Patent Abstract:
A method of making a personalized financial transaction card having a customer-specified image on the card. The method includes providing a programming station for access by the customer. The programming station includes a data entry tool. The method also includes providing a card account management system connected to the programming station. The card account management system includes a database of account data relating to the customer. The method further includes entering data representing the customer-specified image into the programming station using the data entry tool, transmitting the data from the programming station to the card account management system, and generating a personalized financial transaction card related to the account data and bearing the customer-specified image on the personalized financial transaction card.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to transaction cards, and more particularly to a method of personalizing transaction cards to include customized images and text.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Credit cards and debit cards are increasingly common and are widely used, in part, because they allow a consumer to make purchases without requiring the consumer to use or carry cash. Many retailers have begun issuing gift cards, which are designed to replicate the convenience of credit cards and debit cards. Gift cards are generally stored value cards that may or may not be replenished, and may or may not have “smart card” functionality. A smart card is a card which, in addition to allowing one to purchase goods, also has a computer chip thereon for storing data personal to the user. Smart cards are often used to allow the user to enter restricted areas, access medical, financial or other information or perform other operations requiring the data stored on the chip.  
           [0003]    Gift cards commonly include front and back sides and are sized to resemble credit cards. The front side of the card generally includes a raised alphanumeric identification number, which identifies the cardholder&#39;s account. Additionally, the front side generally includes a design or illustration that is particular to a given issuer. Generally, the design is the same for all cardholders and includes the name and/or trademark of the issuer. The back side of the card usually contains a magnetic strip on which information about the cardholder&#39;s account is encoded. Additionally, the back side of the card often includes a space for the cardholder&#39;s signature and directions for using the card and/or for contacting the card issuer.  
           [0004]    When a gift card is purchased, the card issuer normally opens an account, which corresponds to the alphanumeric code imprinted on the card. An amount of money corresponding to the purchase price of the gift card is credited to the account. After the card is purchased and the account is opened, the purchaser can give the card as a gift to a cardholder. The cardholder can then use the card in the issuer&#39;s stores instead of cash. Additionally, retailers that have more than one store commonly store the cardholder&#39;s account information on a network so that the card can be used at any one of the retailer&#39;s many stores.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    While the above described gift cards are generally effective, conventional gift cards are often perceived as relatively impersonal. For this reason many purchasers are reluctant to give them as gifts.  
           [0006]    To address these and other concerns with conventional gift cards, the invention provides a method of personalizing gift cards, which includes allowing a customer to upload a customer-specified image onto the internet from a first location, download the customer-specified image (e.g., a digital photograph file) from the internet to a second location (e.g., a customer service department) and apply the image to a gift card. Alternatively, the method can include receiving or crediting a customer specified image (including a photograph) at a designated location, such as a store or a kiosk, and applying the image to a gift card.  
           [0007]    The present invention provides a method of making a personalized financial transaction card having a customer-specified image on the card includes providing a programming station for access by the customer. The programming station includes a data entry tool. The method also includes providing a card account management system connected to the programming station. The card account management system includes a database of account data relating to the customer. The method further includes entering data representing the customer-specified image into the programming station using the data entry tool, transmitting the data from the programming station to the card account management system, and generating a personalized financial transaction card related to the account data and bearing the customer-specified image on the personalized financial transaction card.  
           [0008]    The present invention also provides a system for allowing a customer to make a personalized financial transaction card having a customer-specified image on the card. The system includes a programming station including a data entry tool that allows the customer to enter into the programming station data representing the customer-specified image, and a card account management system connected to the programming station. The card account management system includes a database of account data relating to the customer and means for generating a personalized financial transaction card related to the account data and bearing the customer-specified image on the personalized financial transaction card.  
           [0009]    The present invention further provides a software program stored on computer readable medium for generating a virtual site accessible by a customer and for generating a financial transaction card based on information provided by the customer. The software program includes a program module for acquiring and storing image or text data specified by the customer, a program module for assigning a monetary value based on a monetary value data entered by the customer, and a program module for combining the image or text data with the monetary value data and generating a financial transaction card bearing the image or text data on the face of the card and having the monetary value encoded on the card.  
           [0010]    The present invention also provides an internet website accessible by a customer desiring to purchase a financial transaction card. The website includes a graphical user interface including means for inputting a customer provided image or text for ultimate transfer to the face of the financial transaction card.  
           [0011]    The present invention further provides a point-of-purchase gift card dispenser including a digital camera for acquiring an image presented by a customer purchasing the gift card, a tool for accepting a monetary value paid by the customer for the gift card, and a card dispenser for combining the image on the face of the gift card, encoding the monetary value on the gift card, and dispensing the gift card to the customer at the point of purchase.  
           [0012]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a front view of a gift card according to the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gift card shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a diagram detailing one embodiment of a system according to the present invention;  
         [0017]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 C are flowcharts illustrating a gift card issuing process effected by the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a diagram detailing another embodiment of a system according to the present invention;  
         [0019]    FIGS.  6 A- 6 D are flowcharts illustrating a gift card issuing process effected by the embodiment shown in FIG. 5; and  
         [0020]    FIGS.  7 A- 7 L show a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a personalized financial transaction card or gift card  10  according to the present invention. The gift card  10  includes a plastic card body  12  having an outer perimeter  14 , a front side  16 , and a back side  18 . The card body  12  is sized to be similar to credit cards and debit cards and can be stored in a wallet or a purse. The front side  16  includes an identification number field  20  and three data fields  24 A,  24 B,  24 C. The back side  18  includes a fourth data field  24 D. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the front and back sides  16 ,  18  could alternatively include one, two, three, five, or more data fields and that the location of the data fields can be changed to a significant degree, as explained in greater detail below.  
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first data field  24 A includes the name and perhaps trademark  26  of a card issuer (e.g, a store name, the name of a shopping mall, and the like). The second data field  24 B and the third data field  24 C are user specified data fields and may include images and/or text as specified by a customer. The fourth data field  24 D includes directions and instructions, explaining how and where the card  10  can be used. A magnetic strip  25  extends across the bottom of the back side  18  and stores identification and account information. Further identification and account information can be printed on the card  10 , stored in an optical data carrier (e.g., a bar code), or can be incorporated in a memory chip, which can be imbedded in the card body  12 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 illustrates a card personalization system  28 , including a programming station  32  (e.g., a personal computer, a dedicated network terminal, a point of sale terminal, a handheld computer, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, and the like). In the illustrated embodiment, the programming station  32  is located in a retail establishment. However, as described in greater detail below, the programming station  32  can be located in a number of locations, including but not limited to stores, kiosks, shopping malls, and other public places.  
         [0024]    In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the programming station  32  includes a central processing unit (“CPU”)  34 , which manages the operations and communications of the programming station  32 . As is commonly known in the art, the CPU  34  may be a single integrated circuit designed specifically as an ASIC to effect all necessary processing and communications functions. Alternatively, the CPU  34  may include a collection of discrete electronic components for effecting the processing and communications functions separately. The programming station  32  also includes a viewing screen  36 , a money slot  38  or credit/debit card swipe (for entering a monetary value into the programming station  32 ), a card dispenser  40 , and a printer  41  all connected to the CPU. The programming station  32  also includes three data entry tools  42  for entering or uploading data, in the form of text messages and/or graphic images, into the programming station  32 . More specifically, the programming station  32  includes a scanner  42 A, a digital camera  42 B, and a keyboard  42 C. In other embodiments (not shown), the programming station  32  can also or alternately include other data entry tools  42  (e.g., a CD-ROM drive, a disk drive, a touch-screen, a mouse, and the like) for uploading or entering data into the programming station  32 , or the programming station  32  may include only one or any number of the aforementioned data entry tools  42  in any combinations.  
         [0025]    The programming station  32  communicates through the CPU with a card management system  44  (e.g., a network server, a computer database, a personal computer, a super computer, and the like) over a network  46  in accordance with a standardized communication protocol and/or a standardized object protocol, depending on the type of network and the type of data being transmitted. The card management system  44  stores account information and customer profile information (e.g., addresses, billing information, phone numbers, spending history, credit history, and the like). Additionally, the card management system  44  stores card information, such as, for example, card identification numbers, the number of cards issued, the next available card identification number, card activation codes, and the like.  
         [0026]    In different applications of the present invention, the network  46  can be the internet, the World Wide Web, a local area network, a wide area network, a dedicated phone or cable line, or another similar communication network. In this manner, the programming station  32  and the card management system  44  can be remotely located, such as, for example, in different cities, states, or countries. In other embodiments (not shown), the network  46  can connect a number of programming stations  32  to one or more card management systems  44 , or one or more of the programming stations  32  can be located remote from the card management system(s)  44 , or one or more of the programming stations  32  can be adjacent to or integrated within the card management system(s)  44 . Alternatively, and notwithstanding that they are shown separately in FIG. 3, the card management system  44  and the programming station  32  can be adjacent to or integrated within each other in a single store or kiosk and can communicate across a cable or wire (not shown).  
         [0027]    Retail establishments, such as, for example, stores A, B, and C are also linked to the network  46 . The stores A, B, C can communicate with each other and with the card management system  44  via the network  46  and can exchange financial information, customer data, inventory information, and the like across the network  46 . In other applications (not shown), the stores A, B, C can use a second secure network to communicate with one another and with the card management system  44 .  
         [0028]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 C show a flow chart illustrating a method for personalizing the gift card  10  with the card personalization system  28  according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In act  48 , the customer approaches the programming station  32  and logs onto the network  46 . In act  50 , the customer accesses the card management system  44  via the network  46 . The programming station  32  then displays a main menu on the viewing screen  36 . The main menu includes instructions for personalizing the gift card  10  and can include other descriptive or instructional materials. For example, the main menu can include advertisements for other products, legal disclaimers, and pictures of personalized gift cards  10  made according to the following method. After the customer has reviewed the instructions, directions, and advertisements, the main menu prompts the customer to press the “enter” key (located on the keyboard  42 C) to move to the next screen.  
         [0029]    In act  54 , the programming station  32  displays a login page. The login page includes instructions for creating a personalized account, a number of data entry fields and a link to a help page. At this point the customer can proceed and provide the requested information (“YES” at act  54 ) or the customer can press a “cancel” button and exit the system (“NO” at act  54 ). If the customer is interested in proceeding, the customer is instructed to follow the instructions displayed on the login page and to enter the requested information into the data entry fields in act  56 . The login page includes data entry fields for the customer to enter her name, mailing address, telephone number, the name of the intended recipient, and the amount of money that the customer would like credited to the gift card  10 . Once the customer provides the required information, the customer is prompted to press the “enter” key to proceed to the next screen. The programming station  32  then submits the customer information to the card management system  44  via the network  46 .  
         [0030]    As shown in act  58 , the card management system  44  verifies the customer information, determines if the customer information is valid by comparing the customer information to a preprogrammed template or format, and verifies the information for the correct syntax in a known manner. If any of the customer information is determined to be invalid (“NO” at act  58 ), an error message is displayed and the customer is prompted to re-enter or correct that information. If the information is valid (“YES” at act  58 ), the customer is allowed to proceed to a selection menu by pressing the “enter” key.  
         [0031]    Once the customer provides the requested information and the card management system  44  verifies the information, a selection menu is displayed on the viewing screen  36  in act  60 . The selection menu displays a number of templates for personalizing the gift card  10  for a specific occasion. For example, the selection menu can include templates for a traditional Christmas theme, a modern Christmas theme, a child birthday theme, an adult birthday theme, a wedding theme, a wedding anniversary theme, a Hanukkah theme, a Valentine&#39;s Day theme, a graduation theme, etc. Each of the templates has a different appearance and/or design and allows the customer to display data on the gift card  10  in a unique and aesthetically pleasing manner. Some of the templates are designed to cover the entire front or back side  16 ,  18  of the gift card  10  with a given design, other templates are designed to cover both the front and back sides  16 ,  18  of the gift card  10 , and still other templates are designed to cover portions of one or both of the front and back sides  16 ,  18  of the gift card  10  with a given design. Additionally, each of the templates has data entry fields, which correspond to one or more of the data fields  24 B,  24 C on the gift cards  10 . As explained in greater detail below, the customer can personalize the gift card  10  by entering personalized data in the form of text messages and/or graphic images into one or more of the data entry fields.  
         [0032]    The selection menu includes instructions that direct the customer to select one of the templates by pressing the appropriate button on the keyboard  42 C. For example, the selection menu can instruct the customer to press the “A” key to select the traditional Christmas template, to press the “B” key to select the modem Christmas template, to press the “C” key to select the child birthday template, etc. Once the customer selects a template, the card management system  44  displays the customer-selected template (e.g., the traditional Christmas theme) on the viewing screen  36 .  
         [0033]    In act  62 , a personalization screen is displayed on the viewing screen  36 . The personalization screen includes a link to the help page and displays instructions for personalizing the gift card  10 . The instructions explain that the customer can personalize the gift card  10  with text messages and/or graphic images. To enter text messages, the customer selects one of the data entry fields. Once the customer selects a data entry field, the customer can enter a text message by typing a message using the keyboard  42 C, or alternately, the customer can select a pre-formatted text message from a list displayed on the personalization screen. Some examples of pre-formatted text messages include, “Happy Birthday!”, “Merry Christmas!”, “Congratulations!”, and the like. Other pre-formatted text messages can include longer messages, similar to those on conventional greeting cards (e.g., poems, short stories, inspirational messages, and the like). Additionally, in some applications of the present invention, the customer can choose a font and/or the size and color of the font from a number of available choices.  
         [0034]    To enter graphic images, the customer selects one of the data entry fields. Once the customer has decided on a data entry field, the customer can upload a graphic image onto the card personalization system  28 . To upload a graphic image, the customer follows the instructions displayed on the personalization screen, which instruct the customer how to use the data entry tools  42 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the customer can use the scanner  42 A and/or the digital camera  42 B to upload a graphic image onto the personalization station  32 , in a known manner. Once, the customer has uploaded an image, the customer can upload additional images by following a similar procedure. If desired, the customer can adjust the location, size, and/or relative position of the data entry fields, using arrow keys (not shown) on the keyboard  42 C. The customer may also elect to have the image cover the entire front and/or back side(s)  16 ,  18  of the card  10 .  
         [0035]    After the customer has entered text messages and/or graphic images (referred to hereafter collectively as “personalized data”) in the data entry fields, the customer presses the “enter” key, transmitting the completed template to the card management system  44 . In act  66 , the card management system  44  verifies the personalized data submitted by the customer and determines if the personalized data submitted by the customer is valid by comparing the personalized data to a preprogrammed template or format in a known manner. For example, the card management system  44  determines whether or not all of the personalized data is in a valid format and whether or not the personalized data fits on the gift card  10 . If any of the personalized data is determined to be invalid (“NO” at act  66 ), an error message is displayed and the customer is prompted to re-enter or correct the data. If the personalized date is valid (“YES” at act  66 ), a billing screen is displayed on the viewing screen  36  in act  68 .  
         [0036]    The billing screen prompts the customer to select a payment option. In the illustrated embodiment, the customer can pay in cash, or alternatively, the customer can decide to use a credit card or a debit card. Additionally, the billing screen displays the monetary value for the gift card  10  that the customer selected in act  54  and gives the customer the option of changing the monetary value.  
         [0037]    To pay in cash, the customer follows the instructions for paying in cash and inserts money into the money slot  38  in a known manner. To pay with a credit card or a debit card, the customer follows the instructions for paying with a credit card or a debit card and completes an on-screen billing form. The billing form includes data entry fields for a credit card name (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, etc.), the card holder name, the card number, the card expiration date, the type of card (e.g., a credit card or a debit card), and the amount of money that the customer would like credited to the gift card  10 . Once the customer has completed the billing form, the customer is instructed to press the “enter” key to submit the billing information to the card management system  44 .  
         [0038]    In act  70 , the card management system verifies the billing information in a known manner. If any of the billing information is determined to be invalid (“NO” at act  70 ), the customer is prompted to re-enter or correct that information. If the billing information is valid (“YES” at act  70 ), the customer is allowed to proceed.  
         [0039]    Once the customer has selected a payment option and the card management system  44  has accepted payment, the card management system  44  assigns a random alphanumeric identifier to the personalized data and creates an account in act  72 . The account is identified by the alphanumeric identifier and is credited with the dollar value selected by the customer in act  54  or act  68 . The card management system  44  stores the account information, including the identifier and the dollar value credited to the account, in a database. As shown in FIG. 3, in some applications, the stores A, B, C can access the account information via the network  46 . Therefore, when the card  10  is used to make a purchase, the purchase amount can be debited directly from the account. In one embodiment, the programming station  32  is at the point of purchase and is integrated within the programming station  32 . In this embodiment, the programming station  32  is a gift card dispenser and the only data transferred between the card management system  44  and the programming station  32  is the dollar value input by the customer and assigned to the gift card  10 .  
         [0040]    In act  76 , the card management system  44  transmits the personalized data and the identifier to the printer  41 , which prints, embosses, or laminates the specified images onto the gift card  10 . Such printing equipment is commonly known and used in the manufacture of credit, debit, and identification cards. The printer  41  may also be a thermal head printer housed in the programming station  32 , an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or various other suitable substitutes. Also, in some embodiments, the printer  41  can be positioned outside the programming station  32  and can be connected to the programming station  32  with cables (not shown). The printer  41  prints personalized data in the appropriate data entry fields  24 C,  24 C and prints the identifier on the gift card  10  in the identification number field  20 . Additionally, in some embodiments, a data encoder (not shown) encodes data (e.g., account information, the customer&#39;s name, a card expiration date, and the like) on the magnetic strip  25 . In other embodiments, the programming station  32  can encode the account information in a data storage chip (not shown), which is imbedded in the gift card  10 .  
         [0041]    Once act  76  is completed, the programming station displays a message alerting the customer that the gift card  10  is ready and instructing the customer to remove the gift card from the card dispenser  40 . The gift card  10  can then be used instead of money at any of the stores A, B, C to purchase merchandise.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 illustrates a card personalization system  100  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The card personalization system  100  of the second embodiment is substantially similar to the card personalization system  28  described above with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, for reasons of simplicity and clarity, only differences between the first and second embodiments will be described hereafter.  
         [0043]    In the second embodiment, the network  46  is the internet and the programming station  32  is a personal computer, which can be located in any number of remote locations including a customer home, a public library, a store, a cafe, and the like. In the second embodiment, the programming station  32  includes a number of data entry tools  102 , including a mouse  102 A, a keyboard  102 B, a disk drive  102 C (including, for example, a CD-ROM drive), and a scanner  102 D. The programming station  32  also includes a data entry port  102 E such as a uniform serial bus or RS-232 port, or other connection, for receiving data from any of a variety of devices, for example, a digital camera, zip drive, or other data storage device.  
         [0044]    FIGS.  6 A- 6 D show a flow chart illustrating a method for personalizing the gift card  10  with the card personalization system  100  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The method of the second embodiment described hereafter is substantially similar to the method currently employed by Sears Roebuck and Company at www.searsphotos.com. However, the following description and the method employed by Sears Roebuck and Company are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. The method of the second embodiment employs a user interface  108 , which is shown in FIGS.  7 A- 7 L. The user interface  108  includes a card design web page and is described in greater detail hereafter.  
         [0045]    With reference to FIG. 6A, in act  110 , the customer uploads one or more graphic images onto the programming station  32 . In different embodiments of the present invention, the customer can upload graphic images onto the programming station  32  in a number of different manners, depending, at least in part, upon the type and availability of data entry tools  102 . For example, the customer can upload images from the scanner  102 D and/or the disk drive  102 C onto the programming station  32 . The customer then saves the graphic image(s) on the programming station  32  (e.g., on a hard drive) in a commonly recognized format, such as, for example, TIFF, PDF, JPEG, and the like.  
         [0046]    In act  112 , the customer uses the programming station  32  and a modem (not shown), an Ethernet card (not shown), or a direct-connect internet line to log onto the network  46 . In act  113 , the customer uses a search engine or an internet address to locate the card design web page, which is connected via the network  46  to the card management system  44 .  
         [0047]    In act  114 , the card design web page displays a main menu (see FIG. 7A), which includes general information about gift cards  10  and instructions for personalizing the gift card  10 . In other embodiments, the card design web page can include additional descriptive or instructional materials, such as for example, advertisements for other products, legal disclaimers, and pictures of personalized gift cards  10  made according to the following method.  
         [0048]    In act  116 , the main menu (see FIG. 7) prompts the customer to enter an e-mail address and password if the customer has used the card design web page before (“YES” at act  116 ), or alternatively, the card design web page prompts first-time users to enter a login page to create a new account (“NO” at act  116 ). If the customer has used the card design web page before, the customer enters an e-mail address and a password and presses the “enter” key, or alternately, points and clicks on a “next” button in a known manner to move onto a gallery menu (described below). To create a new account, the main menu prompts the customer to point and click on “join now” button to move to the next screen.  
         [0049]    If the customer selects the create a new account option, the card design web page displays a login page (see FIG. 7B). The login page includes a link to a help page and instructions for creating a personalized account. At this point the customer can proceed and provide the requested information (“YES” at act  118 ), or alternatively, the customer can exit the system (“NO” at act  118 ). If the customer is still interested in proceeding, the customer is directed to follow the instructions displayed on the login page and to enter the requested information into the data entry fields in act  120 . The login page includes data entry fields for the customer to enter a first and last name, an e-mail address, and a password. In other embodiments, the login page can ask for additional information, such as, for example a mailing address, a telephone number, the name of the intended recipient, a billing address, a credit card number, a credit card name, a credit card expiration date, and an amount of money that the customer wants credited to the gift card  10 . Once the customer provides all of the required information, the customer is prompted to press the “enter” key, or alternatively, to point and click on a “join” button to proceed. The programming station  32  then submits the customer information to the card management system  44  via the network  46 .  
         [0050]    As shown in act  122 , the card management system  44  verifies the customer information, determines if the customer information is valid by comparing the customer information to a preprogrammed template or format, and verifies the information for the correct syntax in a known manner. If any of the customer information is determined to be invalid (“NO” at act  122 ), an error message is displayed and the customer is prompted to re-enter or correct that information. If the information is valid (“YES” at act  122 ), the customer is allowed to proceed to a gallery menu (see FIG. 7C).  
         [0051]    In act  124 , the gallery menu directs customers to upload graphic images in the form of photographs, paintings, drawings, and the like prior to creating a personalized gift card  10 . If the customer has previously uploaded one or more graphic images onto the card design web page, the gallery menu informs the customer how many graphic images are saved on the account and allows the customer to upload additional images (“YES” at act  124 ), or alternately, to use previously loaded graphic images (“NO” at act  124 ). The gallery menu instructs customers to point and click on “order a gift card” to use previously uploaded graphic images and to by-pass the image uploading process.  
         [0052]    To upload a graphic image (“YES” at act  124 ), the customer points and clicks on an icon labeled “upload images” in act  126 . The card design web page then displays an upload menu (see FIG. 7D). In act  128 , the upload menu instructs the customer to enter an album name, which serves as a directory name for any graphic images that the customer uploads. After the customer enters the album name, the upload menu instructs the customer to select a graphic image to upload from the programming station  32  by pointing and clicking on a button labeled “browse”. By pointing and clicking on the “browse” button, the customer can enter a file and path name corresponding to one of the graphic images stored on the programming station  32  during act  110 , or alternatively, the customer can browse through the directories of the programming station  32  for other saved graphic images.  
         [0053]    In act  132 , after the customer locates a graphic image, the customer enters the file and path name into the appropriate field and points and clicks on a button labeled “upload”. The graphic image is then uploaded from the programming station  32  onto the card design web page via the network  46  in a known manner. The card design web page is programmed to recognize various types of data objects (e.g., TIFF files, PDF files, JPEG files, and the like), which can be transferred through the network  46  and can be created in accordance with an industry standard data object format, such as, for example, extensible Markup Language (XML), hypertext markup language (HTML), and the like. Acts  126 ,  128 , and  130  can be repeated as needed or until the customer has uploaded a sufficient number of graphic images.  
         [0054]    Once the customer has uploaded one or more graphic images onto the card design web page, the customer can point and click on an icon labeled “order a gift card” in act  134  (see FIG. 7C). The card design web page then displays an information menu (see FIG. 7E), which includes instructions for personalizing a gift card  10 . After reading the instructions, the customer is instructed to press the “enter” key, or alternately, to point and click on the button labeled “get started” to proceed to a selection menu (see FIG. 7F). The selection menu includes a number of icons representing a number of templates for personalizing the gift card  10  for a specific occasion, as explained above with respect to the previous embodiment. The selection menu includes instructions directing the customer to select one of the templates by pointing and clicking on the appropriate icon in act  136 . Once the customer selects a template, the card design web page displays the customer-selected template (e.g., a traditional Christmas theme). As with the previously described embodiment, each of the templates includes one or more data entry fields, which allow the customer to enter personalized data in the form of text messages and/or graphic images. Each of the data entry fields preferably correspond to one of the data fields  24 B,  24 C on the gift card  10 , as explained below.  
         [0055]    In act  138 , the card design web page displays a personalization screen (see FIG. 7G). The personalization screen includes a link to the help page and displays instructions for personalizing the gift card  10 . Additionally, the card personalization screen displays miniature versions of each of the graphic images, which have been uploaded onto the customer account. The instructions explain that the customer can personalize the gift card  10  with text messages and/or graphic images. To enter text messages, the customer selects one of the data entry fields by pointing and clicking on the appropriate data entry field in a known manner. Once the customer selects a data entry field, the customer can enter a text message by typing a message on the keyboard  102 B, or alternately, the customer can select a pre-formatted text message from a list displayed on the personalization screen.  
         [0056]    To enter graphic images, the customer follows the instructions displayed on the personalization screen, which instruct the customer to select one of the uploaded graphic images by pointing and clicking on the image. The customer is then instructed to drag the graphic image to one of the data entry fields. The customer can then adjust the size and relative position of the image using arrows located on the personalization screen. The customer can also rotate the graphic image with respect to the template using buttons located on the personalization screen. Additionally, by clicking on an icon labeled “zoom in” the customer can enlarge a particular portion of the graphic image, or alternatively, by pointing and clicking on an icon labeled “zoom out” the customer can zoom out from the enlarged portion of the graphic image.  
         [0057]    After the customer has entered text messages and/or graphic images (referred to hereafter collectively as “personalized data”) in the data entry fields, the customer presses the “enter key”, or alternately, points and clicks on a button labeled “order”, transmitting the completed template across the network  46  to the card management system  44 . The card design web page then displays an ordering screen in act  142 .  
         [0058]    The ordering screen (see FIG. 7H) displays a copy of the personalized gift card  10  and includes instructions for paying for the gift card  10 . In some embodiments, the ordering screen also includes a button labeled “back”. In these embodiments, the customer can point and click on the “back” button to return to the personalization screen to modify the gift card  10 . If the customer is satisfied with the appearance of the gift card  10 , the customer is instructed to complete an order form, which is displayed on the ordering screen. The order form includes data entry fields for the customer to enter an amount of money that the customer wants credited to the gift card  10 , the number of gift cards  10  that the customer wants to order, and one or more message fields. Instructions on the ordering screen explain that information entered in the message fields will be displayed on a card holder, which will be mailed with the gift card  10  to the customer or to the intended recipient. After the customer has completed the order form, the customer is directed to press the “enter” key, or alternately, to point and click on a button labeled “submit”. The ordering screen then displays a form letter listing legal requirements, duties, privacy policies, and the like. To continue, the customer is required to point and click on a button labeled “accept”, indicating that the customer has read and understands the legal requirements, duties, and privacy policy and accepts the same.  
         [0059]    In act  144 , the card design web page displays a bill (see FIG. 7I), itemizing the cost of the gift card  10 , any applicable taxes, and any other applicable fees (e.g., a personalization fee). The customer is then prompted to point and click on a button labeled “check out” to proceed to a billing screen (see FIG. 7J- 7 L).  
         [0060]    In act  146 , the billing screen prompts the customer to complete an on-screen billing form (see FIG. 7J). The billing form includes data entry fields for the customer&#39;s street address, the customer&#39;s city and state, the customer&#39;s zip code, the customer&#39;s e-mail address, and a daytime phone number. Once the customer has completed the billing form, the customer is instructed to complete a mailing form (see FIG. 7J). The mailing form includes data entry fields for a mailing address for the gift card  10  (e.g., the customer&#39;s address or the intended recipient&#39;s address). The customer is then instructed to point and click on a button labeled “submit” to submit the billing form and the mailing form to the card management system  44 . The card management system then verifies the billing information and mailing address in a known manner in act  148 . If any of the billing information or mailing information is determined to be invalid (“NO” at act  148 ), the card design web page displays an error message and the customer is prompted to re-enter or correct that information. If the billing and mailing information is valid (“YES” at act  148 ), the customer is allowed to proceed to a payment screen (See FIG. 7K).  
         [0061]    In act  152 , the card design web page displays the payment screen and prompts the customer to enter a credit card name (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, etc.), the name on the card, the card number, and the card expiration date. After the customer provides all of the information required by the payment screen, the customer is prompted to point and click on a button labeled “continue” to order the gift card  10 , or alternately, to point and click on a button labeled “cancel” to cancel the transaction. If the customer presses the “cancel” key, the card design web page returns to the gallery menu, at which time the customer can either exit the card design web page or the customer can re-design a new gift card  10 . If the customer presses the “continue” key, the card design web page submits the payment information to the card management system  44 .  
         [0062]    In act  154 , the card management system  44  verifies the payment information in a known manner. If the card management system  44  determines that the payment information is invalid (“NO” at act  154 ), the card design web page displays an error message, prompting the customer to re-enter or correct the payment information. If the card management system  44  determines that the payment information is valid (“YES” at act  154 ), the card management system  44  debits the customer&#39;s credit card for the amount shown on the bill in act  144 . After the customer&#39;s credit card is charged for the amount shown on the bill, the card design web page displays a confirmation form (see FIG. 7L), which includes the billing information, the shipping information and the amount charged to the customer&#39;s credit card.  
         [0063]    After the card management system  44  has charged the customer for the gift card  10 , the card management system  44  assigns a random alphanumeric identifier to the personalized data and creates an account in act  156 . The account is identified by the alphanumeric identifier and is credited with the dollar value selected by the customer in act  142 . The card management system  44  stores the account information, including the identifier and the dollar value credited to the account, in a database.  
         [0064]    In act  158 , the card management system  44  transmits the personalized data and the mailing address to a card manufacturer. The card manufacturer uses a card printer (not shown) to print the personalized data on the gift card  10  in the form of images and text messages in a known manner using an inkjet, thermal head, laser, or other suitable print mechanism. Additionally, the manufacturer prints the alphanumeric identifier in the identification number field  20 . The card manufacturer also uses a data encoder to encode data (e.g., account information, the customer&#39;s name, a card expiration date, and the like) on the magnetic strip  25 . In act  160 , the manufacturer mails the personalized gift card  10  to the mailing address specified in act  146  (e.g., the customer&#39;s address or the intended recipient&#39;s address). The intended recipient can then use the gift card  10 , instead of cash, to purchase merchandise in stores.  
         [0065]    The embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. For example, as described above, the present invention can be used to personalize a gift card  10  with customer-specified graphic images. However, the present invention can also or alternately be used to design gift cards  10 , which have personalized text messages and do not have personalized graphic images. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Also, the functions of the various elements and assemblies of the present invention can be changed to a significant degree without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0066]    In both embodiments, the method is effected using software that is stored entirely either at the programming station  32 , on servers supporting the network  46 , or in the card management system  44 ; or is stored in parts on any combination of these components. The system and method are useful to allow customers to purchase and customize financial transaction cards either from remote computers or at point of purchase dispensing stations.  
         [0067]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6