Patent Abstract:
A method determines that a first relationship between a holder of a portable consumer device and a first employer is terminated. In response to determining that the first relationship is terminated, the method also disassociates account information of the portable consumer device from the first employer while retaining an association between the portable consumer device and an issuer of the portable consumer device. In addition, the method establishes a second relationship between the employee and a second employer and links the account information of the portable consumer device with the second employer.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     There are millions of employees and independent contractors who do not have checking accounts. Instead of receiving a payroll check, an employee or independent contractor can receive a payroll card. The payroll card can be provided by an employer. The employer can make funds available on the payroll card automatically using card account information. The employee or independent contractor can then use the payroll card at a bank or an ATM to withdraw funds. 
     When an employee leaves an employer, the employer may retain the payroll card or close the account on the payroll card. The employee looses the use of the payroll card for receiving payments from a new employer. A new payroll card must be issued in some cases. 
     Independent contractors have multiple or zero employers at any given time. When an employer terminates an independent contractor, the employer may retain the payroll card or close the account on the payroll card. For this reason, the independent contractor must have a separate payroll card for each employer. Similarly, an employee with multiple employers may also need a separate payroll card for each employer. 
     Embodiments of the present invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, computer readable media, and systems that allow an employee to use their portable consumer device such a payroll card after leaving their current employer. 
     One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method that determines that a first relationship between a holder of a portable consumer device and a first employer is terminated. In response to determining that the first relationship is terminated, the method further disassociates the account information of the portable consumer device from the first employer while retaining an association between the portable consumer device and an issuer of the portable consumer device. The method also establishes a second relationship between the holder and a second employer and links the account information of the portable consumer device with the second employer. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method that determines that a first relationship between a holder of a portable consumer device and a first employer is terminated. In response to determining that the first relationship is terminated, the method further disassociates account information of the portable consumer device from the first employer while retaining an association between the portable consumer device and an issuer of the portable consumer device. The method also strips one or more benefits associated with the first employer from the portable consumer device. The method further determines a status of the portable consumer device. If the status of the portable consumer device is one of a plurality of pre-determined statuses, the method also places the portable consumer device in an orphan standing. 
     These and other embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention may solve above-noted problems by allowing an employee to retain the use of their portable consumer device after leaving their current employer. In addition, the employee can use the same portable consumer device to receive payments from a new employer. When the relationship between an employee and their current employer ends, benefits provided by the current employer are stripped. The account for the portable consumer device is placed in orphan standing and is assigned a standard fee schedule. When the employee establishes a relationship with a new employer, benefits with a new fee schedule are provided by the new employer. In addition, a direct deposit number and a routing number for depositing funds available on the portable consumer device are given to the new employer. Thus, the employee can use the same portable consumer device to receive payments and benefits from their new employer. Similarly, embodiments of the invention allow an independent contractor to use the same portable consumer device with any number of employers. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technical advantages to a number of entities. Such entities may include issuers, merchants, employers, and employees. 
     The technical advantage to an employer is that portable consumer devices such as payroll cards are less expensive to issue than paper checks. Also, the management (including reconciliation) of the employer&#39;s payroll using portable consumer devices is easier than using checks, since all payments are in electronic form. 
     One technical advantage to an employee is that portable consumer devices are more convenient to use than paper checks. Another technical advantage to the employee is that the portable consumer devices can be used after leaving a current employer. In addition, the employee can use the same portable consumer device with a new employer. Similarly, if the employee has multiple employers, the employee can use the same portable consumer device to receive payments from multiple employers. 
     One technical advantage to an issuer is that certain embodiments may reduce the cost of customer acquisition for the issuer. For example, the same portable consumer device will be used with several employers. Therefore, an issuer can retain the accounts of the employees and does not lose them as customers. Another technical advantage to the issuer is that certain embodiments may increase the use of portable consumer devices. For example, by allowing portability of these devices, employees will use the devices to pay for more goods and services. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  20  according to an embodiment of the invention. System  20  includes an employee  30 , a current employer  31 ( a ), a new employer  31 ( b ), a portable consumer device  32 , an issuer  34 , a merchant  36 , an acquirer  38 , and a payment processing network  40 . 
     System  20  includes an employee  30  in operative communication with either current employer  31 ( a ) or new employer  31 ( b ). Employee  30  is also in operative communication with a portable consumer device  32 . Current employer  31 ( a ) may have given employee  30  portable consumer device  32  in exchange for work performed, or may provide portable consumer device  32  with additional value if portable consumer device  32  is in the form of a reloadable card, cell phone, key fob, etc. Issuer  34  is in operative communication with current employer  31 ( a ) and/or new employer  31 ( b ). Issuer  34  may have an account with employee  30  associated with portable consumer device  32 . Portable consumer device  32  is in operative communication with merchant  36  to make purchases or withdraw cash. Merchant  36  is in operative communication with acquirer  38 . In some cases, merchant  36  may have an account with acquirer  38  and therefore, may be affiliated with acquirer  38 . Acquirer  38  is also in operative communication with issuer  34  through payment processing network  40 . 
     Employee  30  may refer to any suitable entity or entities that use portable consumer device  32  to receive payments from employers  31 ( a ) and  31 ( b ). An employee  30  may be a traditional employee, an independent contractor, or another entity that might receive payments from employers  31 ( a ) and  31 ( b ). In some cases, employee  30  may include multiple entities. For example, employee  30  may be an organization that receives payments from employers for performance by members of the organization. 
     Employer, such as current employer  31 ( a ) and new employer  31 ( b ), may refer to entities that make payments to employee  30  using portable consumer device  32 . For example, payments could be made from a business to its employees, a governmental entity such as a state or local government to a benefit recipient (e.g., a social security benefit recipient for social security payments, a disability benefit recipient for disability payments), insurers to their insured individuals (e.g., reimbursement payments to insured individuals for insurance claims), etc. 
     The relationship between an employer and employee  30  refers to any arrangement that results in payments received using portable consumer device  32 . In some cases, the relationship may include an agreement. 
     Portable consumer device  32  may be in any suitable form. For example, suitable portable consumer devices  32  can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer&#39;s wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). They may include smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, keychain devices (such as the Speedpass™ commercially available from Exxon-Mobil Corp.), etc. Other examples of portable consumer devices  32  include cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. 
     Portable consumer device  32  may comprise a computer readable medium  32 ( a ) and a body  32 ( b ). Computer readable medium  32 ( a ) may be on body  32 ( b ). Body  32 ( b ) may in the form a plastic substrate, housing, or other structure. Computer readable medium  32 ( a ) may be a memory that stores data and may be in any suitable form. Exemplary computer readable media  32 ( a ) may be in any suitable form including a magnetic stripe, a memory chip, etc. If portable consumer device  32  is in the form of a card, it may have an embossed region ER  32 ( c ) which is embossed with a PAN (primary account number). Computer readable medium  32 ( a ) may electronically store the PAN as well as other data such as PIN data. 
     Payment processing network  40  may include data processing subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. An exemplary payment processing network may include VisaNet™. Payment processing networks such as VisaNet™ are able to process credit card transactions, debit card transactions, and other types of commercial transactions. VisaNet™, in particular, includes a VIP system (Visa Integrated Payments system) which processes authorization requests and a Base  11  system which performs clearing and settlement services. Payment processing network  40  may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including the Internet. 
     Merchant  36  may also have, or may receive communications from, an access device  42  that can interact with portable consumer device  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, access device  42  is located at merchant  36 . However, access device  42  may be located at any other suitable location in other embodiments of the invention. Merchant  36  may be a department store, a gas station, a drug store, a grocery store, or other suitable business. 
     Access device  42  may be in any suitable form. Examples of access devices include point of sale (POS) devices, cellular phones, PDAs, personal computers (PCs), tablet PCs, handheld specialized readers, set-top boxes, electronic cash registers (ECRs), automated teller machines (ATMs), virtual cash registers (VCRs), kiosks, security systems, access systems, websites, and the like. Access device  42  may use any suitable contact or contactless mode of operation to send or receive data from portable consumer devices  32 . 
     If access device  42  is a point of sale terminal, any suitable point of sale terminal may include a reader  42 ( a ), a processor  42 ( b ) and a computer readable medium  42 ( c ). Reader  42 ( b ) may include any suitable contact or contactless mode of operation. For example, exemplary card readers can include RF (radio frequency) antennas, optical scanners, bar code reader, magnetic stripe readers, etc. to interact with portable consumer device  32 . 
     Acquirer  38  is typically a bank that has an account with merchant  36 . Employer  30  may have an account with issuer  34  and merchant  36  may have an account with acquirer  38 . 
     Issuer  34  may refer to any suitable entity that issues portable consumer device  32  to employee  30 . For example, issuer  34  may be a bank. In another example, issuer  34  may be a business entity such a retail store. In some embodiments, issuer  34  may be current employer  31 ( a ). Some entities are both acquirers  38  and issuers  34 , and embodiments of the invention include such entities. 
     Issuer  34  may have or operate a server computer  44  and a database  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, issuer  34  comprises server computer  44  communicatively coupled to database  46 . Server computer  44  may include any hardware, software, other logic, or combination of the preceding for servicing the requests from one or more client computers. Server computer  44  may use any of a variety of computing structures, arrangements, and compilations for servicing the requests from one or more client computers. In one embodiment, server computer  44  may be a powerful computer or cluster of computers. For example, server computer  44  can be a large mainframe, a minicomputer cluster, or a group of servers functioning as a unit. In one example, server computer  44  may be a database server coupled to a Web server. Server computer  44  services the requests of one or more client computers. 
     Database  32  may include any hardware, software, firmware, or combination of the preceding for storing and facilitating retrieval of information. Also, database  46  may use any of a variety of data structures, arrangements, and compilations to store and facilitate retrieval of information. In the illustrated embodiment, database  32  is located on issuer  34 . Database  46  may be located on other components of system  20  in other embodiments. For example, database  46  may be located on portable consumer device  32 . 
     Monetary values associated with portable consumer device  32  may be stored on database  46  on issuer  34 , on portable consumer device  32 , or on another component of system  20 . In some embodiments, portable consumer device  32  may have an identification number. The identification number may be stored in database  46  with the monetary value (e.g., $500) associated with portable consumer device  32 . In this example, data representing the monetary value (e.g., $500) would not be stored on portable consumer device  32 . In other embodiments, data representing the monetary value associated with portable consumer device  32  could be stored in computer readable medium  32 ( a ) of portable consumer device  32 . 
     Account information refers to information related to holder&#39;s account with issuer  34  associated with portable consumer device  32 . Account information may be stored in database  46  on issuer  34 , on portable consumer device  32 , or on another component of system  20 . Account information  50  includes any suitable information associated with making transactions using portable consumer device  32 . In some embodiments, server computer  44  may manipulate account information  50  stored in database  46 . In other embodiments, other components of system  20  may manipulate account information  50  stored on database  46 . 
     Examples of account information include employer account information, portable consumer device  32  identification data, pin data, direct deposit number and routing number, benefits information, and device status. In one embodiment, account information may include an account number such as a direct deposit number and a routing number. For example, current employer  31 ( a ) and new employer  31 ( b ) may use a direct deposit number and a routing number to automatically deposit funds to the account on portable consumer device  32 . Account numbers are associated with a bank account in some cases. 
     Benefits information describes benefits provided by an employer to employee  30  when using portable consumer device  32 . In one embodiment, benefits information includes a fee schedule which lists fees charged to employee  30  when using portable consumer device  32  to conduct transactions. Fees may be, for example, some percentage of the value of the transactions conducted. In one case, the percentage may be less than about 5, 2, or 1 percent. Issuer  34  may collect the fees charged to employee  30  and pay all or a portion of the collected fees to the acquirer and/or merchant  36  for participating in the transactions. Transactions may include cash withdrawals which may be free to employee  30  in another example of a fee. 
     Device status refers to a state or a condition of portable consumer device  32  at a particular time. Examples of statuses include “active,” “pending issuance,” “issued,” “suspended,” “administratively suspended,” “lost,” “stolen,” “expired,” “pending account closure,” “closed,” “closed for fraud,” “returned,” “voided,” “fraud lock,” “hold,” “research required,” “stale,” and “damaged.” Current employer  31 ( a ), new employer  31 ( b ), employee  30 , issuer  34 , or combination thereof, may define the status of portable consumer device  32 . In one case, a portable consumer device  32  that has been activated has the device status of “active.” In another case, portable consumer device  32  that has been closed for fraudulent transactions has the device status of “closed for fraud.” Portable consumer device  32  may be associated with any suitable number of device statuses. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, current employer  31 ( a ) gives employee  30  portable consumer device  32  in exchange for performance. Employee  30  leaves current employer  31 ( a ) and keeps portable consumer device  32 . Benefits provided by current employer  31 ( a ) are denied to or stripped from employee  30  by removing or modifying benefits information in account information  50 . Employee  30  is transferred to a standard fee table. Employee  30  may be notified that the benefits have been stripped in one case. Employer may also loose access to account information  50  in another case. After employment begins with new employer  31 ( b ), benefits are provided by new employer  31 ( b ) by adding benefits information to account information  50 . Also, an account number such as a direct deposit number and a routing number from account information  50  are automatically transferred to new employer  31 ( b ). Thus, employee  30  retains the use of portable consumer device  32  and can receive payments from their new employer  31 ( b ). 
     The account associated with portable consumer device  32  may be placed in orphan standing after employee  30  terminates the relationship with current employer  31 ( a ). An account in orphan standing refers to an account of portable consumer device  32  with an employee that is not linked with either current employer  31 ( a ) or new employer  31 ( b ). Thus, no employer has a financial obligation to employee  30  in orphan standing. While in orphan standing, the account on portable consumer device  32  may be given a standard set of benefits according to a standard fee schedule. Employee  30  may pay for any charges associated with the standard fee schedule in one example. In another example, current employer  31 ( a ) may pay for the charges for a certain period of time or until employee  30  becomes employed by new employer  31 ( b ). The standard set of benefits may be defined by any entity such as issuer  34 , employee  30 , or other suitable entity. In some embodiments, the standard set of benefits may be pre-defined when portable consumer device  32  was issued. In other embodiments, the standard set of benefits may be defined when employee  30  leaves current employer  31 ( a ). Employee  30  may have the opportunity to modify the standard set of benefits in some cases. 
     In one embodiment, a portable consumer device  32  must qualify for placement in orphan standing and for transfer to new employer  31 ( b ). In one embodiment, portable consumer device  32  must have one or more device statuses to qualify for placement in orphan standing and for transfer to new employer  31 ( b ). Current employer  31 ( a ), new employer  31 ( b ), employee  30 , issuer  34 , or any combination thereof, may designate the one or more qualifying statuses. For example, current employer  31 ( a ) may want only those portable consumer devices  32  that have been activated to be transferred to new employer  31 ( b ). Current employer  31 ( a ) may designate that a portable consumer device  32  must have “active” status to be transferred to orphan standing. In another example, current employer  31 ( a ) may want only portable consumer devices  32  with a plurality of designated statuses to be transferred to orphan standing. In this case, the portable consumer device  32  can only be transferred to orphan standing when all the designated statuses are established. 
     In another embodiment, portable consumer device  32  that has a disqualifying status cannot be placed in orphan standing or transferred to new employer  31 ( b ). Current employer  31 ( a ), employee  30 , issuer  34 , or any combination thereof, may designate the one or more disqualifying statuses. For example, current employer  31 ( a ) may want to stop the transfer of portable consumer device  32  that has been closed because it was used in fraudulent transactions. Current employer  31 ( a ) may designate that portable consumer device  32  with a device status of “closed for fraud” cannot be transferred to new employer  31 ( b ). 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system  20  without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of system  20  may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. Moreover, the operations of system  20  may be performed by more, fewer, or other system modules. Additionally, operations of system  20  may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, other logic, or any suitable combination of the preceding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , current employer  31 ( a ) provides holder with portable consumer device  32  (step  502 ). Portable consumer device  32  may have been created by issuer  34  or provisioned by issuer  34 . For example, issuer  34  may issue portable consumer devices to the holders on behalf of current employer  31 ( a ). They could be provided directly to holder from issuer  34 , from current employer  31 ( a ), or from a third party operating on behalf of current employer  31 ( a ). A separate wage statement may also be sent from current employer  31 ( a ) to holder. It may include information such as tax information, benefits and/or salary accrued to date, etc. 
     As used herein, “holder” refers to any suitable entity that uses portable consumer device to make transactions. Holder may be an employee  30  of current employer  31 ( a ). In another embodiment, holder may be an agent of employee  30  using portable consumer device  32  for the benefit of employee  30 . In yet another of embodiment, holder may be an entity that has obtained the use of portable consumer device by any suitable means. 
     Portability refers to the concept of retaining the association between issuer  34  and the holder after the relationship initiating the issuance of portable consumer device  32  ends. Initially, for example, current employer  31 ( a ) may provide a holder with portable consumer device  32  in exchange for services. The holder may then be terminated by current employer  31 ( a ). Even though the initiating relationship between the holder and current employer  31 ( a ) is extinguished, holder&#39;s account with issuer  34  associated with portable consumer device  32  may remain open. Thus, the holder continues to have use of their portable consumer device  32  after the initiating relationship ends. 
     A portability trigger refers to any suitable event that initiates the transfer of the account of holder from current employer  31 ( a ) to orphan standing or to next employer  31 ( b ). In one embodiment, the end of the relationship between current employer and holder may be a portability trigger. In another embodiment, the closing of the bank account of current employer  31 ( a ) may be a portability trigger. In yet another embodiment, the use of portable consumer device  32  in fraudulent transactions may be a portability trigger. Issuer  34  may be notified of the occurrence of the portability trigger from current employer  31 ( a ), from the holder, or from any other suitable entity. 
     Current employer  31 ( a ) terminates the relationship with holder of portable consumer device  32  (step  506 ). Current employer  31 ( a ) notifies issuer  34  that the relationship between current employer  31 ( a ) and holder has ended. The end of the relationship triggers portability. In response, server computer  44  on issuer  34  unlinks the holder from current employer  31 ( a ) in holder&#39;s account information  50  stored in database  46 . Holder&#39;s account with issuer  34  remains open so that holder can continue to use portable consumer device  32 . 
     As used herein, “terminates the relationship” or “terminating the relationship” may refer to any suitable way of ending the relationship between the employer and employee  30 . For example, employee  30  may resign or retire. In another example, employer may terminate or layoff the employee  30 . 
     Server computer  44  on issuer  34  places holder&#39;s account of portable consumer device  32  into orphan standing (step  510 ). The holder is not associated with an employer while holder&#39;s account is in orphan standing. Accordingly, current employer  31 ( a ) does not have a financial obligation to holder while holder&#39;s account is in orphan standing. Server computer  44  on issuer  34  removes access of current employer  31 ( a ) to account information  50  of holder (step  512 ). 
     Server computer  44  on issuer  34  alerts holder that the account on portable consumer device  32  is in orphan standing. Server computer  44  on issuer  34  also sends holder information concerning the terms and conditions of orphan standing (step  514 ). In one embodiment, an email is sent to holder with: information discussing orphan standing, a link to terms and conditions, and a letter with information regarding a direct deposit number and a routing number that apply while the account is in orphan standing. 
     Server computer  44  on issuer  34  transfers the account on portable consumer device  32  to a standard fee schedule (step  518 ). The standard fee schedule may be pre-defined by issuer  34  or other entity. In some cases, holder may pay for any charges incurred under the standard fee schedule. Server computer  44  on issuer  34  also updates account information  50  stored on database  46  (step  522 ). Account information  50  is updated to reflect that holder is no longer associated with current employer  31 ( a ) and that the standard fee schedule applies. 
     Holder may initiate a relationship with new employer  31 ( b ) in one embodiment. New employer  31 ( b ) may notify issuer  34  that the relationship with holder has initiated. In response, server computer  44  on issuer  34  may link the holder to new employer  31 ( b ) in holder&#39;s account information  50  stored in database  46  on issuer  34 . New employer  31 ( b ) may provide benefits information to issuer  34  describing the benefits that new employer  31 ( b ) will provide to employee  30  including a new fee schedule. Server computer  44  on issuer  34  may transfer the account to the new fee schedule. In some cases, new employer  31 ( b ) may pay for some or all of the charges incurred under the new fee schedule. Server computer  44  on issuer  34  may also update account information  50  stored on database  46  to reflect the new relationship with new employer  31 ( b ) and the new fee schedule. Server computer  44  on issuer  34  may also provide new employer  31 ( b ) with a direct deposit number and a routing number so that new employer can deposit funds into holder&#39;s account with issuer  34  to make funds available to holder on portable consumer device  32 . In one case, new employer  31 ( b ) may also be current employer  31 ( a ). For example, current employer  31 ( a ) may hire employee  30 , terminate employee  30 , and then re-hire employee  30 . By re-hiring employee  30 , current employer  31 ( a ) also becomes new employer  31 ( b ). 
     In some embodiments, holder may have multiple or zero employers at any time. In these embodiments, the relationship between the holder and any one employer may terminate or begin at any time. Holder&#39;s account with issuer  34  associated with portable consumer device  32  may remain open even though relationships with employers end. A terminating employer may notify issuer  34  that the relationship ends. In response, server computer  44  on issuer  34  may unlink the holder from the terminating employer in holder&#39;s account information  50  stored in database  46 . In these embodiments, holder&#39;s account may use a standard fee schedule that is stored in database  46 . Server computer  44  on issuer  34  may provide any new employers  31 ( b ) with a direct deposit number and a routing number for depositing funds into holder&#39;s account to make funds available to holder with portable consumer device  32 . Server computer  44  on issuer  34  may update account information  50  stored in database  46  to reflect the existing relationships. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method without departing from the scope of the invention. The method may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     It should be understood that the present invention as described above can be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software. 
     Any of the software components or functions described in this application, may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network. 
     A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary. 
     The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents. 
     One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6