SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A TOKEN AS A PAYMENT IN A TRANSACTION

1 . A method for facilitating a payment transaction using a mobile device, comprising:

validating a user's identity;

providing a token to the user;

receiving the token and user identification information from a merchant as payment for a transaction; and

authorizing the transaction.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein validating a user's identity comprises receiving the user identification information and payment account information validating the user identification information and payment account by confirming the user is associated with the user identification information and the payment account, and generating a token to provide to the user for a payment transaction.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein validating a user's identity comprises receiving an online registration request from the user, transmitting a message to the user to complete the online registration, and receiving an indication the user has completed online registration.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein validating a user's identity comprises transmitting a message to the user, and receiving an indication the user has received the message.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the token comprises: a unique number for use in a single transaction, a time sensitive code, a numeric string, an alphanumeric string, a single use code, a 2D or 3D bar code, or a unique code.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing a token to the user comprises transmitting the token to the user by at least one of the following: an electronic message, text, tweet, email, online communication, an online communication via HTTP, an online communication via an online communication protocol, a website and/or webpage posting, voice mail, phone call, mail, voice communication, or electronic communication.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing a token to the user comprises storing the token in a data storage device associated with the user.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein authorizing the transaction comprises decrypting or translating the token to obtain the user's payment account information.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

settling the transaction.

10 . A system for facilitating a payment transaction using a mobile device, comprising:

at least one data storage device operable to store computer-readable instructions;

at least one computer processor operable to execute the computer-readable instructions; and

a set of computer-readable instructions operable to:

validate a user's identity;

provide a token to the user;

receive the token and user identification information from a merchant as payment for a transaction; and

authorize the transaction.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions operable to validate a user's identity comprise computer-readable instructions operable to:

receive the user identification information and payment account information;

validate the user identification information and payment account number by confirming the user is associated with the user identification information and a payment account; and

generate a token to provide to the user for a payment transaction.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions operable to validate a user's identity comprise computer-readable instructions operable to:

receive an online registration request from the user;

transmit a message to the user to complete the online registration; and

receive an indication the user has completed online registration.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions operable to:

transmit a message to the user; and

receive an indication the user has received the message.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the token comprises: a unique number for use in a single transaction, a time sensitive code, a numeric string, an alphanumeric string, a single use code, a 2D or 3D bar code, or a unique code.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions operable to provide a token to the user comprise computer-readable instructions operable to:

transmit the token to the user by at least one of the following: an electronic message, text, tweet, email, online communication, an online communication via HTTP, an online communication via an online communication protocol, a website and/or webpage posting, voice mail, phone call, mail, voice communication, or electronic communication.

16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions operable to provide a token to the user comprise computer-readable instructions operable to store the token in a data storage device associated with the user.

17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions operable to authorize the transaction comprise computer-readable instructions operable to decrypt or translate the token to obtain the user's payment account.

18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions are further operable to:

settle the transaction.

19 . A method for facilitating a payment transaction, comprising:

receiving a token and a user identification information from a customer as payment for a transaction;

transmitting the token and the user identification information to a trusted third party;

receiving an indication whether the transaction is authorized;

if the transaction is authorized, receiving electronic funds from the trusted third party; and

if the transaction is not authorized, informing the customer the transaction is declined.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein receiving a token and a user identification information from the customer as payment for a transaction comprises receiving the customer's token transaction command in a merchant client transaction device, and receiving the customer's input of at least the token to the merchant client transaction device with or without a PIN.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein receiving a token and a user identification information from a customer as payment for a transaction comprises receiving an indication of the customer's manipulation of a data storage device adjacent to a near field communication (NFC) device.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein receiving a token and a user identification information from a customer as payment for a transaction comprises receiving the token from the customer, inputting the token in a payment terminal, and transmitting the token to a trusted third party.

23 . A method for making a payment, the method comprising:

providing user identification information and payment account information to a trusted third party;

transmitting an indication in response to instructions to confirm an identity;

receiving a token for making a payment to a merchant; and

providing the token to a merchant as payment for a transaction.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein providing user identification information and payment account information to a trusted third party comprises transmitting an online registration request to the trusted third party.

25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting an indication in response to instructions to confirm an identity comprises transmitting a message to the trusted third party in response to receiving a message from the trusted third party.

26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the token comprises: a unique number for use in a single transaction, a time sensitive code, a numeric string, an alphanumeric string, a single use code, a 2D or 3D bar code, or a unique code.

27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein receiving a token for making a payment to a merchant comprises receiving the token by at least one of the following: an electronic message, text, tweet, email, online communication, an online communication via HTTP, an online communication via an online communication protocol, a website and/or webpage posting, voice mail, phone call, mail, voice communication, or electronic communication.

28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein receiving a token for making a payment to a merchant comprises storing the token in a data storage device associated with the user.

29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein providing the token to a merchant as payment for a transaction comprises entering a token transaction command in a merchant client transaction device, and inputting at least the token to the merchant client transaction device with or without a PIN.

30 . The method of claim 23 , wherein providing the token to a merchant as payment for a transaction comprises manipulating a data storage device adjacent to a near field communication (NFC) device.

31 . The method of claim 23 , wherein providing the token to a merchant as payment for a transaction comprises providing the token to the merchant to input to a payment terminal for transmission to a trusted third party.