STORED VALUE CARD KIOSK SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20140330660A1
• Filed: 07/19/2013
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gift Card Impressions LLC (Millennium Prime, Inc.)
• Inventors: Glass, Brett R., Geisler, Karl Joseph, Hoag, Kimberly Beth
• Granted Patent: US 10,217,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation

Abstract

A stored value card activation system includes a server in communication with one or more computing devices configured in kiosks. The server receives stored value card type information associated with one of multiple non-activated stored value cards from the computing device. The server also receives monetary amount information to be associated with the selected stored value card from the kiosk, and payment information from a user of the kiosk. From this information, the server conducts a financial transaction with a financial account server associated with an account of the user, and activates the selected stored value card in accordance with the financial transaction.

Claims

1. A kiosk comprising:

a housing structure to display one or more non-activated stored value cards; and

a computing device to be housed and supported by the housing structure and having a display screen for providing interaction with a user, the computing device to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) to the display screen to;

receive stored value card type information associated with a selected one of the plurality of non-activated stored value cards;

receive monetary amount information to be associated with the selected stored value card; and

receive payment information from the user for conducting a financial transaction with a financial account server associated with an account of the user, and activating the selected stored value card in accordance with the financial transaction.

2. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a countertop housing with a bottom end to be mounted on a counter-top.

3. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a floorstand housing with a bottom end to be mounted on a floor.

4. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a wallmount housing configured to be mounted on a wall.

5. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a retail display unit to display other sale items related to stored value cards.

6. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a retail display housing configured to be mounted on a third party display.

7. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the stored value card comprises a digital stored value card and the computing device comprises a tablet computer that is to transmit the selected stored value card type to a recipient via a messaging service.

8. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the selected stored value card comprises a physical stored value card.

9. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stored value cards are associated with multiple different merchants.

10. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the stored value card comprises a pre-set monetary amount.

11. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein the computing device is to receive a customized monetary amount from the user.

12. A gift card activation system comprising:

a server comprising at least one memory and at least one processor, the at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions configured to, when executed by the processor;

receive gift card type information associated with a selected one of the plurality of non-activated gift cards from a computing device configured in a kiosk;

receive monetary amount information to be associated with the selected stored value card from the kiosk;

receive payment information from a user of the kiosk;

facilitate a financial transaction with a financial account server associated with an account of the user to provide payment for the gift card; and

activate the selected gift card in accordance with the financial transaction by communicating with a gift card server managed by a merchant of the selected gift card.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer executable instructions are further configured to:

receive the payment information from the user;

conduct the financial transaction with the financial account server; and

activate the selected gift card in accordance with the conducted financial transaction.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer executable instructions are further configured to:

receive the gift card type information, the monetary amount information, and the payment information from the user; and

transmit the gift card type information, the monetary amount information, and the payment information to a gift card validation server associated with a merchant of the selected gift card,

wherein the gift card validation server conducts the financial transaction with the financial account server, and activates the selected gift card using the gift card type information, the monetary amount information, and the payment information.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the gift card comprises a digital gift card and the computing device comprises a tablet computer that is to transmit the selected gift card to a recipient via a messaging service.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of gift cards are associated with multiple different merchants.

17. A gift card activation method comprising:

receiving, using a processor that executes instructions stored in a memory, gift card type information associated with a selected one of a plurality of non-activated gift cards from a computing device configured in a kiosk;

receiving, using the processor, monetary amount information to be associated with the selected gift card from the kiosk;

receiving, using the processor, payment information from a user of the kiosk;

facilitating, using the processor, a financial transaction with a financial account server associated with an account of the user to provide payment for the gift card; and

activating, using the processor, the selected gift card in accordance with the financial transaction by communicating with a gift card server managed by a merchant of the selected gift card.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving the payment information from the user;

conducting the financial transaction with the financial account server; and

activating the selected gift card in accordance with the conducted financial transaction.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving the gift card type information, the monetary amount information, and the payment information from the user; and

transmitting the gift card type information, the monetary amount information, and the payment information to a gift card validation server associated with a merchant of the selected gift card,

conducting the financial transaction with the financial account server; and

activating the selected gift card using the gift card type information, the monetary amount information, and the payment information.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting the selected gift card to a recipient via a messaging service, the gift card comprising a digital gift card.