System and method for satisfying a transaction amount from an alternative funding source

Abstract

Systems and methods for paying a transaction amount at a point of sale (e.g. a physical point of sale or a virtual point of sale) are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to monitor transaction information to identify eligible transactions at the point of sale. Alternative funding options may be presented at substantially the same time as a transaction is being processed at a point of sale. Based on the user's selection, a credit may be applied to the transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 displaying, by a computer system for paying a transaction amount and through a module, an indicator of an alternative funding source, in response to transaction information conforming with a first rule,   wherein the transaction information comprises a payment transaction account used to pay for a completed transaction and the transaction amount,   wherein the module installed in a web browser as at least one of an add-on and an extension, and   wherein the module is configured to overlay the web browser in response to detecting the point of sale device;   receiving, by the computer system and through the module, a selection of the alternative funding source; and   applying, by the computer system, a credit to the payment transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source, in response to the completed transaction at the point of sale device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting, by the computer system, an initiation of the payment transaction at the point of sale device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an alternative funding source is a rewards account. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an alternative funding source is a checking account. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the point of sale device is a virtual point of sale device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring, by the computer system, the transaction information at the point of sale device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising comparing, by the computer system, the payment transaction account to a list of eligible payment transaction accounts. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the computer system, identification information, wherein the identification information is used to authorize the alternative funding source. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, displaying a balance of the alternative funding source at the point of sale device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the point of sale device is a web based point of sale device, and wherein the alternative funding source is presented within the web based point of sale device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a user applies at least a portion of the alternative funding source to the payment transaction account, regardless of accessing a web page associated with the alternative funding source. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the computer system, a second amount associated with the transaction amount, in response to the selection of the alternative funding source, wherein the second amount is determined based on a second rule. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the module is configured to actively detect the presence of a virtual point of sale device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the module is configured to passively detect the presence of a point of sale device, and wherein the module is activated in response to receiving a signal from the point of sale device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative funding source is selected without notifying the point of sale device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a merchant providing the point of sale device processes the payment through the payment transaction account. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 displaying, by a computer system for paying a transaction amount and through a module, an indicator of an alternative funding source, in response to transaction information conforming with a first rule, wherein the transaction information comprises a payment transaction account used to pay for a completed transaction and the transaction amount;   receiving, by the computer system and through the module, a selection of the alternative funding source;   determining, by the computer based system, a second amount associated with the transaction amount, in response to the selection of the alternative funding source, wherein the second amount is determined based on a set of predefined rules; and   applying, by the computer system, a credit to the payment transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source, in response to the completed transaction at the point of sale device.   
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 displaying, by a computer system for paying a transaction amount and through a module, an indicator of an alternative funding source, in response to transaction information conforming with a first rule,   wherein the transaction information comprises a payment transaction account used to pay for a completed transaction and the transaction amount, and   wherein the module installed on a smartphone;   receiving, by the computer system and through the module, a selection of the alternative funding source; and   applying, by the computer system, a credit to the payment transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source, in response to the completed transaction at the point of sale device.