Methods and systems for exchanging and/or transferring various forms of value
First Claim
1. A method for transferring funds from a first user to a second user, the method comprising:
- providing a kiosk for performing money-based transactions, the kiosk including at least a central computer operatively connectable to a remote computer, and a user-interface operatively connected to the central computer;
receiving second user information from the first user via the user-interface of the kiosk, the second user information at least partially identifying the second user;
receiving funds information from the first user via the user-interface of the kiosk, the funds information including at least an amount of funds to transfer from the first user to the second user;
sending a request from the central computer to the remote computer for authorization to transfer the amount of funds to the second user;
receiving an authorization from the remote computer to transfer the amount of funds to the second user; and
wherein the kiosk, in response to receiving the authorization, automatically sends an electronic message to an electronic address of the second user to inform the second user of the amount of funds that has been authorized for transfer to the second user.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for transferring funds from a first user to a second user, the method comprising:
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providing a kiosk for performing money-based transactions, the kiosk including at least a central computer operatively connectable to a remote computer, and a user-interface operatively connected to the central computer; receiving second user information from the first user via the user-interface of the kiosk, the second user information at least partially identifying the second user; receiving funds information from the first user via the user-interface of the kiosk, the funds information including at least an amount of funds to transfer from the first user to the second user; sending a request from the central computer to the remote computer for authorization to transfer the amount of funds to the second user; receiving an authorization from the remote computer to transfer the amount of funds to the second user; and wherein the kiosk, in response to receiving the authorization, automatically sends an electronic message to an electronic address of the second user to inform the second user of the amount of funds that has been authorized for transfer to the second user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer implemented method for transferring funds from a first user to a second user, the method comprising:
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providing a first machine for performing money-based transactions, the first machine including at least a first central computer and a first user-interface operatively connected to the first central computer; providing a second machine for performing money-based transactions, wherein the second machine is located remotely from the first machine and includes at least a second central computer and a second user-interface operatively connected to the second central computer; receiving information relating to the second user from the first user via the first user-interface; receiving information relating to the funds from the first user via the first user-interface; in response to receiving at least one of the funds information and the second user information from the first user via the first user interface, sending a communication from the first machine to a first remote computer, wherein the communication includes a request for authorization to transfer the funds from the first user to the second user; in response to sending the communication from the first machine to the first remote computer, receiving authorization to transfer the funds from the first user to the second user; in response to receiving the authorization, automatically sending, by the first machine, an electronic message to a second remote computer to inform the second user of the funds that have been authorized for transfer to the second user; receiving a request for the funds from the second user via the second user-interface of the second machine; and in response to receiving the request from the second user, dispensing the funds to the second user from the second machine. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions causing a computer in a first kiosk to implement a transfer of funds from a first user to a second user by a method comprising:
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receiving information from the first user at the first kiosk, wherein the information relates to the second user and a source of the funds; in response to receiving the information from the first user, sending a communication from the first kiosk to a first remote computer, wherein the communication includes a request to transfer the funds from the first user to the second user via a second kiosk remote from the first kiosk; in response to sending the communication from the first kiosk, receiving confirmation that the funds have been authorized for transfer to the second user via the second kiosk; in response to receiving the confirmation, providing a unique code enabling the second user to retrieve the funds from the second kiosk; and sending an electronic message to a second remote computer associated with the second user in response to receiving the confirmation from the first remote computer, wherein the electronic message includes the unique code. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification