Abstract:
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes receiving, at a merchant server, purchase information related to the purchase of an electronic prepaid card. The method further includes receiving, from the merchant server, electronic prepaid card information derived from the purchase information. The method further includes establishing a communications link with a mobile device associated with address data included in the electronic prepaid card information. The method also includes provisioning the electronic prepaid card information on the mobile device via over the air (OTA) communications.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates to electronic prepaid cards using short message service (SMS) messaging and over the air provisioning (OTA). More particularly, the subject matter described herein relates to methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, the primary means for purchasing prepaid cards, such as a gift card, involves a consumer visiting a brick and mortar store, selecting a physical prepaid card, and conducting a normal purchase transaction with a cashier. Alternatively, the consumer may purchase the prepaid card over the Internet by visiting the merchant&#39;s web site using a personal computer to conduct a secured electronic payment transaction using a credit card. Regardless of the manner in which the prepaid card is purchased, the end result is normally the same. Namely, the consumer physically receives a plastic prepaid card (e.g., a magnetic stripe gift card) from the cashier at the store or from the merchant via the mail. Similarly, a second party (e.g., a gift recipient) may physically receive the prepaid card either in the mail (i.e., from either the consumer, or directly from the merchant) or in person from the consumer. 
     Regardless of the manner in which the recipient ultimately receives the prepaid card, the prepaid card is usually provided as a tangible, physical card. As such, the fact the prepaid card is a tangible, physical card may give rise to several problems. For instance, due to its size, the physical prepaid card may be readily misplaced, stolen, or even damaged prior to the consumer using the prepaid card. Moreover, a physical prepaid card cannot be immediately presented to a recipient as a gift if the purchaser and recipient (i.e., sender and recipient) are geographically separated. Rather the presentation of the prepaid card to the recipient is typically limited to conventional mail services. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes receiving, at a merchant server, purchase information related to the purchase of an electronic prepaid card. The method further includes receiving, from the merchant server, electronic prepaid card information derived from the purchase information. The method further includes establishing a communications link with a mobile device associated with address data included in the electronic prepaid card information. The method also includes provisioning the electronic prepaid card information on the mobile device via over the air (OTA) communications. 
     The subject matter described herein for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device may be implemented using a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor of a computer perform steps of the aforementioned method (see above). Exemplary computer readable media suitable for implementing the subject matter described herein includes disk memory devices, programmable logic devices, and application specific integrated circuits. In one implementation, the computer readable medium may include a memory accessible by a processor. The memory may include instructions executable by the processor for implementing any of the methods for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device described herein. In addition, a computer readable medium that implements the subject matter described herein may be distributed across multiple physical devices and/or computing platforms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter described herein will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting an exemplary system for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary process for purchasing an electronic prepaid card according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary process for issuing an electronic prepaid card to a near field communications (NFC) enabled mobile device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary process for transferring an electronic prepaid card from a first near field communications (NFC) enabled mobile device to a second NFC enabled mobile device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In order to eliminate the need for users to carry physical cards (e.g., a credit card), card issuers have begun making softcards available to the general public. As used herein, the term “softcard” refers to a software-implemented entity for facilitating transactions, such as payment transactions. Examples of softcards include payment cards, such as credit cards, loyalty cards, member cards, identification cards, and other payment and non-payment cards that exist in an electronic or software-based format. 
     A softcard may be provisioned on a device with wireless communications capabilities. Devices with wireless communication capabilities are typically configured to interact with wireless readers to enable transactions involving the softcard. Examples of devices with wireless communications capabilities include mobile phones, smart phones, key fobs, physical cards, and personal digital assistants with interfaces to local card readers. Interactions between a device and a reader may occur via an electric and/or magnetic field between the device and the reader. One type of communications channel that may be used between a device capable of supporting a softcard and a card reader for payment transactions is near field communications (NFC). Near field communications typically occur at a distance of within about one wavelength of the communications frequency being used between the device and the contactless card reader. Example of a contactless communications protocol that may be used in communications between a device capable of supporting a softcard and a contactless, or wireless, reader is an ISO 14443 interface. 
     Devices with wireless communications capabilities may also be capable of data communications with remote entities. For example, devices with wireless communications capabilities may implement HTTP over TCP/IP over-the-air interface for communicating with remote entities. The air interface protocol used by a device with wireless communications capabilities may vary with the device. Examples of air interface protocols that may be used include GSM, GPRS, CDMA, Bluetooth, etc. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary system  100  for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. In one embodiment, system  100  comprises a plurality of devices, which may include a mobile device  102 , a computer  104 , or a point of sale (POS) terminal  106 . Notably, devices  102 - 106  provide a sender with the necessary means to provide (e.g., purchase or forward) an electronic prepaid card to a recipient party. As used herein, the term “sender” refers to a user who purchases a prepaid card (e.g., an electronic gift card) for the benefit of a “recipient” via a merchant website, store cashier, and the like. Likewise, as used herein, the term “recipient” refers to a user that receives the electronic prepaid card in the form of a softcard (or a short message service (SMS) message containing an authorization code that may subsequently be used to obtain a physical prepaid card in an alternate embodiment). It should also be noted that the sender and recipient may be the same entity in certain scenarios. 
     In one embodiment, a sender uses computer  104 , which may include a personal computer (e.g., at the sender&#39;s home) or a kiosk station (e.g., positioned at or near a merchant/retail store), to access a merchant&#39;s web site. As used herein, the term “merchant” may include a seller, a retailer, or any other like entity that sells goods or services. By using the interface presented by the merchant web site, the sender may purchase an electronic prepaid card by providing various types of information. For example, one type of information may comprise recipient information. Recipient information may include the name of the recipient, the mobile phone number associated with the recipient, and even a personal message (e.g., “Happy Birthday”) for the recipient. In another embodiment, a prepaid card purchase transaction described above may be conducted using a POS terminal  106  (e.g., a cash register computer, a self-checkout machine, etc.) located at the merchant store with or without the assistance of a cashier. 
     System  100  may also include a merchant server  108 , a telecommunications operations server  110 , and an over-the-air (OTA) provisioning server  112 . In one embodiment, merchant server  108  may comprise a backend server that is associated with a particular merchant, retailer, or internet-based store. Telecommunications operator server  110  may include a server associated with a telecommunications service provider (e.g., a wireless phone service provider) that is capable of providing information related to a given mobile device and/or phone number. For example, server  110  may contain phone numbers and the type of mobile device associated with each phone number. OTA provisioning server  112  may include a server that is responsible for receiving and validating prepaid card information from various merchant servers (e.g., merchant server  108 ) as well as issuing electronic prepaid card information to mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices  114 ,  116 , as explained below) per the instructions and information received from the merchant servers. In one embodiment, the functions provided by OTA provisioning server  112  may be performed by a plurality of servers (e.g., a control server, which provides OTA administrative services for the secure element on a mobile device, and an issuer server, which provides a secure local provisioning point for issuing softcards to a mobile device in order to allow an issuer to maintain full possession and control of softcard data). 
     System  100  may also include a near field communications (NFC) enabled mobile device  114 , a non-NFC enabled mobile device  116 , a wireless device reader  118 , and a POS system  120 . In one embodiment, wireless device reader  118  may be co-located and/or incorporated within POS system  120  (e.g., at the same retail store). In one embodiment, POS system  120  may include a cash register/computer operated by a cashier. 
     NFC enabled mobile device  114  may include a mobile phone with embedded NFC support circuitry/software, which enables a user to wirelessly communicate with wireless device reader  118 . Similarly, NFC enabled mobile device  114  may include universal subscriber identification module (USIM)/USIM integrated circuit card (UICC) NFC support circuitry/software to wirelessly communicate with the wireless device reader. 
     In contrast, non-NFC enabled mobile device  116  may include a cellular phone that does not include embedded NFC or USIM/UICC NFC support circuitry/software or any other means to wirelessly communicate with contactless card reader  118 . In one embodiment, wireless device reader  118  may include any reader (e.g., a wireless RFID reader or a contactless card reader) that is capable of reading wireless smart cards, NFC enabled mobile devices, or any other contactless payment type device. In one embodiment, wireless device reader  118  may wirelessly communicate with NFC-enabled mobile device  114  via an electromagnetic field. 
     Specifically, NFC involves communication via magnetic field induction, where two loop antennas are located within each other&#39;s near field, which effectively forms an air-core transformer. For example, an NFC enabled mobile device  114  may communicate with wireless device reader  118  via the inductive coupling of the reader&#39;s antenna to the mobile device&#39;s antenna. Wireless device reader  118  modulates the loading on its loop antenna in order to amplitude-modulate a radio frequency (RF) field/electromagnetic field. The modulations in the field are received and detected by the mobile device&#39;s antenna, thereby communicating information. In order to communicate, a transceiver module on the contactless reader may transmit a command signal to the mobile device via the electromagnetic field (or some other energy field) powered by contactless reader. For example, by oscillating the electromagnetic field on and off very quickly, the contactless reader (via the transceiver module) is able to send a command as a string of data to mobile device  114 . Similarly, by drawing power from the electromagnetic field or using its own power source, mobile device  114  is able to send a response to contactless reader  118  by creating a short circuit on its own antenna. The short circuit produces a larger load on the reader&#39;s antenna, which is promptly detected as a communication from mobile device  114 . An example of a near-field wireless communications standard commonly used by NFC enabled mobile devices and wireless smart cards is ISO 14443. 
     As mentioned above, there are several ways in which a sender may electronically provide a prepaid card to the recipient. In one embodiment, the prepaid card may be purchased by a sender through a merchant&#39;s web site. For example, the sender/purchaser may log into a merchant/retailer website (e.g., using personal computer  104  or a retail kiosk) in order to select a prepaid card type (e.g., a gift card), the amount of funds to be placed on the card, and the time and date of electronic delivery of the card to the recipient (i.e., transaction information). The sender may also provide recipient information that includes the name of the intended recipient (e.g., the recipient may be the sender/purchaser himself or a second party) of the electronic prepaid card and an associated mobile device number. Likewise, the sender may also be permitted to send a message along with the electronic prepaid card information (e.g., “Happy Birthday”). After providing the above “transaction” and “recipient” information, the sender may provide the necessary “payment” information (e.g., by swiping a plastic credit card at a kiosk, entering a checking account or credit card number via a web site interface, etc.) to pay for the electronic prepaid card. In one embodiment, all of the above transaction, recipient, and payment information (i.e., collectively the “purchase data”) is provided to a merchant server  108 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the sender may instead purchase the electronic prepaid card at a merchant point of sale (e.g., POS terminal  106 ). For example, the sender may approach the cashier at the merchant store and select the electronic prepaid card type (e.g., a gift card), the amount, and the time and date of delivery (i.e., transaction data). The sender may then provide payment, such as cash or credit card/checking account information (i.e., payment data), for the electronic prepaid card. The sender can also provide the information associated with the recipient (i.e., recipient data), such as the recipient&#39;s name, the recipient&#39;s mobile device phone number, and a personal message (e.g., “Happy Birthday!”) to the cashier. The cashier may process the transaction and present a receipt to the sender. After the purchase data (e.g., transaction information, the payment information, and recipient&#39;s information) is entered into the cash register/computer (e.g., POS terminal  106 ), the data is sent to merchant server  108 . 
     Upon receiving the purchase data, merchant server  108  may be configured to perform a series of operations. In one embodiment, merchant server  108  sends a confirmation SMS message and/or email message to the sender. In one embodiment, the sender&#39;s contact number or email address is provided at the time the electronic prepaid card is purchased. The confirmation message may contain a purchase receipt as well as other details related to the electronic prepaid card or purchase transaction. In one embodiment, merchant server  108  may process the received purchase data from the sender. For example, merchant server  108  may generate additional prepaid card information such as the prepaid card number, the prepaid card image, a prepaid card authorization code, and the prepaid card validity information in response to receiving the purchase data. Likewise, merchant server  108  may generate personalization information using the purchase data obtained from the sender. 
     In one embodiment, merchant server  108  sends the above-mentioned data to OTA provisioning server  112  via a request message. For example, the request message may be embodied as a message requesting that OTA provisioning server  112  issue an electronic prepaid card (e.g., either a softcard or an SMS authorization code) to the recipient mobile phone number provided. Upon receiving the purchase data and generated electronic prepaid card data, OTA provisioning server  112  may be configured to determine if the recipient mobile device is NFC enabled (e.g., mobile device  114 ) or not (e.g., mobile device  116 ). In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  provides telecommunications operations server  110  with the mobile device number of a receiving party. Telecommunications operations server  110  may then access a database to obtain information relating to the type of cellular phone (e.g., NFC enabled or otherwise) that is associated with the provided mobile device number. Upon locating this device information, telecommunications operations server  110  forwards the mobile device type data to OTA provisioning server  112 . 
     After receiving the mobile device type information and prepaid card information, OTA provisioning server  112  is configured to deliver the prepaid card as either a softcard or an SMS message. The manner in which the electronic prepaid card is sent depends if the phone number to which the prepaid card is to be delivered is either an NFC enabled phone or non-NFC enabled phone. If the former, then OTA provisioning server  112  is configured to deliver the prepaid card as a softcard. Alternatively, if the phone number to which the prepaid card is to be delivered is associated with a non-NFC enabled phone, then OTA provisioning server  112  is configured to deliver the prepaid card as a code via an SMS message. Notably, a non-NFC enabled phone is not configured to transfer a prepaid softcard to a wireless device reader. 
     In the exemplary embodiment where the receiving mobile device is NFC enabled, OTA provisioning server  112  sends a control SMS message to NFC enabled mobile device  114  using the mobile phone number provided by merchant server  108 . In response, NFC enabled mobile device  114  may read the SMS control content, which triggers a wallet client application (not shown) to initiate a downloading process to receive an electronic prepaid card from OTA server  112 . NFC enabled mobile device  114  (e.g., via wallet client) may then reply to OTA provisioning sever  112  with an acknowledgement message. In one embodiment, a wallet client application may include a software application that manages multiple softcards stored on a mobile device, such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, electronic coupons, electronic tickets and the like. The wallet client may also be configured to ensure end-to-end protection of softcard data and payment applications with its interface for OTA provisioning as well as its management of the mobile device&#39;s secure element (not shown). The secure element may include any type of hardware and/or software structure that utilizes encryption or any other means for securing sensitive data within a mobile device. 
     In response to the acknowledgement message, OTA provisioning server  112  may establish a secure connection using, for example, an http/https/TCP/SMS PP/CAT_TP protocol with NFC enabled mobile device  114  and provides prepaid personalization data (e.g., similar to Track 1 and Track 2 data) along with branding or issuer marketing data (e.g., branding image, customer support number, network supported, and the like). In one embodiment, the personalization data is stored on a secure element validated within mobile device  114 . 
     After the download process is completed, the wallet client displays the electronic prepaid card as a softcard (which visually represents the personalization data contained in the secure element). Once the downloading process is complete, OTA provisioning server  112  may then send a message instructing merchant server  108  to send an SMS message to the original purchaser  102  to notify that the delivery of the prepaid softcard was successful. 
     Once the prepaid softcard is stored in NFC enabled mobile device  114 , the recipient may decide to use the electronic prepaid softcard at an appropriate retail store or the like. For instance, after deciding what goods to purchase at a store, the recipient brings the merchandise to the check out station and is prompted by the cashier to provide a method of payment. The recipient may then use mobile device  114  to select the prepaid softcard. For example, the recipient may interface mobile device  114  with contactless card reader  118  via NFC communication. Personalization data associated with the prepaid softcard is then transferred to wireless device reader  118 . Namely, the transfer of this information facilitates a secure payment transaction by providing electronic funds for payment. The transaction then proceeds as normal if the funds were sufficient to cover the purchased goods, otherwise the customer is prompted to provide additional payment for the outstanding balance. 
     In the second embodiment mentioned above, the electronic prepaid card is provided to a non-NFC enabled phone via SMS messages. For example, mobile device  116  may receive an SMS message from OTA provisioning server  112  instead of receiving an SMS control message. The received SMS message may include a prepaid card authorization code. This authorization code is associated with a previously registered amount of funds and may be provided to a cashier at POS system  120  as detailed below. 
     After receiving the prepaid card authorization code, the recipient of mobile device  116  may decide to use the electronic prepaid card at a retail store or the like. For example, after selecting goods for purchase, the recipient presents the merchandise at the check out counter and may be prompted by the cashier to provide a method of payment. The recipient may then provide the prepaid card authorization code and the phone number of mobile device  116  to the cashier. The cashier may then enter the authorization code and the phone number in the POS system  120 . In one embodiment, POS system  120  validates the authorization code and phone number with merchant server  108  to ensure that the correct recipient receives the proper funds or the authorization code has not been previously used. Merchant server  108  may return information that indicates the amount of funds associated with the prepaid card if the authorization code is valid. At this point, merchant server  108  may send an SMS message and/or email message, which indicates the successful delivery of the prepaid card, to the user device (e.g., mobile device  102 ) of the original purchaser/sender. The cashier may then confirm the amount of funds with the user of mobile device  116 . Once validated, the cashier will encode the dollar amount onto a plastic magnetic stripe card, which is then activated. The recipient of the plastic magnetic stripe card may then use the card for his purchase. In an alternate embodiment, the cashier may use a portion of the validated dollar amount for the purchase of the customer&#39;s merchandise and encode the outstanding dollar amount onto the plastic magnetic stripe card. 
     To better illustrate the communication of the components depicted in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  is provided to describe a purchasing transaction process using a flow diagram. Specifically,  FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an exemplary method  200  for purchasing an electronic prepaid card according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. 
     In block  202 , the sender logs into a merchant&#39;s website. In one embodiment, the sending party using personal computer or a kiosk computer station to gain access to the merchant&#39;s website. 
     In block  204 , the sender makes selections and provides recipient and payment data. In one embodiment, the sender uses the website interface to select a specific type of prepaid card, the amount of money to be placed on the prepaid card, and the date and time in which the prepaid card should be delivered to the recipient. The sender may also provide a credit card account number or the like to pay for the electronic prepaid card. 
     In block  206 , the sender&#39;s selections and provided data are received by a merchant server. In one embodiment, after finalizing the selections and confirming the recipient and payment data, the sender electronically submits (e.g., hits the “submit” button) the information to merchant server  108 . 
     In block  208 , the merchant server sends a confirmation message. In one embodiment, merchant server  108  sends an SMS or email confirmation message to the sender. The confirmation message may include a purchase receipt or some other detailed information regarding the purchase transaction. 
     In block  210 , the merchant server processes data and generates prepaid card data. In one embodiment, merchant server  108  processes the received purchase data from the sender (e.g., the transaction data, the recipient data, and the payment data). For example, merchant server  108  utilizes the purchase data to generate other data that is unique to the prepaid card, such as a prepaid card number, a prepaid card authorization code, a prepaid card image, prepaid card personalization information, and prepaid card validity information. 
     In block  212 , an OTA provisioning server receives a provisioning request message. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  receives a message from merchant server  108  to issue an electronic prepaid card to a recipient that is associated with a specific mobile phone number (i.e., the mobile phone number provided by the sender in block  204 ). The request message may also include other information, such as the personal message and the prepaid card amount similarly provided in block  204 . Likewise, the request message may also include the information generated by merchant server  108  in block  210 . 
     In block  214 , the OTA provisioning server requests the recipient&#39;s mobile device or handset type. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  sends a query to a telecommunications operations server  110  requesting the type of handset associated with the recipient&#39;s mobile device number. 
     In block  216 , a determination is made as to whether the recipient&#39;s handset is an NFC enabled mobile device or a non-NFC enabled mobile device. If OTA provisioning server  112  ascertains that the recipient&#39;s device is an NFC enabled mobile device, then method  200  continues to block  218 . Otherwise, method  200  continues to block  222  where OTA provisioning server  112  sends an authorization code message to SMS gateway  113 . In response (i.e., block  224 ), SMS gateway  113  sends an SMS message embedded with the authorization code to non-NFC enabled mobile handset  116 . 
     In block  218 , a control short message is generated. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  generates a control (binary) short message service (SMS) message to instruct the recipient&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device to activate a wallet client application. 
     In block  220 , the control short message is sent to an SMS gateway. In one embodiment, SMS gateway  113  may receive the control (binary) short message and send the message to recipient mobile device  114 . 
     To better illustrate the issuance of an electronic prepaid card in an NFC enabled mobile device,  FIG. 3  is provided to depict a flow chart of an exemplary method  300  for issuing an electronic prepaid card according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. 
     In block  302 , a control short message is received by an NFC enabled handset. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  sends a control SMS message (via SMS gateway  113 ) to NFC enabled mobile device  114 . 
     In block  304 , the NFC enabled handset processes the control SMS message. In one embodiment, a wallet client of mobile device  114  is instructed by the control short (binary) message to initiate a download process. Mobile device  114  may also send a message acknowledging receipt of the control short message to OTA provisioning server  112 . 
     In block  306 , the OTA provisioning server receives an acknowledgement message from the NFC enabled handset. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  receives a message acknowledging the receipt of the control message from the wallet client in mobile device  114 . 
     In block  308 , the OTA provisioning server creates a secured link with NFC enabled handset. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  established a secured line of communications with the wallet client and secure memory of mobile device  114 . 
     In block  310 , the OTA provisioning server provides personalization data over the secured link. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  uploads personalization data to the secure element in mobile device  114  over the established secured link. 
     In block  312 , the NFC enabled handset displays the prepaid card as a softcard. In one embodiment, the wallet client in mobile device  114  displays the electronic prepaid card, which is a graphical representation associated with the stored personalization data, as a softcard. 
     In block  314 , the prepaid softcard is used at a wireless device reader to make a purchase. In one embodiment, the user of mobile device  114  (i.e., the recipient) may approach a contactless reader  118  at a retail store and utilize the prepaid softcard to make a purchase. For example, the user may select the prepaid softcard from the wallet client graphical user interface (GUI) and interface NFC enabled mobile device  114  with wireless device reader  118  (e.g., bring the two devices in close proximity). By interfacing mobile device  114  with wireless device reader  118 , personalization data is provided to the wireless device reader  118 , which in turn provides the data to a cashier device (e.g., a POS system) in order to facilitate the payment transaction. 
     In another embodiment of the present subject matter, a sender may decide to transfer or forward an electronic prepaid card, which has been previously purchased and is stored on the sender&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device, directly to a recipient&#39;s mobile device.  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary method  400  for transferring an electronic prepaid softcard from a sender&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device (e.g., mobile device  102 ) to a recipients&#39; NFC enabled mobile device (e.g., mobile device  114 ). 
     In block  402 , a sender selects a prepaid softcard in the sender&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device. In one embodiment, the sender may select a previously obtained prepaid card that is stored in the wallet client for transfer. 
     In block  404 , the sender transfers the prepaid softcard to a recipient. In one embodiment, the sender may select an option to forward the electronic prepaid softcard to a recipient&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device. 
     In block  406 , the sender is prompted to provide recipient information. In one embodiment, NFC enabled mobile device  102  may query the sender to provide the recipient&#39;s information, such as the recipient&#39;s name, mobile phone number, and/or a personal message. 
     In block  408 , the sender&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device sends a transfer request. In one embodiment, NFC enabled mobile device  102  sends a transfer request message to OTA provisioning server  112 . The transfer request message may include the recipient information obtained in block  406  as well as personalization data associated with the sender&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device (e.g., this data may only include sender&#39;s phone number, the balance of the softcard, and/or personalization data). 
     In block  410 , the OTA provisioning server validates the sender data. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  establishes communication with merchant server  108  in order to validate the sender&#39;s information with information stored on merchant server  108  (e.g., verify that the data from the sender&#39;s phone corresponds to the data stored in merchant server  108 ). Similarly, merchant server  108  may also be provisioned with data associated with the intended recipient so as to record the transfer (i.e., the recipient is the new “owner” of the transferred electronic prepaid card). 
     In block  412 , the OTA provisioning server  112  sends a control short message to delete the softcard (e.g., the personalization data) from sender&#39;s NFC enabled handset. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  may conduct the transfer of the prepaid softcard by disassociating the electronic prepaid card from the sender&#39;s mobile device and subsequently associating the electronic prepaid card to the recipient&#39;s mobile device if the information in block  410  is validated. For example, OTA provisioning server  112  may send a command to disassociate, or delete, the personalization data from the sender&#39;s NFC enabled handset client application. Similarly, OTA provisioning server  112  may then send another control short message to the recipient&#39;s NFC enabled mobile device in order to initiate the issuing of an electronic prepaid softcard. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  may transfer the “new” prepaid softcard in the manner described by method  300  in  FIG. 3 . 
     In block  414 , a confirmation message is sent to the sender&#39;s mobile device. In one embodiment, OTA provisioning server  112  sends a confirmation message to mobile device  102  indicating that the transfer process was successful. The recipient may now freely use the transferred prepaid softcard utilizing the recipient mobile device (e.g., mobile device  114 ). 
     It will be understood that various details of the subject matter described herein may be changed without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.