Method for assembling and activating a multi-pack package of transaction cards

• US 8,640,949 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2008
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Biskupski, Ted, Bachmann, Christina Lee, Epis, Glenn, Chan, Darryl, Gupta, Sushil
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Thien T
• Application Number:
  US12/262,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20090218392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/379, 235/486, 235/487, 705/64, 206/470
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/00 Packages comprising articles attached to cards, sheets or webs B65D85/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/0014 by means of separate fixing elements, e.g. clips, clamps, bands
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/0028 by means of adhesive, heat-seal or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/16 File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/083 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing multiple transaction cards in a single package are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for forming a carrier package arrangement includes obtaining a plurality of transaction cards, obtaining a first parent activation code, and associating the first parent activation code with the plurality of transaction cards. The method can also include packing the plurality of transaction cards in the carrier package arrangement, and providing the first parent activation code so as to be on or accessible from the carrier package arrangement. The plurality of transaction cards can thereafter be activated using the first parent activation code.

Claims

1. A method for forming a carrier package arrangement, the method comprising:

obtaining a plurality of transaction cards;

obtaining a first parent activation code;

associating, by one or more one computing devices, the first parent activation code with the plurality of transaction cards;

packing the plurality of transaction cards in the carrier package arrangement;

providing the first parent activation code so as to be on or accessible from the carrier package arrangement, wherein the plurality of transaction cards is arranged to be activated using the first parent activation code; and

creating, by the one or more one computing devices, a mapping file having a header, the header including at least the first parent activation code and the number of transactions cards associated with the first parent activation code,

wherein the plurality of transaction cards includes a first transaction card and a second transaction card, the first transaction card having a first card activation code and the second transaction card having a second card activation code, and wherein associating the first parent activation code with the plurality of transaction cards includes associating the first parent activation code with the first card activation code and the second card activation code.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the first parent activation code includes obtaining a first file that includes at least the first parent activation code.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first card activation code is arranged to cause the first transaction card to activated using the parent activation code and the second card activation code is arranged to cause the second transaction card to be activated using the parent activation code.

4. The method of claim 1 further including:

wherein the mapping file is arranged to activate the plurality of transaction cards.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the mapping file is further arranged to identify the carrier package arrangement as including the plurality of transaction cards.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein

the mapping file is arranged to activate the first card activation code and the second card activation code.

7. A method of claim 1 wherein said associating of the first parent code with the plurality of transaction cards is performed proximate in time to said packing of the plurality of transaction cards in the carrier package arrangement.

8. A method of activating a plurality of transaction cards, the plurality of transaction cards being included in a card package, the card package having a package activation code, the method comprising:

obtaining information associated with the package activation code;

Identifying, by one or more one computing devices, the plurality of transaction cards as being mapped to the package activation code using the information, wherein identifying the plurality of transaction cards as being mapped to the package activation code includes accessing a mapping file, the mapping file including a header having at least the package activation code and the number of transactions cards associated with the package activation code;

determining, by the one or more one computing devices, if each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards is in an unactivated state;

determining if each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards is valid; and

using the package activation code to transition each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards from the unactivated state to an activated state if it is determined that each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards is in the unactivated state and if it is determined that each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards is valid.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the plurality of transaction cards includes a first transaction card and a second transaction card, and wherein identifying the plurality of transaction cards as being mapped to the package activation code includes identifying a first card activation code of the first transaction card and a second card activation code of the second transaction card.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein using the package activation code to transition each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards from the unactivated state to the activated state includes using the package activation code to activate the first card activation code and the second card activation code.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein using the package activation code to transition each transaction card of the plurality of transaction cards from the unactivated state to the activated state includes authorizing the parent code.

12. A carrier package arrangement comprising:

a carrier card arrangement;

a tray; and

a plurality of transaction cards, the plurality of transaction cards being mounted on the tray, the tray being supported within the carrier card arrangement, wherein the plurality of transaction cards are arranged to be transitioned from an unactivated state to an activated state using a first activation code,

wherein the plurality of transaction cards includes a first transaction card and a second transaction card, the first transaction card having a first card activation code and the second transaction card having a second card activation code, and wherein associating the first parent activation code with the plurality of transaction cards includes associating the first parent activation code with the first card activation code and the second card activation code, and

wherein a mapping file is formed or updated to include a header including at least the first parent activation code and the number of transactions cards associated with the first parent activation code.

13. The carrier package arrangement of claim 12 wherein the first activation code is provided on the carrier card arrangement.

14. The carrier package arrangement of claim 13 wherein the first activation code is associated with a bar code.

15. The carrier package arrangement of claim 12 wherein the carrier card arrangement has a receptacle defined therein, and wherein the plurality of transaction cards and the tray are supported within the receptacle.

16. The carrier package arrangement of claim 15 wherein the carrier card arrangement includes a flap, the flap being arranged to be opened to at least partially expose the receptacle.

17. A method for forming carrier package arrangements, the method comprising:

obtaining a plurality of transaction cards, the plurality of transaction cards including a first transaction card having a first card activation code and a second transaction card having a second card activation code;

obtaining a parent code file, the parent code file including at least a first parent code, a second parent code, a first number of transaction cards associated with the first parent code, and a second number of transaction cards associated with the second parent code;

defining, by one or more one computing devices, a first set of transaction cards, wherein the first set of transaction cards includes at least the first transaction card;

creating, by the one or more one computing devices, a mapping file having a header, the header including at least information mapping the first parent code to the first set of transaction cards and the number of transactions cards in the first set of transaction cards, wherein mapping the first parent code to the first set of transaction cards includes mapping the first parent code to at least the first card activation code;

assembling the first set of transaction cards into a first carrier package arrangement; and

providing the first parent code on the first carrier package arrangement, wherein the first set of transaction cards is arranged to be activated using the first parent code.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the mapping file is arranged to indicate that the first parent code is mapped to the first set of transaction cards.

19. The method of claim 18 further including:

defining a second set of transaction cards, wherein the second set of transaction cards includes at least the second transaction card;

mapping the second parent code to the second set of transaction cards, wherein mapping the second parent code to the second set of transaction cards includes mapping the second parent code to at least the second card activation code;

assembling the second set of transaction cards into a second carrier package arrangement; and

providing the second parent code on the second carrier package arrangement, wherein the second set of transaction cards is arranged to be activated using the second parent code.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the mapping file is further arranged to indicate that the second parent code is mapped to the second set of transaction cards.