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.

Abstract: A card assembly comprising a display portion and a transaction card is provided. The display portion comprises a substantially planar substrate. The transaction card comprises a substantially rectangular and substantially planar substrate having first and second short edges and first and second long edges. The transaction card further comprises at least one magnetic stripe having a card identification number encoded thereon. The at least one magnetic stripe is substantially parallel to the long edges. The transaction card is detachably coupled to the display portion at a coupling interface located along one of the short edges. The card assembly may be configured so that the transaction card can be inserted into a card-reading device while the transaction card is still attached to the display portion.

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: A method is provided for automating a stored-value card transaction request. First, a keycard associated with a product identification number is selected by a customer or merchant from among a plurality of keycards. The product identification number is input at a merchant terminal. The merchant terminal transmits the product identification number to a central processor. The central processor then transmits to the merchant terminal an indicia associated with the keycard. The indicia may then be delivered 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: 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 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. A central processor may verify whether the merchant is authorized to distribute the indicia to the customer. During distribution to the customer, the merchant may transmit prior transaction information to the central processor, and the central processor may reconcile past billing records based on such prior transaction information. The method also includes 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.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing stored-value card data over a communications network between a plurality of terminals and a central processor is provided. Each of the terminals is accessible to respective users and is located in a respective location generally remote relative to the central processor. The stored-value card data is configured to securely process in real time stored-value cards transacted by respective users to enable charging prepaid stored-value services to a recipient of the transacted stored-value card. The method allows for providing a database coupled to the central processor. The method further allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card. An associating step allows for associating in each stored record respective identifiers to uniquely match a respective stored-value card and a respective terminal.

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: A system and method for confirming transactions is provided. A central processor receives a request to process a current transaction coupled with prior transaction information corresponding to a prior transaction. In response to receiving a prior transaction identifier, the central processor determines whether the prior transaction and the first transaction are identical based on the prior transaction information. If the prior transaction is determined to be different from the first transaction, the central processor amends a first transaction record to indicate that the first transaction is a questionable transaction.

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.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing stored-value card data over a communications network between a plurality of terminals and a central processor is provided. Each of the terminals is accessible to respective users and is located in a respective location generally remote relative to the central processor. The stored-value card data is configured to securely process in real time stored-value cards transacted by respective users to enable charging prepaid stored-value services to a recipient of the transacted stored-value card. The method allows for providing a database coupled to the central processor. The method further allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card. An associating step allows for associating in each stored record respective identifiers to uniquely match a respective stored-value card and a respective terminal.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing stored-value card data over a communications network between a plurality of terminals and a central processor is provided. Each of the terminals is accessible to respective users and is located in a respective location generally remote relative to the central processor. The stored-value card data is configured to securely process in real time stored-value cards transacted by respective users to enable charging prepaid stored-value services to a recipient of the transacted stored-value card. The method allows for providing a database coupled to the central processor. The method further allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card. An associating step allows for associating in each stored record respective identifiers to uniquely match a respective stored-value card and a respective terminal.

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.