US20100106642A1 - Method and system for delayed payment of prepaid cards - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and systems provide prepaid cards. The method includes, responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient. The method includes processing the delayed payment. The method includes, responsive to an expiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card. The method includes refunding a remaining balance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/134,149 entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELAYED PAYMENT OF PREPAID CARDS”, filed Jun. 5, 2008, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
• A prepaid card includes a prepaid card identifier and is associated with a consideration for which the prepaid card can be redeemed. The consideration can be anything of value to a card recipient, such as products or services. Partial redemption is possible if the consideration can be prorated. For example, a prepaid card can be a retail store gift card with a dollar value, a prepaid cellular airtime card, or any other prepaid card that redeems for multiple products or instances of a service.
• In one embodiment, a card purchaser purchases a prepaid card. The card purchaser can then provide the prepaid card to a card recipient, for example, as a gift. Such prepaid cards currently have annual US sales of $25 billion.
• The card purchaser can purchase prepaid cards in bulk for distribution as gifts in promotional or marketing activities. Purchasing multiple prepaid cards in this manner can allow the card purchaser to obtain a volume discount from a prepaid card provider.
• Such prepaid cards are distributed to card recipients as part of a promotion or marketing activity. Many prepaid cards can remain unused by the card recipients. This creates waste for the card purchaser in the unused prepaid cards or prepaid card balances. Further, paying the card purchase price does not benefit the card purchaser until the prepaid cards are redeemed by the card recipients, when the promotional or marketing benefits accrue.
• Previously, a card purchaser pays for a prepaid card at the time of purchase, for example, with currency or a currency-equivalent. A card purchaser wishing to purchase one or more prepaid cards from a retail location, such as a store or an automated kiosk, receives the prepaid cards in exchange for payment. This is disadvantageous to the card purchaser if there will be delay between the purchase and the redemption of the prepaid card. The delay can tie up the card purchaser's liquidity and currency while providing no benefit to the card recipient until the prepaid card is redeemed.
• Previously, retail stores receive prepaid cards from wholesalers for in-store placement and sale to card purchasers. In some instances, retail stores only pay the wholesalers for the prepaid cards when the prepaid cards are purchased by the card purchasers. This is advantageous to the retail store by minimizing inventory and carrying costs of the prepaid cards. However, as retail stores compete with each other to obtain better distribution arrangements with prepaid card providers, it would be advantageous to offer a more flexible payment system.
• Thus, an improved method of charging the card purchaser for the prepaid cards is needed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example prepaid card.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example system for providing delayed payment of prepaid cards.
• FIG. 3A illustrates a procedure for selling a delayed payment prepaid card.
• FIG. 3B illustrates a procedure for redeeming a delayed payment prepaid card.
• FIG. 3C illustrates a procedure for crediting an unused prepaid card balance.
• FIG. 3D illustrates a procedure for redeeming a prepaid card for a domain name.
• FIG. 4A illustrates an example data structure for storing prepaid card information.
• FIG. 4B illustrates an example data entry for storing prepaid card information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• A prepaid card is sold to a card purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, where the delayed payment is charged to a card purchaser account, for example, a checking account. If the prepaid card is not used within a predetermined amount of time, the delayed payment is credited back to the card purchaser account. A partial balance can be credited if the prepaid card was partially used. A service charge may be deducted from the credited delayed payment.
• In one embodiment, the prepaid card is redeemed for a domain name registration. The purchaser or administrator can approve or deny domain name registration requests.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example prepaid card. For example, a prepaid card can be a scratchcard (also called a scratch off, scratch ticket, scratcher, scratchie, scratch-it, scratch game, or instant game) in the form of a card, usually made of cardboard or plastic. This facilitates user transportation of the scratch card by users and improves user familiarity and comfort.
• The prepaid card can include atitle100 printed on its face. Thetitle100 can be text, graphics, or any other visual representation of information.
• The prepaid card can also have instructions andgraphics102 printed or otherwise displayed on its face. The instructions andgraphics102 can be a combination of text and graphics. Additional text and graphics can be included on a backside of the prepaid card.
• The prepaid card can include one or moreconcealed areas104 that contain information. The concealedarea104 can be covered by an opaque substance such as latex that cannot be seen through, but can be scratched off or otherwise removed. Concealed information can include a prepaid card identifier.
• Alternatively, the concealedarea104 can be covered with a peel-off strip configured to be easily removed by the user. The strip is opaque and cannot be seen through, but can be easily removed by the user to reveal the concealed information. Alternative coverings that are easily removed by the user can also be used.
• The prepaid card can be individually packaged in a transparent material, such as plastic, to protect it from handling during shipping and sale and yet allow its printed surfaces to be visible to a user or purchaser. The prepaid card can be packaged together in groups of prepaid cards. In one example, prepaid cards of a same type are packaged together for sale. In another example, prepaid cards with complementary considerations are packaged together for sale.
• Alternatively, the prepaid card can be any object configured to securely convey a prepaid card identifier to a gift recipient. For example, an email sent to the gift recipient's email address can contain the prepaid card identifier. An automated telephone call to a gift recipient's phone number can convey the prepaid card identifier to the gift recipient in audio format. Alternatively, the prepaid card identifier can be securely mailed to a gift recipient via regular post.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example system for providing delayed payment of prepaid cards. The system sells aprepaid card200 to acard purchaser206 in exchange for a delayed payment. The delayed payment is not processed until acard recipient212 has redeemed theprepaid card200.
• Aprepaid card200 can be sold by anoperator202 at a point ofsales terminal204 to apurchaser206. For example, the prepaid card can be as illustrated inFIG. 1. Theprepaid card200 can be sold from a point ofsales terminal204 operated by theoperator202 at a retail location, such as a convenience store, a supermarket, or any other location configured to sell products or services to thepurchaser206.
• In an alternative embodiment, theprepaid card200 can be sold from an automated kiosk placed at a high-traffic location, such as a subway stop, a pedestrian walkway, or a similar location accessible to thepurchaser206. The automated kiosk does not require anoperator202. The automated kiosk can function as a point ofsales terminal204 within the system.
• Thepurchaser206 receives theprepaid card200 in exchange for a delayed payment. For example, the delayed payment can be a credit card account that will not be charged until theprepaid card200 is redeemed for its associated consideration. Alternatively, a debit card, an escrow account, a bank account, or any other form of currency capable of being processed at a later time can be used.
• In an alternative example, thepurchaser206 can pay for theprepaid card200 immediately, and a refund will be provided by the system at a later time. For example, a refund can be provided if theprepaid card200 is not redeemed before a predetermined expiration date. This simplifies the payment processing by not requiring payment in a form that can be processed at a later time.
• The point ofsales terminal204 is in communications with anetwork208. Thenetwork208 can be any network configured to carry digital information, such as the Internet, a private network, or any other network. Communications over thenetwork208 can be encrypted or otherwise secured to protect privacy and ensure security.
• Arecipient212 can receive theprepaid card200. For example, therecipient212 can be the same person as thepurchaser206.
• Alternatively, therecipient212 can be a different person from thepurchaser206. In this example, thepurchaser206 purchased theprepaid card200 as a gift for therecipient212. Alternatively, therecipient212 can be a target for a marketing or promotional activity conducted by thepurchaser206.
• Therecipient212 can access a user terminal210 in order to redeem theprepaid card200. As discussed above, theprepaid card200 can be redeemed for consideration, such as products or services. The terminal210 can be in communications with thenetwork208.
• In an alternative example, therecipient212 takes theprepaid card200 to a physical redemption center for redemption. For example, theprepaid card200 can be redeemed for a physical service such as a car wash, laundry, or similar services that are most efficiently redeemed at a physical redemption center. The physical redemption center can include a user terminal210 used to confirm theprepaid card200's validity before redemption. The user terminal210 at the physical redemption center can be used by an operator of the physical redemption center to interact with the servers, discussed below.
• In an alternative example, the user terminal210 is in communication with a different network from the point ofsales network204. The alternative network (not depicted) can be any network configured to carry digital information. Similar to thenetwork208, information transmitted over the alternative network can be encrypted or otherwise secured.
• In an alternative example, if theprepaid card200 is a multi-use card valid for a plurality of redemptions, a delayed payment can be processed for each redemption. This allows the payment by thepurchaser206 to be more closely tied to the consideration received by therecipient212.
• Acard server214 is in communications with the point ofsales terminal204 and the user terminal210 over thenetwork208. Thecard server214 maintains a list of prepaid cards in circulation and data associated with the prepaid cards.
• Thecard server214 receives an activation request from the point ofsales terminal204 at the time of sale of theprepaid card200. A record inmemory216 representing theprepaid card200 is updated to reflect its activation status, so that theprepaid card200 can later be redeemed by therecipient212. Activation of theprepaid card200 at the time of sale can be a security function to prevent redeeming counterfeit prepaid cards or prepaid cards that were not paid for.
• Similarly, thecard server214 receives a redemption request from the user terminal210 at the time of redemption of theprepaid card200. Thecard server214 determines whether theprepaid card200 is valid and activated before allowing redemption to proceed. The record representing theprepaid card200 stored inmemory216 can be updated to reflect its redeemed status.
• Aprepaid card200 can be invalid if it was not properly activated, its prepaid card identifier cannot be found by thecard server214, it has expired, or another reason. If theprepaid card200 is valid, the redemption request is forwarded to aredemption server218 for processing.
• Thecard server214 also processes the payment for theprepaid card200 when the redemption request is forwarded. As discussed previously, thepurchaser206 provided a delayed payment that can be charged or collected at the time of redemption. Alternatively, thepurchaser206 can provide payment immediately at purchase and be entitled to a refund at a later time, as discussed above.
• Thememory216 is accessible to thecard server214 and stores necessary data related to the sale and redemption of theprepaid card200. For example, thememory216 stores a data structure illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B representing the prepaid cards of the system.
• Aredemption server218 can handle redemption of theprepaid card200. A service can be redeemed by transmitting an authorization to a service provider authorizing the service provider to provide the requested service to therecipient212. A product can be redeemed by initiating a fulfillment process that will ship the product to therecipient212. Alternatively, a voucher can be transmitted to the user terminal210 for printing by therecipient212 for redemption at a physical redemption center.
• In an example embodiment, thepurchaser206 can access an Internet web-based control panel to monitor a status of theprepaid card200. Thepurchaser206 can input identifying information regarding therecipient212 via the web-based control panel or at the time of purchase of the card at thePOS terminal204. This facilitates thepurchaser206 from easily determining the status of eachprepaid card200 purchased and given as a gift.
• FIG. 3A illustrates a procedure for selling a delayed payment prepaid card. A prepaid card is sold to a purchaser and is later redeemed by a recipient. The prepaid card can be sold by an operator at a point of sales terminal, from an automated kiosk, or from any other authorized seller of prepaid cards. For example, the procedure can execute on the point of sales terminal. A delayed payment made by the purchaser for the prepaid card is not processed until the prepaid card is redeemed.
• In300, the point of sales terminal determines whether an indication of a purchaser's desire to purchase a prepaid card is received. The operator of the point of sales terminal inputs a command initiating a prepaid card sales process responsive to a purchaser request to purchase a prepaid card.
• Alternatively, the prepaid card can be displayed in a display area of a retail store accessible by the purchaser. The purchaser can take a prepaid card to the point of sales terminal for purchase.
• If an indication is received, the point of sales terminal proceeds to302. If no indication is received, the point of sales terminal waits at300 for the indication.
• In302, the point of sales terminal optionally receives a desired quantity of prepaid cards to be purchased. For example, the operator can input the desired quantity of prepaid cards into the point of sales terminal responsive to a purchaser indication.
• If the prepaid cards are taken by the purchaser to the point of sales terminal, the desired quantity of prepaid cards is equal to a number of prepaid cards brought to the point of sales terminal by the purchaser.
• Alternatively, multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale. This allows the purchaser to purchase a predetermined quantity of prepaid cards in one package.
• In304, the point of sales terminal optionally activates the prepaid card. Activating the prepaid card can include determining a prepaid card identifier and transmitting the prepaid card identifier to a server, where a record in a data structure representing the prepaid card is updated to reflect its activation status. The activation process can be a security measure, as discussed above.
• In306, the point of sales terminal optionally processes a service charge. The system can collect a service charge for the feature of delayed payment on the prepaid card. This service charge can be processed at the time of sale of the prepaid card. For example, the service charge can be a fixed fee or a percentage of a prepaid card value.
• Alternatively, the service charge can be processed at a later time, for example, when the delayed payment is processed.
• Alternatively, a service charge is not charged.
• In308, the point of sales terminal can update the server. The point of sales terminal can transmit a message to the server over a network indicating the prepaid card has been sold. The server can then track which prepaid cards have been sold and are awaiting redemption, and which prepaid cards remain on store shelves awaiting sale.
• In310, the point of sales terminal provides the purchased prepaid card to the purchaser. The operator of the point of sales terminal can physically hand over the purchased prepaid card to the purchaser.
• The point of sales terminal also receives a delayed payment from the purchaser. As discussed above, the delayed payment can be any form of payment that can be processed at a later time when the prepaid card is redeemed.
• In312, the point of sales terminal optionally provides a receipt to the purchaser. The receipt can include a prepaid card description, the prepaid card identifier, a purchase price, a description of the delayed payment process, redemption options, and an expiration date, if applicable. The receipt can also include a machine-readable code representing the prepaid card identifier, for use in checking a status of the prepaid card, discussed below.
• In314, the point of sales terminal exits the procedure.
• In an alternative embodiment, the prepaid card is sold from an automated kiosk. In this example, the purchaser indicates a selection and quantity of the desired prepaid card, and the kiosk dispenses the prepaid card after a delayed payment has been received.
• FIG. 3B illustrates a procedure for redeeming a delayed payment prepaid card. A prepaid card is sold to a purchaser as illustrated inFIG. 3A. The prepaid card is redeemed by a recipient for a consideration at a user terminal in communication with a card server. For example, the recipient can be the same person as the purchaser, or a different person. The procedure can execute on the card server.
• In350, the card server determines whether a redemption request is received. For example, a recipient can access a user terminal that is configured to submit redemption requests to the card server. For example, a user terminal can be a computing accessible to the recipient, or a terminal at a physical redemption location.
• If a redemption request is received, the card server proceeds to352. If no redemption request is received, the card server waits for the redemption request at350.
• In352, the card server determines whether the received prepaid card identifier is valid. The card server checks whether the received prepaid card identifier matches a set of valid prepaid card identifiers in memory. For example, prepaid card identifiers can be stored in a data structure as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B. The card server can also check whether the prepaid card associated with the prepaid card identifier has been validly activated, has not expired, or otherwise ensure the prepaid card is valid.
• If the prepaid card identifier is valid, the card server proceeds to354. If the prepaid card identifier is not valid, the card server displays an error message and proceeds to362, where the procedure exits.
• In354, the card server initiates a redemption procedure to provide the redeemed consideration to the recipient. For example, the card server can transmit an authorization to a redemption server that provides the consideration. If the prepaid card is redeemed for a physical good, the redemption server can initiate a fulfillment procedure to locate and ship an appropriate product to the recipient. If the physical good is to be redeemed at a physical redemption location, the redemption server authorizes the release of the physical good by the physical redemption location.
• If the prepaid card is to be redeemed for a service, the redemption server transmits an authorization to a service provider to provide the service to the recipient. If the service is provided at a physical location, such as laundry service, the redemption server transmits an authorization to the service provider's location. If the service is provided online, the redemption server electronically transmits an authorization to an online service provider.
• In356, the card server processes a delayed payment for the prepaid card. The delayed payment is received previously when the prepaid card is purchased, discussed above. The card server processes the delayed payment, for example, by charging the associated credit card account the value of the prepaid card plus a service charge, if any. Alternative forms of delayed payments can also be processed.
• It will be appreciated that the server can provide the redeemed consideration and process the delayed payment in any order, as long as they are executed substantially concurrently in time.
• In358, the card server optionally tests whether a status request is received. The card purchaser can submit a request to view a status and a prepaid card identifier. The prepaid card identifier identifies the prepaid card for which the status is requested.
• The card purchaser can submit the request from a personal computer or an automated kiosk. For example, the status of a prepaid card can include whether it has been redeemed, whether the prepaid card has expired, or any other administrative information useful to the purchaser.
• In one example, the receipt of prepaid card purchase includes the prepaid card identifier in a machine-readable format. The card purchaser simply scans the receipt at an automated kiosk to view the status of the prepaid card.
• If a status request is received, the card server proceeds to360. If no status request is received, the card server exits the procedure in362.
• In360, the card server transmits a prepaid card status for display. Responsive to the status request received in358, the card server retrieves the status of the prepaid card from memory. Prepaid card status can be stored in the data structure illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B.
• The prepaid card status is then transmitted to the personal computer or kiosk used by the card purchaser to submit the status request.
• In362, the card server exits the procedure.
• In one example, the user terminal is a computing device accessible to the recipient, and the redeemed product or service is delivered to the recipient. In another example, the user terminal is at a physical redemption center, where the recipient redeems the prepaid card. The user terminal can be any computing device from which the recipient redeems the prepaid card for the associated products or services.
• FIG. 3C illustrates a procedure for crediting an unused prepaid card balance. The procedure can execute on a system as illustrated above. In3000, a server tests whether a redemption request has been received from a card purchaser. If yes, the server proceeds to3002. If no, the server remains at3000.
• In3002, the system provides a prepaid card to the card purchaser. The prepaid card can be as discussed above. The prepaid card can be redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient. The consideration can be a product or service of value.
• In3004, the system can process the delayed payment. In one example embodiment, the delayed payment is processed immediately and a refund provided later, if necessary, as discussed below.
• For example, a remaining balance on the prepaid card after an expiration of a predetermined time period can be refunded. The predetermined time period can be a validity period for the prepaid card, after which the prepaid card expires and cannot be redeemed.
• For example, the delayed payment can be charged to a checking account or a credit card.
• In3006, the server tests whether the predetermined time period has expired. If yes, the server proceeds to3008. If no, the server remains at3006.
• In3008, the server can refund a remaining balance. For example, the remaining balance can be refunded to the account originally processed to charge the delayed payment.
• In3010, the server exits the procedure.
• FIG. 3D illustrates a procedure for redeeming a prepaid card for a domain name. The procedure can execute on a system as illustrated above. In3050, a server can test whether a delayed payment has been received. If yes, the server proceeds to3052. If no, the server remains at3052.
• In3052, the system can provide a prepaid card to a card purchaser. The prepaid card can be as discussed above and redeemable for a domain name registration.
• In3054, the server tests whether an indication of redemption has been received associated with the prepaid card. The prepaid card can be redeemed by a card recipient, who can be the same person as the card purchaser, or a separate person receiving the prepaid card from the card purchaser. If yes, the server proceeds to3056. If no, the server remains at3054.
• In3056, the server can receive a prepaid card identifier and a requested domain name. The server can further receive domain registration information, such as owner and technical contact information.
• In3058, the server can test whether the requested domain name is available. If yes, the server proceeds to3060. If no, the server can output an error message to the card recipient and request a new domain name.
• In3060, the server can test whether the card purchaser has approved the requested domain name. For example, the system can notify the card purchaser of a redemption request and the requested domain name, and provide the card purchaser with an opportunity to approve or deny the registration.
• If the registration is approved, the server proceeds to3062. If the registration is not approved, the server can output an error message to the card recipient and request a new domain name.
• In3062, the server registers the requested domain name. For example, the server can interface with a registrar or with ICANN to register the request domain name.
• In3064, the server processes the delayed payment received above. For example, the delayed payment can be a credit card, a debit card, a checking account, or another store of value which can be charged for the price of the prepaid card after redemption.
• In3066, the server exits the procedure.
• FIG. 4A illustrates an example data structure for storing prepaid card information. Metadata associated with prepaid cards in a system as illustrated above can be stored in adata structure400 on a storage medium accessible to a server. Thedata structure400 includes a set ofrecords402, each record402 representing a prepaid card and its associated data.
• It will be appreciated that thedata structure400 can be stored in a variety of ways. For example, it can be stored as a tab delimited or comma delimited flat file, in a relational database, in a proprietary file format, or another storage method accessible to a server. Different storage formats will provide different advantages for different applications, as will be appreciated. The metadata data structure can be used for accounting, auditing, fraud-detection, tracking, or other purposes.
• FIG. 4B illustrates an example data entry for storing prepaid card information. Eachrecord402 represent a prepaid card, as discussed above. Eachrecord402 can contain a variety of metadata, such as aprepaid card identifier404 associated with the prepaid card. Theprepaid card identifier404 can be a unique alphanumeric sequence of characters and used to identify a prepaid card.
• Therecord402 can also include adescription406 that is a text description of the consideration associated with the prepaid card. This can be provided printed on a receipt after purchase of the prepaid card.
• Therecord402 can also include anactivation field408. As discussed above, a prepaid card can be activated at a point of sale when purchased by a user. Alternatively, other activation procedures can be used. For example, the activation process can be a security measure.
• Therecord402 can also include a date ofsale410. The date ofsale410 can store a date of sale of the prepaid card. For example, prepaid cards can have an expiry date calculated from the date of sale. If necessary, a sale time can also be stored if the time of sale during the day is important, for example, to track sales trends throughout the day.
• Therecord402 can also include a date ofactivation412. The date of activation can record a date of activation of the prepaid card. For example, prepaid cards can have an expiration date calculated from the date of activation. Similar to the date of sale, a time of activation can also be stored.
• Therecord402 can also include a date ofuse414. The date ofuse414 can record one or more dates on which the prepaid card was used. For a one-use prepaid card, such as a one-use domain name registration prepaid card, there is only one date in date ofuse field414. For multi-use prepaid cards, date ofuse field414 will include a set of dates. Similar to the date of sale, a time of use can also be stored.
• Therecord402 can also include a remaining value416. The remaining value416 can record a remaining value left on the prepaid card. In one example, the prepaid card can be a one-use prepaid card, such as a one-use domain name registration prepaid card. In this example, the remaining value416 decrements to zero after the first use.
• In another example, the prepaid card can be a multi-use prepaid card. In this example, the remaining value416 maintains a remaining value on the prepaid card.
• It will be appreciated that any amount and type of metadata may be associated with each card for other purposes.
• As discussed above, one example embodiment of the present invention can be a method for providing a prepaid card. The method includes, responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient. The method includes processing the delayed payment. The method includes responsive to an expiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card. The method includes refunding a remaining balance to the purchaser. The delayed payment can be processed by being charged to a checking account or a credit card. The consideration can be a product or a service. The delayed payment can include a value of the consideration and a service charge. Multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients. The method includes, responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card. The remaining balance can be a prorated portion of the delayed payment dependent on a number of redemptions of the prepaid card.
• Another example embodiment of the present invention can be a method for registering a domain name. The method includes providing a prepaid card to a purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, the prepaid card further provided to a card recipient and redeemable for a domain name registration. The method includes, responsive to an indication of redemption of the prepaid card by the card recipient, initiating a domain name registration process. The registration process includes receiving a prepaid card identifier and a requested domain name from the card recipient. The registration process includes verifying an availability of the requested domain name. The registration process includes receiving registration approval from the purchaser. The registration process includes registering the requested domain name. The method includes processing the delayed payment after the domain name has been registered. The registration process can further include receiving domain name registration information. The requested domain name and domain name registration information can be forwarded to a domain name registrar for registration. The method includes offering at least one of: a hosting service and a website design service to the card recipient after registering the requested domain name. Multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple card recipients. The method includes, responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card. A portion of the delayed payment can be refunded to the purchaser if the prepaid card is not redeemed within a predetermined time.
• Another example embodiment of the present invention can be a computer-readable medium including instructions adapted to execute a method for providing a prepaid card. The method includes, responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient. The method includes processing the delayed payment. The method includes responsive to an expiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card. The method includes refunding a remaining balance to the purchaser. The delayed payment can be processed by being charged to a checking account or a credit card. The consideration can be a product or a service. The delayed payment can include a value of the consideration and a service charge. Multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients. The method includes, responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card. The remaining balance can be a prorated portion of the delayed payment dependent on a number of redemptions of the prepaid card.
• Another example embodiment of the present invention can be a computer-readable medium including instructions adapted to execute a method for registering a domain name. The method includes providing a prepaid card to a purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, the prepaid card further provided to a card recipient and redeemable for a domain name registration. The method includes, responsive to an indication of redemption of the prepaid card by the card recipient, initiating a domain name registration process. The registration process includes receiving a prepaid card identifier and a requested domain name from the card recipient. The registration process includes verifying an availability of the requested domain name. The registration process includes receiving registration approval from the purchaser. The registration process includes registering the requested domain name. The method includes processing the delayed payment after the domain name has been registered. The registration process can further include receiving domain name registration information. The requested domain name and domain name registration information can be forwarded to a domain name registrar for registration. The method includes offering at least one of: a hosting service and a website design service to the card recipient after registering the requested domain name. Multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple card recipients. The method includes, responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card. A portion of the delayed payment can be refunded to the purchaser if the prepaid card is not redeemed within a predetermined time.
• It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope of the present invention. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, combinations, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. A method for providing a prepaid card, comprising:

responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient;

processing the delayed payment;

responsive to an expiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card;

refunding a remaining balance to the purchaser.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the delayed payment is processed by being charged to a checking account or a credit card.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the consideration is a product or a service.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the delayed payment includes a value of the consideration and a service charge.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein multiple prepaid cards are packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients.

6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the remaining balance is a prorated portion of the delayed payment dependent on a number of redemptions of the prepaid card.

8. A method for registering a domain name, comprising:

providing a prepaid card to a purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, the prepaid card further provided to a card recipient and redeemable for a domain name registration;

responsive to an indication of redemption of the prepaid card by the card recipient, initiating a domain name registration process, the registration process including,

receiving a prepaid card identifier and a requested domain name from the card recipient,

verifying an availability of the requested domain name,

receiving registration approval from the purchaser,

registering the requested domain name;

processing the delayed payment after the domain name has been registered.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the registration process further includes receiving domain name registration information.

10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the requested domain name and domain name registration information are forwarded to a domain name registrar for registration.

11. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising:

offering at least one of: a hosting service and a website design service to the card recipient after registering the requested domain name.

12. The method ofclaim 8, wherein multiple prepaid cards are packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple card recipients.

13. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card.

14. The method ofclaim 8, wherein a portion of the delayed payment is refunded to the purchaser if the prepaid card is not redeemed within a predetermined time.

15. A computer-readable medium including instructions adapted to execute a method for providing a prepaid card, the method comprising:

responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient;

processing the delayed payment;

responsive to an expiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card;

refunding a remaining balance.

16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein account charged is a checking account or a credit card.

17. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the consideration is a product or a service.

18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the delayed payment includes a value of the consideration and a service charge.

19. The method ofclaim 1, wherein multiple prepaid cards are packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients.

20. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card.

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