Patent Application
20090294528
Stored-value cards and other 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 transaction card including a substrate having embossed indicia and configured, for example, to emulate a license plate. The substrate defines a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is opposite the first surface. The substrate includes embossed indicia defined by regions projecting in relief with respect to the first surface and/or the second surface. The embossed indicia may, for example, emulate a license plate or the like. The substrate further includes an account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. Stored-value cards, methods of providing a stored-value card, and other embodiments of stored-value or transaction cards and associated combinations 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:
The following detailed description of the invention merely provides examples and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.
A stored-value card or transaction product, such as a gift card, is adapted for making purchases of goods and/or services at, for example, a retail store or web site. According to one embodiment, an original consumer buys a stored-value card to give a recipient who in turn is able to use it to pay for goods and/or services. A stored-value card, according to various embodiments of the present invention, includes embossed indicia projecting in relief from one or more of its surfaces. A significant portion of the total card area may thus be embossed, allowing the card to emulate a license plate or other such item.
Turning to the figures,
In one embodiment, 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 separated by a thickness of stored-value card 10. In one embodiment, at least one of first and second surfaces 20 and 22 is substantially planar. In one embodiment, substrate 12 is substantially rectangular in shape, 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). Accordingly, in one example, each of first and second surfaces 20 and 22 are substantially rectangular and/or otherwise wallet sized. 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. In other embodiments, substrate 12 is otherwise shaped as a square, circle, oval, star, or any other suitable shape. In one embodiment, substrate 12 is rectangular and is characterized by an aspect ratio similar to that of a vehicle registration plate (or “license plate”) of the type used in connection with automobiles, motorcycles, and other such motor vehicles.
Referring to the rear view illustration of
Account identifier 30 indicates and therefore links stored-value card 10 to a financial or other stored-value account or record. The account or record indicates a value or balance (e.g., monetary value, points, minutes, or other balance) associated with stored-value card 10 and optionally is maintained on a database, other electronic or manual record-keeping system, or, in the case of “smart” cards for example, on a chip or other electronic device on/in stored-value card 10 itself. Accordingly, by scanning account identifier 30, the account or record linked to stored-value card 10 is identified and can subsequently be activated, have amounts debited therefrom, and/or have amounts credited thereto. Account identifier 30 is one example of means for linking stored-value card 10 with an account or record.
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 web site,” 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 printed indicia 34. Printed indicia 34 include any suitable graphics, text, or combinations thereof. In one example, printed indicia 34 include one or more brand identifiers 36 and/or other graphical items, described in further detail below. Brand identifiers 36 include one or more of a logo, text, trademark, etc. that associate stored-value card 10 with at least one of a product, a brand, a store, etc. In one embodiment, printed indicia 34 and embossed indicia 37 together emulate a license plate, as described in detail below. 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. Any one or more of printed indicia 34 and brand identifier 36 may not be included on stored-value card 10.
Embossed indicia 37 may include a set of alphanumeric characters 37 associated with a celebratory event. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, alphanumeric characters 37 include the letters “B DAY” generally centered vertically and oriented along the major axis of stored value card 10. At the same time, printed indicia 34 may also include text coinciding with alphanumeric characters 37, thus further accentuating the embossed indicia 38.
As shown in
In one embodiment, embossed indicia 38 of stored-value card 10 differ from that of standard embossed credit cards in a number of respects. For example, the embossed font dimensions for standard banking cards are covered by International Standard ISO/IEC 7811-1, which specifies a relatively small, thin character set. Specifically, the maximum character height is given as 4.32 mm, and the centerline-to-centerline spacing is specified as 3.63 mm. In contrast, in one example, embossed indicia 38 of stored-value card 10 include characters that are significantly greater in width in relation to the size of the card. For example, the width of the bottom of the “Y” shown in
Furthermore, in one embodiment, alphanumeric characters 37 are disposed within an area that covers a significantly greater portion of surface 20 (and/or surface 22). As shown in
Note also that, with respect to standard credit cards, ISO/IEC 7811-1 provides that the embossed character height should be 0.48 mm (i.e., approximately 60% of the card thickness). As described in detail above, the present embodiments allow for a much lower embossing height (d1 and d2 in
As mentioned above, printed indicia 34 and embossed indicia 38 may be together configured to visually emulate a vehicle registration plate or “license plate.” As is known, a license plate is generally a metal or plastic plate configured to be attached to a motor vehicle, trailer, motorcycle, etc. for official identification purposes. Toward this end, license plates, depending upon the country of origin, typically include an alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region.
The size and aspect ratio of license plates vary, ranging from the 300 mm×150 mm plates used in the U.S. to the 520 mm×120 mm plates used in the majority of European countries. In addition to an alphanumeric code, license plates may also include graphics, stickers, and other visual elements. These visual elements may have an official purpose or may be chiefly decorative. Many license plates include embossing of the alphanumeric code, while some U.S. states have migrated to substantially flat license plates. Without loss of generality, however, the following discussion will focus on a standard embossed U.S. license plate design.
Referring again to
Stored-value card 10 may also include printed or embossed regions 39 that emulate the placement of registration stickers in the upper right and upper left corners of a license plate. In one embodiment, each such region 39 includes printed date indicia (“month” and “date”) that prompts the bearer to write the corresponding birthday information within the indicated area. Toward this end, in one example, surface 20 within regions 39 is textured, coated, or otherwise configured to produce signature panels that accept ink from a standard ball-point pen or marker.
Printed indicia 34 and/or embossed indicia 38 may further include text 45 associated with a celebratory event, such as a birthday. In the illustrated embodiment, such text includes the word “HAPPY” in the area usually reserved for the name of the issuing U.S. state, and the phrase “PARTYTOWN USA” in the area usually reserved for a state motto or other such phrase. Other suitable text 45 will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the present application.
Printed indicia 34 and/or embossed indicia 38 may include a graphic 41 situated before, between, or after the various alphanumeric characters. Graphic 41 thus emulates an accent graphic often included on some U.S. license plates. In the illustrated embodiment, graphic 41 includes a cupcake design bearing a single birthday candle.
One embodiment of a method of forming stored-value card 10 is generally indicated at 50 in
At 53, printed indicia 34, if any, are printed or otherwise applied to substrate 12, more particularly, first surface 20 of substrate 12. For instance, printed indicia 34 may be defined with at least a first color and/or with a pattern, etc. that emulates a license plate. In one example, printed indicia 34 are printed on substrate 12 using an ultra-violet (UV)-curable ink. In such an example, once the ink is applied to substrate 12, the ink is cured by exposing substrate 12 with background indicia 34 to UV light.
At 54, embossed indicia 38 are formed in substrate 12. In one example, an “ambient” embossing process is employed. That is, sheets of stored-value cards 10 are placed in a press that is maintained at standard room temperature (e.g., between about 65° F. and 75° F.), and which includes a pair of opposing embossing plates etched or otherwise formed with the desired pattern for embossed indicia 38. One plate (having a negative relief formed therein) contacts surface 20, and the opposite plate (having a positive relief formed therein) contacts surface 22. Suitable pressure is then applied and released, leaving behind the desired pattern for embossed indicia 38 within substrate 12. In one embodiment, a 100-ton two-stage die is used to emboss and then subsequently cut (or punch) the resulting sheets. Other embossing techniques may also be used, including hot embossing, cold embossing, and other processes known in the art. Furthermore, while embossing (54) is illustrated as occurring after the application of printed indicia (53), these processes may be carried out in reverse order, depending upon the nature of the embossing and printing methods.
At 56, account identifier 30 is added to stored-value card 10 if account identifier 30 has not otherwise already been added (e.g., printed to, embossed in, adhered to, etc.) or inherently formed as a part thereof prior to or during operations 52, 53, and 54.
In the illustrated embodiment, indicia 106 include to, from, amount, and message fields. The fields of indicia 106 provide areas of backer 100 configured to be written upon by a consumer to personalize backer 100 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 embodiment, stored-value card 10 includes brand indicia 108, which identifies a store, brand, department, etc. and/or services associated with stored-value card 10.
Referring to
Any of indicia 32, 34, 106, 108, 110, identifier 36, or other indicia optionally may appear anywhere on backer 100 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, 106, 108, and 110 or identifier 36 may be eliminated.
In one embodiment, backer 100 includes a window or opening 114 for displaying account identifier 30 of stored-value card 10 therethrough as illustrated in
In one embodiment, backer 100 is a bi-fold substrate defining a fold line 116, about which backer 100 is foldable roughly in half. In
After purchase, backer 100 is foldable about fold line 116 such that inside surfaces 120 (
In one embodiment, a cut 124 is formed through backer 100 near an edge of backer 100 that is spaced from and substantially parallel to fold line 116. Cut 124 extends partially toward fold line 116 with an arcuate shape and defines a flap 126, which can be partially bent away from the remainder of backer 100. More specifically, upon folding backer 100 about fold line 116 to close backer 100 around stored-value card 10, an opposing edge of backer 100 is tucked beneath flap 126 to maintain backer 100 in a folded or closed position. In one embodiment, cut 124 and thereby flap 126 are each substantially semi-circular in shape. Other backers similar to backer 100 can be used having various sizes and shapes for supporting stored-value card 10.
At 204, a consumer who has decided to purchase stored-value card 10 presents stored-value card 10 on backer 100 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 114 of backer 100 to activate stored-value card 10. Upon accessing the account or record, then, at 206, 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 web site) or can be used in exchange for calling minutes, etc. In one embodiment, where stored-value card 10 is displayed on a web site at 202, then, at 204, 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 206.
In one example, at 208, the retail store or other affiliated retail setting or web site accepts stored-value card 10 as payment toward 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 210, 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 208, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 208 or operation 210 as requested by a current bearer of stored-value card 10. Similarly, upon loading additional value on stored-value card 10 at 210, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 210 again or operation 208. In one example, the ability to accept stored-value card 10 as payment 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 254, 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 254.
At 256, the consumer, recipient, or other current bearer of stored value card 10 interacts with the card for the purposes of amusement, e.g., by exploring the license plate nature of stored-value card 10 as reflected in embossed indicia 38 and printed indicia 34. For example, the bearer may touch the surfaces 20 and 22 of stored-value card 10 to experience the tactile sensation provided by embossed indicia 38. The current bearer may also utilize holes 42 within substrate 12 to temporarily mount stored-value card 10 on a vehicle, on a display surface, or the like prior to redeeming or adding value at 256 or 258.
At 258, the consumer or recipient redeems stored-value card 10 for goods and/or services from the retail store or web site. At 260, the consumer or recipient of stored-value card 10 optionally adds value to stored-value card 10, 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 web site). The consumer or recipient of stored-value card 10 subsequently can perform either of operations 256, 258, or 260 as desired. In one embodiment, the ability of the consumer or recipient to repeat redeeming stored-value card 10 at 258 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 web site, in one embodiment, purchasing stored-value card 10 at 252, redeeming stored-value card 10 at 258, and adding value to stored-value card 10 at 260, 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 web site 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 a 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, monetary value, etc.
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.
