HANDHELD DEVICE FOR SELLING TRANSACTION INSTRUMENTS VIA WEB-BASED TOOLS
First Claim
1. A handheld point of sale system comprising:
- a browser-based tool configured to facilitate distributing an open transaction instrument at the point of sale in association with purchase of the open transaction instrument by a consumer at the handheld point of sale system;
the browser-based tool configured to receive transaction information and to facilitate the distribution of the open transaction instrument by sending the transaction information from the browser-based tool to a host system, wherein the host system authorizes distribution of the open transaction instrument, funds and activates a transaction account associated with the open transaction instrument, and sends an authorization message to the browser-based tool;
the browser-based tool further configured to receive the authorization and provide an indication of the authorization for the open transaction instrument to be vended to a consumer, wherein a account code is associated with the open transaction instrument and the transaction account.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A handheld point of sale system comprising:
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a browser-based tool configured to facilitate distributing an open transaction instrument at the point of sale in association with purchase of the open transaction instrument by a consumer at the handheld point of sale system; the browser-based tool configured to receive transaction information and to facilitate the distribution of the open transaction instrument by sending the transaction information from the browser-based tool to a host system, wherein the host system authorizes distribution of the open transaction instrument, funds and activates a transaction account associated with the open transaction instrument, and sends an authorization message to the browser-based tool; the browser-based tool further configured to receive the authorization and provide an indication of the authorization for the open transaction instrument to be vended to a consumer, wherein a account code is associated with the open transaction instrument and the transaction account. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A handheld point of sale system having a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising:
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instructions to facilitate distributing an open transaction instrument at the point of sale in association with purchase of the open transaction instrument by a consumer at the point of sale; instructions to receive transaction information and to facilitate the distribution of the open transaction instrument by sending the transaction information from the browser-based tool to a host system, wherein the host system authorizes distribution of the open transaction instrument, funds and activates a transaction account associated with the open transaction instrument, and sends an authorization message to the browser-based tool; instructions to receive the authorization and provide an indication of the authorization for the open transaction instrument to be vended to a consumer, wherein a account code is associated with the open transaction instrument and the transaction account.
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Specification