Computer-based funds transfer system

Abstract

A computer-based funds transfer service provides functionality for users to send and receive payments via a web-based user interface. In one embodiment, the web-based user interface provides functionality for a first user of the service to generate and submit a payment request for sending money to, or collecting money from, a second user, who may but need not be registered with the service. The first user may specify the second user by supplying an email address of the second user, which may be used by the service to notify the second user of the payment request. The email message sent to the second user may include a URL that can be accessed by the second user to register with the service (if not already registered) and complete the transaction.

1 . A method of performing user-to-user funds transfer transactions, the method comprising: 
 registering a first user with a funds transfer service through web-based communications between the first user and a server system, wherein the first user submits account and authentication information via a web-based user interface of the server system during registration, said web-based user interface adapted to be used by both payers and payees to effect user-to-user funds transfer transactions;    presenting to the first user one or more web forms that provide functionality for the first user to submit payment requests for initiating funds transfer transactions with target users, wherein the one or more web forms provide functionality for specifying a target user by supplying an email address of the target user;    receiving, at the server system, a payment request submitted by the first user using the one or more web forms, said payment request specifying an email address of a second, target user who is not registered with the funds transfer service, and specifying a payment amount for performing a funds transfer transaction with the second user;    in response to receiving the payment request at the server system, transmitting an email message to the email address of the second user, said email message specifying a URL for accessing the server system, whereby the second user may access the server system to register with the funds transfer service and supply instructions for completing the funds transfer transaction; and    in response to the second user accessing the URL, communicating with the second user via the web-based user interface to register the second user with the funds transfer service, and to receive instructions from the second user for completing said funds transfer transaction with the first user.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment request is a request by the first user to send a payment to the second user.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the payment request specifies a credit card account of the first user, whereby the first user supplies credit card account information directly to the server system such that the first user's credit card information need not be exposed to the second user.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment request is a request by the first user to collect a payment from the second user.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing an automated transaction-specific risk assessment of the first user prior to completing the funds transfer transaction.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the transaction-specific risk assessment comprises an analysis of a transaction history of the first user.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the transaction-specific risk assessment takes into consideration said payment amount.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing an automated risk assessment of the first and second users prior to completing the funds transfer transaction.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second users are individuals.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second user supplies account and authentication information during registration with the funds transfer service.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the funds transfer transaction is in support of an auction purchase, and the payment request specifies one or more terms of the auction purchase.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the funds transfer transaction is in support of a purchase of an item, and the payment request includes a description of the item.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is performed automatically by a computer system under control of executable software.  
   
   
       14 . A computer system programmed to perform the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       15 . A computer-implemented method of facilitating transfers of funds between users via a computer-based funds transfer service, the method comprising: 
 receiving, by a computer system associated with the funds transfer service, a payment request submitted by a registered user of the funds transfer service, wherein the payment request specifies an email address of a target user that is not registered with the funds transfer service, and specifies a payment amount for conducting a funds transfer transaction between the registered user and the target user; and    automatically responding to the payment request, at least in part, by sending, to the email address of the target user, an email message that invites the target user to use the funds transfer service to perform the funds transfer transaction, wherein the email message includes a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the computer system, such that the user may access the computer system to register with the funds transfer service and provide instructions for performing the funds transfer transaction.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising electronically notifying the registered user if the target user declines the invitation to use the funds transfer service.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the funds transfer transaction is in support of an auction purchase, and the payment request specifies one or more terms of the auction purchase.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the funds transfer transaction is in support of a purchase of an item, and the payment request includes a description of the item.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the payment request is a request by the registered user to send a payment to the target user.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the payment request is a request by the registered user to collect a payment from the target user.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising performing an automated transaction-specific risk assessment of the funds transfer transaction.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the transaction-specific risk assessment comprises an analysis of a transaction history of the registered user.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the transaction-specific risk assessment takes into consideration said payment amount.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the transaction-specific risk assessment takes into consideration information about the registered user and information about the target user.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the payment request is submitted by the registered user via a web-based user interface of the funds transfer service.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising, via the web-based user interface, registering the target user with the funds transfer service and receiving instructions from the target user for performing the funds transfer transaction.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the target user is an individual.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of automatically responding to the payment request is performed by the computer system under control of executable software.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the computer system comprises multiple servers.