摘要 |
An automated payment system particularly suited for purchases over a distributed computer network such as the Internet. In such a distributed computer network, a "merchant" computer contains certain promotional information which is communicated to a "customer's" computer. Based upon the promotional information, the operator of the "customer's" computer decides to purchase the services or goods described by the promotional information. The "customer's" computer is linked to a "payment processing" computer and the customer's account number and the amount of the goods or services is transmitted to the "payment processing" computer. The "payment processing" computer automatically contacts a "bank" for verification of the account and amount; the "bank" transmits an authorization to the "payment processing" computer. The "payment processing" computer communicates an acceptance indicia to the "merchant" computer.
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