Patent Application
20080245857
Stored-value cards and financial transaction cards come in many forms. A gift card, for example, is a type of stored-value card that includes a pre-loaded or selectively loaded monetary value. In one example, a consumer buys a gift card having a specified value for presentation as a gift to another person. In another example, a consumer is offered a gift card as an incentive to make a purchase. A gift card, like other stored-value cards, can be “recharged” or “reloaded” at the direction of the bearer. The balance associated with the gift card declines as the gift card is used, encouraging repeat visits to the retailer or other provider issuing the gift card. Additionally, the gift card generally remains in the user's purse or wallet, serving as an advertisement or reminder to revisit the associated retailer. Gift cards and other stored-value cards provide a number of advantages to both the consumer and the retailer.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a financial transaction card including a substantially planar substrate and a cut formed through the substantially planar substrate. The substantially planar substrate includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The cut defines a boundary between a first portion and a second portion of the substantially planar substrate. The first portion of the substantially planar substrate is configured to flex relative to the second portion of the substantially planar substrate, and the first portion is biased toward the second portion such that the financial transaction card is configured to receive and secure one or more sheets of paper between the first portion and the second portion of the substantially planar substrate. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other embodiments of stored-value or financial transaction cards and associated assemblies are also disclosed.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
A stored-value card or financial transaction product is adapted for making purchases of goods and/or services at, for example, a retail store or website. According to one embodiment, an original consumer buys a stored-value card to give a recipient who in turn is able to use a monetary value associated with the stored-value card at a retail store or setting to pay for goods and/or services. In one embodiment, the stored-value card provides for prepaid calling minutes, points, or other non-monetary measure of value such that the minutes or points in an account associated with the stored-value card can be applied toward a telephone call, purchase, etc. A stored-value card, according to embodiments of the present invention, provides the consumer and/or recipient with an auxiliary use in addition to the ability to pay for goods and/or services or to accessing calling minutes, points, etc. with the stored-value card.
In particular, the stored-value card includes a slit or cut defining a tab or first portion deflectable relative to the remainder of the stored-value card to receive one or more pages of a book, magazine, or other publication therebetween. As such, the stored-value card is configured to function as a bookmark. The stored-value card includes a necessary identifier or other device linking the stored-value card to an account or record such that the stored-value card can be used toward the purchase of one or more of goods and services, toward the use of calling minutes, etc. In one embodiment, this dual functional aspect (e.g., for use toward purchases and use as a bookmark) of the stored-value card promotes the sale, use, and/or loading of the stored-value card by potential consumers and/or bearers of the stored-value card.
Turning to the figures,
Substrate 12 defines a first surface 20 (i.e., a first major surface) and a second surface 22 (i.e., a second major surface) opposite first surface 20. In one embodiment, at least one of first and second surfaces 20 and 22 is substantially planar. In one embodiment, substrate 12 is formed with a substantially rectangular shaped perimeter 24, and, in one example, is similarly sized to an identification card, a credit card, or other card sized to fit in a wallet of a card bearer (i.e. is wallet sized). In particular, in one embodiment, the overall dimensions of substrate 12 are about 8.5 cm by about 5.5 cm wide with a thickness of less than about 1 mm. As such, perimeter 24 is collectively defined by a first or top edge 25, a second or side edge 26, a third or bottom edge 27, and a fourth or side edge 28. In other embodiments, substrate 12, and therefore, perimeter 24, is otherwise shaped as a square, circle, oval, star, or any other suitable shape.
Referring to the rear view illustration of
In one embodiment, redemption indicia 32 are included on stored-value card 10 such as on second surface 22 of substrate 12. Redemption indicia 32 indicate that stored-value card 10 is redeemable for the purchase of goods and/or services and that, upon use, a value of the purchased goods and/or services will be deducted from the account or record linked to stored-value card 10. In one embodiment, redemption indicia 32 include phrases such as “<NAME OF STORE> GiftCard” and “This GiftCard is redeemable for merchandise or services at any of our stores or at our website,” and/or provides help or phone line information in the case of a lost, stolen, or damaged stored-value card, etc.
In one embodiment, stored-value card 10 includes other indicia disposed on stored-value card 10 such as, for example, brand indicia 34 and decorative indicia 36. Brand indicia 34 include, a logo, text, trademark etc. that associates stored-value card with at least one of a product, a brand, a store, etc. Decorative indicia 36 include any item (e.g., graphics or text) depicting or relating to, for example, any one or more of a holiday, a season, an occasion, a media format, e.g. characters, logos, scenes, or other illustrations or photographs related to at least one of a movie, television show, book, video game, etc. Other indicia or additional features may also be included on stored-value card 10 as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this application. In one example, any one or more of indicia 32, 34, and 36 may not be included on stored-value card 10.
A slit or cut 40 is defined and extends entirely through substrate 12 (i.e., through first surface 20 and second surface 22). In one embodiment, cut 40 is curvilinear or otherwise formed to define a tab or first portion 42. More specifically, cut 40 defines at least part of a boundary between first portion 42 and a remainder or second portion 44 of substrate 12. In one embodiment, cut 40 and first portion 42 are substantially symmetrical about a vertical centerline 57 (
First portion 42 can be defined in any suitable configuration. In one example, first portion 22 is substantially centered between side edges 26 and 28 of substrate 12 and/or is positioned nearer top edge 25 than bottom edge 27. In one example, first portion 22 has a height of less than a quarter of a height of substrate 12 (e.g., the distance between top edge 25 and bottom edge 27) and/or has a width that is at least two-thirds a width of substrate 12 (e.g., the distance between side edges 26 and 28). Other suitable positions and proportions of substrate 12 and cut 40 will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this application.
In one example, decorative indicia 36 are positioned to correspond with cut 40. For example, where cut 40 is semicircular, cut 40 may follow a perimeter or other portion of an at least partially round item (e.g., text or graphic), such as a globe as depicted in
Cut 40 configures stored-value card 10 for use a bookmark. More specifically, referring to the cross-sectional view of
Cut 40 defines a first cut end 56 and a second cut end 58, and flexure line 52 extends between first cut end 56 and second cut end 58. In one example, each of first cut end 56 and second cut end 58 are positioned a similar distance perpendicularly downward from top edge 25 such that flexure line 52 extends substantially parallel to top edge 25 and, in one embodiment, substantially perpendicular to side edges 26 and 28. In one example, boundaries of first portion 42 are entirely defined by cut 40 and flexure line 52. In one embodiment, perimeter 24 also defines a boundary section of first portion 42 (e.g.,
In one embodiment, first portion 42 is biased toward the first position (e.g. to be substantially coplanar with second portion 44), and therefore, upon removal of force 50, first portion 42 moves back toward the first position. As a result, pages 54 are selectively secured (e.g., clasped, wedged, etc.) between first portion 42 and second portion 44. In this manner, stored-value card 10 is secured relative to pages 54 and is less likely to be inadvertently removed from a position within the respective book, periodical, etc., thereby decreasing the likelihood that a user will inadvertently lose their marked page in the book.
Cuts or slits shaped differently than cut 40 are also contemplated. For example, as illustrated in
For example, indicia 206 include to, from, amount, and message fields. The fields of indicia 206 provide areas of backer 200 configured to be written upon by a consumer to personalize backer 200 for presentation as a gift to a particular recipient, for a particular purpose, and/or to indicate a value of stored-value card 10. In one example, indicia 208 promote that stored-value card 10 functions as a bookmark. In one instance, indicia 208 state “Keep me to use as a page marker.” In one example, indicia 208 additionally instruct the bearer of store-value card 10 on how to use stored-value card 10 for amusement.
Referring to
Brand indicia 212 may also or alternatively be included to identify a store, brand, department, etc. and/or services associated with stored-value card 10. Any of indicia 32, 34, 36, 206, 208, 210, 212, or other indicia optionally may appear anywhere on backer 200 or stored-value card 10. Additional information besides that specifically described and illustrated herein may also be included and/or one or more of indicia 32, 34, 36, 206, 208, 210, and 212 may be eliminated.
Backer 200 includes a window or opening 214 for displaying account identifier 30 of stored-value card 10 therethrough as illustrated in
In one embodiment, backer 200 is a bi-fold substrate defining a fold line 216, about which backer 200 is foldable roughly in half. In
After purchase, backer 200 is foldable about fold line 216 such that inside surfaces 220 (
In one embodiment, a cut 230 is formed through backer 200 near an edge of backer 200 spaced from and substantially parallel to fold line 216. Cut 230 extends partially toward fold line 216 and defines a flap 232, which can be partially bent away from the remainder of backer 200. More specifically, upon folding of backer 200 about fold line 216 to close backer 200 around stored-value card 10, an opposing edge of backer 200 is tucked beneath flap 232 to maintain backer 200 in a folded or closed position. In one embodiment, cut 230 and thereby flap 232 are each substantially semi-circular in shape. Other backers similar to backer 200 can be used having various sizes and shapes for supporting stored-value card 10.
At 302, stored-value card 10 is placed or hung from a rack, shelf, or other similar device to display stored-value card 10 for sale to potential consumers. For example, outside surfaces 222 of backer 200 may be folded about fold line 216 toward one another and stored-value card assembly 202 (
At 304, a consumer who has decided to purchase stored-value card 10 presents the stored-value card 10 on backer 200 to a retail store employee, retail store kiosk, remote terminal, or other person or device to scan account identifier 30 to access an account or record linked to account identifier 30. In particular, account identifier 30 is scanned or otherwise accessed, for example through opening 214 of backer 200 to activate stored-value card 10. Upon accessing the account or record, then, at 306, value is added to the account or record in the form of monetary value, points, minutes, etc. Thus, stored-value card 10 is activated and loaded.
Once stored-value card 10 is activated and loaded, stored-value card 10 can be used by the consumer or any other bearer of stored-value card 10 to purchase goods and/or services at the affiliated retail setting (e.g., a retail store or website) or can be used in exchange for calling minutes, etc. In one embodiment, where stored-value card 10 is displayed on a website at 302, then, at 304, stored-value card 10 may be activated in any suitable method and may not require the physical scanning of account identifier 30 to be activated or to otherwise access the associated account or record such as at 306.
In one example, at 308, the retail store or other affiliated retail setting or website accepts stored-value card 10 as payment towards the purchase of goods and/or services made by the current bearer of stored-value card 10. In particular, the value currently loaded on stored-value card 10 (i.e. stored or recorded in the account or record linked to account identifier 30) is applied toward the purchase of goods and/or services. At 310, additional value is optionally loaded on stored-value card 10 at a point of sale terminal, kiosk, or other area of the retail store or related setting. Upon accepting stored-value card 10 as payment at 308, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 308 or operation 310 as requested by a current bearer of stored-value card 10. Similarly, upon loading additional value on stored-value card 10 at 310, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 310 again or operation 308. In one example, the ability to accept stored-value card 10 as payments for goods and/or services is limited by whether the account or record associated with stored-value card 10 has any value stored or recorded therein at the time of attempted redemption.
At 334, the consumer optionally gives stored-value card 10 to a recipient, such as a graduate, relative, friend, expectant parents, one having a recent or impending birthday, a couple having a recent or impending anniversary, etc. In one embodiment, a plurality of stored-value cards 10 are purchased and given to party goers, such as at a birthday party, etc. as party favors or gifts. As an alternative, the consumer can keep stored-value card 10 for his or her own use thereby eliminating operation 334.
At 336, the consumer or recipient, whoever is in current ownership or otherwise is the current bearer of stored-value card 10, removes stored-value card 10 from backer 200 and uses stored-value card 10 as a bookmark. For example, the current bearer of stored-value card 10 secures pages 54 between first portion 42 and second portion 44 of stored-value card 10.
At 338, the consumer or recipient redeems stored-value card 10 for goods and/or services from the retail store or website. At 340, the consumer or recipient of stored-value card 10 optionally adds value to first portion 42 of stored-value card 10, and more particularly, to the account or record associated with account identifier 30 included therewith, at the retail store or over the Internet (i.e. via the website). Upon using stored-value card 10 as a bookmark at 336, redeeming stored-value card 10 at 338, or adding value to stored-value card 10 at 340, the consumer or recipient of stored-value card 10 subsequently can perform any of operations 336, 338, or 340 as desired. In one embodiment, the ability of the consumer or recipient to repeat redeeming stored-value card 10 at 338 is limited by whether the account or record linked with stored-value card 10 has any remaining value stored or recorded therein at the time of attempted redemption.
Although described above as occurring at a single retail store or website, in one embodiment, purchasing stored-value card 10 at 332, redeeming stored-value card 10 at 338, and adding value to stored-value card 10 at 340, can each be performed at any one of a number of stores adapted to accept stored-value card 10 or over the Internet. In one example, a number of stores are each part of a chain or are similarly branded stores. In one example, a number of stores include at least one website and/or at least one conventional brick and mortar store.
Stored-value cards come in many forms, according to embodiments of the invention. The gift card, like other stored-value cards, can be “re-charged” or “re-loaded” at the direction of the original consumer, the gift recipient, or third party. The term “loading on” or “loaded on” herein should be interpreted to include adding to the balance of an account or record associated with a stored-value card. The balance associated with the stored-value card declines as the card is used, encouraging repeat visits or use. The card remains in the user's purse or wallet, serving as an advertisement or a reminder to revisit the associated merchant. Gift cards according to embodiments of the invention provide a number of advantages to both the consumer and the merchant. Other gift cards and stored-value cards according to embodiments of the invention include loyalty cards, merchandise return cards, electronic gift certificates, calling cards, employee cards, frequency cards, prepaid cards, and other types of cards associated with or representing purchasing power or monetary value, for example.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
