PRESENTATION INSTRUMENT WITH USER-CREATED PIN AND METHODS FOR ACTIVATING

• US 20070262160A1
• Filed: 05/09/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cameron, Jennifer, Martinez, Larry, Narlinger, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/493
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/02 Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets B42D25/00 takes precedence; envelopes B65D27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for activating a presentation instrument using a computerized network. The method utilizes a presentation instrument package that comprises a greeting card and a presentation instrument. A package identifier on the greeting card is read and transmitted to a host computer system to indicate that the presentation instrument has been purchased. After being purchased, the package identifier may be detached from the greeting card and the presentation instrument may be removed from the greeting card. To activate the presentation instrument, an access code and a presentation instrument identifier obtained from the presentation instrument may be provided to the host computer system. Furthermore, the recipient may select a personal identifier to associate with the presentation instrument. The personal identifier may be transmitted to the host computer system for storage.

Claims

1. A method for activating a presentation instrument using a computerized network, the method comprising:

providing a presentation instrument package comprising a greeting card and a presentation instrument;

reading a package identifier coupled to the greeting card and transmitting an identifier to a host computer system to indicate that the presentation instrument has been purchased;

detaching the package identifier from the greeting card;

removing the presentation instrument from the greeting card;

transmitting an access code and a presentation instrument identifier obtained from the presentation instrument to the host computer system to activate the presentation instrument;

selecting a personal identifier; and

transmitting the personal identifier to the host computer system.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the package identifier comprises a magnetic stripe removably attached to the greeting card.

3. A method as in claim 2, further comprising:

swiping the magnetic stripe through a point-of-service (POS) device; and

detaching the magnetic stripe from the package identifier, wherein the magnetic stripe is detached from the greeting card by tearing a score line.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the greeting card is sealed in a closed position with a temporary seal.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the greeting card includes a message.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising replacing the access code with the personal identifier at the host computer system.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the package identifier comprises a UPC symbol and an account identifier, and wherein the UPC symbol contains information selected from a dollar amount for the presentation instrument, a fee associated with the presentation instrument, and a type of presentation instrument.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the package identifier further comprises an account identifier associated with the presentation instrument identifier.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the host computer system includes a status associated with the presentation instrument identifier, and further comprising changing the status to sold when the host computer system receives the package identifier.

10. A method as in claim 9, further comprising changing the status from sold to active when receiving the access code and the presentation instrument identifier.

11. A method as in claim 1, further comprising a merchant confirming receipt of payment prior to transmitting the identifier to the host computer system.

12. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting to the host computer system information on a payment vehicle used to purchase the greeting card; and

evaluating the information on the payment vehicle for fraudulent behavior.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein the fraudulent behavior is based on a number of times the payment vehicle was used during a certain time period or a number of presentation instrument packages purchased with the payment vehicle over a certain time.

14. A method as in claim 1, further comprising accessing an interactive voice response (IVR) system, and wherein the access code, the presentation instrument identifier and the personal identifier are provided to the IVR system.

15. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating an expiration date associated with the presentation instrument at a time of sale of the presentation instrument; and

transmitting from the host computer system a decline message if the expiration date is less than a certain time.

16. A presentation instrument package comprising:

a greeting card;

a presentation instrument removably attached to the greeting card, the presentation instrument including an access code and a presentation instrument identifier, wherein upon removal of the presentation instrument from the greeting card, the access code and the presentation instrument identifier are readable to permit them to be transmitted to a host computer system in order to activate the presentation instrument; and

a package identifier removably attached to the greeting card, wherein the package identifier is configured to be read while attached to the greeting card and to be transmitted to the host computer system to indicate that the presentation instrument has been purchased, and wherein the package identifier is configured to be detached from the greeting card after transmission to the host computer system.

17. A presentation instrument package as in claim 16, wherein the presentation instrument is attached to the greeting card with an adhesive.

18. A presentation instrument package as in claim 16, wherein the package identifier further comprises a magnetic stripe to store the access code and the presentation instrument identifier.

19. A presentation instrument package as in claim 16, wherein the package identifier is attached to the greeting card by a score line, wherein the score line is configured to allow the package identifier to be detached from the greeting card.

20. A presentation instrument package as in claim 16, wherein the package identifier is attached to the greeting card by a peal-off sticker.