Money-transfer techniques

• US 9,058,625 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Uniteller Financial Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Uniteller Financial Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Gutierrez-Sheris, Luis Eduardo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Winter, John M
• Application Number:
  US10/752,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20040230610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,179 Days
• Field of Search: 705 50- 80, 705/39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• 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 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

A technique for transferring money between a customer and a beneficiary comprises a money-transfer company, and a plurality of selling agents and paying agents. The money-transfer company maintains a server, a database, and a communications interface for communicating, via a telephone network and/or the Internet, with data terminals located at the selling and paying agents'"'"' sites. Customer transaction cards are distributed to customers. These cards have a visible card number and a corresponding alphanumeric card code stored in, e.g., a magnetic strip. In response to a customer'"'"'s request, the money-transfer company activates the customer'"'"'s transaction card by loading customer and beneficiary information into a corresponding transaction card record stored in the database.

Claims

1. A method for accessing funds associated with a financial instrument, comprising:

generating by a financial system a funds-access code including the steps of generating, by a computer connected to a communication network, a random code that is the funds-access code;

creating and storing by the computer a fund access code record containing the generated funds-access code and accompanying identification information about a recipient in a database accessible to a remote computer connected to the communication network, and linking by the computer the fund access code record to a financial instrument containing funds;

supplying a carryable funds-access device to a distributor by a supplier of the financial system, the carryable funds-access device being in an inactive state and corresponding to the fund access code record;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to a distributed state, preventing access, by the computer, to the funds associated with the financial instrument;

supplying the funds-access code to the recipient;

activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to the distributed state by the remote computer of the distributor of the financial system;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the distributed state to an activated state, preventing access, by the computer, to the funds associated with the financial instrument;

receiving by the remote computer of the distributor of the financial system of the funds-access code from the recipient;

validating, in the distributed state of the carryable funds-access device, by the distributor the presented funds-access code by comparing the presented funds-access code and the recipient'"'"'s identification information with the information in the fund access code record in the database via the remote computer connected to the communication network;

activating by the remote computer of the distributor the carryable funds-access device to the activated state after confirmation of the presented funds-access code including the steps of activating one of multiple inactive carryable funds-access devices located at the distributor'"'"'s location,

creating and storing a funds-access device record representing the activated funds-access device in the database via the remote computer connected to the communication network, and linking via the remote computer connected to the communication network the funds-access device record to the financial instrument that is currently linked to the fund access code record;

after activating the carryable funds-access device to the activated state, permitting access, by the computer, to the funds associated with the financial instrument;

presenting by the distributor the recipient with the activated funds-access device;

dispensing by the computer of the financial system the funds associated with the financial instrument in response to the utilization of the funds-access device at a location remote from a location of the distributor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial instrument is an instrument representative of a funds-transfer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial instrument is a check, and the funds-access code is a check number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the funds-access device is a carrying card having a magnetic stripe containing data;

and the step of accessing the funds is carried out upon reading the data from the magnetic stripe on the carrying card.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of activating a funds-access device further includes the step of providing the recipient with a personal code, and wherein the step of accessing the funds is carried out by utilizing the funds-access device and providing the personal code by the recipient.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the funds-access device is an ATM card usable at automatic teller machines and the personal code is a PIN;

and wherein the step of accessing the funds is carried out by the recipient supplying the ATM card and the PIN to one of the automatic teller machines.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of accessing the funds is carried out by the steps of requesting by the recipient a designated amount of cash, dispensing by the automatic teller machine the requested cash, and updating the financial instrument associated with the funds to reflect dispensing of the designated amount of cash to the recipient.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of storing the financial instrument and the funds-access device in a relational database.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of specifying a selected recipient by the financial instrument and associating the financial instrument with a receiving financial instrument identity record identifying the recipient.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of verifying by the distributor a matching of the identity of the recipient to an identity identified by the receiving financial instrument identity record of the financial instrument associated with the supplied funds access code, and wherein the steps of activating and accessing steps are carried out only if the match is verified.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the financial instrument, the funds-access device record, and the receiving financial instrument identity record are stored in a relational database.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the funds comprises supplying to the recipient the funds in the form of cash.

12. A method for accessing funds associated with a financial instrument, comprising:

generating by a computer of a financial system connected to a communication network a funds record of funds linked with a financial instrument in a database on a non-transitory computer readable medium accessible to a remote computer connected to the communication network, the funds record including identification information of an intended recipient;

transferring by the computer a value of funds into the funds record in the database;

supplying a carryable funds-access device to a distributor by a supplier of the financial system, the carryable funds-access device being in an inactive state and corresponding to the funds record;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to a distributed state, preventing access, by the computer, to the value of funds in the funds record;

activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to the distributed state by the remote computer of the distributor of the financial system;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the distributed state to an activated state, preventing access, by the computer, to the value of funds in the funds record;

validating, in the distributed state of the carryable funds-access device, the identity of the recipient with the identification information of the intended recipient in the funds record using the remote computer connected to the communication network;

activating by the remote computer of the distributor the carryable funds-access device to the activated state including the steps of

creating and storing by the remote computer a funds-access device record in the database linked to the carryable funds-access device, and

linking by the remote computer the carryable funds-access device record in the database with the financial instrument;

after activating the carryable funds-access device to the activated state, permitting access, by the computer, to the value of funds in the funds record;

dispensing by the computer of the financial system funds associated with the financial instrument in response to the utilization of the activated funds-access device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the financial instrument is a funds-transfer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the financial instrument is a check made out to the recipient.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the funds-access device is a card having a magnetic stripe containing information for accessing the funds associated with the financial instrument.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of activating is carried out upon supply a personal code associated with the card.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the card is an ATM card, the personal code is a PIN, and the accessing step is carried out by using an automatic teller machine (ATM).

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of updating the funds associated with the financial instrument to reflect an amount of funds accessed by the recipient.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the financial instrument and the funds-access device record are stored in a relational database.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the financial instrument specifies a specific recipient and is associated with a receiving financial instrument identity record identifying the specific recipient.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of verifying a matching of the identity of the recipient using the funds-access device to the specific recipient identified by the receiving financial instrument identity record of the financial instrument associated with the funds-access device;

and wherein the steps of activating and accessing are carried out only if the match is verified.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the financial instrument, the funds-access device record, and the receiving financial instrument identity record are stored in a relational database.

23. A method for creating an account from funds associated with a financial instrument, comprising:

generating by a computer of a financial system connected to a communication network a funds record of funds linked with a financial instrument in a database on a non-transitory computer readable medium accessible to a remote computer connected to the communication network, the funds record including identification information of an intended recipient;

transferring by the computer of the financial system a value of funds into the funds record in the database;

creating by the computer of the financial system an account and storing an account record representing the account in the database;

supplying a carryable funds-access device to a distributor by a supplier of the financial system, the carryable funds-access device being in an inactive state and corresponding to the funds record;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to a distributed state, preventing access, by the computer, to the value of funds in the funds record;

activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to the distributed state by the remote computer of the distributor of the financial system;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the distributed state to an activated state, preventing access, by the computer, to the value of funds in the funds record;

validating, in the distributed state of the funds-access device, the funds-access device with the identification information of the intended recipient in the funds record using the remote computer connected to the communication network;

activating by the remote computer the funds-access device from the distributed state to the activated state at a location remote from a location of the computer of the financial system;

after activating the carryable funds-access device to the activated state, permitting access, by the computer, to the value of funds in the funds record;

depositing the funds linked with the financial instrument into the account; and

dispensing by the computer of the financial system funds associated with the financial instrument in response to the utilization of the activated funds-access device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the financial instrument is a funds-transfer.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the financial instrument is a check made out to a recipient to access the funds in the account.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the depositing step is carried out by an agent of a bank.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the funds-access device is a card having a magnetic stripe containing information for accessing the funds in the account.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of generating a personal code, and the accessing step is carried out only upon supplying the personal code.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the card is an ATM card, the personal code is a PIN, and the accessing step is carried out by utilizing the ATM card at an automatic teller machine.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the accessing step includes the steps of requesting cash from the funds in the account, dispensing by the automatic teller machine the requested cash;

and updating the funds in the account to reflect the dispensed cash.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the account record is stored in a relational database.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the financial instrument specifies a specific recipient and is associated with a receiving financial instrument identity record identifying the specific recipient.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of verifying a matching of the identity of the recipient seeking access to the funds to the specific recipient identified by the receiving financial instrument identity record of the financial instrument;

and wherein the steps of transferring and accessing are carried out only if the match is verified.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the financial instrument and the receiving financial instrument identity record are stored in a relational database.

35. A method for creating an account from funds associated with a financial instrument, comprising:

generating by a computer of a financial system connected to a communication network a funds-access code for accessing funds linked with a financial instrument;

linking by the computer of the financial system the funds-access code with the financial instrument;

providing the funds-access code to a recipient;

creating an account and storing by the computer of the financial system an account record representing the account in response to the recipient providing the funds-access code in a database on a non-transitory computer readable medium accessible to a remote computer connected to the communication network;

depositing by the financial system funds linked with the financial instrument into the account;

supplying a carryable funds-access device to a distributor by a supplier of the financial system, the carryable funds-access device being in an inactive state and corresponding to the funds linked in the account;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to a distributed state, preventing access, by the computer, to the funds;

activating the carryable funds-access device from the inactive state to the distributed state by the remote computer of the distributor of the financial system;

prior to activating the carryable funds-access device from the distributed state to an activated state, preventing access, by the computer, to the funds linked with the financial instrument;

validating, in the distributed state of the carryable funds-access device, the funds-access code by comparing with the information in the account record in the database via the remote computer connected to the communication network;

activating the carryable funds-access device by the remote computer from the distributed state to the activated state including the steps of

creating and storing by the remote computer connected to the communication network a funds-access device record in the database linked with the carryable funds-access device, and linking by the remote computer the funds-access device record in the database with the financial instrument;

after activating the carryable funds-access device to the activated state, permitting access, by the computer, to the funds linked with the financial instrument;

supplying the funds-access device to the recipient;

dispensing by the computer of the financial system the funds associated with the financial instrument in response to the utilization of the funds-access device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the financial instrument is a funds-transfer.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the financial instrument is a check made out to the recipient.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the accessing step is carried out by an agent of a bank.

39. The method of claim 35,wherein the funds-access device is a card having a magnetic stripe containing information for accessing the funds in the account.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of generating a personal code, and the accessing step is carried out only upon supplying the personal code by the recipient.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the card is an ATM card, the personal code is a PIN, and the accessing step is carried out by using the ATM card at an automatic teller machine.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the accessing step includes the steps of requesting cash from the funds in the account, dispensing by the automatic teller machine the requested cash;

and updating the funds in the account to reflect the dispensed cash.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein the account record and the funds-access device record are stored in a relational database.

44. The method of claim 35, wherein the financial instrument specifies a specific recipient and is associated with a receiving financial instrument identity record identifying the recipient.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of verifying a matching of the identity of the recipient providing the funds-access code to the specific recipient identified by the receiving financial instrument identity record of the financial instrument being accessed;

and wherein the steps of creating, depositing and accessing are carried out only if the match is verified.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the financial instrument and the receiving financial instrument identity record are stored in a relational database.