209 results about "Stored-value card" patented technology

A payment system that does not rely on credit or debit cards, does not require the merchant and purchaser to have compatible memberships to complete a transaction, and does not limit single transactions to a single account provides a wide range of flexibility permitting debit, credit, pre-paid and payroll cards to be accommodated in a seamless and invisible manner to the electronic transaction network. The transaction may be verified and approved at the point-of-sale whether or not the merchant is a member of a specific financial transaction system. Specifically, the point-of-sale transaction system permits an identified customer to use any of a variety of payment options to complete the transaction without requiring the merchant to pre-approve the type of payment selected by the customer. In one configuration, and in order to take advantage of the widespread use of the ATM / POS network, the invention uses a typical credit / debit card format to provide the identifying information in a stored value card. When a transaction is to be completed, the user enters the identifying information carried on the card at the point-of-sale. This can be a merchant or other service provider at a retail establishment, or on-line while the user is logged onto a web site, or other location. The information can be swiped by a card reader, or manually entered via a keyboard or other input device. The system supports a wide range of flexibility, permitting issuing systems such as parents and state welfare agencies to restrict the types of authorized uses, and permitting users to access accounts in a prioritized manner. Further, the accepting merchant is not required to be a member because settlement with the merchant may be made via the Federal Reserve Automatic Clearing House (ACH) system by typical and standard electronic transfer. This permits the merchant to take advantage of the lower ACH transaction fees with even greater convenience and flexibility than the current ATM / POS system. The system supports numerous types of identification methods from typical credit card structures with magnetic data strips to various biometric systems such as finger prints, facial recognition and the like. Specifically, once the user is identified, the transaction is managed by his membership data on record with the transaction processing system.

A method of exchanging payment information in an electronic transaction includes a first electronic transaction device transferring payment information to a second electronic transaction device, the second electronic transaction device transferring value information to the first electronic transaction device, and the second electronic transaction device transferring value information and payment information to a service consolidation center. A retailer electronic transaction device may transfer a virtual stored value card to a customer's electronic transaction device.A method of tracking retail sales of pre-paid telephone cards to cash subscribers includes entering value purchased information and subscriber information in a retailer electronic transaction device, the retailer electronic transaction device transferring the value purchased information and subscriber information to a mobile operator, and the mobile operator adding value corresponding to the value purchased information to an account corresponding to the subscriber information.

A virtual card management system including one or more servers having memory executable via a processor is provided. The virtual card management system including a virtual card manager executable on the one or more servers having an integration connector engine configured to communicatively link at least one card service provider and the virtual card manager. The virtual card management system may further include a virtual card management platform configured to communicatively link the virtual card manager with at least one virtual card engine, each virtual card engine including one or more virtual cards, the virtual card management platform including an enablement module configured to selectively enable a virtual card transaction between at least one virtual card and a corresponding card service provider based on a set of predetermined authentication rules.

The present invention relates to stored value cards and improved bank processing systems. In particular, it relates to systems and methods that load value into demand deposit and plastic account number accounts corresponding to the stored value card and make funds available without delay, even for the unbanked. It also relates to methods for avoiding fraud.

The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts.

To facilitate the sale of merchandise using a stored value card (SVC), a method and system are provided to automatically reload an SVC in accordance with automatic reload preferences associated with the SVC account. The preferences include the pre-authorized reload amount, payment method, and the circumstances under which to automatically reload the SVC with the pre-authorized reload amount. The preferences are previously specified by a party associated with the SVC when setting up the automatic reload option. The party is notified when the automatic reload occurs.

A computerized system and method for securely authorizing and distributing stored-value card data over a communications network is provided. The method allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card as well as information identifying a plurality of trusted sources of stored-value card activation requests and / or a plurality of trusted communications networks for transmitting stored-value card activation requests. A transmitting step allows for a requesting terminal to transmit over a communications network a request to change the status of a stored-value card. The central processor then determines whether the requesting terminal and / or the communications network is a trusted source. Based on whether the requesting terminal or communications network is a trusted source or trusted communications network, the request can be processed and the card can be activated. A method for establishing a list of trusted sources and trusted communications networks is also provided.

A kiosk machine vends stored value cards (i.e., pre-paid and gift cards). The kiosk is self-service and will allow a user to select, purchase and pay for a stored value card without requiring the presence or assistance of a sales clerk. The kiosk can vend one or more cards in a single transaction. The kiosk is a computer-based vending machine having a touch-sensitive video screen and a card reader. The touch screen provides a user interface for a user to receive information and provide input selections. The card reader can be used to read a transaction card (e.g., an American Express card or credit card) to facilitate payment for the stored value card(s) being purchased. The vending method comprises: providing a kiosk having a user interface; receiving, via the user interface, a request to purchase a stored value card, receiving payment for the purchase; determining a card number associated with a selected card; activating the selected card to produce an activated stored value card in the card denomination; and dispensing the activated stored value card. A user purchasing a stored value card can select a type of stored value card, wherein the type is selected from the group consisting of an open card and a closed card. The closed card can be of the type usable only in a shopping center where the kiosk is physically located. The user can further select a card denomination. The method further allows a user to check a card balance for a stored value card.