WO2005067372A2

WO2005067372A2 - A method and a system for managing an electronic transaction facility

Info

Publication number: WO2005067372A2
Application number: PCT/IB2005/000005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bennie Basson Otto; Barend Venter
Original assignee: Mobile-Ly Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-05
Filing date: 2005-01-05
Publication date: 2005-07-28
Also published as: ZA200500100B; WO2005067372A3

Abstract

The invention provides a method of and system (10) for managing an electronic transaction facility. The method includes maintaining a primary financial account in the name of a parent client, and registering a plurality of clients who are permitted to transact on the primary account, in order to receive goods or services from a participating vendor (26.1…26.n) in return for electronic payment of the vendor (26.1…26.n) against the primary account. The server computer (12) is connectable to mobile telephones (22.1...22.n) of a plurality of registered clients via a mobile telephone network 24 so that payment or transaction is requested by the clients by way of the mobile telephones (22.1...22.n). The financial account is structured such that there are a parent client and a plurality of subsidiary clients who are permitted to transact against the account, the parent client and the subsidiary clients having different rights in respect of the account.

Description

A METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AN ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION FACILITY

THE INVENTION relates to electronic payment facilities. In- particular, the invention relates to a method of and a system for managing an electronic transaction facility. The invention extends to an electronic payment method and to an electronic transaction system. The invention extends further to a set of computer readable instructions, as well as to computer equipment and a computer readable storage medium which has stored thereon the set of computer instructions.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of managing an electronic transaction facility, which method includes: maintaining a primary financial account; and registering a plurality of clients who are permitted to transact on the primary account, in order to receive goods or services from a participating vendor in return for electronic payment of the vendor against the primary account.

The plurality of clients may be registered such that there is a single parent client and a plurality of subsidiary clients, the parent client and the subsidiary clients having different rights in respect of the primary account.

Typically, the parent client is responsible for payment of the primary account in order to establish or maintain a minimum balance of the primary account, while the parent client as well as the subsidiary clients are permitted to redeem at least a part of the primary account in order to receive goods or services from vendors.

The method may include receiving payments from the parent client into the primary account in order to establish or maintain a minimum balance of the primary account. The receiving of payments from the parent client in order to generate or maintain the primary account may be by way of periodic debit order transfer from a financial account associated with the parent client, by way of electronic funds transfer, by way of a cash payment at a so-called brick and mortar payment point, or by any other suitable method of payment.

The method will typically include prior step of registering or creating a plurality of subsidiary clients who are permitted to receive goods and services from each vendor who has been paid against the primary account. The method may thus includes obtaining and storing on a host database personal data associated with each subsidiary client, the personal data being for identifying that subsidiary client to permit the subsidiary client to transact on the primary account in order to receive goods or services from participating vendors. Such personal data typically includes a cellular telephone number of the subsidiary client, ^"a unique associated password, an e-mail address, and the like. The method may provide the parent client and respective subsidiary clients with the option of subsequently changing or editing such personal data. It should be appreciated, however, that only the

parent client is permitted to create or register new subsidiary clients.

In a preferred embodiment, the payment of a plurality of

participating vendors who provide different services or goods may be

permitted against the single primary account. A single primary account may

thus be used for payment of different participating vendors to permit the

purchase of cellular telephone airtime, music items, movie tickets, fast food,

fixed line telephone service, pre-paid electricity, and the like. In such case,

the primary account will, however, only be redeemable for the payment of pre-

registered vendors, so that there are a pre-established limited number of

participating vendors. These vendors will be participating entities who have a

prior, arrangement to provide service and/or goods in return for payment

against the primary account, as described below.

In other embodiments of the invention, however, the method

provides for the payment of one vendor only, such as a provider of pre-paid

airtime. In such case, the parent client as well as the subsidiary clients will be

permitted effectively to purchase pre-paid airtime against the primary account,

typically in the form of a prepaid voucher.

Advantageously, the method includes, in response to instruction

by the parent client, setting limitations on transactions made with participating

vendors by any subsidiary client, checking whether or not any requested transaction will result in violation of a pre-set limitation, and processing the

75 transaction only if that transaction will not result in any such violation.

The limitations on transactions by subsidiary clients may include: a maximum value for the total value of transactions made in a specified period by a particular subsidiary client; a maximum value for the total value of

so transactions with a particular vendor by a particular subsidiary client in a specified period; and/or a maximum value for the total value of transactions by a particular subsidiary client in a specified period with vendors who provide a particular type of goods or services. The parent client may thus, for example, specify that none of the associated subsidiary clients may request payment of

85 more than, say, R100 in any month in respect of movie tickets. It will be appreciated, though, that the parent client will be permitted to specify different limits for different associated subsidiary clients, for different vendors, and for different types of vendors.

90 In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes making an electronic payment to a participating vendor against the primary account in response to receiving from a registered subsidiary client an electronic request for payment of a particular vendor.

95 Each request for payment of a vendor is typically in the form of a telephonic text communication. In such case, the method may include providing a telephonically accessible selection menu, for instance by USSD protocol, sending of a

100 request for payment of vendors being by selection of desired options on the selection menu by the subsidiary client. In such case, the selection menu may provide specific purchase options provided by respective vendors, to provide the respective clients with the option of requesting payment of the associated vendor in respect of a particular article or service provided by said ιo5 vendor. Thus, for instance, when the vendor provides movie tickets, a movie schedule may be accessible on the selection menu, allowing the client to request payment of the vendor in respect of a particular movie which is performed at a particular date and time. Likewise, the food and beverage menu of a fast food outlet which is a participating vendor may be accessible no on the selection menu.

The method may include verifying the identity of each pre- registered subsidiary client upon receiving an electronic request for payment us from that subsidiary client, which verification may comprise requiring the entry of an identification code together with each electronic request for payment, and comparing the entered identification code with a pre-stored identification code uniquely associated with that subsidiary client, payment to the requested vendor being made only if the entered identification code corresponds to the i2o pre-stored identification code. Instead, or in addition, verifying the identity of the subsidiary client may include comparing identification data received from a mobile telephone by which the request for payment was sent to pre-stored

125 identification data associated with the particular subsidiary client. This identification data is typically data which is automatically sent by a mobile telephone during a telephonic text communication, and will typically include data stored on a SIM-card of the telephone, such as the telephone number of the telephone from which the request is sent. The method may thus include

i3o the prior step of storing telephone numbers associated with the respective subsidiary clients, each telephone number being stored in association with an identification code or password assigned to the associated subsidiary client. Upon receiving a telephonic request for payment, the telephone number of the telephone from which the request is sent will be noted and making of the

135 requested payment will be dependent on entry of the correct associated identification code.

The method may include sending an electronic confirmation

i4o message to a particular vendor upon verification of a subsidiary client, the confirmation message indicating to the vendor that the requested transaction can be processed and that payment will be made to the vendor against the primary account.

1 5 In a particular embodiment of the invention, the method includes sending an electronic voucher to a subsidiary client upon authorization of a particular requested transaction, to permit the subsidiary client to redeem the electronic voucher at the associated participating vendor in order to receive the desired goods or services. The method typically includes receiving from i5o each vendor in response to payment of the vendor an electronic vendor voucher, and sending the electronic vendor voucher to the subsidiary client or the parent client who requested payment of that vendor.

Instead, the method may include automatically paying a set 155 amount to a specified vendor at pre-determined intervals, and thereafter sending an electronic vendor voucher to a subsidiary client who is to benefit from said payment of the vendor.

Each electronic vendor voucher may be in the form of a voucher i6o code issued in response to the authorization of payment of a particular vendor against the primary account, each vendor voucher being sent to the associated subsidiary client electronically, each vendor voucher optionally being sent to the associated subsidiary client by way of a telephonic text message.

165 The method preferably includes keeping record of all payments made to participating vendors against the primary account for the benefit of the respective subsidiary clients, and sending an electronic report to the parent client, in which is reported a statement history and/or a current status i7o of the primary account. The report may include information on the current balance of the primary account, the total requests for payment of vendors made by respective subsidiary clients, and/or a record of individual payments to vendors made against the primary account. The electronic report may be sent as a telephonic text message, such as an SMS-message, or it may be

175 sent as an electronic mail message.

It will be appreciated that, in this document, reference to telephonic communication will refer primarily to wireless or mobile telephonic communication, while telephonic text communications typically include textual

i8o communication over a mobile telephone, for instance by of SMS, MMS, GPRS, USSD, or the like. However, communication between clients and a service provider who provides the transaction facility may also be by way of fixed-line telephonic connections or over the Internet.

185 The method may additionally include sending a personalized electronic report to each subsidiary client, each personalized electronic report including information regarding individual transactions made by the associated subsidiary client, respective limitations set by the parent client on transactions by that subsidiary client, and/or the total value of requests made in respect of

i9o each vendor or type of vendor.

The primary account may be a debit account, the method including permitting electronic payment of vendors only if the primary account has a positive balance. In such case, the primary account may be an

195 electronic voucher which functions similarly to a financial account which is managed electronically in that it has a redeemable value or balance which is reduced in response to payment being made against the voucher, but the voucher will always have a positive balance and no payments of vendors will be possible if the voucher is completely exhausted or depleted.

200 Instead, the primary account may have a credit limit, payment of vendors against the account being permitted if the balance of the primary account is within the credit limit.

205 The method may include, in respect of each processed transaction, reducing the balance of the primary account by a total transaction amount which comprises a quantum paid to the associated participating vendor for provision of goods or services, and an additional amount. The additional amount may include an administration fee paid to an entity who

2io manages the payment facility. Instead, or in addition, the additional amount may include a commission payable to a vendor agent and/or a client agent. It will be a appreciated that at least some of the participating vendors or the registered clients will have been procured to accede to the payment facility by a vendor agent or a client agent, as the case may be, and that these agents

2i5 may have negotiated commissions on transactions performed through the payment facility by the respective vendors or clients.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for managing an electronic transaction facility, which system includes:

220 an information database on which is stored information relating to a primary financial account; and a transaction means for performing electronic transactions against the primary account, the transaction means being arranged to effect transactions against the primary account by a plurality of pre-registered clients, each 225 transaction comprising electronic payment of a participating vendor in return for the provision of goods or services by the vendor to one of the pre- registered clients.

The system may include a client management means for

230 registering clients who are permitted to transact on the primary account, the client management means being arranged such that there are a single parent ciient and a plurality of subsidiary clients, the parent client and the subsidiary clients having different rights in respect of the primary account.

235 The system will typically include a payment receiving means for receiving payments from the parent client into the primary account and for adjusting the balance of the primary account upon reception of such payments.

240 The client management means is typically arranged to obtain and store on the' information database personal data associated with each subsidiary client, the personal data being for identifying that subsidiary client to permit the subsidiary client to transact on the primary account in order to

2 5 receive goods or services from participating vendors. The information database will preferably have stored thereon information regarding a plurality of participating vendors to whom payments may be made against the primary account. This vendor information typically 250 includes vendor codes associated with respective participating vendors.

The system may include a limitation setting means for permitting the parent client to set limitations on transactions made with participating vendors by any subsidiary client, the transaction means including an 255 authorization arrangement for checking whether or not any requested transaction will result in violation of a pre-set limitation, and for processing a transaction only if that transaction will not result in any such violation.

The limitation setting means is arranged to permit the setting of: 260 a maximum value for the total value of transactions made in a specified period by a particular subsidiary ciient; a maximum value for the total value of transactions with a particular vendor by a particular subsidiary client in a specified period; and/or a maximum value for the total value of transactions by a particular subsidiary client in a specified period with vendors who provide a 265 particular type of goods or services.

The system may include a request ^"processing arrangement for receiving and processing an electronic request from a registered subsidiary client for payment of a participating vendor against the primary account, the

270 request processing arrangement preferably being arranged to receive requests for payment of vendors in the form of telephonic text communication. The request processing arrangement may be configured to provide a telephonically accessible selection menu, thus enabling the sending

275 of a request for payment of vendors by selection of desired options on the selection menu by the subsidiary client. The method may thus include providing a host database on which data regarding each parent client, its associated subsidiary clients, specified vendors, and limitations on the respective subsidiary clients are stored. The method makes possible

280 telephonic connection via telephone to the host database, preferably through USSD or GPRS protocol, in response to which the selection menu is made available.

285 The request processing arrangement typically includes a verification means for verifying the identity of each pre-registered subsidiary client upon receiving an electronic request for payment from that subsidiary client. The verification means may be arranged to prompt the entry of an identification code together with each electronic request for payment, and to

290 compare the entered identification code with a pre-stored identification code uniquely associated with that subsidiary client, the transaction means being arranged to make payment to the requested vendor only if the entered identification code corresponds to the pre-stored identification code.

295 The verification means may conveniently be arranged to compare identification data received from a mobile telephone by which the request for payment was sent to pre-stored identification data associated with the particular subsidiary client.

3oo In a particular embodiment of invention, the verification means is arranged to send an electronic confirmation message to a particular vendor upon verification of a subsidiary client, the confirmation message indicating to the vendor that the requested transaction can be processed and that payment will be made to the vendor against the primary account.

305 Instead, or in addition, the transaction means includes a voucher generator for generating and sending an electronic voucher to a subsidiary client upon authorization of a particular requested transaction, to permit the subsidiary client to redeem the electronic voucher at the associated

3io participating vendor in order to receive the desired goods or services.

The transaction means is arranged automatically to pay a set amount to a specified vendor at pre-determined intervals, the transaction means including a voucher generator for generating and sending an electronic

3i5 vendor voucher to a subsidiary client who is to benefit from said payment of the vendor.

The voucher generator may be arranged to send each vendor voucher to the associated subsidiary client by way of a telephonic text

320 message. The details of each vendor voucher will typically also be stored by the associated vendor, so that the provision of services or delivery of goods permitted by redeeming the vendor voucher will be authorized by the production or presentation of the electronic vendor voucher by the subsidiary client to that vendor.

325 The system may conveniently include a report means for keeping record of all payments made to participating vendors against the primary account for the benefit of the respective subsidiary clients, and for sending an electronic report to the parent client, in which is reported a

330 statement history and/or a current status of the primary account. The report means may be arranged to send a personalized electronic report to each subsidiary client, each personalized electronic report including information regarding individual transactions made by the associated subsidiary client, respective limitations set by the parent client on transactions by that

335 subsidiary client, and/or the total value of requests made in respect of each vendor or type of vendor.

The primary account may be a debit account, the transaction means being arranged to permit electronic payment of vendors only if the 340 primary account has a positive balance. Instead, the primary account may have a credit limit, the transaction means being arranged to permit payment of vendors against the account only if the balance of the primary account is within the credit limit.

345 The transaction means may be arranged to reduce, in respect of each processed transaction, the balance of the primary account by a total transaction amount which comprises a quantum paid to the associated participating vendor for provision of goods or services, and an additional amount. The additional amount may be selected from the group comprising 350 an administration fee, a vendor agent commission, and a client agent commission.

The system typically includes a computer system and a computer program, or a set of computer readable instructions, for enabling the

355 computer system to perform a method of managing an electronic transaction facility as defined above, when the computer program is executed on the computer system. It will be appreciated that the computer system, and more particularly an electronic processor forming part of the computer program, will, from time to time, form the transaction means, the client management means,

360 the payment receiving means, the limitation setting means, the verification means, the report means, the authorisation arrangement, and the voucher generator, when the computer program is executed on the computer system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided 365 an electronic payment method which includes: receiving a request for payment of a pre-registered participating vendor against a particular financial account, the request being communicated by way of a telephonic text communication; verifying whether or not the person sending the request is a client 370 authorised to transact against the financial account; checking whether or not the requested transaction is permissible in terms of pre-set transaction rules pertaining to the financial account; sending an electronic confirmation message to the associated vendor, indicating that the transaction is authorised; and 375 paying the vendor by way of electronic funds transfer and reducing the balance of the financial account against which payment has been made.

Verifying the identity of the person sending the request may include receiving via telephonic text communication an identification code, and 380 comparing the received identification code to a pre-stored identification code uniquely associated with a particular financial account.

The confirmation message may be in the form of a telephonic text communication sent to a previously registered telephonic address of the 385 associated vendor.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic transaction system which includes: a request processing arrangement for receiving a request for payment 390 of a pre-registered participating vendor against a particular financial account, the request being communicated by way of a telephonic text communication; a verification means for verifying whether or not the person sending the request is a client authorised to transact against the financial account; an authorisation means for checking whether or not the requested 395 transaction is permissible in terms of pre-set transaction rules pertaining to the financial account; a confirmation means for sending an electronic confirmation message to the associated vendor in response to authorisation of the requested transaction by the authorisation means; and 4oo a transaction means for paying the vendor by way of electronic funds transfer and reducing the balance of the financial account against which payment has been made.

The verification means may be arranged to verify the identity of

405 the person sending the request by receiving via telephonic text communication an identification code, and comparing the received identification code to a pre-stored identification code uniquely associated with a particular financial account.

4io The confirmation message may be in the form of a telephonic text communication sent to a previously registered telephonic address of the associated vendor.

Again, the request processing arrangement, the verification 4i5 means, the authorisation means, and the confirmation means are typically formed by a computer system when a computer program in accordance with the invention is executed on the computer system. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a 420 computer program comprising a set of computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium, the set of computer readable instructions being for enabling a computer system to perform a method as defined above, when the computer program is executed on the computer system.

425 The invention extends to computer equipment which has stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions as defined above.

The invention extends yet further to a computer readable 30 storage medium which has stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions as defined above.

The invention will now further be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in 435 which: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for managing a prepaid electronic payment facility in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a hierarchy of clients who make use of the facility of Figure 1 ; 440 Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of a telephonically accessible selection menu for use by a parent client in the hierarchy set out in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a selection menu for use by subsidiary clients forming part of the hierarchy of Figure 2.

445 in Figure 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a system which provides an electronic transaction facility in accordance with the invention. The system 10 comprises a server computer 12 connected, to a host database 14. The computer 12, in conventional fashion, includes a 450 central processing unit 16 and a memory 18 on which a computer program 20 is stored. The computer program 20 contains computer readable instructions for enabling the system 10 to perform a method of managing an electronic transaction facility in accordance with the invention, when the computer program 20 is executed on the CPU 16 of the computer 12.

455 The server computer 12 is connectable to mobile telephones 22.1...22.n of a plurality of registered clients via a mobile telephone network, in this case a GSM-standard cellular telephone network 24. In this example, the cellular telephones 22.1...22.n primarily communicate with the server

460 computer 12 by way of telephonic text communication, i.e. either by way of SMS-messages, or by way of USSD communication. it should be appreciated that this example focuses on electronic communication between the server computer 12 and clients by way of telephonic communication, but that, .in other examples of, the invention, the method may be employed by

465 providing for communication with clients via the internet, which can be accessed by client PC's, PDA's or the like. The server computer 10 is also in communication with a plurality of vendors in the form of business enterprises 26.1...26.n via the internet 28,

470 to permit payment of the enterprises 26.1...26.n by way of electronic funds transfer. Although not illustrated, communication between the server computer 10 and the vendors 26.1...26. n can additionally be by way of direct line communication or any other suitable communication for permitting electronic funds transfer. Each enterprise is, in this case, a merchant who

475 provides goods or services and who has entered into an agreement to provide goods or services to clients of the transaction facility 10 in return for receiving payment against a primary electronic voucher (schematically indicated by reference numeral 30 in Figure 2). The vendors 26.1...26.n may thus provide services and goods as diverse as cellular airtime, movies, fast foods, musical

480 goods, pre-paid fixed line telephone airtime, pre-paid electricity, and the like. At least one vendor 26.1...26. n may provide banking services and may permit the withdrawal of cash against the primary voucher 30.

The hierarchy of clients of the transaction facility 10 is 485 schematically set out in Figure 2 of the drawings. A primary electronic voucher 30.1...30.n is created for each of a plurality of primary account holders, referred to as parent clients 32.1...32. n, who are responsible for prepayment of the vouchers 30.1...30.n, in order to achieve or maintain a positive redeemable value, or balance, of the associated primary voucher 30.1...30.n. 490 However, each parent client 32 has a plurality of associated dependent clients or subsidiary clients 34.1...34. n who are permitted to redeem at least a part of the value of the associated primary voucher 30.1 ...30.n in order to receive goods or services from one of the vendors 26.1 ...26.n.

495 It should be appreciated that the rights of parent clients

32.1 ...32.n and those of subsidiary clients 34.1 ...34.n in respect of the primary vouchers 30.1 ...30.n are different. Thus, for instance, only parent clients 32.1 ...32.n are permitted to create or register new subsidiary clients 34.1 ...34.n, so that each parent client 32.1...32.n is able to control the

5oo number and identity of his/her subsidiary clients 34.1 ...34. n.

For clarity of explanation, the system 10 and method will be further explained with reference to a single parent client 32 who is associated with a single primary voucher 30 and has three registered subsidiary clients

505 34.1 ...34.3.

In use, the parent client 32 makes payment into a debit bank account of the pre-paid voucher service 10 in order to maintain a positive balance of the primary voucher 30. Although this example relates to a debit

5io account, in which a positive balance is to be maintained, it should be appreciated that the so-called primary voucher 30 can, in other examples, be in the form of an account on which a negative balance is permitted, such as a credit account. In this example, payment into the primary voucher 30 is by way of a pre-authorized monthly debit order in terms of which funds are

sis electronically transferred from a bank account of the parent client 32 at a set monthly date. The parent client 32 as well as the subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3 can then redeem parts of the voucher 30 at various participating enterprises 26.1...26.n in order to receive goods or services from the enterprises 26.1 ...26.n. The redeeming of the voucher 30 and calculation of the resultant

520 redeemable value or balance of the voucher 30 is managed by the server computer 12 of the pre-paid voucher service 10.

The primary electronic voucher 30 functions similarly to a financial debit account in that it has a current redeemable value or balance

525 which is reduced in response to payment being made against it. However, in this example, the voucher 30 must always have a positive balance and no payments of vendors 26.1 ...26.n will be made if the voucher 30 does not have a positive balance. Alternatively, the primary electronic voucher 30 can function as or be provided by a financial credit account in that it permits a

530 redeemable available credit, the credit account being payable by the parent client 32 on required intervals to maintain an available credit against which payment is effected.

To this end, the necessary infrastructure is provided in order to

535 permit a parent client 32 to make top-up payments into the voucher 30 if its balance becomes too low. Such top-up payments can typically be made by conventional electronic payment, by the payment of cash at a so-called brick and mortar payment point, or by any other conventional payment method.

540 Redeeming of the primary voucher 30 occurs essentially in one of two ways. First, the parent client 32 can specify, as explained in more detail below, that block payments be made automatically to predetermined vendors 26.1...26.n at set dates for the benefit of predetermined subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3. Thus, for instance, the parent client 32 can specify that each

545 month, immediately after payment of the debit order, a fixed amount, say R50, is to be paid to, for instance, a pre-paid telephone airtime supplier in respect of each subsidiary ciient 34.1...34.3. Such airtime is then, in conventional fashion, made available on the telephones 24.1...24.n of the respective subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3. Naturally, the current redeemable value of the

550 voucher 30 is reduced by the total amount of block payments thus made.

It will be appreciated that such predetermined block payments can be used in respect of the goods or services of any of the vendors 26.1...26.n. In response to the making of a payment to a vendor 26.1...26.n, 555 the vendor may issue a vendor voucher, generally indicated by reference numeral 36, in the form of an electronic voucher which is sent to the host computer 12 and is forwarded to the respective subsidiary client 34.2. For clarity of explanation, Figure 2 illustrates a single vendor voucher 36 which is provided to subsidiary client 34.2 by vendor 26.3.

560 Each vendor voucher is typically a password or code which is stored on the records of the vendor 26.3 and is sent by SMS or USSD to the associated subsidiary client 34.2. Thus, when the client 34.2 produces or repeats the voucher code 36 at an outlet of the vendor 26.3, goods or services 555 are provided to the subsidiary client 34.2 and the value of the vendor voucher 36 is decreased by the total value of the goods or services provided to the subsidiary client 34.2. In the case of, for instance pre-paid fixed-line airtime or pre-paid electricity provision, the subsidiary client 34.2 enters the code representing the vendor voucher 36 into a pre-paid airtime or pre-paid

570 electricity device previously installed by the associated vendor 26.3.

Instead of the block payments described above, the method may require each client 32, 34 to make a specific electronic request for payment of a particular vendor 26.1 ...26.n against the primary voucher 30. In this

575 example, each payment request is made by way of an SMS or a USSD communication from the mobile telephone 22.1...22.n of the respective clients 32, 34 to the system 10. For example, any one of the clients 32, 34, i.e. the parent client 32 or any one of the subsidiary clients 34.1 ...34.3, can send a telephonic request in the form of a USSD communication, typing into his

580 cellular telephone 22.1 ...22.n, for example, the following message: "*(server password)*(user password)*(vendor code)#". This message will indicate to the server computer 12 that the associated subsidiary client 34.1 ...34.3 wishes to request payment of the specified vendor 36.1 ...36.n. In this example, such a message, generally indicated by reference numeral 42 in

585 Figures 3 and 4, gives access of the associated subsidiary client 34.1 ...34.3 to a USSD selection menu, which is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Similarly a GPRS session can be created by way of which the payment request can be made.

590 The menu permits the client 32, 34 to specify a particular amount which is to be paid to the associated vendor 26.1 ...26. n, or to select a particular product or service which is to be purchased. The computer system 12 automatically checks whether the telephone number from which the message was sent and the password or identification code which was entered95 correspond to a previously stored registered telephone number and associated password or identification code for that subsidiary client 34.1...34.3. If such verification is obtained, payment is made to the associate enterprise 26.1...26.n, and the enterprise issues a vendor voucher 36, which is forwarded to the associated subsidiary client 34.1...34.3 for redeemingoo thereof, as explained above.

It will be appreciated that it is not essential that a vendor voucher be issued by the vendor 26.1...26.n. Instead,, after authorising payment in response to a particular request, the host computer 12 may send a05 confirmation message to the vendor 26.1...26.n, indicating that payment has been authorised. This confirmation message is typically a telephonic text message sent to a cellular telephone registered in the name of the participating vendor 26:i ...26.n. The vendor 26.1...26.n then provides the goods or services to the subsidiary client, as confirmation has been given thatio the vendor will receive payment.

Payment of the vendor 26.1...26.n in order to permit the provision of goods and/or services by that vendor to an associated client includes reducing the redeemable value of the primary voucher 30 by a totali5 transaction amount which includes the amount payable to the vendor 26.1...26.n and an additional amount. The additional amount typically includes an administration fee or commission charges for management of the transaction facility. The additional amount may include over and above the administration fee charges levied by the respective vendors. These charges

620 are typically related to the type of goods or services provided by the vendors 26.1...26.n. If the product is a physical article, the deducted amount can include a sales commission. Similarly, if the product is a virtual product, such as cellular telephone airtime, the deducted amount can include either a sales commission or a profit, share amount payable. In the case of the vendor

6 5 service being the withdrawal of a cash amount, the deducted amount typically includes a transaction fee payable.

The transaction amount thus comprises the amount payable to the vendor, an administration fee payable to the entity who runs the

630 transaction facility, a sales commission and/or a transaction fee and/or a profit share amount. Some of these amounts can be paid directly to the vendor, or to a vendor agent who procured the vendor to participate in the transaction facility 10. Similarly, the deductions can even include a commission payable to an agent, such as a marketing agent, who singed the respective client to

635 utilize the payment facility.

It is emphasized that, although this example is directed exclusively to telephonic communication between clients 32, 34 and the prepaid payment facility 10, in other examples of the invention, communication 640 can be by way of other electronic communication means. The parent client 32 is provided with the option of specifying limitations on the spending of individual subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3 against the primary voucher 30. Thus, the parent client 32 can specify, by accessing 645 the USSD menu, as described below, that a particular subsidiary client 34.1...34.3 is only allowed to spend a maximum total value against the voucher 30. Furthermore, limits may be placed on the spending of each subsidiary ciient 34.1...34.3 at specific vendors 26.1...26.n or at specific types of vendors 26.1...26.n.

650 For example, the parent client 32 can specify that each subsidiary client 34.1...34.3 is allowed to redeem a maximum value of R200 against the primary voucher 30. In addition, each subsidiary client 34.1...34.3 is allowed to spend a maximum of R50 at a particular enterprise which ess provides fast foods. At the same time, a maximum of R100 is permitted to be spent by one subsidiary client 34.1...34.3 in respect of enterprises which provide fast foods. As will be seen from the description of operation of the USSD menu below, any combination of limitations is possible and different limitations can be set for different subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3. It is further

660 important to appreciate that only the parent client 32 is permitted to edit or determine the limitations on spending against the primary voucher 30 by the subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3.

In a development or the invention, which is not illustrated, the

665 redeeming of part of the value of the primary voucher by clients 32, 34 can be achieved at the point of sale without the issuance of a vendor voucher 36 by the associated vendor 26.1 ... 26. n. This embodiment of the invention will function similarly to the use of a conventional credit card, in that the vendor 26.1... 26n from whom goods or services are to be purchased establishes an

670 on-line connection with the payment facility 10 and requires only the entry of a unique code or password and a code for identifying the voucher 30. The subsidiary client 34.1 ... 34.3 who wishes to make a purchase thus merely enter the respective codes into an electronic payment device provided by the vendor 26.1 ... 26. n at the point of sale, and an appropriate amount of the

675 primary voucher 30 is automatically redeemed in order to permit the provision of goods or services to the client 34.1.... 34.3 at the point of sale.

it should further be appreciated that, in this example, the primary voucher 30 is employed for obtaining goods or services from a plurality of

680 vendor 26.1...26.n. However, in other examples of the invention, which are not illustrated, the voucher 30 can be used for the purchase of one commodity . only, for instance for the purchase of pre-paid airtime. In such case, the method may provide a subsidiary client with the option of purchasing airtime by sending a USSD "please call me" message to the transaction facility 10. ess The identity of the person sending the message is determined by noting the telephone number from which the "please call me" message was sent, and a predetermined amount of airtime is automatically apportioned to the associated telephone 22.1...22.n in response to reception of the message.

690 Figure 3 schematically shows a telephonic selection menu which is made available only to the parent client 32 by establishing a USSD2 connection with the pre-payment system 10. The parent client 32 establishes the telephonic connection, as described above, at block 40 by entering appropriate codes separated by asterixes on his cellular telephone 695 22.1...22. n, at block 42. The menu is a hierarchical menu having four levels, so that the client 32 is permitted to drill down into the menu by selecting appropriate options.

The ciient 32 has the option of creating or changing personal 7oo data or an account profile, at block 44. The computer system 12 thus creates a profile for each parent client 32.1...32.n and maintains this profile on the database 14. The client 32 has the option of changing his personal password, at block 46, changing an e-mail address to which correspondence is to be sent electronically, at block 48, changing banking details, at block 50, from 705 which electronic payment into the voucher 30 is to be received, changing the telephone number of a cellular telephone 22.1...22.n associated with the client 32, at block 52, and changing details of the physical address, at block 54, of that parent ciient.

7io The parent client 32 also has the option, indicated by block 56, to create or edit the details of his registered subsidiary clients 34.1...34.3. When new subsidiary clients are created or registered, at block 58, the user 32 specifies a cellular telephone number, at 60, for the associated subsidiary client 34.1...34.n and sets or specifies, at block 62 a maximum total value of

7i5 payments which may be made on request of the associated subsidiary client 34.1...34.n in a specified time period. In addition, the parent client 32 has the option of specifying, at block 64 upper limits which may be spent by the associated subsidiary client 34.1...34.n at respective participating vendors 26.1...26.11.

720 The profile and limitations of each subsidiary client 34.1...34.n may be edited, at block 66 by reviewing the total voucher value, at block 68, editing the cellular telephone number, at block 70, and reviewing maximum values for respective vendors, at block 72.

725 In this example, the menu is split at its second level between so- called transactions, at block 74, where goods are purchased, and a recharge function, at block 76, in which services, such as pre-paid airtime, pre-paid water provision, pre-paid electricity provision, and pre-paid fixed line airtime

730 can be purchased. These transactions and re-charge functions are performed as explained in more detail above.

Thus, in the case of a transaction, a vendor 26.1...26.5 will provide a vendor voucher 36 in response to the entry of a request for payment

735 on the menu by selection of the appropriate option, while the recharge function 76 will be performed by entry of the subsidiary client of a code provided by the respective enterprises 26.6...26.9 into a device installed by the respective enterprises for the provision of pre-paid services.

740 Although not illustrated in this example, the menu may provide the client with the option of accessing a menu, schedule, or list of services or goods provided by the respective enterprises, providing the client with the option of selecting a desired product of service. Thus, for instance, a schedule of movies displayed by a movie house enterprise may be provided, 745 permitting the client to select the particular show for which a ticket is to be bought.

The client 32 further has the option, at block 78, of creating or editing debit order details. Thus, the value and date of an amount which is to

750 be paid periodically from the bank account of the parent ciient 32 to the prepaid system 10 for maintenance of the voucher 30 can be specified or edited at block 80. In addition, the parent client 32 can specify, at block 82, the value and details of block payments which are to be paid automatically at set intervals to respective vendor 26.1...26.11 for the benefit of specific subsidiary

755 clients 34.1...34. n.

Finally, the client 32 can request, at block 84 an electronic report . in the form of a statement or transaction history on the voucher 30. This report can be sent either by SMS, at block 86, or by e-mail, at block 88. It will 760 be appreciated that the statement or report issued to the parent ciient will include details of the purchases and the limits, as well as the respective balances, of all subsidiary clients 34.1...34.n and of the parent client 32.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a selection menu which is 765 accessible by USSD communication by a subsidiary client, generally indicated by block 90. Like reference numerals indicate like options in the menus of Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

The subsidiary client 34.1...34.n has the option of changing his

770 profile or personal data, at block 92 by changing his password, at block 94, changing or adding his e-mail address, at block 96, and/or by changing the details of his physical address, at block 98. The transaction and recharging functions, indicated by blocks 74 and 76 respectively, are available to the subsidiary account holder 34 in a manner similar to that of the parent client

775 32, as explained with reference to Figure 3. However, it should be borne in mind that the system 10 automatically checks whether or not there is sufficient funds available in the voucher 30, whether or not a particular transaction will exceed the total transaction limit for that subsidiary client, and whether or not a particular transaction is permitted in terms of the limits set on purchases

780 from specific enterprises 26.1...26.11 in respect of that subsidiary ciient 34.1...34.n.

The subsidiary client 34 also has the option of obtaining, at block 100 a statement or transaction history in respect of the voucher 30 via SMS, 785 at block 102, or by e-mail, at block 104. However the electronic report issued to a subsidiary client will be a personalized statement, reflecting only the purchases made by that subsidiary client 34.1...34. n, the respective limits set by the parent client 32 for that subsidiary ciient 34.1...34.n, and the difference between the total values spent by the subsidiary client and the pre-set limits.

790 it is an advantage of the invention as explained with reference to the drawings that it provides an electronic transaction payment facility which permits convenient payment for goods and services of participating enterprises by a plurality of clients for the account of a single parent client.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of managing an electronic transaction facility, which method includes:

8oo maintaining a primary financial account; and registering a plurality of clients who are permitted to transact on the primary account, in order to receive goods or services from a participating vendor in return for electronic payment of the vendor against the primary account.

805 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the plurality of clients are registered such that there is a single parent client and a plurality of subsidiary clients, the parent client and the subsidiary clients having different rights in respect of the primary account.

810 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, which includes receiving payments from the parent ciient into the primary account in order to establish or maintain a minimum balance of the primary account.

s 4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, which includes obtaining and storing on a host database personal data associated with each subsidiary client, the personal data being for identifying that subsidiary client to permit the subsidiary client to transact on the primary account in order to receive goods or services from participating vendors.

820

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 inclusive, in which the payment of a plurality of participating vendors who provide different services or goods is permitted against the single primary account.

325 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, which includes, in response to instruction by the parent ciient, setting limitations on transactions made with participating vendors by any subsidiary client, checking whether or not any requested transaction will result in violation of a pre-set limitation, and processing the transaction only if that transaction will not result in any such

330 violation.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the limitations on transactions by subsidiary clients include a maximum value for the total value of transactions made in a specified period by a particular subsidiary client.

835 8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the limitations on transactions by subsidiary clients include a maximum value for the total value of transactions with a particular vendor by a particular subsidiary client in a specified period.

840 9. A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8, in which the limitations on transactions by subsidiary clients include a maximum value for the total value of transactions by a particular subsidiary client in a specified period with vendors who provide a particular type of goods or services.

845

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 inclusive, which includes making an electronic payment to a participating vendor against the primary account in response to receiving from a registered subsidiary client an electronic request for payment of a particular vendor.

850 11. A method as claimed in claim 10, in which each request for payment of a vendor is in the form of a telephonic text communication.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 , which includes providing a 855 telephonically accessible selection menu, sending of a request for payment of vendors being by selection of desired options on the selection menu by the subsidiary client.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, which includes 860 verifying the identity of each pre-registered subsidiary client upon receiving an electronic request for payment from that subsidiary client.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which verifying the identity of the subsidiary client includes requiring the entry of an identification code ses together with each electronic request for payment, and comparing the entered identification code with a pre-stored identification code uniquely associated with that subsidiary client, payment to the requested vendor being made only if the entered identification code corresponds to the pre-stored identification code.

870

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which verifying the identity of the subsidiary client includes comparing identification data received from a mobile telephone by which the request for payment was sent to pre-stored identification data associated with the particular subsidiary client.

375 16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 inclusive, which includes sending an electronic confirmation message to a particular vendor upon verification of a subsidiary client, the confirmation message indicating to the vendor that the requested transaction can be processed and

380 that payment will be made to the vendor against the primary account.

17. A method as claimed in claim any one of claims 10 to 16 inclusive, which includes sending an electronic voucher to a subsidiary client upon authorization of a particular requested transaction, to permit the

385 subsidiary client to redeem the electronic voucher at the associated participating vendor in order to receive the desired goods or services.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 inclusive, which includes automatically paying a set amount to a specified vendor at pre-

39o determined intervals, and thereafter sending an electronic vendor voucher to a subsidiary client who is to benefit from said payment of the vendor.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, in which each electronic vendor voucher is in the form of a voucher code issued in response

395 to the authorization of payment of a particular vendor against the primary account, each vendor voucher being sent to the associated subsidiary client electronically.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, which includes sending each 9oo vendor voucher to the associated subsidiary ciient by way of a telephonic text message.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 20 inclusive, which includes keeping record of all payments made to participating vendors

905 against the primary account for the benefit of the respective subsidiary ciients, and sending an electronic report to the parent client, in which is reported a statement history and/or a current status of the primary account.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 , which includes sending a 9io personalized electronic report to each subsidiary client, each personalized electronic report including information regarding individual transactions made by the associated subsidiary client, respective limitations set by the parent client on transactions by that subsidiary client, and/or the total value of requests made in respect of each vendor or type of vendor.

915 •

23. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the primary account is a debit account, the method including permitting electronic payment of vendors only if the primary account has a positive balance.

920

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 inclusive, in which the primary account has a credit limit, payment of vendors against the account being permitted if the balance of the primary account is within the credit limit.

925 25. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes, in respect of each processed transaction, reducing the balance of the primary account by a total transaction amount which comprises a quantum paid to the associated participating vendor for provision of goods or services,

930 and an additional amount.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, in which the additional amount includes an administration fee paid to an entity who manages the payment facility.

935 27. A method as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, in which the additional amount includes a commission payable to a vendor agent and/or a client agent.

940 28. A system for managing an electronic transaction facility, which system includes: an information database on which is stored information relating to a primary financial account; and a transaction means for performing electronic transactions against the 945 primary account, the transaction means being arranged to effect transactions against the primary account by a plurality of pre-registered clients, each transaction comprising electronic payment of a participating vendor in return for the provision of goods or services by the vendor to one of the pre- registered clients.

950 29. A system as claimed in claim 28, which includes a client management means for registering clients who are permitted to transact on the primary account, the client management means being arranged such that there is a single parent client and a plurality of subsidiary clients, the parent

955 client and the subsidiary clients having different rights in respect of the primary account.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, which includes a payment receiving means for receiving payments from the parent client into the primary

960 account and for adjusting the balance of the primary account upon reception of such payments.

31. A system as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, in which the client management means is arranged to obtain and store on the information

965 database personal data associated with each subsidiary client, the personal data being for identifying that subsidiary client to permit the subsidiary client to transact on the primary account in order to receive goods or services from participating vendors.

970 32. A system as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 30 jnclusive, in which the information database has stored thereon information regarding a plurality of participating vendors to whom payments may be made against the primary account.

975 33. A system as claimed in claim 32, which includes limitation setting means for permitting the parent client to set limitations on transactions made with participating vendors by any subsidiary client, the transaction means including an authorization arrangement for checking whether or not any requested transaction will result in violation of a pre-set limitation, and for

980 processing a transaction only if that transaction will not result in any such violation.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33, in which the limitation setting means is arranged to permit the setting of a maximum value for the total value

985 of transactions made in a specified period by a particular subsidiary client.

35. A system as claimed in claim 33 or claim 34, in which the limitation setting means is arranged to permit the setting of a maximum value for the total value of transactions with a particular vendor by a particular

990 subsidiary client in a specified period.

36. A system as claimed in claim 33 or claim 34 or claim 35, in which the limitation setting means is arranged to permit the setting of a maximum value for the total value of transactions by a particular subsidiary 995 client in a specified period with vendors who provide a particular type of goods or services.

37. A system as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 36 inclusive, in which the transaction means includes a request processing arrangement for looo receiving and processing an electronic request from a registered subsidiary ciient for payment of a participating vendor against the primary account.

38. A system as claimed in claim 37, in which the request processing arrangement is arranged to receive requests for payment of loos vendors in the form of telephonic text communication.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38, in which the request processing arrangement is configured to provide a telephonically accessible selection menu, thus enabling the sending of a request for payment of loio vendors by selection of desired options on the selection menu by the subsidiary client.

40. A system as claimed in claim 38 or claim 39, in which the request processing arrangement includes a verification means for verifying the ιoi5 identity of each pre-registered subsidiary client upon receiving an electronic request for payment from that subsidiary client.

41. A system as claimed in claim 40, in which the verification means is arranged to prompt the entry of an identification code together with each 1020 electronic request for payment, and to compare the entered identification code with a pre-stored identification code uniquely associated with that subsidiary . client, the transaction means being arranged to make payment to the requested vendor only if the entered identification code corresponds to the pre-stored identification code.

1025 42. A system as claimed in claim 40 or claim 41 , in which the verification means is arranged to compare identification data received from a mobile telephone by which the request for payment was sent to pre-stored identification data associated with the particular subsidiary client.

1030 43. A system as claimed in any one of claims 40 to 42 inclusive, in which the verification means is arranged to send an electronic confirmation message to a particular vendor upon verification of a subsidiary client, the confirmation message indicating to the vendor that the requested transaction ιo35 can be processed and that payment will be made to the vendor against the primary account.

44. A system as claimed in claim any one of claims 38 to 44 inclusive, in which the transaction means includes a voucher generator for ιo4o generating and sending an electronic voucher to a subsidiary client upon authorization of a particular requested transaction, to permit the subsidiary client to redeem the electronic voucher at the associated participating vendor in order to receive the desired goods or services. ιo45

45. A system as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 43 inclusive, in which the transaction means is arranged automatically to pay a set amount to a specified vendor at pre-determined intervals, the transaction means including a voucher generator for generating and sending an electronic vendor voucher to a subsidiary client who is to benefit from said payment of the ιo5o vendor.

46. A system as claimed in claim 44 or claim 45, in which the voucher generator is arranged to send each vendor voucher to the associated subsidiary ciient by way of a telephonic text message.

1055 47. A system as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 46 inclusive, which includes a report means for keeping record of all payments made to participating vendors against the primary account for the benefit of the respective subsidiary clients, and for sending an electronic report to the parent ιo6o client, in which is reported a statement history and/or a current status of the primary account.

48. A system as claimed in claim 47, in which the report means is arranged to send a personalized electronic report to each subsidiary client, ιo65 each personalized electronic report including information regarding individual transactions made by the associated subsidiary client, respective limitations set by the parent client on transactions by that subsidiary client, and/or the total value of requests made in respect of each vendor or type of vendor.

1070 49. A system as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 48 inclusive, in which the primary account is a debit account, the transaction means being arranged to permit electronic payment of vendors only if the primary account has a positive balance.

ιo75 50. A system as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 48 inclusive, in which the primary account has a credit limit, the transaction means being arranged to permit payment of vendors against the account only if the balance of the primary account is within the credit limit.

ιo8o 51. A system as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 50 inclusive, in which the transaction means is arranged to reduce, in respect of each processed transaction, the balance of the primary account by a total transaction amount which comprises a quantum paid to the associated participating vendor for provision of goods or services, and an additional loss amount.

52. A system as claimed in claim 51, in which the additional amount is selected from the group comprising an administration fee, a vendor agent commission, and a client agent commission.

1090 53. A set of computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium, the set of computer readable instructions being for enabling a computer system to perform a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27, when the computer program is executed on the computer ιo95 system.

54. Computer equipment which has stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions as claimed in claim 53.

lioo 55. A computer readable storage medium which has stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions as claimed in claim 53.