Token-management system
First Claim
1. A token-management system, in which tokens are credits offerable by a user in exchange for products of a specified kind, the token credit being issued to users by an issuer, the system comprising:
- memory means for storing user account data for each user;
input means for receiving an order, said order specifying an amount of token credit to be allocated to a user;
memory update means adapted to update user account data held in the memory means whereby to add to the user account the amount of token credit allocated to said user in said order;
input means for receiving a reimbursement authorization from a user, said reimbursement authorization including data indicating the amount of token credit to be reimbursed, and data identifying a redeemer to whom reimbursement is to be made; and
verification means adapted to consult the user account data held in the memory means whereby to verify that the user issuing the reimbursement authorization has token credit sufficient to pay the token credit amount specified in the reimbursement authorization and, when the token credit in the user account is sufficient, to validate the received reimbursement authorization;
wherein the memory update means is further adapted, when a reimbursement authorization is validated, to update the user account data whereby to debit from the user account the amount of token credit specified in the reimbursement authorization; and
wherein the system further comprises means for issuing a payment command in response to the verification means validating a reimbursement authorization, said payment command ordering a payment to the redeemer specified in the validated reimbursement authorization of an amount based on the token credit specified in the validated reimbursement authorization.
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Abstract
In a token-management system, the current value of token credit allocated to a user by a token-issuer is stored in a memory in the form of a user account data. When the user wishes to spend token credit, the user sends the issuer an authorization to reimburse the appropriate amount of token credit to a redeemer who provides the user with goods or services. In response to a valid reimbursement authorization, the issuer debits the user account and issues a command to trigger a corresponding payment to the redeemer. The system eliminates the need for physical tokens, and combines the acts of exchanging a token and requesting reimbursement of an accepted token. Reimbursement requests can be communicated to the issuer by electronics means, notably via telephone or the Internet.
37 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A token-management system, in which tokens are credits offerable by a user in exchange for products of a specified kind, the token credit being issued to users by an issuer, the system comprising:
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memory means for storing user account data for each user;
input means for receiving an order, said order specifying an amount of token credit to be allocated to a user;
memory update means adapted to update user account data held in the memory means whereby to add to the user account the amount of token credit allocated to said user in said order;
input means for receiving a reimbursement authorization from a user, said reimbursement authorization including data indicating the amount of token credit to be reimbursed, and data identifying a redeemer to whom reimbursement is to be made; and
verification means adapted to consult the user account data held in the memory means whereby to verify that the user issuing the reimbursement authorization has token credit sufficient to pay the token credit amount specified in the reimbursement authorization and, when the token credit in the user account is sufficient, to validate the received reimbursement authorization;
wherein the memory update means is further adapted, when a reimbursement authorization is validated, to update the user account data whereby to debit from the user account the amount of token credit specified in the reimbursement authorization; and
wherein the system further comprises means for issuing a payment command in response to the verification means validating a reimbursement authorization, said payment command ordering a payment to the redeemer specified in the validated reimbursement authorization of an amount based on the token credit specified in the validated reimbursement authorization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification