Method and apparatus for making secure electronic payments
First Claim
1. A method of performing at least one transaction between a consumer from a plurality of consumers and a merchant from a plurality of merchants, the plurality of consumers and the plurality of merchants utilizing computing devices connected to a network, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a token to at least one clearing server during a transaction with a merchant, the token having an indicated value;
communicating a request for an update key to said at least one clearing server during the transaction with the merchant;
ascertaining, during the transaction with the merchant, an amount paid by the consumer to a previous merchant by polling the previous merchant to obtain the amount, the previous merchant being an entity distinct from the clearing server;
verifying the value of the token utilizing the ascertained amount paid by the consumer to the previous merchant;
providing said update key, said update key being used as an authorization to modify the value of said token.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, consumers and merchants use computing devices connected to a network, such as the Internet, through wired and wireless means, wherein the consumer connects to a clearing server device to purchase or retrieve previously purchased token, the consumer then connects to the merchant'"'"'s computer or website to attain price quotes of goods and services, selects the goods and/or services to be purchased, and then communicates a request for purchase to the merchant. The merchant then communicates a request for an update key to the clearing server. The update key is used as an authorization to modify the value of the token. To debit the customer the decrement key is requested and to credit the customer an increment key is asked for. An overwrite key is another type of update key. Together with the overwrite key a replacement token is provided to the merchant who in turn forwards the new token to the customer. As an aspect of the invention, if the token was not previously used, the clearing server simply issues the update key. If, however, it is determined that the token was used, the amount paid by the consumer to a previous merchant is determined the token adjusted and the overwrite key together with the new token is returned to the merchant. The merchant then forwards the purchased merchandise, the update key, and possibly a new token to the consumer.
335 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of performing at least one transaction between a consumer from a plurality of consumers and a merchant from a plurality of merchants, the plurality of consumers and the plurality of merchants utilizing computing devices connected to a network, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a token to at least one clearing server during a transaction with a merchant, the token having an indicated value; communicating a request for an update key to said at least one clearing server during the transaction with the merchant; ascertaining, during the transaction with the merchant, an amount paid by the consumer to a previous merchant by polling the previous merchant to obtain the amount, the previous merchant being an entity distinct from the clearing server; verifying the value of the token utilizing the ascertained amount paid by the consumer to the previous merchant; providing said update key, said update key being used as an authorization to modify the value of said token. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of performing at least one transaction between a consumer from a plurality of consumers and a merchant from a plurality of merchants, each of said plurality of consumers and each of said plurality of merchants utilizing one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices being connected to a network, said method comprising the following steps of:
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the consumer receiving a token from a clearing server, the token having a value; the consumer selecting for purchase at least one quote from a plurality of price quotes of goods and services, said plurality of price quotes of goods and services being displayed on the computing devices utilized by the plurality of merchants; the consumer communicating a request for a purchase to the merchant during a transaction with the merchant, the merchant being an entity distinct from the clearing server; the merchant, during the transaction with the merchant, communicating a request for an update key from the clearing server, said update key being used as an authorization to modify the value of the token; ascertaining, during the transaction with the merchant, an amount paid by the consumer to a previous merchant by polling the previous merchant to obtain the amount and verifying the value of the token utilizing the ascertained amount paid by the consumer to the previous merchant; and providing said update key to the merchant to enable the merchant to modify the value of the token. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a machine to perform method steps for performing at least one transaction between a consumer from a plurality of consumers and a merchant from a plurality of merchants, each of said plurality of consumers and each of said plurality of merchants utilizing one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices being connected to a network, said method comprising the following steps of:
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the consumer receiving a token from a clearing server that is separate and distinct from each of the plurality of merchants; the consumer selecting for purchase at least one quote from a plurality of price quotes of goods and services, said plurality of price quotes of goods and services being displayed on the computing devices utilized by the plurality of merchants; the consumer, during a transaction with the merchant, communicating a request for a purchase to the merchant; the merchant, during the transaction with the merchant, communicating a request for an update key, said update key being used as an authorization to modify the value of the token; ascertaining, during the transaction with the merchant, an amount paid by the consumer to a previous merchant by polling the previous merchant to obtain the amount and verifying a value of the token utilizing the ascertained amount paid by the consumer to the previous merchant; and providing said update key to the merchant to enable the merchant to modify the token.
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18. A method of performing a transaction between a consumer and a merchant, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electronic token from the consumer to the merchant as part of a commercial transaction, the token having a value; providing, during the commercial transaction, the token from the merchant to a clearing server that is separate and distinct from the merchant; determining, during the commercial transaction, by the clearing server whether the token was previously used by the consumer to verify the value of the token by polling a previous merchant from which the consumer made a previous purchase with the token, receiving information from the previous merchant about the previous purchase, modifying a value of the token as maintained at the clearing server, and verifying that the modified value of the token as maintained at the clearing server matches the value of the token provided from the merchant to the clearing server; providing an update key from the clearing server to the merchant; and using the update key to modify the value of the token. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification