APPARATUS, METHODS, AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE FOR VIRTUAL CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented e-commerce method comprising steps of:
- exchanging by a computerized trading system stored value of a consumer for virtual currency tokens;
receiving by the computerized trading system from a remote device an identification of one or more products for purchase by the consumer from a vendor in course of a transaction;
obtaining by the computerized trading system an exchange sate between a legal tender and the virtual currency tokens, the exchange rate being applicable to the transaction, the exchange rate being provided by the vendor or being based on information provided by the vendor;
computing cost f the transaction to the consumer in the virtual currency tokens based at least on price of each product of the one cart more products in the legal tender, and the exchange rate;
transmitting the cost of the transaction from the computerized trading system to the remote device;
receiving by the computerized trading system a notification of a commitment by the consumer to the transaction; and
crediting, an account of the vendor with the cost of the transaction less a fee based at least in part on an effective discount received by the consumer as a result of variation in the exchange rate, the step of crediting being performed in response to receiving by the computerized trading system of the notification of the commitment by the consumer to the transaction.
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Abstract
In selected embodiments, a computer system implements a virtual currency that can be purchased using a variety of ways, including cash and foreign exchange; wire and similar transfers; trade in of various rewards, airline miles, and unused gift cards; as well as in other ways. Vendors can provide effective discounts and incentives through real time setting of exchange rates between the virtual currency and an existing currency such as legal tender (e.g., dollars), for using the virtual currencies in their stores. The incentive, the fee of the operator of the system, and additional available discounts/coupons may be provided at the point-of-sale.
56 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented e-commerce method comprising steps of:
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exchanging by a computerized trading system stored value of a consumer for virtual currency tokens; receiving by the computerized trading system from a remote device an identification of one or more products for purchase by the consumer from a vendor in course of a transaction; obtaining by the computerized trading system an exchange sate between a legal tender and the virtual currency tokens, the exchange rate being applicable to the transaction, the exchange rate being provided by the vendor or being based on information provided by the vendor; computing cost f the transaction to the consumer in the virtual currency tokens based at least on price of each product of the one cart more products in the legal tender, and the exchange rate; transmitting the cost of the transaction from the computerized trading system to the remote device; receiving by the computerized trading system a notification of a commitment by the consumer to the transaction; and crediting, an account of the vendor with the cost of the transaction less a fee based at least in part on an effective discount received by the consumer as a result of variation in the exchange rate, the step of crediting being performed in response to receiving by the computerized trading system of the notification of the commitment by the consumer to the transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computerized trading system, comprising:
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at least one processor; one or more memory devices coupled to the at least one processor; one or more storage devices coupled to the at least one processor; one or more network interfaces coupling the at least one processor to at least one network; wherein the one or more memory devices store machine-readable program code, and when the at least one processor executes the program code, the at least one processor configures the computerized trading system to; exchange stored value of a consumer for virtual currency tokens; receive from a remote device an identification of one or more products for purchase by the consumer from a vendor in course of a transaction; obtain an exchange rate between a legal tender and the virtual currency tokens, the exchange rate being applicable to the transaction, the exchange rate being provided by the vendor or being based on information provided by the vendor; compute cost of the transaction to the consumer in the virtual currency tokens based at least on price of each product of the one or more products in the legal tender, and the exchange rate; transmit the cost of the transaction to the remote device; receive from a computer system of the vendor or from the remote device a notification of a commitment by the consumer to the transaction; and credit an account of the vendor with the cost of the transaction less a fee based at least in part on an effective discount received by the consumer as a result of variation in the exchange rate, in response to receiving by the computerized trading system of the notification of the commitment by the consumer to the transaction.
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22. An article of manufacture comprising one or more machine-readable storage devices storing machine-readable computer code in a non-transitory manner, wherein the code comprises step of:
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exchanging by a computerized trading system stored value of a consumer for virtual currency tokens; receiving by the computerized trading system from a remote device an identification of one or more products for purchase by the consumer from a vendor in course o a transaction; obtaining by the computerized trading system an exchange rate between a legal tender and the virtual currency tokens, the exchange rate being applicable to the transaction, the exchange rate being provided by the vendor or being based on information provided by the vendor; computing cost of the transaction to the consumer in the virtual currency tokens based at least on price of each product of the one or more products in the legal tender, and the exchange rate; transmitting the cost of the transaction from the computerized trading system to the remote device; receiving by the computerized trading system from a computer system of the vendor or from the remote device a notification of a commitment by the consumer to the transaction; and crediting an account of the vendor with the cost of the transaction less a fee based at least in part on an effective discount received by the consumer as a result of variation in the exchange rate, the step of crediting being performed in response to receiving by the computerized trading system of the notification of the commitment by the consumer to the transaction.
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Specification