Methods and systems for exchanging and or transferring various forms of value

• US 20060037835A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Kerry, Doran, Michael, Jacobson, Jessaca, Hanson, Kim P, Martin, Douglas A, Dean, Scott A
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 194/302
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/381 Currency conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 1/02 giving change coin-actuated mechanisms in general G07F
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/0087 Banknote changing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 5/00 Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/00 Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/203 Dispensing operations within ATMs dispensing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/204 Loading of a stored value token using an ATM
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted

Abstract

Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

Claims

1. A method for providing a prepaid card to a user, the method comprising:

providing a coin-counting machine having a coin-input region, a coin discriminator, and a card dispenser;

receiving a plurality of coins from a user in the coin-input region of the coin-counting machine;

discriminating at least a portion of the received coins with the coin discriminator to determine a value of the received coins; and

issuing at least one prepaid card to the user from the card dispenser, the prepaid card having a card value related to the value of the received coins.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to one of the displayed transaction options, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user from the card dispenser corresponds to the selected transaction option, and wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user has a card value related to a first portion of the value of the received coins; and

issuing a redeemable voucher to the user, wherein the redeemable voucher has a voucher value related to a second portion of the value of the received coins.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a plurality of coins from a user includes nonsequentially receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins of at least two different denominations from a user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a plurality of coins from a user includes nonsequentially receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins of at least two different denominations from a user in a coin tray, and wherein the method further comprises moving the coin tray to at least partially deliver the plurality of coins to the coin discriminator.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing an enclosure housing the coin discriminator and the card dispenser.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user; and

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to one of the displayed transaction options, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user from the card dispenser corresponds to the selected transaction option.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user, the first transaction option being to purchase a prepaid credit card and the second transaction option being to purchase a prepaid phone card; and

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to one of the displayed transaction options, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user from the card dispenser corresponds to the selected transaction option.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user;

receiving a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first transaction option; and

receiving a second transaction selection from the user corresponding to the second transaction option, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user from the card dispenser includes a first card corresponding to the first transaction selection and a second card corresponding to the second transaction selection.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user, the first transaction option being to purchase a prepaid credit card and the second transaction option being to purchase a prepaid phone card;

receiving a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first transaction option; and

receiving a second transaction selection from the user corresponding to the second transaction option, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user from the card dispenser includes a prepaid credit card corresponding to the first transaction selection and a prepaid phone card corresponding to the second transaction selection.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least one prepaid card option to the user;

receiving a selection from the user corresponding to the at least one prepaid card option, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user from the card dispenser corresponds to the selected card option, and wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user has a card value related to a first portion of the value of the received coins; and

issuing a redeemable voucher to the user, wherein the redeemable voucher has a voucher value related to a second portion of the value of the received coins.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least one prepaid card option to the user;

receiving a selection from the user corresponding to the at least one prepaid card option;

receiving an input from the user defining a card value for the selected prepaid card option, the card value corresponding to a first portion of the value of the received coins, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user has the defined card value; and

issuing a redeemable voucher to the user, wherein the redeemable voucher has a voucher value related to a second portion of the value of the received coins.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises reading information from a card submitted by the user, the information being related to an account of the user, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user has a card value related to the value of the received coins and the value of funds received from the account of the user.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises:

reading information from a card submitted by the user with the card reader, the information being related to an account of the user; and

receiving an input from the user defining a value to be debited or charged to the account, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user has a card value related to the value of the received coins and the value to be debited or charged to the account of the user.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a communication facility, the communication facility being operatively connected to at least the card reader and configured to exchange information with one or more remote computers, and wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting at least a portion of the information read by the card reader to a remote computer via the communication facility, the remote computer being associated with the account of the user; and

receiving confirmation from the remote computer related to the value to be debited or charged to the account of the user, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user is issued at least partially in response to receiving the confirmation from the remote computer.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving an input from the user defining a value includes receiving a first input from the user, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second input from the user, the second input being related to at least one of identification of the account and access to the account of the user.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving an input from the user defining a value is receiving a first input from the user, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second input from the user, the second input being related to at least one of a password and an account number.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein reading information from a card submitted by the user includes reading information from at least one of a wallet-sized credit card, debit card, phone card, and smart card.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises:

reading information from a card submitted by the user, the information being associated with funds available to the user; and

receiving an input from the user defining a portion of the funds available to the user value to be debited or charged to the account, wherein the at least one prepaid card issued to the user has a card value corresponding to the value of the received coins and the value to be debited or charged to the account of the user.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a communication facility, the communication facility configured to exchange information with one or more remote computers, and wherein the method further comprises providing transaction information to a remote computer via the communication facility, wherein the transaction information relates to the at least one prepaid card issued to the user.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a communication facility, the communication facility configured to exchange information with one or more remote computers, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing first information to a remote computer via the communication facility, the first information relating to the at least one prepaid card issued to the user; and

in response to providing the first information to the remote computer, receiving second information from the remote computer via the communication facility, the second information relating to the at least one prepaid card issued to the user.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a communication facility, the communication facility configured to exchange information with one or more remote computers, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing first information to a remote computer via the communication facility, the first information relating to the at least one prepaid card issued to the user; and

in response to providing the first information to the remote computer, receiving second information from the remote computer via the communication facility, the second information relating to the at least one prepaid card issued to the user, wherein the at least one prepaid card is issued to the user at least partially in response to the second information.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

reading information from a portion of the at least one prepaid card issued to the user; and

providing at least a portion of the information read from the prepaid card to a remote computer.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

reading first information from a portion of the at least one prepaid card issued to the user;

providing at least a portion of the first information to a remote computer; and

in response to providing the remote computer with the first information, receiving second information from the remote computer relating to the at least one prepaid card issued to the user.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

reading identification information from a portion of the at least one prepaid card issued to the user;

providing at least a portion of the identification information to a remote computer; and

in response to providing the remote computer with the identification information, receiving verification information from the remote computer causing the card dispenser to dispense the at least one prepaid card to the user.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a card writer configured to write information to cards issued from the card dispenser, and wherein the method further includes writing selected information to the at least one card issued to the user with the card writer, the selected information being at least partially related to the value of coins received from the user.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a card writer configured to write information to cards issued from the card dispenser, and wherein the method further includes writing selected information to the at least one card issued to the user with the card writer, the selected information being at least partially related to the user.

27. A method for transferring funds to an account, the method comprising:

providing a coin-counting machine having a coin-input region, a coin discriminator, and a communication facility, wherein the communication facility is operatively connectable to at least one remote computer associated with the account;

receiving a plurality of coins from a user in the coin-input region of the coin-counting machine;

discriminating at least a portion of the received coins with the coin discriminator to determine a total value of the received coins;

receiving an input from the user defining a portion of the total value to be transferred to the account; and

transmitting funds information to the remote computer via the communications facility, the funds information being at least partially related to the portion of the total value.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving input from the user at least partially identifying the account.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising, in response to receiving the funds information from the coin-counting machine, increasing the amount of funds available to the user via the account.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the account is a long-distance telephone account, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving the funds information from the coin-counting machine, increasing the amount of long-distance telephone time available to the user via the long-distance telephone account.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the account is a wireless cell phone account, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving the funds information from the coin-counting machine, increasing the number of cell phone minutes available to the user via the cell phone account.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the account is a credit card account, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving the funds information from the coin-counting machine, increasing the amount of funds available to the user via the credit card account.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein the account is an on-line payment account, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving the funds information from the coin-counting machine, increasing the amount of funds available to the user via the on-line payment account.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user; and

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user, the first transaction selection being at least partially related to the account.

35. The method of claim 27 wherein the account is a first account, and wherein the method further comprises:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user, the first transaction option being associated with the first account and the second transaction option being associated with a second account;

receiving a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first account; and

receiving a second transaction selection from the user corresponding to the second account, wherein transmitting funds information to the remote computer via the communications facility includes transmitting first funds information to the first account and transmitting second funds information to the second account.

36. The method of claim 27 wherein the account is a first account, and wherein the method further comprises:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user, the first transaction option being associated with the first account and the second transaction option being associated with a second account;

receiving a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first account; and

receiving a second transaction selection from the user corresponding to the second account, wherein transmitting funds information to the remote computer via the communications facility includes transmitting first funds information to the first account and second funds information to the second account, and wherein the first funds information is related to a first portion of the value of the received coins and the second funds information is related to a second portion of the value of the received coins.

37. The method of claim 27 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises reading information from a card submitted by the user, the information being related to the account.

38. The method of claim 27 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises reading information from a card submitted by the user, the information identifying a wireless cell phone account.

39. The method of claim 27 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises:

reading information from a card submitted by the user with the card reader, the information being related to the account; and

receiving a PIN from the user associated with the account.

40. The method of claim 27 further comprising receiving confirmation from the remote computer related to a value transferred to the account.

41. The method of claim 27 wherein receiving an input from the user includes receiving a first input from the user, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second input from the user, the second input being related to at least one of identification of the account and access to the account of the user.

42. The method of claim 27 wherein receiving an input from the user includes receiving a first input from the user, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second input from the user, the second input being related to at least one of a password and an account number.

43. The method of claim 27 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises reading information from at least one of a wallet-sized credit card, debit card, phone card, and smart card.

44. The method of claim 27 wherein transmitting funds information to the first computer includes transmitting first information, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to transmitting the first information to the remote computer, receiving second information from the remote computer via the communication facility, the second information confirming the transfer of funds to the account.

45. The method of claim 27 wherein transmitting funds information to the first computer includes transmitting first information, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to transmitting the first information to the remote computer, receiving second information from the remote computer via the communication facility, the second information confirming the transfer of funds to the account; and

in response to receiving the second information from the remote computer, issuing a record of the transaction to the user.

46. A method for adding value to a card, the method comprising:

providing a coin-counting machine having a coin-input region, a coin discriminator, and a card writer, the card writer being configured to write information to cards;

receiving a plurality of coins from a user in the coin-input region of the coin-counting machine;

discriminating at least a portion of the received coins with the coin discriminator to determine a value of the received coins; and

writing value information to a card with the card writer, the card being at least temporarily placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user, the value information being at least partially related to the value of the received coins.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the card includes an integrated circuit chip having a memory, and wherein writing value information to the card with the card writer includes storing information in the memory of the integrated circuit chip.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the card has an initial value prior to being placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user, and wherein writing value information to the card with the card writer includes increasing the value of the card.

49. The method of claim 46 wherein the card is a prepaid credit card having an initial value prior to being placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user, and wherein writing value information to the card with the card writer includes increasing the value of the prepaid credit card.

50. The method of claim 46 wherein the card is a prepaid phone card having an initial value in long-distance telephone minutes prior to being placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user, and wherein writing value information to the card with the card writer includes increasing the value of the prepaid phone card.

51. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user; and

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user, the first transaction selection causing at least a portion of the value of the received coins to be transferred to the card when the card is placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user.

52. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user, the first transaction selection causing at least a first portion of the value of the received coins to be transferred to the card when the card is placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user; and

issuing a redeemable voucher to the user, wherein the redeemable voucher has a voucher value related to a second portion of the value of the received coins.

53. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user, the first transaction option being associated with a first card and the second transaction option being associated with a second card;

receiving a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first card; and

receiving a second transaction selection from the user corresponding to the second card, wherein writing value information to a card with the card writer includes writing first value information to the first card and writing second value information to the second card, and wherein both the first and second cards are at least temporarily placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user.

54. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user, the first transaction option being associated with a first card and the second transaction option being associated with a second card;

receiving a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first card; and

receiving a second transaction selection from the user corresponding to the second card, wherein writing value information to a card with the card writer includes writing first value information to the first card and writing second value information to the second card, wherein the first value information relates to a first portion of the value of the received coins and the second value information relates to a second portion of the value of the received coins, and wherein both the first and second cards are at least temporarily placed in the proximity of the card writer by the user.

55. The method of claim 46 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises reading information from the card placed at least temporarily in the proximity of the card writer by the user.

56. The method of claim 46 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader configured to read information from cards, and wherein the method further comprises reading information from the card placed at least temporarily in the proximity of the card writer by the user, the read information being related to an initial value of the card.

57. The method of claim 46 wherein providing a coin-counting machine includes providing a card reader and a display, the card reader being configured to read information from cards and the display being configured to display at least a portion of the information read from the cards, and wherein the method further comprises:

reading information from the card placed at least temporarily in the proximity of the card writer by the user, the read information being related to an initial value of the card; and

displaying at least a portion of the read information to the user with the display.

58. The method of claim 46, further comprising receiving an input from the user defining a value to be transferred to the card, wherein writing value information to the card includes transferring the defined value to the card.

59. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

receiving an input from the user defining a value to be transferred to the card, wherein writing value information to the card includes transferring the defined value to the card; and

providing a confirmation to the user that the defined value has been transferred to the card.

60. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

receiving a first input from the user identifying the user; and

receiving a second input from the user defining a value to be transferred to the card, wherein writing value information to the card includes transferring the defined value to the card.

61. The method of claim 46 wherein writing value information to the card includes writing information to one of a wallet-sized credit card, debit card, phone card, and smart card.

62. The method of claim 46 wherein receiving a plurality of coins from a user and writing value information to a card submitted by the user defines a transaction, and wherein the method further comprises issuing a record of the transaction to the user.

63. A method for exchanging coins for items of value, the method comprising:

providing a coin-counting machine having a coin-input region, a coin discriminator, a user interface, a communication facility, and an outlet for dispensing items of value;

receiving a plurality of coins from a user in the coin-input region of the coin-counting machine;

discriminating at least a portion of the received coins with the coin discriminator to determine a value of the received coins;

receiving an input from the user via the user interface, the user input causing the communication facility to transmit first information to a remote computer, the first information being associated with the user;

in response to transmitting the first information to the remote computer, receiving second information from the remote computer, the second information being associated with an item of value selected by the user; and

in response to receiving the second information from the remote computer, dispensing the item of value to the user via the outlet, wherein at least a portion of the value of the received coins is applied to the cost of the item of value.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving a unique number identifying the user to the remote computer, and wherein receiving second information from the remote computer includes receiving information identifying an item of value previously selected by the user.

65. The method of claim 63 wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving a unique number identifying the user to the remote computer, and wherein receiving second information from the remote computer includes receiving information identifying an item of value previously ordered.

66. The method of claim 63 wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving a unique number identifying the user to the remote computer, and wherein receiving second information from the remote computer includes receiving information identifying an item of value previously ordered over a computer network.

67. The method of claim 63 wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving a unique number identifying the user to the remote computer, and wherein receiving second information from the remote computer includes receiving information identifying an item of value previously ordered by telephone.

68. The method of claim 63 wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving information associated with an event ticket previously ordered, and wherein dispensing the item of value to the user via the outlet includes dispensing the event ticket via the outlet.

69. The method of claim 63 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a printer operably connected to the communication facility, and wherein dispensing the item of value to the user includes printing the item of value.

70. The method of claim 63 wherein providing a coin-counting machine further includes providing a printer operably connected to the communication facility, wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving user information associated with an event ticket ordered from an event ticket web site, and wherein dispensing the item of value to the user includes printing the event ticket and dispensing the event ticket to the user via the outlet.

71. The method of claim 63 wherein the remote computer is a first remote computer, and wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving information associated with an item of value ordered from a second remote computer, the second remote computer being located remotely from the coin-counting machine and the first remote computer.

72. The method of claim 63 wherein the remote computer is a first remote computer, and wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving information associated with an item of value previously ordered by the user from a second remote computer, the second remote computer being located remotely from the coin-counting machine and the first remote computer.

73. The method of claim 63 wherein the remote computer is a first remote computer, and wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving information associated with an item of value ordered from a second remote computer by communicating with the first remote computer, the second remote computer being located remotely from the coin-counting machine and the first remote computer.

74. The method of claim 63 wherein the remote computer is a first remote computer hosting an associated web site, and wherein receiving an input from the user via the user interface includes receiving information associated with an item of value previously ordered from the web site by the user with a second remote computer, the second remote computer being located remotely from the coin-counting machine and the first remote computer.

75. An apparatus for providing prepaid cards to users, the apparatus comprising:

an enclosure;

a user interface positioned at least proximate to the enclosure and accessible to a user positioned outside the enclosure, the user interface configured to receive instructions from the user related to a prepaid card;

a coin-input region positioned to receive a plurality of coins from the user for transfer into the enclosure;

a coin discriminator positioned within the enclosure to receive the plurality of coins from the coin-input region, the coin discriminator configured to discriminate at least a portion of the received coins to determine a value of the received coins; and

a card dispenser positioned within the enclosure, the card dispenser configured to dispense a prepaid card to the user at least partially in response to receiving a card selection via the user interface, and further in response to discriminating at least a portion of the received coins, wherein the dispensed prepaid card has a card value related to the value of the received coins.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the dispensed prepaid card has a card value related to a first portion of the value of the received coins, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a voucher printer configured to issue a redeemable voucher to the user, wherein the redeemable voucher has a voucher value related to a second portion of the value of the received coins.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the coin input region includes a coin tray configured to nonsequentially receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins of at least two different denominations from a user.

78. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the coin input region includes a coin tray configured to nonsequentially receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins of at least two different denominations from a user, and wherein the coin tray is further configured to move at least partially upwardly to deliver the plurality of coins to the coin discriminator.