Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods of utilizing an application operating on a mobile device to determine any applicable offers or eligibility and rank such offers and eligibility for user selection. More specifically, a process may be conducted by a processor in communication with a mobile device and data stores including user data, retailer data, and/or product and service data, the process including comparing identification information associated with a product or service received from the mobile device with data in the data stores; determining the product or service and identifying any associated promotional offers or plan eligibility associated with the product or service, the user, and/or the retailer; ranking any promotional offers or plan eligibility based at least in part on size of promotion; transmitting to the mobile device an identifier of applicable promotional offers or plan eligibility.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods for using a virtual gift card having an associated value, operable on a mobile device having a processor and memory, the mobile device linked to a virtual gift card manager, the method including: identifying a geographic identifier for the mobile device; matching the geographic identifier with at least one virtual gift card stored on the mobile device; determining an amount of value associated with the at least one virtual gift card; identifying any offers or promotions redeemable with the amount of value; displaying the at least one virtual gift card, the amount of value, and any offers or promotions on the mobile device; and selectively enabling a transaction utilizing the virtual gift card, the transaction based at least in part on the any offers or promotions, the transaction including a manipulation of value associated with the at least one virtual gift card.

Abstract: A method and system for using a rebate card are disclosed. The method may comprise initiating a purchase transaction for one or more products at a point of sale, determining whether the purchase transaction qualifies for a rebate, determining a rebate value based on the purchase transaction and the rebate, activating a rebate value in a rebate card account associated with a rebate card based on the determining action, and delivering the rebate card to a customer of the one or more products during the purchase transaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale (POS). The device may be identified by an indicia and activation may occur following purchase of the device. The method may include the steps of receiving at a central processor from the POS the indicia identifying the device purchased at the POS; enabling by the central processor a feature or functionality of the device or use of the device; and conveying to the device information material to the feature, functionality, or use. The system may include a central processor that activates the device. The central processor may include various interfaces with the POS, provider, and device, as well as a database with records related to the device and an activation processor for determining if activation is appropriate, activating the device, and sending information material to the feature, functionality, or use to the device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a process for performing transaction tasks using a virtual terminal comprises: presenting functions to a user, receiving a selected function, and performing the selected function. The presented functions may comprise: (a) activating at least one card; (b) deactivating a card; (c) generating a PIN; (d) inserting value; (e) generating an End of Day report; and (f) managing users.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing the activation of a communication device is provided. A request to activate a communication device is received by a communication service provider. The communication service provider or a central processor determines whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction. Alternately, the communication service provider can outsource the determining step to a central processor. The communication service provider or central processor determines whether to activate the communication device based on the determining action.

Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for managing a payment system. The method generally comprises activating a payment card, associating a value with the payment card, associating at least one third party with the bill payment card, receiving a request from a bill payment card user to transfer at least some of the value to a selected third party, the request comprising receiving an identifier associated with the payment card and receiving an indication of an amount of value to transfer, and transferring at least some of the value to the selected third party. Systems of the invention may generally comprise one or more payment cards, a database storing a plurality of records comprising information related to the payment card; one or more communication devices; and a processor in communication with the database and in selective communication with the communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) payment card are disclosed herein. The method generally comprises receiving an indicia identifying an RFID card, receiving a request to activate the RFID card, activating the RFID card by associating an initial value with a database record associated with the RFID card; receiving a PIN associated with the RFID card; receiving profile information; and associating the profile information with the database record. Systems for using RFID cards generally comprise an RFID card, an RFID account associated with the RFID card, a merchant communication module that receives indicia identifying the RFID card and sends a request to activate the RFID card, and a central processor or intermediary that receives a PIN associated with the RFID card and a request to activate the RFID card from the merchant communication module.

Abstract: A system and method for adding value to a customer account are provided. An identifier associated with a value is distributed to a customer. The identifier is usable to add the value to an account. A request to add the value to a customer account is received via short message service (SMS). The request comprises the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account. In some embodiments, the identifier may be entered into the device using text auto-completion software. The request is received from a user communication device as an SMS message. The value associated with the identifier and the customer account associated with the account identification number are identified based on the request. The value is caused to be added to the customer account. A confirmation that the value was added to the customer account is passed to the user communication device.

Abstract: Methods of activating a communication device are disclosed. These methods may comprise receiving at a central processor an authorization request from a merchant terminal at the merchant store to authorize activation of a communication device, the central processor being in selective communication with the merchant terminal and a communications service provider; determining at the central processor whether the communication device was validly sold from the merchant store in a purchase transaction; authorizing at the central processor activation of the communication device, responsive to a determination that the communication device was validly sold from the merchant store in a purchase transaction; informing the communications service provider that the communication device is authorized and ready for activation; receiving at the central processor an activation notification from the communications service provider; and sending an activation notification message to the communication device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for activating and redeeming prepaid media download cards and devices. Methods for activating prepaid media download cards may comprise storing at a central processor a media download card identifier identifying a specific prepaid media download card, inputting the prepaid media download card identifier at a merchant terminal during a purchase of the prepaid media download card, receiving at a central processor a prepaid media download card activation request, determining whether to authorize activation of the prepaid media download card based on the media download card identifier, and activating the prepaid media download card in response to a determination to authorize activation of the prepaid media download card.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing digital works are described, comprising an indicia redeemable for a desired digital work(s), a customer node, and a remote server. The remote server and the customer node are intermittently coupled through a communications link. The digital work(s) and associated identification data are stored at the remote server. The customer obtains the indicia redeemable for a digital work(s), connects from the customer node to the remote server, and sends a request to redeem the indicia and to access desired digital work(s). The remote server receives the request and searches the digital works stored on the remote server for the desired digital work(s) specified in the received request. If the desired digital work(s) is found, it is transmitted from the remote server to the customer node and stored on a memory of the customer node for subsequent access and use.

Abstract: Systems and methods of authorizing the activation of a previously functioning by subsequently deactivated or disabled communication device are disclosed. The method comprises receiving at a central processor an authorization request from a merchant terminal at the merchant store to authorize activation of a communication device, the central processor being in selective communication with the merchant terminal and a communications service provider; determining at the central processor whether the communication device was validly sold from the merchant store in a purchase transaction; authorizing at the central processor activation of the communication device, responsive to a determination that the communication device was validly sold from the merchant store in a purchase transaction; and sending a notification from the central processor to the communications service provider that the communication device is authorized and ready for activation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing stored value card requests are disclosed herein. The method may generally comprise: distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having an account with a specific provider, the stored-value card having an associated identifier that can be used to associate a stored value with the card, the associated stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the account having an associated account number; receiving a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a card purchase transaction; receiving a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier; identifying the provider; and passing to the customer a provider-specific identifier representative of the stored value. Systems are disclosed for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This method and apparatus may activate removable or portable media devices (or accounts associated therewith), such as flash drives, USB drives, external hard drives, thumb drives, memory cards of various formats (SD, CF, xD, Memory Card Duo), SIM cards, other phone cards, or other devices containing a writable and/or readable memory. The devices may be activated after purchase based on a communication between a central processor and a device or device user. Further, this method and apparatus may activate an account related to a media device at a point-of-sale (“POS”), and may later activate the device by communicating with an account activation processor. Activation and deactivation of the device (or account) may further be based on a confirmation or cancellation of a purchase transaction associated with the device, such as a purchase of the device.

Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a system and method for distributing an identifier is provided. A database comprising a plurality of unique identifiers is established, wherein each identifier is associated with a set of products and is redeemable for a plurality of the set of products. Indicia of a selected one of said plurality of unique identifiers is distributed to a customer. A first request to redeem the selected identifier for a first product is received from the customer. It is determined whether to authorize redemption of the selected identifier for the first product. An authorization result message is issued to the customer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating and using a transaction card comprising two storage media is provided. A composite transaction card comprises a transaction portion detachably coupled to an activation portion. The transaction portion comprises a substantially planar transaction portion substrate having a machine readable transaction storage medium applied thereto. The transaction storage medium has transaction card data associated with an account stored therein. The activation portion comprises a substantially planar activation portion substrate having a machine readable activation storage medium applied thereto. The activation storage medium has activation data associated with the account stored therein.