The present invention generally relates to presentation and transaction cards with graphic image display, which may generally be dynamically modified or personalized following manufacture of the presentation or transaction card body. By way of example, the graphic images may be, e.g., digital image or photo files that may be electronically displayed on a surface of the presentation or transaction instrument for, e.g., promotional, advertising, security, and/or entertainment purposes. Methods for modifying or personalizing the appearance of a presentation or transaction instrument of the invention are also provided.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary embodiments of the presentation or transactions cards of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of the invention.
Claims
1. A presentation or transaction instrument with graphic image display, comprising:
a) a presentation or transaction card body defining a front surface and a back surface, the card body having long term information printed on at least one surface thereof;b) at least one graphic image display element, the at least one graphic image display element being configured to display at least one graphic image file, viewable from at least one side of the presentation or transaction card body; andc) a display update mechanism configured to receive input of the at least one graphic image file from an external file source and to interface with the at least one graphic image display element to provide said graphic image file thereto, to thereby provide for display of said graphic image file.
2. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 1, further comprising machine readable information selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic stripe on the card body, an embedded memory chip with exposed contacts on the card body, an RFID chip embedded in the card body, bar code information printed on the card body, a key fob, a smart chip, and combinations thereof.
3. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one graphic image display element comprises an electro-optic display.
4. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 3, wherein the electro-optic display is selected from the group consisting of a flexible LCD screen, a light emitting polymer (LEP) display, a LED display, a three dimensional hologram and electronic paper.
5. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 3, wherein the electro-optic display comprises an image memory function that does not require power to maintain temporary display of said at least one graphic image file once implement in the image memory function.
6. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 1, wherein said at least one graphic image file is in a file format selected from the group consisting of: JPEG, TIFF, RAW, GIF, and DNG file formats.
7. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 1, wherein said presentation or transaction instrument is selected from the group consisting of: stored-value cards, credit cards, automated teller machine cards, calling cards, transit cards, business cards, and promotional cards.
8. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 1, wherein said display update mechanism is configured to receive said input of the at least one graphic image file via a wired or wireless communications interface.
9. The presentation or transaction instrument of claim 1, wherein said display update mechanism is configured to receive said input of the at least one graphic image file from an external file source selected from the group consisting of: a digital camera, a database, and a personal computer.
10. A method of personalizing the visual appearance of a presentation or transaction instrument, said method comprising:
providing a presentation or transaction instrument, wherein said presentation or transaction instrument comprises a) a presentation or transaction card body defining a front surface and a back surface, the card body having long term information printed on at least one surface thereof; b) at least one graphic image display element, the at least one graphic image display element being configured to display at least one graphic image file, viewable from at least one side of the presentation or transaction card body; and c) a display update mechanism configured to receive input of the at least one graphic image file from an external file source and to interface with the at least one graphic image display element to provide said graphic image file thereto, to thereby provide for display of said graphic image file;interfacing with said display update mechanism; andinputting at least one personalized graphic image file via said display update mechanism for display via said at least one graphic image display element, thereby personalizing the visual appearance of said presentation or transaction instrument.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one graphic image display element comprises an electro-optic display.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electro-optic display is selected from the group consisting of a flexible LCD screen, a light emitting polymer (LEP) display, and electronic paper.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electro-optic display comprises an image memory function that does not require power to maintain temporary display of said at least one graphic image file once implement in the image memory function.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one personalized graphic image file is in a file format selected from the group consisting of: JPEG, TIFF, RAW, GIF, and DNG file formats.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein said presentation or transaction instrument is selected from the group consisting of: stored-value cards, credit cards, automated teller machine cards, calling cards, transit cards, business cards, and promotional cards.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one personalized graphic image file is inputted via a wired or wireless communications interface.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one personalized graphic image file is inputted from an external file source selected from the group consisting of: a digital camera, a database, and a personal computer via a USB port.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one personalized graphic image file is a digital photo.
19. A presentation or transaction instrument with graphic image display, comprising:
a) a presentation or transaction card body defining a front surface and a back surface, the card body having long term information printed on at least one surface thereof;b) at least one graphic image display element, the at least one graphic image display element being configured to display at least one graphic image file, viewable from at least one side of the presentation or transaction card body; andc) a display update mechanism configured to receive input of the at least one graphic image file from an external file source and to interface with the at least one graphic image display element to provide said graphic image file thereto, to thereby provide for display of said graphic image file, and wherein the display update mechanism is further configured to receive input of an audio file.
Patent Application
20070205290
