SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF STORED VALUE

• US 20090055296A1
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Giftango Corp. (Millennium Prime, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nelsen, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• 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 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/10 Tax strategies
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

Systems and methods for electronic delivery of stored value are provided. An example method includes receiving a set of identifiers corresponding to a merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system, receiving a request for an electronic value card, associating an identifier from the set of identifiers with the electronic value card, synchronizing the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system with the issued electronic value card, and delivering the electronic value card to a customer. An example system includes a merchant stored value tracking system having a set of unique identifiers, a network communicatively linked with a merchant stored value tracking system; and a value card manager communicatively linked with the network. The value card manager may be configured to receive a request for an electronic value card, synchronize the electronic value card with the merchant stored value tracking system using the unique identifiers, and deliver the electronic value card to a customer for use in the merchant stored value tracking system.

Claims

1. A method for electronic delivery of stored value, the method comprising:

receiving a set of identifiers corresponding to a merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system;

receiving a request for an electronic value card;

associating an identifier from the set of identifiers with the electronic value card;

synchronizing the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system with the issued electronic value card; and

delivering the electronic value card to a customer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the electronic value card includes assigning value to the electronic value card.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing includes automatically associating the electronic value card with the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing includes completing a merchant task.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein assigning the value is delayed until completion of a merchant task.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the electronic value card includes delivering the identifier corresponding to the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier includes one or more of a barcode, customer information, and value card information.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising validating for potential fraud transactions.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing notice regarding use of the value card in the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the value card for use by the customer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising temporarily holding value of the value card until the value can be passed to the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system.

12. A system for electronic delivery of stored value, the system comprising:

a merchant stored value tracking system having a set of unique identifiers;

a network communicatively linked with a merchant stored value tracking system; and

a value card manager communicatively linked with the network, wherein the value card manager is configured to receive a request for an electronic value card, synchronize the electronic value card with the merchant stored value tracking system using the unique identifiers, and deliver the electronic value card to a customer for use in the merchant stored value tracking system.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the value card manager assigns value and automatically synchronizes the electronic value card with the merchant stored value tracking system.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the value card manager delays assigning value until completion of a merchant task.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the value card manager periodically synchronizes the merchant stored value tracking system.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein display of the electronic value card includes the unique identifier for use by the merchant stored value tracking system.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the unique identifiers are part of the unique identifiers used to identify merchant-issued value cards.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the value card manager is configured to receive a request for an electronic value card for a second merchant using a second merchant stored value tracking system, and is configured to synchronize the electronic value card with the second merchant stored value tracking system using the second merchant stored value tracking system identifiers, and deliver the electronic value card to a customer for use in the second merchant stored value tracking system

19. The system of claim 12, wherein use of the electronic value card occurs without the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system having to have real time communication with a secondary value card tracking system.

20. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for electronic delivery of stored value, the instructions being executable by a networked value card management system to:

receive a set of identifiers corresponding to a merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system;

receive a request for an electronic value card;

associate an identifier from the set of identifiers with the electronic value card;

synchronize the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system with the issued electronic value card; and

deliver the electronic value card to a customer.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the system is configured to receive a second set of identifiers corresponding to a second merchants stored value tracking system and to associate an identifier from the second set of identifiers when an electronic value card is request from a second merchant.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system is automatically synchronized.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system is synchronized upon completion of a merchant task.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further comprising validating the request for potential fraud transactions.