System and computer program product to issue a retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit and related computer implemented methods

• US 8,286,863 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pathward National Association
• Original Assignee: MetaBank (Meta Financial Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brooks, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): WALSH, DANIEL I
• Application Number:
  US12/700,681
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/487, 235/492, 235/493, 235/379, 705/41, 705/43, 705/64, 705/65, 705/14.17, 705/500
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3415 Cards acting autonomously as pay-media
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

Embodiments of systems, computer program product, and related computer implemented methods to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit, are provided. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a service that enables a consumer to purchase, at the storefront of a retail establishment, a chit card that the consumer can subsequently redeem through a graphical user interface of an Internet website for a closed-loop retail prepaid card with a user-designed external face. The user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card, for example, can be subsequently printed and delivered to an intended recipient. Advantageously, such a service can be made available to any retail establishment that uses a point-of-sale system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system for providing a closed-loop retail prepaid card by offering for sale a chit, the computer implemented system comprising:

a prepaid card provider computer having at least a processor, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and at least one database stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the at least one database including a plurality of chit data files, a plurality of merchant data files, a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, a plurality of associated merchant identification codes, and a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, each retail card data file including at least a retail prepaid card number and a merchant identification code;

a communications network in communication with the prepaid card provider computer, a remote merchant computer and a remote chit user computer; and

the non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions operable on the prepaid card provider computer, the stored instructions configured to perform a process of allowing a user to design an external face of the closed-loop retail prepaid card and a process issuing the closed-loop prepaid card using a chit, the computer implemented system performing the steps of;

creating the chit at the prepaid card provider upon receipt from the merchant computer via the communications network of a merchant name and a purchased chit value;

associating with the chit a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images upon input of said plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images by a user, the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images selected from a plurality of available merchant controlled closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images;

associating by the prepaid card provider the merchant name and the plurality of selected closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images with a merchant identification code,

upon a user redeeming the chit by the prepaid card provider, creating a gift card using the selected retail prepaid card external face images, the merchant identification code and the merchant name; and

associating the gift card with the purchased chit value, the chit comprising an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit.

2. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 1, wherein the prepaid card provider computer is configured to receive from the merchant computer via the communications network one or more merchant specific messages, to associate the one or more merchant specific messages with a merchant identification code, and to store the one or more merchant specific messages in the database.

3. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 2, wherein

the chit is a chit card identified by a chit identification mechanism printed on the chit card;

and

the non-transitory computer readable storage medium is readable by the prepaid card provider computer, includes a memory element of the prepaid card provider computer, and further includes a chit deliverer configured to print on each of a plurality of chit cards the merchant name and the one or more merchant specific messages stored in the database.

4. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 2, wherein

the chit is an electronic mail chit identified by a chit identification mechanism included in the electronic mail chit;

the non-transitory computer readable storage medium is readable by the prepaid card provider computer, includes a memory element of the prepaid card provider computer, and further includes a chit deliverer configured to, responsive to purchase and activation of the electronic mail chit, deliver the electronic mail chit to an electronic mail address of a chit purchaser via an electronic mail message through the communications network;

the electronic mail chit includes at least the merchant name and the one or more merchant specific messages stored in the database.

5. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 2, wherein

the non-transitory computer readable storage medium is readable by the prepaid card provider computer, includes a memory element of the prepaid card provider computer, and further includes a chit deliverer configured to, responsive to the purchase and activation of the chit, print the chit on a receipt confirming and recording the transaction resulting in the purchase and activation of the chit;

and

the chit includes at least the merchant name and the one or more merchant specific messages stored in the database.

6. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 1, wherein

the computer-implemented system further includes a closed-loop retail prepaid card printer to print on a closed-loop retail prepaid card the merchant name, a retail prepaid card number, and a selected one or more of the plurality of the closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images;

the non-transitory computer readable storage medium is readable by the prepaid card provider computer, includes a memory element of the prepaid card provider computer, and further includes a closed-loop retail prepaid card deliverer configured to deliver the closed-loop retail prepaid card to a closed-loop retail prepaid card user at a location selected by the user.

7. A computer-implemented system configured to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit the system comprising:

a prepaid card provider computer remote from and in communication with a merchant computer and a chit user computer via a communications network having at least a processor, a computer readable storage medium, a memory element, and at least one database stored in the computer readable storage medium, the at least one database including first, second, third, and fourth databases, the first database including a plurality of chit data files stored therein, the second database including a plurality of merchant data files stored therein, the third database including a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images and a plurality of associated merchant identification codes stored therein, and the fourth database including a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files stored therein, each retail card data file including at least a retail prepaid card number and a merchant identification code, the prepaid card provider computer being configured to create a plurality of chit data files, configured to receive from the merchant computer a chit identification mechanism and a chit redemption value, configured to verify and activate responsive to receiving the chit identification mechanism and the chit redemption value one of the plurality of chit data files stored in the first database and associated with the chit identification mechanism, configured to store the chit redemption value in the chit data file associated with the chit identification mechanism, and configured to facilitate through an Internet website accessible via the communications network the graphical design of the external face of a closed-loop retail prepaid card and the issuance of the externally designed closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount equal to the chit redemption value;

the merchant computer in communication with a point-of-sale terminal and remote from and in communication with the prepaid card provider computer via the communications network having at least a processor, a memory element, a computer readable storage medium, at least one database stored in the computer readable storage medium, the at least one database being configured to store a plurality of chit activation codes, a user interface device, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium readable by the merchant computer, stored in the memory element thereof, and storing;

a financial transaction module configured to receive from the point-of-sale terminal the chit redemption value and personal financial information, configured to verify the personal financial information, configured to approve the purchase of the chit, and configured to transmit the chit purchase confirmation code to the point-of-sale terminal responsive to the purchase of the chit, and

a chit activation module configured to transmit via the communications network to the prepaid card provider computer the chit identification mechanism and the chit redemption value corresponding to the purchase configured to activate a chit, configured to receive from the prepaid card provider computer via the communications network the chit activation code responsive to activation of the chit and associated with the chit identification mechanism, and configured to store the chit activation code in the at least one database;

a point-of-sale terminal remote from and in communication the merchant computer having at least a processor and a user interface device, the point-of-sale terminal being configured to receive from a chit purchaser a chit redemption value and personal financial information, configured to transmit the chit redemption value and personal financial information to the merchant computer to thereby purchase a chit, and configured to receive a chit purchase confirmation code responsive to the purchase of the chit from the merchant computer

the chit user computer remote from the merchant computer and remote from and in communication with the prepaid card provider computer through the Internet website via the communications network having at least a processor, a memory element, and a user interface device, the chit user computer being configured to transmit through the Internet website via the communications network a chit identification mechanism to the prepaid card provider computer, configured to design through the Internet website via the communications network the graphical appearance of the external face of the closed-loop retail prepaid card associated with the chit identification mechanism, and configured to transmit through the Internet website via the communications network delivery information configured to facilitate the delivery of the externally designed closed-loop retail prepaid card associated with the chit identification mechanism in an amount equal to the chit redemption value;

the communications network in communication with the prepaid card provider computer, the merchant computer, and the chit user computer; and

another non-transitory computer readable medium readable by the prepaid card provider computer, stored in the memory element of the prepaid card provider computer, and storing;

a chit initialization and purchase module, including;

a chit creator

to receive from the merchant computer via the communications network a merchant name, a merchant Internet website, one or more merchant specific messages including a chit redemption Internet website address, a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and merchant specific instructions including an image allotment code, an image placement code, an image size code, a user inputted text placement code, a user inputted text allotment code, a user inputted text size code, a user inputted text font code, and a user inputted text line distance code,

to associate the merchant name, the merchant Internet website, the one or more merchant specific messages, the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and the merchant specific instructions with a merchant identification code,

to create and associate a merchant data file with the merchant identification code and store the merchant data file in the second database,

to store in the merchant data file the merchant identification code, the merchant name, the merchant Internet website, the one or more merchant specific messages, and the merchant specific instructions,

to store the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images and the associated merchant identification code in the third database,

to create the plurality of chit data files configured to be associated with the merchant identification code where each of the plurality of chit data files is associated with a chit card and the chit identification mechanism associated with each of the plurality of chit data files is printed on the chit card and is used to identify the chit card, and

to store the plurality of chit data files in the first database where each chit data files includes a plurality of data fields configured to store a chit identification mechanism, a chit activation code, a chit redemption code, a chit redemption value, a merchant name, a merchant identification code, a chit expiration date, and an associated retail card prepaid number,

a chit deliverer

to print on each of a plurality of chit cards the merchant name and the one or more merchant specific messages stored in the merchant data file associated with the merchant identification code stored in the chit data file associated with the chit identification mechanism that identifies the chit card, and

to deliver the plurality of chit cards to the merchant identified by the merchant identification code stored in the chit data file and associated with the chit identification mechanism that identifies the chit card

a chit activator

to receive from the merchant computer via the communications network a chit identification mechanism and a chit redemption value, together indicating that the chit card has been purchased via the point-of-sale terminal,

to activate one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the merchant computer via the communications network responsive to the purchase of the chit via the point-of-sale terminal,

to store a chit activation code responsive to the activation of the chit and the chit redemption value in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism, and

to transmit to the merchant computer via the communications network the chit activation code responsive to the activation of the chit and associated with the chit identification mechanism, and

a closed-loop retail prepaid card design and issuance module, including;

the Internet website accessible via the communications network through the chit user computer, the Internet website being configured to provide a graphical user interface configured to verify the activation of a chit card by receiving through the graphical user interface the chit identification mechanism printed on the chit card, configured to redeem the chit card for a closed-loop retail prepaid card associated with the chit identification mechanism and responsive to the chit redemption, configured to graphically design the external face of the closed-loop retail prepaid card, and configured to facilitate delivery of the closed-loop retail prepaid card by collecting chit delivery data,

a chit verifier configured to receive a chit identification mechanism from the chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network and configured to verify that the chit identification mechanism received from the chit user computer through the Internet website is associated with one of the plurality of chit data files and that the associated one of the plurality of chit data files includes a chit activation code,

a chit redeemer

configured to store, responsive to the verification, a chit redemption code in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the chit user computer through the Internet website,

configured to associate the one of the plurality of chit data files identified by the chit identification mechanism received from the chit user computer through the Internet website with one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files identified by a retail prepaid card number and stored in the fourth database,

configured to store in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files the chit redemption value and the merchant identification code stored in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism to thereby activate the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and

configured to store the retail prepaid card number stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the chit user computer,

a closed-loop retail prepaid card external face designer

configured to display on the Internet website accessible to the chit user computer via the communications network one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images stored in the third database and associated with the merchant identification code stored in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network,

configured to receive a selection of one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images from the chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network,

configured to receive one or more lines of user inputted text from the chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network,

configured to associate the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images and the one or more lines of user inputted text with the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files stored in the fourth database,

configured to receive delivery information from the chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network, and

configured to store the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, the one or more lines of user inputted text, and the delivery information in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and

a closed-loop retail prepaid card deliverer configured to print on a closed-loop retail prepaid card the merchant name, the retail prepaid card number, the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and the one or more lines of user inputted text stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and configured to deliver the closed-loop retail prepaid card to a closed-loop retail prepaid card user at a location defined by the delivery information stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, wherein

the number of, placement of, and size of the selected one or more of the closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images is determined by the merchant specific instructions stored in the merchant data file associated with the merchant identification code stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and

the number of, and placement of, size of, and font of the one or more lines of user inputted text is determined by the merchant specific instructions stored in the merchant data file associated with the merchant identification code stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, the chit comprising an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit.

8. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 7, wherein the prepaid card provider computer is operated and controlled by a banking institution.

9. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 7, wherein the merchant computer is operated and controlled by one of a grocery store, a discount store, a department store, a gas station, a franchise store, a restaurant, a salon, an electronics store, a big box store, a superstore, a megastore, a supercenter, an airline, or any other business establishment, including a retail establishment, that offers for sale products or services.

10. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 9, wherein

the at least one of the one or more lines of user inputted received from the chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network includes personal information of a chit user or the closed-loop retail prepaid card user;

and

personal information includes one or more of a first name, a last name, a middle name or middle initial, a personal greeting, a personal saying, a personal motto, a personal proverb, or any other personalized statement.

11. A computer-implemented system as defined in claim 10, wherein

the chit user computer is an electronic kiosk computer;

the electronic kiosk computer further includes a printer and is further configured to be in communication with the prepaid retail prepaid card computer via the communications network;

delivery information includes data indicating that the electronic kiosk computer is the delivery location for the closed-loop retail prepaid card; and

the closed-loop retail prepaid card deliverer is further configured to transmit the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files to the electronic kiosk computer via the communications network and to print on a closed-loop retail prepaid card the merchant name, the retail prepaid card number, the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and the one or more lines of user inputted text stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files using the electronic kiosk computer printer.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a tangible computer medium and including instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the operations of:

initializing a plurality of chit data files configured to facilitate the purchase of a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit, including;

receiving from a remote merchant computer via a communications network a merchant name, a merchant Internet website, one or more merchant specific messages including a chit redemption Internet website address, a plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and merchant specific instructions including an image allotment code, an image placement code, an image size code, a user inputted text placement code, a user inputted text allotment code, a user inputted text size code, a user inputted text font code, and a user inputted text line distance code, associating the merchant name, the merchant Internet website, the one or more merchant specific messages, the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and the merchant specific instructions with a merchant identification code,

creating a merchant data file;

associating the merchant data file with the merchant identification code;

storing the merchant data file in a database,

storing in the merchant data file the merchant identification code, the merchant name, the merchant Internet website, the one or more merchant specific messages, and the merchant specific instructions,

storing the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images and the associated merchant identification code in a database,

creating a plurality of chit data files configured to be associated with the merchant identification code where each of the plurality of chit data files is associated with a chit card and the chit identification mechanism associated with each of the plurality of chit data files is printed on the chit card and is used to identify the chit card,

storing the plurality of chit data files in a database where each of the plurality of chit data files includes a plurality of data fields to store a chit identification mechanism, a chit activation code, a chit redemption code, a chit redemption value, a merchant name, a merchant identification code, a chit expiration date, and an associated retail card prepaid number,

printing on each of a plurality of chit cards the merchant name and the one or more merchant specific messages stored in the merchant data file associated with the merchant identification code stored in the chit data file associated with the chit identification mechanism that identifies the chit card,

receiving from the remote merchant computer via the communications network a chit identification mechanism and a chit redemption value, together indicating that the chit card has been purchased,

activating one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the remote merchant computer via the communications network responsive to the purchase of the chit, the chit having the redemption value corresponding to an amount of the purchase,

storing a chit activation code responsive to the activation of the chit and the chit redemption value in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism, and

transmitting to the remote merchant computer via the communications network the chit activation code responsive to the activation of the chit and associated with the chit identification mechanism,

verifying a chit identification mechanism, including;

receiving a chit identification mechanism from a remote chit user computer through an Internet website accessible via the communications network,

verifying that the chit identification mechanism received from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website is associated with one of the plurality of chit data files and that the associated one of the plurality of chit data files includes a chit activation code,

activating the associated one of the plurality of chit data files responsive to the verification of the chit identification mechanism, including

storing, responsive to the verification, a chit redemption code in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website,

associating the one of the plurality of chit data files identified by the chit identification mechanism received from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website with one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files identified by a retail prepaid card number,

storing in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files the chit redemption value and the merchant identification code stored in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism configured to thereby activate the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and

storing the retail prepaid card number stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the remote chit user computer, and

issuing a user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card, including

displaying on the Internet website accessible via the communications network one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images associated with the merchant identification code stored in the one of the plurality of chit data files associated with the chit identification mechanism received from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network, receiving a selection of one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network,

receiving one or more lines of user inputted text from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network,

associating the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images and the one or more lines of user inputted text with the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files,

receiving delivery information, including at least a mailing name and a postal mailing address, from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website accessible via the communications network,

storing the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, the one or more lines of user inputted text, and the delivery information in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and

printing on a closed-loop retail prepaid card the merchant name, the retail prepaid card number, the selected one or more of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images, and the one or more lines of user inputted text stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, wherein

the number of, placement of, and size of the selected one or more of the closed-loop retail prepaid card external face images is determined by the merchant specific instructions stored in the merchant data file associated with the merchant identification code stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and

the number of, and placement of, size of, and font of the one or more lines of user inputted text is determined by the merchant specific instructions stored in the merchant data file associated with the merchant identification code stored in the associated one of the plurality of closed-loop retail prepaid card data files, and wherein the chit comprises an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 12, wherein the operation of issuing a user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card further includes instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to perform the operation of printing the mailing name and postal mailing address received from the remote chit user computer through the Internet website on the exterior of a postal envelope for delivery to a closed-loop retail prepaid card user.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 12, wherein the closed-loop retail prepaid card is used by a closed-loop retail prepaid card user at a retail establishment in exchange for products or services through the Automated Clearing House network.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 13, wherein the remote merchant computer is operated and controlled by one of a grocery store, a discount store, a department store, a gas station, a franchise store, a restaurant, a salon, an electronics store, a big box store, a superstore, a megastore, a supercenter, an airline, or any other business establishment, including a retail establishment, that offers for sale products or services.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 15, wherein

the at least one of the one or more lines of user inputted received from the remote chit user through the Internet website accessible via the communications network includes personal information of a chit user or the closed-loop retail prepaid card user;

and

personal information includes one or more of a first name, a last name, a middle name or middle initial, a personal greeting, a personal saying, a personal motto, a personal proverb, or any other personalized statement.