Abstract:
Advanced payment applications are provided to improve the functionality of cards and devices. For example, a user interface may be placed on a card (e.g., a physical button) or a telephonic device (e.g., a virtual button on a capacitive touch screen). Manual input provided to this user interface may, for example, cause a purchase to be paid by credit and points may be earned for the purchase. A different manual input may, for example, cause a purchase to be paid by credit and points not be earned for the purchase in exchange for one or more chances to win a prize in a random lottery. An instant winner functionality may be provided on a card. For example, a card may randomly become an instant winner based on, for example, time and/or use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/911,074, filed on Oct. 25, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/254,727, titled “Games, Prizes, and Entertainment for Powered Cards and Devices,” filed Oct. 25, 2009, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and associated payment systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A card may include a dynamic magnetic communications device. Such a dynamic magnetic communications device may take the form of a magnetic encoder or a magnetic emulator. A magnetic encoder may change the information located on a magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripe reader may read changed magnetic information from the magnetic medium. A magnetic emulator may generate electromagnetic fields that directly communicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic emulator may communicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripe reader. 
     All, or substantially all, of the front as well as the back of a card may be a display (e.g., bi-stable, non bi-stable, LCD, LED, or electrochromic display). Electrodes of a display may be coupled to one or more capacitive touch sensors such that a display may be provided as a touch-screen display. Any type of touch-screen display may be utilized. Such touch-screen displays may be operable of determining multiple points of touch. Accordingly, a barcode may be displayed across all, or substantially all, of a surface of a card. In doing so, computer vision equipment such as barcode readers may be less susceptible to errors in reading a displayed barcode. 
     A card may include a number of output devices to output dynamic information. For example, a card may include one or more RFIDs or IC chips to communicate to one or more RFID readers or IC chip readers, respectively. A card may include devices to receive information. For example, an RFID and IC chip may both receive information and communicate information to an RFID and IC chip reader, respectively. A device for receiving wireless information signals may be provided. A light sensing device or sound sensing device may be utilized to receive information wirelessly. A card may include a central processor that communicates data through one or more output devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, and a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device). The central processor may receive information from one or more input devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, dynamic magnetic stripe devices, light sensing device, and a sound sensing device). A processor may be coupled to surface contacts such that the processor may perform the processing capabilities of, for example, an EMV chip. The processor may be laminated over and not exposed such that such a processor is not exposed on the surface of the card. 
     A card may be provided with a button in which the activation of the button causes a code to be communicated through a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device (e.g., after a read-head detector on the card detects a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader). The code may be indicative of a user pressing a particular button on a card or other device. 
     A card may be provided with two buttons. One button may, for example, be utilized for a user to communicate information through a card indicative of a user&#39;s desire to pay for a purchase with credit. In turn, the user may earn points proportional to the dollar amount of the purchase. Another button may be provided indicative of a user&#39;s desire to pay for a purchase with credit, but foregoing the earning of points. In exchange for foregoing points, the user may be provided with one, or more, chances to win one or more prizes. The number of chances earned, for example, may be proportional to the amount of the purchase. The chances to win may be provided at purchase authorization or purchase settlement. Prizes may be provided at purchase authorization or purchase settlement. Particularly, magnetic stripe information associated with a user&#39;s desire to forego points for chances to win prizes may be communicated via a magnetic stripe message (e.g., discretionary data in a magnetic stripe message). This discretionary data may be communicated at payment authorization or settlement to an entity (e.g., card issuer) with servers managing the chances to win and/or prizes. 
     An instant winner functionality may be provided on a card or other device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device). For example, a card may utilize read-head detectors to determine when the card is swiped by a user. An algorithm may reside on a card that provides the card with a chance to be an instant winner with every swipe. Such an algorithm may, for example, randomly pre-determine particular swipes that are instant winners. Alternatively, for example, such an algorithm may, for example, randomly determine, independently after each swipe, whether the card is an instant winner. An instant winner may be determined, for example, based on time. For example, an algorithm may provide an instant winner on the swipe after a particular period of time passes. A card may also, for example, determine if an instant winner has occurred based on the activation of a card (e.g., a user turning a card ON by pressing a button or entering a particular sequence of manual input into an array of buttons on the card). 
     An instant winner may, for example, display a winning code on a display of a card that may be entered, for example, on a website (e.g., an account page of the user). The code may correlate to a particular prize. Alternatively, for example, the code may be utilized to win a prize that is chosen randomly by the website. 
     A user may be provided with a code for entry into a card (or other device) with a purchase. Such a code may be provided via a printed, online, or emailed receipt. Accordingly, particular merchants may fund prize-based games and provide codes for use with such prize-based games. Accordingly, for example, a user may enter a code using buttons on a card. The card may, in turn, utilize the code with an instant winner algorithm. The algorithm may, for example, utilize the game code to randomly, independently, determine whether a card is an instant winner. The algorithm may, for example, utilize the game code to increase the count of received game codes (where an instant winner is triggered based on a pre-determined count). The algorithm may, for example, utilize the game code to translate the game code into a prize code (e.g., for entry onto an online website). Both the game code and the prize code may be utilized online, for example, to redeem a prize via a remote server (e.g., of a card issuer). A prize may take many forms such as, for example, gift certificates, particular amounts of points, plane tickets, statement credits, coupons, discounts, or hotel stays. 
     A remote server may keep count of the transactions processed for a card. An instant winner algorithm on a card may be similar to an instant winner algorithm on a remote server. Accordingly, such an instant winner algorithm may be tamper-proof for algorithms that, for example, determine a winner based on transactions. A card that is swiped more times than transactions occur may notify a user of an instant winner before the user is actually an instant winner. Accordingly, a remote server may include a range of transactions in which an instant winner code can be redeemed. Moreover, the remote server may notify a user that the instant winner code was redeemed earlier than expected by the remote server and may, therefore, deny the redemption until the appropriate number of transactions have been processed. 
     A user may associate a telephone number of his/her mobile telephonic device to a card on a remote server (e.g., the server of a card issuer). Accordingly, an instant winner message may be communicated (e.g., via an email or text message) to the mobile telephonic device at purchase authorization or settlement. Similarly, a user may associate an email address to a card on a remote server (e.g., the server of a card issuer). In doing so, for example, an instant winner message may be communicated to the email address. An instant winner message may include a description of the prize and instructions for redeeming the prize (e.g., a prize code). 
     An instant winner may be determined, for example, based at least in part on time. Particularly, a card may be programmed with a pre-determined set of time periods in which an instant win occurs. When an instant win occurs, for example, an instant winner code may be provided (e.g., via a display on a card). Alternatively, for example, no code may be provided. A remote server may be synched with the card, with respect to time, such that a user merely logs into his/her account webpage to receive information about the instant win. An instant win based on time (or any other instant win) may, for example, expire. For example, the instant win for a card may expire within 24, 48, or 72 hours. An instant win may be recognizable by a user by, for example, a particular screen on a display or the activation of one or more sources of light (e.g., LEDs). For example, a source of light may blink during the redemption period of an instant win. So long as, for example, the user goes online to his/her account webpage for the card within the redemption period, the user may obtain a prize associated with the instant win. The prize may be chosen randomly. 
     Prizes may be tiered and may be associated with, for example, the type of card a user carries (e.g., a card with a certain annual fee may have a different prize tier than a card with a different annual fee). Prizes may be tiered based on, for example, the amount of transaction volume associated with a card for a period of time (e.g., the preceding year). Users may also purchase higher tiers of prizes with points. The same prizes may be offered in all tiers, but the odds of winning higher value prizes may change with each tier. Prizes may also correlate to the transaction volume and/or the type of merchant for a particular purchase that triggered, for example, an instant win. For example, a $10 purchase at a gas station may provide a different prize than a $10 purchase at a fast food restaurant. Prizes may be proportional to the amount of a particular purchase and may be associated with a particular type of transaction. For example, a prize may be a particular percentage (e.g., approximately 5-25% such as approximately 10%) off the next purchase a user makes in the merchant category associated with the prize. A user may be notified of the type of prize at time of winning the prize or at a time after the prize is redeemed. If the user is aware that he/she has won a prize, but does not know what the prize is, the user may functionally receive a whimsical and festive benefit from the prize on two occasions (e.g., at winning and at redemption). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The principles and advantages of the present invention can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a mobile device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows card  100  that may include, for example, a dynamic number that may be entirely, or partially, displayed via display  112 . A dynamic number may include a permanent portion such as, for example, permanent portion  111 . Permanent portion  111  may be printed as well as embossed or laser etched on card  100 . Multiple displays may be provided on a card. For example, display  113  may be utilized to display a dynamic code such as a dynamic security code. Display  125  may also be provided to display logos, barcodes, as well as multiple lines of information. A display may be a bi-stable display or non bi-stable display. Permanent information  120  may also be included and may include information such as information specific to a user (e.g., a user&#39;s name or username) or information specific to a card (e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expiration date). Card  100  may include one or more buttons such as buttons  130 - 134 . Such buttons may be mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons, or a combination or mechanical and capacitive buttons. Card  100  may include button  199 . Button  199  may be used, for example, to communicate information through dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  101  indicative of a user&#39;s desire to pay for an item on credit, but to forego the earning of points that would otherwise be earned for one or more chances to win a prize. Button  199  may also pay for an item on, for example, debit. Additionally, a chance may be provided regardless of whether points are forfeited for a purchase. Button  198  may cause, for example, a purchase to be made via credit (and points to be earned associated with the amount of the purchase). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that pressing a button (e.g., button  199 ) may cause information to be communicated through device  101  when an associated read-head detector detects the presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Button  198  may be utilized to communicate (e.g., after button  198  is pressed and after a read-head detects a read-head of a reader) information indicative of a user&#39;s desire to purchase an item using a payment account (e.g., credit or debit account). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a chance to win a prize may be awarded with each purchase. Additional chances to win a prize, however, may be earned at a purchase by a user foregoing the points they would have earned on that purchase for a chance to win. 
     Architecture  150  may be utilized with any card. Architecture  150  may include processor  120 . Processor  120  may have on-board memory for storing information (e.g., application code). Any number of components may communicate to processor  120  and/or receive communications from processor  120 . For example, one or more displays (e.g., display  140 ) may be coupled to processor  120 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that components may be placed between particular components and processor  120 . For example, a display driver circuit may be coupled between display  140  and processor  120 . Memory  142  may be coupled to processor  120 . Memory  142  may include data that is unique to a particular card. For example, memory  142  may store discretionary data codes associated with buttons of card  150 . Such codes may be recognized by remote servers to effect particular actions. For example, one or more codes may be stored on memory  142  that is displayed based on an instant winner algorithm such that a user may redeem such codes for prizes. Such a code may be communicated, for example, in a magnetic stripe message, RFID message, and/or exposed chip message (e.g., EMV message) from a card. Memory  142  may also store types of actions that a user may select. Each type of action may be associated with a button. Or, for example, a user may scroll through a list of actions on a display on the front of the card (e.g., using buttons to scroll through the list). As per another example, a code may be stored indicative of a user&#39;s desire to pay with credit or forego points in an attempt to earn a prize. Such a code may be communicated, for example, in a magnetic stripe message, RFID message, and/or exposed chip message (e.g., EMV message) from a card. 
     Any number of reader communication devices may be included in architecture  150 . For example, IC chip  152  may be included to communicate information to an IC chip reader. IC chip  152  may be, for example, an EMV chip. As per another example, RFID  151  may be included to communicate information to an RFID reader. A magnetic stripe communications device may also be included to communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic stripe communications device may provide electromagnetic signals to a magnetic stripe reader. Different electromagnetic signals may be communicated to a magnetic stripe reader to provide different tracks of data. For example, electromagnetic field generators  170 ,  180 , and  185  may be included to communicate separate tracks of information to a magnetic stripe reader. Such electromagnetic field generators may include a coil wrapped around one or more materials (e.g., a soft-magnetic material and a non-magnetic material). Each electromagnetic field generator may communicate information serially to a receiver of a magnetic stripe reader for particular magnetic stripe track. Read-head detectors  171  and  172  may be utilized to sense the presence of a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader). This sensed information may be communicated to processor  120  to cause processor  120  to communicate information serially from electromagnetic generators  170 ,  180 , and  185  to magnetic stripe track receivers in a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly, a magnetic stripe communications device may change the information communicated to a magnetic stripe reader at any time. Processor  120  may, for example, communicate user-specific and card-specific information through RFID  151 , IC chip  152 , and electromagnetic generators  170 ,  180 , and  185  to card readers coupled to remote information processing servers (e.g., purchase authorization servers). Driving circuitry  141  may be utilized by processor  120 , for example, to control electromagnetic generators  170 ,  180 , and  185 . 
       FIG. 2  shows card  200  that includes button  211  associated with display  215 , button  212  associated with display  216 , and button  213  associated with display  217 . Each button may be associated with a feature displayed in display  210 . A user may press a button in order to communicate data representative of the feature through a magnetic stripe communications device or other communications device (e.g., RFID or IC chip). A light emitting diode (or other source of light) may be associated with each button to indicate to a user what feature was selected by a user. A user may be able to select multiple features such that multiple feature codes are communicated in tracks of magnetic stripe data communicated by a magnetic stripe communications device. Such codes may be provided in discretionary data fields. Such codes may be repeated on each track of communicated magnetic stripe data (e.g., repeated on tracks  1  and  2  or repeated on tracks  1 ,  2 , and  3 ). In doing so, a user may associate multiple features to a purchase. A user may set that a prize feature be utilized by, for example, pressing button  211  for a purchase transaction. Such a prize feature may, for example, cause a purchase to be transacted via a payment account (e.g., credit) and, furthering the example, that points associated with the transaction be forfeited in exchange for one or more chances to earn a prize. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a prize may be won every time a purchase is transacted with button  211 . In doing so, the whimsical and festive nature of such a feature may be increased. However, for example, the value of prizes won at every purchase may be lower than the prizes associated with a feature that provides for intermittent prize wins. A user may press button  212  to set that a purchase be transacted with, for example, a payment account. For example, a credit account may be utilized and points may be earned that are associated with the amount of the purchase. Button  213  may allow a user, for example, to receive an instant winner code. Display  217  may, for example, display that a card is an instant winner based on, for example, use or time. For example, when a card is an instant winner, display  217  may display “WINNER.” An instant winner may expire based on time such that, for example, a user has a period of time to press button  213  to receive an instant winner code and redeem that code online. After an instant winner expires, for example, display  217  may go blank until the next instant winner occurs. 
     A card may randomly, based on time, indicate to a user that the user has won a prize. Such a feature may occur, for example, based on time. A user may have a period of time to make a purchase to claim the prize. For example, a user may have approximately, 24, 48, or 72 hours to claim a prize. Accordingly, a user may open his/her wallet or purse and see that the user has won a prize. The user may then make a purchase within a pre-determined amount of time by pressing a particular button (e.g. a “redeem prize” button). Information associated with this user selection may be communicate to a remote server (e.g., of a card issuer) via a magnetic stripe message from a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device, an RFID message from an RFID antenna, or a chip message from an exposed IC chip (e.g., an EMV chip). A card may allow for prizes, or chances to win prizes, to be earned in multiple ways. For example, any of the prize algorithms or prize chance algorithms discussed herein may be provided on a card. Accordingly, a card may provide a prize randomly based at least in part on time. The card may also allow a user to forego earning points for additional chances to win prizes. 
     The features associated with each card may be pre-determined by a user. For example, a user may select features to place on a card when ordering a card. Additionally, a user may go to a card issuer&#39;s website and select attributes of features. For example, a user may visit a card issuer&#39;s website and select the particular offering that is to be purchased whenever a user selects the feature associated with button  211  and displayed on display  215 . Information associated with a button may be displayed via a display or permanently printed, embossed, or laser engraved on a card. Card  200  may include a light sensing device to receive information via light pulses from a display (e.g., a television, mobile phone, or laptop display). A user may select to change the features or attributes of features from a card issuer&#39;s website and may reconfigure a card accordingly. Alternatively, a card may be provided with buttons and no descriptive information. A user may change the features or attributes of features associated with one or more buttons via a card issuer&#39;s website and remote processing may perform the associated processing as a result of on-card button selections. Different codes may be communicated depending on the feature or attributes of features on a card. Such codes may be changed via a wireless communications signal (e.g., a light-based communications signal). In doing so, processing may occur off-card at a remote server without the need to determine what feature a user associated with a code. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a card issuer may monitor the frequency and number of times that a user utilizes a particular feature. Additionally, the card may receive wireless communications signals (e.g., WiFi signals) associated with the modifications and additions). 
     A light receiver may be utilized in a variety of ways. For example, a mobile telephonic phone may have an application that is associated to a user&#39;s card. After a user makes a purchase, data may be pushed to the application indicative of whether or not a user won a prize. The application may also be loaded by a user such that the application pulls information from remote servers indicative of any recent purchases and, for example, prizes associated with those purchases. A prize may include one or more chances to win a prize via a particular game. For example, an application on a mobile telephonic device may provide a person with chances to partake in a particular game on the phone, where the game is associated with the type of merchant associated with the purchase and the chances to win are associated with the amount of the purchase. For example, a $10 purchase at a gas station may cause the phone application to allow a user to partake in a race of virtual cars for prizes one time. A $100 purchase at an online store may allow a user to partake in a spin the wheel for reward point games ten times. Prizes may take the form, for example, of discounts or coupons. Such discounts and coupons can take the form of codes that may be redeemed online or barcodes that may be redeemed in a store via a barcode scanner by displaying the barcodes on the display of the mobile telephonic device. Such codes may be communicated to a card via light pulses that are provided by a mobile telephonic device&#39;s application to communicate information to one or more light sensors on a card. 
       FIG. 3  shows card  300  that may include dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  310 , buttons  311 - 315 , permanent information  320 , display  350 , data receiving device  370 , and buttons  331 - 333 . Button  331  may be associated with a first line of displayed information on display  350 . Button  332  may be associated with a second line of displayed information on display  350 . Button  333  may be associated with a third line of displayed information on display  350 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that buttons  331 - 333  may actually be virtual buttons on display  350  and display  350  may be a capacitive touch screen. Data receiving device  370  may be a light or sound sensor for receiving information through received light or sound. Portion  399  may be displayed on display  350 . The first line of portion  399  may be associated with button  331  and may, for example, cause a code to be communicated (e.g., with magnetic stripe data for authorizing a purchase transaction) to a magnetic stripe reader that is associated with a user&#39;s desire to display a winning code. The second line of portion  399  may be associated with, for example, button  332  of display  350  and may be utilized by a user to see the expiration date for a winning code. The third line of portion  399  may be utilized by a user to see the prize level associated with the code. Each line of portion  399  may directly display the associated information or may require a user to press the associated button one or more times for the information to be displayed and scrolled through. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that display  350  may display multiple prizes. For example, display  350  may display the most recently earned prizes and buttons  331  and  333  may allow a user to scroll through all unexpired prizes. Button  332  may select a prize to reveal instructions on how to redeem the prize. The instructions to redeem a prize may be displayed, for example, across multiple lines of text or the single line of text associated with button  332 . Accordingly, a highlight window (not shown) may be provided across the line of text on portion  399  associated with button  332 . 
       FIG. 4  shows card  400  that may include signature line  410  and display  420 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that card  300  of  FIG. 3  may depict the obverse side of a card and card  400  of  FIG. 4  may depict the reverse side of a card. Individual components of card  300  of  FIG. 3  or card  400  of  FIG. 4  may be provided on either side of a card or both sides of a card. More than one instance of a component may be provided on any side of a card (e.g., the same side as a component or a different side as a component). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a user may communicate feature codes representative of a user&#39;s on-card selection via codes that may be displayed visually and entered into a webpage as part of an online payment. A display may display not only a code for an online payment, but also indicia representative of the feature. In doing so, the user can confirm that the right feature was selected. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that different codes for the same feature may be displayed and communicated via a dynamic magnetic communications device. In doing so, the security of the card may be increased. Additionally, the same or different codes may be communicated on different tracks of data to represent the selection of a particular feature. A code may be utilized, for example, to communicate information about whether a card is an instant winner (e.g., for a period of time). 
       FIG. 5  shows mobile device  500 , which may be a mobile telephonic device. Device  500  may include one or more physical buttons (e.g., button  540 ). Device  500  may include one or more display screens  510 . Such a display screen may be touch sensitive such that virtual buttons (e.g., button  530  may be provided) on virtual card  520 . Virtual card  520  may appear similar to a physical card described herein. A user may select different virtual cards by, for example, swiping his/her finger across a touch-sensitive display to scroll to the next virtual card. Mobile phone  502  may include a communications device operable to communicate data to a card reader. For example, mobile phone  502  may include an RFID antenna to communicate to an RFID reader, a pop-out IC chip panel operable to be fed into an IC chip reader, or a magnetic communications device having a magnetic emulator operable to communicate magnetic stripe data wirelessly to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Virtual button  530  may be provided to indicate a user&#39;s desire to earn a prize change (e.g., instead of points) and pay for a purchase from a payment account. Virtual button  531  may be provided to indicate a user&#39;s desire to earn points and pay for an item with a payment account. After a purchase is authorized or settled, device  500  may receive information from a remote server indicative of the results of a prize determination. For example, the phone may receive information in the form of a text message where a user has to open the text message to see whether or not the user won. Similarly, an application may be provided on the device and the application may allow a user to see if a prize was won as well as manage prizes. A light sensor may be provided on a card so that a prize may be communicated, via pulses of light, from display  510  to a card. Accordingly, a card may include a button for redeeming a prize such that pressing a prize redemption button causes the prize to be communicated through a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device, RFID, and/or exposed IC chip. 
     Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, the present invention more generally involves dynamic information. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in other ways then those described herein. All such modifications are within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.