Abstract:
A code carrier, on which multiple barcodes corresponding to independent entities are printed or stored, is disclosed. The barcodes are arranged on the code carrier and angled such that a barcode reader may individually read a desired barcode and the barcodes are surrounded in distinctive colors. A code carrier provider maintains a data base of users and their corresponding barcode identifiers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/355,036, filed Feb. 14, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,925, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/698,142, filed Jul. 11, 2005. 
     The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Membership cards, such as health club cards, video rental cards, library cards, promotional cards, discount cards, and loyalty cards (e.g., frequent flyer cards, grocery discount cards, and the like) are widely used. The proliferation of such membership cards has escalated to the point where 63% of the population across Europe possesses two or more loyalty cards, and nearly 80% of all grocery transactions in the U.S. take place with a membership card (AC Nielsen). 
     Membership cards may include a variety of different indicia to identify the card, the individual using the card, a membership account, an expiration date, and other information. The indicia may include a string of alphanumeric characters, a barcode, or an encoded magnetic strip attached to the card. In the case where barcodes are used as the indicia, an organization typically creates a membership card that includes only one such barcode. 
     Vendors that wish to track member activity typically want to ensure that each user of an account receive a membership card that is appropriately associated with the membership account. Unfortunately, these cards have taken over the space in people&#39;s wallets and purses. 
     Vendors have also issued smaller versions of their loyalty cards that are designed to be attached to a keychain. These devices contain only the basic indicia representing the membership identifier, such as a single barcode containing the owner&#39;s membership number. This has resulted in cumbersome key chains that burden the consumer just as much as the cards. The typical consumer now carries several cards in his wallet and a plethora of key chain tokens. Furthermore, while consumers are being bombarded with new card offers daily, they still have to carry credit cards, driver&#39;s licenses, and often choose to carry pictures of their loved ones as well. 
     In one attempt to reduce the number of such cards carried by an individual, barcode numbers are provided to a card provider that prints several barcodes on one card. See www.one-der-card.com. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a mechanism by which all of the information required to interact with existing merchant loyalty programs may be unified into one easy to carry accessory. This accessory may replace several memberships cards along with a personal photograph, and may be designed to operate with barcode readers from several different organizations that do not have a partnership or pre-existing relationship. 
     The invention also represents a vehicle for companies that do not have a presence in consumers&#39; wallets, and allows them to occupy the much-coveted wallet space. By prominently featuring their brand on the invention, companies can effectively displace existing brands contained on the loyalty cards which are already carried by the consumers. 
     Card users may avoid having to carry multiple membership cards and key tags by consolidating the relevant information on a single code carrying device. The barcodes corresponding to each organization&#39;s membership card are printed on the substrate of the code carrier. 
     The code carrier may take the shape of a rectangular card, but is not limited to any specific form. The carrier may also take the shape of a key tag (for use with a key chain), or may even be a cover for another device (such as for an MP3 player or wireless telephone). The code carrier may also be an electronic device that displays individual barcodes. 
     A user of multiple membership cards forwards all relevant information to a code carrier provider. The information includes barcode identifiers in the form of barcodes or data to be converted to barcodes. The provider then arranges the barcodes on the code carrier and forwards it back to the user. The provider may arrange the barcodes in a manner that facilitates each barcode to be individually read by a barcode reader. This may be achieved by arranging the adjacent barcodes at angles, for example, such that no barcode is within ten degrees of rotation from, or directly in line with another barcode. Preferably, the barcodes are surrounded by distinctive colors in order to distinguish the barcodes during scanning of individual codes. The layout of the barcodes may be is performed manually or by an automated system. 
     In addition to the barcodes, the user may forward sets of data containing other useful information to be printed on the code carrier, for example, frequent flyer account numbers or important telephone numbers. The code carrier may also be customized with the addition of a personalized graphic, such as a photograph that the user would normally carry in his wallet. Permanent product or establishment coupons may also be provided on the code carrier to, for example, assure discounts or awards with respect to particular products. All of the necessary information may be forwarded in person, by mail, or even via the internet. The user may establish an account with the code carrier provider such that the data is stored for use in obtaining subsequent carriers. 
     Upon receiving the code carrier, the user may present the code carrier at a merchant&#39;s location for the reading of an individual barcode. To assist the barcode reader in reading a desired barcode, the user may block all barcodes except the relevant barcode, for example, by blocking some of the barcodes with the user&#39;s hand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a code carrier in the form of a rectangular card with barcodes arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a code carrier in the form of a diamond shaped key tag with barcodes arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a first side of a code carrier containing a personalized graphic in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a second side of the code carrier of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a method by which the orientation angle of a barcode may be determined; 
         FIG. 6  shows how the code carriers in  FIGS. 1 and 4  may be held with one hand to block all but the relevant barcode; 
         FIG. 7  shows how the code carrier in  FIG. 2 . may be held with one hand to block all but the relevant barcode; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a vinyl sheet designed to be a cover for a portable music player or wireless telephone with the barcodes arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 9A-9D  illustrate a flow chart diagram that depicts an algorithm for determining the layout of barcodes on a code carrier. 
         FIG. 10  shows the relationship between a code carrier, a code carrier user, a code carrier manufacturer, and independent membership card organizations. 
         FIGS. 11A-E  illustrate credit card size cards having four to eight barcodes, respectively, thereon, each code surrounded by a distinctive color. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate two sides of a key fob supporting four barcodes per side, each code surrounded by a distinctive color. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows. It should be understood that the following description only illustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be used to narrowly interpret the scope of the invention. In addition, various aspects of the invention are described below. It should be understood that these various aspects might be used in a variety of different combinations. Therefore, the illustrative embodiments described below are not intended to show all aspects of the invention, but are rather used to describe a few embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a first and a second side  110 ,  120  of a code carrier in the form of a rectangular plastic card. On the first side  110  of the card, a standard advertising image may be placed to mark the brand of the code carrier provider. This image would be pre-determined in this embodiment, while the reverse of the card would be customized on a consumer-by-consumer basis. The second side  120  of the card contains the information forwarded by the card user that is relevant to his needs. For example, if the user wanted to include five barcodes on the code carrier, then the layout of the card may resemble Option  1   130 . If the user wanted to include eight barcodes and an additional set of data  150 , representing the user&#39;s useful information, then the layout of the card may resemble Option  2   140 . The layout of the barcodes and of the other information may be determined by the algorithm  900  outlined in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a first and a second side  210 ,  220  of a code carrier in the form of a diamond shaped key tag. The embodiment&#39;s shape allows it to be easily carried on a key chain. The first side  210  of the key tag provides a small area where a standard advertising image may be placed to mark the brand of the code carrier provider. The edges of the key tag may be customized on a user-by-user basis. The second side  220  of the key tag may also be customized on a user-by-user basis and may contain an additional set of data  230  representing the user&#39;s useful information. The layout of the barcodes and of the other information may be determined by the algorithm  900  outlined in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show a first and a second side  300 ,  400  of a code carrier in the form of a rectangular plastic card. On the first side  300  of the card, the user&#39;s personal photograph or graphic  310  (e.g., the woman and child on the front of the card) may stand alone or be coupled with a small section containing advertising or branding of a sponsoring organization  320  (e.g., the dark area to the left of the woman and child containing the U-shaped logo). This information may vary by user and requires the forwarding of additional information to the code carrier provider. The second side  400  of the card contains the information forwarded by the user that is relevant to his needs. If the user wanted to include eight barcodes and an additional set of data  410 , representing the user&#39;s useful information, then the layout of the card may resemble  FIG. 4 . The layout of the barcodes and of the other information may be determined by the algorithm  900  outlined in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 5  shows how the orientation angle of a barcode may be determined. The orientation angle is a relative angle measurement and refers to the rotational angle between two barcodes. The bottom edge of a first barcode determines a baseline from which the angle is measured. The baseline reference is then compared to the bottom edge of a second barcode. The angle between the two bottom edges determines the orientation angle. For example, a first barcode  510  in  FIG. 5 , marked zero degrees, sets a baseline for comparison. A second barcode  520 , pivoting on its bottom left corner, creates a ten degree angle of orientation relative to the first barcode  510 . A third barcode  530  is rotated further and creates a forty-five degree angle of orientation relative to the first barcode  510 . This concept is utilized in the algorithm  900  outlined in  FIGS. 9A-D . 
     The orientation angle between barcodes helps to separate the barcodes from each other, and to create a mechanical block to linear and fixed orientation barcode scanners. Because these types of barcode scanners, or readers, look for contiguous and linear patterns of high energy absorption and low energy absorption indicated by the reflection of light beams against dark and light surfaces (the vertical bars in a barcode), any barcode or pattern that is not substantially parallel to the desired barcode will be discarded or ignored. Furthermore, as the user of the invention will most likely rotate the code carrier such that the barcode to be read is aligned with the scanner, the other barcodes on the code carrier will be out of sync with the scanner, and therefore ignored. For example, a scanner aligned with the first barcode  510  will most likely not be able to read the complete patterns put forth by the second barcode  520  and the third barcode  530 . 
       FIG. 6  demonstrates a mechanical obstruction mechanism designed to help barcode scanners read a desired barcode. The grey ovals  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640 ,  650 ,  660  demonstrate how the palm of a user&#39;s hand and their fingers naturally cover a majority of the barcodes with the exception of the desired barcode. The notion is not to force the user to always grip the invention in such a way as to cover the barcodes, but to simply reduce the number of barcodes displayed. The combination of several physical and layout factors will enable the user to present the appropriate barcode to the corresponding merchant. For example, grey oval  640  covers five barcodes, leaves two barcodes  641 ,  642  partially obstructed, and one barcode  643  fully exposed. This, coupled with the orientation angle defined in  FIG. 5 , helps to ensure that the desired barcode  643  is read. The algorithm  900  outlined in  FIGS. 9A-9D  further refines this approach. 
       FIG. 7  demonstrates a mechanical obstruction mechanism designed to help barcode scanners read a desired barcode. The grey ovals  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  demonstrate how the palm of a user&#39;s hand and their fingers naturally cover a majority of the barcodes with the exception of the desired barcode. The notion is not to force the user to always grip the invention in such a way as to cover the barcodes, but to simply reduce the number of barcodes displayed. The combination of several physical and layout factors will enable the user to present the appropriate barcode to the corresponding merchant. For example, grey oval  720  covers one barcode, leaves two barcodes  721 ,  722  partially obstructed, and one barcode  723  fully exposed. This, coupled with the orientation angle defined in  FIG. 5 , helps to ensure that the desired barcode  723  is read. The algorithm  900  outlined in  FIGS. 9A-9D  further refines this approach. 
       FIG. 8  shows a flattened vinyl surface  800  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment may be a cover for a wireless telephone or an MP3 player such as Apple&#39;s iPOD. An example of such a cover appears on the webpage http://www.speckproducts.com/for-3g.html. The surface of the cover may contain imagery or information in pre-determined regions  810 ,  820  and may provide for regions that are dedicated to the placement of barcodes and other information  830 ,  840 . The images may be customized on a user-by-user basis. The layout of the barcodes and other information may be determined by the algorithm  900  outlined in  FIGS. 9A-9D . 
       FIGS. 9A-9D  are a flow chart diagram that depicts an algorithm  900  for determining the optimum placement (best-fit layout) of barcodes on a particular surface. The algorithm  900  requires the collection of four key data sets: surface  901 , merchant  913 , symbology  920 , and user  924 . 
     The algorithm  900  first gathers information  901  about the surface upon which the barcodes and other information will be rendered. The number of external corners  902  of the surface is determined and the X-Y coordinates  904  are ascertained for each external corner. This information is used to determine the external surface area and boundaries  906  of the surface. The information may be stored in an array that contains the range of X-Y coordinates for a particular surface. 
     There may exist areas on the surface where nothing may be printed. The number of these areas  903 , and the number of the corresponding internal corners  905  are determined. For each internal area, the X-Y coordinates  907  are ascertained, the surface area  908  is calculated, and added to the total surface area of excluded regions  910  of the surface. These steps are repeated  909  for all the internal areas. This information is particularly useful for defining pre-determined areas on the surface, such as the advertising regions in  FIG. 3 , or areas where graphics will be placed. The available surface area  911  is calculated by subtracting the surface area of the excluded regions  910  from the total surface area  906 . The available surface area  911  may be represented as an array of X-Y coordinates  912  in the surface record  901 . 
     The algorithm  900  then collects the merchant barcode setup information  913 . For each merchant&#39;s barcode, it is important to determine whether the collected information is valid, and to determine the properties that a particular merchant&#39;s barcode readers expect when reading a barcode. The number of digits in the barcode  914  is collected, and the type of symbology  915  of the barcode is determined (for example, UPC or EAN). If a check digit  916  exists for the merchant&#39;s barcode, the information is collected concerning the check digit  916 . A merchant record is created  917 , and the collected information is stored in a merchant record  913 . 
     Before the merchant can be completely defined, it is important to collect additional information about its particular type of symbology  915 . The ratio  921  between the height of the bars to the width of the complete string of bars for the particular symbology  915  is determined, as well as the number of digits  922  (for example, an EAN barcode contains 13 digits). The minimum surface area  923  for the barcode is determined and stored with the other information collected for the particular type of symbology  915  in a symbology record  920 . 
     The merchant record  913  and its corresponding symbology record  920  are then coupled  918  and the minimum barcode size  919  for the merchant&#39;s barcode is determined. The minimum barcode size  919  is stored in an array of X-Y coordinate points in the merchant record  913 . 
     The collection of user-specific information  924  is necessary to determine the particular set of barcodes and other information that will placed on the code carrier. The number of merchant barcodes  925  that the user wishes to include is determined. For each selected merchant barcode  926 , the user&#39;s barcode number is collected  927  along with the check digit, and verified  928  by comparing the barcode number and the barcode check digit. The collected information is stored in a user record  929 . 
     After collecting the information associated with the surface  901 , merchant  913 , symbology  920 , and user  924 , the barcodes may be arranged in a best-fit layout  930 . It must be determined whether, at complete saturation, the user&#39;s selected merchant barcodes will fit within the selected surface. The number of X-Y coordinates for each of the selected merchant barcodes is summed  931 . If this summed number is greater than the number of available points  912  on the surface, then the number of selected merchant barcodes to be placed on the surface needs to be reduced  932 . 
     If the summed number is less then the number of available points  912  on the surface, then a first draft layout  933  of the barcodes is created. Utilizing the X-Y coordinate values  912  in the surface record  901 , each selected merchant barcode is assigned a coordinate value such that the barcodes do not overlap and the coordinate values occupy points on the surface that represent the outside edges or the outside perimeter (for example, 0,0 or 0,34). It is important to orient each selected merchant barcode as close as possible to the edges, or perimeters, of the surface such that the bottom of each barcode tends to follow the outside edge of the surface. 
     The layout  933  is then further optimized by minimizing the number of merchant barcodes with the same type of symbology being placed adjacent to each other on the surface. Because barcode scanning systems are programmed to look for a particular symbology (for example, EAN-13 or UPC-A), it is beneficial to refrain from placing merchant barcodes with like symbologies adjacent to each other on the surface. To accomplish this, it is first determined  934  whether two or more of the user&#39;s selected merchant barcodes use the same type of symbology. If so, it must then be determined  935  whether more then one type of symbology exists in the list of the user&#39;s merchant barcodes. If there is only one type of symbology within the user&#39;s merchant barcodes, then the layout  933  may not be optimized based on symbology type. However, if more than one type of symbology exists, then the layout  933  may be modified  936  such that merchant barcodes with like symbologies are separated by merchant barcodes with different symbologies. This new configuration  937  is stored as the layout  933 . 
     The layout  933  is further optimized  938  with respect to the orientation angles of the barcodes as illustrated and explained in  FIG. 5 . The optimum angle between neighboring merchants is ninety degrees. If the merchant barcodes cannot be placed on the surface such that for each barcode the angle between neighboring barcodes is ninety degrees, then the angle between the barcodes must be incrementally decreased  939  (to a minimum of ten degrees) until the merchant barcodes can be placed on the surface. This new configuration  940  is stored as the layout  933 . 
     If it is determined  941  that the layout  933  contains a merchant barcode that has an orientation angle of either zero degrees or one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to another barcode, and it is directly in line with that barcode, then the layout is modified  942  such that the two barcodes are offset by a minimum of twenty-five pixels or coordinate points. This new configuration  943  is stored as the layout  933 . Finally, the layout  933  is converted into a final image  944  and combined with any background pictures or graphics. 
       FIG. 10  shows the relationship between a code carrier, a code carrier user, a code carrier manufacturer, and independent membership card organizations. A user  1010  receives multiple membership cards  1020  from independent entities  1030 , each membership card including a barcode. The user  1010  of the multiple membership cards  1020  forwards all relevant information to a code carrier provider  1040 . The cards may be forwarded to the provider  1040 , or the membership numbers may be entered in a form at the provider&#39;s internet website. The provider may have a database of the barcode types (e.g., code 128, UPC-A, EAN13, 3 of 9) used by various entities. With that information and the alphanumeric membership identifier, the barcode can be generated. The provider  1040  then arranges the barcodes on a code carrier  1050  and forwards it back to the user  1010 . Upon receiving the code carrier  1050 , the user  1010  may present the code carrier  1050  at the independent entities&#39; establishments  1060  for reading of individual barcodes. 
     The card carrier provider may maintain a user account in a data base to facilitate updating a user&#39;s card carrier as new barcodes are identified or to provide additional code carriers. The data base may also be used to provide other code carriers such as RFID, smart card, or magnetic stripe devices, or devices with mixed technologies such as barcode and RFID. 
     Code carriers may be purchased on-line or from a retailer. When purchased from a retailer, the user may receive an account number to enable access to an on-line supplier. Code carriers may also be given away in promotional efforts. 
     Optimized arrangements of four to eight barcodes on credit card sized (cr-80) cards are presented in  FIGS. 11A-E . In each example, the region surrounding each barcode is a distinct color. This facilitates use of the card in that the owner of the card may simply instruct a store clerk or the like to “scan yellow” or any other appropriate color. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate two sides of a key fob, each side supporting four barcodes surrounded by distinctive colors. 
     Further embodiments of the invention may take electronic form. For example, the provider may download, to a PDA device or other compact electronic display device, any number of entity associated barcodes. The user may then call up individual barcodes as needed. Such an implementation relies on a non-reflective display screen so that the barcode scanner is able to distinguish the barcode segments in the electronic display. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.