SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMPLE AND SECURE TRANSACTIONS ON
PORTABLE PROGRAMMABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Field of the invention
[001] The present invention relates to transaction processing on portable programmable
communication devices.
Background of the invention
[002] There has been an increase in the use and ubiquity of mobile phones and its
adoption by a vast spectrum of users. Mobile phones are always on, always
available and connected communication devices. Mobile phones have also
evolved as highly programmable devices. This has opened up possibilities to
use this device for various needs of the customers beyond plain voice communication.
[003] Mobile phones operate on a set of bearer technologies. A bearer is a term used
to designate technologies and their front-end manifestations, used to transport
data from and to mobile phones. Typical bearers are: Voice, SMS (Short Messaging
Service), USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data) and
packet data (as GPRS/ EDGE/ 3G7 4G LTE). Most bearers are accessed by native
UI (User Interfaces) available on the mobile phones like the phone dialer,
SMS UI or web-browsers or custom mobile applications.
[004] Eko has been a financial services technology provider and an entity called
'business correspondent' to various banks in India like the State Bank of India,
the ICICI Bank and Yes Bank for the past five years. In its quest to provide
universal, simple and beautiful transactions for all, Eko has previously filed
for patents on its inventions related to transactions using missed call and number
dialing especially over limited (non-programmable-ultra-low-cost) handsets
and various inventions on multi-factor secure authentication of transactions
on limited transaction interfaces like mobile phones. This invention is
targeted at portable programmable communication devices, such as smart
phones and the like.
Summary of the Invention
[005] The present invention provides a system for processing transactions over a
programmable communication device, comprising: a user interface module for
initiating a transaction corresponding to at least one of a plurality of bearers; a
client application module for receiving a transaction intercept request, preprocessing
the request and forwarding the pre-processed transaction request; a
server application module for receiving the pre-processed transaction request,
processing the received request by using at least one pre-defined processing
step and forwarding the processed transaction request; and a transaction processing
server for receiving the processed transaction request and providing a
response after performing at least one predefined processing step; the response
being sent to the programmable communication device via one or more of the
server application module and the client application module.
[006] In an embodiment, the programmable communication device is a portable device.
In another embodiment, the programmable communication device is a
programmable mobile phone.
[007] In an embodiment, the plurality of bearers are one of: a voice call, an SMS,
and a USSD. In another embodiment, pre-processing the transaction request
comprises performing at least one of the functions of provisioning, invoking
an additional action, bearer selection, request forwarding, response processing
and response presentation.
[008] In an embodiment, the server application module processes the received request
by performing at least one of the functions of provisioning, routing, user
management, security management, application protocol interface (API) management
and billing. In another embodiment, the server application module interacts
with a third party transaction server.
[009] The present invention also provides a method of processing transactions over a
programmable communication device comprising the steps of: installing an
application over the communication device; waiting for transaction intercepts
with respect to any of a plurality of bearers on the communication device; receiving
a transaction request; performing a pattern match corresponding to the
received transaction request against a predefined pattern database; preprocessing
the transaction request by looking up for corresponding preprocessing
steps if a pattern match is found; choosing a bearer from among a
plurality of bearers for transmitting the pre-processed transaction request for
execution; executing the transaction request by using one or more pre-defined
processing steps for obtaining a transaction response; transmitting the transaction
response to the programmable communication device via the installed application.
[0010] In an embodiment, the pattern match is performed in a local database of the
installed application. In another embodiment, the lookup is performed in a
configuration file of the installed application.
Brief description of the drawings
[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further
appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a transaction processing block diagram, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0013] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a typical transaction processing
scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
[0014] This invention focuses on the use of programmable communication devices as
transaction enactment devices. Transactions could be financial, informational
or instructional. The present invention is targeted at a user who intends to accomplish
a predefined outcome by initiating the processing of a step or a series
of steps, being able to monitor the progress, intervening if required, acknowledging
the outcome and measuring or comparing the outcome against an
expected outcome.
[0015] The present invention is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following
disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in
the art to practice the invention. Language used in this specification should
not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or
used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The
general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and
applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also,
the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary
embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present
invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives,
modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features
disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is
known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described
in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0016] The present invention proposes an innovative method to initiate/ enact transactions,
especially financial, using basic interfaces of a programmable communication
device such as number dialing. In the present disclosure the term
'smart phone' may be used to represent any portable programmable mobile
communication device.
[0017] Further, the present invention enables bypassing some bearer technologies and
using some other bearer technologies while not changing the corresponding
user experience associated with the bypassed bearer technologies. Communication
bearers available on a programmable mobile communication device are
voice, SMS, USSD, signaling and data. For example, if a user initiates a certain
financial transaction of a certain type over say, USSD bearer using number
dialing interface, the present invention is capable of intercepting the same
and routing it through an encrypted HTTPS request using the data channel
while for the customer the user experience remains the same as that of USSD.
[0018] The present invention can define local device level transaction parameter processing
rules that need to be applied for a certain class/ pattern of transactions.
For example, in a transaction pattern which corresponds to a fund transfer into
an account number, the present invention validates the length and the composition
of the account number in the dialed transaction string on the programmable
mobile communication device, before transmitting the transaction further
to a pre-configured server.
[0019] The present invention also invokes other applications or hardware interfaces
on a programmable mobile communication device based on the transaction being
initiated. For example, if a cash withdrawal transaction pattern is found,
the present invention automatically initiates a camera and microphone on the
programmable mobile communication device and captures the image, video
and/or voice of the people in the vicinity along with a GPS location tag and
timestamp to establish non-repudiability.
[0020] Further, the present invention enables dynamically configuring an expected
behavior on each programmable mobile communication device with the solution
end-point installed from a central configuration and control server. The
centralized management system of the present invention also helps dynamically
provision new services, rules and users.
[0021] Further, the present invention enables exposing the aforesaid functionalities to
third parties through a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs)
for further enhancement and custom deployment of specific services to thirdparties
who might have signed up with Eko.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a transaction processing block diagram, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, once a transaction is
initiated via a native user interface (UI) module 102 for bearers such as voice
call, SMS, and USSD a transaction intercept request is sent to a client application
module 104. The client application module 104 performs functions such
as provisioning, pre-processing, additional action invocation, bearer selection,
request forwarding, response processing and response presentation. Once the
transaction intercept request is pre-processed by the client application module
104. The client application module 104 further packages and sends this request
to a server application 108 which performs Functions such as provisioning,
routing, user management, security management, application protocol interface
(API) management and billing. The server application module 108 further
routes this transaction request to a transaction processing server 106 which
provides a response after processing the request. The response is then passed
back to the server application 108 and back to the user through the client application
module 104. In an embodiment, the server application module 108
may also interact with a third party transaction processing server 110.
Typical Scenario:
[0023] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a typical transaction processing
scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
At step 202 a customer installs and initiates the Eko software/application (app)
on a portable programmable communication device.
[0024] The app then optionally goes through a provisioning and customization update
based on the individual user/ identity by communicating with a centralized
server. Once installed, at step 204 the app silently listens to/ waits for transaction
intercepts on all the possible bearers on the phone. At step 206 it is determined
if a transaction request is received. As soon as a transaction request is
received, at step 208 a pattern match against predefined and configured database
of patterns stored in a local database is performed. At step 210, in case
the transaction pattern matches, a look up of a configuration file is performed
for any additional pre-processing steps, validations or process invocations that
need to be executed with respect to the pattern. At step 212 each additional
pre-defined step is processed synchronously or asynchronously. At step 214 a
look up of configuration files is performed for obtaining telecom bearer preferences
and encryption/ data packing preferences attached to the pattern and
an appropriate bearer is chosen to transmit the transaction intent and/ or the
payload to transaction processing servers.
[0025] At step 216, the transaction processing server may additionally route each
transaction intent/ payload thus received, to appropriate third-parties/ itself for
further processing/ intent fulfillment. In case the trigger is to only a local process
(on the programmable communication device itself, for eg. launching a
notepad app), the required action is performed locally.
[0026] At step 218, the transaction response/ intent fulfillment feedback is communicated
back to the installed application over the programmable communication
device. At step 220, the application further processes the feedback received
and can display appropriate responses/ feedback to the user. Post this action,
the application will wait for the next event where it might be involved. The
application may additionally provide a searchable archive of all such responses
received. The application may serve as a specialized inbox for such transactions.
Advantages of the Invention
[0027] The app offers cost benefits to its users by enabling the choice of more economical
bearers or choice of bearer over any business logic which the specific
application may need, independent of the telecom operators or the device
manufacturers specifically allocating resources. For example, this will enable
an institution to provide USSD-like transaction services uniformly across all
telecom operators universally using a specific short-code even if each telecom
operator has not individually allocated the short-code to the institution. Or, the
institution could automatically initiate a voice/ data call to customer service
call center by the user just dialing a globally accessible 3 digit number. This
would otherwise not be possible without each telecom operators allocating this
number.
[0028] The invention enables allocation of universal access numbers to people, services,
institutions, actions or intents such that these are independent of the
mobile network operator or the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) being used
and could lead to a digit/ number equivalent of URLs (Universal Resource
Locators) for the mobile world.
[0029] Further, it decouples the transaction fulfilment bearer and interface from the
transaction initiation bearer and interface. A user could initiate a service by dialing
digits but have the service fulfilled through an HTML response over the
data channel.
[0030] It enables a unified user experience leveraging multiple strengths offered by
the devices. For example, it could seamlessly take a camera snap of the user
while a transaction is initiated.
[0031] It enables the selection of a faster user experience by pairing a specified transaction
with a faster bearer/ channel.
[0032] It enables secure access by automatically and seamlessly routing all transactions
through a secure encrypted data channel.
[0033] The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications of the
system of present invention. Although only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the present
invention might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for processing transactions over a programmable communication
device, comprising:
a. a user interface module for initiating a transaction corresponding to at
least one of a plurality of bearers;
b. a client application module for receiving a transaction intercept request,
pre-processing the request and forwarding the pre-processed
transaction request;
c. a server application module for receiving the pre-processed transaction
request, processing the received request by using at least one predefined
processing step and forwarding the processed transaction request;
and
d. a transaction processing server for receiving the processed transaction
request and providing a response after performing at least one predefined
processing step;
the response being sent to the programmable communication device via one or
more of the server application module and the client application module.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the programmable communication
device is a portable device.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the programmable communication
device is a programmable mobile phone.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of bearers are one of: a
voice call, an SMS, and a USSD.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein pre-processing the transaction request
comprises performing at least one of the functions of provisioning, invoking
an additional action, bearer selection, request forwarding, response
processing and response presentation.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the server application module processes
the received request by performing at least one of the functions of provisioning,
routing, user management, security management, application protocol
interface (API) management and billing.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the server application module interacts
with a third party transaction server.
8. A method of processing transactions over a programmable communication device
comprising the steps of:
a. installing an application over the communication device;
b. waiting for transaction intercepts with respect to any of a plurality of
bearers on the communication device;
c. receiving a transaction request;
d. performing a pattern match corresponding to the received transaction
request against a predefined pattern database;
e. pre-processing the transaction request by looking up for corresponding
pre-processing steps if a pattern match is found;
f. choosing a bearer from among a plurality of bearers for transmitting
the pre-processed transaction request for execution;
g. executing the transaction request by using one or more pre-defined
processing steps for obtaining a transaction response;
h. transmitting the transaction response to the programmable communication
device via the installed application.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pattern match is performed in a
local database of the installed application.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the lookup is performed in a configuration
file of the installed application.