Method and apparatus for authorizing a payment via a remote device

Abstract

A method of and system for authorizing a transaction remotely is disclosed. A customer uses a computer to browse for a product displayed on the internet. The customer may enter a unique number into the computer. The unique number is authorized and an authorization code is sent to the customer's communication device. The customer enters the authorization code into the computer to complete the transaction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for authorizing a transaction comprising:
 a memory storing at least an identification number uniquely associated with a user account with a service provider; and   one or more processors in communication with the memory and configured to:
 receive, via a mobile device of a user, a request for purchase of a product displayed on the mobile device of the user; 
 transmit an authorization code to the mobile device of the user; 
 receive, from the user device, the authorization code entered into an authorization field displayed on the mobile device; 
 verify the authorization code; 
 offer the user an incentive; 
 select, from a plurality of funding sources, a funding source for an account associated with the user to charge the purchase; and 
 charge a price for the purchase to the account associated with the user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to:
 send the mobile device, prior to transmitting the authorization code, a request authorization field inviting the user to enter an identification number;   receive, from the user, the identification number entered into the request authorization field; and   verify the identification number prior to transmitting the authorization code.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the funding source selected is based on preferences specified by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the funding source is selected is based, in part, on the price for the purchase. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to offer an incentive to the user in exchange for the user linking one or more funding sources other than a cellular phone carrier of the user, when the user makes a purchase, or when the user refers a new customer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the incentive comprises incentive points that can be used to make a purchase. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the incentive comprises virtual currency for use in on-line virtual games. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the identification number comprises a cellular phone number of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization code comprises a personal identification number. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to transmit the authorization code over a cellular phone network. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of funding sources comprises a cellular phone carrier account, a credit card, a debit card, a checking account, a savings account, a brokerage account, an insurance account, an e-commerce money transfer account, an incentive points account, a virtual points account, and a virtual currency account. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to provide a notice of transaction completion. 
     
     
         13 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a server are adapted to cause the server to perform a method comprising:
 receiving, via a mobile device of a user, a request for purchase of a product displayed on the mobile device of the user;   transmitting an authorization code to the mobile device of the user;   receiving, from the user device, the authorization code entered into an authorization field displayed on the mobile device;   verifying the authorization code;   offering the user an incentive;   selecting, from a plurality of funding sources, a funding source for an account associated with the user to charge the purchase; and   charging a price for the purchase to the account associated with the user.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:
 sending the mobile device, prior to transmitting the authorization code, a request authorization field inviting the customer to enter an identification number;   receiving, from the user, the identification number entered into the request authorization field; and   verifying the identification number prior to transmitting the authorization code.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the funding source selected is based on preferences specified by the user. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the funding source is selected based, in part, on the price for the purchase. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises offering an incentive to the user in exchange for the user linking one or more funding sources other than a cellular phone carrier of the user, when the user makes a purchase, or when the user refers a new customer. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the incentive comprises incentive points that can be used to make a purchase. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the incentive comprises virtual currency for use in on-line virtual games. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the identification number comprises a cellular phone number of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the authorization code comprises a personal identification number. 
     
     
         22 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting the authorization code over a cellular phone network. 
     
     
         23 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of funding sources comprises a cellular phone carrier account, a credit card, a debit card, a checking account, a savings account, a brokerage account, an insurance account, an e-commerce money transfer account, an incentive points account, a virtual points account, and a virtual currency account. 
     
     
         24 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises providing a notice of transaction completion.