System and method for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer

US6988658B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. · US

Inventor

• Gerald W. Smith · Clayton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2003
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2006
• Expiry date: May 16, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/387
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer includes a consumer interface and a settlement administrator. The consumer interface is configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer, and the settlement administrator is configured to receive the consumer identity signal and to receive an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer. The settlement administrator is further configured to facilitate one or more payments between an account of the merchant and an account of the consumer upon receipt of the consumer identity signal and the amount owing signal. In addition, the system may include an incentive administrator configured to emit an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer. The incentive administrator may be configured to receive the consumer identity signal so that the incentive offer may be based at least in part on the consumer identity signal.