Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for conducting secure credit and debit card transactions between a customer and a merchant. The customer is issued with a pseudorandom security string by a host computer, the security string being sent to the customer's mobile telephone. A cryptographic algorithm running in a SIM card of the mobile telephone performs a hash on the security string or the One Time Code extracted from the security string, a customer PIN and a transaction amount, these last two items being entered by way of a keypad of the mobile telephone. A three-digit response code is generated by the algorithm and then passed to the merchant. The merchant then transmits the response code, transaction amount and a customer account number (card number) to the host computer, where the pseudorandom security string and PIN are retrieved from memory. The host computer then applies the same algorithm to the security string, PIN and transaction amount so as to generate a check code, and if the check code matches the response code transmitted by the merchant, the transaction is authorised. Embodiments of the present invention make use of existing CVV2 security infrastructure, but provide a significantly greater degree of security. Embodiments of the present invention may be used with ordinary face-to-face or telephone transactions, and also in e-commerce (web-based) and m-commerce (mobile telephone-based) transactions.

Abstract: An electronic payment and fulfillment system utilized by a customer for purchasing a digital good includes a merchant server, a payment server, an authentication server, a fulfillment server and a communication device The merchant server receives a purchase order from the customer and creates a digital order comprising purchase order information The payment server receives the digital order from the merchant server and further routes the digital order The authentication server receives the digital order from the payment server, formats the digital order into a first message and further routes the first message The communication device includes a payment card module and the payment card module receives a payment card and reads payment card identification information stored in the payment card The communication device also receives the first message from the authentication server, displays the first message to the customer, requests and receives authorization for payment for the purchase order with the payment card from the customer, retrieves the payment card identification information, requests and receives payment card security information from the customer, and routes the authorization and the payment card identification and security information to the authentication server The authentication server further routes the authorization and payment card identification and security information to the payment server and from the payment server to a financial institution The financial institution executes the payment and sends a payment confirmation through the payment server to the merchant server and to a fulfillment server The fulfillment server transmits the digital good via the authentication server to the communication device, and the communication device stores the digital good onto the payment card

Abstract: An authentication arrangement for use in a network payment system for transacting a sale of merchandise over a network using an Integrated Circuit Card is described, the arrangement comprising: a merchant server in communication with said network, said merchant server having at least a first item of merchandise for sale; a client terminal in communication with said network, said client terminal having an output device for reviewing said first item for sale, and an input device for initiating a purchase transaction to purchase said first item for sale, said client terminal being arranged to build a purchase message using information relating to a merchant identifier and financial transaction information obtained from said merchant server; a card reader for communicating with said Integrated Circuit Card, said client terminal having means to generate a challenge message, said challenge message being generated from the information relating to the merchant identifier and an account number, means for receiving the challenge message at the card reader and for generating a value from the challenge message; said Integrated Circuit Card having means for generating a cryptographic message from at least a part of said value, the card reader having means to generate an authentication token from at least a part of the cryptographic message, and said client terminal having means for transmitting at least part of the authentication token in a message for transmission via the network.

Abstract: A method of enabling electronic commerce transactions is provided by a service, the service giving to users a disposable credit card or other indicia of credit for a particular transaction or amount. The service receives registration information from the user and authorizes the user. The service establishes an account for the user and issues a disposable (one use) credit card number to the user which has the same format as a permanent credit card number, is acceptable to the user and the institution with whom the user is transacting business. The system incorporates various security features.

Abstract: Open payment card networks typically coordinate the activities of thous ands of financial institutions that issue cards, millions of retail locations that accept them, and several hundred million consumers that use them. This coordination can include the collective setting of certain prices and other controversial network rules. Such practices have recently come under the scrutiny of antitrust authorities in the U.S. and abroad. This article provides a brief overview of the economics of the payment card industry, explaining some of the differences from the textbook model of competitive markets. Such differences are important factors for the antitrust analysis of payment card networks.

Abstract: An anonymous transaction including payment with a card by a first party is accommodated without revealing the real identity of the first party by utilizing an alias. The alias is transmitted by a second party to the transaction to a secure database for authentication. Data is retrieved from the database based on the transmitted alias and analyzed, and an indication of authorization is returned to the second party. The alias may be a name, an alphanumeric identifier, or the like. For credit card transactions, an alias account for a credit cardholder is associated with a first credit card and identifies the cardholder with an alias identity; a primary account for the credit cardholder is associated with a second credit card and identifies the cardholder with the cardholder's real identity; and a secure database links the two accounts for carrying out credit card processing functions.

Abstract: A method and system of transaction card fraud mitigation utilizes location based services provided by a card holder's wireless carrier for verification of whether or not a transaction with the card holder's transaction card is fraudulent. For example, when factors indicative of a likelihood of a fraudulent transaction with the card holder's transaction card are present, the card processing system requests the card holder's wireless carrier to return the location information of the card holder's mobile phone, which is typically on the person of the subscriber. When the location of the subscriber's mobile phone is returned and determined to be at or near the location from which the transaction is being attempted with the transaction card, the card processing system has a reasonable degree of confidence that the particular transaction is or is not fraudulent and allows the transaction to proceed. Otherwise, the transaction is denied.

Abstract: A promotional tool and a vehicle used to distribute products, information, gift certificates, prepaid phone cards, and coupons for businesses, corporations, retail establishments, universities, and sales personnel. A customized gift card displays professionally created artwork, logos and graphics that best portray the provider's intent for the overall design. The card is folded, die-cut and glued to receive a multimedia disc, gift certificate, coupon or phone card. A Multimedia Disc is included as a gift with each card. It is a digital medium that contains professionally recorded digital music and a variety of audio, video, and graphic information regarding the provider. It is placed in the card so the label which supports the card's overall design, is in view. A gift certificate, coupon, or a prepaid phone card can be placed in the card for easy accessibility and scanning by a retailer.

Abstract: A payday loan system is provided. An employee is issued a stored value card. The employee's wages are direct deposited to the stored value card. The holders of the stored value card are provided with advances on future wages. The payroll cycle is tracked so that collection is triggered on the pay date. The stored value card account is accessed for the purpose of collecting repayment of the advance. After an employer makes a regular payroll deposit, the amount of the advance is collected.

Abstract: A home transaction bank card system and method is provided for cardholder/consumer purchasing using a remote location device having a browser program and connected to a public communications network to which merchant servers are connected and for payment using a standard bank issued card. The system includes a magnetic strip reader connected to the remote location device and having a point of sale (POS) identification code and configured to read customer account information from the card and to provide a signal to the communication device representing the POS identification and the customer account information and to provide authorization and verification as a card present transaction. The reader includes an electrically programmable memory by which the POS identification code is stored and periodically updated for registered cardholder communication devices. The EPM may be an electrically programmable memory, electronically erasable programmable memory, flash memory or other configurable or updateable memory storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a financial transaction using an integrated circuit device issued by a card issuer and capable of conducting off-line and on-line transactions with a payment card network. The method includes utilizing the card for conducting a transaction and reading from the card a pre-authorized balance, a pre-authorized limit, and an account number. The method also includes requesting on-line authorization in the event the value of the transaction is greater than the difference between the pre-authorized limit and the pre-authorized balance. Finally, the method includes receiving authorization to conduct the transaction and updating by the card the pre-authorized balance and the pre-authorized limit, wherein the card issuer, through the integrated circuit device, is able to continually update the pre-authorized limit based on various factors including the transaction and account activity.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system that may be used to limit the funds that are available through the use of a business transaction card by having a business transaction card first place a request for an increase of the available funds. A wireless device is sensed within a proximity to a terminal that supports wireless communication and communication between the wireless device and the terminal is established for transferring an identification code from the wireless device to the terminal. The terminal is communicatively connected to a server and the terminal automatically transfers the identification code from the terminal to the server. The server matches the identification code with an account number of the business transaction card and, if authorization exists, automatically increases the funds available balance of the business transaction card.

Abstract: A process determines whether a prepaid card customer is credit worthy by analyzing deposits and purchases transactions associated with the account of the customer. Credit is advanced on prepaid card purchases in response to the determination of creditworthiness. Prepaid card credit granting and repayment is made available other financial institutions for the establishment of more conventional credit. The prepaid card customer creditworthiness determination includes deposits and transactions made while the person was an anonymous prepaid card user. The process includes fraud and theft prevention measures including validation of the anonymous transactions using a biological identification such as a finger print or retinal scan or by validation of anonymous and non-anonymous deposit and purchase profiles. Alternatively, prepaid card credit can be granted even if the customer is anonymous and has not provided a validated name and other personal and/or financial information.

Abstract: A payment card processing system and method is provided that allows an account holder to upgrade a private label card to a dual card. The dual card may be used for both private label transactions and bankcard transactions. Methods for upgrading to the dual card account include selecting a private label account having associated monetary and non-monetary data and maintained on a first processing platform for upgrade to a dual card account, creating the dual card account on a second processing platform, transferring the non-monetary data associated with the private label account from the first processing platform to the second processing platform for association with the dual card account, and initiating a trailing activity process to identify monetary and non-monetary activity associated with the private label account and update a cross reference table to associate the trailing activity with the dual card account.

Abstract: In an IC card to be used for individual authentication or settlement, it becomes necessary to prevent unfair use by any other person than the owner due to loss, theft or the like. For this reason, individual authentication information of the user of the IC card concerned is inputted; the above-described individual authentication information inputted is collated with individual authentication information of the user of the IC card registered in advance; when the collation results in coincidence, the IC card concerned will be made valid during a predetermined term of validity to make the IC card concerned usable. As the individual authentication information at this time, biometrics information on the finger print, iris, retina and voiceprint of the user is adequate.

Abstract: The system and method for credit card replenishment of a wireless subscriber's account balance detailed herewith enables wireless subscribers to recharge their account balances in self configured and/or telecommunications carrier-configured amounts via Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) by charging the subscriber's credit card or similar type of disbursement instrument. Once a subscriber has stored such credit information and/or other banking details on the SCP by registering relevant details with the telecommunications carrier, the system and method disclosed herein prompts the subscriber for an amount and their PIN security code. The system and method then charges a subscriber's credit card, and adds the desired recharge amount to the subscriber's prepaid account balance. If no credit card or PIN information is stored for the subscriber, or if the Credit Card Information System (CCIS) rejects the charge, an appropriate error message is returned.

Abstract: A card case which will make credit card selection easy while providing for neat card storage and reducing the likelihood of dropping cards on the floor or onto a counter top.

Abstract: An integrated message card and transaction card holder includes a message card such as a greeting card or promotional brochure, and a holder for a securing a transaction card. The message card includes a cover portion which partially covers a transaction card placed in the holder, so that the transaction card is movable between a first position relative to the cover portion when the message card is in a closed state, and a second position relative to the cover portion when the message card is in an opened state.

Abstract: An intelligent financial card system, process and article that allows more secure E-commerce transactions with Internet merchants by avoiding the transfer of financial card information to the merchants, while at the same time advantageously employing portions of infrastructure already used in conventional financial card E-commerce transactions. The intelligent financial card verifies itself and acts as its own transaction authorization agent during an E-commerce transaction, thus eliminating the need for a third-party transaction authorization agent and resultant costs to the merchant. The intelligent financial card better protects a merchant against fraudulent E-commerce transactions by providing a customer identity verification system that more reliably verifies that the person using financial card information for the E-commerce transaction is the actual person authorized to do so.

Abstract: A technique for directing a credit card based payment to a payee for a payor having a credit card issued by a credit card issuer is provided. A request for a payment service provider to make a payment to the payee on behalf of the payor is received. Payment information associated with the payment request is sent to the credit card issuer. The information is not sent via a credit card network. The credit card issuer then sends funds to the payment service provider in response to the sent payment information. These funds are not sent via a credit card network. The payment service provider delivers funds to the payee, not the credit card issuer.

Abstract: E-commerce would go bust without electronic cash payment systems, yet few of the dozens of systems introduced in various world markets over the last decade has been reliable enough to be embraced by large numbers. One exception is Hong Kong’s Octopus system. By mid-2001, nearly 70 percent of Hong Kong’s seven million residents used an Octopus card to make over six million daily transactions worth billions of dollars. Why is the Octopus card so successful when even e-cash systems backed by major credit card operators, including Mondex and Visa Cash, have struggled? This article explores what the Octopus experience can teach us about e-payment. Octopus, a smart card used in Hong Kong’s passenger transportation system, was born in June 1994 when the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC), the operator of the underground railway system in Hong Kong, persuaded four local public transportation operators of buses, ferries and mini-vans to form a joint venture company, Creative Star Limited (CS), to develop an automated fare collection system based on contactless smart cards. The fare collection contract, valued at U.S. $55 million, was awarded to ERG Australia Limited and its subsidiary AES Prodata, which subsequently awarded the contactless card portion of the contract to Sony and Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan. The contactless, rechargeable smart cards known as Octopus cards were introduced to the general public in September of 1997, as illustrated in Figure 1, which depicts the timeline of the development of Octopus. Card users can now use their cards in almost all modes of public transportation in Hong Kong and can recharge their cards up to H.K. $1,000 (about U.S. $130) in railway stations as well as in more than four hundred 7-Eleven convenience stores within the territory. Unlike slot-based cards that require the user to insert the card into a physical slot, the Octopus card is a proximity card; it can be read by operators without physical contact. All operators’ computer networks are linked to the CS Clearing House, which is responsible for revenue apportionment and fund transfer.

Abstract: A universal credit card system utilizes a portable card access device which stores information associated with multiple bank card accounts, electronically authenticates a user of the bank card accounts, allows the user to select a particular one of the bank card accounts for usage, and then magnetically encodes the selected bank card account information on a separate card substrate (a “universal” credit card) and releasing the card for use. Bank card account information can be stored by inserting an existing bank card into the access device and reading the existing bank card, by manually entering the information using a keypad, or by downloading the information from a computer directly to the card access device. Authentication may be performed using an optical fingerprint scanner. After use, the universal credit card is re-inserted into the card access device and the previously selected bank card account information is erased. The universal credit card system may advantageously be used in conjunction with a credit card application automation system which can issue a new bank card with practically no wait time. The user enters application information into a local computer, which transmits the user application information to a host server via the Internet. Once approved, the host server sends new bank card account information to the local computer, and the local computer can immediately download the information into the card access device, which then generates a universal credit card having the new bank card account information.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for authorizing automated value transfers from an account available to users who do not have a pre-existing trust, business or financial relationship. In an embodiment of the present invention, a Sender at a first location purchases a PIN Card at a point of sale, such as a retail location or a bank teller. The Sender contacts an intended Recipient at a remote location and discloses a Transfer PIN associated with the PIN Card, as well as the amount being transferred, to that intended Recipient. The Recipient needs only the Transfer PIN and a Cash Card to receive the money transfer at a participating remote location. To receive the value associated with the PIN Card, the Recipient inserts or swipes the Cash Card at an ATM and enters the Transfer PIN. An authorization system then authorizes the dispensing unit to dispense that value amount.

Abstract: The method for reducing fraud in a non-health government benefit program entails by registering a service provider with a non-health government agency and issuing a service provider identification code, registering at least one service of the service provider with the non-health government agency and identifying a claim code for each registered service; issuing a smart card to an individual related to a benefits program of the non-health government agency wherein the individual has an identification code and the smart card has a feature to identify the individual; using the smart card to determine if the individual is the authorized card bearer and is eligible for the non-health government benefit program; using the smart card to determine if a service provider is preauthorized to provide a registered product under the non-health government program; and using the smart card to facilitate a transmission between the service provider and the non-health government agency.

Abstract: Architecture of simplified hardware requirements for bank card payment transactions in a large group of clients, in which each client have an extended function SIM card containing payment utility and regular bank card identification information. A mobil pay center (4) is connecting to the client and the service provider (2) of the actual transaction through a bidirectional cryptographic interface and a communication chanel of the first type, and is connecting to one or more bank card authorisation center (11) of the actual transaction through a bidirectional cryptographic interface and a communication chanel of the second type. The mobil pay center (4) is comprising at least one virtual POS terminal (5) for each service provider (2). The virtual POS terminal (5) handle authorisation messages received through communication chanel of the second type.

Abstract: A method for controlling credit card transactions includes establishing a transaction supporting banking account, a credit limit, and an active account portion of the banking account Credit card transactions are limited to the active account through valid requests Each transaction includes, validating a user credit card prior to the transaction and then presenting audibly or on screen, activity options including Card Balance Inquiry (1 ), Credit Line Limit Inquiry (2), Transfer Amount (3), Transaction History (4), Account History (5), and Set Zero Balance (6) By selecting one of the options the user may display a balance in the active account, a credit limit and a balance in the active account, possible transfer amount choices, a list of card transaction amounts or a list of credit transfers into the active account with corresponding dates and times of execution, and may set the active account balance to zero.

Abstract: A method enabling a prepaid, open-ended stored-value charity card used as a fundraising vehicle providing dollar-based monetary funding to pre-selected charities is disclosed. The method uses an existing prepaid, open-ended, stored-value card that relies upon credit card technology, and can be redeemed at any merchant accepting credit card transactions. A prepaid, open-ended, stored-value card has a defined value that may be used in multiple transactions or until the value is depleted. The stored-value card is distributed to pre-selected charities either directly from a Charity Card Provider, or through an intermediate Reseller, and further distributed to a user. The charity receives funds by either distributing the charity card to a user at a premium in addition to the face value, obtaining the charity card at a discount to the face value, or by having merchant sponsorships.