Abstract:
A system and method for utilizing and replacing an anonymous recognition substrates, which can be anonymous recognition cards, codes, emitters, tags, or any combination. The invention permits replacing and utilizing of anonymous recognition substrates at anonymous web-based program and/or at an anonymous interactive display terminals. Whereby the anonymous substrate holder may create an anonymous account on a web-based program and/or at an interactive display terminal using the anonymous substrate&#39;s anonymous code. The user may securely request a new anonymous substrate from the web-based program and/or at the interactive display terminal. The web-based program provider and/or the interactive display terminal provider can anonymously message and track the anonymous account holder and/or anonymous substrate holder.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to methods for replacing anonymous identification devices such as anonymous recognition cards, codes, emitters, tags, or any combination, and utilizing said anonymous identification devices in a variety ways, for example for shopping, safety measures or fun activities for the anonymous account holder and/or temporary anonymous holder. In particular, the invention relates to a system and method that provides for secure measures to replace the anonymous recognition cards and utilization of said cards in an array of situations such as to access anonymous interactive display terminals, anonymous web-based programs, advertisements, coupons, prizes, rewards, awards and safety programs. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The use of anonymous cards can be found at hotels, motels and resort locations. The use of anonymous cards or access cards relates to accessing different areas of the location, such as a pool, spa or dwelling room. The access cards are provided to patrons and employees for access to said areas but expire at the end of the patrons&#39; stay or termination of the employment of employees. The replacement, distribution and access in relation the anonymous access cards are unique to each business. Most hotels that use anonymous cards suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, in order to obtain an anonymous card, the cardholder must be identified and provide personal identifiable information, such as a name, addresses, employer identification and/or credit card information. 
         [0005]    Other uses of anonymous cards are presented at gaming facilities, such as Chuck E. Cheese or Dave and Buster&#39;s, in which the patron receives a card and can place money on it in order to access the games. A drawback is the patron can obtain as many anonymous cards as they would like and use of anonymous cards are limited to gaming, food and beverage within the respective facility. The use and level of anonymity of the cards distributed at each gaming facility is unique to that gaming facility. Some gaming facilities use the distribution of anonymous cards as the first step in later gaining personal identifying information by thereafter inducing the user to enter their loyalty program. 
         [0006]    The use, distribution and replacement of anonymous cards is not uniform. The utilization of anonymous cards can be found in varying degrees and level of anonymity in certain industries. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system and method that can overcome the above-noted drawbacks. In addition, it is desirable to provide systems, methods and software for replacing anonymous cards, as well as, utilizing anonymous cards within an anonymous system that does not disclose and/or have the intention of ever obtaining the user&#39;s personal identifiable information. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Systems and Methods to utilize and replace anonymous recognition cards, codes, emitters, tags, or any combination, for an anonymous user or temporary cardholder, which can be used in a variety of ways and as specifically mentioned in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/888,596 filed on Oct. 9, 2013, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS OR PROGRAMS ON ONE KEY CARD and Utility application Ser. No. 13/729,359 filed on Dec. 28, 2012, entitled GAME-BASED ADVERTISING SYSTEM AND METHOD. 
         [0008]    A user of interactive display terminal programs and/or web-based programs can receive an anonymous recognition card to access all programs anonymously. The anonymous recognition card allows the user or temporary cardholder to interact with the system on an anonymous basis, meaning no personal information is obtained to be able to identify the user when using the card and accessing any platform or program. 
         [0009]    Once the user receives the anonymous recognition card, the user will be able to access the display terminal with said card. An alpha numerical code, string of characters or otherwise, is on the anonymous recognition card which the user can use to sign onto to a web-based program. Once logged in the user will be prompted to create a password and user login. The user login will be anonymous and a user could not be personally identified by said user login. If the user loses or damages the anonymous recognition card, the user must simply sign on to the web-based platform to receive a new anonymous recognition card. Alternatively, the account holder can obtain a new anonymous recognition card with a new alpha numerical code, string of characters or otherwise, and link the new card to the pre-existing account by entering it in the web-based program or interactive display terminal program. 
         [0010]    Anonymous recognition cards can be used for security and marketing purposes among others, in which the cardholder can be monitored, via sensors, readers and emitters, in real time with the location of the user or temporary card holder as they traverse the area with sensors to receive such signals. Further, capabilities of the anonymous recognition card include a “check-in” and “check-out” that can be used for security and non-security purposes. The anonymous user&#39;s data can include when and where the card is used at an interactive display terminal location or the access location to the web-based program that can be recorded in an anonymous user&#39;s database. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the invention, the anonymous recognition cardholder may provide access codes for other members within their social circle in order to open anonymous accounts. Finally, it is also possible for the web-based and/or interactive display terminal provider(s) to modify the message and or change the display of items relating to the anonymous account holder with information about social events, coupons, prizes, awards and/or rewards, among others, when the account holder accesses a terminal or web-based program. Said message modification or changes in displays of items can be based on the data contained within the user&#39;s anonymous database. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates multiple embodiments of an anonymous recognition card, code, emitter or tag. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows access to a interactive display terminal and a web-based program accessed by an anonymous recognition card. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts the activation of a web-based program. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of the process of replacing a lost, stolen or damaged card. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5 . depicts an anonymous gift redemption. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6 . depicts one embodiment of user data being communicated and stored in the user&#39;s anonymous database. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7 . depicts another embodiment of user data being communicated and stored in the user&#39;s anonymous database. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts another embodiment of user data being communicated and stored in the user&#39;s anonymous database. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  depicts one embodiment of the dispersal of anonymous access codes. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates the activation of the web-based program with an anonymous access code. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows one depiction of providing a message to the anonymous account holder by the web-based and/or interactive display terminal program providers. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE MAJOR ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWING 
       [0023]    The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.
     100  anonymous recognition card     101  anonymous recognition card with anonymous code     102  anonymous code     103  anonymous recognition card     104  embedded signal emitter     105  anonymous code     106  anonymous tag     107  anonymous code     108  embedded signal emitter     109  anonymous recognition card     110  embedded signal emitter     111  magnetic strip     112  anonymous code     113  interactive display terminal     114  web-based program     115  anonymous recognition card     116  anonymous code     117  web-based program registration screen     118  anonymous code input     119  anonymous username input     120  password input     121  user&#39;s anonymous interactive compartment     122  web-based program lost card screen     123  username input     124  password input     125  lost card “click box”     126  new anonymous card     127  prior anonymous access code     128  anonymous cardholder     129  anonymous card     130  redemption provider representative     131  anonymous cardholder     132  anonymous card     133  interactive display terminal     134  interactive display terminal&#39;s data signal     135  user&#39;s anonymous database     136  anonymous cardholder     137  anonymous card     138  embedded signal emitter     139  embedded signal emitter&#39;s signal     140  interactive display terminal     141  interactive display terminal&#39;s sensor     142  interactive display terminal sensor&#39;s signal     143  interactive display terminal program data signal communication     144  user&#39;s anonymous database     145  anonymous user&#39;s mobile device     146  username input     147  password input     148  user&#39;s data communication     149  user&#39;s anonymous database     150  registered anonymous account holder     151  three un-activated anonymous codes     152  first anonymous code     153  first potentially new anonymous account holder     154  second anonymous code     155  second potentially new anonymous account holder     156  third anonymous code     157  third potentially new anonymous account holder     158  web-based program anonymous code registration screen     159  anonymous code input     160  web-based program username and password creation screen     161  anonymous username input     162  password input     163  user&#39;s anonymous interactive screen     164  user&#39;s anonymous username     165  anonymous account provider&#39;s message     166  account providers&#39; messaging screen     167  web-based program message on account holder&#39;s screen.     168  interactive display terminal message on account holder&#39;s screen.   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0093]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. Additionally, although the invention is described below as being implemented commercially, it will be appreciated that the invention can also be used for security purposes, such as identity theft or building security. 
         [0094]    The present invention may be described in terms of functional diagrams and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional diagrams may be realized in many different forms of hardware, firmware, and/or software components configured to perform the various functions. For example, the present invention may employ various processors, emitters, sensors, memory elements, digital signaling processing elements, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Such general techniques are known to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that the exemplary process illustrated may include additional or fewer steps or may be performed in the context of a larger processing scheme. The various methods presented in the drawings, figures, or the specification are not to be construed as limiting the order in which individual steps may be performed. It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0095]    Provided herein are methods and systems for utilizing and replacing anonymous recognition cards, the use of the term card is inclusive of tags, or any like device or combination. 
         [0096]    Turning now to the description, and with reference to  FIG. 1 , an illustration is provided of various types of anonymous recognition cards, codes, emitters, tags, or combination. The anonymous recognition card  100  is depicted with a magnetic strip that can be used to access interactive display terminals. The anonymous recognition card  101  is depicted to include an anonymous code  102  which can be used, among other things, to set up a cardholder&#39;s anonymous web-based account and a magnetic strip used to access interactive display terminals. The anonymous code  102  is depicted in an alpha-numerical fashion, but can be in any format which is possible to be input or read by a web-based provider or interactive display terminal provider. The anonymous recognition card  103  is depicted to include an embedded signal emitter  104 , which emits a signal that can be accepted by a sensor or signal receptor placed in various places that can be used for anonymous tracking of the anonymous account holder and/or temporary cardholder. The anonymous recognition card  103  is also depicted to include an alpha numeric access code  105  and a magnetic strip.  FIG. 1  additionally shows a tag  106  which includes an alpha-numeric anonymous code  107  and an embedded signal emitter  108 . 
         [0097]    In another embodiment not depicted, but claimed, is a tag with an embedded emitter that can be placed or interwoven into clothing such as a t-shirt or jacket that can be used for anonymous tracking purposes. Further, embodiments that are not illustrated but claimed is the replacement of a magnetic strip on the anonymous recognition card with a quick response code or any other marking that is capable of being read by interactive display terminal or web-based program, for example a 3-D image, emblem or hologram. 
         [0098]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the anonymous recognition card  109  is equipped with an embedded signal emitter  110 , a magnetic strip  111  and anonymous access code  112 . In this depiction the anonymous cardholder may access the interactive display terminal  113  with the magnetic strip  11 . Furthermore, the cardholder may access the web-based platform  114 , after setting up an account with the anonymous access code  112 . As stated above, the interactive display terminal  113  and web-based platform  114  could be accessed in any way provided by said respective platforms. 
         [0099]    Illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is one embodiment of the process of setting up an anonymous web-based account. Once the cardholder has obtained an anonymous recognition card  115  that has an anonymous access code  116 , the cardholder inputs the anonymous access code  116  in the input area  118  on web-based platform  117 . The cardholder is then prompted to create and input an anonymous username  119  and password  120 . Once the username  119  and password  120  are entered, and authenticated as unique by the anonymous program provider, the anonymous user is given access to the new web-based account holders anonymous interactive compartment  121 . Not depicted, but claimed, is the ability of web-based platform providers to reject a potential username  119  that is indicative of the user&#39;s identity. Moreover, not depicted but claimed, is once the anonymous account holder enters the anonymous access code  116  into the input area  118  in order to create the account, said anonymous access code  116  will become inoperable as it relates to creating future anonymous accounts upon acceptance of the username and password by the anonymous account provider. Thus, the anonymous access code  116  can only be used and correlated in the creation of a singular account, not multiple accounts. Furthermore, the anonymous access code can be used for other purposes, for example marketing, advertising, tracking or security, in addition to being able to open a singular account. Finally, not illustrated but claimed, is the ability to accomplish the above process at the interactive terminal display as the screen can be interactive and the user is able to input the same information as on the web-based platform. 
         [0100]    Depicted in  FIG. 4 , is one embodiment of the process of how an account holder can obtain a new anonymous recognition card that has been lost, stolen, damaged or otherwise misplaced. In this embodiment, the account holder has to enter the web-based platform provider&#39;s lost card screen  122  and enter the account holder&#39;s username  123  and password  124 , then the user must “click” the box  125 . Thereafter, the account holder will obtain a new anonymous recognition card  126  that contains the lost card&#39;s anonymous access code  127 . The lost card will be de-activated upon user clicking the box  125 . Not illustrated is the fashion in which the new account holder receives the new card. There are a variety of ways this can be accomplished, one such way is to go to a anonymous card providers physical location, in which the distribution of the card can be based on the verification of the anonymous user. 
         [0101]    Not depicted, but claimed, is a process of how to obtain a new anonymous recognition card in which the account holder obtains a new anonymous recognition card from an anonymous card provider that contains a new anonymous access code, for example XYZ123. In this embodiment the user signs onto the web-based program or at the interactive terminal display and enters their anonymous interactive compartment via the username and password, then the user can enter a “lost card linking” screen in which the user enters the new anonymous code and links his account to the new code which activates the new card to the user&#39;s account. The lost card is de-activated upon the user clicking the “linking” button that establishes the link of the new anonymous code and card to the user&#39;s prior established account. 
         [0102]    Illustrated in  FIG. 5 , is an anonymous account holder  128  presenting their anonymous recognition card  129  to the redemption provider representative  130  in order to redeem among other things, but not limited to, a product, prize, award, reward, coupon, discount and/or service as is related to the anonymous provider&#39;s program. Not illustrated in  FIG. 5 , but claimed is the redemption provider representative verifying that the proper account holder has authorized the redemption, which is achieved by having the cardholder providing the verifiable username and password of the account to the representative. 
         [0103]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the anonymous cardholder  131  uses their anonymous card  132  to access the interactive display terminal  133 . As the anonymous cardholder  131  interacts with the interactive display terminal  133  their selections, choices, time spent interfacing, location and/or any possible interfacing data is sent by the physical platform, via a communications system including signal  134 , to be stored in the user&#39;s anonymous database  135 . Said user&#39;s anonymous database is created and maintained upon the first use and/or detection of a physical card by a interactive display terminal and/or upon the creation of an acceptable username and password on the web-based platform. The user&#39;s anonymous database can be accessed by the providers of the interactive display terminal and/or web-based platform. 
         [0104]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an anonymous cardholder  136  who has an anonymous card  137  which contains an embedded signal emitter  138  that emits a signal  139  can walk by a interactive display terminal  140 , without interacting with it, and be detected by the interactive display terminal sensor  141  by the sensor&#39;s signal  142 . Once the embedded emitter&#39;s signal  139  is detected by the interactive display terminal sensor  141 , the data associated with the detection, including but not limited to the location of the detection, the time of the detection, the duration at the location and/or any other collectable data, is then sent via communication systems within the interactive display terminal by data signal communication  143  to the user&#39;s anonymous database  144 . Not illustrated but claimed is the ability to place sensors, similar to the interactive display terminal sensor  141 , in other locations in which the user&#39;s data, as it relates to the detection, can be transferred to the user&#39;s anonymous database. 
         [0105]    The web-based program can be accessed by a computer, tablet or the like, or as depicted in  FIG. 8 , anonymous user&#39;s mobile device  145 , the user can input their username  146  and password  147  to enter the web-based platform. Upon entering the web-based program via the anonymous user&#39;s mobile device  145 , the users mobile device  145  sends a data communication  148  that is stored in the user&#39;s anonymous database  149 . The data contained in the data communication  148  is inclusive but not limited to the user&#39;s IP address, location, time and duration of interfacing, interfacing selections and/or choices as it relates to the web-based program provider&#39;s individual programs. Not depicted, but claimed is the data created when an anonymous user interacts and/or enters the web-based platform with their computer or tablet. Said data is again transferred and stored in the user specific database. Also not depicted but claimed is the ability to enter a user&#39;s username and password at the interactive display terminal&#39;s interactive screen in order to interact with the interactive display terminal in which the data of said interaction is sent and stored to the user specific database. 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a registered anonymous account holder  150  can obtain additional anonymous codes  151  for future members within and/or outside their social circle. In this illustration the three un-activated anonymous codes  152 ,  154 ,  156  can be dispersed for activation to the three potentially new anonymous account holders  153 ,  155 ,  157 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , all a potentially new anonymous account holder needs to do to activate their account is go to the web-based program anonymous code registration screen  158  and input the un-activated anonymous recognition code in the anonymous code input  159 . The user then enters the web-based program username and password creation screen  160  and inputs a anonymous username in the username input area  161  and a password in the password input area  162 . Upon completion of a username and password, the user is directed to the user&#39;s anonymous interactive screen  163  which displays the user&#39;s anonymous username  164 . Not depicted but claimed is the ability of the new user to order an anonymous recognition card which can be used at geographically dispersed interactive display terminals. Furthermore, the new user has the ability to access the interactive display terminals by inputting their username and password at the interactive display terminal&#39;s interactive screen. Finally, all data and tracking is accomplished in the same manner as stated above. 
         [0107]    As depicted in  FIG. 11 , when a user enters the interactive display terminal and/or web-based program an anonymous account provider&#39;s message  165  can be sent to the user. The anonymous account provider, whether a interactive display terminal or web-based provider, may access the account provider&#39;s messaging screen  166  and input a message  165  which can be displayed to the user when the user goes to access their anonymous interactive compartment but prior to allowing access to the compartment a message will be displayed on web-based platform  167  and/or the interactive display terminal  168 . Not depicted but claimed is the type of message. Said messages can be for any reason and are inclusive but not restricted to social events, coupons, prizes, awards and/or rewards. Not depicted but claimed is the ability to modify the message and/or to change the display of items on the anonymous account holders interactive compartment which can be relevant to the user based on data contained within the user&#39;s anonymous database.