KR20150038708A - Validation method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The validity of one or more transactions for the service, including automatically initiating at least one service action for the service, in response to determining that the mobile communication device registered for the service is close to the validation location for the service Verification is facilitated using a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone.

Description

{VALIDATION METHOD AND APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to transaction validation for services.

The service may be a tax refund service and the transaction may be a purchase transaction validated for the service as a purchase transaction by a user entitled to use the service.

The tax refund system is available in many countries for travelers. Providing tax free shopping can be attractive to one country visitor and can help promote tourism. Traditionally, however, management of the non-taxable shopping system was document-based, where the seller in the store issues a coupon or check and then the customs officer confirms the export of the goods at the border. Regulations differ from country to country, but the traditional form for providing tax-free shopping is that the merchant in that country identifies and verifies that the customer is a visiting traveler who is eligible for a tax refund, and then sends a coupon containing the traveler's details and purchase items And then the Customs confirms at the departure point of the country that the item being exported and whether the traveler corresponds to the item and traveler identified in the coupon. Then a refund can be made. The tax return operator works with the seller and customs to facilitate the operation of this process and to manage the work of the relevant documentation.

However, such processing can be extremely labor and cost intensive. There is considerable technical difficulty in ensuring that the tax refund system can be operated simultaneously and efficiently.

The present invention seeks to provide a technical solution to this problem.

Aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.

Embodiments provide a method of providing a service, the method comprising inviting a mobile communication device registered with a host server for the service to use the service in response to determining that the mobile device is close to a validation location for the service and automatically presenting an invitation to the user.

Embodiments provide a mobile communication device comprising means for outputting information to a user, means for receiving user input, wireless communication means for communicating with a communication network system, storage means and processing means, The device is configured to communicate with a remote server to which the mobile device is registered for service provision, the mobile communication device being invited to use the service in response to determining that the mobile communication device is close to a validation location for the service To the user automatically. An embodiment provides a mobile communication device having a mobile communication device identifier that is read by such a device that receives an invitation message to invite the user to receive a tax refund service for one or more transactions, And is configured to respond to this solicitation message using the device.

Embodiments provide a computer system that provides automated validation of a tax refund request for one or more services that automatically validates whether a transaction registered in the tax refund service is eligible for a refund, To the mobile communication device registered with the host server to send a validation status message to the mobile communication device to determine whether the tax refund service is automatically approved for one or more transactions and / or to obtain approval for one or more transactions To display to the user whether it is necessary.

While various aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the appended claims, other aspects of the present invention may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. And any combination of features from the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.
1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a refund system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic system overview;
3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the functional elements of a mobile communication device;
4-8 are flow charts of exemplary methods of operation.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide simplification of operation while providing flexibility in use. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more devices, devices, and systems coordinate the processing of purchases and refunds using a mobile communication device that uniquely identifies a user, e.g., a traveler, and enables communication with a user. One or more devices, devices, and systems may be operated by merchants and / or tax refund operators (TROs) and / or customs authorities. An exemplary embodiment allows information related to purchases made by users and users to be maintained centrally and securely in storage on a server so that the information can be accessed through the use of the mobile communication device and one or more other devices do.

In addition to providing management of refund operations, the TRO can provide training to users and sellers throughout the process. Through the use of information technology systems, the TRO can ensure the integrity of the system.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method, apparatus, and system for managing refund processing. In an exemplary process, the shopping and receipt of receipts (issuance 30) are separate from other processes (acquisition 32, authorization 34, and payment 36).

There may be multiple providers of issuance services, and multiple acquirers of transactions and transactions, such as in the case of credit cards and debit cards. For example, there may be multiple TROs. Various point of sale (POS) devices and in-store support for user shopping can be provided.

In an exemplary embodiment, the merchant system may provide issuance 30 of a transaction using a TRO-provided POS device and / or software. The host system running the TRO can execute the acquisition (32) of the tax refund transaction. The validation system (e. G. Customs clearance system) may execute the tax refund authorization (34). The host system may execute the refund payment operation 36. [ An automated kiosk (in other words a validation station or validation terminal) may be provided at the departure point of the territory and used for various operations, including automatic recognition of the mobile communication device. The refund payment may be processed by the refund desk (operated by the TRO) or by the kiosk for an instant cash refund, or the refund may be made using automated payment to the bank and / or credit card account and / Can be provided using a back-office process by TRO.

The determination of the eligibility of the user can be made in the shop at the time of purchase transaction as described later. However, due to legal requirements in a given territory, the determination of eligibility and identity may be transferred from the store to the departure point of the territory.

The exemplary embodiments can also provide security and operational integrity while providing simplicity and flexibility of use that is recognized by users of the system.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may utilize Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. NFC technology is a short-range wireless communication technology that can enable exchange of data between devices having a distance of about a short distance, for example, about 0.1 meter. NFC technology is an extension of the proximity-card standard (contactless card, RFID) that can combine smart card interfaces and readers into a single device. It is compatible with existing contactless infrastructure already in use for public transportation and payment. NFC is mainly intended for use in mobile telephones. An example of a mobile phone already exists in the market using NFC technology. NFC read / write devices including NFC interfaces are also available from a variety of manufacturers. Other short range wireless technologies based on radio frequency identification (RFID) may also be used in various embodiments, and technologies such as Bluetooth may be applicable.

In one exemplary embodiment, when making a purchase transaction, a downloadable application installed in an application, e.g., a user's mobile communication device (e.g., a mobile phone), is communicated to a point of sale Lt; / RTI > Digital tax free shopping (TFS) transaction information may be transmitted to the tax return operator (TRO), and user information may be associated with the transmitted information. The user may also be able to pay for the goods, perhaps using a mobile communication device. The user may make additional purchases using the application on the mobile communication device, with additional digital TFS transaction information being transmitted in the same manner. The validation and refund steps may be integrated by recognizing the user using the mobile communication device. For example, validation and reimbursement may be made automatically on a user mobile communication device accessing an NFC-enabled customs kiosk.

The application may be downloaded to the mobile communication device or installed in other ways before the first purchase or first purchase. This application not only supports the user during the entire tax refund process, but can also provide other TRO services. Examples of such services may include issuance, validation, reimbursement and tracking, and merchant and other travel information, maps, public relations, online advance directives, markets, direct exchange support, online services, and loyalty programs.

Alternatively, or additionally, a wireless communication base station (e.g., a WiFi base station) may be used to interface with the user's mobile communication device. For example, a WiFi base station (base station) may be installed in a location where a user may be expected to use the service, and an application installed on a user's mobile communication device may interact with a WiFi base station. A WiFi base station may be provided by the TRO and may be connected to the TRO host system by the Internet, for example. By using the standard service set identifier (SSID) for all WiFi basestations provided by the TRO service or for the TRO service, the mobile communication device automatically recognizes that such base station is provided for service when in the base station range, As shown in FIG.

For example, a WiFi base station may be provided within the reseller's premises, and in response to the user's connection to the mobile communication device to the base station, the merchant's TRO system or application of the mobile communication device may provide information Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > TRO < / RTI > This information may include, for example, information about the user to be provided to the seller system. Alternatively, or in addition, messages may be sent to the user's mobile communication device for output to the user. Messages may be sent to the mobile communication device, for example, by a message exchange between the TRO host system and / or the merchant system and an application on the mobile communication device, or an SMS, MMS, or other message sent from the TRO host system and / E-mail messages, and the like. The messages sent to the user may include information about the services that may be provided, e.g., steps that need to be taken to use the service, special offers, etc., or direct support for service use (e.g., Service, refund check, etc.). The messages may be used to inform the user of the possibility of using other services such as dynamic currency conversion services.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a mobile communication device, e.g., a mobile phone, a PDA, a portable media player, a tablet computer, a web book, a notebook and other portable computing devices, It is used as an intelligent token to identify. The mobile communication device may utilize NFC technology with applications of the mobile communication device to communicate with other devices and devices such as, for example, merchant POS terminals, validation kiosks, and / or custom kiosks and TRO and / Lt; / RTI >

By presenting the mobile communication device at the time of purchase, the NFC technology can be used to cause the mobile communication device identifier to be read by the reader of the POS terminal of the merchant, and / or the information relating to the transaction can be read by the mobile communication device Lt; / RTI > Each application, e.g., provided by the TRO, operating in the POS terminal of the mobile communication device and the merchant, respectively, may control the exchange of information between the POS of the merchant and the mobile communication device.

The determination of whether a user is entitled to a service, for example, a tax refund service, can be determined by the operator, for example, the seller of the store. This can be done, for example, by using the communication device identifier to determine if the user is already registered to use the service.

For example, the POS terminal may be operative to query the TRO host system through the intermediary system to determine whether the mobile communication device identifier is associated with the user identification information.

If the mobile communication device identifier is associated with a user identification, the TRO host system may be configured to allow the operator to return information identifying the user for verifying the identity of the user (e.g., passport information, photographs or other biometric information Lt; / RTI >

If the mobile communication device identifier is not associated with a user identification, the TRO host system may operate to return an appropriate indication of this, and the seller system may be operable to prompt the operator to enter predetermined information identifying the user . Such predetermined information may include, for example, a passport number for the user's passport, a country of issuance of the passport, an identification card number for the user's identity card and the issuing country of the identity card, a driver's license number for the user's driver's license, And may include the issuing country. The information entered at the POS terminal is transmitted to the TRO host system for association with the mobile communication device identifier so that this information can be used as a means of identifying the user. A user record containing a mobile communication identifier may be maintained by the TRO host system with other information (e.g., one or more other tokens) that may be used to identify the user.

The merchant system may then operate to communicate purchase information associated with the mobile communication device identifier and / or another token associated with the user, either directly or through the user's mobile communication device, for the generation of a computer record of the transaction . Such transaction records may include an association between a mobile communication device identifier and / or other token and a transaction identifier for a purchase transaction for one or more purchases. The mobile communication device identifier may be used to access the record of the transaction (s) at the point of departure of the territory, either directly or through the user record, for subsequent validation of the refund at the time of a later purchase, for example, .

Now, a system and method of an exemplary embodiment of a tax refund system for a given territory may include one or more TROs, e.g., one or more TROs that have associated with a merchant and then provide tax refunds to the user Will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an exemplary system, and Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system configuration in which various functional elements are interconnected via a network 15 (e.g., the Internet).

The mobile communication device 40 may be set as a token that identifies the user at step 102. This can be done in advance or at the point of entry or in the territory of the territory. It should be noted that one or more other tokens may be defined for the user. For example, the user may select a token to be used. For example, a user may specify a mobile communication device and one or more other tokens to be used, e.g., via a web site, in a store or other terminal, or in response to a seller's request. For example, a user may register his or her detailed information by registering with the website provided by the TRO and associate the mobile communication device identifier and one or more additional tokens. The mobile communication device identifier may include a mobile telephone number for the mobile communication device 40, an IMEI number for the mobile communication device, a SIM number for the mobile communication device 40, an NFC identifier for the mobile communication device, And a unique identifier associated with the < / RTI > The TRO can then provide the user with information about the refund opportunity and processing. In addition, a user may be issued a specific token (e.g., a visitor or a TRO-issuing card). The user detail information may then be recorded in the issued token linked to the user details pre-entered on the TRO website, near the issuing point, for example, at the entry point of the territory, at the store's input station. A suitable input station may be, for example, a computer processor and a memory and one of a keypad, a keyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a card reader, a machine readable identifier reader, a document scanner, a voice- One or more input / output interfaces of the above form, and an NFC interface. The input station may also be provided with a fingerprint reading and / or camera technique for identifying biometric authentication information maintained in a machine-readable user identifier (e.g., an ID document such as a passport).

The mobile communication device identifier may be maintained (stored) in the memory MEM by the TRO acquisition host server system (host system) 20 with the user details. The host system 20 may be operated by a TRO and may include one or more server computers, each of which may include one or more processors (CPUs) and memories MEM, . The efficiency of the system is improved when the mobile communication device identifier and the detailed information of the user are transmitted to the host system 20 and recorded in real time.

The user 12 may make a purchase at 104, for example, at a seller, using the mobile communication device as a token. If a normal store receipt is presented, the user 12 may be asked (or the user may request a tax refund) if a tax refund is required. If a refund is desired, a second simple transaction can be created by entering a receipt identifier (e.g., receipt number), a purchase commodity price, and a mobile communication device identifier. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, information including two or three items (receipt identifier, purchase price, and mobile communication device identifier) is then transmitted by the seller system 14 to the host system 20 And can be transmitted electronically. Seller system 14 may include one or more computers, each of which may include one or more processors (CPUs) and memories (MEMs) and may be located in one location or in a distributed system. This function is integrated into the POS terminal, where purchase details can be retrieved directly from the electronic cash register (ECR) 44 and there is no need to re-enter this information. Alternatively, this information may be entered into a standalone terminal, such as a web based issuing application, a card payment terminal that is not linked to an ECR, or any other application or software that is not linked to an ECR. These alternatives may require re-entry of relevant purchase details to allow the customs employee's approval system to confirm the purchase made. One or more POS devices 44 may be coupled to one or more input / output interfaces 44 in the form of one or more of, for example, a keypad, a keyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a card reader, a scanner, a voice- , And an NFC interface 42. [

As indicated above, the WiFi base station 54 may be provided within the reseller's premises and may be provided for on-board access to the TRO host system 20, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, For example, the Internet. Alternatively, or in addition, the base station 54 may be connected to the seller system 14. The base station may be assigned a standard SSID for the TRO and the application on the mobile communication device 40 may be programmed to automatically recognize the base station and connect to the base station when in range of the base station. For example, a mobile communication device under control of an application on a mobile communication device, or a seller system 14 connected to the system, e.g., base station 54, And send a message to system 20 to retrieve information for use in connection with providing the service. This information may include, for example, information about the user to be provided to the seller system. Alternatively, or in addition, messages may be sent to the user's mobile communication device for output to the user. Messages may be provided, for example, by a message exchange between the TRO host system and an application on the mobile communication device, or by an SMS, MMS, or email message sent from the TRO host system to the mobile communication device. The messages sent to the user may include information about the services that may be provided, e.g., steps that need to be taken to use the service, special offers, etc., or direct support for service use (e.g., Service, refund check, etc.).

There may be only one TRO in the market. However, if there are a plurality of TROs in the market, there may be a plurality of acquisition system hosts 20. The relationship between the seller and the TRO is the relationship between the seller and the acquirer (an example of using a credit / debit card). Each TRO is associated with its own merchant and is responsible for integrated software that generates POS devices and tax refund transactions.

Thus, a transaction message may be sent 105 to the TRO host system 20, where further processing may be performed. The transaction message format between the POS and the host system 20 can take any appropriate form as long as it can be appropriated. In one example, the transaction message transmitted between the seller system 14 and the host system 20 includes a mobile communication device identifier, a receipt identifier (e.g., receipt number), a reference to the purchase item, a merchant identifier, a TRO identifier , Time and date stamps, and a secure hash (used to prevent unauthorized tampering). In addition, it can include information about travel guides, promotional codes, or any other data the TRO wants to collect.

A separate host system 20 is provided for each TRO so that commercially sensitive information can be maintained separately in that each TRO can only view transactions generated by its affiliated vendors. All of the tax refund transactions generated by the affiliate sellers can be stored in the database of the host system 20. [ The transaction record stored in the memory of the host system 20 may include, for example, a unique transaction identifier for the transaction, a token identifier (e.g., a mobile communication device identifier or a token identifier derived therefrom), a receipt identifier (e.g., A receipt number), a reference to the purchased product, a merchant identifier, and a time and date stamp. The host system 20 may assign a unique transaction identifier (e.g., unique transaction number) to the transaction such that a unique number for tracking the transaction during processing is available in the system. The transaction identifier can be returned to the seller system and printed on the purchase receipt given to the user, using a clear encoding and / or a visible encoding such as a barcode.

A web-services based interface using a message interface or switch 24, e.g., industry standard (e.g., SOAP, WCF, XML over IP), may provide an interface for formatted and / . For example, the transaction message may include a transaction identifier (e.g., transaction number), a token identifier (e.g., a mobile communication device identifier or a token identifier derived therefrom), a receipt identifier (e.g., a receipt number) A merchant identifier, a TRO identifier, a time and date stamp, and a secure hash (used to prevent unauthorized tampering). The message interface 24 may be a separate system or may be combined with a validation system (e.g., a customs approval system) 26 according to a particular implementation.

In one exemplary embodiment, the message interface 24 includes data that includes processing and storage capacity and is accessed by the host system (s) 20 and the validation system (e.g., customs approval system) 26 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI > message formatting and forwarding. In yet another embodiment, however, the data may be maintained in the TRO host system and accessed by the validation system 26 via the message interface.

The validation system 26 provides an authorization system for authorizing the refund and may be operated by a third party, either by or on behalf of the customs authority. The validation system 26 may automatically approve or reject the tax refund transaction based on rules set in the system by the customs. The validation system 26 may also be manually accessed by customs personnel from customs service station 28. [

For example, a self-service validation station (also known as a validation terminal or kiosk) 22 that is connected to the host system (s) 20 via a standardized web service or via a message interface 24 It has been proposed to provide it to the departure point (for example, on the air side of the airport). This validation station 22 may be configured to invite the user to present a personal identifier (e.g., an identity document such as a passport) to be read. The validation station 22 may include one or more input interfaces, for example, in the form of one or more of a keypad, a keyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a card reader, a scanner, a voice- One or more output interfaces in the form of one or more of a lighter, a speaker, or the like may be provided. An NFC interface 42 may be provided. The validation station 22 may also be provided with a fingerprint reading and / or camera technique for verifying biometric authentication information maintained in a machine-readable user identifier (e.g., an ID document such as a passport).

However, in order to be able to use the validation kiosk as proposed above, the user must locate and use the kiosk. However, if a mobile communication device identifier is used as the registered token, the validation system may automatically prompt the user to initiate the validation.

Thus, automatic detection that a mobile communication device is in the vicinity of a departure point of a territory, when the mobile communication device is registered with a host server for a tax refund service, is advantageous in that an invitation to use a tax refund service is provided to the user Can be used to be presented. In a different example, this can be accomplished in a different way.

In one example, the mobile communication device 40 includes an application that responds to detection that the mobile communication device is connected to a mobile network cell (indicated by the mobile communication antenna 52) located at or near the departure point, For example, the aforementioned application may be provided. The application may be configured to run as a foreground job on the mobile communication device or as a background job. In this example, the application may include a file or other record of a mobile network cell corresponding to a territory departure point, and may be provided to the user in response to the recognition that the mobile network cell to which the mobile communication device is currently connected is a cell within that file. And may prompt a display to urge you to use a tax refund service. This may include, for example, displaying instructions about the location of the validation kiosk, or it may be a mobile communication device that acts as a kiosk and communicates with the validation system, for example, SMS messaging, email or web- May be used directly.

In another example, the application of the mobile communication device 40 may respond to the recognition that the mobile network cell 52 to which the mobile communication device is currently connected is a cell in the file, And may cause the validation service 26 to return a message to be presented to the user regarding the use of the validation service.

In another example, the mobile communication network 50 may recognize that the mobile communication device 40 currently connected to the mobile network cell 52 at or near the departure point is a mobile communication device registered with the tax refund service And notify the host system 20 or the validation service 26 and notify the host system 20 or the validation service to the mobile communication system 20 to present to the user an invitation to use the tax refund service. Let the device send a message.

As an alternative to, or as an alternative to, using the mobile network cell 52, the mobile communication device may include a satellite position detector (e.g., a mobile communication device) of the mobile communication device 40 that indicates that the mobile communication device 40 is approaching a validation location (E.g., GPS information) detected by the GPS unit (e.g., GPS unit).

As an alternative to using the mobile network cell and / or satellite-derived location information, the mobile communication device may be configured to detect location-based wireless communication using location- (E. G., Using WiFi, Bluetooth or alternative technologies). ≪ / RTI > For example, the mobile communication device 40 may respond to detection that the WiFi base station 54 with a particular network name and / or signature is approaching the departure point. In one particular example, a WiFi hotspot operated by a TRO or customs service may be used. For example, in FIG. 2, the WiFi base station 54 is associated with a TRO refund system 56 at the TRO service desk. In this case, a validation process can be performed using a WiFi connection to the mobile communication device.

A base station 54 associated with or otherwise proximate to the TRO service desk, as described above with respect to the base station 54 in the seller's premises, may, for example, For connection, for example, to the Internet. This base station 54 is assigned a standard SSID for the TRO so that the application on the mobile communication device 40 can be easily programmed to automatically recognize the base station and connect to the base station when in range of the base station.

As a further example, the input of information using the mobile communication device 40 available at or near the validation point can be used to verify that the user is at or near the validation point. Alternatively or additionally, other information derived, for example, from a social networking site may be used as part of the mobile communication device, and thus an algorithm for determining that the user is at or near a validation point. Such an algorithm may take one or more of the various factors discussed above and weight the factors to determine that the mobile communication device, and thus the user, is at or near the validation point.

The mobile communication device 40 may send an invitation to the user to confirm the use of the service and / or the acceptance of the service in response to the determination that it is close to the validation point and / It can be presented automatically. This presentation may be due to a visual and / or auditory message.

The invitation may be merely an invitation to use the validation station 22, as noted above, and may not require an active response from the user.

In one example, the mobile communication device 40 may be used to replace at least some of the functionality of such validation station 22.

For example, the mobile communication device may also be operable to present one or more transactions for selection by a user to be processed by the service, and in response to the user input, select any transaction selected by the user to be processed by the service To the validation service 26 and / or to the host system 20 that identifies the user.

Depending on the local requirements, the user may be required to provide additional identification. This can be done using a biometric sensor of the mobile communication device 40, such as a fingerprint read by a fingerprint reader, an image photographed using a camera of the mobile communication device, if any, and then by a mobile communication device And transmitted to the validation service for comparison with the processed and / or stored records.

In one example, the validation station 22 may include a personal identifier (e.g., a passport, an identification card, a personal identification number, A driver's license, etc.) to determine the suitability of the user for tax refunds. The validation station 22 may operate to determine eligibility by reading information from the individual identifier and checking the information against an internal or external database containing information about the domestic / non-qualified user. In this case, the user may be deemed eligible if the user's nationality or status is not on the list (negative acknowledgment). Alternatively or additionally, the validation station 22 may be operable to determine eligibility by checking the information against an internal or external database containing information about the non-domestic / qualifying user. In this case, if the user's nationality or status is in the list, the user may be deemed eligible (positive acknowledgment).

As previously mentioned, the validation station 22 may also be provided with a fingerprint scanner and / or a camera so that it can use the biometric authentication information held in a machine readable identifier (e.g., an identity document such as a passport) May be used to verify the identity of the user. A discussion of such biometric authentication information can be found, for example, on the following Internet link:

http://www.highprogrammer.com/alan/numbers/mrp.html.

If the user's eligibility is determined, the mobile communication device and / or the validation station may be operable to send one or more validation request messages to the validation system 26, for example, via the message interface 24. In response to receiving the token, the validation system 26 will return all transactions eligible for export validation.

In one example, the mobile communication device 40 prompts the user to initiate validation and then sends a validation request message to the validation system 26 (e.g., via a custom interface Authorization system) to request authorization based on both the eligibility of the user with the registered mobile communication identifier and the transaction recorded in association with that user and / or mobile communication identifier.

The validation confirmation system 26 may be configured to receive all transactions from the host system 20 (e. G., From the host system 20) via its own database and / or via the message interface 24 in response to the validation request message All associated transactions), and can apply the rule set as described below to determine approval or rejection.

In one example, the validation system 26 automatically accepts one or more transactions based on established rules ("green channel") or automatically re-orders transactions based on rules set within the validation system 26 ("Red channel").

An authorization message (validation request response message) is automatically routed back to the appropriate host system 20 via the message interface 24 when the validation system 26 makes a decision on the transaction (accept / reject). This response can be in the form of a web service response and can maintain electronically authorized transactions (including electronic customs stamps). The host system 20 updates the existing tax return transaction record for the transaction using an authorization message (approval, rejection, change).

In an exemplary embodiment, the validation system 26 does not operate as a payment authorization host, rather the host system 20 is a system of writing.

Each host system 20 formats and sends a request message to the requester (e.g., the validation station 22 or the mobile communication device 40) indicating that the transaction has been approved for automatic payment of the "green channel ". The TRO that issued the token can be given the first position of the validation station, and the TRO transaction is displayed.

If one or more of the retrieved transactions have an approved code, the user may be given a "green channel" service for the approved transaction, and how the refund will be paid can be queried. The "green channel" service means that the refund is approved without any further action being required. If no transactions are approved, the user is given at least a "red channel" service for these transactions (perhaps all transactions), and the user is asked to appear to the customs officer for further processing. A "red channel" service means that at least for these transactions (perhaps for all transactions) the user must appear to customs officials for further processing to obtain approval.

If the choice of refund is a payment card (e.g., a credit card), a refund may automatically be made to the registered payment card. If there is no registered payment card, the validation station 22 or the mobile communication device can be configured to specify where the refund should be made.

If the user requests a cash equivalent refund and the user has used a mobile communication device 40 or other type of token capable of storing the cash amount, the refund amount may be deposited in the token.

If red channel processing is indicated, the validation station 22 or the mobile communication device may act to prompt the user to go to the customs agent, in which case the customs agent may begin processing using the mobile communication device identifier . Customs personnel may be provided with an authorization station 28 that is linked to or forms part of the validation system 26. However, in other examples, the authorization station may be separate and / or remote from the validation system 26 and may communicate with the validation system 26, for example, via the message interface 24.

In response to a user selection of one or more transactions for validation processing, the mobile communication device may be operable to send a validation request message to the validation system 26, And receive a message identifying the transaction and the rejected transaction.

Customs officials can then approve or reject each transaction, or change (reduce) the amount of the price. Customs personnel may use the input device (s) of the authorization station 28 to input the results of their decision. The results of its decision are communicated by the validation system 26 to the appropriate host system 20 via the message interface 24. The host system 20 now includes a tax refund transaction with an authorization code (authorization, rejection, changed value).

The validation system 26 may be configured to operate in one or both of the two modes of operation. In one mode of operation, information about the transaction is stored in each host system 20. In a first mode of operation, the validation system 26 may be operable to retrieve transaction information from each host system 20 for validation of the refund. The result of the authorization is again communicated to the appropriate host system 20 via the message interface 24. The host system 20 now includes a tax refund transaction with an authorization code (authorization, rejection, changed value). In the second mode of operation, the validation system 26 maintains a copy of each transaction in its own database, which is associated with the associated token (mobile communication device) identifier as well as the host system identifier. In this case, the validation system 26 also passes the transaction and authorization code back to the associated host system 20. The difference between the two modes is that, in the second mode, the customs approval system maintains a copy of all data from all the host systems 20.

The mobile communication device 40 may operate to utilize messaging using any suitable technology, such as SMS messaging, e-mail or web-based services. Appropriate security protocols may be used to convey information using existing software, equipment, and processes for handling secure financial transactions known as electronic payments. Thus, a standard-based message format may be used to transmit the refund transaction. The use of standard message formats allows multiple TRO providers, ensuring that customs and tax authorities only have to deal with a single system for authorization.

By recording a transaction in the host system 20 and / or the validation system 26 using at least the transaction identifier and the purchase price, and then associating the transaction with the record of the user details linked to the mobile communication device identifier of the host system 20, The validation system 26 retrieves the refund transaction from the host system 20 of the TRO based on the mobile communication device identifier to indicate a "yes / no" response to the refund request, Lt; / RTI >

In the illustrated example, communication between the host system (s) 20 and the validation system 26 may be implemented via the message interface 24. The message interface 24 may provide a dedicated network between the validation system 26 and the host system 20 for one or more TROs. The message interface may be implemented using a web service or other online or offline connection structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, an automated validation station 22 may be provided that allows automated pre-interception of the refund transaction to produce a "red channel / green channel" response without human intervention. An automated pre-blocking process may be performed, for example, using the validation station 22 at the departure point of the territory.

The validation system 22 (e.g., the validation system 26) that communicates with the validation station 22, or validation station 22, may include, for example, a "red Quot; channel "requirement may be provided. The "Red Channel" action may be that the user requires tokens, shopping receipts, passports, and purchased goods to be presented to customs officers at customs station 16 for approval.

The validation station 22 or the authorization system 26 in communication with the validation station may be provided with a set of criteria such as the country of origin of the traveler, the item price, the transaction price, the price of all transactions, the quantity of goods, Rules may be provided that define a "green channel" situation that provides automatic acknowledgment according to a logical combination. White and black lists for countries, departures, retailers, travelers, etc. can also be used.

In an exemplary embodiment, an application on a mobile communication device may provide a validation station (kiosk) by providing the user with an interface to obtain automatic pre-interception of a refund transaction to generate a "red channel / green channel ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 22 < / RTI > The automated pre-blocking process may be enabled upon determining that the mobile communication device is close to the exit point of the territory.

A validation system (e.g., a customs approval system) 26 that communicates with a mobile communication device application, or mobile communication device 40, may include, for example, a "red channel " "Rules may be provided to define the requirements. The "Red Channel" action may be that the user requires tokens, shopping receipts, passports, and purchased goods to be presented to customs officers at customs station 16 for approval.

A validation system (e.g., a customs approval system) 26 that communicates with a mobile communication device application, or mobile communication device, may include a country of origin of the traveler, an item price, a transaction price, a price of all transactions, Quot; green channel "situation that provides automatic acknowledgment in accordance with certain criteria such as < RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI > White and black lists for countries, departures, retailers, travelers, etc. can also be used.

2 also shows the reservation system 58 and the immigration control system 60. [ The reservation system 58 may be a travel reservation system, for example, an airline reservation system. Such airline reservation systems typically include large-scale networked computer systems including a plurality of processors (CPUs) and memory / storage device systems (MEMs). The travel reservation system 58 may monitor the traveler's travel status and update the traveler's status at various stages during the journey. For example, in a first step, the reservation system will recognize that the user has made a travel reservation and will include information identifying the user. Thus, within the reservation system, there will be a travel record that identifies the particular itinerary (e.g., a flight) taken by the user, and information identifying the user. The information identifying the user may be maintained directly in the travel record, or may include a link to the user record. In the exemplary system, the reservation system 58 is also configured to store the status of the user with respect to the use of the service, for example, a tax refund service. Information on the registration of the tax refund service can be stored in a field of, for example, an actual travel reservation record, or in a field of a separate user record linked to a travel reservation record. For example, registration for a tax refund service may be maintained as part of the loyalty program record for the airline. It is also contemplated that the traveler's record in the host system 20 may include a link to a travel reservation in the travel reservation system 58. [

By interconnecting the travel reservation system 58 and the host system 20 records (e.g., by including appropriate links to the fields of each record of the travel reservation system 58 and the host system 20) The status can be automatically used to automatically generate a message to be sent to the user and / or automatically determine when the user actually departed and provide a final authorization for a tax refund to be made.

As mentioned, the same function may be provided, for example, using an immigration control system 60 that includes one or more processors and appropriate memory and records of individual travelers entering or departing a country . This immigration control system 60 can be integrated with the travel reservation system 58 and / or the tax return host system 20 to automatically generate a message to be sent to the user and / or automatically provide a tax refund when the user leaves the territory .

In the description of FIG. 2, the reservation system 58 is linked to the host system 20 via the network 15. It should be noted, however, that the reservation system 58 may also be functionally linked to the validation system 26 in the same manner as described above. Note that, in this regard, a dashed link is shown between reservation system 58 and message interface 24 of FIG.

3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the functional components of a mobile communication device, e.g., a mobile phone, such as a smart phone.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile communication device 40 includes one or more processors 70, and a memory 72 for storing programs and data. An audio input and output 76 (e.g., a speaker and a microphone), a vibration mechanism 78 for providing vibration notifications, a touch sensor mechanism 80 for user input, a touch sensor resting on the display 74 -, and one or more keys 82 are provided. A wireless module 84 for wireless communication with the cellular network, an NFC module 86 for interacting with the near field communication technology, a WiFi module 88 for communicating with the WiFi base station, A Bluetooth module 90, and a GPS module 92 for locating the mobile communication device. It will be appreciated that the interaction of the various functional components shown in FIG. 3 is merely illustrated in a schematic manner and that any suitable conventional configuration of the individual components within the mobile communication device is possible.

Figures 4-8 provide a flow chart illustrating an overview of the operation of the system shown in Figures 1-3.

Fig. 4 shows an example of processing that can be performed in a store where a user makes a purchase.

At step 412, the user makes a purchase at the POS terminal of the seller. The detailed information of the purchase can be captured by the seller system using any prior art technology, for example, by the seller scanning the barcode and the seller system retrieving the details of the purchase associated with the barcode from the storage system of the seller system have.

Seller system 14 may be operable to determine a mobile communication device identifier for the user's mobile communication device. For example, it may be captured using the NFC reader 42 of the POS terminal 44 of the merchant using NFC technology. Alternatively, the mobile communication device identifier may be entered using WiFi, Bluetooth, or other techniques, or using a manual input device.

At 414, the merchant system 14 sends a query message including the mobile communication device identifier to the host system 20. The host system 20 may be operable to determine whether the mobile communication device is registered with the tax refund service by comparing the mobile communication device identifier with the user's record.

If at 416, the mobile communication device identifier is recorded in the host system 20, the host system 20 may be operable to send a response message to the seller system 14 that includes information for identifying the user. The information for identifying the user may include, for example, a passport number and / or biometric authentication information (e.g., photographs) for user identification.

At 418, the merchant system 14 may be operable to output information to the merchant for identifying the user for manual confirmation of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the merchant system may be configured to invite the user to enter identification information (e.g., using biometric authentication).

At 416, if the mobile communication device identifier is not recorded in the host system 20, the host system 20 sends a response message to the seller system 14 that prompts the user or seller to enter information for identifying the user Lt; / RTI >

At 420, the merchant system 14 may operate to prompt the merchant or user to enter information for identifying the user. The information for identifying the user may include information identifying the nationality or residential country of the user, for example, a passport number and / or biometric authentication information for user identification. The information for identifying the user may then be transmitted to the host system 20 and the host system 20 may be operable to record that information in the user's record for the user to identify the user.

At 422, if the user is eligible to receive service, the merchant system may be operable to send a transaction message to the host system 20. The transaction message may include a receipt identifier (e.g., a receipt number), a price of the purchased item, and a mobile communication device identifier. Additional information, such as, for example, the details of the purchase item retrieved in step 412, may also be included in the message.

The host system 20 may be operable to assign a transaction identifier (e.g., a transaction number or string) to the transaction and to generate a transaction record including a transaction identifier, a receipt identifier, a purchase price, and a mobile communication device identifier . Additional information may also be included in the transaction record, such as, for example, the details of the purchase item.

That is, the exemplary transaction record entry maintained at the host system may include the following fields, some or all of which may be filled in response to the steps described above:

Transaction identifier;

Receipt identifier;

Purchase price;

Token identifier;

Registration flag;

Product details;

Details of traveler;

Target of payment.

The host system 20 may also be configured to return a transaction response message that includes a transaction identifier that may be printed on the purchase receipt printed by the seller system 14. [ Processing then ends at 426.

Steps 412 through 426 may be performed in parallel with the credit card authorization process in real time so that no further delays are required in the store.

In the disclosed method, communication with the host system 20 is enforced by the seller system 14. In another example, communication with the host system 20 may be performed by a device separate from the merchant system 14, e.g., by a payment system, or under the control of an application on the mobile communication device, 40). ≪ / RTI >

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of operation of the system described with reference to Figures 1-3 as the user approaches the departure point of the territory.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system may automatically operate 512 to determine that the mobile communication device is near a border or customs validation point. This automatic determination of the location of the mobile communication device may be accomplished in a variety of ways as described above.

In one example, the interaction of the mobile communication device 40 and the cellular telephone network to which the mobile communication device is connected may be used to determine the location of the mobile communication device 40. [ Thus, for example, the mobile network 50 or mobile communication device 40 may operate to determine that the mobile communication device 40 is in a mobile communication cell associated with a border or customs validation point. This is indicated by mobile network antenna 52 in FIG. This determination is based on the fact that the mobile network is configured to store the identity of the mobile communication device 40 in a record that indicates that the mobile communication device 40 is maintained in the memory MEM in the mobile communication network system 50 and that the mobile communication device 40 is registered with the tax refund service ≪ / RTI > The mobile communication network system 50 may then operate to send a message to the validation system 26 (or host system 20), and the recipient then invites the user to use the tax refund service (512) the solicitation message to the mobile communication device (40). As an alternative to communicating with the validation system 26 or the host system 20 after the mobile network system 50 has recognized the presence of the mobile communication device 40, (For example, by comparing the cell identity with the cell identity list maintained as data for the application on the mobile communication device 40), along border or customs validation points associated with the border or customs validation point Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > cell. ≪ / RTI > The mobile communication device 40 may then act to communicate directly with the validation system 26 or the host system 20 or directly to provide a message to the user solely to utilize the tax return service.

The invitation may take the form of a simple query that invites the user to respond, or it may take the form of more detailed guidance on the steps to be taken to obtain a tax refund. This may include, for example, the location of the validation station within the border or customs validation point, the location of the tax return operator service desk, the location of the customs desk, and so on.

This invitation message 514 does not necessarily require a response from the user, especially if the message provides a type of guidance just described. However, if the solicitation message requires a response, the response is received by the originator (i. E. Validation system 26 or host system 20), and then at 518, If so, the process is aborted at 520.

Alternatively, at 518, if the user requests to continue with the tax refund service, then at step 522, the validation system 26 may retrieve the tax refund from the location where the transaction record is stored (e. G., From the host system 20 or from the message interface 24 ) To retrieve the purchase transaction using the mobile communication device identifier.

The validation system 26 may be operable at 524 to determine if the purchase has been validated for the refund and to transmit a status message at 526 to the mobile communication device 40 indicating the status of the tax refund request . As described above, this may be in the form of a green channel or a red channel response. In the case of a red channel response, the status message may give the mobile communication device user an indication of additional steps to take to obtain validation, e.g., an instruction to go to the customs desk for further processing.

At 526, if the refund is validated, the refund may be processed by the host system 20 (528).

6 shows an operation that may be formed on a mobile communication device as part of the process described with respect to Fig.

For example, at 612, the mobile communication device will receive the aforementioned solicitation message. In the current example shown in Fig. 6, it is assumed that the solicitation message invites the user to respond to indicate whether the user desires to use the tax return system. At 614, the mobile communication device is responsive to user input at the mobile communication device. At 616, if the user declines the use of the tax refund service, processing is discontinued at 618.

Alternatively, if the user response at 614 is to determine (616) the use of the tax refund service, at 620, the mobile communication device will receive the status message referred to above with respect to FIG. At 622, the user may be invited to enter a selection of one or more purchases to be processed for tax refunds. That is, rather than providing tax refunds for all purchases, the user can select one or more of the purchases. In this regard, the mobile communication device may operate in response to a status message to centrally record in the central store and display all purchase transactions retrieved therefrom to a user so that the user can select one or more of these transactions. At 624, the response from the mobile communication device is sent to the validation system 26.

7 shows an example of how the reservation system 58 can be used as part of a tax refund system.

In Figure 7, step 712 represents a user check-in (e.g., check-in for a flight) for the itinerary. According to conventional processing, this can be done by user check-in using a web-based or message-based service using a personal computer or mobile communication device. Alternatively, a check-in may be provided at a check-in terminal or check-in desk in the airport.

At step 714, the reservation system 58 is responsive to the traveler's status change (e.g., from non-check-in to check-in) to the tax return host 20 and / Transmit the trip status message. The travel status message may include one or more of the traveler's identifications (e.g., a mobile communication device identifier, or a specific user identifier, an airline's loyalty program identifier for the user, the user's passport number, (Or any other identifier that enables the linking of records within the host system 20 and / or the validation system 26, recorded as a common identifier in the validation system 26) .

One of the validation system 26, the host system 20 or the reservation system 58 may provide an invitation or prompt corresponding to the invitation message as described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, To the communication device 40. [0035] At step 718, as described above with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the solicitation message may prompt the user with a response or give instructions to the user regarding the steps to take to utilize the tax refund service have.

If a response from the user is required, the user's mobile communication device may request 718 the tax refund operation to be performed by the validation system 26 and / or the host system 20 in response to the user input.

7, the reservation system 58 may be linked with the host system 20 and / or the validation system 26 and may be coupled to the reservation system 58 and / or the validation system 26 and / It should be noted that the host system 20 may provide the relevant messages and the functions described above.

8 shows an example in which the reservation system 58 can respond to data entered from a source indicating that the user has actually boarded a transportation (e. G., An aircraft) at step 812 and / ≪ / RTI >

At step 814, the reservation system 58 may be operable to send a message to the host system 20 and / or the validation system 26 in the manner described above, thereby, at step 816, (20) can act to enforce any refund attributable to the traveler.

As an alternative to or in addition to the reservation system 58, the immigration control system 60, which is operated by the national immigration authorities of a given territory, communicates with the validation system 26 and / or the host system 20 It can operate to implement the processing described in Fig.

The conditions that may result in granting automatic approval may depend on predefined rules that may vary according to various legal and regulatory requirements.

For example, a typical requirement is that a buyer of a good must be the one to whom the good is to be exported. Thus, in situations where, for example, no eligibility at the time of purchase has been ascertained as a result of a user not being registered at that time, embodiments of the present invention allow this to be identified from transaction records maintained in the system. In this case, at step 542, the system may operate to indicate red channel processing (i.e., non-automatic processing for the user). In the current example, confirmation of eligibility and / or registration at the time of transaction can be confirmed from the status of the "registration" flag in the transaction record. As also described above, optionally, in accordance with local requirements, the "registration" flag for the transaction may be reset, for example, at the time of purchase, if it is determined that registration has not been completed.

While in the current example the "registration" flag is being used as a means of tracking confirmation of eligibility, in other examples tracking of eligibility may be accomplished by date stamping, and by comparing the timing of the eligibility record with the purchase transaction time .

Other factors such as purchased commodity price, type of transaction, transaction pattern, user's nationality, etc. may affect the availability of automatic approval. In addition, non-automatic processing may be required as a statistical basis as part of the sampling process.

Thus, non-automatic processing (red channel processing) can be determined when a locally determined requirement for automatic processing is determined to be unsatisfactory and / or statistical sample processing is required. Thus, the exemplary system provides increased flexibility of operation while still providing secure and verifiable operations.

As mentioned above, rules may be provided to determine approval or rejection (green or red channel status). This rule can be implemented, for example, by providing a score for different parameters, whereby the validation system 26 or mobile communication device 40 can then use the score to determine whether the resulting score is a green channel response Or within the range for the red channel response. For example, travelers may be assigned different scores based on their home country, and different scores may be assigned to different classes of merchandise and / or different purchases. These scores may be stored in the validation system 26 and / or storage for applications running on the mobile communication device 40. [ The score may be stored, for example, in one or more lookup tables, or in any other suitable manner, and the lookup table is accessed by code associated with various parameters. The lookup table may include a plurality of entries, one for each parameter, the first field identifying the parameter (e.g., a code or string representing the parameter) and the second field including the score associated therewith.

The program code, each operating on one or more processors of the validation system 26 or the mobile communication device 40, may be operable to access the appropriate look-up table (s) to retrieve scores associated with each parameter. The program code may be operable to determine one or more resultant scores by mathematically combining the individual scores retrieved for relevant parameters for the refund request. For example, the total result score may be derived from the score based on the nationality plus the score based on the type of item and the score for the amount of item for each item requesting a refund. In this simple example, scores for related parameters are added together to form a resulting score, but other mathematical operators (e.g., multiplication) may be used to determine one or more resulting scores. The total resultant score and / or one or more resultant scores for each item or group of items may be compared to a range of stored values representing a green channel and a red channel response to determine whether the resulting score (s) is within each range have. As a result, the determination of the green or red channel response can be made with respect to all items, individual items or group of items, if necessary.

A similar approach can be used to control various stages of automated communication with the user, automated validation and refund processing. For example, the table may include, for example, a validation system 26 (or alternatively, a host system 20, a message interface 24, (58), or the immigration control system (60)). For example, if the user is registered with a tax refund service, an identity-based eligibility check, an acceptance of a tax refund service, one or more purchases, a check-in for a trip, Different scores can be assigned based on whether they have passed through an immigration office, boarded an airplane, departed, or the like.

The various travel status steps may have different weights for different service actions of the automated tax refund process. The different service behaviors may include, for example, the following:

- automatic issuance of an invitation to use the service, for example, in the case of one or more of the following exemplary steps.

- When traveling to a territory (eg, flight)

- When entering the territory,

- At or subsequent to the purchase transaction,

- Upon check-in for a trip to the territory (eg, flight)

- When approaching a customs branch to depart from the territory,

- When passing through an immigration station to board (for example, fly) to leave the territory,

- a flight (for example, flight) to leave the territory or

- when returning from territory to home;

- automatic transmission of a transaction list for selection by the user for validation, for example, in the case of one or more of the following exemplary steps:

- At or after the transaction,

- Upon check-in for a trip to the territory (eg, flight)

- When approaching a customs branch to depart from the territory,

- When passing through an immigration station to board (for example, fly) to leave the territory,

- a flight (for example, flight) to leave the territory or

- when returning from territory to home;

- automatic initiation of the validation process for the refund status for one or more transactions, for example, in the case of one or more of the following exemplary steps.

- At or after the transaction,

- Upon check-in for a trip to the territory (eg, flight)

- When approaching a customs branch to depart from the territory,

- When passing through an immigration station to board (for example, fly) to leave the territory,

- a flight (for example, flight) to leave the territory or

- when returning from territory to home;

- automatic processing of refunds, for example, following validation processing in the case of one or more of the following exemplary steps:

- At or after the transaction,

- Upon check-in for a trip to the territory (eg, flight)

- When approaching a customs branch to depart from the territory,

- When passing through an immigration station to board (for example, fly) to leave the territory,

- a flight (for example, flight) to leave the territory or

- when returning from territory to home;

The score may be maintained, for example, in a multidimensional table (e.g., a two dimensional table having a travel phase on one axis and a service behavior on the other axis), and the score may be maintained in one of the validation systems 26 Automatically evaluated by program code running on more processors. This processing capability may alternatively or additionally include one or more of transaction station 22, host system (s) 20, reservation system 58, immigration management system 60, or mobile communication device 40 As shown in FIG.

In the exemplary system described above, transaction records are maintained in the host system (s) 20, which are stored in the validation system 26 and / or transaction station (s) 22 or customs station (s) . However, in another example, transaction records may alternatively or additionally be maintained in a message interface, where the message interface is configured as a central server system.

Also, while the automated validation station 22 is shown in addition to the customs station 16 in the described example, the customs station 16 may be provided with the functionality of the validation station 22 and / Or a separate validation station 22 may be substituted. When the customs station 16 forms an example of the validation station 22, the entry of user information may be performed by the user or, if appropriate, by customs personnel.

Embodiments may be implemented in a computer program product for operating one or more processors. The computer program product may be in the form of a computer program on a carrier medium. The carrier medium may be a storage medium such as a solid state, magnetic, optical, magneto-optical or other storage medium. The carrier medium may be a transmission medium such as a broadcast, telephone, computer network, wired, wireless, electrical, electromagnetic, optical or any other transmission medium.

Determining whether the mobile communication device identifier is associated with a registration for the service in response to the mobile communication device identifier for the user's mobile communication device and, if the mobile communication device identifier is registered with the service, A system and method for providing a service, e.g., a tax refund service, including a device for determining predetermined user information associated with an identifier has been described.

The device may be interfaced to a remote server that includes a storage device that provides an association between information derived from the mobile communication device identifier and predetermined user information. The device may be configured to query the remote server using information derived from the mobile communication device identifier of the mobile communication device. The device may be configured to receive information derived from predetermined user information associated with information derived from the mobile communication device identifier read from the mobile communication device from a remote server. If the mobile communication device identifier is not registered with the service, the device enables operator input of predetermined user information for the user and, prior to the provision of the service, the information derived from the entered user information and the mobile communication device identifier May be configured to cause association with the derived information.

The device may be configured to transmit information derived from the mobile communication device identifier of the mobile communication device and the entered user information to a remote server for storage. The device may include a mobile communication device reader operable to read a mobile communication device identifier from the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device reader may include an NFC interface. The mobile communication device may be a mobile phone. The user information may include information identifying the user's nationality, for example, the country and number of the passport or other identity carrier. The device or a separate device, e.g., a mobile communication device, is operable to transmit detailed information of a transaction associated with the mobile communication device identifier to a remote system, e.g., a host system or a validation system. The detailed information of the transaction can be transmitted, for example, via the mobile telephone system. The mobile communication device may be operable to receive an invitation message to invite the user to answer the invitation message using the mobile communication device to receive the service. If the user responds to this solicitation message using the mobile communication device, the mobile communication device may be operable to receive a status message confirming to the user whether the service is to be automatically approved or additional steps are required for approval have.

The system may determine, for example, the GPS coordinate information captured by the mobile communication device, the determination of the cell to which the mobile communication device is connected, the determination by the user at the border or customs validation point that information is to be input to the mobile communication device One or more of which may be operable to determine proximity of the mobile communication device to a border or customs validation point. The mobile communication device may, for example, receive an invitation message and / or a status message in response to determining a proximity of the mobile communication device to a border or customs validation point. The mobile communication device may be operable to present a plurality of transactions for selection by the user for processing by the service. The messaging may be provided using, for example, SMS and / or e-mail. A portion of the provision of the service may include issuing a tax refund check using, for example, a mobile communication device.

In response to a determination that the mobile communication device registered for the service is close to the validation location for the service, automatically initiating at least one service action for the service, System and method have been described.

The determination that the mobile communication device is close to the validation location may include a determination that the cell to which the mobile communication device is connected is a cell that is close to the validation location. For example, the mobile communication device may determine that the cell to which the mobile communication device is connected is a cell close to the validation location. Alternatively, it may be performed by a mobile communication network system, wherein the mobile communication network system is configured to recognize the mobile communication device as registered for the service. The determination that the mobile communication device is close to the validation location may utilize the satellite-derived location information detected by the mobile communication device indicating that the mobile communication device is close to the validation location. The determination that the mobile communication device is proximate to the validation location may be determined using a location based wireless connection service detected by the mobile communication device (e.g., provided by a WiFi base station) indicating that the mobile communication device is approaching the validation location ≪ / RTI > The determination that the mobile communication device is close to the validation location may be determined by at least one of the mobile communication device or the host server that the information entered by the user into the mobile communication device corresponds to the information presented to the user of the mobile communication device at the validation location And may include confirmation.

The service action automatically presents to the user an invitation to use the service in response to a message received by one or more mobile communication devices, automatically provides information to the user about how the mobile communication device uses the service, Providing automated validation of transactions for the user, and presenting a validation status of one or more transactions to the user. Before a determination is made that the mobile communication device is close to a validation location for the service, the mobile communication device may be operable to present to the user an invitation to use the service, and the user input to the mobile communication device to accept the service And send a confirmation message to the host server to confirm the acceptance of the service. The mobile communication device may be operable to present one or more transactions for selection by the user to be processed by the service before the determination that the mobile communication device is close to the validation location for the service, And transmits a message identifying any transaction selected by the user to be processed by the service in response to user input to the mobile communication device. The service action may include presenting a recommendation to the user to confirm acceptance of the service, sending a confirmation message to the host server to confirm acceptance of the service in response to user input to the mobile communication device that the mobile communication device is accepting the service , The mobile communication device presenting one or more transactions for selection by the user to be processed by the service, the mobile communication device being in response to a user input to the mobile communication device, And sending a message identifying the transaction of interest. The message may be implemented using SMS or e-mail. The mobile communication device may be a mobile phone. The service may be a tax refund service.

One or more records corresponding to purchase transactions may be used to present one or more transactions to the user. One or more records may be maintained on the mobile communication device. One or more records may be maintained at the server and provided to the mobile communication device in a message from the server in response to determining that the mobile communication device is proximate to the validation location. The mobile communication device may be operable to receive a status message that confirms to the user whether any transactions selected by the user to be processed by the tax refund service will be automatically approved or additional steps will be required for approval. Validation points may be border or customs validation points. The system automatically validates that the transaction registered in the tax refund service is eligible for a refund and sends a message to the mobile communication device to determine whether the mobile communication device will automatically inform the user that the tax refund service is automatically approved for one or more transactions, And / or to indicate whether additional steps are required to obtain approval for one or more transactions. The record corresponding to the purchase transaction registered in the tax refund service can be used for automatic qualification of the refund.

A mobile communication device is also described which includes means for outputting information to a user, means for receiving user input, wireless communication means for communicating with a communication network system, storage means and processing means, , The mobile communication device is configured to communicate an invitation to the user to use the service in response to determining that the mobile communication device is close to a validation location for the service, And automatically presented. A computer system that provides automated validation of a tax refund request for one or more services automatically validates that the transaction registered in the tax refund service is automatically eligible for a refund, Send a validation status message to the mobile communication device to indicate to the user whether the tax return service is automatically approved for one or more transactions and / or if additional steps are required for one or more transactions to obtain approval Lt; / RTI >

A system and method for automated processing of tax refunds has been further described which includes a first database in which traveler's travel records registered for the tax refund service are stored, a second database in which the travel status for the traveler is stored, ; And a computer server operable to initiate a service action relating to the tax refund service to the registered traveler for the tax refund service in response to the detection of the traveler's travel status indicating that the traveler is preparing to leave the territory.

The second database may be a travel reservation database of the travel reservation system, the travel reservation record in the travel reservation database is maintained in the travel state for the traveler, and the travel reservation record is linked to the traveler record in the first database. The second database may be an immigration control database of the immigration control system, a travel status record of the immigration control database is maintained in the travel status record, and a travel status record is linked to the traveler record of the first database. Initiating a service action may include automatic transmission of a warning message to a traveler's mobile communication device wherein the mobile communication device is identified by a traveler's record for the traveler. The warning message may be automatically sent to the traveler's mobile communication device in response to a change in the traveler's status maintained in the second database indicating that the user is preparing to leave the territory. The warning message may, for example, provide information about the steps taken by the user to enforce validation of the purchase transaction for the tax refund service.

A record in the second database may include a reference to a record in the first database. A record in the first database may include a reference to a record in the second database. An automatic response may be provided for receipt of a request for verification of the validity of the tax refund on one or more purchase transactions by the traveler by determining the traveler's travel status from the second database, and in response to the traveler's determined travel status, The service action may be initiated with respect to the refund service. A traveler's travel status indicating that the traveler is preparing to leave the territory may be, for example, a check-in; Check-in at a station, port or airport; Cargo check-in; on board; It may be one or more of the departures.

A tax refund system (e.g., a host system or validation system) may operate to query the travel system to determine the traveler's status. A tax refund system (e.g., a host system or validation system) may operate to receive automated updates from the travel system in response to changes in the traveler's travel status. The tax refund system (e.g., host system or validation system) may operate to check whether the identity of the registered traveler corresponds to the identity of the traveler for the travel reservation. At least one transaction record may identify one or more purchases registered for a non-tax refund for the traveler. The service action may include automatic initiation of the validation process for one or more purchases of the traveler. The service action may include automatically indicating to the user whether one or more purchases of the traveler are eligible for automatic refund at departure, or if additional steps are required to obtain the refund. An additional step for the refund may include presenting the goods to be exported to the customs desk. The service action may include causing the traveler to be reimbursed for the validated purchase for the refund in response to a predefined change in the traveler's travel reservation status. The predefined changes in the travel reservation status include: check-in; Check-in at a station, port, or airport; Cargo check-in; on board; And may include a change in the travel reservation state for one or more of the departures.

In the foregoing description, an application provided to a mobile communication device has been referred to. Such applications may be configured to run as foreground tasks and / or background tasks on the mobile communication device or as background tasks that are capable of receiving the capabilities of the mobile communication device. Such an application may be configured to employ the various processes described above. In one example, the mobile communication device application may be operable to provide the user with the above-described location processing and to provide information to the user, and the tax return service itself may be provided to the infrastructure described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 For example, all user records and transaction records, stored electronic tax refund checks, etc. may be stored in a storage device as part of its infrastructure, for example in TRO host system 20 and / or message interface 24 And the validation process is performed by the validation system 26 via the validation station 22. In another example, the mobile communication device may be used to support even more tax refund services, and the tax refund service itself is provided by the infrastructure described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, for example, , Transaction records and / or electronic tax refund checks, etc., are maintained in the storage of the mobile communication device and are managed by the application of the mobile communication device, and the validation process is performed by a validation system 26). An application on the mobile communication device may be used to determine the location of the mobile communication device using one or more of a combination of GPS, mobile network cell location and wireless base station location information. In these and other examples having different distribution tasks as part of the refund process, the user records, transaction records and stored electronic tax refund checks may be linked using the mobile communication device identifier or another identifier associated therewith, Various steps of refund processing can be tracked by the system as a whole.

While the foregoing embodiments have been described in detail, numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above teachings are fully understood. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include all such modifications and equivalents, and their equivalents.

Claims (16)

A computer-implemented method for providing a service, the service being a tax refund service,
The method
Storing records of one or more purchase transactions in a storage device, the one or more transactions being associated with a mobile communication device identifier, the mobile communication device identifier being registered with the host system for the service accessing the storage device; And
In response to the automatic determination that the mobile communication device with the mobile communication device identifier is close to a location for validating the refund using the tax refund service, Automatically initiating a service action
Lt; / RTI >
Said determination that the mobile communication device is proximate to a validation location,
Determining whether the cell to which the mobile communication device is connected is a cell adjacent to the validation location by the mobile communication device or the mobile communication network system to which the mobile communication device is connected,
A determination by the mobile communication device using satellite-derived position information indicating that the mobile communication device is proximate to the validation location, and
The determination by the mobile communication device using location-based wireless access services detected by the mobile communication device to indicate that the mobile communication device is in proximity to the validation location
, ≪ / RTI >
The service action includes:
Sending a message to the mobile communication device to cause the mobile communication device to provide the user with information for using the service,
Causing automatic validation of transactions for the service; and
Providing the mobile communication device with a validation status of one or more transactions to present to the user
Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 1, < / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Sending a message from the host system to the mobile communication device to cause the mobile communication device to present to the user an invitation to use the service; and receiving a user input to the mobile communication device Receiving from the mobile communication device an acknowledgment message for acknowledging the acceptance of the service. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the message that causes the mobile communication device to present to the user an invitation to use the service is sent before a determination is made that the mobile communication device is close to a validation location for the service. The method according to claim 1,
Sending a message from the host system to the mobile communication device to cause the mobile communication device to present one or more transactions for selection by the user to be processed by the service, Receiving from the mobile communication device an acknowledgment message indicating any transaction selected by the mobile communication device. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the message causing the mobile communication device to present one or more transactions is sent before a determination is made that the mobile communication device is close to a validation location for the service. 5. The method of claim 4,
Transmitting a status message from the host system to the mobile communication device to confirm to the user whether any transactions selected by the user to be processed by the tax refund service are automatically approved or additional steps are required for approval RTI ID = 0.0 > 1, < / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the validation point is a border crossing or a customs validation point. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile telephone. 1. A mobile communication device comprising means for outputting information to a user, means for receiving user input, wireless communication means for communicating with a communication network system, storage means and processing means,
Wherein the mobile communication device is configured to communicate with a host system in which the mobile communication device is registered for provision of a service and the host system is configured to store one or more purchase transactions associated with the mobile communication device identifier for the mobile communication device Accesses the records,
Wherein the mobile communication device is automatically initiated by the host system in response to a determination that the mobile communication device with the mobile communication device identifier is automatically located close to a location for validation of a refund using a tax refund service In response to a service action, automatically present at least one of an invitation to a user to use the service, an automatic validation result of transactions for the service, and a validation state of one or more transactions,
Wherein the determination that the mobile communication device is close to the validation location,
Determining whether the cell to which the mobile communication device is connected is a cell adjacent to the validation location by the mobile communication device or the mobile communication network system to which the mobile communication device is connected,
A determination by the mobile communication device using satellite-derived position information indicating that the mobile communication device is proximate to the validation location, and
The determination by the mobile communication device using location-based wireless access services detected by the mobile communication device to indicate that the mobile communication device is in proximity to the validation location
Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 >
A mobile communication device. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the invitation provides the user with information about how to use the service. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the invitation provides the user with an option to confirm acceptance of the service, the mobile communication device comprising: a confirmation message for confirming the acceptance of the service in response to a user input to the mobile communication device accepting the service, To the host server. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the processor of the mobile communication device is configured to cause the outputting means to present one or more transactions for selection by the user to be processed by the service and to cause the output by the user to be processed by the service in response to a user input And send an acknowledgment message identifying the selected arbitrary transaction. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile telephone. As a host system for tax refund services,
The host system
Wherein the one or more transactions are associated with a mobile communication device identifier and the mobile communication device identifier is registered with the host system for the service accessing the storage device;
In response to a determination that the mobile communication device having the mobile communication device identifier is proximate to a location for validating a refund using the tax refund service, To automatically initiate a < RTI ID = 0.0 >
Said determination that the mobile communication device is proximate to a validation location,
Determining that the cell to which the mobile communication device is connected is a cell close to the validation location,
Using the satellite-derived position information detected by the mobile communication device as indicating that the mobile communication device is proximate to the validation location, and
Using location-based wireless access services detected by the mobile communication device as indicating that the mobile communication device is proximate to the validation location
, ≪ / RTI >
The service action includes:
Sending a message to the mobile communication device to cause the mobile communication device to provide the user with information for using the service,
Causing automatic validation of transactions for the service; and
Providing the mobile communication device with a validation status of one or more transactions to present to the user
≪ / RTI > 15. The method of claim 14,
The transactions registered in the tax refund service are automatically validated to automatically qualify for the refund,
Sending a validation status message to the mobile communication device registered with the host server for a tax refund service to cause the mobile communication device to determine whether the tax refund service is automatically approved for one or more of the transactions, And to indicate to the user whether additional steps are required to obtain approval for the one or more. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the host system is operable to transmit the validation status message in response to receiving a location message indicating that the mobile communication device registered with the host server is determined to be close to a validation point.

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