Universal funding card and delayed assignment of a funding instrument for a financial transaction

Abstract

A universal funding card and the delayed assignment of a funding instrument for a financial transaction are described herein. In one embodiment, a system for facilitating a financial transaction comprises a communications interface; a database storing data regarding a user and a plurality of funding instruments associated with that user; and a payment processing system configured to receive a request for payment authorization from a merchant via the communications interface, to authorize payment to the merchant prior to selection of a funding instrument, and after authorizing payment to the merchant, receive instructions regarding a funding instrument to debit for the payment.

1 . A system for facilitating a financial transaction, comprising:
 a database storing data regarding a user and a plurality of funding instruments associated with that user used for the purchase of one or more items; and   a payment processing system configured to receive a request for payment authorization from a merchant for the purchase of the one or more items via a communications interface, authorize payment to the merchant prior to selection of a funding instrument by the user, and after payment to the merchant receive instructions regarding assignment of the funding instrument to debit for the payment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the payment processing system is configured to permit one of assignment or delayed assignment of the funding instrument at the time of purchase of the one or more items. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the payment processing system is configured to permit immediate receipt of a partial payment for one or more items purchased, and the delayed assignment of the funding instrument for the receipt of the remaining payment of the one or more items purchased. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the financial transaction is conducted over a network. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the payment processing system is configured to receive a request for the purchase of the one or more items and provide payment to the merchant for the one or more items purchased via the network. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein payment processing system is adapted to provide periodic statements requesting assignment of a funding instrument for each financial transaction, and debits the assigned funding instrument based on the assignment. 
     
     
         7 . A network payment processing system comprising:
 a payment processing computer configured to enable the system to receive via a communication interface a purchase request for one or more items,   one or more processors adapted to execute instruction stored on one or more memory components of the payment processing system to authorize the immediate purchase of the one or more items, and   at least one of the one or more memory components for storing data relating to the purchase request to permit the delayed assignment of a funding instrument used for payment of the one or more items until after at the time of purchase.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further configured to permit an immediate partial payment of one or more items purchased, and the delayed assignment of the funding instrument for the remaining payment of the one or more items purchased. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further configured to request assignment of the funding instrument for the one or more items purchased after the purchase of the one or more items. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further configured to assign the funding instrument, and debit the assigned funding instrument based and the assignment after the purchase of the one or more items. 
     
     
         11 . A payment provider system implemented method for facilitating a financial transaction, the method comprising;
 receiving a purchase request for one or more items;   processing the purchase request; and   authorizing the purchase of the one or more items prior to the assignment of a funding instrument for the payment of the one or more items,   wherein the method is performed by one or more processors of the payment provider system adapted to execute instructions on one or more memory components of the payment provider system.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further permitting an immediate partial payment of one or more items purchased, and the delayed assignment of the funding instrument for the remaining payment of the one or more items purchased. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further including requesting assignment of the funding instrument for the purchase of the one or more items. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further including assigning the funding instrument, and debiting the assigned funding instrument based on the assignment. 
     
     
         15 . A payment provider system implemented method for facilitating a financial transaction over a network, the method comprising:
 receiving a purchase request for one or more items over the network;   processing the purchase request;   authorizing the immediate purchase of the one or more items;   providing compensation for the one or more items at the time of purchase; and   delaying assignment of a funding instrument for the payment of the one or more items purchased until after the purchase,   wherein the method is performed by one or more processors of the payment provider system adapted to execute instructions on one or more memory components of the payment provider system.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further permitting an immediate partial payment of one or more items purchased, and the delayed assignment of the funding instrument for the remaining payment of the one or more items purchased. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including requesting assignment of the funding instrument for the purchase of the one or more items. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including assigning the funding instrument, and debiting the assigned funding instrument based on the assignment. 
     
     
         19 . A universal funding card having contained thereon data relating to one or more funding instruments that facilitates payment to a merchant for an item offered for sale, as well as an immediate assignment of one of the one or more of the funding instruments for partial payment at the time of purchase, and/or a delayed assignment of the one or a different one of the one or more of the funding instruments for final payment until after the purchase. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)