Package for card with data-encoded strip and method of using same

The present invention comprises a method of activating a metered account that is associated with a personal identification number, where the personal identification number is affixed to a card and the metered account is activated at the time of sale of the card, and an apparatus comprising a package adapted for holding the card so that the method of the present invention can be practiced. The card includes an exposed data-encoded strip and the card preferably has a personal identification number thereon. The package includes a first panel and a retainer that secures the card to the first panel so that, when the card is secured to the panel, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from the panel. The data-encoded strip is encoded with a control number that is associated with the metered account. When the card is purchased, the control number is read from the data-encoded strip while the card is secured to the first panel, and the metered account is activated.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
Not applicable. 
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX" 
Not applicable. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates, in general, to packaging for well-known 
prepaid debit cards. Such debit cards are associated with a prepaid 
metered account, and the account is debited as purchases are made by a 
consumer. In particular, the present invention relates to a package for 
holding a data-encoded card associated with a metered account and a method 
of using the package and card combination to activate the metered account 
with a certain predetermined value at the time of purchase of the card and 
package combination. 
2. Information Disclosure Statement 
Prior art prepaid metered accounts associated with debit cards are 
well-known for providing access to goods and services, e.g., telephone 
services. Typically, a card having a personal identification number 
("PIN") thereon is sold at a retail outlet for a certain price. This PIN 
number is associated with an already-activated metered account that is 
pre-credited with a certain predetermined value representing the value of 
services, e.g., telephone services, being purchased. Then, as the 
cardholder uses the telephone services, the cardholder provides the PIN 
number and the account is successively debited for the services provided 
until the value of the card is exhausted. Often, the predetermined value 
credited to the metered account may be more than the actual purchase price 
of the debit card because of promotional pricing, etc. 
However, theft of services is a problem when such a scheme is used because 
unfettered access to the metered account is available to anyone who 
obtains knowledge of the PIN number for the pre-activated metered account, 
necessitating the storage of such cards under lock and key by the retail 
merchant until the moment the cards are sold, thereby preventing the 
stocking of such cards on store shelves freely accessible by prospective 
purchasers. 
A preliminary patentability search in Class 206, subclass 439.5, and Class 
40, subclass 312, produced the following patents, some of which may be 
relevant to the present invention: Guttman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,612, 
issued Nov. 4, 1952; Tripodi, U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,422, issued Oct. 3, 
1972; Price et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,393, issued Aug. 24, 1982; Sano, 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,763, issued Dec. 19, 1989; Betheil, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,181,744, issued Jan. 26, 1993; Litt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,021, issued 
Mar. 21, 1995; and Longtin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,832, issued Jun. 27, 1995. 
Additionally, applicants are aware of a package of unknown date 
manufactured by the GE Capital Company and sold under the service mark "GE 
EXCHANGE" (part number 992439), holding a Montgomery Ward prepaid calling 
card for telephone services. The package appears to have a magnetic strip 
thereon for use in activating a metered account at the cash register where 
the card is purchased, and the prepaid calling card has a hidden PIN 
number, observable upon opening the package, for use in accessing the 
activated metered account. The card also has an identification number 
visible through an opening in the package. However, this prepaid calling 
card package scheme has problems because a particular card must be matched 
to a particular package's magnetic strip, and this correlation between 
card and package is difficult to ensure during manufacture. 
None of these references, either singly or in combination, disclose or 
suggest the present invention. 
It is therefore desirable to have a package for holding a data-encoded card 
and a method of using same to activate a metered account associated with 
said card at the time of purchase of the card. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises a method of activating a metered account 
that is associated with a personal identification number ("PIN"), where 
the PIN number is displayed on a first card and the metered account is 
activated at the time of sale of the first card, and the invention further 
comprises a package adapted for holding the first card so that the method 
of the present invention can be practiced. The first card includes an 
exposed data-encoded strip and the first card preferably has the PIN 
number displayed thereon. The package includes a first panel and retaining 
means for securing the first card to the first panel so that, when the 
first card is secured to the first panel, at least a portion of the 
data-encoded strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote, preferably 
external, from the first panel. When the first card is secured to the 
first panel, the data-encoded strip can be read directly from the first 
card without removing the card from the package, and the metered account 
is activated at the time of sale of the first card. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of activating 
a metered account associated with a PIN number that is displayed on a 
first card, where the metered account is activated at the time of sale of 
the first card, where the first card need not be removed from its package 
to activate the account, and where a particular first card does not have 
to be correlated with a particular package. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of 
activating a first metered account together with at least one second 
metered account, the first metered account being associated with a first 
PIN number that is displayed on a first card, and each of the second 
metered accounts being associated with a respectively different particular 
PIN number from the first PIN number and respectively different from each 
other PIN number that is displayed on each other second card, where the 
cards are sold together in a single package, where the plurality of 
metered accounts are all activated at the time of sale of the cards, where 
the cards need not be removed from their package to activate the accounts, 
and where a particular first card does not have to be correlated with a 
particular package. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package for 
holding a first card so that, when the first card is held by the package, 
at least a portion of a data-encoded strip on the first card is exposed 
and laterally displaced remote, preferably external, from the package so 
as to allow reading of the data-encoded strip by an appropriate reading 
apparatus. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package that 
obscures from view a PIN number displayed on a prepaid debit card and 
includes a tamper evident device to indicate whether someone has attempted 
to view the PIN number on the card. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package that 
provides for inclusion of instructions and/or advertising. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package for 
holding a first card and at least one second card so that, when the first 
and second cards are held by the package, a data-encoded strip on the 
first card is exposed and laterally displaced remote from the package so 
as to allow reading of the data-encoded strip by an appropriate reading 
apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1-36, the present invention is seen to comprise a 
package for holding a data-encoded card associated with a metered account, 
and a method of using the package and card combination to activate the 
metered account, at the time of purchase of the card and package 
combination, with a certain predetermined value. The metered account is 
associated with a personal identification number ("PIN") P displayed on a 
first card C. Once activated, the metered account is credited with a 
certain predetermined balance, and any person having the correct PIN 
number P can subsequently be provided with goods or services having a 
total value up to the value of the certain predetermined balance simply by 
providing the PIN number each time a transaction is desired. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention is seen to comprise a package 30 adapted for holding the first 
card C. If desired, package 30, like all embodiments of the package of the 
present invention, may have an opening 31 therethrough for hanging package 
30 upon a display rack in a retail store. The package 30 is constructed so 
that the package 30 can be separately manufactured without including the 
first card C and so that a subsequent manufacturing step can secure the 
first card C to the package 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the first card C has 
an exposed data-encoded strip S. The data-encoded strip can be a 
well-known magnetic strip encoding the data into magnetic flux reversals, 
a strip of well-known bar codes, a strip of well-known machine-readable 
optical characters, or any other well known manner of encoding data into 
machine-readable form as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, 
and it shall be understood that these and other varieties of data-encoded 
strips could be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the present invention. 
First card C may also have a PIN number P displayed thereon. The PIN number 
P, represented schematically in FIG. 3 by a dashed rectangle portion, can 
comprise any sequence of the digits 0-9, for example, the six digit 
sequence 987654, or may additionally or instead have a sequence of 
characters such as the six character sequence ABCDEF. Preferably, the PIN 
number P would be a very long sequence of digits and/or characters to 
ensure uniqueness and to inhibit guessing of the PIN number by a thief who 
otherwise could gain unauthorized access to the funds in the metered 
account. 
The package 30 includes a first panel 32 and retaining means 34 for 
securing the first card C to the first panel 32 so that, when the first 
card C is secured to the first panel 32, at least a portion of the 
data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced remote, preferably 
external, from the first panel 32. Such a structure enables the 
data-encoded strip S on the first card C to be read by a well-known 
data-encoded strip reader 70 (see FIG. 18) while the first card C is still 
secured to the first panel 32 and without first necessitating removal of 
the first card C from the package 30. Retaining means 34 preferably 
removably secures the first card C to the first panel 32 so that, after 
purchase, a purchaser could easily remove the first card C from the 
package 30 and store the first card C in a convenient place such as a 
wallet or purse. Because the metered account is not activated until the 
card and package combination is purchased, theft of the card and package 
combination by a shoplifter does not result in access to funds in the 
metered account. 
While retaining means 34 could comprise a well-known rubberized glue so 
that card C could be peelably removed from card C, instead, referring to 
FIG. 2, retaining means 34 preferably comprises one or more rivets 36. The 
rivet 36 preferably extends through a hole in the first card C, but may 
extend through a notch (not shown) on one or more side edges of the first 
card C. For example, two rivets 36 may be used with each one respectively 
extending through a notch on an opposite edge of the first card C. The 
cross section of the rivet 36 is preferably circular, but may be 
rectangular, polygonal, or any other shape as will now be apparent to 
those skilled in the art. The rivet 36 is preferably constructed from 
synthetic resin materials such as, for example, well-known poly vinyl 
chloride ("PVC") materials, but can be made from plastic or metal or other 
suitable well-known equivalent substantially-rigid material as will now be 
apparent to those skilled in the art. 
When the first card C has a PIN number P displayed thereon, it is desirable 
to obscure the PIN number P from view because any person knowing the PIN 
number P will have access to the metered account once the account has been 
activated. For example, if a thief were able to collect the PIN numbers 
for several metered accounts before purchase activation of those accounts, 
the thief would simply have to wait until the card and package combination 
was purchased by an unsuspecting purchaser and the account was activated, 
and then the thief could surreptitiously drain the account of its funds by 
using its associated PIN to purchase goods and services. 
Accordingly, retaining means 34 preferably secures the first card C to the 
first panel 32 so that the PIN number P is obscured from view while the 
first card C is secured to the first panel 32. Preferably, the rivet 36 
and the first card C are positioned so that, when the rivet 36 secures the 
first card C to the first panel 32, the PIN number P is held against the 
first panel 32 and is thereby obscured from view. There is a danger, 
however, that the PIN number P could still be viewed by slightly prying 
the first card C away from the first panel 32 while the first card C 
remains secured to the first panel 32. Therefore, it is desirable to 
provide means for detecting when the PIN number P has been surreptitiously 
viewed so that the associated metered account can be prevented from being 
activated. 
The rivet 36 thus preferably comprises tamper evident means 38 for 
indicating that a surreptitious attempt has been made to view the PIN 
number P when the first card C is secured to the first panel 32. Tamper 
evident means 38 can be constructed in many ways but preferably comprises 
a circumferential lip or flange 40 radially extending from one or both 
ends of the rivet. The outer edge of the flange 40 is preferably circular, 
but may be any shape, and flange 40 is constructed so that the flange 40 
will permanently deform if a person surreptitiously tries to pry the first 
card C away from the first panel 32, thus giving an indication that an 
improper attempt was made to view the PIN number P. 
Alternately, the card and package combination may comprise tamper evident 
means 38' for indicating that an attempt has been made to view the PIN 
number P when the first card C is secured to the first panel 32. As shown 
in FIG. 3, tamper evident means 38' may comprise a sticker 42 preferably 
obscuringly but removably attached on top of the PIN number P on the first 
card C. The sticker 42 is constructed so that, when an attempt is made to 
detach the sticker 42 to view the PIN number P, the sticker 42 will either 
break or crack or deform or curl or will detach from the first card C and 
will not be re-attachable, thus giving an indication that a surreptitious 
attempt was made to view the PIN number P. Alternatively, the sticker 42 
may be attached both to the back of the first card C and to the back of 
the first panel 32. 
A second preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-6. FIG. 4 shows a front 
view, FIG. 5 shows a rear view, and FIG. 6 shows an enlarged partial 
sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4. 
Identifying reference designators for this second embodiment are marked 
similarly to the first embodiment, except with the prefix "2.". It shall 
be understood that many aspects of the two embodiments are substantially 
the same, and only the differences will be treated in detail, it being 
understood that similar structural features of the two embodiments perform 
similar functions. 
The second embodiment comprises a package 2.30 adapted for holding a first 
card C, and package 2.30 preferably includes a first panel 2.32; retaining 
means 2.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 2.32 so that, 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 2.32, at least a 
portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced 
remote, preferably external, from the first panel 2.32; and a second panel 
2.44 adapted for attachment in congruent alignment with the first panel 
2.32. The second panel 2.44 is adapted to retain the first card C between 
the first 2.32 and the second 2.44 panels when the first card C is secured 
to the first panel 2.32. The second preferred embodiment may also comprise 
tamper evident means as heretofore described. For example, retaining means 
2.34 preferably comprises a rivet 2.36 preferably constructed integral, 
one piece with pane 2.47, hereinafter described, with rivet 2.36 being 
preferably formed, for example, by heating and deforming pane 2.47 through 
aligned apertures in card C and panel 2.32, and retaining means 2.34 
preferably includes tamper evident means 2.38 comprising a flange 2.40 
that extends radially from rivet 2.36 and meltingly formed therefrom, with 
flange 2.40 being non-restoringly deformable if panel 2.32 is pried up 
from card C to surreptitiously view the PIN number that is obscured by 
panel 2.32 as heretofore described. 
Referring to FIG. 6, the second panel 2.44 preferably comprises a 
substantially transparent window portion 2.46 positioned to overlap a 
portion of the first card C remote from the data-encoded strip S when the 
first card C is secured to the first panel 2.32. The transparent window 
portion 2.46 is preferably constructed of a pane 2.47 made from synthetic 
resin materials such as, for example, well-known poly vinyl chloride 
("PVC") materials, but can be made from transparent plastic or any other 
suitable well-known equivalent material as will now be apparent to those 
skilled in the art. The overall dimensions of pane 2.47 are greater than 
the dimensions of the overlapped portion of the first card C, and the 
non-overlapping lip or flange portion 2.88 of pane 2.47 is preferably 
glued between the first 2.32 and second 2.44 panels. Preferably, first and 
second panels 2.32 and 2.44 are coated on their inner surfaces with glue, 
such as, for example, well-known PVC glue, and first panel 2.32 is 
gluingly sealed to second panel 2.44 in a manner well-known to those 
skilled in the art by the application of heat and pressure, causing the 
PVC glue to meltingly join the two panels and pane 2.47 together. 
Alternatively, panels 2.32 and 2.44 could be pre-coated with a well-known 
polyethylene coating, which is then similarly heated to bond the panels 
together under pressure in a manner well-known to those skilled in the 
art. As heretofore noted, rivet 2.36 is preferably constructed integral, 
one-piece with the pane 2.47, as, for example, by being heatedly and 
deformably formed from the PVC pane 2.47. 
A third preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7-10. FIG. 7 shows a front 
view, FIG. 8 shows a rear view, FIG. 9 shows an enlarged partial sectional 
view taken substantially along the line 9--9 of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 shows 
an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 10--10 of 
FIG. 8. Identifying reference designators for the third embodiment are 
marked similarly to the other embodiments, except with the prefix "3.". It 
shall be understood that many aspects of all embodiments are substantially 
the same, and only the differences will be treated in detail, it being 
understood that similar structural features of all the embodiments perform 
similar functions. 
The third preferred embodiment comprises a package 3.30 adapted for holding 
a first card C, and package 3.30 includes: a first panel 3.32, retaining 
means 3.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 3.32 so that, 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 3.32, at least a 
portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced 
remote, preferably external, from the first panel 3.32, and a second panel 
3.44 adapted to be attached in congruent alignment with the first panel 
3.32. The first panel 3.32 may comprise a door panel 3.48 movably attached 
to the first panel 3.32. The door panel 3.48 is preferably constructed 
integral, one-piece with the first panel 3.32. While door panel 3.48 may 
include perforations along all four edges so that the door panel 3.48 
would be removably attached to the first panel 3.32, door panel 3.48 is 
instead preferably constructed as shown to include perforations 3.50 along 
three edges and a formed hinge 3.52 along one edge, hingedly attaching the 
door panel 3.48 to the first panel 3.32. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the 
door panel 3.48 may include a finger recess cutout 3.54 to assist in 
opening the door panel 3.48 by permitting the insertion of a person's 
finger therewithin for better grip of the upper edge of door panel 3.48. 
Printed material, such as advertisements, coupons, instructions, etc., 
located on or between the second panel 3.44 and the door panel 3.48, may 
be accessed once the door panel 3.48 is opened. The package 3.30 may 
comprise a transparent window portion 3.46 as previously described in the 
discussion of the second preferred embodiment. 
Referring to FIG. 9, the third preferred embodiment preferably includes a 
transparent window portion 3.46 and retaining means 3.34 comprising a 
rivet 3.36. The transparent window portion 3.46 is preferably constructed 
of a pane 3.47 made from synthetic resin materials such as, for example, 
well-known poly vinyl chloride ("PVC") materials, but could be made from 
transparent plastic or any other suitable well-known equivalent material 
as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The overall 
dimensions of pane 3.47 are greater than the dimensions of the overlapped 
portion of the first card C, and the non-overlapping lip or flange portion 
3.88 of the transparent window portion 3.46 is preferably glued between 
the first 3.32 and second 3.44 panels. Preferably, first and second panels 
3.32 and 3.44 are coated on their inner surfaces with glue 3.82, such as, 
for example, well-known PVC glue, and first panel 3.32 is gluingly sealed 
to second panel 3.44 in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art by 
the application of heat and pressure, causing the PVC glue to meltingly 
join the two panels and pane 3.47 together. The rivet 3.36 is preferably 
constructed integral, one-piece with the pane 3.47, as, for example, by 
being heatedly and deformably formed in the PVC pane 3.47, and preferably 
includes tamper evident means 3.38 comprising a flange 3.40 that extends 
radially from rivet 3.36, with flange 3.40 being non-restoringly 
deformable if panel 3.32 is pried up from card C to surreptitiously view 
the PIN number that is obscured by panel 3.32 as heretofore described. 
A fourth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11-14. FIG. 11 shows a 
front view, FIG. 12 shows a rear view, FIG. 13 shows an enlarged sectional 
view taken substantially along the line 13--13 of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 
shows an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially along the 
line 14--14 of FIG. 12. Identifying reference designators for the fourth 
preferred embodiment are marked similarly to the other embodiments, except 
with the prefix "4.". It shall be understood that many aspects of all 
embodiments are substantially the same, and only the differences will be 
treated in detail, it being understood that similar structural features of 
all the embodiments perform similar functions. 
The fourth preferred embodiment comprises a package 4.30 adapted for 
holding a first card C. The package 4.30 includes a first panel 4.32, 
retaining means 4.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 4.32 
so that, when the first card C is secured to the first panel 4.32, at 
least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally 
displaced remote, preferably external, from the first panel 4.32, and a 
second panel 4.44 adapted to be attached in congruent alignment with the 
first panel 4.32. The first 4.32 and second 4.44 panels are preferably 
constructed to have nearly identical outer dimensions and are preferably 
hingedly connected along their top edges 4.86. After the first card C is 
secured to the first panel 4.32, the first 4.32 and second 4.44 panels are 
attached, preferably with glue 4.82 in a manner similar to the 
previously-described embodiments. The outer dimensions of the fourth 
embodiment are preferably 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide by 9 inches (22.9 cm) 
tall. 
Referring to FIG. 13, which shows the dimensions exaggerated for clarity, 
the second panel 4.44 is seen to comprise a retaining portion 4.56 adapted 
to secure at least one second card C' to the package so that the at least 
one second card C' is laterally displaced from the first card C. The 
retaining portion 4.56 is preferably transparent for viewing of the cards 
C' therethrough and preferably has a circumferential lip or flange 4.60 
that can be secured, preferably with PVC glue 4.82, between the first 4.32 
and second 4.44 panels in a manner heretofore described. The retaining 
portion 4.56 is preferably constructed from synthetic resin materials such 
as, for example, well-known poly vinyl chloride ("PVC") materials, but can 
be made from plastic or any other suitable well-known equivalent material 
as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
Referring to FIGS. 12-14, retaining means 4.34 preferably comprises a rivet 
4.36 and two apertures 4.84 within first panel 4.32. Each aperture 4.84 
secures a respective top corner of the first card C when the corners are 
inserted into the apertures 4.84. The rivet 4.36 is preferably constructed 
from a 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 cm by 2.5 cm) sheet 4.80 made from synthetic 
resin materials such as, for example, well-known poly vinyl chloride 
("PVC") materials, but can be made from plastic or any other suitable 
well-known substantially rigid equivalent material as will now be apparent 
to those skilled in the art. The first card C is positioned against the 
first panel 4.32 with the upper corners of the first card C inserted into 
the apertures 4.84, and the sheet 4.80 is placed on top of the first card 
C so that the rivet 4.36 extends through the first card C and through the 
first panel 4.32. If desired, the tip 4.37 of rivet 4.36 could be 
deformably formed into a flange (not shown) entrapping first panel 4.32, 
in a similar manner to that heretofore described with the second and third 
embodiments, so as to provide similar tamper evident means for the fourth 
embodiment as well. FIG. 14 shows the rivet 4.36 securing the first card C 
to the first panel 4.32 with the dimensions exaggerated somewhat for 
clarity. 
A fifth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15-17. FIG. 15 shows a rear 
view, FIG. 16 shows an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially 
along the line 16--16 of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 shows an enlarged sectional 
view taken substantially along the line 17--17 of FIG. 15. Identifying 
reference designators for the fifth embodiment are marked similarly to the 
other embodiments, except with the prefix "5.". It shall be understood 
that many aspects of all embodiments are substantially the same, and only 
the differences will be treated in detail, it being understood that 
similar structural features of all the embodiments perform similar 
functions. 
The fifth preferred embodiment comprises a package 5.30 adapted for holding 
a first card C, and package 5.30 includes a first panel 5.32 and retaining 
means 5.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 5.32 so that, 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 5.32, at least a 
portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced 
remote, preferably external, from the first panel 5.32. The package 5.30 
further includes a second panel 5.44 adapted to be attached in congruent 
alignment to the first panel 5.32 and adapted to entrap a third panel 5.62 
between the first 5.32 and second 5.44 panels. The first panel 5.32 
preferably includes a male flange or protuberance 5.66 and the second 
panel 5.44 preferably includes a mating female channel or protuberance 
5.68 constructed so that the male 5.66 and female 5.68 protuberances can 
be matingly engaged to attach the first 5.32 and second 5.44 panels in 
congruent alignment. The protuberances 5.66, 5.68 may be discontinuous but 
preferably are continuous and act to entrap a third panel 5.62 between the 
first 5.32 and second 5.44 panels. FIGS. 16 and 17 exaggerate the 
dimensions of the protuberances 5.66, 5.68 so that they are clearly shown. 
Referring to FIG. 16, the retaining means 5.34 preferably comprises a rivet 
5.36 deformably extending from the second panel 5.44 and through the first 
card C to the first panel 5.32 and preferably being meltingly bonded 
thereto for securing the first card C to the first panel 5.32 so that at 
least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally 
displaced remote, preferably external, from the first panel 5.32. When the 
first card C is secured to the first panel 5.32, the rivet 5.36 extends 
through the first card C and the first panel 5.32, and the rivet 5.36 is 
heat sealed to the first panel 5.32, thereby also providing tamper-evident 
means for this fourth embodiment by providing evidence, by the breaking of 
the heat sealed bond of rivet 5.36 to panel 5.32, of a surreptitious 
attempt to view the PIN number on card C. Referring to FIG. 15, the 
protuberances 5.66, 5.68 preferably also secure the first card C to the 
package 5.30 by preventing the first card C from rotating about the rivet 
5.36. 
Referring to FIG. 15, the second panel 5.44 has window means 5.64 for 
viewing the third panel 5.62 therethrough. The window means 5.64 may 
comprise an opening in the second panel 5.44, but preferably comprises the 
second panel 5.44 being constructed from a substantially transparent 
material. The third panel 5.62 may be imprinted with advertising, coupons, 
instructions, or other information as will now be apparent to those 
skilled in the art. 
The first 5.32 and second 5.44 panels are preferably constructed from 
substantially transparent synthetic resin materials such as, for example, 
well-known poly vinyl chloride ("PVC") materials, but can be made from 
plastic or any other suitable well-known equivalent material as will now 
be apparent to those skilled in the art, and are preferably joined 
together as by meltingly heating or welding panels 5.32 and 5.44 one to 
the other. The first 5.32 and second 5.44 panels can be constructed in any 
size, but preferably are constructed to be 6.44 inches (16.4 cm) tall by 
4.75 inches (12.1 cm) wide. 
The second panel 5.44 preferably includes a transparent window portion so 
that the first card C can be viewed therethrough. When the first 5.32 and 
second 5.44 panels are constructed from PVC materials, a transparent 
window portion will be formed on both panels 5.32, 5.44 located adjacent 
the first card C and between the protuberances 5.66, 5.68. FIG. 15 shows 
the first panel 5.32 including a transparent window portion 5.46. Tamper 
evident means 5.38 preferably also comprises a sticker 5.42 which is 
placed on top of the PIN number P to obscure the PIN number from view. 
A sixth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 19-22. FIG. 19 shows a front 
view, FIG. 20 shows a rear view, and FIG. 22 shows an enlarged sectional 
view taken substantially along the line 22-22 of FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 21 
shows a rear view of a first card C having a data-encoded strip S, a 
personal identification number P and an obscuring sticker of the sixth 
preferred embodiment thereover. Identifying reference designators for the 
sixth embodiment are marked similarly to the other embodiments, except 
with the prefix "6.". It shall be understood that many aspects of all 
embodiments are substantially the same, and only the differences will be 
treated in detail, it being understood that similar structural features of 
all the embodiments perform similar functions. 
The sixth preferred embodiment comprises a package 6.30 adapted for holding 
a first card C, and package 6.30 includes: a first panel 6.32, retaining 
means 6.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 6.32 so that, 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 6.32, at least a 
portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced 
remote, preferably external, from the first panel 6.32, and a second panel 
6.44 adapted to be attached in congruent alignment with the first panel 
6.32. Preferably, first and second panels 6.32 and 6.44 are formed as a 
single piece of cardboard folded in the middle so as to cause panels 6.32 
and 6.44 to be hingedly attached to each other along their left and right 
bottom edge portions 6.33 and 6.35. The first panel 6.32 may include a 
door panel 6.48 movably attached to the first panel 6.32. The door panel 
6.48 is preferably constructed integral, one-piece with the first panel 
6.32. While door panel 6.48 may include perforations along all four edges 
so that the door panel 6.48 would be removably attached to the first panel 
6.32, door panel 6.48 is instead preferably constructed as shown to 
include perforations 6.50 along three edges and a formed hinge 6.52 along 
one edge, hingedly attaching the door panel 6.48 to the first panel 6.32. 
Referring to FIG. 20, the door panel 6.48 may include a finger recess 
cutout 6.54 to assist in opening the door panel 6.48 by permitting the 
insertion of a person's finger therewithin for better grip of the upper 
edge of door panel 6.48. Printed material, such as advertisements, 
coupons, instructions, etc., located on or between the second panel 6.44 
and the door panel 6.48, may be accessed once the door panel 6.48 is 
opened. 
Referring to FIGS. 19 and 22, the sixth preferred embodiment 6.30 
preferably includes a transparent window portion 6.46 similar to that 
previously described for the second and third embodiments. The transparent 
window portion 6.46 is preferably constructed of a pane 6.47 made from 
synthetic resin materials such as, for example, well-known poly vinyl 
chloride ("PVC") materials, but could be made from transparent plastic or 
any other suitable well-known equivalent material as will now be apparent 
to those skilled in the art. The overall dimensions of pane 6.47 are 
greater than the dimensions of the overlapped portion of the first card C, 
and the non-overlapping lip or flange portion 6.88 of the transparent 
window portion 6.46 is preferably glued between the first 6.32 and second 
6.44 panels and, as in the second and third embodiments, lip or flange 
portion 6.88 extends between first and second panels 6.32 and 6.44 at the 
upper, left, and right edges of card C. Preferably, first and second 
panels 6.32 and 6.44 are coated on their inner surfaces with glue 6.82, 
such as, for example, well-known PVC glue, and first panel 6.32 is 
gluingly sealed to second panel 6.44 in a manner well-known to those 
skilled in the art by the application of heat and pressure, causing the 
PVC glue to meltingly join the two panels and pane 6.47 together. If 
desired, glue 6.82 could be masked from the area between door panel 6.48 
and second panel 6.44 so that the printed material, such as 
advertisements, coupons, instructions, etc., located on or between the 
second panel 6.44 and the door panel 6.48, could be more readily viewed, 
or preferably glue 6.82 could cover the entire inner surface of first and 
second panels 6.32, 6.44 and door panel 6.48, with glue 6.82 being 
substantially transparent so that printed material on the interior of door 
panel 6.48 and/or second panel 6.44 could be viewed through the thin 
surface coating of glue 6.82 thereon. 
The significant difference between the sixth embodiment of the present 
invention and the other embodiments is in the structure of the retaining 
means 6.34, hereinafter described, for securing the first card C to the 
first panel 6.32 so that, when the first card C is secured to the first 
panel 6.32, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and 
laterally displaced remote, preferably external, from the first panel 
6.32. No rivet is used in the sixth embodiment of the invention. 
Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, the PIN number P on the reverse of card C 
is obscured by a peel-off label or sticker 6.42, with sticker 6.42 
preferably being one inch (2.54 cm) by four inches (10.2 cm) in height and 
width, respectively, and having a substantial exposed surface area. 
Sticker 6.42 has a well-known adhesive with a well-known peel-off backing 
thereover so that removal of the peel-off backing allows sticker 6.42 to 
be adhesively attached to card C as shown in FIG. 21, with PIN number P 
obscured. Additionally, on its exposed side remote from card C, label 6.42 
preferably has a heat-meltable glue coating such as, for example, a 
well-known PVC glue similar to that on the inner surfaces of first and 
second panels 6.32 and 6.44. As first and second panels 6.32 and 6.44 are 
heatedly bonded together by co-melting the PVC glue 6.82 on their inner 
surfaces, the heat-meltable glue coating on the exposed side of sticker 
6.42 remote from card C is also co-melted with PVC glue 6.82 and 
adhesively mixed therewith, thereby bonding panels 6.32 and 6.44 together 
and simultaneously bonding sticker 6.42, and therefore also card C to 
which sticker 6.42 is adhesively secured, to panel 6.32. Thus, in this 
sixth embodiment, the sticker 6.42 performs the double structural function 
of obscuring the PIN number P and also, by means of glue 6.82, retaining 
card C to first panel 6.32. Tamper evident means 6.38 is thus seen to 
include sticker 6.42 affixed to card C and obscuring number P from view, 
and retaining means 6.34 is thus seen to include the glue 6.82 bonding 
sticker 6.42, and thus card C, to first panel 6.32. 
Tests of prototypes of the sixth embodiment 6.30 indicate that pane 6.47 
presses card C against first panel 6.32, thereby tightly securing card C 
to first panel 6.32 because of the substantial shearing forces parallel to 
the surface of first panel 6.32 necessary to break the adhesive strength 
of glue 6.82 bonding to the substantial surface area of sticker 6.42. 
However, if panel 6.32 is pried away from card C in an attempt to view the 
PIN number P, or if card C is similarly pried away from panel 6.32 in an 
attempt to view PIN number P, the adhesive bond between sticker 6.42 and 
glue 6.82 breaks because of the prying, rather than shearing, forces being 
applied, and this broken glue bond provides clear evidence of tampering 
with the package. Similarly, if an attempt is made to lift sticker 6.42 
from card C to view the PIN number P, clear evidence will be left that the 
package has been tampered with, whether the evidence is the deformation, 
tearing, and/or lifting of sticker 6.42 from card C, or whether the 
evidence is the breaking of the adhesive bond between sticker 6.42 and 
glue 6.82 that also occurs during such tampering. Of course, a legitimate 
purchaser of the card C can simply pry card C from panel 6.32 and remove 
sticker 6.42 after the card has been activated in a manner herein 
described, thereby allowing the card C to be used in its intended manner. 
It shall also be understood that the sixth embodiment could also be 
adapted to include a retaining portion, not shown, for holding at least 
one second card and preferably a plurality of second cards in a manner 
similar to retaining portion 4.56 of the fourth embodiment heretofore 
described in detail. Like all embodiments, the sixth embodiment 6.30 
preferably has an opening 6.31 therethrough for hanging the package on a 
display rack in a retail store. 
A seventh preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 23-25. FIG. 23 shows a 
front view, FIG. 24 shows an enlarged partial sectional view taken 
substantially along the line 24--24 of FIG. 23, and FIG. 25 shows an 
enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 25--25 of FIG. 
23. Identifying reference designators for the seventh embodiment are 
marked similarly to the other embodiments, except with the prefix "7.". It 
shall be understood that many aspects of all embodiments are substantially 
the same, and only the differences will be treated in detail, it being 
understood that similar structural features of all the embodiments perform 
similar functions. 
The seventh preferred embodiment comprises a package 7.30 adapted for 
holding a first card C, and package 7.30 includes: a first panel 7.32, 
retaining means 7.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 7.32 
so that, when the first card C is secured to the first panel 7.32, at 
least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally 
displaced remote, preferably external, from the first panel 7.32, and a 
transparent window portion 7.46 positioned to overlap a portion of the 
first card C remote from the data-encoded strip S when the first card C is 
secured to the first panel 7.32. Preferably, the first panel 7.32 is 
constructed from a single piece of cardboard and has an opening 7.31 
therethrough for hanging the package 7.30 on a display rack in a retail 
store. Printed material, such as advertisements, coupons, instructions, 
etc., may be located on the front and/or back of the first panel 7.32. 
This seventh embodiment is less expensive to construct than most of the 
other embodiments because it does not require a second panel and because 
it requires less glue 7.82. 
The transparent window portion 7.46 is constructed similar to that 
previously described for the sixth embodiment, the significant difference 
being the manner in which the non-overlapping lip or flange portion 7.88 
of the transparent window portion 7.46 is attached to the first panel 
7.32. Preferably, glue 7.82, such as, for example, well-known PVC glue, is 
applied between the first panel 7.32 and the lip or flange portion 7.88, 
and the lip or flange portion 7.88 is gluingly sealed to the first panel 
7.32 in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art by the application 
of heat and pressure, causing the PVC glue to meltingly join first panel 
7.32 and lip or flange portion 7.88 together. 
Package 7.30 preferably includes tamper evident means 7.38 including a 
sticker 7.42 which is substantially identical in construction and 
operation as that described for the sixth embodiment. Retaining means 7.34 
preferably includes glue 7.82 and sticker 7.42 which preferably has a heat 
meltable glue coating on its exposed side remote from first card C, 
substantially as described for the sixth embodiment. Glue 7.82 is 
preferably applied to an area of the first panel 7.32 to which the first 
card C is being secured, and the first card C is secured to the first 
panel 7.32 by co-melting the glue 7.82 and the heat meltable glue coating 
on the exposed side of sticker 7.42. 
It shall also be understood that the seventh embodiment could also be 
adapted to include a retaining portion, not shown, for holding at least 
one second card and preferably a plurality of second cards in a manner 
similar to retaining portion 4.56 of the fourth embodiment heretofore 
described in detail, the difference being that a circumferential lip or 
flange, similar to circumferential lip or flange 4.60 would be glued only 
to the first panel 7.32, and would not be secured between two panels. 
An eighth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 26-29. FIG. 26 shows a 
front view, FIG. 27 shows a rear view, FIG. 28 shows an enlarged partial 
sectional view taken substantially along the line 28-28 of FIG. 26, and 
FIG. 29 shows an unassembled view. Identifying reference designators for 
the eighth embodiment are marked similarly to the other embodiments, 
except with the prefix "8.". It shall be understood that many aspects of 
all embodiments are substantially the same, and only the differences will 
be treated in detail, it being understood that similar structural features 
of all the embodiments perform similar functions. 
The eighth preferred embodiment comprises a package 8.30 adapted for 
holding a first card C, and package 8.30 includes: a first panel 8.32, 
retaining means 8.34 for securing the first card C to the first panel 8.32 
so that, when the first card C is secured to the first panel 8.32, at 
least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally 
displaced remote, preferably external, from the first panel 8.32, and a 
second panel 8.44 adapted to be attached in substantial congruent 
alignment with the first panel 8.32. The second panel 8.44 is adapted to 
retain the first card C between the first and second panels 8.32 and 8.44 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 8.32. Printed 
material, such as advertisements, coupons, instructions, etc., may be 
located on the first panel 8.32 and/or the second panel 8.44. Like all 
embodiments, the eighth embodiment preferably has an opening 8.31 
therethrough for hanging the package on a display rack in a retail store. 
Referring to FIG. 27, the first panel 8.32 is adapted so that a first 
vertical side portion 8.90 of the first panel 8.32 has a first and a 
second vertical edge, 8.92 and 8.94, respectively, and is adapted so that, 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 8.32, at least a 
portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced 
remote from the first vertical edge 8.92 of first panel 8.32. This 
configuration enables the eighth embodiment to be constructed with smaller 
dimensions than the dimensions of the other embodiments, for example, 
approximately 15.1 cm. high by 7.6 cm. wide, and therefore the package 
8.30 consumes less space while being transported and while being displayed 
on a display rack in a retail store. 
Preferably, the first and second panels 8.32 and 8.44 are formed as a 
single piece of cardboard folded in the middle along fold line 8.96 (see 
FIG. 29) so as to cause panels 8.32 and 8.44 to be hingedly attached to 
each other along a third vertical edge 8.98. Referring to FIG. 29, the 
first panel 8.32 has a first aperture or cut out portion 8.100 and the 
second panel 8.44 has a second aperture or cut-out portion 8.101, and each 
aperture or cut out portion, 8.100 and 8.101, preferably extends through 
the bottom edge of package 8.30. First and second aperture or cut-out 
portions, 8.100 and 8.101, are formed so that when the first panel 8.32 is 
substantially congruently attached to the second panel 8.44 as shown in 
FIGS. 26 and 27, the second aperture or cut-out portion 8.101 is just 
slightly larger than the width of the first card C, and the first aperture 
or cut-out portion 8.100 is sufficiently smaller than the width of the 
first card C so that one surface of the first card C, preferably the 
surface including the data-encoded strip S, can be secured to the first 
panel 8.32 in a manner substantially the same as described for the sixth 
embodiment. The first aperture or cut-out portion 8.100 must be large 
enough so that, when the first card C is secured to the first panel 8.32, 
at least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and externally 
laterally displaced from the first vertical edge 8.92 of the first panel 
8.32 enabling the data-encoded strip S to be readable by a data-encoded 
strip reader 70 (see FIG. 18). The height of the first and second 
apertures or cut-out portions, 8.100 and 8.101, is just slightly larger 
than the height of the first card C. It should be understood that the 
orientation of the package 8.30 could be shifted so that the described 
vertical edges, sides and cooperating features could be in the horizontal 
direction. 
Referring to FIGS. 26 and 28, the transparent window portion 8.46 is 
constructed similar to that previously described for the sixth embodiment, 
the significant difference being that the non-overlapping lip or flange 
portion 8.88 of the transparent window portion 8.46 extends between the 
first and second panels 8.32 and 8.44 only at the upper and left edges of 
the first card C. The transparent window portion 8.46 is otherwise 
attached to the first and second panels 8.32 and 8.44 in the same manner 
as described for the sixth embodiment. Package 8.30 preferably includes 
tamper evident means 8.38 including a sticker 8.42 which is similar in 
construction and operation as that described for the sixth embodiment. 
Retaining means 8.34 preferably includes glue 8.82 and sticker 8.42 which 
preferably has a heat-meltable glue coating on its exposed side remote 
from first card C, as described for the sixth embodiment. The construction 
and operation of retaining means 8.34 is substantially the same as that 
described for the sixth embodiment. 
The first and second apertures or cut-out portions, 8.100 and 8.101, need 
not extend through the bottom edge of package 8.30, but could be formed at 
any vertical location along the height of package 8.30, for example, the 
first and second apertures or cut-out portions, 8.100 and 8.101, could be 
constructed so that the apertures or cut-portions, 8.100 and 8.101, do not 
extend through the bottom edge or through the top edge of package 8.30, 
and, in such a construction, the non-overlapping lip or flange portion 
8.88 of the transparent window portion 8.46 would extend between the first 
and second panels 8.32 and 8.44 at the upper and left edges of the first 
card C, and in addition at the lower edge of the first card C. 
A ninth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. FIG. 30 shows a 
front view, and FIG. 31 shows a rear view. Identifying reference 
designators for the ninth embodiment are marked similarly to the other 
embodiments, except with the prefix "9.". It shall be understood that many 
aspects of all embodiments are substantially the same, and only the 
differences will be treated in detail, it being understood that similar 
structural features of all the embodiments perform similar functions. 
The ninth preferred embodiment comprises a package 9.30 adapted for holding 
a first card C, and package 9.30 includes: a first panel 9.32, retaining 
means (not shown but similar to retaining means 6.34 of the sixth 
embodiment) for securing the first card C to the first panel 9.32 so that, 
when the first card C is secured to the first panel 9.32, at least a 
portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced 
remote, preferably external, from the first panel 9.32, and a second panel 
9.44 adapted to be attached in congruent alignment with the first panel 
9.32. The ninth preferred embodiment is constructed similarly to the sixth 
preferred embodiment, but has the following differences in construction. 
Package 9.30 is adapted so that, when the first card C is secured to the 
first panel 9.32, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is 
exposed and laterally displaced remote, preferably external, from a first 
vertical side portion 9.90 of the first panel 9.32. Preferably, first and 
second panels 9.32 and 9.44 are formed as a single piece of cardboard 
folded in the middle so as to cause panels 9.32 and 9.44 to be hingedly 
attached to each other along first and second vertical edges 9.93 and 
9.95. The first panel 9.32 preferably includes a door panel 9.48 having 
similar structure and functions as the door panel 6.48 described for the 
sixth preferred embodiment. The door panel 9.48 preferably has a lesser 
width than the door panel 6.48 of the sixth embodiment and is offset from 
the vertical center axis of the first panel so that there is enough space 
lateral to the door panel 9.48 to secure the first card C to the first 
panel 9.32 so that at least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is 
exposed and laterally displaced remote, preferably external, from the 
first vertical side portion 9.90 of the first panel 9.32. 
The ninth preferred embodiment 9.30 preferably includes a transparent 
window portion 9.46 similar to that previously described for the sixth 
embodiment, except instead of being secured between the first and second 
panels 9.32 and 9.44 at the bottom of the package 9.30, the transparent 
window portion 9.46 is secured between the first and second panels 9.32 
and 9.44 at the first vertical side 9.90. Retaining means and tamper 
evident means (both not shown) are substantially identical in structure 
and function to that described for the sixth preferred embodiment except 
for the change in location to secure the first card C to the first panel 
9.32 so that at least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and 
laterally displaced remote, preferably external, from the first vertical 
side portion 9.90 of the first panel 9.32. 
Like all embodiments, the ninth embodiment 9.30 preferably has an opening 
9.31 therethrough for hanging the package on a display rack in a retail 
store, however, the location of opening 9.31 has been changed. When the 
first card C is secured to the first panel 9.32, the centroid is not 
located along the vertical center axis of the first panel 9.32 as with the 
other embodiments, instead the centroid is located along a vertical axis 
displaced towards the first vertical side portion 9.90. The location of 
opening 9.31 has been displaced to coincide with the displaced vertical 
axis of the centroid so that the combination of package 9.30 and first 
card C will hang level from the display rack. 
It shall also be understood that the ninth embodiment could also be adapted 
to include a retaining portion, not shown, for holding at least one second 
card and preferably a plurality of second cards in a manner similar to 
retaining portion 4.56 of the fourth embodiment heretofore described in 
detail, and this would require relocation of the opening 9.31 so that the 
package 9.30 would hang level from the display rack. 
A tenth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 32-36. FIG. 32 shows a front 
view, FIGS. 33, 35, and 36 show a rear view, and FIG. 34 shows a view of 
package 10.30 before assembly. Identifying reference designators for the 
tenth embodiment are marked similarly to the other embodiments, except 
with the prefix "10.". It shall be understood that many aspects of all 
embodiments are substantially the same, and only the differences will be 
treated in detail, it being understood that similar structural features of 
all the embodiments perform similar functions. 
The tenth preferred embodiment comprises a package 10.30 adapted for 
holding a first card C, and package 10.30 includes: a first panel 10.32, 
retaining means (not shown but similar to retaining means 6.34 of the 
sixth embodiment) for securing the first card C to the first panel 10.32 
so that, when the first card C is secured to the first panel 10.32, at 
least a portion of the data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally 
displaced remote, preferably external, from the first panel 10.32, and a 
second panel 10.44 adapted to be attached in congruent alignment with the 
first panel 10.32. Preferably, first and second panels 10.32 and 10.44 are 
formed as a single piece of cardboard folded in the middle so as to cause 
panels 10.32 and 10.44 to be hingedly attached to each other along their 
left and right bottom edge portions 10.33 and 10.35 (see FIGS. 32 and 34). 
Referring to FIG. 33, the first panel 10.32 includes a first door panel 
10.48 movably attached to the first panel 10.32. The first door panel 
10.48 can be identically constructed and operated as that described for 
the sixth preferred embodiment, however, the preferred construction of the 
first door panel 10.48 differs somewhat from that described for the sixth 
embodiment. A hinge 10.52 is preferably constructed along the bottom edge 
of first door panel 10.48 and preferably includes multiple perforations 
10.102. Unlike, the door panel 6.48 of the sixth embodiment, the first 
door panel 10.48 preferably does not include perforations along the length 
of the other three edges, but rather is unattached to the first panel 
10.32 at the other three edges. A single perforation tooth 10.104 is 
preferably constructed at all four corners of the first door panel 10.48, 
and these four perforation teeth 10.104 together with hinge 10.52 secure 
the first door panel 10.48 to the first panel 10.32. The first door panel 
10.48 includes a finger recess cutout 10.54 to assist in opening the first 
door panel 10.48 by permitting the insertion of a person's finger 
therewithin for better grip of the upper edge of the first door panel 
10.48. The four perforation teeth 10.104 are constructed so that as the 
first door panel 10.48 is pulled downward, the four perforation teeth 
10.104 will break to allow rotation of the first door panel 10.48 about 
the hinge 10.52. The first door panel 10.48 can remain hingeably attached 
to the first panel 10.32, or the first door panel 10.48 can be completely 
removed from the first panel 10.32 by tearing the multiple perforations 
10.102 of the hinge 10.52. 
Referring to FIG. 34, the second panel 10.44 includes a second and a third 
door panel 10.106 and 10.108, preferably constructed integral, one-piece 
with the second panel 10.44. The second door panel 10.106 is constructed 
to have two hinges, inner hinge 10.110 and outer hinge 10.112. During 
assembly of the package 10.30, the second door panel 10.106 is folded 
towards the interior of the second panel 10.44 at the inner hinge 10.110 
so that the area of the second door panel 10.106 between the inner hinge 
10.110 and the outer hinge 10.112 can be glued between the first and the 
second panels 10.32 and 10.44, when the first and second panels 10.32 and 
10.34 are glued together in a manner similar to that described for the 
sixth preferred embodiment. It is important that the area of the second 
door panel 10.106 between the outer hinge 10.112 and the second door panel 
outer edge 10.114 is not glued so that the second door panel 10.106 will 
be movably attached to the package 10.30. The outer hinge 10.112 is 
preferably formed by perforations so that the second door panel 10.106 can 
remain hingeably attached to the first panel 10.32, alternatively the 
second door panel 10.106 can be completely removed from the first panel 
10.32 by tearing the perforations of the outer hinge 10.112. The third 
door panel 10.108 is constructed to be a mirror image of the second door 
panel 10.106, and is likewise folded towards the interior of the second 
panel 10.44 and glued between the first and second panels 10.32 and 10.34. 
FIG. 33 shows the package 10.30 with the first and second panels 10.32 and 
10.44 glued together. To gain access to the second and third door panels 
10.106 and 10.108, the first door panel 10.48 must first be opened using 
finger recess cutout 10.54. Referring to FIG. 35, once the first door 
panel 10.48 is opened, the second door panel 10.106 can be opened by 
rotating the second door panel 10.106 about it's outer hinge 10.112. 
Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, after the second door panel 10.106 is 
opened, the third door panel 10.108 can be opened by rotating the third 
door panel 10.108 about it's outer hinge. It will now be apparent that the 
third door panel 10.108 could be opened before the second door panel 
10.106 if the second door panel 10.106 is placed behind the third door 
panel 10.108 during assembly of the package 10.30. 
Referring to FIG. 32, the tenth preferred embodiment 10.30 preferably 
includes a transparent window portion 10.46, retaining means (not shown 
but similar to retaining means 6.34 of the sixth embodiment), and tamper 
evident means (not shown but similar to tamper evident means 6.38 of the 
sixth embodiment) which are all are substantially identical in structure 
and function to that described for the sixth preferred embodiment. Like 
all embodiments, the tenth embodiment 10.30 has an opening 10.31 
therethrough for hanging the package on a display rack in a retail store. 
Now that various embodiments of the present invention have been described 
in detail, the method of the present invention, and its differences from 
the prior art, can now be explained and understood. 
A metered account is associated with the secret PIN number on the card C, 
and anyone knowing the PIN number will be provided with goods or services, 
e.g., telephone services or other goods or services, having a value up to 
the amount of the certain predetermined balance. The certain predetermined 
balance will be debited for the amount of goods or services provided as 
they are purchased. The secret PIN is provided by selling card C having a 
PIN thereon, and the purchaser/cardholder causes transactions to be 
debited against the metered account by providing the PIN number to a 
merchant. 
Prior art methods of providing the metered account associated with a card's 
PIN involve the activation and crediting of the metered account before the 
card is distributed to a retail merchant for resale. However, a prior art 
scheme using such pre-activated accounts necessarily requires that such 
cards be stored under lock and key by the retail merchant until the moment 
the cards are sold because, if the cards are stolen or the PIN numbers 
surreptitiously discovered, the pre-activated metered accounts can be 
drained of funds. The method of the present invention avoids such problems 
by not activating the metered account until the time of purchase of the 
card. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 18, the first preferred method of the present 
invention uses a first card C having an exposed data-encoded strip S. The 
data-encoded strip is encoded with a unique first identification number 
comprising a "control number". The first card C also has a unique second 
identification number thereon, and this second identification number is 
the PIN P that allows access to the funds in a metered account. The method 
also uses a package 30 which includes a first panel 32 and retaining means 
34 securing the first card C to the first panel 32 so that the 
data-encoded strip S is exposed and laterally displaced remote from the 
first panel 32. When the first card C is secured to the package 30, the 
PIN P is obscured from view. The package 30 preferably includes tamper 
evident means 38 or 38', heretofore described in various embodiments, to 
indicate when a surreptitious attempt to view the PIN P has been made. The 
control number and the PIN P are associated with a metered account. The 
control number is preferably a different number from the PIN P so that 
knowledge of the PIN P can not be obtained by reading the control number 
using a data-encoded strip reader 70 or by observing the exposed control 
number on card C. 
A single company can manufacture the first card C and the package 30, 
secure the first card C to the package 30, and correlate, as, for example, 
by a correspondence table, the control number to the PIN P so that both 
numbers can be properly and uniquely associated with a metered account. 
Alternatively, one company can manufacture the package 30, and a second 
company can manufacture the first card C, then the second company or the 
provider of goods and services can secure the first card C to the package 
30 and correlate the control number with the PIN P. Once the first card C 
is secured to the package 30 and the control number is correlated with the 
PIN P, the provider of goods or services can uniquely associate the 
control number and PIN P with a metered account. A representation of the 
control number, the PIN P, and the associated metered account are entered 
into a remote data processing apparatus, such as a digital computer 72 
with attached data storage memory, in a manner well-known to those skilled 
in the art. Any well known computer programming technique, such as 
preferably a correspondence table, can be used to associate the control 
number and PIN P with a metered account as will now be apparent to those 
skilled in the art. The digital computer 72 can then be linked to 
data-encoded strip readers 70 located at many different retail stores so 
that, when a data-encoded strip S is read as the card and package 
combination is purchased, a characterization of the control number can be 
transmitted to the digital computer 72. Preferably, modems 74, 76 will be 
used to transmit the characterization of the control number over telephone 
lines, but any method of data transmission could be used, as will now be 
apparent to those skilled in the art. After the first card C is secured to 
the package, and the control number and PIN P are associated with a 
metered account within the digital computer 72, the first card C can be 
sent to a retail store for purchase by and distribution to the public. 
Many first card C and package 30 combinations can then be openly stocked on 
the shelves or racks of a retail store. A customer can select a first card 
C and package 30 combination and bring the first card C and package 30 
combination to a cashier or clerk. If the tamper evident means indicates 
that the PIN number may have been compromised, then the metered account 
corresponding to the tampered card should not be activated and another 
card and package combination should instead be purchased. After the 
customer has paid for the card and package combination, a clerk will then 
pass the data-encoded strip S through a data-encoded strip reader 70 to 
initiate the activation of the metered account for the just-purchased 
card. 
Referring to FIG. 18, the control number is read from the data-encoded 
strip S by a data-encoded strip reader 70. A nearby modem 74, connected to 
the reader 70, transmits a characterization of this control number to a 
receiving modem 76 at the location of the digital computer 72. The 
receiving modem 76 is connected to the digital computer 72 and forwards 
the characterization of the control number to the digital computer 72. The 
digital computer 72 uses this characterization of the control number to 
identify the associated metered account in a manner now understood by 
those skilled in the art, and then activates that particular associated 
metered account. The metered account may have been credited with a certain 
predetermined balance when the metered account was entered into the 
digital computer 72, but, if not, the digital computer 72 will now credit 
the metered account with a certain predetermined balance. 
The customer can now remove the first card C from the package 30 and store 
the first card C in any convenient place such as, for example, a wallet or 
purse. To obtain goods or services, e.g., to obtain telephone service, the 
cardholder customer could, for example, dial a certain telephone number 
and connect to the digital computer 72. The customer preferably then 
enters the PIN P onto the telephone keypad, but the PIN P could instead be 
entered into a personal computer which is connected to the digital 
computer 72 by modems or the PIN P could be entered using another 
well-known data entry device as will now be apparent to those skilled in 
the art. A characterization of the PIN P is then transmitted to the 
digital computer 72, the digital computer 72 uses the characterization of 
the PIN P to identify the associated metered account, the digital computer 
72 provides the customer with access to goods or services, for example, 
telephone services, and the digital computer 72 then debits the balance of 
the metered account. When the balance has been debited to zero, goods or 
services can no longer be obtained by use of that particular PIN P and the 
first card C can be discarded. 
A second preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention can be 
used to simultaneously activate a plurality of metered accounts, namely, a 
first metered account together with at least one second metered account, 
using the multi-card and package combination 4.30 heretofore described in 
detail as the fourth embodiment combination of the present invention. 
Each particular PIN P on cards C, C' is associated with a different 
particular metered account, and each of the cards C, C' in the package 
4.30 preferably has a different PIN from each other card in the package 
and also unique from every other card in every other package. A first 
identification number which comprises a unique control number is encoded 
onto the data-encoded strip S on the first card C. The control number is 
preferably a different number from any of the PINs P so that knowledge of 
any of the PINs P can not be obtained by surreptitious access to the 
control number. 
A single company can manufacture the first card C, the second card(s) C', 
and the package 4.30, secure the first C and second C' cards to the 
package 4.30, and correlate the control number to the several PINs P 
within the package so that the control number and each particular PIN P 
can be properly and uniquely associated or correlated with a different 
particular metered account. Alternatively, one company could manufacture 
the package 4.30 and a second company could manufacture the first C and 
second C' cards. Then the second company or the provider of goods and 
services could secure the first C and second C' cards to the package 4.30 
and correlate the control number with the plurality of PINs P on the cards 
C, C' within the package 4.30. Once the first C and second C' cards are 
secured to the package 4.30 and the control number is correlated with the 
several PINs P, the provider of goods or services can associate the 
control number with each different particular PIN P within the package, 
each different particular PIN P corresponding to a different particular 
metered account. 
A representation of the control number, of each PIN P and of the metered 
account associated with each PIN P are entered into a remote data 
processing apparatus, such as a digital computer 72 with attached data 
storage memory, in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art. Any 
well known computer programming technique, such as preferably a 
correspondence table, can be used to associate the control number with the 
plurality of PIN and metered account pairs as will now be apparent to 
those skilled in the art. The digital computer 72 can be connected to 
data-encoded strip readers 70 located at many different retail stores so 
that, when a data-encoded strip S is read, a characterization of the 
control number will be transmitted to the digital computer 72. Preferably, 
modems 74, 76 will be used to transmit the characterization over telephone 
lines, but any method of data transmission can be used, as will now be 
apparent to those skilled in the art. After the first C and second C' 
cards are secured to the package 4.30 and the control number and each PIN 
P has been associated with a metered account within the digital computer 
72, the package 4.30 can be sent to a store for purchase by and 
distribution to the public. 
This second preferred method of the present invention activates the metered 
accounts upon purchase of the multi-card and package combination similarly 
to the first preferred method, heretofore described, except that the 
reading of the characterization of the control number from the 
data-encoded strip S is used to activate a plurality of different metered 
accounts, one for each card within the package 4.30, in a manner that will 
now be understood. It is the activation of the plurality of metered 
accounts, one for each card in the package 4.30, rather than the 
activation of only a single metered account, that is the substantial 
difference between the first and second preferred methods of the present 
invention. 
After purchase of the multi-card and package combination 4.30 and 
activation of the plurality of metered accounts, a customer-purchaser 
could then remove the first card C and the one or more second cards C' 
from the package 4.30 and could then store the cards C, C' in one or more 
convenient places such as, for example, wallets or purses. The customer 
could retain the cards C, C' for personal use or could distribute any of 
the cards C, C' among family members, friends, or employees. To obtain 
goods or services, for example, to obtain telephone service, the possessor 
of a particular card uses that card in a manner similar to that heretofore 
described. 
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with 
respect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred use therefor, it is not 
to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which 
are within the full intended scope of the invention.