SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR SELLING TRANSACTION INSTRUMENTS VIA WEB-BASED TOOL
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating distribution of a transaction instrument through a distributor, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a transaction instrument associated with a transaction account to the distributor; and
receiving, via a web based interface, information requesting authorization of the distribution of the transaction instrument;
providing a response to the distributor via said web based interface.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating distribution of a transaction instrument through a distributor, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a transaction instrument associated with a transaction account to the distributor; and
receiving, via a web based interface, information requesting authorization of the distribution of the transaction instrument;
providing a response to the distributor via said web based interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of distributing a transaction instrument comprising the steps of:
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providing an internet accessible web site that is configured to facilitate distribution of a transaction instrument, wherein said providing step further comprises the steps of;
receiving transaction instrument distribution information via said internet accessible web site;
forwarding said transaction instrument distribution information to a card authorization system and receiving an authorization response from said card authorization system; and
providing said authorization response for output on the internet accessible web site. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 35)
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23. A method for distributing a transaction instrument, in a retail environment, comprising the steps of:
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offering, at a merchant, a transaction instrument for distribution;
allowing a customer to obtain said transaction instrument;
accessing, at the point of sale of said transaction instrument, an internet website that is configured to facilitate distribution of said transaction instrument;
communicating transaction distribution information to an issuer via said internet web site; and
facilitating the funding of said transaction instrument. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A web based system for facilitating distribution of a transaction instrument through a distributor comprising:
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a transaction instrument issuing system configured to issue the transaction instrument to a distributor, wherein said transaction instrument issuing system comprises an internet website that is configured to receive transaction distribution information from said distributor;
a distributor system configured distribute the transaction instrument and to communicate with the transaction instrument issuing system, wherein said communication facilitates the funding of a transaction account associated with the transaction instrument, and wherein said distributor system further comprises a device for accessing said internet website to facilitate said communication. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of distributing a transaction instrument comprising the steps of:
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receiving purchase data associated with the transaction instrument through a first medium, wherein said first medium comprises a web page authorization medium;
receiving a request to fund the transaction account through a second communication medium;
causing a transaction account associated with the transaction instrument to be funded but not activated; and
,funding said transaction account at a time subsequent to said receiving purchase data. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification