Point-of-sale electronic PIN distribution system

#The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing services and, more particularly, to a system and method for allowing consumers/retailers/distributors to purchase pre-paid access codes (e.g., personal identification numbers or PINs) via conventional telephones without using a dedicated terminal or personal computer.

#Over the past few years, pre-paid cards, such as local and long distance phone cards, cellular phone cards, Internet access cards, metro cards, gas cards, gift cards, and debit cards, have become increasingly popular as a convenient way to pay for services and/or products. Pre-paid cards are similar in appearance to credit cards, but unlike credit cards, pre-paid cards allow products and services to be purchased before being used. By way of example, pre-paid phone cards can be purchased in selected denominations, such as $10, $20, $50, etc., which can correspond to, for instance, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 150 minutes of local or long-distance calling time, respectively. Thus, the holder of the card can use services or purchase goods at any period of time, within the allocated credit balance. For cellular phone and Internet access cards, for example, the holder can make local and long distance telephone calls or access the Internet until the allocated credit runs out.

#The front of a pre-paid card typically displays some type of logo and graphic image along with its corresponding amount of denomination. On the back side of the card, usually, a card number and personal identification number (PIN), or username and password are provided under an opaque surface coating which hides the information. After scratching the coating away (e.g., using a coin or other object), the revealed codes may be entered or utilized.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a PIN distribution system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of equipment employable by a user to interact with the system of FIG. 1;

#The present invention relates to a point-of-sale electronic PIN distribution system. The system allows PIN numbers (i.e., access codes) to be distributed to customers at any desired location using conventional telephone lines, e-mail, or facsimile for accessing pre-paid services and/or products collectively referred to herein as “products” (e.g., telephone calling card services, Internet access cards, gift cards, and the like). PIN numbers can be distributed without requiring the installation or use of dedicated computer terminal equipment at the locations.

#Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a PIN distribution system (i.e., a transaction processing system) according to the present invention, indicated generally at 10, for dispensing personal identification numbers (PINs). The system 10 could be used for distributing PINs (i.e., access codes) for use with services and/or products (e.g., telephone calling card services, Internet access cards, metro card, gas card, gift card, debit card, etc.). The system 10 is connected to a public switch telephone network 12 (hereinafter “the PSTN”) via conventional telecommunication equipment, and includes an interactive voice response unit 14 (hereinafter “the IVR unit”). As is conventional in the telecommunication field, a user 16 interacts with the PSTN 12, such that the IVR unit 14 can be accessed from telecommunication devices (see FIG. 2) associated with the user 16. The IVR unit 14 is programmed to perform a number of automated customer service functions, such as PIN distribution, report generation, authentication, etc. More particularly, the IVR unit 14 has one or more suitable microprocessors running any suitable operating system and one or more suitable application programs. A customer service center 18 is connected to the IVR unit 14 via a local or wide area network (LAN/WAN 20 ) running any suitable network protocol, such as TCP/IP, so that customer service representatives can provide personal assistance to users of the PIN distribution system 10.

#The PIN distribution system 10 is provided with servers which aid in the distribution of PINs. These servers include a database (DB) server 22, and an e-mail server 24. Each of the servers 22, 24 has one or more suitable microprocessors running any suitable operating system and one or more suitable application programs. Each of the servers 22, 24 is also connected to each other and to the IVR unit 14 via the LAN/WAN 20. It should be noted that the architecture disclosed in FIG. 1 need not be limited to the components depicted therein. Indeed, a single server, or any desired combination thereof, could be configured to provide the functionality of the present invention.