Money transfer system and method

• US 9,384,476 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: Western Union
• Inventors: Hanna, Assaad G., Hansen, Kurt L., Seifert, Dean A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALSH, DANIEL I
• Application Number:
  US14/216,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20140344089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/209 Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3437 the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• 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 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

A method for transferring money may include providing a money transfer instrument having product information and a monetary value associated therewith. The method may also include capturing the product information by a POS terminal in response to the sender purchasing the money transfer instrument. The method may further include generating and issuing a personal identifier to the sender on a receipt printed at the POS terminal. The method may additionally include receiving from the sender money transfer information along with the personal identifier. The method may moreover include generating and transmitting to the sender a money transfer control identifier that is separate from the personal identifier. The method may furthermore include receiving from the recipient the money transfer control identifier to receive transferred money at a money transfer location.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing, at a point of sale terminal, a money transfer instrument having product information and a monetary value associated therewith and used by a sender for transferring money to a recipient;

capturing, by the point of sale terminal, the product information of the money transfer instrument in response to the sender purchasing the money transfer instrument;

generating and issuing to the sender, by a money transfer host, in response to capture of the product information, a first identifier on a receipt printed at the point of sale terminal;

receiving by the money transfer host, after issuing the first identifier, money transfer information and the first identifier;

generating and providing to the sender, by the money transfer host, in response to receipt of the money transfer information and first identifier, a second identifier that is separate from the first identifier;

receiving from the recipient, by the money transfer host, the second identifier, the second identifier having been provided to the recipient by the sender; and

causing, at least partially by the money transfer host, funds to be provided to the recipient, in response to receipt of the second identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the money transfer instrument has a monetary value associated therewith; and

causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises causing funds in an amount corresponding to the monetary value to be provided to the recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

providing the money transfer instrument at a retail location.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the money transfer instrument comprises instructions for the sender on completing a money transfer using the money transfer instrument.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the money transfer instrument comprises at least one blank for the sender to write in the first identifier and/or the second identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second identifier is provided to the recipient by the sender.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises:

providing a first portion of funds to be provided at a first time; and

providing a second portion of funds to be provided at a second time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises:

causing a selection from a group consisting of the following to be provided to the recipient;

cash;

a stored value card;

a coupon; and

payment of a bill.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving, by the money transfer host after funds have been provided to a recipient, an indication that the sender has provided additional funds; and

associating, by the money transfer host, the additional funds with the money transfer instrument.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

associating, by the money transfer host, a new money transfer control number with the additional funds.

11. A non-transitory machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions executable by one or more processors for at least:

providing a money transfer instrument having product information and a monetary value associated therewith and used by a sender for transferring money to a recipient;

capturing the product information of the money transfer instrument in response to the sender purchasing the money transfer instrument;

generating and issuing to the sender, in response to capture of the product information, a first identifier on a receipt printed;

receiving, after issuing the first identifier, money transfer information and the first identifier;

generating and providing to the sender, in response to receipt of the money transfer information and first identifier, a second identifier that is separate from the first identifier;

receiving from the recipient, the second identifier, the second identifier having been provided to the recipient by the sender; and

causing funds to be provided to the recipient, in response to receipt of the second identifier.

12. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein:

the money transfer instrument has a monetary value associated therewith; and

causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises causing funds in an amount corresponding to the monetary value to be provided to the recipient.

13. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises:

providing a first portion of funds to be provided at a first time; and

providing a second portion of funds to be provided at a second time.

14. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions are further executable for at least:

receiving, after funds have been provided to a recipient, an indication that the sender has provided additional funds; and

associating the additional funds with the money transfer instrument.

15. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable for at least:

associating a new money transfer control number with the additional funds.

16. A system comprising:

a point of sale terminal configured for at least;

providing a money transfer instrument having product information and a monetary value associated therewith and used by a sender for transferring money to a recipient;

capturing the product information of the money transfer instrument in response to the sender purchasing the money transfer instrument;

generating and issuing to the sender, in response to capture of the product information, a first identifier on a receipt printed;

a money transfer host system configured for at least;

receiving, after issuing the first identifier, money transfer information and the first identifier;

generating and providing to the sender, in response to receipt of the money transfer information and first identifier, a second identifier that is separate from the first identifier;

receiving from the recipient, the second identifier, the second identifier having been provided to the recipient by the sender; and

causing funds to be provided to the recipient, in response to receipt of the second identifier.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the money transfer instrument has a monetary value associated therewith; and

causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises causing funds in an amount corresponding to the monetary value to be provided to the recipient.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein causing funds to be provided to the recipient comprises:

providing a first portion of funds to be provided at a first time; and

providing a second portion of funds to be provided at a second time.

19. The system of claim 16, the money transfer host system is further configured for at least:

receiving, after funds have been provided to a recipient, an indication that the sender has provided additional funds; and

associating the additional funds with the money transfer instrument.

20. The system of claim 19, the money transfer host system is further configured for at least:

associating a new money transfer control number with the additional funds.