USING USSD NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication for carrying out financial transactions. This disclosure relates, in detail, to a device and method for performing financial transactions using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) network.

BACKGROUND

In the current scenario, the wireless communication industry is on tremendous growth and the mobile customer base has been expanding at an alarming rate. Also, hand held devices have become an integral part of everyday life and such the hand held devices depend on several technologies like Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Wireless Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Long Term Evolution (LTE) for communication purpose. Irrespective of the operators or the technology, the mobile customers can be categorized as post-paid customers and pre-paid customers. The post-paid and pre-paid customers are naming conventions used; hence the same can be defined as those who pay their mobile bills in advance or those who pay their bills after the usage.

Once the customer connection has been activated by the telecom operator, the mobile customers have to pay their bills regularly, as and when they have exhausted their usage or as per billing schedules. At present, the customers depend to recharge or pay their bills, on methods like payment shops, online payment or KIOSK payment which, depends on Internet. In fact, the mobile users greatly depend on the shops for getting the bills paid or getting the mobile recharged. However, in such human-assisted payment there are chances of miscommunication and error due to oral communication. Also there can be a chance of transaction of fake notes.

The customers who are on the move and do not have an Internet connection find it difficult to pay their telecom or Direct To Home (DTH) bills. The customers may have to travel to a shop to pay bills. Seldom, shops may work round the clock. Moreover, there is relatively small number of payment KIOSKs. If a KIOSK needs to be installed, then Internet connection and payment has to be realized by payment gateways and bulk resellers. The installation and operational cost will be more which defeats the KIOSK deployment. Furthermore, the rollout of KIOSK will be difficult with much hardware installation and thereafter network connectivity is required. This needs to have huge capital cost.

Thereby, a new method needs to be addressed where the customers can make payments for their financial needs on the move. The system should be able to accept the payment automatically, scan for fake note detection, in any mode round the clock. On accepting the same should be updated on real time securely. More over the device can be able to setup very easily with minimum requirement and without making much change in the existing system.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a device for performing financial transactions using USSD network. The device accepts cash payment from a user upon selecting a desired service operator. Further, the device connected to a USSD network performs the financial transactions over the USSD network. The device notifies the user after performing the financial transactions.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure illustrates a device for performing financial transactions using USSD network. The device comprises one or more slots where each slots comprises a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of predetermined service operator, a cash receiving unit to receive cash of predefined currency and a computing unit interfaced to the USSD network, configured to receive selection of a predetermined service operator through a user interface associated with the device, initiate a USSD session with the predetermined service operator, perform financial transactions for the initiated session through the USSD network, upon receiving one or more inputs from the cash receiving unit and notify the performed financial transactions to a user through the USSD network.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for performing financial transactions by a device, the method comprising receiving selection of a predetermined service operator through a user interface associated with the device, receiving cash of predefined currency, initiating a USSD session with the predetermined service operator, performing financial transactions for the initiated session through the USSD network, upon receiving one or more inputs from the cash receiving unit and notifying the performed financial transactions to a user through the USSD network. The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a device for performing financial transactions using USSD network in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates communication network interface between service operators and the device for performing financial transactions in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for performing financial transactions over USSD network in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Figure 4 shows a general block diagram of computer architecture in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to device and method for performing financial transactions. The device uses USSD channel to perform the financial transactions. The device accepts cash payments. Further, the use of dedicated USSD channel reduces the time taken for performing financial transactions.

Figure 1 of the present disclosure illustrates a device 100 for performing financial transactions using a communication network (as shown in Fig. 2). In an embodiment, the present disclosure illustrates use of USSD network to perform the financial transactions. The device 100 comprises a plurality of card slots 101 A, 101B... 101N. The card slots 101A, 101B... 101N can be collectively represented as card slots 101. Each of the card slots 101 comprises a SIM card of predefined service operator. In an exemplary embodiment, the service operator may be, but are not limited to, a mobile service operator or a Direct To Home (DTH) service operator. In an embodiment, the service operator can be any other type of entities capable of providing different types of services to customers. Each of the SIM cards present inside the corresponding card slots 101 are communicatively interfaced with a computing unit 103 configured in the device 100. The device 100 also comprises a user interface 104. The user interacts dynamically with the device 100 through the user interface 104. The user interface 104 provides the user with a list of predefined service operators associated with the device 100. The user selects a service operator from the list provided. Upon receiving the selection of the service operator, the computing unit 103 initiates a USSD session over the USSD network corresponding to the selected service operator for performing the financial transaction. The computing unit 103 establishes a wireless connection with a server connected to the selected service operator, over the USSD network. Furthermore, a cash receiving unit 102 configured in the device 100 receives cash from the user for performing the financial transactions. Further, the cash receiving unit 102 validates the received cash. Consequently, the computing unit 103 receives one or more inputs from the cash receiving unit 102. In an embodiment the one or more inputs may be the result of validation performed by the cash receiving unit 102. On receiving the one or more inputs, the computing unit 103 performs the financial transaction using the USSD network. On completion, the computing unit 103 notifies the user with an appropriate message for the performed financial transaction.

In an embodiment, the cash receiving unit 102 accepts cash in any of predefined denominations. In an embodiment, the received cash may comprise currency notes, currency coins etc. Also, the device 100 may be configured to receive different currency. In an embodiment, the device may receive payments through one of a credit card, net-banking, debit card, payment wallets, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 may be configured to transact using Internet. The transaction can take place by at least one of wired or wireless means over the Internet. In an embodiment, wireless transaction can be performed using communication protocols including, but not limited to, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Wireless Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) etc. In an embodiment, the Internet connectivity may be configured through the communication network.

In an embodiment, the computing unit 103 comprises a processor, and a memory coupled with the processor (not shown in the Fig.), which stores processor-executable instructions, which on execution may cause the processor to perform tasks as illustrated in the present disclosure. Also, the computing unit 103 may be communicatively associated with a server interfaced with the communication network.

In an embodiment, the user interface 104 displays a dynamic menu to the user. Here, the user interface 104 receives one or more inputs from the user. The one or more inputs may be credentials of the user's account corresponding to the selected service operator. For example, the user may be prompted for entering a user name and a corresponding password to login to an account associated with the selected service operator. In an embodiment, the user can login to an account by keying in a number associated with the selected operator 201, through the user interface 104. Also, the user may input the amount to be transacted. In an embodiment, a printing unit may be associated with the device 100. The printing unit may print an acknowledgement receipt for the performed financial transaction.

Figure 2 of the present disclosure illustrates a communication network 202 interface between service operators and the device 100 for performing financial transactions. Figure 2 discloses various service operators 201 A, 201B...201N that may be configured with the device 100. The device 100 is connected to the selected service operator 201 through the USSD network. As described above, when the user selects a service operator 201 from the user interface 104, the computing unit 103 initiates a USSD session corresponding to the selected service operator 201. Then, the computing unit 103 fetches data to be displayed to the user, from the selected service operator 201 through the USSD network. Based on the fetched data, the user interface 104 displays a dynamic menu provided by the selected service operator 201. Thereafter, the user interface 104 receives one or more inputs from the user. The one or more inputs may be credentials of the user's account corresponding to the selected service operator 201, services required from the service operator 201. Also, the user may input the amount to be transacted or automatically detects the amount that is inserted in a predefined time. After receiving the cash by the cash receiving unit 102, the computing unit 103 communicates with the service operator 201 and accordingly the user's account is credited with the amount. Then, the computing unit 103 receives an acknowledgement from the service operator 201 for the receipt of payment in the form of printed/electronically. Further, the computing unit 103 notifies the user for the performed financial transaction.

Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for performing financial transactions using USSD network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the method 300 comprises one or more steps for performing financial transactions using USSD network. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

At step 301, receive selection of a predetermined service operator 201 through the user interface 104 associated with the device 100. On powering on the device 100, the user interface 104 displays a list of service operators 201 configured with the device 100. Further, the computing unit 103 receives a selection of the predetermined service operator 201 through the user interface 104. Here, each of the one or more slots 101 comprises a SIM card of predefined service operator 201. The user interface 104 displays each of the service operators 201 configured with the device 100 to the user. The user selects one of the service operators 201 displayed. Further, the user may input the amount through the user interface 104, for which the financial transaction has to be performed.

At step 302, receive cash of predefined currency by the cash receiving unit 102. As illustrated in step 301, the user inputs the amount to be transacted using the device 100. The entered amount is then received by the cash receiving unit 102. In an embodiment, the cash receiving unit 102 accepts cash in any of predefined denominations. In an embodiment, the received cash may comprise currency notes, currency coins etc. Also, the received cash may be configured with any type of currency.

In an embodiment, the cash receiving unit 102 validates the received cash. Upon validation, the cash receiving unit 102 provides one or more inputs to the computing unit 103. In an embodiment the one or more inputs may be the result of validation performed by the cash receiving unit 102.

At step 303, initiate a USSD session upon validation, with the predefined service operator 201 by the computing unit 103. Here, the user interface 104 displays a dynamic menu to the user based on the predefined service operator 201 selected. The computing unit 103 interacts with the predefined service operator 201 and fetches data related to the dynamic menu to be displayed. Upon receiving the data, the computing unit 103 configures the user interface 104 to display the dynamic menu corresponding to the predefined service operator 201 to the user.

In an embodiment, the user inputs one or more inputs through the user interface 104. The one or more inputs may be at least one of credentials of the user's account corresponding to the selected service operator 201 and services required from the service operator 201.

At step 304, perform the financial transaction for the initiated session through the USSD network. The computing unit 103 performs the financial transactions after receiving the one or more inputs from the cash receiving unit 102. After receiving the cash by the cash receiving unit 102, the computing unit 103 communicates with the service operator 210 and accordingly the user's account is credited with the amount.

At step 305, notify the performed financial transaction to the user through the USSD network. After performing the financial transaction as illustrated in step 304, the service operator 201 acknowledges the receipt of the payment through the USSD network. Further, the computing unit 103 notifies the performed financial transaction to the user through the USSD network.

In an embodiment, the computing unit 103 may send an acknowledgement message to the user through the USSD network. Also, a printing unit may be configured with the device 100 to print an acknowledgment receipt for the performed financial transaction. Computer System

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 400 for implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the computer system 400 is used to implement the method for performing financial transaction using USSD network. The computer system 400 may comprise a central processing unit ("CPU" or "processor") 402. The processor 402 may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for dynamic resource allocation at run time. The processor 402 may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc.

The processor 402 may be disposed in communication with one or more input/output (I/O) devices (not shown) via I/O interface 401. The I/O interface 401 may employ communication protocols/methods such as, without limitation, audio, analog, digital, monoaural, RCA, stereo, IEEE-1394, serial bus, universal serial bus (USB), infrared, PS/2, BNC, coaxial, component, composite, digital visual interface (DVI), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), RF antennas, S-Video, VGA, IEEE 802.n /b/g/n/x, Bluetooth, cellular (e.g., code- division multiple access (CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA+), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), WiMax, or the like), etc.

Using the I/O interface 401, the computer system 400 may communicate with one or more I/O devices. For example, the input device may be an antenna, keyboard, mouse, joystick, (infrared) remote control, camera, card reader, fax machine, dongle, biometric reader, microphone, touch screen, touchpad, trackball, stylus, scanner, storage device, transceiver, video device/source, etc. The output device may be a printer, fax machine, video display (e.g., cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), plasma, Plasma display panel (PDP), Organic light-emitting diode display (OLED) or the like), audio speaker, etc.

In some embodiments, the computer system 400 is connected to the one or more, the one or more servers 410 and the service operator 411 through a communication network 409. The processor 402 may be disposed in communication with the communication network 409 via a network interface 403. The network interface 403 may communicate with the communication network 409. The network interface 403 may employ connection protocols including, without limitation, direct connect, Ethernet (e.g., twisted pair 10/100/1000 Base T), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), token ring, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/x, etc. The communication network 409 may include, without limitation, a direct interconnection, e- commerce network, a peer to peer (P2P) network, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless network (e.g., using Wireless Application Protocol), the Internet, Wi-Fi, etc. Using the network interface 403 and the communication network 409, the computer system 400 may communicate with the one or more service operators 411 and the one or more servers 410.

In some embodiments, the processor 402 may be disposed in communication with a memory 405 (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc. not shown in figure 4) via a storage interface 404. The storage interface 404 may connect to memory 405 including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), IEEE- 1394, Universal Serial Bus (USB), fibre channel, Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, Redundant Array of Independent Discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

The memory 405 may store a collection of program or database components, including, without limitation, user interface 406, an operating system 407, web server 408 etc. In some embodiments, computer system 400 may store user/application data 406, such as the data, variables, records, etc. as described in this disclosure. Such databases may be implemented as fault-tolerant, relational, scalable, secure databases such as Oracle or Sybase.

The operating system 407 may facilitate resource management and operation of the computer system 400. Examples of operating systems include, without limitation, Apple Macintosh OS X, Unix, Unix-like system distributions (e.g., Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, etc.), Linux distributions (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, etc.), IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista/7/8, 10 etc.), Apple iOS, Google Android, Blackberry OS, or the like.

In some embodiments, the computer system 400 may implement a web browser 407 stored program component. The web browser 408 may be a hypertext viewing application, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, etc. Secure web browsing may be provided using Secure Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTPS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), etc. Web browsers 408 may utilize facilities such as AJAX, DHTML, Adobe Flash, JavaScript, Java, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), etc. In some embodiments, the computer system 400 may implement a mail server stored program component. The mail server may be an Internet mail server such as Microsoft Exchange, or the like. The mail server may utilize facilities such as ASP, ActiveX, ANSI C++/C#, Microsoft .NET, CGI scripts, Java, JavaScript, PERL, PHP, Python, WebObjects, etc. The mail server may utilize communication protocols such as Internet Message Access Protocol (EVIAP), Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), Microsoft Exchange, Post Office Protocol (POP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), or the like. In some embodiments, the computer system 400 may implement a mail client stored program component. The mail client may be a mail viewing application, such as Apple Mail, Microsoft Entourage, Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, etc.

In an embodiment, the cash receiving unit 414 and the card slots 415 are connected the processor 401 as shown in Figure 4 of the present disclosure.

The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

The illustrated operations of Figure 3 show certain events occurring in a certain order. In alternative embodiments, certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the above described logic and still conform to the described embodiments. Further, operations described herein may occur sequentially or certain operations may be processed in parallel. Yet further, operations may be performed by a single processing unit or by distributed processing units.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to device and method for performing financial transactions. The device uses USSD channel to perform the financial transactions. The device accepts cash payments. Further, the use of dedicated USSD channel reduces the time taken for performing financial transactions.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure presents a convenient method for making financial transactions in absence of Internet facilities, by making use of USSD network. The device makes use of USSD network for making financial transactions. Unlike SMS, the use of USSD network reduces the time taken for performing the financial transactions.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a device for making financial transactions by receiving cash. A cash receiving unit integrated in the device receives cash of predefined currency, thereby performing financial transactions. This device may be abundantly used in areas where there is lack of Internet connectivity. Also, the device proposed is very cost effective.

In an embodiment, the device comprises one or more slots, each of the one or more slots comprising a SIM card of predefined service operator. A user can select a desired service operator for performing financial transactions for the services provided by the selected service operator.

In an embodiment, the device for performing financial transactions reduces the human errors caused during human assisted payments and miscommunications caused during human assisted payments.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS:

404 Storage Interface

405 Memory

406 User Interface

407 Operating System

408 Web Server

409 Communication Network

410 Server

411 Service Operator

412 Input Device

413 Output Device

414 Cash receiving unit

415 Card slots