Abstract:
A system for securing a card or paper with a printing component to print an image and an embossing component to emboss a pattern to emboss an impression at a configurable place on the paper. An embossing die may include a pattern to make the impression. The impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of authenticity. Multiple cards are includable on paper to be securable by the system. The image may include a code corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. A method to secure a card or paper is disclosed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application and claims the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/351,658 filed Feb. 10, 2006 and U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/464,740 filed May 12, 2009, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/052,377 filed May 12, 2008. The entire contents of the above mentioned patent application documents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to securing and authenticating papers. More particularly, the invention relates to authenticating cards includable on papers to avert unauthorized reproduction. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Papers and documents are often subject to unauthorized and fraudulent reproduction. This fraudulent reproduction is especially unwanted when the paper being reproduced includes a code or indicia that grants its bearer some value, such as a discount or credit with a merchant. The importance of security for papers that deals with money transfers is great. 
         [0004]    With photocopiers, scanners, and printers becoming more commonly accessible, there is little to stop a person from reproducing a card or paper with inadequate security measures. Without these protections, both the consumer and the merchants may feel uncomfortable using papers that hold a value. In this instance, comfort is provided by assurance that monies are transferred into proper accounts, accounted for properly and reporting of the funds movement is available as needed. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a system to secure papers. Also, a system is needed that may produce papers that can be quickly and accurately authenticated by a consumer, merchant, or other individual. Furthermore, a system is needed that can easily produce a secured paper, which can then be comfortably used in commerce. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to embodiments of the present invention, an embossing pattern card security system is described that may provide security for paper. The system of the present invention may also enable a consumer, merchant, or other individual to quickly and accurately assess the authenticity of the document. Furthermore, the system of the present invention may easily produce a secured paper, which can then be comfortably used in commerce. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, a system is provided having a printing component and an embossing component for securing paper. The printing component may print an image on the paper. The image is configurable. The embossing component is configurable with a pattern to emboss an impression on the paper. The pattern may be provided by an embossing die. The impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of authenticity. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the printing component and the embossing component are includable in a press to print the image and emboss the impression in an approximately continuous operation. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, the embossing component is configurable to vary a place the impression is embossed on the paper. In another aspect, the image and the impression are locatable at an approximately adjacent to the places. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the paper may include a card. The impression is locatable at least partially on the card. Similarly, the image is also locatable at least partially on the card. In another aspect, the image may include a code corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, the paper may include a plurality of cards. The image is includable on each card of the plurality of cards. Similarly, the impression is also includable on each card of the plurality of cards. In another aspect, the pattern of the impression is configurable to differ among each card on the paper, the impression being locatable on each card. 
         [0012]    A method is provided for securing paper using a system with a printing component and an embossing component. The method may include printing a configurable image to the paper. A code may be included in the image corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. The method also may include embossing an impression of a configurable pattern from an embossing die to the paper. The impression may be correlative with the image to indicate a likeliness of authenticity. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, the printing component and the embossing component are included in a press to print the image and emboss the impression in one significantly continuous operation. 
         [0014]    In one aspect, the method may further include selecting a place on the paper to make the impression and the image. The impression is positionable approximately adjacent to the image on the paper. In another aspect, the paper may include a card. The impression and the image are locatable at least partially on the card. 
         [0015]    Additional cards are includable on the paper. The image is includable on the at least one of the additional cards. Similarly, the impression is includable on at least one of the additional cards. The impression is selectable to differ between the card and at least one of the additional cards. Similarly, the image is selectable to differ between the card and at least one of the additional cards. 
         [0016]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a card with security, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the card of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3-4  are top plan views of alternate embodiments of the card of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a paper with a plurality of cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a press, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of creating a secured paper, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of printing an image to paper, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of embossing an impression on paper, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of authenticating a paper printed with the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive. 
         [0027]    The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. 
         [0028]    All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0029]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0030]    Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention. 
         [0031]    Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). 
         [0032]    All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. 
         [0033]    The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a system for securing paper will be discussed. Those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the system as a security system, authentication system, the invention, or other similar names. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of any alternative labels as limiting in any way. 
         [0034]    In this disclosure, security can be subdivided into several areas that can affect a user&#39;s sense of security, and thus comfort. The system of the present invention may include several measures of security included in the system that reflect best practices. These security practices may be used to assist in the authentication of papers, such as printed non-activated direct mail gift cards. Various examples are provided below in the context of gift cards, or more generally, cards. Such examples are provided in the interest of clarity, and should not be read to limit the present invention solely to card-based embodiments. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a card  20  producible by the system will now be discussed. The card  20  may be included on a paper  40 , which will be discussed in greater detail below along with  FIG. 5 . Throughout this disclosure, a card  20  may be discussed for clarity. The card  20 , along with other cards  20 , may be included on the paper  40 , which may be printed and/or embossed by the system. The system may print individual cards  20 , papers  40 , papers including a number of cards  20 , documents, and/or other printable media. Also, paper is defined to include a felted sheet of usually vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen from water suspension. Paper is also defined herein to include a similar sheet of other material, which may include synthetic materials such as plastics. Those of skill in the art will appreciate other sheet or media that may be printed or embossed as included in the definition of paper  40  used throughout this disclosure. 
         [0036]    One or more images  22  may be printed on the card  20 . Examples of images  22  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , which include a label “Gift” in the upper left area of the card  20 , a stated value “$20” in the upper right area of the card  20 , and a redemption code illustrated at the bottom area of the card  20 . In addition to the image  22 , one or more impressions  24  may be included on the card  20 . Examples of impressions  24  may include raised characters  26 , represented by the characters being included in broken line boxes illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The card  20  may include a combination of raised characters  26  and flat characters  28 , which may be used to help authenticate the card  20 . As illustrated, the characters may alternate between being raised  26  and flat  28 . 
         [0037]    The impressions  24  included on the card  20  may be best understood by additionally viewing  FIG. 2 . The impressions  24  may be formed by embossing, or by raising a portion of a surface to a higher level. The portion of the surface may be raised to a higher level  32  by pressing an embossing die into the paper  40 . After the embossing die has been pressed into the paper  40 , the surface receiving the embossing die may include portions with a pattern pressed into the paper  40 , as may be best illustrated by the debossed region  34 . 
         [0038]    The portions of the surface that have been raised may correspond with raised characters  26 . Conversely, the portions of the surface that have not been raised may correspond with flat characters  28 . The arrangement of raised characters  26  and flat characters  28  may be used to increase the security of the card  20  on which the characters are printed. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment of the card  20  will now be discussed. In this embodiment, the characters may be selected between being raised and flat with an irregular pattern. The irregular pattern may be predetermined, randomly generated, the product of a calculation or algorithm, or otherwise determined in a way that would be apparent to skilled artisans. The inclusion of printed images  22  may be similar to the discussion above for  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an additional embodiment of the card  20  will be discussed. In this embodiment, an impression  24  may be included that is at least partially separated from the characters of the image  22 . All or some of the characters may be represented by flat characters  28 . For example, an impression  24  may be embossed into a portion of the card  20  apart from characters, and may optionally indicate a code for a redeemable value. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments of a card  20  or paper  40  including a combination of one or more image  22  and impression  24  as being included within this description without limitation. Skilled artisans will also appreciate additional locations, patterns, and configurations of images  22  and impressions  24  after having the benefit of this disclosure. The inclusion of printed images  22  may be similar to the discussion above for  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]    The card  20  may indicate impression  24  patterns that should be expected by a user, such as a consumer and/or merchant. For example, the card  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may include a message stating, “All numeric characters should be raised if authentic.” The instructions may be included in the image  22  printed to the card  20 . Additionally, the location of the impression  24  may be varied between papers  40  and cards  20 . A message may be included on the card  20  to indicate the expected location of the impression  24 . Alternatively, users may be trained to anticipate valid locations for the image  22  and/or impression  24 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the paper  40  will be described in greater detail. As shown, the paper  40  may include a plurality of cards  20 . The cards  20  may be configured in a rectangular array on the paper  40 , or some other array that would be apparent to a skilled artisan. The cards  20  may be detachable from the paper  40  by using a cutting, perforating, or other separating. Alternatively, consistent with at least  FIGS. 1-4 , images  22  and impressions  24  may be included on the paper  40  without the intent of partitioning the paper  40  into smaller pieces, such as cards  20 . By including multiple cards  20  on sheet of paper  40 , the cards  20  may be printed with increased speed and efficiency. However, skilled artisans will appreciate that cards  20  may be printed and embossed without being initially included on paper  40 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a press  50  will be discussed. The press  50  may produce the cards  20  and/or paper  40  by printing an image  22  and embossing an impression  24 . Additional operations may be performed by the press  50 , such as separating cards  20  from the paper  40 , cutting, laminating, or otherwise treating the cards  20 . Skilled artisans will appreciate that such discussion to apply to other embodiments that may print directly to a card  20  or other media, without limitation. The press  50  can be a printing press with inline finishing capabilities that can include an embossing component (e.g., one or more embossing rollers) so that the impression  24  is embossed onto the card  20  and/or paper  40  during the manufacturing process. 
         [0044]    The press  50  may include a printing component  52  and an embossing component  54 . In the interest of clarity, the press  50  will be discussed as printing to paper  40 . The press  50  and its components may include mechanical and/or electronic devices. In embodiments including electronic devices, the press  50 , or a part of the press, may include a processor and memory. Instructions may be received by the processor from the memory to control at least part of the press  50 . In an embodiment including mechanical devices, the press  50  may include, for example, one or more printing plate and/or embossing die  56 . The mechanical parts may be applied to the paper  40  through mechanical action, which would be understood by a skilled artisan. Additionally, the press  50  may include a combination of mechanical and electrical parts. 
         [0045]    At its most basic operation, the printing component  52  may print images  22  with text or graphics to paper  40 . The printing component  52  may print an image  22  using various printing technologies, such as toner-based laser, inkjet, solid ink thermal transfer, dye-sublimation, thermal or ultraviolet inkless, typing, daisy wheel, dot-matrix, line, plotting, or other printing techniques. The printing component  52  may be connected to a computerized device with a processor and memory. The printing component  52  may receive instructions from the computerized device, which may indicate the image  22  to be printed, the place at which the image  22  should be printed, and other information relating to the printing of the image  22 . The printing component  52  may be configured to print a plurality of images  22  on the paper  40 . 
         [0046]    The embossing component  54  may be used to emboss an impression  24  on the paper  40 . Skilled artisans will appreciate that embossing is used generally herein to describe embossed impressions  24  with raised patterns and debossed impressions  24  with recessed patterns. The embossing component  54  may include an embossing die  56 . The embossing die  56  may be formed of a material harder than the paper  40  receiving an impression  24 , for example, copper or brass. In one embodiment, paper  40  may be positioned between a male and female embossing die  56 , which may be fitted together to create the impression  24 . 
         [0047]    A pattern may be located on a surface of the embossing die  56 , which may be pressed into the paper  40  to create the impression  24 . The embossing die  56  may be variably positionable within the embossing component  54 , such to allow an impression  24  to be made at desired place on the paper  40 . In an embodiment, a plurality of embossing dies  56  may be included in the embossing component  54 , such that one or more impressions  24  may be embossed into the paper  40 . 
         [0048]    The embossing component  54  may create the impression  24  by applying pressure to the paper  40 . The embossing component  54  may additionally apply heat along with the pressure while making the impression  24 . Application of heat along with pressure may help to reduce wrinkling that could occur during the embossing process. 
         [0049]    The embossing component  54  may be located within the press  50  to receive a paper  40  shortly after being printed with an image  22  form the printing component  52 . For example, the embossing component  54  may be located adjacent to the printing component  52  in the press  50 , with the paper  40  output of the printing component  52  feeding into the input of the embossing component  54 . By allowing this feeding between the components, the press  50  may advantageously print an image  22  and emboss an impression  24  in one approximately continuous operation. Additional embodiments may include configuring the press  50  to emboss an impression  24  prior to, or simultaneously with, printing an image  22 . 
         [0050]    In operation, as discussed briefly above, the system provides for the creation of a card  20  or paper  40  with an image  22  and an impression  24  that may be compared to determine a likelihood of authenticity and assist in the detection of forgeries. For clarity, the examples below may discuss the system in the context of creating a card  20 . Skilled artisans should appreciate that the following examples are additionally applicable to printing papers  40  and other media, and should not view these examples as limiting in any way. Elements discussed along with following flowcharts correspond at least with the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0051]    The general operation of the system is illustrated by flowchart  100  of  FIG. 7 . Starting at Block  102 , the system may print an image  22  to a card  20  (Block  104 ). The image  22  to be printed may be determined mechanically, for example using a printing plate. The image  22  to be printed may also be determined electronically, for example being received from a computerized device. The system may then emboss an impression  24  on the paper  40  (Block  106 ). As discussed above, the impression  24  may be made by one or more embossing dies  56  at a predetermined or variable place. Once the paper  40  has been printed and embossed, the operation may terminate (Block  108 ). Skill artisans will appreciate additional embodiments wherein an impression  24  may be embossed onto the card  20  prior to, or simultaneously with, printing an image  22 . 
         [0052]    Operation of the printing component  52  will now be discussed in greater detail along with flowchart  110  of  FIG. 8 . Starting at Block  112 , the printing component  52  may receive the image  22  to be printed (Block  114 ). As discussed above, the image  22  may be received by the printing component  52  mechanically or electronically. If the image  22  is received electronically, data relating to the image  22  may be transferred from a computing device to the printing module. Data received by the printing module may be stored in a buffer until it is printed to paper  40 . 
         [0053]    The after receiving the image  22 , the printing module may then determine a place on the paper  40  to print the image  22  (Block  116 ). The place may be manually or electronically controlled. If electronically controlled, the printing component  52  may receive data indicating the place the image  22  should be printed. The printing component  52  may then receive the paper  40  to on which to print the image  22  (Block  118 ). Once the printing component  52  has received the image  22  to be printed, and determined the place to print the image  22 , the print component may print the image  22  to the paper  40  (Block  120 ). The operation may then terminate at Block  122 . 
         [0054]    Operation of the embossing component  54  will now be discussed in greater detail along with flowchart  130  of  FIG. 9 . Starting at Block  132 , a pattern may be selected to be embossed into the paper  40  (Block  134 ). The pattern may be determined manually or electronically. Once the pattern has been selected, the embossing component  54  may select an embossing die  56  with the correct pattern to make the impression  24  (Block  136 ). The embossing die  56  may be selected mechanically. For example, a user may choose one or more embossing die  56  to be manually equipped in the embossing component  54 . Alternatively, the embossing die  56  may be chosen electronically, for example, by receiving data from a computerized device that instructs the embossing component  54  to choose and/or equip an embossing die  56 , which may be performed automatically. 
         [0055]    Once the pattern and embossing die  56  have been chosen and equipped, the system may determine a place one the paper  40  to emboss the impression  24  (Block  138 ). The place may be manually or electronically controlled. If electronically controlled, the embossing component  54  may receive data indicating the place the impression  24  should be embossed. The embossing component  54  may then receive the paper  40  on which the impression  24  may be embossed (Block  140 ). The paper  40  may be received from the printing component  52 . After the embossing die  56  and place have been determined, and the paper  40  has been received, the embossing component  54  may press the embossing die  56  into the paper  40  at the determined place to emboss the impression  24  (Block  142 ). The operation may then terminate (Block  144 ). 
         [0056]    In an embodiment with multiple cards  20  on a paper  40 , the design of the embossing pattern used to make the impression  24  may be varied so that each gift card  20  on the paper  40  may include impressions  24  with one or more different patterns. These different patterns may be provided by using a plurality of embossing die  56   s  in the embossing component  54 , each with a desired pattern for a respective card  20 . Additionally, the pattern of the impression  24  may be aligned to a place that matches a printed image  22 . The combination of printed images  22  and embossed impressions  24  of various patterns, each of which may be located at various places on the card  20 , advantageously increases the difficulty of forging the secured card  20 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to the operation shown in flowchart  150  of  FIG. 10 , an illustrative method of authenticating a secured card  20  will now be discussed. Skilled artisans will appreciate the following illustrative method may be used for authenticating a secured card  20 , paper  40 , document, or other media produced by the system of the present invention. Starting at Block  152 , a user may receive instructions for analyzing a card  20 , for example, comparing included images  22  with impressions  24 , to determine authenticity of the card  20  (Block  154 ). The user may be a consumer, a merchant, or any other person that could interact with the card  20 . The instructions may be included in the image  22  of the card  20 , for example, by stating “the first four characters should be raised if authentic.” Alternatively, the instructions may be provided by a document accompanying the card  20 , a website, a training session, or any other forum to communicate information to a person. 
         [0058]    Once the user has received the instruction, he or she may analyze the image  22  and/or the impression  24  (Block  156 ). More specifically, the user may analyze whether the image  22  and/or impression  24  is consistent with an authentic card  20 . For example, the user may analyze whether the image  22  and the impression  24  are present and at a place consistent with the instructions. The user may compare a received card  20  with an expected impression  24  of an embossing pattern, since the impression  24  may not be easily replicated by a person. After the user has analyzed the card  20 , he or she may determine whether the card  20  is authentic (Block  158 ). If it is determined at Block  158  that the card  20  is not authentic, the card  20  may be rejected as fraudulent (Block  160 ). Conversely, if it is determined at Block  158  that the card  20  is authentic, the card may be accepted as valid (Block  162 ). After the card  20  has been accepted or rejected, the operation may terminate at Block  164 . 
         [0059]    The above examples have been provided for illustrative purposes only. Discussions of analyzing a card  20  have been provided in the interest of clarity, and are not intended to limit the present invention to applying only to a card  20 . Similarly, discussion about an operation being performed by a user is not intended to exclude those operations from being performed by a system, computerized device, machine, or other automated process. 
         [0060]    It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.