Micro-payment system architecture

US8108306B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Google LLC · US

Inventors

• Thomas Alan Nielsen · Newark, US
• John Dominick Piscitello · San Francisco, US
• Arturo Crespo · Sunnyvale, US
• Louis Vincent Perrochon · Mountain View, US
• Benjamin Ling · San Jose, US
• Georges Harik · Mountain View, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2011
• Grant date: Jan 31, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/03
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A micro-payment system has buyers, sellers, and a broker. The buyers establish accounts with the broker and provide payment information allowing the broker to invoice the buyers. The sellers establish accounts with the brokers and specify terms for accessing items, including electronic content, available from the sellers. The sellers also provide payment information that allows the broker to credit the sellers for sales of the items. The broker aggregates the buyers' micro-payment purchases and invoices the buyers. The broker also aggregates the sellers' micro-payment sales and credits the sellers.