EMBEDDED PURCHASING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

An online retailer may post content to a third-party web site to offer content items for sale. A user may view or preview the posted content items, and may select an item to purchase. Payment for the item may be initiated independently of any interaction of the user with a web site hosted by the online retailer. An account with the online retailer may automatically be created and credited with the purchase; alternatively, the purchase can be credited to a previously established account. The payment may be processed via an online payment processor independent of the online retailer and the third party. The item may be a digital streaming video or any other suitable type of content item. After the payment is processed, the user's computer may be authorized to permit playback through the third-party web site or on a web site hosted by the online retailer.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for making purchases, the method comprising:
at a third-party web site, posting content from an online retailer, wherein the content indicates that at least a first item is available for purchase; displaying, at a display device, the content for a user viewing the third-party web site; receiving, at an input device, a user selection of the first item from the content, wherein the user selection indicates that the user desires to purchase the first item; and in response to receipt of the user selection:
initiating payment from the user for the first item, independently of interaction of the user with any web site hosted by the online retailer;determining whether an account associated with the user exists within an online retailer database; andresponsive to a determination that no account associated with the user exists within the online retailer database:
automatically creating a first account in an online retailer database operated by the online retailer;automatically generating online retailer login credentials that provide the user with access to the first account; andresponsive to receipt of confirmation of payment from the user for the first item, storing an indication in the first account that the user has purchased the first item.