Method and apparatus to facilitate payment over a computer network
First Claim
1. A method for an individual to purchase goods over a computer network using a cash money card comprising;
- obtaining at least one code from a retailer in exchange for payment to a code retailer;
accessing a first web site via a computer network, said web site configured to accept said at least one code;
entering said at least one code to said first web site whereby said first web site activates said at least one code;
accessing a second web site via a computer network, said second web site configured to offer merchandise for sale and accept said at least one code; and
entering said at least one code at said second web site as payment to obtain said merchandise.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method an apparatus to facilitate commerce over a computer network wherein a code data base stores codes and associated passwords, both of which may be printed on cards to create money cards. The codes and passwords, or for convenience, a money card, is purchased by a potential consumer desiring to purchase goods or services over a computer network. The data base records the purchase of the money card for either of a particular amount or a variable amount selected by the consumer. To purchase goods or services the consumer utilizes the money card codes and password at any retailer Internet site, accessed via some form of computer network such as the Internet. The retailer computer verifies the validity and balance of the money card when the money card code and password are utilized to purchase goods or services. Upon receipt of authorization from the money card database, the retailer executes the purchase and the money card data base updates the money card balance in the database. In this manner the money card facilitates commerce over a computer network.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for an individual to purchase goods over a computer network using a cash money card comprising;
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obtaining at least one code from a retailer in exchange for payment to a code retailer;
accessing a first web site via a computer network, said web site configured to accept said at least one code;
entering said at least one code to said first web site whereby said first web site activates said at least one code;
accessing a second web site via a computer network, said second web site configured to offer merchandise for sale and accept said at least one code; and
entering said at least one code at said second web site as payment to obtain said merchandise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for a merchant to sell goods or services to a purchaser via a computerized network wherein the identity of the purchaser remains unknown to the seller, the method comprising;
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receiving a code from a purchaser, the code not identifying the purchaser;
analyzing the code to determine if the code is valid;
verifying that a balance associated with the code is sufficient to pay for the goods or services being purchased;
providing the goods or services to the purchaser; and
receiving payment for the goods or services from the balance associated with the code. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for directing consumers to a particular Internet site comprising:
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establishing one or more sites as a code activation sites;
directing a consumer to at least one of the one or more code activation sites;
receiving a code to be activated from at least one of the one or more code activation sites;
activating the code at a code database;
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for facilitating transactions over a computer network based on pre-purchased verifiable codes having a monetary balance associated therewith, said system comprising:
a computer having;
data storage configured to store information regarding the codes and the monetary balance associated with each code;
a communication interface configured to communicate with a computer network;
a processor;
computer program configured to execute on the processor and control the data storage and the communication interface, the computer program further configured to communication with other computers on the computer network to verify the validity of one or more codes and an associated balance wherein the codes do not identify an individual associated with the code. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for providing an automated commerce system for use by a entity desiring to purchase goods or services over a computer network using codes that have currency values associated therewith, the computer program product comprising:
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computer program code logic configured to receive from a merchant over a computer network a request for code validation and an account balance associated with the code;
computer program code logic configured to verify the code is a valid code and obtain information regarding the account balance associated with the code;
computer program code logic configured to respond over a computer network to the merchant regarding the validity of the code and the account balance. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification