Electronic Vouchers

• US 20090132380A1
• Filed: 11/24/2006
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: I-Movo Ltd.
• Original Assignee: I-Movo Ltd.
• Inventors: Tymm, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,202,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

A method for distributing and reliably redeeming electronic cash value vouchers that uses existing POS terminals. The vouchers may be distributed via mobile telephones. The voucher comprises an alphanumeric code which is entered into the standards compliant POS terminal. The system checks that the voucher is valid and provides a redemption value to the POS which can be credited by the retailer. The transaction can then be completed by the retailer using known methods.

Claims

1. A method for redeeming cash value vouchers using an ISO/IEC 7812-1 and/or ANSI X4.13 compliant POS terminal comprising the steps of providing a cash value voucher comprising an alphanumeric number and having a cash value, which cash value is not related to the number, entering said number at an ISO/IEC 7812-1 and/or ANSI X4.13 compliant POS terminal, the POS terminal forming a concatenated string comprising said number, POS terminal identifier and an issuer identification number and sending the string to an acquirer, which acquirer after validating the string sends the string to the issuer, wherein the issuer authenticates the voucher number and amends the string such that the string now comprises the cash value, POS terminal identifier and an issuer identification number, which amended string authorises payment for the value of the cash value, the amended string being transmitted via the acquirer to the POS terminal to authorise the redemption of the voucher for the cash value.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cash value voucher is distributed to a customer via a portable electronic device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the device is a mobile telephone.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a sixteen digit number is entered at the POS terminal, the first four digits of which comprise the issuer identification number.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in a subsequent step the voucher number is entered at the POS terminal.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the sixteen digit number further comprises the voucher number and a zero value is entered at the POS terminal in a subsequent step.

7. A method of redeeming an electronic voucher via a standards compliant top up or EFTPOS terminal comprising the steps of providing a cash value voucher comprising an alphanumeric string and a cash value to a mobile phone, which cash value is not related to the number, entering the alphanumeric string at the top up terminal, wherein the top up terminal validates the voucher by the following steps:

1. Is the Voucher Number valid? Y/N

2. Has the Voucher Number been used before/does it have any “

balance of uses”

left against it? Y/N

such that any N value generates an invalid redemption message depending on the parameters specified in the host system for that particular voucher or campaign under which the voucher was issued, whereas if all Y values are provided then a valid redemption message is generated, wherein the redemption message comprises a concatenated alphanumeric string comprising a further alphanumeric string and the cash value stored in the host system database.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the string is entered by swiping a card through the terminal or by a program installed on the redemption device simulating part of the number string.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the redemption logic comprises the further step of:

Is the Voucher Number valid at this time? Y/N

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the redemption logic comprises the further step of:

Is the Voucher Number valid at the Device ID? Y/N

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the concatenated alphanumeric string comprises a further cash value voucher, which cash value voucher is stored on the terminal and has a lower cash value than the first cash value.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising the further step of returning the cash value voucher to the mobile phone.