Methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task

• US 7,774,240 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Delamater, Elizabeth, Walker, Jay S., Kobayashi, Michiko, Allison, Scott B., Palmer, Timothy A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Golden, Andrew P., Jorasch, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Airapetian, Mila
• Application Number:
  US11/927,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20080052106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions

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.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing 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;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the transaction comprises a sale by the customer of at least one of;

(i) an item;

(ii) a product; and

(iii) a service.

2. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing 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;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the security deposit comprises an item owned by the customer.

3. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing 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;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the security deposit comprises an interest a customer has in an item.

4. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing 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;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the security deposit comprises a right the customer has to receive a payment.

5. A method, comprising:

determining, via a processing device, a transaction associated with a customer;

displaying, via a touch screen interface, a menu listing a plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction, wherein each of the plurality of benefits is associated with a requirement that the customer perform a task subsequent to application of the benefit;

receiving, from the customer, an indication of a selection of one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits;

arranging for the customer to provide payment of a security deposit;

applying, via a processing device, after the receiving, the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits to the transaction; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the transaction comprises a purchase, by the customer, of a first item offered for sale for a first price, from a first merchant.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits comprises one or more of:

(i) a subsidy that allows the customer to purchase the first item for a second price that is less than the first price;

(ii) a supplemental item provided to the customer;

(iii) a substitute item associated with a third price that is higher than the first price;

(iv) an amount of alternate currency;

(v) an amount of frequent flyer miles;

(v) an improved term associated with the transaction;

(vi) an increase in a bid amount; and

(vii) an increase in a probability of the customer receiving the first item.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the task associated with the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits comprises one or more of:

(i) a requirement that the customer test drive an automobile;

(ii) a requirement that the customer apply for a service;

(iii) a requirement that the customer purchase one or more supplemental items;

(iv) a requirement that the customer exchange a used item;

(v) a requirement that the customer visit a second merchant that is different than the first merchant;

(vi) a requirement that the customer agree to receive information;

(vii) a requirement that the customer dial a telephone number;

(viii) a requirement that the customer access a web page; and

(ix) a requirement that the customer provide certain information.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on the first price.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on a category associated with the first item.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on a current customer acquisition rate associated with the first merchant.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on a time of day.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining the task associated with the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the task is based at least in part on the first price.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the task is based at least in part on a category associated with the first item.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the task is based at least in part on a current customer acquisition rate associated with the first merchant.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the task is based at least in part on a time of day.

18. The method of claim 5, wherein the indication is received from a device associated with the customer.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the customer device comprises a mobile terminal.