Improved methods for deferred payment systems utilizing purchase intent indicators

Abstract

Methods for deferred payment systems which facilitate the payment of very small monetary amount by a user when the total of accrued debit amounts exceed a predetermined amount or occur after a predetermined time interval, and which further enable promoters to pay the accrued amounts or provide credits when a purchase intent indicator exceeds a threshold value based on the digital content purchased by the user, which indicates a purchase of products or services associated with the promoters is likely.

Description

IMPROVED METHODS FOR DEFERRED PAYMENT SYSTEMS UTILIZING PURCHASE INTENT INDICATORSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This disclosure is generally directed to deferred payment systems, and specifically to improved methods for deferred payment systems utilizing purchase intent indicators.BACKGROUND

[0002] Shopping systems are known wherein a plurality of web servers is mutually connected via a network, usually the internet, in order to enable a purchaser to purchase goods and / or services. Conventionally, the customer selects a particular virtual marketplace, seeks goods and services there, places them in a virtual shopping trolley and pays for the items at the end of the shopping procedure. The payment procedure is usually very complex, since it is necessary for the individual user or purchaser to be sufficiently authenticated. For this purpose, the name and address are usually requested. For the payment transaction, the user must enter account or credit card information which enables debiting of the payable amount. The process of registration, that is, input of name and address and / or account or credit card information is complex. A main problem lies therein that with small amounts from a few cents to a Euro (€0.01 to €1.00), customers are reluctant to register at all. The effort involved in order to obtain goods or information for a few cents on the market place is too great and is out of proportion to what is being purchased. Thus for payments in the region of under €1, there is no actual market, since it cannot come into existence due to the effort-to-reward ratio.

[0003] Additionally, the individual users would like to ensure that their data will be treated confidentially. Usually, users will only disclose their information when they trust the marketplace in question. It is therefore difficult for small businesses to establish such marketplaces or online shops.

[0004] For the monetary processing of purchases, service providers have now become established which offer payment systems with which one needs only to register once, in orderthen to be able to carry out corresponding payment transactions in numerous online shops via one such service provider. The registration for such central payment systems is again very complex. Furthermore, such a payment transaction incurs costs which, inter alia, the online shops must bear.

[0005] It is apparent overall that the obstacles and starting thresholds associated with such a purchase on the internet are so numerous and high that potential purchasers are often deterred from making such a purchase. This applies, in particular, for goods and services for the purchase of which only very small sums are involved. It is extremely problematic, for example, to demand full registration of a user in order to view a one-page test report which costs about 50 cents.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Proceeding from this state of the art, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a payment system which ensures a secure payment transaction.

[0007] In particular, the aim is achieved with a payment system for at least one online shop, such as a network-accessible merchant, wherein the payment system comprises: an identification device for recording at least one identification number of a shopper system, such as a user device; an interface device for receiving and confirming direct debit orders from the at least one online shop, wherein the debit orders comprise information relating to a debit amount, i.e., price, to be paid to the online shop; a memory device for storing the direct debit orders in conjunction with the associated identification numbers; a processing device which is configured to monitor the total of the debit amounts in relation to the identification number and to request a user of the shopper system to register after a predetermined time interval and / or on exceeding a predetermined value of the total payable, in order to settle at least part of the total payable.

[0008] An essential concept of the present application lies therein that the payment system records a purchase made by a user in the form of a direct debit order. The payment system also stores identification information which enables the preferably unique identification, i.e., identifier, of the shopper system used. Initially, therefore, no information is requestedregarding the user of the shopper system. Theoretically, any user could carry out shopping and payment transactions with the shopper system.

[0009] Once a predetermined time interval has passed and / or a predetermined value of the total payable has been exceeded, the payment system requests the user to register in order to pay at least part of the total payable. The user can thus meanwhile shop entirely anonymously and completely secure against fraud. The individual purchases are associated with the shopper system used by him, for example, a user device such as a PC or a mobile communication device. Only once a predetermined period has elapsed or a predetermined total payable has been amassed, does the user have to disclose his identity or at least input information, which enables settlement of the debt.

[0010] The payment system lowers to a minimum the entry threshold for chargeable content on the internet, since it enables the user to consume now and pay later. The user can accumulate a plurality of very small payable amounts (micro payments) and then pay these as soon as a relevant amount has accumulated. This also saves technical resources, since the associated measures do not have to be performed for every minimal payment transaction. Furthermore, a new market can be accessed with the payment system, such as the market which deals with payments characterised by very small monetary amounts (e.g. smaller than €1). The time interval can be, for example, greater than 10 days and / or greater than 1 month and / or greater than three months. Preferably, the time interval is calculated from the entry or execution of a first debit order in relation to a particular identification number onwards.

[0011] The payment system according to this disclosure can also make the processing of small payments economical. The minimum debit handling charges of banks are sometimes multiple times higher than the value of the content purchased (e.g. on average €0.20 per transaction). The payment system according to the present disclosure can serve as a global shopping trolley (e.g. over a plurality of web sites) and can aggregate purchases. These are then settled cumulatively, thus reducing the relative charges per transaction to a minimum. The direct debit transaction is processed only once for e.g. 20 purchases, reducing the incidental costs incurred for performance of the direct debit. The processing device can be configured such that, until registration, said system does not request any personal data and, in particular, no payment information from the userof the shopper system prior to sending a system of the online shop an authorization signal representing that the payment system does not perceive the shopper system as uncreditworthy.

[0012] In another embodiment according to this disclosure that enables promoters, such as advertisers to pay off accrued debit amounts or provide credits, a method comprises the steps of: a) providing a deferred-payment service by a network-accessible deferred payment server, the deferred payment service performing the steps of (i) processing authorization of digital content purchases for a user account without requiring payment at time of purchase, (ii) monitoring a total of an outstanding purchase balance associated with the user account; and (iii) transmitting a request signal to the user device for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding balance will have exceeded at least one of a predetermined threshold amount and / or accrued over a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval; b) storing in a user information database accessible by the payment server, purchase information of a plurality of purchases of digital content under the user account, said purchase information for each respective one of the digital content purchases including a time of such purchased digital content, and at least one of a plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the purchased digital content; c) storing in a promoter database accessible by the payment server, promoter information of at least one promoter, wherein the promoter information includes such promoter’s contact information and at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes for which the promoter provides promotional services; d) determining for the user account, by the payment server, a purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and service associated with the at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes present in the purchased digital content for the user account for purchases made within a predetermined time period; e) the payment server then searching the promoter database to identify at least one promoter providing promotional services of the at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator of the at least one of product and service when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value; f) transmitting, by the payment server, respective notices to the identified at least one promoter based on the contact information in the promoter database, each notice including the determined purchase intent indicator for the at least one of a product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying at least the threshold value; g) the payment server receiving from the at least one promoter in response to the transmitted notice, at least one offer of a credit to be applied to the user account associated with the determinedpurchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value; h) forwarding, by the payment server, at least one of the credit offers to the user device associated with the user account associated with the at least one purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value; i) receiving by the payment server, from the user device associated with the user account, an acceptance of one of the credit offers to be applied to the user account; and j) the payment server applying the accepted credit from the promoter to the associated user account.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the credits provided by the promoter to a user account may be in the form of prompts for an fee-based artificial intelligence system.

[0014] In a further alternative embodiment, the methods of the payment system server enables promoters accessible via an advertising network to pay off accrued debit amounts or provide credits. Such methods comprise at least the steps of: a) providing a deferred-payment service by a network-accessible deferred payment server, the deferred payment service performing the steps of (i) processing authorization of digital content purchases for a user account without requiring payment at time of purchase, (ii) monitoring a total of an outstanding purchase balance associated with the user account; and (iii) transmitting a request signal to the user device for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding balance will have exceeded at least one of a predetermined threshold amount and / or accrued over a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval; b) storing in a user information database accessible by the payment server, purchase information of a plurality of purchases of digital content under the user account, said purchase information for each respective one of the digital content purchases including a time of such purchased digital content, and at least one of a plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the purchased digital content; c) determining for the user account, by the payment server, a purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and service associated with the at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes present in the purchased digital content for the user account for purchases made within a predetermined time period; and d) transmitting, by the payment server, to an advertising network server, an invitation to provide promotional services along with said certain user information comprising the purchase intent indicator of the at least one of product and service when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value, and at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator; e) the payment server receiving at leastone offer of promotional services in the form of credit to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value, said at least one offer being sent from or on behalf of a corresponding at least one promoter associated with the advertising network server; f) forwarding, by the payment server, at least one of the credit offers to the user device associated with the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator; g) receiving by the payment server, from the user device associated with the user account, an acceptance of one of the credit offers to be applied to the user account; and h) the payment server applying the accepted credit from the promoter to the associated user account.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will now be described in greater detail using several exemplary embodiments and making reference to the drawings, in which:

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a representative system according to the disclosure comprising a shopper system, an online shop and a payment system;

[0017] Fig. 2 shows the individual components of an exemplary embodiment of the payment system of Fig. 1;

[0018] Fig. 3 shows exemplary database entries of the payment system of Figs. 1 and 2;

[0019] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary order-making process according to the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary payment system method for determination of a purchase intent indicator for enabling promoters to provide promotions of paying the balance owed by a user account, or provide promotional credit to such user account, in association in instances when the determined purchase intent indicator denotes a likelihood of a purchase of products and / or services associated with such promoter;

[0021] Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram of an alternative exemplary method to that of Fig. 5, but which enables promoters to provide a promotion of providing credits in the form of a number of prompts to a fee-based artificial intelligence system; and

[0022] Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram of a flow diagram of another alternative exemplary method to that of Fig. 5, which is particularly suitable for promoters that are accessible via an advertising network.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following description, the same reference signs are used for the same and similarly acting parts.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows the shopping system 5 according to the present disclosure. Herein a shopper system 10, alternatively referred to herein as user device, such as a laptop, a PC or a mobile terminal is connected via a network, in the present case the internet 1, to an online shop 20 such as, for example, a network-accessible merchant. The online shop 20 and the shopper system 10 are also in communicative connection, via the internet 1 , with the payment system 30, which may be a deferred payment system server comprised of one or more integrated or separate processing and data storage components. Normally, numerous other systems are connected to the internet 1.

[0025] Fig. 1 also depicts a user information database 40 and promoter database 50, both of which are accessible by the payment system 30, for certain embodiments of the shopping system 5 described, for example, with regard to Fig. 5, for identifying promoters, which include without limitation advertisers, marketers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and / or service providers that market products and / or services, available promotions to shoppers based on a determination of respective purchase intent indicators. Fig. 1 further depicts an advertising network server 60 accessible by the payment system server 30 for certain embodiments of the disclosed shopping system 5 described, for example, with regard to Fig. 6. Fig. 1 depicts the user information database 40, promoter database 50 and advertising network server 60 being accessible by the payment system server 30 by networks outside of the internet 1 for ease of illustration. As used herein, “advertising network server” generally refers to a computer server ac for an advertising network, or ad network, that connects advertisers with publishers and app developers who want to sell ad space on their digital properties. However, it should be readily understood by a skilled artisan that any or all of the user information database 40, promoter database 50 and advertising network server60 may be in communication with the internet 1 with the payment system 30 accessing such databases and server via the internet 1 in accordance with this disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows individual components of the payment system 30, which may be, as noted above, a deferred payment system server. The payment system 30 according to the present disclosure comprises an identification device 31 for recording at least one identifier, i.e., identification number of the shopper system 10, an interface device 32 for receiving and confirming direct debit 6 orders from the online shop 20, wherein the debit orders comprise information relating to a debit amount to be paid, i.e., purchase price, to the online shop 20, a memory device 32 for storing the direct debit orders in conjunction with the associated identification numbers ID and a processing device 34 for processing the incoming payment transactions.

[0027] The individual devices will now be described in greater detail by reference to the flow diagram in Fig. 4. An exemplary embodiment of a purchase processed by the payment system 30 according to the present disclosure proceeds as follows:

[0028] A user enters particular internet addresses into the shopper system 10 operated by him, in the browser running therein. The browser establishes contact with the server(s) of the online shop 20 and represents an internet presence of the online shop 20. This internet presence contains an embedded object which is in communicative connection with the interface device 32 of the payment system 30. The payment system 30 can therefore record an identification number ID of the shopper system 10 by means of the embedded object. In the present case, for example, this is an MAC address of the shopper system 10. Thus, as made clear in step 101 of Fig. 4, the MAC address of the shopper system 10 is recorded.

[0029] It is subsequently checked whether the shopper system 10 is creditworthy (step 102) by, for example, determining a creditworthiness indicator. Such determination may be made by, for example, the payment system 30, and particularly the processing device 34, determining whether an account exists for the received MAC address. If a corresponding account exists, it is determined whether debit amounts have already been added to this account. If this is the case, the individual debit amounts are totaled. If the debit amounts do not exceed a predetermined amount (e.g. €3), or if the oldest debit order was incurred more than apredetermined time period ago, for example, three months, a creditworthiness indicator is generated satisfying a predetermined condition enabling the payment system 30 to transmit an authorization signal to the online shop 20 indicating that it is user to continue with its purchase (step 104).

[0030] However, if the debit amounts exceed the predetermined amount (e.g. €3), or if the oldest debit order was more than a predetermined time interval, for example, three months ago, the user of the shopper system 10 is requested to settle the added debit amounts (step 111). If the user pays the outstanding total payable (step 112), the creditworthiness indicator is generated satisfying the predetermined condition enabling the payment system 30 to transmit an authorization signal to the online shop that enables the user to continue with its purchase (step 104). Otherwise, the creditworthiness indicator is generated that would not satisfy the predetermined conditions and no authorization signal would be transmitted by the payment system 30 to the online shop 20, i.e., alerting the online shop 20 to deny the user for its requested purchase (step 113).

[0031] Moreover for determination of the creditworthiness indicator, the payment system 03 may additionally verify whether the identifier of the shopper system 10 is included in a maintained blacklist of identifiers of user devices which, for example, do not register after the predetermined time interval and / or exceed the predetermined total payable without settlement. Such blacklist may include user identifiers of shopper systems for other reasons including, for example, such identifiers represent stolen user devices, devices located or originated from outside of a specific territory or an embargoed country or region.

[0032] Accordingly, if the creditworthiness of the shopper system 10 is acceptable, the transmitted authorization signal alerts the online shop 20 that the user can make the requested purchase by means of the shopper system 10 (step 104). For example, a chargeable review of a cinema film or other digital content can be accessed. In another exemplary embodiment, the user can be enabled to undertake a telephone call over the internet 1, or activate or reserve a variety of other services.

[0033] In connection with completion of the purchase, for example, the online shop 20 passes the associated booking in the form of a direct debit order to the payment system 30,particularly to the interface device 32 (step 105). In step 106, it is checked whether an account already exists for the shopper system 10. In effect, it is determined whether an account has already been established by the payment system 30 for the read-out MAC address. If no account exists, a suitable account is established (step 114). In step 107, the payment system 30 (in particular the memory device 33) stores the direct debit order in conjunction with the MAC address. An entry which gives information about which purchases have already been transacted with the recorded MAC address is therefore added to the created account.

[0034] The user of the shopper system 10 can then decide whether he wishes to undertake more purchases (step 108). If the user wishes, he can call up a further internet presence of a further online shop 20 by input of a further internet address. Then the recording of his MAC address is carried out once again and this is then passed on to the payment system 30 (step 101).

[0035] As the above exemplary embodiment makes clear, initially, the payment system 30 records the individual direct debit orders as anonymously as possible. The payment system 30 confirms each debit order to the online shop 20, such as by, for example, an authorization signal, so that the online shop 20 can essentially assume a completed payment. The payment system 30 can identify the shopper system 10 based purely on the MAC address.

[0036] The memory device 33 thus stores the direct debit order in conjunction with the corresponding MAC address. For this purpose, the payment system 30 comprises a corresponding database in which corresponding tables are kept. An exemplary extract from a table kept therein is shown in Fig. 3. Said table comprises, for example, three columns, specifically a first column which contains the identification of a particular direct debit order, a second column which contains the amount to be debited and a third column which contains the date on which the direct debit order was received by the payment system 30. Each line of the table in Fig. 3 corresponds to a direct debit order. Thus, it is possible to read from the table in Fig. 3 that on 01.07.2009, 20 Eurocents were debited for identification number 222. Furthermore, on 20 September 2009, 5 Eurocents were debited for the same MAC address.

[0037] The processing device 34 can use these entries to determine the total payable from the debit amounts for particular identification numbers ID. For example, the total payable for identification number 222 comes to 25 Eurocents.

[0038] Thus, the payment system 30 can be configured, for example, so that a user of a shopper system 10 has to settle his debts when they are greater than €1. Accordingly, in step 102 it is checked, for the user of the shopper system with the identification number 222, whether the total payable already amassed by said system is greater than €1. Since this is not the case in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the creditworthiness indicator is generated satisfying the predetermined condition enabling the payment system 30 to transmit an authorization signal to the online shop 20 to enable the user to make further purchases without having to settle his debts.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment described above, in step 102, it is checked whether the shopper system 10 has already amassed a total payable that is greater than a particular value (for example, €1). In addition, the processing device 34 can check in step 102 whether the user of the shopper system 10 has used the payment system 30 for longer than a particular predetermined time interval. For example, the processing device 34 can check whether the first direct debit order of a particular identification number ID is older than 3 months. The payment system 30 can be configured such that in this case, an immediate demand for settlement of the outstanding amounts is issued.

[0040] The payment system 30 can also be configured such that said system offers the user the possibility to settle his amassed direct debit orders at any time. Preferably, the user is encouraged, by the offering of rebates, to make his actual payment to the payment system 30 at as early a time point as possible.

[0041] The payment system 30 can also comprise an account monitoring device which monitors actual incoming payments, and credits them to a shopper system 10. For example, a registration according to the present disclosure can take place therein that the user enters a user name. In exchange, the payment system 30 shows him an account number and requests him to transfer the total payable to the corresponding account, stating his user name. The transferred amount is then credited to the account of the shopper system 10 used by him.

[0042] In a further exemplary embodiment, the user name or a payment reason reference is automatically generated. The user therefore remains as anonymous as possible.

[0043] In another exemplary embodiment, the user can input address data and his actual name and, together with these data, enter his account number, so that the payment system 30 can debit the direct debit orders amassed in the past. The entries can also be used to perform future direct debit orders either in the short term or in the form of a batch debit at the end of a month, a quarter, or a year.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiments described above, an MAC address was used to identify the shopper system 10. It should be obvious for a person skilled in the art that, in place of the MAC address, he can use an IP address, an identification number of an operating system, an identification number of a processor or other identification numbers that give access to the identity of the shopper system 10. It is also theoretically possible to use a plurality of these identification numbers ID in order to increase the reliability of the payment system 30. Furthermore, it is possible to use just parts of said identification numbers to generate a unique key which identifies the shopper system 10.

[0045] Also, the payment system 30 may be configured to additionally receive from the online shop 20 information regarding the requested item for purchase by the shopper system 10, and further evaluate whether the user device has previously been provided access to such requested item.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1, a shopping system is defined with only one shopper system 10 and only one online shop 20. Usually a plurality of shopper systems 10 access one online shop 20. Furthermore, a plurality of online shops 20 is present, which use one or more payment systems 30 according to the present disclosure.

[0047] Exemplary embodiments have been described above wherein identification of the shopper system 10 is directed to a particular identification number ID which gives an MAC address, an IP address, an identification number of an operating system, an identification number of a processor or other identification numbers which give access to the identity of the shopper system 10, or comprises parts thereof. It is possible to undertake a combination of themethods. Therefore different identification numbers ID, relating, for example, to an MAC address or an IP address or an identification number of a processor can be requested. Finally, the identification numbers ID which are provided by the shopper system 10 are used.

[0048] It is also possible to request individual identification numbers ID according to a sequence. This sequence can be based on the probability with which a particular shopper system 10 provides the numbers or the character string. Thus the payment system 30 can first search for an MAC address. If this cannot be determined, then the processor identification number, or the like, is requested. It is also conceivable for a cookie to be set.

[0049] The user can thus be uniquely assigned a database by means of a digitally signed cookie. The signed data can comprise a combination value formed from all the previously known user data in order to make misuse more difficult. The cookie can be stored using a plurality of techniques on the shopper system 10 (e.g. as a HTTP or Flash Cookie) and thus, as far as possible, be secured against later deletion. If, on a later contact with the payment system 30, the cookie is deleted in a cookie store, it can be created anew. The cookie can also comprise a parameter which states whether the user is already registered or logged in. The user can log into an interface of the payment system 30 at any time in order to inspect his account information.

[0050] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the payment system 30 can use a code provided by the user in order to identify himself to the payment system. The code can serve as an identification number ID and be used in place of a hardware identification number, for example, the MAC address, of the shopper system 10. It is also conceivable that the code input for the above-mentioned identification numbers ID, for example, a requested hardware identification number, is used.

[0051] The code can be, for example, an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). The user of the shopper system 10 enters the IMSI of his mobile telephone and the payment system 30 establishes an account relating thereto or adds the debit amounts to the existing account. The payment system 30 can verify the correctness of the code given — that is, the IMSI — in that said payment system sends a message, for example, by SMS (Short Message Service) to the relevant mobile telephone. The payment system 30 can then request the user toconfirm receipt of the message, for example, by returning the message or input of a code, wherein use of the payment system 30 is prohibited if the message is not confirmed. Said verification can only take place once, preferably on establishment of the account, or at every payment transaction.

[0052] In order to minimise as far as possible the risk of non-paying users (for example: a user uses the payment system 30 until he is requested to settle his debts. He then fails to settle his debts, but dispenses with further use of the payment system 30), the payment system 30 can comprise an evaluation device for contributing to and / or generation of the creditworthiness indicator. Said evaluation device records statistical data concerning the direct debit orders and / or the identification numbers ID issued, preferably continuously. Further data which provide information concerning the type of purchases made and / or the location of the user can be recorded and evaluated. For example, the IP address of the user can be used in order to determine roughly his location. Furthermore, using the IP address of the internet providers used by the user, an individual with RIPE responsibility or the like can be determined. The evaluation device can use the collected statistical data to adapt the payment threshold.

[0053] For example, a user to whom, on the basis of his IP address, a group having statistically good creditworthiness is assigned, can undertake direct debit orders until his account has a negative balance of more than €2, whereas a user to whom, on the basis of his IP address, a group having poor creditworthiness is assigned, can only undertake direct debit orders up to a total payable of €1. Theoretically, the payment system 30 can entirely prevent a debit before the registration if the user is assigned to a group with very poor creditworthiness. The statistics are maintained by the evaluation device, preferably in a database, and can be analysed accordingly on first contact with the user, and used for determination of the creditworthiness indicator.

[0054] As explained above, the identification number ID can at least partially comprise or be derived from data stored in a cookie and kept in the shopper system 10. Preferably, the relevant data are stored multiple times on the shopper system 10, in order to prevent deletion of said data. For example, a plurality of cookies can be stored in the shopper system 10, wherein a first cookie is stored therein directly by the payment system 30 and a second cookie is storedthere by means of the online shop 20. The payment system 30 can thus request the identification number ID directly from the shopper system 10 and compare the requested value with a value provided by the online shop 20. In order to increase security and anonymity, the identification number ID can be made available to the online shop 20 in an encoded form, so that it is not possible for the online shop 20 to make a direct allocation of the user to a particular identification number ID. As soon as the user visits the same online shop 20 once again, said shop requests the identification number ID and passes said number on to the payment system. The shopper system 10 can also be directed to a web site of the payment system 30, said web site requesting the further cookie with a further, or the same, identification number ID.

[0055] Fig. 5 depicts a flow diagram 200 for advantageously enabling promoters or advertisers to provide a promotion of paying the balance owed by a user account, or promotional credit to such user account or a sponsor account accessible by the user, wherein the promotion maybe associated with a possible purchase by the user of an item and / or service related to the promotion. The likelihood of such purchase being predicted by on a purchase intent indicator determined by the payment system 30, wherein the purchase intent indicator may be based, at least in part, on the purchases by the user of digital content related to such item and / or service.

[0056] The method 200 begins with step 205 in providing a deferred payment service by, for example, the deferred payment system 30 of Figs. 1 and 2. The deferred payment service performs the method steps depicted in Fig. 4 of (i) processing authorization of digital content purchases for a user account without requiring payment at time of purchase, (ii) monitoring a total of an outstanding purchase balance associated with the user account; and (iii) transmitting a request signal to the user device for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding balance will have exceeded at least one of a predetermined threshold amount and / or accrued over a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval.

[0057] In step 210, the method 200 stores in the user information database 40 of Fig. 1, purchase information of purchases of digital content made under the account associated with the user or her / his user device 10. Such purchase information for each respective one of the digital content purchases includes a time of such purchased digital content, and at least one of a plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the purchased digital content including, for example,a) content type attributes, such as article, video, audio, e-book, report, and software; b) content genre or category attributes, such as technology, health, finance, entertainment, education and sports; c) content format attributes, such as PDF, MP4, MP3, EPUB, and HTML; d) topic specificity attributes, such as general, specific, and related / implied topics; e) user demographic attributes, such as age group, gender, location, and language preferences; f) purchase time-related attributes, such as time of day, day of week, and seasonal trends; g) purchase behavior attributes, such as frequency of purchases, recency of purchases and Total amount spent; h) user preferences attributes, such as favorite authors or creators, preferred content length, and preferred content quality (HD, SD); i) engagement metrics attributes, such as number of views or downloads, interaction time, and user ratings or reviews; j) promotional attributes, such as discount eligibility, bundle offers, and subscription status.

[0058] In step 215, promoter information of at least one promoter is storied and maintained in the promoter database 50 of Fig. 1. Such stored promoter information includes, for example, the promoter’s contact information and at least one of the plurality of attributes related to the promotions or promotional services offered by the promoter.

[0059] In step 220, the payment system server 30 determines a purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and service associated with the at least one of the plurality of attributes, which maybe, for example, pre-defined attributes, present in the purchased digital content for the user account for purchases made within a predetermined time period, which may be in range of one day to several months. Exemplary purchase intent indicators may include numerical values with a range of a minimum value, e.g., 0, to a maximum value, e.g., 100. In step 225, the payment system 30 searches or causes a search to be performed of the promoter database 50 to identify at least one promoter providing promotional services of the at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator of the at least one of product and service when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value, such as for example, a value of at least 51 (if the exemplary 100 point range is used for the purchase intent indicator.

[0060] Alternative exemplary methods for determining the purchase intent indicator by the payment system server 30 includes performing one or more of the following analyses: a) Browsingbehavior analysis of, for example, the frequency a user visits web pages related to high-end cameras, reads reviews, and compares prices, whereby an indicator calculation can be based on, for example, adding points to the purchase intent indicator each visit or interaction (like reading reviews or comparing prices), wherein each page visit might add 5 points, reading a review might add 10 points, and comparing prices might add 15 points, with the resulting purchase intent indicator suggesting, for example, a relatively strong intent to purchase with a threshold value indicator value of, for example, 70 out of 100; b) Search query analysis of, for example, the frequency a user searches for specific product names or related keywords, whereby a purchase indicator calculation can be made based on, for example, each relevant search query adds points. For example, generic queries like "best smartphones" might add 5 points, while specific queries like "buy iPhone 15" might add 20 points, with the resulting purchase intent indicator indicating a high likelihood of purchase with a threshold value indicator value of, for example, 60 out of 100; c) Cart and wish list activity analysis of, for example, the number of additions to cart(s) and / or wish list(s) without completing the purchase, whereby a purchase indicator calculation can be made based on, for example, adding 10 points for each item added to a wish list, and 20 points for adding items to a cart, with the resulting purchase intent indicator indicating a moderate to high likelihood of purchase with a threshold value indicator value of, for example, 50 out of 100; d) Engagement with promotional content analysis of, for example, the frequency and other timing of clicking on and / or otherwise selecting promotion opportunities on promotional emails or banners, whereby a purchase indicator calculation can be made based on, for example, adding 15 points for each click on or selection of promotional content, with the resulting purchase intent indicator could signifying a significant interest in making a purchase via a promotion to high likelihood of purchase with a threshold value indicator value of, for example, 40 out of 100; and e) Previous purchase history analysis of, for example, the number and timing of past purchases of similar products, whereby a purchase indicator calculation can be made based on, for example, adding 30 points for each purchase with a particular time interval, with the resulting purchase intent indicator indicating a very high likelihood of repeat purchase with a threshold value indicator value of, for example, 80 out of 100.

[0061] In step 230 of Fig. 5, the payment system server 30 transmits respective notices to the promoter(s), identified in step 225, based on such promoter’ s / promoters’ contact information maintained in the promoter database 50. Each notice including the determined purchase intentindicator for the at least one of a product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying at least the threshold value. In step 235, the payment system server 30 receives from the at least one promoter in response to the transmitted notice, at least one offer of a credit to be applied to the associated user account.

[0062] In step 240, the payment system server 30 forwards at least one of the received credit offers to the user device associated with the user account. The payment server then receives from the user device associated with the user account in step 245, an acceptance of one of the credit offers to be applied to the user account. Then; in step 250, the payment system server 30 applies the accepted credit from the promoter to the associated user account. In optional step 255, the payment system server 30 transmits a confirmation to the promoter whose credit offer was accepted, and which may include information associated with the user and / or user account. It is possible for such information associated with the user and / or user account to at least include, for example, non-personally-identifiable information, such as geographic and demographic information and interests of the user; and / or personally-identifiable information. It should be readily understood that is possible for the step 255 to be performed prior to or simultaneous with step 250.

[0063] In an alternative embodiment, the forwarding by the payment system server 30 of at least one of the credit offers to the user device in step 240 includes identifying a highest credit offer when at least two offers are received from at least two promoters, and wherein the payment system server 30 forwards only the highest credit offer to the user device.

[0064] In a further embodiment, the determination of the purchase intent indicator in step 220 by the payment system server 30 employs an algorithm based at least in part on a number of the purchased digital content for the user account within a predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the above-referenced attributes, such as identified topics and / or sources directly or indirectly related to such purchased digital content. Such employed algorithm may include determining the purchase intent indicator based on weighted factors applied to respective prices paid for the digital content within the predetermined time period. Exemplary weighted factors include a) price weighting, whereby higher prices might indicate higher value or commitment, such as a user purchasing high-cost professional courses might be weighted moreheavily in determining purchase intent than low-cost introductory courses; and b) recency weighting, whereby more recent purchases are given more weight than older purchases, such as when recent frequent purchases of digital marketing tools might indicate a current project or interest, suggesting a high purchase intent for related advanced tools.

[0065] Further, such employed algorithm may alternatively or additionally include determining the purchase intent indicator based on identifying a pattern of digital content purchases associated with the user account including, for example, a) Frequency Pattern of how often a user purchases or accesses similar digital content within a specific time frame, such as, for example, when a user buys or accesses digital content related to fitness every week for the past two months, this frequent engagement indicates a high purchase intent for fitness-related products; b) Sequence Pattern of the order in which the user purchases different types of digital content, such as, for example, when a user first purchases beginner-level programming courses, followed by intermediate, and then advanced courses, such sequence suggests an increasing commitment and higher purchase intent for advanced programming tools or certifications; c) Time of Dav Pattern of the times of day when the user is most active in purchasing or accessing digital content, such as, for example, when a user frequently purchases digital content late at night, which might indicate leisure or hobby-related purchases, like movies or games, rather than work-related content; d) Content Type Pattern of identifying_the types of digital content the user consistently purchases or accesses, such as, for example, when a user regularly buys e-books on financial investment, it shows a strong interest in finance, suggesting a high purchase intent for related products like stock trading software; e) Spending Pattern of the amount of money a user spends on digital content over a period, such as when a user who consistently spends increasing amounts on high-quality digital art resources indicates a growing investment in graphic design, showing high purchase intent for advanced graphic design tools or software; f) Topic / Theme Pattern of recurring themes or topics in the purchased digital content, such as, for example, when a user repeatedly buys content on healthy cooking and diet plans, which typically indicates a strong interest in health and wellness, suggesting high purchase intent for related products like kitchen gadgets or health supplements; g) Source Pattern of the sources from which the user prefers to purchase digital content, such as, for example, when a user regularly buys from reputable educational platforms, it indicates trust in those sources, suggesting a higher likelihood of purchasing premium courses or subscriptions from the same sources; h) Engagement Pattern of how the user engages with purchased digital content,such as duration and depth of interaction including, for example, when a user who spends significant time on detailed financial reports rather than just skimming through indicates a high level of interest and a higher purchase intent for similar in-depth content.

[0066] The algorithm employed for determining the purchase intent indicator in step 220 may be adapted or adjusted over time to improve its accuracy by the payment system server 30 receiving notification that at least one product and service associated with a previously determined purchase intent indicator value was purchased by the user associated with the user account, and the payment server adjusting the algorithm for determining the purchase intent indicator based at least in part on purchase information associated with the notification.

[0067] In yet another embodiment, the method 200 performed by the payment system server 30 may further transmit to the user device graphic information indicative of a status of the user account including at least brand image information associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account. The transmitted graphic information may be, for example, indicative of a status of the user account status information including brand images associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account, optionally with such transmission occurring at least intermittently and / or in accordance with status changes until, for example, the accepted credit from the promoter is depleted. It should be readily understood that the graphic information indicative of a status of the user account may include other information and brand images, such as brand images associated with the payment service operating the payment system server 30, and / or selectable icons for other credit offers to the user associated with the user account. In addition, it is possible for transmitted graphic information to the user device for executing a webpage having a URL in connection with a brand associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account.

[0068] Fig. 6 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 that is similar to the method 200 of Fig. 5, but which enables promoters to provide a promotion of providing credits in the form of a number of prompts to a fee-based artificial intelligence system to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies a threshold value. The method 400 is particularly useful when the deferred payment system server 30 is adapted to providedeferred payment for costs associated with prompts and / or access to fee-based artificial intelligence systems.

[0069] In Fig. 6, like numbered steps 205-230 of the method 400 are substantially similar or identical those steps of the method 200. After the step 230 of the payment system 30 server transmits the respective notices to the identified at least one promoter based on the contact information in the promoter database 40, i.e., with each such notice including the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying at least the threshold value for at least one product and service, the method 400 proceeds to step 410.

[0070] In step 410, the payment system server 30 receives from at least one promoter in response to the transmitted notice in step 230, at least one offer of a predetermined number of prompts to an artificial intelligence system to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value. In step 415, the payment system server 30 forwards at least one received offer of the predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system to the user device associated with the user account associated with the at least one purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value. Then, in step 420, the payment system server 30 receives from the user device an acceptance of one of the offers to be applied to the user account, and in step 425, the payment system server 30 applies to the associated user account, the accepted predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system from the promoter. Lastly, in optional step 430, the payment system server 30 transmits to the promoter whose offer was accepted a confirmation that includes the information associated with the user and / or user account as described above with regard to step 225 of the method 200 in Fig. 5. It should be readily understood that is possible for the step 430 to be performed prior to or simultaneous with step 425.

[0071] Fig. 7 depicts an exemplary flow diagram of method 300 that is similar to the method 200 of Fig. 5, but instead of transmitting the determined purchase intent indicators to promoters maintained in the promoter database, the method 300 includes the payment system server 30 transmits the determined purchase intent indicators when such satisfies a threshold value for a particular goods and / or services, to an advertising network server 60 in, for example, an invitation to provide promotional services. In Fig. 7, like numbered steps of the method 400, such as steps205-210, and 220, are substantially similar or identical those steps of the methods 200 and 400. Because the method 300 does not rely on a promoter database, there is little need to incudes step 215 of the method 200 with regard to maintaining the promoter database 50. After the step 220 of the payment system 30 in the method 300 determines the purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and / or service, the method 300 proceeds to step 310.

[0072] In step 310, when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value, the payment system server 30 transmits to the advertising network server 60, an invitation to provide promotional services along with certain user information including, for example, the determined purchase intent indicator and at least one of the plurality of pre-defined attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator. In response to the transmitted invitation, the payment system server 30 in step 315, receives at least one offer of promotional services in the form of credit to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator, wherein the at least one offer being sent from or on behalf of a corresponding at least one promoter associated with the advertising network server 60.

[0073] In step 320, the payment system server 30 forwards at least one of the received credit offers to the user device associated with the user account. Then, in step 325, the payment system server 30 then receives from the user device 10 associated with the user account an acceptance of one of the credit offers to be applied to the user account, and in step 330, the payment system server 30 applies the accepted credit from the promoter to the associated user account. In optional step 335, the payment system server 30 transmits a confirmation to the promoter whose credit offer was accepted, and which may include certain of information associated with the user and / or user account as described above with regard to step 225 of the method 200 in Fig. 5. It should be readily understood that is possible for the step 335 to be performed prior to or simultaneous with step 330.

[0074] The forwarding by the payment system server 30 of at least one of the credit offers to the user device in step 320 may include identifying a highest credit offer when at least two offers are received from at least two promoters, and wherein the payment system server 30 forwards only the highest credit offer to the user device.

[0075] As noted above with regard to the method 200, the determination of the purchase intent indicator in step 220 by the payment system server 30 in the method 400 may employ an algorithmbased at least in part on a number of the purchased digital content for the user account within a predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes, such as identified topics and / or sources of such purchased digital content. Such employed algorithm may include determination of the purchase intent indicator based on weighted factors applied to respective prices paid for the digital content within the predetermined time period. Further, such employed algorithm may alternatively or additionally include the determination of the purchase intent indicator based at least in part on identifying a pattern of digital content purchases associated with the user account, wherein such pattern maybe, for example, at least indicative of the number and time duration of purchases and / or accesses to such digital content having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes.

[0076] The algorithm employed for determining the purchase intent indicator in step 220 of the method 400 may also be adapted or adjusted to improve its accuracy by the payment system server 30 receiving notification that at least one product and service associated with a previously determined purchase intent indicator value was purchased by the user associated with the user account, and the payment server adjusting the algorithm for determining the purchase intent indicator based at least in part on purchase information associated with the notification.

[0077] For a person skilled in the art in this field, it should be obvious that there are further possibilities for allocating the identification number ID to the shopper system 10. For example, the communication protocols on which the internet is based can be amended such that said protocols permit unambiguous conclusions about the shopper system used. Commonly used browsers employ caching of the requested web sites in order to be able to access said web sites rapidly and easily. It is necessary to provide individually cached elements with a (web) identification number so that on renewed call-up of a site by the shopper system 10, an updated version of the object provided with the identification number is requested. This request by the shopper system 10 enables the payment system 30 to identify the shopper system 10 uniquely. URLs can also be modified so that said URLs give the identification number ID or a portion thereof.

[0078] The disclosed payment service was described with the functions of the payment system 30 separate from the functions of the online shop 20. However, it readily should be understoodthat such payments systems may be incorporated into the operations of the online shop. For example, the operations of such an online shop may include: receiving, over a network, request information and an identifier of a shopper system, wherein the request information represents a request for transmission of specific digital content to said the shopper system, with the digital content transmission subject to a fee; further receiving information from the shopper system indicating acceptance of the fee for such digital content; storing information related to the fee in association with the shopper system identifier; monitoring a total outstanding balance of fee(s) associated with the user device identifier; transmitting a request signal for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding fees balance exceeds a predetermined threshold amount or when the total outstanding fees over a period of time exceeds a predetermined time interval; and transmitting the requested specific digital content to said user device when the total outstanding fees balance does not exceed the predetermined threshold amount or the total outstanding fees over a period of time does not exceed the predetermined time interval.Reference signs

[0079] 1 Internet

[0080] 5 Shopping system

[0081] 10 Shopper system, user device

[0082] 20 Online shop

[0083] 30 Payment system

[0084] 31 Identification device

[0085] 32 Interface device

[0086] 33 Memory device

[0087] 34 Processing device

[0088] 40 User information database

[0089] 50 Promoter database

[0090] 60 Advertising network server

[0091] ID Identification numberStep 101 : payment system records the MAC address of the shopper

[0092] system

[0093] 102 Step 102: Is the shopper system creditworthy?

[0094] 104 Step 104: The user transacts a purchase

[0095] 105 Step 105: The online shop passes on an associated entry

[0096] 106 Step 106: Does an account exist for the MAC address?

[0097] 107 Step 107: The payment system stores the direct debit order

[0098] 108 Step 108: Further purchases?

[0099] 111 Step 111 : Payment request

[0100] 112 Step 112: Is the user paying?

[0101] 113 Step 113: Block access

[0102] 114 Step 114: Create account

[0103] 200 Flow diagram

[0104] 205 Step 205: Provide a deferred payment service

[0105] 210 Step 210: Store information in user information database

[0106] 215 Step 215: Store information in promoter database

[0107] 220 Step 220: Determine purchase intent indicatorStep 225: Identify at least one promoter in the promoter

[0108] 225 database

[0109] 230 Step 230: Transmit notice to identified promoter(s)

[0110] Step 235: Receive responses of promotion credit offers fromat least one promoterStep 240: Forward received promotion credit offers to the

[0111] user device

[0112] Step 245: Receive acceptance from user device of a promotion credit offer

[0113] Step 250: Apply accepted promotion credit to the user account

[0114] Step 255: Notify promoter of the accepted promotion credit offer

[0115] 300 Flow diagram

[0116] 310 Step 310: Transmit invitation to advertising network server

[0117] 315 Step 315: Receive at least one offer of promotional services

[0118] 320 Step 320: Forward received promotion services credit offer to the user device

[0119] 325 Step 325: Receive acceptance from user device of a promotion services credit offer

[0120] 330 Step 330: Apply accepted promotion services credit offer to the user account

[0121] 335 Step 335: Notify promoter of the accepted promotion services credit offer

[0122] 400 Flow diagram

[0123] 410 Step 410: Receive at least one offer of promotional offer of predetermined number of prompts to an artificial intelligence

[0124] 415 Step 415: Forward received promotion services credit offer of the predetermined number of prompts to the user device

[0125] 420 Step 420: Receive acceptance from user device of a promotion offer of the predetermined number of prompts

[0126] 425 Step 425: Apply accepted promotion credit offer of the predetermined number of prompts to the user accountStep 430: Notify promoter of the accepted promotion credit

[0127] 430 offer of the predetermined number of prompts to the user account

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: a) providing a deferred-payment service by a network-accessible deferred payment server, the deferred payment service performing the steps of (i) processing authorization of digital content purchases for a user account without requiring payment at time of purchase,(ii) monitoring a total of an outstanding purchase balance associated with the user account; and(iii) transmitting a request signal to the user device for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding balance will have exceeded at least one of a predetermined threshold amount and / or accrued over a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval; b) storing in a user information database accessible by the payment server, purchase information of a plurality of purchases of digital content under the user account, said purchase information for each respective one of the digital content purchases including a time of such purchased digital content, and at least one of a plurality of attributes associated with the purchased digital content; c) storing in a promoter database accessible by the payment server, promoter information of at least one promoter, wherein the promoter information includes such promoter’s contact information and at least one of the plurality of attributes for which the promoter provides promotional services; d) determining for the user account, by the payment server, a purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and service associated with the at least one of the plurality of attributes present in the purchased digital content for the user account for purchases made over a predetermined time period; e) the payment server searching the promoter database to identify at least one promoter providing promotional services of the at least one of the plurality of attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator of the at least one of product and service when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value; f) transmitting, by the payment server, respective notices to the identified at least one promoter based on the contact information in the promoter database, each notice including the determined purchase intent indicator for the at least one of a product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying at least the threshold value;g) the payment server receiving from the at least one promoter in response to the transmitted notice, at least one offer of a credit to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value; h) forwarding, by the payment server, at least one of the credit offers to the user device associated with the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value; i) receiving by the payment server, from the user device associated with the user account, an acceptance of one of the credit offers to be applied to the user account; and j) the payment server applying the accepted credit from the promoter to the associated user account.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: k) the payment server transmitting a confirmation to the promoter whose credit offer was accepted that includes information associated with the user account.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, in particular of claim 1, further comprising the step of the payment server identifying a highest credit offer when at least two offers are received from at least two promoters, and wherein the step h) of forwarding, by the payment server, at least one of the offers to the user device only forwards the highest credit offer.

4. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 1, wherein the step d) of determining the purchase intent indicator employs an associated algorithm based at least in part on a number of the purchased digital content for the user account within a predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes.

5. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 4, wherein the employed associated algorithm comprises the steps of determining the purchase intent indicator based on weighted factors applied to respective prices paid for the digital content over the predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes; and / or wherein the employed associated algorithm comprises the steps of determining the purchase intent indicator based on identifying a pattern of digital content purchases associated with theuser account, wherein the identifying the pattern is at least based on digital content purchases pattern having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes.

6. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: the payment server receiving notification that at least one product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indicator value was purchased by the user associated with the user account; and the payment server adjusting the algorithm for determining the purchase intent indicator based at least in part on purchase information in connection with the notification.

7. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting to the user device graphic information indicative of a status of the user account including at least brand image information associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account.

8. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 7, wherein the step of transmitting graphic information indicative of a status of the user account status information webpage including at least brand images associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account shall occur at least intermittently until the accepted credit from the promoter is depleted; and / or wherein the graphic information indicative of a status of the user account further includes brand images associated with the payment service operating the payment server; and / or wherein the step of transmitting graphic information indicative of a status of the user account includes selectable icons for other credit offers to the user associated with the user account.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising step of transmitting information to the user device for executing a webpage having a URL in connection with a brand associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account.

10. A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: a) providing a deferred-payment service by a network-accessible deferred payment server, the deferred payment service performing the steps of (i) processing authorization of digital content purchases for a user account without requiring payment at time of purchase,(ii) monitoring a total of an outstanding purchase balance associated with the user account; and(iii) transmitting a request signal to the user device for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding balance will have exceeded at least one of a predetermined threshold amount and / or accrued over a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval; b) storing in a user information database accessible by the payment server, purchase information of a plurality of purchases of digital content under the user account, said purchase information for each respective one of the digital content purchases including a time of such purchased digital content, and at least one of a plurality of attributes associated with the purchased digital content; c) determining for the user account, by the payment server, a purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and service associated with the at least one of the plurality of attributes present in the purchased digital content for the user account for purchases made over a predetermined time period; d) transmitting, by the payment server, to an advertising network server, an invitation to provide promotional services along with said certain user information comprising the purchase intent indicator of the at least one of product and service when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value, and at least one of the plurality of attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator; e) the payment server receiving at least one offer of promotional services in the form of credit to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value, said at least one offer being sent from or on behalf of a corresponding at least one promoter associated with the advertising network server; f) forwarding, by the payment server, at least one of the credit offers to the user device associated with the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator; g) receiving by the payment server, from the user device associated with the user account, an acceptance of one of the credit offers to be applied to the user account; andh) the payment server applying the accepted credit from the promoter to the associated user account.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: k) the payment server transmitting a confirmation to the promoter whose credit offer was accepted that includes at least information associated with the user account; and / or further comprising the step of the payment server identifying a highest credit offer when at least two offers are received from at least two promoters, and wherein the step h) of forwarding, by the payment server, at least one of the offers to the user device only forwards the highest credit offer.

12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11, in particular of claim 10, wherein the step c) of determining the purchase intent indicator employs an associated algorithm based at least in part on a number of the purchased digital content for the user account over the predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the employed associated algorithm comprises the steps of determining the purchase intent indicator based on weighted factors applied to at least one of respective prices paid for the digital content over the predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes; and / or wherein the employed associated algorithm comprises the steps of determining the purchase intent indicator based on identifying a pattern of digital content purchases associated with the user account, wherein the identifying the pattern is at least based on digital content purchases pattern having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes.

14. The method or any or the preceding claims, in particular of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: the payment server receiving notification that at least one product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indictor value was purchased by the user associated with the user account; and the payment server adjusting the algorithm for determining the purchase intent indicator based at least in part on purchase information in connection with the notification.

15. A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: a) providing a deferred-payment service process by a deferred payment service, the deferred payment service performing the steps of (i) processing authorization of digital content purchases for a user account without requiring payment at time of purchase, (ii) monitoring a total of an outstanding purchase balance associated with the user account; and (iii) transmitting a request signal to the user device for settlement of at least a part of the total outstanding purchase balance when the total outstanding balance will have exceeded at least one of a predetermined threshold amount and / or accrued over a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval; b) storing in a user information database accessible by the payment server purchase information of a plurality of purchases of digital content under the user account; said purchase information for each respective one of the digital content purchases including a time of such purchased digital content, and at least one of a plurality of attributes associated present in the purchased digital content; c) storing in a promoter database accessible by the payment server, promoter information of at least one promoter, wherein the promoter information includes such promoter’s contact information and at least one of the plurality of attributes for which the promoter provides promotional services; d) determining for at least one user account, by the payment server, a purchase intent indicator of at least one of a product and service associated with the at least one of the plurality of attributes present in the purchased digital content for the user account for purchases made over a predetermined time period; e) the payment server searching the promoter database to identify at least one promoter providing promotional services of the at least one of the plurality of attributes associated with the determined purchase intent indicator of the at least one of product and service when the determined purchase intent indicator satisfies at least a threshold value; f) transmitting, by the payment server, respective notices to the identified at least one promoter based on the contact information in the promoter database, each notice including the determined purchase intent indicator for the at least one of a product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying at least the threshold value;g) the payment server receiving from the at least one promoter in response to the transmitted notice, at least one offer of a predetermined number of prompts to a fee-based artificial intelligence system to be applied to the user account associated with the determined purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value; h) forwarding, by the payment server, at least one received offer of the predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system to be applied to the user account to the user device associated with the user account associated with the at least one purchase intent indicator satisfying the threshold value; i) receiving by the payment server, from the user device associated with the user account, an acceptance of one of the offers to be applied to the user account; and j) the payment server applying the accepted predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system from the promoter to the associated user account.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: k) the payment server transmitting a confirmation to the promoter whose offer was accepted that includes at least information associated with the user account; and / or further comprising the step of the payment server identifying one of the offers with a highest predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system when at least two offers are received from at least two promoters, and wherein the step h) of transmitting, by the payment server, at least one of the offers to the user device only forwards the offer of the highest predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system offer.

17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, in particular of claim 20, wherein the step d) of determining a purchase intent indicator employs an associated algorithm based at least in part on a number of the purchased digital content for the user account over the predetermined time period, having in common at least one of the plurality of attributes.

18. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: the payment server receiving notification that at least one product and service associated with the determined purchase intent indictor value was purchased by the user associated with the user account; andthe payment server adjusting the algorithm for determining the purchase intent indicator based at least in part on purchase information in connection with the notification.

19. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting to the user device graphic information indicative of a status of the user account including at least brand image information associated with the promoter whose offer was accepted in association with the user account.

20. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 19, wherein the step of transmitting graphic information indicative of a status of the user account status information webpage including at least brand images associated with the promoter whose offer was accepted in association with the user account shall occur intermittently until the accepted predetermined number of prompts to the artificial intelligence system from the promoter is depleted; and / or wherein the graphic information indicative of a status of the user account includes brand images associated with the payment service operating the payment server; and / or wherein the step of transmitting graphic information indicative of a status of the user account includes selectable icons for other credit offers to the user associated with the user account.

21. The method of any of the preceding claims, in particular of claim 19, further comprising step of transmitting information to the user device for executing a webpage having a URL in connection with a brand associated with the promoter whose credit offer was accepted in association with the user account.

22. A system comprising:- a network-accessible deferred payment server;- a user device;- a user information database; and- a promoter database; wherein the system is configured to execute the method of any of the preceding claims.

23. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a system, cause the system to carry out the method of any of the claims 1 to 21.

Images