Electronic gift linking

• US 7,908,179 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2007
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: Western Union
• Inventors: Karas, Peter M., Cowell, James E., Yoder, James R., Golub, Matt F., Baig, Aamer Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Pond; Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US11/832,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20080021793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• 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 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• 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 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42

Abstract

According to the invention, a method for creating an electronic greeting card enclosing an electronic gift is disclosed. In one step, the electronic greeting card selection is received from a sender along with a selection of at least one of a type of electronic gift, an amount for the electronic gift, and an identifier for a receiver of the electronic gift. Payment for the electronic gift is received from a money handler chosen by the sender. A code indicative of the electronic gift is received, whereby the code facilitates redemption of the electronic gift. The code is embedded in the electronic greeting card.

Claims

1. A method for or including an electronic gift in an electronic gift card, the method comprising:

receiving selection of the electronic greeting card entered by a sender via a first interface comprising an electronic user interface;

receiving selection of an electronic gift from a plurality of gift types;

receiving payment for the electronic gift from a money handler chosen by the sender, wherein the sender provides the payment at an agent location and the payment is provided through a second interface physically distinct from the first user interface;

embedding a code indicative of the electronic gift in the selected electronic greeting card, whereby the code facilitates redemption of the electronic gift; and

transmitting the electronic greeting card.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gift types include at least one of:

a gift certificate, an electronic gift certificate, a money order, a credit in a stored value fund, a foreign currency credit in the stored value fund, a prepaid credit or debit card, promotional points, or airline mileage credits.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the money handler includes at least one of an agent location, a stored value fund issuer, an airline mileage program issuer, a gift certificate issuer, an electronic gift certificate issuer, a money order issuer, or any other money transmitter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the code identifies the electronic greeting card and the electronic gift type and amount.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the code includes a link to a site including information on the redemption of the electronic gift.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the code includes a link to one of a target merchant for a gift certificate or the money handler.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a fee, in addition to and associated with the payment, from the sender.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a fee, in addition to and associated with the payment, from the chosen money handler from whom the payment for the electronic gift was received.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a future time from the sender, wherein the electronic greeting card is transmitted to the receiver at the future time.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first identity verification information from the sender that is used to verify the identity of a receiver of the electronic gift;

receiving second identity verification information from the receiver; and

processing the first and second identity information to validate the receiver'"'"'s identity.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the first interface comprises a kiosk interface at an agent location;

and

the second interface comprises an agent interface at an agent location.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the first interface comprises an internet interface;

and

the second interface comprises an electronic user interface at an agent location.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the first interface comprises at least one of a kiosk interface, an ATM interface, a telephone, a mobile device, or an internet interface;

the sender provides the payment to an agent at the agent location, the payment comprising payment via a credit card, a debit card, a stored value card, an ATM card, a negotiable instrument, or cash; and

the agent interacts with the second interface comprising an agent interface to process the provided payment.

14. A system for including an electronic gift in an electronic gift card, the system comprising:

an electronic user interface configured to;

receive a first selection of the electronic greeting card by a sender; and

receive a second selection by the sender of an electronic gift from a plurality of gift types; and

a payment interface at an agent location, physically distinct from the electronic user interface, the payment interface configured to receive payment for the electronic gift from the sender; and

a computer system, in communication with the electronic user interface and the payment interface, and configured to;

receive the first selection and the second selection from the electronic user interface;

embed a code indicative of the electronic gift in the electronic greeting card, whereby the code facilitates redemption of the electronic gift; and

transmit the electronic greeting card.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of gift types include at least one of:

a gift certificate, an electronic gift certificate, a money order, a credit in a stored value fund, a foreign currency credit in the stored value fund, a prepaid credit or debit card, promotional points, or airline mileage credits.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a money handler, in communication with the payment interface and the computer system, and configured to receive payment from the sender via the payment interface, wherein the money handler comprises a selection from the group consisting of;

a stored value fund issuer, an airline mileage program issuer, a gift certificate issuer, an electronic gift certificate issuer, a money order issuer, and any other money transmitter.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein,

the computer system comprises a payment processing system configured to receive a fee, in addition to and associated with the payment, from the money handler from whom the payment for the electronic gift was received.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein,

the computer system comprises a payment processing system configured to receive a fee, in addition to and associated with the payment, from the sender.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer system is further configured to generate the code identifying an electronic gift type and amount.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the code includes a link to a site including information on the redemption of the electronic gift.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic greeting card includes a link to one of a target merchant for a gift certificate or the money handler.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer system is further configured to:

receive a future time from the sender, wherein the electronic greeting card is transmitted to the receiver at the future time.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer system is further configured to:

receive first identity verification information from the sender that is used to verify the identity of a receiver of the electronic gift;

receive second identity verification information from the receiver; and

process the first and second identity information to validate the receiver'"'"'s identity.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein,

the electronic user interface comprises a kiosk interface at an agent location;

and

the payment interface comprises an agent interface at an agent location.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein,

the electronic user interface comprises an internet interface;

and

the payment interface comprises an electronic user interface at an agent location.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein,

the electronic user interface comprises at least one of a kiosk interface, an ATM interface, a telephone, a mobile device, or an internet interface;

the sender provides the payment to an agent at the agent location, the payment comprising payment via a credit card, a debit card, a stored value card, an ATM card, a negotiable instrument, or cash; and

the agent interacts with the second interface comprising an agent interface to process the provided payment.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein a first device including the electronic user interface is physically distinct from a second device including the payment interface.

28. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic user interface is included in a device that does not include the payment interface.

29. A system for including an electronic gift in an electronic gift card, the system comprising:

a first electronic interface means for receiving a selection of the electronic greeting card and electronic gift by a sender;

a second interface means, physically distinct from the first electronic interface means, the second interface means for receiving payment for the electronic gift from the sender;

means for embedding a code indicative of the electronic gift in the electronic greeting card, whereby the code facilitates redemption of the electronic gift; and

means for transmitting the electronic greeting card.