Merchandising of content in a prepaid environment
View Patent ↗A system is provided. The system comprises a computer, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives a message that a communications device has accessed an electronic storefront. The system also determines the amount of funds presently credited to a deposit account associated with the communications device. The system also identifies a first group of products, the first group comprising the products available from the electronic storefront with prices equal to or less than the amount of funds presently credited to the deposit account. The system also transmits pricing information about each of the first group of products to the communications device. The system also transmits instructions to the communications device on arranging the pricing information for each of the first group of products in the display of the communications device.
1. A processor-implemented method, comprising:
detecting, by a merchandising server, a communications device initiating contact with an electronic storefront;
determining, by the merchandising server, a balance of funds in a deposit account associated with the communications device and a services subscription account;
reducing, by the merchandising server, the prices of selected electronic products for sale by the electronic storefront, wherein the selected electronic products bear prices higher than the balance of funds, and wherein the prices are reduced to levels one of at and below the balance of funds;
transmitting, by the merchandising server, price information about the selected electronic products to the communications device, wherein the price information comprises the reduced prices of the selected electronic products; and
transmitting, by the merchandising server, instructions to the communications device on the manner of presentation of the price information in the display of the communications device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the services subscription account is associated with a telecommunications services provider.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising a user of the communications device periodically adding to the funds on deposit under the services subscription account and further comprising the telecommunications services provider debiting the funds on deposit upon usage of the services.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected products are produced by one of the telecommunications services provider and a third-party provider of selected products.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein when the selected products are produced by the third-party provider of selected products, the discounts are approved by the third-party provider of selected products.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instructions transmitted additionally direct the presentation of price information for electronic products not subjected to price reductions, and wherein the electronic products not subject to price reductions comprise electronic products with individual prices equal to or less than the balance of funds.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the selected electronic products and the electronic products not subject to price reductions comprise ring tones, music, electronic games, and software applications.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the instructions transmitted direct the communications device to present in the display of the communications device the highest priced electronic products from the selected electronic products and the electronic products not subject to price reductions.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
receiving, by the merchandising server, a message from the communications device, the message purchasing at least one of the presented electronic products, the message further authorizing debiting the balance of funds by the purchase price of the at least one electronic product purchased; and
transmitting, by the merchandising server, instructions to the communications device to present another group of electronic products in the display, the other group comprising the highest priced remaining electronic products from the selected electronic products and the electronic products not subject to price reductions with individual prices equal to or less than a new balance of funds in the deposit account after the debiting.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the other group additionally comprises at least one electronic product not previously displayed with an individual price equal to or less than the new balance of funds, and wherein the at least one electronic product not previously displayed is the most expensive electronic product not previously displayed with an individual price equal to or less than the least expensive electronic product previously displayed.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the balance of funds is determined each time the communications device engages in a session with any electronic storefront associated with the merchandising server.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the services subscription account is a prepaid services subscription with a telecommunications service provider, and wherein the funds on deposit are debited upon usage of services by the communications device.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the communications device receives a message from the telecommunications service provider when an amount of funds on deposit one of reaches and falls below a predetermined level.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic storefront is associated with one of a telecommunications service provider and a third-party vendor of products.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deposit account is held by a telecommunications service provider and is debited for wireless communications services provided by the telecommunications service provider and is debited for the products sold by at least one of the telecommunications service provider and a third-party vendor of products.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising notifying a user of the communications device to add funds to the deposit account when the balance of funds in the deposit account falls below a predetermined level.