System and method for utilizing a mobile device to obtain a balance on a financial transaction instrument

Abstract

The balance of funds remaining for a stored-value card (“SVC”) may easily be determined without going through an actual purchase transaction with the SVC. The balance is obtained wirelessly from a server storing information pertaining to SVCs, and may be provided in a discreet manner. A card reader adds a card security code to a card number read from the SVC, and encrypts the card number and the CSC. The encrypted information is wirelessly sent to a cellular telephone. The cellular telephone decrypts the encrypted information and wirelessly transmits a balance-information request, which includes the card number and the CSC, to the server. The server receives the request and wirelessly sends the requested balance information to the cellular telephone and, in turn, the cellular telephone wirelessly sends the requested balance information to the card reader, which provides the information to the requester.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system diagram of an exemplary balance-inquiry system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a balance-inquiry process, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a table of communication protocols, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary computer system useful for implementing the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for providing a requester with information on a balance of funds remaining for a stored-value card, the method comprising the steps of: at a card reader: (a) reading card information from the stored-value card,(b) adding a security code to the card information,(c) encrypting the security code and the card information to form encrypted information, and(d) transmitting the encrypted information to a mobile communication device;at the mobile communication device: (e) decrypting the encrypted information to obtain the security code and the card information,(f) using a secure communication protocol to wirelessly transmit a request for balance information to a server system via a communication network, the request including the security code and the card information,(g) using the secure communication protocol to wirelessly receive the balance information from the server system, and(h) transmitting the balance information to the card reader; andat the card reader: (i) providing the balance information to the requester.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step (a) of reading the card information is performed by any or all of: an electronic technique, a magnetic technique, and an optical technique.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) of transmitting the encrypted information is performed according to Bluetooth® communication standards.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step (e) of decrypting the encrypted information is performed using a BREW® platform.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the steps (f) and (g) of using the secure communication protocol include using at least one of an SSL protocol and an HTTPS protocol.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step (i) of providing the balance information includes printing the balance information.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is a telephone.

8. A balance-inquiry system for providing a requester with information on a balance of funds remaining for a stored-value card, the system comprising: a card reader; anda mobile communication device,wherein the card reader is configured to: read card information from the stored-value card,adding a security code to the card information,encrypt the security code and the card information to form encrypted information,transmit the encrypted information to the mobile communication device, andreceive balance information from the mobile communication device, andwherein the mobile communication device is configured to: decrypt the encrypted information to obtain the security code and the card information,use a secure communication protocol to wirelessly transmit a request for the balance information to a server system via a communication network, the request including the security code and the card information,use the secure communication protocol to wirelessly receive the balance information from the server system, andtransmit the balance information to the card reader.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the card reader includes a printer for printing the balance information received from the mobile communication device.

10. A system according to claim 8, wherein the card reader reads the card information by any or all of: an electronic technique, a magnetic technique, and an optical technique.

11. A system according to claim 8, wherein the card reader and the mobile communication device include a Bluetooth® communication module for performing wireless communication according to Bluetooth® standards.

12. A system according to claim 8, wherein the card reader decrypts the encrypted information using a BREW® platform.

13. A system according to claim 8, wherein the secure communication protocol includes at least one of an SSL protocol and an HTTPS protocol.

14. A system according to claim 8, wherein the mobile communication device is a telephone.