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

• US 7,431,208 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Rubner, Marc, Holt, Elizabeth Anne, Feldman, Gennye Hannover, Vollmer, Nicole Milne, Rose, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US11/671,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20070187490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/381, 235/375, 235/383, 705/38
• 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 distributing an open transaction instrument to a consumer, comprising:

accessing, at a point of sale of the open transaction instrument, a browser-based interface that is configured to facilitate distribution of the open transaction instrument in association with purchase of the open transaction instrument by the consumer, wherein the open transaction instrument is offered at the point of sale, and wherein a card number is associated with the open transaction instrument and a transaction account;

entering transaction information into the browser-based interface, wherein the browser-based interface is further configured to communicate the transaction information for authorization;

receiving, via the browser-based interface, authorization to vend the open transaction instrument; and

vending the open transaction instrument to the consumer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the accessing, entering and receiving steps is performed by at least one of:

a consumer service representative and a consumer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the open transaction instrument includes a plurality of open transaction instruments having different card numbers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step comprises entering transaction information into the browser-based interface for purchasing a plurality of open transaction instruments having different card numbers and vending the plurality of open transaction instruments to a single consumer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the open transaction instrument comprises at least one of:

a pre-paid card, a gift card, a charge card, a phone card, a credit card, a debit card, a mall card, a variable load card, a fixed load card, a smart card, an RFID device, a paper receipt, and a signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vending step comprises transmitting a signal containing the card number to a device associated with the consumer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the card number is displayed on the open transaction instrument by at least one of:

embossing and printing the card number on the open transaction instrument.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a tracking code is included on at least one of:

the open transaction instrument and a sleeve associated with the open transaction instrument, wherein the tracking code is included in a format including at least one of;

a numerical format, a code format, bar code format, radio frequency format and magnetic stripe format.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the open transaction instrument is configured to be generally accepted by at least one of:

merchants that are not directly affiliated with each other, merchants within one shopping mall, merchants within one payment network, merchants within one country, and merchants within one geographic region.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the open transaction instrument is configured with restrictions.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the open transaction instrument is configured with restrictions comprising at least one of:

geographic restrictions and device restrictions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step further comprises entering the transaction information via a point of sale device for processing a payment for the open transaction instrument.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step further comprises entering transaction information comprising at least one of:

payment data, seller data, the card number and a load amount to be loaded to the open transaction instrument.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step comprises entering payment data related to at least one of:

cash, transaction account information, loyalty points and cash equivalent value.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step further comprises entering transaction information comprising payment data, wherein the payment data comprises at least one of:

account code of a payment account, charged amount, issuer information, security code, expiration date, cash equivalent value, demographic data, and loyalty point value.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step further comprises entering transaction information comprising a load amount, wherein the load amount comprises at least one of:

an initial load amount, reload amount, cash equivalent value, loyalty point value, information to transfer value from another account and information to transfer value to another account.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the browser-based interface is further configured to communicate the transaction information to the issuer via an intermediary.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving authorization further comprises receiving a signal that indicates that the open transaction instrument is at least one of:

in stock, valid for sale, payment authorization amount is equivalent to a load amount, and load information is associated with the card number.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing at least one of the following steps via the browser-based interface:

reconciling, generating reports, producing receipts, cashing out of the open transaction instruments at a point of sale, voiding the open transaction instruments when a transaction is not settled, submitting a balance inquiry, and replacing lost open transaction instruments.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering step comprises receiving transaction information from at least one of:

manual entry, a database, a digital wallet, a transaction instrument reader, a bar code scanner, an RFID reader and a biometric sensor.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the card number from an electronic vault to an electronic till to allow entry of the transaction information related to the card number.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the card number from an electronic vault associated with a parent entity to an electronic till associated with an affiliate of the parent entity, to allow entry of the transaction information related to the card number.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving authorization comprises causing the transaction account to be funded and activated.