System and method for using a prepaid card

• US 7,252,226 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hunter, Burnett D., Wiggins, Janice, McKenzie, Kevin, Risafi, Nicole N., Stangle, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Stcyr; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/234,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20030001005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,798 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 235/383, 235/385, 235/449, 235/451, 235/492, 235/493, 235/494
• US Class Current: 235/381
• 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 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/349 Rechargeable cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0028 Use of a wired telephone or public communication device charging and metering the use of the telecommunication network H04M17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/106 using commercial credit or debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/14 using commercial credit/debit cards, e.g. VISA, AMEX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts

Abstract

A system for using a prepaid card permits a card user to purchase a card, issued by an issuer such as a bank, through an agent at a retail establishment via a terminal, select a PIN, have the card activated at the point of purchase, use the card to purchase goods and services, and reload the card for future use. The system uses a communications network for issuance, activation, and accounting, and activation is accomplished on a real-time basis, either one account at a time or in a batch mode. The card can be used to purchase a wide range of goods and services including telephone services. The card can also be used to make cash withdrawals at an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal.

Claims

1. A method for using a prepaid card having associated card identification data, comprising:

issuing the prepaid card with an account number but without a functional or preassigned personal identification number; and

performing by a card purchaser subsequent to prepaid card issuance a card purchase transaction comprising the steps of;

selecting by the card purchaser an initial set of personal identification data, the set of personal identification data being for verifying validity of a use of the prepaid card for a transaction which is subsequent to the card purchase transaction, and

purchasing the prepaid card by the card purchaser.

2. A system for using a prepaid card having associated card identification data, comprising:

an issuer for issuing the prepaid card with an account number but without a functional or preassigned personal identification number; and

a terminal for receiving subsequent to prepaid card issuance an initial set of personal identification data during a card purchase transaction in which a card purchaser purchases the prepaid card, the set of personal identification data being selected by the card purchaser during the card purchase transaction, the set of personal identification data being for verifying validity of a use of the prepaid card for a transaction which is subsequent to the card purchase transaction.

3. A method for using a reloadable prepaid card having associated card identification data, comprising:

issuing the reloadable prepaid card with an account number but without a functional or preassigned personal identification number; and

performing by a card purchaser subsequent to prepaid card issuance a card purchase transaction comprising the steps of;

selecting by the card purchaser an initial set of personal identification data, the set of personal identification data being for verifying validity of a use of the reloadable prepaid card for a transaction which is subsequent to the card purchase transaction, and

purchasing the reloadable prepaid card by the card purchaser.