Methods and systems for processing transactions

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party. Information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument are received at a host system. Preference information associated with the presentation instrument is retrieved with the host system. The preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among multiple transaction types. An amount for the transaction is allocated among the transaction types in accordance with terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.

1 . A method for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party, the method comprising: 
 receiving, at a host system, information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument;    retrieving, with the host system, preference information associated with the presentation instrument, wherein the preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among a plurality of transaction types; and    allocating, with the host system, an amount for the transaction among the plurality of transaction types in accordance with the terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.    
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the transaction is one of a plurality of transactions between first parties and second parties, the method further comprising initiating, with the host system, settlement of the plurality of transactions in accordance with respective allocations of respective transaction amounts among the plurality of transaction types.  
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the transaction is one of a plurality of transactions between first parties and second parties, the method further comprising performing, with the host system, a fraud analysis of the plurality of transactions.  
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the terms for the allocation of transaction amounts comprise terms specifying one or more particular transaction types based on an identification of the second party.  
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the terms for the allocation of transaction amounts comprise terms specifying one or more particular transaction types based on an identification of a type of product included in the transaction.  
     
     
         6 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the terms for the allocation of transaction amounts comprise terms specifying one or more particular transaction types based on the amount for the transaction.  
     
     
         7 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the terms for the allocation of transaction amounts require denial of the transaction if a defined characteristic is included in the terms of the transaction.  
     
     
         8 . The method recited in  claim 7  wherein the defined characteristic comprises an identity of the second party.  
     
     
         9 . The method recited in  claim 7  wherein the defined characteristic comprises an identification of a type of product included in the transaction.  
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the information received at the host system further includes first-party-identification information, the method further comprising authenticating the first party on the basis of the first-party-identification information.  
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 10  wherein the first-party-identification information comprises biometric information of the first party.  
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 10  wherein the first-party-identification information comprises a signature of the first party.  
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 10  wherein the first-party-identification information comprises an encryption certificate.  
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising crediting, with the host system, a loyalty program in accordance with the terms of the transaction.  
     
     
         15 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first party is a customer;    the second party is a merchant; and    the transaction comprises a transaction for a sale of goods or services by the customer from the merchant.    
     
     
         16 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first party is a patient;    the second party is a healthcare provider; and    the transaction comprises a transaction for services provided by the healthcare provider to the patient.    
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 receiving, at the host system, an identifier purportedly associated with the presentation instrument; and    verifying that the identifier is associated with the presentation instrument.    
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the presentation instrument comprises a mark identifying the presentation instrument as available for use with the host system.  
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the terms of the transaction require payment to the second party using a first form of value and at least one of the plurality of transaction types identifies a second form of value distinct from the first form of value, the method further comprising converting the second form of value to the first form of value.  
     
     
         20 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising requesting, with the host system, an authorization for the transaction.  
     
     
         21 . The method recited in  claim 20  wherein requesting the authorization comprises requesting the authorization from a third-party guarantor.  
     
     
         22 . The method recited in  claim 20  wherein requesting the authorization comprises: 
 determining an optimal routing for an authorization request through a network interfaced with the host system; and    transmitting the request through the network over the determined optimal routing.    
     
     
         23 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 receiving, at the host system, a request from the first party to replenish a first financial account associated with the first party by the host system, the request identifying a second financial account to act as a source of replenishment value; and    initiating, with the host system, a transfer of value from the second financial account to the first financial account in accordance with the request.    
     
     
         24 . The method recited in  claim 23  wherein the first financial account maintains a first form of value and the second financial account maintains a second form of value distinct from the first form of value, the method further comprising converting the second form of value to the first form of value.  
     
     
         25 . A computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein for directing operation of a host computer including a communications system, a processor, and a storage device, wherein the computer-readable program includes instructions for operating the host computer to process a transaction between a first party and a second party in accordance with the following: 
 receiving, with the communications system, information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument;    retrieving, from the storage device, preference information associated with the presentation instrument, wherein the preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among a plurality of transaction types; and    allocating, with the processor, an amount for the transaction among the plurality of transaction types in accordance with the terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.    
     
     
         26 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 25  wherein: 
 the transaction is one of a plurality of transactions between first parties and second parties; and    the computer-readable program further includes instructions for initiating, with the processor, settlement of the plurality of transactions in accordance with respective allocations of respective transaction amounts among the plurality of transaction types.    
     
     
         27 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 25  wherein: 
 the information received with the communications system includes first-party-identification information; and    the computer-readable program further includes instructions for authenticating the first party on the basis of the first-party-identification information.    
     
     
         28 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 25  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for: 
 receiving, with the communications system, an identifier purportedly associated with the presentation instrument; and    verifying, with the processor, that the identifier is associated with the presentation instrument.    
     
     
         29 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 25  wherein: 
 the terms of the transaction require payment to the second party using a first from of value;    at least one of the plurality of transaction types identifies a second form of value distinct from the first form of value; and    the computer-readable program further includes instructions for converting the second form of value to the first form of value.    
     
     
         30 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 25  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for requesting an authorization for the transaction.  
     
     
         31 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 30  wherein the instructions for requesting the authorization comprise instructions for requesting the authorization from a third-party guarantor.  
     
     
         32 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 30  wherein the instructions for requesting the authorization comprise: 
 instructions for determining an optimal route for an authorization request through a network interfaced with the host computer; and    instructions for transmitting the request through the network over the determined optimal routing.    
     
     
         33 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 25  wherein the computer-readable program further comprises: 
 instructions for receiving, with the communications system, a request from the first party to replenish a first financial account associated with the first party by the host computer, the request identifying a second financial account as a source of replenishment value; and    instructions for initiating, with the processor, a transfer of value from the second financial account to the first financial account in accordance with the request.    
     
     
         34 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 33  wherein the first financial account maintains a first form of value and the second financial account maintains a second form of value distinct from the first form of value, the computer-readable program further comprising instructions for converting the second form of value to the first form of value.