Payment system for electronic data

Abstract

A payment method and system are provided for electronic data that is purchased by a recipient ( 2 ) from a supplier ( 1 ) thereof for transmission to the recipient with payment being made in advance of downloading of the electronic data. The pre-payment entitles the recipient to a predetermined period of time online, or a predetermined quantity of downloaded electronic data. Payment control means associated with communication means communicates with a source of funding ( 5 ) associated with the particular recipient and an allocated funds register ( 4 ) is associated with the source of funding such that an initial quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register. The payment control means monitors ( 6 ) the balance remaining in the allocated funds register and when a predetermined low value is reached a further predetermined quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register to increase the balance therein and enable continued connectivity.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a processor, configured to function as a payment controller that terminates a downloading session of electronic data when said predetermined period of time online has expired or a quantity of electronic data has been received, wherein the payment controller is enabled to communicate with a source of funding, and   an allocated funds register associated with the source of funding, wherein an initial quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register, and   wherein the payment controller is further configured to monitor a balance remaining in the allocated funds register during the downloading, and in response to a predetermined low value balance being reached in the allocated funds register, automatically cause a further predetermined quantum of value contained in the source of funding to be credited to the allocated funds register to increase the balance therein.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  in which the payment controller, at the end of the session, causes a transfer of funds to be effected from the allocated funds register to a financial account of a supplier of the electronic data. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein a value of the transfer of funds is determined on the basis of the actual extent of online time or downloaded data used or received by a recipient of the electronic data with any residual value remaining as a credit in the allocated funds register. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein a value of the transfer of funds is determined on the basis of the actual extent of online time or downloaded data used or received by a recipient of the electronic data with any residual value being reassigned to the source of funding. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the crediting is repeatable as may be permitted as prescribed by prescribed constraints. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the crediting is repeatable as may be permitted as prescribed by prescribed constraints, and wherein one of the prescribed constraints is an overall maximum accumulated credit value of the allocated funds register that may be selected by the recipient. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the electronic data is streaming video. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the allocated funds register is in the form of a holding account. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 causing an initial quantum of value contained in the source of funding to be credited to the allocated funds register;   monitoring the balance remaining in the allocated funds register by way of a payment controller during downloading of electronic data; and   automatically causing a further predetermined quantum of value contained in the source of funding to be credited to the allocated funds register to increase the balance therein when a predetermined low value balance is reached in the allocated funds register.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein if permitted by prescribed constraints, and as may become necessary according to remaining credit in the allocated funds register, crediting one or more further quantums of value to the allocated funds register; and,
 causing a transfer of funds due to the supplier from the allocated funds register to a financial account of a supplier of the electronic data, in which a value of the transfer of funds from the allocated funds register to the financial account of the supplier is determined on the basis of an actual extent of online time or downloaded data used or received by a recipient of the electronic data and any residual value is retained as a credit in the allocated funds register. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein if permitted by prescribed constraints, and as may become necessary according to remaining credit in the allocated funds register, crediting one or more further quantums of value to the allocated funds register; and,
 causing a transfer of funds due to the supplier from the allocated funds register to a financial account of a supplier, in which the value of the transfer of funds from the allocated funds register to the financial account of the supplier is determined on the basis of an actual extent of online time or downloaded data used or received by a recipient of the electronic data and any residual value remaining as a credit in the allocated funds register is reassigned to the source of funding. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the electronic data downloaded during downloading comprises streaming video. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the electronic data is downloaded to the cellular phone. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the source of funding is the electronic wallet. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising transferring any residual value in the allocated funds register to the source of funding. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the source of funding is a smart card. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17  wherein any residual funds in the allocated funds register are forfeited. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17  wherein any residual funds in the allocated funds register are credited for future use. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17  wherein
 if permitted by the prescribed constraints, and as may become necessary according to remaining credit in the allocated funds register, crediting one or more further quantums of value to the allocated funds register; and, 
 causing a transfer of funds due to a supplier of the electronic data from the allocated funds register to a financial account of the supplier.