SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL PIGGYBANK
A method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user, the method comprising the steps of establishing a first account, the settings of the first account bcinj stored in a database; establishing a second account, the settings of the second account being stored in the database: linking the first and second accounts such that control settings of the second account are determined through the first account; and making a purchase from the second account consistent with the control settings of the second account.
1 . A method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing a first account, the settings of the first account being stored in a database;
establishing a second account, the settings of the second account being stored in the database;
linking the first and second accounts such that control settings of the second account are determined through the first account; and
making a purchase from the second account consistent with the control settings of the second account.
2 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 1 , wherein the control settings include a list of approved service requesters where purchases can be made from the second account.
3 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 1 , wherein the step of making a purchase from the second account further includes notifying a user associated with the first account.
4 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 3 , wherein the step of notifying a user associated with the first account is performed by e-mail or short message service.
5 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second accounts is linked to an Internet payment account.
6 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 1 , wherein account information for the first and second accounts is stored in a secure database.
7 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of authorizing one or more contributors to access the second account.
8 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 7 , wherein the control settings of the second account designate an amount that each of the one or more contributors may apply to the second account.
9 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 7 , wherein the control settings of the second account designate the frequency that each of the one or more contributors may apply an amount to the second account.
10 . A system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user comprising:
a server; and
a database hosted on the server, the database storing information for a first account and a second account;
wherein control settings of the second account are established through the first account such that a purchase from the second account is consistent with the control settings can be made.
11 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein the control settings include a list of approved service requesters where purchases can be made from the second account.
12 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein a user associated with the first account is notified when a purchase from the second account is made.
13 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 12 , wherein the user associated with the first account is notified by e-mail or short message service.
14 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second accounts is an Internet payment account.
15 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein account information for the first and second accounts is stored in a secure database.
16 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein one or more contributors is authorized to access the second account.
17 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein the control settings of the second account designate an amount that each of the one or more contributors may apply to the second account.
18 . The system providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 10 , wherein the control settings of the second account designate the frequency that each of the one or more contributors may apply an amount to the second account.
19 . A method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user, the method comprising:
establishing an online account that includes specific control parameters;
activating the online account by accessing a web based system designated by the online account; and
controlling a user's use of the web based system through the online account.
20 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 19 , wherein the specific control parameters include which web based systems can be accessed, how much money can be spent at the web based systems, how much money can be spent over a certain time period, and who may contribute money to the online account.
21 . The method of providing control preferences for a prospective Internet user according to claim 19 , wherein the online account is exposed to a web based system through an application programming interface.