Keycard for automating transaction requests
View Patent ↗Systems and methods of using a keycard for automating transaction requests are disclosed. Methods may comprise receiving a request for a product identification number that is associated with a product by inputting keycard information at a merchant terminal, wherein the keycard was selected from among a plurality of keycards and is associated with a specific provider and value; processing the request; transmitting a transaction confirmation; and retaining the keycard by the merchant. Systems may comprise a plurality of keycards maintained in the merchant's possession before and after automating a product request, wherein each keycard is pre-associated with a product identification number; a merchant terminal comprising an input device for inputting a product identification number from the keycard, and an output device for outputting a transaction confirmation; and a central processor configured to process a transaction request associated with the keycard and the product identification number; and deliver a transaction confirmation.
1. A method for automating a product request, the method comprising:
receiving at a central processor a request for a product identification number associated with a purchasable product prior to the receiving action, wherein the request is received from a merchant terminal and the request is generated by inputting keycard information at the merchant terminal of a merchant, wherein the keycard is selected from among a plurality of keycards, wherein each keycard is associated with a specific provider and a specific value;
processing at the central processor the request;
transmitting from the central processor to the merchant terminal a transaction confirmation associated with the keycard to the merchant terminal;
retaining the keycard by the merchant after the transmitting step; and
delivering the product identification number to the customer.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the transaction confirmation comprises a product identification number (PIN) or password.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the transaction confirmation is associated with a prepaid calling card.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the keycard is associated with a specific telecommunications service provider.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the keycard comprises a barcode on the keycard, and the request is associated with the barcode.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the request comprises a product identification number associated with a barcode, the barcode is printed on the keycard, and the step of inputting comprises scanning the barcode.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the product information number is stored on a magnetic strip, and inputting the keycard information comprises swiping the magnetic strip.
8. The method of claim 2 wherein the transaction confirmation comprises instructions for using a PIN associated with a stored-value account, and the PIN is associated with the keycard information.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the keycard information is associated with at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a gift card.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a prepaid gas card.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a prepaid grocery card.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a prepaid entertainment card.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a downloadable game card.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a downloadable music card.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a downloadable music card that uses MP3, MP4, WMV, or WAV formats.
17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a customer rewards card.
18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with telecommunications service.
19. A system for automating a product request, comprising:
a plurality of keycards maintained in the possession of a merchant before and after automating a product request, wherein each keycard is pre-associated with a product identification number;
a merchant terminal comprising an input device for inputting a product identification number from the keycard, and further comprising an output device for outputting a transaction confirmation associated with a product identification number, the output device configured to deliver a product identification number to a customer; and
a central processor configured to:
process a transaction request associated with a keycard and the product identification number associated with the keycard, wherein the request is received from the merchant terminal; and
deliver a transaction confirmation associated with the keycard to the merchant terminal.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the transaction confirmation comprises a product identification number (PIN).
21. The system of claim 19 wherein the transaction confirmation is associated with a request to change the value of a stored-value account.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the at least one of a stored-value card and a PIN is associated with a downloadable ring tone card.
23. The system of claim 19 wherein the transaction confirmation comprises instructions for using a PIN associated with a stored-value account, and the PIN is associated with the product identification number, and wherein the keycard is associated with a product or service provider and a value.