Payment system using electronic stamps
First Claim
1. A method of making payments in electronic commerce using electronic stamps, comprising the steps of:
- delivering an electronic stamp from a payment service provider to a customer, the electronic stamp comprising an electronic carrier media containing validation data, the electronic stamp having associated therewith validation data stored in a validation database accessible by the payment server and accounting data stored in an accounting database accessible by the payment service provider; and
receiving a copy of said electronic stamp transferred from said customer to said payment service provider, said payment service provider allocating funds associated with said electronic stamp to said merchant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The payment system using electronic stamps is a system and method for making payments for goods and services, in an electronic commerce environment, using electronic stamps. The system uses electronic stamps in the form of an electronic carrier media, such as a JPEG image file, that contains embedded identification and payment information. The identification and payment information is embedded into the carrier media using a steganographic packing technique, along with other encryption. Accounting information is maintained by a payment service provider to associate a monetary value with the electronic stamp. When an electronic stamp is presented for payment, and successfully authenticated, funds allocated to the electronic stamp are reallocated to a merchant account maintained by the payment service provider. Funds are aggregated in the merchant account until a sufficient balance is reached, when the merchant is paid by electronic funds transfer, check, cash, or any suitable arrangement.
37 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of making payments in electronic commerce using electronic stamps, comprising the steps of:
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delivering an electronic stamp from a payment service provider to a customer, the electronic stamp comprising an electronic carrier media containing validation data, the electronic stamp having associated therewith validation data stored in a validation database accessible by the payment server and accounting data stored in an accounting database accessible by the payment service provider; and
receiving a copy of said electronic stamp transferred from said customer to said payment service provider, said payment service provider allocating funds associated with said electronic stamp to said merchant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification