Importance

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Abstract

A pre-paid card system enables customers to make purchases, calls, and to participate in a survey using an authorized card. The system includes four main functional components: a plurality of cards, a host computer, a plurality of on-site activation terminals and a main processor. Each of the cards having a security number associated therewith. The card is typically formed of cardboard, paper or plastic and may include the security number in cleartext under a suitable blackout. The main management and processing of the system is effected by the host computer. The host includes a database for storing security numbers associated with authorized cards. The data terminals are remote from the host computer and connectable thereto for transmitting data between the terminals and the host computer. The processor is controlled by the host computer for enabling customer purchases using the authorized cards. A customer survey may be selectively initiated and dynamically modified by the system depending on a number of system and customer-specific criteria. Survey responses are recorded and processed by the system. The customer may receive a credit or other consideration for participating in the survey.

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First Claim