Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for reducing fraud associated with the theft and improper activation of data cards (such as, for example, gift cards or prepaid debit cards). Specifically, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for printing activation indicia on both a data card and a card package. 
         [0002]    Data cards such as gift cards and telephone calling cards permit consumers to prepay for goods or services. An account associated with the data card is debited as goods and services are purchased using the card. Data cards typically include raised or protruding numbers which are a personal account number (PAN), and identify the account associated with the card. Data cards further typically contain a magnetic strip which contains all the data needed for commercial transactions: the PAN, the expiration date, and sometimes the name of the user. These magnetic strips must comply with commercial standards in order to be useful at most stores. 
         [0003]    In many instances, the data cards are available for purchase directly from large retail displays. For security purposes, the data cards may be un-activated or have no value associated with them until a purchaser pays a retailer to activate the card or to associate a certain value with the card. Despite these security features to discourage theft, many criminals still steal the data cards, often by removing the card from its packaging. 
         [0004]    These cards have been successful, in part, because they enable users to purchase goods and services in a manner that does not require cash on hand or establishing a pre-existing account. As such cards have increased in popularity, incidents of card misuse have increased as well. One method of misuse involves removing just enough of the scratch-off label to reveal the PIN, then covering the damaged area with an appropriately colored material or ink. With the PIN and control number in hand, the cards value can be extracted without actual physical possession of the card. An unsuspecting purchaser, without careful scrutiny, may buy the card only to discover that the security of the card has been breached. Alternatively, the retailer may observe the damage to the card. By the time the retailer or purchaser discovers the damage, however, the misuse will have likely occurred. 
         [0005]    Additionally, criminals may attempt to steal information by copying the raised numbers that press through the package. Copying these raised numbers (possibly by etching) is a substantial first step towards penetrating the security procedures of the data card system. The criminal would then wait until the customer purchased and activated the card, and then attempt to obtain additional security information (such as a Personal Identification Number) from the customer through theft or trickery. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a data card which is concealed within its packaging to discourage theft of the cards, and that can readily indicate whether a data card has been subject to misuse. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Aspects of the invention may comprise a card and package assembly, comprising: a package; a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package; and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. 
         [0008]    Aspects of the invention may further include a card and package assembly, comprising: a package, formed from a substrate and comprising an aperture therein; a data card, the data card packaged within the package and substantially aligned with the aperture such that at least a portion of the card is visible through the aperture; and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card, both the first portion and the second portion of the activation indicia being required in order to activate the card. 
         [0009]    Aspects of the present invention may also include A method of packaging a data card, comprising manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card; manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package; determining an activation indicia; packaging the data card at least in part within the package; and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package. 
         [0010]    Additional aspects of the invention may include a method of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, comprising manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card; manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, the package comprising an aperture; determining an activation indicia, useable to activate the data card; packaging the data card within the package, substantially aligned with the aperture such that at least a portion of the card is visible through the aperture; and after the packaging step, printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements. The accompanying figures depict certain illustrative embodiments and may aid in understanding the following detailed description. Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments depicted are to be understood as exemplary and in no way limiting of the overall scope of the invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The detailed description will make reference to the following figures, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates the front side of a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates the back side of a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a package and a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a package and a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a package and a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  illustrates a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  illustrates a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  illustrates a package and a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  illustrates a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  illustrates a method of printing an activation indicia on a data card and package in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary embodiments disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. Moreover, as used herein, the singular may be interpreted in the plural, and alternately, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular. Reference figures preceded with “S” (e.g., S 100 ) indicates a step. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates the front side of a data card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Data cards may comprise transaction cards such as gift cards, phone cards, and debit cards. This specification discloses exemplary embodiments through the example application of a data card. The security device disclosed herein, however, is not limited in its application to data cards and can be applied to any material placed over indicia requiring security so that when tampering occurs, visual indication of the tampering is evident. 
         [0035]    With respect to a data card, the data card may comprise any physical shape and configuration, and also may comprise any type of material. In some exemplary embodiments, the data card may be configured in a manner similar to a standard credit or debit card, made of plastic and having the same or similar proportions and features. In some exemplary embodiments, the data card may be card-like, but have proportions different from a standard credit or debit card, for example, a keychain card, a folding paper card, a metal card, and so forth. In addition, the value card may be non-card-like, for example, a key fob, miniature figure, and/or a communication device, etc. In some exemplary embodiments, the data card may be available in multiple configurations allowing a user to select his or her desired configuration. For example, the data card may be available in a standard credit card-sized card and/or a smaller keychain card and/or a key fob. 
         [0036]    In exemplary embodiments the data card may include electronic and or magnetic features, for example, a microprocessor, memory, an electronic chip, a magnetic strip, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, a wireless communication device, etc. For example, a data card may have the same or similar features to a credit or debit card, such as having a magnetic strip located on the back of the card, and thus may be compatible with standard credit card readers. The data card may also be configured in a manner similar to a “smart card.” Memory on the value card may be configured to store information related to a user, third party, processor, and/or past transactions, as well as other types of information related to the data card. In some exemplary embodiments, the value card may be configured to communicate with a wired device, such as by USB, coaxial cable, etc., and or a wireless device, such as by using Bluetooth and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, etc. 
         [0037]    The data card may have identification indicia, such as, by way of example, alpha characters, numeric characters, alphanumeric characters, images, embossed numbers, a coded magnetic strip, an embedded electronic chip, bar codes, and/or other such identification indicia as known in the art. In some exemplary embodiments, there may be unique identification indicia for each data card. Alternatively, some or all of the data cards may include the same identification indicia, or there may be a group of data cards with the same identification indicia within the group, but with a different indicia from other groups. 
         [0038]    The identification indicia may be configured to associate the data card with a user, a third party, a processor, a retailer, and/or some other entity. The association may be accomplished by memory located remote of the data card or may be located on the data card itself. For example, information about the data card and/or the user may be stored in a remote database and/or may be embedded in a magnetic stripe on the data card. In addition, the data card may be associated with a particular third party using indicia that is visible on the data card, such as, by way of example, a biller-specific telephone number and/or trademark. 
         [0039]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , a data card  100  includes a substrate  101  having a front side  100   a  upon which may be optionally printed identifying information  102 , illustrated here, by way of example, as “ABC Company.” The substrate  101  can be formed of cardboard, paper or plastic, and generally has the rectangular shape and size of a credit-card. Substrate  101 , however, can be formed of any material capable of receiving a first indicia, such as, for example, an activation indicia, printed, deposited, or stored thereon and is unlimited as to shape and size. For example, the data card can be formed of a stainless steel substrate in the shape of a disc substantially the size of a U.S. silver dollar. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the back surface  200   b  of a data card  200 —before being packaged within the package—will now be discussed. Data card  200  may comprise a substrate  201 , upon which may be optionally printed identifying information  202 , illustrated here, by way of example, “ABC Company Value Card.” The substrate  201  may further comprise a magnetic stripe or other indicia  203  that may be used to redeem the data card for value, goods, or services. Note the empty or blank area  204  on the data card  200 . In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, this area  204  may align with an aperture or opening in the package, as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates a package  300  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The package  300  may be comprised of a substrate consisting of a reasonable material, such as but not limited to paper, cardboard, plastic, composites, or any other material. The package  300  may be of any arrangement or design that may carry, encapsulate, or present a data card to a customer. As a non-limiting example, and with reference to  FIG. 3 , package  300  may be a tri-fold package comprising a center portion  311 , a left portion  312 , and a right portion  313 . With such an arrangement, a data card may be placed (or adhered, if necessary) to the package, and the left and right portions  312 ,  313  may be folded around the card. The package  300  may further comprise an aperture  330  or other such opening, through which a portion of the card may be visible even after the data card is packaged within the package. During assembly, the card may be placed at approximately the location denoted at  320  in order to ensure proper alignment. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  illustrates a card and package assembly  400  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The card and package assembly  400  may comprise a package  410  and a data card  420 . The package  410  may comprise a center portion  411 , a left portion  412 , and a right portion  413 , as well as an aperture  430 . The card  420  may be adhered to the package  410  over the aperture  430 . 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a card and package assembly  600  will be discussed. The card and package assembly  600  may generally comprise a package  610  and a card  620  packaged therein. The package  610  may comprise an aperture  630  through which at least a portion of the card  620  may be seen and/or accessible. An activation indicia  650  may be printed, stored, encoded, or recorded on the package  610  and the card  620 . The activation indicia  650  ma comprise a first portion  651  printed on the package, and a second portion  652  printed on the data card. Both portions  651  and  652  may be required to activate the data card  620 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a data card  700  that was previously packaged in a package—and printed with an activation indicia—is illustrated. Data card  700  may be comprised of a substrate  701 , with a back surface  700   b . The back surface  700   b  may also comprise identifying information  702 , for example “ABC Corp Value Card.” The back surface  700   b  may also comprise account information that may be used when utilizing the card in a transaction—for example, a machine readable indicia  703  such as a magnetic stripe with account information encoded thereon. Note that it is contemplated that the machine readable indicia  703  may be on any surface of the card  700 . 
         [0045]    The card  700  may also include a portion of an activation indicia  704 . The portion of the activation indicia  704  printed on the card may be insufficient, alone, to activate the card  700 . Note that while it is depicted and discussed that activation indicia  704  may be printed on the back surface  700   b  of the card  700 , it is contemplated that the activation indicia  704  may be on any surface of the card  700 . 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B , a package and card assembly  800  will now be discussed. The package and card assembly  800  may comprise a package  810  and a card  820 . Package  810  may comprise an aperture or opening  830  disposed on the back surface  840  of the package  810 . The package  810  may also comprise an activation indicia  850  printed on the package and card assembly  800 . The activation indicia  850  may be, for example, a magnetic stripe. Activation indicia  850  may comprise a portion printed on the package  851  and a portion printed on the card  852 . The activation indicia  850  may be printed on both the card  820  and the package  810  after the card is packaged within the package. This can be seen, for example, on the card  820  shown in  FIG. 8B  by the portion of the activation indicia  852  printed on the card. 
         [0047]    As noted above, the activation indicia may be any indicia sufficient to activate the card and any associated account. It was discussed above as a bar code and a magnetic stripe. It is also contemplated that the activation indicia may comprise other types of indicia, such as a QR code or other such graphical representation, an alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric code, or any other type of identifier. For example, the activation indicia may be a digital tag that may be capable of communicating with another unit. For example, the activation indicia may be stored in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a card and package assembly  900  that comprises a package  910  and a card  920 . The package  910  may further comprise an aperture or opening  930 , which may be disposed on a back surface  940  of the package  910 . There may also be an activation indicia  850  printed on both the package  910  and the card  920 . With reference to  FIG. 9A , the activation indicia  850  may be a QR code, with a portion printed on the package  851  and a portion printed on the card  852 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  also illustrate a card and package assembly  1000  that may comprise a package  1010  and a card  1020 . The package  1010  may further comprise an aperture or opening  1030 , which may be disposed on a back surface  1040  of the package  1010 . The card and package assembly  1000  may further comprise an activation indicia  1050  printed on both the package  1010  and the card  1020 . With reference to  FIG. 10A , the activation indicia  1050  may be, for example, a passive RFID tag  1050 . The RFID tag  1050  may be printed on both the package  1010  and the card  1020 , with a portion  1051  printed on the package  1010 , and a portion  1052  printed on the card  1020 . 
         [0050]    While it has been discussed above that the card may be visible through an aperture in the package, it is contemplated that the aperture may be a cut-away from the package, or that the card may protrude from package. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , a card and package assembly  1100  will now be discussed. The card and package assembly  100  may comprise a package  1110  and a card  1120 . The package  1110  may comprise a cut-away  1130  in a back surface  1140  of the package  1110 . The card and package assembly  1100  may further comprise an activation indicia  1150  printed on both the package  1110  and the card  1120 . The activation indicia  1150  may comprise a portion  1151  printed on the package and a portion  1152  printed on the card. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 12 , a card and package assembly  1200  will now be discussed. The card and package assembly  1200  may comprise a package  1210  and a card  1220 . The card  1220  may be partially packaged within the package  1210 , and may protrude from the package  1210  at least in part. The card and package assembly  1200  may comprise an activation indicia  1250  printed on both the card  1220  and the package  1210 . The activation indicia  1250  may comprise a portion  1251  printed on the package  1210  and a portion  1252  printed on the card  1220 . 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , a card may protrude from the package in a different arrangement.  FIG. 13  depicts a card and package assembly  1300  comprising a package  1310  and a card  1320 . The card  1320  may be partially packaged within the package  1310 , leaving a portion of the card  1320  protruding from the package  1310 . The card and package assembly  1300  may further comprise an activation indicia  1350  printed on both the package  1310  and the card  1320 . The activation indicia  1350  may comprise a portion  1351  printed on package  1310  and a portion  1352  printed on the card  1320 . 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , variations cards and packaging in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed. With reference to  FIG. 14 , a card and package assembly  1400  will be discussed. The card and package assembly  1400  may generally comprise a package  1410  and a card  1420  packaged therein. The package  1410  may comprise an aperture  1430  through which at least a portion of the card  1420  may be seen and/or accessible. An activation indicia  1450  may be printed, stored, encoded, or recorded on the package  1410  and the card  1420 . The activation indicia  1450  ma comprise a first portion  1451  printed on the package, and a second portion  1452  printed on the data card. Both portions  1451  and  1452  may be required to activate the data card  1420 . 
         [0055]    Note that aperture  1430  may comprise an angled border,  1431 , which may extend in an angle across the activation indicia  1450 . In this manner, the interface between the card  1420  and the package  1410  is not parallel to the bar code depicted as the activation indicia  1450 . Accordingly, any gaps, shadows, or other detection of the interface will now be construed by a bar code reader as an element of the activation indicia  1450  itself. 
         [0056]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , a data card  1500  that was previously packaged in a package—and printed with an activation indicia—is illustrated. Data card  1500  may be comprised of a substrate  1501 , with a back surface  1500   b . The back surface  1500   b  may also comprise identifying information  1502 , for example “ABC Corp Value Card.” The back surface  1500   b  may also comprise account information that may be used when utilizing the card in a transaction—for example, a machine readable indicia  1503  such as a magnetic stripe with account information encoded thereon. Note that it is contemplated that the machine readable indicia  1503  may be on any surface of the card  1500 . 
         [0057]    The card  1500  may also include a portion of an activation indicia  1504 . The portion of the activation indicia  1504  printed on the card may be insufficient, alone, to activate the card  1500 . Note that while it is depicted and discussed that activation indicia  1504  may be printed on the back surface  1500   b  of the card  1500 , it is contemplated that the activation indicia  1504  may be on any surface of the card  1500 . 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , a method of packaging a card within a package and printing an activation indicia on both the card and the package will now be discussed. At step  1610 , data cards may be manufactured or purchased. Similarly, at step  1620  card packages may be manufactured or purchased. The data card may then be packaged within the package at step  1630 . Note—with reference to FIGS.  11  to  13 —that it is not required that the data card be fully encapsulated by the package, but rather must be attached to the package. In such an arrangement, step  1610  and step  1620  may be combined into a single step. 
         [0059]    Note that in order to secure the card in the package, various mechanisms may be utilized. For example, the card may be glued to the package or otherwise attached to the package—for example through the use of an interference fit. 
         [0060]    At step  1640 , an activation indicia that may be used to activate the card or an account associated therewith may be determined. The activation indicia may be generated or created during the process, or may be selected from a list of previously generated or created activation indicia. 
         [0061]    At step  1650 , the activation information may be printed on the card and package assembly. The activation information may be printed in part on the package and in part on the card. In order to activate the card or an associated account, the portions of the activation indicia printed on both the package and the card may be required. 
         [0062]    It will be understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention shown and described herein are exemplary only. Numerous variations, changes, substitutions and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the specification above discusses a card that may be separate and distinct from the package. However, it is contemplated that the card may also be a part of the package—formed integrally with the package. For example, the package may comprise a cardboard material, and a portion of the package may be scored for a tear away card. Such an arrangement is depicted in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0063021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0063]    Accordingly, it is intended that all subject matter described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings be regarded as illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense, and that the scope of the invention will be solely determined by the appended claims.