US 201102013 06A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0201306 A1
ALAL-HARBI (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 18, 2011
(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNIFIED (52) U.S. Cl. ............... 455/411; 726/28: 705/44; 705/38;
BLLING 705/34; 705/40; 455/558
(75) Inventor: MANSOURALIAL-HARBI, (57) ABSTRACT
Riyadh (SA) A system for unified billing combining mobile telephone and
(73) Assignee: Samama Technologies, Riyadh credit card services, in one example embodiment comprises a
(SA) communication module to receive, from a merchant, a request
to process a transaction, the request including data related to
a subscriber identity module (SIM), a customer identification
(21) Appl. No.: 12/705,661 module to identify, based on the data, a customer associated
1-1. with the subscriber identity module (SIM), a credit verifica
(22) Filed: Feb. 15, 2010 tion module to ascertain information related to a credit
account associated with the customer, a code generating mod
Publication Classification ule to selectively generate a security code to be sent to the
(51) Int. Cl. subscriber identity module (SIM), the security code to be
H04M I/66 (2006.01) provided to the merchant in order to complete the transaction,
G06F2L/00 (2006.01) a code verification module to receive and verify the security
G06O 20/00 (2006.01) code sent by the merchant, and a transaction module to selec
G06O 40/00 (2006.01) tively complete the transaction based on the security code
G06O 30/00 (2006.01) verification.

600

AUTHORIZED
PROVIDEAUTHORIZED USER
WITH THE VERIFICATION CODE

CASHREGISTER

BRICKYAND MORTAR

MOBILE WERIFY CREDIT

DEVICE
SEND WERIFICATION CODE 140
DEVICE
NER
UNIFIED BILLING
160 12O
SYSTEM

200
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 1 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

130 GOVERNMENT BRICKAND

ORGANIZATION MORTAR
140
MERCHANT

UNIFIED BILLING SYSTEM

PROVIDER
170 Ne
AUTHORIZED USERS UNIFIED BILLING
SYSTEM

122

ONLINE
MERCHANT
MOBILE
DEVICE
MOBILE
OPERATOR
NER
160
FIG 1
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 2 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

UNIFIEDBILLING SYSTEM
200

COMMUNICATION CREDIT VERIFICATION CREDIT ISSUING SUBSCRIBERIDENTITY

MODULE MODULE MODULE MODULE PROVIDER
202 204 206 208

MOBILE NUMBER
CREDIT REQUEST CODE GENERATING
ASSOCATING ACCEPTING MODULE MODULE TRANSACTIONMODULE
MODULE 216
210 212 214

CUSTOMER
CODE WERIFICATION
MODULE IDENTIFICATION BILLING MODULE PAYMENT MODULE
MODULE 222 224
218 220

FIG 2
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 3 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

RECEIVE FROM THE CUSTOMER, A REOUEST TO CREATE THE CREDIT ACCOUNT,

THE REOUEST INCLUDING PREDETERMINED CUSTOMER DATA TODETERMINEA
CREDITWORTHINESS OF THE CUSTOMER AND BASED ON THE CUSTOMER DATA
PROVIDE THE CREDIT ACCOUNT AND ASSOCATE THE SUBSCRIBER DENTITY 3O2
MODULE WITH THE CREDIT ACCOUNT

PROVIDE THE CREDIT OR THE DEBIT CARD ASSOCIATED WITH THE CREDIT
ACCOUNT 3O4.
- - ----- -- - - - -- -- -- - - - --
PROVIDE THE SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE TO THE CUSTOMER (OPTIONAL) N
PROVIDE TELEPHONE NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY
MODULE TO THE CUSTOMER (OPTIONAL) N
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - H - - - - - - - - H. H. H. - - - - - - - H - - - - - - - - H. H. -

RECEIVE, FROM AMERCHANT, AREQUEST TO PROCESSA TRANSACTION, THE

REOUEST INCLUDING DATA RELATED TO A SUBSCRIBER DENTITY MODULE 310

BASED ON THE DATA, IDENTIFY ACUSTOMER ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBSCRIBER

IDENTITY MODULE 312

ASCERTAIN INFORMATION RELATED TOACREDIT ACCOUNT ASSOCIATED WITH

THE CUSTOMER 314

BASED ON THE INFORMATION, SELECTIVELY SEND A SECURITY CODE TO THE

SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE, THE SECURITY CODE TO BE PROVIDED TO THE
MERCHANT IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION

VERIFY THE SECURITY code

32O

BASED ON THE SECURITY CODE VERIFICATION, SELECTIVELY COMPLETE THE

TRANSACTION 322

PERIODICALLY PROVIDEABILL TO THE CUSTOMER ASSOCIATED WITH THE CREDIT

ACCOUNT 324

DEDUCT AN AMOUNTASSOCATED WITH THE BILL FROM A CREDIT CARD OR A

DEBIT CARD ASSOCATED WITH THE CREDIT ACCOUNT 326

PAY ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS ASSOCATED WITH THE BILL

328

FIG 3
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 4 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

152 /

"N CD - -
SHIP MERCHANDIZE

N /"
122
120 MOBILE DEVIC
OWNER WPROVIDE CODE
PROVIDEDEVICE DENTER
ONLINE MERCHANT

MOBILE
DEVICE

VERIFY CREDIT

SEND WERIFICATION CODE

UNIFIED BILLING
SYSTEM

200

FIG 4
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 5 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

MOBILE
DEVICE

PROVIDEDEVICE

PROVIDE CODE CASH REGISTER

160 MOBILEDEVICE
OWNER BRCKYAND MORTAR

SEND VERIFICATION CODE

UNIFIED BILLING
SYSTEM

200

FIG5
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 6 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

600

/ 170

AUTHORIZED
PROVIDE AUTHORIZED USER
WITH THE WERIFICATION CODE

CASHREGISTER

122

BRICK ND MORTAR
M RCHANT
MOBILE
DEVICE
SEND VERICATION CODE

DEVICE
NER UNIFIED BILLING
160 120 SYSTEM

FIG 6
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 7 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

/
7O6
O2 71O ----1-
- IATERAlt-Str Dr Dull
MOBILE PHONE BILL AEEENESIDER, I
An w
INTERNET STORE BILLI
er s
ass n 1
l1y a'
e N Y. Y 1 1
/ r a ams
Y--- Y Y- 111 | - N.
n N 1 -1 N -- -1
- I -- - - - - - - -
I slided marrill. 5, UNIFIED BILL as RSTA DANIt rul --
EEEEEER
SUPERMARKET BILL -
-1- --- sysN N "EE"
Ll---- N.
a
1.
l - N
N is -o
e --~~
7 f08

FIG 7
Patent Application Publication Aug. 18, 2011 Sheet 8 of 8 US 2011/02O1306 A1

/ 8OO

PROCESSOR
VIDEO
8O2 DISPLAY 806
804 INSTRUCTIONS

MAIN MEMORY
ALPHA-NUMERIC
808 812
INPUT DEVICE
810 INSTRUCTIONS

828

STATIC CURSOR CONTROL 816

814 MEMORY DEVICE

DRIVE UNIT
COMPUTER 82O
ETWORK iNTERFACE
818 DEVICE
EADABLE MEDIUM-822
INSTRUCTIONS 81O

SIGNAL
824
GENERATION 826
DEVICE

FIG 8
US 2011/020 1306 A1 Aug. 18, 2011

SYSTEMIS AND METHODS FOR UNIFIED which a set of instructions for causing the machine to perform
BILLING any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein is
executed.
FIELD
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
0001. This application relates generally to data processing
and more specifically to computer-implemented systems and 0013 Example systems and methods for unified billing
methods for unified billing. are described. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
BACKGROUND
provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments.
It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that the
0002 Mobile phones have been steadily evolving as all present invention may be practiced without these specific
purpose devices offering advanced capabilities previously details.
limited to general-purpose computers. Mobile payment is a 0014. The following detailed description includes refer
rapidly evolving alternative payment method. Instead of pay ences to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the
ing with cash, check, or credit cards, a consumer can use his detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in
mobile phone to pay for a wide range of services and digital accordance with example embodiments. These example
or hard goods. For example, a consumer can use a special embodiments, which are also referred to herein as
mobile phone equipped with a Smartcard, which can be waved “examples.” are described in enough detail to enable those
within a detectable range of a reader module to buy groceries. skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The
The payment can be deducted from a bank account or charged embodiments can be combined, and other embodiments can
to a credit card associated with the customer's mobile phone be formed by introducing structural, logical or electrical
account. Alternatively, the payment can be billed as part of the changes without departing from the scope of what is claimed.
periodic phone bill. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
0003. However, because each mobile operator (Telephone taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the
Company) acts independently to deploy its mobile payment appended claims and their equivalents.
service, these payment systems are limited to their specific 0015. In this document, the terms “a” or “an are used, as
operators and Subject to the customer's willingness to Switch is common in patent documents, to include one or more than
from one mobile operator to another. The switching, besides one. In this document, the term 'or' is used to refer to a
being an inconvenience, can result in additional and overlap nonexclusive'or. Such that “A or B' includes “A but not B.
ping charges. Moreover, a large deployment of the operator “B but not A and “A and B, unless otherwise indicated.
centric model can be severely challenged by the lack of con Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents
nection to existing payment networks. Likewise, the direct referred to in this document are incorporated by reference
operator billing lacks portability because it requires integra herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated
tion with a specific operator billing system. by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this
document and those documents so incorporated by reference,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be consid
ered Supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcil
0004 Example embodiments are illustrated by way of able inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.
examples and not limitations in the figures of the accompa 0016. The instant disclosure is related to systems and
nying drawings, in which like references indicate similar methods for unified billing. Systems and methods for unified
elements, and in which: billing combine functionalities of a mobile telephone and a
0005 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network envi credit card and allow processing of mobile payments in the
ronment within which systems and methods for unified bill environment independent of the established mobile operator
ing are implemented, in accordance with an example embodi payment systems. A customer willing to enroll in the service
ment, which is provided by the unified billing system may apply for
0006 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a unified billing a credit account. Once the request for the credit account is
system, in accordance with an example embodiment; approved, the customer's mobile telephone can be utilized to
0007 FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for unified pay for wide range of services and digital or hard goods as
billing, in accordance with an example embodiment; well as to pay for the mobile operator service. To provide the
customer with additional security, the telephone number and
0008 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an online mer the mobile device itself can be utilized as a two-factor authen
chant environment utilizing a unified billing system in accor tication system. Because the unified billing system is not
dance with an example embodiment; operator-specific, a customer cannot incur additional or over
0009 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a brick and mor lapping charges in the process of switching from one operator
tar merchant environment utilizing a unified billing system, in to another.
accordance with an example embodiment; 0017. In one example embodiment, upon initiation of a
0010 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a brick and mor payment to a merchant participating in the unified billing
tar merchant environment with an authorized user utilizing a system, a customer can receive a Short Message Service
unified billing system, in accordance with an example (SMS) message. The SMS can include the amount being
embodiment; charged and a security code to be provided to the merchant.
0011 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a unified bill, in Upon receiving the security code, the merchant can complete
accordance with an example embodiment; and the transaction. In the end of the billing period instead of
0012 FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an receiving multiple bills for different purchases, the customer
example machine in the form of a computer system within will receive one bill listing the purchases made by the cus
US 2011/020 1306 A1 Aug. 18, 2011

tomer and other authorized persons. Each merchant can be face. Smartphones and PDAS can also be popular amongst
paid when the customer settles his account with the unified those who require the assistance and convenience of a con
billing system provider. Thus, the unified billing system pro ventional computer, in environments where carrying one
vider can facilitate mobile payments by combining mobile would not be practical. The mobile device 120 can include
and credit card services. The unified billing system provider integrated data capture devices like barcode, RFID and smart
can collect a fee from each merchant utilizing the service Such card readers.
as, for example, a restaurant, a mobile operator, and a Super 0024. As mentioned above, the unified billing system 200
market. can permit combining mobile telephone and credit card Ser
0018. As mentioned above, one of the problems with a vices. Thus, instead of requesting a mobile operator to issue a
traditional mobile service operator is the inconvenience in Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), a customer can request the
Switching from one operator to another operator. Addition unified billing system provider 200 to issue the SIM and a
ally, there is an inherent conflict of interest between collecting mobile number plus a credit card that can be used for various
payments due to third party merchants and, at the same time, payments.
providing the customer with basic telephone service. Further 0025 Nowadays, customers can often use their telephones
more, a merchant participating in a traditional operator billing as payment gateways. Some providers that allow customers to
system is typically charged a high transaction fee (sometimes use their telephones as payment gateways as a payment
as high as 50%) by the operator for providing the bill collect method charge up to 50% of the amount of the purchase to the
ing services. In case the bill is not paid, the operator has the merchant. There can be two types of payment either by con
ability to block customer's account and may even blacklist the necting one's mobile phone to one's r credit card or by having
customer, making it difficult for the customer to get service the provider bill the customer for the total amount of all
elsewhere. purchases at the end of the month. For example, in the pro
0019 Moreover, there are security considerations as vider billing situation, if a customer wants to buy food for
employees of the mobile operator can easily engage in unau S15, at the end of the month he will get a bill for S15 and have
thorized viewing of the customer's records. Other issues with to pay the bill directly to the provider. The provider will
the traditional bill payment systems include the ability of charge the merchant 50% of the amount.
credit card providers to increase a customer's interest rate 0026. Another example is where one's mobile number is
without his consent as well as to charge fees related to late connected to one's credit card. When Such person goes to a
payments. Supermarket and would like to pay using his mobile phone,
0020. In contrast to the traditional mobile service and the merchant will not provide goods or services pending the
credit card operators being separate entities, systems and payment by the telephone operator but instead charge one's
methods for unified billing facilitate implementation of a credit card. Therefore, there will be no additional charges on
combined entity, which can provide both credit and mobile the phone bill, the amount of the purchase will be charged to
services. Using this combined service, a customer can, for the credit card. Therefore, there are two ways of mobile
example, pay for parking, groceries, order food from a res payments, first putting the purchase amount on a phone bill,
taurant, and order a book online using his mobile device. the second putting the purchase amount on the credit card.
Additionally the customer can enable other authorized users The unified billing system 200 is discussed in more detail
(e.g., family members) to shop and pay for goods and services below with reference to FIG. 2.
using the unified billing system. 0027 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the unified billing
0021 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network envi system 200. In some example embodiments, the unified bill
ronment 100 within which systems and methods for unified ing system 200 can include a communication module 202, a
billing can be implemented, in accordance with an example credit verification module 204, a credit issuing module 206, a
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the example network envi subscriber identity module (SIM) provider 208, a mobile
ronment 100 can include a unified billing system provider number associating module 210, a credit request accepting
110, which in turn can include a unified billing system 200. module 212, a code generating module 214, a transaction
The network environment 100 can further include a govern module 216, a code verification module 218, a customer
ment organization 130, a brick and mortar store 140, an online identification module 220, a billing module 222, and a pay
merchant 150, a mobile device owner 160, authorized users ment module 224. Example operations of these modules are
170 and a mobile operator 180. The mobile owner 160 can described below with reference to FIG. 3.
own a mobile device 120, which can be used to receive and 0028 FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for unified
display an authorization code 122 to facilitate secure mobile billing 300, in accordance with an example embodiment. The
purchases. method 300 may be performed by processing logic that may
0022. The government organization 130 can be a govern comprise hardware (e.g., dedicated logic, programmable
ment agency that, for example, collects taxes from the mobile logic, microcode, etc.), Software (such as that which is run on
device owner 160. The mobile device owner 160 can utilize a general-purpose computer system or a dedicated machine),
unified billing system 200 to pay the taxes. The brick and or a combination of both. In one example embodiment, the
mortar merchant 140 can be a company with physical build processing logic resides within the unified billing system 200
ings such as a grocery store or a restaurant whereas the online illustrated in FIG. 2.
merchant 150 may have no physical presence. 0029 Traditional mobile billing can operate by first con
0023 The mobile device 120 (also known as mobile necting a mobile phone to an operator (Telephone Company).
phone, handheld device, handheld computer, “Palmtop' or For example, a mobile phone can be connected to a user's
simply handheld) is a pocket-sized computing device, typi mobile operator such as Sprint, wherein Sprint has a billing
cally having a display screen with touch input or a miniature department mechanism which is in turn connected to the
keyboard. In the case of the personal digital assistant (PDA) user's bank account or credit card. Therefore, any purchase
the input and output are combined into a touch-screen inter using a mobile phone, will cause the charge to be deducted
US 2011/020 1306 A1 Aug. 18, 2011

from the buyer's bank account or credit card. Under a tradi mobile device 120 to make payments wherever such pay
tional method, a cashier can scan the screen of a mobile ments are accepted. When a payment is initiated, the commu
device and a request will be sent to the purchaser's bank nication module 202 of the unified billing system 200 can
account, and then the amount will be deducted therefrom. If, receive from a merchant, at operation 310 a request to process
however, there is not enough money in the bank account, the a transaction. The request can include data identifying the
buyer and seller will not be able to process the transaction. subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile device 120.
0030. In contrast, the unified billing system 200 can pro Based on this data, at operation 312, the customer identifica
vide its consumers with a way of not having to instruct the tion module 220 can identify the mobile device owner 160
merchant to access the consumer's bank account directly. associated with the subscriber identity module (SIM).
Instead, unified billing system 200 offers a scheme for utiliz 0035. At operation 314, the credit verification module 204
ing a new kind of company that acts in a credit-providing can verify that the credit account is associated with the mobile
capacity. Thereby, the transaction will be credited instead of device owner and that the restrictions associated with the
being debited. This means that at the end of the month, the credit account permit the payment to be processed. If the
user will have all of his purchases on one phone bill that he Verification is successful, at operation 316, the code generat
can pay later. The charges do not go onto the user's credit card ing module 214 can selectively send the code 122 to the
but rather onto his phone bill. subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile device 120.
0031 Presently, each operator, such as Sprint, AT&T, The mobile device owner 160 of the authorized users 170 can
T-mobile, and Verizon have a unique internal billing system. provide the code 122 to the merchant in order to complete the
These billing systems allow the operators to charge the cus transaction. The merchant can send the code 122 to the unified
tomers individually. All of these billing systems are different. billing system 200 for verification. Thus, at operation 318, the
In contrast, the unified billing system allows outsourcing the code verification module 218 can receive the code 122 from
billing services from these providers to a third party. This the merchant and at operation320, the code verification mod
includes mobile operator services and other goods and Ser ule 218 can verify the code 122.
vices, for example restaurants, hotels, and Supermarkets. For 0036. If the code verification is successful, at operation
example, a customer can call a restaurant and order a meal. 322, the transaction module 216 can complete the transaction.
The customer provides the restaurant his mobile number. The At operation 324, the billing module 222 can periodically
restaurant can send an electronic request to the unified billing provide a bill to the mobile device owner 160. At operation
provider 110. The unified billing system 200 can process the 326, the billing module 222 can deduct the amount associated
request and send the customeran SMS with a six-digit code, with the bill from a credit card or a debit card associated with
which the customer provides to the restaurant. The restaurant the credit account. Once the mobile device owner 160 makes
can send the six-digit code to the unified billing provider for the payment, at operation 328, the payment module 224 can
verification. Once the six-digit code is verified, the order is pay one or more merchants associated with the bill.
complete and the meal is provided to the customer. 0037 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an online mer
0032. In some example embodiments, a method for uni chant environment 400 utilizing a unified billing system, in
fied billing 300 may commence at operation 302 with the accordance with an example embodiment. In one example
communication module 202 of the unified billing system 200 embodiment, the mobile device owner 160 may wish to pur
receiving from the mobile device owner 160 a request to chase a musical recording Compact Disk (CD) 152 through
create the credit account. The request can include accompa the online merchant 150 using the mobile device 120 utilizing
nying mobile device owner 160 data to determine the credit the unified billing system 200. The mobile device owner 160
worthiness of the mobile device owner 160. Upon receiving may use an internet capable device 402 to purchase the CD
the request from the mobile device owner 160, the credit 152. When the mobile device owner 160 visits the online Store
verification module 204 can perform determine the credit using the internet capable device 402, he only needs to pro
worthiness of the mobile device owner 160 based on the vide his mobile phone number, an intangible piece of infor
mobile device owner 160. If the mobile device owner 160 is mation which is known to him, and a number associated with
considered creditworthy, the unified billing system 200 can his mobile device 120, as a method of payment.
provide the mobile device owner 160 with a credit account 0038 If the online merchant 150 participates in the unified
and associate the subscriber identity module (SIM) of the billing system 200, it can send a request to process the trans
mobile device owner 160 with the credit account. action to the unified billing system 200. In an example, the
0033. If the credit account is issued, at operation 304, the mobile device owner 160 can have his credit request sent the
credit issuing module 206 can provide the credit or the debit unified billing system 200 for his creditworthiness to be veri
card associated with the credit account. In some example fied, and when verified, the unified billing system 200 can
embodiments, the mobile device owner 160 does not own a send the code 122 to the mobile device 120. The mobile
SIM and may wish that the unified billing system issues a SIM device owner 160 can then receive an SMS with the code 122
to him. Thus, as an option, at operation 306, the subscriber and the amount of the merchandise. The mobile device owner
identity module (SIM) provider 208 can provide the sub 160 can then provide the online merchant 150 with the code
scriber identity module (SIM) to the customer. Likewise, the 122 as a method of payment. The CD 152 is then sent out and
mobile device owner 160 may wish to acquire a new tele delivered by mail. Then the mobile device owner 160 can then
phone number from the unified billing system provider 110. provide the code 122 to the online merchant 150. The amount
Thus, optionally, at operation 308, the mobile number asso of this payment along with other payments and normal tele
ciation module 210 can provide a telephone number associ phone charges can be billed to the mobile device owner 160 at
ated with the subscriber identity module (SIM) to the cus the end of the month.
tOmer. 0039 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a brick and mor
0034. Once the credit account is established, the mobile tar merchant environment 500 utilizing the unified billing
device owner 160 or the authorized users 170 can utilize the system 200 in accordance with an example embodiment.
US 2011/020 1306 A1 Aug. 18, 2011

When the mobile device owner 160 goes to the brick and Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a portable
mortar merchant (e.g. Supermarket), he need only take his music player (e.g., a portable hard drive audio device such as
mobile device 120 with him as a method of payment. Accord an Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3)
ing to the example embodiment, the mobile device owner 160 player), a web appliance, a network router, Switch or bridge,
can be purche groceries through the brick and mortar mer or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions
chant 140 wherein the transaction takes place at a cash reg (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by
ister 502 using the mobile device 120, utilizing the unified that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illus
billing system provider 110 utilizing the unified billing sys trated, the term “machine' shall also be taken to include any
tem 200. When the mobile device owner 160 brings his selec collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a
tions to the cash register 502, the cashier asks him for his set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or
mobile number. The mobile device owner 160 can have his more of the methodologies discussed herein.
payment request sent to the unified billing system 200 for his 0044) The example computer system 800 includes a pro
creditworthiness to be verified, and when verified, the mobile cessor or multiple processors 802 (e.g., a central processing
device owner 160 can receive an SMS with the code 122 and unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), and a
the amount of the goods. He provides the merchant with the main memory 808 and static memory 814, which communi
code 122 and after checkout, departs the store with his pur cate with each other via a bus 828. The computer system 800
chases. The billing is unified with other normal telephone may further include a video display unit 806 (e.g., a liquid
charges such as the mobile device owner 160 calls another crystal display (LCD)). The computer system 800 may also
person, whereby he can be charged for the duration of the call include an alphanumeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard),
and in turn have the amount for the call also charged by the a cursor control device 816 (e.g., a mouse), a Voice recogni
unified billing system 200. tion or biometric verification unit, a disk drive unit 820, a
0040 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a brick and mor signal generation device 826 (e.g., a speaker) and a network
tar transaction environment 600 utilizing the unified billing interface device 818. The computer system 800 may further
system 200 in accordance with an example embodiment. include a data encryption module (not shown) to encrypt data.
According to the example embodiment, the mobiled device 0045. The disk drive unit 820 includes a computer-read
owner 160 may authorize the authorized user (e.g., his family able medium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of
member) to make purchases using the unified billing system instructions and data structures (e.g., instructions 810)
200. The authorized user 170 can make a purchase without embodying or utilizing any one or more of the methodologies
being in possession of the mobile device 120. When the or functions described herein. The instructions 810 may also
authorized user 170 makes a purchase, he or she can provide reside, completely or at least partially, within the main
identifying information associated with the mobile device memory 808 and/or within the processors 802 during execu
120 (e.g., telephone number). A one time security coes (the tion thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory
code 122) can be sent to the mobile deivce 120 which can in 808 and the processors 802 may also constitute machine
be in possession of the mobile device owner 160 who reads readable media.
the code and relays the code to the authorized user 170 (e.g., 0046. The instructions 810 may further be transmitted or
by calling the authorized user 170). Thereafter, the authorized received over a network 824 via the network interface device
user 170 can provide the code 122 to the brick and mortar 818 utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer
merchant 140. The mobile device owner 160 can receive one protocols (e.g., HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)).
bill with all the items he and other authorized people have 0047 While the computer-readable medium 822 is shown
purchased. in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
0041. When the mobile device owner 160 pays the bill, all “computer-readable medium’ should be taken to include a
of the companies or other entities involved demanding pay single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or dis
ment, receive their respective payments. The unified billing tributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that
system provider 110 may then assess a fee from each of the store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “com
merchants that use the unified billing system 200 such as the puter-readable medium’ shall also be taken to include any
online merchant 150, the brick and mortar merchant 140, and medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set
the government organization 130. of instructions for execution by the machine and that causes
0042 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a unified bill 710, the machine to performany one or more of the methodologies
in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in of the present application, or that is capable of storing, encod
FIG. 7, the unified bill 710 can include a mobile phone bill ing, or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with
702, a supermarket bill 704, an internet store bill 706, and a such a set of instructions. The term “computer-readable
restaurant bill 708. medium’ shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be
0043 FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an limited to, Solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media,
example machine in the form of a computer system 800, and carrier wave signals. Such media may also include, with
within which a set of instructions for causing the machine to out limitation, hard disks, floppy disks, flash memory cards,
perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed digital video disks, random access memory (RAMs), read
herein may be executed. In various example embodiments, only memory (ROMs), and the like.
the machine operates as a standalone device or may be con 0048. The example embodiments described herein may be
nected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked implemented in an operating environment comprising soft
deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a ware installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combina
server or a client machine in a server-client network environ tion of software and hardware.
ment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) 0049. Thus, systems and methods for unified billing have
network environment. The machine may be a personal com been described. Although embodiments have been described
puter (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be
US 2011/020 1306 A1 Aug. 18, 2011

evident that various modifications and changes may be made a credit verification module to ascertain information
to these embodiments without departing from the broader related to a credit account associated with the customer;
spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. a code generating module to selectively generate a security
Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be code to be sent to the subscriber identity module (SIM),
regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. the security code to be provided to the merchant in order
What I claim is: to complete the transaction;
1. A computer-implemented method for unified billing, the a code verification module to receive and verify the secu
method comprising: rity code sent by the merchant; and
receiving, from a merchant, a request to process a transac a transaction module to selectively complete the transac
tion, the request including data related to a Subscriber tion based on the security code verification.
identity module (SIM); 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a credit
based on the data, identifying a customer associated with request accepting module to receive from the customer, a
the subscriber identity module (SIM); request to create the credit account, the request including
ascertaining information related to a credit account asso predetermined customer data to determine a creditworthiness
ciated with the customer; of the customer and a credit issuing module to provide the
based on the information, selectively sending a security credit account and associate the Subscriber identity module
code to the subscriber identity module (SIM), the secu with the credit account based on the customer data.
rity code to be provided to the merchant in order to 12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a subscriber
complete the transaction; identity module (SIM) provider to provide the subscriber
receiving the security code from the merchant; identity module (SIM) to the customer.
Verifying the security code; and 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the subscriber identity
based on the security code Verification, selectively com module (SIM) provider provides a telephone number associ
pleting the transaction. ated with the subscriber identity module (SIM).
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further 14. The system of claim 10, further comprising a billing
comprising receiving from the customer, a request to create module to periodically provide a bill to the customer associ
the credit account, the request including predetermined cus ated with the credit account.
tomer data to determine a creditworthiness of the customer
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the billing module
and based on the customer data provide the credit account and deducts an amount associated with the bill from a credit card
associating the subscriber identity module with the credit or a debit card associated with the credit account.
acCOunt.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a payment
comprising providing the subscriber identity module (SIM) module to pay one or more merchants associated with the bill.
to the customer. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a credit
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further issuing module to provide the credit or the debit card associ
ated with the credit account.
comprising periodically providing a bill to the customerasso
ciated with the credit account. 18. The system of claim 10, wherein the verification code is
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further provided to the merchant by an authorized user having no
comprising deducting an amount associated with the bill from possession of the subscriber identity module (SIM), the
a credit cardora debit cardassociated with the credit account. authorized user having received the verification code from the
CuStOmer.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further
comprising providing the credit or the debit card associated 19. A machine-readable medium comprising instructions
with the credit account. for unified billing, which when implemented by one or more
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further processors, performs the following operations:
comprising paying one or more merchants associated with the receive, from a merchant, a request to process a transaction,
bill. the request including data related to a Subscriberidentity
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein module (SIM);
the verification code is provided to the merchant by an autho identify, based on the data, a customer associated with the
rized user having no possession of the Subscriber identity subscriber identity module (SIM);
module (SIM), the authorized user having received the veri ascertain information related to a credit account associated
fication code from the customer. with the customer;
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further selectively sending a security code to the Subscriber iden
comprising providing a telephone number associated with the tity module (SIM) based on the information, the security
subscriber identity module. code to be provided to the merchant in order to complete
10. A system for unified billing, the method comprising: the transaction;
a communication module to receive, from a merchant, a receive the security code from the merchant;
request to process a transaction, the request including verify the security code; and
data related to a subscriber identity module: based on the security code Verification, selectively com
a customer identification module to identify, based on the plete the transaction.
data, a customer associated with the Subscriber identity c c c c c
module (SIM);