US6827260B2 — Systems and methods for utilizing a point-of-sale…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 172 words

A method for effectuating transactions, the method comprising: providing a point-of-sale device, wherein the point-of-sale device includes a processor and a memory; associating the point-of-sale device with a money transfer system to transfer monetary values from senders to recipients and with a remote transaction system, wherein associating the point-of-sale device with the money transfer system includes communicably coupling the point-of-sale device to the money transfer system via a communication network, and wherein associating the point-of-sale device with the second remote transaction system includes communicably coupling the point-of-sale device to the second remote transaction system via the communication network; receiving a money transfer transaction request via the point-of-sale device; and fulfilling a transaction in response to the money transfer transaction request, wherein fulfilling the transaction comprises inputting a monetary amount corresponding to a monetary amount received from a sender into the point-of-sale device, inputting recipient information for a designated recipient of the monetary amount, and communicating the monetary amount and the recipient information to the money transfer system via the first communication network.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 172 words

A method for effectuating transactions, the method comprising: providing a point-of-sale device, wherein the point-of-sale device includes a processor and a memory; associating the point-of-sale device with a money transfer system to transfer monetary values from senders to recipients and with a remote transaction system, wherein associating the point-of-sale device with the money transfer system includes communicably coupling the point-of-sale device to the money transfer system via a communication network, and wherein associating the point-of-sale device with the second remote transaction system includes communicably coupling the point-of-sale device to the second remote transaction system via the communication network; receiving a money transfer transaction request via the point-of-sale device; and fulfilling a transaction in response to the money transfer transaction request, wherein fulfilling the transaction comprises inputting a monetary amount corresponding to a monetary amount received from a sender into the point-of-sale device, inputting recipient information for a designated recipient of the monetary amount, and communicating the monetary amount and the recipient information to the money transfer system via the first communication network.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote transaction system is a fraud detection system, to detect potential fraud in relation to money transfer transactions.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the point-of-sale device is a first point-of-sale device, and wherein the method further comprises: using a second point-of-sale device to enter identifying information for the recipient; and transmitting the identifying information using the second point-of-sale device to the money transfer system.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the point-of-sale device includes a base unit configured for accepting a merchant input and a peripheral unit configured for accepting customer input, and wherein receiving the transaction request includes receiving the merchant input via the base unit.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 4 , wherein the base includes a touch screen, and wherein at least a portion of the merchant input is entered via the touch screen.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the point-of-sale device includes a base unit configured for accepting a merchant input and a peripheral unit configured for accepting customer input, and wherein receiving the transaction request includes receiving the customer input via the peripheral unit.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 6 , wherein the peripheral unit includes a magnetic stripe reader, and wherein at least a portion of the customer input is entered via the magnetic stripe reader.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the point-of-sale device includes a base unit configured for accepting a merchant input and a peripheral unit configured for accepting customer input, and wherein receiving the transaction request includes receiving the customer input via the peripheral unit and receiving the merchant input via the base unit.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote transaction system is a stored value card system to credit and debit stored value accounts, the method further comprising fulfilling a second transaction request to purchase a stored value card using the point-of-sale device.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 56 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein fulfilling the second transaction comprises: entering an amount of payment into the point-of-sale device, wherein funds associated with the payment are received by a merchant associated with the point-of-sale device; loading at least a portion of the funds onto a stored value card; and issuing the stored value card.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 10 , the method further comprising: communicating the portion of funds loaded onto the stored value card from the point-of-sale device to the stored value card system, wherein an account indicating the amount of funds available on the stored value card is created.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

The method of claim 10 , the method further comprising: identifying the customer to the point-of-sale device; and communicating the portion of funds loaded onto the stored value card and the identification of the customer from the point-of-sale device to the stored value card system, wherein an account associated with the identified customer and including the amount of funds available on the stored value card is created.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein the stored value card is inactive upon issuance, and wherein a customer receiving the stored value card must contact the stored value card system to activate the stored value card.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 99 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote transaction system is a stored value card system to credit and debit stored value accounts, the method further comprising fulfilling a second transaction, wherein fulfilling the second transaction comprises: receiving the stored value card at an interface associated with the point-of-sale device; contacting the stored value card system using the point-of-sale device, wherein both the stored value card and an amount are communicated to the stored value card system; and receiving an approval from the stored value card system to charge the goods or services against the stored value card.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 14 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a printer, the method further comprising: providing a receipt via the printer, wherein the receipt includes information associated with the fulfilled transaction.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising: identifying a customer to the point-of-sale device.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein identifying the customer is done by entering the customer information via a keyboard associated with the point-of-sale device.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein identifying the customer comprises swiping a card with customer information through a magnetic card reader associated with the point-of-sale device.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein identifying the customer comprises receiving a radio frequency signal at the point-of-sale device from a transmitting device associated with the customer, and wherein the radio frequency signal includes information for identifying a customer.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote transaction system is a check acceptance system, the method further comprising fulfilling a second transaction request, wherein fulfilling the second transaction request comprises communicating with the check acceptance system using the point-of-sale device to authorize a check received as payment for a purchase.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a MICR reader and an input interface, and wherein fulfilling the second transaction comprises: inserting a check into the point-of-sale device; and reading the MICR line associated with the check using the MICR reader.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 86 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a MICR reader, a communication device, an input interface, and wherein fulfilling the second transaction comprises: reading the MICR line associated with the check with the MICR reader; entering an amount of the check via the input interface; communicating the amount and information associated with the MICR line to the check acceptance system using the communication device; and receiving an authorization to accept the check, wherein the authorization is received from the check acceptance system.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 22 , wherein the authorization includes an indication that the check can be processed using electronic check authorization.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 76 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a MICR reader, a communication device, and a printer, and wherein fulfilling the transaction comprises: reading the MICR line associated with the check using the MICR reader; communicating information associated with the MICR line to the check acceptance system using the communication device; receiving an authorization to accept the check from the check acceptance system; and printing a receipt for the transaction via the printer.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 24 , wherein fulfilling the second transaction further comprises: receiving a signature of the customer; and electronically transferring funds associated with the check to an account associated with a merchant operating the point-of-sale device.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 24 , wherein the printer is a roll printer, wherein the point-of-sale device further comprises a slip printer, and wherein fulfilling the transaction further comprises: electronically transferring funds associated with the check to an account associated with a merchant operating the point-of-sale device; and defacing the check using the slip printer.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 67 words

The method of claim 24 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a MICR reader, a communication device, and wherein fulfilling the transaction comprises: reading the MICR line associated with the check using the MICR reader; communicating information associated with the MICR line to the check acceptance system using the communication device; and receiving an indication from the check acceptance system that electronic check authorization is not available.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 27 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a printer, and wherein fulfilling the transaction further comprises: inserting the check into the point-of-sale device; and using the printer to frank the check.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 28 , the method further comprising: printing at least a portion of the check using the printer.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 144 words

A method for performing value transfers across an electronic network, the method comprising: providing a point-of-sale device; associating the point-of-sale device with a stored value card system to debit and credit stored value accounts; associating the point-of-sale device with a check acceptance system to authorize checks presented as payment for crediting stored value accounts; receiving a transaction request via the point-of-sale device; and fulfilling a transaction in response to the transaction request, using the point-of-sale device wherein both the stored value card system and the check acceptance system are accessed, and wherein fulfilling the transaction comprises receiving the stored value card at an interface associated with the point-of-sale device, communicating the stored value card and an amount to the stored value card system using the point-of-sale device, and receiving an approval at the point-of-sale device to charge the amount against the stored value card.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 144 words

A method for performing value transfers across an electronic network, the method comprising: providing a point-of-sale device; associating the point-of-sale device with a stored value card system to debit and credit stored value accounts; associating the point-of-sale device with a check acceptance system to authorize checks presented as payment for crediting stored value accounts; receiving a transaction request via the point-of-sale device; and fulfilling a transaction in response to the transaction request, using the point-of-sale device wherein both the stored value card system and the check acceptance system are accessed, and wherein fulfilling the transaction comprises receiving the stored value card at an interface associated with the point-of-sale device, communicating the stored value card and an amount to the stored value card system using the point-of-sale device, and receiving an approval at the point-of-sale device to charge the amount against the stored value card.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of claim 30 , the method further comprising: associating the point-of-sale device with a fraud detection system to detect potential fraud in relation to stored value card usage; and wherein fulfilling the transaction in response to the transaction request further comprises accessing the fraud detection system third.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-12-07	2008-06-07	2008-12-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-12-07	2012-06-07	2012-12-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-12-07	2016-06-07	2016-12-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Systems and methods for utilizing a point-of-sale system

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