Wireless network access prepayment systems and methods
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of providing network access, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for providing network access, the system comprising:
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a computer processor; and a memory device in communication with the computer processor having sets of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the computer processor, cause the computer processor to; enter 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; cause the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device; receive a payment from the customer for the network access to the access point; receive activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device; in response to receiving the activation confirmation, provide 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 use 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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14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for providing network access having sets of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
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enter 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; cause the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device; receive a payment from the customer for the network access to the access point; receive activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device; in response to receiving the activation confirmation, provide 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 use 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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Specification