IP Library Granted Patent US 7,494,048
Granted Patent B2
US 7,494,048 · App. 10/821,134 · Granted Feb 24, 2009

System and method for brand name gift card exchange

Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,494,048
App. No.
10/821,134
Granted
Feb 24, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides for exchanging a gift card. Data associated with a first gift card is provided. The data associated with the first gift card is validated. Either a money rebate associated with the first gift card, or a second gift card is selected. The first gift card is exchanged for either a money rebate or the second gift card. An exchange fee is generated by both the vendor associated with the gift card and the company performing the exchange.

Claims (16)

1. A method of exchanging a gift card, comprising:

providing data associated with a first gift card;

validating the data associated with the first gift card;

selecting either a money rebate associated with the first gift card, or a second gift card;

exchanging the first gift card for either a money rebate or the second gift card; and

charging a first service fee for issuing the second gift card.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing data further comprises providing a merchant name.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing data further comprises providing an account number.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising charging a second service fee for issuing the money amount.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the data associated with the gift card occurs with employment of a kiosk.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the data associated with the gift card occurs with employment of a personal computer.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising releasing funds associated with the first gift card by a vendor.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising charging a third service fee for releasing funds associated with the first gift card by the vendor.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising issuing the money by mail.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising correlating the exchange of the gift card with at least one other piece of data.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of correlating consists of at least one of the group of the trade name of the associated second gift card, the time of the exchange, and the type of consumer transaction device.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: CARDPOOL, INC.
To: BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054705/0203 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2019
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: CARDPOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 049401/0122 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: CARDPOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 049501/0946 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2018
From: BLACKHAWK ENGAGEMENT SOLUTIONS (DE), INC.; BLACKHAWK NETWORK, INC.; EWI HOLDINGS, INC.; CARDLAB, INC.; CARDPOOL, INC.; CASHSTAR INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046393/0670 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2018
From: BLACKHAWK ENGAGEMENT SOLUTIONS (DE), INC.; BLACKHAWK NETWORK, INC.; EWI HOLDINGS, INC.; CARDLAB, INC.; CARDPOOL, INC.; CASHSTAR INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 047377/0011 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2018
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: CARDPOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 046112/0957 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2014
From: CARDPOOL, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 032750/0479 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2012
From: BLACKHAWK NETWORK, INC.
To: CARDPOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 027697/0173 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2011
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: BLACKHAWK NETWORK, INC.
Reel/Frame 027434/0119 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2004
From: GUSLER, CARL PHILLIP; HAMILTON, RICK ALLEN; LIPTON, STEVEN JAY; WATERS, TIMOTHY MOFFETT
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014755/0653 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050228717A1 · Oct 13, 2005