System and method for adding value to a stored-value account

• US 20040133511A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Merrill Brooks, Graves, Phillip Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,328,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0652 e-cash with decreasing value according to a parameter, e.g. time
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/48 Secure or trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements or encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/715 Activating new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/10 Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/2518 from material card, using a magnetic stripe card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/2525 : optical code recognition [OCR], e.g. bar code reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/2568 : bar code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0156 : Secure and trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements, encryption, digital signature, codes or double check mechanisms to secure billing calculation and information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 : involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 : Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2033 : WLAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7027 : Activate new subscriber or card

Abstract

A system and method for adding value into a customer'"'"'s stored-value account is provided. A stored-value card is distributed to a merchant for distribution to a customer who has an account with a specific provider of goods and/or services. The stored-value card has an associated identifier that can be used to associate a stored value with the card. The associated stored value is redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider. The account has an associated account number. During a card purchase transaction, a central processor receives a request to activate the card from a merchant terminal. The central processor receives a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request includes the identifier. The central processor identifies the provider and the account number. The central processor inserts the associated value into the account, for instance by passing a value insertion request to the provider. The central processor receives a subsequent request to activate the card from a different merchant terminal. The central processor recognizes the card, identifies the provider and account number, and automatically inserts the value into the account.

Claims

1. A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a specific provider, the stored-value card having an associated identifier that can be used to associate a stored value with the card, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the account having an associated account number;

receiving a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a card purchase transaction;

receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;

identifying the provider and the account number; and

passing from the central processor to the provider a first request to apply the associated stored value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is associated with the specific provider prior to receiving the first activation request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated value is printed on the card.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card has a face value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activation request is during the card purchase transaction.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to receiving the first activation request;

receiving a request for a card preauthorization confirmation from the first merchant terminal; and

passing the card preauthorization confirmation to the first merchant terminal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request to apply the associated stored value comprises a request to add the associated stored value to the account.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

passing an activation confirmation to the first merchant terminal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a value insertion confirmation from the provider; and

passing to the customer confirmation information indicating that the associated value was added to the account.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activation request comprises input information that was input from the card at the first merchant terminal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the card comprises a barcode, and the input information was input by scanning the barcode.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the card comprises a magnetic strip, and the input information was input by swiping the magnetic strip.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is printed on the card.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is printed on the card, and wherein the identifier is not visible during the distributing action.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is unique to the card.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein redemption instructions are printed on the card.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the redemption request is received at a specific processor phone number, and wherein the provider is identified by the specific processor phone number.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the redemption request is received at a specific website, and wherein the provider is identified by the specific website.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising prompting the customer for card information.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier, a card number, and at least one of a barcode and a magnetic strip are on the card.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the redemption request is received from a customer phone number, and the account number is identified by identifying the customer phone number using an automatic identification number (ANI) process.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the first merchant terminal is a trusted source of activation requests; and

activating the card.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the first activation request was received over a trusted communication network; and

activating the card.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the first merchant terminal is associated with the card; and

based on the determining action, activating the card.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting the customer for the identifier.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is a PIN.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is associated with the specific provider.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request to apply the associated value comprises an .xml file conforming to an API of the specific provider.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request to apply the associated value comprises an input into an IVR system of the specific provider.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on receiving the first activation request, determining whether to activate the card.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

after a determination to activate the card, associating the associated stored value with the identifier.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

passing an activation confirmation to the first merchant terminal.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for wireless telephone service.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for paging services.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for internet-enabled communication services.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for wireless web access.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for emergency road service.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for at least one of legal service, account service, and tax service.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for transportation services.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for online dating services.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for internet access.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for film processing.

43. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a gift card.

44. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid gas card.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid grocery card.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid entertainment card.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid movie card.

48. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable ring tone card.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable game card.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable movie card.

51. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable music card.

52. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable music card that uses at least one of MP3, MP4, WMV, and WAV music formats.

53. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is a customer rewards card.

54. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card is at least one of a bridge and road toll card.

55. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for long distance telephone communication.

56. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for wireless communication.

57. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating the provider and the account number with the identifier in a record.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

receiving a second request to activate the card at the central processor;

based on receiving the second request, identifying the account number and the provider by processing the record; and

passing a second request to process the associated stored value from the central processor to the provider.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

based on receiving the second request, determining whether the account number and the provider have been previously identified.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the second request to process the associated stored value comprises adding the associated stored value to the account.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is received from a second merchant terminal.

62. The method of claim 58, wherein the first merchant terminal is the second merchant terminal.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is received over the internet.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is received from a PDA.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is a request to add value to the account.

66. The method of claim 57, wherein the central processor stores the record in a database.

127. The method of claim 58, wherein the central processor stores the record in a database.

128. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is received from a second merchant terminal.

129. The method of claim 58, wherein the first merchant terminal is the second merchant terminal.

130. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is received over the internet.

131. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is received from a PDA.

132. The method of claim 58, wherein the second activation request is a request to add value to the account.

67. A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a specific provider, the stored-value card having an associated identifier that can be used to associate a stored value with the card, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the account having an associated account number;

receiving a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a card purchase transaction;

receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;

identifying the provider and the account number;

associating the provider and the account number with the identifier in a record;

applying the associated value to the account based on the redemption request;

receiving at the central processor a second request to activate the card; and

applying the associated value to the account based on the second activation request.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

based on receiving the second activation request, automatically identifying the provider and the account number by processing the record,

wherein applying the associated value to the account based on the second activation request is additionally based on automatically identifying the provider and the account number.

69. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

based on receiving the second activation request, determining whether the account number and the provider have been previously identified.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein the action of applying the associated value to the account based on the second activation request comprises adding the associated stored value to the account.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein the central processor manages the account.

72. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is associated with the specific provider prior to receiving the first activation request.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated value is printed on the card.

74. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card has a face value.

75. The method of claim 67, wherein the first activation request is during the card purchase transaction.

76. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

prior to receiving the first activation request;

receiving a request for a card preauthorization confirmation from the first merchant terminal; and

passing the card preauthorization confirmation to the first merchant terminal.

77. The method of claim 67, wherein the first request to apply the associated stored value comprises a request to add the associated stored value to the account.

78. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

passing an activation confirmation to the first merchant terminal.

79. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

receiving a value insertion confirmation from the provider; and

passing to the customer confirmation information indicating that the associated value was added to the account.

80. The method of claim 67, wherein the first activation request comprises input information that was input from the card at the first merchant terminal.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the card comprises a barcode, and the input information was input by scanning the barcode.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein the card comprises a magnetic strip, and the input information was input by swiping the magnetic strip.

83. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifier is printed on the card.

84. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifier is printed on the card, and wherein the identifier is not visible during the distributing action.

85. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifier is unique to the card.

86. The method of claim 67, wherein redemption instructions are printed on the card.

87. The method of claim 67, wherein the redemption request is received at a specific processor phone number, and wherein the provider is identified by the specific processor phone number.

88. The method of claim 67, wherein the redemption request is received at a specific website, and wherein the provider is identified by the specific website.

89. The method of claim 67, further comprising prompting the customer for card information.

90. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifier, a card number, and at least one of a barcode and a magnetic strip are on the card.

91. The method of claim 67, wherein the redemption request is received from a customer phone number, and the account number is identified by identifying the customer phone number using an automatic identification number (ANI) process.

92. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

determining whether the first merchant terminal is a trusted source of activation requests; and

activating the card based on the determining action.

93. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

determining whether the first activation request was received over a trusted communication network; and

activating the card based on the determining action.

94. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

determining whether the first merchant terminal is associated with the card; and

based on the determining action, activating the card.

95. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

prompting the customer for the identifier.

96. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifier is a PIN.

97. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifier is associated with the specific provider prior to the first activation request.

98. The method of claim 67, wherein the first request to apply the associated value comprises an .xml file conforming to an API of the specific provider.

99. The method of claim 67, wherein the first request to apply the associated value comprises an input into an IVR system of the specific provider.

100. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

based on receiving the first activation request, determining whether to activate the card.

101. The method of claim 100, further comprising:

after a determination to activate the card, associating the associated stored value with the identifier.

102. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

passing an activation confirmation to the first merchant terminal.

103. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for wireless telephone service.

104. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for paging services.

105. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for internet-enabled communication services.

106. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for wireless web access.

107. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for emergency road service.

108. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for at least one of legal service, account service, and tax service.

109. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for transportation services.

110. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for online dating services.

111. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for internet access.

112. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for film processing.

113. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a gift card.

114. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid gas card.

115. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid grocery card.

116. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid entertainment card.

117. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a prepaid movie card.

118. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable ring tone card.

119. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable game card.

120. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable movie card.

121. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable music card.

122. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a downloadable music card that uses at least one of MP3, MP4, WMV, and WAV music formats.

123. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is a customer rewards card.

124. The method of claim 67, wherein the stored-value card is at least one of a bridge and road toll card.

125. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for long distance telephone communication.

126. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for wireless communication.

133. The method of claim 67, wherein the associated stored value is redeemable for at least one of a plurality of different types of prepaid services.

134. A system for adding stored value to a customer account, comprising:

a stored-value card having an associated stored value redeemable with any of a plurality of providers, wherein the stored-value card comprises an identifier and an indicia of the identifier;

a merchant terminal configured to input an indicia of an identifier associated with a stored-value card and transmit the indicia to a central processor during a stored-value card transaction with a customer having a stored-value account with a specific provider;

a central processor configured to;

receive an indicia of an identifier from a merchant terminal, wherein the indicia is associated with a specific stored-value card;

receive an identifier from a customer, wherein the identifier is associated with the specific stored-value card;

identify a provider and a customer account number associated with the specific stored-value card; and

pass a first request to process the associated stored value from the central processor to a specific provider, wherein the specific provider is configured to modify the customer account based on the request; and

a provider configured to receive from the central processor requests to add value to a customer account.

135. The system of claim 134, wherein the central processor is further configured to:

associate a provider and an account number with an indicia in a record;

automatically identify an account and provider based on receiving an indicia of a card for which the central processor has already passed a request to a provider to add an associated value to an account with the provider; and

after identifying the account and the provider, automatically pass from the central processor to the identified provider a second request to add the associated value to the account, wherein the provider is configured to modify the customer account based on the request.

136. A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a specific provider, the stored-value card having an associated identifier that can be used to activate the card and associate a stored value with the card, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the account having an associated account number;

receiving a first request to activate the card at a central processor from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a card purchase transaction;

passing an identifier from the central processor to the merchant terminal for distribution to the customer;

receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;

identifying the provider and the account number; and

passing a first request to apply the associated stored value from the central processor to the provider.

137. A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a specific provider, the account having an associated account number;

receiving a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a card purchase transaction;

passing an identifier to the merchant terminal for distribution to the customer, the identifier being associated with the card and operative to associate a stored value with the card, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider,

receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;

identifying the provider and the account number; and

passing a first request to apply the associated stored value from the central processor to the provider.

138. A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

distributing a stored-value card from a central processor to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a provider, the stored-value card having an associated identifier and an associated stored value, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, the account having an associated account number;

receiving a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal;

receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;

identifying the provider and the account number;

associating the provider and the account number with the identifier in a record;

modifying the account based on the redemption request;

receiving a subsequent request to activate the card at the central processor; and

modifying the account based on the second request to activate.

139. A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a specific provider, the stored-value card having an associated identifier that can be used to associate a stored value with the card, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the account having an associated account number;

receiving a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal;

receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;

identifying the provider and the account number;

associating the provider and the account number with the identifier in a record;

causing the associated value to be added to the account based on the redemption request;

receiving at the central processor a second request to activate the card; and

causing the associated value to be added to the account based on the second activation request.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein the action of causing the associated value to be added to the account based on the redemption request comprises passing from the central processor to a specific one of the one or more providers a request to add value to the account.

141. The method of claim 139, wherein the action of causing the associated value to be added to the account based on the redemption request comprises applying the associated value to the account.