UTILIZING PHRASE TOKENS IN TRANSACTIONS

• US 20080052226A1
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bezos, Jeffrey P., Vosshall, Peter S., Agarwal, Amit D., George, Michael M., Freed, Ian W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,019,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/154 Tree transformation for tree-structured or markup documents, e.g. XSLT, XSL-FO or stylesheets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/284 Lexical analysis, e.g. tokenisation or collocates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• 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 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/00 Speech recognition G10L17/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating transactions utilizing phrase tokens are provided. Individual entities can be associated with unambiguous transaction phrase tokens, such as multiple word phrases. The transaction phrase tokens are associated with transaction accounts by a service provider such that the entities can complete a transaction without having to exchange transaction account information. In a transaction, a transaction phrase token is offered to an accepting party, which tenders the offered transaction phrase token to the service provider. The service provider processes the offered transaction phrase token according to configuration information specified for the transaction phrase token. The service provider can automatically process the transaction request or request additional information.

Claims

1. A system for processing transactions comprising:

a token issuer component for assigning transaction phrase tokens to transaction phrase token holders, wherein each transaction phrase token consists of a set of characters that in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder and wherein the transaction phrase token is associated with a transaction account; and

a token processing component for processing a request from a party other than the transaction phrase token holder, wherein the request corresponds to a request to complete a transaction including a representation of a transaction phrase token from the transaction phrase token holder and wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the transaction request based on a configuration of the transaction phrase token;

wherein the transaction phrase token processing service facilitates a reconciliation of the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token upon a successful processing of the transaction request.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the transaction account is controlled by the transaction phrase token holder.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the transaction includes a transfer of control of an agreed upon element from a party other than the transaction phrase token holder to the transaction phrase token holder.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the transaction phrase token processing component further facilitates the transfer of control of the agreed upon element from a seller to the transaction phrase token holder.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of characters corresponds to a set of alphanumeric characters.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary meaning corresponds to a secondary meaning associated with an audible representation of the set of characters.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary meaning corresponds to a secondary meaning associated with a publication of the set of characters.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the reconciliation of the transaction account includes a debiting of the transaction account.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the reconciliation of the transaction account includes a crediting of the transaction account.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the configuration of the transaction phrase token is specified by the transaction phrase token holder.

11. A system for facilitating transactions comprising:

a transaction phrase token associated with a transaction account, wherein the transaction phrase token consists of a set of characters selected in their entirety by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a transaction phrase token assignment request; and

a transaction phrase token processing service for processing a request to complete a transaction request, wherein the request includes a representation of the transaction phrase token and wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the transaction request based on a configuration of the transaction phrase token.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction account is controlled by the transaction phrase token holder.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction includes a transfer of control of an agreed upon element from a party other than the transaction phrase token holder to the transaction phrase token holder.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service facilitates the transfer of control of the agreed upon element from a seller to the transaction phrase token holder.

15. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the request by requesting transaction phrase token holder approval of the transaction.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service can further configure the transaction phrase token based upon receipt of an approval by the transaction phrase token holder corresponding to the transaction phrase token.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the approval instructs the transaction phrase token processing service to automatically accept subsequent transactions with an identified vendor associated with a request to complete a transaction.

18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the approval instructs the transaction phrase token processing service to automatically accept subsequent transactions with an item associated with a request to complete a transaction.

19. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the approval instructs the transaction phrase token processing service to automatically accept subsequent transactions having a defined or specified value associated with a request to complete a transaction.

20. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service further configures the transaction phrase token based upon receipt of a rejection by the transaction phrase token holder corresponding to the at least one transaction phrase token.

21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the rejection instructs the transaction phrase token processing service to automatically reject subsequent transactions with an identified vendor associated with a request to complete a transaction.

22. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the rejection instructs the transaction phrase token processing service to automatically reject subsequent transactions with an item associated with a request to complete a transaction.

23. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the rejection instructs the transaction phrase token processing service to automatically reject subsequent transactions having a defined or specified value associated with a request to complete a transaction.

24. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the transaction request by automatically processing the transaction according to the configuration of the transaction phrase token.

25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein automatically processing the transaction according to with the configuration of the transaction phrase token includes determining whether the transaction phrase token has been enabled by the transaction phrase token holder.

26. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the set of characters corresponds to a set of one or more alphanumeric characters.

27. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the set of characters in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder.

28. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token is unambiguous among a class of transaction phrase tokens.

29. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service can further assign new transaction phrase tokens, wherein each new transaction phrase token corresponds to a set of characters associated with a transaction account, wherein the set of characters consists of a set of characters selected in their entirety by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a transaction phrase token assignment request.

30. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service further generates a user interface for obtaining a target transaction phrase token and determining whether the target transaction phrase token is unambiguous.

31. The system as recited in claim 30, wherein the transaction phrase token service further suggests at least one available transaction phrase token via the user interface.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein each suggested transaction phrase token corresponds to a recommendation based on a transaction phrase token holder profile.

33. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the recommendations are based upon a set of characters associated with data corresponding to the transaction phrase token holder profile.

34. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the recommendations are based upon a search of a set of available transaction phrase tokens.

35. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token corresponds to a transaction account previously associated with another transaction phrase token.

36. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token processing system further provides a marketplace for transferring control of a transaction phrase token.

37. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transaction phrase token processing system further provides an interface for associating metadata with transaction phrase tokens.

38. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the configuration of the transaction phrase token includes at least one of an acceptable transaction amount, an acceptable vendor, an acceptable transmitting party, a qualification level for a transaction, an expiration date, an acceptable agreed upon element, an unacceptable transaction amount, an unacceptable vendor, an unacceptable agreed upon element, and a required reputation score.

39. The system as recited in claim 38, wherein the configuration of the transaction phrase token includes threshold levels for the configuration information.

40. A system for facilitating transactions comprising:

a transaction phrase token comprising a set of characters associated with a transaction account; and

a transaction phrase token processing service for processing a request to complete a transaction request, wherein the request includes a representation of the transaction phrase token and wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the transaction request based on a configuration of the transaction phrase token specified by the transaction phrase token holder.

41. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction account is controlled by the transaction phrase token holder.

42. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction includes a transfer of control of an agreed upon element from a party other than the transaction phrase token holder to the transaction phrase token holder.

43. The system as recited in claim 42, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service facilitates the transfer of control of the agreed element from a seller to the transaction phrase token holder.

44. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the request by requesting transaction phrase token holder approval of the transaction.

45. The system as recited in claim 44, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service can further configure the transaction phrase token based upon receipt of an approval by the transaction phrase token holder corresponding to the at least one transaction phrase token.

46. The system as recited in claim 44, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service further configures the transaction phrase token based upon receipt of a rejection by the transaction phrase token holder corresponding to the at least one transaction phrase token.

47. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service processes the transaction request by automatically processing the transaction according to the configuration of the transaction phrase token.

48. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the set of characters corresponds to a set of one or more alphanumeric characters.

49. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the set of characters in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder.

50. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction phrase token is unambiguous among a class of transaction phrase tokens.

51. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the set of characters consists of a set of characters selected in their entirety by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a transaction phrase token assignment request.

52. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service can further assign new transaction phrase tokens and wherein each new transaction phrase token corresponds to a set of characters associated with a transaction account, wherein the set of characters consists of a set of characters selected in their entirety by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a transaction phrase token assignment request.

53. The system as recited in claim 52, wherein the transaction phrase token processing service further generates a user interface for obtaining a target transaction phrase token and determining whether the target transaction phrase token is unambiguous.

54. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein the transaction phrase token processing system further provides a marketplace for transferring control of a transaction phrase token.

55. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein the transaction phrase token processing system further provides an interface for associating metadata with transaction phrase tokens.

56. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein the transaction phrase token corresponds to a transaction account previously associated with another transaction phrase token.

57. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein configuration of the transaction phrase token includes at least one of an acceptable transaction amount, an acceptable vendor, an acceptable transmitting party, a qualification level for a transaction, an expiration date, an acceptable agreed upon element, an unacceptable transaction amount, an unacceptable vendor, an unacceptable agreed upon element, and a required reputation score.

58. A method for facilitating the processing of transactions comprising:

obtaining a request for completion of a transaction between two parties, wherein a transmitting party is associated with at least one transaction phrase token, wherein the transaction phrase token corresponds to a set of characters, and wherein the transmitting party solely transmits a transaction phrase token to a receiving party to elicit a debiting of a transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token; and

processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token.

59. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes completing the transaction upon receipt of a rejection by the transmitting party.

60. The method as recited in claim 59 further comprising configuring the transaction phrase token based upon additional configuration information in the rejection.

61. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes completing the transaction upon receipt of an approval by the transmitting party.

62. The method as recited in claim 61 further comprising configuring the transaction phrase token based upon additional configuration information in the approval.

63. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes automatically accepting the transaction based upon processing rules associated with the transaction phrase token.

64. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes automatically rejecting the transaction based upon processing rules associated with the transaction phrase token.

65. The method as recited in claim 58 further comprising obtaining a request to transfer control of a selected transaction phrase token and transferring control of the selected transaction phrase token.

66. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes automatically processing the request based on a reputation score associated with a receiving party to the transaction phrase token.

67. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein the reputation score is based upon an outcome of a set of previous transactions involving the receiving party.

68. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein the transmitting party corresponds to an entity controlling the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

69. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein the transmitting party corresponds to a secondary entity designated by a primary entity controlling the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

70. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes enabling a credit of the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

71. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes enabling a debit of the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

72. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein configuration of the transaction phrase token includes at least one of an acceptable transaction amount, an acceptable vendor, an acceptable transmitting party, a qualification level for a transaction, an expiration date, an acceptable agreed upon element, an unacceptable transaction amount, an unacceptable vendor, an unacceptable agreed upon element, and a required reputation score.

73. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein the set of characters in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder.

74. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein the transaction phrase token is unambiguous among a class of transaction phrase tokens.

75. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein the set of characters consists of a set of characters selected in their entirety by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a transaction phrase token assignment request.

76. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components for facilitating transactions involving transaction phrase tokens comprising:

a token account interface for selecting transaction phrase tokens, wherein the transaction phrase token is associated with a transaction account and wherein the transaction phrase token consists of a set of characters selected by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a token assignment request; and

a token processing component for obtaining transaction requests corresponding to an identified transaction phrase token and processing the transaction request in accordance with configuration information associated with the identified transaction phrase token.

77. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein the transaction phrase token account interface further obtains configuration information for an identified transaction phrase token.

78. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 77, wherein the configuration information corresponds to a designation of a transaction account associated with the identified transaction phrase token as for receiving credits.

79. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 77, wherein the configuration information corresponds to a designation of a transaction account associated with the identified transaction phrase token as for making debits.

80. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein processing the transaction request in accordance with configuration information associated with the identified transaction phrase token includes not completing the transaction upon receipt of a rejection by the transmitting party.

81. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 80, wherein the transaction phrase token processing component is further operable to configure the transaction phrase token based upon additional configuration information in the rejection.

82. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein processing the transaction request in accordance with configuration information associated with the identified transaction phrase token includes completing the transaction upon receipt of an approval by the transmitting party.

83. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 82, wherein the transaction phrase token processing component is further operable to configure the transaction phrase token based upon additional configuration information in the approval.

84. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein processing the transaction request in accordance with configuration information associated with the identified transaction phrase token includes automatically accepting the transaction based upon processing rules associated with the transaction phrase token.

85. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein processing the request for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token includes automatically rejecting the transaction based upon processing rules associated with the transaction phrase token.

86. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein the set of characters in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder.

87. The computer-executable components as recited in claim 76, wherein the transaction phrase token is unambiguous among a class of transaction phrase tokens.

88. A method for facilitating the selection of transaction phrase tokens comprising:

obtaining a user selection of an entire set of characters corresponding to a target transaction phrase token, wherein the entire set of characters will be utilized to reconcile a transaction account;

determining whether the target transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens; and

providing an indication of whether the transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on a user interface.

89. The method as recited in claim 88, obtaining a user selection of an entire set of characters corresponding to a target transaction phrase token includes an interface for obtaining user input corresponding to the target transaction phrase token.

90. The method as recited in claim 88, wherein providing an indication of whether the transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on the user interface includes formatting the target transaction phrase token in a first color if the transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on the interface.

91. The method as recited in claim 90, wherein providing an indication of whether the transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on the user interface includes formatting the target transaction phrase token in a second color if the transaction phrase token is not unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on the interface.

92. The method as recited in claim 88, wherein providing an indication of whether the transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on the user interface includes providing a visual indicator on the interface indicative of whether the target transaction phrase token is unambiguous to a set of transaction phrase tokens on the interface.

93. The method as recited in claim 88 further comprising providing a set of recommended target transaction phrase tokens on the user interface.

94. The method as recited in claim 93, wherein the set of recommended target transaction phrase tokens corresponds to aspects of one or more items associated with an individual.

95. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein the set of recommended transaction phrase tokens corresponds to statistically improbable phrases associated with aspects of one or more items associated with the individual.

96. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein the set of recommended target transaction phrase tokens are based upon a search of a set of available target transaction phrase tokens.

97. The method as recited in claim 94, wherein the set of available target transaction phrase tokens corresponds to a listing of proper names and places.

98. The method as recited in claim 88, wherein the set of characters corresponds to a set of alphanumeric characters.

99. The method as recited in claim 88, wherein the set of characters in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder.

100. The method as recited in claim 88 further comprising generating a set of configuration controls for setting configuration information for a selected transaction phrase token and obtaining a selection of at least one configuration control.

101. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes an automatic processing of transactions associated with an identified vendor.

102. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes an automatic processing of transactions associated with a class of items.

103. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes an automatic processing of transactions associated with a transaction value.

104. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes a specification of a transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token as being for debiting.

105. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes a specification of a transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token as being for crediting.

106. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes setting one or more rules for accounting a transaction debited from a transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

107. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes associating metadata with the transaction phrase token.

108. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein obtaining the phrase token includes transferring control of the transaction phrase token.

109. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes reporting one or more aspects of a transaction associated with the transaction phrase token.

110. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes designating an entity authorized to utilize the transaction phrase token.

111. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes designating expiration date for the transaction phrase token.

112. The method as recited in claim 100, wherein the set of configuration controls includes toggling an enablement control for the transaction phrase token.

113. A method for facilitating the processing of transactions comprising:

obtaining a request for a transaction from a transmitting party, wherein the request for completion of the transaction includes a representation of a transaction phrase token, wherein the transaction phrase token is associated with a transaction account, and wherein the transaction phrase token consists of a set of characters selected in their entirety by a transaction phrase token holder associated with a transaction phrase token assignment request; and

transmitting a request to a token processing service for completion of the transaction based upon a configuration of the at least one transaction phrase token.

114. The method as recited in claim 113 further comprising processing the request for the transaction from the transmitting party prior to transmitting the request to the token processing service.

115. The method as recited in claim 114, wherein processing the request for the transaction from the transmitting party includes obtaining additional information from the transmitting party.

116. The method as recited in claim 115, wherein the additional information corresponds to at least one of a personal identification number, password, and other security information.

117. The method as recited in claim 115, wherein the additional information corresponds to additional financial account information associated with the transmitting party.

118. The method as recited in claim 114, wherein processing the request for the transaction from the transmitting party includes determining whether the transaction phrase token provided by the transmitting party is similar to other transaction phrase tokens and obtaining a confirmation of the transaction phrase token from the transmitting party.

119. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the transmitting party corresponds to an entity controlling the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

120. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the transmitting party corresponds to a secondary entity designated by a primary entity controlling the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

121. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the request for a transaction from a transmitting party corresponds to a request for a credit to the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

122. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the request for a transaction from a transmitting party corresponds to a request for a debit of the transaction account associated with the transaction phrase token.

123. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein configuration of the transaction phrase token includes at least one of an acceptable transaction amount, an acceptable vendor, an acceptable transmitting party, a qualification level for a transaction, an expiration date, an acceptable agreed upon element, an unacceptable transaction amount, an unacceptable vendor, an unacceptable agreed upon element, and a required reputation score.

124. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the set of characters in their entirety have a secondary meaning to a transaction phrase token holder.

125. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the transaction phrase token is unambiguous among a class of transaction phrase tokens.

126. The method as recited in claim 113 further comprising obtaining a notification of the processing of the request by the token processing service.

127. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the notification of the processing of the request includes an acceptance of the transaction, the method further comprising transferring control of an agreed upon element to the transmitting party.

128. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein the notification of the processing of the request includes a rejection of the transaction, the method further comprising transmitting feedback to the token processing service regarding the rejection of the transaction.

129. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein obtaining a request for a transaction from a transmitting party includes obtaining a request for the transaction via a computing device communicating over a communication network.

130. The method as recited in claim 113, wherein obtaining a request for a transaction from a transmitting party includes obtaining a request for the transaction via a device configured to obtain transmitting party input.