Method and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for conducting electronic commerce comprising:
- providing a first web server at a first vendor that accepts electronic tokens of a first type;
providing a second web server at a second vendor that accepts electronic tokens of a second type;
providing a mall service provider server that communicates with the first web server and the second web server to facilitate electronic commerce therebetween;
issuing a plurality of electronic tokens of the first type from the mall service provider server to the first web server, the electronic tokens adapted for use in electronic transactions for purchase or rental of products or services from the first web server or the second web server;
issuing a subset of the plurality of tokens of the first type to a user;
maintaining a first database in the mall service provider server, the first database including account information for the first web server; and
for electronic transactions conducted at the second web server of the second vendor using electronic tokens of the first type to purchase products or services, transferring compensation from the first web server to the second web server of the second vendor in an amount equal to the value of the electronic tokens of the second type.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce using electronic tokens are described. The electronic tokens are issued and maintained by a vendor, who also provides products and services that can be purchased or rented using the electronic tokens. The electronic tokens may be purchased from the vendor either on-line, using a credit card, or off-line, using a check, money order, purchase order, or other payment means. Because the vendor is the issuer of the electronic tokens, there is no need for transactions to be handled by a third party, such as a bank or other organization. This reduces the overhead involved in conducting electronic commerce, and provides the vendor with a greater amount of control. Additionally, the vendor maintains total control over the price of the electronic tokens at any time. For vendors who offer software products for sale or rental, use of electronic tokens makes a variety of rental arrangements practical. Additionally, a user registers and purchases electronic tokens at the vendor. The user may purchase products at any other vendors who conduct electronic commerce using electronic tokens.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for conducting electronic commerce comprising:
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providing a first web server at a first vendor that accepts electronic tokens of a first type; providing a second web server at a second vendor that accepts electronic tokens of a second type; providing a mall service provider server that communicates with the first web server and the second web server to facilitate electronic commerce therebetween; issuing a plurality of electronic tokens of the first type from the mall service provider server to the first web server, the electronic tokens adapted for use in electronic transactions for purchase or rental of products or services from the first web server or the second web server; issuing a subset of the plurality of tokens of the first type to a user; maintaining a first database in the mall service provider server, the first database including account information for the first web server; and for electronic transactions conducted at the second web server of the second vendor using electronic tokens of the first type to purchase products or services, transferring compensation from the first web server to the second web server of the second vendor in an amount equal to the value of the electronic tokens of the second type. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A server operated by a mall service provider comprising:
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a network interface through which the server communicates a first web server of a first vendor and a second web server of a second vendor, wherein the first web server accepts electronic tokens of a first type and the second web server accepts electronic tokens of a second type; a database; a memory; a processor that executes software stored in the memory, the software including one or more programmed routines, the programmed routines comprising; a routine for issuing a plurality of electronic tokens of a first type from the mall service provider server to the first web server, the electronic tokens adapted for use in electronic transactions for purchase or rental of products or services from the first web server or the second web server; a routine for issuing a subset of the plurality of tokens of the first type to a user; a first database routine for updating records relating to the electronic tokens issued to the first web server; and a routine for transferring compensation from the first web server to the second web server of the second vendor in an amount equal to the value of the electronic tokens of the second type, for electronic transactions conducted at the second web server of the second vendor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification