Methods and systems for transferring funds

• US 6,736,314 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Exchange Solutions, Inc. (Euronet Worldwide Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Telecom A D (Incoms Telecom Holding)
• Inventors: Cooper, Wayne P., Brown, Patrick C., Jones, Clyde Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, APRIL ALICIA
• Application Number:
  US09/877,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 705/17, 705/39, 705/41
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

Methods and systems for transferring funds are disclosed that utilize a transfer card issued to a sender that enables the sender to transfer funds at independent host locations. The transfer card is encoded with information about the sender and the intended receiver so that transfer forms are not required for each transaction. The receiver obtains the funds via a distribution center, wherein the personal identity of the receiver is verified before the funds are distributed.

Claims

1. A method of electronically transferring funds, the method comprising:

sending a transfer request that includes transfer information associated with personal information and including an amount to be transferred from an independent host system to a central processing center;

sending a status response from the central processing center to the independent host system;

receiving transfer information and personal identification from a receiver at a distribution center;

comparing for confirmation purposes the transfer information sent from the independent host system and the transfer information received from the receiver;

sending an authorization from the central processing center to the distribution center to distribute cash in accordance with the transfer request; and

distributing funds from the distribution center to the receiver.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer request sending step includes swiping a magnetic stripe from a transfer card identifying the sender.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer request sending step includes swiping a magnetic stripe from a transfer card identifying a sender and the receiver.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer request sending step includes scanning a bar code from a transfer card identifying a sender.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer request sending step includes scanning a bar code from a transfer card identifying a sender and the receiver.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the status response sending step includes sending a pending status response and waiting for either a request for completion or a request for cancellation from the independent host system.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transferring cash from a sender to the independent host system that includes an amount to be transferred to the receiver and a transaction fee.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising debiting an account of the independent host system an amount equal to at least the amount to be transferred to the receiver.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer information and personal identification receiving step includes receiving picture identification from the receiver that matches the personal information sent from the independent host system to the central processing center.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the status response sending step includes sending a transaction code corresponding to the transfer request.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer request sending step includes transferring cash from a sender to the independent host system in conjunction with a purchase of unrelated goods and/or services.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the transfer information comparing step is performed by personnel of the distribution center.

13. A method of electronically transferring funds from a sender to a receiver by way of an independent host system, the method comprising:

sending a transfer request from the sender to the independent host system via a source that personally identifies the sender, the transfer request comprising transfer information that at least indicates a monetary amount to be received by the receiver;

sending a status response from a central processing center to the independent host system that at least indicates that funds may be transferred by the sender to the receiver;

receiving at a distribution center personal information of the receiver and transfer information corresponding with the transfer information sent from the sender;

confirming the transfer information and personal identity of the receiver;

sending an authorization indicating that the monetary amount can be received by the receiver; and

distributing funds from the distribution center to the receiver.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transfer request sending step includes associating personal identification of the sender from a magnetic stripe on a transfer card.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transfer request sending step includes receiving the request from the sender via a source that personally identifies the sender and the receiver.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transfer request sending step includes associating personal identification of the sender from a bar code on a transfer card.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising transferring cash to personnel of the independent host system in an amount that includes a cash amount to be received by the receiver and a transaction fee.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the status response sending step includes sending a transaction code to the independent host system that must be received from the receiver and confirmed before distributing funds from the distribution center to the receiver.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transfer information receiving step includes receiving the transfer information and personal information by personnel of the distribution center, and wherein the identity and transfer information confirming step is also performed by the personnel of the distribution center.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the funds distributing step includes distributing cash from personnel of the distribution center to the receiver after the personal identity of the receiver has been confirmed.

21. An electronic funds transfer system for transferring funds from a sender to a receiver by utilizing an independent host system, the electronic funds transfer system comprising:

a transfer card unique to the sender that is capable of being read electronically or manually by the independent host system, said transfer card associated with personal information about the sender;

a central processing center operably connected to the independent host system such that transfer information from the sender can be transferred to the central processing center via the independent host system; and

a distribution center operably connected to the central processing center, said distribution center operable to receive transfer information from the central processing center and to receive personal identification and transfer information from the receiver in order to effect the transfer of funds.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the transfer card includes at least one device selected from the group consisting of a magnetic stripe and a bar code, the at least one device associated with the personal information about the sender.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the at least one device of the transfer card further is associated with personal information about the receiver.

24. The system according to claim 21, wherein the central processing center includes an information database and an authorization component, the information database being capable of storing information at least about the sender, the authorization component being capable of authorizing funds transfers that meet predetermined guidelines.

25. The system according to claim 21, wherein the distribution center includes personnel and is a financial institution.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the distribution center personnel are capable of confirming the personal identity of the receiver and distributing the transferred funds thereafter.

27. The system according to claim 21, wherein the central processing center is capable of calculating currency exchange rates so that the funds sent from the sender and subsequently received by the receiver are equal but of different currencies.

28. A method of utilizing an existing third party point-of-sale device for transferring funds between a sender and a receiver, the method comprising:

receiving transfer information that includes personal information at least about the sender, the transfer information being associated with a transfer card readable by the existing third party point-of-sale device;

transferring cash from the sender to the third party;

sending transfer information from the third party to a central processing center that includes a transaction code;

receiving personal identification and the transaction code from the receiver by personnel of a distribution center; and

distributing funds from the distribution center to the receiver in an amount to be transferred.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising confirming the personal identification of the receiver by personnel of the distribution center.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the transfer information receiving step includes scanning a bar code on the transfer card by the third parry point-of-sale device.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the bar code is scanned in conjunction with a purchase of unrelated goods and/or services.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the transfer information receiving step includes swiping a magnetic stripe through a magnetic stripe reader of the third party point-of-sale device.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the magnetic stripe is swiped in conjunction with a purchase of unrelated goods and/or services.

34. The method according to claim 28, further comprising printing a receipt that includes at least the transaction code and an amount to be transferred.