Method and system for in-line secondary transactions

• US 7,363,257 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Harding, Dennis H, Hook, Jerry P, Welsh, Daniel J., Roup, Oliver, De Bonte, Austina M., Kunz, Michael C, Valli, Aly, Makoski, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunham; Jason B.
• Application Number:
  US11/096,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

In-line secondary transaction is described. In an embodiment, an on-line shopping interface is displayed via which an item can be selected for purchase. When a selection is received to initiate a purchase of the item, a determination is made that a secondary transaction is needed to complete the purchase of the item. An in-line secondary transaction user interface is displayed over a portion of the on-line shopping interface to facilitate the secondary transaction where the in-line secondary transaction user interface is displayed to maintain a context of the purchase on the on-line shopping interface. An input of transaction information is received via the in-line secondary transaction user interface to complete the secondary transaction such that the purchase of the item can be completed via the on-line shopping interface.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

displaying an on-line shopping interface via which an item can be selected for purchase;

receiving a premium SMS (Short Message Service) billing code from a mobile phone to purchase points that can be applied to purchase the item, the purchase of the points being charged to a phone bill corresponding to the mobile phone;

determining that a secondary transaction is needed to complete a purchase of the item when a selection to initiate the purchase is received;

displaying an in-line user interface over a portion of the on-line shopping interface to facilitate the secondary transaction, the in-line user interface being displayed such that the item selected for purchase remains viewable on the on-line shopping interface during the secondary transaction;

receiving an input to apply the points via the in-line user interface to complete the secondary transaction such that the purchase of the item can be completed via the on-line shopping interface;

returning a focus of the purchase to the on-line shopping interface;

updating an account status displayed on the on-line shopping interface when receiving the input via the in-line user interface; and

completing the purchase of the item via the on-line shopping interface.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving the input includes adding credits to a purchase account via the in-line user interface such that the purchase of the item can be completed with the credits.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving the input includes applying the points to a purchase account via the in-line user interface.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving the input includes receiving billing information associated with a consumer to complete the purchase of the item.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving the input includes receiving secondary transaction information associated with a consumer to complete the purchase of the item.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising generating a purchase account based on the input via the in-line user interface to complete the secondary transaction.

7. A transaction system, comprising:

a primary display of an on-line shopping interface via which a selection to initiate a purchase of an item can be received;

a processor capable of processing computer executable instructions stored on computer readable media configured to implement a transaction application, the transaction application configured to;

receive a premium SMS (Short Message Service) billing code from a mobile phone to purchase points that can be applied to purchase the item, the purchase of the points being charged to a phone bill corresponding to the mobile phone;

determine that transaction information is needed to complete the purchase of the item;

initiate a display of an in-line secondary transaction user interface over a portion of the on-line shopping interface to facilitate obtaining the transaction information while the item selected for purchase remains viewable on the on-line shopping interface display;

receive the points as part of the transaction information via the in-line secondary transaction user interface such that the purchase of the item can then be completed via the on-line shopping interface;

return a focus of the purchase to the on-line shopping interface; and

initiate an update to an account status displayed on the on-line shopping interface when the transaction information is received to facilitate completing the purchase of the item via the on-line shopping interface.

8. A transaction system as recited in claim 7, wherein the transaction application is further configured to receive the transaction information as credits and apply the credits to a purchase account such that the purchase of the item can be completed with the credits.

9. A transaction system as recited in claim 7, wherein the transaction application is further configured to receive the points as the transaction information which can be added to a purchase account.

10. A transaction system as recited in claim 7, wherein the transaction application is further configured to receive the transaction information as billing information to complete the purchase of the item.

11. A transaction system as recited in claim 7, wherein the transaction application is further configured to receive the transaction information as consumer associated purchase information to complete the purchase of the item.

12. A transaction system as recited in claim 7, wherein the account status is updated when the transaction information is received via the in-line secondary transaction user interface.

13. A transaction system as recited in claim 7, wherein the transaction application is further configured to generate a purchase account based on the transaction information received via the in-line secondary transaction user interface.