Foldable data card assembly and method

• US 20070063052A1
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Chakiris, Phil, Smith, Chandilyn, Blasius, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,256,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/486
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/045 Multi-part cards or sheets, i.e. combined with detachably mounted articles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/348 Single-use cards, i.e. without possibility of recharging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/357 Cards having a plurality of specified features
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices

Abstract

A foldable data card assembly and method are disclosed. The foldable data card assembly comprises a base assembly with a left portion, a middle portion, and a right potion. The left portion or the middle portion contains an aperture. A data card is enclosed within the base assembly such that the aperture is aligned with a special number on the data card. A security barrier is placed adjacent to the personal account number on the data card, but the security barrier is not placed between the aperture and the special number on the card. During manufacture, the special number is read from the card through the aperture, and the special number used to generate activation information which is printed on the package. The activation information is read at the point of sale, and used to activate the account associated with the activation information.

Claims

1. A foldable data card assembly comprising:

a data card;

a base assembly comprising a foldable piece of cardboard or plastic or rigid material;

the base assembly further comprising a left portion, a middle portion, and a right portion;

a first fold line dividing the left portion of the base assembly from the middle portion of the base assembly;

a second fold line separating the middle portion of the base assembly from the right portion of the base assembly; and

an aperture located in the left portion or the middle portion.

2. The foldable data card assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first fold line and the second fold line are substantially parallel;

the left portion is approximately equal in size to the middle portion; and

the right portion is smaller than the middle portion.

3. The foldable data card assembly of claim 2, wherein the left portion and the middle portions each comprise a hole symmetrically positioned relative to the first fold line separating the left and right portions, so that the hole in the left portion will be aligned with the hole in the right portion after folding, the holes being adapted for hanging the folded data card assembly on a hook;

a vertical long notch located in the bottom of the base assembly, aligned with the first fold line and adapted so that the bottom of the left portion will fold flush against the bottom of the middle portion after folding along the first fold line, and further adapted so that the bottom portion of the folded base assembly will pass smoothly and evenly through a magnetic strip reader, the vertical long notch being approximately one to three times the width of the magnetic strip;

the left portion comprising two lines of weakness defining a tear away portion that exposes the interior of the folded base assembly, the two lines of weakness being approximately parallel to a length dimension of the card; and

two notches positioned where the approximately horizontal lines of weakness reach an outermost edge of the left portion, the two notches adapted to assist initiating tearing away the tear away portion.

4. The foldable data card assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the data card comprises a personal account number (PAN) printed on or stored on the card; and

the data card has a special number associated with the PAN and printed on or stored on the card.

5. The foldable data card assembly of claim 4, wherein the special number may comprise a number, or a set of letters, or any unique identification code;

and wherein the special number is contained on the card in an optically readable form, or in a magnetically readable form, or in an electrically readable form.

6. The foldable data card assembly of claim 4, wherein:

the data card is positioned adjacent to the middle portion;

the right portion is folded over the data card in a stowed position;

the left portion is folded over the right portion in a covered position; and

the special number on the data card is aligned with the aperture on the base assembly.

7. The foldable data card assembly of claim 6, wherein activation information is printed on or stored on the folded assembly.

8. The foldable data card assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

an indicia of the activation information disposed on the base assembly, the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

9. The foldable data card assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the activation information comprises an activation profile record for the enclosed data card; and

the activation information is customized according to specifications from the individual retailer.

10. The foldable data card assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a security barrier positioned adjacent to the PAN of the data card and further positioned so that it does not cover the special number of the data card, wherein the security barrier is adapted so that the PAN of the data card is not readable from outside the base assembly.

11. The foldable data card assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

indicia of activation information disposed on the outside of the folded assembly, the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

12. A method of manufacturing a foldable data card assembly comprising:

manufacturing or purchasing a data card comprising an indicia of a personal account number (PANT);

creating a special number associated with the PAN, but not equivalent to the PAN;

printing the special number on the data card;

wrapping or folding the data card inside of a package that has an aperture adapted to view the special number through the aperture;

generating activation information associated with the special number; and

printing the activation information on the package.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

printing an indicia of the activation information on the package, wherein the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

generating activation information using the special number and specific information associated with a specific retailer.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

printing the activation information on the package as a smartchip or other electronic device.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

reading the activation information at the point of sale;

activating an account associated with the activation information.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the indicia of the personal account number (PAN) protrudes from the card, further comprising:

placing a security barrier adjacent to the protruding indicia of the data card, wherein the security barrier is adapted to prevent the protruding numbers from legibly deforming the package, and wherein the security barrier is not positioned between the aperture and the special number.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the security barrier is constructed from a folded sheet;

the folded sheet is placed in front of the card before the card is tipped into position; and

the folded sheet comprises graphics, coupons, or terms and conditions.

19. A foldable data card assembly comprising:

a data card comprising an indicia of a personal account number;

a base assembly comprising a foldable piece of cardboard or plastic or rigid material;

the base assembly further comprising a left portion, a middle portion, and a right portion;

a first fold line separating the left portion of the base assembly from the middle portion of the base assembly;

a second fold line separating the middle portion of the base assembly from the right portion of the base assembly;

an aperture or window located in the left portion or the middle portion;

a special number associated with the personal account number and printed on the data card; and

a security barrier placed adjacent to the personal account number of the data card, wherein the data card is disposed within and coupled to the base assembly and wherein a portion of the data card is viewable through the aperture.

20. A foldable data card assembly comprising:

a base assembly comprising a foldable piece of cardboard or plastic or rigid material;

the base assembly further comprising a left portion, a middle portion, and a right portion;

a first fold line separating the left portion from the middle portion;

a second fold line separating the middle portion from the right portion;

an aperture or window disposed in the left portion or middle portion;

the first fold line and the second fold line being substantially parallel;

the left portion being approximately equal in size to the middle portion;

the right portion being smaller than the middle portion;

the left portion and the middle portion each containing a hole symmetrically positioned relative to the first fold line separating the left and right portions, so that the hole in the left portion is aligned with the hole in the right portion upon folding completely along the first fold line, the holes being adapted for hanging the folded data card assembly on a hook;

a vertical long notch located in the bottom of the base assembly, aligned with the first fold line and adapted so that the bottom of the left portion will fold flush against the bottom of the middle portion after folding along the first fold line, and further adapted so that the bottom portion of the folded base assembly can pass smoothly and evenly through a magnetic strip reader;

the vertical long notch being approximately one to three times the width of the magnetic strip;

the left portion comprising two approximately horizontal lines of weakness defining a tear away portion that exposes the interior of the folded base assembly;

two horizontal small notches being positioned where the approximately horizontal lines of weakness reach the left edge of the left portion, adapted to assist initiating tearing away the tear away portion;

the approximately horizontal lines of weakness comprising perforations or scoring or grooves;

a personal account number (PAN) protruding from a front face of the data card;

a special number associated with the PAN printed on the front face or the back face of the data card;

a data card being positioned within the foldable base assembly so that the special number on the card is visible through the aperture of the base assembly;

indicia of activation information associated with the special number being printed on the base assembly, the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID; and

a security barrier disposed on the base assembly and positioned adjacent to the raised PAN of the data card.

21. A data card assembly comprising:

multiple data cards;

a base assembly comprising a piece of cardboard or plastic or rigid material;

one or more apertures in the base assembly.

22. The data card assembly of claim 21, further comprising:

the multiple data cards each comprise a personal account number (PAN);

at least one data card has a special number associated with the PAN and printed on the card;

the special number may comprise a number, or a set of letters, or any unique identification code; and

the special number is contained on the card in an optically readable form, or in a magnetically readable form, or in an electrically readable form.

23. The data card assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

the base assembly contains a single aperture;

the multiple data cards are positioned in the base assembly so that a single special number of a single card is readable through the single aperture of the base assembly; and

said single special number is associated with the multiple data cards.

24. The data card assembly of claim 23, further comprising:

indicia of activation information printed on the base assembly, the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

25. The data card assembly of claim 21, further comprising:

the multiple data cards each comprise a personal account number (PAN);

each multiple data card comprises a separate special number

each special number may comprise a number, or a set of letters, or any unique identification code; and

each special number is contained on the card in an optically readable form, or in a magnetically readable form, or in an electrically readable form.

26. The data card assembly of claim 25, further comprising:

one or more apertures in the base assembly;

the multiple data cards positioned in the base assembly so that each special number is viewable through the one or more apertures.

27. The data card assembly of claim 26, further comprising:

indicia of activation information printed on the base assembly, the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

28. A method of manufacturing a data card assembly comprising:

manufacturing or purchasing multiple data cards, each data card comprising an indicia of a personal account number (PAN);

creating a special number associated with the multiple PANs of the multiple data cards; and

wherein the special number may comprise a number, or a set of letters, or any unique identification code; and

wherein the special number is contained on at least one card in an optically readable form, or in a magnetically readable form, or in an electrically readable form;

wrapping or folding the data card inside of a package that has a single aperture adapted to view a single special number through the aperture;

generating activation information for all of the cards in the package associated with the single special; and

printing an indicia of the activation information on the package, wherein the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

reading the activation information at the point of sale; and

activating the accounts associated with the activation information.

30. A method of manufacturing a data card assembly comprising:

manufacturing or purchasing multiple data cards, each data card comprising an indicia of a personal account number (PAN);

creating multiple special numbers respectively associated with the multiple PANs of the multiple data cards;

wherein each special number comprises a number, or a set of letters, or any unique identification code;

wherein each special number is contained on at least one card in an optically readable form, or in a magnetically readable form, or in an electrically readable form;

wrapping or folding the multiple data cards inside of a package that has one or more apertures adapted to view multiple special numbers;

generating activation information for all of the cards in the package associated with the multiple special numbers; and

printing an indicia of the activation information on the package, wherein the indicia of activation information comprising at least one of the set consisting of;

a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, and a RFID.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

reading the activation information at the point of sale; and

activating the accounts associated with the activation information.

32. A data card assembly, comprising:

at least two data cards, wherein each data card comprises a unique personal account number (PAN) printed on the data card and a unique special number associated with the PAN and printed on the data card;

a base assembly, comprising a piece of cardboard or plastic or rigid material and a number of apertures equal to the number of data cards; and

a single indicia of activation information printed on the base assembly, wherein the indicia of activation information is associated with each PAN of each data card and is operative to activate each data card.

33. The data card assembly of claim 32, wherein the special number comprises a number, a set of letters, or any unique identification code and the special number is contained on the data card in an optically, magnetically, or electrically readable form.

34. The data card assembly of claim 33, wherein the at least two data cards are positioned in the base assembly so that each special number of each data card is readable through the apertures of the base assembly.

35. The data card assembly of claim 32, wherein the single indicia of activation information is comprised of a magnetic strip, a bar code, a smartchip, or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.

36. The data card assembly of claim 32, wherein the single indicia of activation information is associated with each special number of each data card.