Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.

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 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: The present invention discloses systems and methods for managing the transfer of value to a third party using short messaging Services (SMS) communications. Methods for using SMS to transfer value to a third party comprises providing the payment card to a user; activating the payment card; initiating a transaction associated with the payment card; receiving via SMS communications an identifier associated with the payment card; associating value with the payment card; determining an amount of value associated with the payment card; providing an indication of the amount of value associated with the bill payment card to the payment card user via SMS communications; associating at least one third party with the payment card; selecting a third party to be associated with the transaction; receiving from the user an amount of value to transfer to the third party; transferring to the third party the amount of value; and terminating the transaction.

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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 enabling a customer to redeem a plurality of identifiers for at least one product associated therewith are provided. A database having stored therein the plurality of identifiers associated with the at least one product is established. The plurality of identifiers are collectively but not individually redeemable for the at least one product. A representation of each of the plurality of identifiers is distributed, each representation comprising information sufficient to identify only one of the plurality of identifiers. A plurality of redemption identifiers is received from a requestor. A request to redeem the plurality of redemption identifiers is received from the requester. A first authorization result is issued to the requestor in response to the request.

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: 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: 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 computerized system and method for securely authorizing and distributing stored-value card data over a communications network is provided. The method allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card as well as information identifying a plurality of trusted sources of stored-value card activation requests and/or a plurality of trusted communications networks for transmitting stored-value card activation requests. A transmitting step allows for a requesting terminal to transmit over a communications network a request to change the status of a stored-value card. The central processor then determines whether the requesting terminal and/or the communications network is a trusted source. Based on whether the requesting terminal or communications network is a trusted source or trusted communications network, the request can be processed and the card can be activated.