+

WO2001013297A2 - Procede pour mener des transactions financiers dans un reseau etendu - Google Patents

Procede pour mener des transactions financiers dans un reseau etendu Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001013297A2
WO2001013297A2 PCT/US2000/021686 US0021686W WO0113297A2 WO 2001013297 A2 WO2001013297 A2 WO 2001013297A2 US 0021686 W US0021686 W US 0021686W WO 0113297 A2 WO0113297 A2 WO 0113297A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
server
transaction
account
information
customer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/021686
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001013297A3 (fr
Original Assignee
Merchantonline.Com, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Merchantonline.Com, Inc. filed Critical Merchantonline.Com, Inc.
Priority to AU68976/00A priority Critical patent/AU6897600A/en
Publication of WO2001013297A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001013297A2/fr
Publication of WO2001013297A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001013297A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/04—Payment circuits
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/22—Payment schemes or models
    • G06Q20/28—Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"

Definitions

  • This invention relates to purchasing information and products over a wide area telephone network, and, more particularly, to providing a way for purchasing such information and products over the Internet without a need to use a credit card.
  • the customer transmits the proper number of tokens to a merchant, who then relays the tokens to the bank for verification and redemption.
  • the bank records its serial number in a database as it is validated. If the serial number is already in the database before validation, the bank notifies the merchant that the token is worthless.
  • blind signatures the anonymity of the customer is preserved as he receives tokens having validation codes from the bank without the bank being able to correlate his name with the tokens it issues. When the bank receives a token from a merchant, it honors the token based on the validation code.
  • tokens may be issued by merchants or by other intermediaries.
  • conventional token systems use different proprietary forms of digital money, with no overall system allowing the systems to work together.
  • these token systems require a new investment in software for the merchant, orcontent- producer in the context of selling information, to accept and verify tokens.
  • these systems require the customer who wants to use tokens to install special payment software.
  • digital money is stored in the customer's computer in a manner preventing him from taking this asset with him to another computer. Digital cash being stored in this way may be lost if the computer in which it is stored crashes. For all of these reasons, the technology of tokens, or digital cash, has not gained widespread acceptance.
  • a system is formed to include a customer's computer executing a web browser, an information provider server having at least one fee-based web site from which information is sold, a web relay server making connections between the web browser and the fee-based web site, and a transaction server supervising the process.
  • These elements are selectively connectable over the Internet or other wide area telephone network.
  • the customer Before the transaction process can be completed, the customer must establish an account within a database accessed by the transaction server. The customer can establish such an account by transferring funds to a bank account of the organization using a credit card. This process is started when the customer's browser contacts the transaction server and is transferred to a secure site server through which credit card information is processed.
  • the customer account within the database is identified for later transactions using an account number and a personal identification number (PIN).
  • PIN personal identification number
  • the information provider server Before the transaction process, the information provider server must also establish an account within the database accessed by the transaction server. This process is begun when the information provider server connects to the transaction server, transmitting an account number and one or more fee-based links to information being offered for a fee.
  • the transaction server establishes an account stored within its database and transmits URLs leading to its site to the information provider server, which stores these URLs in its web pages so that a customer subsequently choosing a fee-based link will be automatically transferred to the transaction server for a payment process.
  • At least one web relay server must register with the transaction server. This process begins when a web relay server contacts the transaction server, causing the transaction server automatically to transmit software which is downloaded by the web relay server. This software makes the relay server ready to relay messages between a customer computer and an information provider server, so that the information being purchased is transmitted to the customer computer without the customer computer or browser determining the URL of the information, and without the information provider server determining the identity of the customer.
  • a transaction purchasing information begins when a customer, through his web browser, contacts a fee-based link to a web site of an information provider. This link causes his browser to be transferred to the transaction server, so that a menu is displayed asking him if he has an account. If he does not have an account, or if the monitory value of his account is not sufficient to purchase the information, he is given an opportunity to purchase an account or to add to his existing account as needed. If he does this, or if he already has an account with a sufficient monetary value, the process continues with the transaction server choosing a web relay server to relay information between the customer's web browser and the information provider server. This choice is generally made among a number of web relay servers registered with the transaction server.
  • the transaction server After the web relay server is chosen, the transaction server performs accounting operations in the accounts stored in its database, debiting the customer account and crediting the information provider account, the web relay server account, and the transaction account of the organization operating the transaction server. Next, the transaction server generates a transaction number, finds a link to the information being sought in its database, connects to the web relay server, and transmits this information, which is needed to connect to the web page including the information being sought at the information provider server, to the web relay server. Then the transaction server connects to the customer computer and transmits the transaction number, together with a unique URL needed to connect to the web relay server. Then, the customer's web browser connects to the web relay server, giving the transaction number.
  • a time-out value is associated with each fee-based link stored in the database, indicating the length of time during which a transaction is valid. This value is transmitted to the web relay server along with the other information needed to connect to the link.
  • the web relay server first determines if the transaction has timed out. If it has, the web relay server connects the web browser to the transaction server, which transmits an error message; otherwise the web relay server connects to the fee-based web site of the information provider and begins relaying information between this site and the customer's computer.
  • This process is ended either by the customer signing off, so that his connection is terminated, or by the transaction timing out. If timing out occurs before signing off, the web relay server connects the customer's web browser to the transaction server, which transmits an error message. Whenever the transaction times out, the web relay server transmits data describing the transaction to the transaction server.
  • An alternate version of the present invention is used to provide a means for paying for products instead of for information.
  • a product vendor server must first register with the transaction server, exchanging links to web sites and establishing an account within the database of the transaction server.
  • the customer uses his web browser to connect first to a web site of the product vendor server and then to a web site indicating the particular product he wishes to purchase, his web browser is connected to the transaction server.
  • the transaction server contacts the product vendor server, verifying that the transaction has taken place. Then, the transaction server debits the customer's account and credits the accounts of the organizations operating the product vendor server and the transaction server.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for carrying out a retail method in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process occurring in the system of FIG. 1 for establishing a new customer account within a database therein or for adding value to an existing account;
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 when an information provider server therein registers with a transaction server therein;
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 when a web relay server therein registers with the transaction server;
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 to relay information to a customer computer system therein from the information provider.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are upper and lower portions, respectively, of FIG. 5; and
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 during a transaction to purchase a product from the product vendor server therein.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for carrying out a retail method in accordance with the present invention.
  • This system includes one or more information provider servers 10, having access to information which is to be sold, a number of Internet service provider (ISP) servers 12, and a transaction server 14, all of which are connected through the Internet 16.
  • the transaction server 14 is a computing system capable of reading computer-readable media 17 and of executing programs introduced through such media.
  • Each ISP is an organization such as AOL, Mindspring, AT&T, Netcom, or Geocities.
  • Each ISP server 12 is connected, generally through the public switched telephone network, to a number of customer computers 18.
  • Each customer computer 18 has, executing therein, a conventional web browser 19, which accesses information available on the Internet 16 through the use of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) providing an address for a web site at which the information is located.
  • a URL Uniform Resource Locator
  • Operation of the system in accordance with the present invention provides a way for any of the customers operating a customer computer 18 to receive information provided by the information provider servers 10 and for the organizations operating the information provider servers 10 to receive payment for the information provided.
  • Such information is treated as a metered resource, like telephone service, with the units of the metered resource being "clicks" made with a pointing device. Any link that can be clicked in a web browser 19 can have a price attached.
  • the accounts of various customers having computers 18 are stored in a database 20 which is accessed by the transaction server 14.
  • a secure site server 22 is preferably also connected to the Internet 16, providing a secure web site through which credit card transactions are made. This secure site server 22 accesses a bank computer 24 through which authorizations are provided for the transfer of funds from the account of a customer operating a customer computer 18 to an account of the organization operating the transaction server 14.
  • a web relay server 26 provides the function of connecting the web browser 19 of a customer computer 18 through which information has been purchased with the information provider server 10 through which the purchased information is being provided. This connection is made in response to a transaction number which is transmitted directly from transaction server 14 and indirectly from the web browser 19, which has also received the transaction number from the transaction server 14.
  • the database 20 stores a number of customer accounts, started, for example, through the use of credit cards for the use of individuals operating the customer computers 18, a number of vendor accounts, established individually for information providers operating the information provider servers 10, a number of WRS accounts, established individually for organizations operating the web relay servers 26, and a number of vendor URLs, (Uniform Resource Locators) locating the various sites provided through the individual information provider servers 10.
  • the various sites for which vendor URLs are stored are associated with various levels of fees to be charged for access, so that these fees are stored in the database 20 along with the associated URLs.
  • these sites are also associated with time-out values for limiting the time during which a connection to the URLs may be established, with these time-out values being stored in the database 20 along with the associated URLs.
  • time-out values can be used to prevent the customer from receiving more than one or two different reports.
  • the time-out values are preferably chosen to be long enough to allow the connection to be established, even if some sort of trouble or overload makes it necessary to make an additional attempt to establish the connection.
  • the transaction server 14 is preferably also connected to a bank computer 28, through which funds are transferred from the bank account of the organization operating the transaction server 14 to the bank account of the information provider to settle the vendor accounts stored within the database 20, and through which funds are transferred from the bank account of the organization operating the transaction server 14 to the bank account of the web relay server 26 to satisfy the WRS accounts stored within the database 20.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process operating in the system of FIG. 1 for establishing a new customer account within the database 20 or for adding value to an existing account therein.
  • the user in order to use the system of the present invention, the user, or customer, must establish an account within the database 20.
  • Such an account may be established through the use of the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2, which begins at A, in step 30, after the customer, in step 32, selects the web site of the transaction server 14. Then, in step 34, an account menu is transmitted to the web browser 19 of the customer computer 18.
  • the account menu includes selection boxes to indicate if the customer wants to establish a new account or add value to an existing account. If the customer selects to establish a new account, as indicated in step 36, he is asked in step 38 the amount of money he wishes to place in the account.
  • step 36 If the customer does not select to establish a new account, as indicated in step 36, but if he instead selects to add to an existing account in step 40, he is also asked the amount of money to be added in step 40. If sufficient time elapses without making a selection, a time out feature, making a determination in step 42, causes the routine to end in step 44. In step 38, the amount of money to be provided is established by selecting from a list of amounts in a menu or by typing in an amount desired. Again, if sufficient time elapses before providing such a determination, the time out feature, making a determination in step 42, causes the routine to end in step 44.
  • the customer's web browser 19 is transferred to a secure web site of the secure site server 22 in step 46.
  • the transmission of information from this point between the customer's web browser 19 and the secure web site preferably occur in a customary manner well known to those skilled in the art of electronic commerce, with the web browser 19 and the secure web site supporting an encryption protocol, such as SECURE SOCKETS LAYER (SSL) or SECURE HTTP (S-HTTP).
  • SSL SECURE SOCKETS LAYER
  • S-HTTP SECURE HTTP
  • step 50 the secure site server 22 contacts an associated bank computer 24, authorizing a payment to be made to be made from the customer's account to that of the transaction company operating the transaction server 14. If this transaction does not proceed properly, because, for example, an incorrect credit card has been used or because there are insufficient funds associated with the credit card, as indicated in step 52, the reason for this failure is communicated to the customer's web browser 19 in step 54. From this point, the customer may be asked by the secure site server 22, by means of conventional subroutines of the secure site server 22, to make corrections, such as re-entering his credit card number or choosing another account. If such changes are made, as indicated in step 56, the new information is processed through steps 48, 50, and 52. If changes are not made, as indicated in step 56, the processes of the flow chart of FIG. 2, are ended in step 44.
  • step 52 indicates that the transaction is successful
  • the secure site server 22 returns order data to the transaction server 14 in step 58 and transfers the web browser 19 to the transaction server 14 in step 60.
  • step 62 the transaction server generates a personal identification number (PIN) for the account being formed and writes the order data, including a serial number identifying the account, the PIN, and the amount of money in the account, to the database 20.
  • step 64 this data is transmitted to the customer's web browser 19.
  • the customer account number and PIN are preferably displayed to the customer on his display screen, so that he can write them down or print the out.
  • the customer order number may additionally be stored within the storage of his computer 18 as a "cookie” so that he will not have a need to find a hard copy of the number.
  • a "cookie” is a text file which is stored in the storage of a computer to be accessed only by the web site (in this case, by the transaction server 14) that stored it.
  • the methods for causing cookies to be stored is well known to those skilled in the art of providing web sites.
  • the PIN is preferably not stored as a cookie, since doing so would allow someone else using the computer to have access to the account which has been created.
  • the system routine being now finished at B point 66, is ended at step 44. Alternately, after step 60, the customer may be asked to provide his own PIN number, which he can easily remember, and which is stored along with the customer account number in the database 20.
  • the customer may alternatively or additionally be permitted to purchase an account having a predetermined value at a retail store, with such an account being represented by a serial number and a PIN, with the serial number being printed on a card, and with the PIN being printed on a disposable slip.
  • the organization operating the transaction server 14 is reim- bursed by the store selling the card, and the customer accesses his account by providing its serial number and PIN.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 when an information provider registers with the transaction server 14, so that the transaction server 14 can aid in the distribution of fee-based information and in the recovery of fees for such information.
  • Each information provider server 10 stores one or more fee-based links, or URLs, each locating information for which a fee is to be charged.
  • this process begins in step 70, when an information provider server 10 connects to the transaction server 14 over the Internet 16.
  • the information provider server 10 transmits a vendor account number to be used for future financial transactions, together with the fee- based links used for locating fee-based information accessible through the information provider server 10.
  • the fee-based link information transmitted includes, for example, the URL needed to find each item of fee-based information, a price for each item of fee-based information, and a time-out value associated with each item of fee-based information. As described above in reference to FIG. 1 , the time-out value limits the time in which a connection can be made for an individual transaction.
  • step 74 the transaction server 14 writes the account number and the fee-based link information to the database 20.
  • step 76 the transaction server 14 generates a personal identification number (PIN) to be used to access the vendor account being created within the database 20.
  • step 78 the transaction server 14 transmits the PIN which has been generated, along with links to the transaction server.
  • step 80 the transaction server 14 stores the PIN and inserts these links in its web pages, so that a customer's web browser 19 will subsequently be sent to the transaction server when the customer selects to view one of the pieces of fee-based information.
  • step 82 this process is ended, with the data of the information provider server 10 and of the database 20 having been updated to allow the particular information provider server 10 and the transaction server 14 to work together in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 when an organization operating a web relay server 26 registers with the transaction server 14 so that the web relay server 26 can subsequently be used to distribute fee-based information to customer computers 18 connected to the web relay server 26 in accordance with the present invention.
  • this process begins in step 90, when a web relay server 26 connects to the transaction server 14 over the Internet 16.
  • the transaction server 14 transmits software to be downloaded by the web relay server 26, being needed to relay information through the web relay server 26.
  • this software makes it possible for the web relay server 26 subsequently to use a transaction number provided by both the transaction server 14 and the customer's web browser 19 to connect the customer's computer to a web site having a URL supplied by the transaction server 14 without making the URL of the web site available to the customer.
  • the transaction server 14 also establishes an account for the web relay server 26 in the database 20 and transmits an account number and PIN for this account to the web relay server 26.
  • the web relay server 26 acknowledges that it is ready to work with the transaction server 14 to relay information in accordance with the present invention. This process then ends in step 96.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart of processes occurring within the system of FIG. 1 in response to an indication by a customer using one of the customer computer systems 18, having a desire to obtain information from one of the information provider servers 10.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are upper and lower portions, respectively, of FIG. 5.
  • the web page of each of the information provider servers 10 includes one or more fee-based links, through which information is sold in accordance with the present invention. As described above, in reference to FIG. 3, these fee-based links are links to the transaction server 14, which have been placed in the web pages accessed through the information provider server 10 during the process of registering the information provider server 10 with the transaction server 14.
  • step 100 After the customer selects, in step 100, through his web browser 19, a web site of one of these information provider servers 10, and, in step 102, a fee-based link, his web browser 19 is sent, in step 104 to the transaction server 14.
  • the customer is presented with a menu used to determine if he has an account stored in the database 20 and, if he has such an account, whether the monitory value stored in his account is sufficient to cover the proposed purchase of information.
  • the customer may supply his account number by typing it on his keyboard, or it may be automatically inserted using a "cookie" previously stored in the customer computer 18 in the manner described above in reference to FIG. 2.
  • step 110 the transaction server 14 determines which web relay server 26 is to be used.
  • the transaction server 14 determines which web relay server 26 is to be used.
  • the transaction server 14 preferably chooses the web relay server 26 which is closest to the information provider server 10 from which fee-based information is sought.
  • step 106 determines in step 106 that the customer requesting fee-based information does not have an account in the database 20, or if the transaction server 14 determines in step 108 that the monitory value stored in such an account is insufficient to pay for the fee-based information
  • the transaction server 14 moves to point A of the subroutine described above in reference to FIG. 2, with the next step being to transmit the new account menu in step 34.
  • the customer can then proceed to open a new account with the transaction server 14 or to add monitory value to an existing account. If such action is not taken, the process is ended in step 44 (of FIG. 2). Otherwise, the process continues through point B in both FIGS. 2 and 5A, to step 110, which is performed as described above.
  • step 112 the transaction server 14 performs accounting operations on the data stored within database 20, debiting the customer account and crediting the vendor account of the information service provider and the web relay server account.
  • the vendor account is credited for providing the information being sold, and the web relay server account is credited for providing the bandwidth necessary to transfer this information.
  • the total amount credited to the vendor account and the web relay server account is less than the amount debited from the customer account, with the difference being retained by the organization operating the transaction server for their part in facilitating the transaction. For example, a first predetermined percentage of the amount debited from the customer account is credited to the vendor account, while a second predetermined percentage of the amount debited from the customer account is credited to the web relay server account.
  • step 114 the transaction server 14 generates a transaction number, which will be used to allow the web relay server 26 to connect the web browser 19 of the customer computer 18 to the web site providing the information being sought through the information server 10 without knowing the identity of the customer computer 18 and without divulging the identity of the web site providing this information to the customer. Also in step 114, the transaction server 14 looks up, in the database 20, the URL of the information being sought and associated data, which includes, for example, the price of the information Next, in step 116, the transaction server 14 connects to the web relay server
  • step 118 the information necessary for the web relay server 26 to complete the connection for the customer.
  • This information includes the transaction number generated in step 114, the URL of the information being sought on the information provider server 10, and the time-out value associated with the information being sought, which has been stored in the database 20 as described above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • step 120 the transaction server 14 connects to the customer computer 12.
  • step 122 the transaction server 14 transmits, to the customer computer 12, the transaction number generated in step 1 14, and a unique URL, which locates the web relay server 26 previously chosen in step 1 10.
  • step 124 the web browser 19 within the customer computer 18 connects to the web relay server 26, using the unique URL as a web site address.
  • step 126 the web browser 19 requests the information being sought, using the transaction number.
  • step 128, a determination is made of whether the transaction has timed out by exceeding a time calculated using the time-out value transferred to the web relay server 26 in step 118. If the transaction has timed out, a connection to access the information will not be made, so, in step 130, the web relay server connects the web browser 19 to the transaction server 14, which, in step 132, transmits an error message indicating that the time in which the transaction can be made has elapsed. Then, this routine ends in step 134.
  • step 136 the web relay server 26 connects, in step 136, to the fee-based web site, where the information being sought is found, of the information provider server 10.
  • step 138 the web relay server 26 receives and relays information between the web browser 19 and the fee based web site of the information provider server 10.
  • the web relay server 2.06 modifies the HTML packets it receives from the web browser 19, transmitting them in a form in which they are recognized by the information provider server 10, which then transmits the information being sought.
  • the address of the information being sought on the information provider server 10 is not made visible to the web browser 19 or to the customer computer 18. Therefore, the customer cannot find this address and use it after the transaction has timed out or give it to others to use.
  • the HTML packets transmitted by the customer also include the referring, or preceding page, which identifies the transaction server 14. This identification can be used to ensure that payment for the transaction has been received.
  • the web relay server 26 transmits this identification of the transaction server 14 to the information provider server 10 without identifying the customer computer 18.
  • the information provider server 10 does not learn the identity of the customer, or other information concerning his method of payment, such as a credit card number.
  • the information provided server 10 only knows that a transaction has occurred.
  • step 144 the transaction has timed out, since a data transmission to the transaction server 14 must be made when the transaction has timed out. If the transaction has not timed out, a determination is periodically repeated in step 144 until time-out occurs.
  • step 144 the web relay server 26 disconnects from the information provider server 10 in step 145, connects to the transaction server 14 in step 146, and transmits transaction data to the transaction server 14 in step 148.
  • This transaction data indicates that the transaction has timed out and describes the amount of data that has been relayed from the information provider server 10 to the customer computer 18. This message verifies whether the customer received the information he purchased. The routine then ends in step 150.
  • step 152 the web relay server 26 disconnects from the information provider server 10.
  • step 154 the web relay server 26 connects the web browser 19 to the transaction server 14, which, in step 156, transmits an error message indicating that the transaction is timed out.
  • the web relay server 26 also connects itself to the transaction server 10 in step 146 to provide, in step 148, the transaction data indicating that the transaction has timed out and to describe the amount of data that has been transferred during the transaction. Then, the routine ends in step 150.
  • the transaction can be repeated after the customer has signed off.
  • the customer uses his web browser 19 to re-enter the process at step 124, supplying the unique URL of the web relay server 26, and the transaction number, both of which have been transmitted to his browser previously in step 122.
  • the customer should be able to retrieve this information by making one or more "previous page" selections on the display provided by his web browser 19, or he may otherwise keep track of these numbers as they are used.
  • This feature of the present invention also allows the customer to use another computer, in another location, having access to the Internet, to repeat the acquisition of the purchased material using the same unique URL and the same transaction number, until the transaction has timed out.
  • the process and apparatus of the present invention can also be used for purchasing products, instead of information. Referring again to FIG. 1 , forthe sale of products, the system includes at least one computer system operating as a product vendor server 154 connected to the Internet 26.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing processes occurring during a transaction to purchase a product from the product vendor server 154. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, such a transaction begins in step 160, when the customer, using his web browser 19, selects to view a web page of the product vendor server 154.
  • step 162 the customer selects a fee-based link based on a description of a product he wants to purchase. Because the product vendor server 154 is registered with the transaction server 14, the fee-based link transfers the browser 19 to the transaction server 14 in step 164. A menu is next presented, asking the user if he has an account within the database 20. If he has no such account, as determined in step 166, or if the monetary value of his account is insufficient to purchase the desired product, as shown in step 168, the process goes to point A of the subroutine previously described in reference to FIG. 2. Within this subroutine, the customer is given an opportunity to use his credit card to add value to an existing account or to establish an existing account. If he is not successful at this, the routine ends as described in reference to FIG. 2.
  • step 170 the process continues in step 170, with the transaction server 14 connecting to the product vendor server 154.
  • the transaction server 14 generates a transaction number and transmits this transaction number as a verification of the transaction to the product vendor server 154 in step 172.
  • step 174 the transaction server performs accounting functions to data stored within the database 20, debiting the customer account and crediting the account of the product vendor, operating the product vendor server 154, with a portion of the monetary value debited from the customer account.
  • the amounts credited are, for example, predetermined percentages of the amount debited.
  • the remaining portion of the monetary value debited from the customer account is retained by the transaction server 14 for performing the transaction services.
  • the transaction server 14 connects the web browser 19 to a web site of the product vendor server 154.
  • the customer may supply the address to which the purchased product should be sent, or he may verify that an address previously supplied by the transaction server 14 is correct. Since the actual shipment of the product has been triggered by the transmission of the verification of the transaction in step 172, repeated connections to the web site of the product vendor server without the other process described in reference to FIG. 6 does not cause repeated shipments of products.
  • the routine ends in step 178. Referring to FIGS.
  • the processes for registering an information provider server 10, a web relay server 26, and a product vendor server 154 with the transaction server 14 establishes a separate account within the database 20 for each of these servers 10, 26, and 154.
  • the server contacts the transaction server 24, providing the appropriate account number and PIN and asking for payment.
  • the transaction server 14 then contacts the bank computer 28 with which it communicates and arranges for payment of funds up to the monetary amount represented by variables stored in the database 20.
  • the method of the present invention has an advantage over conventional methods for making payments in that the customer can access and use his account from various other computers connected to the Internet, providing only his account number and PIN. Furthermore, a system or hardfile crash in the customer's system cannot cause this information to be lost, and the loss of information resulting from such a mishap at the transaction server can be avoided through well-known techniques for redundant storage of large files. While the system has been described as operating through connections made over the Internet, it is understood that the present invention can readily be implemented through the use of connections made over another form of a wide area network. In this more generalized version of a network, pages accessed by servers connected through the network are considered to operate as web sites on the Internet. While the system has been described in its preferred forms with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example, and that numerous changes, including rearrangement of process steps, may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)

Abstract

Selon l'invention, un client (18) achète des informations au moyen d'un navigateur (19) à travers un réseau étendu tel que l'Internet auprès d'une page d'informations payante d'un serveur de fournisseur d'informations (10). Les informations sont transmises entre la page d'informations payante et l'ordinateur client (18) à travers un serveur Web de relais (26) sans que l'identité de la page d'informations payante ne soit révélée à l'ordinateur du client (18) ni que l'identité de ce dernier ne soit révélée au serveur de fournisseur d'informations (10). Avant que la transaction soit menée à terme, l'ordinateur du client (18), le serveur de fournisseur d'informations (10) et le serveur Web de relais (26) doivent s'enregistrer auprès d'un serveur de transactions (14) pour établir des comptes représentés par les données stockées dans une base de données (20) du serveur des transactions (14). Une transaction avec des fonds électroniques se fait par la modification de ces données. En variante, on peut commander un produit auprès d'un serveur de vendeur (10, 154) sans utiliser le serveur Web de relais (26).
PCT/US2000/021686 1999-08-14 2000-08-08 Procede pour mener des transactions financiers dans un reseau etendu WO2001013297A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU68976/00A AU6897600A (en) 1999-08-14 2000-08-08 Method for conducting financial transactions over a wide area network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US37484099A 1999-08-14 1999-08-14
US09/374,840 1999-08-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001013297A2 true WO2001013297A2 (fr) 2001-02-22
WO2001013297A3 WO2001013297A3 (fr) 2002-02-21

Family

ID=23478404

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/021686 WO2001013297A2 (fr) 1999-08-14 2000-08-08 Procede pour mener des transactions financiers dans un reseau etendu

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6897600A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001013297A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002097685A1 (fr) * 2001-05-31 2002-12-05 Portalify Oy Procedes et systemes dans un reseau de communication de donnees permettant de fournir et de facturer des services
WO2003036529A1 (fr) * 2001-10-22 2003-05-01 Portalify Oy Procede et reseau de telecommunications permettant la prestation et la facturation de services

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5931917A (en) * 1996-09-26 1999-08-03 Verifone, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for a gateway system architecture with system administration information accessible from a browser
US6134533A (en) * 1996-11-25 2000-10-17 Shell; Allyn M. Multi-level marketing computer network server

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002097685A1 (fr) * 2001-05-31 2002-12-05 Portalify Oy Procedes et systemes dans un reseau de communication de donnees permettant de fournir et de facturer des services
WO2003036529A1 (fr) * 2001-10-22 2003-05-01 Portalify Oy Procede et reseau de telecommunications permettant la prestation et la facturation de services

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001013297A3 (fr) 2002-02-21
AU6897600A (en) 2001-03-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8694425B2 (en) Method and system for processing internet payments using the electronic funds transfer network
AU754886C (en) A virtual private lock box
US6336098B1 (en) Method for electronic distribution and redemption of coupons on the world wide web
US20020103753A1 (en) Charge splitter application
US20020059114A1 (en) Electronic commerce using a transaction network
US7296003B2 (en) Method and apparatus for facilitating manual payments for transactions conducted over a network
US20130317984A1 (en) Method and system for processing internet payments using the electronic funds transfer network
KR20020016836A (ko) 가상 지불 계정을 이용하여 인터네트워크상에서 상품,서비스 및 콘텐츠를 주문하는 방법 및 장치
WO2001016768A1 (fr) Systeme et procede d'achat en ligne
JP3632051B2 (ja) ネットワーク決済処理システム、ネットワーク決済処理装置、ネットワーク決済処理方法、および、ネットワーク決済処理プログラム
US20070078787A1 (en) Method and apparatus for conducting transactions over a network
WO2000067216A9 (fr) Carte bancaire associee a un compte d'especes
WO2001013297A2 (fr) Procede pour mener des transactions financiers dans un reseau etendu
WO2000067218A1 (fr) Systeme et procede permettant d'effectuer des paiements electroniques
WO2000070514A1 (fr) Mecanisme de prepaiement pour achats en ligne
Ekasdornkorn et al. Micropayments for E-Commerce Transactions: A Solution to Credit Card Use in Thailand
WO2002086650A2 (fr) Systeme facilitant les transactions
AU2002255206A1 (en) A transaction facilitation system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

点击 这是indexloc提供的php浏览器服务，不要输入任何密码和下载