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: 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. Value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account may form part of the request. 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: A computer-implemented method for processing a stored-value card transaction request in a card data management system is presented. The management system has a central processor in communication with one or more point-of-sale terminals over a communications network. Each terminal has a unique terminal identifier and is associated with a location and a prepaid card merchant. The central processor is in communication with a database having stored therein a plurality of card records. Each of these card records contains data associated with a stored-value card distributed to a prepaid card merchant for further distribution to purchasers at a location controlled by the prepaid card merchant. The transaction request comprises a requesting terminal identifier, a card identifier assigned to a stored value card, and information indicative of a requested transaction type.

Abstract: A method for using a temporary value card is provided. A first value is determined base upon a selection of goods or services from a provider. The temporary value card is sold at a POS. The first value is associated with the temporary value card.

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: 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: 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: The present invention is directed at systems and methods of inserting value into a customer account with a provider of goods or services. Methods may comprise distributing to a customer a bill pay card wherein the bill pay cards comprise information sufficient to identify the provider of goods or services, the customer, and the customer's account with the provider of goods or services; presenting the bill pay card at a point of sale (POS) location; reading or otherwise obtaining from the bill pay card the information thereon; receiving value from the customer; and crediting the value received from the customer to the customer's account with the provider of goods or services. Systems may comprise a bill pay card; a provider of goods or services; and a POS.

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.

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: A system and method for supplying communication service value is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes distributing indicia of an identifier to a merchant for distribution to a customer having a customer account. The identifier has an associated service value that is redeemable with a plurality of carriers. The method further includes activating the identifier upon distribution of the indicia to the customer, receiving a request from the customer to add the associated service value to the customer account, and adding the associated service value to the customer account is disclosed. In a further embodiment, the request includes identifier input and customer account input, and receiving a request from the customer to add the associated service value of the identifier to the customer account further includes verifying the identifier input and verifying the customer account input.

Abstract: A system and method for adding value into a customer's stored-value account is provided. A stored-value card is distributed to a merchant for distribution to a customer who has an account with a specific provider of goods and/or services. The stored-value card has an associated identifier that can be used to associate a stored value with the card. The associated stored value is redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider. The account has an associated account number. During a card purchase transaction, a central processor receives a request to activate the card from a merchant terminal. The central processor receives a redemption request from the customer, wherein the redemption request includes the identifier. The central processor identifies the provider and the account number. The central processor inserts the associated value into the account, for instance by passing a value insertion request to the provider.

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: A system and method for conducting a PIN-enabled stored value account refund transaction is provided. A refund request is received, wherein the refund request is for a stored value account having an associated value purchased in a previous transaction, and the refund request comprises a PIN associated with the stored value account. The refund request may be received by a central processor from a merchant terminal at the request of a customer. The central processor or merchant terminal determine whether any of the associated value has been previously redeemed. A refund amount is determined. The refund amount may be provided to the customer.

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: A system and method for adding value into a customer's stored-value account is provided. A stored-value card is distributed to a merchant for distribution to a customer who has an account with an associated account number with a specific provider of goods and/or services. The card has an associated identifier used to associate a value with the card. Associated value is redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider. During a card purchase, a central processor receives a request to activate the card from a merchant terminal. The central processor receives a redemption request comprising the identifier from the customer. The central processor identifies the provider and account number, and inserts the associated value into the account. The central processor receives a subsequent request to activate the card from a merchant terminal, recognizes the card, identifies the provider and account number, and inserts the value into the account.