Systems and methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:
- arranging, by a merchant, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the benefit comprising a subsidy and the task being associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant, and wherein the benefit is applied to the transaction before performance of the task by the customer;
arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and
returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance task.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. It is arranged for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of the task by the customer. It is also arranged for the customer to provide a security deposit. Based on the performance of the task by the customer, it is arranged for the security deposit to be returned to the customer.
110 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:
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arranging, by a merchant, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the benefit comprising a subsidy and the task being associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant, and wherein the benefit is applied to the transaction before performance of the task by the customer; arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance task. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:
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a processor; and a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to; arrange for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, wherein the benefit does not comprise a product and the task being associated with a party other than the merchant, and the benefit to be applied to the transaction before performance of the task by the customer; arrange for the customer to provide a security deposit; and returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance task. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method for facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, said method comprising:
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arranging, via a computing device, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant and wherein the task does not comprise a return of a product, and the benefit to be applied to the transaction before performance of the task by the customer; arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance task.
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32. A method comprising:
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receiving an indication a customer is interested in purchasing an item from a merchant; based on the received indication, transmitting to the customer via a processing device an offer to apply a benefit, provided by a subsidy provider other than the merchant, to a purchase of the item in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer; receiving a payment identifier from the customer; arranging for the customer to provide payment of a security deposit using the payment identifier; before verifying performance of the task by the customer, applying the benefit to the purchase; verifying the performance of the task by the customer; and returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance task.
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33. A method comprising:
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receiving, from a customer, a security deposit to secure a benefit provided by a merchant, wherein the benefit comprises a monetary amount equivalent to the security deposit; after receiving the security deposit from the customer, providing the benefit to the customer in exchange for a task to be performed by the customer after the customer receives the benefit, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant; after providing the benefit to the customer, receiving, via a processing device, information indicating that the customer has performed the task; and after receiving the information, returning the security deposit to the customer.
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34. A computer readable medium storing instructions for facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, the instructions configured to direct a processor to:
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receive an indication a customer is interested in purchasing an item from a merchant; based on the received indication, transmit to the customer via a processing device an offer to apply a benefit, provided by a subsidy provider other than the merchant, to a purchase of the item in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer; receive a payment identifier from the customer; arrange for the customer to provide payment of a security deposit using the payment identifier; before verifying performance of the task by the customer, apply the benefit to the purchase; verify the performance of the task by the customer; and return the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task.
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35. An apparatus for facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:
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a processor; and a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to; receive an indication a customer is interested in purchasing an item from a merchant; based on the received indication, transmit to the customer via a processing device an offer to apply a benefit, provided by a subsidy provider other than the merchant, to a purchase of the item in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer; receive a payment identifier from the customer; arrange for the customer to provide payment of a security deposit using the payment identifier; before verifying performance of the task by the customer, apply the benefit to the purchase; verify the performance of the task by the customer; and return the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task.
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36. A computer readable medium storing instructions for facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, the instructions configured to direct a processor to:
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receive, from a customer, a security deposit to secure a benefit provided by a merchant, wherein the benefit comprises a monetary amount equivalent to the security deposit; after receiving the security deposit from the customer, provide the benefit to the customer in exchange for a task to be performed by the customer after the customer receives the benefit, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant; after providing the benefit to the customer, receive, via a processing device, information indicating that the customer has performed the task; and after receiving the information, return the security deposit to the customer.
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37. An apparatus for facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:
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a processor; and a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to; receive, from a customer, a security deposit to secure a benefit provided by a merchant, wherein the benefit comprises a monetary amount equivalent to the security deposit; after receiving the security deposit from the customer, provide the benefit to the customer in exchange for a task to be performed by the customer after the customer receives the benefit, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant; after providing the benefit to the customer, receive, via a processing device, information indicating that the customer has performed the task; and after receiving the information, return the security deposit to the customer.
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Specification