Stored value transaction system including an integrated database server

• US 7,216,091 B1
• Filed: 02/01/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
• 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: Berry, Robert, Blandina, Michael, Belczynski, Mari
• Primary Examiner(s): ZURITA, JAMES H
• Application Number:
  US09/241,188
• Time in Patent Office: 3,018 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/16, 705/17, 705/21, 705/35, 705/40, 705/28, 705/29, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/17
• 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 20/105 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 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0605 Supply or demand aggregation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

An integrated database and information server are provided that efficiently share information and tasks between various stored value programs. A server is configured to provide reusable objects and data structures that are suitably shared between various stored value products. A database at the server allows data to be shared between various programs so that each consumer associates with only one database record even though that consumer may use multiple shared value products. An exemplary common record for a consumer includes information relating to mailing addresses, preferred language, and the like. By integrating modules and avoiding duplicate records, the record communicates with all stored value programs, so the information does not need to be repeatedly entered into the database. Moreover, new stored value products are quickly and easily created through selection and arrangement of various shared objects preferably maintained within the database.

Claims

1. A system for managing a plurality of stored value products, said system comprising:

a server communicatively coupled to a database, wherein said server is configured to communicate with said plurality of stored value products over a network;

said database logically separated into a first subsection, a second subsection, a third subsection and an object repository, wherein said first subsection, said second subsection and said third subsection are logically separated via a firewall;

said first subsection containing a high-level key class of objects and a first plurality of secondary classes of objects derived from said high-level key class of objects, wherein each of said first plurality of secondary classes of objects define a business unit;

said second subsection containing a high-level secondary class of objects and a second plurality of secondary classes of objects derived from said high-level secondary class of objects, wherein each of said second plurality of secondary classes of objects define one of said plurality of stored value products; and

,

wherein said second plurality of secondary classes of objects inherit attributes from said high-level key class of objects;

said third subsection containing a high-level intermediate class of objects and a third plurality of secondary classes of objects derived from said high-level intermediate class of objects, wherein each of said third plurality of secondary classes of objects define at least one of a geographic region and a business sub-unit; and

,

wherein said third plurality of secondary classes of objects inherit attributes from at least one of said high-level key class of objects and said high-level secondary class of objects;

said object repository including a plurality of reusable classes from which said high-level key class of objects, said high-level intermediate class of objects, and said high-level secondary class of objects are derived; and

wherein each of said second plurality of secondary classes of objects is associated with one of said plurality of stored value products.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of stored value products includes a device selected from the group consisting of magnetic-stripe cards, smart-cards, ATM cards, and Internet transaction account cards.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said high-level key class relates to a first business unit, and said high-level secondary class relates to a second business unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the objects of said first business unit class share a common default language and a common default currency.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said high-level key class relates to a first geographical region, and said high-level secondary class relates to a second geographical region.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said high-level key class relates to a first type of stored value product, and said high-level secondary class relates to a second type of stored value product.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said firewall includes software access controls.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said firewall includes router-implemented access restrictions.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of secondary classes of objects are configured to load monetary values to said plurality of stored value products.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of secondary classes of objects are configured to deduct monetary values from said plurality of stored value products.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of secondary classes of objects are configured to activate said plurality of stored value products.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of secondary classes of objects are configured to create a new account for said stored value products.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said third plurality of secondary classes of objects are configured to serve as intermediaries between said first plurality of secondary classes of objects and said second plurality of secondary classes of objects.