Stored-value card management method and system

Abstract

A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks. The universal central processor is programmed to issue the stored-value cards directly to the cardholder or card purchaser by download over respective communication gateways. The universal central processor is further programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants thereby providing a universal management system.

1 . A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium on which are stored program instructions for use by a card purchaser to activate and issue a stored-value card over a communications network directly to a cardholder on behalf of a merchant, said stored program instructions when executed by a central processor causing the processor to perform the operations of:
 storing in a central information database stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information and card purchasing requests received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers through said central processor via respective communication gateways;   coupling said central processor for data communications to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database, and multiple respective merchant communication devices; and   in response to a card purchaser request, immediately electronically activating and issuing a stored value card from the central processor to the cardholder over the Internet and managing the interface transactions and activities originated by a cardholder for the stored-value cards through said unaffiliated networks by said central processor.   
     
     
         2 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of issuing of the stored-value cards is accomplished over a communication gateway connection by said central processor directly to said cardholder or card purchaser. 
     
     
         3 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein each stored-value card transaction and activity operation accomplished through one of said networks is directly associated by said central processor with an individual cardholder identified in said central information database. 
     
     
         4 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , including the operation of reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities by said central processor to the cardholders and the merchants. 
     
     
         5 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of activation includes issuance of an authorization number by said central processor.