초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for processing payment transactions using debit card numbers without the requirement of a personal identification number (PIN) is disclosed. A telepay system of the present invention provides an interface between a standard touchtone telephone and at least one debit card network

Method and apparatus for processing payment transactions using debit card numbers without the requirement of a personal identification number (PIN) is disclosed. A telepay system of the present invention provides an interface between a standard touchtone telephone and at least one debit card network such that real-time bill payment transactions may be effected using a keypad of the telephone. The telepay system includes an interactive voice response unit for prompting a payor to enter an access code, account number, debit card number and payment amount and for informing the user of the status of the transaction. Real-time processing of transactions is provided through use of debit card networks, rather than the Automated Clearing House. The telepay system is also capable of performing settlement functions and processing inquiries by payees of the system regarding previously processed transactions.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for enabling a caller to pay bills using a telephone connectable to at least one remote payment card network via a telepay system, wherein a payor places a call to said telepay system using said telephone to initiate a spontaneous payment transaction, the system further comprising: means fo

A system for enabling a caller to pay bills using a telephone connectable to at least one remote payment card network via a telepay system, wherein a payor places a call to said telepay system using said telephone to initiate a spontaneous payment transaction, the system further comprising: means for prompting said caller to enter an access code identifying a spontaneous payment transaction which does not require payor pre-registration, for a payee corresponding to said access code, such that said caller may subsequently select a form of payment for said transaction independent from said access code; means responsive to entry of an access code for determining whether said entered access code is valid; means for prompting said caller to enter an account number; means responsive to entry of an account number for determining whether said entered account number is valid; means for prompting said caller to enter a payment card number; means responsive to entry of a payment card number for determining whether said entered payment card number is valid; means for prompting said caller to enter a payment amount or partial payment amount determined by said caller for said payment transaction using said telephone keypad; and means responsive to a determination that a payment amount has been entered and further responsive to a determination that said entered access code, account number, payment card number and payment amount are valid, for during said call, accessing a remote payment card network associated with said entered payment card number, said accessed remote payment card network determining whether sufficient available credit or funds exist in an account associated with said entered payment card number to complete said current payment transaction, said remote payment card network not comprising an automated clearing house; means responsive to a real time determination that sufficient available credit or funds exist in said associated account for during said call, charging said entered payment amount against said account associated with said entered payment card number, adding said entered payment amount to an account associated with said entered account number and informing said caller of an approval code issued by said accessed remote payment card network and storing said entered access code, account number, payment card number and payment amount in a transaction log file of said telepay system; and means responsive to a real time determination that sufficient available credit or funds do not exist in said associated account for informing said caller during said call that said current payment transaction has been declined and terminating said current payment transaction.