Field of the invention

The invention is in the field of systems used for the capturing, collation and verification of a subscriber's data for the purpose of transacting online and / or accessing databases.

Background to the invention

The inventor is aware of existing problems with on-line transactions and access to databases, where the details of a user transacting online or accessing a database cannot readily be verified. The lack of verification often places other users and service providers in a vulnerable position.

The inventor believes that there is a need for a system which will assist in reducing problems associated with online transactions and database access by providing a platform for verifying the parties thereto.

Summary of the invention

Definitions for the purposes of the invention:

SMS (short message service) - a text messaging service component of a phone, web, or mobile communication system, using standardized communication protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices;

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) - a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones;

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) - a technology used by a network to send information between a mobile phone and an application on the network, USSD allowing a user to request information in short codes or menus from the network via mobile communication means; instantaneous transmission of text-based messages from sender to receiver, specifically a real-time direct written language-based online chat; and

Mobile application - a software application designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices.

A ringtone (or ringing tone) is an audible indication that is heard by a caller when the contact number they are calling is being rung. It may be a repeated tone, designed to assure the calling party that there is a connection to the called party's contact number. A ringtone for the purposes of this specification may include

It is to be appreciated from this specification that the term Online transactions' shall include access to online databases and shall not be limited to transactions requiring the transfer of money in exchange for goods/services.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the customized capturing, collation and/or verification of a subscriber's data for the purpose of online transactions, the system configured to register a subscriber by capturing data submitted by the subscriber onto a database, collating and verifying the data, said verification providing the subscriber with a verified profile and wherein the verified profile is accessible by a further party transacting online with the subscriber and wherein the system is configured to confirm verification by way of a verified ringtone.

The data of the subscriber may include any one or more of the group including the full names, address, mobile phone number, further contact numbers and/or contact details including e-mail addresses and the like.

The data of the subscriber may be verified by any one or more of the group including a verified mobile number of the subscriber, an identity document or passport of the subscriber and/or documentation of proof of address of the subscriber.

Contact numbers of a particular subscriber may be grouped.

The data may be submitted in hardcopy or softcopy. including any one or more of the group including licensing department information, criminal record databases, credit bureau databases, black listings databases, cellular network information databases and/or home affairs databases.

Upon verification, the system may provide automatic confirmation of registration and verification to the subscriber, automatic confirmation may be by an SMS, a letter and/or a notification e-mail.

The subscriber may customize their verified profile to their specific needs. Alternatively, the system may be configured to provide set verified profiles which may be selected by the subscriber.

In an embodiment of the invention, the verified profile, which may include a tone may be selected by the buyer and may be restricted or an open choice dependant on the structure of the subscriber's subscription.

The verified profile may include the services and/or goods offered by the subscriber or in the case of the subscriber being a buyer, the verified profile may include the services and/or goods which the subscriber wishes to purchase.

The subscriber may access the system by any suitable means, such as a message medium (SMS, MMS and so forth) a cellular network, a USSD connection, a mobile device, mobile application and/or an internet connection.

The system may be configured to confirm verification by way of a custom ringtone, specifically a verified ringtone, including but not limited to multimedia ring-back tones.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of a subscriber.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may be selected by a subscriber, and may furthermore, depend on the needs of the subscriber. The subscriber may utilise his verified profile in the course of offering of his goods or services for sale.

The system may be configured to continually monitor the verified profile of the subscriber, and may provide ratings and reviews relating thereto in light of ongoing online transactions between the subscriber and further parties having access thereto.

The subscriber may access their verified profile to obtain reviews and ratings as generated by the system and may submit additional data as and when required.

The system may include a facility for providing the subscriber with a website and/or means of advertising online, thereby creating an online presence for promoting the subscriber's goods and/or services.

Verification of the subscriber may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling the transmittal of a verified ringtone and/or verification notification.

Technical requirements of the system may include:

- a Windows™ or Linux™ operating system; MySQL with PHP service software; an Inteon Xeon E3-1230 Quad Core™ 3.2 Gigahertz Processor; RAID ™ 5 battery backup; a 16 Gigabyte Random Access Memory; 4 ^* 1 .5 Terabyte SATA HDD Disk and Dual power supply;

- server security and further technology such as the denial of service mitigation; network device security testing; redundant firewalls; redundant load balancers; SAN storage technology; security Updates and patches; server security testing; vulnerability assessments; data recovery technology with a dedicated server and off-site backup and recovery;

- a Linux™, Unix™, BSD, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista™, Windows 7™, Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2, Mac OS X 10.4+ server operating systems;

- web server products including but not limited to Apache 1 .3+ with mod _rewrite and Version 7.5 and URL rewrite module of IIS 5.x+ ;

- a PHP hypertext preprocessor 5.2.0+ having a 48 Megabyte of memory allocated to each PHP process, with required modules;

- databases such as MySQI 5.0 +, PostgreSQL 8.3+ and SQL Server 2008; - a content compression to speed up delivery of HTML, CSS and JAVASCRIPT;

- WAP enabled functional components, server side includes (SSI), XML, Zend Engine 2.3, Zend Optimizer Engine 3.x, GD library, Exif, CURL and Cron jobs;

The architecture of the system may include an object orientated application framework, Restful server, push and pull USSD and two-way SMS.

It is to be appreciated from the specification that the subscriber and the party having access to the verified profile of the subscriber may be an internet user and that the subscriber may be a seller and the party having access to the verified profile of the subscriber may be a buyer.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the customized capturing, collation and verification of a seller's data for the purpose of online transactions, the seller invited to subscribe to the system, the system configured to capture, collate and verify the data, where after access to a verified profile is granted to the seller for facilitating online transactions and wherein the system is configured to confirm verification by way of a verified ringtone.

The seller may be invited to subscribe by means of an advertisement notification, typically in the form of any one or more of the group including a newspaper advertisement, a billboard advertisement and/or a magazine advertisement, and may respond thereto by any suitable means including posting relevant documentation to a system administrator, e- mail correspondence and the like. Upon verification of the submitted data and the registration of the seller, the seller may receive notification confirming same, the notification being in the form of an SMS, a letter and the like.

The access to the system by the seller may be by any suitable means including but not limited to SMS, USSD and/or mobile application process.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of the seller.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may depend on the needs of said user.

The verified ringtone may be in the form of a voice message confirming the verification.

Verification of the seller may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling a verified ringtone and/or verified notification.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the customized capturing, collation and verification of a sellers data for the purpose of online transactions, the seller subscribing to the system by means of a messaging medium, wherein the system is configured to register the seller by the capturing and collating the seller's data and the subsequent verification of the data, the verification granting access to a verified profile by means of the messaging medium, and wherein the verified profile may be accessed by a buyer transacting online with the seller.

The messaging medium may include any one or more of the group including SMS, MMS, instant messaging, USSD, mobile applications and the like.

Access to the system may be made available to the seller by the messaging of a given number to a system administrator, and once registered, the seller may be able to access its verified profile to perform specific functions by SMS such as perusing ratings received by the system, broadcasting a product or service, purchasing of credit which may be used in conjunction with the system, managing of promotions, changing or updating verified profile information and making contact with the system administrator.

In an embodiment of the invention, a message is sent by messaging medium to a seller to confirm registration. If not registered, the seller may do so by submitting the required data.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of the seller.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may be selected by the buyer, and may furthermore, depend on the needs of the buyer The verified ringtone may be in the form of a voice message confirming the verification. Verification of the seller may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling a verified ringtone and/or verified notification.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the customized capturing, collation and verification of a sellers data for the purpose of an online transaction, the seller subscribing to the system by means of a USSD medium, the system configured to allow for the registration of the seller by the capturing and collation of the data and subsequent verification thereof, said verification granting access and control to a verified profile by means of the USSD medium, and wherein the verified profile is accessible by a buyer transacting online with the seller.

Access to the system may be by dialling a USSD string, and once registered, the seller may be able to access its verified profile by USSD to perform specific functions being any one or more of the group including perusing ratings generated by the system, changing or updating verified profile information, checking credit balance, checking of subscription status and making contact with the system administrator.

If a seller is not registered, the seller may submit the required data via messaging medium and acquire registration and certification, said messaging medium including any one or more of the group including SMS, MMS, instant messaging, USSD, mobile applications and the like.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of the seller.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may be selected by the buyer, and may furthermore, depend on the needs of the buyer.

The verified ringtone may be in the form of a voice message confirming the verification.

Verification of the seller may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling a verified ringtone and/or verified notification. According to a further aspect of the invention a buyer may be granted access to peruse, by message medium, a seller's verified profile on a system for the customized capturing, collating and verification of a seller's data, for the purpose of an online transaction.

The message medium may include any one or more of the group including SMS, MMS and/or instant message.

The buyer may access the verified profile of the seller by any suitable means, including but not limited to transmitting a number allocated to a seller. A message may be returned to the buyer confirming the registration and verification status of the seller. If the seller is verified by the system, the buyer may perform any one or more functions of the group including rating the verified seller, observing the ratings received by the verified seller and accessing the seller information, the seller information including but not limited to the registration date of the sellers verified profile, the location of the seller, the services and/or goods offered by the seller.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of a seller.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may be selected by the buyer, and may furthermore, depend on the needs of the buyer.

The verified ringtone may be in the form of a voice message confirming the verification.

Verification of the seller may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling a verified ringtone and/or verified notification.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention a buyer may be granted access to a seller's verified profile on a system for the customized capturing, collation and verification of a seller's data for the purpose of online transaction, by a USSD medium, thereby assisting in online transaction between the buyer and seller. The buyer may access the verified profile of a seller by dialling a specified USSD string. The status of the registration and verification of the seller may be returned by various means to the buyer, said means including but not limited to USSD, SMS, MMS, mobile application and the like. If the seller is verified by the system the buyer may perform any one or more functions of the group including rating the verified seller, observing the ratings received by the verified seller and accessing the seller information, the seller information including but not limited to the registration date of the sellers verified profile, the location of the seller, the services and/or goods offered by the seller.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of the seller.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may be selected by the buyer, and may furthermore, depend on the needs of the buyer.

The verified ringtone may be in the form of a voice message confirming the verification.

Verification of the seller may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling a verified ringtone and/or verified notification.

According to a further aspect of the invention a buyer may be granted access to a seller's verified profile on a system for the customized capturing, collation and verification of a seller's data for the purpose of online transaction, by a mobile application medium, thereby assisting in online transaction between the buyer and seller.

The buyer may forward a message, by SMS or any similar means, requesting the relevant link to download the necessary mobile application medium to assist in accessing the system. Once the appropriate link is received, the mobile application medium may be downloaded. The mobile application medium may permit the buyer to view a seller, monitor previous seller views, create a monitoring list including product or service details of numerous sellers, monitor ratings of all sellers made by the said buyer, create a list of preferred sellers of the buyer, create an address book of all sellers, create a list of promotions available and have an individual customized profile. The buyer may furthermore request access to a specific sellers profile, and if the seller has been verified, the buyer may perform any one or more functions of the group including rating the seller, viewing further ratings of that seller, viewing seller information, calling the seller, adding the seller to their address book, watching the seller, marking a seller as a preferred seller and adding a note relating thereto.

The verified profile may include a verified ringtone linked to a desired contact number, the desired contact number including but not limited to a contact number associated with the verified profile of the seller.

The verified profile may include a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification may be selected by the buyer, and may furthermore, depend on the needs of the buyer.

The verified ringtone may be in the form of a voice message confirming the verification.

Verification of the seller may incur a fee, the payment of said fee enabling a verified ringtone and/or verified notification.

All documentation submitted for collation and verification by the system may be certified.

It is to be appreciated from this specification that the subscriber, seller and/or buyer are not limited to natural persons and may include legal entities, organisations, groups of persons and the like.

Description of the drawings

The invention will now be explained with reference to the following non-limiting examples:

Flow process chart 1 showing the system configured to register and verify the seller in an embodiment of the invention where the seller is invited to subscribe to the system by way of paper based medium;

Flow process chart 2 showing the system configured to register and verify a new seller or to permit an existing seller to access his existing profile data via SMS medium; Flow process chart 3 showing the system configured to register and verify a new seller or to permit an existing seller to access his existing profile data by the USSD medium;

Flow process chart 4 shows the process the buyer follows to access the verified profile of the seller by SMS medium;

Flow process chart 5 shows the process the buyer follows to access the verified profile of the seller by USSD medium;

Flow process chart 6 shows the system configured to support a mobile application medium;

Flow process chart 7 shows a general overview of the system as utilised by a seller; and

Flow process chart 8 shows a general overview of the system as utilised by a buyer.

A system configured for the customized collation and verification of a seller's data for the purpose of online transaction as shown in Flow process Chart 1 , wherein the seller is invited to subscribe to the system, the system configured to permit the registration of an unregistered seller by capturing and collating data and verification thereof data submitted by the seller, said registration and verification granting the seller access to a verified profile and wherein the verified profile is accessible by a buyer transacting online with the seller.

The seller is invited to subscribe by means of an advertisement notification, typically in the form of any one or more of the group including a newspaper advertisement, a billboard advertisement and/or a magazine advertisement, and responds thereto by any means including posting relevant documentation to a system administrator, e-mail correspondence and the like.

Upon verification of the data and registration of the seller, the seller receives notification confirming same, the notification being in the form of an SMS, a letter and the like, and the seller granted access to the system by any means including but not limited to SMS, USSD and/or mobile application process. Flow process chart 2 shows a system configured for the customized capturing, collation and verification of a sellers data for the purpose of online transactions where the seller subscribing to the system by means of an SMS.

The system is configured to permit the registration of an unregistered seller by the capturing and collation of data and subsequent verification thereof, said verification granting access to a verified profile by means of the messaging medium, and wherein the verified profile is accessible to a buyer wishing to transact online with the seller.

In this example, a registered seller is also able to gain access to the system by the messaging of a given number to a system administrator, the seller then able to access its verified profile to perform specific functions by SMS, the functions being any one or more of the group including perusing ratings received by the system, broadcasting a product or service, purchase of credit which may be used on the system, managing of promotions, changing or updating verified profile information and making contact with the system administrator.

In the example shown in Flow process chart 2, a system generated SMS is sent to the seller confirming the status of his registration. If the seller is not registered and wishes to obtain a verified profile, the seller is able to do so by replying to the system generated SMS and submitting required data such as the seller's name and identity number (in this case an ID number). On confirmation of the identity number, the seller will be required to submit further information such as copies of identity document, utility bills and the like for verification.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Flow process chart 3, the system for the customized collation and verification of a seller's data for the purpose of online transactions includes the seller subscribing to the system by dialling a USSD string, and wherein the system is configured to facilitate the registration of the seller by the capturing and collating of the data and subsequent verification thereof, said verification granting access and control to a verified profile by means of the USSD medium. The verified profile is accessible by a buyer transacting online with the seller.

In this embodiment, a registered seller can accesses the system by USSD medium, to perform specified functions such as perusing ratings received by the system, broadcasting a product or service, purchase of credit which may be used on the system, managing of promotions, changing or updating verified profile information and making contact with the system administrator.

In the example shown in Flow process chart 4, a buyer is granted access to a seller's verified profile, by SMS message medium. The buyer accesses the verified profile of a seller by sending a number allocated to a verified seller, by SMS message medium, to a specified contact number. A message is returned to the buyer confirming the registration and verification status of the seller.

If the seller is verified by the system, the buyer can elect to rate the verified seller, observe the current ratings of the verified seller and access selected information pertaining to the seller, such as the registration date of the seller's verified profile, the location of the seller, the services and/or goods offered by the seller.

The example shown in Flow process chart 5, shows a buyer is granted access to a seller's verified profile, by USSD medium. The buyer accesses the verified profile of a seller by transmitting a number allocated to a verified seller, by USSD to a specified contact number.

A message is returned to the buyer confirming the registration and verification status of the seller. If the seller is verified by the system the buyer can elect to rate the verified seller, observe the current ratings of the verified seller and accessing selected information pertaining to the seller, such as the registration date of the seller's verified profile, the location of the seller, the services and/or goods offered by the seller.

Flow process chart 6, is an example of a system configuration where a buyer registers on the system by way of mobile application medium. The buyer is able to view the details of a seller registered on the system, run a check on and rate the seller. In this example, the buyer is also able to create a watch list of product or service details of the seller/s, monitor ratings of selected sellers, create a list of preferred sellers, add an address book of sellers and create a list of promotions available. The buyer is able to create a customized profile.

In an embodiment of the invention not shown in the Flow process charts, the verified profile of the seller includes a verifying notification, including but not limited to a customized vibration alert, a message alert and the like. Said verifying notification is selected by the buyer but may also be tailored to accommodate the needs of the buyer. All documentation submitted for collation and verification by the system shall be certified.

Verification of the seller incurs a fee, the payment of said fee enabling the transmittal of a verified ringtone and/or verified notification.