Abstract:
A system and method for managing and processing stored-value debit, check card, signature debit, PIN based card or automatic teller machine (ATM) cards and bill payment from a variety of access points. Enrollment occurs between a card issuer and a card holder resulting in issuance of the card. When using the card, the cardholder will input the card into an input device. Cardholder information is routed to an initial network and then to the ATM/debit network. The information is then sent to the issuer. The issuer verifies the transaction to the input device and prompts the cardholder with options. For bill payment, the cardholder is provided a list of billers. The cardholder selects the appropriate biller and inputs all necessary information. A transaction is created to debit the cardholder&#39;s electronic account and credit the biller&#39;s account. This information is then routed to biller and confirmation is provided by the input device.

Description:
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/547,696 filed Feb. 25, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a system and method for managing and processing stored-value debit, check card, signature debit, PIN based card or automatic teller machine (ATM) cards and bill payment from a variety of access points using this system and method. This invention is targeted to both the banked and un-banked community of consumers. 
     2. Background Information 
     There are approximately forty million un-banked consumers in the United States plus millions more banked consumers. These un-banked and similarly many banked consumers are individuals that have chosen not to use the traditional bank facilities, such as checking and savings accounts, for a variety of personal reasons ranging from legal documentation requirements to credit problems to aversion of paying fees for these services. Generally when one of these consumers receives his or her salary, he or she typically proceeds to a check cashing retail outlet to cash the check. In such a situation, the consumer pays a check cashing fee and receives the balance in cash. From this cash, all disbursements for living expenses and bills are made. 
     By choosing not to use banking services, the un-banked consumer limits his or her options for bill payment. Many un-banked consumers desire a method whereby they can exercise their right to not use a traditional banking facility, but maintain the convenience of such a service. There is a current need for technology to eliminate the lost time and inconvenience to these consumers. The present invention solves this problem. The present invention relates to a system and method for managing and processing stored-value debit, check card, signature debit, PIN based card or ATM cards and bill payment using this system and method along with these cards from a variety of access points, such as an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, counter payment at a retail location by a terminal or Internet, a kiosk, or ATM. 
     Stored-value cards are known in the art and can be issued without the formal opening of a bank account. The card can be a debit card that is usable at ATMs as well as retail point of sale purchases using a personal identification number (PIN) or signature. The card can also be an ATM card that is usable to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines worldwide. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method for managing and processing stored-value debit, check card, signature debit, PIN based card or automatic teller machine (ATM) cards and bill payment from a variety of access points using the present system and method. Initially, an enrollment process occurs between a card issuer and a card holder either directly or indirectly, by way of a merchant or employer. The enrollment process may include the card holder providing bill payment account detail information for each biller the consumer wishes to forward bill payments to. At the end of the enrollment process, a stored-value card is issued to the cardholder. The stored-value card may have identifying information thereon, including, but not limited to, an identification number. In addition, the stored-value card may have a magnetic strip thereon encoded with identifying information. The name of the card issuer may also be indicated on the card. 
     When using the card, the cardholder will input information by way of the stored-value card into an input device. The cardholder information is then routed to a standard telephone network or to the internet. Once connected to the standard telephone network or internet, the cardholder information is routed to the ATM/debit network. The ATM/debit network then sends the information to the issuer. The issuer verifies the transaction and routes this information back to the input device. Once the cardholder is verified, the cardholder is then provided a number of options. These options include, but are not limited to, withdrawal, transfer, payment of bills and the like. 
     If bill payment is chosen, the cardholder is presented with a list of billers that he or she has identified during the initial enrollment process. The cardholder selects the biller for the bill he or she wishes to pay. The cardholder enters the amount due and may or may not enter the payment date. A transaction is created to deduct the amount due from the cardholder&#39;s electronic account and creates a credit to the biller&#39;s account. This information is then routed through to either a public bill pay network or a private bill pay network. The bill pay network will then forward this information to the indicated biller. Once the information is transmitted to biller, the input device presents cardholder with a confirmation once the transaction is complete. The process is repeated until all bills are paid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a schematic diagram of the enrollment phase of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a schematic diagram of the enrollment phase of the present invention between a card issuer and an employer or merchant. 
         FIG. 2  is schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing a counter device with a swipe terminal or a non-swipe terminal or a personal computer with internet access as the card information input device. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing an automatic teller machine as the card information input device. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing an interactive voice response device as the input device. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing a kiosk as the card information input device. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing an internet enabled wireless device as the card information input device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the enrollment phase of the present invention. The enrollment phase  100  involves the issuer  102  and the prospective card holder  104 . During this enrollment phase  100 , the issuer  102  provides enrollment forms to the prospective card holder  104 . At this time a list of eligible billers  106  (See  FIG. 2 ) that can be paid locally or nationally through the network or by check is provided to the prospective card holder  104 . In addition, the issuer  102  provides security information, including but not limited to, a security PIN code, to the prospective card holder  104 . The prospective card holder  104  selects the billers  106  (See  FIG. 2 ) that he or she will pay electronically through the present system. If the cardholder  104  has a biller  106  that is not in the system, an option is given to add that biller  106 . Once the new biller  106  is added, a unique number is established for that biller  106  and added to the biller database. At the end of the enrollment phase  100 , the prospective card holder  104  is issued an activated stored-value card with bill payment capability. 
     Consumers can become cardholders  104  through a variety of means. One means is through an employer program. In such a program, an employer decides to deploy a payroll card program and establishes an employee enrollment program. The issuer  102  through prior agreement with an employer (See  FIG. 1   b ) provides each enrolling employee a stored-value card and establishes criteria for security information, such as PINs, passwords, and other identifying information. The employer may also present during enrollment a list of billers  106  in their local area as well as typically national billers  106 . On a payday, a cardholder  104  receives from their employer the credit amount of their payroll check in an electronic account. This credit amount adds to any existing balance already in the account. The account is then considered “funded”. The cardholder  104  now has funds for which he or she can use to pay bills or withdraw funds. 
     In a second scenario, a card issuer enters into an agreement with a merchant (See  FIG. 1   b ). The merchant offers for sale cardholder packages which can be purchased by a consumer at a retail location. The cardholder packages either (1) include enrollment information that a consumer can send to issuers  102  in return for a stored-value card or (2) instantly provide a stored-value card to the consumer. The consumer may load the stored-value card with a dollar value at a participating merchant or by other means, such as by Automated Clearing House (ACH) or wire transfer. 
       FIG. 2  is schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cardholder  104  will utilize the present invention by inputting information by way of a stored-value card into an input device. The input device may be a counter device with a swipe terminal or a non-swipe terminal or a personal computer with internet access as the card information input device as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In addition, the input device may be an automatic teller machine as indicated in  FIG. 4 . The input device may also be an interactive voice response device as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Still, the input device may be a kiosk as shown in  FIG. 6 . And further, the input device may be an internet enabled wireless device as indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
     In  FIG. 3  a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing a counter device with a swipe terminal or a non-swipe terminal or a personal computer with internet access as the card information input device is shown. In order to pay a bill at this stage, the cardholder  104  visits a participating outlet (retail center, convenience store, and the like) that has an ATM device capable of reading a stored-value card, presenting billers to be paid, and processing the resulting debits for the bills that are paid. To begin the transaction, the cardholder  104  inserts the card into a counter device with a swipe terminal at stage  112  (or a nonswipe terminal or personal computer with internet access). The counter device at stage  112  may be equipped with recognition software to recognize whether the card is from the present merchant or issued by another merchant. Generally, this recognition would be of the account number on the face of the card. If the card is not from the present merchant, a fee may be charged for access. The cardholder  104  is then prompted to enter a security code and/or other identifier(s). The cardholder  104  information is then routed through stage  124  to a standard telephone network  114  or through stage  126  to the internet  116 . Once connected to the standard telephone network  114  or internet  116 , the cardholder  104  information is routed to the ATM/debit network  118 . The ATM/debit network  118  then sends the information to issuer  102 . The issuer  102  verifies the transaction and routes this information back to stage  112 . Once the cardholder  104  is verified at stage  112 , the cardholder  104  is then provided a number of options. These options include, but are not limited to, withdrawal, transfer, payment of bills and the like. 
     If bill payment is chosen, the cardholder  104  is presented with a list of billers  106  that he or she has identified during the initial enrollment process (See  FIG. 1   a ). The cardholder  104  selects the biller  106  for the bill he or she wishes to pay. The cardholder  104  enters the amount due and may or may not enter the payment date. A transaction is created to deduct the amount due from the cardholder&#39;s  104  electronic account and creates a credit to the biller&#39;s  106  account. This information is then routed through stage  132  to either an electronic bill pay network at  120  or a private bill pay network at  122 . The bill pay network  120  or  122  will then forward this information to the indicated biller  106  at either stage  134  electronically or a paper check will be generated at stage  136  and forwarded by mail. Once the information is transmitted to biller  106 , the counter device at stage  112  presents cardholder  104  with a confirmation receipt indicating that the transaction is complete. The process is repeated until all bills are paid. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing an automatic teller machine as the card information input device. The cardholder  104  visits an ATM device at stage  138  capable of reading a stored-value card, presenting billers to be paid, and processing the resulting debits for the bills that are paid. To begin the transaction, the cardholder  104  inserts the card into the ATM machine at stage  138 . The ATM at stage  138  may be equipped with recognition software to recognize whether the card is from the present location or issued by another location. Generally, this recognition would be of the account number on the face of the card. If the card is not from the present location, a fee may be charged for access. The cardholder  104  is then prompted to enter a security code and/or other identifier(s). The cardholder  104  information is then routed through stage  140  to the ATM/debit network  118 . The ATM/debit network  118  then sends the information to issuer  102 . The issuer  102  verifies the transaction and routes this information back to stage  138 . Once the cardholder  104  is verified at stage  138 , the cardholder  104  is then provided a number of options. These options include, but are not limited to, withdrawal, transfer, payment of bills and the like. 
     If bill payment is chosen, the cardholder  104  is presented with a list of billers  106  that he or she has identified during the initial enrollment process (See  FIG. 1   a ). The cardholder  104  selects the biller  106  for the bill he or she wishes to pay. The cardholder  104  enters the amount due and may or may not enter the payment date. A transaction is created to deduct the amount due from the cardholder&#39;s  104  electronic account and creates a credit to the biller&#39;s  106  account. This information is then routed through stage  132  to either an electronic bill pay network at  120  or a private bill pay network at  122 . The bill pay network  120  or  122  will then forward this information to the indicated biller  106  at either stage  134  electronically or a paper check will be generated at stage  136  and forwarded by mail. Once the information is transmitted to biller  106 , the ATM at stage  138  will present cardholder  104  with a confirmation receipt once the transaction is complete. The process is repeated until all bills are paid. 
     In  FIG. 5  a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing an interactive voice response device as the input device is shown. To begin the transaction, the cardholder  104  dials a predetermined telephone number on a telephone line based device at stage  142 . The telephone call is then routed through  144  to an interactive voice response (IVR) device at stage  146 . The cardholder  104  is then prompted to enter the number of the card, a security code and/or other identifier(s) on the telephone keypad. Once entered, the cardholder  104  information is then routed through stage  148  to an ATM/debit network  118 . The ATM/debit network  118  then sends the information to issuer  102 . The issuer  102  verifies the transaction and routes this information back to stage  142 . Once the cardholder  104  is verified at stage  142 , the cardholder  104  is then provided a number of options. These options include, but are not limited to, withdrawal, transfer, payment of bills and the like, such options to be selected on the keypad of the telephone line based device. 
     If bill payment is chosen, the cardholder  104  is presented with a list of billers  106  that he or she has identified during the initial enrollment process (See  FIG. 1   a ). The cardholder  104  selects the biller  106  for the bill he or she wishes to pay. The cardholder  104  enters the amount due and may or may not enter the payment date. A transaction is created to deduct the amount due from the cardholder&#39;s  104  electronic account and creates a credit to the biller&#39;s  106  account. This information is then routed through stage  132  to either an electronic bill pay network at  120  or a private bill pay network at  122 . The bill pay network  120  or  122  will then forward this information to the indicated biller  106  at either stage  134  electronically or a paper check will be generated at stage  136  and forwarded by mail. Once the information is transmitted to biller  106 , the telephone line based device at  142  returns to cardholder  104  a confirmation number once the transaction is complete. The process is repeated until all bills are paid. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing a kiosk as the card information input device. The cardholder  104  visits a location housing a kiosk input device capable of reading a stored-value card, presenting billers to be paid, and processing the resulting debits for the bills that are paid. To begin the transaction, the cardholder  104  inserts the card into a kiosk at stage  150 . The cardholder  104  is then prompted to enter a security code and/or other identifier(s). The cardholder  104  information is then routed through stage  152  to the internet  116 . Once connected to the internet  116 , the cardholder  104  information is routed to the ATM/debit network  118 . The ATM/debit network  118  then sends the information to issuer  102 . The issuer  102  verifies the transaction and routes this information back to stage  150 . Once the cardholder  104  is verified at stage  150 , the cardholder  104  is then provided a number of options. These options include, but are not limited to, transfer, payment of bills and the like, such options selected at the kiosk. 
     If bill payment is chosen, the cardholder  104  is presented with a list of billers  106  that he or she has identified during the initial enrollment process (See  FIG. 1   a ). The cardholder  104  selects the biller  106  for the bill he or she wishes to pay. The cardholder  104  enters the amount due and may or may not enter the payment date. A transaction is created to deduct the amount due from the cardholder&#39;s  104  electronic account and creates a credit to the biller&#39;s  106  account. This information is then routed through stage  132  to either an electronic bill pay network at  120  or a private bill pay network at  122 . The bill pay network  120  or  122  will then forward this information to the indicated biller  106  at either stage  134  electronically or a paper check will be generated at stage  136  and forwarded by mail. Once the information is transmitted to biller  106 , the kiosk at stage  150  presents cardholder  104  with a confirmation receipt once the transaction is complete. The process is repeated until all bills are paid. 
     In  FIG. 7  a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing an internet enabled wireless device as the card information input device is shown. To begin the transaction, the cardholder  104  inputs his or her card information over a wireless device at stage  154  by way of the device keypad. The cardholder  104  is then prompted to enter a security code and/or other identifier(s). The cardholder  104  information is then routed through stage  156  to the internet  116 . Once connected to the internet  116 , the cardholder  104  information is routed via path  128  to the ATM/debit network  118 . The ATM/debit network  118  then sends the information to issuer  102 . The issuer  102  verifies the transaction and routes this information back to stage  154 . Once the cardholder  104  is verified at stage  154 , the cardholder  104  is then provided a number of options. These options include, but are not limited to, withdrawal, transfer, payment of bills and the like, such options to be selected on the keypad of the internet enabled wireless device. 
     If bill payment is chosen, the cardholder  104  is presented with a list of billers  106  that he or she has identified during the initial enrollment process (See  FIG. 1   a ). The cardholder  104  selects the biller  106  for the bill he or she wishes to pay. The cardholder  104  enters the amount due and may or may not enter the payment date. A transaction is created to deduct the amount due from the cardholder&#39;s  104  electronic account and creates a credit to the biller&#39;s  106  account. This information is then routed through stage  132  to either an electronic bill pay network at  120  or a private bill pay network at  122 . The bill pay network  120  or  122  will then forward this information to the indicated biller  106  at either stage  134  electronically or a paper check will be generated at stage  136  and forwarded by mail. Once the information is transmitted to biller  106 , the counter device at stage  154  presents cardholder  104  with a confirmation number once the transaction is complete. The process is repeated until all bills are paid. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.