Wireless network access prepayment systems and methods

• US 7,917,395 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: Western Union
• Inventors: Algiene, Kenneth, Sayor, Thomas B., Crawford, Erik S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zurita; James
• Application Number:
  US10/953,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20060074765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,373 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/37
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• 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 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00

Abstract

A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Claims

1. A system for providing Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network access, comprising:

a processor, and

a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to;

receive a request from a merchant device to activate a WiFi network access presentation instrument for a customer;

verify the validity of the WiFi network access presentation instrument;

return an activation confirmation message to the merchant device, wherein the activation confirmation message comprises a WiFi network access identifier;

receive a request from a computing device of the customer to access a WiFi network, wherein the request comprises the WiFi network access identifier; and

determine whether to allow the computing device of the customer to access the WiFi network based at least in part on an account balance relating to the WiFi network access presentation instrument.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the WiFi network access relates to a WiFi network operated at a merchant location; and

the merchant device is located at the merchant location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the host computer system is further configured to credit value to a loyalty account balance relating to the WiFi network access presentation instrument, wherein the credit is based on merchandise purchases made by the customer using the presentation instrument.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the host computer system is further configured to:

receive a request from the customer via the computing device of the customer to convert loyalty value to network access value;

increase the network access account balance; and

decrease the loyalty account balance by a factor corresponding to an amount by which the network access account balance is increased.

5. A method of providing Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network access, comprising:

receiving, by a host computer system, a request from a first merchant device to activate a WiFi network access presentation instrument for a customer;

verifying, by the host computer system, the validity of the WiFi network access presentation instrument;

returning, by the host computer system, an activation confirmation message to the merchant device, wherein the activation confirmation message comprises a WiFi network access identifier;

receiving, by the host computer system, a request from a computing device of the customer to access a WiFi network, wherein the request comprises the WiFi network access identifier;

determining, by the host computer system, whether to allow the computing device of the customer to access the WiFi network based at least in part on an account balance relating to the WiFi network access presentation instrument; and

processing, by a second merchant device, a transaction for merchandise purchased by the customer using the WiFi network access presentation instrument.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the WiFi network access relates to a WiFi network operated at a merchant location; and

the merchant device is located at the merchant location.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising crediting value to a loyalty account balance relating to the WiFi network access presentation instrument, wherein the credit is based on merchandise purchases made by the customer using the WiFi network access presentation instrument.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a request from the customer to convert loyalty value to network access value;

increasing the network access account balance; and

decreasing the loyalty account balance by a factor corresponding to an amount by which the network access account balance is increased.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein returning an activation confirmation message to the merchant device comprises generating an access key code and returning the access key code as part of the activation confirmation message.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the first merchant device and the second merchant device are the same merchant device.