Bill payment systems and methods using a kiosk

Abstract

A method of transferring funds includes providing a first kiosk having a negotiable instrument acceptor. The negotiable instrument acceptor is configured to acquire information from a negotiable instrument. The method further includes providing a first kiosk access device to a first customer. Providing the first kiosk access device includes receiving and storing personal information associated with the first customer. The method also includes, at the first kiosk, acquiring access information from the first kiosk access device, based at least in part on the access information, determining whether to provide access to the kiosk, via the negotiable instrument acceptor, receiving a negotiable instrument, acquiring negotiable instrument information from the negotiable instrument, and, based at least in part on the negotiable instrument information, determining whether to provide the customer access to value represented by the negotiable instrument.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A method for paying a bill using a kiosk, the method comprising: 
 accessing a kiosk having a display screen, a keypad and a communication device to permit the kiosk to communicate over a network;    displaying on the display screen a bill payment option;    selecting the bill payment option;    selecting a method of payment to pay the bill;    entering into the kiosk account information;    transmitting from the kiosk to a host computer system an electronic file containing transaction data relating to payment of the bill;    receiving at the kiosk a verification of the transaction data;    displaying on the display screen a summary of the transaction data including any services charges;    prompting for a remittance of funds to consummate payment of the bill.    
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the kiosk includes a cash dispenser, and further comprising dispensing cash from the cash dispenser, and further comprising remitting cash to consummate payment of the bill.  
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the kiosk further includes a value acceptance port for receiving value to pay for the bill, and further comprising entering a negotiable instrument into the value acceptance port to pay for the bill.  
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the kiosk further includes a card reader, and further comprising reading payment information from a card to provide funds to pay for the bill.  
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the method of payment to pay the bill is selected from a group consisting of cash, a debit card, a credit card, a money order, a check and a stored value card.  
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 19 , further comprising entering into the kiosk a password and a sender PIN.  
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the kiosk includes a telephone, and further comprising communicating with a customer service representative using the telephone to assist with payment of the bill.  
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the kiosk includes a speaker, and further comprising communicating with a customer service representative using the speaker to assist with payment of the bill.  
     
     
         27 . A kiosk comprising: 
 a housing;    a display screen coupled to the housing;    a keypad coupled to the housing;    a communication device to permit the kiosk to communicate over a network;    a processor in communication with the display screen, the keypad and the communication device, wherein the processor configured to: 
 display on the display screen a bill payment option;  
 receive a selection of the bill payment option;  
 receive a selection of a method of payment to pay the bill;  
 receive account information;  
 transmit to a host computer system an electronic file containing transaction data relating to payment of the bill;  
 receive a verification of the transaction data;  
 display on the display screen a summary of the transaction data including any services charges;  
 prompt for a remittance of funds to consummate payment of the bill.  
   
     
     
         28 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , further comprising a cash dispenser, and wherein the processor is configured to dispense cash from the cash dispenser and to process a cash payment for payment of the bill.  
     
     
         29 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , further comprising a value acceptance port for receiving a negotiable instrument to pay for the bill.  
     
     
         30 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , further comprising a reader that is configured to read payment information from a card to provide funds to pay for the bill.  
     
     
         31 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , further comprising a reader is configured to read data from a group of instruments consisting of cash, a debit card, a credit card, a money order, a check and a stored value card.  
     
     
         32 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a password and a sender PIN.  
     
     
         33 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , further comprising a telephone to permit a user to communicate with a customer service representative to assist with payment of the bill.  
     
     
         34 . A kiosk as in  claim 27 , further comprising a speaker to permit a user to communicate with a customer service representative to assist with payment of the bill.  
     
     
         35 . A method for paying a bill using a kiosk, the method comprising: 
 accessing a kiosk having a display screen, a keypad and a communication device to permit the kiosk to communicate over a network;    displaying on the display screen a bill payment option;    selecting the bill payment option;    selecting a method of payment to pay the bill;    contacting a customer service representative to receive a sender identifier;    entering into the kiosk the sender identifier;    entering into the kiosk account information;    transmitting from the kiosk to a host computer system an electronic file containing transaction data relating to payment of the bill;    receiving at the kiosk a verification of the transaction data;    displaying on the display screen a summary of the transaction data including any services charges;    prompting for a remittance of funds to consummate payment of the bill; and    entering into the kiosk payment information to pay for the bill.    
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the kiosk includes a cash dispenser, and further comprising dispensing cash from the cash dispenser, and further comprising remitting cash to consummate payment of the bill.  
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the kiosk further includes a value acceptance port for receiving value to pay for the bill, and further comprising entering a negotiable instrument into the value acceptance port to pay for the bill.  
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the kiosk further includes a card reader, and further comprising reading payment information from a card to provide funds to pay for the bill.  
     
     
         39 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the method of payment to pay the bill is selected from a group consisting of cash, a debit card, a credit card, a money order, a check and a stored value card.  
     
     
         40 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the kiosk further includes a printer, and further comprising printing a receipt.  
     
     
         41 . A method for associating additional value with a stored value instrument using a kiosk, the method comprising: 
 accessing a kiosk having a display screen, a keypad, a presentation instrument reader, a cash dispenser, a value acceptance port and a communication device to permit the kiosk to communicate over a network;    receiving a cash payout from the cash dispenser;    reading information from a presentation instrument that is associated with an account that has a previously stored value associated therewith;    entering into the kiosk an additional amount of value to add to the presentation instrument;    entering cash into the value acceptance port; and    associating the additional amount of value with the account.