Apparatuses and methods for changing a financial account after initiating a payment using a proxy object, such as a proxy card, are disclosed. The proxy card is associated with multiple financial accounts, such as accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, and pre-paid gift cards. A consumer presents the proxy card to a merchant to make a payment, and the merchant swipes the proxy card and processes the payment by sending transaction information to a financial system. A computer system associated with the financial system selects a payment account associated with the proxy card to use for the payment, and an authorization for the transaction is obtained. Later, the consumer is given a limited time within which he may change the financial account used for the payment, such as by using his mobile device to select a different account associated with the proxy card to use to obtain funds for the payment.

Current U.S. Class:	1/1
Current CPC Class:	G06Q 20/3276 (20130101); G06Q 20/20 (20130101); G06Q 20/3278 (20130101); G06Q 20/40145 (20130101); G06Q 20/3572 (20130101)
Current International Class:	G06Q 20/34 (20120101)
Field of Search:	;705/30,42,39,40 ;715/769,853,760

Schott, P.C.

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Parent Case Text

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PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/184,503 entitled "CHANGING A FINANCIAL ACCOUNT AFTER INITIATING A PAYMENT USING A PROXY CARD" which was filed on Feb. 19, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/145,895 entitled "PROXY FOR MULTIPLE PAYMENT MECHANISMS" which was filed on Dec. 31, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/894,327, entitled "PROXY FOR MULTIPLE PAYMENT MECHANISMS", which was filed on Oct. 22, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

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Claims

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The invention claimed is:

1. A method for performing a payment, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer system from an object identifier, transaction information associated with the payment between a payee and a payer, and object information identifying a payment object account associated with a plurality of payment accounts; accessing, by the computer system, a database to identify the plurality of payment accounts based on the object information; selecting, by the computer system, at least one first payment account from the plurality of payment accounts, to use for the payment; sending an authorization, by the computer system to the object identifier, for the payment; initiating the payment from the selected at least one first payment account based on the authorization; sending a message to a device associated with the payer, the message causing display of a notification indicating the plurality of payment accounts, and the transaction information; receiving, by the computer system, selection information indicating a selection of at least one payment account of the at least one first payment account and a second payment account of the plurality of payment accounts within a time limit to change the selected at least one first payment account to the second payment account; and causing, by the computer system, funds for the payment to be transferred from the selected payment account to an account associated with the payee.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the object identifier comprises a second computer system or a mobile device running an internet-based application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the payment between the payer and the payee may be made using more than one of the plurality of payment accounts.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of payment accounts is an account associated with one of a credit card, a charge card, a debit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a pre-paid credit card, a pre-paid debit card, a gift card, a fleet card, a plurality of loyalty programs, a stored value card, a digital wallet application, or a biometrically identifiable object.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction information is one or more of an amount of a transaction, a name of the payee, and a listing of items associated with the payment.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the authorization, by the computer system to the object identifier, to complete the payment from the selected at least one first payment account further comprises sending an authorization based on one or more parameters associated with the payment object and further wherein, the one or more parameters associated with the payment object comprise one or more credit reports of the payer, one or more credit scores of the payer, and one or more past transactions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the at least one first payment account by the computer system is based on a predefined policy.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predefined policy is based on an incentive program, and further wherein, the incentive program comprises one or more of a rewards program, a points program, a mileage program, a frequent flyer program, a travel rewards program, an experiential rewards program, a hotel rewards program, a cash back reward program, a restaurant rewards program, or a loyalty program.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the time limit corresponds to a time instance when a financial system begins processing of the completed payment.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one first payment account comprises selecting a different payment account corresponding to each of a plurality of line items, wherein the payment for each of the plurality of the line items is made from the corresponding selected payment account.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected at least one first payment account is a bank account.

12. A computer system for performing a payment, the computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing executable instructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive, by the computer system from an object identifier, transaction information associated with the payment between a payee and a payer, and object information that identifies a payment object account associated with a plurality of payment accounts; access, by the computer system, a database to identify the plurality of payment accounts based on the object information; select, by the computer system, at least one first payment account from the plurality of payment accounts, to use for the payment; send an authorization, by the computer system to the object identifier, for the payment, wherein the computer system initiates the payment from the selected at least one first payment account; send a message to a device associated with the payer, the message causing display of a notification that indicates the plurality of payment accounts, and the transaction information; receive, by the computer system, selection information that indicates a selection of at least one payment account of the at least one first payment account and a second payment account of the plurality of payment accounts within a time limit to change the selected at least one first payment account to the second payment account; and based on receiving the selection information within the time limit, cause, by the computer system, funds for the payment to be transferred from the selected payment account to an account associated with the payee.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the payment between the payer and the payee is made using more than one of the plurality of payment accounts.

14. The computer system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of payment accounts is an account associated with one of a credit card, a charge card, a debit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a pre-paid credit card, a pre-paid debit card, a gift card, a fleet card, a plurality of loyalty programs, a stored value card, a digital wallet application, or a biometrically identifiable object.

15. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the object identifier comprises a second computer system or a mobile device running an internet-based application.

16. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the selection of the at least one first payment account by the computer system is based on a predefined policy.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the predefined policy is based on an incentive program, and further wherein the incentive program comprises one or more of a rewards program, a points program, a mileage program, a frequent flyer program, a travel rewards program, an experiential rewards program, a hotel rewards program, a cash back reward program, a restaurant rewards program, or a loyalty program.

18. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the transaction information is one or more of an amount of a transaction, a name of the payee, and a listing of items associated with the payment.

19. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the time limit corresponds to a time instance when a financial system begins processing the payment.

20. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium and a computer program, which when run by a processor in a computer system causes the computer system to perform the following steps: receive, by the computer system from an object identifier, transaction information associated with a payment between a payee and a payer, and object information identifying a payment object account associated with a plurality of payment accounts; access, by the computer system, a database to identify the plurality of payment accounts based on the object information; select, by the computer system, at least one first payment account from the plurality of payment accounts, to use for the payment; send an authorization, by the computer system to the object identifier, for the payment; initiate the payment from the selected at least one first payment account based on the authorization; send a message to a device associated with the payer, the message causing a display of a notification indicating the plurality of payment accounts, and the transaction information; receive, by the computer system, selection information indicating a selection of at least one payment account of the at least one first payment account and a second payment account of the plurality of payment accounts within a time limit to change the selected at least one first payment account to a second payment account; and cause, by the computer system, funds for the payment to be transferred from the selected payment account to an account associated with the payee.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the payment between the payer and the payee is made using more than one of the plurality of payment accounts.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of payment accounts is an account associated with one of a credit card, a charge card, a debit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a pre-paid credit card, a pre-paid debit card, a gift card, a fleet card, a plurality of loyalty programs, a stored value card, a digital wallet application, or a biometrically identifiable object.

23. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the object identifier comprises a second computer system or a mobile device running an internet-based application.

24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the selection of the at least one first payment account by the computer system is based on a predefined policy.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the predefined policy is based on an incentive program, and further wherein the incentive program comprises one or more of a rewards program, a points program, a mileage program, a frequent flyer program, a travel rewards program, an experiential rewards program, a hotel rewards program, a cash back reward program, a restaurant rewards program, or a loyalty program.

26. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the time limit corresponds to a time instance when a financial system begins processing the payment.

27. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the transaction information is one or more of an amount of a transaction, a name of the payee, and a listing of items associated with the payment.

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Description

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BACKGROUND

Consumers today use many types of payment cards (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, prepaid gift cards) and other payment objects (e.g., a smart phone with a digital wallet) to make purchases. Consumers may carry multiple payment cards or other payment objects for a variety of reasons, however, some consumers find carrying such an array of payment options inconvenient and burdensome. For example, all these multiple payment cards may add to an overstuffed wallet or purse making it difficult to find a particular payment card. Consequently, the consumer may pick the first payment card that he finds to pay for a purchase, which in retrospect may not be the best choice for the transaction. For example, the consumer, while later rummaging through the consumer's overstuffed wallet or purse, may find a pre-paid gift card or a different credit card associated with a frequent flyer program, that the consumer would have preferred to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a process for paying for a purchase using a proxy card;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a process for paying for a purchase using a payment object;

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a subset of components of or associated with a first embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a subset of components of or associated with a second embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIG. 4A is an illustration of components of or associated with a third embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIG. 4B is an illustration of components of or associated with a fourth embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIG. 4C is an illustration of components of or associated with a fifth embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIG. 5A is an illustration of components of or associated with a first embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIG. 5B is an illustration of components of or associated with a second embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a flow charts illustrating a method for processing a payment made using a payment object;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for selecting a payment account to use to pay for a financial transaction;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustrations of a listing of payment accounts associated with a proxy card being displayed on a smartphone; and

FIG. 9 is a high-level block diagram showing an example of processing system in which at least some operations related to a selecting a preferred payment mechanism can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this description, references to "an embodiment", "one embodiment" or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the technique introduced here. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand, the embodiments referred to also are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

This application discloses a technique for making a payment using an object, called a "proxy object," which can be, for example, a card that is physically similar to a credit card and that is called a "proxy card." The proxy card is associated with multiple financial accounts, for example by being linked with financial accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, automated teller machine (ATM) cards, stored value cards, etc. Payment accounts, such as those associated with credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, stored value cards, etc. are one type of financial account. The consumer can have access to all of the linked payment accounts from the proxy card, and can use the proxy card to make a payment in which funds for the payment come from any of the linked payment accounts. Hence, the consumer is relieved of the burden of having to carry multiple payment cards. Further, after making a purchase using the proxy card and one of the linked accounts, the consumer can later change the account used for the purchase to another linked account from a mobile device of the consumer. In addition to being relieved of the burden of having to carry multiple payment cards, the consumer is relieved of the burden of having to choose which of the payment cards to use at the time of the purchase, and can make the selection at a later, more convenient time.

In an illustrative use case, a consumer presents the proxy card to a merchant to pay for a purchase of goods, and the merchant swipes the proxy card using a card reader associated with a point-of-sale (POS) system. The POS system initiates the processing of the payment by sending transaction information to a financial system. A computer system associated with the financial system selects a first payment account associated with the proxy card to use to obtain an authorization from the financial system for the transaction. The selection of account can be made based on any of various criteria, as discussed further below. The financial system sends the authorization to the POS system thereby completing the purchase, and the consumer leaves the store with the purchased goods.

Later, the consumer changes the financial account used for the payment. Rather than having to hurriedly select a payment account to use for the transaction while at a cash register with a line of people impatiently waiting behind him, the consumer selects the payment account to use at a more convenient time. When the consumer gets home, he reviews the transaction and reviews the list of payment accounts associated with his proxy card using his tablet computer. In a rush at the cash register, he may have picked the credit card that he normally uses at the merchant. When reviewing the transaction at home, he notices that he has a gift card associated with his proxy card that he can use to pay for the transaction, and he uses his tablet to select the gift card. Funds for the payment are obtained from the financial account associated with the gift card, and the payment that was authorized using the first payment account is cancelled.

The term "swipe" here refers to any manner of triggering a card reader to read a card, such as passing a card through a magnetic stripe reader, smartcard reader, optical code reader, radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, etc. The terms "payment object" or "proxy object" here refers to any object that can be used to make an electronic payment, such as a mobile device via a digital wallet application, an object containing an optical code such as a quick response (QR) code, etc. The term "card reader" here refers to any object that can be used to obtain information from an object used to make an electronic payment where the card reader must be in proximity to the object, such as an optical scanner, a near field communications (NFC) device, a Bluetooth communications device, etc. The phrase "make a payment" can mean "initiate a payment," such as by swiping a payment card through a card reader to obtain an authorization for the payment. Funds do not need to be transferred at the time that the payment is made to "make a payment," and the funds can be transferred at a later time, such as during batch overnight processing of payment transactions.

In a more detailed example, a proxy card is associated with multiple financial accounts, such as an account associated with a credit card, an account associated with a debit card, an account associated with an automated teller machine (ATM) card, and an account associated with a stored value card (e.g., a gift card). A consumer associates the various cards with the proxy card by swiping the various cards using a card reader that is coupled to his smartphone. An application installed in his smartphone captures the information from the magnetic stripe of the various cards, and the application then causes the smartphone to send the captured information via a wireless communication network to a remote computer system, where the payment card information is stored by the computer system in association with the proxy card information. Information related to the consumer's smartphone, such as an internet protocol (IP) address or a phone number, is also stored by the computer system in association with the proxy card during this process.

In a second example, the above-mentioned items of information are associated with each other by the consumer accessing a web site and entering the information from the various cards, along with information associated with his phone, at the website. A computer system associated with the website then uses the entered information to associate the payment card information and the phone information with the proxy card information.

The consumer uses the proxy card to make a purchase at a merchant. The proxy card is swiped using a card reader coupled to a POS system, and the card reader obtains proxy card information from the proxy card. The POS system sends the proxy card information, along with the transaction information such as the amount of the transaction, the name of the merchant, and a listing of the items associated with the transaction to a remote computer system. The remote computer system receives the transaction information and selects an initial payment account associated with the proxy card to use for the payment based on accessing the stored association information. In some embodiments, the computer system sends a message to the consumer's smartphone to prompt the smartphone to obtain an indication from the consumer of which of the payment accounts associated with the proxy card to use for the payment.

The computer system sends the transaction information and information associated with the selected payment account to a financial system to obtain an authorization for the payment. The financial system authorizes the payment as long as it is able to verify that the payment account has sufficient funds available for use for the payment. The POS system receives the authorization, thereby completing the purchase, and the consumer leaves the store with the goods that he just purchased.

While an authorization has been obtained and the purchase is complete, no funds have yet been exchanged. That is because the financial system that processes electronic payments has inherent delays. For example, the financial system may batch payment transactions made during the day for overnight processing. Because the payments have not yet been processed, the consumer can change the payment account to use for the payment.

The computer system therefore sends a message to the consumer's smartphone indicating that the consumer can change the payment account used for the transaction. The consumer's smartphone displays information regarding the transaction, such as the name of the merchant, the amount of the transaction, and the name of the payment card that was initially selected. The smartphone further displays a message informing the consumer that he can change the payment account to be used for the payment and informs him of a time limit for making such a change. The smartphone additionally displays a list of other accounts associated with the proxy card that can be used for the payment (e.g., other accounts that are associated with the proxy card).

The consumer may then indicate, using the smartphone, that he wants to use a second payment account for the payment. In that case, the smartphone sends a message to the computer system with this selection information. The computer system receives the selection information, and sends a message to the financial system that causes the financial system to cancel the payment using the initially selected payment account, and initiates a payment using the second payment account. When the overnight batch processing occurs, funds for the payment are transferred from the second payment account to an account associated with the merchant.

The term "cause" and variations thereof, as used in the preceding paragraph and elsewhere in this description, refers to either direct causation or indirect causation. For example, a computer system can "cause" an action by sending a message to a second computer system that commands, requests or prompts the second computer system to perform the action. Any number of intermediary devices may examine and/or relay the message during this process. In this regard, a device can "cause" an action even though it may not be known to the device whether the action will ultimately be executed.

In the following description, the example of a merchant selling goods to a customer is used, for illustrative purposes only, to explain various aspects of the technique. Note, however, that the technique introduced here is not limited in applicability to merchants and customers nor to the sales of goods. The technique can be utilized with essentially any transaction that traditionally would be initiated by or involve the use of a card reader. Hence, the term "sale", as in point-of-sale (POS) for example, refers to any type of payment-oriented transaction, including for example a lease, a rental, or services, and is not limited to an actual purchase. Note also that in this description the terms "customer" or "payer" generally refer to the person making the payment related to the transaction, while "merchant" or "payee" generally refer to the person receiving the payment related to the transaction.

FIG. 1 illustrates a process for paying for a purchase using a proxy card in accordance with various aspects of the disclosed technology. While the example of FIG. 1 involves paying for a purchase using a proxy card, the disclosed technology can be used to make any electronic payment, including payments for the purchase of goods, for rentals, for services, for financial transactions, etc. The example process illustrated in FIG. 1 has three phases. The first phase is card swipe 105. A consumer has proxy card 150, which in this example is a magnetic stripe card physically similar to a credit card. Multiple payment accounts are associated with proxy card 150 including several credit cards, a debit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, and a prepaid gift card. The payment accounts are associated with proxy card 150, such as by being linked to proxy card 150. The links can be implemented using a database that associates proxy card 150 with the payment accounts. For a discussion as to how these links may be implemented, refer to the discussion of object 250 of FIG. 2.

The consumer presents proxy card 150 to a seller to pay for a purchase. The seller executes card swipe 105, which includes step 103, in which the seller swipes proxy card 150 through card reader 155, and step 108, in which card reader 155 transmits information obtained from proxy card 150 to POS system 158, a point-of-sales (POS) system to which card reader 155 is coupled (either directly or indirectly). The term "swipe" here refers to any manner of triggering a card reader to read a card, such as passing a card through a magnetic stripe reader, smartcard reader, optical code reader, radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, etc. The term "card reader" here refers to any object that can be used to obtain information from an object used to make an electronic payment where the card reader must be in the general vicinity of the object, such as an optical scanner, a near field communications device, a Bluetooth communications device, etc.

POS system 158 then begins the second phase, which is payment authorization 130. Payment authorization 130 includes steps for obtaining an authorization for the payment and includes steps 110, 115, 120, 125, and 180. Payment authorization 130 starts with step 110. At step 110 POS system 158 initiates transmission of information associated with proxy card 150, referred to herein as the proxy card information, to financial system 160. In this example, the proxy card information includes identifying information for the proxy card and meta-data which is used to determine that proxy card 150 is a proxy card, among other purposes. POS system 158 is agnostic to what financial system 160 and proxy card 150 are. As far as POS system 158 can tell, proxy card 150 is no different than other payment cards, and sending information to financial system 160 for proxy card 150 is no different than sending information for other payment cards.

POS system 158 further transmits information associated with the purchase transaction, referred to herein as the transaction information, to financial system 160. The transaction information includes the amount of the transaction, and can further include information regarding the payee and individual line items from the transaction, among other information. At step 110, financial system 160 receives the proxy card information and the transaction information. At step 115, financial system 160 parses the meta-data and determines, based on the meta-data, to send a message to computer system 170. The message sent to computer system 170 at step 115 can include all or part of the proxy card information and the transaction information, among other information. The meta-data can include data such as an IP address or a phone number that indicate where the message should be sent.

Computer system 170, upon receiving the proxy card information, accesses a database access to obtain payment account information associated with proxy card 150. At step 180, computer system 170 applies an algorithm, which in some embodiments is customized by the consumer, to select the payment account to use for the purchase transaction. At step 120, computer system 170 transmits the transaction information and the payment account information to financial system 160, and financial system 160 determines the results of payment authorization 130 using the selected payment account. If the payment account has access to adequate funds for the payment, and no other issue exists, financial system 160 determines that the result of payment authorization 130 is that the payment is authorized.

If some issue exists, such as the payment account does not have access to adequate funds for the payment or the payment account has a fraud alert, financial system 160 determines that the result of payment authorization 130 is that the payment is declined. Other results, such as declining the purchase transaction and instructing the seller to take possession of the proxy card, or additional information, such as an authorization number, can be transmitted to financial system 160 at step 120. At step 125, financial system 160 transmits the results of payment authorization 130 to POS system 158.

In some embodiments, instead of financial system 160 determining and sending the results of payment authorization 130, computer system 170 determines and sends the results of the payment authorization. Computer system 170 decides the payment authorization based on information such as the consumer's credit reports or scores and the history of past payments processed by computer system 170. Computer system 170 sends the payment authorization results to POS system 158, or to financial system 160, which relays the results to POS system 158.

At this point, assuming that the purchase transaction was authorized and the consumer accepted the purchase transaction, the purchase transaction is complete and the consumer is free to walk out of the store with the purchased items. At a later time, for example when the consumer arrives at home, the consumer can optionally start phase 3, change of payment account 145. If the consumer does not utilize this phase, financial system 160 will transfer funds for the payment from the selected payment account to an account associated with the seller. However, during this phase, the consumer can select a second different payment account from which funds to for the payment are to be obtained.

The consumer uses personal computing device 165, for example a smart phone or a laptop computer, to initiate change of payment account 145 which includes steps 135, 140, and 175. At step 135, personal computing device 165 communicates with computer system 170 to initiate change of payment account 145. At step 140, computer system 170 provides information regarding the purchase transaction to the consumer via personal computing device 165. Examples of the information provided include the date of the purchase, information regarding the seller, and the amount of the purchase. Computer system 170 further provides information regarding the payment accounts associated with proxy card 150 to the consumer via personal computing device 165. Computer system 170 has access to a database containing various information associated with proxy card 150, as well as information associated with the consumer and/or the payment accounts associated with proxy card 150.

When there are multiple payment accounts associated with proxy card 150, the consumer, using personal computing device 165, can select any payment account associated with proxy card 150 from which funds for the payment are to be obtained. At step 140, personal computing device 165 transmits information indicating the selection to computer system 170. After the selection is made, at step 175 computer system 170 transmits information related to the selection, such as identifying information for the selected payment account, to financial system 160, which causes financial system 160 to obtain funds for the purchase from the selected payment account. Computer system 170 additionally prevents the funds from being obtained from the initially selected payment account, such as by canceling the payment initially to be obtained from the initially selected payment account.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a process for paying for a purchase using a payment object in accordance with various aspects of the disclosed technology. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the purchase process has three phases. The first phase is object presentation 205. A consumer has object 250, which is referred to herein interchangeably as a "proxy object" and a "payment object." Object 250 has associated payment accounts, and can be a proxy card with associated payment accounts. The consumer presents object 250 to the seller to pay for a purchase. Because object 250 is compatible with financial system 160, object 250 can be presented to the seller in a way that enables the seller to obtain information related to object 250 sufficient to enable initiation of payment authorization 230.

As a first example, object 250 can be proxy card 150 of FIG. 1. Object presentation 205 includes presenting the proxy card so that the proxy card can be read by object identifier 255. In this example, object identifier 255 is a POS system including a card reader in which the card reader is able to obtain information associated with object 250 (i.e., the proxy card) sufficient to initiate payment authorization 230. As a second example, object 250 can be a finger. Object presentation 205 includes presenting the finger so that the fingerprint of the finger can be read by object identifier 255. In this second example, object identifier is a biometric finger scanner capable of obtaining information related to object 250 (i.e., the finger) sufficient to enable initiation of payment authorization 230.

Object identifier 255 begins the second phase, which is payment authorization 230 and includes steps 210, 215, 220, 225, and 280. Payment authorization 230 includes the steps for obtaining authorization for the payment related to the purchase transaction. Payment authorization 230 starts with step 210. At step 210, object identifier 255 obtains object information associated with object 250. For example, a POS system obtains proxy card information from the proxy card. Step 210 continues with the transmission of the object information to financial system 160, for example the POS system transmits the proxy card information to financial system 160. Information related to the purchase transaction (i.e., the transaction information), such as the amount of the purchase, is also transmitted to financial system 160.

Object identifier 255 is, for example, a card reader which transmits the object information and the transaction information to financial system 160. Financial system 160 receives the transmitted information, and based on this information, decides to relay the transmitted information to computer system 170 for further processing. At step 215, financial system 160 relays the transmitted information, along with other information, to computer system 170.

For example, financial system 160 receives the transmitted proxy card information, which includes meta-data, and the purchase amount. Upon receiving the proxy card information, and based on the proxy card information, financial system 160 decides to relay the transmitted information to computer system 170. At this point in time, financial system 160 does not have the information needed to complete or authorize the purchase transaction, as financial system 160 without computer system 170 is not able to determine a payment account associated with the proxy card to use for the purchase transaction.

Computer system 170, upon receiving the proxy card information, accesses a database access to obtain payment account information associated with the proxy card information. At step 280, computer system 170 applies an algorithm, which in some embodiments can be customized by the consumer, to select the payment account to use for the purchase transaction. The following are example algorithms which can additionally be used for step 180 of FIG. 1. 1) When there are multiple payment accounts associated with object 250 and until changed by the consumer or some other entity, the same one payment account is used for all payments made using object 250. 2) The payment account used can be different for each purchase transaction as well as for each line item of a purchase transaction based on a payment account selection algorithm.

For example, a consumer can use a proxy card to purchase gas and a snack item at a gas station as part of a single purchase transaction. For this purchase transaction, the payment account selection algorithm can select a gas credit card associated with the proxy card for the gas line item, and can select a VISA credit card associated with the proxy card for the snack line item. In some embodiments, the consumer can set, modify, or change the algorithm for selecting the payment account to use for a purchase transaction. In some embodiments, the algorithm is based on inputs received from the consumer.

At step 220, computer system 170 transmits the transaction information and the payment account information to financial system 160, and financial system 160 determines the results of payment authorization 230 using the selected payment account. If the payment account has access to adequate funds for the payment, and no other issue exists, financial system 160 determines that the result of payment authorization 230 is that the payment is authorized.

If some issue exists, such as the payment account does not have access to adequate funds for the payment or the payment account has a fraud alert, financial system 160 determines that the result of payment authorization 230 is that the payment is declined. Other results, such as declining the purchase transaction and instructing the seller to take possession of the proxy card, or additional information, such as an authorization number, can be transmitted to financial system 160 at step 220. At step 225, financial system 160 transmits the results of payment authorization 230 to object identifier 255.

In some embodiments, instead of financial system 160 determining and sending the results of payment authorization 230, computer system 170 determines and sends the results of the payment authorization. Computer system 170 decides the payment authorization based on information such as the consumer's credit reports or scores and the history of past payments processed by computer system 170. Computer system 170 can send the payment authorization results to object identifier 255, or can send the results to financial system 160, which can relay the results to object identifier 255.

At this point, assuming that the purchase transaction was authorized and the consumer accepted the purchase transaction, the purchase transaction is complete and the consumer is free to walk out of the store with the purchased items. At a later time, for example when the consumer arrives at home, the consumer can optionally start phase 3, change of payment account 245. If the consumer does not utilize this phase, financial system 160 will transfer funds for the payment from the selected payment account to an account associated with the seller. However, during this phase, the consumer can select a second different payment account from which funds for the payment are to be obtained.

The consumer uses personal computing device 165, for example a smart phone or a laptop computer, to initiate change of payment account 245, which includes steps 235, 240, and 275. At step 235, personal computing device 165 communicates with computer system 170 to initiate change of payment account 245. At step 240, computer system 170 provides information regarding the purchase transaction to the consumer via personal computing device 165. Examples of the information provided include the date of the purchase, information regarding the seller, and the amount of the purchase. Computer system 170 further provides information regarding the payment accounts associated with object 250 to the consumer via personal computing device 165. Computer system 170 has access to a database containing various information associated with object 250 as well as associated with the consumer and the payment accounts associated with object 250.

When there are multiple payment accounts associated with object 250, the consumer, using personal computing device 165, can select any payment account associated with object 250 from which funds for the payment are to be obtained. At step 240, personal computing device 165 transmits information indicating the selection to computer system 170. After the selection is made, at step 275 computer system 170 transmits information related to the selection, such as payment account information, to financial system 160. This causes financial system 160 to obtain funds for the payment from the selected payment account. Computer system 170 additionally prevents the funds from being obtained from the initially selected payment account, such as by canceling the payment from the initially selected payment account. The funds can correspond to the amount of the purchase, the amount of a line item, the amount of multiple line items, or some other amount corresponding to the purchase, and can be transferred to an account associated with the seller. The funds transferred can correspond to an amount by being for the amount less a transaction fee. Further, purchase transactions can be batched, and the funds can be for an amount corresponding to the amount of the batch of purchase transactions.

Object 250 is compatible with financial system 160. In various embodiments, object 250 can be a magnetic stripe card, a smart card, a proximity card, a re-programmable magnetic stripe card, an card containing an optical code such as a quick response (QR) code or a bar code, or a biometrically identifiable object, such as a finger, a hand, an iris, a retina, or a face, among others. Object 250 can be associated with various payment objects and payment object accounts, including accounts associated with credit cards, charge cards, ATM cards, debit cards, pre-paid credit cards, pre-paid debit cards, gift cards, pre-paid gift cards, stored value cards, and fleet cards, among others. The payment accounts can be associated with object 250 by, for example, being linked to object 250. The link can be implemented, for example, using a database which links object 250 with the payment accounts.

In an embodiment, object 250 is a proxy card implemented as a magnetic stripe card similar to a credit card. The proxy card has an account number similar to a credit card, but, unlike a credit card or debit card, the account number is not linked to a particular bank or credit union. Instead, swiping the proxy card, as one would swipe a credit card, triggers the sending of transaction information and proxy card information to a secondary payment processor. The secondary payment processor creates and maintains a database that links the proxy card with the payment accounts. A customer can link various payment card accounts with the proxy card by logging in to a website associated with the secondary payment processor, and entering information into the website that enables the link. For example, the account number of the proxy card, and the account number of a payment card can be entered, and the secondary payment processor can link the two.

Linking can be done by taking photos of the proxy card and the payment card and sending the photos to the secondary payment processor, which can obtain the information needed to link the cards from the photos. The photos can be taken by a mobile device, and an application running on the mobile device can send the photos to the secondary payment processor. Linking can be done by swiping the two cards through a card reader connected to the customer's mobile device, and sending the data obtained by the card reader to the secondary payment processor. An application running on the mobile device can obtain the information for the two card from the card reader, and can send the data obtained by the card reader to the secondary payment processor.

In some embodiments, the proxy card has a visible number on its face, similar to a credit card. In some embodiments, the proxy card has no visible number. In an embodiment with no visible number, information for the proxy card is obtained from the magnetic stripe of the proxy card. In some embodiments, information for the proxy card is obtained via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), near field communications (NFC), or other contactless payment mechanism embedded in the proxy card that triggers payment using a POS system.

Further, object 250 can be associated with loyalty programs, wherein the loyalty programs are another type of payment account which can be used to make the purchase. In some embodiments, object 250 can be a mobile device. Examples of mobile devices include smart phones, tablets, portable media devices, wearable devices, laptops, and other portable computers. In some embodiments, when object 250 is a mobile device, the mobile device includes a digital wallet application that triggers payment using a POS system.

Object identifier 255 can obtain information associated with object 250, where the information is part of the object information. In embodiments where object 250 is a magnetic stripe card or a re-programmable magnetic stripe card, object identifier 255 can read the magnetic stripe. In embodiments where object 250 is a smart card, object identifier 255 can communicate with the smart card to obtain information related to object 250. In embodiments where object 250 is a proximity card, object identifier 255 can cause the proximity card to transmit information associated with the proximity card, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID), which object identifier 255 can receive. In embodiments where object 250 is a card with an optical code such as a QR code or bar code, object identifier 255 can obtain the optical code, for example, by scanning the optical code. In embodiments where object 250 is a mobile device, object identifier 250 can communicate with the mobile device to obtain information related to object 250, such as via 3G, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, or BLE. Object identifier 255 can further transmit the object information to financial system 160.

Object identifier 255 can further include a sales system, such as POS system 158 of FIG. 1. Examples of sales systems include point-of-sale (POS) systems, cash registers, computer systems running sales applications including mobile devices running sales applications, cloud based POS systems, checkout registers, computer systems running internet based applications such as a web browser, and the like.

In embodiments where object 250 is a biometrically identifiable object, such as a finger, a hand, an iris, a retina, or a face, object identifier 255 can identify the biometrically identifiable object or can obtain information from the biometrically identifiable object and can transmit that information to a computer system that can use the information to identify the biometrically identifiable object. For example, when the biometrically identifiable object is a finger, object identifier 255 can obtain data related to the fingerprint of the finger. In some embodiments, object identifier 255 can recognize the fingerprint to identify the finger (e.g., this is the finger of Jane Doe). For example, object identifier 255 can include a biometric scanner coupled to a computer system such as a POS system, wherein the biometric scanner can scan the consumer's fingerprint, can transmit the biometric scan results to the computer system to which the biometric scanner is coupled, and the computer system can use the consumer's fingerprint to identify the finger. In other embodiments, object identifier 255 can transmit the data related to the fingerprint to a second computer system, for example, to a compute server associated with the seller, to financial system 160, to computer system 170, or to another computer system, and the second computer system can use the transmitted fingerprint data to identify the finger. The second computer system can transmit identifying information associated with the finger to object identifier 255, where the identifying information is part of the object information. Object identifier 255 can further transmit the object information to financial system 160.

In embodiments where object 250 is a mobile device, object identifier 255 can obtain identifying information associated with the mobile device. In one example where object 250 is a smart phone, object identifier 255 can communicate with the smart phone via 3G to obtain identifying information related to a digital wallet associated with the smart phone, where the identifying information is part of the object information. Object identifier 255 in various embodiments can communicate with the mobile device via WiFi, 3G, 4G, Near Field Communication (NFC), or Bluetooth, or can obtain an optical code such as a QR code or a bar code or any machine readable code from the mobile device, for example, by scanning an optical code displayed by the mobile device. Object identifier 255 can further transmit the object information to financial system 160.

Personal computing device 165 can be a mobile device. Examples of mobile devices include smart phones, tablets, portable media devices, wearable devices, laptops, and other portable computers. Personal computing device 165 can further be a non-portable computer, such as a desktop computer.

Object 250 can be associated with multiple payment accounts, and a loyalty program can be a payment account. A seller may be motivated to encourage certain behaviors in consumers. For example, the seller may want the consumer to return to the seller's store, or to purchase a certain item, or to return to the store at a certain time or during a certain time window and make a purchase. To encourage behaviors such as these, a seller can participate in or offer a loyalty program. The seller can provide loyalty points or some equivalent for each purchase made by a consumer. By coming back to the seller's store and making additional purchases, the consumer can grow his loyalty points. The loyalty points can be redeemed for purchases made at the seller's store or another of the seller's stores or with other businesses that participate in the loyalty program.

In addition to encouraging loyalty to a store or a brand by providing loyalty points for purchases made at the store or for brand products, a seller can use the loyalty program to encourage other behaviors. For example, if the store has a slow period, such as a coffee shop is slow between 3 pm and 4 pm, the store owner can, in order to give consumers incentive to make purchases at the store during this slow time, offer increased loyalty points for purchases made between 3 pm and 4 pm at the store. The store owner can also offer increased redemption value for a consumer's loyalty points, or can lower the cost of products or services in terms of loyalty points, during this time window. For example, the store owner could offer to redeem 100 loyalty points and provide 150 points of value, or could reduce an item that normally costs 150 loyalty points to 100 loyalty points, for purchases made between 3 pm and 4 pm. As another example, if a business owner wants to encourage consumers to purchase a new item that the business owner is introducing, the business owner can offer increased loyalty points to consumers for purchasing this new item. The business owner can also offer increased loyalty point redemption value or reduced loyalty point costs to a consumer for purchasing this new item using loyalty program points. For example, if the new item can be normally purchased with 150 loyalty points, the business owner can offer 150 points of loyalty program value for 100 redeemed loyalty points to a consumer for purchasing this new item, or the business owner can reduce the cost of the new item to 100 loyalty points.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a subset of components of or associated with a first embodiment of a financial system for processing purchase transactions and associated fund transfers. The following description of FIG. 3A will be described using the transaction illustrated in FIG. 1, and will refer to labels of that figure. FIG. 5A illustrates the first embodiment, and FIG. 3A contains the subset of the components of FIG. 5A that are relevant to explaining the transaction illustrated in FIG. 1. The following description of FIG. 3A also applies to FIG. 3B, except where differences are noted. All actions, decisions, determinations, and the like which are taken or received by computer system 170 can also be taken or received by financial transaction platform 575 when computer system 170 includes an implementation of financial transaction platform 575, as is represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The transaction of this example starts with a consumer presenting proxy card 150 to seller 310. Seller 310 initiates card swipe 105 at step 103 by swiping proxy card 150 through card reader 155. Card reader 155 at step 108 then sends the information obtained from proxy card 150, the proxy card information, to POS system 158. Card reader 155 is coupled to POS system 158. Payment authorization 130 starts at step 110 with POS system 158 transmitting the proxy card information to financial system 160. In the example of FIG. 1, proxy card 150 is encoded as a VISA branded payment card.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, financial system 160 includes processing service 320, financial service 330, and banking service 340. In some embodiments, financial system 160 can include computer system 170, such as in the embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4C. FIGS. 4A-4C are illustrations of components of or associated respectively with a third, fourth, and fifth embodiment of a financial system. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, computer system 170 is under the control of banking service 440. In the embodiment of FIG. 4B, computer system 170 is under the control of financial service 430. In the embodiment of FIG. 4C, computer system 170 is under the control of processing service 420.

POS system 158 at step 110 transmits the proxy card information to financial system 160, where the proxy card information is received by processing service 320. An example of processing service 320 is Bank of America Merchant Services. Processing service 320, based on the received proxy card information, determines that proxy card 150 is encoded as a VISA branded payment card. Based on this determination, processing service 320 relays the received information to the financial service that processes VISA branded payment cards. In this example, financial service 330 is VISA's VisaNet Payment System, which processes payments made using VISA branded payment cards.

The proxy card information includes meta-data which financial service 330 uses to determine to transmit the proxy card and transaction information to computer system 170. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, in various embodiments computer system 170 can be under the control of a processing service, a financial service, or a banking service. Financial service 330, upon determining to transmit information associated with proxy card 150 to computer system 170, performs step 115 in which financial service 330 transmits information associated with proxy card 150 to computer system 170.

Connector 390 shows two connections to financial service 330 in order to facilitate explaining the example of FIG. 3A. This is not intended to represent two connections, or any specific number of connections. Connector 390 represents an information flow made via any type of communications medium, such as a network (wired or wireless). Label 390B represents a flow of information that is generally from financial system 160 to computer system 170, such as occurs at step 115. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the information flow of step 115 is generally from financial service 330 to computer system 170. Label 390A represents a flow of information that is generally from computer system 170 to financial system 160, such as occurs at steps 120 and 175. In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the information flow of steps 120 and 175 is generally from computer system 170 to financial service 330. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the information flow of steps 120 and 175 is generally from computer system 170 to processing service 320.

Computer system 170 at step 180 selects the payment account to use for the purchase transaction, which in this example is also a VISA branded payment card account. Computer system 170 performs step 120 which includes sending the transaction information and the payment account information to financial system 160. In the financial system embodiment of FIG. 3A, this includes sending the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330, as is represented by the branch of connector 390 that is labeled 390A. Computer system 170 sends the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330 based on a determination that the selected payment account is a VISA branded payment account, and based on a determination that financial service 330 is the financial service that processes payments made using VISA branded payment cards.

As is represented by label 390A of FIG. 5A, computer system 170 can send the transaction and payment account information to different financial services when payments from the selected payment account are processed by other financial services. Financial service 330 determines that the payment account is managed by banking service 340, and sends the transaction and payment account information to banking service 340. An example of a banking service is Chase Bank. Banking service 340 determines the result of payment authorization 130, and in step 125 sends the results of the authorization to POS system 158.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a subset of components of or associated with a second embodiment of a financial system for processing purchase transactions and associated fund transfers. FIG. 5B illustrates the second embodiment, and FIG. 3B contains the subset of the components of FIG. 5B that are relevant to explaining the transaction illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, when computer system 170 performs step 120, computer system 170 sends the transaction information and the payment account information to processing service 320 instead of financial service 330. In this embodiment, rather than computer system 170 making the determination to send the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330 for processing, processing service 320 makes this determination. Processing service 320 sends the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330 based on a determination that the selected payment account is a VISA branded payment account, and based on a determination that financial service 330 is the financial service that processes payments made using VISA branded payment cards. In this embodiment, label 390A represents a flow of information that is generally from computer system 170 to processing service 320, such as occurs at steps 120 and 175.

Returning to the description of FIG. 3A, at this point, assuming that the purchase transaction was authorized and the consumer accepted the purchase transaction, the purchase transaction is complete. At a later time, for example when the consumer arrives at home, the consumer can optionally start phase 3, change of payment account 145. If the consumer utilizes change of payment account 145, at step 175 computer system 170 sends the second payment account information and the transaction information to financial system 160.

For the embodiment represented in FIG. 3A, and similar to the above FIG. 3A discussion related to step 120, sending the transaction and payment account information to financial system 160 includes sending the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330, as is represented by 390A of FIG. 3A. For the embodiment represented in FIG. 3B, and similar to the above FIG. 3B discussion related to step 120, sending the transaction and payment account information to financial system 160 includes sending the transaction and payment account information to processing service 320, as is represented by 390A of FIG. 3B. Processing service 320 makes a determination to send the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330.

Returning to the description of FIG. 3A, financial service 330 determines that the payment account of this example is managed by banking service 340, and sends the transaction and payment account information to banking service 340. For other payment accounts, financial service 330 may determine that a different bank manages that payment account. Financial service 330 can send the transaction and payment account information to another banking service, as is represented in FIG. 5A, which shows information flowing from multiple financial services to multiple banking services. Banking service 340 determines the result of payment authorization 130, and sends the result to computer system 170. Upon receipt of the authorization, computer system 170 ensures that funds for the payment will not be taken from the payment account initially selected for the payment. This can be done, for example, by canceling the previously authorized payment. As a result of change of payment account 145, funds for the payment will be transferred from the second payment account to the account associated with the seller, and funds for the payment will not be taken from the initial payment account.

In the financial system embodiment of FIG. 3B, causing the transfer includes computer system 170 sending the transaction and payment account information to processing service 320, as is represented by 390A of FIG. 3B. As discussed previously, processing service 320 determines to send the transaction and payment account information to financial service 330. Financial service 330 performs from this point as previously described.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of components of or associated with a first embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers. Computer system 170 includes financial transaction platform 575. A financial transaction platform enables multiple consumers to engage in financial transactions with multiple payees. As an example of one such financial transaction, a consumer can purchase a coffee from a merchant using payment card 505. POS system 158A can obtain payment card information from payment card 505 and can send the payment card information and the transaction information to financial transaction platform 575. Financial transaction platform 575 can process the payment made using the payment card, where the processing includes sending information to financial system 160 to causes a transfer of funds from the account associated with payment card 505 to an account associated with the merchant. All other components of FIG. 5A are discussed in the descriptions of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 5B is an illustration of components of or associated with a second embodiment of a financial system for processing financial transactions and associated fund transfers. All components of FIG. 5B are discussed in the descriptions of FIGS. 1-5A.

FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating operations of an example of a method for processing a payment made using a payment object. At step 605, computer system 170, by running financial transaction platform 575, enables multiple customers to engage in financial transactions with multiple payees. Step 605 can be performed by financial transaction platform 575, as well as by computer system 170. Using the example of FIG. 5A as an example of one such financial transaction, a consumer can purchase a coffee from a merchant using payment card 505. POS system 158A can obtain payment card information from payment card 505 and can send the payment card information and the transaction information to financial transaction platform 575. Computer system 170, as well as financial transaction platform 575, can process the payment made using the payment card, where the processing includes sending information to financial system 160 to cause a transfer of funds from the account associated with payment card 505 to an account associated with the merchant.

A consumer makes or initiates a payment using a payment object. The payment object can be, for example, a proxy card. A consumer can present the proxy card to make a payment associated with a financial transaction. For example, the consumer can purchase a coffee from a merchant. To pay for the coffee, the consumer can present the proxy card to the merchant, as is done in step 205 of FIG. 2. An object identifier, such as one associated with POS system 158, can obtain proxy card information from the proxy card, as is done in step 210 of FIG. 2. The proxy card information can be sent to financial system 160, as is done in step 210 of FIG. 2. The proxy card information can alternatively be sent to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575, for example, from POS system 158A to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575. The consumer can make or initiate a payment using the proxy card by presenting the proxy card to the merchant so that the merchant's POS system can obtain proxy card information from the proxy card.

At step 615, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 receives transaction information associated with a financial transaction. As per step 215, financial system 160 can send the transaction information received at step 210 to computer system 170, with computer system 170 accordingly receiving the transaction information. In some embodiments, financial transaction platform 575 is implemented on computer system 170, and financial transaction platform 575 also receives the transaction information.

At step 620, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 receives the payment object information. Step 620 can occur after step 605, and before or after step 615. The payment object can be a proxy card, and computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can receive the proxy card information. As per step 215, financial system 160 can send the proxy card information received at step 210 to computer system 170, with computer system 170 resultantly receiving the proxy card information. In some embodiments, financial transaction platform 575 is implemented on computer system 170, and financial transaction platform 575 can also receive the proxy card information.

At step 625, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 accesses a database that includes stored association information representing an association between the proxy card and multiple payment accounts. Step 625 can occur after steps 615-620. The association information can be, for example, links between the proxy card and the multiple payment accounts. When the payment object is a proxy card, the consumer can, for example, enter the card number of the proxy card using a web site associated with computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575. The consumer can then enter the card number of a first payment card using the website. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can link the first payment card with the proxy card, such as by using a database. As a second example, the consumer installs an application on his mobile device, and swipes his proxy card and a payment card through a card reader that is coupled to the mobile device. The application communicates with a computer system, and provides proxy card information and payment card information to a computer system. The computer system associates the proxy card and the payment card.

The consumer can similarly link additional payment cards, and the multiple payment cards can all be associated with the proxy card. The linkages in the database between the proxy card and the multiple payment accounts are association information, where the association information is stored in the database. The database can contain further association information, such as the name of the consumer, the consumer's address, credit report information regarding the consumer, and the like.

When accessing the database, this association information can be retrieved from the database. For example, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can use the proxy card information received during step 620 as an index into the database. One of the entries in the database can be a list of payment accounts associated with the proxy card. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can retrieve this list of payment accounts, and can further retrieve payment account information from the database.

After step 625, one or more of the payment accounts associated with the proxy card can be chosen to use to obtain authorization for the payment. The payment account can be selected by computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575, as happens at step 630, or can be selected by the consumer, as happens during steps 635-640.

At step 630, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 select a first payment account. Step 630 can be after step 625. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can select the first payment account based on an algorithm. For example, the algorithm can select the same one payment account for all payments made using the proxy card. The consumer in some embodiments can change the payment account that is chosen. As a second example, the algorithm can select a different payment account for each purchase transaction, as well as for each line item of the purchase transaction. For example, the algorithm can select an Exxon credit card for gas purchases, and a VISA credit card for items purchased at a grocer. If the consumer purchases gas and snacks at one store, the algorithm can select the Exxon card to pay for the gas purchase and can select the VISA card to pay for the snack purchase.

At step 635, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 causes a portion of the association information to be displayed. Step 635 can be after step 625. In this scenario, for example, the consumer just provided the proxy card to the merchant to pay for the coffee. The proxy card was swiped and the transaction is going through the authorization process. During the authorization process, a listing of the payment accounts associated with the proxy card can be displayed on the consumer's mobile device, as is illustrated in display 800 of FIG. 8A. The consumer can use his mobile device to select the payment account to use for the payment, such as by touching the screen to indicate a selection of one of the displayed payment accounts.

In this example, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 obtained the listing of the payment accounts associated with the proxy card while accessing the database at step 625, where the listing of the payment accounts is a portion of the association information. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 sends or causes to be sent this listing of payment account to the consumer's mobile device, and the consumer used his mobile device to select the payment card to use for the payment.

At step 640, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 receives selection information indicating a selection of a first payment account. Step 640 can occur after step 625 or 635. After the consumer uses his mobile device to select the payment account to use for the payment, the mobile device can send selection information to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575, where the selection information indicates a selection of a first payment account to use for the payment.

At step 645, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 causes an authorization for the payment to be sent to, for example, an object identifier such as a POS system 158. Step 645 can occur after any of steps 625-640. As a first example, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 causes the authorization to be sent by sending the transaction information and the selected payment account information to financial system 160. The financial system determines whether the payment account has access to adequate funds to make the payment, and authorizes the payment when adequate funds are available. The payment account can be deemed to have sufficient funds available for use for the payment in several ways. For example, when the payment account is a deposit account, it can be deemed to have sufficient funds available for use when the amount of funds in the account is equal to or greater than the amount of the payment.

The deposit account can also be deemed to have sufficient funds available for use even when the amount of funds in the account is less than the amount of the purchase. For example, if the account has overdraft protection, the account can be deemed to have sufficient funds available for use when the amount of funds in the account plus the amount of funds available via overdraft protection is equal to or greater than the amount of the payment. When the payment account is a credit account, the payment account can be deemed to have sufficient funds available for use when the amount of credit funds available via the credit account is equal to or greater than the amount of the payment. When financial system 160 deems that the payment account has sufficient funds available for use, financial system 160 sends the authorization for the purchase to the object identifier, such as POS system 158.

As a second example, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can send the authorization to an object identifier, such as POS system 158. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can determine if the payment account is deemed to have sufficient funds available for use, and can decide to authorize the payment transaction. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can decide to authorize the payment transaction based on other information, such as the consumer's credit report or based on past usage of the proxy card or the payment account. When computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 decide to authorize the payment transaction, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can send the authorization to the object identifier, or can alternately send the authorization to financial system 160, which can relay the authorization to the object identifier.

After step 645, the consumer can choose to change the payment account used to obtain funds for the payment, as is discussed further below.

At step 650, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 causes funds to be transferred from the first payment account to an account associated with the payee. When the consumer does not change the payment account, step 650 occurs. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 at step 645 sent transaction information and payment account information to financial system 160, and financial system 160 authorized the payment. The action of causing the payment authorization, unless prevented from taking effect, such as by canceling the payment, causes funds to be transferred from the first payment account to an account associated with the payee. The transaction information includes an amount corresponding to the amount to be transferred as well as information regarding the payee sufficient to allow identification of the account associated with the payee into which the funds are to be transferred. The payment account information includes information regarding the payment account sufficient to allow identification of the account to facilitate the transfer of funds from the account.

At step 655, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 causes information associated with the payment accounts to be displayed. Step 655 can occur after step 645, or after POS system 158 receives the authorization for the purchase. In this scenario, for example, the consumer completed the purchase and left the merchant's place of business with the purchased goods. Upon arriving home, the consumer decides to change the payment account to use for the payment. The consumer initiates communications with computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 using a computing device, such as the consumer's smartphone, tablet computer, or desktop computer. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 obtains the listing of payment accounts associated with the proxy card by accessing the database, as in step 625.

Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 sends or causes to be sent the listing of payment accounts to the consumer's computing device, as is illustrated at display 800 of FIG. 8A and display 801 of FIG. 8B. Display 800 illustrates an example of a display in a scenario where computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 initially selected the payment account (step 630) in the background and the consumer may be unaware of this background processing. Display 801 illustrates an example of a display where the results of step 630 (e.g., the initial selection of the VISA account to use for the $100.00 purchase at Bob's Steak House) are brought to the consumer's attention via display 801, or where the consumer made the initial selection of the payment account (steps 635-640).

The information displayed or otherwise output by the computing device can further include information related to the transaction, such as the amount of the transaction and information related to the payee, such as the name of the merchant with whom the consumer did the transaction. The information can also include a notification of a time limit for changing the payment account associated with the proxy card to use for the transaction. For example, the time limit can be a predefined amount of time or time period (e.g., "You have until 7:00 pm tonight to change the account used for this purchase" or "You have 60 minutes left to change the account used for this purchase"). The predefined time limit can be based on knowledge or estimates of delays inherent in the financial system that processes the payment. For example, when the financial system batches payment transactions for processing, the time limit can be based on when the financial system begins to batch process the payment transactions. The time limit can be other predefined amounts of time or time periods, one example being a time limit that the company that offers the proxy card sets based on what the company deems to be a reasonable time limit.

In addition to being a predefined amount of time or time period, the time limit can be variable based on, for example, when the payment is actually processed. The financial system may take some time, such as several hours, to batch process all the payment transactions. In this example, even after the batch processing starts, the consumer can change the payment account used for the transaction as long as computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can prevent that particular payment transaction from being batch processed, such as by canceling the payment and having the cancellation take effect before the payment is processed (i.e., the transfer of funds has occurred). The consumer uses the computing device to select a second payment account to use for the payment, and from which funds for the payment are to be taken. The change will be accepted by computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 as long as computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can prevent obtaining the funds from the first payment account.

Step 660 includes receiving selection information indicating a selection of a second payment account. Step 660 can occur after step 645 or 655. After the consumer uses his computing device to select the payment account to use for the payment, the computing device can send selection information to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575, where the selection information indicates a selection of a first payment account to use for the payment.

At step 665 computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 causes funds to be transferred from the second payment account to an account associated with the payee. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 sends the transaction information and the second payment account information to financial system 160. This is done to cause the funds for the payment to come from the second payment account rather than the first payment account. Financial system 160 can authorize the payment using the second payment account, and can send a payment authorization to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575. Computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can also prevent funds for the payment from being obtained from the first payment account. For example, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 can send information to financial system 160 that causes the payment and/or the payment authorization to be canceled.

FIG. 6B is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for processing a payment made using a proxy card. At step 670, a mobile device receives a message indicating to select a financial account associated with a proxy object, such as a proxy card. At step 635, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 sends a message to the consumer's mobile device that causes a portion of the association information to be displayed. At step 670, the consumer's mobile device receives the message. The message includes a listing of some or all of the payment accounts associated with the proxy card. In response to the message, the mobile device displays a portion of the payment accounts and prompts the consumer to select a payment account to use for the payment, as is illustrated at display 800 of FIG. 8A. The consumer can indicate a selection, such as by touching the "VISA" box of display 800 to indicate a selection of the VISA account.

At step 675, a mobile device sends a message indicating a selection of a first financial account associated with the proxy card. After the consumer indicates the selection using his mobile device, the mobile device sends a message to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 indicating the selection. The method continues at step 640, where computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 receives the message.

At step 680, the consumer's mobile device receives a message indicating that a different financial account associated with the proxy card can be selected. At step 655, computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 sends a message to the consumer's mobile device that causes the mobile device to display information associated with the payment accounts. At step 680, the consumer's mobile device receives the message. Earlier at step 645, an authorization for the payment was obtained using the first payment account. However no funds have yet been transferred. Because the funds have not yet been transferred, the payment using the first payment account can still be stopped, and a different financial account associated with the proxy card can be used for the payment.

The message that is received at step 680 can include a list of accounts associated with the proxy card that can be used for the payment in place of the first payment account. The message can further contain information such as a description of the transaction (e.g., "The following account was used for your $100.00 purchase at Bob's Steak House"), and information regarding a time limit or time window for changing the payment account to be used for the payment (e.g., "You have until 7:00 pm tonight to change the account used for this purchase"). The mobile device can display this information, as is illustrated by display 801 of FIG. 8B.

At step 685, the consumer's mobile device sends a message indicating a selection of a second financial account associated with the proxy card. While step 685 provides an opportunity for the consumer to select a different payment account to use for the payment, the consumer need not select a different payment account. If the consumer does not select a different payment account, the method continues at step 650, where the payment is processed using funds from the first payment account. If the consumer selects a different payment account, the mobile device sends a message to computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 indicating the consumer's selection. The method continues at step 660, where computer system 170 and/or financial transaction platform 575 receives the message.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for selecting a payment account to use to pay for a financial transaction. All actions, decisions, determinations, and the like which are taken or received by financial transaction platform 575 in the example method of FIG. 7 can also be taken or received by computer system 170.

At step 705, a financial transaction platform enables multiple merchants (also sellers and payees) to engage in financial transactions with customers (also buyers and payers). Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 5A, a financial transaction platform, such as financial transaction platform 575, can process electronic payments made by the customers to the merchants, thereby enabling the merchants to engage in financial transactions with the customers. For example, financial transaction platform 575 processes electronic payments made by a customer using a payment card, such as payment card 505. The customer or the merchant swipe payment card 505 through card reader 155 of POS system 158A, and POS system 158A sends payment card and transaction information to financial transaction platform 575. Financial transaction platform 575 causes funds for the financial transaction (i.e., to pay for or make a payment associated with the financial transaction) to be transferred from an account associated with payment card 505 to an account associated with the merchant.

At step 710, financial transaction platform 575 receives transaction information associated with a financial transaction. A customer engages in a financial transaction with a merchant. The financial transaction is associated with a transaction, such as the sale of goods, the providing of services, and/or the providing of rentals, as well as for other purposes or associated with other occurrences. POS system 158 of FIG. 5A is used for the transaction and obtains the transaction information. The transaction information can include, among other information, the amount of the sale, the amount charged for providing the services, the amount charged for providing the rentals, a tip amount associated with the transaction, and/or a listing of items associated with the transaction, such as a listing of items sold or rented, or a listing of services provided. POS system 158 sends the transaction information associated with the financial transaction to financial system 160, and financial system 160 sends the transaction information to financial transaction platform 575, which receives the transaction information. In another example, POS system 158A sends the transaction information associated with the financial transaction to financial transaction platform 575, which receives the transaction information.

At step 715, financial transaction platform 575 receives proxy object information, the proxy object being associated with multiple payment accounts. Step 715 can occur after step 705 and before or after step 710. Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the proxy object of the example method of FIG. 7 is proxy card 150. Financial transaction platform 575 receives the proxy card information associated with proxy card 150. A customer provides proxy card 150, which is associated with multiple payment accounts, to the merchant. The merchant swipes proxy card 150 through card reader 155, and card reader 155 obtains proxy card information from the magnetic strip of proxy card 150. Card reader 158 sends the proxy card information to POS system 158 and POS system 158 sends the proxy card information to financial system 160. Financial system 160 sends the proxy card information to financial transaction platform 575, which receives the proxy card information. In another example, POS system 158A sends the proxy card information to financial transaction platform 575, which receives the proxy card information. The proxy card information and the transaction information can be sent as part of one message.

At step 720, financial transaction platform 575 accesses a database based on the proxy card information to determine the multiple payment accounts associated with the proxy card. Step 720 can occur after step 715 and before or after step 710. The database contains an association of proxy card information with the payment accounts that are associated with the proxy card. The customer can have linked or associated the proxy card with multiple payment accounts using the database.

For example, the database associates proxy card information with the multiple payment accounts that are associated with proxy card 150, and this association was previously created by the customer. Financial transaction platform 575 accesses the database. The proxy card information, in this example the account number which is part of the proxy card information, is used as an index into the database. In some embodiments, the proxy card information goes through a transformation before it is used as an index into the database. In such a case, the database access is based on the proxy card information in that it is based on a transformation of the proxy card information. The database returns the payment accounts associated with the proxy card, and financial transaction platform 575 receives information associated with the multiple payment accounts.

At step 725, financial transaction platform 575 selects a payment account to use for the financial transaction by applying a policy. Step 725 can occur after steps 715 or 720. Financial transaction platform 575 applies a policy to select the payment account to use for the financial transaction, for example selecting the payment account to use to make a payment associated with the financial transaction.

In some embodiments, the policy can be customized by the customer. In a first example, the customer logs in to a website of the entity that provides the proxy card and customizes the policy. The customer customizes the policy by setting a first payment account as the top priority account to use, setting a second payment account as the second priority payment account to use, etc. In a second example, the customer installs an application on his mobile device, and uses the application to customize the policy. The customer uses the application to customize the policy by setting the first payment account as the top priority account, setting the second payment account as the second priority payment account to use, etc. In a third example, the customer sends a text message or email to customize the policy. The customer customizes the policy by sending a text message to a particular phone number or an email to a particular email address that indicates to set a first payment account as the top priority account, to set a second payment account as the second priority payment account, etc.

In some embodiments, the policy is customized for the customer, such as by financial transaction platform 575 or computer system 170. The customization of the policy can be based on input of the customer, such as preferences of the customer. For example: the customer may prefer to use a particular payment account at all times; the customer may prefer to use a payment account that is associated with an incentive program, such as a credit card associated with an American Airline's frequent flyer program; the customer may prefer to use pre-paid gift cards; the customer may prefer to use the account into which the customer's employer direct deposits the customer's paychecks, such as the customer's primary checking account; the customer may prefer to select the payment account to use for each transaction.

The customization can include multiple levels of customization and customization that includes conditionals, among other types. For example, the customer may prefer to use pre-paid gift cards as the highest priority, and may use debit cards as the second priority. In this case, the debit cards will not be used until pre-paid gift card funds are exhausted. As a second example, the customer may customize the policy such that: if the payee is a grocer, use a first payment account; if the payee is a gas station, use a second payment account, unless the payee is Exxon, in which case use a third payment account. As a third example, the customer may customize the policy such that: American Airlines miles are optimized until 20,000 miles are reached; once 20,000 miles are reached, select pre-paid gift cards as the highest priority. In some embodiments, the policy is implemented via an algorithm.

In some embodiments, the policy can be based on the funds available for use from the payment account. For example, a customer can decide to purchase a television for $1,000, and can use proxy card 150 to pay for the financial transaction associated with the purchase. Proxy card 150 can have three associated credit cards, with the first card having $100 remaining until the first card's credit limit is reached, the second card having $500 remaining until the second card's credit limit is reached, and the third card having $1,500 remaining until the third card's credit limit is reached. The $100, $500, and $1,500 represent the funds that are available to use respectively from the first, second, and third credit cards.

Financial transaction platform 575 has access to data representing these remaining credit limits and available fund amounts. For example, financial transaction platform 575 communicates with financial system 160, and financial system 160 provides information regarding the credit limit, the available credit, and/or the funds available for each credit card. Financial transaction platform 575 uses the credit limit, available credit, and/or funds available information in selecting the payment account to use for the financial transaction.

In another example, the customer provides information regarding the credit limit of each credit card associated with proxy card 150, and financial transaction platform 575 maintains a calculation of the funds available for use. When proxy card 150 is used, per step 710, financial transaction platform 575 receives transaction information associated with financial transaction involving proxy card 150. By summing the amount paid for each financial transaction by each payment card associated with proxy card 150, financial transaction platform 575 can determine the outstanding balance for each card. Based on the credit limit of each payment account provided by the customer, financial transaction platform 575 determines the credit remaining until the credit limit is reached by subtracting the outstanding balance for a given card from the credit limit, thereby determining the funds available for use from the given card.

Financial transaction platform 575, having access to data representing the funds available for use from each of the three associated credit cards, determines that only the third card, has enough funds available to pay the $1,000 cost of the television. By applying such a policy, financial transaction platform 575 selects the third card to pay for the financial transaction associated with the purchase of the television, based on the third card having sufficient funds available to pay the purchase price of the television.

In some embodiments, the policy can be based on the type of the payment account. For example, the policy can select a first type of card, such as gift cards, before selecting any other type of card. The policy can further select a second type of card, for example ATM cards, before selecting a third type of card, for example credit cards. Examples of types of payment accounts include: a payment account associated with a particular brand, for example an account associated with a VISA branded credit card; a payment account associated with a particular issuer, for example an account associated with a Chase Bank issued credit card; a payment account accepted by a particular merchant, for example an account associated with an Exxon credit card accepted by Exxon; a payment account associated with any of a credit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a debit card, a pre-paid gift card, or a fleet card, for example a payment account associated with a credit card.

In some embodiments, the policy can be based on an incentive program associated with the payment account. The policy can select a payment account based on, for example, obtaining points for a frequent flyer program. The policy may be customized in this way because a customer wants to use frequent flyer program points for travel for an upcoming vacation. Examples of an incentive program include a rewards program, a points program, a mileage program, a frequent flyer program, a travel rewards program, an experiential rewards program, a hotel rewards program, a cash back reward program, a restaurant rewards program, and a loyalty program, among others. In an example, the policy can be based on optimizing or maximizing incentive program points, such as reward points for a rewards program. Financial transaction platform 575 determines which cards can be used to obtain reward points for the reward program. When multiple cards can be used, financial transaction platform 575 determines which card would obtain the maximum reward points if used. The selection of the payment card is based on optimizing or maximizing the reward points for the purchase, such as by selecting the payment account associated with the payment card that would obtain the maximum reward points if used.

The following description expands on the above example, for an embodiment where the customer can customize the policy. The customer customizes the policy with the goal of obtaining American Airlines miles. Proxy card 150 has in this example an associated credit card that provides one mile of American Airlines mileage credit for each dollar spent with the associated credit card. The credit card may also have a program running where the mileage credits are doubled (i.e., two miles credit for each dollar spent) if the card is used to purchase $200 in groceries at a certain store, for example, Safeway. Financial transaction platform 575 sends a message to the customer making the customer aware of this double mileage program, and the customer decides to shop at Safeway for the next several weeks. Financial transaction platform 575 selects the American Airlines credit card to use when the customer uses proxy card 150 at Safeway until $200 in groceries are purchased, thereby triggering the double mileage program. In this case, the selection of the payment account is based on both an incentive program (i.e., selecting a card based on an associated American Airlines mileage program), as well as on a merchant (i.e., selecting a card based on the merchant being Safeway in order to cause the triggering of the double mileage program).

In some embodiments, the policy or application of the policy is based on a merchant category code, or a combination of an incentive program and a merchant category code (MCC). A MCC is a four digit number assigned to a business by credit card companies. The MCC is used to classify the business by the type of goods or services that it provides. For example, "5411" is the MCC for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets. The preceding example might be changed such that double miles are provided for purchasing $200 of groceries, not at Safeway, but at merchants with a MCC of "5411" (i.e., at Grocery Stores and Supermarkets). In this case, financial transaction platform 575 selects the American Airlines credit card to use when proxy card 150 is used at a merchant with a MCC of "5411" until $200 in groceries are purchased, thereby triggering the double mileage program.

In this example, the selection of the payment account is based on both an incentive program (i.e., selecting a card based on an associated American Airlines mileage program), as well as on a MCC (i.e., selecting a card based on the MCC being "5411", indicating that the merchant is a Grocery Store or Supermarket). The selection of the payment account can similarly be based on just the MCC. For example, a customer customizes the policy such that a gasoline credit card is chosen for purchases made at a merchant with an MCC indicating that the merchant sells gasoline.

In some embodiments, the selection of the payment account is based on a timing parameter. Example timing parameters include the time, date, day of the week, week, month, and year. For example: a customer can customize the policy such that a certain credit card is selected for purchases made on a date (i.e., Jan. 10, 2014); on a day of the week (i.e., on Tuesdays); during a week (i.e., during the first week of February or the sixth week of the year); during a month (i.e., during February); or during a year (i.e., during 2014).

In some embodiments, the selection of the payment account is based on an indication of the customer. For example, the customer indicates a preference to indicate the payment account to use for each transaction, and the policy is customized based on this indication. The database of step 720 can include contact information for a mobile device of the customer that is associated with the proxy card, such as in internet protocol (IP) address or phone number of the mobile device. Financial transaction platform 575, based on the contact information, causes information associated with at least one of the payment account associated with the proxy card to be displayed on the mobile device, as is illustrated at display 800 of FIG. 8A. The customer indicates which payment account to use, such as by touching the VISA selector of display 800. The mobile device sends this indication to financial transaction platform 575, and financial transaction platform 575 selects the VISA account based on the customer indicating to use the VISA account.

In some embodiments, the selection of the payment account is based on past payment account selections and/or usage. For example, a customer may indicate to use whatever was the last payment card used, or whatever was the last payment card used at that merchant, or whatever was the last payment card used at the type of merchant. The type of the merchant can be indicated by the MCC code of the merchant, with merchants having the same MCC being of the same type.

At step 730, financial transaction platform 575 sends information associated with the payment account to a financial system to cause funds for the financial transaction to be obtained from the payment account. Step 730 can occur after any of steps 715-725 or step 740. Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 5A, financial transaction platform 575 sends information associated with the payment account to financial system 160. The information associated with the payment account includes information obtained from the database during step 720, and includes payment account information and transaction information. The sending of the payment account information and the transaction information to financial system 160 causes financial system 160 to obtain funds from the payment account for the financial transaction.

At step 735, financial transaction platform 575 causes the funds for the financial transaction to be deposited in an account associated with the merchant. Step 735 can occur after any of steps 715-730. The account can be, for example, the merchant's bank account at a bank or a credit union or another financial institution. Alternatively, the account can be a financial account associated with financial transaction platform 575, where the funds can be held in trust for the benefit of the merchant. For example, the financial account associated with financial transaction platform 575 can be a bank account at a bank or a credit union or another financial institution where the merchant's funds are held in trust for the benefit of the merchant.

At step 740, financial transaction platform 575 selects additional payment accounts associated with the proxy card to use for the financial transaction by applying the policy. Step 740 can occur after any of steps 725-735. A customer decides to purchase a television for $1,000, and uses proxy card 150 to pay for the financial transaction associated with the purchase. Proxy card 150, in this example, has three associated payment accounts, with the first account having $100 remaining until its credit limit is reached, the second account having $500 remaining until its credit limit is reached, and the third account having $400 remaining until its credit limit is reached. Financial transaction platform 575 determines that no payment account has sufficient funds available to pay the purchase price of the television.

Financial transaction platform 575 determines that sufficient funds can be obtained from the combination of the three payment accounts to cover the cost of the television purchase. Financial transaction platform 575 determines that the $100 of funds available from the first payment account, along with the $500 of funds available from the second payment account and the $400 of funds available from the third payment account, can be used to pay the $1,000 cost to purchase the television. In this example, an initial payment account of the three credit payment accounts can be selected during step 725. For example, the first payment account can be selected during step 725, and step 730 can include causing the $100 in funds from the first payment account to be obtained from an account associated with the first payment account.

At step 740, financial transaction platform 575 selects the second and third payment accounts to use for the financial transaction by applying the policy. The policy, in this example, being to use multiple payment accounts when funds/credit limit available in any single account are insufficient to pay for the financial transaction, and the credit limit/funds available from the multiple accounts associated with the proxy card are sufficient to pay for the financial transaction. The policy can select additional payment accounts for other reasons as well. For example, to obtain rewards points from the multiple payment accounts, or to spend just enough with a first payment account to trigger a reward, such as adequate frequent flyer miles to obtain travel for a vacation, and selecting a second payment account to pay for the remainder of the financial transaction.

At step 745, financial transaction platform 575 causes the funds to pay for the financial transaction to be obtained from the selected additional payment accounts. Causing the funds to be obtained from the additional payment accounts can be done in a manner similar to step 730, but done for each of the additional payment accounts. The sum of the funds obtained from the selected initial payment account and the selected additional payment accounts can correspond to the amount of the payment associated with the financial transaction.

FIG. 9 is a high-level block diagram showing an example of a processing device 900 that can represent any of the devices described above, such as POS system 158, computer system 170, or the mobile device of FIGS. 8A and B. Any of these systems may include two or more processing devices such as represented in FIG. 9, which may be coupled to each other via a network or multiple networks.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing system 900 includes one or more processors 910, memory 911, a communication device 912, and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 913, all coupled to each other through an interconnect 914. The interconnect 914 may be or include one or more conductive traces, buses, point-to-point connections, controllers, adapters and/or other conventional connection devices. The processor(s) 910 may be or include, for example, one or more general-purpose programmable microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable gate arrays, or the like, or a combination of such devices. The processor(s) 910 control the overall operation of the processing device 900. Memory 911 may be or include one or more physical storage devices, which may be in the form of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM) (which may be erasable and programmable), flash memory, miniature hard disk drive, or other suitable type of storage device, or a combination of such devices. Memory 911 may store data and instructions that configure the processor(s) 910 to execute operations in accordance with the techniques described above. The communication device 912 may be or include, for example, an Ethernet adapter, cable modem, Wi-Fi adapter, cellular transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, or the like, or a combination thereof. Depending on the specific nature and purpose of the processing device 900, the I/O devices 913 can include devices such as a display (which may be a touch screen display), audio speaker, keyboard, mouse or other pointing device, microphone, camera, etc.

Unless contrary to physical possibility, it is envisioned that (i) the methods/steps described above may be performed in any sequence and/or in any combination, and that (ii) the components of respective embodiments may be combined in any manner.

The techniques introduced above can be implemented by programmable circuitry programmed/configured by software and/or firmware, or entirely by special-purpose circuitry, or by a combination of such forms. Such special-purpose circuitry (if any) can be in the form of, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

Software or firmware to implement the techniques introduced here may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium and may be executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessors. A "machine-readable medium", as the term is used herein, includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine (a machine may be, for example, a computer, network device, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), manufacturing tool, any device with one or more processors, etc.). For example, a machine-accessible medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.), etc.

Note that any and all of the embodiments described above can be combined with each other, except to the extent that it may be stated otherwise above or to the extent that any such embodiments might be mutually exclusive in function and/or structure.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

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