Delivery of value identifiers using short message service (SMS)
First Claim
1. A method for adding value to a customer account, comprising:
- distributing to a merchant an identifier associated with a value for distribution to a customer, the identifier being redeemable with a plurality of providers, including a specific provider, the identifier also being usable to add the value to an account associated with a first communication device, the account being with the specific provider;
receiving at a central processor a request to activate the identifier from the merchant, the request resulting from a purchase of the identifier;
activating the identifier at the central processor and sending an activation notification to the merchant;
receiving at the central processor a request via short message service (SMS) to add the value to the account associated with the first communication device, the request being received from a specific communication device, the request being input by a user of the specific communication device, wherein the specific communication device may be the first communication device, and wherein the specific communication device facilitates insertion of value into the account associated with the first communication device, the request comprising;
the identifier associated with the value; and
account identification information associated with the account associated with the first communication device,wherein body of the SMS message comprises the account identification information;
passing to the specific communication device a SMS message to confirm that the request was received and to verify that the value will be added to the account associated with the first communication device;
upon receiving a confirmation message at the central processor from the specific communication device verifying the account, identifying at the central processor the value associated with the identifier based on the request;
identifying at the central processor the specific provider and the account associated with the first communications device based on the SMS message;
causing the value to be added to the account; and
passing to the first communication device a confirmation that the value was added to the account.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for adding value to a customer account are provided. An identifier associated with a value is distributed to a customer. The identifier is usable to add the value to an account. A request to add the value to a customer account is received via short message service (SMS). The request comprises the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account. In some embodiments, the identifier may be entered into the device using text auto-completion software. The request is received from a user communication device as an SMS message. The value associated with the identifier and the customer account associated with the account identification number are identified based on the request. The value is caused to be added to the customer account. A confirmation that the value was added to the customer account is passed to the user communication device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for adding value to a customer account, comprising:
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distributing to a merchant an identifier associated with a value for distribution to a customer, the identifier being redeemable with a plurality of providers, including a specific provider, the identifier also being usable to add the value to an account associated with a first communication device, the account being with the specific provider; receiving at a central processor a request to activate the identifier from the merchant, the request resulting from a purchase of the identifier; activating the identifier at the central processor and sending an activation notification to the merchant; receiving at the central processor a request via short message service (SMS) to add the value to the account associated with the first communication device, the request being received from a specific communication device, the request being input by a user of the specific communication device, wherein the specific communication device may be the first communication device, and wherein the specific communication device facilitates insertion of value into the account associated with the first communication device, the request comprising; the identifier associated with the value; and account identification information associated with the account associated with the first communication device, wherein body of the SMS message comprises the account identification information; passing to the specific communication device a SMS message to confirm that the request was received and to verify that the value will be added to the account associated with the first communication device; upon receiving a confirmation message at the central processor from the specific communication device verifying the account, identifying at the central processor the value associated with the identifier based on the request; identifying at the central processor the specific provider and the account associated with the first communications device based on the SMS message; causing the value to be added to the account; and passing to the first communication device a confirmation that the value was added to the account. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for adding value to a customer account, comprising:
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a distribution system for distributing an identifier associated with a value to a customer, the identifier being redeemable with a plurality of providers, including a specific provider, the identifier also being usable to add the value to an account associated with a first communication device, the account being with the specific provider; an input device for; receiving a request to activate the identifier from the distribution system, the request resulting from a purchase of the identifier; and receiving a request via short message service (SMS) to add the value to the account associated with the first communication device, the request being received from a specific communication device, the request being input by a user of the specific communication device, wherein the specific communication device may be the first communication device, and wherein the specific communication device facilitates insertion of value into the account associated with the first communication device, the request-comprising; the identifier associated with the value; and account identification information associated with the account associated with the first communication device, wherein body of the SMS message comprises the account identification information; a processor for; activating the identifier and sending an activation notification to the distribution system; upon receiving a confirmation message from the specific communication device verifying the account, identifying the value associated with the identifier based on the request; and identifying the specific provider and the account associated with the first communications device based on the SMS message; a value insertion system for causing the value to be added to the account; and an output device for; passing to the specific communication device a SMS message to confirm that the request was received and to verify that the value will be added to the account associated with the first communication device; and passing to the first communication device a confirmation that the value was added to the account.
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Specification