Patent ID: 6963857

Claim:
A system for allowing a user to add a value via a wide-area network (WAN) to a first account of a first network system of a participant from a second account supported by a different network system, the first account being supported by a first account server coupled to the WAN, said value-adding system comprising: a WAN-accessible value transfer station (VTS) coupled to said WAN and coupled to the first account server, said WAN-accessible VTS including 1) means for receiving from one of a general purpose computer and a personal digital assistant (PDA) operated by the user a) second account identification information, and b) the value that the user desires to transfer to said first account from said second account, 2) means for verifying that said second account authorizes the transfer of said value, and 3) means for transferring said value to said first account from said second account.