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Authorization techniquesRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management Arrangement, Electronic Shopping (e.g., Remote Ordering)Authorization techniques description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060235758, Authorization techniques. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD [0001] The invention relates generally to transaction processing and more particularly to techniques for automated and real-time authorization processing. BACKGROUND [0002] Buyers and merchants are increasingly engaging in real-time and dynamic electronic transactions over the Internet and the World-Wide Web (WWW). A typical buyer can have a variety of different funding sources for any given on-line transaction, such as a checking account, a credit card, a debit card, a gift certificate, etc. A merchant wants to seamlessly accept and to process any form of funding source which is associated with the buyer, because this provides flexibility to the buyer and increases the likelihood that the buyer will purchase a good or service from the merchant. [0003] However, the capability associated with accepting a variety of funding sources may be beyond the technical means of the merchant. Additionally, business risks associated with attempting to accept certain types of funding sources may be too high for a particular merchant. [0004] For example, during an on-line transaction a buyer may request a good (product) from a merchant; the merchant may not acquire payment from the buyer until the ordered good actually ships to the buyer. During the intervening period between the order and the shipment, the merchant may want some assurances that the buyer is going to be able to perform (e.g., pay for the product when shipment occurs). This assurance is generally achieved via an authorization process where funds of a buyer are locked from being used for other purposes but where the funds are not actually withdrawn from the buyer's funding source. However, some types of funding sources do not support the locking of funds for a typical authorization transaction (such as checking accounts or automated clearing house (ACH) accounts; funding source that are not credit cards, etc.). Thus, a merchant takes a risk by accepting some types of funding sources (e.g., electronic checks, ACH, etc.), such that the merchant's product may ship to buyer but that buyer may not be capable of performing (paying). [0005] Generally, merchants are skilled in supplying their goods or services to buyers. The more merchants attempt to finance transactions or accommodate financing arrangements, the more merchants divert resources away from their core competencies. SUMMARY [0006] In an embodiment, an on-line transaction for an amount is received from a merchant. The amount is authorized against one or more funding sources. A confirmation is sent to the merchant if the authorization was successful. [0007] Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements. [0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an authorization and settlement system, according to an example embodiment. [0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another authorization and settlement system, according to an example embodiment. [0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method for authorization and settlement, according to an example embodiment. [0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of another method for authorization and settlement, according to an example embodiment. [0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram of yet another method for authorization and settlement, according to an example embodiment. [0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram of example network-based commerce system or facility which implements various embodiments associated with the invention. [0015] FIG. 7 is a diagram of example applications implemented within some of the components of the network-based commerce system of FIG. 6. [0016] FIG. 8 is a diagram of machine architecture which implements various aspects of the invention, according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] Methods and systems for automated authorization and settlement are described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. [0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an authorization and settlement system 100, according to an example embodiment. The authorization and settlement system 100 is implemented in a machine-accessible and/or readable medium and is accessible over a network. The network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. In an embodiment, the authorization and settlement system 100 is implemented as an authorization and settlement service on a network server over the WWW and is accessible to and interacts with buyers and merchants for purposes of providing automated authorization and settlement techniques to the merchants and the buyers. [0019] The authorization and settlement system 100 includes a merchant interface 101, a buyer interface 102, and a network-based authentication and settlement service 103. In an embodiment, the authorization and settlement system 100 also includes an interface to one or more financial systems 104. Continue reading about Authorization techniques... Full patent description for Authorization techniques Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Authorization techniques patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Authorization techniques or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Vehicular user hospitality system Next Patent Application: Electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system that may contain a membership buying opportunity Industry Class: Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or cost/price determination ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Authorization techniques patent info. 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