Systems, methods and devices for conducting transactions with electronic passbooks

Abstract

A method is disclosed for storing an electronic gift card (eGC) on a portable electronic device. The method includes: receiving a request for a web page hosted by a prepaid instrument provider server, the request including a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with a selected eGC stored on the server; associating with the selected eGC a unique identification code and a URL link to the selected eGC; sending the web page with a user-interface control that, when selected, causes the selected eGC to be added to an electronic passbook on the portable electronic device; responsive to selection of the user-interface control, receiving the unique identification code associated with the selected eGC; responsive to receiving the unique identification code, creating an electronic passbook file for the selected eGC; and, communicating the electronic passbook file for adding as a representation of the selected eGC to the electronic passbook.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of storing on a portable electronic device an electronic gift card issued by a prepaid instrument provider, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a server of the prepaid instrument provider, a request from a web browser running on a portable electronic device for a web page hosted by the prepaid instrument provider server, the request including a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with a selected electronic gift card selected from a plurality of electronic gift cards stored on the prepaid instrument provider server, the selected electronic gift card being associated with a unique identification code, a balance of an amount of value remaining on the selected electronic gift card, a name of a sender of the selected electronic gift card, and a URL link to the selected electronic gift card stored on the prepaid instrument provider server;   the prepaid instrument provider server sending to the web browser running on the portable electronic device the web page hosted by the server, the web page including a user interface control that is configured, when selected, to cause a representation of the selected electronic gift card to be added to an electronic passbook on the portable electronic device;   responsive to the prepaid instrument provider server receiving an indication of a selection of the user interface control, receiving by the prepaid instrument provider sever from the web browser the unique identification code associated with the selected electronic gift card;   responsive to receiving the unique identification code, the prepaid instrument provider server creating an electronic passbook file that includes the balance, the name of the sender, and the URL associated with the selected electronic gift card; and   the prepaid instrument provider server communicating to the web browser the electronic passbook file as the representation of the selected electronic gift card for adding the representation of the selected electronic gift card to the electronic passbook on the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected electronic gift card is associated with a merchant operating separately from the prepaid instrument provider. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the representation of the selected electronic gift card includes branding information unique to the merchant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the representation of the selected electronic gift card includes pre-established terms and conditions for using the selected electronic gift card. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the representation of the selected electronic gift card includes a hyperlink to a webpage hosted by the merchant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the portable electronic device includes the electronic passbook prior to communicating to the web browser the electronic passbook file as the representation of the selected electronic gift card. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining whether the portable electronic device includes the electronic passbook comprises ascertaining at least a device make and model of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining whether the portable electronic device includes the electronic passbook comprises ascertaining if the portable electronic device is JavaScript enabled. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining whether the portable electronic device includes the electronic passbook comprises ascertaining an operating system type and a version of the operating system on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining whether the portable electronic device includes the electronic passbook comprises ascertaining a browser type and a version of the web browser running on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic passbook file is created dynamically after the prepaid instrument provider server receives the indication of the selection of the user interface control. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communicating includes the electronic passbook file being automatically downloaded from the web browser into the electronic passbook on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prepaid instrument provider server also associates a card number with the selected electronic gift card, the card number being distinct from the unique identification code. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic passbook file also includes a card number, a merchant, and a personal identification number (PIN), all of which are associated with the selected electronic gift card. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic passbook is operable to store electronic travel tickets, electronic entertainment event tickets, electronic pre-paid value cards, electronic loyalty cards, or electronic coupons, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic passbook is characterized, at least in part, by not being operable to store bank account information or credit card information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic passbook is a dedicated mobile device application saved on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . A computer program product comprising one or more non-transient computer-readable media including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a prepaid instrument provider, cause the one or more processors to operate with one or more servers of the prepaid instrument provider to:
 receive a request from a web browser running on a portable electronic device for a web page hosted by the prepaid instrument provider, the request including a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with an electronic gift card selected from a plurality of electronic gift cards stored on the one or more servers of the prepaid instrument provider, the selected electronic gift card being associated with a unique identification code, a balance remaining on the selected electronic gift card, a sender of the selected electronic gift card, and a URL link to the selected electronic gift card stored on the one or more servers of the prepaid instrument provider;   send to the web browser running on the portable electronic device the web page which includes a user interface control that is configured, when selected, to cause a representation of the selected electronic gift card to be added to an electronic passbook on the portable electronic device;   responsive to receiving an indication of a selection of the user interface control, receive from the web browser the unique identification code associated with the selected electronic gift card;   responsive to receiving the unique identification code, create an electronic passbook file that includes the balance, the sender, and the URL associated with the selected electronic gift card; and   communicate to the web browser the electronic passbook file as the representation of the selected electronic gift card for adding the representation of the selected electronic gift card to the electronic passbook on the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         19 . A method of importing to a portable electronic device an electronic gift card issued by a prepaid instrument provider, the method comprising:
 receiving an indication confirming a purchase of an electronic gift card selected from a plurality of electronic gift cards stored on a server of the prepaid instrument provider;   in response to receiving the indication confirming the purchase, the prepaid instrument provider server associating with the selected electronic gift card at least a unique identification code, an amount of value of the selected electronic gift card, and a uniform resource locator (URL) link to the selected electronic gift card stored on the prepaid instrument provider server;   transmitting an electronic notification of the purchase to an intended recipient;   receiving from the intended recipient, at the prepaid instrument provider server, a request with the URL link associated with the selected electronic gift card;   the prepaid instrument provider server sending to a web browser running on a portable electronic device of the recipient a web page with a user-selectable control that is operable, when selected, to automatically export a representation of the selected electronic gift card into an electronic passbook on the portable electronic device;   responsive to the prepaid instrument provider server receiving an indication of a selection of the user-selectable control, determining the unique identification code of the selected electronic gift card;   from the unique identification code, creating an electronic passbook file that includes the amount of value and the URL link of the selected electronic gift card; and   the prepaid instrument provider server communicating to the portable electronic device the electronic passbook file as the representation of the selected electronic gift card and an instruction to automatically import the representation of the selected electronic gift card into the electronic passbook on the portable electronic device.