초록 ▼

In a commercial transaction system, a system user uses a personal computer to interact with merchant computers over the Internet to conduct cashless transactions. Each system user computer processes data including a balance stored in the computer\s memory and updates the stored data at the end of th

In a commercial transaction system, a system user uses a personal computer to interact with merchant computers over the Internet to conduct cashless transactions. Each system user computer processes data including a balance stored in the computer\s memory and updates the stored data at the end of the transaction. The system is specially designed for purchases of items or transactions of relatively small monetary value. In this manner, the amount of the transaction is deducted from the balance on the computer. In accordance with the invention, when the existing balance associated with the computer does not cover the price of the transaction, the system provides a reload feature which gives the user an option to increase the balance of the computer. Such a feature allows the purchase to be made without inconveniencing the user to increase the balance by other means. Each time the balance is increased by a reload, the user\s issuer bank bills the user for the reload amount.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for extending funds from a host system to a consumer terminal apparatus comprising a memory storing an available fund separate from said host system to complete a cashless transaction over a network, comprising the steps of: receiving at said host system over said network a request for an i

A method for extending funds from a host system to a consumer terminal apparatus comprising a memory storing an available fund separate from said host system to complete a cashless transaction over a network, comprising the steps of: receiving at said host system over said network a request for an increase in said available fund from said consumer terminal apparatus to complete a cashless transaction; determining at said host system whether to grant said received request for said consumer terminal apparatus; and transmitting a reply signal from said host system to said consumer terminal apparatus indicating whether said request was granted, wherein said available fund in said consumer terminal apparatus is increased if said request is granted and wherein said available fund is used to complete said cashless transaction.