Importance

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Abstract

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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First Claim