# US 2014/0156511 A1 · Method and apparatus for providing exchange of gift cards > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0156511 A1 - Document ID: US20140156511A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/693,646 - Filed: 2012-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc. - Inventors: Dahai Ren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140156511A1 ## CPC - G06Q 20/348: {Single-use cards, i.e. without possibility of recharging} - G06Q 20/387: {Payment using discounts or coupons (relating to marketing G06Q30/02)} - G06Q 30/0207: Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates - 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 An approach for a way to exchange gift cards (as well as other incentives, such as coupons) in a fair, efficient and secure environment. A first gift card information associated with a first merchant is received. The gift card information and user request information are evaluated to determine an exchange value. A second gift card information associated with a second merchant is determined based upon the exchange value. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: receiving a first gift card information associated with a first merchant; evaluating the gift card information and user request information to determine an exchange value; and determining a second gift card information associated with a second merchant based upon the exchange value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: verifying the gift card information with the associated merchant system to determine validity of an exchange. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: requesting one or more gift cards be issued from associated merchant systems based on the respective gift card information, and upon issuance, requesting cancellation of the respective gift card information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating a prompt for user request information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method according to claim 4, the user request information comprising gift card value, gift card merchant, one or more user request merchants, and specific gift card exchange. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: storing and publishing gift card information to present to users as a plurality of exchange options. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: returning one or more issued gift cards associated with each user request information determined by the exchange. ### Claim 8 An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, receive a first gift card information associated with a first merchant; evaluate the gift card information and user request information to determine an exchange value; and determine a second gift card information associated with a second merchant based upon the exchange value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: verify the gift card information with the associated merchant system to determine validity of an exchange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: request one or more issued gift cards from associated merchant systems based on the respective gift card information, and upon issuance, request cancellation of the respective gift card information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: generate a prompt for user request information. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the user request information comprises gift card value, gift card merchant, one or more user request merchants, and specific gift card exchange. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: store and publish gift card information to present to users as a plurality of exchange options. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: return one or more issued gift cards associated with each user request information determined by the exchange. ### Claim 15 A method comprising: initiating communication with a gift card exchange manager; generating a request to exchange a gift card for transmission to the gift card exchange manager, the request specifying gift card information for the gift card that is associated with a first merchant; and selectively receiving acceptance of the request for the exchange with another gift card associated with a second merchant. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, further comprising: collecting information about the gift card by capturing an image of a physical representation of the card; and providing the collected information to the gift card exchange manager. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, further comprising: presenting one or more exchange options including an exchange for the other gift card associated with the second merchant. ### Claim 18 An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, initiate communication with a gift card exchange manager, generate a request to exchange a gift card for transmission to the gift card exchange manager, the request specifying gift card information for the gift card that is associated with a first merchant, and selectively receive acceptance of the request for the exchange with another gift card associated with a second merchant. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: collect information about the gift card by capturing an image of a physical representation of the card; and provide the collected information to the gift card exchange manager. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: present one or more exchange options including an exchange for the other gift card associated with the second merchant.