Stored-value card management method and system

US10217106B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Blackhawk Network, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Thomas J. Sullivan · Santa Monica, US
• J. Simmons Graves · Pittsburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 2017
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/06
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

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