Abstract: An example method of processing a transaction associated with a prepaid debit card includes: triggering, by an agent executing on a point-of-sale (POS) device, an alternative handling procedure for the transaction; sending, as part of the alternative handling procedure, the transaction from the POS device to a server; verifying the transaction at the server; sending, in response to the transaction satisfying the step of verifying: a request from the server to an issuing bank system to fund an account associated with the prepaid debit card; and an authorization from the server to the POS device; and triggering, by the agent executing on the POS device in response to the authorization, a nominal handling procedure for the transaction.

Abstract: An example method of processing a transaction associated with a prepaid debit card includes: triggering, by an agent executing on a point-of-sale (POS) device, an alternative handling procedure for the transaction; sending, as part of the alternative handling procedure, the transaction from the POS device to a server; verifying the transaction at the server; sending, in response to the transaction satisfying the step of verifying: a request from the server to an issuing bank system to fund an account associated with the prepaid debit card; and an authorization from the server to the POS device; and triggering, by the agent executing on the POS device in response to the authorization, a nominal handling procedure for the transaction.

Abstract: A system that enables the secure, rapid and efficient transfer of patient medical information over existing financial information exchange networks and protocols. An account input device can be read by existing financial transaction terminals and a transaction state amount value using the financial transaction message exchange protocol entered encoded according to a non-financial transaction encoding scheme. A transaction message is routed to a provider via the financial transaction message exchange system for processing such as the acceptance or refusal of a medical procedure or prescription fulfillment.

Abstract: A system that enables the secure, rapid and efficient transfer of patient medical information over existing financial information exchange networks and protocols. An account input device can be read by existing financial transaction terminals and a transaction state amount value using the financial transaction message exchange protocol entered encoded according to a non-financial transaction encoding scheme. A transaction message is routed to a provider via the financial transaction message exchange system for processing such as the acceptance or refusal of a medical procedure or prescription fulfillment.

Abstract: A distributed information backup system is disclosed. The inventive backup system includes a first computer which accesses data from a central data base and periodically distributes the data to a predetermined multiplicity of other computers upon request therefrom. Each of the other computers receives only a portion of the distributed data and thereupon updates a local data base with the data each receives. When the central data base is inaccessible, a data base user accesses one of the local data bases through one of the multiplicity of computers to obtain the data which it would ordinarily obtain from the central data base to perform his tasks.