Package for card with data-encoded strip and method of using same
DCFirst Claim
1. A package adapted for holding a first card, the first card generally defining a plane and having an exposed data-encoded strip;
- said package including;
(a) a first panel having an outer perimeter; and
(b) retaining means for securing the first card to said first panel so that, when the first card is secured to said first panel, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip is exposed and displaced externally remote from a portion of said outer perimeter of said first panel in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the first card.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention comprises a method of activating a metered account that is associated with a personal identification number, where the personal identification number is affixed to a card and the metered account is activated at the time of sale of the card, and an apparatus comprising a package adapted for holding the card so that the method of the present invention can be practiced. The card includes an exposed data-encoded strip and the card preferably has a personal identification number thereon. The package includes a first panel and a retainer that secures the card to the first panel so that, when the card is secured to the panel, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from the panel. The data-encoded strip is encoded with a control number that is associated with the metered account. When the card is purchased, the control number is read from the data-encoded strip while the card is secured to the first panel, and the metered account is activated.
402 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A package adapted for holding a first card, the first card generally defining a plane and having an exposed data-encoded strip;
- said package including;
(a) a first panel having an outer perimeter; and (b) retaining means for securing the first card to said first panel so that, when the first card is secured to said first panel, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip is exposed and displaced externally remote from a portion of said outer perimeter of said first panel in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the first card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- said package including;
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12. In combination:
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a first card generally defining a plane and including an exposed data-encoded strip; and a package including a first panel, said first panel having an outer perimeter;
said first card being secured to said first panel so that at least a portion of said data-encoded strip is exposed and displaced externally remote from a portion of said outer perimeter of said first panel in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said first card. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, 33, 34)
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24. In combination:
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a first card generally defining a plane and including an exposed data-encoded strip; at least one second card; and a package including; a first panel having an outer perimeter;
said first card being secured to said first panel so that at least a portion of said data-encoded strip is exposed and displaced remote from a portion of said outer perimeter of said first panel in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said first card; anda retaining portion securing said at least one second card to said package so that said at least one second card is displaced from said first card. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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25. In combination:
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a card having a personal identification number thereon, said card generally defining a plane and including an exposed magnetic strip; and a package including; a first panel; a second panel attached in congruent alignment to said first panel and comprising a transparent window portion overlapping a portion of said card remote from said magnetic strip; and a rivet extending between said first and second panels securing said card to said first and second panels so that at least a portion of said magnetic strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from said first and said second panels in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said card;
said rivet being adapted to indicate that an attempt has been made to view said personal identification number.
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26. In combination:
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a card having a personal identification number thereon, said card generally defining a plane and including an exposed magnetic strip; and a package including; a first panel; a door panel hingedly attached to said first panel; a second panel attached in congruent alignment to said first panel and comprising a transparent window portion overlapping a portion of said card remote from said magnetic strip; and a rivet extending between said first and second panels securing said card to said first and second panels so that at least a portion of said magnetic strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from said first and said second panels in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said card;
said rivet being adapted to indicate that an attempt has been made to view said personal identification number.
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27. In combination:
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a first card having a personal identification number thereon, said first card generally defining a plane and including an exposed magnetic strip; and at least one second card; and a package including; a first panel; a second panel attached in congruent alignment to said first panel;
said second panel having a compartment holding said at least one second card to said package; anda rivet extending through said first card and securing said first card to said package so that at least a portion of said magnetic strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from said first and said second panels in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said first card;
said rivet being adapted to indicate that an attempt has been made to view said personal identification number.
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28. In combination:
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a card having a personal identification number thereon, said card generally defining a plane and including an exposed magnetic strip; and a package including; a sticker attached to said card hiding said personal identification number from view; a first panel including a male protuberance and having a first end; a second panel including a female protuberance in mating engagement with said male protuberance; and a third panel; said second panel retaining said card and said third panel between said first and second panels and including a transparent first window portion overlapping at least a portion of said card remote from said magnetic strip;
said second panel being attached in congruent alignment to said first panel;
said second panel having a second end hingedly attached to said first end and a second window portion for viewing said third panel therethrough; anda rivet extending between said first and second panels for securing said card to said first and second panels so that said magnetic strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from said panels in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said card.
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35. A method of using a card-and-package combination to activate a metered account, said card-and-package combination comprising a package and a first card generally defining a plane;
- said first card including a data-encoded strip and said first card additionally having a personal identification number thereon;
said first card being secured to said package so that said personal identification number is obscured from view and so that at least a portion of said data-encoded strip is exposed;
said method comprising the steps of;(a) encoding a first identification number onto said data-encoded strip; (b) associating a first representation of said first identification number with said metered account within a processing apparatus; i. then using a data-encoded strip reader to read said encoded first identification number from said exposed data-encoded strip while said first card is secured to said first panel; ii. then transmitting a first characterization of said first identification number from said data-encoded strip reader to said processing apparatus; iii. then using said first characterization of said first identification number to identify said metered account by said processing apparatus; iv. then activating said metered account by said processing apparatus; and (c) crediting said metered account with a certain predetermined balance. - View Dependent Claims (36)
- said first card including a data-encoded strip and said first card additionally having a personal identification number thereon;
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37. A method of using a card-and-package combination to activate a plurality of metered accounts, said card-and-package combination comprising:
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(A) a first card generally defining a plane;
said first card including a data-encoded strip and said first card additionally having a personal identification number thereon;(B) at least one second card; and (C) a package;
said first card being secured to said package so that said personal identification number is obscured from view and so that at least a portion of said data-encoded strip is exposed;
said package including a retaining portion securing said at least one second card to said package;said method comprising the steps of; (a) encoding a first identification number onto said data-encoded strip; (b) associating a first representation of said first identification number with said plurality of said metered accounts within a processing apparatus; i. then using a data-encoded strip reader to read said encoded first identification number from said exposed data-encoded strip while said first card is secured to said first panel; ii. then transmitting a first characterization of said first identification number from said data-encoded strip reader to said processing apparatus; iii. then using said first characterization of said first identification number to identify said plurality of said metered accounts by said processing apparatus; iv. then activating said plurality of said metered accounts by said processing apparatus; and (c) crediting each said metered account with a certain predetermined balance. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification