US 12,033,133 B2
System and methods for enhanced authorization of prepaid cards
Kyle Williams, Wentzville, MO (US); David J. Senci, Troy, IL (US); and Michelle L. Hafner, Chesterfield, MO (US)
Assigned to MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED, Purchase, NY (US)
Filed by MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED, Purchase, NY (US)
Filed on May 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/311,141.
Application 18/311,141 is a continuation of application No. 17/329,012, filed on May 24, 2021, granted, now 11,663,581.
Application 17/329,012 is a continuation of application No. 15/386,664, filed on Dec. 21, 2016, granted, now 11,017,379, issued on May 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0267446 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06Q 40/00 (2023.01); G06Q 20/28 (2012.01); G06Q 20/34 (2012.01); G06Q 20/40 (2012.01)
CPC G06Q 20/342 (2013.01) [G06Q 20/28 (2013.01); G06Q 20/348 (2013.01); G06Q 20/351 (2013.01); G06Q 20/4016 (2013.01); G06Q 20/409 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer-implemented method for enhancing authorization of prepaid cards, the method implemented using an interchange network, and an authorization computing device in communication with a memory and the interchange network, wherein each of the prepaid cards has an initial value unknown to the interchange network and the authorization computing device, and wherein the method comprises:
routing, by the interchange network, communications between a plurality of merchants and a plurality of issuing banks, the communications formatted according to a set of proprietary communications standards promulgated by the interchange network for exchange of financial transaction data and settlement of funds between financial institutions that are members of the interchange network;
providing, by the interchange network to the authorization computing device, transaction data for one or more transactions by a prepaid card of the prepaid cards, the transaction data extracted from the communications processed by the interchange network;
building, at the authorization computing device, a database table stored in a database for each of the prepaid cards searchable by a personal account number (PAN) of the corresponding prepaid card, each database table storing, for each prepaid card, at least a transaction amount and a transaction date for each transaction initiated with the prepaid card including declined transactions for insufficient funds;
receiving, at the authorization computing device using the interchange network, a first authorization request for a first payment transaction between a cardholder and an originating merchant initiated using the prepaid card, wherein the first authorization request includes the PAN of the prepaid card and a first transaction amount for the first payment transaction;
querying, at the authorization computing device, the database table using the PAN of the prepaid card;
determining, at the authorization computing device based on the querying of the database table, whether there are sufficient funds associated with the prepaid card for the first transaction amount; and
notifying, by the authorization computing device, the originating merchant of the determination of whether there are sufficient funds associated with the prepaid card by sending a message to the originating merchant over the interchange network.