Application program interface for conversion of stored value cards

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10915876-B2
Application number	US-201715853398-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2017
Priority date	Dec 22, 2017
Publication date	Feb 9, 2021
Grant date	Feb 9, 2021

Abstract

A service uses a system of servers and specialized interfaces to facilitate transfer of value from a gift card to an open loop card of a user. The service may support user-facing interfaces that interact with customers. The service may also support an API-based interface with a gift card processor to obtain gift card value, effect the value transfer, and confirm that the gift card value has been depleted. The service may also include a programmatic interface to various transaction processor services such as associating the transferred value with a personal account number of the user, a merchant associated with the original gift card, transaction monitoring, and messaging services that provide status information to the user.

First claim

We claim:

1. A computer-implemented method of converting gift card value to an open loop card using a customer-facing user interface of a service, the method comprising:
receiving a request from a user to convert a value of a gift card via a user interface generated on a device of the user via a web server of the service;
creating instructions for generating a first input screen providing a merchant input field for entering a merchant sponsoring the gift card and a gift card input field for entering a gift card number;
receiving, via the first input screen, at least the gift card number;
sending a query message to an issuer processor associated with an issuer of the gift card via an application program interface (API) between the service and the issuer processor to check a validity of the gift card and a remaining value of the gift card;
receiving, from the issuer processor via the API, a response to the query message indicating the validity of the gift card and the remaining value associated with the gift card;
generating one or more second input screens providing the remaining value associated with the gift card and a user card input field for the user to enter a personal account number (PAN) of an open loop card for associating with the remaining value of the gift card;
transferring, via the API between the service and the issuer processor of the gift card, the remaining value of the gift card to an account associated with the PAN;
setting a rule for execution by a rules engine at the service that restricts application of the value only to future transactions with the merchant;
identifying a transaction from a plurality of transactions that satisfies the rule and includes the merchant and the PAN; and
applying at least a portion of the remaining value of the account to the transaction in real time at a point of sale if at least some of the remaining value remains in the account.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the first input screen includes generating a third input field for entering a mobile phone number.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a message to the user indicating successful transfer of the remaining value from the gift card to the open loop card.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a message to the user indicating application of the remaining value to a qualifying transaction made with the merchant.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a third input screen providing a user a confirmation input field for entering a confirmation to transfer the value from the gift card to the open loop card.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising confirming, via the API, that the gift card value at the issuer processor is zero after transferring the value from the gift card to the open loop card.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring transactions using the open loop card and having the PAN to identify the transaction with the merchant that satisfies the rule; and
responsive to identifying the transaction that satisfies the rule, generating a credit to the open loop card having the PAN.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein generating the credit comprises one of generating a credit for the value of the transaction or generating a credit for the value of gift card.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein generating the credit for the value of the transaction comprises:
applying a full value of the account associated with the PAN to the transaction when the value of the account exceeds the value of the transaction and subtracting the value of the transaction from the value of the account to create an updated value of the account.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein generating the credit for the value of the account comprises:
applying the full value of the account to the transaction and charging a balance of the transaction above the value of the account to the open loop card having the PAN.

11. A system that converts a value on a gift card held by a user and associated with a merchant to restricted use value on an open loop card, the system comprising:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor storing executable instructions and a redemption rule;
a first network interface coupled to an issuer processor associated with an issuer of the gift card, the first network interface being programmed via an application program interface (API) to check a validity of the gift card and a remaining value on the gift card via a query message to the issuer processor, the first network interface being further programmed via the API to receive from the issuer processor a response to the query message indicating the validity of the gift card and the remaining value associated with the gift card;
a second network interface coupled to a public network and supplying one or more web pages for receiving a request to convert the remaining value of the gift card, providing the remaining value associated with the gift card, and providing a user input field for selection of an open loop card for associating with the remaining value of the gift card;
the first network interface being further programmed via the API to transfer the remaining value of the gift card and associate the remaining value with a personal account number (PAN) of the selected open loop card;
a third network interface coupled to a transaction processing system; the third network interface programmed to receive transaction data from the transaction processing system and to send to the transaction processing system a credit transaction responsive to identification that a transaction associated with the PAN satisfies the redemption rule; and
a logic unit that reviews the received transaction data and identifies when a transaction associated with the PAN satisfies the redemption rule.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the logic unit comprises a parser that separates transaction data into individual data elements.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the logic unit comprises a rules engine that determines when a transaction satisfies the redemption rule.

14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a messaging interface, the messaging interface including:
an input that receives information to be communicated to the user;
a message formatter that formats the information into a channel-appropriate format; and
an output that delivers the formatted information to a user-selected messaging system.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the second network interface further supplies a second page to the user for receiving a user selection of the messaging system.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the messaging system is one of an SMS messaging network and a social media platform messaging system.

17. A computer-implemented method of converting gift card value to restricted open loop card value, the method comprising:
receiving, at a monitor, a request to convert a value of a gift card via a user interface;
sending a query message to an issuer processor associated with an issuer of the gift card via an application program interface (API) between the monitor and the issuer processor to check a validity of the gift card and a remaining value of the gift card;
receiving at the monitor, via the API, a response to the query message indicating the validity of the gift card and the remaining value of the gift card;
providing at the user interface the remaining value of the gift card and a user input field for selection of an open loop card for associating with the remaining value of the gift card;
transferring, via the API,

Assignees

• Soriano Edmar
• Marangu Wesley
• Rhee Peter
• Visa Int Service Ass

Inventors

• Soriano Edmar
• Marangu Wesley
• Rhee Peter

Classifications

• G06Q20/3672

  initialising or reloading thereof · CPC title

• G06Q20/204

  comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit · CPC title

• G06Q20/105 Primary

  involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses" · CPC title

• G06Q20/3433

  the counter having monetary units · CPC title