Method and system for processing transfer requests

Abstract

Methods and system for processing transfer requests are described. In one embodiment, a value transfer request may be received from a value provider through a network. The value transfer request may include a value amount to be provided from a source user to a target user. A settlement account of the value provider may be reduced by the value amount. A target account of the target user may be increased by the value amount.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a non-transitory memory storing account information for a plurality of users having an account with a payment provider, wherein the account information comprises a user account identifier; and   one or more hardware processors in communication with the non-transitory memory and operable for:
 receiving, by the payment provider, a value transfer request from a value provider different than the payment provider, the value transfer request including a value amount to be provided from a source user to a target user; 
 reducing, by the payment provider, a settlement account of the value provider by a first value amount corresponding to the value amount, wherein the settlement account is associated with the payment provider; and 
 funding, by the payment provider, a target account of the target user by a second value amount corresponding to the value amount, wherein only the value provider and the target user are required to have an account with the payment provider. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the target user does not have an account with the value provider and the source user does not have an account with the payment provider. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value amount comprises virtual currency. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more hardware processors is further operable for converting the virtual currency to real currency. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second value amount comprises real currency. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value amount comprises points, miles or minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value provider comprises a travel-related company or a gaming company. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user in person. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user through a banking terminal, a set-up box, a portable gaming unit, or a display device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user through a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the target user is identified through an email address, a phone number, a driver's license number, a license plate number, or a token. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the value provider. 
     
     
         13 . A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:
 receiving, by a payment provider, a value transfer request from a value provider different than the payment provider, the value transfer request including a value amount to be provided from a source user to a target user;   reducing, by the payment provider, a settlement account of the value provider by a first value amount corresponding to the value amount, wherein the settlement account is associated with the payment provider; and   funding, by the payment provider, a target account of the target user by a second value amount corresponding to the value amount, wherein only the value provider and the target user are required to have an account with the payment provider.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the target user does not have an account with the value provider and the source user does not have an account with the payment provider. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the value amount comprises virtual currency, points, miles or minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more hardware processors is further operable for converting the value amount to real currency. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the second value amount comprises real currency. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user in person. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user through a banking terminal, a set-up box, a portable gaming unit, a mobile telephone, or a display device. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the value provider. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a hardware processor of a payment provider, a value transfer request from a value provider different than the payment provider, the value transfer request including a value amount to be provided from a source user to a target user, wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user through a banking terminal, a set-up box, a portable gaming unit, a mobile telephone, or a display device;   reducing, by the hardware processor, a settlement account of the value provider by a first value amount corresponding to the value amount, wherein the settlement account is associated with the payment provider; and   funding, by the hardware processor, a target account of the target user by a second value amount corresponding to the value amount, wherein only the value provider and the target user are required to have an account with the payment provider.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the source user in person. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the value transfer request is received from the value provider.