above, NGO-payment network interface rules 6250 include a set
of rules and restrictions that govern the types of transactions that may
occur between payment network processing engine 6 112 and NGO
network processing engine 6 114 ("cross-network interface rules"). For
illustrative purposes only, example NGO-payment network interface rules
6250 may include limitations on the types of merchants that an NGO-aidrecipient
may pay outside the NGO network 1100; for example, the NGOaid
recipient may be restricted to purchases of food or temporary shelter.
Another example limitation may include the amount of cash that an NGOaid-
recipient may withdraw from an ATM 2120 outside the NGO network
1100.
[00111] These structures may be implemented as hardware,
firmware, or software encoded on a non-transitory computer readable
medium, such as storage media. Further details of these components are
described with their relation to method embodiments below.
[00112] An electronic restricted cash vouchers embodiment
leverages a payment network 6000 where the infrastructure is used for
tracking and reporting rather than payment. In both cash and commodity
voucher situations, the fiduciary transactions are separate from the
tracking.
[00113] Cash-out is a two-step process versus a single step
process: the consumer never "owns" the money they are withdrawing and
the NGO is not reliant on the payments network to deliver payment
settlement. This is a separate function in the system, versus an
interwoven function.
[00114] Embodiments put technology and business practices at
the center of a laddering system of vouchers within domestic and
international payment networks. A single technology platform allows
consumers to ladder from voucher to cash-out to participation in a
domestic network and upwards through participation in an international
network. In one embodiment, a platform and centralized infrastructure
allows everything from restricted commodities to cash to full payment
enablement to connectivity between points of acceptance and Cash-
In/ Cash-Out (CICO), a service provided by an affiliate of the network
where a consumer can either deposit or withdraw cash to/from their
account.
[00115] The embodiments enable implementation of an
electronic voucher system on electronic voucher cards 100a, without the
pre-emptive engagement of a financial institution. This leads to more
flexible initiation by constructing business rules and implementing
technologies that enable the electronic vouchers, but protect the payment
system 1000.
[00116] As embodiments offer tracking services, not payment
services, non-financial institutions can leverage the network to issue
tokens and serve as providers of these services. It is understood that nonfinancial
institutions may have unique and differentiated franchise rules,
legal structures, and pricing models. Embodiments enable an electronic
voucher token to transition to a payment account system owned by a
financial institution without necessarily requiring the reissuance of cards.
[00117] An embodiment system fosters the collection and
management of data on consumer and merchant behavior. Observed
behaviors (i.e., usage history, spending habits) can be leveraged to
transition clients to a formal relationship with a financial institution,
quickening and easing the process of financial inclusion. A tracking
system creates record of payment flows, consumer spending habits, and
additional information that a merchant can leverage with wholesalers,
financial institutions and suppliers.
[00118] The NGO may package and sell the collected knowyour-
customer (KYC)/behavioral data to a financial institution and use
the revenue to offset program costs. If an NGO sells the portfolio to the
financial institution, the financial institution can enable payment
functionality on the form factor concurrent with voucher programs.
[00119] Using an embodiment system, the NGO creates
valuable assets for both consumers and merchants through the tracking
of usage history and spending habits. Behavioral spend information
allows financial institutions to cross sell products and offer more
sophisticated, targeted financial services (i.e., insurance, credit extension)
beyond a traditional payment card.
[00120] An embodiment, including the creation of necessary
know-your- customer (KYC) resources, enables a NGO voucher system
merchant point-of-sale (POS) devices 1112 to be transitioned to an open
network merchant acceptance device and account owned by a financial
institution without necessarily requiring the reissuance of the POS device.
[00121] The NGO mobile POS device 1112 used by a merchant
1110 for voucher acceptance is "locked" to the electronic voucher system
until the merchant is sanctioned to operate on the private or broader
domestic and international payments networks. Sophisticated capabilities
are loaded, but are not available at the outset until program managers
"unlock" capabilities over time for additional enablement. This process
does not require the merchant to receive new hardware.
[00122] All changes in the status of the card or mobile point of
sale (MPOS) device is collected, consolidated and shared with the central
database and other participating stakeholders.
[00123] Embodiments may include an electronic consumermerchant
voucher system that meets necessary control requirements
using photographic authentication. The standards (branding, rules, and
the like) for a payment network card versus a voucher card may be
different. Two and three factor photo validation may be enabled: photo is
printed on the card, photo is stored on a chip that is read by the NG
mobile POS device 1112, and individual is present for comparison with
photo. Consequently, the individual/ beneficiary/ recipient is not required
to remember a PIN or a code. This is especially helpful when deployed in
an environment where illiteracy is high.
[00124] In some embodiments, visual personal identification
image authentication may be used. The use of visual personal
identification image authentication recognizes that low levels of literacy
and pin functionality occur throughout the world. Such an embodiment
allows a recipient to use images in place of numbers for a VPII. Visual
personal identification image entry can be mandated as a particular
length and order, or a sequence of images in a non-specific order. For
example, the images (or icons) may be provided to a user, and the user
will have to select specific images as a VPII.
[00125] An electronic voucher system embodiment allows
multiple NGO programs to exist on a single token; streamlining the
registration process, unconflicting the assignment of benefits, and
managing risk. All NGOs that have services on the card will be notified of
fraudulent activities/loss of card and can shut off functionality as needed.
The shared infrastructure provides support and opportunities for
merchants 1110 who concurrently provide commodities to multiple NGOs.
Acentralized database and shared infrastructure allow information to be
collected and easily accessed within a single platform infrastructure.
[00126] Because NGOs have relationship with a centralized
database, the tools and MPOS can be shared and tracked in a uniform
fashion. Aconsumer can use one card for multiple NGOs, and a merchant
can use one MPOS for multiple NGO programs.
[00127] To enable the embodiments described, it is understood
that hardware, software, and firmware encoded on to non-transitory
computer readable media are utilized.
[00128] The previous description of the embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.
The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may
be applied to other embodiments without the use of inventive faculty.
Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
CLAIMS
1. A method of processing an electronic voucher transaction, the
method comprising:
reading electronic voucher information with an electronic voucher
interface, the electronic voucher information containing: a cardholder
identifier, and a number of unredeemed electronic vouchers;
totaling, with a processor, a number of goods or services to be
redeemed with an electronic voucher;
calculating the number of vouchers required to redeem the number
of goods or services with the processor;
comparing, with the processor, the number of unredeemed
electronic vouchers and the calculated number of vouchers required to
redeem the number of goods or services;
denying, with the processor, the electronic voucher transaction
when the number of unredeemed electronic vouchers is less than the
calculated number of vouchers required to redeem the number of goods or
services.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
subtracting the calculated number vouchers required to redeem the
number of goods or services from the number of unredeemed electronic
vouchers, resulting in an updated number of unredeemed electronic
vouchers.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
writing, with the electronic voucher interface, the updated number
of unredeemed electronic vouchers to an electronic voucher card or
electronic voucher device.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the electronic voucher
information further contains a visual personal identification image (VPII).
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
prompting an electronic voucher redeemer to enter the visual
personal identification image to authenticate the electronic voucher
redeemer.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the visual personal
identification image is a selection of non-written pictographs or pictures.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
denying the electronic voucher transaction when the processor
cannot authenticate the electronic voucher redeemer.
8. A system to enable trading of network restricted cash
vouchers, comprising:
an electronic voucher interface configured to read electronic
voucher information, the electronic voucher information containing: a
cardholder identifier, and a number of unredeemed electronic vouchers;
a processor configured to total a number of goods or services to be
redeemed with an electronic voucher, to calculate the number of vouchers
required to redeem the number of goods or services, to compare the
number of unredeemed electronic vouchers and the calculated number of
vouchers required to redeem the number of goods or services, and to deny
the electronic voucher transaction when the number of unredeemed
electronic vouchers is less than the calculated number of vouchers
required to redeem the number of goods or services.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is further
configured to subtract the calculated number vouchers required to
redeem the number of goods or services from the number of unredeemed
electronic vouchers, resulting in an updated number of unredeemed
electronic vouchers.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the electronic voucher
interface is further configured to write the updated number of
unredeemed electronic vouchers to an electronic voucher card or
electronic voucher device.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the electronic voucher
information further contains a visual personal identification image (VPII).
12. The system of claim 11 further wherein the processor is
further configured to prompt an electronic voucher redeemer to enter the
visual personal identification image to authenticate the electronic voucher
redeemer.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the visual personal
identification image is a selection of non-written pictographs or pictures.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further
configured to denying the electronic voucher transaction when the
processor cannot authenticate the electronic voucher redeemer.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded
with data and instructions that when executed by a computing device
cause the computing device to:
read electronic voucher information with an electronic voucher
interface, the electronic voucher information containing: a cardholder
identifier, and a number of unredeemed electronic vouchers;
total, with a processor, a number of goods or services to be
redeemed with an electronic voucher;
calculate the number of vouchers required to redeem the number of
goods or services with the processor;
compare, with the processor, the number of unredeemed electronic
vouchers and the calculated number of vouchers required to redeem the
number of goods or services;
deny, with the processor, the electronic voucher transaction when
the number of unredeemed electronic vouchers is less than the calculated
number of vouchers required to redeem the number of goods or services.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,
wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:
subtract the calculated number vouchers required to redeem the
number of goods or services from the number of unredeemed electronic
vouchers, resulting in an updated number of unredeemed electronic
vouchers.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16
wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:
write, with the electronic voucher interface, the updated number of
unredeemed electronic vouchers to an electronic voucher card or
electronic voucher device.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17
wherein the electronic voucher information further contains a visual
personal identification image (VPII).
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18
wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:
prompt an electronic voucher redeemer to enter the visual personal
identification image to authenticate the electronic voucher redeemer.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19
wherein the visual personal identification image is a selection of nonwritten
pictographs or pictures.