Pre-paid card system and method

Details Pre-paid card system and method Pre-paid card system and method

1996-11-18

1998-02-24

Kuntz, Curtis

Telephonic communications

With usage measurement

Call charge metering or monitoring

379121, 379144, 235380, 34082534, G06H 500, G07D 700, H04M 1500, H04M 1700

Patent

active

057217688

ABSTRACT:
A pre-paid card system enables customers to make purchases using an authorized card. The system includes four main functional components: a plurality of cards, a host computer, a plurality of on-site activation terminals and a main processor. Each of the cards having a security number associated therewith. The card is typically formed of cardboard, paper or plastic and may include the security number in cleartext under a suitable blackout. The main management and processing of the system is effected by the host computer. The host includes a database for storing security numbers associated with authorized cards. The data terminals are remote from the host computer and connectible thereto for transmitting data between the terminals and the host computer. The processor is controlled by the host computer for enabling customer purchases using the authorized cards.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3652795 (1972-03-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 4439636 (1984-03-01), Newkirk et al.
patent: 4587379 (1986-05-01), Masuda
patent: 4706275 (1987-11-01), Kamil
patent: 4776000 (1988-10-01), Parienti
patent: 4877947 (1989-10-01), Toru
patent: 4879794 (1989-11-01), Tasaski
patent: 4951308 (1990-08-01), Bishop et al.
patent: 5086457 (1992-02-01), Barraud et al.
patent: 5101098 (1992-03-01), Yoshinobu
patent: 5146067 (1992-09-01), Sloan et al.
patent: 5155342 (1992-10-01), Takayoshi
patent: 5163086 (1992-11-01), Ahearn et al.
patent: 5192947 (1993-03-01), Neustein
patent: 5225666 (1993-07-01), Carmelo et al.
patent: 5226073 (1993-07-01), Albal et al.
patent: 5264689 (1993-11-01), Erik et al.
patent: 5266785 (1993-11-01), Alanara et al.
patent: 5327482 (1994-07-01), Yamamoto
patent: 5352876 (1994-10-01), Wantababe et al.
patent: 5359182 (1994-10-01), Schilling
patent: 5359642 (1994-10-01), Castro
patent: 5408519 (1995-04-01), Pierce et al.
patent: 5409092 (1995-04-01), Itaka et al.
patent: 5450477 (1995-09-01), Amarant et al.
patent: 5477038 (1995-12-01), Levine et al.
patent: 5504808 (1996-04-01), Hamrick, Jr.
patent: 5621787 (1997-04-01), McKowy et al.
Stimson, "Prepaid Calling Cards--Friend or Foe?", Public Communications Magazine, pp. 18-20 (Aug. 1994).
Perkins et al., Ed, Card Calling and Pay Telephones, Consumer Reports 1992 Travel Buying Guide, 1992, pp. 293-299.
Article, Payment Systems: Europe Steals a Lead in Chip Card Systems, but They Pose New Problems, Tech Europe, Sep. 9, 1993, Section 85.
Article, AFS Pulls Out of Shrinking Travellers Cheque Market, MEED Middle East Business Weekly, Mar. 11, 1994, vol. 38, No. 10, p. 4.
Article, 2 Networks, 2 Philosophies, The American Banker, Sep. 9, 1994, p. 8.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Pre-paid card system and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Pre-paid card system and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pre-paid card system and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1879691