Point-of-sale electronic PIN distribution system
First Claim
1. A method for distributing an access code for using a pre-paid product, comprising the steps of:
- connecting a telephone call originating from a telephone to an interactive voice response system of a transaction processing system, the telephone call being initiated by a caller from the telephone;
receiving, at the interactive voice response system, a request from the caller for an access code associated with a pre-selected product;
obtaining an access code from the transaction processing system in response to the request; and
playing an audible message including the obtained access code to the caller during the telephone call, whereby the caller receives the obtained access code using solely the telephone and without the use of any specialized point-of-sale terminal.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A point-of-sale electronic distribution system for distributing an access code (e.g., a personal identification number (PIN)) is provided. The system allows retailers/distributors to purchase access codes for use with pre-paid products using conventional telephones and without requiring the use of a dedicated terminal or personal computer at the point-of-sale. A telephone call relating to a request for an access code is received at a central server. An access code is obtained from a database of access codes and transmitted to the caller by telephone, facsimile, or e-mail. Reports relating to a pre-paid calling card account can be requested during the telephone call.
102 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for distributing an access code for using a pre-paid product, comprising the steps of:
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connecting a telephone call originating from a telephone to an interactive voice response system of a transaction processing system, the telephone call being initiated by a caller from the telephone; receiving, at the interactive voice response system, a request from the caller for an access code associated with a pre-selected product; obtaining an access code from the transaction processing system in response to the request; and playing an audible message including the obtained access code to the caller during the telephone call, whereby the caller receives the obtained access code using solely the telephone and without the use of any specialized point-of-sale terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for distributing an access code for using a pre-paid product, comprising a transaction processing system having an interactive voice response system and a database, said database including a plurality of access codes, each of which is associated with a pre-selected product, said transaction processing system being operative to:
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be connected to a telephone call originating from a telephone, the telephone call being initiated by a caller from the telephone and being connected to said voice response system of said transaction processing system; receive, at said voice response system, a request from the caller for an access code associated with a pre-selected product; obtain an access code from said database in response to the request; and play an audible message including the obtained access code to the caller during the telephone call, whereby the caller receives the obtained access code using solely the telephone and without the use of any specialized point-of-sale terminal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. The system of 23, wherein said voice response system is operative to select one of the access codes from said database in response to receiving the product code and denomination specified by the caller.
Specification