US6330544B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and process for issuing and managing forced redemption vouchers having alias account numbers
Assignee: Walker Digital LLC
•
Filing: 1999-03-05
•
Granted: 2001-12-11
•
Expires: 2019-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A redemption voucher program having systems and processes for use in a credit card system. The following steps are carried about by the systems and processes and include, but are not limited to, identifying an account issued by an account issuer, generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to the account identifier and producing a redemption voucher including the redemption voucher identifier, distributing the redemption voucher to an account owner, and, at a merchant facility, receiving a redemption voucher from the account owner during a transaction having a specified value. Thereafter, such systems and processes take care of transmitting the redemption voucher identifier and the specified value from the merchant facility to an account number clearing authority for clearing against the account. Next, at the account issuer, the systems take care of receiving a request to authorize the redemption voucher during the transaction, identifying the account corresponding to the redemption voucher identifier, authorizing the redemption voucher, updating the account based on the transaction value, and transmitting an authorization notification from the account issuer to the account number clearing authority. Then, the systems and processes take care of receiving the authorization notification and transmitting an authorization status notification in response to the authorization notification received from the account number clearing authority to the merchant facility. Finally, at the merchant facility, the systems and processes take care of receiving the authorization status notification indicating whether the redemption voucher was cleared against the account by the account issuer, accepting the redemption voucher and ensuring that the merchant facility receives a payment from the account issuer based on the transaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 Sanjay K. Jindal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/22; G06Q20/28; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0236; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A process for handling a redemption voucher, comprising the steps of: identifying an account having an account owner and an account identifier; generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier; distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner, said redemption voucher being immediately negotiable upon receipt by said account owner; and redeeming said redemption voucher, said redeeming step including determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher; said account identifier not being present on said redemption voucher.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for handling a redemption voucher, comprising the steps of: identifying an account having an account owner and an account identifier; generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier; distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner, said redemption voucher being immediately negotiable upon receipt by said account owner; and redeeming said redemption voucher, said redeeming step including determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher; said account identifier not being present on said redemption voucher.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said identifying step and said generating step are carried out within a data processing system having an account database maintaining data related to said account owner and said account identifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said producing step is carried out by a printing device and said redemption voucher is a paper form on which said redemption voucher identifier is printed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 3 , wherein said printing device is a laser printer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said redemption voucher is a gift certificate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said producing step further comprises the inclusion of a maximum redemption value to be associated with said redemption voucher.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 6 , wherein said maximum redemption value is a maximum dollar value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said redemption voucher identifier includes a portion of said account identifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said distributing step comprises the submission of said redemption voucher to said account owner via a mail service.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said account identifier is a credit card account number including a unique set of numbers and said redemption voucher identifier includes a group of numbers matching a sub-set of said unique set of numbers of said credit card account number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process according to claim 1 , wherein said account identifier is a unique credit card account number and said redemption voucher identifier includes a unique sequence of numbers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said generating step includes generating said redemption voucher identifier in a format that is useable by a credit card processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for handling a redemption voucher, comprising the steps of: identifying an account within a data processing system, said account having an account owner and an account identifier; generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier; distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner, said redemption voucher for activation by said account owner within said data processing system prior to redemption; and redeeming said redemption voucher, said redeeming step including determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for handling a redemption voucher, comprising the steps of: identifying an account within a data processing system, said account having an account owner and an account identifier; generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier; distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner, said redemption voucher for activation by said account owner within said data processing system prior to redemption; and redeeming said redemption voucher, said redeeming step including determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said identifying step and said generating step are carried out within a data processing system having an account database maintaining data related to said account owner and said account identifier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said producing step is carried out by a printing device and said redemption voucher is a paper form on which said redemption voucher identifier is printed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 15 , wherein said printing device is a laser printer unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said redemption voucher is a gift certificate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said producing step further comprises the inclusion of a maximum redemption value to be associated with said redemption voucher.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 18 , wherein said maximum redemption value is a maximum dollar value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said redemption voucher identifier includes a portion of said account identifier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said distributing step comprises the submission of said redemption voucher to said account owner via a mail service.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said account identifier is a credit card account number including a unique set of numbers and said redemption voucher identifier includes a group of numbers matching a sub-set of said unique set of numbers of said credit card account number.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said account identifier is a unique credit card account number and said redemption voucher identifier includes a unique sequence of numbers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process according to claim 13 , wherein said generating step includes generating said redemption voucher identifier in a format that is useable by a credit card processor.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for handling a redemption voucher comprising: a data processing sub-system maintaining a database of information related to an account having an account identifier and an account owner and generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; a production sub-system producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier, said account identifier not being present on said redemption voucher; a distribution sub-system distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner, said redemption voucher being immediately negotiable upon receipt by said account owner; and a redemption sub-system redeeming said redemption voucher and determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for handling a redemption voucher comprising: a data processing sub-system maintaining a database of information related to an account having an account identifier and an account owner and generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; a production sub-system producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier, said account identifier not being present on said redemption voucher; a distribution sub-system distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner, said redemption voucher being immediately negotiable upon receipt by said account owner; and a redemption sub-system redeeming said redemption voucher and determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said data processing sub-system is a general purpose computing system and said production sub-system includes a laser printing device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said redemption voucher is a paper form having said redemption voucher identifier printed thereon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said redemption voucher is a gift certificate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said account identifier is a credit card number including a set of numbers and said redemption voucher identifier includes a sub-set of numbers equal to a sub-set of said set of numbers of said credit card number.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said account identifier and said redemption voucher identifier are unique sets of numbers.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said account identifier comprises a format useable by a credit card processor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said redemption voucher includes a maximum value designator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 32 , wherein said maximum value designator is adapted to be set by said account owner.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein said redemption voucher includes a merchant designator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 33 , wherein said merchant designator is adapted to be set by said account owner.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for handling a redemption voucher comprising: a data processing sub-system maintaining a database of information related to an account having an account identifier and an account owner and generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; a production sub-system producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier, said redemption voucher for activation within said data processing system by said account owner prior to redemption of said redemption voucher; a distribution sub-system distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner; and a redemption sub-system redeeming said redemption voucher and determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for handling a redemption voucher comprising: a data processing sub-system maintaining a database of information related to an account having an account identifier and an account owner and generating a redemption voucher identifier corresponding to said account identifier; a production sub-system producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier, said redemption voucher for activation within said data processing system by said account owner prior to redemption of said redemption voucher; a distribution sub-system distributing said redemption voucher to said account owner; and a redemption sub-system redeeming said redemption voucher and determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said data processing sub-system is a general purpose computing system and said production sub-system includes a laser printing device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said redemption voucher is a paper form having said redemption voucher identifier printed thereon.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said redemption voucher is a gift certificate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said account identifier is a credit card number including a set of numbers and said redemption voucher identifier includes a sub-set of numbers equal to a sub-set of said set of numbers of said credit card number.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said account identifier is a unique credit card number and said redemption voucher identifier includes a unique sequence of numbers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said account identifier comprises a format useable by a credit card processor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said redemption voucher includes a maximum value designator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 43 , wherein said maximum value designator is adapted to be set by said account owner.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein said redemption voucher includes a merchant designator.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 45 , wherein said merchant designator is adapted to be set by said account owner.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
121 words
A process for handling redemption vouchers, comprising the steps of: analyzing a database including information related to an account having an account owner and an account identifier; determining a redemption value based on an analysis of said information conducted during said analyzing step; establishing a redemption voucher identifier to correspond to said account identifier; producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier and said redemption value, said account identifier not being present on said redemption voucher; updating said database based on said redemption voucher identifier and said redemption value; issuing said redemption voucher to said account owner; and redeeming said redemption voucher, said redeeming step including determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
121 words
A process for handling redemption vouchers, comprising the steps of: analyzing a database including information related to an account having an account owner and an account identifier; determining a redemption value based on an analysis of said information conducted during said analyzing step; establishing a redemption voucher identifier to correspond to said account identifier; producing a redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier and said redemption value, said account identifier not being present on said redemption voucher; updating said database based on said redemption voucher identifier and said redemption value; issuing said redemption voucher to said account owner; and redeeming said redemption voucher, said redeeming step including determining whether said account has available credit to cover redemption of said redemption voucher.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said producing step is carried out by a laser printing device and said redemption voucher is a paper form.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said redemption voucher is negotiable upon receipt by said account owner.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said account is a credit card account and said account identifier is a credit card number.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 50 , wherein said analyzing step includes the analysis of the credit worthiness of said credit card account.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said redemption value is a maximum redemption value.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said issuing step includes mailing said redemption voucher to said account.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said database comprises an account table maintaining data related said account, a redemption voucher table maintaining data related to said redemption voucher including said redemption voucher identifier and said redemption value.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 54 , wherein said updating step includes storing said redemption voucher identifier and said redemption value in said redemption voucher table.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 47 , wherein said account is a debit card account and said account identifier is a debit card number.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |