Methods, systems, and products for collaborative authorizations in electronic commerce

• US 20060235789A1
• Filed: 04/16/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,877,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Methods, systems, devices, and products obtain collaborative authorization in an electronic commerce transaction. One such device includes a commerce profile stored in memory, and a processor communicates with the memory. The commerce profile stores rules for obtaining authorization for the electronic transaction. The processor accesses the commerce profile and, based on the rules, determines whether authorization from a first party is permitted or whether collaborative authorization by a second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction. When collaborative authorization is required, the processor retrieves a collaborative communications address from the commerce profile and communicates the collaborative communications address from the device.

Claims

1. A device for collaborative authorization in an electronic transaction, the device comprising:

a commerce profile stored in memory, the commerce profile comprising rules for obtaining authorization for the electronic transaction; and

a processor communicating with the memory and participating in the electronic transaction,

wherein the processor accesses the commerce profile stored in the memory and determines whether authorization from a first party is permitted or whether collaborative authorization by a second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction based on the rules, and when collaborative authorization is required, the processor retrieves a collaborative communications address from the commerce profile and communicates the collaborative communications address from the device.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction amount exceeds a maximum amount, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction involves the purchase of a type of product, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction involves a predetermined retailer, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein when collaborative authorization is not required, the processor permits authorization by the first party.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the commerce profile includes a hierarchical list of other communications addresses from which collaborative authorization may be obtained when authorization is unobtainable from the collaborative communications address.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the processor communicates the collaborative communications address to a point of sale device.

8. A method for collaborative authorization in an electronic transaction, the method comprising:

accessing a commerce profile storing rules for obtaining authorization for the electronic transaction;

determining whether collaborative authorization from a first party is permitted or whether authorization by a second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction based on the rules;

when collaborative authorization is required, retrieving a collaborative communications address from the commerce profile; and

communicating the collaborative communications address.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction amount is greater than a maximum amount, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction involves the purchase of a type of product, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction involves a predetermined retailer, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

12. A method according to claim 8, further comprising when collaborative authorization is not required, permitting authorization by the first party.

13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising when authorization is unobtainable from the collaborative communications address, accessing a hierarchical list of other communications addresses from which collaborative authorization may be obtained.

14. A method according to claim 8, further comprising communicating the collaborative communications address to a point of sale device.

15. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

a commerce application stored on the computer-readable medium, the commerce application comprising computer code for accessing a commerce profile storing rules for obtaining authorization for an electronic transaction;

determining whether collaborative authorization from a first party is permitted or whether authorization by a second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction based on the rules;

when collaborative authorization is required, retrieving a collaborative communications address from the commerce profile; and

communicating the collaborative communications address.

16. A computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction amount is greater than a maximum amount, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

17. A computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction involves the purchase of a type of product, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

18. A computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the rules specify that when the electronic transaction involves a predetermined retailer, then collaborative authorization from the second party is required to authorize the electronic transaction.

19. A computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the commerce application further comprises computer code for permitting authorization by the first party when collaborative authorization is not required.

20. A computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the commerce application further comprises computer code for accessing a hierarchical list of other communications addresses from which collaborative authorization may be obtained when authorization is unobtainable from the collaborative communications address.