Microtransactions Using Points Over Electronic Networks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method to facilitate electronic microtransactions, the method comprising:
- offering points for purchase in bulk quantities, wherein points comprise a currency for on-line microtransactions; and
allocating a bulk quantity of points to a user in exchange for consideration,wherein the consideration substantially exceeds the purchase price of a single product being offered for sale in a microtransaction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In some implementations, methods and apparatus, including computer program products, facilitate microtransactions over electronic networks by providing an electronic points currency that can be purchased in bulk and used for purchasing goods and services in microtransactions. In a typical implementation, points may be purchased in bulk quantities that have a value that is large relative to the price of a single product that may be purchased in a microtransaction. A microtransaction vendor may offer products for sale at a discount by setting a first price for purchases made with a credit card and a second lower price for purchases made using points.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A method to facilitate electronic microtransactions, the method comprising:
-
offering points for purchase in bulk quantities, wherein points comprise a currency for on-line microtransactions; and allocating a bulk quantity of points to a user in exchange for consideration, wherein the consideration substantially exceeds the purchase price of a single product being offered for sale in a microtransaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method to facilitate electronic microtransactions, the method comprising:
-
offering a product or service for purchase on-line at a first price for purchases made using a credit card; and offering the product or service for purchase on-line at a discounted price for purchases made using points, the discounted price being less than the first price, wherein points comprise a currency for on-line microtransactions over an electronic communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A method to facilitate electronic transactions, the method comprising:
-
offering points for purchase in bulk quantities, wherein points comprise currency for making microtransactions; providing access to a bulk quantity of points in response to receiving consideration in exchange for the provided access; and offering a product or a service for purchase in exchange for a first number of the points, wherein the received consideration substantially exceeds the value of the first number of points. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. The method of clam 36, wherein the electronic communication channel comprises a wireless communication channel.
Specification