METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING VOICE-BASED CREDIT CARD PROCESSING

摘要

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for performing voice- based credit card processing. During operation, the system receives voice input from a merchant at a computer via a telephone to initiate a credit card transaction. Next, the system authenticates the merchant. After authenticating the merchant, the system prompts the merchant for a credit card number. Next, the system authenticates a consumer associated with the credit card. Note that the system can authenticate the consumer with pre-registered information that is associated with the credit card. Once the consumer is authenticated, the system prompts the merchant for a transaction amount. Next, the system receives the transaction amount from the merchant. The system then authorizes the credit card transaction for the transaction amount. Finally, the system reports the result of the authorization to the merchant. Note that embodiments of the present invention enable the merchant to process credit card transactions at reduced cost without the need for any equipment other than a telephone, thus providing the ability to have instant credit card enabled merchants on demand.