Dual-function card with key card functionality and stored value card functionality

• US 9,275,325 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
• Inventors: Newcombe, Jeffrey Brian, Post, Ryan Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D
• Application Number:
  US14/635,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20150254549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/487, 235/493, 235/492
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/083 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities

Abstract

Embodiments described herein generally relate to a dual-purpose, or dual-function, card that provides functionality as a key card to access rooms or other locations within a hospitality venue as well as functionality as a payment card to purchase products or services using a stored value account associated with the dual-function card. Thus, rather than providing a key card and a gift card or stored value card separately, a single card may be provided or used that combines the functionality of the key card and stored value card.

Claims

1. A dual-function card configured to be used both as a key card and a stored value card comprising:

a magnetic stripe configured to provide key card functionality to a cardholder, wherein the magnetic stripe is configured to provide access to an asset of a hospitality entity by the cardholder;

an optical barcode configured to provide stored value card functionality to the cardholder, wherein the optical barcode is configured to be scanned during a sales transaction to identify a stored value account to be debited in connection with the sales transaction,

wherein the stored value account is not maintained by the hospitality entity, and

wherein the stored value card functionality of the dual-function card is functional after the key card functionality has been terminated by the hospitality entity.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the optical barcode comprises a linear barcode.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the optical barcode comprises a two-dimensional barcode.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the optical barcode comprises a PDF-417 barcode.

5. The card of claim 1, wherein the optical barcode comprises a quick response code.

6. The card of claim 1, wherein the magnetic stripe comprises multiple tracks.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the stored value account is inactive prior to termination of the key card functionality by the hospitality entity.

8. The card of claim 1, wherein the stored value account is allocated with a predetermined amount of money prior to distribution by the hospitality entity.

9. The card of claim 1, wherein the cardholder is associated with the stored value account upon registration of the dual-function card by the cardholder.

10. A computer-implemented method of facilitating payment using a dual-function card that is configured to be used both as a key card and a stored value card, the computer-implemented method comprising:

under control of a computing device configured with specific computer-executable instructions,

allocating a predetermined amount of money to a stored value account of a dual-function card to be distributed by a hospitality entity,

wherein the dual-function card comprises;

a magnetic stripe associated with key card functionality maintained by the hospitality entity, the magnetic stripe configured to be programmed and activated to allow a cardholder to access a room maintained by the hospitality entity and configured to be deactivated to prohibit further access to the room; and

a machine readable code associated with stored value card functionality maintained by a stored value account entity distinct from the hospitality entity, the machine readable code configured to provide identification of the stored value account,

wherein the key card functionality is capable of being deactivated without deactivating the stored value card functionality;

debiting the stored value account in connection with a first sales transaction while the key card functionality is active; and

debiting the stored value account in connection with a second sales transaction after the key card functionality has been deactivated.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the hospitality entity comprises a hotel.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the machine readable code comprises an optical code.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the optical code comprises a linear barcode.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the optical code comprises a quick response code.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the machine readable code comprises at least one of a radio-frequency tag or a near field communication tag.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the stored value account is inactive prior to deactivation of the key card functionality.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein allocating the predetermined amount of money to the stored value account comprises preloading the stored value card with the predetermined amount of money prior to distribution by the hospitality entity.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the hospitality entity that the key card functionality has been activated; and

activating the stored value card functionality upon receiving the indication.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising associating the cardholder with the stored value account upon registration of the dual-function card by the cardholder.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising incrementing a balance of the stored value account by a reload amount authorized by the cardholder.