Stored-value card management method and system
First Claim
1. A computerized method for real-time activating and issuing of stored-value cards over a communications network, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a central processor specifically programmed for activating and issuing stored-value cards from a plurality of unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks directly to cardholders or cardholder benefactors, a stored-value card purchasing request via a respective communication gateway, and in response to receiving the request;
communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with an unaffiliated stored-value card processing network, such network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices;
communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with a potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser regarding a stored-value card, via a communication gateway, wherein communication gateway does not comprise the unaffiliated stored-value card processing network;
activating and issuing the stored value card through the central processor; and
managing a stored-value card transaction through said unaffiliated stored-value card processing network by said central processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks. The universal central processor is programmed to issue the stored-value cards directly to the cardholder or card purchaser by download over respective communication gateways. The universal central processor is further programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants thereby providing a universal management system.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computerized method for real-time activating and issuing of stored-value cards over a communications network, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a central processor specifically programmed for activating and issuing stored-value cards from a plurality of unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks directly to cardholders or cardholder benefactors, a stored-value card purchasing request via a respective communication gateway, and in response to receiving the request; communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with an unaffiliated stored-value card processing network, such network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices; communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with a potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser regarding a stored-value card, via a communication gateway, wherein communication gateway does not comprise the unaffiliated stored-value card processing network; activating and issuing the stored value card through the central processor; and managing a stored-value card transaction through said unaffiliated stored-value card processing network by said central processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of universally managing multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor connected to a stored-value card database, and multiple respective merchant communication interface devices for communication by respective merchants with said processors, said method comprising:
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providing a universal central processor and communicating by said universal central processor with a universal stored-value card cardholder information database managed by said universal central processor; communicating by said universal central processor with potential or existing stored-value cardholders or holder benefactors through communication gateways, wherein the communications gateways do not comprise the multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks; communicating by said universal central processor with said stored-value card processing networks; programming said universal central processor for communicating with said unaffiliated stored-value card processors for electronically activating and issuing stored-value cards to said cardholders or holder benefactors through the central processor, and further programming said universal central processor for managing stored-value card transactions through said stored-value card processors. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computerized system for electronically providing stored-value cards over a communications network, the system comprising:
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a central information database for storing stored-value cardholder information; a central processor for receiving card purchasing requests from respective stored-value card holders or card purchasers, said central processor coupled for communication to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices, said central processor programmed in response to a card purchaser request for communicating with a respective processor to electronically activate and issue a stored-value card through the central processor, wherein said card purchaser request is received via a communication gateway which does not comprise the multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, and said central processor programmed for managing transactions originated by the cardholder or card processor for the stored-value cards through said unaffiliated networks. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification