Patent ID: 7698220

Claim:
A process for performing transactional tasks using a virtual terminal, comprising presenting functions to a user, receiving a selected function, and performing the selected function; wherein the presented functions comprise: (a) activating at least one card by sending to a central processor over a private network a request to activate the card and associating a value with the card, the request resulting from a purchase of the card, wherein the virtual terminal is in selective communication with the central processor; (b) inserting value associated with the card into a pre-existing customer account with a provider of goods or services, comprising: (i) sending to the central processor a redemption request to insert at least some of the value associated with the card into the pre-existing customer account with the provider of goods or services, the redemption request including an identifier of the card and information sufficient to identify the pre-existing customer account; (ii) determining at the central processor the provider of goods or services based on the redemption request; (iii) passing from the central processor to the provider of goods or services a request to insert the value into the pre-existing customer at the provider of goods or services.