# US 10,872,331 B2 · Stored-value card management method and system

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- Number: US 10,872,331 B2
- Document ID: US10872331B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/284,184
- Filed: 2019-02-25
- Published: 2020-02-20
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2007-09-20
- Assignees: Blackhawk Network, Inc.
- Applicants: Blackhawk Network, Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas J. Sullivan; J. Simmons Graves
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10872331B2

## CPC

- G06Q 20/342: {Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities}
- G06Q 20/20: Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
- G06Q 20/28: Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
- G06Q 20/343: {Cards including a counter}
- G06Q 20/3433: {the counter having monetary units}
- G06Q 20/351: {Virtual cards}
- G06Q 20/363: {with the personal data of a user}
- G06Q 20/40: Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
- G06Q 20/4018: {using the card verification value [CVV] associated with the card}
- G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q 30/0226: Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
- G06Q 30/06: Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks. The universal central processor is programmed to issue the stored-value cards directly to the cardholder or card purchaser by download over respective communication gateways. The universal central processor is further programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants thereby providing a universal management system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computerized method for real-time activating and issuing of stored-value cards over a communications network, the method comprising:
receiving, by a central processor, a stored-value card purchasing request and in response to receiving the request;
communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with an unaffiliated stored-value card processing network, such network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices;
communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with a potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser regarding a stored-value card without utilizing the unaffiliated stored-value card processing network;
activating and issuing, by the central processor, the stored value card; and
managing, by the central processor, a stored-value card transaction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the issuing of the stored-value card is by the central processor directly to said cardholder or card purchaser.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said managing includes storing individual cardholder information in a central information database and directly associating each stored-value card transaction and activity accomplished with an individual cardholder identified in said central information database.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said managing includes reporting the card activation, issuances, transactions or activities to the cardholder and the merchant.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein communicating in real-time with the potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser includes issuing an authorization number related to a card purchase.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the stored-value card contains a card verification valued (CVV) number.

### Claim 7

A method of universally managing multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor connected to a stored-value card database, and multiple respective merchant communication interface devices for communication by respective merchants with said processors, said method comprising a universal central processor:
communicating with a universal stored-value card cardholder information database managed by said universal central processor;
communicating with potential or existing stored-value cardholders or holder benefactors through communication gateways distinct from the unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks,
communicating with the stored-value card processing networks;
electronically activating and issuing stored-value cards to said cardholders or holder benefactors, and
managing stored-value card transactions.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising the central processor associating each of said transactions directly with an individual cardholder identified in said information database.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising the central processor sending bonus funds to a card for purchases made.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising the central processor electronically sending offers and advertisements to cardholders.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising the central processor creating gift card rewards and electronically sending such rewards to cardholders.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the stored-value cards contain a card verification valued (CVV) number.

### Claim 13

A computerized system for electronically providing stored-value cards over a communications network, the system comprising:
a central information database for storing stored-value cardholder information;
a central processor for receiving card purchasing requests from respective stored-value card holders or card purchasers, said central processor coupled for communication to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices, said central processor programmed in response to a card purchaser request for communicating with a respective processor to electronically activate and issue a stored-value card, wherein said card purchaser request is received without utilizing the unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, and said central processor programmed for managing transactions originated by the cardholder or card processor for the stored-value cards.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The computerized system of claim 13, wherein said central processor is programmed to associate each stored-value card transaction accomplished through one of said unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks with an individual cardholder identified in said central information database.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The computerized system of claim 13, wherein said central processor is programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The computerized system of claim 13, wherein said central processor is programmed to issue an authorization number in response to receiving a card purchasing request.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The computerized system of claim 13, said stored-value cards including gift cards, prepaid cards and reward cards.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The computerized system of claim 13, wherein said merchant communication devices include a point-of-sale (POS) terminal or a communication gateway.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The computerized system of claim 13, wherein the stored-value card is communicated to the cardholder with a card verification valued (CVV) number.