Cellular telephone-based transaction processing

US6535726B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Gilbarco Inc. · US

Inventor

• William S. Johnson · Jamestown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 12, 2000
• Grant date: Mar 18, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 12, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F13/025
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A retail transaction system provides enhanced customer convenience and increased transaction security by sending transaction information to a cellular network provider via a customer's digital cellular phone. For example, a fuel dispenser is equipped with a communications link allowing direct communications to a customer's cellular phone. When a customer desires to conduct a transaction using the fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser transmits select information to the customer's cellular telephone using this communications link. A telephone number is included in the select information. When the customer presses send, or otherwise causes their telephone to dial the number transferred from the fuel dispenser, the select information along with any additional customer information is sent to the cellular network. This information is used by the network to authorize a purchase transaction for the customer, such authorization information returned to the fueling station at which the fuel dispenser is located via a cellular link. For enhanced security, the customer may be required to input their PIN in order to complete the transaction. Notably, the PIN and the remainder of the transaction in…