Methods and systems for exchanging and/or transferring various forms of value

Abstract

Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for causing a processing device to perform a method for exchanging prepaid cards, the method comprising:
 receiving prepaid card information from a user via a user-interface device, wherein the prepaid card information is associated with a first prepaid card for making purchases at one or more retail establishments;   electronically requesting a prepaid card balance from a remote computer based on the prepaid card information;   in response to receiving the prepaid card balance from the remote computer, presenting first and second transaction options to the user based on the prepaid card balance, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first prepaid card for a cash value, and wherein the second transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first prepaid card for a second prepaid card for making purchases at one or more retail establishments;   receiving a user selection corresponding to at least one of the first transaction option or the second transaction option;   when the user selection corresponds to the first transaction option, facilitating transfer of the cash value to the user; and   when the user selection corresponds to the second transaction option, facilitating transfer of the second prepaid card to the user.   
     
     
         34 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the user-interface device is associated with a consumer operated kiosk. 
     
     
         35 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein receiving the prepaid card information from the user includes receiving the prepaid card information via a consumer operated kiosk, and wherein receiving the user selection includes receiving the user selection via the consumer operated kiosk. 
     
     
         36 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises printing and activating the second prepaid card when the user selection corresponds to the second transaction option. 
     
     
         37 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein receiving the prepaid card information is performed by a data processor, and wherein the user-interface device is remote from the data processor. 
     
     
         38 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein receiving the prepaid card information is performed by a data processor, and wherein the user-interface device is associated with a personal computer remote from the data processor. 
     
     
         39 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the user-interface device is associated with a mobile phone. 
     
     
         40 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises receiving the first prepaid card from the user prior to providing the cash value or the second prepaid card to the user. 
     
     
         41 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving the first prepaid card from the user prior to providing the cash value or the second prepaid card to the user; and 
 debiting the prepaid card balance from the first prepaid card. 
 
     
     
         42 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving the first prepaid card from the user; and 
 debiting the prepaid card balance from the first prepaid card prior to providing the cash value or the second prepaid card to the user. 
 
     
     
         43 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving personal information from the user; and 
 associating the personal information with the first prepaid card information in a database. 
 
     
     
         44 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises determining a fee associated with the first transaction option, wherein the cash value is based on the first prepaid card balance minus the fee. 
     
     
         45 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the method further comprises:
 determining a first fee associated with the first transaction option; and 
 determining a second fee associated with the second transaction option, wherein the cash value is based on the first prepaid card balance minus the first fee, and wherein the second prepaid card has a card value based on the first prepaid card balance minus the second fee. 
 
     
     
         46 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 45  wherein the first fee is equal to the second fee. 
     
     
         47 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the first prepaid card is for making purchases at a first retail establishment, and wherein the second prepaid card is for making purchases at a second retail establishment, different from the first retail establishment. 
     
     
         48 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein providing the cash value to the user includes transferring funds to an electronic account associated with the user. 
     
     
         49 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 33  wherein providing the cash value to the user includes transferring funds to an on-line account for making on-line purchases. 
     
     
         50 . A computer-implemented method for exchanging prepaid cards, the method comprising:
 providing at least one networked computing device specifically programmed to communicate with a plurality of remote user devices and receive information from a remote prepaid card database;   receiving, at the networked computing device, prepaid card information from a user via one of the remote user devices, wherein the prepaid card information is associated with a first prepaid card for making purchases at one or more retail establishments;   in response to receiving the prepaid card information, requesting prepaid card balance information from the prepaid card database, wherein the prepaid card balance information is associated with the first prepaid card;   receiving the prepaid card balance information from the prepaid card database;   determining an exchange value for the first prepaid card based on the prepaid card balance information;   presenting at least a first transaction option to the user, wherein the first transaction option corresponds to exchanging the first prepaid card for the exchange value; and   when the user selects the first transaction option, facilitating transfer of the exchange value to the user.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the plurality of remote user devices includes a network of consumer operated kiosks, and wherein the at least one networked computing device is specifically programmed to receive prepaid card information from users via each of the consumer operated kiosks. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the plurality of remote user devices includes a plurality of user computers, and wherein the at least one networked computing device is specifically programmed to receive prepaid card information from users via each of the user computers. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 requesting personal information from the user; and   associating the personal information with the prepaid card information in a transaction database.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the personal information includes a personal identification number (PIN).