Method for providing bank card transaction data

[0002] The present invention relates generally to providing credit card account and transaction information via the Internet.

[0003] Merchants require access to bank card transaction data such as funding and charge back information. Funding information includes what was funded to a merchant account over a given time interval. A charge back is a returned transaction resulting from the lack of adherence to the conditions of a sales agreement, association regulations, or operating procedures. A corresponding merchant account is debited in response to a charge back. What is needed is an improved method for use with the Internet for providing bank card transaction data to merchants.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for use on the Internet which provides merchants with access to bank card transaction data including funding and charge back information.

[0005] In carrying out the above object and other objects, the present invention provides a method of providing bank transaction data for a merchant via the Internet. The method includes displaying on a computer connected to a host graphical user interface having a plurality of payment services categories. Each of the payment services categories is associated with a processing function performed by the host. One of the payment services categories is then selected. A graphical user interface having links associated with the selected one of the payment services categories is then displayed on the computer. One of the links is then selected. A graphical user interface having entry boxes associated with the selected one of the links is then displayed on the computer. Requested information is then entered into the entry boxes. The requested information entered into the entry boxes is then processed at the host. A graphical user interface having bank card transaction data associated with the processed requested information is then displayed on the computer.

[0006] The advantages accruing to the present invention are numerous. For instance, the method provides an all-in-one suite of account management tools for reconciling accounts, obtaining reports, analyzing trends, researching transactions, tracking and auditing transactions, and managing charge backs.

[0007] The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram representing operation of the method and system of the present invention is shown;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for carrying out the method of the present invention;

[0010] FIGS. 3-6 illustrate graphical user interfaces (GUI) used for the enrollment process of the method of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a GUI for entering a user identification number and a password;

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a GUI for entering a merchant account number;

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a GUI for selecting a merchant from a list;

[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates a payment services GUI;

[0015] FIGS. 11-15 illustrate GUIs associated with the funding information function;

[0016] FIGS. 16-19 illustrate GUIs associated with the daily funding information function;

[0017] FIGS. 20-21 illustrate GUIs associated with the monthly sales history function;

[0018] FIGS. 22-26 illustrate GUIs associated with the point of sale information function;

[0019] FIGS. 27-28 illustrate GUIs associated with the rejected transactions list function;

[0020] FIGS. 29-31 illustrate GUIs associated with the cardholder transaction inquiry function;

[0021] FIGS. 32-33 illustrate GUIs associated with the outlet statements function;

[0022] FIGS. 34-36 illustrate GUIs associated with the chargeback list function;

[0023] FIGS. 37-38 illustrate GUIs associated with the chargeback statistics function;

[0024] FIGS. 39-41 illustrate GUIs associated with the cardholder chargeback detail function;

[0025] FIGS. 42-43 illustrate GUIs associated with the media retrieval list function; and

[0026] FIG. 44 illustrates a GUI associated with the media retrieval statistics function.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, a flow diagram 10 representing operation of the method and system of the present invention is shown. Initially, a user such as a merchant selects the bank card transaction data for the merchant to be viewed as shown in block 12. A custom report of transaction data is then created for the merchant to view as shown in block 14.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 15 for carrying out the method of the present invention is shown. System 15 includes a host 16, a server 18, and a merchant client station (personal computer) 19. Host 16 compiles transaction data information of merchants into a plurality of processing functions. Host 16 then routes the reports to server 18. The merchant user at computer 19 can then gain access to the reports from server 18 over the Internet using a web browser.

[0029] To access the bank card transaction data on server 18 from computer 19, a merchant needs to have a user identification number, a password, and a personal certificate. These are assigned during the enrollment process. Referring now to FIG. 3-6, to begin the enrollment process a graphical user interface (GUI) 20 is initially displayed on computer 19 for the merchant to view. GUI 20 includes information entry boxes 22 for receiving merchant identification information such as first name, last name, personal identification number (PIN), merchant number, bank account number, telephone number, and email address. After the merchant enters this information, host 16 receives and processes the information to assign a user identification number and a password. A GUI 30 is then displayed on computer 19 which includes a user identification number 32 and a password 34. GUIs 40 and 50 are then displayed on computer 19 for the merchant to receive a personal certificate.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 7, the merchant can then access the bank card transaction data and skip the enrollment process by entering the user identification number and password in the entry boxes 62 and 64 of GUI 60. Upon entry of a valid identification number and password, an outlet search criteria GUI 70 having merchant number and name entry boxes 72 and 74 is then displayed as shown in FIG. 8. The merchant may then enter information into entry boxes 72 and 74 to have access to bank card transaction data of a specific outlet or a range of outlets belonging to the merchant. As shown in FIG. 9, a GUI 80 returns the results of the search initiated on outlet search criteria GUI 70. The merchant may now select the (or one of the) merchant outlet(s) returned. Once an outlet is chosen, the merchant's chaining information is recorded and a drill-down path is established. Note that a different outlet may be searched for and chosen clicking the “Retrieve information on another merchant” link 82. The merchant may also click the “Merchant #” link 84 to continue.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 10, a payment services GUI 90 is then displayed on computer 19. From GUI 90, the merchant may analyze their electronic credit card transactions. GUI 90 includes four main categories: sales & funding 92, reports 94, chargebacks 96, and media retrieval 98. Sales & funding category 92 includes six core processing functions as indicated by funding information link 98, daily funding information link 100, monthly sale history link 102, point of sale information link 104, rejected transactions list link 106, and cardholder transaction inquiry link 108. Reports category 94 includes one processing function as indicated by outlet statements link 110. Chargebacks category 96 includes three processing functions as indicated by chargeback list link 112, chargeback statistics link 114, and cardholder chargeback detail link 116. Media retrieval category 98 includes two core processing functions as indicated by media retrieval list link 118 and media retrieval statistics link 120.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 11-15, the funding information function is described in further detail. The funding information function details what was funded to any one of the checking accounts of the merchant over a specified time interval. Initially, upon clicking funding information link 98, an account selection GUI 130 is displayed for the merchant to select an account to view the funding information. A date selection GUI 140 is then displayed for the merchant to select a date range to examine. After an account and a date range have been selected, a transfers GUI 150 displays all of the funding transfers matching the given criteria. A financial summary GUI 160 then displays a summary of the funding transfers and a detail GUI 170 displays a detail of the funding transfers.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 16-19, the daily funding information function is described in further detail. The daily funding information function details what was funded t o all of the accounts of the merchant on a specific date. Upon clicking daily funding information link 100, a date selection GI 180 displays entry boxes for the merchant to select a date to view the daily funding information. A transfers GI 190 then displays all of the accounts with activity on the selected date and amount totals. The merchant may then click a “Bank Account #” link 192 to obtain further information for the selected account. A financial summary GUI 200 then displays a summary of the activity for the selected account on the specified date. The merchant may then click a “Financial Categories” link 202 to obtain further information for the selected financial category. A detail GUI 210 then displays a detail of the specific funding category.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 20-21, the monthly sales history function is described in further detail. The monthly sales history function tracks retail credit card activity and performance by card type over time. Upon clicking monthly sales history link 102, an output options GUI 220 displays transfer type entry box 222, card type entry box 224, and time period radio buttons 226 for the merchant to enter information. The merchant then clicks “submit” button 228 to continue. A spreadsheet GIU 230 then creates a report displaying information based on the criteria selected in output options GUI 220.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 22-26, the point of sale information function is described in further detail. The point of sale information function shows all point of sale card transactions by batch based on submitted deposits. A batch is typically a day's worth of transactions including sales and credits to be processed. Upon clicking point of sale information link 104, a date/batch selection GUI 240 displays date entry boxes 242 and a batch reference number entry box 244 for the merchant to enter information. The merchant may either select multiple batches within a specified date range or search for a specified batch. The merchant may then click either of “submit” buttons 246 or 248 to continue. A query results GUI 250 then displays, in response to a selected date range, all of the batches processed during the specified time period, totaling the amounts and counts for those batches. The merchant may then click the “Batch Ref #” link 252 to continue with a selected batch reference number. A product summary GUI 260 then summarizes the batch by card type, totaling the amounts and counts for those card types. The merchant may then click “Card” link 262 to obtain more information for the card. A detail GUI 270 then displays more detailed information about the transactions of the selected card type, totaling the amounts. The merchant may then click “Reference #” link 272 to continue on to the draft page or click “Card #” link 274 to display all of the transactions associated with that card number. A draft GUI 280 displays a detailed draft of the selected transaction in response to a selected reference number.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 27-28, the rejected transactions list function is described in further detail. The rejected transactions list function provides a list of rejected transactions, along with reason codes which explain why they were rejected. Upon clicking rejected transactions list link 106, a date selection GUI 290 displays date entry boxes 292 for the merchant to select a date to examine. After a date has been entered and the merchant has clicked “submit” button 294, a query results GUI 300 displays all of the rejected transactions for the date selected, including the cardholder's account number, amount, type of transaction, the reason for the rejection, and a reference number.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 29-31, the cardholder transaction inquiry function is described in further detail. The cardholder transaction inquiry function provides a list of all the transactions associated with a specific cardholder's account number. Upon clicking cardholder transaction inquiry link 108, an account entry GUI 310 displays an entry box 312 for the merchant to enter an account number. After an account has been entered and the merchant has clicked “submit” button 314, a query results GUI 320 displays all of the transactions associated with the specified cardholder account number for a given past time period. The merchant may then click “Outgoing Ref #” link 322 to select a reference number. A draft GUI 330 then displays a detailed draft of the selected transaction in response to the selected reference number.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 32 and 33(A-B), the outlet statement function is described in further detail. The outlet statement function provides electronic copies of statements. Upon clicking outlet statement function link 110, a date selection GUI 340 displays an entry box 342 for the merchant to select a statement date. Upon selecting a statement date, an outlet statement 350 displays a general summary of all the transactions for the selected date divided among several sections. These sections include daily deposits by card brand with running totals, daily discounts, adjustments, fees by brand, account transfers by business day, and several summaries of the above data in short form.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 34-36, the chargeback list function is described in further detail. The chargeback list function provides basic information on chargebacks (disputed transactions by cardholders) for outstanding, reversed, and expired chargebacks. This is important because of the strict rules of bank card associations about responding in a timely fashion to transaction disputes. Upon clicking chargeback list function link 112, an output options GUI 360 displays reason code entry box 362, date entry box 364, and chargeback status entry box 366 for the merchant to select a reason code, date range, and status, respectively. A query results GUI 370 then displays those chargebacks matching the selected criteria. The merchant may then click “Cardholder #” link 372 for the merchant to select a cardholder number. A detail GUI 380 then displays a detail of the particular chargeback in response to the selected cardholder number.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 37-38, the chargeback statistics function is described in further detail. The chargeback statistics function provides basic statistical information on chargebacks outstanding, reversed, and expired. Upon clicking chargeback statistics function link 114, an output options GUI 390 displays reason code entry box 392, month entry box 394, and card type entry box 396 for the merchant to select a reason code, month, and card type, respectively. A spreadsheet GUI 400 then displays all of the chargebacks grouped by reason code, with count and amount totals in response to the selected criteria.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 39-41, the cardholder chargeback detail function is described in further detail. The cardholder chargeback detail function provides merchants with the ability to query by cardholder number for a specific chargeback of record for investigative reasons. Upon clicking cardholder chargeback detail function link 116, an account entry GUI 410 displays a cardholder account number entry box 412 for the merchant to select an account number. A query results GUI 420 displays all of the chargebacks for the selected cardholder account number grouped by date. The merchant may then click “Date” link 422 to select a date for the chargebacks. A detail GUI 430 then displays a detail of the selected chargeback in response to the selected date.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 42-43, the media retrieval list function is described in further detail. The media retrieval list function provides basic information on media retrieval requests, which are closely associated with chargebacks. Media retrievals (i.e., credit proof of purchase receipts) are used by merchants and their credit card processors to substantiate “proof of purchase” by cardholders for disputed transactions(s). Media retrieval lists provide outstanding, reversed, and expired requests which are important because of the strict bank card association rules in regards to responding to transaction disputes.

[0043] Upon clicking media retrieval list link 118, an output options GUI 440 displays a date entry box 442 and a retrieval type list 444 for the merchant to select a date range and retrieval type. A query results GUI 450 displays all of the media retrievals grouped by type, with amount totals and a document locator number. The document locator number is assigned to the original paperwork and can be used to access that file.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 44, the media retrieval statistics function is described in further detail. The media retrieval statistics function provides basic statistical information on media retrieval requests such as fulfilled, unfulfilled, and expired. Upon clicking media retrieval statistics link 120, a spreadsheet GUI 460 displays the basic media retrieval statistics.

[0045] In addition to payment services GUI 90, a banking tools & information GUI and a news & resources GUI may also be displayed on computer 19 (not specifically shown). The banking tools & information GUI is where the merchant can find information concerning and provided by the sponsoring bank for inquiries, fund transfers, credit, and investment product information. News & resources GUI is where the merchant can find resources, tools, and news.

[0046] Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a method of providing bank card transaction data for a merchant via the Internet that fully satisfies the objects, aims, and advantages set forth above.

[0047] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.