Method and system for making anonymous electronic payments on the world wide web
First Claim
1. A method for performing a cash card operation at a point of sale (POS) terminal, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and comprising a first card identification number, the method comprising:
- receiving a second card identification number of the cash card from the POS terminal, the second card identification number able to be mapped or translated into the first card identification number;
determining an operation based on the second card identification number; and
executing the operation by accessing an account associated with the cash card.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a simple and easy-to-use system to make electronic payments on the Web. Specifically, methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide anonymity, security and accountability. To do so, pre-paid stored value card (“cash card”) including a card identification number for a predetermined amount of money may be purchased at a point of sale. To ensure security, Personal Security Codes are established for a user at a server. To use the cash cards, a user may visit a Web merchant, select an item to purchase, and enter the card identification number and the Personal Security Code to transmit for confirmation to the server. The server subtracts the cost of the item from the predetermined amount on the cash card.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for performing a cash card operation at a point of sale (POS) terminal, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and comprising a first card identification number, the method comprising:
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receiving a second card identification number of the cash card from the POS terminal, the second card identification number able to be mapped or translated into the first card identification number;
determining an operation based on the second card identification number; and
executing the operation by accessing an account associated with the cash card. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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2. A method for performing a cash card operation at a point of sale (POS) terminal, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and usable in purchases over a first network with a first card identification number, the method comprising:
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receiving a second card identification number of the cash card from the POS terminal through a second network, the second card identification having a format consistent with the second network that can be mapped or translated into the first card identification;
determining an operation to be made on the cash card based on the second card identification number; and
executing the operation by accessing an account associated with the cash card, the account accessible over the first network.
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15. A method for enabling a customer to withdraw money using a cash card at an automated teller machine (ATM), the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and usable in purchase over a first network with a first card identification number, the method comprising:
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receiving a second card identification number of the cash card along with a User PIN from the ATM through a second network, the second card identification number having a format consistent with the second network and translatable into the first card identification number;
verifying that the User PIN is correct for an account identified by the second card identification number, the account accessible over the first network; and
subtracting an amount of money to be withdrawn from the account.
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16. A method for converting currency for a cash card usable in payment over a first network, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money in an account, the method comprising:
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receiving a card identification number of the cash card through the first network for the payment;
determining that a first currency in the payment and a second currency in the account identified by the card identification number are different;
converting a current amount of the account in the second currency into the first currency;
subtracting the payment from the current amount in the first currency; and
converting a remaining amount after subtracting of the account in the first currency into the second currency if the remaining amount exists.
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17. A method for converting currency for a cash card usable in payment over a first network, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money in an account, the method comprising:
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receiving a card identification number of the cash card through the first network for conversion into a first currency;
determining that a customer of the cash card accepts a conversion rate from a second currency in the account identified by the card identification number into the first currency; and
converting an amount of the account in the second currency into the first currency.
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18. A method for enabling a customer to make a payment using a cash card at a point of sale (POS) location, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and usable in purchase over a first network, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the POS location, a card identification number of the cash card along with a User PIN from the customer, and transaction information from a store clerk;
creating payment-specific authentication information from the card identification number, the User PIN, and the transaction information;
transmitting, through the first network to a server managing an account associated with the cash card, the payment-specific authentication information, such that the server verifies the payment-specific authentication information and makes the payment from the account of the customer.
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19. A method for performing pre-authorization of a payment from a customer to a merchant with a cash card, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and usable in purchase over a first network, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a server managing a first account associated with the cash card of the customer, a pre-authorization request message including payment-specific authentication information created at a time of the payment;
subtracting an amount of the payment from the first account according to the pre-authorization request;
adding at least a part of the amount subtracted from the first account to a second account of the merchant when a pre-authorization release message including the payment-specific authentication information is received at the server; and
adding at least a part of the amount subtracted from the first account to the first account when a pre-authorization cancellation message including the payment-specific authentication information is received at the server. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for performing refund of a payment from a customer to a merchant with a cash card, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and usable in purchase over a first network, the method comprising:
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creating payment-specific authentication information at a time of the payment;
transferring an amount of the payment from a first account associated with the cash card of the customer to a second account of the merchant according to the payment-specific authentication information;
receiving a refund message including the payment-specific authentication information with a signature of the merchant; and
returning at least a part of the amount transferred from the second account to the first account according to the refund request when the signature is verified.
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22. A method for escrowing transaction between a seller and a buyer with a cash card, the cash card associated with a predetermined amount of money and usable in purchase over a first network, the method comprising:
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creating payment-specific authentication information when the buyer purchases an item from the seller;
subtracting a cost of the item from a first account associated with the cash card of the buyer according to the payment-specific authentication information;
transmitting the payment-specific authentication information such that the seller receives the payment-specific authentication information after the buyer receives the item; and
adding at least a part of the cost subtracted from the first account to a second account of the seller when the payment-specific authentication information from the seller. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification