Importance

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Abstract

A method for charging a payer for access, over a network, to a payee's information; in particular, a method for this pay-per-access over the Internet. The method uses an acquirer to intercept requests for information, process accounting information based on the payer having a signed, encrypted persistent dynamic data object available to the acquirer for inspection and modification. After using the persistent dynamic data object, similar in some respects to a so-called cookie, to collect payment for a page of pay-per-link information, the acquirer redirects the payer to the information at the payee's web site. The cookie-like object is issued to the payer by an issuer, which can be distinct from the acquirer. The cookie-like object can be used until its value is spent or until its lifetime elapses. Thus, a payer has a limited amount to spend without having to obtain authorization for each purchase, yet a payee does not risk a payer's double spending. Ultimately, the acquirer sends accounting records to the various issuers; each issuer settles with its various payers and, through the acquirers, also pays the payees.

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First Claim