Flexible electronic system for conducting commercial transactions

摘要

A computer based system is provided in which commercial transactions can be conducted by a plurality of participating system members (as herein defined) each having a mobile device adapted to communicate via an associated wireless network with a general computerized server in which a financial data base record is allocated to each of them and a plurality of merchants (each of which by definition has a financial data base record in the computerized server). The computerized server is programmed such that financial transactions can be conducted by remote operation of the mobile device of a participating system member, via the wireless network, to result in the debiting of a financial data base record associated with an instructing participating system member and the crediting of a different financial data base record of another participating system member or a merchant. The system is flexible in that the computerized server is further programmed to receive, in respect of transactions initiated otherwise than by way of the said mobile device, requests for the payment of an amount from a financial data base record of a participating system member; to communicate a message seeking authorization of such payment to the mobile device associated with the relevant participating system member; to receive a secure authorization signal approving of or rejecting the payment wherein such authorization signal is transmitted from the mobile device at the instance of the relevant participating system member; and to thereafter effect further processing of the payment or reservation request upon receipt of such authorization signal.