AND SERVICES

Technical field

[001] The present invention relates to the field of facilitating payment transactions between the end user and the electronic commerce merchants. More particularly the present invention relates to a method and system established for facilitating payment transactions for the products purchased in online mode.

Background

[002] Conventionally, an on-line product purchasing transaction will typically include the following steps. First, the customer selects one or more products to be purchased. Once the customer has finished selecting the desired product(s), the customer may then proceed to a check-out or order confirmation page. During the check-out or order confirmation process, the customer provides the necessary information for completing the transaction purchase, such as, for example, the customer's name, credit card number, shipping address, etc. Before the order is confirmed by an on-line customer the billing and financial information is verified and processed.

[003] Typically, for example if a credit card is used by the customer to purchase selected on-line products, the credit card transaction for the total amount of the purchase will be authorized before the purchase order is confirmed and fulfilled by the electronic commerce merchant. Once the payment transaction has been authorized, the electronic commerce merchant typically fulfils the order by obtaining the purchased products, and shipping the purchased products of the customer to the corresponding address.

[004] The conventional on-line product purchasing techniques provide the convenience of allowing the customer to purchase and receive a desired product without having to venture outside his or her home. Further, once the customer's order has been processed, a customer typically does not have the ability to change, alter, or cancel the order. Rather, the customer must typically wait until he or she receives the originally ordered goods, and .then must make a subsequent request to the on-line merchant for returning or modifying at least a part of the order. The latter request is typically handled as a separate transaction on the merchant's side, and may involve lengthy delays. Additionally, if the customer wishes to return one or more products, the customer is typically required by the merchant to first obtain a return authorization number (after first submitting a return request), and typically is responsible for paying shipping costs for shipping the returned products back to the merchant. This can be avoided if the consumer opts for cash/on delivery where the consumer can pay for the desired items and send the rest back to the merchant with the delivery representative.

[005] E-commerce is traditionally practiced using a personal computer (PC) connected to the Internet and a web browser. Although goods and service providers can offer attractive, practical, efficient and reliable e-commerce via the Internet, a typical end-to-end e-commerce transaction can take several minutes to complete. As there are no dedicated peripherals to speed up the entry of user credentials (which include personal and financial information) and the item chosen, all these details must be entered via the keyboard and mouse.

[006] Moreover, existing e-commerce methods can leave the consumer wondering whether the online transaction was successfully completed. Sometimes, the user is not sure that the initiated transaction was, in fact, successful until the goods actually show up at the door. A good practice is for the e- commerce provider to send an acknowledgment by sending an email to the user, the email detailing all of the details of the transaction, thereby allowing the user to check on the status of the order. Easy account access allows the user to check the status of his or her order and the delivery status thereof. Every change either made by the user or by the provider is automatically acknowledged in an email message posted to the user.

[007] The benefit of electronic commerce websites is that they have been offering cash on delivery for consumers who don't want to reveal their bank details such as credit cards, net banking and the like in the fear of the frauds happening now-a-days. The cash on delivery is advantageous in the consumers prospective but in case, if the consumer doesn't want the product at the time of delivery for any reason, the product needs to be shipped back to the merchant by the authorized agency where the merchant has to pay for the return shipment and the product also takes ample time to reach the merchant and is out of the inventory and may take good time to be back on the electronic commerce site.

[008] Presently, to access modern e-commerce websites the consumer/customer needs to develop considerable familiarity with computing devices like personal computers, mobile phones or any other- hand held data communication devices for surfing, browsing information related to different products and services that they may be interested in. Typically, the consumer has to be actively connected to the internet during browsing and able to find the Universal Resource Locators (URL) of the various electronic shops or business establishments or ticket reservation web portals which the consumer needs to contact. Though there are many advantages by the modern e-commerce many consumers are confused by the method employed by the e-commerce merchants or e-commerce service providers for buying the interested products and services and are also in fear of making payment transactions through credit cards, debit cards and the like.

[009] In light of aforementioned discussion there exists a need of improving the payment methods for the online purchased products.

Brief Summary

[0010] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0011] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the scope thereof can be obtained from the accompanying drawings which are briefly summarized below and the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments.

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and method for facilitating payments for online purchased products. According to a first aspect, the method includes allowing an end user to select an authorized collection agent's payment gateway to pay for the one or more products purchased over an electronic commerce merchant web portal of the electronic commerce merchant.

[0013] According to the first aspect, the method includes directing the end user to an authorized collection agent's web portal for generating a unique authorization code for the one or more products purchased. The authorized collection agent's web portal further transmits the unique authorization code to an authenticated data communication device of the end user and to the electronic commerce merchant for displaying over the electronic commerce merchant web portal.

[0014] According to the first aspect, the method includes making cash payment for the one or more products purchased through an authorized payment device located at one or more geographical locations and registered with the authorized collection agent's web portal by entering the unique authorization code. The authorized payment device forwards a payment confirmation to the electronic commerce merchant and to the authenticated data communication device of the end user.

[0015] According to the first aspect, the method includes transmitting a payment acknowledgment message in response to the payment confirmation forwarded by the authorized payment device to the authorized collection agent's web portal and to the authenticated data communication device of the end user by the electronic commerce merchant. The electronic commerce merchant further transmits shipment details of the one or more products purchased to the authenticated data communication device of the end user.

[0016] According to a second aspect, a method for facilitating payments for products and services enquired by establishing a telephonic call is disclosed. According to the second aspect, the method includes establishing a voice call between an end user with a call center executive to select a desired product and enquire a desired service. The call center executive performs a search in a database module comprising an inventory of products and services for the received request and generates a unique authorization code to the end user for the selected products and services.

[0017] According to the second aspect, the method includes making a cash payment for one or more purchased products and one or more purchased services through an authorized payment device located at one or more geographical locations by entering the unique authorization code. The authorized payment device transmits a payment confirmation to a contact number of an authenticated data communication device of the end user and to a network device of the call center executive.

[0018] According to the second aspect, the method includes transmitting a payment acknowledgement message by the network device in response to the payment confirmation forwarded by the authorized payment device to the authenticated data communication device of the end user.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a system for facilitating payments for online purchased products is disclosed. According to the third aspect, the system includes an authorized collection agents server configured to receive a contact number and personalized details of the end user on purchasing one or more products over an electronic commerce merchant web portal. The authorized collection agent's server generates a unique authorization code and transmits a unique authorization code to an authenticated data communication device of the end user and to the electronic commerce merchant for displaying over the electronic commerce merchant web portal.

[0020] According to the third aspect, the system includes an authorized payment device for communicating with the authorized collection agent's server for obtaining cash payment information of the one or more purchased products on entering the unique authorization code corresponding to the one or more products purchased by the end user. The unique authorization code generated while the end user directed to the authorized collection agents web portal to enter the contact number of the authenticated data communication device.

[0021] According to the third aspect, the system includes an electronic commerce merchant server to receive a payment confirmation from the authorized payment device through the authorized collection agent's server and transmit a payment acknowledgment to the authorized data communication device of the end user and to the authorized payment device.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, a system for facilitating payments for products and services enquired by establishing a telephonic call is disclosed. According to the fourth aspect, the system includes a network device operated by the call center executive for receiving a voice call with an end user to receive the request of a desired product and a desired service. The call center executive collects further information of the end user to purchase the desired product and the desired service and generates a unique authorization code.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect, the system includes a database module in communication with the network device configured to store an inventory of a plurality of products, a plurality of purchase details of the end user, a plurality of enquiry details of the end user, and a plurality of transaction details of an electronic commerce merchant.

[0024] According to the fourth aspect, the system includes a product and service enabling server in communication with the network device operated by the call center executive establishes a voice call communication between the call center executive and the end user for selecting the desired products request by the end user and enquiring the desired service requested by the end user.

[0025] According to the fourth aspect, the system includes an authorized payment device in communication with the product and service enabling server for receiving a cash payment from the end user for the one or more purchased products and one or more purchased services on entering the unique authorization code. The unique authorization code entered by the end user to make the cash payment of the purchased products and purchased services over the electronic commerce merchant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system for facilitating payments for online purchased products.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a system for facilitating payments for products and services enquires by establishing a telephonic call.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method for facilitating payments for online purchased products.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method of purchasing product and making cash payment through an authorized payment device.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting a method of making cash payment by an end user to an authorized payment device.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a method of receiving payment by an authorized payment device from the end user and confirming to an electronic commerce merchant.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a method for facilitating payments for products and services enquired by establishing a telephonic call.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting a method of making payments at an authorized payment device for products and services purchased by establishing a telephonic call.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a method of making payments for products and services purchased from a third party vendor by establishing a telephonic call.

Detail Description

[0036] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0037] The use of "including", "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms "a"' and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms "first", "second", and "third", and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 depicting a system for facilitating payments for online purchased products. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the system includes an end user device 102, an authorized payment device 104, an authorized collection agent web portal 106, an authorized collection agent server 108, an authorized collection agent database 110, an electronic commerce merchant web portal 112, an electronic commerce merchant server 114 and an electronic commerce merchant database 116.

[0039] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the end user is enabled to browse through the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112 through the end user device 102. The end user is allowed to browse and select a product for purchase and add it to the shopping cart. The end user is further enabled to choose an authorized collection agents payment gateway and is directed to an authorized collection agents web portal 106. The authorized collection agent's web portal 106 configured with the authorized collection agents server 108 to receive personalized details of the end user on purchasing products over the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112 and selects an authorized payment device 104 which may include but not limited to a kiosk, a booth, a vending machine and the like for cash payment. The personalized details may include but not limited to name, age, address, mobile number, e-mail and the like. The authorized payment device 104 then generates a unique authorization code corresponding to the products purchased over the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112 and the unique authorization code is transmitted to the contact number of the authenticated data communication device of the end user 102.

[0040] According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the end user after selecting the authorized payment device 104 is requested for accepting the cash placed at a provision for purchasing one or more purchased products. The authorized payment device 104 at the authorized collection agents payment gateway is enabled to receive the cash payment from the end user 102 for the corresponding products purchased over the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112 on entering the unique authorization code transmitted by the authorized collection agent server 108. The authorized collection agent server 108 then transmits the payment acknowledgment to the authenticated data communication device of the end user 102 and to the electronic commerce merchant server 114. The transmitted acknowledgment receipt is received by the electronic commerce merchant server 114 and then displayed over the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112.

[0041] According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the authorized collection agent database 110 is enabled to store the unique authorization code, purchase history, and payment history of the end user 102 and the electronic commerce merchant database 116 is also enabled to store the purchase details, personalized details of the buyer and acknowledgment receipt received from the authorized collection agent server 108. The electronic commerce merchant server 114 serves as an application programming interface between the end user and the electronic commerce merchant portal on receiving the payment confirmation acknowledgment and then provides a shipment of the order to the specified address of the end user 102.

[0042] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112 is enabled to register with the authorized collection agent web portal 106 to initiate the end users to select the authorized payment device 104 for cash payment of the purchased products. The authorized payment device 104 is also enabled to register with the authorized collection agent web portal 106 to receive the payments from the end user and is connected to the authorized collection agent server 108 to generate and transmit the acknowledgments of the end user corresponding to their unique authorization code. The end user is also enabled to register with the authorized collection agent web portal 106 to pay for the selected products and the end user is redirected to the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112. The end user 102 is enabled to enter the personalized details over the authorized collection agent web portal 106 for shipping the products purchased by the end user 102 over the electronic commerce merchant web portal 112.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 depicting a system for facilitating payments for products and services enquired by establishing a telephonic call. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the system includes an authorized payment device 202, an end user device 204, a network 206, a network device 212 operated by a call center executive, a product and service enabling server 208, a database module 210 and a third party vendor's web portal 214 operated by the call center executive.

[0044] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the end user 204 establishes a voice call communication with a call center executive to purchase and enquire a desired product and a desired service. The call center executive collects further information of the end user 204 and generates a unique authorization code for the selected product and service. The database module 210 in communication with a network device 212 operated by the call center executive and the product and service enabling server 208 to store inventory details which may include but not limited to pricing structures and availability details and other required details of electronic appliances, household appliances, and the like. The call center executive is enabled to search the database module 210 to browse the information regarding the desired product and the desired service requested by the end user. The collected information is transferred or informed to the end user through the voice call established between the end user and the call center executive.

[0045] According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the end user is further enabled to purchase the desired product by providing a provision for accepting cash paid through the authorized payment device 202 located at the multiple geographical locations by entering the unique authorized code. The authorized payment device 202 transmits a payment confirmation to a product and service enabling server 208. The authorized payment device 202 is also configured to display a compact view associated to one or more purchased products and one or more purchased services over a user interface to purchase and enquire the desired product and the desired service.

[0046] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the product and service enabling server 208 receiving the payment confirmation further transmits an authenticated electronic payment receipt including purchase details of the product to the authorized payment device 202 and to the authenticated data communication device 204 of the end user. The call center executive updates the database module 210 with the available information regarding inventory details of the multiple products and multiple services. The authorized payment device 202 further having an access with a printer is processed to print the received electronic payment receipt, which is collected by the end user. Thus the purchased product may be shipped to the end user through multiple ways which may include but not limited to physical delivery, digital delivery, contact address provided by the end user and the like.

[0047] According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the network device 212 operated by the call center executive in communication with the third party vendor's web portal 214 operated by the call center executive is configured to store inventory details which may include but not limited to pricing structures and availability details and other required details of electronic appliances, household appliances, hotel accommodation services and bookings, ticket booking services, travel booking services and the like. In some cases, when the network device 212 operated by the call center executive does not provide the information regarding some of the products and services requested by the end user. The call center executive is further enabled to browse the third party vendor's web portal 214 to collect information regarding the desired product and the desired service requested by the end user. The collected information is transferred or informed to the end user through the voice call established between the end user and the call center executive. The end user is further enabled to purchase the desired product and the desired service by providing a provision for accepting the cash paid to the authorized payment device 202 located at multiple geographical locations by entering the unique authorization code. The authorized payment device 202 then transmits a payment confirmation to the product and service enabling server 208 along with the personalized information of the end user which may include but not limited to the contact details for shipment of the purchased product.

[0048] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the Product and service enabling server 208 on receiving the payment confirmation further transmits an authenticated electronic payment receipt including purchase details of the product and the service to the authenticated data communication device 204 of the end user. The product and service enabling server 208 transmits the acknowledgment to the third party vendor's web portal 214 regarding the product purchased by the end user, further the third party vendor's web portal 214 is updated with the available information regarding inventory details of the multiple products and services. Thus the purchased product may be shipped to the end user through multiple ways which may include but not limited to physical delivery, digital delivery, contact address provided by the end user and the like. [0049] Referring to FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 300 depicting a method for facilitating payments for online purchased products. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the end user is allowed to select an authorized collection agent's payment gateway at step 302 to pay for the one or more products purchased over an electronic commerce merchant web portal of the electronic commerce merchant. The end user at step 304 is directed to an authorized collection agent's web portal and generates a unique authorization code at step 306 for the one or more purchased products.

[0050] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 308 the unique authorization code generated by the authorized collection agent's web portal is transmitted to the authenticated data communication device of the end user and to the electronic commerce merchant for displaying over the electronic commerce merchant web portal. Next at step 310 the end user makes cash payment for the purchased products through the authorized payment device located at one or more geographical locations by entering the unique authorization code. Next at step 312a payment acknowledgment message is transmitted in response to the payment forwarded by the authorized payment device to the authorized collection agent's server. Further, at step 314 the shipping details of the one or more products purchased by the authenticated data communication device of the end user is transmitted by the authorized collection agent server or by the electronic commerce merchant server.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 depicting a method of purchasing product and making cash payment through an authorized payment device. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the end user is enabled to visit the electronic commerce merchant web portal at step 402. The end user is further allowed to browse through the electronic commerce merchant web portal at step 404 to select a particular product for purchase and add the selected products to the shopping cart. At step 406 the authorized collection agent's payment gateway is selected to make the cash payment of the purchased products.

[0052] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 408 the end user is redirected to the authorized collection agent's web portal and requests the end user to enter the mobile number/email at step 410. The authorized collection agent server verifies the details entered by the end user to find whether the end user is registered with authorized collection agent's payment gateway or not at step 412. If the end user is found to be registered with the authorized collection agents payment gateway a unique authorization code is generated at step 414 and if the end user is found to be not registered with the authorized collection agents payment gateway the end user is prompted to register at step 418 by entering the personalized details which may include but not limited to name, age, address, mobile number, e-mail and the like. Thus, when the registration process is successfully completed at step 420 the method continues with the step 414 for generating the unique authorization code. Further, at step 416 the unique authorization code is transmitted to the authenticated data communication device of the end user.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 500 depicting a method of making cash payment by an end user to an authorized payment device. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the unique authorization code associated to the end user is provided at the authorized payment device at step 502.

[0054] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 504 the end user makes the cash payment of the corresponding product purchased over the electronic commerce merchant web portal. At step 506 an acknowledgement message is transmitted to the authenticated data communication device of the end user in response to payment forwarded for the purchased product by the authorized collection agent server. Next at step 508 the confirmation message or email is transmitted to the electronic commerce merchant web portal by the authorized collection agent server and further allows the end user to view the tracking details in the electronic commerce merchant web portal at step 510.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6 is a flow diagram 600 depicting a method of receiving cash payment by an authorized payment device from the end user and confirming to an electronic commerce merchant. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the payment details are displayed over the authorized payment device on entering a unique authorization code at step 602. The authorized payment device is enabled to receive a cash payment from the end user at step 604 and a payment confirmation message/email is transmitted to the electronic commerce merchant server at step 606. Thus at step 608 a payment confirmation message/email is to the authenticated data communication device of the end user by the electronic commerce merchant server.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7 is a flow diagram 700 depicting a method for facilitating payments for products and services enquired by establishing a telephonic call. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 702 the end user establishes a voice call with a call center executive to purchase and enquire a desired product and a desired service. At step 704 the call center executive browses in a database module comprising an inventory of products and services by the call center executive for the end user request and generate a unique authorization code for the selected products and services.

[0057] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 706 a cash payment is made for one or more purchased products and one or more purchased services through an authorized payment device located at one or more geographical locations by entering the unique authorization code. Next at step 708 a payment confirmation is transmitted to the product and service enabling server by the authorized payment device. Further at step 710 the payment acknowledgment message is transmitted to the authenticated data communication device of the end user by the product and service enabling server in response to the payment confirmation forwarded by the authorized payment device.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8 is a flow diagram 800 depicting a method of making payments at an authorized payment device for products and services purchased by establishing a telephonic call. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 802 the end user establishes a voice call with a call center executive to purchase and enquire a desired product and a desired service. Next at step 804 the desired request of the end user is received by the call center executive.

[0059] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 806 the call center executive searches in a database module comprising an inventory of products and services by the call center executive for the end user request and inform the collected information to the end user by a voice call at step 808. The call center executive in communication with the end user through a voice call generates a unique authorization code for the selected products and services at step 810. The cash payment is made by the end user at step 812 through the authorized payment device for the products purchased over the electronic commerce merchant web portal by entering a unique authorization code. At step 814 a provision is provided for accepting the cash placed at the authorized payment device for purchasing the desired product and the desired service. Next at step 816 the payment acknowledgment message is transmitted to the product and service enabling server by the authorized payment device. Further, at step 818 the shipping details of purchased products are transmitted to the authenticated data communication device of the end user.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 9 is a flow diagram 900 depicting a method of making payments for products and services purchased from a third party vendor by establishing a telephonic call. According to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 902 the end user establishes a voice call with a call center executive to purchase and enquire a desired product and a desired service. Next at step 904 the desired request of the end user is received by the call center executive.

[0061] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, at step 906 the call center executive searches in a database module comprising an inventory of products and services by the call center executive for the end user request and identifies that there is no information corresponding to the desired request of the end user at step 908. Then the third party vendor's web portal browses for the products and services corresponding to the desired request of the end user at step 910 and collects the information corresponding to the desired request of the end user. The collected information is further conveyed to the end user through a voice call at step 912 and transmits a unique authorization code at step 914. The end user on entering the unique authorization code over the authorized payment device at step 916 makes cash payment for the purchased product and service. At step 918 a provision is provided for accepting the cash placed at the authorized payment device for purchasing the desired product and desired service. Next at step 920 a payment acknowledgment message is transmitted to the product and service enabling server. Further, at step 924 the shipping details of purchased products are transmitted to the authenticated data communication device of the end user.

[0062] Also, those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing description that the present subject matter can be implemented in the variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments of this invention have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will be apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings and following claims.