WO2019138267A1

WO2019138267A1 - A method and system for exchanging data between a host system and a target system

Info

Publication number: WO2019138267A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/051093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajeev Agrawal; Shashank Agrawal; Lalitanand BHIMRAO DANDGE; Subrajita BEHERA; Tariq ANWAR
Original assignee: Innoviti Payment Solutions Private Limited
Priority date: 2018-01-09
Filing date: 2018-02-22
Publication date: 2019-07-18

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and a system for exchanging data between a host system and a target system. A Short Message Service (SMS) based first text message, comprising a transaction request, is transmitted to a target device upon translating the text message into data packets. Further, transaction authorization information, in the form of data packets, is received from the target system and is translated into SMS based second text message. Finally, the second text message is transmitted to the host system, thereby accomplishing the transaction between the host system and the target system using SMS mechanism. In an embodiment, the present disclosure helps in accomplishing a transaction between the host system, such as a Point of Sale (POS) device or an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) terminal, and the target system, especially in geographic areas having low and/or sporadic signal.

Description

A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXCHANGING DATA BETWEEN A HOST SYSTEM AND A TARGET SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter is related, in general to communication networks and more particularly, but not exclusively to a method and system for exchanging data between a host system and a target system, when there is inadequate network connectivity at the host system.

BACKGROUND

Presently, Point of Sale (POS) machines that are used for handling retail transactions at retail stores, use network connections like Local Area Network (LAN) or Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) as transport layers to connect to backend servers. The POS machines also require network connections to send and receive transaction related data using application layer of network protocols like International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 8583 standard.

Typically, the POS uses the GPRS mobile internet service to connect with the backend servers. However, if the retail stores are located in remote locations, wired network connections, for example the LAN, or mobile network signal strength may be either low and/or sporadic. Due to inadequate network connectivity, the TCP/IP communication on top of GPRS may not be established and/or may not remain for necessary durations to carry out the financial transaction. In such cases, an alternate mechanism of establishing network connectivity is necessary to alleviate and/or solve the problem.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a method for exchanging data between a host system and a target system. The method comprises receiving, by a communication system, Short Message Service (SMS) based first text message, including a transaction request, from the host system. The SMS based first text message is translated into a first data packet. Further, the first data packet is forwarded to the target system through a predetermined communication channel between the communication system and the target system. Thereafter, a second data packet, including an authorization for the transaction request, is received from the target system through the predetermined communication channel. The second data packet is translated into SMS based second text message. Finally, the second text message is transmitted to the host system in response to the first text message.

Further, the present disclosure relates to a communication system for exchanging data between a host system and a target system. The communication system comprises a processor and a memory. The memory is communicatively coupled to the processor and stores processor-executable instructions, which on execution, cause the processor to receive Short Message Service (SMS) based first text message, including a transaction request, from the host system. Further, the instructions cause the processor to translate the first text message into a first data packet. Thereafter, the instructions cause the processor to forward the first data packet to the target system through a predetermined communication channel between the communication system and the target system. Further, the instructions cause the processor to receive a second data packet, including an authorization to the transaction request, from the target system through the predetermined communication channel. The second data packet is translated into SMS based second text message. Finally, the instructions cause the processor to transmit the second text message to the host system, in response to the first text message.

Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a host system comprising a data input module. The data input module is configured to generate a transaction request based on a transaction initiated at the host system. The host system further comprises a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to provide the SMS. Also, the host system comprises a transmitter configured to transmit the first text message, including the transaction request, to a communication system. Similarly, the host system comprises a receiver configured to receive the second text message, in response to the first text message, from the communication system.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for exchanging data between a host system and a target system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram illustrating a communication system used for exchanging data between a host system and a target system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for exchanging data between a host system and a target system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a method for exchanging data between a host system and a target system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer system for implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms“comprises”,“comprising”,“includes”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device, or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by“comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a communication system for exchanging data between a host system and a target system. In an embodiment, the present disclosure aims at solving the problem of transmitting and receiving transaction request and response data, originating from a Point of Sale (POS) device or an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) terminal, especially in geographic areas having low and/or sporadic signal. The present disclosure provides a solution that helps in sending and receiving essential information via Short Message Service (SMS) over General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). In an embodiment, the transmission and receival of the SMS shall happen when the wavering signal appears live for brief periods. Thus, by using SMS as a medium of communication, the host system may exchange data/information with the communication system even when there is no internet connectivity or when the internet connectivity is sporadic.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 for exchanging data between a host system 103 and a target system 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The environment 100 may include a communication system 101, a host system 103, and a target system 105. In an embodiment, the communication system 101 may be a computing system that is configured to perform exchange of data between the host system 103 and the target system 105. As an example, the communication system 101 may include, without limiting to, a desktop computer, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a smartphone, which may be configured to perform functions of the communication system 101.

In an embodiment, the host system 103 may be a Point of Sale (POS) device or an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) terminal, which is used to receive a transaction request from a user, and to transmit the received transaction request to the communication system 101. In an implementation, the host system 103 may be placed at a retail store, and may be used for accepting a payment cards such as debit and credit card from the user, to carry out a specific financial transaction at the retail store. Further, the target system 105 may be a centralized server associated with a financial institution. In an embodiment, the target system 105 may be configured to manage and authorize each transaction request received from the host system 103.

In an embodiment, the user may use the host system 103 to make a transaction request to the target system 105. The host system 103 may transmit the transaction request to the communication system 101 through a third-party Short Message Service (SMS) gateway (not shown in FIG. 1). In an implementation, the transaction request may be transmitted as a SMS based first text message 107, using a preconfigured mobile number associated with the host system 103. Upon receiving the first text message 107, the communication system 101 may translate the first text message 107 into a first data packet 109. As an example, the first data packet 109 may be in the form of a Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) based‘GET request’.

Further, the communication system 101 may forward the first data packet 109 to the target system 105 through a predetermined communication channel established between the communication system 101 and the target system 105. As an example, the predetermined communication channel may be configured using various communication protocols such as, without limiting to, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and the like. In an embodiment, selection of the predetermined communication channel for communicating the first data packet 109 to the target system 105 may be made based on nature of application. For example, a TCP/IP communication channel may be used for applications that require a host-to-host connection to be established prior to starting of the communication. In an implementation, the default choice of communication channel may be TCP/IP.

In an embodiment, upon receiving the first data packet 109, the target system 105 may process the first data packet 109 to receive the transaction request made by the user. Further, the target system 105 may validate the transaction request and generate an authorization response to the transaction request, upon successful validation of the transaction request. In an embodiment, target system 105 may convert the authorization for the transaction request into a second data packet 113, and transmit the second data packet 113 to the communication system 101.

Upon receiving the second data packet 113, the communication system 101 may translate the second data packet 113 into SMS based second text message 115. Further, the communication system 101 may transmit the second text message 115 to the host system 103 as a ‘HTTPS GET data’, through the third-party SMS gateway between the communication system 101 and the host system 103. Finally, the host system 103 may decrypt the‘HTTPS GET data’ to retrieve authorization for the transaction request. Thus, the process of transmitting the transaction request to the target system 105 and receiving the authorization response from the target system 105 may be accomplished using the SMS based communication.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram illustrating a communication system 101 used for exchanging data between a host system 103 and a target system 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The communication system 101 may include an I/O interface 201, a processor 203, and a memory 205. The I/O interface 201 may be configured to communicate with a host system 103 and a target system 105. The memory 205 may be communicatively coupled to the processor 203. The processor 203 may be configured to perform one or more functions of the communication system 101 for accomplishing exchange of data between the host system 103 and the target system 105.

In some implementations, the communication system 101 may include data 207 and modules 209 for performing various operations in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the data 207 may be stored within the memory 205 and may include, without limiting to, a first text message 107, a first data packet 109, a second data packet 113, a second text message 115, and other data 213.

In some embodiments, the data 207 may be stored within the memory 205 in the form of various data structures. Additionally, the data 207 may be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data 213 may store data, including temporary data and temporary files, generated by the modules 209 for accomplishing exchange of data between the host system 103 and the target system 105.

In an embodiment, the first text message 107 is received by the communication system 101 from the host system 103. The first text message 107 may be generated when the user, associated with the host system 103, makes a transaction request through the host system 103. The first text message 107 may be in the form of an SMS based text message including the transaction request. Further, the communication system 101 may receive the first text message 107 from the host system 103 through a third-party SMS gateway associated with the host system 103. In an implementation, the host system 103 may be configured with a Subscriber Identify Module (SIM), such that, the SIM in the host system 103 enables the host system 103 to transmit the first text message 107 in the form of SMS to the third-party SMS gateway.

An exemplary format of the SMS based first text message 107, including a transaction request may be as shown below:

SMS based first text message as a sale request payload [*]:

34674020# 1234XXXXX5678# 1910# 15000#052#000000#200# 121015#011

Wherein, a delimiter character -‘#’, may be used to separate each field in the SMS sale request payload. Further, description of each field in the SMS sale request payload may be as following:

Description:

Field Value

Terminal id 34674020

PAN 1234XXXXX5678

Expiry Date 1910

Amount 15000

POS Entry Mode 052

Processing Code 000000

MTI 200

Invoice Number 121015

In an embodiment, the first data packet 109 may be generated by translating the first text message 107 into the‘HTTPS GET request’. The first data packet 109 may include the transaction request generated by the host system 103. In an embodiment, the communication system 101 may transmit the first data packet 109 to the target system 105 by establishing a secure a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) based connection with the target system 105. As an example, the first data packet 109 may be transmitted to the target system 105 in IS08583 compliant data format (as shown in the below example), which is a standard data format used for handling financial transaction requests.

First data packet 109 in ISO sale request format:

Field Value Description

0 200 MTI

2 1234XXXXX5678 PAN

3 000000 Processing code

4 15000 Amount

11 126712 Stan

14 1910 Expiry date

22 052 POS Entry Mode

24 011 Nil

25 00 POS Condition Code

35 1234XXXXX5678=1910 Track2

41 34674020 Terminal id

42 224908454674020 Merchant id

62 121015 Invoice number

In an embodiment, the second data packet 113 is received by the communication system 101 from the target system 105. The second data packet 113 may be generated upon successful validation of the transaction request, comprised in the first data packet 109, by the target system 105. The second data packet 113 may include an authorization for the transaction request. In an embodiment, the communication system 101 may receive the second data packet 113 from the target system 105 through the secure TCP/IP based connection between the communication system 101. As an example, the second data packet 113 may be in the IS08583 compliant data format as shown in the below example.

Second data packet 113 in ISO sale response format:

Field Value Description

0 210 MTI

3 000000 Processing code

11 126712 Stan number

12 185108 Time

13 0703 Date

24 011 Nil

37 718413775542 RRN

38 120360 Approval code

39 00 Response code

41 34674020 Terminal id

In an embodiment, the second text message 115 may be generated by the communication system 101 by translating the second data packet 113 into the SMS based text message. The second text message 115 may include the authorization for the transaction request. In an embodiment, the communication system 101 may transmit the second text message 115 to the host system 103 through the third-party SMS gateway.

An exemplary format of the SMS based second text message 115, including a transaction authorization for the transaction request made in the SMS based first text message 107 may be as shown below:

SMS based second text message 115 as a sale response payload[*]:

34674020#718413775542#00#224908454674020# 15000# 121015# 18# 1234XXX CC5678#703#185108#120360 Wherein, a delimiter character -‘#’, may be used to separate each field in the SMS sale response payload. Further, description of each field in the SMS sale response payload may be as following:

Description:

Field Value

Terminal id 34674020

RRN 718413775542

Sale response 00

Merchant id 224908454674020

Amount 15000

Invoice Number 121015

Acquiring bank code 18

PAN 1234XXXXX5678

date 703

time 185108

Approval code 120360

In an embodiment, the data 207 may be processed by one or more modules 209 of the communication system 101. In one implementation, the one or more modules 209 may be stored as a part of the processor 203. In another implementation, the one or more modules 209 may be communicatively coupled to the processor 203 for performing one or more functions of the communication system 101. The modules 209 may include, without limiting to, a receiving module 215, a message translation module 217, a communication module 221 and other modules 223.

As used herein, the term module refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In an embodiment, the other modules 223 may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the communication system 101. It will be appreciated that such modules 209 may be represented as a single module or a combination of different modules. In an embodiment, the receiving module 215 in the communication system 101 may be responsible for receiving the SMS based first text message 107 from the host system 103. In an embodiment, the first text message 107 may be received from the host system 103 through a third-party SMS gateway associated with the host system 103. Further, the receiving module 215 may be responsible for receiving the second data packet 113 from the target system 105. In an embodiment, the second data packet 113 may be received through the predetermined communication channel between the target system 105 and the communication system 101. As an example, the predetermined communication channel may be configured using one or more communication protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and the like.

In an embodiment, the message translation module 217 may be responsible for translating the first text message 107 into a first data packet 109. The first text message 107, which is in the form of SMS data format, is translated into the first data packet 109, which is in the form of‘HTTPS GET request’. The message translation module 217 enables the communication system 101 to switch the communication channel from an SMS based channel, managed by the third-party gateway, to a predetermined communication channel, such as secure TCP/IP channel, established between the communication system 101 and the target system 105.

Further, the message translation module 217 may be responsible for translating the second data packet 113, which is in the form of ‘HTTPS GET data’ into the second text message 115, which is in the form of SMS data format. Here, the message translation module 217 enables the communication system 101 to switch the communication from the secure TCP/IP channel to the SMS based channel.

In an embodiment, the communication module 221 may be responsible for establishing the predetermined communication channel between the communication system 101 and the target system 105. As an example, the predetermined communication channel may be configured using one or more communication protocols such as, without limiting to, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The communication system 101 may use the predetermined communication channel to forward the first data packet 109 to the target system 105. Further, the communication system 101 may use the predetermined communication channel to receive the second data packet 113 from the target system 105.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for exchanging data between a host system 103 and target system 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the method 300 includes one or more blocks illustrating a method for exchanging data between a host system 103 and a target system 105 using a communication system 101, for example the communication system 101 of FIG. 1. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform specific functions or implement specific abstract data types.

The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

At block 301, the method 300 comprises receiving, by the communication system 101, Short Message Service (SMS) based first text message 107 from the host system 103. In an embodiment, the first text message 107 may include a transaction request. As an example, the transaction request may be generated when a user wants to carry out a transaction at the host system 103. In an embodiment, the host system 103 may be a Point of Sale (POS) device used for receiving the transaction request from the user. In an implementation, the host system 103 may be configured with a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) for carrying out the SMS based transaction.

At block 303, the method 300 comprises translating, by the communication system 101, the first text message 107 into a first data packet 109. In an embodiment, the first data packet 109 may be in the form of a‘GET request’ of Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which can be transmitted to the target system 105 through a web service via a predetermined communication channel.

At block 305, the method 300 comprises forwarding, by the communication system 101, the first data packet 109 to the target system 105 through the predetermined communication channel between the communication system 101 and the target system 105. As an example, the predetermined communication channel may be configured using one or more communication protocols such as, without limiting to, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

At block 307, the method 300 comprises receiving, by the communication system 101, a second data packet 113 from the target system 105 through the predetermined communication channel. In an embodiment, the second data packet 113 may include an authorization for the transaction request.

At block 309, the method 300 comprises translating, by the communication system 101 the second data packet 113 into SMS based second text message 115. In an embodiment, the second data packet 113 may be in the form of‘HTTPS GET data’.

At block 311, the method 300 comprises transmitting, by the communication system 101 the second text message 115 to the host system 103 in response to the first text message 107. In an embodiment, the second text message 115 may be transmitted to the host system 103 through the third-party SMS gateway associated with the host system 103. Upon receiving the second text message 115, the host system 103 authorizes the transaction request using the authorization included in the second text message 115.

In an embodiment the host system 103 may include a data input module (not shown in figures). The data input module may be configured to generate a transaction request based on a transaction initiated at the host system 103, by the user. Further, the host system 103 may include a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to provide the SMS. In an implementation, the host system 103 may also include a transmitter, which is configured to transmit the first text message 107, including the transaction request, to the communication system 101. Similarly, the host system 103 may also include a receiver, which is configured to receive the second text message 115, in response to the first text message 107, from the communication system 101. In an embodiment, the host system 103 may be configured with a User Interface (UI). The UI may be used to provide transaction information to a user of the host system 103. The host system 103 may be placed in a location having inadequate network connectivity, in order to enable users to carry out transactions even when there is no adequate network connectivity. In other words, the host system 103 may make the SIM operative only when there is inadequate network connectivity at the host system 103.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram 400 illustrating a method for exchanging data between a host system 103 and a target system 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Generally, the TCP/IP communication channel is used to exchange any data among the host system 103 and the target system 105. However, since the communication over TCP/IP channel is connection oriented, it requires reasonable network signal strength at the host system 103 to establish a reliable, uninterrupted connection with the target system 105. But in certain geographical areas, due to poor network signal strength, the communication over TCP/IP channel may not be established, thus, leading to failure of transactions. To avoid such disruptions, an SMS based communication mechanism has been leveraged at the host system 103, using which, the host system 103 can transmit a transaction request 405 to the target system 105 via an SMS gateway 403. With the use of SMS based communication, there has been a drastic decrease in number of transaction failures arising due to TCP/IP connection issues.

In an embodiment, the host system 103 may be used for accepting debit/credit card transactions at merchant outlets. The host system 103 may be capable of sending/receiving transaction request/response to a communication system 101. The communication system 101, in turn may communicate with the target system 105 (i.e. backend server running at banks/financial institutions) using a secure TCP/IP communication channel to exchange transaction request/response between the host system 103 and the target system 105. The target system 105 validates the transaction request 405 and forwards an authorization for the transaction request 405 to the communication system 101 through the TCP/IP communication channel. The communication system 101 forwards the authorization to the host system 103. The above process may be described in detail using the sequence diagram 400.

At step 404, the host system 103 transmits a transaction request 405 to a third-party SMS gateway 403, using a SIM configured in the host system 103. At step 406, the third- party SMS gateway 403 converts the transaction request 405 into an SMS based first text message 107 and forwards the first text message 107 to the communication system 101. At step 408, the communication system 101 translates the first text message 107 into a first data packet 109, which may be in the form of a‘HTTPS GET request’. In an embodiment, the communication system 101 transmits the first data packet 109 to the target system 105 using a secure TCP/IP channel, wherein the first data packet 109 is transmitted as an IS08583 transaction request 405.

At step 410, the target system 105 validates the transaction request 405 and generates a transaction authorization 421 (also referred as authorization 421) to authorize the transaction request 405 upon successful validation of the transaction request 405. At step 412, the target system 105 transmits a second data packet 113 as an IS08583 transaction response, including the authorization 421 to the transaction request 405, to the communication system 101 through the secure TCP/IP channel. Further, the communication system 101 may convert the second data packet 113 into a TCP/IP compliant data format -‘HTTPS GET data’. At step 414, the communication system 101 translates the second data packet 113 into an SMS based second text message 115 and transmits the second text message 115 into the third-party SMS gateway 403. Finally, at step 416, the SMS gateway 403 decrypts the second text message 115 and forwards the transaction authorization 421 to the host system 103, thereby accomplishing a secure connection between the host system 103 and the target system 105.

In an embodiment, upon receiving the authorization 421 to the transaction request 405, the host system 103 may display details related to the transaction authorization 421 on a display interface associated with the host system 103. Further, the host system 103 may be configured to print charge slips for the completed transaction, subsequent to displaying the authorization 421 details on the display interface.

Computer System

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 500 for implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the computer system 500 may be communication system 101, which is used for exchanging data between a host system 103 and a target system 105. The computer system 500 may include a central processing unit (“CPU” or“processor”) 502. The processor 502 may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated business processes. A user may include a person, a person using a device in the computing environment 100, a person using the host system 103, a person making the transaction request or such a device itself. The processor 502 may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc.

The processor 502 may be disposed in communication with one or more input/output (I/O) devices (511 and 512) via I/O interface 501. The I/O interface 501 may employ communication protocols/methods such as, without limitation, audio, analog, digital, stereo, IEEE-1394, serial bus, Universal Serial Bus (USB), infrared, PS/2, BNC, coaxial, component, composite, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), Radio Frequency (RF) antennas, S-Video, Video Graphics Array (VGA), IEEE 802.n /b/g/n/x, Bluetooth, cellular (e.g., Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Global System For Mobile Communications (GSM), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or the like), etc. Using the I/O interface 501, the computer system 500 may communicate with one or more I/O devices

511 and 512.

In some embodiments, the processor 502 may be disposed in communication with a communication network 509 via a network interface 503. The network interface 503 may communicate with the communication network 509. The network interface 503 may employ connection protocols including, without limitation, direct connect, Ethernet (e.g., twisted pair 10/100/1000 Base T), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), token ring, IEEE 802.l la/b/g/n/x, etc. Using the network interface 503 and the communication network 509, the computer system 500 may communicate with the host system 103 and the target system 105 to exchange data between the host system 103 and the target system 105.

The communication network 509 can be implemented as one of the several types of networks, such as intranet or Local Area Network (LAN) and such within the organization. The communication network 509 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network, which represents an association of several types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc., to communicate with each other. Further, the communication network 509 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, etc.

In some embodiments, the processor 502 may be disposed in communication with a memory 505 (e.g., RAM 513, ROM 514, etc. as shown in FIG. 5) via a storage interface 504. The storage interface 504 may connect to memory 505 including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), IEEE- 1394, Universal Serial Bus (USB), fiber channel, Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto- optical drive, optical drive, Redundant Array of Independent Discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

The memory 505 may store a collection of program or database components, including, without limitation, user/application 506, an operating system 507, a web browser 508, and the like. In some embodiments, computer system 500 may store user/application data 506, such as the data, variables, records, etc. as described in this invention. Such databases may be implemented as fault-tolerant, relational, scalable, secure databases such as Oracle or Sybase.

The operating system 507 may facilitate resource management and operation of the computer system 500. Examples of operating systems include, without limitation, Apple Macintosh OS X, UNIX, Unix-like system distributions (e.g., Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), FreeBSD, Net BSD, Open BSD, etc.), Linux distributions (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu, K-Ubuntu, etc.), International Business Machines (IBM) OS/2, Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista/7/8, etc.), Apple iOS, Google Android, Blackberry Operating System (OS), or the like. A user interface may facilitate display, execution, interaction, manipulation, or operation of program components through textual or graphical facilities. For example, user interfaces may provide computer interaction interface elements on a display system operatively connected to the computer system 500, such as cursors, icons, check boxes, menus, windows, widgets, etc. Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) may be employed, including, without limitation, Apple Macintosh operating systems’ Aqua, IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows (e.g., Aero, Metro, etc.), Unix X-Windows, web interface libraries (e.g., ActiveX, Java, JavaScript, AJAX, HTML, Adobe Flash, etc.), or the like.

Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present invention. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term“computer-readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., non-transitory. Examples include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, Compact Disc (CD) ROMs, Digital Video Disc (DVDs), flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

Advantages of the embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated herein.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a method for exchanging data between a host system and a target system using a Short Message Service (SMS) based communication.

In an embodiment, the method of present disclosure is capable of encoding the requisite data within the SMS based texts to accomplish secure exchange of data between the host system and the target system.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure helps in facilitating transmission and/or receival of transaction request and response data, originating from the host systems such as, a Point of Sale (POS) device or an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) terminal, especially in geographic areas having low and/or sporadic signal.

In an embodiment, the method of present disclosure helps in transmitting and receiving essential information via the SMS over General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The transmission and receival of the SMS shall happen when the wavering signal appears live for brief periods.

In an embodiment, the method of present disclosure facilitates exchange of data/information between the host system and the communication system even when there is no internet connectivity or when the internet connectivity is sporadic, thereby eliminating delay due to inconsistent or lack of internet connectivity.

The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "including", "comprising", “having” and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise. A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be clear that more than one device/article (whether they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether they cooperate), it will be clear that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Referral Numerals:

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A method for exchanging data between a host system (103) and a target system (105), the method comprising:

receiving, by a communication system (101), Short Message Service (SMS) based first text message (107), including a transaction request (405), from the host system (103);

translating, by the communication system (101), the first text message (107) into a first data packet (109);

forwarding, by the communication system (101), the first data packet (109) to the target system (105) through a predetermined communication channel between the communication system (101) and the target system (105);

receiving, by the communication system (101), a second data packet (113), including an authorization for the transaction request (405), from the target system (105), through the predetermined communication channel;

translating, by the communication system (101), the second data packet (113) into SMS based second text message (115); and

transmitting, by the communication system (101), the second text message (115) to the host system (103) in response to the first text message (107).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprises configuring the host system (103) with a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first data packet (109) and the second data packet (113) are in a predetermined data format.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined communication channel is configured using at least one of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first text message (107) is received from the host system (103) through a third-party SMS gateway (403) associated with the host system (103).

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second text message (115) is transmitted to the host system (103) through the third-party SMS gateway (403) associated with the host system (103).

7. A communication system (101) for exchanging data between a host system (103) and a target system (105), the communication system (101) comprising:

a processor (203); and

a memory (205), communicatively coupled to the processor (203), wherein the memory (205) stores processor-executable instructions, which, on execution, cause the processor (203) to:

receive Short Message Service (SMS) based first text message (107), including a transaction request (405), from the host system (103); translate the first text message (107) into a first data packet (109); forward the first data packet (109) to the target system (105) through a predetermined communication channel between the communication system (101) and the target system (105);

receive a second data packet (113), including an authorization to the transaction request (405), from the target system (105) through the predetermined communication channel;

translate the second data packet (113) into SMS based second text message (115); and

transmit the second text message (115) to the host system (103), in response to the first text message (107).

8. The communication system (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first data packet (109) and the second data packet (113) are in a predetermined data format.

9. The communication system ( 101 ) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predetermined communication channel is configured using at least one of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

10. The communication system (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the instructions cause the processor (203) to receive the first text message (107) through a third- party SMS gateway (403) associated with the host system (103).

11. The communication system (101) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the instructions cause the processor (203) to transmit the second text message (115) to the host system (103) through the third-party SMS gateway (403).

12. A host system (103) comprising:

a data input module configured to generate a transaction request (405) based on a transaction initiated at the host system (103);

a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to provide the SMS; a transmitter configured to transmit the first text message (107), including the transaction request (405), to a communication system (101); and

a receiver configured to receive the second text message (115), in response to the first text message (107), from the communication system (101).

13. The host system (103) as claimed in claim 12 further comprises a User Interface (UI) to provide transaction information to a user of the host system (103).

14. The host system (103) as claimed in claim 12 actuates the SIM upon detecting inadequate network connectivity for transmitting the first text message (107).