Alternate mobile payment service

Abstract

A system and method are described for an alternate mobile payment service. The system includes a server computer for enrolling and storing user account information. The server computer is also capable of generating a unique one-time-use identifier for use during a transaction. The one-time-use identifier is returned to user as an electronic coupon which may be in the form of a two-dimensional barcode. The coupon may be used at a merchant location to complete a transaction. When the barcode is scanned, it may processed similar to a credit/debit/prepaid card payment.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request at a server computer;   substituting user account information and user-specified parameters with a one-time-use identifier;   generating an electronic coupon that contains the one-time-use identifier; and   sending the one-time-use identifier to a mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the server computer is embodied by two or more computer apparatuses. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic coupon is in the form of a two-dimensional barcode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one-time-use identifier is associated with a primary account number of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the electronic coupon is used to fund a transaction with the primary account number. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server computer is further configured to:
 receive an authorization request message that contains a one-time-use identifier during the transaction;   access a database of users;   locate parameters associated with the electronic coupon through the one-time-use identifier stored in the database of users;   compare transaction information in the authorization request message with the parameters;   if the transaction does not violate user specified parameters upon comparison, validate the transaction;   substitute the one-time-use identifier with an account number in the authorization request message; and   send the authorization request message to an issuer.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the transaction includes an indicator in the authorization request message which identifies the transaction as an electronic coupon transaction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-specified parameters include a specified monetary amount. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electronic coupon is used to perform one or more electronic payment transactions equaling less than or equaling to the specified amount. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters include a specified time period of operability. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters include a merchant category where the coupon is to be utilized. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters include a personal identification number (PIN) to be utilized to complete the transaction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the electronic coupon to the mobile device is performed through a multimedia messaging service (MMS). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the electronic coupon to the mobile device is performed through an electronic mail message. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the electronic coupon to the mobile device is performed through an application installed on the mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending an advice message to an issuer of the user account indicating a transaction initialization process.   
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 accessing a server computer using a user device;   selecting an account to fund a transaction using the user device, wherein the account is associated with a financial instrument of the user;   specifying parameters for the transaction using the user device;   entering a destination for receiving an electronic coupon using the user device; and   authorizing the transaction using the user device,   wherein the electronic coupon is utilized in place of the financial instrument to complete the transaction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the user device is a personal computer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the destination is a mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . A computer readable medium comprising code executable by a processor, for implementing a method comprising:
 receiving a request from a user device for the electronic coupon;   substituting user account information and user-specified parameters with a one-time-use identifier;   generating an electronic coupon that contains the one-time-use identifier; and   sending the electronic coupon to a mobile device.