Method and apparatus for ordering goods, services and content over an internetwork using a virtual payment account
US9928509B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q40/03
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork comprising a commerce gateway component and a credit processing server component (53) is disclosed. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.