Patents by Inventor Steven E. Arthur
Steven E. Arthur has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20170083880Abstract: An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur, Debi Rex, Ginger Sayor
-
Patent number: 9536256Abstract: An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur, Debi Rex, Ginger Sayor
-
Patent number: 9152954Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for activating a plurality of cards. An activation indicator can be provided to an activation system to process the activation of the plurality of cards. If approved, the activation system transmits a message to the POS device indicating the activation.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: First Data CorporationInventor: Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20140089114Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Douglas P. Dwyre, Steven E. Arthur, Christopher L. Toomer, Kenneth Algiene
-
Publication number: 20140081781Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for activating a plurality of cards. An activation indicator can be provided to an activation system to process the activation of the plurality of cards. If approved, the activation system transmits a message to the POS device indicating the activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: First Data CorporationInventor: Steven E. Arthur
-
Patent number: 8650086Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for activating a plurality of cards. A first card number and a total number of cards can be provided to an activation system to process the activation of the plurality of cards.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: First Data CorporationInventor: Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20140040052Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a plurality of mobile commerce functions can comprise receiving a communication related to a function of a mobile wallet application of a mobile device. One or more of a plurality of acquirer systems for handling of the communication can be identified based on the function of the mobile wallet application to which the communication relates. The communication can be routed to the identified one or more acquirer systems for handling of the communication. In some cases, a reply to the communication can be received from at least one of the identified one or more acquirer systems and the reply can be sent to a recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Steven E. Arthur, Christopher L. Toomer, Sarah Owen, Theodore VanDeburg
-
Patent number: 8566239Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a plurality of mobile commerce functions can comprise receiving a communication related to a function of a mobile wallet application of a mobile device. One or more of a plurality of acquirer systems for handling of the communication can be identified based on the function of the mobile wallet application to which the communication relates. The communication can be routed to the identified one or more acquirer systems for handling of the communication. In some cases, a reply to the communication can be received from at least one of the identified one or more acquirer systems and the reply can be sent to a recipient.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: Steven E. Arthur, Christopher L. Toomer, Sarah Owen, Theodore VanDeburg
-
Patent number: 8554614Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: Douglas P. Dwyre, Steven E. Arthur, Christopher L. Toomer, Kenneth Algiene
-
Patent number: 8494589Abstract: A method of receiving content associated with media includes using a mobile device to acquire an image from media. The image has corresponding content. The method also includes using the mobile device to process the image to thereby produce the content and displaying at least a portion of the content on a display of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur
-
Patent number: 8370205Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for activating a plurality of cards. A first card number and a total number of cards can be provided to an activation system to process the activation of the plurality of cards.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: First Data CorporationInventor: Steven E. Arthur
-
Patent number: 7845558Abstract: A three dimensional (3d) bar code can be affixed to a financial instrument (e.g., the credit card) sent to a consumer. Upon receiving the financial instrument, the consumer can acquire an image of the 3D bar code with an image capture device (e.g., a camera) of a mobile device. The mobile device can interpret or decode the 3D bar code to extract a web address. The mobile device may then send a request for a web page associated with the web address, which could be returned by the web server at the financial institution. The web page may allow the consumer to enter personal information. Upon receiving the personal information, the financial institution can verify the information, authenticate the consumer, and activate the financial account.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: Layne D Beemer, Christopher L Toomer, Steven E Arthur
-
Patent number: 7822640Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of gift cards utilizes a package of multiple presentation instruments. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate funds with the presentation instrument. Also, the package includes a package identifier. In one step, the package identifier is read from the package and is transmitted over an electronic network to a host computer system which evaluates the package identifier to determine whether the package identifier is valid. If so, each of the presentation instruments in the package is activated for a certain activation amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: Steven E. Arthur, Bret M. Esslinger
-
Patent number: 7668751Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating a change in status of a stored-value card for a customer. Transaction information is received at a host system from a point-of-sale terminal. The transaction information includes stored-value-card information identifying the stored-value card and payment-instrument information identifying a payment instrument to be used for financing the change in status of the stored-value card. The host system receives a payment authorization from a payment authority in response to a transmission of the payment-instrument information to the payment authority. The host system also receives a confirmation of the change in status of the stored-value card from a stored-value-card authority in response to a transmission of the stored-value-card information to the stored-value-card authority. The host system transmits an approval for effecting the change in status of the stored-value card to the point-of-sale terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: First Data CorporationInventors: David Baumgartner, Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20090254480Abstract: A gift card uses a fraud code stored on a magnetic stripe of the card to prevent fraudulent transactions. When the gift card is purchased at a POS terminal at a merchant location, a gift card account number stored on the magnetic stripe is read, and sent to a gift card system. The gift card system activates the card and generates the fraud code and returns it to the POS terminal, where a card encoder writes the fraud code onto the magnetic stripe. When the gift card is used to conduct a transaction, the transaction is permitted only if a valid fraud code is stored on the magnetic stripe.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Bret M. Esslinger, Richard D. Combs, Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20090210308Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for securely authorizing a financial transaction utilizing an electronic payment credential. According to one embodiment, a method of authorizing a financial transaction utilizing an electronic payment credential can comprise maintaining information identifying an account associated with the electronic payment credential. The information can also identify one or more electronic devices authorized to use the electronic payment credential. A request to authorize the transaction can be received. The request can include information identifying an electronic device presenting the payment credential. The transaction can be authorized based at least in part on the information identifying the account. Authorizing can comprise determining the electronic device presenting the payment credential is one of the electronic devices authorized to use the electronic payment credential.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20090121012Abstract: A three dimensional (3d) bar code can be affixed to a financial instrument (e.g., the credit card) sent to a consumer. Upon receiving the financial instrument, the consumer can acquire an image of the 3D bar code with an image capture device (e.g., a camera) of a mobile device. The mobile device can interpret or decode the 3D bar code to extract a web address. The mobile device may then send a request for a web page associated with the web address, which could be returned by the web server at the financial institution. The web page may allow the consumer to enter personal information. Upon receiving the personal information, the financial institution can verify the information, authenticate the consumer, and activate the financial account.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Layne D. Beemer, Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20090112684Abstract: A method of providing content to users includes, at a host computer, receiving a user-initiated request for the content. The request relates to specific service discovery-enabled media and the request includes an identifier. The method also includes using the identifier to locate the content, and providing the content to the user. The method also includes receiving at the host computer one of a user-initiated request to settle a transaction using a previously-identified account, a request to credit a purchase to a previously-identified loyalty program account, and a request to purchase an item from a specific merchant. The method also includes taking an action consistent with the second-listed receiving step.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur
-
Publication number: 20090094134Abstract: An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur, Debi Rex, Ginger Sayor
-
Publication number: 20090088202Abstract: A method of receiving content associated with media includes using a mobile device to acquire an image from media. The image has corresponding content. The method also includes using the mobile device to process the image to thereby produce the content and displaying at least a portion of the content on a display of the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: First Data CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Toomer, Steven E. Arthur