Patent Publication Number: US-2015081561-A1

Title: Multi-party transaction payment network bridge apparatus and method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/909,152 filed on Nov. 26, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference, and entitled “Multi-Party Transaction Payment Network Bridge Apparatus and Method,” is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/485, 390, entitled “NGO Electronic Transaction Management System and Method,” filed on Sep. 12, 2014, which claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/876,896, with the same title, filed on Sep. 12, 2013, and is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/308, 400, entitled “Multi-Party Transaction Payment Network Bridge Apparatus and Method,” filed on Jun. 18, 2014, which claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/836,588, with the same title, filed on Jun. 18, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate in general to financial services. Aspects include an apparatus, system, method and computer-readable storage medium to enable commodity voucher transactions. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     For centuries, financial transactions have used currency, such as banknotes and coins. In modern times, however, payment cards are rapidly replacing cash to facilitate payments. A payment card is a card that can be used by an accountholder and accepted by a vendor or merchant to make a payment for a purchase or in payment of some other obligation. An example of a payment card includes a stored-value card (such as a transit card or gift card), credit card, debit card, automatic teller machine (ATM) card, or charge card. 
     Payment cards are affiliated with payment networks, which are operational networks that enable monetary exchange between parties. 
     While payment cards are increasingly used throughout the world, globally there remain 2.5 billion adults who are currently excluded from the formal financial system. In addition, while (in 2011) cross-border funders committed at least US$25 billion to microfinance or financial services for the poor, over 200 million micro-to-medium enterprises in developing economies lack access to affordable financial services and credit. 
     In a non-financial context, a voucher is a certificate or bond that is worth a certain value. For example, vouchers may be used for housing, travel, or food. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments include a system, device, method and computer-readable medium to enable commodity voucher transactions. 
     In a method of processing an electronic voucher transaction, electronic voucher information is read with an electronic voucher interface. The electronic voucher information contains a cardholder identifier, and a number of unredeemed electronic vouchers. A processor totals a number of goods or services to be redeemed with an electronic voucher, calculates the number of vouchers required to redeem the number of goods or services, and compares the number of unredeemed electronic vouchers and the calculated number of vouchers required to redeem the number of goods or services. The processor denies the electronic voucher transaction when the number of unredeemed electronic vouchers is less than the calculated number of vouchers required to redeem the number of goods or services. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an electronic voucher transaction system configured to process non-monetary transactions, and to perform financial transactions that traverse a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) network with a payment network. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example electronic voucher card with a photograph of an aid recipient. 
         FIGS. 3A-C  depict an electronic voucher device.  FIG. 3A  shows an electronic voucher device displaying a menu selection embodiment.  FIG. 3B  illustrates an electronic voucher device displaying pictograms or pictures as part of an authentication process embodiment.  FIG. 3C  is a block diagram of the electronic voucher device embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a mobile point-of-sale device embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a NGO network embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a payment network configured to process electronic restricted cash vouchers that traverse the NGO network. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One aspect of the disclosure includes the realization that a payment processor may be used to enable commodity voucher transactions. Such transactions include restricted commodity vouchers, restricted cash vouchers, and network restricted cash vouchers. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a payment processor may be used to facilitate secure financial transactions involving vouchers. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure includes the realization that a payment network system may be used to provide restricted commodity vouchers or restricted cash vouchers. Such a system leverages a payment network to track and report, rather than process payments. Such a system may be used to provide restricted commodity vouchers or restricted cash vouchers for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 
     An aspect of the disclosure includes the understanding that many aid recipients that receive vouchers are illiterate, rendering conventional password or personal identification number (PIN) techniques ineffective. 
     A further aspect of the disclosure is the realization that aid vouchers may be used to train aid recipients on using the modern financial system. Electronic vouchers may be used as the gateway to using payment cards and payment accounts by former aid recipients. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to enable commodity voucher transactions. In some embodiments, vouchers may be used as electronic cash vouchers. 
     In some embodiments, a system is configured to enable trading of restricted commodity vouchers, restricted cash vouchers, and network restricted cash vouchers. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an electronic voucher transaction system  1000  configured to process non-monetary transactions, and to perform financial transactions that traverse a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) network  1100  with a payment network  6000 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The system described herein enables electronic vouchers  100  (e-Voucher or e-voucher), which can be embodied as electronic voucher cards  100   a  or electronic voucher devices  100   b . Electronic voucher cards  100   a  or electronic voucher devices  100   b  may be distributed by NGOs to aid recipients. While embodiments described herein are described in an NGO aid context, it is understood that the technology and embodiments may have other applications, such as healthcare, transit, agriculture, social benefits or other closed-loop or semi-closed-loop voucher applications. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an electronic voucher card  100   a  is a physical card, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Electronic voucher card  100   a  is similar to a conventional payment card and may be encoded with a magnetic stripe on the opposite side (not shown) or contain a chip encoded with electronic voucher information. The electronic voucher information may include the number of unredeemed vouchers and an electronic image of the aid recipient. The electronic image of the aid recipient may be a Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), or other image format known in the art. Additionally, the electronic voucher card  100   a  may have a photograph  102  of the aid recipient to provide another verification of the aid recipient&#39;s identity. The photograph  102  may be the same image as the electronic image or an alternate image. 
     An electronic voucher device  100   b  may be an electronic wallet, mobile phone, tablet computer, or virtual account device capable of storing an electronic voucher. An example electronic voucher device  100   b  embodiment will be described in greater depth below. 
     An aid recipient may use an electronic voucher  100  at selected merchants  1110   a - b  approved by the NGO. The NGO may restrict the electronic vouchers for a selected basket of goods or selections from the merchant  1110 . 
     Because the merchants  1110  may be located in a disaster-stricken area with unreliable communication with the NGO network  1100 , the electronic voucher transaction occurs using the electronic voucher and an NGO mobile point-of-sale (POS) device  1112 . At the time of a voucher transaction, the number of unredeemed vouchers and the electronic image are read by or transmitted to the NGO mobile point-of-sale device  1112 . The merchant  1110  then uses the electronic image to verify the identity of the aid recipient and provides the goods or services specified by the voucher program. Alternatively, in embodiments that use an electronic voucher device  100   b , aid recipients may be asked to type in a visual personal identification image (VPII), an authentication using pictograph or image selection or sequence. The VPII is selected by the aid recipient in advance of the voucher transaction. During authentication, the aid recipient selects the images that constitute the VPII. In some embodiments, the VPII may require images to be selected sequentially; in other embodiments, the selection of images need not be sequential, but all the images of the VPII must be identified. The images or pictographs used may vary from one disaster-relief area to another. In yet other embodiments, a numeric personal identification number (PIN) may be used. Embodiments may adopt a combination of authentication solutions, such as photo identification and a numeric PIN, for example. 
     In alternate embodiments, where direct communication with the NGO network is possible, NGO may distribute electronic vouchers to aid recipients for use at NGO-approved merchants  1110   a - b , and ATMs  1120   a - c . Transactions that take place within entities connected to the NGO network  1100  are processed by NGO network  1100  and its voucher transaction management system  5140 . 
     In parallel, payment network  6000  also processes financial transactions on an interbank network  2100 , where payment card acquirer financial institutions  2200  (“acquirer”) and issuer financial institutions  2300  (“issuer”) may be connected. 
     Payment network  6000  is a payment network capable of processing payments electronically over NGO network  1100 . An example payment network  6000  includes MasterCard International Incorporated of Purchase, N.Y. Payment network  6000  may analyze and score financial transactions for the probability of fraud. The transaction scores may be expressed as a probability of fraud from zero (entirely fraudulent) to one (100% chance of no fraud), or scored between zero (fraudulent) and 1,000(100% not fraudulent). 
     An acquirer  2200  is a bank, credit union, or other financial institution configured to process transaction data from merchants  2110   a - b  and prepares authorization formatted data for the payment network  6000 . Merchants  2110  are any vendors that accept payment cards or payment accounts. 
     An issuer  2300  is the bank, credit union, or other financial institution that provides the credit for the financial payment transaction. Issuer  2300  processes data (authorization requests), forwarded from the acquirer  2200  by interbank network  2100 , and prepares the authorization formatted response (approvals/declines). In the following description, issuer  2300  acts as a program manager for a NGO payment network. A program manager is an entity, such as the non-governmental organization, that provides the aid voucher/token or other representation of the aid. Program manager contracts with a merchant  1110  to redeem the voucher, compensating merchant  1110  for their services, and sets the conditions for the voucher program. In the following example, issuer  2300  is a program manager. It is understood that in some embodiments, a program manager and issuer may be different entities. In some embodiments, issuer  2300  may be directly connected to the NGO network  1100 . 
     In addition, automated teller machines  2120   a - b  may also be coupled to interbank network  2100 . 
     Electronic vouchers leverage a payment network embodiment where the infrastructure embodiment is used for tracking and reporting rather than payment. In such an embodiment, transactions do not move money; instead, the embodiment leverages a payments infrastructure to track and report on data and information flows. In other words, there is no payment settlement over the network. 
     In such an embodiment, an open payment network:
         Does not require payment sanctioning for acquiring and issuing entities;   Does not require fiduciary accounts;   Allows for open competition because the network uses standard and open protocol; and,   Less need for regulatory challenges as there is no need to monitor and regulate the movement of money (i.e., solution could be deployed for aid relief in a sanctioned country).       

     Embodiments may use a traditional payments infrastructure, but do not require payment to flow over the network. Rather, the payments infrastructure tracks and collects data. 
     As this is not a monetary transaction, it allows for a broader list of participants on the merchant and consumer side. 
     Such an embodiment allows for a single implementation on which multiple players can engage. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3A-C , these figures depict an electronic voucher device, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3A  shows an electronic voucher device displaying a menu selection embodiment, allowing the selection of an electronic voucher or an alternate payment method. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates an electronic voucher device  100   b  displaying pictograms or pictures as part of an authentication process embodiment. The electronic voucher device  100   b  is encoded with the electronic voucher information, including the number of unredeemed vouchers and authentication information. The authentication information may be a biometric component, such as an electronic image of the aid recipient. The electronic image of the aid recipient may be a Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), or other image format known in the art. During authentication of the electronic voucher device  100   b , aid recipients may asked to type in a Visual personal identification image (VPII), an authentication using pictograph or image selection or sequence. The VPII is selected by the aid recipient in advance of the voucher transaction. During authentication, the aid recipient selects the images that constitute the VPII. In some embodiments, the VPII may require images to be selected sequentially; in other embodiments, the selection of images need not be sequential, but all the images of the VPII must be identified. The images or pictographs used may vary from one disaster-relief area to another. 
     Once the aid recipient is authenticated, the NGO mobile POS device  1112  verifies that there are an adequate number of unredeemed vouchers, and then decrements the number of unredeemed voucher by the amount corresponding to the goods or services received by the aid recipient. 
       FIG. 3C  is a block diagram of the electronic voucher device  100   b  embodiment. When used in conjunction with a NGO mobile POS device  1112 , electronic voucher device  100   b  may be used to assist in enabling electronic voucher redemption. In this example, electronic voucher device  100   b  is a mobile phone. Electronic voucher device  100   b  may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other portable computing device known in the art capable of communicating electronic voucher information to the NGO mobile POS device  1112 . 
     Electronic voucher device  100   b  may run a real-time operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU)  3100 , a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium  3200 , and an antenna  3300 . An example operating system may include Apple iOS, Google Android Operating System, Blackberry OS, FireFox mobile operating system, Microsoft Windows, and the like. Electronic voucher device  100   b  may further include a screen or display device  3400 , manual input  3500 , speaker  3600 , microphone  3700 , and Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna  3800 . 
     Processor  3100  may be any central processing unit, microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known in the art. It is understood that processor  3100  may temporarily store instructions and data in Random Access Memory (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , processor  3100  is functionally comprised of an electronic voucher application  3110 , a data processor  3120 , and application interface  3130 . 
     Electronic voucher application  3110  enables the functionality for the aid recipient to redeem an electronic voucher. Electronic voucher application  3110  may further comprise: point-of-sale interface  3112 , visual authentication engine  3114 , voucher manager  3116 , and image rendering engine  3118 . 
     A point-of-sale interface  3112  is a program or service that that communicates with NGO mobile point-of-sale device  1112 . Point-of-sale interface  3112  may communicate using wireless antenna  3300  using Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other wireless standard known in the art. 
     Visual authentication engine  3114  is configured to authenticate the aid recipient using non-written communication of a Visual personal identification image, and may do so in conjunction with image rendering engine  3118 . Image rendering engine  3118  is configured to render images stored in an image database  3220 . These stored images may include pictures or pictograms used for a Visual personal identification image, and may include a picture of the aid recipient. 
     Voucher manager  3116  is configured to track electronic voucher usage and supply, and may store its information in an e-Voucher database  3210 . 
     Data processor  3120  enables processor  3100  to interface with storage media  3200 , antenna  3300 , screen  3400 , manual input  3500 , speaker  3600 , microphone  3700 , GPS antenna  3800 , computer memory or any other component not on the processor  3100 . The data processor  3120  enables processor  3100  to locate data on, read data from, and write data to these components. 
     Application interface  3130  may be any graphical user interface known in the art to facilitate communication with the user of the electronic voucher device  100   b ; as such, application interface  3130  may communicate with the user via screen  3400 , manual input  3500 , speaker  3600 , or microphone  3700 . 
     These structures may be implemented as hardware, firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as storage media  3200 . Further details of these components are described with their relation to method embodiments below. 
     Antenna  3300  may be any data port as is known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data across a telecommunications network, computer network, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near-field communications, contactless point-of-sale network, and the like. Examples of such a network include a digital cellular telephony network. Antenna  3300  allows electronic voucher device  100   b  to communicate via a digital cellular telephony network. Furthermore, antenna  3300  allows electronic voucher device  100   b  to detect and communicate with NGO mobile point-of-sale device  1112 . 
     Screen  3400  may be any liquid crystal display (LCD) display, light emitting diode (LED) screen, touch-sensitive screen, or other monitor known in the art for visually displaying images and text to a user. 
     Manual input  3500  may be buttons, a conventional keyboard, keypad, track pad, trackball, or other input device as is known in the art for the manual input of data. In some embodiments, manual input  3500  may be integrated into a touch-sensitive screen  3400 . In other embodiments, manual input  3500  may be a virtual keyboard. 
     In addition, a speaker  3600  may be attached for reproducing audio signals from processor  3100 . Speaker  3600  may also be able to generate ultrasonic signals for detection by sensors  1100 . Microphone  3700  may be any suitable microphone as is known in the art for providing audio signals to processor  3100 . Microphone  3700  is also configured to receive ultrasonic signals from sensors  1100 . 
     GPS antenna  3800  is satellite-based navigation antenna that allows electronic voucher device  100   b  to ascertain its location by triangulating with satellites as one skilled in the art can appreciate. 
     It is understood that microphone  3700 , speaker  3600 , and GPS antenna  3800  may include appropriate digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion circuitry as appropriate. 
     Storage medium  3200  may be a conventional read/write memory, such as a flash memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, or other computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and retrieving data. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , storage medium  3200  may store the e-Voucher database  3210 , and image database  3220 . When present, e-Voucher database  3210  is a data structure or database that contains electronic voucher information, which may include, but is not limited to: voucher account information, number of unredeemed vouchers, expiration dates and aid recipient name. In embodiments that also support financial transactions, e-Voucher database  3210  may further include a payment card information (such as primary account number (PAN), expiration dates and accountholder name), and electronic checking account numbers. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a NGO mobile point-of-sale device  1112  embodiment, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. NGO mobile point-of-sale device  1112  may be used at a merchant  1110 , and may be supplied to the merchant  1110  by the NGO for use in conjunction with aid distribution via electronic vouchers. 
     NGO mobile POS device  1112  may run a multi-tasking operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU)  5100 , a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium  5200 , and a network interface  5300 . An example operating system may include Apple iOS, Google Android Operating System, Blackberry OS, Firefox mobile operating system, Microsoft Windows, and the like. 
     Processor  4100  may be any central processing unit, microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known in the art. It is understood that processor  4100  may communicate with and temporarily store information in Random Access Memory (RAM) (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , processor  5100  is functionally comprised of an electronic voucher manager  4110 , a data processor  5120 , and user interface  5130 . 
     Electronic voucher manager  4110  is a component configured to perform risk estimation by analyzing financial transactions. Electronic voucher manager  4110  may further comprise: a bill generator  4112 , and voucher billing interface  4114 . 
     Bill generator  4112  is the component of electronic voucher manager  4110  that generates an itemized bill based on items ordered or redeemed by aid recipient. Bill generator  4112  may access a voucher unit database  4220  for the redemption value of vouchers, goods, and services. 
     Voucher billing interface  4114  is the structure or component capable of processing electronic billing, including electronic presentation of bills generated by bill generator  4112 , and electronic payments received (via an electronic voucher interface  4400 ) from an electronic voucher  100 . Voucher billing interface  4114  may store voucher billing receipts  4210  in a database. 
     Data processor  4120  enables processor  4100  to interface with storage medium  4200 , network interface  4300 , electronic voucher interface  4400  and any other component not on the processor  4100 . The data processor  4120  enables processor  4100  to locate data on, read data from, and write data to these components. 
     User interface  4130  is any structure that allows shopkeepers, wait staff, and merchant employees to enter orders and access electronic voucher manager  4110 . 
     These structures may be implemented as hardware, firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as storage medium  5200 . Further details of these components are described with their relation to method embodiments below. 
     Network interface  4300  may be any data port as is known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data across a computer network, examples of such networks include Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring networks. Network interface  4300  allows NGO mobile POS device  1112  to communicate with NGO network  1100 . 
     Electronic voucher interface  4400  is any data port known in the art configured to read/write data from an electronic voucher card  100   a  or communicate with an electronic voucher device  100   b . In some embodiments, electronic voucher interface  4400  can be a payment card reader/writer. In other embodiments, electronic voucher interface  4400  is a device configured to wirelessly communicate with electronic voucher device  100   b ; example electronic voucher interfaces include, but are not limited to: Infra-Red (IR), Bluetooth, contactless, or Near Field Communication interfaces. 
     Computer-readable storage medium  4200  may be a conventional read/write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive, digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, flash memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, magnetic tape or other computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and retrieving data. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , storage medium  4200  may also contain voucher billing receipts  4210 , and a voucher unit database  4220 . Voucher billing receipts  4210  is configured to store records of billing transactions created by bill generator  4112  and paid via voucher billing interface  4114 . Voucher unit database  4220  is a data structure configured to store for the redemption value of vouchers, goods, and services at a merchant; for example, in a food market setting, voucher unit database  4220  contains the redemption value of a voucher for food available at the market. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a NGO network  1100  embodiment, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In embodiments that are intermittently connected to merchant  1110 , NGO mobile POS device  1112  is brought into contact with NGO network  1100  to facilitate tracking of electronic vouchers. In embodiments that are electronically connected to merchant  1110 , NGO network  1100  may authorize electronic voucher and communicate restricted cash transactions, and may do so in conjunction with payment network  6000 ; in such embodiments, NGO network  1100  is configured to process financial transactions that traverse an NGO network with a payment network  6000 . 
     NGO network  1100  may run a multi-tasking operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU)  5100 , a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium  5200 , and a network interface  5300 . 
     Processor  5100  may be any central processing unit, microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known in the art. It is understood that processor  5100  may communicate with and temporarily store information in Random Access Memory (RAM) (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , processor  5100  is functionally comprised of a NGO network processing engine  5150 , NGO-payment network interface  5110 , a payment purchase engine  5130 , a voucher transaction management system  5140 , and a data processor  5120 . 
     NGO network processing engine  5150  is any structure that enables the NGO network  1100  to communicate with and process data and/or transactions, including from merchants  1110 , and ATMs  1120 . In some embodiments, this functionality may be handled by payment network  6000 . 
     NGO-payment network interface  5110  is the structure that allows NGO network  1100  and payment network  6000  to communicate with each other. NGO-payment network interface  5110  may apply a set of rules that govern the types of transactions that may occur between payment network processing engine  5112  and NGO network processing engine  5150 . These rules may be referred to as NGO-payment network interface rules  5220 . 
     Fraud scoring engine  5118  is a structure that scores financial transactions from payment network processing engine  5112  and/or NGO network processing engine  5150  for fraud. Fraud scoring engine  5118  may use decision tree logic, association rule learning, neural networks, inductive logic programming, support vector machines, clustering, Bayesian networks, reinforcement learning, representation learning, similarity and metric learning, spare dictionary learning, and ensemble methods such as random forest, boosting, bagging, and rule ensembles, or a combination thereof. 
     Payment-purchase engine  5130  may be any structure that facilitates voucher transactions or payment from customer accounts at an issuer  2300 , or NGO  1200  to an ATM  1120 / 2120  or merchant  1110 / 2110 . The customer accounts may include electronic voucher accounts, payment card accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts and the like. 
     Voucher transaction management system  5140  is configured to manage the NGO transactions on an NGO network  1100 . In some embodiments, voucher transaction management system  5140  further comprises: registration interface  5142 , transaction monitoring system  5144 , and reporting and investigation service  5146 . 
     Registration interface  5142  is a structure that allows the program manager to establish the NGO program rules, such as identifying registered merchants and aid recipients, and enable their participation through the provision or sanction of an appoint of sale system and electronic voucher, respectively. 
     In embodiments where NGO network  1100  is in direct communication with merchant  1110 , transaction monitoring system  5144  enables a NGO-point-of-sale device (POS) to validate the authenticity of a voucher, grants aid recipients permission to use the voucher, and verifies the appropriateness of the merchant/aid-recipient combination, In some embodiments, the transaction monitoring system  5144  further enables an aid recipient or merchant  1110  to determine the number of unredeemed electronic vouchers and the available commodities for the aid recipient, and tracking of completed transactions that use the electronic voucher. 
     Reporting and investigation service  5146  is the electronic service that allows transactions to be monitored and allows registered entities to audit, investigate, analyze, and report transaction activity. In some embodiments this functionality includes the program management capability to interface with payment-purchase engine  5130 , to compensate a merchant  1110  for goods and services rendered. 
     Data processor  5120  enables processor  5100  to interface with storage medium  5200 , network interface  5300  or any other component not on the processor  5100 . The data processor  5120  enables processor  5100  to locate data on, read data from, and write data to these components. 
     These structures may be implemented as hardware, firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as storage medium  5200 . Further details of these components are described with their relation to method embodiments below. 
     Network interface  5300  may be any data port as is known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data across a computer network, examples of such networks include Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring networks. Network interface  5300  allows NGO network  1100  to communicate with vendors, accountholders, and/or issuer financial institutions. 
     Computer-readable storage medium  5200  may be a conventional read/write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive, digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, flash memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, magnetic tape or other computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and retrieving data. Significantly, computer-readable storage medium  5200  may be remotely located from processor  5100 , and be connected to processor  5100  via a network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 5 , storage medium  5200  may also contain a NGO voucher account database  5230 , NGO merchant database  5210 , and NGO payment network interface rules  5210 . A NGO voucher account database  5230  is configured to store NGO payment accountholder information, such as NGO payment card and account information, NGO transaction information related to NGO accountholder accounts, and any other NGO payment accountholder-related information. NGO merchant database  5210  is configured to store NGO-approved merchant information, such as their account information. As described above, NGO-payment network interface rules  5220  include a set of rules and restrictions that govern the types of transactions that may occur between payment network processing engine  5112  and NGO network processing engine  5150  (“cross-network interface rules”). For illustrative purposes only, example NGO-payment network interface rules  5220  may include limitations on the types of merchants that an NGO-aid-recipient may pay outside the NGO network  1100 ; for example, the NGO-aid recipient may be restricted to purchases of food or temporary shelter. Another example limitation may include the amount of cash that an NGO-aid-recipient may withdraw from an ATM  2120  outside the NGO network  1100 . 
     These structures may be implemented as hardware, firmware, or software encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as storage media. Further details of these components are described with their relation to method embodiments below. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a payment network  6000 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Payment network  6000  is configured to process electronic restricted cash vouchers that traverse an NGO network  1100 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Payment network  6000  may run a multi-tasking operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU)  6100 , a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium  6200 , and a network interface  6300 . 
     Processor  6100  may be any central processing unit, microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit known in the art. It is understood that processor  6100  may communicate with and temporarily store information in Random Access Memory (RAM) (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , processor  6100  is functionally comprised of a payment network processing engine  6112 , NGO network processing engine  6114 , NGO-payment network interface  6116 , a fraud scoring engine  6118 , a payment purchase engine  6160 , a transaction management system  6140 , and a data processor  6120 . 
     Payment network processing engine  6112  is the structure that enables the payment network  6000  to communicate with and process data and/or transactions via the interbank network  2100 , including from acquirer  2200  and issuer  2600 . 
     NGO network processing engine  6114  is any structure that enables the payment network  6000  to communicate with and process data and/or transactions via the NGO network  1100 , including from merchants  1110 , ATMs  1120 . 
     NGO-payment network interface  6116  the structure that allows payment network processing engine  6112  and NGO network processing engine  6114  to communicate with each other. NGO-payment network interface  6116  may apply a set of rules that govern the types of transactions that may occur between payment network processing engine  6112  and NGO network processing engine  6114 . These rules may be referred to as NGO-payment network interface rules  6250 . 
     Fraud scoring engine  6118  is a structure that scores voucher and/or financial transactions from payment network processing engine  6112  and/or NGO network processing engine  6114  for fraud. Fraud scoring engine  6118  may use decision tree logic, association rule learning, neural networks, inductive logic programming, support vector machines, clustering, Bayesian networks, reinforcement learning, representation learning, similarity and metric learning, spare dictionary learning, and ensemble methods such as random forest, boosting, bagging, and rule ensembles, or a combination thereof. 
     Payment-purchase engine  6130  may be any structure that facilitates payment from customer accounts at an issuer  2300 , or NGO network  1100  to an ATM  1120 / 2120  or merchant  1110 / 2110 . The customer accounts may include payment card accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts and the like. 
     Transaction management system  6140  is configured to manage the NGO transactions on an NGO network  1100 . In some embodiments, transaction management system  6140  further comprises: registration interface  6142 , transaction monitoring system  6144 , and reporting and investigation service  6146 . 
     Registration interface  6142  is a structure that allows the program manager to establish the NGO program rules, such as identifying registered merchants and aid recipients, and enable their participation through the provision or sanction of an appoint of sale system and voucher, respectively. 
     Transaction monitoring system  6144  enables a merchant point of sale device (POS) to validate the authenticity of a voucher, grants aid recipients permission to use the voucher, and verifies the appropriateness of the merchant/aid-recipient combination, In some embodiments, the transaction monitoring system  6144  further enables an aid recipient or merchant  1110  to determine the balance on the voucher and the available commodities for the aid recipient, and tracking of completed transactions that use the voucher. 
     Reporting and investigation service  6146  is the electronic service that allows transactions to be monitored and allows registered entities to audit, investigate, analyze, and report transaction activity. In some embodiments this functionality includes the program management capability to interface with payment-purchase engine  6130 , to compensate a merchant  1110  for goods and services rendered. 
     Data processor  6120  enables processor  6100  to interface with storage medium  6200 , network interface  6300  or any other component not on the processor  6100 . The data processor  6120  enables processor  6100  to locate data on, read data from, and write data to these components. 
     These structures may be implemented as hardware, firmware, or software encoded on a computer readable medium, such as storage medium  6200 . Further details of these components are described with their relation to method embodiments below. 
     Network interface  6300  may be any data port as is known in the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data across a computer network, examples of such networks include Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring networks. Network interface  6300  allows payment network  6000  to communicate with vendors, accountholders, and/or issuer financial institutions. 
     Computer-readable storage medium  6200  may be a conventional read/write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive, digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, flash memory, memory stick, transistor-based memory, magnetic tape or other computer-readable memory device as is known in the art for storing and retrieving data. Significantly, computer-readable storage medium  6200  may be remotely located from processor  6100 , and be connected to processor  6100  via a network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6 , storage medium  6200  may also contain a payment network accountholder database  6210 , payment network merchant database  6220 , NGO accountholder database  6230 , NGO merchant database  6240 , and NGO payment network interface rules  6250 . Payment network accountholder database  6210  is configured to store payment accountholder information, such as payment card and account information, transaction information related to accountholder accounts, and any other payment accountholder-related information. Payment network merchant database  6220  is configured to store merchant information, such as merchant account information. A NGO accountholder database  6230  is configured to store NGO payment accountholder information, such as NGO payment card and account information, NGO transaction information related to NGO accountholder accounts, and any other NGO payment accountholder-related information. NGO merchant database  6240  is configured to store NGO-approved merchant information, such as their account information. As described above, NGO-payment network interface rules  6250  include a set of rules and restrictions that govern the types of transactions that may occur between payment network processing engine  6112  and NGO network processing engine  6114  (“cross-network interface rules”). For illustrative purposes only, example NGO-payment network interface rules  6250  may include limitations on the types of merchants that an NGO-aid-recipient may pay outside the NGO network  1100 ; for example, the NGO-aid recipient may be restricted to purchases of food or temporary shelter. Another example limitation may include the amount of cash that an NGO-aid-recipient may withdraw from an ATM  2120  outside the NGO network  1100 . 
     These structures may be implemented as hardware, firmware, or software encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as storage media. Further details of these components are described with their relation to method embodiments below. 
     An electronic restricted cash vouchers embodiment leverages a payment network  6000  where the infrastructure is used for tracking and reporting rather than payment. In both cash and commodity voucher situations, the fiduciary transactions are separate from the tracking. 
     Cash-out is a two-step process versus a single step process: the consumer never “owns” the money they are withdrawing and the NGO is not reliant on the payments network to deliver payment settlement. This is a separate function in the system, versus an interwoven function. 
     Embodiments put technology and business practices at the center of a laddering system of vouchers within domestic and international payment networks. A single technology platform allows consumers to ladder from voucher to cash-out to participation in a domestic network and upwards through participation in an international network. In one embodiment, a platform and centralized infrastructure allows everything from restricted commodities to cash to full payment enablement to connectivity between points of acceptance and Cash-In/Cash-Out (CICO), a service provided by an affiliate of the network where a consumer can either deposit or withdraw cash to/from their account. 
     The embodiments enable implementation of an electronic voucher system on electronic voucher cards  100   a , without the pre-emptive engagement of a financial institution. This leads to more flexible initiation by constructing business rules and implementing technologies that enable the electronic vouchers, but protect the payment system  1000 . 
     As embodiments offer tracking services, not payment services, non-financial institutions can leverage the network to issue tokens and serve as providers of these services. It is understood that non-financial institutions may have unique and differentiated franchise rules, legal structures, and pricing models. Embodiments enable an electronic voucher token to transition to a payment account system owned by a financial institution without necessarily requiring the reissuance of cards. 
     An embodiment system fosters the collection and management of data on consumer and merchant behavior. Observed behaviors (i.e., usage history, spending habits) can be leveraged to transition clients to a formal relationship with a financial institution, quickening and easing the process of financial inclusion. A tracking system creates record of payment flows, consumer spending habits, and additional information that a merchant can leverage with wholesalers, financial institutions and suppliers. 
     The NGO may package and sell the collected know-your-customer (KYC)/behavioral data to a financial institution and use the revenue to offset program costs. If an NGO sells the portfolio to the financial institution, the financial institution can enable payment functionality on the form factor concurrent with voucher programs. 
     Using an embodiment system, the NGO creates valuable assets for both consumers and merchants through the tracking of usage history and spending habits. Behavioral spend information allows financial institutions to cross sell products and offer more sophisticated, targeted financial services (i.e., insurance, credit extension) beyond a traditional payment card. 
     An embodiment, including the creation of necessary know-your-customer (KYC) resources, enables a NGO voucher system merchant point-of-sale (POS) devices  1112  to be transitioned to an open network merchant acceptance device and account owned by a financial institution without necessarily requiring the reissuance of the POS device. 
     The NGO mobile POS device  1112  used by a merchant  1110  for voucher acceptance is “locked” to the electronic voucher system until the merchant is sanctioned to operate on the private or broader domestic and international payments networks. Sophisticated capabilities are loaded, but are not available at the outset until program managers “unlock” capabilities over time for additional enablement. This process does not require the merchant to receive new hardware. 
     All changes in the status of the card or mobile point of sale (MPOS) device is collected, consolidated and shared with the central database and other participating stakeholders. 
     Embodiments may include an electronic consumer-merchant voucher system that meets necessary control requirements using photographic authentication. The standards (branding, rules, and the like) for a payment network card versus a voucher card may be different. Two and three factor photo validation may be enabled: photo is printed on the card, photo is stored on a chip that is read by the NG mobile POS device  1112 , and individual is present for comparison with photo. Consequently, the individual/beneficiary/recipient is not required to remember a PIN or a code. This is especially helpful when deployed in an environment where illiteracy is high. 
     In some embodiments, visual personal identification image authentication may be used. The use of visual personal identification image authentication recognizes that low levels of literacy and pin functionality occur throughout the world. Such an embodiment allows a recipient to use images in place of numbers for a VPII. Visual personal identification image entry can be mandated as a particular length and order, or a sequence of images in a non-specific order. For example, the images (or icons) may be provided to a user, and the user will have to select specific images as a VPII. 
     An electronic voucher system embodiment allows multiple NGO programs to exist on a single token; streamlining the registration process, unconflicting the assignment of benefits, and managing risk. All NGOs that have services on the card will be notified of fraudulent activities/loss of card and can shut off functionality as needed. The shared infrastructure provides support and opportunities for merchants  1110  who concurrently provide commodities to multiple NGOs. A centralized database and shared infrastructure allow information to be collected and easily accessed within a single platform infrastructure. 
     Because NGOs have relationship with a centralized database, the tools and MPOS can be shared and tracked in a uniform fashion. A consumer can use one card for multiple NGOs, and a merchant can use one MPOS for multiple NGO programs. 
     To enable the embodiments described, it is understood that hardware, software, and firmware encoded on to non-transitory computer readable media are utilized. 
     The previous description of the embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of inventive faculty. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.