WO2008147222A1

WO2008147222A1 - Interactive data transfer

Info

Publication number: WO2008147222A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2008/000111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig Alexander Urquhart
Original assignee: Finco Originations Limited
Priority date: 2007-05-25
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: AU2008201862A1; NZ555452A

Abstract

A method of interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device including the steps of receiving a electronic message containing financial data from a user using a portable device, and extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and sending a return electronic message containing the payment information to the user.

Description

INTERACTIVE DATA TRANSFER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to interactive data transfer.

In particular, the present invention relates to the interactive transfer of financial data using a portable device.

BACKGROUND ART

Many purchases by consumers require the establishment of a hire purchase arrangement, bank loan, or similar finance arrangement.

This requires the consumer to contact the appropriate financial institutions, discuss the amount of finance required, repayments and so on, before making a decision, to make a purchase. This is a time consuming process, and inhibits the consumer from committing to or making a spontaneous purchase.

The vendor of the goods or services is also unable to capitalise- from making a sale.

Technology is sufficiently advanced that a more prompt response to a finance request can be achieved. Surprisingly, the consumer is unable to avail themselves at the point of purchase of any instantaneous method for making financial arrangements for purchasing high value goods and' services.

The full purchase price of a high value consumer good may be off-putting for a potential purchaser, although they may consider a purchase if they are provided with sufficient financial information. By not being able to provide financial information relating to a hire purchase agreement or similar finance arrangement for the potential purchaser, a salesperson may not be able to achieve a sale. Many financial institutions provide websites which can provide detailed financial advice and information. However, it is often impractical when shopping, for a consumer to locate a computer in order to interact with the internet for the purposes of finding out financial information.

This cari be a disadvantage in other purchasing situations, such as an auction, where bidding amounts can quickly increase in value. A potential buyer may have a maximum bid amount in mind, but may decide a higher bid amount is justified. In this event, a recalculation of their financial situation may be required.

Consumers may also wish to spontaneously utilise other types of financial services. For example, the consumer may wish to invest into a financial instrument such as a retirement scheme or term deposit. Alternatively, the consumer may wish to purchase insurance.

As with finance lending companies or institutions, proprietors of financial services such as investment funds or insurance provide websites with interest rates and premium amounts, which are impractical if the consumer is not near, or is unable to access, a computer.

Some Bluetooth® cell phones are able to wirelessly connect to the^" internet. However, the uploading of web pages can be time consuming as data is transmitted wirelessly.

There are other disadvantages of using internet compatible cell phone or similar portable devices. Navigation of websites using the relatively small display screens of the cell phone can be difficult, due to the framing of the screen.

Many websites also require the user to input several characters into data entry fields, which can be tedious and time consuming, particularly when using the smaller screens and input keys of a cell phone or PDA device. The present invention provides a more instantaneous method of providing financial information to the consumer using existing, widespread and accessible^' technology. ^'

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will, also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device including the steps of: a) receiving a electronic message containing financial data from a user using a portable device, and;

b) extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and;

c) extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and;

d) analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and;

e) sending a return electronic message containing the payment information to the user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, there may be an additional step of:

f) providing the user with the option to receive follow up financial information via the return electronic message.

g) storing the electronic messages and identifier information in a database for retrieval at a later date should the user opt for follow up financial information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a central processing station for interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device with the steps of:

a) receiving a electronic message containing financial data from a user using a portable device, and;

b) extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and; c) extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and;

d) analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and;

f) providing the user with the option to receive follow up financial information via the return electronic message..

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided computer executable instructions for a method of interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device configured to execute the steps of:

. b) extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and;

c) extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and;

d) analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and;

In some embodiments of the present invention, there may be an additional step of: f) providing the user with the option to receive follow up financial information via the return electronic message.

^' g) storing the electronic messages and identifier information in a database for retrieval at a later date should the user opt for ^' follow up financial information.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a financial data analysis system for portable devices, the system including:

a portable device capable of transmitting ■ and/or receiving electronic messages; and

a receiver for electronic messages sent from a portable device; and

a computer for performing financial analysis on information embedded within the electronic message; and .

a transmitter for sending a return electronic message to the user of the portable device; and

a database for storing content of electronic messages,

characterised in that;

the system is configured to extract a monetary value from the electronic message, determine a set of payments, and send a return electronic message to the user of the portable device containing the payment information.

Financial data may be any data pertaining to a transaction whereby money is transferred between two or more parties to purchase goods and/or services. For example, the purchase may be of personal items such as jewellery or electronic items such as televisions and entertainment systems. The purchase may also be of a vehicle, land, or buildings.

Alternatively, the financial data may relate to a financial transaction which benefits one or both parties. Examples of such transactions include financial investment instruments such as term deposits and optional or compulsory saving schemes. Financial' data may also relate to insurance packages, such as sums insured and premium-amounts.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the financial data is the monetary value that is required to be borrowed to allow a purchaser to complete a transaction for goods and/or services.

Preferably, the monetary value is a mortgage or loan amount, and shall be referred to as the loan amount throughout the remainder of this specification. Preferably, the minimum loan amount is greater than $NZ2000, although one skilled in the art will appreciate the minimum loan amount can be lower if desired.

The analysis of the financial data may be any calculation to be performed on the loan amount. The calculation may be to determine the amount of interest incurred by the user taking out the loan over a period of time along with principal payments.

Preferably the calculation is to determine a set of payments required to repay the loan, and shall be referred to as such throughout the remainder of this specification.

However, it should be appreciated that in some circumstances the loan. applicant , may have no periodic requirement to repay the loan amount.

The set of payments is the amount of money required to be paid to the loan provider on a regular frequency to ensure repayment of the loan amount. The periodic payment may be of any frequency, such as annually or monthly. Preferably, the frequency of the periodic payments is to be weekly, as this amount may appear to be relatively trivial to the consumer, and more likely to generate an affirmative decision to purchase high value goods and services.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the financial data may be any data which pertains to financial services such as investments, banking, and insurance services. For example, the financial data may be investment returns, term deposit rates, compulsory savings schemes such as the Government implemented Kiwisaver, insurance premiums and the value of items to be insured.

Preferably in this instance, the financial data is the monetary value which the consumer is considering investing. For example, the monetary value may be the lump sum which the consumer will place into a term deposit.

Preferably, in this embodiment of the present invention, the analysis of the financial data may be the calculation required to determine the amount of interest earned on the monetary value over a period of time.

The calculation is to determine a set of payments required to be paid to the consumer by the investment provider as a return on the consumer's investment. The set of payments may be of any frequency, such as weekly, fortnightly, monthly or annually.

Preferably, the frequency of the set of payments is to be monthly or annually, as this amount may appear to be a more substantial return to the consumer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the monetary value may be the value of goods, such as a car or house or its contents, which the consumer wishes to be insured.

Preferably, in this embodiment of the present invention, the analysis of the financial data may be the calculation required to determine the amount of the insurance premium required to insure the goods the consumer wishes to be insured.

The calculation is to determine a set of payments required to insure the value of goods for which insurance is desired. The set of payments may be of any frequency, such as weekly, fortnightly, monthly or annually.

Preferably, the frequency of the set of payments is to be weekly, as this amount may appear to be relatively trivial to the consumer, and more likely to generate an affirmative decision to purchase insurance.

The portable device may be any portable device capable of sending and/or receiving an electronic message. The portable device may be a PDA, Palm Pilot, or a laptop computer. In some embodiments of the present invention, the portable device may be capable of receiving RFID or Bluetooth® signals. Alternatively, the portable device may have some scanning functionality to read bar codes and the like.

Preferably, the portable device is a cellular telephone (cell phone), and shall be referred to as such throughout the remainder of this specification.

An electronic message may be any message generated by an electronic apparatus. An electronic message may be an electronic mail but preferably is a short message service message (SMS), popularly known as a text message, and shall be referred to as such throughout the remainder of this specification.

Preferably, the present invention may be integrated with the ZeroOne (NZ) Limited SMS gateway, to ensure all SMS users, regardless of network providers (Telecom or Vodafone at present), can use the present method of interactive data transfer, although 'one skilled in the art will appreciate that any gateway for integration with the cell phone network can be used.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the text message may include a date and / or time stamp,

An identifier may be any data embedded in a text message identifying the user. The identifier may be an email address or a postal address. Preferably, the identifier is a cell phone number, and shall be referred to as such throughout the remainder of this specification.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the user may add an identifier for the store from which the purchase is to be made to the content of the text message. The store of vendor identifier may be an RFID tag attached to the product, emitting a signal which can be detected by a IR enabled cellphone. In other embodiments, the store or vendor identifier may be a bar code on the product price tag, which can be scanned by a cellphone. In some embodiments, the store identifier will be a number or code from the product price tag which is required to be inputted into the content of the text message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the store or vendor identifier may be a code on advertising material pertaining to the desired product or service.

The store or vendor identifier allows for added reporting functionality for the provider of the financial data analysis.

The return electronic message may be any electronic message containing the periodic payment information sent to the identifier. The return electronic message may be an e-mail, but preferably is a SMS text message and shall be referred to as such throughout the remainder of this specification.

A receiver may be any device configured to receive electronic messages such as e-mails or text messages. Preferably, the receiver may be integrated with the

ZeroOne (NZ) Limited SMS gateway, allowing for communications with cell phone users, although one skilled in the art will appreciate that any gateway for integration with the cell phone network can be used.

A computer may be any electronic device with a microprocessor, capable of receiving messages from the receiver, extracting data, processing data, and forwarding data to a transmitter. Preferably the computer may .use a Microsoft SQL server and Adobe Coldfusion, although one skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable hardware and software may be utilised for the implementation of the present method.

A transmitter may be any device configured to send electronic messages. Preferably, the transmitter may be integrated with the ZeroOne (NZ) Limited SMS gateway, allowing for communications with cell phone users, although one skilled in the art will appreciate that any gate way for integration with the cell phone network can be used.

A database may be any medium by which data can be stored for later retrieval. In some embodiments of the present invention, the user may be subscribers or previous customers of the service provider, and the database may also contain financial data such as income and debts pertaining to a particular user. The database may also contain financial information relating to vendors, such as prevailing interest rates.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in use, the consumer determines from a salesperson or product information such as price tags or brochures the amount of money required to purchase a particular good, vehicle, property or service. In some embodiments of the present invention, products may be specially marked by the service provider with the contact number for the service provider.'

The user creates a text message to the service provider, entering the amount of money required (the loan amount) to complete the transaction in the content field of the text message editor of his or her cell phone. The user then sends the text message to the service provider.

Upon receipt of the text message, the service provider extracts the loan amount from the text message for analysis. Non-alphanumeric characters such as [$], [,] , and [ ] are identified and excluded from analysis of the loan amount. The character [.] is regarded as a decimal point, and any alpha numeric characters following the decimal point are regarded as being cents as opposed to dollars.

Naturally, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be readily adapted to be used with other currencies and languages.

The service provider then calculates the weekly repayment amount required to repay the loan amount. Interest may or may not be factored into the calculation.

The service provider then transmits a return text message to the user, having extracted a cell phone number from the user's text message. The content of the return text message includes the weekly repayment amount, and asks the user if further information is required.

The user will be asked to send a further text message to the service provider indicating whether or not further information is required. The user will then respond appropriately, either Yes or No [Yes, Y, y, No, N, n].

If no further response is required, there will be no further contact from the service provider to the user.

If a response is required, then the service provider will store information relating to the user (cell phone number, loan amount, periodic payment) for retrieval at a later date. Preferably, the information is retrieved within 24 hours, and a customer service representative (CSR) will make contact with the user to discuss loan options. Alternatively, the CSR may confirm or deny a loan arrangement for the purchase of the goods or services desired.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in use, the consumer determines from a salesperson or product information a financial investment instrument in which he or she is interested in. contributing to.

The consumer creates a text message to the service provider, entering the amount of money (the monetary value) the consumer wishes to invest in the content field of the text message editor of his or her cell phone.

The consumer may optionally include in the content of the text message the level of risk to be associated with the. investment. This may be high, medium, or low risk.

The consumer may optionally include in the content of the text message the length of time for which the money will be invested for. This may be weeks, months, or years. In some embodiments of the present invention, financial investment instrument may be for a set time, for example a term deposit of 18^" months, and the consumer does not need to defiηe the length of the investment term in his or her text message.

The consumer then sends the text message to the service provider.

Upon receipt of the text message, the service provider extracts the monetary value from the text message for analysis. Non-alphanumeric characters such as [$], [,] , and [ ] are identified and excluded from analysis of the loan amount. The character [.] is regarded as a decimal point, and any alpha numeric characters following the decimal point are regarded as being cents as opposed to dollars.

The service provider then calculates the interest earned on the consumer's investment amount, according to the defined risk level and investment term. The interest may be calculated into weekly, month, or yearly amounts. The service provider then transmits a return text message to the user, having extracted a cell phone number from the user's text message. The content of the return text message includes the interest earned on the investment amount, and asks the user if further information is required.

If a response is required, then the service provider will store information relating to the user (cell phone number, investment amount, interest earned) for retrieval at a later date. Preferably, the information is retrieved within 24 hours, and a customer service representative (CSR) will make contact with the user to discuss investment options. Alternatively, the CSR may confirm or deny an investment arrangement for the consumer.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in use, the consumer, determines from a salesperson or product information an insurance provider from which he or she wishes to purchase insurance cover.

The consumer creates a text message to the service provider, entering the monetary value of the goods which the consumer wishes to insure in the content field of the text message editor of his or her cell phone.

The consumer may optionally include in the content of the text message the insurance excess (the portion of an insurance claim which is paid for by the consumer).

The consumer may optionally include in the content of the text message the length of time for insurance protection is desired. This may be weeks, months, or years.

The consumer then sends the text message to the service provider.

The service provider then calculates the premium amount required to insure the value of the specified goods, according to the insurance excess and length of time for which insurance is desired. The premium amount may be calculated into weekly, month, or yearly amounts.

The service provider then transmits a return text message to the user, having extracted a cell phone number from the user's text message. The content of the return text message includes premium amount, and asks the user if further information is required.

If no further response is required, there will be no¹ further contact from the service provider to the user.

If a response is required, then the service provider will store information relating to the user (cell phone number, sum insured amount, premium amount) for retrieval at a later date. Preferably, the information is retrieved within 24 hours, and a customer service representative (CSR) will make contact with the user to discuss insurance options. Alternatively, the CSR may confirm or deny an insurance arrangement for the consumer.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the service provider may provide the information to a third party, a representative of which will follow up with the user to discuss loan options. This provides the service provide with an additional revenue stream from the sale of such "leads" to third parties.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the database may ^"store the consumer's financial information obtained via previous discussions with the CSR, including income, debts and the like. Future requests to the service provider requesting periodic payment information may generate an automated loan approval or denial based on the stored information.

The present method provides the user with financial data to aid in his or her decision to purchase a particular good or service, invest in a financial instrument, or purchase insurance. The prevalence of cell phones amongst the general population allows the use of cellular networks to interact with the service provider, and provides an instantaneous response to the user's query for financial information.

The user no longer has to make mental calculations with respect to determining amounts and frequency of payments for a proposed loan, insurance, or investment return amount as this calculation is now done by the service provider.

Furthermore, the user can opt for further follow up financial information from the service provider if required. This allows the user to make a fully informed decision with respect to the purchase of goods and services or investments.

Empowering the consumer to make a more instantaneous decision to purchase high value goods and services is also beneficial for the vendor, as there is likely to be an increase in sales and turnover. There is also likely to be an increase in investments in financial instruments.

Products marked with the service provider's identification number also acts as a form of advertising for the service provider, raising the profile and awareness of the company amongst the general public. The service provider also benefits from increased revenues as a result of increased demand for their services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic of the present method;

Figure 2 shows a flow chart of another embodiment of the present method

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, there is provided a method for providing financial data analysis to a user of a portable device.

Figure 1 demonstrates the method. A user (generally indicated by arrow 1 ) is considering a purchase of a vehicle (2) priced at $50,000 (3). A loan of $50,000 is required to purchase the vehicle.

Using their cell phone (4), the user will create a text message containing this amount (5) over the cellular network (6) to the receiver (7) of the service provider.

The computer (8) of the service provider then calculates the weekly periodic payment amount (9) required to repay the loan amount.

A message is created containing the weekly periodic payment amount (10) is sent to the user's cellphone (11). The user can then make a decision as to whether to commit to the purchase of the vehicle (2).

Further steps of the method are demonstrated in the flowchart of Figure 2.

At step 1 of the flow chart, the user has created and sent a text .to the service provider, the contents of the message being the required loan amount.

The system (2) receives the text message, and extracts the value of the loan amount and the identifier associated with the user (the cell phone number). The system will analyse the loan amount to determine the amount of weekly repayments for the loan amount.

A text message (3) is then generated and sent to the user, the content of the message containing the amount required on a weekly basis to service the loan amount, and contact information for the service provider.

The text message to the user may ask if the user would like to receive further information concerning financing the potential purchase. The user may be required to text a response (4) to the service provider if further information is required. The user may also call the phone number associated with the service provider.

If the user has sent an affirmative text (5), then the user details, including the loan amount, periodic payment information and identifier information is stored for retrieval at a later date (6). Within a set timeframe (typically 24 hours), the user will receive a follow up phone call from a customer service representative (7) to discuss further finance options with the user.

Alternatively, in the event that the user sent a negative text (6), then there is no further contact with the user. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method of interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device including the steps of:

a)- receiving a electronic message containing financial data from a user using a portable device, and; • •• . ^•

b). extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and;

c) extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and;

d) analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and;

2. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is an additional step of:

3. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein there is an additional step of:

4. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 . wherein the monetary value pertains to a transaction whereby money is transferred between two or more parties to purchase goods and/or services.

5. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the monetary value is a loan amount.

6. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the monetary value is an investment amount.

7. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the monetary value is the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

8. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein non-alphanumeric characters are identified and excluded from analysis of the monetary amount.

9. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of interest accrued on a loan amount.

10. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments required to repay the loan amount.

11. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of interest earned on an investment amount.

12. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments required to be paid to the user as a return on the investment amount.

13. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

14. A' method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments for the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

15. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

14 wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.

16. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

15 wherein the electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

17. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 16 wherein the short message service message service is integrated into the gateway of a cellular network provider.

18. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in either one of claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the electronic message includes a date and/or time stamp.

19. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the identifier is a cellular telephone number.

20. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims ^'15 to . 19 wherein the electronic message includes data identifying the vendor of goods or services being purchased.

21. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 20 wherein the data is obtained by an RFID tag attached to the product or service being purchased.

22. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 20 wherein the data is obtained by scanning a bar code attached to the product or service being purchased.

23. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 20 wherein the data is obtained from the product or service price tag and is inputted into the content of the message by the user.

24. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein the return electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

25. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to repay the loan amount.

26. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 12 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to be paid to the user as a return on the investment amount.

27. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 14 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to pay the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

28. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the return electronic message contains an option for the user to receive further information if desired.

29. A method of interactive data transfer as claimed in claim 28 wherein if the user opts to receive further information, their electronic message, identifier, and return electronic message is stored for later retrieval.

30. A central processing station for interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device wherein the central processing station is configured to operate in accordance with the following steps:

b) extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and;

c) extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and;

d) analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and;

31. A central processing station as claimed in claim 30 wherein the central processing station is configured to operate in accordance with the additional step of: f) providing the user with the option to receive follow up financial information via the return electronic message.

32. A central processing station as claimed in either claim 30 or claim 31 wherein the central processing station is configured to operate in accordance with the additional step of:

33. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein the monetary value pertains to a transaction whereby money is transferred between two or more parties to purchase goods and/or services.

34. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein the monetary value is a loan amount.

35. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein the monetary value is an investment amount.

36. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein the monetary value is the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

37. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 36 wherein non-alphanumeric characters are identified and excluded from analysis of the monetary amount.

38. A central processing station as claimed in claim 34 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of interest accrued on a loan amount.

39. A central processing station as claimed in claim 34 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments required to repay the loan amount.

40. A central processing station as claimed in claim 35 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of interest earned on an investment amount.

41.. A central processing station as claimed in claim 35 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments required to be paid to the user as a return on the investment amount.

42. A central processing station as claimed in claim 36 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

43. A central processing station as claimed in claim 36 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments for the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

44. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 43 wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.

45. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 44 wherein the electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

46. A central processing station as claimed in claim 45 wherein the short message service message service is integrated into the gateway of a cellular network provider.

47. A central processing station as claimed in either one of claim 45 or claim 46 wherein the electronic message includes a date and/or time stamp.

48. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 47 wherein the identifier is a cellular telephone number.

49. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 48 wherein the electronic message includes data identifying the vendor of goods or services being purchased.

50. A central processing station as claimed in claim 49 wherein the data is obtained by an RFID tag attached to the product or service being purchased.

51. A central processing station as claimed in claim 49 wherein the data is obtained by scanning a bar code attached to the product or service being purchased.

52. A central processing station as claimed in claim 49 wherein the data is obtained from the product or service price tag and is inputted into the content of the message by the user.

53. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 52 wherein the return electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

54. A central processing station as claimed in claim 39 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to repay the loan amount.

55. A central processing station as claimed in claim 41 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to be paid to the user as a return on the investment amount.

56. A central processing station as claimed in claim 43 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to pay the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

57. A central processing station as claimed in any one of claims 53 to 56 wherein the return electronic message contains an option for the user to receive further information if desired.

58. A central processing station as claimed in claim 57 wherein if the user opts to receive further information, their electronic message, identifier, and return electronic message is stored for later retrieval.

59. Computer executable instructions for interactive data transfer in the form of providing financial data analysis to a user via a portable device wherein the computer executable instructions is configured to operate in accordance with the following steps:

b) extracting a monetary value from the electronic message, and;

c)^' extracting an identifier for the user from the electronic message, and;

d) analysing the monetary value to determine a set of payments, and;

e) sending a return electronic message containing the .. payment. information to the user.

60. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 59 wherein wherein the computer executable instructions is configured to operate in accordance with the additional step of:

61. Computer executable instructions as claimed in either claim 59 or claim 60 wherein the computer executable instructions is configured to operate in accordance with the additional step of:

g) storing the electronic messages and identifier information^' in a database for retrieval at a later date should the user opt for follow up financial information.

62. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 61 wherein the monetary value pertains to a transaction whereby money is transferred between two or more parties to purchase goods and/or services.

63. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 62 wherein the monetary value is a loan amount.

64. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 62 wherein the monetary value is an investment amount.

65. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 62 wherein the monetary value is the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

66. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 65 wherein non-alphanumeric characters are identified and excluded from analysis of the monetary amount.

67. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 63 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of interest accrued on a loan amount.

68. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 63 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments required to repay the loan amount.

69. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 64 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of interest earned on an investment amount.

70. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 64 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments required to be paid to the user as a return on the investment amount.

71. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 65 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance coyer is desired.

72. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 65 wherein the analysis of the financial data is a calculation of a set of payments for the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

73. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 72 wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.

74. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 73 wherein the electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

75. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 74 wherein the short message service, message service is integrated into the gateway of a cellular network provider.

76. Computer executable instructions as claimed in either one of claim 74 or claim 75 wherein the electronic message includes a date and/or time stamp.

77. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 74 to 76 wherein the identifier is a cellular telephone number.

78. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 74 to 77 wherein the electronic message includes data identifying the vendor of goods or services being purchased.

79. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 78 wherein the data is obtained by an RFID tag attached to the product or service being purchased.

80. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 78 wherein the data is obtained by scanning a bar code attached to the product or service being purchased.

81. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 78 wherein the data is obtained from the product or service price tag and is inputted into the content of the message by the user.

82. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 81 wherein the return electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

83. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 68 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to repay the loan amount.

84. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 70 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to be paid to the user as a return on the investment amount.

85. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 72 wherein the return electronic message includes the value of the set of payments required to pay the premium amount required to insure the value of goods for which insurance cover is desired.

86. Computer executable instructions as claimed in any one of claims 82 to 85 wherein the return electronic message contains an option for the user to receive further information if desired.

87. Computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 86 wherein if the user opts to receive further information, their electronic message, identifier, and return electronic message is stored for later retrieval.

88. A financial data analysis system for portable devices, the system including:

a ^' portable device capable of transmitting and/or receiving electronic messages; and

a receiver for electronic messages sent from a portable device; and

a computer for performing financial analysis on information embedded^' within the electronic message; and

a_, database for storing content of electronic messages,

characterised in that;

89. A financial data analysis system as claimed in claim 88 wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.

90. A financial data analysis system as claimed in either claim 88 or claim 89 wherein the electronic message , is a short message service (SMS) message.

91. A financial data analysis system as claimed in claim 90 wherein the short message service message service is integrated into the gateway of a cellular network provider.

92. A financial data analysis system as claimed in any one of claims 88 to 91 wherein the return electronic message is a short message service (SMS) message.

93. A financial data analysis system as claimed in claim 92 wherein the return electronic message contains an option for the user to receive further information if desired.

94. A financial data analysis system as claimed in claim 93 wherein if the user opts to receive further information, their electronic message, identifier, and return electronic message is stored for later retrieval.

95. A method of interactive data transfer substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

96. A. central processor station for interactive data transfer substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

97. Computer executable instructions for interactive data transfer substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

98. A financial data analysis system for portable devices substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.