Systems, methods, and devices for selling transaction instruments via web-based tool

• US 7,191,939 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Feldman, Gennye Hannover, Beck, Randy, Vollmer, Nicole Milne, Rose, John R., Rubner, Marc, Page, Clyde, Miller, Sven, Holt, Elizabeth Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US10/905,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20050199706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/381, 235/375, 235/383, 235/379, 705/1, 705/35, 705/41
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating distribution of a transaction instrument through a distributor, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a transaction instrument associated with a transaction account to the distributor;

receiving, via a web based interface, information requesting authorization of the distribution of the transaction instrument;

providing a response to the distributor via said web based interface;

activating said distributed transaction instrument after distribution via an interactive voice response system, wherein said transaction instrument is an open pre-paid card, and wherein said distributor is a merchant;

associating a first number with said open pre-paid card, wherein said first number is suitably configured to conform to a Travelers Cheque infrastructure, wherein said first number comprises, at least in part, a serial number, wherein said open pre-paid card is one of a plurality of cards, and wherein said plurality of cards are consigned to said merchant in groups with each card identified respectively by said plurality of sequential numbers; and

associating a second number with said card, wherein said second number is a randomized account number.

2. A method of distributing a transaction instrument comprising the steps of:

providing an internet accessible web site that is configured to facilitate distribution of a transaction instrument, wherein said providing step further comprises the steps of;

receiving transaction instrument distribution information via said internet accessible web site;

forwarding said transaction instrument distribution information to a card authorization system and receiving an authorization response from said card authorization system; and

providing said authorization response for output on the internet accessible web site, wherein said transaction instrument comprises a pre-paid open card, and further comprising the steps of associating a serialized number with said transaction instrument and associating a randomized card number with said open transaction instrument, wherein said card is packaged, wherein said packaging conceals said randomized card number and displays said serialized number; and

utilizing a pre-existing inventory and financial settlement processing system, which operates using serial number logic, to process said transaction instrument.

3. A method for distributing a transaction instrument, in a retail environment, comprising the steps of;

offering, at a merchant, a transaction instrument for distribution;

allowing a customer to obtain said transaction instrument;

accessing, at the point of sale of said transaction instrument, an internet website that is configured to facilitate distribution of said transaction instrument;

communicating transaction distribution information to an issuer via said internet web site;

facilitating the funding of said transaction instrument, wherein said transaction instrument is associated with a transaction account, and wherein said transaction instrument comprises a pre-paid card that is accepted at a plurality of merchants that arc not directly affiliated with each other; and

associating a serialized number with said transaction instrument and associating a randomized card number with said pre-paid card.

4. A web based system for facilitating distribution of a transaction instrument through a distributor comprising:

a transaction instrument issuing system configured to issue the transaction instrument to a distributor, wherein said transaction instrument issuing system comprises an internet website that is configured to receive transaction distribution information from said distributor; and

a distributor system configured distribute the transaction instrument and to communicate wit the transaction instrument issuing system, wherein said communication facilitates the funding of a transaction account associated with the transaction instrument, and wherein said distributor system further comprises a device for accessing said internet website to facilitate said communication, wherein said open transaction instrument is associated with a first number and a second number, and wherein said first number comprises, at least in part, a serialized number, wherein said first number comprises a Travelers Cheque number, wherein said distributor system is a merchant system that is configured to communicate information related to the distribution of the transaction instrument to said transaction instrument issuing system; and

wherein said information is configured for processing via a Travelers Cheque infrastructure.