System for processing, activating and redeeming value added prepaid cards

• US 10,296,895 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackhawk Network Incorporated (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Blackhawk Network Incorporated (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Llach, Teri, Milner, J. DuWayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilder, A. Hunter
• Application Number:
  US14/213,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20140214567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 705 17
• 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 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/349 Rechargeable cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates

Abstract

A computer implemented method for adding value to a stored value card in excess of the purchase price for the stored value card is provided. In one embodiment a stored value card transaction processor receives an activation or redemption request for a stored value card from a point of sale terminal. The activation or redemption request comprises at least one of a card identification, a point of sale terminal identification, a merchant identification, and a time of activation which is compared to data stored in a stored value card datastore to determine if the stored value card to be activated is eligible for a value added award. The processor then determines the value added award and modifies the request to include the value added award. The processor then transmits the modified request to the card issuer authorization system and receives a response which is forwarded to the point of sale terminal.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction, performed by a stored value card transaction computer comprising one or more processors and programming instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium which, when the program instructions are executed by the one or more processors, transforms the stored value card transaction computer into a particular machine and causes the particular machine to perform the method comprising:

receiving, by the stored value card transaction computer, in a stored value card transaction computer a transaction request for a stored value card from a point of sale terminal, wherein the transaction request comprises at least one of a card identification, a point of sale terminal identification, a vendor identification, a merchant identification, and a time of activation;

comparing, by the stored value card transaction computer, at least one of the card identification, the point of sale terminal identification, the vendor identification, the merchant identification, and the time of activation to stored data in a stored value card datastore to determine if the stored value card is eligible for a value differentiation, wherein the stored value card datastore is only accessible by the stored value card transaction computer and a datastore administrator;

determining, by the stored value card transaction computer using stored value card datastore information, the value differentiation to be attributed to a stored value card account when the stored value card is determined to be eligible for the value differentiation, wherein the value differentiation has use conditions which are different from use conditions of the stored value card;

modifying, by the stored value card transaction computer, the transaction request to include the value differentiation when the stored value card is determined to be eligible for the value differentiation;

transmitting, by the stored value card transaction computer, a modified transaction request to a card issuer authorization system;

receiving, by the stored value card transaction computer, a response from the card issuer authorization system; and

transmitting, by the stored value card transaction computer, the response to the point of sale terminal.

2. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 1, wherein the transaction request further comprises an activation request.

3. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 1, wherein the transaction request further comprises a redemption request.

4. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 1, wherein the response comprises a reference to the value differentiation.

5. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 1, wherein the value differentiation comprises a monetary redemption value amount for the stored value card which is greater than a face value of the stored value card.

6. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 5, wherein the monetary redemption value amount for the stored value card exceeds a purchase price of the stored value card.

7. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 5, wherein a purchase price of the stored value card is less than the monetary redemption value for the stored value card.

8. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 1, wherein the value differentiation comprises a non-monetary redemption value.

9. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 1, further comprising reconciling accounts of card transaction interested parties.

10. The computer implemented method for conducting a stored value card transaction of claim 9, wherein the card transaction interested parties comprise card vendors, card merchants, card issuers, a stored value card transaction system administrator, and combinations thereof.

11. A stored value card transaction system comprising:

a stored value card transaction computer comprising a processor for executing computer executable instructions stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium, wherein the executable instructions transform the stored value card transaction computer into a particular machine comprising the following elements and cause the elements to perform associated functions;

a stored value card datastore maintaining account information corresponding to a plurality of cards, conditions for receiving a value differentiation, and conditions for redeeming the value differentiation, wherein the stored value card datastore is only accessible by the stored value card transaction computer and a datastore administrator;

an interface for receiving and transmitting a transaction message;

a value added determination component to determine, using stored value card datastore information, whether a card is eligible for value differentiation and a type of value differentiation to be awarded to a card account when the card is eligible for the value differentiation, wherein the value differentiation has use conditions which are different from use conditions of the card;

a card issuer system interface for transmitting the transaction message to, and receiving a response to the transaction message from, a card issuer system;

an authorization component for authorizing a stored value card transaction; and

a message modification component for modifying at least one of a message from the card issuer system and a message from a point of sale terminal to indicate information about the value differentiation associated with the stored value card transaction.

12. The stored value card transaction system of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions comprise:

responsive to receiving a transaction message from a merchant for a particular transaction for a particular purchase amount using a card, instructions for approving the particular transaction when the merchant is an authorized merchant and when the particular purchase amount is less than or equal to funds remaining in the card;

responsive to the approved particular transaction, instructions for reducing the funds by the particular purchase amount of the particular transaction;

responsive to the approved particular transaction, instructions for transferring a discount amount of the funds to an administrator of an account associated with the card;

responsive to the approved particular transaction, instructions for transferring a settlement amount (ROC) of the funds to the merchant; and

responsive to the approved particular transaction, instructions for transferring a net discount of the discount amount to an account of a client or the merchant.

13. The stored value card transaction system of claim 11, wherein the transaction message comprises a redemption request.

14. The stored value card transaction system of claim 11, wherein the response comprises a reference to the value differentiation.

15. The stored value card transaction system of claim 11, wherein the value differentiation comprises a monetary redemption value amount for the stored value card which is greater than a face value of the stored value card.

16. The stored value card transaction system of claim 15, wherein the monetary redemption value amount for the stored value card exceeds a purchase price of the stored value card.

17. The stored value card transaction system of claim 15, wherein a purchase price of the stored value card is less than the monetary redemption value for the stored value card.