Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
ACTIVATION AND ASSIGNING VALUE TO GIFT CARDS USING RFID
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is in the field of gift cards and more specifically, the
activation of
gift cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gift cards typically resemble a credit card or display a specific theme on a
plastic
card having a magnetic stripe and/or bar code thereon (typically on the back
surface
thereof) which contains the dollar amount of the gift card. This amount can be
stored on
the card itself or stored in a database controlled by the seller and cross-
linked to an ID
stored on the magnetic strip or bar code. These gift cards are typically
purchased,
activated and loaded (assigned value) at retail point of sale (POS). There is
a need in the
art for gift cards which can bypass POS and be activated by the purchaser, at
the
purchasers preferred time and place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of this disclosure, a gift card includes an RFID chip or tag
contained
on or on the gift card, the RFID chip or tag comprising at least one unique
identification
number associated with the gift card saved thereon. A user may activate and
assign value
to this gift card using a mobile device.
In another aspect of this disclosure, a method for activating a gift card
includes the
steps of receiving from a mobile device a unique identification number read
from an RFID
chip in or on the gift card, receiving from the mobile device a value to be
assigned to the
gift card, receiving from the mobile device payment information, processing
payment
information for an amount equal to the value to be associate with the gift
card, and
activating the gift card for the amount equal to the value to be associated
with the gift card.
In another aspect of this disclosure, a system for activating a gift card
includes a
mobile website, the mobile website having the ability to read information
saved to an
RFID chip or tag contained in or on a gift card, a central processing system,
which receives
a first information read from the RFID chip or tag from the mobile website,
the first
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information comprising a unique identification number associated with the gift
card,
receives a second information from the mobile website, the second information
comprising
payment information, receives a third information from the mobile website, the
third
information comprising a value to be assigned to the gift card, processes the
payment
information for the amount to be assigned to the gift card, sending the first
and third
information to a gift card activator and requesting that the gift card be
activated, receiving
confirmation from the gift card activator that the gift card has been
activated, and sending
a message to the mobile website indicating that the gift card has been
activated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a system diagram.
FIG. 2 is a high-level overview of a process for activation and assignment of
value to a
gift card.
FIG. 3 is one embodiment of the gift card of the present invention within a
pre-wrapped
package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE
EMBODIMENTS
The present disclosure and related inventions describe a system and method by
which gift cards may be user-activated and assigned value using Radio
Frequency
Identification (RFID). The user-activated gift card contains an RFID chip or
tag attached
thereto or embedded therein that works in conjunction with a mobile website or
mobile
application to allow users to activate and assign value to the gift card at
any time and at
any place.
GIFT CARD
As used herein, the term "gift card" is defined as being a restricted monetary
equivalent issued by retailers or banks to be used as an alternative to a non-
monetary gift.
Gift cards are legal tender purchased for use by a consumer and useable in its
face amount
in lieu of cash in exchange for goods and services supplied by the seller.
"Open loop" gift
cards are issued by banks or credit card companies and can thus be redeemed at
different
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establishments. Examples of open loop gift cards include, but are not limited
to: Visa
and MasterCard . "Closed loop" gift cards are issued by a specific retailer or
restaurant
and can only be redeemed by the issuing provider. Gift cards can be
"reloadable" wherein
once the dollar amount has been used, additional amounts can be added to the
card such
that the same gift card can be used multiple times. The term "gift card" can
be used
interchangeably with the term "transaction card". While not all gift cards are
stored value
cards (dollar amount actually stored on the card itself), stored value cards
are intended to
be included under the term "gift cards" as used herein.
In one embodiment, the gift card may be in the shape of a standard or typical
gift
card, as described above, resembling a credit card or plastic card having a
substantially
rectangular shape and an approximate 3 3/8-inch width and an approximate 2 1/8-
inch
height. In another embodiment, the gift card may have a different shape, such
a circle,
square, triangle or may be shaped to resemble an item such as, for example, a
flower, a
cupcake, a Christmas tree, a present or any other conceivable shape. In
another
embodiment, the gift card may be in the form of a greeting card. In another
embodiment,
the gift card may be in the form of a small token such as, for example a coin,
a figurine, a
game piece, a badge, a ring, a fob, a key, or the like. In still another
embodiment, the gift
card may be in the form of a small gift item such as, for example, a plush toy
or teddy
bear, a doll, a toy car or truck, a travel mug, a piece of jewelry, etc. In
yet another
embodiment, the gift card may take the form of any of the embodiments
described above,
but also be placed inside a container such as a pre-wrapped container or
otherwise hidden
from view.
The gift card 10, in whatever form factor, contains an RFID chip or tag
embedded
therein or attached to a surface thereof. In one embodiment, a barrier film or
material is
applied over the RFID chip or tag to block the RFID signal until after
purchase. In other
embodiments, the gift card 10 may contain a security or redemption code for
use in
redeeming the gift card 10. The security of redemption code may be placed
beneath a
scratch off material, a non-transparent film, label or other material, or any
other concealing
material or device. In some embodiments, the gift card 10 may additionally
contain a bar
code and/or a magnetic stripe.
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The RFID chip or tag, as is known in the art, can communicate with a device
having an RFID reader. The RFID chip or tag contains, but is not limited to: a
microchip
or integrated circuit for storing and in some cases, processing information;
and an antenna
to receive and transmit information. In one embodiment, the RFID chip or tag
may
additionally contain a battery. The RFID chip may be active, semi-active or
passive and
may have read only or read/write capabilities. The RFID chip or tag may be low-
frequency
(LF), high-frequency (HF) or ultra-high-frequency (UHF). In one embodiment,
the RFID
chip or tag contains a unique identification number (unique ID) which
represents the gift
card number. In other embodiments, the RFID chip or tag may contain additional
information. As is known in the art, the RFID chip or tag communicates with an
RFID
reader using radio waves. This form of identification allows for contactless
activation and
assignment of value of/to a gift card 10.
SYSTEM
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as
commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this
technology
applies. The examples set forth herein are intended to describe one or more
embodiments
and are not intended to limit the claimed invention in any way.
The term "software" or "computer program" as used herein includes, but is not
limited to: one or more computer or machine readable and/or executable
instructions that
cause a computer, microprocessor, logic circuit, or other electronic device to
perform
functions, actions and/or behave in a desired manner. The instructions may be
embodied
in various forms such as routines, algorithms, modules or programs including
separate
applications or code from dynamically linked libraries. Software may also be
implemented in various forms such as stand-alone programs, apps, a function
call, a
servlet, an applet, instructions stored in a memory or any other computer
readable medium,
part of an operating system or other type of executable instructions. It will
be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the art that the form of software is dependent on,
for example,
requirements of a desired application, the environment it runs on, and/or the
desires of a
designer/programmer or the like.
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"Mobile device", as used herein, is a small computing device including but not
limited to: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant (PDA),
a gaming
device, a laptop computer; and wearable technologies.
"Mobile application" or "Mobile App" or "App" as used herein, includes, but is
not
limited to: applications that run on smart phones, tablet computers and other
mobile
devices. The terms "mobile application", "mobile app" and "app" can be used
synonymously with "software". Mobile applications allow users to connect to
services
which are traditionally available on a desktop or notebook platforms.
Typically, these
services access the internet or intranet or cellular or wireless fidelity
networks to access,
retrieve, transmit and share data.
The terms "computer", "processor" or "processing unit" as used herein,
includes,
but is not limited to: any programmed or programmable electronic device,
microprocessor, logic unit that can store, retrieve and process data.
The term "network" as used herein includes, but is not limited to: a
collection of
hardware components and computer or machines interconnected by communications
channels that allow sharing of resources and information, including, without
limitation, the
worldwide web or the internet.
The term "web browser", as used herein, includes, but is not limited to: a
collection
of hardware components and computer machines interconnected by communications
channels that allow sharing of resources and information, including and
without limitation,
the world wide web or the Internet.
The term "server" as used herein, includes, but is not limited to: a computer
or
machine or a device on a network that manages network resources. The general
term
"server" may include specific types of servers such as a file server (a
computer and storage
device dedicated to storing files), a print server (a computer that manages
one or more
printers), a network server (a computer than manages network traffic), and a
database
server (a computer system that processes database queries). Although servers
are
frequently dedicated to performing only server tasks, certain multiprocessing
operating
systems allow a server to manage other non-server related resources. A "web
server" as
used herein, includes, but is not limited to: a server which serves content to
a web browser
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by lading a file from a disk and serving it across a network to a user's web
browser,
typically using a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP).
The term "cloud", as used herein, includes but is not limited to: a service or
services for computer resources, including, but not limited to: Infrastructure-
as-a-Service
(IASS); Platform-as-a-service (PASS), Software-as-a-Service (SAAS) and other
forms of
=
hosted computer resources. Said resources replacing or supplementing
traditional servers,
networks, storage and processors, as well as providing aggregate services not
available on
traditional computer resources.
The term "cloud application", as used herein, may include, but is not limited
to: a
computer program or software implemented on cloud services, including but not
limited
to: IAAS; PAAS; and SAAS.
"API files" or "API" or "Application Programming Interface" as used herein,
includes, but is not limited to: an interface between different software
programs or
software files which facilitate the interaction of the different software
programs or
software files by way of a specific set of rules and specifications.
In one embodiment, the system of the present disclosure and related inventions
may include, but is not limited to: a computing device 12, a gift card
management
website, a central processing system (CPS) 14, a gift card activator (GCA) 16;
a server,
physical or virtual comprised of memory; a central processing unit (CPU); a
network
interface and one or more storage devices; a network, either physical,
wireless or a
combination thereof, comprising one or more routers, switches, firewalls and
other
network appliances; and an API. The servers and the network may be implemented
as
IAAS, PAAS, SAAS, or any other form of hosted computing.
In one embodiment, the system and method of the present disclosure and related
inventions communicate with a gift card management website (hereinafter
referred
interchangeably with "the website" and "mobile website"). The gift card
management
website may be a proprietary website which provides means by which a user may,
among
other things, activate and assign value to the user-activated RFID gift card
10 (referred to
herein interchangeably with "the gift card" and "user-activated gift card").
This
embodiment can be used in conjunction with a mobile device which contains a
native NFC
reader. The chip or tag embedded within or otherwise attached to the gift card
10 may
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contain information such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) containing the
internet
address of a gift card management website for managing the user-activated RFID
gift card.
In one embodiment, the operating system of the mobile device may contain
native support
to read an RFID chip or tag, automatically open a web browser and navigate to
a specified
URL for the gift card management website (contained within the data read from
RFID chip
or tag) or prompt the user to approve opening the web browser and navigation
to the URL.
In another embodiment, the operating system of the mobile device may be RFID
capable
but require that a RFID reader application be installed. The RFID reader
application
would read the RFID tag, extract the URL and open a web browser to that
address. In one
embodiment, a unique ID corresponding to the gift card 10 is embedded within
or
appended to the URL. Once the user has reached the gift card management
website he/she
may communicate with the website via a user interface which provides users
with various
functionality relating to management of the gift card 10. This functionality
may include,
but is not limited to: creating a user account; entering and optionally saving
payment
information, such as, for example, credit card information, PayPal account
information,
Apple Pay or Apple Wallet account information, or any other possible payment
device or
account; validating that the gift card 10 is legitimate and that it has not
yet been activated;
activating and loading or assigning value to a gift card 10; checking the
balance of a gift
card 10; redeeming a gift card 10; receiving a message when a gift card 10
that has been
given to a recipient by the user is redeemed; reviewing gift card activation
and loading
history; and other gift card related functions. As used herein, the term
"loading" as in
"loading a gift card", refers to the act of assigning value to a gift card.
The user interacts
with the website via the mobile device upon which the website is open. User
input may be
entered to the website via a touchscreen, keyboard, keypad, microphone,
scanner, camera
or any other input device available for use with the mobile device upon which
the website
is opened. The website may be in communication with one or more external
physical
devices and software applications which may in turn communicate with one or
more
databases and memory on which is stored computer executable code or logic and
one or
more computer algorithms. The one or more databases may create, read, update
and delete
data used by the gift card management website or other networked devices. The
one or
more databases and memory can be stored externally, such as on a cloud
platform. Upon
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opening the website may prompt the user, through the user interface on the
mobile device,
to either log in or create a new account. A user may create an account by
signing in using
a pre-existing identity management system such as a Facebook or Google+
account or by
completing the account setup or registration process. The account setup or
registration
process may prompt the user to enter information including, but not limited
to: name;
address; phone number; email address; gender; credit card or other payment
system
information; and password.
In another embodiment, the system and method of the present disclosure and
related inventions employs a proprietary mobile application (also referred to
herein
interchangeably as "the app", "mobile app" or "app") for use in managing the
user-
activated, RFID enabled gift card 10. The mobile app may be downloaded to a
mobile
device 12 from the Apple App Store, Google Play Marketplace, Chrome Web Store,
or any
other online marketplace. Alternatively, the app may be downloaded to a mobile
device
12 by any non-marketplace means. The mobile app may be in communication with
all of
the devices described above with respect to the gift card management mobile
website and
provide the user with all of the functionality described above with respect to
the gift card
management mobile website.
The CPS 14 may execute business logic, store and manage data items, such as
unique gift card IDs, gift card account numbers, etc. In one embodiment, the
CPS 14
receives information from and sends information to the gift card management
website (or
mobile app), a gift card activator (GCA) 16, and individual retailer or brand
system (RTS)
18, via an API. The CPS 14 may reside at a remote internet-accessible location
or it may
be cloud-based.
The term "retailer or brand system" or "RTS", as used herein, refers to
systems or
platforms which are controlled by the retailer or brand from which a gift card
has issued.
The term "gift card activator" or GCA", as used herein, refers to payment
services
or platforms which handle gift card processing functions which include, but
are not limited
to: gift card activation; gift card balance management tracking and
authorization, and
settlement services. The GCA 16 may be a third-party service such as, for
example, First
Data Corporation and Stored Value Services (SVS). Alternatively, the GCA 16
may be a
proprietary, in-house or part of the same entity responsible for the gift card
management
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website and/or the CPS 14. The GCA 16 may communicate with, among other
entities or
systems, the CPS 14 and RTS 18, in addition to financial institutions.
A system diagram is shown in FIG. 1. It should be understood that the CPA 14,
GCA 16 and RTS 18, may each contain components which include, but are not
limited to:
a server, physical or virtual comprised of memory; a central processing unit
(CPU); a
network interface and one or more storage devices; a database; a network,
either physical,
wireless or a combination thereof, comprising one or more routers, switches,
firewalls and
other network appliances; and all API. It should also be noted that in FIG. 1,
the GCA 16
and the RTS 18 are shown as a single entity, but there can be more than one
GCA 16 and
RTS 18 and the diagram is intended to cover more than one GCA 16 and RTS 18.
PROCESS
FIG. 2 shows a high-level overview of the gift card activation and loading
process.
A more detailed process is set forth below. As shown in step 1, in one
embodiment, the
consumer may visit a store or other location to select a gift card 10 or a
package containing
a gift card for purchase. The gift card or package containing a gift card 10
may contain a
barcode thereon which a cashier will scan at POS to determine the price of the
unloaded
gift card 10 (gift card without a value assigned thereto) or package
containing an unloaded
gift card 10. This amount is only for the physical embodiment of the gift card
10 or the
package containing a gift card 10 and does not include an amount to be added
to the gift
card 10. As mentioned above, the gift card 10 may be in the form of a token or
small gift
item or may be pre-wrapped so these items are what the consumer would pay for
at POS.
Once the consumer has paid for the gift card/package containing gift card 10,
he or she can
load the gift card 10 at any time and from any location, assuming he/she is in
possession of
a mobile device 12 which contains an NFC reader. In another embodiment, the
consumer
may select and purchase an unloaded gift card 10 and/or packaging containing
the
unloaded gift card 10 from a website. In another embodiment, the user-
activated RFID gift
card may be included for free with a retail purchase. For example, a user-
activated RFID
gift card may be included in all ecommerce purchases from a retailer/merchant
or included
or attached to a greeting card or envelope sold by a retailer/merchant. In one
embodiment,
the user-activated RFID gift card may have a pre-set value. In another
embodiment, the
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gift card is empty or unloaded. The consumer who received the user-activated
RFID gift
card free with purchase may remove the gift card and follow instructions
printed on a
backer or label to visit a website or application to activate and assign value
to the gift card.
Once the gift card has been activated and loaded, the consumer may present the
gift card to
a recipient. The recipient may then immediately redeem the gift card to
his/her digital
wallet or other electronic device.
As shown at step 2, if the user has a gift card 10 that he/she would like to
load and
activate, he/she can place the gift card 10 (or package it is contained in)
near an NFC
enabled mobile device 12. Depending on the type of RFID chip or tag used, the
wireless
communication range can range from a few inches to 20 feet or more. Other
factors may
affect the wireless communication range including, for example, the
surrounding, the
orientation of the RFID chip or tag, and frequency of operation. In one
embodiment, once
the NFC reader on the mobile device detects the RFID chip or tag embedded
within or
otherwise attached to the gift card, it reads the information contained on the
RFID chip or
tag which may include, but is not limited to: a unique ID corresponding to the
gift card
and a URL corresponding to a gift card management website. As mentioned above,
the
unique ID may be embedded within or appended to the URL. In one embodiment,
the
mobile device automatically performs an action based on the type of data read
from the
RFID chip or tag. For example, if the data read from the RFID chip or tag is a
URL, the
mobile device would open the URL in a web browser. In other embodiments, the
NFC
enabled mobile device may be unable to perform an action based on the data
read from the
RFID chip or tag and may require additional software such as an RFID reader
app. From
the gift card management website, the user may be given the opportunity to
register or
create a new account. The information that may be requested for registration
or account
set-up includes, but is not limited to: name; address; telephone number; email
address;
password; and credit, debit or payment service account number. After the user
has either
logged in or completed the registration or account set-up process, he/she can
proceed to
manage the gift card.
As noted above, in one embodiment, a unique ID corresponding to the gift card
may be embedded within or appended to the URL. At step 3, the gift card
management
website extracts and sends or transmits this unique ID to the CPS 14 to verify
that the
CA 2980946 2017-10-02
unique ID is valid. The CPS 14 contains a list of all unique identification
numbers (IDs)
along with the brand code (indicates the specific brand of the gift card) and
GCA 16 that is
used by each brand which corresponds to each unique ID. At step 4, if the
unique ID
transferred to the CPS 14 by the website is invalid (not found in the
database), the CPS 14
will send a message back to the website indicating that the gift card 10 is
invalid. The
website may display this message, via a user interface displayed on a screen
of the mobile
device 12, to the user along with a customer service phone number or web
address. If the
unique ID transferred to the CPS 14 by the website is valid, the CPS 14 will
send the
website a message indicating that the unique ID associated with the gift card
10 is valid.
At step 5, the website will then prompt the user to enter, via a user input
(keypad,
keyboard, mouse, touch screen, etc.) on the mobile device, a value to be
assigned to the
gift card 10. The website may give the user pre-set options to select from,
such as $10,
$20, $50, $100, or may allow the user to enter a specific amount. The website
will then
prompt the user to enter payment information such as a credit card number,
debit card
number, PayPal account number, etc. or the website will display the payment
information which has been saved within the system by the user. The user can
elect
whether to proceed to payment with the saved payment device or to enter a new
payment
device. The website then sends the value to be assigned to the gift card 10
(as specified by
the user) and the user's payment information to the CPS 14. At step 6, the CPS
14 will
confirm that the payment information is valid and whether the payment device
has
sufficient funds available to complete the transaction. If the payment
information is not
valid or if the transaction cannot be completed due to insufficient funds, the
CPS 14 will
send a message to the website. The website will then communicate this to the
user. At
step 7, the user may be given the option to correct or re-enter the payment
information, add
a different payment device and/or enter a lower gift card value amount and
resubmit the
transaction. At step 8, if the payment information is correct and the payment
device
contains sufficient funds, the CPS 14 will save the value and associate it
with the unique
ID associated with the gift card 10 and complete the transaction by collecting
payment.
The CPS 14 will also send the unique gift card ID and the value assigned to
the gift card
10 to the retailer and brand's GCA, 16 along with a request that the GCA 16
activate the
gift card 10. At step 9, the GCA 16 will officially activate and add funds to
the gift card
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and confirm activation of the gift card 10 by sending a message to the CPS 14.
The
CPS 14 will amend the database record to reflect that the gift card 10 is
activated and send
a message to the website indicating that the gift card 10 is activated. The
website will then
communicate to the user that the transaction is complete and the gift card 10
is activated.
5 The CPS 14 will then transmit payment to the RTS 18 along with the unique
ID from the
gift card 10 and an indication that this gift card 10 has been sold and
activated. The RTS
18 may then send a receipt or confirmation back to the CPS 14 indicating that
the
transmission was received.
In another embodiment, the above steps may be performed via a mobile
application
10 downloaded to the user's mobile device instead of through a gift card
management
website.
In another embodiment, the gift card management mobile device, via the gift
card
management website or mobile application, writes information, such as an
activation
indicator and the value assigned to the gift card 10 back to RFID chip on gift
card 10. In
this embodiment, the gift card 10 would operate as a stored value card instead
of gift or
transaction card.
As noted above, in one embodiment, the gift card 10 of the present disclosure
and
related inventions may be visible at retail and take on the typical gift card
form factor.
These gift cards 10 may contain a film or other material over the RFID chip to
prevent
scanning of the unique id of the gift card 10 until after purchase of the gift
card 10. The
user would be required to remove the film or other material from the gift card
10 prior to
activation. In other embodiments, the gift cards 10 may be contained within a
container or
packaging such that the gift card is not visible at retail. The container or
package may be a
bag, box, or other such container that may be pre-wrapped with wrapping paper,
ribbon,
bows, or any other gift packaging accessory. The container will contain a
sticker, tag,
label or other identifier which indicates to the consumer the contents of the
package, such
as "user-activated Target gift card enclosed". This provides for a quick and
easy way for
consumers to purchase a gift card 10 which is pre-wrapped for presentation to
a recipient.
Since the gift card 10 is user-activated via the RFID chip contained on or
within the gift
card 10, this allows the gift card 10 to be contained within a pre-wrapped
package which
can remain intact during activating and assignment of value, and then
presented to a
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recipient as is. Similarly, the gift card 10 can have an atypical form factor,
such as a key
chain, trinket, wearable device, plush toy, or other such novelty or gift
item. In these
cases, the RFID chip or tag is contained within the item and not visible from
the outer
surface of the item. One advantage of this embodiment is that the gift card 10
can have
different form factors, as described above, and is not limited to the typical
gift card shape
or to having a flat surface as, in these certain embodiments, it is not
required to be scanned
or inserted into a mag strip reader. For security purposes, the gift card 10
may contain a
security or redemption code printed on or attached thereto for use in
redeeming the gift
card 10. The security or redemption code may be placed beneath a scratch off
material, a
non-transparent film, label or other material, or any other concealing
material or device. In
order to redeem the gift card 10, the recipient must have the security or
redemption code
from the gift card 10. This prevents the theft of the gift cards 10 contained
within the pre-
wrapped packages by scanning the RFID chip from the gift card 10 while at
retail or any
time prior to purchase.
REDEMPTION
In one embodiment, the recipient of the gift card 10 can redeem the gift card
10 by
using a NFC enabled mobile device to scan the gift card 10 for redemption. As
described
above with respect to activation and assigning value to the gift card, the
information read
from the RFID chip or tag embedded in or otherwise attached to the gift card
may contain
a URL of a gift card management website. Once the gift card management website
is
opened in a web browser on the user's mobile device, the user may then
indicate that
he/she wishes to redeem the gift card 10 (as opposed to activating and
assigning value to
the gift card 10). The website extracts the unique ID corresponding to the
gift card from
the information read from the RFID chip or tag and sends the unique ID to the
CPS 14.
The CPS 14 will in turn send the unique ID to the GCA 16 to confirm activation
status and
the value assigned to the gift card 10. If the gift card 10 is not activated,
the GCA 16 will
send a message to the CPS 14 indicating that the gift card 10 has not yet been
activated.
The CPS 14 will then send this message to the website and the website will
display a
message to the user indicating that the gift card 10 has not yet been
activated and asking if
the user would like to activate and assign value to the gift card 10. The
website may also
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display a customer service phone number or URL. If the gift card 10 is
activated, the GCA
16 will return the assigned value of the gift card 10 to the CPS 14. In one
embodiment, in
order to redeem the gift card 10, the user may have to enter a security or
redemption code
found on the gift card 10. The security or redemption code may require the
user to scratch,
peel or otherwise remove material applied over the area of the gift card 10
containing the
security or redemption code. In one embodiment, the user may have the option
to transfer
the funds from the gift card 10 to an online account at the retailer from
which the card
issued or, in the case of an open loop gift card, transfer the funds to a
PayPal0 account, to
a digital wallet or other digital payment account or service. In another
embodiment, upon
the user's request to redeem the gift card 10, the website may return a serial
number or gift
card number that the user may enter into an online POS system to use the funds
assigned to
the gift card 10. In another embodiment, upon the user's request (via the app
interface)
and the entry of a security or redemption code, the website may send
information to the
RFID chip on or within the gift card 10 indicating the activated status and
amount assigned
to the gift card 10 so that the gift card 10 can be used at an RFID or NFC
reader enabled
payment terminal. The above-referenced options or embodiments set out for gift
card
redemption are not mutually exclusive and may be combined, allowing two or
more ways
in which the user may redeem the gift card.
In another embodiment, the user may use a downloaded mobile app to redeem the
gift card 10 (in lieu of or in addition to the gift card management website).
In this case, the
user may interact with the graphical elements of the app (via touchscreen,
mouse, keypad,
keyboard, etc.) to follow the methods of redemption as described above with
respect to the
gift card management website.
In another embodiment, the user may automatically transfer funds from the gift
card to his/her mobile wallet or other digital payment device directly via the
RFID chip or
tag embedded within or otherwise attached to the gift card.
The foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the
purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions and embodiments
are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form
disclosed, and
obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
disclosure.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the
principle of the
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invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in
the art to best
utilize the invention in its various embodiments and with various
modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the invention
be defined by
the following claims.
CA 2980946 2017-10-02
