Smart card system and method for transferring value
First Claim
1. A system for transferring value from an account of a customer to a smart card for use in operating money-activated machines, comprisinga central server apparatus having a storage device with a plurality of active authorization codes each having a cash value associated therewith,a value added terminal remote to the central server apparatus and including on-board secure memory storing the authorization codes and associated cash values of the central server apparatus and an input device responsive to customer input of the authorization code associated with the customer'"'"'s request, the total number of possible authorization code inputs being substantially greater than the number of authorization codes stored in the secure memory,and the value added terminal further adapted to add cash value onto the smart card in an amount equal to the cash value associated with the inputted authorization code and deactivate the inputted authorization code so that subsequent input of the deactivated authorization code will not cause cash value to be added onto the smart card,whereby a customer can telephone the central server apparatus and obtain an authorization code that corresponds with a requested cash value transfer, which authorization code the central server apparatus provides upon verifying the availability of funds in the customer'"'"'s account, and the customer can then input the authorization code into the input device of the, value added terminal, whereafter the value added terminal adds the cash value associated with the inputted authorization card onto the smart card and dispenses the programmed smart card to the customer, whereafter the customer can use the smart card to operate a money-activated machine.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stored value system and method comprising a central server apparatus (10), one or more value added terminals (12), and one or more money-activated machines (14). The value added terminal (12) is designed to read smart cards (16) and to add cash value to the cards upon customer (18) input of an appropriate authorization code (22). The money-activated machine (14) is designed to read smart cards, and reprogram them by deducting a cash value amount corresponding to the customer'"'"'s use of the machines. The central server apparatus (10) receives calls from customers requesting an authorization code for use with a value added terminal, and in response thereto, verifies funds in a pre-established customer account and provides an active authorization code.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A system for transferring value from an account of a customer to a smart card for use in operating money-activated machines, comprising
a central server apparatus having a storage device with a plurality of active authorization codes each having a cash value associated therewith, a value added terminal remote to the central server apparatus and including on-board secure memory storing the authorization codes and associated cash values of the central server apparatus and an input device responsive to customer input of the authorization code associated with the customer'"'"'s request, the total number of possible authorization code inputs being substantially greater than the number of authorization codes stored in the secure memory, and the value added terminal further adapted to add cash value onto the smart card in an amount equal to the cash value associated with the inputted authorization code and deactivate the inputted authorization code so that subsequent input of the deactivated authorization code will not cause cash value to be added onto the smart card, whereby a customer can telephone the central server apparatus and obtain an authorization code that corresponds with a requested cash value transfer, which authorization code the central server apparatus provides upon verifying the availability of funds in the customer'"'"'s account, and the customer can then input the authorization code into the input device of the, value added terminal, whereafter the value added terminal adds the cash value associated with the inputted authorization card onto the smart card and dispenses the programmed smart card to the customer, whereafter the customer can use the smart card to operate a money-activated machine.
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5. A method for transferring value from an account of a customer to a smart card for use in operating money-activated machines, comprising the steps of,
receiving a communication at a central server apparatus from a customer requesting transfer of value from the account to a smart card, verifying from the central server apparatus the availability of funds in the account of the customer, upon verification of available funds, providing an authorization code to the customer, the authorization code having a cash value associated therewith that equals the requested transfer of value, and deactivating the authorization code so that authorization code is no longer available to be provided to customers, the authorization code being selected from a plurality of active authorization codes, each with associated cash values, and which are stored in a memory device of the central server apparatus, providing a value added terminal remote to the central server apparatus, the value added terminal including a memory device that stores the authorization codes and their associated cash values, inputting the authorization code into an input device of the value added terminal that is capable of receiving a total number of authorization code inputs that is substantially greater than the number of authorization codes stored in memory, adding cash value onto the smart card in an amount equal to the cash value associated with the inputted authorization code, and deactivating the inputted authorization code in the memory device of the value added terminal, so that an attempt to re-input the same authorization code will not cause cash value to be added onto the smart card.
Specification