Internet funds transfer system using ATM pickup

• US 20060163341A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tulluri, Gupta Sesha Raghavendra, Thompson, Mark, Seifert, Dean A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network

Abstract

One method for transferring funds includes receiving at a web server computer a request to transfer funds from a sender to a receiver. The request includes information identifying the sender and a payment vehicle for providing funds to transfer. The payment vehicle is validated and a transaction identifier is generated or assigned. The transaction identifier may be transmitted from the web server computer to the sender. When ready to receive the funds, the transaction identifier is entered into an ATM. If the transaction identifier is validated, the funds are dispensed from the ATM.

Claims

1. A method for transferring funds, comprising:

receiving at a web server computer a request to transfer funds from a sender to a receiver, wherein the request includes information identifying the sender and a payment vehicle for providing funds to transfer;

validating the payment vehicle and generating a transaction identifier;

transmitting the transaction identifier from the web server computer to the sender;

receiving at an automated teller machine (ATM) the transaction identifier;

validating the transaction identifier; and

dispensing funds if the transaction identifier is validated.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising receiving information at the web server computer regarding a pick-up location of the receiver, and transmitting from the web server computer nearby ATM locations where the funds may be received.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising generating a pass code and transmitting the pass code to the sender, and further comprising validating the pass code before dispensing the funds.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising transmitting an electronic message to the receiver with the transaction identifier.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising transmitting a message to a telephone of the receiver with the transaction identifier.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising transmitting from the web server computer to the sender status information on the request to transfer funds.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the transaction identifier is input into the ATM using a keypad.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising electronically transmitting a notice to the sender when the funds have been dispensed.

9. A method for transferring funds, comprising:

a sender entering a request to transfer funds to a receiver into a sender computer using a web page, wherein the request includes information identifying the sender and a payment vehicle for providing the funds to transfer;

transmitting the request to a host computer system;

validating the payment vehicle and generating a transaction identifier;

transmitting the transaction identifier to the sender computer using the host computer system;

transmitting the transaction identifier and an approved funding amount from the host computer system to an ATM system;

receiver inputting into an ATM the transaction identifier;

validating the transaction identifier using the ATM system; and

dispensing at least some of the approved funding amount using the ATM if the transaction identifier is validated.

10. A system for transferring funds, comprising:

a host computer system including a web server computer that is configured to receive money transfer requests from senders;

an ATM system in communication with the host computer system, wherein the ATM system includes a network of ATM machines that are configured to dispense funds;

wherein the host computer system is configured to receive and validate a payment vehicle associated with a funds transfer request and to transmit a transaction identifier to a user computer;

wherein the ATM system is configured to receive the transaction identifier from one of the ATM machines, to validate the transaction identifier received from the host computer system and to dispense funds associated with the transaction identifier using one of the ATM machines.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein the host computer system is further configured to determine ATM machines near a pick-up location of the receiver and to transmit from the web server computer information on such ATM machines.

12. A system as in claim 10, wherein the host computer system is further configured to generate a pass code and to transmit the pass code to a sender using the web server computer, and wherein the ATM system is configured to validate the pass code before dispensing funds to the receiver.

13. A system as in claim 10, wherein the host computer system is further configured to transmit an electronic message to the receiver with the transaction identifier.

14. A system as in claim 10, wherein the host computer system is configured to transmit a message to a phone of the receiver with the transaction identifier.

15. A system as in claim 10, wherein the host computer system is further configured to maintain status information on the request to transfer funds and to transmit the status information to the sender using the web server computer.

16. A system as in claim 10, wherein the ATMs each include a keypad and are configured to receive the transaction identifier using the keypad.

17. A system as in claim 10, wherein the host computer system is configured to transmit a notice to the sender when the funds have been dispensed.

18. A system as in claim 10, wherein the web server computer is configured to generate a web page with fields for entering information on the sender and a transfer amount.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein the web server computer is further configured to elicit information on the payment vehicle.