Patent Application
20070295820
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
A gift card or other stored-value card is adapted for making purchases of goods and/or services at e.g., 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 the stored-value card at a retail store or setting to pay for the goods and/or services. A stored-value card, according to embodiments of the present invention, provides the consumer and recipient with extra amusement in addition to the ability to pay for goods and/or services with the stored-value card.
In particular, the stored-value card depicts at least one graphic and provides the bearer of the stored-value card means for interchanging portions of the graphic by moving a first member of the stored-value card relative to a base substrate of the stored-value card. In one embodiment, the base substrate and the first member each depict a different portion of the at least one graphic such that when the first member is moved to a first position relative to the base substrate, the graphic portion on the first member aligns with the graphic portion on the base substrate. When the first member is moved to a second position, the graphic portion on the first member does not align with or aligns differently with the graphic portion on the base substrate to present a different overall visual presentation or graphic than presented in the first position. In one embodiment, when the first member is in the second position strange or funny graphics are presented, thereby amusing the bearer of the stored-value card. In one embodiment, this amusing aspect 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,
Collectively referring to the embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, base substrate 12 is generally rectangular in shape and is of a size similar to that of an identification card, a credit card, or other card sized to fit in a wallet of a card bearer. In particular, in one embodiment, base substrate 12 is about 8.5 cm long, about 5.5 cm wide, and less than about 1 mm thick. In other embodiments, base substrate 12 is otherwise shaped as a square, circle, oval, star, or any other suitable shape defining an outer perimeter 28. Base substrate 12 is formed of a somewhat rigid yet flexible material similar to that commonly used for identification cards, credit cards, etc. More specifically, in one embodiment, base substrate 12 is formed of paper, cardstock, plastic, e.g. polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other suitable material. In one embodiment, base substrate 12 is formed of injected molded plastic or cut from sheet-stock plastic material. Accordingly, base substrate 12 is one example of means for supporting at least first auxiliary member 14.
First surface 20 is configured to receive first auxiliary member 14 and, in one example, includes one or more of indicia 30 and at least a graphic portion or element, for example, a first graphic portion 32, of a graphic or pictorial representation 34. In one embodiment, indicia 30 identify a brand, e.g. a product brand, a store brand, etc., associated with stored-value card 10. In one example, indicia 30 relate to a retailer configured to accept stored-value card 10 as payment for goods and/or services. In one embodiment, first surface 20 is printed with or otherwise includes a background design, seasonal or holiday identifier, media format indicia, and/or other suitable indicia. Indicia 30 on base substrate 12 are one example of means for associating stored-value card 10 with at least one of a product, a brand, a store, 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.
Graphic 34 is any character, text, object, design, picture, etc. depicted by stored-value card that can be visually divided into multiple portions and is collectively defined by at least two members of stored-value card 10, for example, by base substrate 12 and first auxiliary member 14. With this in mind, the graphic portion or graphic element, for example, first graphic portion 32, illustrates part of graphic 34. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated in
Base substrate 12 may additionally include other portions of graphic 34 such as the remainder of the character's head. In one embodiment, stored-value card 10 depicts a plurality of graphics 34, for example, graphics 34a-34d generally indicated in
Second surface 22 of base substrate 12 includes an account identifier 40, such as a barcode, a magnetic strip, a smart chip or other electronic device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, or other suitable identifier readily readable by a point-of-sale terminal, account access station, kiosk, or other suitable device. In one embodiment, account identifier 40 is printed on or otherwise applied to second surface 22 of base substrate 12. Account identifier 40 indicates a financial account or record to which stored-value card 10 is linked. The financial account or record of the monetary balance on stored-value card 10 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 40, a financial account or record linked to stored-value card 10 is identified and can subsequently be activated, have amounts debited therefrom, and/or have amounts added thereto. Account identifier 40 is one example of means for associating stored-value card 10 with a financial account or a financial record.
In one embodiment, redemption indicia 42 are included on second surface 22. Redemption indicia 42 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 financial account or record linked to stored-value card 10. In one embodiment, redemption indicia 42 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, other indicia are also included on second surface 22 including other objects, texts, backgrounds, graphics, etc.
In one embodiment, first auxiliary member 14 is generally a panel defining a first surface 50 and a second surface generally indicated at 52 opposite the first surface 50. One or both of first and second surfaces 50 and 52 are substantially planar. In one example, an aperture 54 is formed through first auxiliary member 14, for instance through a center axis of first auxiliary member 14. As depicted in
First auxiliary member 14, more particularly, first surface 50, includes at least an other graphic portion or graphic element, for example, a second graphic element 58, of graphic 34. For example, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, stored-value card 10 only includes one auxiliary member (i.e., first auxiliary member 14). However, in other embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in
As depicted in
Second auxiliary member 70, more particularly, first surface 72, includes at least yet another graphic portion or graphic element, for example, a third graphic portion 80 of graphic 34. For example, as illustrated in
During assembly, base substrate 12, first auxiliary member 14, and second auxiliary member 70 (if included) are sequentially stacked on one another. More specifically, first surface 20 of base substrate 12 is positioned to interface with second surface 52 of first auxiliary member 14, and first surface 50 of first auxiliary member 14 is positioned to interface with second surface 74 of second auxiliary member 70. When stacked, apertures 26, 54, and 76 align with one another, such that base substrate 12 and auxiliary members 14 and 70 are coaxially positioned. Notably, first auxiliary member 14 has a smaller outer dimension than base substrate 12, and second auxiliary member 70 has a smaller outer dimension than first auxiliary member 14. As a result, once stacked, a portion of first surface 20 of base substrate 12 and a portion of first surface 50 of first auxiliary member 14 are still visible. More specifically, first graphic portion 32 on first surface 20 and second graphic portion 58 on first surface 50 are visible upon assembly.
Once positioned, base substrate 12 and auxiliary members 14 and 70 are rotatably coupled to one another by a rivet or other suitable connection device 16. For example, device 16 is placed through apertures 26, 54, and 76 and is secured. In this manner, base substrate 12, first auxiliary member 14, and second auxiliary member 16 are all rotatable relative to one another. Accordingly, device 16 is one example of means for movably coupling base substrate 12 and auxiliary members 14 and 70 to one another.
In one embodiment, base substrate 12 and auxiliary members 14 and 70 are placed in a first position as illustrated in
In one embodiment, in which a plurality of graphics 34 such as graphics 34a-34d are included, rotation of one of base substrate 12 and/or auxiliary member(s) 12 and/or 70 aligns one or more portions of one of graphics 34a-34d with a different portion of one of the other graphics 34a-34d to depict new blended graphics or pictorial representations 90 (i.e. graphics each including portions originally from two or more of the graphics 34a-34d) such as the four blended graphics 90a-90d illustrated in
In this manner, it should be noted that each of first graphic portions 32 are configured with similar aspect ratios such that different graphic portions 32, 58, and 80 from different graphics 34 will align with one another upon rotation. For instance, each graphic 34 defines a head having similar overall width dimension and feature placement such that the resultant blended graphic 90 appears as a continuous, albeit strange in some circumstances, head. In one embodiment, common features to each of graphics 34 are positioned similarly in each graphic. For instance, all eyes are placed a similar radial distance away from the center of stored-value card 10, etc. In this way, rotating auxiliary members 14 and 70 replaces features of graphics 34 with like features (e.g., eyes with eyes, mouths with mouths, etc.). By positioning and spacing graphics 34 consistently and by placing corresponding features in similar positions for each graphic 34, the graphic portions 32, 58, and 80 from different graphics 34 are interchangeable.
Although described and illustrated as having the same number of each graphic portion 32, 58, and 80, it should be understood that in one embodiment, only one of a graphic portion 32, 58, or 80 is included on stored-value card 10 while a plurality of other graphic portions 32, 58, and/or 80 are included. For instance, only one first graphic portion 32 may be included whereas a plurality of second and third graphic portions 58 and 80 are included such that the blended graphics 90 all include the same first graphic portion 32, but any one of the plurality of second and third graphic portions 58 and 80. In this manner, second and third graphic portions 58 and 80 remain interchangeable.
While illustrated as being a head, graphics 34 can be any suitable graphic as described above. For instance, in one example, the first graphic portion 32 may be a first word selection, the second graphic portion may be a second word selection, and the third graphic portion may be a third word selection such that when the graphic portions are aligned, graphic 34 or blended graphic 90 is in the form of a phrase. In one embodiment, base substrate 12 does not depict a portion of graphic 34 and, as such, only auxiliary members 14 and 70 depict interchangeable graphic portions 58 and 80.
Referring
Auxiliary member 214 is concentrically positioned with and rotatably coupled to base substrate 212. In one embodiment, auxiliary member 214 is sized similar to base substrate 212. Auxiliary member 214 includes one or more graphic portions such as second graphic portions 258 including the remainder of graphic 234 not included in first graphic portion 232. Each second graphic portion 258 is circumferentially spaced from one another and generally positioned a similar distance from center axis 218. An aperture or window 296 is formed by auxiliary member 214 through or adjacent to one or more of the second graphic portions 258 included thereon. Each window 296 is spaced circumferentially from the other windows 296, and each window 296 is positioned a similar radial distance away from center axis 218.
More specifically, each window 296 is positioned on auxiliary member 214 to correspond with a position of one of first graphic portions 232 on base substrate 212 upon assembly. In one example, each window 296 and first graphic portion 232 is spaced a similar radial distance away from center axis 218 upon assembly. As such, when auxiliary member 214 is rotatably and coaxially assembled to base substrate 212, in a first position as illustrated in
Indicia 304 for example include to, from, initial gift card value, and message fields. Indicia 306 promote that portions of stored-value card 10 are moveable to create blended graphics 90 (
Referring to
Backer 300 includes a window or opening 314 for displaying account identifier 40 of base substrate 12 as illustrated in
In one embodiment, backer 300 is a bi-fold substrate defining a fold line 316, about which backer 300 is foldable roughly in half. In
After purchase, backer 300 is foldable about fold line 316 such that the
In one embodiment, a substantially semi-circular cut 320 is formed through backer 300 near an edge of backer 300 spaced from and substantially parallel to fold line 316. Semi-circular cut 320 extends partially toward fold line 316 and defines a substantially semi-circular flap 322, which can be partially bent away from the remainder of backer 300. More specifically, upon folding of backer 300 about fold line 316, to close backer 300, an opposing edge of backer 300 is tucked beneath flap 322 to maintain backer 300 in a folded or closed position. Other backers similar to backer 300 can be used with various sizes and shapes of stored-value card 10. Other backers or packages are also contemplated for supporting stored-value card 10.
At 404, the assembled stored-value card 10 is coupled with backer 300 (
At 424, a consumer who has decided to purchase stored-value card 10 presents the stored-value card 10 on backer 300 to a retail store employee, retail store kiosk, or other person or device to scan account identifier 40 at base substrate 12 to access a financial account or financial record linked to account identifier 40. In particular, account identifier 40 is scanned or otherwise accessed through window 314 of backer 300. Upon accessing the financial account or financial record, at 426, value is added to the financial account or financial record. 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 retail store or other affiliated retail setting or website.
At 428, the retail store or other affiliated retail setting or website accepts base substrate 12 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 is applied towards the purchase of goods and/or services. At 430, 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 428, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 428 or operation 430 as requested by a current bearer of stored-value card 10. Similarly, upon loading additional value on stored-value card 10 at 430, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 430 again or operation 428. In one example, the ability to accept stored-value card 10 as payments for goods and/or services is limited by whether the financial account or financial record associated with stored-value card 10 has any value at the time of redemption.
At 454, 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.
At 456, 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 300 if stored-value card 10 is coupled with backer 300. The current bearer of stored-value card 10 can play with the stored-value card by manipulating base substrate 12 and/or auxiliary members 14 and 70 to vary the visual presentation of graphic(s) 34 or 90. As such, the bearer is amused by stored-value card 10.
At 458, the current bearer of stored-value card 10 redeems stored-value card 10 for goods and/or services from the retail store or website. At 460, the current bearer of stored-value card 10 optionally adds value to stored-value card 10, and more particularly, to the financial account or financial record associated with stored-value card 10, at the retail store or over the Internet. Upon playing with stored-value card 10 at 456, redeeming stored-value card 10 at 458, or adding value to stored-value card 10 at 460, the current bearer of stored-value card 10 subsequently can perform any of operations 456, 458, or 460 as desired. In one embodiment, the ability of the current bearer to repeat redeeming stored-value card 10 at 458 is limited by whether the financial account or financial record associated with stored-value card 10 has any remaining value 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 452, redeeming stored-value card 10 at 458, and adding value to stored-value card 10 at 460, 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 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 a financial account or financial record associated with a stored-value card. The balance associated with the stored-value card declines as the card is used, encouraging repeat visits. 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, 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. For example, other stored-value card structures including movable graphic portions may be used. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
