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Wireless network access prepayment systems and methods

  • US 8,700,479 B2
  • Filed: 02/23/2011
  • Issued: 04/15/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of providing network access, the method comprising:

  • entering, at a host computer system, network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location, the information relating to a request from a customer to obtain network access, wherein the network access comprises providing access by a device of the customer to an access point which provides the device with Internet access;

    causing, by the host computer system, the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device;

    receiving, at the host computer system, a payment from the customer for the network access to the access point;

    receiving, at the host computer system, activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device;

    in response to receiving the activation confirmation, providing, by the host computer system, a presentation instrument to the customer, wherein the presentation instrument is used by the customer to obtain the network access for the device of the customer, wherein the presentation instrument is funded by the payment from the customer; and

    using, at the host computer system, the presentation instrument by the customer to obtain the network access to the access point and connect to the Internet, wherein the presentation instrument funding is used to fund the network access.

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