METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GIFTING GOODS OR SERVICES

摘要

A computer-implemented gifting system is proposed in which a computer system generates a gift card associated with a payment account of a giver. The gift card is transmitted to a recipient, who may present the gift card to a merchant to redeem the gift card. The payment account is debited only if and when the gift card is redeemed. Thus, the giver can give the gift card secure in the knowledge that he will only have to make a payment if the recipient uses the gift card. Preferably, the giver has the option to associate the gift card with a particular product, or a particular class of product, so that the giver can ensure that the gift card can only be redeemed for that product or class of products. Alternatively or additionally, the gift card may be associated with a predefined limit value, such that it can be redeemed for products only up to the predefined limit.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method of providing to a recipient a product offered by a merchant, the method comprising:
(i) a first individual entering data into a computer device specifying a communication address associated with a second individual; (ii) the computer device transmitting a gift card message to the second individual, the gift card message being associated with a payment card associated with the first individual; (iii) the second individual requesting the product at a computer apparatus of the merchant; (iv) the computer apparatus of the merchant, upon receiving the request for the product from the second individual, transmitting to a payment network an authorization request message requesting authorization of a payment transaction using the payment card, and (v) upon the computer apparatus of the merchant receiving a message from the payment network that the payment transaction is authorized, supplying the product to the second individual.