System, Program Product and Methods For Retail Activation And Reload Associated With Partial Authorization Transactions

• US 20100051691A1
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pathward National Association
• Original Assignee: MetaBank (Meta Financial Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brooks, Jason, Wells, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• 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 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0813 Specific details related to card security
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/082 Features insuring the integrity of the data on or in the card
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10

Abstract

Systems, program product, apparatus and method for transmitting and processing the sale of a transaction card product over an existing payment network using partial authorization messaging, are provided. An example of such a system can include a merchant POS apparatus equipped to support partial authorization messaging, a transaction card issuer server in communication therewith, and a transaction card product. The transaction card product can include a conventional transaction card securely wrapped within a tamper evident container that can carry its own magnetic strip. The container magnetic strip can store an assigned unique card identifier linked to, but different from, the card identifier normally associated with the card. The container card identifier stored in the container magnetic strip is compatible with the merchant POS card reader and is usable to activate the card without the merchant or consumer having access to the card, the card identifier, or the card magnetic strip.

Claims

1. A computer-assisted method of activating and processing the sale of a serialized transaction card product over an existing open payment network utilizing partial-authorization messaging, the method comprising the steps of:

associating each of a plurality of transaction cards with a corresponding separate one of a plurality of unique transaction card transaction accounts, each of the plurality of transaction cards being associated with a separate first unique transaction card identifier;

generating a second unique transaction card identifier for each separate one of the plurality of transaction cards;

associating each second unique transaction card identifier of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers with a corresponding separate one of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers;

packaging each of the plurality of transaction cards in a separate retail container to form a plurality of retail transaction card products, each retail container including a product identification indicator and an account activation indicator including indicia of an assigned one of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers;

distributing the plurality of retail transaction card products to a merchant having point-of-sale (“

POS”

) apparatus that supports partial-authorization messaging in a POS environment;

receiving a first payment message comprising activation request data from the merchant POS apparatus through the existing open payment network by a computer configured to process transaction card activation requests responsive to a user interfacing the account activation indicator of one of the plurality of transaction card products with the merchant POS apparatus, the account activation indicator associated with a selected one of the plurality of retail transaction card products to be purchased containing one of the plurality of transaction cards to define a selected transaction card, the activation request data including at least a portion of the second unique transaction card identifier assigned to the selected transaction card and a flag indicating a capability of the merchant POS apparatus to support partial-authorization messaging;

sending activation approval data to the merchant POS apparatus by the computer through the payment network responsive to receiving at least portions of the activation request data, the activation approval data including data indicating a partial authorization approval balance for the transaction card transaction account associated with the selected transaction card;

receiving a second payment message by the computer comprising transaction card product purchase acknowledgment data from the merchant POS apparatus through the open payment network, the purchase acknowledgment data comprising a purchase acknowledgment indicating that one or more of the following received sufficient monetary funds from a purchasing customer to purchase the selected transaction card;

the merchant POS apparatus and a merchant associated therewith; and

completing activation of the selected transaction card responsive to receiving at least portions of the purchase acknowledgment data.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the partial authorization approval balance represents zero dollars available at the time the activation approval data is sent to the merchant POS apparatus.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of generating a second unique transaction card identifier for each separate one of the plurality of transaction cards comprises the step of:

generating a plurality of unique numbers associated with a common Bank Identification Number (“

BIN”

) defining an activation BIN to form the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the activation BIN is a non-financial BIN.

5. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the activation BIN is a financial BIN dedicated for use in activating each of the plurality of transaction cards.

6. A method as defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of:

associating each separate one of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers or unique numbers to one or more of the following;

a corresponding separate one of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers and a corresponding separate one of the plurality of unique transaction card transaction accounts.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of packaging each of the plurality of transaction cards in a separate retail container comprises for each separate one of the plurality of transaction cards and associated retail container, the steps of:

positioning the product identification indicator on a first portion of an external surface of the retail container; and

positioning the account activation indicator on a second portion of the external surface of the retail container, the account activation indicator including the respective assigned second unique transaction card identifier.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the account activation indicator comprises a magnetic strip.

9. A method as defined in claim 8,

wherein the merchant POS apparatus includes a POS magnetic strip card reader slot adapted to read magnetic card strips;

wherein the user interfacing the account activation indicator with the merchant POS apparatus comprises either the purchasing customer or the merchant swiping the account activation indicator magnetic strip through the POS magnetic strip card reader slot; and

wherein the monetary funds have a predetermined value sufficient to fund the transaction card transaction account associated with the selected transaction card.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of completing activation of the selected transaction card comprises the steps of:

transferring monetary funds into the transaction card transaction account associated with the selected transaction card; and

retiring the second unique transaction card identifier associated with the selected transaction card.

11. An apparatus to facilitate retail activation and processing the sale of a transaction card utilizing partial-authorization messaging, the apparatus comprising:

a transaction card including a magnetic strip storing a first unique transaction card identifier associated with a unique transaction card transaction account; and

a retail container containing the transaction card and including a product identification indicator and an account activation indicator including indicia of an assigned second unique transaction card identifier different from that of the first unique transaction card identifier, the assigned second unique transaction card identifier being associated with one or more of the following;

the first unique transaction card identifier and the unique transaction card transaction account, to provide for identification thereof.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the second unique transaction card identifier is linked to the first unique transaction card identifier.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11,

wherein the retail container is a tamper evident retail container;

wherein the transaction card is securely contained within the tamper evident retail container; and

wherein the account activation indicator is positioned to allow a remotely positioned financial institution, through a merchant point-of-sale (“

POS”

) and a payment network, to identify the transaction card when the transaction card is securely contained within the container.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the second unique transaction card identifier is associated with the unique transaction card transaction account.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14,

wherein the transaction card is securely contained within the retail container;

and

wherein the account activation indicator is positioned to allow a remotely located financial institution, through a merchant point-of-sale (“

POS”

) and a payment network, to identify the transaction card when the transaction card is securely contained within the container.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 11,

wherein the first unique transaction card identifier comprises a transaction Primary Account Number (“

PAN”

) including a transaction Bank Identification Number (“

BIN”

) and a first number;

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier comprises an activation PAN including an activation BIN and a second number; and

wherein the activation BIN is different from the transaction BIN and the activation PAN is different from the transaction PAN.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16,

wherein one or more of the following is dedicated for use in activating the transaction card:

the activation BIN and the activation PAN; and

wherein the first number is the same number as the second number.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 11,

wherein the retail container includes an external surface;

wherein the magnetic strip storing first unique transaction card identifier is a first magnetic strip positioned on an external surface of the transaction card; and

wherein the account activation indicator comprises a second magnetic strip positioned on a portion of the external surface of the retail container, the second magnetic strip storing the second unique transaction card identifier.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein the second magnetic strip is positioned on a first portion of the external surface of the retail container;

wherein the product identification indicator comprises a universal product code (“

UPC”

) positioned on a second portion of the external surface of the retail container; and

wherein the first portion of the external surface of the retail container is sized to interface with a POS magnetic strip card reader slot of a point-of-sale (“

POS”

) magnetic strip card reader of a merchant POS apparatus positioned at a merchant POS site to thereby allow swiping the account activation indicator magnetic strip through the POS magnetic strip card reader slot.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the retail container is configured to mask the magnetic strip and any other indicia of the first unique transaction card identifier, and to visually indicate partial or complete removal of, or physical access to, the transaction card.

21. A system for activating and processing the sale of a serialized transaction card product over an existing open payment network utilizing partial-authorization messaging, the system comprising:

a financial institution computer defining a financial institution server positioned at a financial institution site and positioned remote from and in communication with a merchant point-of-sale (“

POS”

) apparatus over an existing open payment network to process partial-authorization messaging and to activate transaction cards, the financial institution server having memory associated therewith; and

transaction card account activation and processing computer program product stored in the memory of the financial institution server to manage transaction card activation and payment processing, the transaction card account activation and processing computer program product comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the financial institution server, cause the server to perform the operations of;

receiving a first payment message comprising transaction card account activation request data from the merchant POS apparatus through the existing open payment network responsive to a user interfacing a transaction card product account activation indicator with the merchant POS apparatus, the account activation indicator being positioned on a portion of an external surface of a retail container of the transaction card product securely containing a transaction card carrying a first storage medium containing indicia of a first unique transaction card identifier associated with a unique transaction card transaction account, the account activation indicator comprising a second storage medium containing indicia of a second unique transaction card identifier associated with the first unique transaction card identifier, the activation request data including at least a portion of the second unique transaction card identifier and a flag indicating a capability of the merchant POS apparatus to support partial-authorization messaging;

sending activation approval data to the merchant POS apparatus through the payment network responsive to receiving at least portions of the activation request data, the activation approval data including data indicating a partial authorization approval balance of zero dollars for the transaction card transaction account;

receiving a second payment message comprising transaction card product purchase acknowledgment data from the merchant POS apparatus through the payment network, the purchase acknowledgment data comprising a purchase acknowledgment indicating that one or more of the following received sufficient monetary funds from a purchasing customer to purchase the transaction card product;

the merchant POS apparatus and a merchant associated therewith; and

completing activation of the transaction card responsive to receiving at least portions of the purchasing knowledge data.

22. A system as defined in claim 21,

wherein the account activation indicator comprises a magnetic strip;

wherein the merchant POS apparatus includes a POS magnetic strip card reader slot adapted to read magnetic card strips;

wherein the user interfacing the account activation indicator with the merchant POS apparatus includes either the purchasing customer or the merchant swiping the account activation indicator magnetic strip through the POS magnetic strip card reader slot; and

wherein the monetary funds have a predetermined value sufficient to fund the transaction card transaction account associated with the transaction card.

23. A system as defined in claim 21, wherein the operation of completing activation of the transaction card comprises the operations of:

transferring monetary funds into the transaction card transaction account associated with the transaction card; and

retiring the second unique transaction card identifier or PAN associated with the transaction card.

24. A system as defined in claim 21,

wherein the second transaction card identifier comprises a primary account number (“

PAN”

) defining an activation PAN, the activation PAN including an associated Bank Identification Number (“

BIN”

) defining an activation BIN; and

wherein the retail container is a tamper evident retail container.

25. A system as defined in claim 24, wherein the activation BIN is a non-financial BIN.

26. A system as defined in claim 24, wherein the activation BIN is a financial BIN dedicated to use for activating the transaction card.

27. A system as defined in claim 21,

wherein the first unique transaction card identifier comprises transaction Primary Account Number (“

PAN”

) including a transaction Bank Identification Number (“

BIN”

);

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier comprises an activation PAN including an activation BIN; and

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier is characterized by one or more of the following;

the activation BIN is different from the transaction BIN and the activation PAN is different from the transaction PAN.

28. A system as defined in claim 21, wherein at least portions of the first unique transaction card identifier and at least portions of the second unique transaction card identifier are associated with the transaction card transaction account so that the financial institution server can identify the associated transaction card transaction account responsive to receiving an indication of at least portions of either the first transaction card identifier or the second transaction card identifier.

29. A system as defined in claim 21,

wherein the first storage medium comprises a first magnetic strip storing the first unique transaction card identifier associated with the unique transaction card transaction account;

wherein the retail container securely containing the transaction card includes a product identification indicator positioned on a first portion of the external surface of the retail container;

wherein the portion of the external surface of the retail container carrying the account activation indicator is a second portion of the external surface of the retail container;

wherein the second storage medium comprises a second magnetic strip storing the second unique transaction card identifier;

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier is sufficiently different from the first transaction card identifier so that a prospective thief having knowledge of the second unique transaction card identifier would not readily have knowledge of the first transaction card identifier;

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier is associated with the first transaction card identifier so that the financial institution server can activate the unique transaction card transaction account responsive to receiving an indication of at least portions of the second unique transaction card identifier without having first received the first unique transaction card identifier; and

wherein the operation of completing activation of the transaction card is performed without having first received the first unique transaction card identifier.

30. Transaction card account activation and processing computer program product to manage transaction card activation for a transaction card having a first storage medium storing a first unique transaction card identifier associated with a transaction card transaction account, the computer program product stored in a tangible computer readable medium and comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by a computer configured to access and execute the set of instructions, cause the computer to perform the operations of:

receiving a first payment message comprising transaction card account activation request data from a merchant point-of-sale (POS) apparatus through an existing payment network responsive to a user interfacing a transaction card product account activation indicator with the merchant POS apparatus, the account activation indicator being carried on a retail packaging container of a transaction card product securely containing the transaction card, the account activation indicator comprising a second storage medium storing an assigned second unique transaction card identifier, the second unique transaction card identifier different from, but linked to, the first unique transaction card identifier, the activation request data including at least a portion of the second unique transaction card identifier and a flag indicating a capability of the merchant POS apparatus to support partial-authorization messaging;

sending activation approval data to the merchant POS apparatus through the payment network responsive to receiving at least portions of the activation request data, the activation approval data including data indicating a partial authorization approval balance for the transaction card transaction account;

receiving a second payment message comprising transaction card product purchase acknowledgment data from the merchant POS apparatus through the payment network, the purchase acknowledgment data comprising a purchase acknowledgment that one or more of the following received sufficient monetary funds from a purchasing customer to purchase the transaction card product;

the merchant POS apparatus and a merchant associated therewith; and

completing activation of the transaction card responsive to receiving at least portions of the purchase acknowledgment data.

31. Program product as defined in claim 30,

wherein the account activation indicator comprises a magnetic strip;

wherein the merchant POS apparatus includes a POS magnetic strip card reader slot adapted to read magnetic card strips;

wherein the user interfacing the account activation indicator with the merchant POS apparatus includes either the purchasing customer or the merchant swiping the account activation indicator magnetic strip through the POS magnetic strip card reader slot; and

wherein the monetary finds have a predetermined value sufficient to fund the transaction card transaction account associated with the transaction card.

32. Program product as defined in claim 30,

wherein the partial authorization approval balance is zero dollars;

wherein the first unique transaction card identifier comprises a transaction Primary Account Number (“

PAN”

) including a transaction Bank Identification Number (“

BIN”

);

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier comprises an activation PAN including an activation BIN; and

wherein the second unique transaction card identifier is characterized by at least one of the following;

the activation BIN is different from the transaction BIN and the activation PAN is different from the transaction PAN.

33. Program product as defined in claim 32, wherein the operation of completing activation of the transaction card comprises the operations of:

transferring monetary finds into the transaction card transaction account associated with the transaction card; and

retiring the second unique transaction card identifier or activation PAN associated with the transaction card.

34. Program product as defined in claim 33, wherein the operations further comprise:

initiating settlement of financial finds directly between an issuing bank of a transaction card issuer and a merchant bank associated with the merchant to acquire at least a portion of the monetary funds from the merchant to fund the transaction card transaction account.

35. Program product as defined in claim 30,

wherein the first unique transaction card identifier comprises a first unique number and a first common BIN defining a transaction BIN;

and

wherein the operations further comprise;

generating the second unique transaction card identifier by associating the first unique number with a second common BIN defining an activation BIN to form the second unique transaction card identifier.

36. A method of forming transaction card product apparatus to facilitate retail activation and processing the sale of a transaction card utilizing partial-authorization messaging, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers, each separate one of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers to be assigned to a separate one of a corresponding plurality of transaction cards, the step of generating the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers including the step of associating each of a plurality of unique numbers with a first common Bank Identification Number (“

BIN”

) defining a transaction BIN to thereby form the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers;

generating a plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers, each separate one of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers to be associated with a separate one of the plurality of transaction cards and each separate one of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers to be applied to a separate one of a corresponding plurality of tamper evident retail containers configured to contain a respective one of the plurality of transaction cards, the step of generating the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers including the step of associating each of the plurality of unique numbers with a second common BIN defining an activation BIN to form the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers;

associating each second unique transaction card identifier of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers with a corresponding separate one of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers;

positioning each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards within a separate one of the corresponding plurality of retail containers to be securely contained therein; and

for each of the plurality of retail containers to contain one of the corresponding plurality of transaction cards, affixing to the respective retail container indicia indicating the respective one of the plurality of second unique transaction card identifiers associated with the respective transaction card contained or to be contained therein, to thereby form a corresponding plurality of transaction card product apparatus.

37. A method as defined in claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

assigning each first unique transaction card identifier of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers to a separate one of a corresponding plurality of unique transaction card transaction accounts;

assigning each first unique transaction card identifier of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers to a separate one of the plurality of transaction cards; and

for each of the plurality of transaction cards, storing indicia of the assigned separate one of the first unique transaction card identifiers of the plurality of first unique transaction card identifiers in a storage medium carried thereon.