Systems and methods for electronic delivery of stored value

• US 8,676,672 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Nelsen, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goyea, Olusegun
• Application Number:
  US12/196,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20090055296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: 705/64, 705/39, 705/14.3, 705/1.1, 705/65, 705/14.38, 705/75, 705/44, 705/26.8, 705/14.34, 705/30, 705/41, 235/379, 235/380
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/10 Tax strategies
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

Systems and methods for electronic delivery of stored value are provided. An example method includes receiving a set of identifiers corresponding to a merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system, receiving a request for an electronic value card, associating an identifier from the set of identifiers with the electronic value card, synchronizing the merchant'"'"'s stored value tracking system with the issued electronic value card, and delivering the electronic value card to a customer. An example system includes a merchant stored value tracking system having a set of unique identifiers, a network communicatively linked with a merchant stored value tracking system; and a value card manager communicatively linked with the network. The value card manager may be configured to receive a request for an electronic value card, synchronize the electronic value card with the merchant stored value tracking system using the unique identifiers, and deliver the electronic value card to a customer for use in the merchant stored value tracking system.

Claims

1. A method for electronic delivery of stored value to be implemented by an electronic value card manager in selective communication with a first merchant stored value tracking system and a second merchant stored value tracking system, the method comprising:

receiving, by the electronic value card manager, one or more identifiers from the first merchant stored value tracking system and receiving one or more identifiers from the second merchant stored value tracking system, wherein the first and second merchant stored value tracking systems are different systems that operate on different platforms and the electronic value card manager functions as a translator to enable communication between the electronic value card manager and each different system, thereby integrating different merchant stored value tracking systems;

receiving a request for an electronic value card at the electronic value card manager;

associating, by the electronic value card manager, an identifier with the electronic value card, the identifier previously received from the first merchant stored value tracking system or the second merchant stored value tracking system;

synchronizing, by the electronic value card manager, the first or second merchant stored value tracking system with the electronic value card and associating the electronic value card with the first or second merchant stored value tracking system;

temporarily holding, by the electronic value card manager, value of the electronic value card until the value can be passed to one of the first or second merchant stored value tracking system; and

delivering the electronic value card to a customer, wherein delivering includes delivering the identifier associated with the electronic value card to the first or second merchant stored value tracking system, assigning value to the electronic value card for use in the first or second merchant stored value tracking system, and the first or second merchant stored value tracking system updating the electronic value card manager with an updated value of the electronic value card.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing includes completing a merchant task.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the value is delayed until completion of a merchant task.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a barcode.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising validating for potential fraud transactions.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing notice regarding use of the electronic value card in the first or second merchant stored value tracking system.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the electronic value card for use by the customer.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the electronic value card manager, an identifier corresponding to a group of one or more merchant stored value tracking systems;

receiving, by the electronic value card manager, a request for an electronic value card;

associating, by the electronic value card manager, the identifier with the electronic value card, the identifier corresponding to the group of one or more merchant stored value tracking systems and redeemable with any one or more of the one or more merchant stored value tracking systems;

synchronizing, by the electronic value card manager, each of the one or more merchant stored value tracking systems in the group with the electronic value card and associating the electronic value card with the group; and

delivering the electronic value card to a customer, wherein delivering includes delivering the identifier corresponding to the group and assigning value to the electronic value card for use in any merchant store corresponding to the group.

8. A system for electronic delivery of stored value, the system comprising:

a first merchant stored value tracking system having a first set of identifiers and a second merchant stored value tracking system having a second set of identifiers, the first merchant stored value tracking system being different from the second merchant stored value tracking system in that the first and second merchant stored value tracking systems operate on different point of sale platforms;

a computer network communicatively linked with the first merchant stored value tracking system and the second merchant stored value tracking system; and

a common platform value card manager communicatively linked with the computer network, wherein the common platform value card manager is configured to;

receive the first set of identifiers from the first merchant stored value tracking system and receive the second set of identifiers from the second merchant stored value tracking system,

receive a request for an electronic value card,

associate an identifier with the electronic value card, the identifier previously received from the first merchant stored value tracking system or the second merchant stored value tracking system,

synchronize the electronic value card with the first or second merchant stored value tracking system such that a stored value of the electronic value card is maintained by the first or second merchant stored value tracking system,

temporarily hold value of the electronic value card until the value can be passed to the first or second merchant stored value tracking system, and

deliver the electronic value card to a customer for use in the first merchant stored value tracking system or the second merchant stored value tracking system,

wherein upon presentation of the electronic value card for use in the first or second merchant stored value tracking system, the identifier associated with the electronic value card is recognized by the first or second merchant stored value tracking system, and the first or second merchant stored value tracking system updates the common platform value card manager with an updated value of the electronic value card.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the common platform value card manager assigns value and automatically synchronizes the electronic value card with the first or second merchant stored value tracking system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the common platform value card manager delays assigning value until completion of a merchant task.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the common platform value card manager periodically synchronizes with the first or second merchant stored value tracking system.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein use of the electronic value card occurs without real time communication between the common platform value card manager and the first or second merchant stored value tracking system.

13. A computing device holding computer-executable instructions for electronic delivery of stored value, the instructions being executable by a networked value card management system to:

receive a set of identifiers corresponding to a merchant stored value tracking system;

receive a request for an electronic value card;

associate an identifier from the set of identifiers with the electronic value card, the identifier received from the merchant stored value tracking system;

temporarily hold value of the electronic value card until value can be passed to the merchant stored value tracking system;

synchronize the merchant stored value tracking system with the electronic value card;

deliver the electronic value card to a customer, wherein the electronic value card is redeemable using the merchant stored value tracking system; and

update the networked value card management system with an updated value of the electronic value card at the time of a transaction based upon an amount of a stored value redeemed for a purchase.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the merchant stored value tracking system is automatically synchronized.

15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the merchant stored value tracking system is synchronized upon completion of a merchant task.

16. The computing device of claim 13, further comprising instructions for validating a request for potential fraud transactions.