Prepaid card terminal and method for implementing prepaid cards
First Claim
1. A prepaid card terminal connected via a global communications network to a remote central server adapted to store and maintain account data associated with a prepaid card, said prepaid card terminal comprising:
- a microcontroller for executing preprogrammed instructions and generating directives;
input means electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for enabling a customer to input information including prepayment amount in connection with the prepaid card and generating an information signal to the microcontroller;
a currency acceptor electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for accepting currency from the customer to pay the prepayment amount, and generating a currency accepted signal to the microcontroller upon paying the prepayment amount;
output means electrically connected and responsive to said microcontroller for prompting the customer to input the information; and
a network interface device electrically connected and responsive to said microcontroller for interfacing with the global communications network to connect to the remote central server, whereupon receiving the currency accepted signal and the information signal, said microcontroller is programmed to transmit the customer inputted information including the prepayment amount through the global communications network to the remote central server for updating the account data.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A prepaid card terminal connected via a global communications network to a remote central server adapted to store and maintain account data associated with a prepaid card where the prepaid card terminal comprises a microcontroller for executing preprogrammed instructions and generating directives, input means electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for enabling a customer to input information including prepayment amount in connection with the prepaid card and generating an information signal to the microcontroller, a currency acceptor electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for accepting currency from the customer to pay the prepayment amount, and generating a currency accepted signal to the microcontroller upon paying the prepayment amount, output means electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for prompting the customer to input the information, and a network interface device electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for interfacing with the global communications network to connect to the remote central server.
228 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A prepaid card terminal connected via a global communications network to a remote central server adapted to store and maintain account data associated with a prepaid card, said prepaid card terminal comprising:
-
a microcontroller for executing preprogrammed instructions and generating directives;
input means electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for enabling a customer to input information including prepayment amount in connection with the prepaid card and generating an information signal to the microcontroller;
a currency acceptor electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for accepting currency from the customer to pay the prepayment amount, and generating a currency accepted signal to the microcontroller upon paying the prepayment amount;
output means electrically connected and responsive to said microcontroller for prompting the customer to input the information; and
a network interface device electrically connected and responsive to said microcontroller for interfacing with the global communications network to connect to the remote central server, whereupon receiving the currency accepted signal and the information signal, said microcontroller is programmed to transmit the customer inputted information including the prepayment amount through the global communications network to the remote central server for updating the account data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
10. The prepaid card terminal of claim further comprising a prepaid card dispenser electrically connected and responsive to the microcontroller for dispensing a prepaid card to the customer when a request for a prepaid card is inputted.
-
11. The prepaid card terminal claim I further comprising a change dispenser electrically connected to the microcontroller for dispensing change when the currency accepted exceeds the prepayment amount.
-
17. A method for enabling a customer to perform a prepay transaction in connection with a prepaid card, said method comprising the steps of:
-
identifying the prepaid card;
requesting the customer to select a prepayment amount; and
accepting payment from the customer to pay for the prepayment amount selected;
transmitting the identification of the prepaid card and the prepayment amount selected to a remote central server adapted for storing and maintaining account data including a balance amount, associated with the prepaid card via a global communications network; and
adding the prepayment a mount selected to the balance amount on the remote central server. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification