Patent US6456984B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6456984B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for providing temporary credit authorizations
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-28
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2019-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are provided for issuing credit as payment in a consumer transaction which eliminates the need for a traditional credit card while also minimizing any potential for fraud or theft. The present invention responds to a request for issuing a credit transaction number that is made concurrent with a particular transaction. The credit transaction number is then randomly generated and made valid only for the requested transaction, and automatically ages a short period of time after the request. The credit transaction numbers are continually recycled for subsequent requests irrespective of the customer identity. The request can be made from a mobile communication device such as PCS telephone, or from a personal computer using an electronic commerce program. Transactions between customers and registered or known vendors can be automatically carried out by a centralized service provider without generating the unique, temporary number, or without the need for the customer or vendor to exchange personal information.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff S. Demoff
- 👤 Brad Reeves
- 👤 Alan Scott Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/02; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/042; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/102; G06Q20/105; G06Q20/108; G06Q20/1085; G06Q20/12; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/385; G06Q20/40; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for issuing credit as payment in a consumer transacton comprising: requesting issuance of a credit transaction number over the internet or by telephone concurrent with the consumer transaction, the request comprising supplying information regarding the transaction amount, and identification of the customer and vendor; determining if the request is acceptable; randomly generating a unique credit transaction number if the request is acceptable, the unique transaction number being valid only for a predetermined period of time and for the requested transaction; and sending the generated unique credit transaction number for completion of the consumer transaction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for issuing credit as payment in a consumer transacton comprising: requesting issuance of a credit transaction number over the internet or by telephone concurrent with the consumer transaction, the request comprising supplying information regarding the transaction amount, and identification of the customer and vendor; determining if the request is acceptable; randomly generating a unique credit transaction number if the request is acceptable, the unique transaction number being valid only for a predetermined period of time and for the requested transaction; and sending the generated unique credit transaction number for completion of the consumer transaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generated unique credit transaction number is sent to the customer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generated unique credit transaction number is sent to the vendor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising determining that the identified vendor is registered, automatically debiting a customer account and making payment to the vendor without generating a unique credit transaction number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein requesting the credit transaction number is performed using a mobile communication device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein requesting the credit transaction number is pe rformed using a PCS telephone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the unique credit transaction number is sent to the PCS telephone for display, and the vendor manually enters the displayed number into a credit verification system for approval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the unique credit transaction number is sent to the PCS telephone, and the PCS telephone is used as an input device for entering the generated unique credit transaction number into a vendor credit verification system for approval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein requesting the credit transaction number is performed using a personal computer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
126 words
A system for issuing credit as payment in a consumer transaction involving a consumer and a vendor comprising: a transaction processing subsystem located at a service provider; and a consumer credit request input device capable of communicating with the transaction processing subsystem, the input device arranged to generate a request for issuance of a credit transaction number concurrent with the consumer transaction, the request including an identification of the customer and the vendor, and sending the request over the internet or by telephone to the transaction processing subsystem, wherein the transaction processing subsystem is arranged to randomly generate a unique credit transaction number if the request is acceptable, said unique transaction number being valid only for a predetermined period of time and for the requested transaction.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
A system for issuing credit as payment in a consumer transaction involving a consumer and a vendor comprising: a transaction processing subsystem located at a service provider; and a consumer credit request input device capable of communicating with the transaction processing subsystem, the input device arranged to generate a request for issuance of a credit transaction number concurrent with the consumer transaction, the request including an identification of the customer and the vendor, and sending the request over the internet or by telephone to the transaction processing subsystem, wherein the transaction processing subsystem is arranged to randomly generate a unique credit transaction number if the request is acceptable, said unique transaction number being valid only for a predetermined period of time and for the requested transaction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the transaction processing subsystem is arranged to send the generated unique credit transaction number to the consumer credit request input device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the transaction processing subsystem is arranged to send the generated unique credit transaction number to the vendor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the transaction processing subsystem is arranged to determine that the vendor is registered, and automatically debit a customer account and pay the vendor without generating a unique credit transaction number.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the credit request input device comprises a mobile communication device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the credit request input device comprises a PCS telephone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the PCS telephone comprises a display, and the unique credit transaction number is sent to the PCS telephone for output on the display, wherein the vendor manually enters the displayed number into a credit verification system for approval.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the transaction processing subsystem is arranged to send the generated unique credit transaction number to the PCS telephone, and the PCS telephone comprises a proximity output device for entering the received number into a vendor credit verification system for approval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 method of claim 1 wherein the credit request input device comprises a personal computer.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for automatic processing and payment of a transaction between a customer and a vendor comprising: establishing a centralized service provider through which electronic commnerce may flow, said centralized service provider being able to identify both the customer and the vendor of the transaction; receiving a purchase request from the customer at the centralized service provider over the internet or by telephone requesting issuance of a temporary randomly generated unique credit transaction number concurrent with the consumer transaction, the transaction number being valid only for a predetermined period of time and for the transaction, the request comprising supplying information regarding the transaction amount, and identification of the customer and the vendor; determining if the request is acceptable; and automatically debiting a customer account established with the centralized service provider, and paying the vendor.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for automatic processing and payment of a transaction between a customer and a vendor comprising: establishing a centralized service provider through which electronic commnerce may flow, said centralized service provider being able to identify both the customer and the vendor of the transaction; receiving a purchase request from the customer at the centralized service provider over the internet or by telephone requesting issuance of a temporary randomly generated unique credit transaction number concurrent with the consumer transaction, the transaction number being valid only for a predetermined period of time and for the transaction, the request comprising supplying information regarding the transaction amount, and identification of the customer and the vendor; determining if the request is acceptable; and automatically debiting a customer account established with the centralized service provider, and paying the vendor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |