FACEBOOK, INC. (Menlo Park, CA)
What is a Patent for Varifocal display with actuated reflectors
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1. Technical Field
Many different embodiments are presented in this document. They are related to peer-to business electronic payment transactions. Some or all embodiments are related to systems and methods to facilitate electronic payments.
2. Background and Artwork Relevant to the Issue
Users can use electronic payment systems to make payments with other users via software applications available on one or more devices (e.g. desktop devices and mobile phones). Certain electronic payment systems permit users to make payments with merchants (i.e., peer-to-business payment transactions). These payment systems typically allow users to order products and pay for these items.
Customers and merchants generally need to make payments using one or more accepted methods of payment (e.g. cash, check, credit, debit card, gift cards, etc.) for transactions. In many cases, especially for small companies, merchants will only accept a few methods of payment to avoid contracting costs or transaction costs associated with one or more payment options. So, a customer who wants to purchase products or services from different vendors, each accepting different forms of payment, might require several methods of payment.
Physical payment methods can also present security risks. For example the use of physical debit or credit cards to pay for products or services allows others (e.g. merchant employees, other customers) to access credit card numbers and other financial details of your personal. Customers and employees could easily take financial data from companies by sharing it with them.
The majority of conventional electronic payment systems come with a number of disadvantages that can cause frustrated, confused, and result in an unsatisfactory payment process. Traditional electronic payment systems come with some disadvantages. They’re usually standalone systems that only merchants is able to implement, and the user has to sign up for. Some electronic payment systems have exclusive software that allows users to only communicate with a specific merchant. Other traditional electronic payment methods that allow users to perform payment transactions with a variety of merchants usually restrict users to just making payments.
The limitations of traditional electronic payment systems can also cause inconvenience. To transfer or receive money, users must open an application designed used for payments. The inconvenience of the independent nature of traditional electronic payment systems could deter users from using them.
Accordingly, there are several disadvantages to traditional electronic payment systems as well as methods.
The embodiments described herein provide benefits and/or solutions to some or all of the foregoing or other issues in the field of technology with methods and systems that improve the convenience and ease of electronic transactions with businesses.In particular some embodiments include the payment system in conjunction with an electronic messaging system that permits users to communicate with and also engage in, electronic payment transactions with merchants. The methods and systems permit users to make electronic payments to businesses through an interface for messaging that permits users to exchange messages electronically with merchants. Electronic payment systems that integrate with a messaging system permits merchants and users to both make and receive electronic payment in the same messaging thread. Thus, one or more embodiments allow users to communicate with merchants about a payment transaction and conduct the transaction without having open an additional application specifically designed for electronic payments.
The methods and systems can make for a safer transaction between a merchant and a consumer. The method and the system used to facilitate electronic payments can be used to enable consumers to make purchases without having to supply sensitive financial details like credit card numbers to a merchant. The methods and systems can also be utilized by merchants to verify the identity of consumers to prevent fraud.
Additional advantages and features of the embodiments will be explained in the description to follow and will in part be obvious from the description or learnt through the practice of such examples. It is possible to grasp and enjoy the features and advantages of these embodiments using the combinations and instruments specifically mentioned in the attached claims. These and other advantages are made more clear by the appended claims and following description. You may also be able to master these features by practicing the exemplary embodiments set forth below.
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What is a patent?
A patent is granted by the government to protect an invention, patents grant the inventor exclusive rights to develop, utilize to sell, and market the invention? Society gains when a new technology is brought into the marketplace. These benefits may be realized directly by people who are able to accomplish feats previously unattainable, or indirectly through the economic opportunities that innovation provides (business expansion, job creation).
A lot of pharmaceutical companies and university researchers seek patent protection for their work and research. Patents can be granted to a physical or abstract product or process , or the method or composition of materials that are new to the field. In order to be granted protection under a patent, an invention must be valuable, new, and not obvious to other people in the same area.
Patents reward inventors who have commercially successful inventions. They act as an incentive for inventors to invent. Patents permit inventors and small businesses to be confident that there’s an excellent chance that they will receive a return on their time, effort and money spent on the development of technology. It means that they can make a living by their work.
Patents are essential to firms and can be used to:
Secure your products and services
Enhance the value, appearance, and visibility of your product on the market;
Make your brand stand out from others.
Access business and technical expertise and data;
Beware of the possibility of accidentally using proprietary third-party content, or losing your valuable data, original outputs, or another creative output.
Patents can transform an inventor’s knowledge into a marketable asset which opens new opportunities for job creation and business expansion through joint ventures or licensing.
Small businesses that have patent protection will be more attractive to investors in the commercialization and development of technology.
Patents can lead to the development of innovative ideas and inventions. The information you create may be eligible for protection under patents.
Patents can serve as a deterrent to untrustworthy third parties profiting from the invention’s success.
Patent-protected technology revenue that is commercially profitable can be used to fund technology-related research and development (R&D) which will improve the chances of better technology in future.
Intellectual property ownership can be used to convince investors and lenders that there are genuine opportunities to market your product. One patent that is powerful could lead to multiple financing opportunities. Patents and other IP assets can be used as collateral or as security for debt financing. Investors are also able to view your patent assets in order to increase their company valuation. Forbes and other publications have reported that each patent can add anywhere from $500,000 to one million dollars to company valuation.
Start-ups need a well-constructed business plan that builds on the IP to prove that your product/service is unique, superior, or innovative. Investors will also be impressed if you prove you have IP rights are secure or are in progress of being secure and that they align with your business plan.
It is important to keep your invention secret until you apply for patent protection. The public disclosure of an invention before it is filed could often erode its originality and make it ineligible for patent protection. Disclosures that are filed prior to filing, like for investors, test marketing, or other business partners, is best done following the signing of a confidentiality agreement.
There are many kinds of patents. Understanding the different types of patents is vital to safeguard your invention. Patents for utility are used to protect new processes and machine creations. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Utility patents are the best because they shield the owner from copycats and other competitors. They are typically granted to enhance or modify existing inventions. Utility patents can also be used to cover improvements and modifications in existing inventions. For instance, a process patent covers acts or methods of doing an action, while chemical compositions are a mixture of components.
What is the typical length of a patent? Although utility patents last for 20 years from the date of their initial filing, they may be extended by delays in the patent office.
Do you want to protect your idea? Since patents are only granted for first-to-file applicants, you need to start filing quickly. Call an attorney for patents at PatentPC to protect your idea now!
When drafting a patent application it is recommended to conduct an online patent search. the search can provide an understanding of other people’s thoughts. You’ll be able to reduce the scope of your invention. It is also possible to learn about the latest developments in your field of invention. You’ll get a better understanding of what your invention ought to be and will be more prepared to submit the patent application.
How to Search for Patents
- Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
- Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
- European Patent Office (EPO) provides esp@cenet to access a network of Europe’s patent databases with access to machine translation of European patents.
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) – with access to machine translations of Japanese patents.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) offers PATENTSCOPE with a full-text search of published international patent applications and machine translations for some documents, as well as a list of international patent databases.
- Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
- State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) with machine translation of Chinese patents.
- Other International Intellectual Property Offices with online patent databases include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
- Search non-patent literature. Inventions can be made public in many non-patent publications. It is recommended that you search journals, books, websites, technical catalogs, conference proceedings, and other print and electronic publications.
To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.