System and method for manufacturing a punch-out RFID transaction device

• US 7,827,106 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2003
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Saunders, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nga B.
• Application Number:
  US10/746,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20050023359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,505 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/17, 705/39, 705/40, 705/41, 705/35, 235/492, 235/472, 235/493, 283/61, 283/51
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/16 the marking being a hologram or diffraction grating
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing an irregularly shaped Radio Frequency operable transaction device using conventional International Standards Organization dimensions for conventional transaction cards. The invention provides for normal manufacture of a plurality of transaction cards joined together in a single sheet. The outline of a RFID transaction device is impressed in a center portion of one of the transaction cards. A RFID transaction device may then be removed, or punched out of the transaction card in accordance with the transaction device outline.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) transaction device, comprising:

preparing a sheet of a plurality of RFID transaction cards, wherein each RFID transaction card is distinguished from each other RFID transaction card by transaction card alignment marks, the transaction card alignment marks defining the individual outside perimeter for each RFID transaction card;

sensing, using an optic sensor, a plurality of preprinted RFID transaction device alignment marks on the sheet of the plurality of RFID transaction cards, and causing a stamping device to reconfigure to impress a shape defined by the preprinted RFID transaction device alignment marks;

impressing by the stamping device a plurality of distinct RFID transaction device outlines into the sheet of the plurality of RFID transaction cards as defined by the preprinted RFID transaction device alignment marks for each respective RFID transaction device, wherein each RFID transaction device outline is impressed so as to lie substantially completely within an RFID transaction card outside perimeter, the impressing of the RFID transaction device outlines being done with sufficient pressure so as to form a removable RFID transaction device within each transaction card outside perimeter, the RFID transaction device being operable to send radio frequency (RF) transmission;

punching out at least one of the plurality of RFID transaction cards in accordance with the transaction card alignment marks; and

removing at least one RFID transaction device from within at least one of the plurality of the RFID transaction cards.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the punching out of the RFID transaction card and the removing of the RFID transaction device are done simultaneously.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the punching out of the RFID transaction card is done by a card manufacturer and the removing of the RFID transaction device is done by a transaction device user.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transaction card alignment marks are comprised of optically recognizable ink.

4. A system for manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) operable transaction device supported within the body of an RFID operable transaction card, the RFID operable transaction device being removable from the RFID operable transaction card for independent operation, comprising:

a sheet of a plurality of RFID transaction cards, wherein each RFID transaction card is distinguished from each other RFID transaction card by transaction card alignment marks, the transaction card alignment marks defining the individual outside perimeter for each RFID transaction card;

an optic sensor, operable to sense a plurality of preprinted RFID transaction device alignment marks on the sheet of the plurality of RFID transaction cards;

a stamping device operable to reconfigure to impress a shape defined by the preprinted RFID transaction device alignment marks read by the optic sensor and to impress a plurality of distinct RFID transaction device outlines into the sheet of the plurality of RFID transaction cards as defined by the preprinted RFID transaction device alignment marks for each respective RFID transaction device, wherein each RFID transaction device outline is impressed so as to lie substantially completely within an RFID transaction card outside perimeter, the impressing of the RFID transaction device outlines being done with sufficient pressure so as to form a removable RFID transaction device within each transaction card outside perimeter, the RFID transaction device being operable to send radio frequency (RF) transmission;

a punching device operable to punch out at least one of the plurality of RFID transaction cards in accordance with the transaction card alignment marks; and

a removing device operable to remove at least one RFID transaction device from within at least one of the plurality of the RFID transaction cards.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the RFID operable transaction device is removed from the RFID operable transaction card through machine punching.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein the RFID operable transaction card and the RFID operable transaction device share RFID circuitry.

7. A system according to claim 4, wherein the RFID circuitry is in communication with a transactions account issuer for completion of a transaction.

8. A system according to claim 4, wherein the RFID operable transaction device includes a magnetic stripe for conducting transactions in a contact environment.

10. The system according to claim 4, wherein the transaction card alignment marks are comprised of optically recognizable ink.