| 摘要 |
<p>A management system manages transactions on a network such as the Internet by utilizing a prepaid instrument having information including a monetary value and a security code. The prepaid instrument is purchased by a customer [83] from a distributor. In use, the management system receives the information of the prepaid instrument from the distributor via the network. The management system then triggers a transfer of funds from the distributor based upon the monetary value of the instrument. When the funds are received from the distributor, an amount specific to the prepaid instrument is enabled. The customer then sends an activation request associated with the prepaid instrument to the management system, which request includes the security code, a user ID, and a password. The management system then activates the account by associating the user ID and the password with the security code of the prepaid instrument. The customer is now able to make purchases over the network with the prepaid instrument. In the course of a transaction between the customer and a web merchant, the management system receives a query from a merchant regarding a purchase associated with the prepaid instrument. The management system then determines whether the account associated with the prepaid instrument has sufficient funds to cover the purchase. A signal is transmitted to the merchant indicative of whether the account has sufficient funds to do so. If the transaction is completed, a signal is then sent back to the management system from the merchant indicating the same. The management system then debits the account and transferred funds to the merchant based on the value of the purchase.</p> |
