Authorization techniques

Abstract

Authorization techniques are presented. A merchant and buyer interact with an authorization and settlement service. Multiple funding sources associated with the buyer are used to authorize a single transaction between the merchant and the buyer. The authorization and settlement service honors the authorization on behalf of the merchant for a configurable period of time. During this period of time, the merchant may completely or partially settle with the buyer via the network-based authorization and settlement service.

1 . A system, including: 
 a merchant interface;    a buyer interface; and    a network-based authorization and settlement service that interacts with the merchant interface and the buyer interface, and wherein the network-based authorization and settlement service uses one or more combinations of multiple disparate funding sources associated with buyers via the buyer interface to perform authorizations for merchants that interact through the merchant interface.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization and settlement service permits at least one of authorization via a checking account and authorization from a positive balance associated with the network-based authorization and settlement service.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization and settlement service automatically performs one or more re-authorizations after a configurable period of time.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization and settlement service settles previously authorized transactions after receiving notice from the merchants through the merchant interface.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization and settlement service permits multiple settlements for a single authorization.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization and settlement service accesses a fee to at least one of the buyers and the merchants for settlement transactions processed after the authorizations.  
     
     
         7 . A system, including: 
 a merchant data store;    a buyer data store; and    an authorization and settlement means that interacts with merchants to acquire authorization and settlement policies and that interacts with the buyer data store to acquire funding sources for authorizations and settlements.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to perform multiple settlements for a single authorization.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to use one or more of the funding sources from the buyer data store for a single authorization.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to settle above an amount of a single authorization based on a number of the authorization and settlement policies.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to perform one or more re-authorizations in response to conditions in the authorization and settlement policies.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to interact with a buyer to receive updates to a number of the funding sources in the buyer data store.  
     
     
         13 . A system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to terminate pending authorizations in response to interactions with the merchants.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the authorization and settlement means is adapted to debit and credit the funding sources in the buyer data store in response to settlements and refunds.  
     
     
         15 . A method, including: 
 receiving a transaction from a merchant for an amount;    authorizing the amount against one or more funding sources; and    sending a confirmation to the merchant if the authorization was successful.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further including, settling the amount from at least two of the one or more funding sources after receiving a notice from the merchant to settle.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further including, re-authorizing the amount after a configurable period of time if a settlement has not occurred.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further including, processing multiple settlements for different portions of the amount.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further including, settling above the amount.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further including, voiding the authorization or any reauthorization after a configurable event is detected.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  further including: 
 receiving a correction to one of the one or more funding sources after authorization after a settlement attempt fails; and    settling the amount after the correction is received.    
     
     
         22 . A method, including: 
 receiving an authorization request from a merchant for a buyer;    detecting that the authorization request is associated with a checking account of the buyer;    acquiring a credit card as a backup to the checking account; and    honoring the authorization request.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein honoring further includes processing risk or fraud factors for the buyer before honoring the authorization request.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  further including, 
 receiving a settlement request from the merchant;    acquiring a portion of a settlement as an electronic transfer from the checking account;    acquiring another portion of the settlement from the credit card; and    transferring the portions to an account associated with the merchant.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  further including: 
 receiving a settlement request from a merchant;    acquiring a settlement amount to satisfy the settlement request from a funding source, wherein the funding source includes acquiring the settlement from at least one of the credit card account, a positive balance associated with an authorization and settlement service account, and the checking account; and    crediting the settlement amount to a merchant account associated with the merchant.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22  further including, modifying the settlement amount and combinations of the funding source in response to a reauthorization request or modified settlement request.  
     
     
         27 . A method, including: 
 receiving an authorization request associated with a buyer;    detecting that a funding source associated with the authorization request does not permit locking funds; and    honoring the authorization request for the funding source using a backup funding source and assigning a risk for the authorization to the merchant.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further including, determining that the funding source is an electronic check associated with a bank account and that the backup funding source is a credit card.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  further including, making the merchant a merchant of record for a transaction associated with the authorization request.  
     
     
         30 . A machine readable medium embodying instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform any one of the claims  15 ,  22 , or  26 .