HK1119810A - Pre-paid activation and replenishment on a point-of-sale device - Google Patents

Description

Prepaid activation and recharge at point of sale devices

Technical Field

【0001】 The teachings of the present invention relate to financial transactions and, more particularly, to systems and methods relating to prepaid activation and replenishment of point-of-sale (point-of-sale) devices.

Background

【0002】 In general, prepaid products and services (such as prepaid phone cards, prepaid mobile phone services, prepaid movie rentals, etc.) are common. Many retail locations offer these prepaid products and services for sale. Unfortunately, retailers are inconvenient to handle common prepaid products and services due to worker inefficiency. For example, a customer requests prepaid service (such as purchasing prepaid long distance telephone minutes) by purchasing a calling card from a retailer so that a clerk can activate minutes on the calling card. The retailer is then required to call the service provider and activate talk time, which can tie up the telephone system and take a considerable amount of time. Typically, the airtime on the calling card cannot be activated until an authorization code (such as a PIN code) is given to the employee by telephone and then to the customer. This process is inconvenient for the retailer as the staff has to spend time telephoning the service provider while waiting for authorization. Moreover, this also puts pressure on retailers and staff, as there may be other customers waiting in line impatiently.

【0003】 However, while there are more efficient systems for processing such transactions, such as risk analysis and assessment systems, many do not have the capability to process prepaid services because prepaid services may have many different vendors or service providers for each product or service. An example of a transaction processing system includes an automated check acceptance service, such as Telecheck, which employs existing communication networks for electronic check verification and acceptance. Typically, these check acceptance services employ dedicated communication networks that automatically transmit information regarding promissory payments to a central approval authority, which then automatically processes the transaction. The seller would then receive an indication that the transaction was accepted or declined. Thus, the check acceptance service does not place much burden on the staff in the store, since the check acceptance service is largely an automated process using a separate communication network.

【0004】 Unfortunately, the use of dedicated automation networks is often economically infeasible for prepaid goods or services. In particular, it is possible that the storefront must have a separate network connection for each prepaid good or service being sold. This may include a separate network of each of the same goods and services offered by competing suppliers. Moreover, the cost of developing a network for prepaid services is often an expense that prepaid services are unwilling to undertake.

【0005】 Therefore, a more efficient way to activate prepaid goods and services is needed. To this end, there is a need for an automated authorization service that can be used by a variety of different prepaid goods and service providers and that does not require a separate network for each goods and service provider.

Disclosure of Invention

【0006】 The above needs are met in one aspect by a check acceptance network that has been modified to accept transactions related to prepaid goods and services. The check acceptance authority includes point of sale devices located at a plurality of store locations, the point of sale devices being capable of transmitting data to a risk approval authority evaluating the risk of accepting the proffered promissory payment. In one embodiment, the point of sale device is modified to allow data to be transmitted to a risk assessment agency associated with a request to purchase a prepaid good or service.

【0007】 In one embodiment, the risk assessment agency identifies a request for a prepaid good or service transaction and forwards the request to the appropriate prepaid good or service provider. In such embodiments, the risk assessment agency is further adapted to receive authorization codes from the prepaid good or service provider and return these codes to the originating point of sale device in the store. In this way, the existing distributed network can be used to authorize the point of sale device without requiring the individual in the store to directly contact the prepaid good or service provider.

【0008】 One aspect of the present teachings relates to a system for assessing risk associated with a proffered promissory payment. The system is connected to at least one prepaid goods or service provider. The system includes a plurality of point-of-sale devices located in a plurality of distributed locations. The plurality of point of sale devices obtain information regarding the proffered promissory payment and also obtain information regarding the request for prepaid goods or services. The plurality of point-of-sale devices include a communication interface that communicates information to individuals within the plurality of distributed locations. The system also includes an authorizing host communicatively coupled to the plurality of point-of-sale devices. The authorizing host receives information about the proffered promissory payments and evaluates the risk of accepting the proffered promissory payments. The authorizing host communicates an acceptance or decline message to the point of sale device corresponding to the particular proffered promissory payment. The authorizing host is adapted to route a request for prepaid goods or services to the corresponding goods or services provider and then transmit acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device that issued the request for prepaid goods or services.

【0009】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information regarding the proffered promissory payment, the financial information including the amount, the account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, and the account holder, and further transmit information regarding the merchant to the authorizing host to enable the authorizing host to perform risk assessment on the proffered promissory payment.

【0010】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices includes an input device for inputting information. The communication interface includes a display screen displaying acceptance and rejection information.

【0011】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers. In one embodiment, the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers include mobile phone providers, long distance phone providers, video rental providers. In one embodiment, the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to the purchaser of the prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services. In one embodiment, the authorization code includes a PIN (personal identification number) code that the purchaser may use to activate the prepaid good or service.

【0012】 Another aspect of the present teachings relates to a point of sale device adapted to be placed within a store to transmit financial information regarding a proffered promissory payment to a central authority. The point-of-sale device is further adapted to receive requests for prepaid goods and services and transmit these requests to a central authority for subsequent forwarding to prepaid goods and services providers. The point of sale device is further adapted to provide approval or decline information regarding the proffered promissory payment and prepaid goods and services requests to the individual.

【0013】 In one embodiment, the point of sale device includes one or more user input devices for inputting information regarding proposed promissory payments and requests for prepaid goods and services to the point of sale device. In one embodiment, the one or more user input devices include a scanner for scanning magnetic information of checks. In one embodiment, the one or more user input devices include a keypad for entering data regarding requests for prepaid goods and services.

【0014】 In one embodiment, the point of sale device includes a display for displaying an authorization code to a purchaser of prepaid goods and services. In one embodiment, the authorization code comprises a PIN code adapted to activate additional airtime on the mobile phone account.

【0015】 Yet another aspect of the present teachings relates to a system for processing requests for prepaid goods and services. The system includes a risk assessment system having a plurality of distributed transaction devices located at a plurality of different locations, and an authorizing host that receives information regarding proposed promissory payments from the plurality of distributed transaction devices. The authorizing host performs risk assessment of the proffered promissory payment and sends an approval or decline signal to the distributed transaction device that issued the proffered promissory payment. The risk assessment system is configured to allow an individual to send a request for prepaid goods and services to a prepaid goods and services vendor independent of the risk assessment system through the risk assessment system and to receive approval information from the goods and services vendor through the risk assessment system.

【0016】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information regarding the proffered promissory payment, the information including the amount, the account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, and the account holder, and further transmit information regarding the merchant to the authorizing host to enable the authorizing host to risk assess the proffered promissory payment.

【0017】 In that respect In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices includes an input device for inputting information. The communication interface includes a display screen that displays acceptance and rejection information.

【0018】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers. In one embodiment, the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers include mobile phone providers, long distance phone providers, video rental providers. In one embodiment, the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to the purchaser of the prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services. In one embodiment, the authorization code includes a PIN code that the purchaser utilizes to activate the prepaid good or service.

【0019】 Yet another aspect of the present teachings relates to a method of processing financial transactions. The method includes sending data regarding a proffered promissory payment offered at a remote location to a central authorizing host. The method further includes performing a risk assessment of the proffered promissory payment. The method further includes sending an acceptance or rejection of the proffered promissory payment from the central authorization host to the remote location. The method further includes transmitting data regarding the request for prepaid goods and services from the remote location to a prepaid goods and services provider through the central authorization host. The method further includes providing authorization information from the prepaid good and service provider to the remote location via the central host.

【0020】 In one embodiment, sending data to the central authorization host regarding proposed promissory payments offered at the remote location includes sending data to the central authorization host regarding checks issued to the retailer. In one embodiment, risk assessment of the proffered promissory payment includes evaluating the history of the individual making the check, the amount of the check, the transaction type and characteristics of the merchant to determine whether to accept or reject the check.

【0021】 In one embodiment, transmitting data regarding a request for prepaid goods and services from the remote location to a prepaid goods and services provider through the central authorization host includes transmitting an electronic signal having the request to the central authorization host identifying a particular goods and services provider and routing the electronic signal having the request from the central host to the particular goods or services provider. In one embodiment, providing authorization information from the prepaid good and service provider to the remote location via the central authorization host includes transmitting a PIN code from the prepaid good and service provider to the remote location via the central authorization host.

【0022】 Yet another aspect of the present teachings relates to a system for processing financial transactions. The system includes means for transmitting information to and from a plurality of remote locations, the information including financial data and requests for prepaid goods and services. The system further comprises means for evaluating financial data from the means for transmitting information to determine a risk of accepting the proffered promissory payment. The means for evaluating financial data includes means for forwarding a request for prepaid goods and services to an external goods or service provider, and means for transmitting authorization information from the external goods and service provider to the means for transmitting financial data and the request for prepaid services.

【0023】 In one embodiment, the means for transmitting information including financial data and requests for prepaid goods and services includes a plurality of point of sale devices located in a plurality of distributed locations. The plurality of point of sale devices obtain information regarding proposed promissory payments and also obtain information regarding requests for prepaid goods or services, wherein the plurality of point of sale devices include a communication interface to communicate information to individuals within the plurality of distributed locations.

【0024】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information regarding a proffered promissory payment, the information including an amount, an account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, and an account holder, and further transmit information regarding the merchant to the authorizing host to enable the authorizing host to risk assess the proffered promissory payment.

【0025】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices includes an input device for inputting information. The communication interface includes a display screen that displays acceptance and rejection information.

【0026】 In one embodiment, a plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers.

【0027】 In one embodiment, the means for evaluating financial data from the means for transmitting information to assess the risk of accepting a proffered promissory payment comprises an authorizing host communicatively connected to the plurality of point of sale devices. The authorizing host receives information about the proffered promissory payments and evaluates the risk of accepting the proffered promissory payments. The authorizing host communicates an acceptance or decline message to the point of sale device corresponding to the particular proffered promissory payment. The authorizing host is adapted to route a request for prepaid goods or services to a corresponding goods or services provider and then transmit acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device that issued the request for prepaid goods or services. In one embodiment, the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to the purchaser of the prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services. In one embodiment, the authorization code includes a PIN code that is utilized by the purchaser to activate the prepaid good or service.

【0028】 Yet another aspect of the present teachings relates to a system for assessing risk associated with a proffered promissory payment, wherein the system is connected to at least one prepaid good or service provider. The system includes a plurality of point-of-sale devices located in a plurality of distributed locations. The plurality of point-of-sale devices obtain information about a first type of financial transaction and also obtain information about a second type of financial information. The plurality of point-of-sale devices include a communication interface to communicate information to individuals within a plurality of distributed locations. The system further includes an authorization host communicatively connected to the plurality of point-of-sale devices. The authorizing host receives information about the first type of financial transaction and assesses a risk associated with the first type of financial transaction. The authorizing host communicates acceptance or decline information to a point-of-sale device corresponding to the first type of financial transaction. The authorizing host is adapted to route information regarding the second type of financial information to the corresponding external provider and then send acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device that issued the second financial transaction.

【0029】 In one embodiment, the first type of financial transaction includes a proffered promissory payment. The second type of financial transaction includes a request for prepaid goods or services.

【0030】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information regarding a proffered promissory payment, including an amount, an account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, and an account holder, and further transmit information regarding the merchant to the authorizing host so that the authorizing host can perform risk assessment on the proffered promissory payment.

【0031】 In one embodiment, the plurality of transaction devices includes an input device for inputting information. The communication interface includes a display screen that displays acceptance and rejection information.

【0032】 In one embodiment, a plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers and receive acceptance or decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host. In one embodiment, the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers include mobile phone providers, long distance phone providers, video rental providers. In one embodiment, the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to the purchaser of the prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services. In one embodiment, the authorization code includes a PIN code that is used by the purchaser to activate the prepaid good or service.

【0033】 These and other objects and advantages of the present teachings will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of the drawings

【0034】 FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system for processing financial transactions.

【0035】 Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of a transaction device.

【0036】 Figure 3A illustrates one embodiment of a transaction data/information packet that may be sent from a transaction device to an authorizing host.

【0037】 FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of a customer receipt that may be transmitted from the transaction device to the customer.

【0038】 FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a transaction process.

【0039】 Figure 5A illustrates one embodiment of a prepaid transaction process.

【0040】 FIG. 5B illustrates one embodiment of a flow direction for the prepaid transaction process of FIG. 5A.

Detailed Description

【0041】 Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Fig. 1-5B illustrate various aspects of a method and system relating to prepaid activation and replenishment of point-of-sale (POS) devices.

【0042】 FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system 100 for processing financial transactions. As shown in fig. 1, the system 100 includes one or more transaction devices 104, such as remote terminals or point of sale (POS) devices, and at least one authorizing host 108, such as a payment approval or risk assessment organization. The one or more transaction devices 104 and the authorizing host 108 communicate in a manner to process the financial transaction and manage the risk or risk level associated with the financial transaction. In addition, the system 100, including one or more transaction devices 104 and authorizing hosts 108, is adapted to communicate with one or more prepaid exchange hosts 156 to process financial transactions involving prepaid goods and services, such as prepaid wireless or mobile phone services, prepaid long distance calling card services, and the like.

【0043】 In one embodiment, the prepaid exchange host 156 includes a prepaid service provider that sells prepaid products and services for purchase by others, and requests for these prepaid products and services may be routed to the prepaid exchange host 156 through one or more transaction devices 104 and the authorizing host 108. In addition, the one or more transaction devices 104, the authorizing host 108, and the prepaid exchange host 156 communicate via, for example, a transaction network 132 that includes, for example, the transceiver components 128, 154 or various other communication connections such as a backbone network, a telephone network, an intranet, the internet, a modem, a wireless satellite connection, and the like. It should be understood that additional scope and functionality related to processing and routing prepaid service requests is described in more detail below.

【0044】 In one embodiment, the transaction device 104 includes a plurality of functional components including a reader component 120, an input component 122, a prepaid component 124, a processor component 126, a transceiver component 128, and an output component 130. Additionally, the transaction device 104 is used by the merchant to receive promissory payments from the customer. In one aspect, the transaction device 104 includes a remote terminal or POS device, such as Eclipse^TMThe apparatus, which will be described in more detail below, is illustrated schematically in fig. 2. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the transaction device 104 may also include various types of payment devices (including cash registers, personal computers, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the components described herein may be integrated into various types of payment devices without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

【0045】 In one embodiment, the reader and input components 120, 122 may include various types of currency conversion equipment, such as check readers, credit card readers, debit card readers, keyboards for manually entering account information, or some combination for obtaining transaction information from a customer or merchant at the point of sale. Also, the reader and input components 120, 122 of the transaction device 104 recognize the American Banking Association (ABA) account information printed on the front side of the check draft by Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) or Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and convert the customer's ABA account information into transaction information, which may include digital signals or digital signatures. The transaction information may then be transferred from the transaction device 104 to the authorizing host 108 for processing.

【0046】 In one embodiment, the transaction device 104 (such as a check reader) reads the entire MICR line (which includes routing, account and check number information) and sends MICR related data to the authorizing host 108 for processing. Such MICR data may be formatted in various ways. In one embodiment, the check reader appends the identifying identifier to a different portion of the MICR data and sends the generated raw MICR data to the host 108. For example, one way to identify MICR data is to represent the MICR's original data string by "T", the on-us symbol by "O", the amount symbol by "A", and the dash by "D". This format of raw MICR data is sometimes referred to as raw TOAD data. In one embodiment, host 108 receives the TOAD data and analyzes it to obtain the various information contained therein.

【0047】 In one embodiment, the point of sale device 104 can provide information regarding the proffered promissory payment (such as a check) to the authorizing host 108. The information includes identification information about the individual making the proffered promissory payment including account information, transaction amount and information identifying the merchant. The authorizing host 108 may then use this information to assess the risk of accepting the proffered promissory payment in a known manner and then return an acceptance or decline of the transaction to the point-of-sale device 104. The manner in which the risk assessment is made may include any of a number of known risk assessment strategies.

【0048】 In one embodiment, the point-of-sale device 104 only sends information regarding the point-of-sale transaction to the host 108. The host 108 or some component of the host 108 (e.g., a host gateway) is configured to distinguish a point-of-sale transaction as a sales transaction or a prepaid transaction. Host 108 may then process the transaction accordingly. For example, the host 108 may request additional verification through the point-of-sale device 104. Host 108 then processes the transaction and returns a response to the point-of-sale device 104. In one embodiment, the parameters that drive the prepay prompting products are stored in and driven by a database maintained by the host for the retailer.

【0049】 As illustrated in FIG. 2, the authorizing host 108 includes a risk assessment component 152 that assesses the risk of accepting the promissory payment proposed by the remote transaction device 104. The risk assessment element 152 may include a risk scoring engine or other risk determination mechanism that can access a separate risk database component 154 in a known manner to enable determination of the risk of accepting the promissory payment. This allows the authorizing host 108 to accept or decline the promissory payment and send the appropriate information to the corresponding transaction device 104.

【0050】 As will be described in greater detail below, the prepaid component 124 also obtains transaction and/or financial information related to prepaid goods and services, prepaid service requests, and prepaid transaction information, such as prepaid cellular or wireless telephone minutes, calling card minutes, long distance calling card minutes, and movie rentals (including videocassette and DVD rentals). In one embodiment, the prepaid component 124 may obtain prepaid information from the customer via input from the retailer. The retailer may press a button on the transaction device 104 or select a displayed menu item via keypad input. The merchant may then enter a monetary amount and some form of customer identity, such as a telephone number, account number, calling card serial number, etc., to connect the customer, merchant, transaction device 104, and prepaid exchange host 156 to the prepaid service request. This allows the authorizing host 108 to identify the transaction type for proper processing and routing. In one aspect, the transaction information is transmitted from the transaction device 104 to the authorizing host 108 in a data packet having a header or signature identifying the prepaid transaction type, which includes other information needed to process and route prepaid service requests, as will be described in more detail below.

【0051】 Additionally, the prepaid component 124 may further include a database storing prepaid transaction information including retailer information and prepaid exchange host information related to the retailer and the product offerings of the prepaid exchange host, including the prepaid services described above. Advantageously, the transaction device 104 is adapted to access prepaid transaction information stored in the prepaid component 124 to verify prepaid exchange host product offerings.

【0052】 In one embodiment, the transceiver component 128 of the transaction device 104 is adapted to transmit data and information (including transaction data packets) from the transaction device 104 to the authorizing host 108. The transaction data package may include financial information about the customer and the retailer and may include prepaid transaction information about prepaid services and prepaid service requests, or transaction information about proffered promissory payments to perform risk assessment. In addition, the transceiver component 128 is also adapted to receive data and information including approval and/or denial data from the authorizing host 108. The transceiver component 128 is also adapted to receive data and information related to prepaid services and offerings from the prepaid exchange host 156. Input component 130 may include a monitor, a printer, or various other output peripherals as are generally known in the art. The display monitor may include a video monitor, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or any other relevant type of display. In one aspect, the prepaid exchange host's product offerings may be retrieved from the prepaid component 124 and displayed on an output component 130 (such as a display monitor) for viewing by users (such as retailers and customers).

【0053】 In one embodiment, the processor component 126 of the transaction device 104 is adapted to coordinate the functions of the transaction device 104. The processor component 126 communicates with the reader and input components 120, 122 to receive transaction information therefrom. In addition, the processor component 126 is also in communication with the prepaid component 124 to retrieve prepaid transaction information therefrom. The processor component 126 also combines or packages the risk assessment transaction information (including financial information about the customer or retailer) on the prepaid transaction information into a recognizable transaction data package. The processor component 126 is further in communication with the transceiver component 128 to coordinate the sending of transaction data packets to the authorizing host 108 and to receive authentication information from the authorizing host 108. Moreover, the processor component 126 also communicates with the display component to inform the user of the current status of the financial transaction.

【0054】 In one embodiment, the authorizing host 108 includes a plurality of financial components including a transceiver component 148, a prepaid exchange component 150, a risk assessment component 152, and one or more risk database components 154. In general, these components may be part of a single integrated system, or may be comprised of distributed systems. In one aspect, the authorizing host 108 is adapted to route prepaid service requests from the transaction device 104 to the appropriate prepaid exchange host 156. In addition, the authorizing host 108 is further adapted to route approval or denial of the prepaid good or service along with the authorization code from the prepaid exchange host 156 to the transaction device 104. Advantageously, the authorizing host 108 facilitates communication between the one or more transaction devices 104 and the prepaid exchange host 156, wherein prepaid transaction information including prepaid service requests and product offerings is routed between the two through the authorizing host 108.

【0055】 As described above, the authorizing host 108 is adapted to determine and evaluate the risk of a financial transaction, including a promissory payment, received from the transaction device 104. For example, the risk assessment component 152 evaluates financial information, such as the checking account, the ID of the check punch, the retailer, the type of retail or purchased product, to determine the risk of accepting a check draft or other proposed promissory payment. Further, the risk or risk level indicates whether the appropriate funds in the individual account support the proffered promissory payment when the retailer submits a check ticket, either in electronic or physical form, to the customer's bank. Risk assessment completion with existing risk assessment institutions (such as TeleCheck from Houston, Tex.)^TM) Are approximately the same.

【0056】 Moreover, the authorizing host 108 is adapted to interact and communicate with one or more transaction devices 104 via transceiver components 128, 148, such as telephone, satellite, and/or computer network (internet) interfaces. In addition, the authorizing host 108 is further adapted to interact and communicate with the prepaid exchange host 156 in a similar manner. Moreover, the authorizing host 108 is also adapted to perform risk analysis for a plurality of different types of financial transactions for a plurality of retailers. Moreover, the authorizing host 108 also returns the approval or denial decision to the transaction device 104 through the transceiver components 128, 148, and the applicable results may be displayed on the output component 130 of the transaction device 104.

【0057】 In one embodiment, the transceiver component 148 of the authorizing host 108 is adapted to receive data and information including transaction data packets from each transceiver component 128 of the one or more transaction devices 104. The transceiver component 148 is further adapted to transmit data and information including approval and/or rejection data to the transaction device 104. Moreover, the transceiver component 148, in certain embodiments, is further adapted to transmit data and information including prepaid transaction information to the prepaid exchange host 156. The transceiver component 148 is also adapted to receive data and information including prepaid service offerings from the prepaid exchange host 156. It should be appreciated that the transceiver component 148 for the authorizing host 108 may have similar scope and functionality as the transceiver component 128 for the transaction device 104.

【0058】 Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the transaction device 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the transaction device 104 may include Eclipse, which is currently available from Telecheck, Inc. of Houston, Tex^TMAnd a terminal 170. Advantageously, in one aspect of the present teachings, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 can be adapted to integrate the prepaid component 124 therein so that prepaid service requests can be accepted and transmitted to the authorizing host 108 for each financial transaction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the remote terminal or POS device may include various forms of payment devices (including cash registers, personal computers, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the prepaid component 124 as described herein may be integrated into various types of payment devices without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

【0059】 In one embodiment, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 comprises a POS payment terminal adapted to accept various cashless payment types including check, credit, debit, and electronic revenue transfer (EBT) transactions. In addition, Eclipse^TMTerminal 170 can also enable TeleCheck Electronic Check Acceptance^®(ECA^®) Services and many other TeleCheck services. Advantageously, TeleCheck and Eclipse^TMThe terminal combines the benefits of an accurate database with advanced authorization and payment techniques.

【0060】 In one embodiment, Eclipse^TMTerminal 170 includes a built-in inkjet receipt printer 172 that can reduce counter space, cancel ECA transactions, and sign paper checks to include signer numbers and approval codes. In addition, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 includes a backlit touch screen display 174 that provides a user friendly interface and significant visibility. Furthermore, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 quickly authorizes the financial transaction, thereby speeding checkout. In one embodiment, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 includes a check reader 176 that enables paper checks to be converted into electronic money. In addition, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 includes a dual track tape reader 178 that automatically collects and outputs data from credit cards and drivers' licenses.

【0061】 In addition, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 includes full reporting capability that allows easy access to transaction and payment information including sales and other various details for each payment type. In one embodiment, Eclipse^TMTerminal 170 stores up to 500 checks and 300 card transactions. In addition, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 includes check imaging capabilities that allow the retailer to process most checks without recognition. Furthermore, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 includes a user-friendly keypad 180, such as a numeric or alphanumeric keypad, and a display 182, such as an LCD display or various other displays generally known in the art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the transaction device 104 may comprise various other commonly known POS devices without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

【0062】 In one aspect, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 is adapted to approve and accept the prepaid service or transaction request. For example, the retailer may request a prepay transaction and enter prepay information obtained from the customer by various methods including pressing Eclipse^TMButtons on the terminal 170 that allow input through the keypad 180 or the like through Eclipse^TMSelection of a display menu item on the display 182 of the terminal 170 corresponding to a prepaid transaction or service request causes data and information to be continuously input into Eclipse^TMIn the terminal 170. The retailer may enter some form via the keyboard 180Such as a telephone number, account number, calling card serial number, etc., to enable Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 can associate the customer, retailer, prepaid exchange host 156, and its own identification with the prepaid transaction or service request through some form of identifiable data or information package sent to the authorizing host 108.

【0063】 Advantageously, this data and information package enables the authorizing host 108 to identify the prepaid transaction or service request for proper processing and routing to the requested prepaid service provider. Additionally, transaction information may be derived from Eclipse via data packets having headers or signatures^TMThe terminal 170 is sent to the authorizing host 108 and the header or signature identification includes the prepaid service provider, retailer, customer, Eclipse^TMThe type of prepaid transaction for the terminal 170, and various other pertinent information for the processing and routing of prepaid service requests. Furthermore, Eclipse^TMThe terminal 170 is also adapted to receive responses from the authorizing host 108, such as an authorization code and any other relevant information related to the prepaid transaction.

【0064】 FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a transaction data/information package 200 that is associated with a prepaid transaction/service request that may be selected from the group consisting of Eclipse^TMThe transaction device 104 of the terminal 170 is sent to the authorizing host 108. The transaction data packet 200 of fig. 3A is only one example of information provided to the authorizing host 108 when a prepaid authorization request is being sent to the authorizing host 108 for evaluation, and the format of the packet may be any of a number of different formats known in the art. As further illustrated in fig. 3A, the transaction data package 200 may include financial transaction information 202 and prepaid transaction information 204, such as information related to the requested prepaid product/service and prepaid exchange host identification information.

【0065】 Further, in one aspect, the transaction information 202 may include one or more information/data portions including store information, retailer information, clerk identification number, customer information, transaction number, transaction date, transaction dollar amount, and payment information (such as credit, check, and/or cash information). The transaction information 202 may further include a Signer Information Code (SIC) that identifies the merchant and/or the transaction device 104. The specific content of the transaction information 202 may vary so long as a particular point-of-sale device 104 is looking for a particular amount of appropriate information identifying a request for prepaid goods or services. In some cases, the request may include an account number to receive the prepaid service. For example, if the prepaid good or service is mobile phone minutes for a particular account, the phone number or some other account number will be provided to the prepaid exchange host 156. The transaction information 202 further includes an identifier of the prepaid exchange host 156 that corresponds to the request for prepaid goods or services so that the authorizing host 108 can properly route the request.

【0066】 FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of a client receipt 210 that may be transmitted from the transaction device 104 to a customer. The information on the receipt represents information sent from the authorizing host 108 to the transaction device 104 after receiving an authorization or decline from the prepaid transaction host 156. The customer receipt 210 of FIG. 3B is only one example of information provided to the transaction device 104 when a financial transaction is approved by the authorizing host 108, and the format of the customer receipt 210 may be in any of a number of different formats. In addition, as further illustrated in FIG. 3B, the customer receipt 210 may include financial transaction information 212 and prepaid transaction information 214, such as information related to prepaid exchange host identification, transaction device identification, authorization code/reference number, security code, Personal Identification (PIN) number, products/services offered, pricing information, expiration date/period, and instructions for activation by the customer.

【0067】 Receipt 210 may be a printed receipt or simply an electronic communication provided to the purchaser via a display screen of remote transaction device 104. The receipt provides an activation code, such as a PIN code, and other information necessary for the user to be able to activate the prepaid good or service. In one example, if the prepaid good or service is cellular telephone airtime, the receipt includes a representation indicating the airtime number and an activation code that the purchaser enters into their telephone to activate airtime to avoid fraud.

【0068】 FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a transaction process 400 performed by the authorizing host 108. As shown in FIG. 4, the transaction process 400, from a start state 402 proceeds to a state 404 where the authorizing host 108 receives the data/information package 200 from the at least one transaction device 104. The data/information package 200 may include a request for prepaid authorization or a request for risk assessment of a financial transaction, such as a promissory payment. As discussed above, the data/information packet 200 may include a header encoded by the point-of-sale transaction device 104 that identifies the type of transaction with the authorizing host 108.

【0069】 After receiving the package in state 404, the authorizing host 108 extracts transaction information including the financial information 202 and the prepaid transaction information 204 from the data/information package or prepaid service request 200 and determines whether the transaction is a prepaid service request or risk assessment in decision state 406. If authorizing host 108 determines that the transaction is a prepaid service request, process 400 proceeds to state 408. At state 408, the authorizing host 408 identifies the prepaid exchange host 156 based at least in part on the transaction information extracted from the data packet 200.

【0070】 Once the identity of the prepaid exchange host 156 is determined at state 408, the authorizing host 408 may process the transaction by routing the prepaid service request to the predetermined prepaid exchange host 156 at state 410. The prepaid host 156 then determines whether to authorize or deny the purchase of the prepaid good or service in much the same manner that the prepaid host 156 otherwise makes the determination. The prepaid host 156 then sends an approval or denial back to the authorizing host 108 at state 412, followed by the authorizing host 108 sending the authorization or denial to the point of sale device 104 at state 414. If the prepaid host 156 is approving the transaction, it selects an authorization code (e.g., PIN code) that is sent to the purchaser to activate the prepaid good or service. Alternatively, if the prepaid host 156 is rejecting the transaction, a rejection signal is sent along with an indication of the reason the transaction was rejected.

【0071】 Alternatively, at decision state 406, if the authorizing host 108 determines that the transaction is a risk assessment of a proffered promissory payment, then the authorizing host 108 performs a standard risk assessment of the financial transaction at state 420. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various risk assessment processes and procedures may be utilized to determine the risk of a financial transaction in state 420. Subsequently, at state 422, the authorizing host 108 determines whether to approve or deny the financial transaction based at least in part on the received transaction information and the performed risk assessment. The authorizing host 108 then provides an indication to the transaction device 104 and the merchant as to whether to accept or decline the proffered promissory payment in a manner known in the art.

【0072】 Thus, in such embodiments, the risk assessment network may be used not only to determine the risk of assessing a particular financial transaction, but also to process prepaid transactions. Thus, the need to develop new networks and to deploy new networks at multiple store locations is reduced.

【0073】 More specifically, the one or more transaction devices 104 and the authorizing host 108 are adapted to interact and communicate to process financial transactions including prepaid service requests and prepaid financial transactions. In addition, the authorizing host 108 may also be able to manage the risk or risk level associated with the financial transaction, thereby avoiding unacceptable transactions with moderate to high risk levels. Further, the system 100 includes one or more transaction devices 104 and an authorizing host 108, and the system 100 is adapted to communicate with the prepaid exchange host 156 to process and transmit financial transactions involving prepaid products and services. Also, the prepaid exchange host 156 provides prepaid services for purchase, and prepaid service requests may be routed from the one or more transaction devices 104 to the prepaid exchange host 156 through the authorizing host 108. Similarly, authorization data and information (including security codes and PIN codes) may be routed from the prepaid exchange host 156 to the one or more transaction devices 104 through the authorizing host 108.

【0074】 FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of a specific type of prepaid transaction process 500. FIG. 5B illustrates one embodiment of a flow direction of the prepaid transaction process 500 of FIG. 5A, including prepaid service request and authorization code delivery, which will be used in conjunction with FIG. 5A in the following description. As shown in FIG. 5A, the transaction process 500 begins at a start state 502 and continues to a state 504 where the customer requests a prepaid product or service, such as prepaid cellular telephone service, purchasing airtime on a phone card, and so forth. Next, at state 506, the retailer receives a prepaid service request from the customer and payment for the request. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that payment may include cash, checks, credit, debit, or any other commonly known method of payment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the transaction process 500 utilizes the state 508 to enter transaction information related to the financial information and the prepay information 202, 204 of the prepay service request 200 described with reference to figure 3A.

【0075】 Next, at state 508, the merchant inputs the prepaid transaction information 200 into the transaction device 104 (such as Eclipse)^TMTerminal 170), the information includes financial information 202 and prepaid transaction information 204. Next, at state 510, transaction information, including financial information 202 or prepaid transaction information 204, is packaged and routed to the authorizing host 108 for evaluation and evaluation thereby. In state 512, the authorizing host 108 extracts the transaction information 202, 204 and processes the prepaid service request. Further, at state 512, the authorizing host 108 identifies the prepaid exchange host 156 based at least in part on the information extracted from the data packet 200 and routes the prepaid service request 200 including the prepaid transaction information 204 into the prepaid exchange host 156.

【0076】 In state 514, after processing the prepaid service request, the prepaid exchange host 156 sends an authorization (such as a security code or PIN code) or denial to the authorizing host 108. In one aspect, the processing by the prepaid exchange host 156 may include identifying which product or service the customer requests, generating an authorization code for the customer, and adding airtime to the prepaid mobile phone or calling card. In another aspect, the processing by the prepaid exchange host 156 may also include crediting an account of the merchant with the purchase amount of the product or service requested by the customer, wherein the account of the merchant may be created prior to processing the transaction. Next, in state 516, after receiving the authorization code or decline from the prepaid exchange host 156, the authorizing host 108 routes the received authorization code or information to the transaction device 104 for subsequent delivery to the merchant and then to the customer in state 518. After the authorization code or information is routed, sent, and delivered in state 518, the transaction process 500 terminates in end state 520.

【0077】 Advantageously, the system 100 is adapted to establish a communication link between the one or more transaction devices 104 and the prepaid exchange host 156 via the authorizing host 108 so that financial transactions including prepaid products and services can be processed and routed between the one or more transaction devices 104 and the prepaid exchange host 156 via the authorizing host 108. In this manner, the one or more transaction devices 104 may offer prepaid products and services for purchase, and prepaid service requests may be routed from the one or more transaction devices 104 to the prepaid exchange host 156 through the authorizing host 108. Similarly, prepaid authorization data and information (including security codes and PIN codes) may be routed from the prepaid exchange host 156 to the one or more transaction devices 104 through the authorizing host 108.

【0078】 Although the description illustrates one embodiment of the present teachings, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices, systems, and/or methods illustrated, and in their use, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present teachings. Accordingly, the scope of the present teachings should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (41)

1. A system for assessing risk associated with a proffered promissory payment, wherein the system is connected to at least one prepaid good or service provider, the system comprising:

a plurality of point-of-sale devices located within a plurality of distributed locations, wherein the plurality of point-of-sale devices obtain information regarding proposed promissory payments and also obtain information regarding requests for prepaid goods or services, and wherein the plurality of point-of-sale devices include a communication interface for communicating information to individuals within the plurality of distributed locations; and

an authorizing host communicatively connected to the plurality of point of sale devices, wherein the authorizing host receives the information regarding the proffered promissory payment and assesses the risk of accepting the proffered promissory payment, and wherein the authorizing host communicates acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device corresponding to the particular proffered promissory payment, and wherein the authorizing host is adapted to route requests for prepaid goods or services to the corresponding goods or service provider and then transmit acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device that issued the request for prepaid goods or services.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information about a proffered promissory payment, including an amount, an account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, an account holder, and further transmit information about a retailer to the authorizing host to enable the authorizing host to risk assess the proffered promissory payment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transaction devices include input means for inputting information, and wherein said communication interface includes a display screen for displaying said acceptance and decline information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers include mobile phone providers, long distance telephone providers, video rental providers.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to a purchaser of prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the authorization code comprises a PIN code that is used by the purchaser to activate the prepaid good or service.

8. A point of sale device adapted to be located within a store for transmitting financial information regarding a proffered promissory payment to a central authority, wherein the point of sale device is further adapted to receive requests for prepaid goods and services and to transmit those requests to the central authority for subsequent retransmission to a prepaid goods and services provider, and wherein the point of sale device is further adapted to provide approval or denial information regarding the proffered promissory payment and the prepaid goods and services request to an individual.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the point of sale device comprises one or more user input devices for inputting into the point of sale device the proffered promissory payment information and requests for prepaid goods and services.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more user input devices comprise a scanner for scanning magnetic information of checks.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more user input devices comprise a keypad for entering data regarding the request for prepaid goods and services.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the point of sale device comprises a display for displaying an authorization code to a purchaser of the prepaid goods and services.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the authorization code comprises a PIN code adapted to activate additional time on a mobile phone account.

14. A system for processing requests for prepaid goods and services, the system comprising a risk assessment system having a plurality of distributed transaction devices located at a plurality of different locations and an authorizing host that receives information regarding a proffered promissory payment from the plurality of distributed transaction devices; wherein the authorizing host risk evaluates the proffered promissory payment and sends an approval or decline signal to a distributed transaction device that issued the proffered promissory payment, wherein the risk evaluation system is configured to allow an individual to send a request for prepaid goods and services to a prepaid goods and services vendor independent of the risk evaluation system through the risk evaluation system and receive approval information from the goods and services vendor through the risk evaluation system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information about a proffered promissory payment, including an amount, an account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, an account holder, and further transmit information about a retailer to the authorizing host to enable the authorizing host to risk assess the proffered promissory payment.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of transaction devices include an input device for inputting information, and wherein the communication interface includes a display screen that displays the acceptance and decline information.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers include mobile phone providers, long distance telephone providers, video rental providers.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to a purchaser of prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the authorization code comprises a PIN code that the purchaser employs to activate the prepaid good or service.

21. A method of processing a financial transaction, the method comprising:

transmitting data regarding the proffered promissory payments offered at the remote location to a central authorization host;

performing risk assessment on the proposed promissory payments;

sending an acceptance or rejection of the proposed promissory payment from the central authorization host to the remote location;

transmitting data regarding requests for prepaid goods and services from the remote location to a prepaid goods and services provider through the central authorization host;

providing authorization information from the prepaid good and service provider to the remote location via the central host.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein sending data regarding a proffered promissory payment offered at a remote location to a central authorization host comprises sending data regarding a check written to a retailer to the central authorization host.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein risk evaluating the proffered promissory payment comprises evaluating a history of an individual signing a check, a check amount, a transaction type, and characteristics of the merchant to determine whether to accept or reject the check.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein transmitting data regarding requests for prepaid goods and services from the remote location to prepaid goods and services providers via the central authorization host comprises:

sending an electronic signal comprising the request to the central authorization host identifying the particular goods and services provider;

routing the electronic signal comprising the request from the central host to the particular goods or services provider.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein providing authorization information from the prepaid good and service provider to the remote location via the central host comprises: transmitting a PIN code from the prepaid good and service provider to the remote location via the central authorization host.

26. A system for processing financial transactions, comprising:

means for transmitting information to and from a plurality of remote locations, the information including financial data and requests for prepaid goods and services;

means for evaluating financial data from said means for transmitting information to determine the risk of accepting a proffered promissory payment, wherein said means for evaluating financial data comprises means for forwarding a request for prepaid goods and services to an external goods or services provider, and means for transmitting authorization information from said external goods and services provider to said means for transmitting financial data and a request for prepaid services.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the means for transmitting information including financial data and requests for prepaid goods and services comprises a plurality of point of sale devices located in a plurality of distributed locations, wherein the plurality of point of sale devices obtain information regarding proposed promissory payments and also obtain information regarding requests for prepaid goods or services, and wherein the plurality of point of sale devices include a communication interface for communicating information to individuals in the plurality of distributed locations.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information regarding a proffered promissory payment, including an amount, an account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, an account holder, and further transmit information regarding a retailer to the authorizing host to enable the authorizing host to risk assess the proffered promissory payment.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the plurality of transaction devices include an input device for inputting information, wherein the communication interface includes a display screen displaying acceptance and decline information.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for evaluating financial data from the means for transmitting information to assess the risk of accepting a proffered promissory payment comprises an authorizing host communicatively connected to the plurality of point of sale devices, wherein the authorizing host receives information about the proffered promissory payment and assesses the risk of accepting the proffered promissory payment, and wherein the authorizing host communicates acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device corresponding to a particular proffered promissory payment, and wherein the authorizing host is adapted to route requests for prepaid goods or services to the corresponding goods or services provider and then transmit acceptance or decline information to the point of sale device issuing the request for prepaid goods or services.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to the purchaser of the prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the authorization code includes a PIN code that is utilized by the purchaser to activate the prepaid good or service.

34. A system for assessing risk associated with a proffered promissory payment, wherein the system is connected to at least one prepaid good or service provider, the system comprising:

a plurality of point-of-sale devices located within a plurality of distributed locations, wherein the plurality of point-of-sale devices obtain information about a first type of financial transaction and also obtain information about a second type of financial information, and wherein the plurality of point-of-sale devices comprise a communication interface for communicating information to individuals within the plurality of distributed locations; and

an authorizing host communicatively connected to the plurality of point-of-sale devices, wherein the authorizing host receives information about the first type of financial transaction, assesses a risk associated with the first type of financial transaction, and wherein the authorizing host communicates acceptance or decline information to point-of-sale devices corresponding to the first type of financial transaction, and wherein the authorizing host is adapted to route information about the second type of financial information to respective external providers and then send acceptance or decline information to point-of-sale devices that issued the second financial transaction.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the first type of financial transaction comprises a proffered promissory payment, and wherein the second type of financial transaction comprises a request for prepaid goods or services.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the plurality of transaction devices obtain financial information regarding a proffered promissory payment, the information including an amount, an account corresponding to the proffered promissory payment, an account holder, and further transmit information regarding a retailer to the authorizing host such that the authorizing host can risk assess the proffered promissory payment.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the plurality of transaction devices include an input device for inputting information, wherein the communication interface includes a display screen that displays the acceptance or decline information.

38. A system according to claim 35, wherein the plurality of transaction devices allow the merchant to send requests for prepaid goods or services to a plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers and receive acceptance and decline information from the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers via the authorizing host.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the plurality of different prepaid goods and service providers include mobile phone providers, long distance telephone providers, video rental providers.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the authorizing host and the plurality of transaction devices are configured to provide an authorizing code to the purchaser of the prepaid goods and services in response to the prepaid goods and services provider approving the request for prepaid goods and services.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the authorization code includes a PIN code that is utilized by the purchaser to activate the prepaid good or service.