Systems, methods and devices for selling transaction instruments

US7344067B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Randy Beck · Alpine, US
• Gennye Feldman · New York, US
• Rachel Riley Heitz · West Jordan, US
• John Steven Imada · Prescott Valley, US
• Paula S. Martinez · North Salt Lake, US
• Sven Miller · Salt Lake City, US
• Clyde Page · South Jordan, US
• Steven J. Keiser · South Jordan, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 6, 2006
• Grant date: Mar 18, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 6, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/02
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing an open transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: accessibly offering for sale, in a retail environment, the open transaction instrument; selling a selected open transaction instrument; and enabling the use of the open transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. Furthermore, accessibly offering the open pre-paid card for sale, in one exemplary embodiment, is performed by hanging the pre-paid card on a rack. The distribution of the open transaction instrument may also comprise the step of sending a message, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid open transaction instrument to be funded but not activated. Also, in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an issuer system is suitably configured to leverage existing infrastructure for inventory and related processes.