WO2021195725A1

WO2021195725A1 - Virtual method for rounding-up cents in debit/credit card banking transactions and transfer to donees

Info

Publication number: WO2021195725A1
Application number: PCT/BR2020/050113
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristiano FRANCISCO DA SILVA MASETTO
Original assignee: Francisco Da Silva Masetto Cristiano
Priority date: 2020-04-02
Filing date: 2020-04-02
Publication date: 2021-10-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a virtual method (10) for sending monetary donations to donees, usually charitable organizations, institutions and the like. Said method (10) uses software (ST) on a virtual platform (PL) to collect sums of money (Mn) by authorizing financial debit/credit operations to be rounded up, as previously authorized by the user owner (U1) of the debit/credit card (11). The collected sum (Mn) is transferred to an organization/institution referred to as the client (12), which pays the platform an administration fee (13) and a percentage (13a). Said method (10) provides for the rounding-up of cents in debit/credit card banking transactions using a white-label application embedded in the environment run by the client (12) to be effected online, such as on a website, or off-line, such as at a supermarket checkout or a card (11) POS. Operation involves software (ST) for capturing, activating and retaining of the database of users (U1) and connection system (ST1) and exchanging data with the card (11) companies and consequently the rounding-up of the transactions and the charging the rounded-up sum (Mn) to the registered card (11).

Description

"VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS ARISING FROM BANK TRANSACTIONS OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND TRANSMISSION TO DONORS".

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention patent deals with a virtual method for rounding cents from credit/debit card banking transactions and transmission to grantees, where, notably, said virtual method includes a software that uses the logic of rounding cents from the credit and debit card transactions through a process of connecting to the credit card brands, using information previously provided by these brands for rewards programs and transmission to grantees. All operations are carried out on a platform and billing can be monthly, based on purchases made on a card registered by the user, where the user defines who will receive the amount by accessing the customer's website. After registering the card in the program, the platform collects the user's purchase transactions and calculates the rounding of cents for each purchase. The sum of the rounding difference of each purchase will be the amount to be charged monthly. After the calculation, the platform will generate a charge in the amount defined on the user's card and after the charge, part of the amount collected is transferred to the bank account of the recipient customer and part of the amount withheld for payment of fees and administrative services.

HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[002] It is widely known that many social causes need donations for subsistence, for example, in situations of armed conflicts, epidemics, malnutrition, natural disasters, vulnerable people, animals and even regions of forests, forests, etc. that may be threatened, among many other causes. All actions towards aid require a contribution that can be governmental, entities, companies, artists and many other people, allowing those in need to have access to assistance for their needs, such as health, food, education, protection and other basic issues for survival and maintenance. Donations made to universities are also known. targeted to specific sectors or projects depending on the research.

[003] Monetary donations can be made in different ways, for example, through the accessibility of the websites of the organizations to be favored, determining a monthly amount and a more convenient debit or credit date.

[004] The inconvenience of this form of donation lies in the fact that it depends exclusively on accessibility to the website and that, often, it is not possible due to the fact that donors forget about these needs or have little time for such a task. [005] Another more convenient way for donors can be through systemic interventions performed in retail store systems, in this way a subroutine is added to the stores' software and, at the time of payment of the bill, the cashiers approach customers/consumers whether or not they would like to adhere to the rounding of that specific purchase.

[006] Likewise, said donation system depends on the approach to be taken by the employee of the commercial establishment in relation to the consumer. If carried out incorrectly, it can cause discomfort for the consumer and the non-acceptance of the proposal.

[007] The applicant, aware of all the above-mentioned nuisances and many others not reported, is the depositor of document no. BRIO.2016.025672-0 which deals with a multifunctional platform for crowdfunding that makes projects feasible through small monthly collaborations from registered supporters. Such collaborations take the form of rounding off cents for each financial transaction carried out by the donor in POS terminals. This rounding is always done to the first real above. In other words, in a hypothetical transaction of R$14.50, the amount will be rounded to R$15.00 and these R$0.50 rounded cents will go to the project to be awarded, in the form of a donation. The present invention is basically constituted by an online platform that allows to offer the customer a differentiated crowdfunding service with patronage (collection of small monthly amounts) of contacts(3) via Optin (previously authorized data registration) with the use of a financial institution that authorizes directing cents of rounding of all debit or credit transactions of said contacts in electronic terminals for use in said client's project, which, in turn, pays the platform an administration fee and a percentage for services rendered, which are a specialized curatorship in the capture and improvement of proposals, in addition to dissemination tools and consultancy.

[008] Despite having developed the aforementioned multifunctional platform, the applicant found the need to substantially change the operational form, obtaining a result much more efficient and easier to apply.

STATE OF TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS

[009] In a research carried out in specialized databases, other documents were found that represent the state of the art regarding virtual donation systems as presented in the document n^. BRIO.2017.015530-7 which consists of a digital system of mobile technologies for collection and payment of donations, by bank slips and other means of collection, fixed or mobile, whether totems, credit or debit card machines, mobile telephones and other mobile devices of donation communication. Sending and receiving fixed and variable information through the DS system, in 3 media: printed paper, internet and cell phone, with electronic storage and tracking of information, continuously updated, including by artificial intelligence algorithms aiming to increase the relationship between the parties, by increasing the base of collaborators/donators and donations and contributions to non-profit companies in the third sector; such companies are churches and religious congregations, charities, non-governmental organizations - NGOs, among others (entities), which provide products and/or services such as masses and religious services, education, health, hospitals and specialized clinics, etc., and provide assistance of a humanitarian or similar nature, for their congregations of people and companies (collaborators/donors), without any charge as remuneration, since they receive donations and contributions from individuals and governments; all data processing, documents, bills, transaction of values, etc., is done and monitored by a control and management center (CCG), in the dedicated ds software, multichannel communication (Omni Channel), automatic control of information related to the receipt of amounts from collaborators/donors to entities in any type of currency, and performs financial operations with confidentiality, synchronism, total tracking, error-free and in real time.

[010] The document of no. BR11.2018.004859-3 refers to a permanent donation system comprising donor entities, endowment fund entities, business entities, a control board, an investment allocator and a profit allocator. Donor entities invest in endowment fund entities and endowment fund entities return the profit to donor entities. Tax write-off is applied between tax paid by donor entities and investment by donor entities to endowment fund entities. Endowment fund entities invest in business entities and business entities return the profit to endowment fund entities. The investment allocator makes investment recommendation to the control board. The control board provides investment preferences to the investment allocator. The profit allocator makes recommendation regarding the reinvestment fund to the business entities and the delegated fund to the control board. Each allocator comprises a pattern matching module and a static variables module. The system uses a creativity module and a CTMP module.

[011] The document no. US2017293948 deals with system for processing and filtering donation information received from a donor, the system having a processor. Indicative data of a donation request transmitted to the processor over the Internet. A database stores data that includes a plurality of fields. A funds transfer request generated based on the data and associated with an entity identifier is generated by the software running on the processor. The software compares the entity's address with the address field to generate a first data set with a plurality of records. Records can include address field when entity and donor belong to the same state, records exclude address field when entity and donor address are from different states. The dataset is associated with the entity by the entity identifier and is accessible by a computer associated with the entity identifier.

The aforementioned documents, despite belonging to the same field of application, differ from the present invention in question, as will be seen below, thus ensuring that it fully meets the legal requirements of patentability.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[012] It is the purpose of the present invention to present a virtual method for rounding cents from credit/debit card banking transactions and transmitting to grantees that includes a software that uses the logic of rounding cents from credit card transactions and debit through a process of connection with the credit card brands, using information previously provided by these brands for rewards programs and transmission to grantees.

[013] It is another objective of this invention to present a virtual method for rounding cents whose main advantage is the capillarity and global reach that, once directly connecting the credit/debit card brands to this data previously directed to reward programs, now become infinite possibilities for generating resources. On the other hand, for the platform user, the service is presented as a function to be chosen from the subscription. [014] It is also the purpose of the invention to present a virtual method for rounding cents from credit/debit card banking transactions and transmission to grantees where, by joining the platform, all purchases made by the user using the credit card registered on the platform or in any purchase channel, will be rounded up to the subsequent decimal place. [015] It is the objective of this invention to present a virtual method for rounding cents whose platform operates outside the retail chain, that is, no intervention is necessary in the companies' sales systems.

[016] Another objective of this invention is to present a virtual method for rounding cents from credit/debit card banking transactions and transmission to grantees where the capillarity of rounded transactions is expanded, since all transactions carried out by the user, in any shopping channel, whether physical 'POS' or 'Contocties' or digital 'e-commerce', and also because it is not necessary for the user to authorize rounding for each purchase, since he has already joined the platform on the signature.

[017] It is also the purpose of this invention, as an alternative, to make the virtual method for rounding cents from credit/debit card banking transactions to become a means of generating funds for the user's own use, whether for investments or used in the purchase of products and services or, even more specifically aimed at the present invention, intended for donations to third parties, whether individuals or institutions of any nature, directly or by collective financing 'crowdfunding' .

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[018] To complement the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present invention and in accordance with a preferential practical realization thereof, the attached description is accompanied by a set of drawings, where, in an exemplified manner, although not limiting, if it represented its operation:

[019] Figure 1 represents a flowchart illustrating the user's journey;

[020] Figure IA reveals a flowchart of user adherence;

[021] Figure 1B illustrates a flowchart of the data exchange process with the flag;

[022] Figure 1C illustrates a flowchart of the connection in a PCI environment;

[023] Figure 2 shows a block diagram detailing the process of association and responsibilities;

[024] Figure 3 reveals a photographic image of the platform interface for user registration;

[025] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart detailing the de-registration process and responsibilities;

[026] Figure 5 reveals an image of the interface of the platform for accessibility of the card holder to the accessibility of the customer's website;

[027] Figure 5A shows an image of the platform interface for card owner confirming card deletion; [028] Figure 5B represents the image of the platform interface of the card deletion confirmation and communication to the user;

[029] Figure 6 reveals a block diagram of the steps of credit card transactions in real time;

[030] Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the details of the monthly closing process and responsibilities; and

[031] Figure 8 illustrates an image of the interface for the platform that sends an extract from each user by email.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[032] With reference to the illustrated drawings, this patent of invention refers to the "VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS ARISING FROM BANK TRANSACTIONS OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND TRANSMISSION TO GRANTORS", more precisely it is a virtual method (10 ) for the transmission of monetary donations to grantees in general, such as philanthropic organizations, institutions and the like. Said method (10) operates through a software (ST) through a virtual platform (PL) for the collection of monetary amounts (Mn) through the authorization of the rounding of financial transactions carried out in debit/credit and previously authorized by the user owner (Ul) of (11) debit/credit card. The amount (Mn) collected is transferred to an organization/institution called 'customer' (12) which pays the platform an administration fee (13) and percentage (13a).

[033] According to the present invention, said method (10) provides that the operability for the rounding of cents from credit/debit card banking transactions with 'White Label' application that runs embedded in the customer's environment (12) which can be online like websites, offline like a supermarket checkout or a card POS (11). All operation is composed of software (ST) for capturing, activating and retaining the user base (Ul) and system (ST1) for connecting and exchanging data with the card flags (11) and, consequently, the rounding of the transactions and the collection of the amount (Mn) rounded on the card (11) registered. Said method (10) presents the following logical organization: a) Capture: the user (Ul) accesses the 'opt irí area of the platform (PL), which may or may not be inserted in the client's website or application (12) through integration APIs, entering personal data, terms of use the application for acceptance and registration of the card(s) (11); b) Rounding: in real time on the platform (PL) it connects in a PCI environment with the card brand database (11) and user transactions (Ul) are sent, once a month, these transactions are consolidated and rounding is performed. Once the rounded amount is consolidated (Mn) in the scheduled period, the platform (PL) charges the registered card (11); c) Calculation of rounding: Purchases, object of rounding, are rounded to the decimal point of cents, always for each subsequent decimal as a purchase of 14.50 or rounding of 0.50; d) Billing: The amount (Mn) rounded at the end of the month will be charged once on the card (11) registered by the user (Ul), using digital means of payment, including and not limited to recurrence, the MDR and also the Payment split for projects with more than one beneficiary; e) Base activation: The platform makes available applications for activating the captured database, such as: el) 'Crowdfunding' itself, offering the user (Ul) the decision on how to use their rounded cents; e2) Embedded or not on the partner's website (12), a 'crownfunding' application offered to the user (Ul) to direct fractions of the amount rounding up to different projects, products, services or even investments; eB) the user (Ul) can increment the rounded amount (Mn) in the month, using predefined values or mathematical calculations, such as, its cents + "X" value, double cents, X3 cents, among others. In this case, the increment is charged recurrently; f) Contribution: In a random month the user (Ul) can increase the rounded amount (Mn) with a specific amount on a non-recurring basis; g) Retention: In order to keep the user base (Ul) active, some applications retention will be made available to partners, such as: a) pausing subscription; b) maximum limit for collection; c) among others.

[034] Said platform (PL) generates a statement (14) for each user (Ul) and a statement for each customer (12) as accountability, being a recurring flow until the user (Ul) requests his exit from the program.

[035] Method (10) includes process of association and responsibilities (10A) (see figure 2) where the following steps are provided: al) User (Ul) accesses the customer's website (12) and requests the registration of the card ( 11); a2) Customer website (12) connects the platform (PL), and for the user identification (Ul), the platform (PL) generates a hidden key in the page call, which associates the user record (Ul) to the customer (12); a3) User (Ul) registers his personal data such as name, CPF and e-mail where said information is stored in a database; a4) User (Ul) accepts the terms and conditions of the platform (PL), being mandatory that the user (Ul) accepts the rules of the regulation to continue with the registration; a5) Said platform (PL) provides an area to collect credit card data, connects to the PCI Server (SV) with the registration number of the individual CPF and encrypts it as the key to be associated with its database; a6) User (Ul) registers the credit card data (11) such as card number, name printed on the card, Expiration date and expiry code and the platform (PL) receives card information (11) approved by PCI DSS; a7) The platform (PL) validates the card (11) with the credit card company. This process is to confirm that all data on the card is correct and if the card is invalid, it already notifies the user (Ul); a8) Said platform (PL) stores the card data (11) in a payment gateway and receives a payment gateway token for future transactions; a9) The payment gateway returns the Token to the platform (PL) for future transactions and does not store credit card data (11), ie it uses a Token with the payment gateway; alO) Said platform (PL) sends credit card data (11) through the API to the company the card with UCCII - unique credit card ID - generated by (PL) and will be the main key for all transactions; all) Card company (11) starts monitoring transactions using the services linked to the card (11), provided by Loyalt's tools; al2) Registration in (PL) is confirmed and communicated to the user (Ul).

[036] Method (10) includes unsubscribe process and responsibilities (10B) (see figure 4) where the following steps are provided: bl) User (Ul) accesses the customer's website (12); b2) The client's website calls the Platform (PL) and for the user's identification (Ul), the platform (PL) creates a hidden key in the page call, which associates the user's registration with the client (12); b3) User (Ul) confirms card deletion (11); b4) Software (ST) processes card removal (11) where the PCI server (SV) removes card data (11); b5) Software (ST) sends the payment gateway deletion request by the stored Token; b6) Payment Gateway confirms the removal of card data (11) for the platform (PL); b7) The software (ST) by API requests the deletion of data from the (11) credit card company; b8) Card company (11) stops monitoring; and b9) The deletion is confirmed by the software (ST) and communicates to the user (Ul).

[037] The method (10) includes real-time (10C) credit card transactions through the following steps (see figure 6): cl) Credit card company (11) sends all information to the platform (PL) registered credit cards (UCCII, Date, Time and Transaction amount); c2) Server (SV) processes the data and publishes it on the website.

[038] Method (10) includes monthly closing process and responsibilities (10D) (see figure 7) through the following steps: dl) Software (ST) calculates rounding of cents to result in payment being done; d2) Software (ST) queries the card number (11) at the payment gateway queries the card numbers at the payment gateway using the Tokens generated in the subscription process; dS) Software (ST) performs billing using the payment gateway with Split; d4) Software (ST) confirms all transactions performed at the payment gateway; d5) Software (ST) sends an extract of each user (Ul) by email; and d6) Software (ST) sends the statement to the customer by email.

[039] It is certain that when the present invention is put into practice, modifications may be introduced with regard to certain programmatic details, without this implying departure from the fundamental principles that are clearly substantiated in the claim framework, it being understood that the terminology used was not intended as a limitation.

Claims

REIVI N DICTIONS

1. "VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS FROM CREDIT/DEBIT CARD BANKING TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSMISSION TO DONORS", more precisely, it is a virtual method (10) for transmitting monetary donations to grantees in general, such as philanthropic organizations, institutions and the like; said method (10) operates through a software (ST) through a virtual platform (PL) for the collection of monetary amounts (Mn) through the authorization of the rounding of financial operations carried out in debit/credit and previously authorized by the user owner (Ul) of (11) debit/credit card; the amount (Mn) collected is transferred to an organization/institution called 'customer' (12) which pays the platform an administration fee (IS) and percentage (ISa); characterized by method (10) to provide that the operability for the rounding of cents from credit/debit card banking transactions with 'White Label' application that runs embedded in the customer's environment (12) can be online such as websites, off -line such as a supermarket checkout or a card POS (11); all operation is composed of software (ST) for capturing, activating and retaining the user base (Ul) and system (ST1) for connecting and exchanging data with the card brands (11) and, consequently, the rounding of the transactions and collection of the amount (Mn) rounded on the registered card (11); said method (10) presents the following logical organization: a) capture - the user (Ul) accesses the 'opt in' area of the platform (PL), which may or may not be inserted in the client's website or application (12) through integration APIs, entering personal data, application terms of use for acceptance and registration of the card(s) (11); b) rounding - in real time on the platform (PL) it connects in a PCI environment with the card brand database (11) and user transactions (Ul) are sent, once a month, such transactions are consolidated and rounding is performed; Once the rounded amount is consolidated (Mn) in the scheduled period, the platform (PL) charges the registered card (11); c) calculation of rounding - purchases, object of rounding, are rounded to the decimal place of cents, always for each subsequent decimal as a purchase of 14.50 or rounding to 0.50; d) collection - the amount (Mn) rounded at the end of the month will be charged once on the card (11) registered by the user (Ul), using digital means of payment, including and not limited to recurrence, the MDR and also the Payment split for projects with more than one beneficiary; e) base activation: the platform makes available applications to activate the captured database, such as, and l) Own 'Crowdfunding' offering the user (Ul) the decision on how to use their rounded cents; e2) Embedded or not on the partner's website (12), a 'crownfunding' application offered to the user (Ul) to direct fractions of the amount rounding up to different projects, products, services or even investments; eB) the user (Ul) can increment the rounded amount (Mn) in the month, using predefined values or mathematical calculations, such as its cents + "X" value, double cents, X3 cents, among others; in this case the increment is charged recurrently; f) contribution - in a random month the user (Ul) can increase the rounded amount (Mn) with a specific amount on a non-recurring basis; g) retention - in order to keep the user base (Ul) active, some retention applications will be made available to partners, such as: a) pausing subscription; b) maximum limit for collection; c) among others; this platform (PL) generates a statement (14) for each user (Ul) and a statement for each customer (12) as accountability, being a recurring flow until the user (Ul) requests his exit from the program.

2. "VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS FROM BANKING TRANSACTIONS OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND TRANSMISSION TO DONORS", according to claim 1, characterized in that method (10) includes process of association and responsibilities (10A) where they are provided for the steps: al) user (Ul) accesses the customer's website (12) and requests the registration of the card (11); a2) customer website (12) connects the platform (PL), and for the user identification (Ul), the platform (PL) generates a hidden key in the page call, which associates the user record (Ul) to the customer (12); aB) user (Ul) registers his personal data such as name, CPF and e-mail where said information is stored in a database; a4) user (Ul) accepts the terms and conditions of the platform (PL), it is mandatory that user (Ul) accepts the rules of the regulation to continue with the registration; a5) said platform (PL) provides an area to collect credit card data, connects to the PCI server (SV) with the individual's CPF registration number and encrypts it as the key to be associated with its database; a6) user (Ul) registers credit card data (11) such as card number, name printed on the card, expiration date and expiration code and the platform (PL) receives card information (11) approved by PCI DSS; a7) the platform (PL) validates the card (11) with the credit card company; this process is to confirm that all data on the card is correct and if the card is invalid, it already notifies the user (Ul); a8) said platform (PL) stores card data (11) in a payment gateway and receives a payment gateway token for future transactions; a9) the payment gateway returns the Token to the platform (PL) for future transactions and does not store credit card data (11), ie it uses a Token with the payment gateway; alO) said platform (PL) sends credit card data (11) through the API to the card company with UCCII - unique credit card ID - generated by (PL) and will be the main key of all transactions; all) card company (11) starts monitoring transactions using services linked to the card (11), provided by Loyalt's tools; al2) the registration in (PL) is confirmed and communicated to the user (Ul).

3. "VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS FROM BANKING TRANSACTIONS OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND TRANSMISSION TO DONORS", according to claim 1, characterized in that method (10) includes the process of de-registration and responsibilities (10B) where they are provided for the following steps: bl) user (Ul) accesses the customer's website (12); b2) the client's website calls the Platform (PL) and to identify the user (Ul), the platform (PL) creates a hidden key in the page call, which associates the user's registration with the client (12); bb) user (Ul) confirms card deletion (11); b4) software (ST) processes card removal (11) where the PCI server (SV) removes card data (11); b5) software (ST) sends payment gateway deletion request by stored Token; b6) Payment gateway confirms the removal of card data (11) to the platform (PL); b7) the software (ST) by API requests the deletion of data from the (11) credit card company; b8) card company (11) stops monitoring; and b9) the deletion is confirmed by the software (ST) and communicates to the user (Ul).

4. "VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS FROM CREDIT/DEBIT CARD BANKING TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSMISSION TO DONORS", according to claim 1, characterized in that method (10) includes real-time credit card transactions (10C) through the following steps: cl) credit card company (11) sends to the platform (PL) all registered credit card information (UCCII, Date, Time and Transaction amount); c2) server (SV) processes the data and publishes it on the website.

5. "VIRTUAL METHOD FOR ROUNDING CENTS FROM CREDIT/DEBIT CARD BANK TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSMISSION TO DONORS", according to claim 1, characterized in that method (10) includes monthly closing process and responsibilities (10D) through following steps: dl) software (ST) calculates the rounding of cents to result in the payment to be made; d2) software (ST) queries the card number (11) at the payment gateway queries the card numbers at the payment gateway using the Tokens generated in the adhesion process; dB) software (ST) performs billing using the payment gateway with Split; d4) software (ST) confirms all transactions performed at the payment gateway; d5) software (ST) sends an extract of each user (Ul) by email; and d6) software (ST) sends the statement to the customer by email.