Patent Publication Number: US-2016232514-A1

Title: Multi-source debit card system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/681,783, filed on Nov. 20, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Patent Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/629,542, titled RELOADABLE DEBIT CARD, filed Nov. 21, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to financial transaction software. More specifically, the field of the invention is that of financial transaction software for the debit card industry. 
     2. Description of the Related Art. 
     Debit cards are a financial transaction card that allows a user to directly transfer money for a purchase to a vendor. Used much like a credit card, the debit card differs in that there is an immediate transfer of funds, wherein the credit card payment does not transfer funds until the charge card bill is paid. 
     The debit card is typically funded through a bank account. The owner of the bank account may reload a debit card by depositing more funds into the connected bank account. Gift cards have been developed that function similar to a debit card, but which are funded by the transfer of funds from the gift card purchaser to the financial institution sponsoring the gift card. In this way, a person may provide a cash-like gift card to another person. Some gift cards are reloadable, that is they allow further funds to be associated with the card. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a multiple-source debit card system and method which allows multiple individuals to provide funds to a single debit card without the multiple individuals needing to know any bank account information. In one embodiment, multiple sources may reload the account associated with the debit card. In another embodiment, a closed loop debit card may be funded from multiple sources. 
     In several embodiments, identity modules are used to identify the sources of funds. Such identity modules may come from several sources, including an independent web site, a social network and its credentialing of its members, a financial institution, and/or an independent identity service. In these several embodiments, the identity module provides verification of the source of the funds, and may provide the funds as well. By having an identity module to determine the source of the funds, the financial institutions involved may satisfy accounting and regulatory compliance as a matter of routine and provide the underlying framework for the open or closed loop multiple-sourced debit card. 
     In one embodiment, the invention involves a reloadable debit card that may be loaded by anyone with a major credit card. The individual reloading the debit card my use the credit card through conventional checkout procedures, including telephone ordering, kiosk entry, and web site interaction. The resulting debit card may be given to the person or organization in need of funds at occasions such as weddings, graduations, funerals, hospitalizations, children going off to college or into military service. 
     In another embodiment, the invention involves a kit including a debit card and at least one information card containing account activating and/or funding information. The activating information may include special telephone numbers, internet addresses, and activation codes for enabling and funding the debit card. An individual may obtain the kit, use one of the methods of communication to activate the debit card, and provide the information cards to other individuals who may desire to help the recipient of the debit card. For example, at a hospital, an individual may obtain such a kit, activate the debit card, provide initial funding from the hospital and provide the debit card to someone at the hospital, such as a loved one staying with a injured patient. Further, the remaining information cards may be distributed to other people who might have an inclination to help out through further funding of the debit card. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention relating to multiple sources funding a debit card through a call center. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention relating to multiple sources funding a debit card through a kiosk. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention relating to multiple sources funding a debit card through a web site. 
         FIG. 4  (presented on two sheets, labeled  4  &amp;  4 B) is a schematic work flow diagram of the funding of a debit card according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a graphic representation of a situation where embodiments of a multi-source reloadable debit card of the present invention could be used. 
         FIG. 6  is a workflow diagram representation of the use of an embodiment of the present invention through a social network. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of one embodiment of the invention in the form of a kit. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The flow charts and screen shots are also representative in nature, and actual embodiments of the invention may include further features or steps not shown in the drawings. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The embodiment disclosed below is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. 
     Embodiments of the present invention allow multiple parties to fund a debit card, for example to assist an individual in an emergency time of need. WeCare Card service center represents the organization that enables the multiple party debit card. The WeCare Card service center may be embodied by several different forms, each of which provide a system in which a single individual, hereinafter termed the initiator, may create a fund source for a debit card usable by another individual, hereinafter termed the donee, and enable other third parties, hereinafter contributors, to provide funds to the donee. The WeCare Card service center receives the various identity information from the initiator and the donee, and then transacts with the with a financial institution to create, fund, and manage the WeCare Card debit card that is issued to the donee. In addition, the WeCare Card service center also records the identity and amounts of the contributors and the donee for the any financial reporting requirements. The initiator may start the process by contacting the WeCare Card service center, either directly, or through contact information contained in a kit. The kit has a WeCare Card debit card that may be quickly funded using the initiation instructions, given to the donee, and funded by the initiator and/or other contributors that receive contribution instructions. 
     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , WeCare Card call center  100  is connected to conventional telephony networks, and may be contacted by users  110 ,  112 , and  114  through telephony exchanges, e.g., land line telephones or mobile phones. Call center  102  is also in communication with financial institutions, such as bank  104  and card  106 , so that when one of users  110 ,  112 , or  114  opts to become an initiator, call center  102  may obtain the information about the initiator, the donee, and fund the debit card. Subsequently, other ones of users  110 ,  112 , or  114  may contact call center  102  and opt to become a contributor. In one embodiment, the donee is identified by name and the contributors specify the individual to be the donee over the telephone. In other embodiments, the initiator starts the process for obtaining a kit having a WeCare Card debit card, information about activating the debit card for a donor, and several additional information cards containing identifying information about the debit card and the funding mechanism. Such information cards include, for example, the telephone number of call center  100 , and a unique code for the debit card. Contributors receive this information, telephone call center  100  and express the desire to fund the debit card identified by the unique code. Call center  100  may obtain funding information from each contributor, e.g. a credit card number and credentials acceptable by card  106 , or a bank account number and routing number for bank  104 . Additionally, call center  100  may confirm the desire to contribute to the donee by identifying the donee to the contributor. Assuming that the donee is acceptable to the contributor, and the contributor&#39;s funding information is valid, the contributor may thus further fund the debit card for the donee. 
     When the donee receives the WeCare Card debit card, the donee may also be provided with activation materials. Delivery may be by hand, for example when the initiator obtains a kit and then gives the WeCare Card debit card to the donee on a visit and includes activation materials. Alternatively, if the initiator started the process by telephoning call center  100  and identified the donee, call center  100  would then send the WeCare Card debit card to the donee, for example by post, express delivery, or special delivery. As a further alternative, call center  100  may provide the donee with information by which the donee could go to a bank or kiosk and have the WeCare Card debit card produced. Such activation materials may include a magnetically or visually encoded strip, bar, or section that could be scanned, read, or otherwise detected by a machine. 
     Activation materials may alternatively include a code or series of codes that would be used with a particular interface to identify donee and confirm the receipt of the WeCare Card debit card. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the system of the present invention being deployed using kiosks. Kiosk  200  is in communication with bank  204  and card  206  to allow users  210 ,  212 , and  214  to participation in the funding of a WeCardCard debit card (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, the donee is identified by name and the contributors specify the individual to be the donee by typing into kiosk  200 . In other embodiments, the initiator starts the process for obtaining a kit having the debit card, information about activating the debit card for a donor, and several additional information cards containing identifying information about the debit card and the funding mechanism. Such information cards include, for example, the location(s) of kiosk  202 , and a unique code for the debit card. Contributors receive this information, interact with kiosk  202 , for example by typing into a keyboard/display combination or talking into a microphone and/or responding to touch screen information. Such contributors interact with kiosk  202  to express the desire to fund the WeCare Card debit card identified by the unique code. Kiosk  202  may obtain funding information from each contributor, e.g. a credit card number and credentials acceptable by card  206 , or a bank account number and routing number for bank  204 . Additionally, kiosk  202  may confirm the desire to contribute to the donee by identifying the donee to the contributor. Assuming that the donee is acceptable to the contributor, and the contributor&#39;s funding information is valid, the contributor may thus further fund the debit card for the donee. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3 , server  300  facilitates both the creation of debit card  350  by initiating user  302 , and the reloading of debit card  350  by independent parties  304 . One method of enabling this procedure is for initiating user  302  to specify the recipient of debit card  350 , then for initiating user  302  providing identifying information to one of independent parties  304 . For example, a link sent via e-mail or a button on a social network post may initiate a message from independent party  304  to server  300  to start a transfer of funds from independent party  304  to debit card  350 . 
     A debit card, in one embodiment of the invention, may be created by user  302  visiting We Care Card website  310  and initiating the creation of a WeCare Card debit card (not shown). For example, user  302  may sponsor a debit card to provide funds for a friend in a difficult situation (e.g., stranded in a remote location because a family member became ill while on a trip). User  302  may fund the card by a conventional transaction, in one embodiment by an e-commerce exchange through website  310 , in an alternative embodiment by submitting cash into a kiosk (not shown) that confirms the receipt of cash to web site  310 . We Care Card website  310  then initiates the creation of the physical debit card and arranges for the physical debit card to be delivered (e.g., by overnight delivery) to the friend/recipient. In another embodiment, We Care Card website  310  sends a message (e.g. by mobile phone text message or electronic mail) to the recipient with identifying information so that the recipient may obtain the debit card from another kiosk, automatic teller machine (ATM) terminal, internet terminal, bank teller, or banking facility. In these various embodiments, the recipient obtains the debit card and is able to use the funds associated with the card without having to attend to setting up an account or otherwise dealing with the financial institution that provides the debit card account. 
     In addition to providing basic gift card functionality, We Care Card website  310  also facilitates independent parties  304  providing funds to the debit card for the recipient, either initially for a closed loop debit card, or after the delivery of the card for a reloadable debit card. In one embodiment, We Care Card website  310  provides a listing of available debit cards for initial funding or additional reloading. Such a listing may be alphabetically arranged, geographically arranged, or searchable so that individuals may visit We Care Card website  310 , view the available debit cards and their associated recipients, and initiate an e-commerce transaction to provide additional funding to the debit card. In another embodiment, We Care Card website  310  provides a description of the debit card recipient and an associated link to a funding section of website  310  so that user  302 , or any of the independent parties  304 , may post the description and link to a social network to assist raising funds for the recipient. In another embodiment, We Care Card website  310  provides user  302  or independent parties  304  the ability to send electronic mail messages containing the description and/or the link. In further embodiments, the functions described in this paragraph are conducted through a mobile device app, e.g. using cell phone  306  or tablet  308 , rather than through conventional computer  312 . In still further embodiment, the functions described in this paragraph are conducted through a kiosk which may have a cash deposit or ATM terminal for receiving funding. In still further embodiments, some aspects of the process described above occur in a system having a call center such as described in relation to  FIG. 1 , others over a kiosk such as described in relation to  FIG. 2 , and still others over a web site such as described in relation to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 4B  illustrates a workflow of the operation of an embodiment of the present invention. The starting point may be a blogger writing in blog site  400  about a situation (e.g., see discussion of  FIG. 5  below), in this example about the Smith family, wherein someone has initiated a “We Care Card” for the Smith Family. Blog site  400 , for example a social network, may include deep link  402  to the corresponding page or pages for the Smith family at the We Card Card web site  404 . The individual viewing Blog site  400  may click to donate to the Smith family WeCare Card by clicking on a donate button of that particular page of WeCare Card website  404 , and invoke one of e-commerce processes  406 ,  408 ,  410 ,  412 . In the illustrated work flow, payment processes such as PayPal [ 406 ], Bill Pay [ 408 ], eCheck [ 410 ], P2P [ 412 ], or other suitable e-commerce payment system to transfer funds from personal bank account or other funding source to WeCare Card website shopping cart  414 , from which funds are transferred to merchant account  416  and then to bank  418  or other trust/escrow fund holder  420 . WeCare Card shopping cart  414  sends the funds with an identification of the target recipient debit card, which may be reloaded by prepaid platform  422 , or if the debit card has not yet been issued then the funds from shopping cart  414  may fund the issuance of the debit card by debit cart issuer  424 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a situation suitable for such a workflow, wherein a family may need assistance because of a house fire [ 500 ]. A family member or another individual may start the We Care Card funding process by interacting with social media to notify multiple individuals of the house fire and the family in need of emergency funds, for example by writing a blog entry about the house fire and the individuals in distress [ 502 ]. Concurrently, someone starts a We Care Card for the family at the We Care Card website [ 504 ] so that the social media blog can reference the deep link to the family&#39;s We Care Card page. Alternatively, the blog writer may independently write about the family&#39;s plight, and a reader may start a We Care Card for the family and post a donation link as a comment to the blog entry. In either event, multiple readers of the blog entry may follow the link and contribute funds to the family&#39;s debit card [ 506 ]. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates how the social situation of  FIG. 5  and the network schematic of  FIG. 4  may interact in one embodiment of the invention. Injured individual  602 , e.g. an individual with a broken leg, may be noticed by another individual, helper  604 , who offers help. Within social network  606 , helper  604  may publicize the plight of injured individual  602  regarding the broken leg. Helper  604 , or others, may then start publishing blogs  608  of the plight of the person with the broken leg and then associating those discussions with links to We Care Card website (WCCW)  610 . Such links may either a general link to WCCW  610  (requiring a follower of the link to look for injured individual  602 ) or an embedded link that takes the follower directly to the specific page or pages on WCCW  610  relating to injured individual  602 . Anyone visiting the injured person&#39;s WCCW page(s) may invoke WCCW shopping cart  612 , or other e-commerce procedure  614  to get funds to merchant account  616 . Once in merchant account  616 , the funds may optionally stay in escrow/trust account  618  (in anticipation of the issuance of a debit card) or directly reload existing WeCare Card debit card  620  that is associated with injured person  602 . Through this process, multiple persons may be notified of the distress of injured person  602  and take steps to provide needed funds to that person through e-commerce processes to WeCare Card debit card  620  without having to set up any special fund transfers. 
       FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of the invention involving kit  700 . For example, a hospital may provide kit  700  to individuals visiting the hospital. Kit  700  includes WeCare Card debit card  702 , Initiating instructions  704 , and Contributing instructions  706 . Instructions  704  and  706  may be in the form of printed materials, printed coded materials for reading by an electronic device (e.g., bar codes or QR codes), or an electronic medium having instructions in computer-readable formats. An individual visiting a patient may observe the patient or one of the patient&#39;s loved ones in some financial difficulty. The individual may obtain kit  700 , use Initiating instructions to provide initial funding for WeCare Card debit card  702 , and provide card  702  to the patient or loved one to use. Further, the individual may publicize Contributing instructions  706  by leaving such instructions with the patient or loved one, sending such instructions to other individuals whom might have an interest in becoming a contributor, and/or posting contributing instructions to a blog or other outlet. 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.