Remittance Method And System For Services

Abstract

Tokens containing a unique identification code that allow admission/access to entertainment or personal services are distributed. A seller-distributor node on a computer network affects transactions that exchange tokens for payment. The tokens represent remittance for services provided by service providers. For each token obtained through the seller-distributor node, the system allows a variable rate of redemption at the service providers upon use by the (ticket) holder/user. The ticket holder/user selects which one of the providers to request remittance for services at the respective provider's rates. Different rates exist for a same or equivalent service across at least some of the service providers. Rendering of the token enables remittance for service by the ticket holder/user selected service provider at the selected service provider rate. The token may be in the form of an electronic ticket, bar code, email message, electronic message, code number, or machine readable data/code.

1 . A data processing system providing processing of prepaid tokens configured for use at a plurality of service providers, the data processing system comprising:
 one or more processors configured to process one or more of the prepaid tokens; and   a token manager responsive to processing of the one or more prepaid tokens, the token manager configured to affect variable rate redemption of each token by a respective user at any one of the plurality of service providers upon user request, the user selecting one of the plurality of service providers to request remittance for services and each service provider of the plurality setting respective rates of his services, such that different rates exist for a same or equivalent service across at least some service providers, the prepaid token configured to enable remittance for service by the respective user selected service provider and at the respective rate as set by the selected service provider.   
     
     
         2 . The data processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the prepaid token is redeemable for a certain service from the selected service provider, as opposed to a cash sum. 
     
     
         3 . The data processing system of  claim 1  further including a seller-distributing node is configured to distribute the prepaid token, where the prepaid token is provided by one of a venue owner, a ticket agent, a distributor of a service provider of the plurality of service providers, and one or more of the service providers. 
     
     
         4 . The data processing system of  claim 1  wherein services provided by the plurality of service providers is any of movie showings, a participatory sport session, a spectator sport event, a concert, an entertainment session and a leisure session. 
     
     
         5 . The data processing system of  claim 4  wherein service of the selected service provider has a certain seating limit per date and time. 
     
     
         6 . The data processing system of  claim 1  wherein the prepaid token is any one or combination of an electronic ticket, a bar code, an electronic message, an email message, a code number and a set of machine readable code. 
     
     
         7 . The data processing system of  claim 6  wherein the user redeems the token by any one or combination of: downloading to the selected service provider, transmitting by facsimile, communicating by electronic mail, or electronically rendering the token to the selected service provider. 
     
     
         8 . The data processing system of  claim 1  wherein the prepaid token is configured for redemption, such that a token distributor who distributes the prepaid token absorbs any differences in prices debited by the plurality of service providers for similar service. 
     
     
         9 . The data processing system of  claim 1  wherein redemption is configured for data transfer over a communications network capable of recognizing a unique identifier of the prepaid token, the communications network including any of a credit card network, a debit network, and a financial transaction network. 
     
     
         10 . The data processing system of  claim 1  wherein services provided by the plurality of service providers is any of movie showings, a participatory sport session, a spectator sport event, a concert, an entertainment session and a leisure session. 
     
     
         11 . The data processing system of  claim 9  wherein service of the selected service provider has a certain seating limit per date and time. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus to process prepaid ticketing configured for use at a plurality of service providers, the data processing system comprising:
 one or more processors configured to process prepaid ticketing; and   the prepaid ticketing configured to affect variable rate redemption at any one of the plurality of service providers upon user request, the user selecting one of the plurality of service providers to request remittance for services and each service provider of the plurality setting respective rates of his services, such that different rates exist for a same or equivalent service across at least some service providers, the prepaid ticketing configured to enable remittance for service by the respective user selected service provider and at the respective rate as set by the selected service provider.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein services provided by the plurality of service providers is any of movie showings, a participatory sport session, a spectator sport event, a concert, an entertainment session and a leisure session. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the prepaid ticketing may be any one or combination of an electronic ticket, a bar code, an electronic message, an email message, a code number and a set of machine readable code. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the user redeems the prepaid ticketing by any of: downloading to the selected service provider, transmitting by facsimile, communicating by electronic mail and electronically rendering the prepaid ticketing to the selected service provider. 
     
     
         16 . A distributing node to process prepaid tokens configured for use at a plurality of service providers, the data processing system comprising:
 one or more processors configured to distribute the prepaid tokens; and   the prepaid tokens responsive to redemption, such that the prepaid tokens are configured to affect variable rate redemption at any one of the plurality of service providers upon user request, the user selecting one of the plurality of service providers to request remittance for services and each service provider of the plurality setting respective rates of his services, such that different rates exist for a same or equivalent service across at least some service providers, the prepaid token configured to enable remittance for service by the respective user selected service provider and at the respective rate as set by the selected service provider.