Financial transaction processing with digital artifacts and a default payment method using a server

#The present invention relates to data communications and wireless devices.

#Mobile communication devices—e.g., cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and the like are increasingly being used to conduct payment transactions as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/933,351, entitled “Method and System For Scheduling A Banking Transaction Through A Mobile Communication Device”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/467,441, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Completing A Transaction Using A Wireless Mobile Communication Channel and Another Communication Channel, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such payment transactions can include, for example, purchasing goods and/or services, bill payments, and transferring funds between bank accounts.

#In general, this specification describes a method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system including a wireless mobile communication device and a management server in accordance with one implementation.

#FIG. 2 illustrates one implementation of the wireless mobile communication device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a method for conducting a payment transaction using a point of sale device in accordance with one implementation.

#Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#FIG. 1 illustrates one implementation of a communication system 100. The communication system 100 includes a hand-held, wireless mobile communication device 102 a point-of-sale device 104 and a management server 106. In one implementation, the mobile communication device 102 includes a mobile application (discussed in greater detail below) that permits a user of the mobile communication device 102 to conduct payment transactions. Payment transactions can include, for example, using contactless payment technology at a retail merchant point of sale (e.g., through point of sale device 104), using mobile/internet commerce (e.g., purchase tickets and products, etc.), storage of payment information and other digital artifacts (e.g., receipts, tickets, coupons, etc.), storage of banking information (payment account numbers, security codes, PIN's, etc.), and accessing banking service (account balance, payment history, bill pay, fund transfer, etc.), and so on. The mobile communication device 102 can be a cellular phone, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, or other wireless communication device. The point of sale device 104 can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, terminal, or other device that is configured to receive user input selecting items for purchase or other transaction.

#In one implementation, authorizations for payment transactions that are made through the point of sale device 104 are sent from the point of sale device 104 to an issuer authorization (e.g., management server 106) through the mobile communication device 102 (as shown in FIG. 1). In one implementation, an issuer authorization is a payment entity that either approves or disapproves a payment transaction. An issuer authorization can be, e.g., a person, computer system, bank (or other third party). One potential benefit of having payment authorizations flow through the mobile communication device 102 is that sensitive user information (e.g. account numbers, pin numbers, and/or identity information) need only be sent from the mobile communication device 102 directly to an issuer authorization. Such operation reduces the potential for identity theft and/or fraudulent purchases made through a point of sale device. For example, (in one implementation) payment authorizations cannot be sent to an issuer authorization if the mobile communication device 102 is turned off.