BRPI0720676A2 - METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE MEANS, SERVER COMPUTER, AND, CUSTOMER COMPUTER, AND, PHONE. - Google Patents

Description

"METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE MEANS, SERVER COMPUTER, AND CUSTOMER COMPUTER, AND PHONE"

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional application and claims priority for US Provisional Application No. 60 / 871,898, filed December 26, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND There are many occasions when a consumer may want to be notified when their credit card or similar is used. For example, he may want to know when his credit card account number was used to buy a $ 5000 big screen television on the Internet, when his account number is used outside the US to buy air tickets, or when his child uses it. the account or credit card number to buy alcohol.

A consumer may be notified by the issuer that issued their credit card when the issuer determines that potentially fraudulent activity has occurred with a purchase with the consumer's credit card. The issuer may contact the consumer using the contact information they have on file for the consumer, which is typically a consumer's home phone number and home address. For example, the issuer may call the consumer at his home phone number or send a letter to his home address informing the consumer that potentially fraudulent or unauthorized activity is taking place. However, the consumer may not be home or may not answer the phone and a letter may take a few days to reach the consumer's home. In addition, the activity may occur in the early morning hours outside the issuer's business hours and when the consumer does not want to receive a call. For example, if a potentially fraudulent purchase is made with the consumer's credit card at 2 am, the consumer may be asleep. Thus, conventional notification methods may not be very effective for notifying the consumer of potentially fraudulent or unauthorized credit card activity.

Embodiments of the invention treat these and other problems individually and collectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY Embodiments of the invention are directed to improved consumer notification systems and methods.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including receiving information that a transaction associated with a portable consumer device is occurring, and providing an alert to a consumer associated with the portable consumer device, where the alert indicates that the transaction is occurring. , where the alert is sent to the consumer according to a time or mode of communication previously specified by the consumer using an interface that allows the user to specify the time and mode of communication to receive the alert.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a client computer including a processor, and a computer readable medium, wherein the computer readable medium includes instructions for performing a method including receiving information about how to be notified if a predetermined activity is occurring with respect. to a consumer portable device, wherein an alert is provided consistently with the information provided if the predetermined activity is occurring, wherein the provided information is a result of choosing a consumer to customize an alert for each predetermined activity using a interface that allows a user to customize the alert according to at least communication mode and time, and send the information to a notification server. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including providing information on how to be notified if a predetermined activity is occurring with respect to a portable consumer device, and to receive an alert in a manner consistent with the information provided if the predetermined activity is occurring, in particular. The information provided is a result of the consumer's choice to customize an alert for each predetermined activity by communication mode and time.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a telephone including a processor, and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, wherein the computer readable medium includes code for receiving an alert, where the alert indicates that the transaction is occurring, where The alert is sent to the consumer according to a time or mode of communication previously specified by the consumer using an interface that allows the consumer to specify the time and mode of communication to receive the alert.

Other embodiments of the invention are directed to computer readable media including code for performing the methods described above as well as systems, apparatus and devices that perform the methods and / or using computer readable media. These and other embodiments of the invention are described in

Additional detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 (a) shows a block diagram of a payment processing system according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 (b) shows a block diagram of a device.

portable for exemplary consumer.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating steps in a method according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a web page illustrating notification parameters chosen by a consumer.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for

computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Custom payment transaction notification systems and methods are described in further detail below. They can be used in the context of payment transactions using payment processing systems, which are set up to process credit and debit card transactions.

I. Payment Processing Systems Embodiments of the invention are directed to the use of portable consumer devices, and methods and systems that use them. Portable consumer devices may be used in payment processing systems such as those shown in Figure 1 (a).

Figure 1 (a) shows a system 20 that can be used in one embodiment of the invention. For simplicity of illustration, a merchant, issuer, acquirer, portable consumer device, and consumer are shown. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may include multiple merchants, issuers, purchasers, portable consumer devices, and / or consumers. In addition, some embodiments of the invention may include less than all components shown in Figure 1 (a). Also, the components in Figure 1 (a) may communicate by any satisfactory means of communication (including the Internet) using any satisfactory communication protocol.

System 20 includes a merchant 22 and an acquirer 24 associated with merchant 22. In a typical payment transaction, a consumer 30 may purchase goods or services at merchant 22 using a portable consumer device 32. Acquirer 24 may communicate with a sender 28 by a payment processing network 26.

Acquirer 24 is typically a bank that has a merchant account. Issuer 28 may also be a bank, but could also be a business entity such as a retail store. Some entities are both acquirers and issuers, and embodiments of the invention include such entities. The emitter 28 may operate a server computer 21, which may have a computer readable medium including code for performing the functions that the emitter 28 performs. A database 23 including account number information and other information may be operatively coupled to the server computer 21.

The consumer 30 may be an individual, or an organization such as a business that is capable of purchasing goods or services.

The consumer portable device 32 may be in any satisfactory form. For example, satisfactory portable consumer devices may be hand held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and / or pocket (eg pocket size). These may include smart cards, ordinary credit or debit cards (with a magnetic strip and without a microprocessor), keychain devices (such as Exxon-Mobil Corp.'s commercially available Speedpass ™), etc. Other examples of portable consumer devices include mobile or mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), radio locators, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. Portable consumer devices may also be debit devices (e.g., a debit card), credit devices (e.g., a credit card), or stored value devices (e.g., a stored value card).

Consumer portable device 32 may include computer readable media (CRM) 32 (a) and body 32 (b). The computer readable medium 32 (a) may be in the body 32 (b). Body 32 (b) may be in the form of a plastic substrate, housing, or other structure. Computer readable medium 32 (a) may be a memory that stores data and may be in any satisfactory form. Exemplary computer readable media 32 (a) may be in any satisfactory form including a magnetic strip, memory chip, etc. If the portable consumer device 32 is in the form of a card, it may have an embossed region 32 (a) which is embossed with a PAN (primary account number).

An exemplary wireless consumer portable device 32 'in the form of a telephone may include a computer readable medium and a body as shown in Figure 1 (b). (Figure 1 (b) shows various components, and portable consumer devices according to embodiments of the invention may include any satisfactory combination or subset of such components. The computer readable medium 32 (b) may be present within or may be detachable from the body 32 (h). The body 32 (h) may be in the form of a plastic substrate, housing, or other structure. Computer readable medium 32 (b) may be a memory that stores data and may be in any satisfactory form including a magnetic strip, a memory chip, etc. Memory preferably stores information such as financial information, traffic information (for example, as in a subway or train ticket), access information (for example, as in access badges), etc. Financial information may include information such as bank account information, bank identification number (BIN), credit or debit card number information, account balance information, expiration date, consumer information such as name, date of birth. , etc. Any of this information may be transmitted by the consumer portable device 32 '.

In some embodiments, and regardless of the type of wireless consumer portable device that is used, information in memory may also be in the form of data trails that are traditionally associated with credit cards. Such tracks include Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 ("International Air Transport Association") stores more information than Track 2, and contains the cardholder's name as well as account number and other discretionary data. This trail is sometimes used by airlines when securing reservations with a credit card. Track 2 ("American Banking Association") is currently most commonly used. This is the trail that is read by ATMs and credit card checkers. The American Banking Association (ABA) has designed the specifications of this track and all world banks must conform to it. Contains cardholder account, PIN encoded, plus other discretionary data. The 32 'consumer portable device can also

include a contactless element 32 (g), which is typically implemented in the form of a semiconductor chip (or other data memory element) with an associated wireless transfer element (e.g., data transmission), such as a antenna. Non-contact element 32 (g) is associated with (for example, embedded within) consumer portable device 32 'and control data or instructions transmitted over a cellular network can be applied to non-contact element 32 (g) via an interface. non-contact element (not shown). The non-contact element interface works to allow data exchange and / or control instructions between mobile device circuits (and hence the cellular network) and an optional non-contact element 32 (g).

Contactless Element 32 (g) is capable of transferring and receiving data using a near field communication ("NFC") capability (or near field communication means) typically in accordance with a standardized protocol or data transfer mechanism ( e.g. ISO 14443 / NFC). Near field communications capability is a near-range communications capability, such as RFID, Bluetooth ™, infrared, or other data transfer capability that can be used to exchange data between the 32 'consumer handheld device and a wireless device. question. Thus, the consumer portable device 32 'is capable of communicating and transferring data and / or control instructions over both the cellular network and near field communications capability.

The consumer handheld device 32 'may also include a processor 32 (c) (e.g. a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the handheld consumer device 32' and a monitor 32 (d) to enable a consumer to view telephone numbers. and other information and messages. The portable consumer device 32 'may further include input elements 32 (e) to allow a consumer to input information into the device, a speaker 32 (f) to enable the consumer to hear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone 32 (i) to enable the consumer to transmit his voice over the consumer portable device 32 '. The consumer portable device 32 'may also include an antenna 32 (a) for wireless data transfer (e.g. data transmission).

Referring again to Figure 1 (a), payment processing network 26 may include data processing subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. . An exemplary payment processing network may include VisaNet ™. Payment processing networks such as VisaNet ™ may process credit card transactions, debit card transactions, and other types of business transactions. VisaNet ™, in particular, includes a Visa Integrated Payment System (VIP) system that processes authorization applications and a Base II system that performs clearing and settlement services.

Payment processing network 26 may include a server computer. A "server computer" or "server" is typically a powerful computer or group of computers. For example, the server computer may be a large mainframe, a minicomputer cluster, or a server group functioning as a unit. In one example, the server computer may be a database server attached to a web server. Payment processing network 26 may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including the Internet.

Merchant 22 may also have, or may receive communications from, an access device 34, which may interact with the portable consumer device 32. In Figure 1 (a), access device 34 is located on merchant 22. However, it could be located elsewhere satisfactory in other embodiments of the invention.

The access devices according to embodiments of the invention may be in any satisfactory form. Examples of access devices include point of sale (POS) devices, mobile or mobile phones, PDAs, personal computers (PCs), portable PCs, hand held specialty readers, converters, electronic cash registers (ECRs), 24-hour banks. (ATMs), virtual cash registers (VCRs), kiosks, security systems, access systems, and the like.

If access device 34 is a peer terminal

For sale, any satisfactory point of sale terminal may include a reader 34 (a), a processor 34 (b) and a computer readable medium 34 (c). Reader 34 (a) may include any mode of contact or non-contact satisfactory operation. For example, exemplary card readers may include RF (radio frequency) antennas, magnetic stripe readers, etc., to interact with the portable consumer device 32.

In a typical purchase transaction, consumer 30 purchases a good or services from merchant 22 using a consumer portable device 32 such as a credit card. The consumer consumer portable device 32 may interact with an access device 34 such as a POS terminal at the merchant 22. For example, the consumer 30 may carry a credit card and may pass it through a credit card. proper opening at the POS terminal. Alternatively, the POS terminal may be a contactless reader, and consumer portable device 32 may be a contactless device such as a contactless card.

An authorization request message is then sent to the acquirer 24. After receiving the authorization request message, the authorization request message is then sent to the payment processing network 26. The payment processing network 26 then sends the authorization request message to the issuer 28 of the consumer handheld device 32.

After issuer 28 receives the authorization request message, issuer 28 sends an authorization response message back to payment processing network 26 to indicate whether or not the current transaction is authorized. The payment processing network 26 then sends the authorization response message back to the acquirer 24. The acquirer 24 then sends the reply message back to the merchant 22.

After merchant 22 receives the authorization response message, access device 34 in merchant 22 can then provide the authorization response message to consumer 30. The response message may be displayed by access device 34 or device consumer notebook 32, or can be printed on a receipt.

At the end of the day, a normal clearing and settlement process can be conducted by the payment processing network 26. A clearing process is a process of exchanging financial details between an acquirer and an issuer for easy posting to a consumer's account and reconciliation. of the consumer's settlement position.

Some of the embodiments described below may use a payment processing system as described above, or any satisfactory combination of components in the payment processing system.

II. Custom Payment Transaction Notification System and Method

Embodiments of the invention are directed to personalized alerts and notifications for consumer to handheld device transactions. In these embodiments of the invention, a consumer may customize the alert trigger (for example, only notify the consumer if the transaction that is occurring is greater than $ 5000 in value), alert time (for example, from 9 am to 5 pm ), mode of communication (eg, email, phone, SMS), and / or contact (eg, wireless email address, work email address, spouse's mobile phone, home phone ). The consumer may use an interface such as a web interface to indicate how and / or when the consumer is to be alerted when the consumer's handheld device or account number associated with the handheld device is used. In embodiments of the invention, the consumer may specify whether he wants separately placed alerts for each consumer account number and / or portable device he has. It may also specify that any alerts provided are provided at the same time and under the same conditions by all portable consumer accounts or devices associated with the consumer.

Illustratively5 the consumer may visit a website that allows the consumer to customize the way he is alerted when his credit card is being used. Using a web interface such as a web page, consumers can indicate that they want to be notified by phone if their credit card or credit card account number is being used between 10 pm and 6 am to drive a transaction of any amount, since he will probably be at home and sleeping during this time. Using the webpage, the consumer may also specify that the consumer wants to be notified of any account or device activity by email and a mobile phone during the time of 6:00 am and 10 pm, only if the amount transaction amount is greater than $ 500. Thus, after the consumer provides this personalization information, if a $ 5000 credit card transaction is conducted at 2 am using the consumer's credit card, a payment processing organization and / or issuer may then provide an alert. call the consumer on the consumer's home phone. The consumer may thereafter contact the payment processing organization and / or issuer to take appropriate action. For example, the consumer may prevent the transaction from happening by not authorizing the transaction. Alternatively, if a $ 5000 transaction is being conducted at 10 am using the consumer's credit card or credit card account number, the credit card payment processing organization and / or issuer may notify the consumer by providing an alert to your email device and mobile phone.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a consumer 205 who can use a portable consumer device 200 to conduct payment transactions, money transfers, access transactions, etc. Consumer 205 may also use a notification device 290 such as a mobile phone to receive alerts, and may use a client computer 207 such as a personal computer to receive alerts and / or enroll in an alert program. As shown in Figure 2, client computer 207 may be in operative communication with a web registration server 215, which may in turn be in operative communication on a registration application server 220, a web-based database server. SQL 230, and a notification server 250. A sender 210 may be in communication with at least the registration application server 220, and the payment processing network 240 may be in communication with the notification server 250. An aggregator 280 may be in communication with a portal 260 and notification device 290, as well as notification server 250. Each of the components shown in Figure 2 is described in further detail below. Methods of using the system shown in Figure 2 are also described in detail below.

For simplicity of illustration, a consumer portable device, a consumer, a sender, a notification device, a client computer, an aggregator, etc. are shown. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may include multiple portable consumer devices, consumers, transmitters, notification devices, client computers, aggregators, etc. In addition, some embodiments of the invention may include less than all components shown in Figure 2. Also, the components in Figure 2 may communicate by any satisfactory means of communication (including the Internet) using any satisfactory communication protocol.

The system in Figure 2 includes a consumer portable device 200 associated with a consumer 205. Satisfactory portable consumer devices are described in further detail above.

The consumer 205 may operate a client computer 207. The client computer 207 may be a desktop computer, a laptop, a mobile or mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. It can operate using any satisfactory operating system including a Windows ™ based operating system.

Notification device 290 may be any satisfactory device that can receive alerts and can provide such consumer alerts 205. Examples of notification devices include computers, mobile or mobile phones (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 (b)), corded telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), radio locators, and the like. Notification device 290 may be in any satisfactory form (for example, satisfactory notification devices may be hand held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and / or pocket).

In some embodiments, the notification device 290 and the portable consumer device 200 may be embodied by the same device. For example, a cordless telephone may function as both a consumer portable device that may be used to pay for goods or services, and a notification device to notify the consumer if activity associated with the cordless telephone, or an account number. associated with the cordless telephone is being conducted.

If the notification device is a telephone, it may include a processor, and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor. Computer readable media includes code for receiving an alert, where the alert indicates that the transaction is occurring, where the alert is sent to the consumer according to a time or mode of communication previously specified by the consumer using an interface that allows the consumer. specify the time and mode of communication to receive the alert.

As described above, issuer 210 may be a bank or other business entity such as a retail store. Payment processing network 240 may include data processing subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. An exemplary payment processing network may include VisaNet ™.

A web number server 215, a web server

registration application 220, a SQL DB server 230, and a notification server 250 may perform different functions. For example, a web registration server 215 may receive registration or registration information from a consumer 205 by a client computer 207 and send registration information to a registration application server 220. A registration application server 220 may receive consumer registration information 205 by a web registration server 215 or issuer 210 and may store new or updated registration information on a SQL DB 230 server. A SQL DB server 230 may receive and store registration information (eg information about what types of alerts the consumer would like to receive, etc.) as well as other consumer account information such as whether or not an alert has been received by a consumer and whether or not the consumer would like the alerts be escalated if not received. A notification server 250 may receive alert trigger information, determine if consumer 205 would like to be notified of the trigger, and send alerts to a notification device 290 by a portal 260 and aggregator 280 if consumer 205 would like to receive a trigger. alert to the trigger. A notification event server 250 can also evaluate whether or not the alert should be escalated. The system in Figure 2 may further include a portal 260, whereby a call, text message, or Short Message Service ("SMS") message, for example, from the notification server 250, may pass through the consumer by aggregator. 280. (SMS is typically a service available on a consumer portable device that allows short messages between devices to be sent by an intermediary server). The portal 260 may be embodied by a computer or network that allows or controls access to another computer or network. Portal 260 may also be a software interface between the computer or network and another computer or network.

Aggregator 280 may be an entity or organization that receives and transmits messages to a telephone, email account, etc. In some cases, cordless telephone companies may be considered aggregators.

Before a consumer can receive alerts, the consumer

can register with the alert system. Information may be received using an interface that allows the user to specify the time and mode of communication to receive an alert when a transaction is occurring with respect to a consumer portable device associated with the consumer. The information includes the mode of communication or time at which the consumer wants to be notified.

A specific registration process can now be described with reference to Figure 2. A consumer 205 can register for alerts or update existing alerts for transactions made with the consumer handheld 200 in any number of ways. For example, consumer 205 may register for a separate website designed for this purpose, or manually by a paper form (which may be considered a registration interface). Registration information may be received by the issuer 210, the payment processing organization operating payment processing network 240, or another third party.

The issuer 210 or payment processing organization may also automatically enroll consumer 205 for alerts and notifications. For example, if consumer 205 is automatically enrolled by sender 210 or provides registration information to a sender 210 associated with portable consumer device 200, then sender 210 may communicate with a registration application server 220 and may send the information. registration number to the registration application server 220. In some cases, a consumer 205 may subscribe to alerts (or update existing information) to a portable consumer device 200 (for example, a credit card or debit card) providing information (for example, alert trigger, time, mode of communication, and / or contact for notification) to issuer 210 (for example, the bank that issued the consumer's credit card) in person, through a website, by telephone, or by mail. Alerts can be placed per account (for example, separate alerts for each consumer account and / or portable device that the consumer has with the issuer) or can be placed by identification so that all accounts for that consumer have the same alerts. . A 205 consumer can also register to receive

alerts through a web site (separate from the issuer) designed for this purpose by entering registration information (or updating existing information) for a consumer handheld 200. For example, a consumer 205 may use a client computer 207 to access website to enter registration information. The information is then sent to a web registration server 215, which sends the information to the registration application server 220.

Client computer 207 may include a processor, and a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions for performing a method including receiving information on how to be notified if a predetermined activity is occurring with respect to a consumer portable device, where an alert is provided consistent with the information provided if the predetermined activity. where the information provided is a result of the consumer's choice to customize an alert for each predetermined activity using an interface that allows a user to customize the alert according to at least communication mode and time, and send the information to a notification server. An exemplary web interface is shown in Figure 4.

As shown, a consumer having a portable consumer device 200 with an account number 12345678 may indicate, for each mode of communication (which may include different types of electronic devices), the particular time or hours that the user wants to be alerted. Also Figure 4 shows thresholds (for example, triggers) that will trigger an alert. As shown in Figure 4, different triggers may be married at different times, and different alert modes. In the illustrated example, a consumer might want to be notified when any transaction is conducted between 22:01 and 6:59 hours, since they are unlikely to be conducting transactions during this time. However, during other hours, the consumer may only want to be alerted if transactions are over $ 100.

The registration application server 220 may then store new or updated registration information on a SQL DB 230 server. The SQL DB server may be updated immediately after the registration application server 220 receives new or updated information, or periodically (for example, at all times, at the end of the day, etc.).

Alert trigger records are then sent to the system that will be detecting the trigger for the alert so that the system knows under what conditions the consumer would like an alert. These trigger records can be sent on demand (for example, when consumer 205 makes a change) or periodically (for example, hourly, daily, etc.). In one embodiment, the alert detecting system may be a payment processing network 240. In another embodiment, the alert detecting system may be a sender 210.

In some embodiments, alerts may be sent after certain other conditions are met. For example, the conditions associated with a particular purchase transaction may first be evaluated by a payment processing organization or issuer to determine if an alert is to be sent. For example, a payment processing organization or issuer might determine that the particular transaction being evaluated is a mail order purchase order - telephone order (ie, a MOTO transaction), is a risky transaction (for example, because the transaction is being conducted by a trader who has had risky business in the past), and / or is above a certain dollar limit (for example, over $ 30 in value). In such embodiments, the alert may be sent only if these conditions are met. Such conditions may be set by the payment processing organization or the issuer, with or without the consumer's participation or knowledge.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart including a general method according to one embodiment of the invention. The method can be described with reference to the block diagram in Figure 2.

In a typical transaction, a consumer 205 may use consumer portable device 200 to make a purchase through a payment processing network 240. For example, consumer 205 may use a portable consumer device (step 300) such as a credit card, to pay $ 5000 for a flat screen television. Once the consumer 205 uses the portable consumer device 200 (for example, pass his credit card to a merchant as shown in Figure 1 (a) and described above), an authorization request message passes to the processing network. 240. The payment processing network 240 checks to see if the characteristics of the transaction that was made with the consumer handheld 200 match a condition (e.g., notification event trigger) under which a consumer wants to be alerted (step 310). There are several examples of notification event triggers.

Examples of notification event triggers include the following: A transaction is over a certain amount of money (for example over $ 5000); any transaction conducted with a portable consumer device; a spending threshold (for example, a daily or monthly spending limit) has been reached for a private consumer handheld device; a transaction is made outside a particular geographic location (for example, outside the country in which the consumer resides); a risky transaction is being conducted ("risky" may be predefined by the consumer and / or issuer), a transaction is made without the portable consumer device (for example, the Internet, mail, or telephone order); a cash transaction or withdrawal; an online account has been accessed; one person used the consumer handheld device to enter a certain location (for example, a safe area, an after-hours business); a payment is due within a certain length of time; a payment is due; a child or spouse has conducted a transaction; a balance on the consumer portable device is exceeded; a particular type of transaction is being conducted (eg purchases for airline tickets, lodging, car rental, restaurants, doctor, etc.), etc. Thus, embodiments of the invention are flexible enough to allow many types of notification event triggers.

If there are no notification event triggers, then the notification process ends (step 315). If there is a notification event trigger, payment processing network 240 sends the trigger information to notification server 250. Notification server 250 checks SQL Server DB 230 to see how (or even if) consumer 205 I would like to be notified about the credit card transaction (step 320). If consumer 205 does not want to be alerted about this particular type of transaction, the notification process ends (step 325).

If consumer 205 would like to be notified of this particular type of transaction, then an alert is sent to consumer 205 by the communication mode (for example, by a specific communication channel) specified by consumer 205 (step 330). Examples of communication modes include voice, mobile, SMS, email, instant messaging, interactive voice response (IVR), etc.

As noted above, the consumer may specify one or more notification event trigger communication modes. For example, a consumer may want to be notified when a purchase is made that is over $ 5000 by mobile phone and email. In addition, a consumer can specify one or more contacts for each communication mode. For example, a consumer 205 may have multiple mobile numbers (for example, the consumer's personal mobile phone, work mobile phone, spouse's mobile phone number), multiple phone numbers (for example, home phone, work phone ), multiple SMS addresses (e.g. mobile phone, PDA, secretary PDA), or multiple email addresses (e.g. work email, personal email), etc. A consumer can also customize the time they want to receive each or all alerts. For example, the consumer may want to be notified of the transaction immediately, only during certain hours (for example, between 9 am and 5 pm), may specify different modes of communication during different times of day or transaction types, or may choose not be notified during certain hours (for example, between 1 am and 6 am).

Thus, a consumer may specify that he wants to receive notification if his consumer portable device is used for a transaction above a certain amount of money (for example, over $ 5000), by his work phone number and email of the spouse if it is during the day, and by SMS and home phone if the transaction occurs at night or weekend. The alert may be sent to a notification device 290 by a portal 260 and aggregator 280 using the specified communication mode. The alert message or text can also be personalized to the consumer, such as, "Mark, your credit card account ending in 9999 was just used for a $ 500 phone purchase. Please contact 555-555-5555 if this is incorrect ".

A consumer may also want the alert to be escalated if the alert has not been received. An alert may not be received if it could not be delivered (for example, the mobile phone network was idle, the consumer number was deleted), or the consumer does not recognize the alert message within a certain time (for example, respond to message, listen to voicemail, open SMS or e-mail message). A status message considering whether or not a consumer has received the alert is sent to notification server 250 by aggregator 280 and portal 260, and is stored on SQL Server DB 230. Notification server 250 evaluates whether or not the alert should be escalated (for example, if the alert was received and if the consumer specified that he wants the alert to be escalated). If the alert has not been received, then notification server 250 may retry the same communication mode or try a different communication mode based on consumer preference or prefixed settings. For example, a consumer may have an alert placed for a purchase made outside their home country. He may want the alert to be sent to his PDA which he usually carries with him. However, if he does not receive the message on his PDA either because the PDA service is down or he does not have it with him, he can specify that the alert is then sent to a different contact or to each of his other contacts until the system knows that it has received the alert.

The system may also include timers for sending status messages so that consumer 205 knows whether or not the consumer handheld device has been used for a transaction. For example, a consumer 205 may want a timer that alerts him daily at 7 am that he has used the consumer handheld 200 twice a day before or for certain types of purchases made with the consumer handheld 200.

In addition, consumer 205 may wish to be alerted if portable consumer device 200 is used to access a certain location. This can be characterized as an access transaction. For example, a consumer portable device 200 may be an access device for gaining entry to a building or other location. An employee may enter a particular business after hours or may enter a secure area of that business. Consumer 205 may wish to receive an alert that the employee used portable consumer device 200 to enter the safe area. For example, if employee Joe enters the secure server room after hours, consumer 205 may receive an SMS message on his mobile phone that says "employee Joe has entered secure area A (the server room)".

Embodiments of this invention have several advantages. First, a consumer can fully customize how, when, and whether he wants an alert for some or all transactions made with the consumer handheld, and thus has complete control over notifications for his consumer handheld. This also allows a better chance of detecting a potentially fraudulent act because the consumer will likely receive the alert in a timely manner so that he can respond to the alert if necessary. Also, there is a better chance of stopping fraudulent acts since the consumer can react quickly to the alert. In addition, the consumer may track secure area access or general employee activity from using the consumer portable device. The consumer can also track activity of a child or spouse using the portable consumer device. Finally, the consumer is assured of receiving the alert through the escalation process if he does not receive the alert in the first mode of communication or contact that is sent.

It should be understood that the present invention as described above may be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the exposition and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and / or methods for implementing the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software. Any of the server computers, desktop computers,

customer, and even some portable consumer devices described above may utilize any satisfactory number of subsystems. Examples of such subsystems or components are shown in Figure 5. The subsystems shown in Figure 5 are interconnected by a 775 system bus. Additional subsystems such as a printer 774, keyboard 778, fixed disk 779, monitor 776 are attached to a display adapter. 782, and others are shown. Peripheral and input / output (I / O) devices that engage the 771 I / O controller can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known in the art, such as serial port 777. For example, serial port 777 or external interface 781 can be used to connect the computer device to a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. System bus interconnection allows the 773 central processor to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of system memory instructions 772 or fixed disk 779, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. System memory 772 and / or fixed disk 779 may embody a computer readable medium.

Any of the software components or functions described

In this application they may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any satisfactory computer language such as, for example, Java, C ++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object oriented techniques. Software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer-readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard disk. or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computing apparatus, and may be present on or within different computing apparatus within a system or network.

The foregoing description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in reviewing the exhibit. The extent of the invention, therefore, should not be determined with reference to the foregoing description, but rather should be determined with reference to the pending claims together with their full extent or equivalents.

One or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

A recitation of "one" or "o" is intended to mean "one or more" unless specifically stated otherwise.

Claims (26)

Method, characterized in that it comprises: receiving information that a transaction associated with a portable consumer device is occurring; and providing an alert to a consumer associated with the consumer portable device, where the alert indicates that the transaction is occurring, where the alert is sent to the consumer according to a time or mode of communication previously specified by the consumer using an interface. which allows the user to specify the time and mode of communication to receive the alert. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the alert is sent to the consumer if the transaction that is taking place is above a predetermined amount, the transaction is of a predetermined type, the transaction is made out of place. specified geographic area, the transaction is determined to be a risky transaction, the transaction being conducted without the consumer handheld device being physically present at a point of sale, the transaction is a cash transaction, the transaction is a particular transaction type user-defined, the transaction involves account access, the transaction indicates that a person is entering or leaving a location, the transaction indicates that a payment is due or unpaid, or the transaction indicates that a specified person is conducting the transaction. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the alert is sent to the consumer according to the time and mode of communication previously specified by the consumer. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a consumer portable device is in the form of a card and the alert is sent to a consumer operated telephone. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the alert is a first alert and a second alert is sent to the consumer by another mode of communication. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, via an interface, a user-specified time and mode of communication for receiving the alert. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mode of communication includes using at least one of a phone call, voicemail, SMS, instant messaging, and an email. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the consumer has previously provided a trigger specifying a condition under which the alert would be sent. Computer readable medium, characterized in that it comprises: code for receiving information that a transaction associated with a portable consumer device is occurring; and code to provide an alert to a consumer associated with the consumer portable device, where the alert indicates that the transaction is occurring, where the alert is sent to the consumer according to a time or mode of communication previously specified by the consumer using An interface that allows the user to specify the time and mode of communication to receive the alert. Computer readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the alert is a first alert, and wherein the computer readable medium further includes code for sending the second alert to the consumer by another mode of communication. Computer readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the information is received by a payment processing network, and wherein the payment processing network is configured to process credit and debit card transactions. . Computer readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the alert is in the form of a telephone call. Server computer, characterized in that it comprises the computer readable medium as defined in claim9. Server computer according to claim 13, characterized in that the server computer is in communication with a payment processing network. Server computer according to claim 13, characterized in that the alert is a first alert, and wherein the computer readable medium further includes code for sending the second alert to the consumer by another mode of communication. 16. Client computer, characterized in that it comprises a processor, and a computer readable medium, wherein the computer readable medium includes instructions for performing a method including: receiving information about how to be notified if a predetermined activity is occurring with respect to a portable consumer device, wherein an alert is consistently provided with the information provided if the predetermined activity is occurring, wherein the provided information is a result of choosing a consumer to customize an alert for each predetermined activity using an interface that allows a user to customize the alert to at least communication mode and time; and send the information to a notification server. A client computer according to claim 16, further comprising a monitor coupled to the processor, wherein the monitor displays an interface showing consumer custom hours, modes of communication, and alert triggers. Client computer according to claim 16, characterized in that the interface is a web interface. Client computer according to claim 16, characterized in that the alert is in the form of a telephone call. 20. A method comprising: providing information on how to be notified if a predetermined activity is occurring with respect to a portable consumer device; and receiving an alert in a manner consistent with the information provided if the predetermined activity is occurring, wherein the information provided is a result of the consumer's choice to customize an alert for each predetermined activity by communication mode and time. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the information provided includes a time when a consumer wants to be notified. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the information provided includes a date when a consumer wants to be notified. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the information provided includes a mode of communication by which a consumer wants to be notified. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the mode of communication includes a telephone call, voicemail, SMS, instant messaging, and e-mail. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the alert is initiated after conditions set by an issuer or payment processing organization are met. 26. Telephone, characterized in that it comprises a processor, and a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, wherein the computer-readable medium includes code for receiving an alert, where the alert indicates that the transaction is occurring, where the The alert is sent to the consumer according to a time or mode of communication previously specified by the consumer using an interface that allows the consumer to specify the time and mode of communication to receive the alert.