IP Library Granted Patent US 8,082,195
Granted Patent B2
US 8,082,195 · App. 12/500,345 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Prepaid value account with reversion to purchaser systems and methods

Assignee: The Western Union Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,082,195
App. No.
12/500,345
Granted
Dec 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are described for a refundable prepaid transaction cards. The methods and systems include a prepaid transaction card funded with funds by a purchaser. Also included is an issuer. The issuer receives the funds a distributes a prepaid transaction card associated with the funds. The methods and systems also include a prepaid transaction card identifier, wherein the prepaid transaction card identifier identifies the prepaid transaction card. The issuer maintains a central computer system that stores at least one parameter entitling the purchaser to a refund of at least a portion of the funds. The methods and systems also include a cash pool, the cash pool holding at least a portion of the funds funded by the purchaser.

Claims (53)

1. A refundable prepaid transaction card system, comprising:

a prepaid transaction card, wherein the prepaid transaction card is funded with funds by a purchaser;

an issuer, wherein the issuer receives funds funded by the purchaser and distributes a prepaid transaction card associated with the funds;

a prepaid transaction card identifier, wherein the prepaid transaction card identifier identifies the prepaid transaction card and is provided to the purchaser;

a central computer system, wherein:

the central computer system is maintained by the issuer,

stores at least one parameter set by the purchaser as to how the prepaid transaction card may be used, and

a user satisfying a parameter of the at least one parameter entitles the purchaser to a refund of at least a portion of the funds funded by the purchaser, the purchaser and the user being different persons; and

a cash pool, wherein the cash pool includes at least a portion of the funds funded by the purchaser to the prepaid transaction card and wherein a record of a plurality of purchasers and funds funded by the plurality of purchasers is stored at the central computer system.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameters include a time limit, after which the prepaid transaction card is inactivated.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameters include a velocity limitation on the frequency of transactions, a monetary amount of transactions, or both, that may be conducted with the prepaid transaction card.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a refund, wherein the refund of funds is distributed to the purchaser upon at least one of the parameters being satisfied.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of issuer agent locations, wherein the purchaser receives the monetary refund in cash at an issuer agent location.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the prepaid transaction card is used in a transaction with a merchant by the user, wherein the transaction satisfies the at least one parameter.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the user and the purchaser are located in different countries.

8. A method for completing financial transactions with a refundable prepaid transaction card, the method comprising:

receiving, at an issuer, funds from a transaction card purchaser;

dispensing, from the issuer, the transaction card to a user;

dispensing, from the issuer, a transaction card identifier to the transaction card purchaser, wherein the transaction card identifier identifies the transaction card;

receiving, at the issuer, at least one parameter for the transaction card from the transaction card purchaser;

storing, at a computer system associated with the issuer, a record of at least a portion of the funds received from the purchaser;

determining, at the issuer, at least one rule of the set of rules has been satisfied by a user that possesses the transaction card, wherein the user is a different person from the purchaser; and

issuing, from the issuer, at least a partial refund of funds from the cash pool for funds associated with the transaction card that were not spent by the user.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving, at the issuer, a debit request from a merchant, wherein the debit request is associated with the transaction card;

determining, at the issuer, the debit request from the merchant is in accordance with at least one rule of the set of rules for the transaction card; and

transmitting, from the issuer to the merchant, approval for the debit request.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting, from the issuer, to the purchaser, a notification of the debit request.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the notification is a text message to a mobile device of the purchaser.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising deactivation by the issuer of the transaction card.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the set of rules includes a velocity limitation.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the set of rules includes a refund date.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the refund is issued to a third party.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the third party is a charity.

17. A method for authorizing transactions linked to an account, the method comprising:

receiving, at the issuer, funds from a funder to link with a gift card;

receiving, at the issuer from the funder, a set of parameters at least partially governing use of the gift card;

receiving, at a computer system of the issuer from a merchant, an approval request for a gift card purchase transaction, wherein a user of the gift card is attempting the gift card purchase transaction with the merchant, the user and the funder being different persons;

determining, at the computer system of the issuer, whether the approval request complies with the set of parameters at least partially governing use of the gift card; and

issuing, by the issuer, to the funder, at least a partial refund of funds linked with the gift card that were not spent by the user.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

requesting, by the issuer, approval from the funder via a communication sent to a mobile device of the funder;

waiting, by the issuer, up to a predetermined amount of time for a response from the funder; and

sending, from the issuer, a response to the merchant, wherein the response approves the transaction.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

receiving, at the issuer, a response communication from the mobile device denying approval; and

transmitting, from the issuer, to the merchant, a denial for the debit.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the set of rules includes a velocity limitation.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the set of rules includes a time limit on use of the gift card.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the set of rules includes a total expenditure limit.

23. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving, at the issuer, an instruction to suspend or cancel the gift card.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the funder and a user of the card are located in different countries.

25. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving, at the issuer, a request for cash from the user of the gift card at an agent location of the issuer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2009
From: ENZALDO, ROBERT
To: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
Reel/Frame 023055/0520 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110010277A1 · Jan 13, 2011