GB2341748A

GB2341748A - Apparatus for effecting a transaction via a telecomms network

Info

Publication number: GB2341748A
Application number: GB9820285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawrence Warmate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-17
Filing date: 1998-09-17
Publication date: 2000-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-17
Also published as: GB9820285D0; GB2341748B

Abstract

There is described a system for effecting a transaction between a vending system and a remote customer, the vending system and customer being connected via a telecomms network having a subscriber account with which the customer is associated. The system comprises, means for enabling communications to be established over the network between the vending system and the customer, means for transmitting information to the customer relating to an available product or service for purchase, the information including a predetermined purchase price, means by which the customer may select to purchase said product or service at said predetermined purchase price, and means for invoicing said purchase to the subscriber account. The transaction can either be made via a telephone, fixed or mobile, or on a computer via a modem and the internet.

Description

1 2341748 APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING A TRANSACTION VIA A TELECOMMS NEIWO

Field of the inveption

This invention relates to an apparatus for effecting a transaction via a telecomms network.

BackgrouDd of the invention The idea of making purchases by means of telephone is not new.

Nowadays it is common practice for customers to place telephone orders for aoods or services which they have seen displayed in catalogues. newspapers or on television. Typically, the transaction is effected by the customer making a telephone call and citing an order number which is relevant to the required purchase. The customer gives his or her name, together with an address where the purchase is to be delivered. Payment is usually made by credit card, the relevant card details being given over the phone. The invoice is then charged to the customer's credit card account.

Recently, there has been an increased uptake in the practice of purchasing goods or services over the internet. Customers with suitable computer hardware and software are able to access a vendors web-site and select the particular goods or services that they wish to purchase. As with telephone purchasing, payment is made by credit card, in this instance the 2 credit card details being entered into the customers computer and transmitted to the vendor.

In today's consumer driven society, the number of these types of transactions is increas ing rapidly. Shopping in this manner ensures that valuable time is saved which can be better spent at work or leisure.

These types of transactions are, however, subject to drawbacks. For instance, payment is made by credit card and not everyone owns such cards.

Furthermore some people who are credit card owners are not willing! to release their account details over unsecured telephonelinternet lines, fearing that they will become the victim's of credit card fraud.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention:

According to the present invention there is Provided a system for effecting a transaction between a vending system and a remote customer, the vending system and customer being connected via a telecomms network having a subscriber account with which the customer is associated. the system comprising: means for enabling communications to be established over the network between the vending system and the customer, means for transmittin. information to the customer relating to an available product or service for purchase, the information including a predetermined purchase price; means by which the customer may select to purchase said product or service at said price; means for invoicing said purchase to the subscriber account.

The above and further features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims and together with advantages thereof will become clearer from consideration of an exemplary embodiment of the invention given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Dr

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system embodying the invention Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a transaction effected by a system embodying the invention.

Details Description of the, Fmbodiment:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system embodying the invention.

Remote customer unit 1 comprises a communications device which is operable to allow communications with vending system 8, via 1 telecommunications network 5. As will be described in detail hereinbelow, the system provides for customers using customer unit 1 to purchase goods or services offered for sale at vending system 8 with the resulting invoice being billed directly to a customer account associated with telecommunications 0 network 5.

Customer unit 1 comprises a standard telephone handset 2 either of the fixed line variety or alternatively a mobile phone. Customer unit 1 may also 4 comprise a suitably programmed computer 3 connected to telecommunications network 5 via a modem 4.

Telecommunications network 5 comprises several sub-networks which include the Public Switching Telephone Network 6 (PSTN), and may also include one or more mobile phone networks 7. Typically, several different companies contribute to and are responsible for the infra structure which makes up the PSTN. These companies then provide telecomms services over the network In the UK the two major companies which provide PSTN based services are British Telecommunications and Mercury Telecommunications.

In modem telecomms markets, there are also several different companies which each provide a cellular phone network. Again using the UK as an example, at present there are four cellular phone networks, which are run by OrangeTm,, VodaphoneTMT, CellnetTm and One to One TNI respectfully.

To be connected to the telecommunications network 5. a user must subscribe to the services of one of the sub-networks. In the case of a PSTN based sub-network, this essentially means that a fixed telephone line is rented and the cost of any calls initiated over that line are billed to the user's account.

In the case of a Mordern cellular network details of a subscription account are stored in a SIM card located in a customer's mobile phone. The cost of any calls initiated with a mobile phone fitted with the SIM card are charged to the customer's account.

All the sub-networks are interconnected. so that calls initiated at one network may be carried by any of the other networks in order to reach the call destination.

Connected to telecommunications nemork 5 is vending system 8.

Vending system 8 is for receiving and processing telecomms sales enquiries from customers at remote locations such as customer unit 1. Vending system 8 comprises a suitably programmed computer system on which is stored information relating to the products/services which are offered for purchase at vending system 8. For telephone based transactions the information may be c.

stored as data representing audio on a standard tape recording or alternatively on a digital audio disc, or in digital format on computer hard disc, tape, DVD or any other computer storage medium. The information includes any details necessary to help a customer make a purchase. for example the nature of the products/services on sale, a predetermined fixed price for the product/services, availability and delivery periods. During an on going call, the transmission of the information to the customer is coordinated by suitable events driven software located at vending system 8, which in turn is controlled by the 0 remote customer using his communications device. This involves the 1 customer being instructed to choose the information which he wishes to C receive. For instance, if the communication is via telephone the customer receives the information as audio messages and chooses which messages to receive by keying the appropriate button or sequence of buttons on the 6 telephone handset. If the communication is via the internet the customer receives the information as text or graphics on a computer display and chooses what information to receive by entering commands into a computer.

At any point during the communication if the customer becomes confused and requires particular bits of information to be repeated this can be achieved by keying in a predetermined button or sequence of buttons which prompts the software to retransmit information. Also, the customer can be given the option of keying a button or sequence or buttons to transfer the call to a human operator at the vending system who then coordinates the transaction verbally.

After considering the received information the customer if he so desires can select a product or service which he or she wishes to purchase.

Again, if the communication is via telephone the selection is made by keying a particular button or sequence of buttons on the keypad. If the communication is via the internet the selection is made by entering a command into the computer. The software controlling vending system 8 registers that a purchase has been made.

If it is necessary for a purchased item to be delivered to the customer, before the communication ends the customer can be prompted to state a delivery address which is then recorded at the vending system.

The vending system 8 includes means 10 which direct the invoice for the purchase (i.e. the fixed purchase price) to the subscription account which 7 the customer has arranged with the particular telecomms sub-system to which he or she subscribes.

Alternatively, telecomms network 5 includes means for registering that the sequence of buttons necessary to make a purchase have been keyed.

Network 5 has the predetermined fixed purchase price associated with that purchase stored therein and the network includes means for on registering that the purchase sequence has been keyed, charging the fixed price directly to the subscriber account.

The fixed purchase price relates only to the predetermined cost of the product or service and is independent of any other charges such as time dependent charges for making the call which may also be levied at the customer.

Either way this effectively means that the bill for the purchased goods or services is included on the customer's telephone bill. The sub-system operator collects the money from the customer when the telephone bill is received and transfers a portion of the amount to the vending system 8.

Therefore, transactions effected with the system do not require the use of credit cards.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating how a telecomms transaction might be effected by means of the invention. By way of example the transaction relates to the purchasing of tickets for a pop concert via telephone.

The transaction is initiated by the remote customer 1 contacting the vending 8 system 8 via telecomms network 5. When the call is connected, the effects driven software controlling vending system 8 activates the transmission of a welcome message to the remote customer. The welcome message includes basic information instructing the customer on how the transaction is to be effected and how the customer can control the information communicated by keying buttons as and when instructed.

CD After completion of the welcome message, basic information relating to the range of goods or services available for purchase are communicated to the remote customer. For instance, the basic information could relate to the names, venues. and price range of the concerts for which tickets are available The customer is then prompted to "select" from the range of available concerts a particular concert for which he would like to receive more detailed information. The selection is made by keying a button or sequence of buttons associated with the customers choice. The keying of the button transmits a signal which causes the software controlling vending system 8 to activate the transmission of the more detailed information regarding the chosen concert.

The more detailed information may include details of where in the concert hall seats are available and at what price. The customer is then given a choice of tickets to purchase and is prompted to select a ticket type by keying a button associated with the ticket type. The number of tickets purchased may also be selected by keying buttons. Optionally the customer may be asked to confirm his purchase by keying a confirmation number into the keypad. The 9 vending system 8 will then confirm to the customer that the purchase has been confirmed and will provide the customer with a unique numeric or alpha numeric identifier of the transaction for use in any following procedures.

After the purchase is made the invoice is directed to the customer's sub-system telecomms account.

The concert ticket example described above should not be seen as limiting the range of transactions which way be effected by the invention. In principle transactions involving the purchasing of any commercially available goods or services may be effected by the invention.

One industry which is well positioned to exploit the invention is the premium rate telephone industry. The premium rate telephone industry is organised such that premium rate services are provided by "service providers" C acting on behalf of 'information providers". The "information providers" provide the information that customers wish telephone access to. The "service providers" organise the hardware/software necessary for storing and controlling the information. The premium rate services are provided over networks similar to telecomms networks described above. It is envisaged that 1 such "service providers" could organise and run the vending system described above on the behalf of "information providers" who supply the goods/services 1 for sale and also the information relating thereto. The system could be arranged such that when a customer keys a button in order to effect a purchase, this action transfers the call to a premium rate line associated with the product or service being bought. The price charged by the network operator to connect the call to that premium rate line is equivalent to the predetermined purchase price for that product or service being bought.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to preferred embodiments it is to be well understood that the embodiments in question are exemplary only and that modifications and variations such as will occur to those possessed of appropriate knowledge and skills may be made without departure from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

9

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for effecting a transaction between a vending system and a remote customer, the vending system and customer being connected via a telecomms network having a subscriber account with which the customer is associated, the system comprising:

means for enabling communications to be established over the network between the vending system and the customer, means for transmitting information to the customer relating to an available product or service for purchase, the information including a predetermined purchase price; means by which the customer may select to purchase said product or service at said predetermined purchase price, means for invoicing said purchase to the subscriber account.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the customer communicates with the vending system by means of a telephone.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the telephone is a mobile phone.

4. A system according to claim 2 or wherein the customer is able to select the information transmitted by keying numbers into the phone.

12 5. A system according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the customer is able to select to urchase a produce or service by keying a button on the phone.

p 6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the customer communicates 1 with the vending system by means of a computer connected to the telecomm system via a modem.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the customer is able to select the information to be transmitted by entering commands into said computer.

8. A system according to claim 2,.3) or 4, wherein the customer is able to select a produce or service to purchase by entering commands into said computer.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the telecomms network includes the Public Switching Telecommunications Network.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the telecomms network includes a cellular phone network.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the subscriber account is within a company operating on the Public Switching Telecommunications Network.

13 12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the subscriber account is with a company operating a cellular phone network.

13.A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the information relating to the products is stored as data representing audio at the vending system.

14. A method of effecting a transaction between a vending system and a remote customer, the vending system and customer being connected via a telecomms network having a subscriber account with which the customer is associated the system comprising:

establishing communications over the network between the vending system and the customer, transmitting information to the customer relating to an available product or service for purchase, the information including a predetermined purchase price.

the customer selecting to purchase said product or service at said predetermined purchase price; 0 and invoicing said purchase to the subscriber account.

14 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An apparatus for effecting a transaction between a vending system and a remote customer, the vending system and customer being connected via a telecomms network, the customer being associated with a subscriber account for paying for telecomms services on the network, the apparatus comprising:

means for enabling communications to be established over the network between the vending system and the customer, means for transmitting information to the customer relating to an available product or service for purchase, the information including a predetermined purchase price; means by which the customer may select to purchase said product or service at said predetermined purchase price; means responsive to such selection by the customer for transferring the customer to a premium rate line associated with the said product or service to effect the purchase; and means for invoicing said transfer to the subscriber account at a cost equivalent to said predetermined purchase price.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the customer communicates with the vending system by means of a telephone.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the telephone is a mobile phone.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or -3), wherein the customer is able to select the information transmitted by keying numbers into the phone.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the customer is able to select to purchase a produce or service by keying a button on the phone. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the customer 10 communicates with the vending system by means of a computer connected to the teleconim system via a modem. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the customer is able to select the information to be transmitted by entering commands into said 15 computer.

8. An apparatus according to claim 2, 3) or 4, wherein the customer is able to select a produce or service to purchase by entering commands into said computer.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the telecomms network includes the Public Switching Telecommunications Network.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the telecomms network includes a cellular phone network.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the subscriber account is within a company operating on the Public Switching Telecommunications Network. 12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the subscriber account is 10 with a company operating a cellular phone network.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the information relating to the products is stored as data representing audio at the vending system.