Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of conducting a transaction in a trading system. The invention is particularly directed to a trading system where a merchant sends goods and/or services to a customer when the customer is generally located remotely from the merchant. The invention is also directed towards providing a system for carrying out such transactions. The invention is particularly directed to the carrying out of the financial transactions and is not concerned particularly with the actual method of trading.

Abstract: A transaction settlement system and method for internet and other trading over a telecommunications network. Customer computers and merchant computers are connected to customer account servers and merchant account servers respectively, the former maintains a customer account and conducts the financial aspects of the transaction with the merchant server without revealing the customers identity. The sequence of the messages are such that once in message M4, the customer computer instructs the customer accounts server to accept the transaction and the customer accounts server accepts it, the customer accounts server deals with the merchant accounts server to settle the account in accordance with agreed procedures. The merchant can have surely of payment. There is also provided methods to deliver coupons, e.g. discount coupons and to ship goods with anonymity.

Abstract: A transaction settlement system and method for internet and other trading over a telecommunications network. Customer computers and merchant computers are connected to customer account servers and merchant account servers respectively, the former maintains a customer account and conducts the financial aspects of the transaction with the merchant server without revealing the customers identity. The sequence of the messages are such that once in message M4, the customer computer instructs the customer accounts server to accept the transaction and the customer accounts server accepts it, the customer accounts server deals with the merchant accounts server to settle the account in accordance with agreed procedures. The merchant can have surety of payment. There is also provided methods to deliver coupons, e.g. discount coupons and to ship goods with anonymity.