Dynamic Gift Card Generation via Intermediary Service
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gift card systems limit consumers to purchasing cards from merchants with preconfigured stock-keeping units (SKUs), restricting access to a wide range of merchants, especially small local businesses, and face challenges in preventing fraud.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically generating gift cards that allow users to select from a vast number of merchants without requiring the merchant to have infrastructure for gift card issuance, using a graphical user interface to search, retrieve merchant information, and generate a gift card with customizable features, including merchant information and restrictions, while incorporating fraud prevention measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gift cards are preconfigured with SKUs for merchants, then gift card issuance infrastructure is simplified, but the number of available merchants is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party service provider as an intermediary that connects consumers and merchants without requiring the merchants to have gift card issuance infrastructure. The service provider handles SKU configuration, gift card generation, and transaction processing, enabling consumers to purchase gift cards for any merchant while the service provider manages the complex infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gift card issuance infrastructure from the merchant side and places it on the service provider side. By removing the requirement for merchants to have their own gift card systems, the patent enables access to a vast number of merchants including small local businesses that previously could not participate in gift card programs.
2Speed
If gift cards are issued immediately upon purchase, then transaction speed is improved, but fraud risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements recipient acceptance as a preliminary action before gift card issuance. The system generates a unique link and sends it to the recipient, who must accept the gift card before it is officially issued and funds are transferred. This preliminary acceptance step allows the system to verify the recipient's identity and intent, reducing fraud risk while maintaining efficient transaction processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors and tracks gift card purchases, recipient acceptance, and redemption activities. By implementing continuous monitoring and verification processes, the system can identify suspicious patterns and prevent fraud while maintaining smooth transaction flow for legitimate users.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for dynamic gift cards are disclosed. A graphical user interface provided by which a gifting user may obtain a gift card for a receiving user. The graphical user interface may be accessible via an embedded application. The gifting user may search for a merchant to obtain a gift card for via the graphical user interface. Search services may then be queried to obtain information relating to the merchant, and the information may be presented to the gifting user for selection of a merchant. Once selected, pre-approval of the gift card may be obtained; however, issuance may be prevented until the recipient accepts the gift card. A message may be automatically generated for the gifting user to directly send to the recipient that enables the recipient to accept the gift card. A preview of the gift card may be rendered based on the queried information.