Electronic vouchers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for authorizing the redemption of cash value vouchers using an ISO/IEC 7812-1:
- 2000 compliant POS terminal comprising the steps of;
providing a cash value voucher comprising a voucher number, the voucher number having a cash value that is not included in the voucher number;
entering said voucher number at an ISO/IEC 7812-1;
2000 compliant POS terminal, the POS terminal forming a concatenated string comprising said voucher number, a POS terminal identifier and an issuer identification number to thereby emulate a standard payment card authorization request; and
sending the concatenated string to an acquirer,wherein the acquirer, after validating the string, sends the concatenated string to an issuer,wherein the issuer then authenticates the voucher number and amends the concatenated string such that the amended concatenated string further includes the cash value of the cash value voucher, andwherein the amended concatenated string enables the authorization of payment for the cash value of the cash value voucher and is transmitted via the acquirer to the POS terminal to authorize the redemption of the voucher for the cash value included in the amended concatenated string.
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Abstract
A method for distributing and reliably redeeming electronic cash value vouchers that uses existing POS terminals. The vouchers may be distributed via mobile telephones. The voucher comprises an alphanumeric code which is entered into the standards compliant POS terminal. The system checks that the voucher is valid and provides a redemption value to the POS which can be credited by the retailer. The transaction can then be completed by the retailer using known methods.
99 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for authorizing the redemption of cash value vouchers using an ISO/IEC 7812-1:
- 2000 compliant POS terminal comprising the steps of;
providing a cash value voucher comprising a voucher number, the voucher number having a cash value that is not included in the voucher number; entering said voucher number at an ISO/IEC 7812-1;
2000 compliant POS terminal, the POS terminal forming a concatenated string comprising said voucher number, a POS terminal identifier and an issuer identification number to thereby emulate a standard payment card authorization request; andsending the concatenated string to an acquirer, wherein the acquirer, after validating the string, sends the concatenated string to an issuer, wherein the issuer then authenticates the voucher number and amends the concatenated string such that the amended concatenated string further includes the cash value of the cash value voucher, and wherein the amended concatenated string enables the authorization of payment for the cash value of the cash value voucher and is transmitted via the acquirer to the POS terminal to authorize the redemption of the voucher for the cash value included in the amended concatenated string. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- 2000 compliant POS terminal comprising the steps of;
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7. A method of redeeming an electronic voucher via an ISO/IEC 7812-1:
- 2000 compliant top up or EFTPOS terminal comprising the steps of;
providing a cash value voucher comprising a voucher number to a mobile phone, the voucher number having a cash value that is not included in the voucher number; and entering the voucher number at the ISO/IEC 7812-1;
2000 compliant top up or EFTPOS terminal, wherein the voucher is authenticated by the following steps;determining whether the voucher number is valid, and determining whether the voucher number has been used before and whether it has any “
balances of uses”
left against it,generating an N value when (i) the voucher number is not valid or (ii) the voucher number has been used before and does not have any “
balance of uses”
left against it, such that any N value generates an invalid redemption message depending on the parameters specified in the host system for that particular voucher or campaign under which the voucher was issued, andgenerating a Y value and a valid redemption message when (i) the voucher number is valid and (ii) the voucher number has “
balance of uses”
left against it, wherein the redemption message comprises a concatenated string that further includes a cash value stored in the host system database. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- 2000 compliant top up or EFTPOS terminal comprising the steps of;
Specification