System and method for offering an incentive to a user of an electronic commerce web site
First Claim
1. An electronic commerce method comprising:
- offering a user of an electronic commerce web site an incentive for using funds stored in a payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for an electronic commerce transaction;
receiving authorization from the user to use funds stored in the payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for the electronic commerce transaction; and
rewarding the user for responding to the incentive for using funds stored in the payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for the electronic commerce transaction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a computerized electronic auction payment system and method for effecting a real-time payment for an item won in an electronic auction by setting up and maintaining electronic auction payment accounts for prospective bidders and sellers. The prospective bidders provide funds to their electronic auction payment accounts maintained by the computerized electronic auction payment system, prior to being deemed as winning bidders, via direct deposit, using a credit card, or sending a check, money order, or other financial document to an operator of the computerized electronic auction payment system. In one embodiment, upon being deemed as a winning bidder, the winning bidder accesses a payment page, enters the total amount of funds to be transferred to the seller, and authorizes the computerized electronic auction payment system to effect a real-time payment by debiting his, i.e., the winning bidder'"'"'s, respective electronic auction payment account and crediting the electronic auction payment account of the seller, and/or another account specified by the seller. In an alternate embodiment, the prospective bidder authorizes the computerized electronic auction payment system to effect a real-time payment to the seller upon the prospective bidder being deemed the winning bidder (i.e., immediately following the conclusion of the auction). That is, without the winning bidder having to access the payment page.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic commerce method comprising:
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offering a user of an electronic commerce web site an incentive for using funds stored in a payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for an electronic commerce transaction;
receiving authorization from the user to use funds stored in the payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for the electronic commerce transaction; and
rewarding the user for responding to the incentive for using funds stored in the payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for the electronic commerce transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic commerce method comprising:
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debiting a payment account corresponding to a user of an electronic commerce web site, said payment account storing funds therein; and
entering the user in a sweepstakes drawing based on the user authorizing the payment account to be debited. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electronic commerce method comprising:
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offering a user of an electronic commerce web site to be entered into a sweepstakes drawing based on using funds stored within a payment account corresponding to the user to effect payment for an electronic commerce transaction; and
entering the user in the sweepstakes drawing based on using funds stored within the payment account to effect payment for the electronic commerce transaction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification