WO2013073971A1

WO2013073971A1 - Multiple-use card processing method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2013073971A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2012/000171
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon POMEROY; David Wylie MACKRELL
Original assignee: Air New Zealand
Priority date: 2011-09-23
Filing date: 2012-09-24
Publication date: 2013-05-23

Abstract

The invention comprises a multiple-use card processing method comprising retrieving one or more membership records from a set of membership records that represent respective customers of a first service provider having respective points balances; transmitting respective multiple-use cards in a first state to one or more customers corresponding to the membership record(s), the multiple-use cards having first indicia associated with the first service provider and second indicia associated with a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution, the first state permitting interaction with the first service provider but not the financial institution; and receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution and place the multiple-use card(s) associated with the customer(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution.

Description

MULTIPLE-USE CARD PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a multiple-use card processing method and system.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

5 It is known for providers of services to maintain a set of membership records. It is also known for such service providers to provide some customers with mechanisms to differentiate the offerings provided to some customers over other customers. In some cases this differentiation is based on whether or not a customer is a high value customer. In other cases the differentiation is based on whether or not a customer is a member of a loyalty programme. Suitable mechanisms 10 to differentiate offerings include loyalty cards branded with the service provider's logo.

Service providers such as financial institutions maintain funds on behalf of customers. Such financial institutions maintain records of their customers' funds. Some financial institutions maintain relationships with payment network service providers that permit services to be 15 provided to customers of the financial institution.

One of the difficulties with this prior art arrangement is that a customer needs to carry at least two cards in his or her wallet. One card represents a loyalty card associated with the first service provider. A further card is associated with payment network services aligned with the financial 20 institution.

A further inconvenience is that the customer must complete multiple forms and provide duplicate details to several entities. Furthermore, if a customer wishes to view their transaction history with each entity and/or effect new transactions with each entities, the customer must 25 contact each entity separately.

It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address some of the aforementioned disadvantages. An additional and/or alternative object is to at least provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing method comprising retrieving one or more membership records from a set of membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; transmitting respective multiple-use cards in a first state to one or more customers corresponding to the membership record(s), the multiple-use cards having first indicia associated with the first service provider and second indicia associated with a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution, the first state permitting interaction with the first service provider but not the financial institution; and receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution and place the multiple-use card(s) associated with the customer(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial transaction capabilities including:

the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the multiple-use card; and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

Preferably the multiple-use cards have respective first and second sides, the first side having the first indicia associated with the first service provider, the second side having the second indicia associated with the second service provider.

Preferably the multiple-use cards have respective first and second sides, the first side having both the first indicia associated with the first service provider and the second indicia associated with the second service provider. Preferably the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the financial transaction capabilities including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies. Preferably the financial transaction capabilities include the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

Preferably the method further comprises providing to the at least one customer respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

Preferably the multiple-use account(s) is/are maintained by the first service provider and/or the second service provider.

In another embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing method comprising receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with a financial institution, the customer(s) having multiple-use card(s) associated with the customer(s), the multiple-use card(s) in a first state permitting interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution; and if at least one customer meets predetermined eligibility criteria, placing the multiple-use card(s) of the eligible customer in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial capabilities including:

the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the

the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing a points balance associated with the customer.

Preferably the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the financial transaction capabilities including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

Preferably the financial transaction capabilities include the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

Preferably the at least one customer is provided with respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

Preferably the multiple-use account(s) is/ are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

In a further embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing system comprising a first computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; a second computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing a subset of the respective customers for which membership records-are-stored-on-m-e-fkst-computer eada^

one or more of the membership records stored on the second computer medium as a result of a customer request to reflect the fact that a multiple-use card associated with the customer(s) represented by the membership record(s) has been transferred from a first state to a second state;

wherein the multiple-use card(s) have first indicia associated with the first service provider and second indicia associated with a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution;

wherein the first state permits interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution;

and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes:

the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the multiple-use card; and

the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

In a further embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing system comprising a computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners; a processor configured to modify one or more of the membership records stored on the computer medium as a result of a customer request to reflect the fact that a multiple-use card associated with the customer(s) represented by the membership record(s) has been transferred from a first state to a second state;

wherein the multiple-use card(s) have first indicia associated with the first service provider and second indicia associated with a second service provider, the second service provider c 5mpT:ising^~a fin^~anc1a wherein the first state permits interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution; and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the multiple-use card; and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing a points balance associated with the customer. Preferably the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the permitted interaction with the financial institution including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

Preferably the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

Preferably the method further comprises at least one multiple-use account to which the at least one customer has access, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

Preferably the at least one multiple-use account is/ are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider. nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; transmitting respective identifiers to one or more customers corresponding to the membership record(s), the identifiers corresponding to respective membership records in a first state, the first state permitting interaction with the first service provider but not a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution; and receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution and place the membership record(s) associated with the customer(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial transaction capabilities including: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the membership record(s); and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

Preferably the multiple-use account(s) is/are maintained by the first service provider and/or the second service provider. In a further embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing method comprising receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with a financial institution, the customer(s) having membership record(s) associated with the customer(s), the membership record(s) in a first state permitting interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution; and if the at least one customer meets predetermined eligibility criteria, placing the membership record(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial capabilities including: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the membership record(s); and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing a points balance associated with the customer.

Preferably the at least one customer is provided with respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider. Preferably the_multiplerUse-account sVis/-are-ma

second service provider. In a further embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing system comprising a first computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; a second computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing a subset of the respective customers for which membership records are stored on the first computer readable medium; and a processor configured to modify at least one membership record stored on the second computer medium as a result of a customer request to transfer the at least one membership record from a first state to a second state;

wherein the at least one membership record is/are associated with the first service provider and a second service provider, the second service provider associated with a financial institution; wherein the first state permits interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution; and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the at least one membership record; and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

In a further embodiment the invention comprises a multiple-use card processing system comprising a computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/or its nominated partners; a processor configured to modify at least one membership record stored on the-computer-medium-as-a-result-of-a-eustomer-request-to-transfer the aHeastOne^~m^~emb^~e^~rship record from a first state to a second state; wherein the at least one membership record is/ are associated with the first service provider and with a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution; wherein the first state permits interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution; and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the at least one membership record; and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing a points balance associated with the customer.

Preferably the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the permitted interaction with the financial institution including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

Preferably the at least one multiple-use account is/ are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of, that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in similar manner.

As used herein the term "and/ or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/ or singular forms of the noun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a high level system diagram in which the invention is intended to operate. Figure 2 shows a preferred form multiple use card.

Figure 3 shows one preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows an exemplary membership record.

Figure 5 shows a preferred form process of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a simplified block diagram of an example computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows at 100 a high level system diagram in which the invention is intended to operate. A first service provider 105, and/or its nominated partners, provides goods or services to customers. Nominated partners are discussed in more detail below. Many service providers maintain data about their customers. Such data allows the service provider to better tailor the services it provides to individual customers. It also allows the service provider to differentiate the offerings provided to one or more subsets of its membership base as a result of analysing customer behaviour through their use of their membership card. For example, high value customers can be identified and segmented as distinct from customers that are not high value customers. Customers that are members of a loyalty programme can be treated differently to customers that are not members. Examples of the different ways that customers can be identified and segmented are discussed in more detail below. The first service provider 105 maintains a computer system 10. The computer system takes the form of processing hardware modified to implement the techniques and systems described below. A system diagram of a computer system is further described below. Within computer system 110 the first service provider 105 maintains an electronically indexable set of membership records 115. The membership records represent respective customers of the first service provider 105 and/or its nominated partners. An exemplary membership record is further described below.

Where the first service provider 05 is an airline, a typical membership record would include name and contact details of the customer, a unique identifying number, a history of interaction with the first service provider 105, and a category or tier assigned to the customer indicating the value of that customer to the service provider 105. In some cases a membership record 115 will include a points balance representing a non monetary tradable value that a customer may acquire, for example, by using the services of the first provider 105.

There are other ways that a customer may acquire or accumulate a points balance. The first service provider 105 may have one or more nominated partners. These nominated partners are third parties whose customers are also members of a loyalty programme that is owned by or administered by the first service provider 105. Those customers are entitled to earn or acquire points balances issued pursuant to the loyalty programme of first service provider 105.

Customers acquire a points balance by:

^■ purchasing eligible goods and/or services from the nominated partner(s);

^■ the customer using qualifying goods and/ or services provided by the nominated

partner(s); and/or

^■ participating in qualifying promotions offered by the nominated partner(s).

It will be appreciated that the computer system 110 and/ or the membership records 115 could be maintained by the first service provider 105 or could be outsourced to a third party. It is anticipated that the first service provider 105 has access either directly or indirecdy to the membership records 115. In accordance with predetermined eligibility criteria determined by the first service provider 105, the first service provider 105 retrieves one or more membership records from the set of membership records 115. In a preferred form all of the membership records that comply with the eligibility criteria are retrieved from the set 115.

This set of retrieved records could represent for example a set of high value customers, or it could represent all customers who reside in a particular jurisdiction, or it could represent all customers who have purchased certain goods and/or services from the first service provider 105 and/ or from a nominated partner. In another embodiment the only eligibility criteria comprise a current physical address and satisfaction of a rninimum age.

The first service provider's pre-determined eligibility criteria for identifying the relevant membership records are further described below. High value customers are typically identified as those customers who purchase goods and/ or services from first service provider 105 and/ or a nominated partner where the aggregate value of the goods and/ or services that are purchased over a certain period exceeds a value threshold. The value of goods and/ or services purchased by a customer from a nominated partner may be given a different weighting compared to the value of goods and/or services purchased by a customer from first service provider 105.

In this way it is anticipated that high value customers include both customers who have purchased goods and/ or services exceeding a value threshold and also customers who have been identified as target customers due to their spending habits which may or may not include spending over a value threshold.

It is anticipated that there will be eligibility criteria that are specific to each first service provider. One example is membership of the first service provider's loyalty programme. Additional eligibility criteria include but are not limited to one or more of the following:

• the country of residence;

• a requirement for a current physical address for a customer to which a physical card can Be sent to; • compliance with applicable laws for offering a debt security under financial services legislation;

• tier status of loyalty programme members;

• purchase of qualifying goods and/or services from the first service provider 105 and/or from a nominated partner;

• exclusion of people identified as being a credit risk or on a monitored blacklist(s);

• age of members, for example a minimum age of 16 years.

Figure 1 shows three consumers 120,, 120₂ and 120₃. The number of consumers shown is merely by way of example. It is expected that there will be more than three consumers.

As shown in Figure 1, only two of the consumers, consumer 120, and consumer 120₂ are the subject of an approach for a multiple-use card from the first service provider 105. A multiple- use card is a card that can be used to perform diverse or multiple functions. The multiple-use card for example is used to securely store personal data about a customer card holder using a processor. The data includes identity, membership of predefined user groups, and so on.

Preferably the multiple-use card is also used to transmit or provide information to one or more entities to enable those entities to perform one or more functions from a menu of functions. Multiple-use cards are designed to combine the features/user functions of two or more single use cards, thereby saving wallet space and ensuring the multiple-use card is 'front of wallet'.

The first service provider 105 has identified consumers 120, and 120₂ as being customers who meet its pre-deterrnined eligibility criteria. The first service provider 105 delivers respective multiple-use cards 125, and 125₂ to consumer 120_t and consumer 120₂ respectively. Each of consumers 120, and 120₂ correspond to membership records retrieved from the set 115. Where the multiple-use card is a physical card the card is preferably delivered by mail or courier. An address/identity verification of the card holder may be required for the purposes of complying with anti money laundering obligations and so it is convenient to send the physical card to a physical address.

In an alternative embodiment the multiple-use card does not have a physical form but is instead a 'virtual' multiple-use card. A virtual multiple-use card has essentially the same data associated with it as a physical multiple-use card. However, a virtual multiple-use card has no physical card associated with it. A virtual multiple-use card in one embodiment has associated with it an application or 'app' that is able to be installed and operate on a smart phone device. The app for example could display some or all of the information or indicia that is displayed on a physical card. Alternatively or additionally, identifying details of a virtual multiple-use card are stored on a device configured to engage in near field communication technology. This device is installed in a smart phone or is affixed to an item often carried by a customer for example a smart phone or other

communication device. In a further embodiment the customer is provided with an identifier such as a one time use or a multiple-use Personal Account Number (PAN) that is used to access the data associated with the virtual multiple-use card. In one embodiment the customer is provided with a PAN that is additional to the PAN on a physical card.

Where the multiple-use card is a virtual multiple-use card it is anticipated that an identifier of a virtual multiple-use card is delivered in a digital medium to a consumer. One example of delivery is making the identifier available via a website, text message, email or similar.

As shown in Figure 1, the system 100 also includes a second service provider 130. In one preferred form the second service provider 130 provides payment network services, directly and/ or indirectiy, to one or more of the consumers. Second service provider 130 either comprises a financial institution or is provided with an interface 135 with a financial institution 140.

The financial institution 140 maintains computer system 145 and has stored in the computer system 145 a set of customer records 150. The customer records 150 are preferably created in response to data received from first service provider 105. It is anticipated that the records 150 represent consumers 120, and 120₂ to which respective cards 125_t and 125₂ have been issued. Computer system 145 preferably comprises a set of computing devices. An example device is described further below. As described above with respect to the computer system 110 and membership records 115, it is envisaged that computer system 145 and/ or customer records 150 and/ or associated processing services for financial transactions could be maintained by the financial institution 140 or could be outsomced-to-a-mkd party— It is-anticipated-mat the-financial-instim

directly or indirectiy to the membership records 150. As will be further described below, the multiple-use cards 125, and 125₂ include first indicia associated with the first service provider 105 and second indicia associated with the second service provider 130.

As shown in Figure 1, consumer 120₃ does not receive a multiple-use card from the first service provider 105. This could be because the consumer is not a customer of first service provider 105. It could also mean that although the consumer 120₃ is a customer of first service provider 105, the consumer does not fit the criteria determined by the first service provider 105 for sending a multiple-use card to the consumer 120,.

Consumer 120₃ may already have a card, for example a loyalty card, issued by the first service provider 105. The loyalty card is configured to permit interaction with only the first service provider 105 and/ or its nominated partners. If consumer 120₃ is a customer of the first service provider 105 but does not fit the criteria determined by the first service provider 105 for sending a multiple-use card, consumer 120₃ may continue to use his/her loyalty card issued by first service provider 105, permitting interaction with the first service provider 105 and/or its nominated partners. Consumer 120, receives the multiple-use card 125, from the first service provider 105. The consumer 120, uses the card in association with services provided from the first service provider 105 to the consumer 120,. The card 125, is sent to consumer 120, in a first state that allows the consumer 120, to use it to interact with the first service provider 105 and its nominated partners but not the financial institution 140.

When the card 125, is sent to consumer 120,, the first state is referred to as 'inactive'. If the card 125, is returned to either the first service provider 105 or to the second service provider 130 then it is placed into a 'returned' state. The card could be returned voluntarily by the customer or could be returned because the customer is no longer contactable at the specified physical or electronic address. The card is then securely destroyed if it is a physical card.

Consumer 120₂ receives multiple-use card 125₂ from the first service provider 105. The card -l-2-5₂-is-sent-to-eonsumer-l^

interact with the first service provider 105 and its nominated partners but not the financial institution 140. This particular consumer elects to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution 140. This process is indicated at 155 as a consumer request from the consumer 120₂ to the financial institution 140 either directly or indirectly (either through the first service provider 105 or through a third party).

It is assumed that following receipt of a request from a customer to activate one or more financial transaction, the financial institution applies predetermined eligibility criteria to determine whether or not to activate financial transaction capabilities. If the consumer meets the predetermined eligibility criteria for the requested financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution 1 0, the card 125₂ is placed in a second state, referred to as an 'active' state. The membership record from the set of records 150 (and preferably also the set of records 115) corresponding to the consumer 120₂ is updated to reflect the fact that the multiple-use card is in a second state. In this state the financial institution 1 0 will enable consumer 120₂ to carry out certain financial transactions provided that the consumer 120₂ meets all the usual criteria for service delivery determined by the financial institution.

Two further states for the multiple-use card may include 'deactivated' and 'inactive'. These states may result from one or more actions such as use of a card being blocked by the first service provider and/ or second service provider, the card account being closed voluntarily by the customer, and expiry of a multiple-use card with no subsequent renewal.

Details of the types of consumer requests 145 available are described further below. Figure 2 shows a preferred form multiple-use card 200. The preferred form card 200 has a first side 205 having indicia associated with the first service provider 105. The card has a second side 210 having second indicia associated with second service provider 130. It will be appreciated that having the first indicia associated with the first service provider on one side and the second indicia associated with the second service provider 130 on a second side is a preferred embodiment only. It will be appreciated that some or all of the indicia associated with one or both service providers could be shown on the same side of the card 200.

T¾e^~preferre^"d form^~first side 205 o^~f^~the card includes for example space for a company logo 215, space for any partner service programs 220, identifying details 225 of the customer and, a visual status indicator 230 representing the status of the customer with the first service provider 105. The card optionally includes an expiry date 235. Each of the indicia 215, 220, 225, 230 and 235, either individually or collectively represent the first indicia associated with the first service provider 105.

The first side 205 of the card could also be provided with a magstripe data storage device 240.

The second side 210 of the card 200 includes second indicia associated with the second service provider. The indicia could include for example a product brand 245, a panel 250 with the financial institution or card issuer brand and type of card, customer details 255 identifying the customer of the second service provider and security code information 260. The indicia 250, 255 and 260 either individually or collectively represent the second indicia associated with the second service provider. It will be appreciated that the second side 210 of the card could also include structural devices such as a barcode 265, chip storage device 270 and/or mag stripe data storage device (not shown) similar to device 240.

As described above, consumer 120, and consumer 120₂ each have respective points balances maintained with first service provider 105. These points balances are typically accumulated through purchase of goods and/or services provided by the first service provider 105 and/or its nominated partners.

The system described above provides the ability, for example, for consumer 120₂ to make a consumer request 155 to second service provider 130 and/or financial institution 140. In one preferred embodiment this request results in financial institution 140 maintaining a first funds balance associated with consumer 120₂. The funds balance represents a monetary value.

Referring to figure 3 the consumer 120₂ requests the financial institution 140 to set up or maintain a first funds balance 300. This funds balance 300 is a currency value in addition to the points balance 305 which is a non-monetary value maintained by first service provider 105.

One of the financial transaction capabilities able to be granted to consumer 120₂ is the ability for this consumer to transfer funds from financial institution 140, or from an alternative supplier (not shown) to the first funds balance 300 associated with the multiple-use card 125₂ which in turn is associated with consumer 120₂. This action is more commonly referred to as 'topping up' multiple-use card 125₂. A further financial transaction capability able to be granted to the consumer 120₂ by the financial institution 140 is the ability for the consumer 120₂ to purchase goods and/or services 310. The preferred form purchase enables the first funds balance 300 to be debited for the value of the goods and/or services. This causes a corresponding increase in the points balance 305 associated with the card 125₂ and consumer 120₂ subject to eligibility criteria.

It is anticipated that, subject to eligibility criteria, the debit of the first funds balance 300 is proportional to the increase in the points balance 305. In one situation the numerical amounts of decrease and increase could be the same. In other embodiments the points balance 305 could increase by a predetermined fraction of corresponding debit in the funds balance 300.

Alternatively the points balance 305 could increase by a greater numerical value than the debit in the funds balance 300. Many combinations are possible, however, the general concept is that the debit of first funds balance 300 results in an increase in the points balance 305 as the consumer 120₂ purchases qualifying goods and/or services using the funds balance.

In a further preferred form the financial transaction capabilities able to be granted to the consumer 120₂ by the first service provider 105 include the ability for the consumer to increase the points balance 305 associated with the consumer 120₂ by debiting the first funds balance 300. This preferred form embodiment differs from that described above in that the purchase of goods and services is not required in order to increase the points balance 305. The consumer 120₂ is in effect purchasing points using currency.

It is envisaged that, under some circumstances, consumer 120₂ is able to increase the points balance associated with another consumer (for example a family member) by debiting the first funds balance 300.

Once again, the amount of points increase compared with the debit of funds is flexible. The increase i points Balance could be a fraction^~of the^{" "}fmi3s^~b^lalnce^e :r^as^"e,^~the numerical Values ^" could be equal, or the points balance increase could exceed the funds balance decrease. This may in some circumstances depend on special promotions initiated by the first service provider 105 and/ or its nominated partners or the financial institution 1 0 or the second service provider 130. In a further preferred form embodiment the financial institution 140 maintains more than one funds balance associated with multiple use card 125₂ and consumer 120₂. By way of example, Figure 3 shows a second funds balance 320 that is maintained by the financial institution 140. It will be appreciated that there could be additional funds balances maintained by the financial institution 140 in addition to the first funds balance 300 and the second funds balance 320.

Where there are multiple funds balances it is anticipated that the first funds balance 300 will be in a first currency and the second funds balance 320 will be in a second currency different to the currency of the first funds balance 300. Where there are multiple funds balances it will be appreciated there could be multiple currencies.

The benefit of having multiple funds balances in different currencies is that the consumer is able to purchase goods or services in different currencies using the card, with funds being debited directly from the relevant currency balance. The purchase is able to be made in the appropriate currency. It is anticipated that the appropriate funds balance and currency to use is selected in a conventional manner for example by manual selection by the consumer 120₂, or automatically at a point of sale or ATM system that recognises the existence of a corresponding currency funds balance on the card 125₂ or in accordance with a predetermined currency preference order, subject to availability of funds in each currency funds balance.

It is also anticipated that where a consumer has more than one funds balance in different currencies, the user is able to debit funds from one funds balance and increase another funds balance taking into account an appropriate currency conversion rate.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary membership record 400 maintained by a first service provider 105. Membl^Ki| recol¾^~4^{^}^^{^}

membership number. The record further includes name 410, physical address 415 and postal address 420 of a customer. The physical address 415 and postal address 420 are shown as a single field for the purpose of clarity. In practice addresses 415 and 420 will include additional fields representing street, city, state/province, zip/postal code and country or region. The record optionally further includes additional customer details for example date of birth 425 and gender 430. The record optionally includes further details 435 representing for example a history of interaction with the first service provider 105, a category or tier assigned to the customer and a points balance representing a non-monetary tradable value a customer has acquired.

It is anticipated that the membership record 400 is maintained within a set of similar

membership records in an electronically indexable form within computer system 110. Subsets of the data are then retrieved from computer system 110 and transmitted over data networks to other organisations.

Figure 5 shows an overview of a preferred form process 500 of the invention. The consumer 120 joins 502 the loyalty programme of the first service provider 105. Details of consumer 120 are stored in the membership records database 115. The first service provider creates 504 an online account for consumer 120 that permits interaction with the first service provider 105 and/ or its nominated partners.

The first service provider 105 applies 506 eligibility criteria to customers in database 115 for a multiple-use card 125. If the customer is not eligible for a multiple-use card as determined by the first service provider 105, the customer is sent 508 a card that is not a multiple-use card. For example, the customer is sent a loyalty card without the capability for financial services. A single-use loyalty card is created 510 for that customer.

If the customer is eligible for a multiple-use card, the first service provider 105 will send a request 512 to the second service provider 130. Details of financial data are stored 514 in the second service provider database 140. The second service provider 130 creates 520 an online financial services account for the customer, which the customer will have limited access to. If the multiple-use card 125 is a physical card, the second service provider 130 will add financial data to the first service provider's request and will send the request to a third party for a physical card be manufactured. A multiple-use card 125 is manufactured 516 for the customer. The multiple-use card is posted or couriered 518 to the customer if it is a physical multiple-use card, or is otherwise transmitted to the customer if it is a virtual multiple-use card.

The customer may opt 522 to complete additional criteria necessary for provision of financial services by the second service provider 130. Where this second service provider is a financial institution this additional criteria typically includes "know your customer" (KYC) processes.

Details of this option are again stored in the second service provider membership database 140.

If the customer successfully completes the financial KYC process and any other pre-determined criteria, and is granted 524 access to an online financial services account, the customer activates the multiple-use card 125. The multiple-use card is transformed to an active state 526.

If the customer is eligible for a multiple-use card, the first service provider optionally reconfigures the customer's loyalty only online account 504 to provide the customer with secure access to an online multiple-use account 528. The customer is provided with a suitable secure personal access code, or is prompted to choose a secure personal access code, with which to access the multiple-use account 528.

It is anticipated that the multiple use account for an individual customer provides interaction with both the first service provider and the second service provider. It is further anticipated that the multiple-use account is maintained by the first service provider, the second service provider, jointly by both the first and second service providers, or by a third party.

Figure 6 shows a simplified block diagram of a device forming at least part of computer system 110 and/ or computer system 145 in the example form of a computing device 600. Sets of computer executable instructions are executed within device 600 that cause the device 600 to perform the methods described above. Preferably the computing device 600 is connected or networked to other devices. Where the device is networked to other devices, the device is configured to operate irTthe capacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client network environment. Alternatively the device can operate as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The device may also include any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions that specify actions to be taken by that machine. These instructions can be sequential or otherwise.

A single device 600 is shown in Figure 6. The term "computing device" also includes any collection of machines that individually or joindy execute a set or multiple sets of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods described above.

The example computing device 600 includes a processor 605. One example of a processor is a central processing unit or CPU. The device further includes main system memory 610 and static memory 615. The processor 605, main memory 610 and static memory 615 communicate with each other via data bus 620.

Computing device 600 further includes a data input device 625. In one embodiment the data input device includes a computer keyboard. Data input device 625 includes both a physical keyboard and/ or a representation of a keyboard displayed on a touch sensitive display for example display device 630. Computing device 600 may also include reader unit 635, network interface device 640, optical media drive 645, cursor control device 650, and signal generation device 655.

Reader unit 635 is able to receive a computer readable medium 660 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures, for example computer software 665. The software 665 uses one or more of the methods or functions described above. Reader unit 635 includes a disc drive and/ or a USB port. In these cases the computer readable medium includes a floppy disc and a static storage device such as a thumb drive. Where the optical media drive 645 is used, the computer readable medium includes a CD Rom.

Computer-executable instructions or software 665 may also reside completely or at least partially within main system memory 610 and/ or within processor 605 during execution by the computing device 600. In this case main memory 610 and processor 605 constitute computer- readable tangible storage media. Software 665 may further be transmitted or received over network 670 via network interface device 640. The data transfer uses any one of a number of well known transfer protocols. One example is hypertext transfer protocol (http).

Computer-readable medium 660 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium. This term should however be taken to include a single medium or multiple media. Examples of multiple media include a centralised or distributed database and/ or associated caches. These multiple media store the one or more sets of computer executable instructions. The term "computer readable medium" should also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor and that cause the processor to perform any one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable medium is also capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with these sets of instructions. The term "computer- readable medium" includes solid-state memories, optical media and magnetic media.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Modifications and improvements as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof, as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A multiple-use card processing method comprising:

retrieving one or more membership records from a set of membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; transmitting respective multiple-use cards in a first state to one or more customers corresponding to the membership record(s), the multiple-use cards having first indicia associated with the first service provider and second indicia associated with a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution, the first state permitting interaction with the first service provider but not the financial institution; and receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution and place the multiple-use card(s) associated with the customer(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial transaction capabilities including: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the multiple-use card; and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the multiple-use cards have respective first and second sides, the first side having the first indicia associated with the first service provider, the second side having the second indicia associated with the second service provider.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the multiple-use cards have respective first and second sides, the first side having both the first indicia associated with the first service provider and the second indicia associated with the second service provider.

5 4. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first funds balance is

maintained in a first currency, the financial transaction capabilities including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

10 5. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the financial transaction

capabilities include the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising providing to the at 15 least one customer respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing

interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the multiple-use account(s) is/ are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

20

8. A multiple-use card processing method comprising:

receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with a financial institution, the customer(s) having multiple-use card(s) associated with the customer(s), the multiple-use card(s) in a first state permitting interaction with a first

if the at least one customer meets predetermined eligibility criteria, placing the multiple-use card(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial capabilities including:

the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the 5 multiple-use card; and

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the 10 financial transaction capabilities including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

10. The method of claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the financial transaction capabilities include the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with

15 another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the at least one customer is provided with respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

20

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the multiple-use account(s) is/are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

^_25^"

13. A multiple-use card processing system comprising:

a first computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances;

a second computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing a subset of the respective customers for which

membership records are stored on the first computer readable medium; and

a processor configured to modify one or more of the membership records stored on the second computer medium as a result of a customer request to reflect the fact that a multiple-use card associated with the customer(s) represented by the membership record(s) has been transferred from a first state to a second state;

wherein the multiple-use card(s) have first indicia associated with the first service provider and second indicia associated with a second service provider, the second service provider associated with a financial institution;

and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes:

14. A multiple-use card processing system comprising: a computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners;

a processor configured to modify one or more of the membership records stored on the computer medium as a result of a customer request to reflect the fact that a multiple-use card associated with the customer(s) represented by the membership record(s) has been transferred from a first state to a second state;

and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes:

15. The system of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the permitted interaction with the financial institution including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

16-— The-system-of-any-one-of-claims-l-3-to-l^^{^}

financial institution includes the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

17. The system of any one of claims 13 to 16 further comprising at least one multiple-use 5 account to which the at least one customer has access, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one multiple-use account is/are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

10

1 . A multiple-use card processing method comprising:

retrieving one or more membership records from a set of membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; 15 transmitting respective identifiers to one or more customers corresponding to the membership record(s), the identifiers corresponding to respective membership records in a first state, the first state permitting interaction with the first service provider but not a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution; and

20 receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with the financial institution and place the membership record(s) associated with the customer(s) in a second state, the second state permitting interaction with both the first service provider and the financial institution, the financial transaction capabilities including: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with — 25 the-membership_record(s).;_and the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the financial transaction capabilities including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the financial transaction capabilities include the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21 further comprising providing to the at least one customer respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the multiple-use account(s) is/are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

24. A multiple-use card processing method comprising:

receiving from at least one customer a request to activate one or more financial transaction capabilities with a financial institution, the customer(s) having membership record(s) associated with the customer (s), the membership record(s) in a first state permitting interaction with a first service provider but not the financial institution; and

if the at least one customer meets predetermined eligibility criteria, placing the membership record(i) in a second state, the second^~state perrmtlEing^" interaction with^~b^fh^~th¾^~fiKt^"^fvice provider and the financial institution, the financial capabilities including: the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the membership record(s); and

the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/ or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing a points balance associated with the customer.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the financial transaction capabilities including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

26. The method of claim 24 or claim 25 wherein the financial transaction capabilities include the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

27. The method of any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the at least one customer is provided with respective multiple-use accounts, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and the second service provider.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the multiple-use account(s) is/are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.

29. A multiple-use card processing system comprising:

a first computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/ or its nominated partners, the membership records having respective points balances; a second computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing a subset of the respective customers for which

membership records are stored on the first computer readable medium; and

a processor configured to modify at least one membership record stored on the second computer medium as a result of a customer request to transfer the at least one membership record from a first state to a second state;

wherein the at least one membership record is /are associated with the first service provider and a second service provider, the second service provider associated with a financial institution;

and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes:

the ability for the customer to transfer funds to a first funds balance associated with the at least one membership record; and

the ability for the customer to purchase goods and/or services by debiting the first funds balance thereby increasing the points balance associated with the customer.

30. A multiple-use card processing system comprising:

a computer readable medium on which is stored one or more membership records, the membership records representing respective customers of a first service provider and/or its nominated partners;

a processor configured to modify at least one membership record stored on the computer medium as a result of a customer request to transfer the at least one membership record from a first state to a second state; wherein the at least one membership record is/ are associated with the first service provider and with a second service provider, the second service provider comprising a financial institution or associated with a financial institution;

and wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes:

31. The system of claim 29 or claim 30 wherein the first funds balance is maintained in a first currency, the permitted interaction with the financial institution including the ability for the customer to maintain a second funds balance in a second currency or multiple funds balances in multiple currencies.

32. The system of any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein the permitted interaction with the financial institution includes the ability for the customer to increase the points balance associated with the customer or with another customer by debiting the first funds balance of the first customer.

33. The system of any one of claims 29 to 32 further comprising at least one multiple-use account to which the at least one customer has access, the multiple-use account(s) providing interaction with the first service provider and^~fhe second^'service provider

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the at least one multiple-use account is/are maintained by the first service provider and/ or the second service provider.