Methods and Apparatus for Stored Value Token Creation

Abstract

Systems and techniques for managing creation, delivery, and redemption of stored value tokens such as gift cards and electronic gift cards. An interface presented to a donor at a terminal allows the donor to specify details of a token, including token value and whether the token is to be associated with a particular retailer or group of retailers. The donor is also able to specify restrictions on the use of the token. For example, the donor may prohibit the purchase of particular categories of products or may specify categories of products authorized for purchase and the amount that may be spent for each category. The donor is also able to specify particular products to be purchased. A token definition is stored and a token associated with the definition is delivered to a recipient. When the recipient presents the token for redemption, the token is redeemed according to the definition.

1 . A token creation and management server for managing a stored value token, comprising:
 a communication interface for communicating with one or more user terminals presenting an interface to a user allowing the user to provide information and make selections defining a stored value token;   a processor for receiving information from the one or more terminals over the communication interface, the information including user inputs by a donor defining characteristics of a stored value token to be delivered to a recipient, the user inputs being submitted by a donor at an interface presented at one of the one or more terminals, the interface presenting a plurality of available selections to the donor allowing for user inputs specifying an amount of stored value associated with the token and restrictions relating to the nature and value of items that may be purchased with the token, the processor being further operative to create a token definition based on the user inputs; and   memory for storing a token definition representing a stored token to be delivered to a recipient, the token definition including a token identification and specifications defining the token, including value and restrictions.   
     
     
         2 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operative to receive information from the donor identifying a recipient for the token and indicating a delivery mechanism for the token. 
     
     
         3 . The token creation and management server of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is further operative to receive recipient identification information from the donor identifying the user as a recipient for a stored token, and to authorize delivery of a stored token associated with the recipient identification. 
     
     
         4 . The token creation and management server of  claim 3 , wherein the recipient identification information is received from a self service kiosk and wherein the processor is operative to authorize the kiosk to issue a physical medium representing the stored token. 
     
     
         5 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein creation of a token definition includes specification of one or more prohibited categories of goods that may be purchased, with purchases being allowed for any goods outside the prohibited categories. 
     
     
         6 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein creation of a token definition includes specification of a plurality of categories of goods that may be purchased, with each category of goods being associated with a monetary limit for the category. 
     
     
         7 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein creation of a token definition includes specification of each item to be purchased using the token. 
     
     
         8 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative to communicate with a redemption server processing a redemption transaction for a token, and wherein the processor is operative to examine the token definition and deliver the token definition to the redemption server upon receiving a token definition from the redemption server. 
     
     
         9 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative to receive transaction information from the redemption server and update the token definition to reflect the results of the redemption transaction. 
     
     
         10 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative to direct communication of transaction details to a donor by whom the token was created. 
     
     
         11 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative to receive alternative suggestions from a recipient after a token has been created and to relay the alternative suggestions to the donor for a response and to modify the token definition based on the donor's response. 
     
     
         12 . The token creation and management server of  claim 1 , wherein the token definition includes restrictions indicating valid time periods and time periods of prohibited or restricted use. 
     
     
         13 - 20 . (canceled)