EVOLVING PAYMENT DEVICE

• US 20110320344A1
• Filed: 05/10/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Faith, Patrick, Harris, Theodore D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0231 Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

A computer apparatus is provided that comprises processor and a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor. The computer readable medium comprises code executable by the processor for implementing a method that comprises receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction. Use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit. The method further comprises that in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, the evolving token changes so that it is associated with a payment account and the evolving token can be used to make payments.

Claims

1. A computer apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer readable medium comprising code executable by the processor for implementing a method comprising;

receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit;

wherein in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, the evolving token changes so that it is associated with a payment account and the evolving token can be used to make payments.

2. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a second transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the second transaction provides a second benefit that is different than the first benefit; and

associating consumer information at the computer apparatus with the evolving token, wherein the consumer conducts the first and second transactions.

3. A computer readable medium comprising code executable by a processor, for implementing a method comprising:

receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit;

wherein in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, the evolving token changes so that it is associated with a payment account and the evolving token can be used to make payments.

4. A method comprising:

receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit; and

wherein in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, the evolving token changes so that it is associated with a payment account and the evolving token can be used to make payments.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a second indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a second transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the second transaction provides a second benefit that is different than the first benefit; and

associating consumer information at the computer apparatus with the evolving token, wherein the consumer conducts the first and second transactions.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first benefit and the second benefit do not change in subsequent transactions.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

providing the evolving payment token to a consumer that conducts the first and second transactions.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the consumer that the evolving token is to be additionally used as a payment device; and

converting the evolving token to be associated with a payment account such that the evolving token can be used to make payments.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the consumer information includes at least one of a consumer name, a credit card number, a checking account number, a savings account number, a social security number, a passport identification number, a drivers license number, an address, and an age.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

associating an image of the consumer with the evolving token.

11. A computer apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer readable medium comprising code executable by the processor for implementing a method comprising;

receiving a first indication at the computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit to a consumer, and wherein the evolving token is not associated with the consumer prior to the consumer receiving the token;

receiving a second indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a second transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the second transaction provides a second benefit, and wherein the evolving token is associated with the consumer subsequent to the first transaction.

12. The computer apparatus of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a third indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a third transaction, wherein subsequent to the second transaction, the evolving token is associated with a payment account, and wherein the evolving token is used to make a payment for the third transaction.

13. A computer readable medium comprising code executable by a processor, for implementing a method comprising:

receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit to a consumer, and wherein the evolving token is not associated with the consumer prior to the consumer receiving the token;

receiving a second indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a second transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the second transaction provides a second benefit, and wherein the evolving token is associated with the consumer subsequent to the first transaction.

14. A method comprising:

receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit to a consumer, and wherein the evolving token is not associated with the consumer prior to the consumer receiving the token;

receiving a second indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a second transaction, wherein use of the evolving token in the second transaction provides a second benefit, and wherein the evolving token is associated with the consumer subsequent to the first transaction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second benefit is greater than the first benefit based on the use of the evolving token in both the first transaction and the second transaction.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the consumer is associated with the evolving token automatically based on a preexisting account.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the consumer is associated with the evolving token based on information entered by the consumer.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a third indication at a computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used in a third transaction, wherein subsequent to the second transaction, the evolving token is associated with a payment account, and wherein the evolving token is used to make a payment for the third transaction.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first, the second, and the third transactions occur at a different merchant.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first, the second, and the third transactions occur at a single merchant.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the consumer is associated with the evolving token based on at least one of a consumer name, a credit card number, a checking account number, a savings account number, a social security number, a passport identification number, a drivers license number, an address, and an age.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the consumer that the evolving token is to be additionally used as a payment device; and

converting the evolving token to be associated with a payment account such that the evolving token can be used to make payments.