Evolving payment device

• US 8,442,913 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2011
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa International Service Association (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Faith, Patrick, Harris, Theodore D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jagdish
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMILTON, SARA CHANDLER
• Application Number:
  US13/104,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20110320344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14.17, 705/41, 235/380
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0231 Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

A computer apparatus is provided that comprises processor and a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor. The computer readable medium comprises code executable by the processor for implementing a method that comprises receiving a first indication at a computer apparatus that an evolving token has been used in a first transaction. Use of the evolving token in the first transaction provides a first benefit. The method further comprises that in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, the evolving token changes so that it is associated with a payment account and the evolving token can be used to make payments.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of using an evolving token, the method comprising:

receiving a first indication by a computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used by the consumer as a non-payment device in a first transaction;

receiving an indication that the evolving token is to be used as a payment device;

in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, converting, by the computer apparatus, the evolving token into the payment device based on the indication so that the evolving token can be used as the payment device,

wherein converting the evolving token into the payment device comprises associating the evolving token with a payment account so that the evolving token can be used in payment transactions;

receiving another indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used by the consumer in a payment transaction; and

associating, by the computer apparatus, the consumer with the evolving token after receiving the first indication by the computer apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the evolving token provides a benefit to the consumer in the first transaction.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

associating an image of the consumer with the evolving token.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising associating consumer information of the consumer with the evolving token.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the consumer information includes at least one of a consumer name, a credit card number, a checking account number, a savings account number, a social security number, a passport identification number, a drivers license number, an address, and an age.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein evolving token is provided to the consumer.

7. A computer apparatus, comprising a processor, and a computer readable medium comprising code, executable by the processor to implement a method comprising:

receiving a first indication by the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used by the consumer as a non-payment device in a first transaction;

receiving an indication that the evolving token is to be used as a payment device;

in a subsequent transaction after the first transaction, converting, by the computer apparatus, the evolving token into the payment device based on the indication so that the evolving token can be used as the payment device,

wherein converting the evolving token into the payment device comprises associating the evolving token with a payment account so that the evolving token can be used in payment transactions;

receiving another indication at the computer apparatus that the evolving token has been used by the consumer in a payment transaction; and

associating, by the computer apparatus, the consumer with the evolving token after receiving the first indication by the computer apparatus.

8. The computer apparatus of claim 7 wherein the evolving token provides a benefit to the consumer in the first transaction.

9. The computer apparatus of claim 7 wherein the method further comprises:

associating an image of the consumer with the evolving token.

10. The computer apparatus of claim 7 wherein the method further comprises associating consumer information of the consumer with the evolving token.

11. The computer apparatus of claim 10 wherein the consumer information includes at least one of a consumer name, a credit card number, a checking account number, a savings account number, a social security number, a passport identification number, a drivers license number, an address, and an age.