Card system and methods utilizing collector cards

• US 6,325,292 B1
• Filed: 04/26/1998
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard P. Sehr
• Original Assignee: Richard P. Sehr
• Inventors: Sehr, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/067,094
• Time in Patent Office: 1,318 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/380, 235/375, 235/387, 395/600
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3555 Personalisation of two or more cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A card system and methods that encompass a card issuer entity and a plurality of service providers so as to automatically compile, issue, utilize, and process collector cards for the purpose of enjoyment, purchase of goods and services, and for the activation of other card-based privileges. The portable collector cards are realized by smart card technology and have the ability to compile and process collectible information, and store and use a monetary amount to simulate debit/credit card payment means. Biometrics identification of cardholders, as well as cryptographic certification of collectible card data and related information, can optionally be encoded onto the cards and can be verified and validated at various point-of-service locations upon presentation of the card for utilization, including for manipulation of collectible information, rendering of card-based services, and for communications of card data and database information.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing a portable collector card;

said method comprising the steps of;

storing in the card a collectible information about a collectible item;

said collectible information comprising data about a celebrity;

subsequently conveying including retrieving said collectible information from said portable collector card;

said step of storing the information comprising the step of earmarking the card-based information with a certificate of authenticity;

earmarking said collectible information with a security key to assure that only a legitimate cardholder can use the information stored in the card;

subsequently presenting the card for use of said collectible information;

requesting and providing a security information for accessing the card data; and

verifying including comparing the provided information against said security key stored in the card; and

if there is a match;

then unlocking the card-based information for usage by said legitimate cardholder; and

otherwise, denying use of said collectible information by the cardholder;

said security key comprising a biometrics characteristics information of said legitimate cardholder.

2. The method in claim 1 further including the step of communicating a collectible data element stored in a particular card to another collector card, including a remote database;

said communicating step comprising the steps of;

coupling said particular card to said another collector card, including said remote database;

communicating said collectible data element by said particular card to the other card, including the database; and

storing the communicated data element into said another collector card including remote database.

3. The method in claim 1 further including the step of conveying the status of a particular collectible information stored in the card;

said conveying step comprising the steps of;

selecting said particular collectible information from among a set of collectible data stored in the card; and

displaying the selected collectible information onto said portable collector card;

said step of selecting collectible information comprising the step of choosing a type of embodiment for said particular collectible information;

said type of embodiment being selected from the group comprising text, graphics, video, audio-based information, or a combination thereof.

4. A method for altering a particular collectible data stored in a portable collector card by a particular card user;

said altering step comprising the steps of;

storing in the card a collectible information about a collectible item;

said collectible information comprising data about a celebrity;

subsequently conveying including retrieving said collectible information from said portable collector card;

said step of storing the information comprising the step of earmarking the card-based information with a certificate of authenticity;

comparing an information provided by said particular card user against an access code previously stored in the card and used to earmark the card-based collectible data; and

if there is a match or correlation, then allowing alteration of said particular collectible data by said particular card user; and

otherwise, denying alteration of the card-based collectible data by said particular card user;

said access code comprising a digital signature of said particular card user.

5. The method in claim 4 further including the step of communicating a collectible data element stored in a particular card to another collector card, including a remote database;

said communicating step comprising the steps of;

coupling said particular card to said another collector card, including said remote database;

communicating said collectible data element by said particular card to the other card, including the database; and

storing the communicated data element into said another collector card including remote database.

6. The method in claim 4 further including the step of conveying the status of a particular collectible information stored in the card;

said conveying step comprising the steps of;

selecting said particular collectible information from among a set of collectible data stored in the card; and

displaying the selected collectible information onto said portable collector card;

said step of selecting collectible information comprising the step of choosing a type of embodiment for said particular collectible information;

said type of embodiment being selected from the group comprising text, graphics, video, audio-based information, or a combination thereof.

7. A portable collector card, comprising:

a memory for storing in the card a collectible information relating to a collectible item;

said collectible information comprising sports-related data;

input/output means for entering into or retrieving from the card said collectible information;

means for communicating data by the collector card with an entity including a remote database;

means for updating by the collector card data including said collectible information after being stored in the card;

a theme-overview data section for storing a card contents theme, comprising;

data about a particular collectible subject stored in the card;

identification information about said collectible item; and

personal data relating to a particular cardholder;

a theme-instruction window for displaying a list of collectible items stored in the card and a set of help-functions for providing guidance about how to use the card;

a topic-options data section for storing and processing a plurality of collectible topics, comprising;

a set of features available for selection including for compiling a collector card data;

background and statistical information about said collector card data;

a scroll-window for browsing through said set of features; and

an instruction-window for providing assistance about how to select, display, manipulate, and store said plurality of collectible topics;

a card security data section for storing card access rights and data communication safeguards, comprising;

cardholder authenticity information including a digital signature; and

card authorization levels comprising access rights for reading and/or writing card data, and means for encryption/decryption of information including card data; and

a certification data section for storing a certificate of authenticity comprising;

means for certifying via said certificate of authenticity at least a portion of said collectible information stored in the card; and

means for communicating a particular certificate of authenticity between a card issuer and a card collector;

said communication means comprising;

encrypting said particular certificate of authenticity with said card issuer'"'"'s secret key and said card collector'"'"'s public key;

communicating by said card issuer the encrypted certificate to said card collector;

decrypting the communicated certificate via said card collector'"'"'s secret key and said card issuer'"'"'s public key; and

in response to successfully decrypting the certificate, means for considering said particular certificate of authenticity as being genuine.

8. The card in claim 7, wherein said collectible information further comprising a biometrics characteristics including an autograph of a celebrity.

9. The card in claim 7, wherein said collectible information further comprising:

artwork information imprinted onto the card; and

a payment form including a monetary value, for the purchase of a particular collectible item;

said monetary value being embedded in the card.

10. The card in claim 7, further including means for earmarking said collectible information with a certificate of authentication to assure that the information is authentic and traceable to a genuine provider of said collectible information;

and

means for verifying said certificate of authentication upon presentation of the card for use; and

if the verification is successful, then means for indicating by the card that said collectible information is authentic and identified as pertaining to said genuine provider; and

otherwise, means for indicating that the information is not authentic and not traceable to said genuine provider;

said certificate of authenticity comprising said genuine provider'"'"'s digital signature.

11. The card in claim 7, further including means for altering a particular collectible data stored in the card by a card user entity;

said altering means comprising;

means for unlocking an access code previously used to earmark card data allowable for alteration;

said unlocking means comprising means for verifying information provided by said card user entity when attempting to unlock said access code; and

if the provided information matches or correlates with the code, then means for allowing the alteration of said particular collectible data by said card user entity; and

otherwise, means for denying access to, including alteration of, the earmarked data;

said access code comprising a cryptographic key.

12. The card in claim 7, further including communication means for communicating card data with a remote database, said communication means comprising:

means for coupling said portable collector card to said remote database;

means for requesting by the card a database information to be downloaded into the card; and

means for storing into the card said database information downloaded by the database.

13. The card in claim 12, wherein said communication means further comprising:

means for selecting said database information from among a plurality of database information; and

means for updating card data, previously stored in the card, by said database information;

said selecting means comprising means for verifying if said portable collector card is authorized to select and download said database information.

14. The card in claim 7, wherein said collectible information comprising data pertaining to an aggregate topic partitioned throughout a set of cards;

and

means for compiling said collectible information stored throughout said set of cards so as to yield said aggregate topic;

said compilation means comprising;

means for retrieving the topic related card information from said set of cards; and

means for determining by the card how to assemble the retrieved card information; and

if the determining means is successful, then means for conveying including displaying the compiled aggregate onto the cards; and

otherwise, means for denying the compilation of said aggregate topic.

15. The card in claim 14, wherein said determining means comprising:

means for providing hints about how to proceed with a particular assembly of cards in response to providing a correct answer to a trivia question;

said particular assembly comprising a process of arranging cards for yielding said aggregate topic via the unscrambling of a puzzle-like arrangement of said set of cards; and

means for accumulating bonus points based upon meeting a predetermined parameter imposed by said process;

said bonus points being exchangeable for clues about how to proceed with said particular assembly.

16. The card in claim 14, wherein said compilation means further comprising:

means for verifying if a retrieved card data including said collectible information is genuine; and

if the verification is successful, then means for facilitating the assembly of the genuine data; and

otherwise, means for prohibiting the assembly of data that is not genuine;

said retrieved data comprising a serial card number that matches a corresponding number included in said aggregate topic.

17. The card in claim 7 wherein said portable collector card is a smart card comprising said memory for storing said collectible information.

18. The card in claim 7 wherein said portable collector card is a pocket-sized computer.

19. A method for using a portable collector card, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in said portable collector card an information relating to a collectible item;

subsequently making available an additional information relating to said collectible item; and

updating at least a portion of said information previously stored in the card with said additional information, such that a revised information about said collectible item is now stored in said portable card;

said information comprising a statistical data about achievements of an athlete;

said revised information comprising an updated version of said information including said statistical data previously stored in the card.

20. The method in claim 19 wherein said portable collector card is a smart card comprising a memory for storing said information and said additional information in the card.

21. The method in claim 19 wherein said portable collector card is a pocket-sized computer.

22. The method in claim 19 wherein said information stored in the card further comprising said athlete'"'"'s physical appearance compiled at a particular moment;

and wherein said additional information comprising said athlete'"'"'s physical appearance compiled at a moment other then said particular moment.

23. The method in claim 22, further including the step of displaying both of said athlete'"'"'s physical appearances, compiled at said particular moment and at said moment other then said particular moment, onto said portable collector card;

said athlete'"'"'s physical appearances comprising pictures of said athlete taken at different points in time.

24. The method in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

storing said additional information in a remote database;

subsequently coupling said portable card to said remote database and establishing a data communication link between the card and the database;

requesting by the card the downloading of said additional information; and

in response to said requesting the downloading of information, automatically downloading by the database said additional information into the card;

said additional information comprising data that is different from said statistical data previously stored in the card.

25. The method in claim 24, including the steps of:

in response to subscribing to said downloading of said additional information, compiling an appropriate card use right;

storing by said remote database said appropriate card use right into said portable collector card; and

applying the card-based use right towards future purchases of collectibles including subsequent releases of said additional information.

26. The method in claim 25 wherein said data communication link being implemented via the INTERNET.

27. The method in claim 24 wherein said additional information further comprising a set of collectable data made available by a promoter of said collectible item on a pay-per-download subscription basis.

36. The method in claim 25 wherein said biometrics characteristics information comprising a picture of a soccer player.

28. A method for compiling a data contents of a portable collector card, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in a remote database a set of data relating to a particular collectible item;

subsequently coupling said portable card to said remote database for exchanging data between the database and the card;

automatically downloading by the database said set of data into the card;

storing said set of data as relating to said particular collectible item in said portable card;

earmarking by the card said set of data with a security key to assure that only a legitimate cardholder can use the information stored in the card;

subsequently presenting the card by a particular cardholder for use of said set of data;

requesting and providing a security information for accessing the card data; and

automatically verifying including comparing by the card the provided information against said security key previously stored in the card; and

if there is a match;

then unlocking the card-based data for usage; and

otherwise, denying use of said set of data by said particular cardholder;

said security key comprising a biometrics characteristics information of said legitimate cardholder;

said set of data comprising a personal data of an athlete.

29. The method in claim 28 wherein said portable collector card is a smart card comprising a memory for storing said set of data.

30. The method in claim 28 wherein said portable collector card is a pocket-sized computer.

31. The method in claim 28 wherein said personal data comprising a statistical data relating to said athlete.

32. The method in claim 31 wherein said statistical data comprising a batting average of a baseball player.

33. The method in claim 31 wherein said statistical data comprising a number of touchdowns made by a football player.

34. The method in claim 31 wherein said statistical data comprising a number of rebounds of a basketball player.

35. The method in claim 28 wherein said personal data further comprising a biometrics characteristics information relating to said athlete.

37. The method in claim 35 wherein said biometrics characteristics information comprising a picture of a football player.

38. The method in claim 35 wherein said biometrics characteristics information comprising a picture of a baseball player.

39. The method in claim 28 wherein said personal data further comprising a video data file relating to said athlete.

40. The method in claim 39 wherein said video data file comprising a full-motion video segment showing a women'"'"'s national soccer team.

41. The method in claim 28 wherein said personal data further comprising an audio data file relating to said athlete.

42. The method in claim 41 wherein said audio data file comprising an interview with an ice hockey player.

43. The method in claim 28, further including the step of displaying onto said portable collector card said set of data including an artwork relating to said particular collectible item.

44. A method for assembling a collectible topic partitioned throughout a plurality of collector cards, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a sub-set of data relating to said collectible topic in a collector card;

associating said collector card with a different collector card from among said plurality of collector cards;

establishing a data communication link between the two cards; and

verifying by the cards if said sub-set of data interrelates with a different sub-set of data previously stored in said different collector card; and

if there is an interrelationship, then considering the two card data sets as representing at least portion of said collectible topic; and

otherwise, considering said different sub-set of data as not being part of said collectible topic;

said collectible topic comprising a sporting theme.

45. The method in claim 44, further including the steps of:

downloading said sub-set of data and said different sub-set of data onto a grid template representing an outline said collectible topic can be assembled within; and

displaying onto said grid template said collectible topic in response to the sub-sets of card data being properly assembled.

46. The method in claim 45, further including the steps of:

positioning a particular collector card onto a particular location on said grid template;

establishing a data communication means between the card and a grid data previously stored in said particular location;

comparing a particular sub-set of data previously stored in the particular card with said grid data, and

if there is a match, then conveying by the grid a message that said particular collector card, including said particular sub-set of data, is positioned correctly onto said particular location; and

otherwise, conveying a message that said particular location is the incorrect location for having the card positioned onto.

47. The method in claim 45, further including the steps of:

requesting by said grid template a particular information to be downloaded into the grid via a particular card; and

in response to the downloaded information, automatically revealing by the template a predetermined location said particular card should be positioned at, such that said collectible topic will be assembled properly.

48. The method in claim 45, further including the steps of:

requesting by a particular card a predefined information to be downloaded into the card;

downloading a particular data into the card;

comparing the downloaded data against said predefined information previously stored in said particular card; and

if said particular data matches said predefined information, then in response to the downloaded information, automatically conveying by the card a particular location on said grid template said particular card should be positioned at; and

otherwise, denying positioning information about said particular location.

49. The method in claim 45, further including the step of providing a hint by said grid template about how to assemble a particular card onto the grid, said hint providing step comprising:

establishing predefined grid-locations onto which said plurality of collector cards have to be assembled, such-that said collectible topic can be properly assembled via said plurality of collector cards;

assembling said particular card onto any one of said predefined locations;

determining if said particular card is properly assembled; and

if the grid location is the wrong location, then conveying by the grid a message about how to proceed with the rest of assembly;

said message comprising a clue where said particular card should be assembled onto the grid; and

otherwise, selectively providing a bonus point for having the card properly assembled;

said bonus point comprising a reward to be used towards future attempts of assembling other collector cards onto said grid template.