VIRTUAL CURRENCY CONFIGURATION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS

• US 20120123924A1
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PlaySpan, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PlaySpan, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rose, Mark, Dutta, Rajiv, Bayer, Lex N.
• Application Number:
  US13/278,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20120123924A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/065 using e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/381 Currency conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/384 using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 : Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 : Social networking

Abstract

The VIRTUAL CURRENCY CONFIGURATION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“VCC”) transform requests for on-demand and flexible monetization and related services via VCC components into currency transfers, purchase receipt notifications, social networking communications and transaction analytics reports. In some embodiments, the VCC obtains a request to convert a sale price provided in a real currency into a sale price in a virtual currency. The VCC accesses a database to obtain at least one virtual currency management rule provided by a merchant. The VCC identifies one among the at least one obtained virtual currency management rule to apply for converting the sale price provided in the real currency into the sale price in the virtual currency, and calculates the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency using the identified virtual currency management rule. The VCC provides the calculated sale price in the virtual currency in response to the request.

Claims

1. A virtual currency configuration processor-implemented method, comprising:

obtaining a request to convert a sale price provided in a real currency into a sale price in a virtual currency;

accessing a database to obtain at least one virtual currency management rule provided by a merchant;

identifying one among the at least one obtained virtual currency management rule to apply for converting the sale price provided in the real currency into the sale price in the virtual currency;

calculating, via a processor, the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency using the identified virtual currency management rule; and

providing the calculated sale price in the virtual currency in response to the request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a discrete pricing rule that specifies a higher virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for larger amounts of the real currency.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the discrete pricing rule includes pre-specified minimum and maximum virtual currency sale price points, and discrete price points between the minimum and maximum virtual currency sale price points.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the price points are configurable by the merchant.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the discrete price points are optimized to maximize user purchasing behavior using analytics on prior user purchase transactions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a smart pricing rule that specifies that the calculated sale price in the virtual currency be rounded to at least one significant digit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the smart pricing rule specifies that the virtual-to-real currency exchange rate be rounded to at least one significant digit.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the smart pricing rule is configured to provide a rounded virtual currency sale price that maximizes user purchasing behavior.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the smart pricing rule is configured using analytics on prior user purchase transactions.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the virtual currency is rounded within pre-determined upper and lower bounds.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the sale price in the virtual currency is calculated from the sale price provided in the real currency using a plurality of virtual currency management rules.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a linear pricing rule that specifies a first constant virtual-to-real currency exchange rate up to a threshold sale price in the real currency, and a second constant virtual-to-real currency exchange rate above the threshold sale price in the real currency.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of virtual currency management rules includes a discrete pricing rule that specifies a higher virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for larger amounts of the real currency, and a smart pricing rule.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein a virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for calculating the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency depends on a payment mechanism.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein calculating the sale price in the virtual currency includes rounding both the sale price provided in the real currency and a virtual-to-real currency exchange rate.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the virtual-to-real currency exchange rate varies with a cost of the payment mechanism.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is obtained via an application programming interface call.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one virtual currency management rule can be modified by the merchant via a user interface.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the merchant can create a plurality of virtual currencies for purchases from the merchant, and specify rules for currency conversion between the plurality of virtual currencies, wherein the plurality of currency managent rules may be included in a virtual currency bundle, and wherein a discount level for any virtual currency bundle may vary based on a user-selected payment method and a device type from where the user procures the virtual currency bundle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the custom virtual currency is configured to be utilized only for user purchases from the merchant.

21. A virtual currency configuration system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor-executable instructions to;

obtain a request to convert a sale price provided in a real currency into a sale price in a virtual currency;

access a database to obtain at least one virtual currency management rule provided by a merchant;

identify one among the at least one obtained virtual currency management rule to apply for converting the sale price provided in the real currency into the sale price in the virtual currency;

calculate the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency using the identified virtual currency management rule; and

provide the calculated sale price in the virtual currency in response to the request.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a discrete pricing rule that specifies a higher virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for larger amounts of the real currency.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the discrete pricing rule includes pre-specified minimum and maximum virtual currency sale price points, and discrete price points between the minimum and maximum virtual currency sale price points.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the price points are configurable by the merchant.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the discrete price points are optimized to maximize user purchasing behavior using analytics on prior user purchase transactions.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a smart pricing rule that specifies that the calculated sale price in the virtual currency be rounded to at least one significant digit.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the smart pricing rule specifies that the virtual-to-real currency exchange rate be rounded to at least one significant digit.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the smart pricing rule is configured to provide a rounded virtual currency sale price that maximizes user purchasing behavior.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the smart pricing rule is configured using analytics on prior user purchase transactions.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the virtual currency is rounded within pre-determined upper and lower bounds.

31. The system of claim 21, wherein the sale price in the virtual currency is calculated from the sale price provided in the real currency using a plurality of virtual currency management rules.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a linear pricing rule that specifies a first constant virtual-to-real currency exchange rate up to a threshold sale price in the real currency, and a second constant virtual-to-real currency exchange rate above the threshold sale price in the real currency.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the plurality of virtual currency management rules includes a discrete pricing rule that specifies a higher virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for larger amounts of the real currency, and a smart pricing rule.

34. The system of claim 21, wherein a virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for calculating the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency depends on a payment mechanism.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein calculating the sale price in the virtual currency includes rounding both the sale price provided in the real currency and a virtual-to-real currency exchange rate

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the virtual-to-real currency exchange rate varies with a cost of the payment mechanism.

37. The system of claim 21, wherein the request is obtained via an application programming interface call.

38. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one virtual currency management rule can be modified by the merchant via a user interface.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the merchant can create a plurality of virtual currencies for purchases from the merchant, and specify rules for currency conversion between the plurality of virtual currencies, wherein the plurality of currency managent rules may be included in a virtual currency bundle, and wherein a discount level for any virtual currency bundle may vary based on a user-selected payment method and a device type from where the user procures the virtual currency bundle.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the custom virtual currency is configured to be utilized only for user purchases from the merchant.

41. A processor-readable tangible medium storing processor-executable virtual currency configuration instructions to:

obtain a request to convert a sale price provided in a real currency into a sale price in a virtual currency;

access a database to obtain at least one virtual currency management rule provided by a merchant;

identify one among the at least one obtained virtual currency management rule to apply for converting the sale price provided in the real currency into the sale price in the virtual currency;

calculate the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency using the identified virtual currency management rule; and

provide the calculated sale price in the virtual currency in response to the request.

42. The medium of claim 41, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a discrete pricing rule that specifies a higher virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for larger amounts of the real currency.

43. The medium of claim 42, wherein the discrete pricing rule includes pre-specified minimum and maximum virtual currency sale price points, and discrete price points between the minimum and maximum virtual currency sale price points.

44. The medium of claim 43, wherein the price points are configurable by the merchant.

45. The medium of claim 43, wherein the discrete price points are optimized to maximize user purchasing behavior using analytics on prior user purchase transactions.

46. The medium of claim 41, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a smart pricing rule that specifies that the calculated sale price in the virtual currency be rounded to at least one significant digit.

47. The medium of claim 46, wherein the smart pricing rule specifies that the virtual-to-real currency exchange rate be rounded to at least one significant digit.

48. The medium of claim 46, wherein the smart pricing rule is configured to provide a rounded virtual currency sale price that maximizes user purchasing behavior.

49. The medium of claim 48, wherein the smart pricing rule is configured using analytics on prior user purchase transactions.

50. The medium of claim 46, wherein the virtual currency is rounded within pre-determined upper and lower bounds.

51. The medium of claim 41, wherein the sale price in the virtual currency is calculated from the sale price provided in the real currency using a plurality of virtual currency management rules.

52. The medium of claim 41, wherein the identified virtual currency management rule includes a linear pricing rule that specifies a first constant virtual-to-real currency exchange rate up to a threshold sale price in the real currency, and a second constant virtual-to-real currency exchange rate above the threshold sale price in the real currency.

53. The medium of claim 51, wherein the plurality of virtual currency management rules includes a discrete pricing rule that specifies a higher virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for larger amounts of the real currency, and a smart pricing rule.

54. The medium of claim 41, wherein a virtual-to-real currency exchange rate for calculating the sale price in the virtual currency from the sale price provided in the real currency depends on a payment mechanism.

55. The medium of claim 54, wherein calculating the sale price in the virtual currency includes rounding both the sale price provided in the real currency and a virtual-to-real currency exchange rate.

56. The medium of claim 55, wherein the virtual-to-real currency exchange rate varies with a cost of the payment mechanism.

57. The medium of claim 41, wherein the request is obtained via an application programming interface call.

58. The medium of claim 41, wherein the at least one virtual currency management rule can be modified by the merchant via a user interface.

59. The medium of claim 58, wherein the merchant can create a plurality of virtual currencies for purchases from the merchant, and specify rules for currency conversion between the plurality of virtual currencies, wherein the plurality of currency managent rules may be included in a virtual currency bundle, and wherein a discount level for any virtual currency bundle may vary based on a user-selected payment method and a device type from where the user procures the virtual currency bundle.

60. The medium of claim 59, wherein the custom virtual currency is configured to be utilized only for user purchases from the merchant.