Method and apparatus for impulse purchasing of packaged information services
First Claim
1. A method for providing packages of information services to consumer terminals via an information network on an impulse purchase basis, comprising the steps of:
- providing a consumer interface terminal coupled to said information network for allowing a consumer to individually purchase on impulse a plurality of said information services;
wherein said interface terminal further allows the consumer to purchase said plurality of services as a package which comprises selected ones of said information services, said package providing said selected services over a defined time period;
providing a cryptographic key which is associated with said selected information services; and
establishing a package record for access by said consumer terminal upon a purchase of said package;
wherein;
said package record includes at least a portion of a cryptographic package key; and
said package record provides access to said package services only during said defined time period and on a conditional basis according to at least a portion of said associated cryptographic key and said portion of said cryptographic package key.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Impulse purchasing is provided for packages of services offered to consumers via an information network. A plurality of services is offered for individual purchase on an impulse basis via a user terminal coupled to the information network. The plurality of services is offered for purchase as a package on terms that may be more favorable than when the services are purchased individually. Upon purchase of a package, a package record is established for access by the user terminal. The package record provides cryptographically secure access to services provided in the package during a defined time period over which the package is valid.
203 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for providing packages of information services to consumer terminals via an information network on an impulse purchase basis, comprising the steps of:
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providing a consumer interface terminal coupled to said information network for allowing a consumer to individually purchase on impulse a plurality of said information services; wherein said interface terminal further allows the consumer to purchase said plurality of services as a package which comprises selected ones of said information services, said package providing said selected services over a defined time period; providing a cryptographic key which is associated with said selected information services; and establishing a package record for access by said consumer terminal upon a purchase of said package;
wherein;said package record includes at least a portion of a cryptographic package key; and said package record provides access to said package services only during said defined time period and on a conditional basis according to at least a portion of said associated cryptographic key and said portion of said cryptographic package key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Receiver apparatus for allowing consumers to purchase individual information services or packages comprising selected ones of said services via an information network on an impulse basis, said selected services being associated with a cryptographic key, said apparatus comprising:
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interface means for allowing a consumer to purchase at least one of said individual services and said packages of services; means responsive to said interface means for opening a package record upon the purchase of one of said packages, said package record containing data that is unique to said purchased package; said package record including at least a portion of a cryptographic package key; and secure processor means responsive to (i) said interface means, (ii) said package record and (iii) access data communicated with said desired service, for providing access to services available via said purchased package only during a defined time period over which said package is valid and on a conditional basis according to at least a portion of said associated cryptographic key and said portion of said cryptographic package key. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification