Method for purchasing web based digital media

• US 20020147683A1
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Capobianco, Anthony, Nolan, John Timothy
• Application Number:
  US09/827,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147683A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer-assisted method of tracking a balance amount associated with a prepaid card for purchasing digital music is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, via a processor, populating a database with a unique identifier associated with a prepaid card for purchasing digital music. The disclosed method further includes, upon a sale of said prepaid card, associating an initial amount and a personal identifier with the unique identifier in the database, upon receiving a card verification request, verifying said unique identifier, upon receiving a personal verification request, verifying said personal identifier, upon receiving a balance verification request, verifying a balance amount of said prepaid card, and upon receiving transaction information regarding a transaction involving said prepaid card, adjusting said initial amount by a transaction amount corresponding to said transaction to create said balance amount.

Claims

1. A computer-assisted method for tracking a balance amount associated with a prepaid card for purchasing digital music, comprising:

via a processor, populating a database with a unique identifier associated with a prepaid card for purchasing digital music;

upon a sale of said prepaid card, associating an initial amount and a personal identifier with the unique identifier in the database;

upon receiving a card verification request, verifying said unique identifier;

upon receiving a personal verification request, verifying said personal identifier;

upon receiving a balance verification request, verifying a balance amount of said prepaid card; and

upon receiving transaction information regarding a transaction involving said prepaid card, adjusting said initial amount by a transaction amount corresponding to said transaction to create said balance amount.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selling the prepaid card in response to receiving the initial amount.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving the personal identifier.

4. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

populating a database with a unique identifier associated with a prepaid card for purchasing digital music;

upon a sale of said prepaid card, associating an initial amount and a personal identifier with the unique identifier in the database;

upon receiving a card verification request, verifying said unique identifier;

upon receiving a personal verification request, verifying said personal identifier;

upon receiving a balance verification request, verifying a balance amount of said prepaid card; and

upon receiving transaction information regarding a transaction involving said prepaid card, adjusting said initial amount by a transaction amount corresponding to said transaction to create said balance amount.

5. A method for facilitating procurement of digital music with a prepaid card, comprising:

receiving from a purchaser an identification of a balance amount desired for a prepaid card for procuring digital music;

selling the prepaid card to the purchaser, the prepaid card including the identified balance amount and a unique identifier; and

registering the balance amount, unique identifier, and a personal identifier associated with the purchaser.

6. The method according to claim 6, further comprising entering the balance amount onto the prepaid card.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising providing one of a plurality of prepaid cards, the provided prepaid card having a pre-existing balance amount less than or equal to the identified balance amount.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising providing the unique identifier to the prepaid card.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving the personal identifier from the purchaser.

10. A computer-assisted method for facilitating purchases of digital music with a prepaid card, comprising:

receiving the prepaid card as an instrument in a financial transaction involving digital music;

verifying that the prepaid card has a balance amount sufficient to complete the financial transaction; and

modifying the balance amount to reflect a transaction amount related to the financial transaction.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising reading the balance amount from the prepaid card.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising obtaining the balance amount from a database.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising reading a unique identifier associated with the prepaid card.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising sending a transaction amount to a database.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising receiving the prepaid card, the prepaid card being associated with the selected personal identifier.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising receiving the prepaid card, the prepaid card being associated with the selected balance amount.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising selecting digital music for the transaction and receiving the selected digital music in response to the transaction.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising receiving notification when the balance amount associated with the prepaid card is below a predetermined value.

15. A method for procuring a prepaid card for obtaining digital music, comprising:

requesting a prepaid card for purchasing digital music;

selecting a balance amount for the prepaid card;

selecting a personal identifier for the prepaid card; and

procuring the prepaid card.

18. A method for purchasing of digital music with a prepaid card, comprising:

providing a prepaid card to affect a transaction involving digital music, the prepaid card having a unique identifier, the transaction resulting in a modification to a balance amount associated with the prepaid card; and

providing a personal identifier associated with the prepaid card to authenticate said provision of the prepaid card.

21. A prepaid digital music procurement card, said card including a unique digital music procurement card identifier, a balance amount, and a personal identifier.