Delivery of value identifiers using short message service (SMS)
First Claim
1. A method for adding value to a pre-existing customer account associated with a specific communication device that is associated with a specific provider of goods or services, the method using an identifier associated with a value that is redeemable with a plurality of providers of goods or services, including the specific provider, the method facilitated between a merchant, a customer, and a central processor, the method comprising:
- receiving at the central processor a request via short message service (SMS) to add the value associated with the identifier to the pre-existing customer account, the request being received from a requesting communications device, the requesting communications device being any one of a plurality of communication devices that includes the specific communication device, the request comprising;
the identifier associated with the value; and
information sufficient to identify the pre-existing customer account;
based on the request via SMS to add value, the central processor;
determining the value associated with the identifier;
determining if the requesting communications device is the specific communications device; and
determining the specific provider and the pre-existing customer account associated with the specific communications device; and
causing the value to be added to the pre-existing customer account.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for adding value to a customer account are provided. An identifier associated with a value is distributed to a customer. The identifier is usable to add the value to an account. A request to add the value to a customer account is received via short message service (SMS). The request comprises the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account. In some embodiments, the identifier may be entered into the device using text auto-completion software. The request is received from a user communication device as an SMS message. The value associated with the identifier and the customer account associated with the account identification number are identified based on the request. The value is caused to be added to the customer account. A confirmation that the value was added to the customer account is passed to the user communication device.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for adding value to a pre-existing customer account associated with a specific communication device that is associated with a specific provider of goods or services, the method using an identifier associated with a value that is redeemable with a plurality of providers of goods or services, including the specific provider, the method facilitated between a merchant, a customer, and a central processor, the method comprising:
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receiving at the central processor a request via short message service (SMS) to add the value associated with the identifier to the pre-existing customer account, the request being received from a requesting communications device, the requesting communications device being any one of a plurality of communication devices that includes the specific communication device, the request comprising; the identifier associated with the value; and information sufficient to identify the pre-existing customer account; based on the request via SMS to add value, the central processor; determining the value associated with the identifier; determining if the requesting communications device is the specific communications device; and determining the specific provider and the pre-existing customer account associated with the specific communications device; and causing the value to be added to the pre-existing customer account. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for adding value to a pre-existing customer account associated with a specific communication device that is associated with a specific provider of goods or services, the system using an identifier associated with a value that is redeemable with a plurality of providers of goods or services, including the specific provider, the system facilitated between a merchant, a customer, and a central processor, the system comprising:
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an input device for; receiving a request to activate the identifier, the request being received from the merchant upon purchase of the identifier; and receiving a request via short message service (SMS) to add the value associated with the identifier to the pre-existing customer account, the request being received from a requesting communications device, the requesting communications device being any one of a plurality of communication devices that includes the specific communication device, the request comprising; the identifier associated with the value; and information sufficient to identify the pre-existing customer account; a processor for; activating the identifier; and based on the request via SMS to add value; determining the value associated with the identifier; determining if the requesting communications device is the specific communications device; and determining the specific provider and the pre-existing customer account associated with the specific communications device; a value insertion system for causing the value to be added to the pre-existing customer account; and an output device for; passing to the specific communication device an SMS message confirming that a request to add value to the pre-existing customer account was received.
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Specification