Methods and systems for exchanging and/or transferring various forms of value

• US 7,653,599 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Dean, Scott A., Smith, Kerry, Martin, Douglas A., Doran, Michael, Jacobson, Jessaca, Hanson, Kim P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung; Mary
• Application Number:
  US10/504,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20060064379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,538 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705/14, 705 39- 41, 705/44, 705 64- 68, 705/75, 235/375, 235380-3825, 902/8, 902/22, 902 24- 26, 902 30- 32, 725/6
• US Class Current: 705/41
• 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 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/381 Currency conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 1/02 giving change coin-actuated mechanisms in general G07F
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/0087 Banknote changing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 5/00 Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/203 Dispensing operations within ATMs dispensing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/204 Loading of a stored value token using an ATM
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted

Abstract

Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

Claims

1. A method for providing a prepaid card to a user, the method comprising:

providing a value exchange machine having a card reader, a communications facility, and a card dispenser;

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user with the value exchange machine, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to purchasing the prepaid card with a card, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to purchasing the prepaid card with at least one of cash, coins, and bank account funds;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first transaction option;

reading information from a card submitted to the card reader by the user, the card being submitted for at least partial payment for the prepaid card;

communicating with at least one remote computer via the communications facility to receive authorization to charge an amount to an account associated with the card submitted by the user to at least partially pay for the prepaid card;

receiving authorization from the remote computer to charge the amount to the account associated with the card submitted by the user;

in response to receiving the authorization from the remote computer, receiving the prepaid card from a card hopper positioned within the value exchange machine and automatically reading an identification number from the prepaid card in the value exchange machine;

associating the identification number with a prepaid card value in a remote database, wherein the prepaid card value is different than the amount charged to the account associated with the card submitted by the user;

after reading the identification number from the prepaid card, issuing the prepaid card to the user from the card dispenser;

subtracting the prepaid card value from the amount charged to the account associated with the card submitted by the user to determine the difference; and

dispensing a redeemable cash voucher to the user, the redeemable cash voucher having a voucher value that is at least approximately equal to the difference.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a first input from the user defining the amount charged to the account of the user; and

receiving a second input from the user, the second input being related to at least one of identification of the account and access to the account of the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein reading information from the card submitted by the user includes reading information from at least one of a wallet-sized credit card, debit card, phone card, and smart card.

4. A method for providing a prepaid card to a user, the method comprising:

providing a value exchange machine having a card reader, a communications facility, and a card dispenser;

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user with the value exchange machine, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to purchasing the prepaid card with a card, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to purchasing the prepaid card with at least one of cash, coins, and bank account funds;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user;

reading information from a card submitted to the card reader by the user, the card being submitted for at least partial payment for the prepaid card;

communicating with at least one remote computer via the communications facility to receive authorization to charge a first portion of payment for the prepaid card to an account associated with the card submitted by the user;

receiving authorization from the remote computer to charge the first portion of payment for the prepaid card to the account associated with the card submitted by the user;

receiving a second portion of payment from the user for the prepaid card in the value exchange machine, the second portion of payment including a plurality of coins;

adding the first portion of payment to the second portion of payment to determine a total;

at least partially in response to receiving the authorization from the remote computer to charge the first portion of payment for the prepaid card to the account associated with the card submitted by the user, automatically reading an identification number from the prepaid card in the value exchange machine;

after reading the identification number from the prepaid card, issuing the prepaid card to the user from the card dispenser, wherein the prepaid card has a card value that is different than the total;

subtracting the card value from the total to determine a difference; and

issuing a redeemable cash voucher to the user, the redeemable cash voucher having a voucher value that is at least approximately equal to the difference.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving a second portion of payment from the user includes nonsequentially receiving randomly oriented coins of at least two different denominations.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving a second portion of payment from the user for the prepaid card includes receiving one or more pieces of paper currency.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving an input from the user defining the card value.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein issuing a redeemable voucher to the user includes issuing a redeemable voucher for the difference.

9. A method for adding value to a first card, the method comprising:

providing a value exchange machine having a card reader, a communications facility, a voucher outlet, and a card writer, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from cards submitted by the user, wherein the communications facility is configured to communicate with one or more remote computers to receive authorization to debit accounts to pay for values added to cards, and wherein the card writer is configured to write information to cards submitted by the user;

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user with the value exchange machine, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to adding value to the first card with a second card, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to adding value to the first card with at least one of cash, coins, and bank account funds;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user;

reading information from the second card when the second card is submitted to the card reader by the user to add value to the first card;

displaying at least a portion of the information read from the second card to the user with the value exchange machine;

communicating with at least one remote computer via the communications facility to receive authorization to debit a first amount of money from an account associated the second card;

receiving a plurality of coins from the user;

counting the plurality of coins to determine a second amount of money;

adding the first amount of money to the second amount of money to determine a total;

writing value information to the first card with the card writer when the first card is submitted to the card writer by the user, wherein writing value information to the first card includes increasing the value associated with the first card by a first portion of the total;

subtracting the first portion from the total to determine a difference; and

dispensing a redeemable cash voucher to the user via the voucher outlet, wherein the voucher is redeemable for a second portion of the total that is at least approximately equal to the difference.

10. A computer implemented method for adding value to a prepaid card, receiving a redeemable cash voucher, or adding value to a prepaid card and receiving a redeemable cash voucher, the method comprising:

providing a value exchange machine having a card reader, a communications facility, a card writer, and a voucher outlet, wherein the card reader is configured to read information from cards, wherein the communications facility is configured to communicate with one or more remote computers to receive authorization to debit accounts to pay for values added to cards, wherein the card writer is configured to write information to cards, and wherein the voucher outlet is configured to dispense a redeemable cash voucher in return for a plurality of coins;

displaying at least first and second transaction options to a user with the value exchange machine, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to adding value to a first card, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to receiving a redeemable cash voucher in return for a plurality of coins;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user corresponding to the first transaction option;

reading information from a second card when the second card is submitted to the card reader by the user to add value to the first card;

communicating with at least one remote computer via the communications facility to receive authorization to debit a first amount of money from an account associated the second card;

receiving a plurality of coins from the user;

counting the plurality of coins to determine a second amount of money;

adding the first amount of money to the second amount of money to determine a total;

writing value information to the first card with the card writer when the first card is submitted to the card writer by the user, wherein writing value information to the first card includes increasing the value associated with the first card by a requested amount that is different than the first amount of money;

subtracting the requested amount from the total to determine a difference; and

dispensing a redeemable cash voucher to the user for an amount that is at least approximately equal to the difference.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first card includes an integrated circuit chip having a memory, and wherein writing value information to the first card with the card writer includes storing information in the memory of the integrated circuit chip.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the first card is a prepaid credit card having an initial value prior to being submitted to the card writer by the user, and wherein writing value information to the first card with the card writer includes increasing the value of the prepaid credit card.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the first card is a prepaid phone card having an initial value prior to being submitted to the card writer by the user, and wherein writing value information to the first card with the card writer includes increasing the value of the prepaid phone card.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving an input from the user defining the requested amount.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein reading information from the second card and writing value information to the first card at least partially defines a transaction, and wherein the method further comprises issuing a record of the transaction to the user with the value exchange machine.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 10 wherein dispensing a redeemable cash voucher to the user includes dispensing a redeemable cash voucher for an amount that is equal to the difference.

17. A computer implemented method for adding value to a prepaid card account, receiving a redeemable cash voucher, or adding value to a prepaid card account and receiving a redeemable cash voucher, the method comprising:

providing a value exchange machine having a card reader, a communications facility, and a voucher dispenser;

displaying at least first and second transaction options to the user with the value exchange machine, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to adding value to a prepaid card account associated with a first card, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to receiving a redeemable cash voucher in return for a plurality of coins;

receiving at least a first transaction selection from the user;

reading information from a second card submitted to the card reader by the user;

communicating with at least one remote computer via the communications facility to receive authorization to debit a first amount of money from an account associated the second card;

receiving authorization from the remote computer to debit the first amount of money from the account associated the second card;

receiving a plurality of coins from the user;

counting the plurality of coins to determine a second amount of money;

adding a first portion of value to the prepaid card account associated with the first card; and

dispensing a redeemable cash voucher to the user for a second portion of value, wherein the first portion of value plus the second portion of value is at least approximately equal to the first amount of money plus the second amount of money.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 17, further comprising reading an identification number off the first card, wherein adding a first portion of value to the prepaid card account associated with the first card includes associating the first portion of value with the identification number in a remote database.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving the first card from a card hopper positioned within the value exchange machine;

automatically reading an identification number from the first card in the value exchange machine; and

after reading the identification number from the first card, issuing the first card to the user from the value exchange machine, wherein adding a first portion of value to the prepaid card account associated with the first card includes associating the first portion of value with the identification number in a remote database.

20. A computer implemented method for adding value to a prepaid card account, receiving a redeemable cash voucher, or adding value to a prepaid card account and receiving a redeemable cash voucher, the method comprising:

providing a value exchange machine having a card reader, a communications facility, and a voucher dispenser;

displaying at least first and second transaction options with the value exchange machine, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to adding value to a prepaid card account, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to receiving a redeemable cash voucher;

adding value to a first prepaid card account of a first user by;

receiving a selection of the first transaction option from the first user;

reading information from a first card submitted to the card reader by the first user;

communicating with at least one remote computer via the communications facility to receive authorization to debit an amount of money from an account associated the first card;

receiving authorization from the remote computer to debit the amount of money from the account associated the first card; and

in response to receiving the authorization, adding value to the first prepaid card account of the first user, wherein the value added to the first prepaid card account is at least partially related to the amount of money debited from the account associated with the first card;

adding value to a second prepaid card account of a second user and dispensing a redeemable cash voucher to the second user by;

receiving a selection of the first transaction option from the second user;

receiving a plurality of coins from the second user;

counting the plurality of coins to arrive at a total;

adding a first amount of money to the second prepaid card account of the second user, wherein the first amount of money is less the total;

receiving a selection of the second transaction option from the second user;

subtracting the first amount of money from the total to determine a difference, and

dispensing a redeemable voucher to the second user, wherein the voucher is redeemable for a second amount of money that is at least approximately equal to the difference.

21. The computer implemented method of claim 20, wherein the first prepaid card account of the first user is associated with a second card, wherein the method further comprises reading an identification number off the second card, and wherein adding value to the first prepaid card account of the first user includes associating the value with the identification number in a remote database.

22. The computer implemented method of claim 20, wherein the first prepaid card account of the first user is associated with a second card, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving the second card from a card hopper positioned within the value exchange machine;

automatically reading an identification number from the second card in the value exchange machine; and

after reading the identification number from the second card, issuing the second card to the user from the value exchange machine, wherein adding value to the first prepaid card account of the first user includes associating the value added to the first prepaid card account with the identification number in a remote database.