Payments using pre-paid accounts
US8100332B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/06
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for payments using pre-paid accounts. Embodiments of the invention provide a single, universal payment method that cannot be physically stolen, that minimizes the risk of information theft, and which can be used to make both small and large payments. The universal payment method is more convenient, more efficient, and less expensive to use because it requires no exchange mechanism from one payment form to another. In addition, to the extent that prior-to-payment funds are controlled by the businesses to whom payment is to be made, the buying power is increased.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.