Apparatuses, Systems and Methods for Loading, Activating and Redeeming an Investment Gift Card

• US 20090048924A1
• Filed: 08/12/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth E. Wiborg, Nicole D. Murray
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth E. Wiborg, Nicole D. Murray
• Inventors: Murray, Nicole D., Wiborg, Elizabeth E.
• Application Number:
  US12/190,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20090048924A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.180
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• 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 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0216 Investment accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• 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

Embodiments of the present technology provide apparatuses, systems and methods for loading, activating, and redeeming an investment gift card.

Claims

1. A system for loading, activating, and redeeming an investment gift card comprising:

a gift card having an identifier associated with said gift card;

a database wherein said database associates said identifier with said gift card;

an activation interface wherein said activation interface obtains said identifier associated with said gift card, verifies said identifier is associated with said gift card and associates a denomination of money with said gift card in said database;

a storage system wherein said storage system stores said denomination of money until redemption;

a redemption interface wherein said redemption interface obtains said identifier associated with said gift card and other redemption information;

a router wherein said router routes at least a portion of said denomination of money from said storage system into an existing investment account determined according to said other redemption information.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said existing investment account is a 529 college savings plan.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said identifier is a serial number.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said activation interface is located at a retail outlet.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said activation interface is available online.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said redemption interface is available online.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said redemption interface is a available through a call center.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said other redemption information includes a portion of said denomination of money that is to be routed to said existing investment account.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said redemption interface additionally updates said database with redemption information.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said redemption information is selected from the group comprising redemption time, redemption date, redemption method, and available gift card balance.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said other redemption information includes an identifier associated with said existing investment account.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said denomination of money associated with said gift card is customer-specified.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said activation interface additionally associates other general transaction information with said gift card in said database.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said other general transaction information is selected from the group comprising purchaser, date of purchase, time of purchase and method of purchase.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said gift card is personalized using graphics, text, or photos.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said gift card is coupled with a themed promotional gift.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said gift card is reloadable.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein said gift card automatically reloads.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said gift card is an electronic gift card.

20. A method of loading, activating, and redeeming an investment gift card comprising:

assigning an identifier to a gift card;

compiling a database wherein said identifier is associated with said gift card;

activating said gift card by obtaining said identifier associated with said gift card;

verifying said identifier is associated with said gift card and associating a denomination of money with said gift card in said database;

storing said denomination of money until redemption;

obtaining said identifier associated with said gift card and other redemption information;

routing at least a portion of said denomination of money from said storage system into an existing investment account determined according to said other redemption information.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the steps are performed sequentially.

22. A computer-readable medium having a set of instructions for execution by a computer, the set of instruction comprising:

an identification routine configured to assign an identifier to a gift card;

a compilation routine configured to compile a database wherein said identifier is associated with said gift card;

an activation routine configured to activate said gift card by obtaining said identifier associated with said gift card, verifying said identifier is associated with said gift card and associating a denomination of money with said gift card in said database;

a storage routine configured to store said denomination of money until redemption;

a redemption routine configured to obtain said identifier associated with said gift card and other redemption information;

a routing routine configured to route at least a portion of said denomination of money from said storage system into an existing investment account determined according to said other redemption information.