METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING/TRANSFERRING GIFT CARDS
First Claim
1. A method for exchanging prepaid gift cards for value, the method comprising:
- providing a consumer operated kiosk having a card reading device and a user interface;
receiving gift card information from a user via at least one of the card reading device and the user interface, wherein the gift card information is associated with a first gift card for making purchases at one or more retail establishments;
verifying a gift card balance based on the gift card information;
displaying first and second transaction options to the user, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first gift card for cash value and the second transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first gift card for a second gift card;
receiving a user selection corresponding to at least one of the first transaction option and the second transaction option;
when the user selection corresponds to the first transaction option, dispensing the cash value to the user in the form of at least one of cash and a redeemable voucher; and
when the user selection corresponds to the second transaction option, dispensing the second gift card to the user.
17 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for exchanging prepaid gift cards for value, the method comprising:
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providing a consumer operated kiosk having a card reading device and a user interface; receiving gift card information from a user via at least one of the card reading device and the user interface, wherein the gift card information is associated with a first gift card for making purchases at one or more retail establishments; verifying a gift card balance based on the gift card information; displaying first and second transaction options to the user, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first gift card for cash value and the second transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first gift card for a second gift card; receiving a user selection corresponding to at least one of the first transaction option and the second transaction option; when the user selection corresponds to the first transaction option, dispensing the cash value to the user in the form of at least one of cash and a redeemable voucher; and when the user selection corresponds to the second transaction option, dispensing the second gift card to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24)
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14. A computer-implemented method for exchanging a gift card for another form of value, the method comprising:
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receiving a gift card from a user; reading information off of the gift card; communicating with a remote computer to verify a balance associated with the gift card; displaying a gift card exchange value of the gift card to the user, wherein the gift card exchange value is related to the balance but less than the balance; dispensing the gift card exchange value to the user; and retaining the gift card. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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18. A gift card exchange system, the system comprising:
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means for receiving a gift card from a user; means for automatically reading information off of the gift card; means for automatically communicating with a remote computer to determine a balance associated with the gift card; and means for dispensing an exchange value to the user in return for the gift card, wherein the exchange value is related to the balance.
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21. A computer-implemented method for exchanging gift cards, the method comprising:
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positioning a first kiosk in a first publicly accessible area of a first commercial establishment; positioning a second kiosk in a second publicly accessible area of a second commercial establishment; receiving a first gift card from a first user at the first kiosk; crediting a first monetary amount associated with the first gift card to an account; dispensing at least one of cash and a redeemable voucher to the first user from the first kiosk in exchange for the first gift card; voiding the first gift card; receiving funds from a second user at the second kiosk; dispensing a second gift card to the second user from the second kiosk in exchange for the funds; and debiting a second monetary amount associated with the second gift card to the account.
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Specification