Patent ID: 8429072

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for processing a microtransaction, the method comprising: receiving a transaction request having one or more electronic information packets comprising information of a transaction initiated by a customer interacting with a merchant, the customer using a transaction account, the transaction request including a transaction amount; accessing a microtransaction threshold amount; determining whether the transaction amount is below the microtransaction threshold amount; when the transaction amount is above the microtransaction threshold amount, processing the transaction information through a first interchange entity as a non-microtransaction; and when the transaction amount is below the microtransaction threshold amount: electronically routing the transaction request to a second interchange entity, and processing the transaction request to effect the microtransaction between the customer and the merchant, wherein the second interchange entity processes the microtransaction by debiting or crediting at least a portion of the transaction amount to a pool of funds that has been established for microtransactions.