Electronic postal money order method and system

• US 20020120562A1
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael S. Opiela, Ronald E. Garey
• Original Assignee: Michael S. Opiela, Ronald E. Garey
• Inventors: Opiela, Michael S., Garey, Ronald E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,849,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]

Abstract

Provided is an electronic postal money order system and method comprising the purchase and fulfillment of a money order, having the steps of inputting, through a computer, money order identifying data, comprising at least the amount of the money order and addressee data and inputting payment authorization data through a payment authorization terminal. The system also transmits the money order identifying data and payment authorization data to a central server, authenticates the payment authorization data and, upon such authentication, prints a money order corresponding to the inputted money order identifying data and mails the money order to the addressee.

Claims

1. A method for the electronic purchase and fulfillment of a money order, comprising the steps of:

inputting, through a computer, money order identifying data, comprising at least the amount of the money order and addressee data;

inputting payment authorization data through a payment authorization terminal;

transmitting the money order identifying data and payment authorization data to a central server;

authenticating the payment authorization data and, upon such authentication, printing a money order corresponding to the inputted money order identifying data; and

mailing the money order to the addressee.

2. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order comprising:

receiving, from a remote location, money order identification data, comprising at least payee information and monetary amount information;

receiving a payment for said money order in a form other than cash;

authenticating said payment; and

authorizing said money order.

3. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 further comprising printing said money order.

4. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 further comprising automatically mailing said money order based on said payee information.

5. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 wherein the payment is made using a form of payment selected from one of the group of an ATM card, an Electronic Benefits Card, a Military SVC, a bank debit card, and a credit card.

6. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 wherein a database stores pre-set recurring money order identification data.

7. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 wherein the remote location is a kiosk provided with a computer.

8. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 wherein the remote location is a computer connected to the Internet.

9. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 wherein a transaction tracking number is assigned to the money order.

10. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of money orders can be purchased in a single transaction.

11. A system in which a purchaser of a money order can automatically track the status of the money order comprising:

an authorized money order comprising at least payee information and amount information;

a database, wherein said database stores transaction information of said authorized money order and wherein said database is capable of being accessed by a money order purchaser, wherein the database is capable of displaying transaction information of said money order performed during a predetermined period of time.

13. A money order according to claim 12 wherein the payment is made using a form of payment selected from one of the group of an ATM card, an Electronic Benefits Card, a Military SVC, a bank debit card, and a credit card.

14. A money order according to claim 12 wherein the remote location is a kiosk provided with a computer.

15. A money order according to claim 13 wherein the remote location is a computer connected to the Internet.

16. A money order according to claim 12 wherein a set of transaction information is stored and retrieved on a database using said transaction tracking number.

18. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order of claim 17 further comprising:

creating a mailing list and a total amount list for the purchase of said money order;

transmitting said monetary amount of said money order and said payee information to a print service; and

sending the purchaser a confirmation of said purchase via the Internet.

19. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order according to claim 18 wherein a plurality of money orders are purchased in said communication.

12. A money order comprising:

a set of money order identification data comprising at least payee information and monetary amount information shown on a money order wherein the money order identification data is entered from a remote location and wherein the money order is purchased with a form of payment other than cash and wherein the money order is automatically dispensed from a location; and

a transaction tracking number assigned to the authorized money order.

17. A method for the electronic purchase of a money order comprising:

establishing a communication with a purchaser via the Internet to remotely purchase a money order, wherein an account is assigned to the purchaser and said account is stored in a database;

prompting the purchaser to choose an icon associated with remotely purchasing said money order;

prompting the purchaser to input a set of payee information and a monetary amount of said money order, wherein said set of payee information comprises a payee name and a payee address;

encrypting said payee information and said monetary amount;

prompting the purchaser to enter payment for said money order, wherein said payment is a form other than cash and wherein said purchaser enters said personal identification number to access said account;

encrypting the payment and said personal identification number to form a bankcard packet to form an encrypted bankcard packet;

sending the encrypted bankcard packet to a merchant server;

decrypting said encrypted bankcard packet and attaching a merchant server identification; and

sending said bankcard packet along with said merchant server identification for authorization.