System and method to account for alternative telecommunications/internet transactions
First Claim
1. A system for using a transaction agency to selectively account for alternative telecommunication/internet communications between a buyer (first party) and a seller (second party), wherein the communication has a monetary value and the system comprises:
- a first transceiver means for use by the buyer to affect the communication;
a second transceiver means for use by the seller to affect the communication;
an electronic means for interconnecting said first transceiver with said second transceiver and for selectively switching between a first mode wherein the communication is conducted on a telecommunications network, and a second mode wherein said communication is conducted in e-commerce on the internet;
a computer means connected with said electronic means for routing predetermined information describing the communication to the transaction agency; and
a means for debiting the monetary value of the communication from an account of the buyer at the transaction agency.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method that accounts for the monetary value of a communication (transaction) selectively conducted between two parties over either a telecommunications network, or on the internet, involves an inter-party transaction agency. Pre-paid or credit accounts for a buyer (first party) are established at the transaction agency. The buyer then uses funds in the pre-paid account to either: 1) purchase electronically downloadable products from websites that have been individually presented by respective sellers, or 2) engage in telephone conversations with second parties. In either case, the transaction agency debits the buyer'"'"'s account and appropriately credits a seller'"'"'s account.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for using a transaction agency to selectively account for alternative telecommunication/internet communications between a buyer (first party) and a seller (second party), wherein the communication has a monetary value and the system comprises:
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a first transceiver means for use by the buyer to affect the communication;
a second transceiver means for use by the seller to affect the communication;
an electronic means for interconnecting said first transceiver with said second transceiver and for selectively switching between a first mode wherein the communication is conducted on a telecommunications network, and a second mode wherein said communication is conducted in e-commerce on the internet;
a computer means connected with said electronic means for routing predetermined information describing the communication to the transaction agency; and
a means for debiting the monetary value of the communication from an account of the buyer at the transaction agency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A commercial communications system which comprises:
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a switching means for selectively connecting a first transceiver in communication with a second transceiver, wherein said first transceiver has an identifying characteristic and the communication has a monetary value;
a routing means, interactive with said switching means and responsive to said identifying characteristic of said first transceiver, and to change between a first communications link wherein said communication is conducted on a telecommunications network and a second communications link wherein said communication is conducted on an internet-type network; and
an evaluating means connected to said switching means for using predetermined information describing the communication to account for the monetary value of the communication. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for using a transaction agency to account for a communication between a buyer and a seller, wherein the communication has a monetary value and the method comprises the steps of:
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providing an electronic means for interconnecting a first transceiver with a second transceiver to affect the communication;
selectively switching between a first mode wherein the communication is conducted on a telecommunications network, and a second mode wherein said communication is conducted in e-commerce on the internet;
routing predetermined information describing the communication to the transaction agency; and
debiting the monetary value of the communication from an account of the buyer at the transaction agency. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification