BR-102024017743-A2 - Multichannel System and Method for Payments and Collections of Utility Bills via Open Financial System

Abstract

This invention patent, belonging to the technical field of financial services, presents a system and method for multi-channel payment and collection of utility bills via an Open Financial System. Implemented on computers and mobile devices, the invention integrates essential service companies, financial institutions, cloud providers, messaging and notification services, and authentication services. The system and method begins with notifying the user about the availability of a new bill, followed by viewing the billing details and payment options; the user chooses the financial institution from which they wish to debit the amount and authorizes the initiation of payment via PIX through an interface connected to the Open Financial System; the funds are transferred instantly to the essential service company holding the bill; and the user receives proof of the transaction, concluding the process in a practical way. This invention provides a revolution in the journey of paying utility bills securely, without the need to migrate through communication channels and applications of financial institutions or to manually enter essential information for bill payment, which could lead to errors or fraud in the financial transfer.

Inventors

• KLEBER COUTO

Assignees

• BILLAPP INSTITUICAO DE PAGAMENTOS LTDA

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20240828

Claims (2)

1. 1. A system and method for multi-channel payments and collection of utility bills via the Open Financial System is claimed, which will integrate essential service companies, financial institutions, the option of payment via PIX, and the Open Financial System, characterized by creating a system and method that notifies, displays, executes, and manages the payment of utility bills from essential service companies through multiple communication channels, using specific connectors that enable the initiation of payments via PIX through the Open Financial System.
2. 2. A system and method for multi-channel payments and collection of utility bills via the Open Financial System is claimed, as per claim 1, consisting of the sharing of financial data between different institutions, which allows for financial transactions, such as PIX, applied to multi-channel communications, characterized by the following steps: the user is notified, through previously chosen communication channels, about the availability of a new invoice; upon receiving the notification, the user can view the billing details, such as the amount and due date, directly through the communication channel; then, the option to make the payment is presented, allowing the user to choose the financial institution - which must have been previously authorized by the user to share their financial data with the Open Financial System - from which they wish to debit the amount; the user interacts with an interface connected to the Open Financial System to authorize the initiation of the invoice payment via PIX; the funds are then instantly transferred from the account selected by the user, after the user's authorization is received by the financial institution, to the essential services company holding the invoice; Upon completion of the process, the user receives proof of the transaction through their chosen communication channel, thus finalizing the invoice payment flow in a practical and secure manner, without the need to switch between communication channels and financial institution applications or to manually enter essential information for invoice payment, which could lead to errors or fraud in the financial transfer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] This patent concerns a system and method for the technical field of financial services that will specifically impact technologies for making online payments and collections, with the main objective of facilitating payments of utility bills. For this purpose, a multi-channel payment method is used via an Open Finance system. [002] The method allows the user to choose the bank and account of origin for the debit, without the need to manually enter numbers and eliminating dependence on the websites or applications of various public utility service companies. In addition, the transaction is initiated via PIX, ensuring the convenience of an instant transfer of funds and eliminating concerns about due dates. [003] Thus, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the challenges encountered in paying utility bills, such as water, electricity, gas and telephone bills. These challenges will be detailed below in the section on the state of the art, offering a solution that allows users to make payments in a simple, fast and convenient way. [004] The method uses different channels, including specialized mobile applications, bank applications or internet banking, SMS messages, WhatsApp, emails and integrations with voice assistants. [005] The present invention brings benefits both to users, by simplifying the payment process, and to service companies, by reducing operational costs and optimizing payment collection. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION [006] The state of the art in the payments and collections sector today is in constant transformation and technological evolution. However, there is still much to be done in this regard. This patent is aligned with the need for progress in this sector, offering a more efficient and convenient payment system and method solution, promoting a culture more receptive to digital payments. [007] Currently, essential service companies are seeking to adopt digital solutions to keep up with market trends. More efficient and convenient payment methods, such as PIX, electronic transfers, and payments via apps, are becoming increasingly popular. However, in the current state of the art, payment solutions occur in a diffuse and decentralized manner, requiring the user to access several different means to complete the payment process for a single invoice. [008] It is important to emphasize that the cost of collection in non-digital environments is significantly higher, involving expenses for issuing paper invoices, meter readers, and in-person payments at financial institutions. On the other hand, digital environments offer a more economical and sustainable alternative. [009] With regard to methods for making payments for utility bills, there are several channels available on the market, such as bank branches, lottery outlets, internet banking, or via the application of financial institutions, according to the consumer's preference. Among these methods, the bank slip stands out, frequently used, which has a due date, which can lead to the risk of forgetting to pay and resulting in the payment of fines and interest. [0010] This patent presents a format that revolutionizes the current payment journey, since, despite the diversity of payment methods, there is still no system or method that allows payments to occur in a multichannel manner, integrated into the Brazilian Financial System. [0011] It is important to emphasize that the collection and payment processes are not entirely managed by the essential service companies that issue the invoices. This is because the final stage of these processes falls to financial institutions and their banking correspondents, which forces the consumer to navigate through different applications to fulfill their financial obligations. Hence the relevance of the proposed innovation, which aims to promote a single, fully digital payment journey that covers the entire process, from invoice issuance to the moment of payment. [0012] Next, the channels for collecting and paying utility bills that make up the state of the art of the present invention will be explained, namely: PIX, the Open Finance System, known in English as Open Finance, BillApp, applications from financial institutions and, through them, Internet Banking. [0013] PIX, developed by the Central Bank of Brazil, is an instant method for financial transfers and payments, with significantly reduced costs for operation by financial institutions and for use by consumers. PIX establishes a proactive agenda for financial inclusion, which is easily noticeable by the results obtained since its implementation. [0014] By January 2024, according to the Directory of Transactional Account Identifiers - DICT, PIX has more than 150 million unique users and the creation of more than 480 million keys for individuals and legal entities. This data demonstrates the relevance that PIX has gained in the Brazilian financial landscape, given the reduction in operational costs provided to fina