System and Method for Managing Account Linkages
First Claim
1. A method for managing prepaid accounts, the method comprising using a computer to associate a prepaid instrument with a purchaser of the prepaid instrument.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An account management system allows a prepaid account provider to link a prepaid account to a purchaser of the prepaid instrument used to access the prepaid account. The system uses a prepaid instrument identifier and purchase data collected during the purchase of the prepaid instrument to create the linkage. The purchase data includes information identifying the purchaser, such as the purchaser'"'"'s account number or name, the purchasing instrument used, the value placed on the prepaid instrument, value-added services requested by the purchaser, and transaction details such as the place and time of purchase. Using the linked prepaid instrument data and purchase data, the prepaid account provider extracts the purchased value from the purchaser'"'"'s account, opens a prepaid account that is associated with the purchaser and the prepaid instrument, and deposits the purchased value into the prepaid account. The prepaid account provider may track the expenditure of funds from the prepaid account and provide value-added tracking services to the purchaser. The funds remain associated with the purchaser after being deposited in the prepaid account.
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Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A method for managing prepaid accounts, the method comprising using a computer to associate a prepaid instrument with a purchaser of the prepaid instrument.
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20. A prepaid account management system comprising a prepaid account provider having a central data server and a transaction server, the prepaid account provider configured to:
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a) receive, on the transaction server, a prepaid instrument identifier identifying a prepaid instrument; b) receive, on the transaction server, purchase data comprising data identifying a purchaser of the prepaid instrument; c) identify the purchaser'"'"'s prepaid account portfolio on the central data server; d) create a prepaid account identifier for a prepaid account; and e) link the purchaser to the prepaid account, the linking comprising; i. creating a prepaid account record in the purchaser'"'"'s prepaid account portfolio; and ii. storing the prepaid account identifier and the prepaid instrument identifier in the prepaid account record. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification