WO1999006967A2 - Expected value payment systems for refunding balances on stored value cards - Google Patents
Expected value payment systems for refunding balances on stored value cards Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999006967A2 WO1999006967A2 PCT/US1998/016029 US9816029W WO9906967A2 WO 1999006967 A2 WO1999006967 A2 WO 1999006967A2 US 9816029 W US9816029 W US 9816029W WO 9906967 A2 WO9906967 A2 WO 9906967A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- pes
- balance
- card
- refund
- bet
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
- G06Q20/3437—Cards including a counter the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
Definitions
- the invention of this specification makes use of the expected value payment method (EVPM) of US Pat. 5,269,521. Certain novel methods, disclosed herein, are required to apply the EVPM to refunding balances on stored value cards. Although billions of stored value cards have been used over two decades, as far as the inventor knows, no one has proposed or implemented a system for refunding balances through EVPM bets.
- EVPM expected value payment method
- the invention is actually two related inventions. Each of these is a payment execution system for stored value cards that incorporates EVPM means for refunding balances on such cards.
- One system enables people to refund balances on cards whose account balances are stored on a central computer.
- the other system enables people to refund balances on cards whose balances are stored on a magnetic medium that is part of the cards.
- a balance is the value that remains on a stored value card.
- a refund bet is an EVPM bet for refunding a balance.
- a bet signal is a command that is given to execute a refund bet.
- a payoff is the amount that can be won in a refund bet by a user of a card.
- An RN is a random number (integer) that is used to decide a refund bet.
- RNS is a random number supplier that is used to supply the RN. Also called a random number generator (RNG).
- RNG random number generator
- Dix is the name we use to represent a user or the user.
- CAB Cards Central Account Balance Cards
- These cards have an account number that corresponds to an account that is maintained in a central database that is accessed over a network.
- the two major sub-types of these cards are memory-aid cards and machine-readable cards.
- Memory-aid cards have numbers printed on them and are really just memory-aids for people.
- the data storage and processing occur on a central computer database. Examples of these are pre-paid phonecards of the kind most commonly used in the US. Dix dials in to a central computer and enters the number of the phonecard. He can then use the value "on the card”.
- the account information is on a central computer, the PES, that credits and debits money from the account.
- Machine-readable cards have an account number stored on a machine readable medium, usually a magnetic strip.
- the account information is read by an input device, such as a point-of- sale terminal, and then transmitted on-line to a central database where payment processing occurs. Examples of these are pre-paid giftcards that are read by online debit card terminals.
- the magnetic strip on this kind of card can also contain account balance information to enable an easy read-out of the balance using a card reading terminal. Still, the PES relies on the balance being maintained on a central database, rather than on the strip. 2.
- Magnetic Media Balance Cards MMB Cards
- These cards store payment data on a magnetic strip as, for example, metro farecards. Card readers add and subtract value.
- the PES is the card readers that take currency and/or other forms of payment and transfer it to the cards. Card readers can add value, subtract value or do both. In a PES for this kind of card the balance is held on the magnetic strip, not a central database.
- Smartcards These cards include internal chips with logic and memory means for recording and manipulating payment data. The methods disclosed for MMB cards are easily adapted to smartcards. Bets can also be executed by the logic means of the cards. We will not discuss smartcards because ' we would be repeating sacred.
- Dix can "push a button" or an expiration date can be used as a default.
- Dix can "push a button" or an expiration date can be used as a default.
- Section 1 The expiration date bet signal in PES's for memory-aid cards.
- Section 2 The push-button bet signal in PES's for memory-aid cards.
- Section 3 The expiration date bet signal in PES's for MMB cards.
- Section 4 The push-button bet signal in PES's for MMB cards.
- sub-sections and addenda describe features that can be added to these core processes. These sub-sections describe features that may apply to more than one kind of PES.
- the PES "gets" an RN because, where an expiration date signal is used, the RN for deciding refund bets would commonly e one generated by a public RNG. Data identifying the RNG and the time that the RN is to be generated — e.g., the Powerball number on a given date — would be printed on the card. As with conventional lotteries, the RN's that decide bets would be posted in various ways so that Dix's could check them.
- the PES can capture Dix's account number through a webform, check the number, and if genuine, output the result of Dix's refund bet. Similarly, the PES can make results available by IVR means.
- the payoff can be standard or the PES can include input means (interactive voice response means) for enabling Dix to set the payoff. These input means can prompt Dix to enter the payoff amount he desires. If Dix enters a payoff, the PES stores it as part of the card account information. Likewise, the expiration date can be predetermined or the PES can include means for enabling Dix to set the expiration date.
- the expiration date can be set at the time of manufacture. If so, the PES stores the expiration date as part of the card account information.
- the expiration date can be a predetermined period of time after the first use of the card.
- the PES checks whether a balance remains at the end of the expiration period and, if so, executes a refund bet.
- the PES If the PES enables Dix to set the expiration date, and if Dix sets the date, the PES stores the date as part of the card account information.
- a basic way to cause a refund bet to be executed is by a human actuated signal, which we will call a push-button bet signal (even though the actuating mechanism does not have to be a button — it can, for example, be a voice command).
- an interactive voice response PES for pre-paid phonecards can include commands for enabling Dix to signal that he wants an EVPM bet to be executed to refund the card balance.
- the payoff can be standard or, the PES can enable Dix to set the payoff.
- Embodiment A PES That Refunds Balances on Pre-paid Phonecards
- the PES is an interactive voice response system that includes conventional means for adding to and subtracting from account balances.
- the PES includes means for executing refund bets.
- the PES includes a refund command signifying that Dix wants to get a refund by the EVPM.
- the PES might enable Dix to press "**" before placing a call, or after the completion of a call, or any time during a call, to instruct the system to execute a refund bet.
- the payoff can be standard or it can be variable. Below, we'll assume it is variable (settable by Dix).
- the PES can also prompt Dix when his card balance dips below a threshold. For example, the PES might say, "Your balance is $1, do you want to have the amount refunded by a bet? You can win $100. Your odds will be 1/100. If yes, press "1".
- the PES prefferably includes an input/output interface through a website. The user could then enter his phonecard number into a webform and the central database would return the balance. Then the user could enter a refund command and the PES could execute the refund bet.
- a PES for refunding balances on machine readable CAB cards incorporates the same basic procedures as described above. The main difference is in the way that the user interacts with the central database system.
- the card supplies the account ID data, via a card reading terminal. Thus, the initial steps of accessing the account are performed automatically. Then, the user would be presented with options, including the option to enter a refund command.
- the card reading terminal would also include display means for viewing the balance and showing the result of a refund bet.
- One anti-cheating method that lends itself readily to memory-aid cards is the use of a random number generating formula that is verifiably independent of the owner of the PES.
- independent we mean that it is created by a neutral third party.
- the formula is stored by the PES and by the third party.
- the formula is tagged so that it can be identified.
- the PES stores a tagged formula (or a pointer to it) as part of a card's account information. This formula is the one that is used for that card account. (The PES can store different formulas for different accounts.)
- An advantage key to using an independent RNG formula is that the seed value for the formula can be the date Dix decides to do a refund bet. (It can also be the date and the account number.)
- the formula is verifiable in the sense that if Dix wants to verify the RN he can contact the third party's server and enter the tag and the date of the bet. The third party's server will then find the " formula corresponding to the tag, feed the date into the formula and, output the resulting RN. Dix can then see if it is the same RN as was used in his bet with the PES.
- Dix's card account can be associated with the formula so that Dix can merely enter his account number, which would serve as the tag.
- the third party server can verify the RN for a date only after that date is past.
- Dix can enter the seed value by IVR means. This method is fair as well — since the PES cannot influence the seed value Dix enters — but it is not as simple as using a date.
- Another variation is to have the PES store a tagged RN input with each card account.
- the PES's RN input is verifiably independent in the sense that it is tagged and stored by a third party.
- Dix enters an input that is combined with the tagged RN for his card account.
- Dix If an anti-cheat method is used where Dix enters an input, then measures must be taken to insure that Dix does not cheat.
- One such measure is for the PES to store a release key along with a tagged RN. This key would be needed to verify an RN. Otherwise, before Dix decided to do a refund bet, he could check which resulting RN corresponded to his input. So, the PES can store a release key along with an RNG formula or a tagged RN input. After a bet is decided for Dix's card account, the PES outputs the key.
- Dix can be prevented from cheating is to have the third party server alert the PES every time that Dix checks an RN. If he tries to check an RN in advance of initiating a bet, he can be disqualified. In this case, the third party server can be considered part of the PES.
- Dix wants a check there must be a way to identify him.
- the PES can include voicemail means that let Dix enter his ID data such that the PES registers that the voicemail message corresponds to the winning bet. Human operators can then check the voicemail to capture the ID data. Alternatively, the PES can output a redemption phone number that Dix can call to talk to a human operator. Another simple way is for Dix to mail in a winning card, along with his name and address, to a redemption center.
- the PES can also enable Dix to enter contact data, such as a phone number, in advance of the execution of a refund bet. For example, if the phonecard is sold through a website, Dix can enter his phone number into a webform. Another way contact data can be given is through IVR means whereby the PES prompts Dix to enter his phone number using a phone keypad the first time he uses his card. The phone number is captured and can be used in the event that he wins a refund bet.
- contact data such as a phone number
- the PES Whenever the PES "sends a check" it can register the fact that the corresponding bet debt has been paid for that account.
- the "send-a-check" functionality may be separate from the functionality for maintaining account balances and executing bets.
- a PES can enable users to refund card balances by either an expiration date signal or by a human actuated signal.
- Dix can be given the option of refunding any time he is using his card. If he chooses not do to so within a given period of time, the expiration date becomes the signal for executing a refund bet. In other words, if Dix does not actuate a refund bet by an expiration date, and if a balance remains on his card after this expiration date, then the PES automatically executes the refund bet.
- copicard we will mean a card that is dispensed by a PES that does not print anything on the card. The balance can only be seen by inserting the card into a PES card reader which then displays the balance. (Pre-printed instructions may be on the card telling Dix how to use it.)
- Pre-printed instructions may be on the card telling Dix how to use it.
- farecard we will mean a card that is dispensed by a PES that can print information on the card. Pre-printed instructions may also be on the card telling Dix how to use it.
- an expiration date as a signal for copicard and farecard refund bets is simple.
- the refund bet is executed.
- the bet is decided by an RN that is generated by a public RNG.
- the bet terms are set on the card.
- the identity of the public RNG will be preprinted on the card. If the payoff is standard then it too can be pre-printed on the card.
- the expiration date may also be printed on the card.
- the problem with this method is that Dix can potentially cheat by changing the balance after he sees the RN. Therefore, the PES must stop Dix from changing the balance. Further, the PES must prevent Dix from using a card on or after its expiration date. Otherwise he could check if he won on the expiration day, and if he lost he could continue using his card. Thus, the PES must include means for checking the expiration date on cards and rejecting expired cards.
- PES's can also include input means — buttons — for enabling Dix to set the expiration date and the payoff amount to be stored on a card that is dispensed to him. This data is magnetically stored just like balance data. The data can then be verified at a redemption center. (Note: if the PES can print on the card, it can print the expiration date and the payoff on the card.)
- a PES will include a button that, when pushed, signifies that Dix wants a refund bet to be executed. After Dix pushes the button the PES executes a bet.
- the payoff for the bet can be standard.
- the PES can include means for enabling Dix to enter the payoff
- the PES can include a set of predetermined payoffs that Dix can choose from, or the PES can include means for enabling Dix to enter any payoff he desires.
- variable payoffs or multiple, pre-set payoffs are smaller payoffs can be used as trade while the bigger payoffs can be redeemed for cash. For example, one payoff can be set at one full metro fare, while another can be set a $100. The smaller amount would normally be chosen by someone who wanted to use the card to pay for additional service while the larger amount would more likely be redeemed for cash.
- Embodiment Dispenser for MMB Cards
- the PES in this case is the machine that credits value to cards.
- the dispenser enables people to insert cards so as to add value or get refunds.
- the dispenser includes a button for executing a refund bet.
- the dispenser also includes means for setting the payoff of a refund bet.
- the PES is a conventional card dispenser including logic means for executing refund bets, an input button for signifying that Dix wants to do a refund bet, and buttons for entering the payoff amount of refund bets.
- the PES executes the following steps: —reads the balance, —checks to see if the refund bet button has been pushed, if not, allows Dix to add credit to the card through cash payments, if yes, checks to see if a payoff has been entered, if no, displays a message telling the user to enter a payoff, if yes, registers the payoff and supplies an RN that ranges from 1 to the number of cents in the payoff, compares the RN to the number of cents in the balance, if the RN is greater than the number of cents in the balance, keeps the farecard and displays a message saying Dix has lost. if the RN is less than or equal to the number of cents in the balance, dispenses a new far
- the anti-cheat methods using tagged RNG formulas and tagged RN's, described in Section 2, can be used with MMB cards as well.
- the PES card reader stores an RNG formula (or RN input) to correspond to a card, and the PES can display the tag for a card's formula — just as it displays the balance — when the card is inserted into the reader. (Alternatively, the card can have the tag preprinted on it.) If the PES enables Dix to enter a seed or an RN input, then the PES will also include input means for this purpose.
- Yet another anti-cheat method is for the PES to display a real time, running total of its bet results — its net profit or loss from bets and it's profit or loss margin. Let us be a little more specific and define a few terms.
- the total profit (it can be negative) is total winnings minus the total losses.
- the total amount risked by the PES is the sum of the PES's stakes that the PES has risked in all its bets.
- the profit margin (it can be negative) is the total profit divided by the total amount risked.
- the PES can keep a running display of its total winnings, total losses, total profit and profit margin.
- the PES does not have to display all of these figures to demonstrate that its bets are fair, but it can do so.
- Dix's bet The key to making this display an anti-cheat mechanism is that the result statistics are shown in real time and are affected by Dix's bet. Thus, Dix can see his bet reflected in the result totals. If Dix loses, he can see the PES's total profit go up by the amount that he lost. And if Dix wins, he can see the PES's total profit go down by the amount that he won.
- a PES can execute the following steps: —decide the bet, if the PES wins the bet, add the winnings to the total winnings, if the PES loses the bet, add the loss to the total losses, —calculate the total profit, —calculate the profit margin, —display total winnings, total losses, total profit, and the profit margin.
- the CAB card PES's described above can enable refund bets to be executed by a server controlled by a third party which we will call a neutral, bet server (NBS).
- NBS neutral, bet server
- Using a third party reduces concerns about rigged bets.
- the PES transmits to the NBS a list of accounts that have expired and their balances.
- the NBS can then execute refund bets for all of those accounts.
- the results can then be transmitted back to the PES. Users can find out the results by querying the NBS which can have any of several number of input/output means for enabling users to check whether they have lost or won their bets. If the PES reports the results then the NBS can act as a verifying server.
- the PES can transmit the bet terms to an online NBS in real-time.
- the bet terms would include the account number, the balance and the payoff.
- the NBS then transmits back the result to the PES which can then report the result to Dix in real time.
- the NBS can also act as a verifying server.
- the NBS can also include means for handling the paying off of winning bets.
- Addendum 2 Enabling Different Balances for Purchasing and Refunding
- the EV in a refund bet may be less than the balance on a card. In practice, this will usually be the case, if only to allow the card issuer to recover the costs of transacting refunds.
- Stored value cards are used, predominantly, to pay for something sold by a particular vendor, for example, phone service or subway transportation or gifts from a particular store. Because of this fact, the vendors who issue these cards have an incentive to establish two kinds of balances, one for purchasing something from the vendor, and one for refunding the balance.
- having separate balances is the only feasible approach, as when the cards are sold through a middleman — for example, a phonecard being resold through a retail store — because when a user refunds a balance, it is hard to get the money back from the middleman.
- the user will normally have to settle for a refund balance that is substantially lower than the purchase balance.
- a purchase balance as the amount of value on a card for purchasing a particular product or service from the issuer of the card.
- the refund balance will be equal to or less than the purchase balance.
- the refund balance would normally be a simple percentage of the purchase balance (minus, perhaps, some flat charge). For example, the refund balance might be 80% of the purchase balance.
- the main modification to the PES's described above is that the EV of a refund bet equals the refund balance not the purchase balance.
- the PES upon receiving a refund signal from the user, calculates the refund balance from the purchase balance and executes a bet where the EV equals the refund balance, and outputs the results.
- a PES's logic means can incorporate such thresholds and check against them when Dix attempts to initiate a refund bet using a push-button signal.
- the PES upon registering a push-button bet signal, the PES checks to see if the balance is less than or equal to a threshold, if not, the bet is canceled and the PES outputs a message telling Dix that his balance is too high to conduct the bet. (Likewise, an expiration bet signal can be nullified if the rules thresholds are not met.)
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU86818/98A AU8681898A (en) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-08-03 | Expected value payment systems for refunding balances on stored value cards |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US5459897P | 1997-08-01 | 1997-08-01 | |
US60/054,598 | 1997-08-01 | ||
US7060298P | 1998-01-06 | 1998-01-06 | |
US60/070,602 | 1998-01-06 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999006967A2 true WO1999006967A2 (en) | 1999-02-11 |
WO1999006967A3 WO1999006967A3 (en) | 1999-04-22 |
Family
ID=26733247
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1998/016029 WO1999006967A2 (en) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-08-03 | Expected value payment systems for refunding balances on stored value cards |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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AU (1) | AU8681898A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999006967A2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6611818B1 (en) | 1997-11-26 | 2003-08-26 | Randy Mersky | Method and apparatus for facilitating customer payments to creditors from a remote site |
US7296003B2 (en) | 2001-08-17 | 2007-11-13 | Globex Financial Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for facilitating manual payments for transactions conducted over a network |
US7587434B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 | 2009-09-08 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Method and system for managing a distributed transaction process |
US7774273B2 (en) | 2002-07-30 | 2010-08-10 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing benefits |
US8340979B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 | 2012-12-25 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for electronically processing government sponsored benefits |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4722554A (en) * | 1986-08-27 | 1988-02-02 | St. Ives Laboratories, Inc. | Alternative-value paper refund form |
US5269521A (en) * | 1990-08-22 | 1993-12-14 | Rossides Michael T | Expected value payment method and system for reducing the expected per unit costs of paying and/or receiving a given amount of a commodity |
US5620182A (en) * | 1990-08-22 | 1997-04-15 | Rossides; Michael T. | Expected value payment method and system for reducing the expected per unit costs of paying and/or receiving a given ammount of a commodity |
-
1998
- 1998-08-03 WO PCT/US1998/016029 patent/WO1999006967A2/en active Application Filing
- 1998-08-03 AU AU86818/98A patent/AU8681898A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4722554A (en) * | 1986-08-27 | 1988-02-02 | St. Ives Laboratories, Inc. | Alternative-value paper refund form |
US5269521A (en) * | 1990-08-22 | 1993-12-14 | Rossides Michael T | Expected value payment method and system for reducing the expected per unit costs of paying and/or receiving a given amount of a commodity |
US5620182A (en) * | 1990-08-22 | 1997-04-15 | Rossides; Michael T. | Expected value payment method and system for reducing the expected per unit costs of paying and/or receiving a given ammount of a commodity |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6611818B1 (en) | 1997-11-26 | 2003-08-26 | Randy Mersky | Method and apparatus for facilitating customer payments to creditors from a remote site |
US7296003B2 (en) | 2001-08-17 | 2007-11-13 | Globex Financial Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for facilitating manual payments for transactions conducted over a network |
US7774273B2 (en) | 2002-07-30 | 2010-08-10 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing benefits |
US7865437B2 (en) | 2002-07-30 | 2011-01-04 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing benefits |
US8185470B2 (en) | 2002-07-30 | 2012-05-22 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing benefits |
US8315946B2 (en) | 2002-07-30 | 2012-11-20 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing benefits |
US7587434B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 | 2009-09-08 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Method and system for managing a distributed transaction process |
US8340979B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 | 2012-12-25 | Acs State & Local Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for electronically processing government sponsored benefits |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1999006967A3 (en) | 1999-04-22 |
AU8681898A (en) | 1999-02-22 |
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