Methods for providing long term storage and retrieval of customized transaction card images

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for providing long term storage of customized transaction card images, comprising the steps of approving or rejecting a selected customized image, marking the customized image as approved or rejected, packaging the customized image into an image file for a transaction card issuer, sending the image file to the transaction card issuer via a secure transfer process, and sending the image file to long term storage.

1 . A method for providing long term storage of customized transaction card images, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) approving or rejecting a selected customized image;    (b) marking the customized image as approved or rejected;    (c) packaging the customized image into an image file for a transaction card issuer;    (d) sending the image file to the transaction card issuer via a secure transfer process; and    (e) sending the image file to long term storage;    wherein step (a) is performed by an image reviewer of the transaction card issuer;    wherein steps (b), (c), (d) and (e) are performed by an image review application.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sending the image file to long term storage comprises sending the image file to an image archive database of a transaction card franchiser.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein storing the image file on the franchiser database is performed to supplement a card replacement program of the transaction card issuer.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sending the image file to long term storage is performed after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since sending the image file to the transaction card issuer.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined amount of time comprises 30 days.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a transaction card applicant may request a customized image for lost, stolen, or expired cards through an image administrator.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein requesting the customized image comprises logging on to the image administrator, requesting the customized image through a card replacement section of the image administrator, navigating the card replacement section, entering a unique image identifier, and receiving confirmation that the request is in process.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein, upon receiving the request, the image administrator locates the customized card image via the unique image identifier, automatically approves the request, retrieves the customized image from an image archive, and places the customized image in an image queue.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of sending the customized image to a card processor for transaction card replacement.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, upon receiving a request for a customized image for a lost, stolen, or expired card, an image administrator locates the customized card image via the unique image identifier, automatically approves the request, retrieves the customized image from an image archive, and places the customized image in an image queue.  
   
   
       11 . A method for providing retrieval of customized transaction card images from long term storage, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) requesting retrieval of a selected customized image;    (b) retrieving the customized image from long term storage;    (c) setting customized image status to re-send;    (d) packaging the customized image into a customized image file; and    (e) sending the customized image file to a transaction card issuer via a secure transfer process;    wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed by the transaction card issuer using an image review application;    wherein steps (c), (d) and (e) are performed by the image review application.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a transaction card applicant may request a customized image for lost, stolen, or expired cards through an image administrator.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein requesting the customized image comprises logging on to the image administrator and requesting the customized image through a card replacement section of the image administrator.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein requesting the customized image further comprises entering a unique image identifier.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein upon receiving the request, the image administrator locates the customized card image via the unique image identifier, and automatically approves the request.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of sending the customized image to a card processor for transaction card replacement.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the customized transaction card images are stored in an image archive database of a transaction card franchiser.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein storing the customized transaction card images on the franchiser database is performed to supplement a card replacement program of the transaction card issuer.