A computer-implemented method for prepaid card funding for sponsored purchases includes receiving a payment request for funding a sponsored purchase using a payment vehicle, deducting funds from a financial account associated with the payment vehicle, such that the financial account has a negative balance, and loading additional funds into the financial account associated with the payment vehicle, such that the financial account has a zero balance.

A method for performing a card-to-card direct contactless transaction between a first active stored-value smart card (“SVSC”) and a second active SVSC, each comprising an active near-field communication (“NFC”) reader. The method may include activating the first active SVSC by receiving input of a personal identification number (“PIN”) on a keypad located on the first active SVSC, verifying the PIN and further receiving input of a transaction amount on the keypad. The method may further include initiating a wireless NFC communication to perform the transaction by positioning the first active SVSC within a pre-determined distance to the second active SVSC and confirming accuracy of each of the first and second active SVSC using the active NFC reader to retrieve card ID data and confirm accuracy. Following confirming, the method may include directly completing the transaction between the first active SVSC and the second active SVSC.

A method for performing a card-to-card direct contactless transaction between a first active stored-value smart card (“SVSC”) and a second active SVSC, each comprising an active near-field communication (“NFC”) reader. The method may include activating the first active SVSC by receiving input of a personal identification number (“PIN”) on a keypad located on the first active SVSC, verifying the PIN and further receiving input of a transaction amount on the keypad. The method may further include initiating a wireless NFC communication to perform the transaction by positioning the first active SVSC within a pre-determined distance to the second active SVSC and confirming accuracy of each of the first and second active SVSC using the active NFC reader to retrieve card ID data and confirm accuracy. Following confirming, the method may include directly completing the transaction between the first active SVSC and the second active SVSC.

The present disclosure relates to an electronic payment method and to an electronic payment system. A central server generates a secret number based on a payment card number. The central server associates the secret number with a transaction. A copy of the association between the secret number and the transaction is stored at a remote terminal. An access is detected at the remote terminal by acquiring the payment card number at the remote terminal. The remote terminal generates an identifier based on the payment card number. The remote terminal verifies whether the identifier matches the secret number. When the identifier matches the secret number, the remote terminal determines whether a provision of a product or service offered at the remote terminal is authorized based on a content of the transaction.

A computer-implemented method for prepaid card funding for sponsored purchases includes receiving a payment request for funding a sponsored purchase using a payment vehicle, deducting funds from a financial account associated with the payment vehicle, such that the financial account has a negative balance, and loading additional funds into the financial account associated with the payment vehicle, such that the financial account has a zero balance.

The present disclosure is directed to a system, method, and computer program for funding a payment card account from an external funding gateway just-in-time for a purchase. A payment card processing system maintains a payment card account for a user for funds from a third party funding source. Funds from the funding source are controlled by an external funding gateway. In order to approve a purchase authorization transaction, the payment card account must have a positive balance equal to or greater than the purchase amount. Funding requests are sent from the payment card processing system to the external funding gateway in response to receiving a purchase authorization request for the payment card, and, if the funding request is approved by the external funding gateway, the system credits to the payment card account with the funds just-in-time for approval of a purchase authorization request.

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.

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.

A transaction processing system for sending user information data to a personal device, and an associated method are provided. The system comprises: a personal device, such as a balance display card; an interface device, such as a card reader for transmitting data to and from the card; a communications network connecting to the interface device; an issuer processor connected to the communications network; and a trusted network processor (TNP) processor connected to the communications network, interposed between the interface device and the issuer processor. The TNP processor is arranged to receive a transaction request message from a card user and to transmit a response message back to the personal device, the response message typically being a transaction authorization together with information for display on the card. The TNP processor is arranged to identify, dependent on properties of the transaction request message, whether the associated response message will require data to be sent to the user information device, and if so identified, to: route the transaction request message to the issuer processor using a standard message; receive the required data from the issuer processor using another standard message; match the received required data to the original request; generate an appropriate response message and script containing the required data; and transmit the response message back to the personal device thereby making the required information known to the user.

A beverage dispensing system employs a user-wearable device that contains identification data. The user is associated with the wearable device using the identification data and provides an initial purchase credit also stored in association with the wearable device. To make a purchase, the user positions the wearable device in proximity with a sensor co-located with a beverage dispenser. The sensor receives the identification data and provides it to a payment processor. The processor determines if the purchase request is less than the stored purchase credit and, if so, activates an actuator positioned between a beverage storage container and a beverage dispenser outlet to thereby dispense the beverage. The processor deducts the purchase amount from the available credit and stores the new credit value. The wearable device may communicate wirelessly with the sensor. The processor may be part of the beverage dispenser or remotely located and communicate via a network.