TRANSACTION CARD WITH EMBEDDED PREMIUM CONTENT

Abstract

A payment card made from rigid plastic, PVC, PET, Styrene, Polypropylene, Tyvek, or other synthetic material, that conforms to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 form factor, with an embedded passive High Frequency (HF) NFC chip that supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding. The card has an assigned credit, debit, or prepaid debit account number, is capable of being used for payment of goods or services with the account number imaged on the surface of the card using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process. The embedded HF NFC chip is linked to the card's payment account number in a remotely hosted database with an association being made to the card's Unique Identification Number (UID), or another unique identifying element encoded into the chip's memory. The embedded HF chip is encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), is encoded to deliver an executable code that directs the cardholder's smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, to a specific website or app that contains content restricted from general audiences and that is only accessible by said smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device in the presence of a card designated by the issuer to have access to the site's content only after validating the card has been purchased or received a credit through a qualifying load transaction.

Claims

1. A system for providing access to restricted content, the system comprising: a) a transaction card having: i) a card identifier; and ii) a chip with a chip identifier, the chip encoded with an executable code, and wherein the chip supports near field communication (NFC) Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; b) a remote host at which the card identifier and chip identifier are linked; c) wherein the transaction card has an activation function, and wherein when the card is used in an activating event the activating event for the card is recorded at the remote host; and d) wherein the transaction card has a restricted content access function wherein the restricted content is accessible after the activating event and when the card is in the presence of the NFC enabled device and delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device that directs the NFC enabled device to the restricted content.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the NFC enabled device is directed to the restricted content which is on a designated website or software application (app) and wherein the restricted content is still restricted after step d until a qualifying event is performed at the website or app.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the qualifying event includes reading content, watching content, or completing a survey.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the transaction card is a payment card.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the activating event is purchase of the payment card.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the payment card includes magnetic stripe data (MSD) or EMV payment chip data.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the chip identifier and card identifier are passed to the remote host in encrypted or format.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the chip identifier and card identifier are passed to the remote host in open format.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein the executable code includes an encoded link that serves as a verification element that verifies purchase of the payment card and activates the restricted content on the website or app.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote host is secure.

11. The system in claim 10 wherein the NFC enabled device reads the chip and is directed to a website, and upon landing at the website the card identifier is checked to verify purchase before allowing access to the restricted content.

12. The system in claim 10 wherein after the purchase is verified, the restricted content on the website is released for viewing by the NFC enabled device.

13. The system in claim 1 wherein the NFC enabled device is a smartphone or tablet, and the NFC enabled device reads the chip which directs the NFC enabled device to an internet browser and to a specific website.

14. The system in claim 1 wherein the chip is a passive NFC High Frequency (HF) chip.

15. The system in claim 1 wherein the chip is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

16. The system in claim 14 wherein the transaction card contains an HF antenna.

17. The system in claim 15 wherein the transaction card contains a UHF antenna.

18. The system in claim 16 wherein the transaction card contains both the NFC HF chip and a UHF chip and the HF antenna and a UHF antenna.

19. The system in claim 1 wherein the chip is a combination HF frequency and UHF frequency chip and the transaction card contains a combination HF frequency and UHF frequency antenna or both an HF frequency antenna and a UHF frequency antenna.

20. A payment card with embedded restricted content comprising: a) a card identifier; b) a chip with a chip identifier, the chip encoded with an executable code, and wherein the chip supports near field communication (NFC) Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; c) wherein the card identifier and chip identifier are linked in a remote host; d) the payment card having a payment function, the payment card operable to complete the payment function with either magnetic stripe data or contactless EMV formats; e) the payment card having an activation function wherein when the card is used in an activating event the activating event for the card is recorded at the remote host; and f) wherein the payment card has a restricted content access function wherein the restricted content is accessible after the activating event and when the payment card is in the presence of the NFC enabled device and delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device that directs the NFC enabled device to the restricted content.

21. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the activating event is purchase of the payment card.

22. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the chip identifier and card identifier are passed to the remote host in either encrypted or open format.

23. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the card is made from rigid plastic, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, or other synthetic material, paper, or metal.

24. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the card conforms to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 form factor.

25. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the chip is a passive High Frequency (HF) NFC chip.

26. The payment card of claim 25 wherein the payment card contains an HF antenna.

27. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the chip is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

28. The payment card of claim 27 wherein the payment card contains a UHF antenna.

29. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the chip is a combination HF frequency and UHF frequency chip and the transaction card contains a combination HF and frequency and UHF frequency antenna.

30. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the NFC chip is a combination HF frequency and UHF frequency chip and the transaction card contains an HF frequency antenna and a UHF frequency antenna.

31. The payment card of claim 20 wherein the payment card is a credit card, a debit card, a gift card, or a pre-paid debit card.

32. The payment card of claim 31 wherein the card identifier is an account number that is imaged on a surface of the payment card using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process.

33. The payment card of claim 31 wherein the payment function of the payment card can be carried out using the card identifier.

34. The payment card of claim 31 wherein the restricted content is restricted to general audiences and only accessible based on the activation function and the restricted content access function of the payment card.

35. The payment card of claim 31 wherein the NFC enabled device is directed to a web page or software application (app) on the device to access the restricted content.

36. A method for providing access to restricted media or marketing content, the method including steps of: a) providing a transaction card having: i) a card identifier; and ii) a near field communication (NFC) chip with a chip identifier, the NFC chip encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC chip supports near field NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; b) linking the card identifier and chip identifier at a remote host; c) activating the transaction card via an activating event and recording the activating event at the remote host; and d) positioning the card and the NFC enabled device together so that the chip delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device and directs the NFC enabled device to a designated website or software application (app) including the restricted content.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the NFC enabled device is directed to a designated website or software application (app) including the restricted content and restricted content is accessible after accessing the designated website or app.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the restricted content is still restricted after step d until a qualifying event is performed at the website or app.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the qualifying event includes reading content, watching content, or completing a survey.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein the transaction card that is provided is a payment card.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the activating event is purchase of the payment card.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the payment card includes magnetic stripe data (MSD) or EMV payment data.

43. The method of claim 36wherein the chip identifier and card identifier are passed to the remote host in either encrypted or open format.

44. The method of claim 36 wherein the restricted content is accessible after the website verifies the transaction card has been purchased or received a credit through a qualifying retail load transaction.

45. The method of claim 36 wherein the website verifies that the card identifier transmitted in a NDEF data stream corresponds with the chip identifier of the transaction card.

46. The method of claim 41 wherein the payment card has an account associated with the payment card, and the website verifies purchase of the payment card, wherein the verification of purchase by the website includes an account balance inquiry that is used to restrict access to the restricted content on the basis of certain account characteristics, including account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with the transaction card, or other account specific criteria established by a card issuer that are in accordance with terms and conditions of the account as published by the card issuer at the time the transaction card is sold or conveyed to an initial recipient of the payment card.

47. The method of claim 37 where the web site captures the card identifier and uses one or more identifying elements to convey to a card issuer that a cardholder has watched a video, completed a survey, selected crediting the card as an exchange for another award from a loyalty program, or performed a task requested by the card issuer as a condition for crediting the transaction card with stored value, including funds, purchase credits, purchase units, or other form of stored value that can be used for subsequent purchase of goods and services.

48. The method of claim 37 wherein after completing the activating event, a card issuer credits the transaction card with stored value.

49. A system for providing access to restricted content, the system comprising: a) an item that has: i) an item identifier; and ii) an element with an element identifier, the element encoded with an executable code, and wherein the element supports near field communication (NFC) Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; b) a remote host at which the item identifier and element identifier are linked; c) the item having an activation function, and wherein when the item is subject to an activating event the activating event for the item is recorded at the remote host; and d) the item having a restricted content access function wherein the restricted content is accessible after the activating event and when the item is in the presence of the NFC enabled device and delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device that directs the NFC enabled device to the restricted content.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the NFC enabled device is directed to a web page or software application (app) to access the restricted content.

51. The system of claim 49 wherein element is coupled to the item.

52. The system of claim 49 wherein the element is embedded in the item.

53. The system of claim 49 wherein the item is a transaction card, key fob, hang tag with a transaction card, label, letter, or greeting card.

54. The system of claim 49 wherein the item does not conform to standard form factor requirements designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1.

55. The system of claim 49 wherein the item does conform to standard form factor requirements designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1.

56. The system of claim 49 wherein the element is a passive NFC High Frequency (HF) RFID chip.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein the item contains an HF antenna.

58. The system of claim 49 wherein the element is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein the item contains a UHF antenna.

60. The system of claim 49 wherein the item contains an HF/UHF combination chip as the element.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the item contains both an HF antenna and a UHF antenna or wherein the item contains a combination HF/UHF frequency antenna.

62. The system of claim 49 wherein as part of the restricted content access function the item is a key, wherein the restricted content is only accessible by the NFC enabled device in the presence of the item.

63. The system of claim 56 wherein the restricted content is accessible by an item holder after the NFC enabled device is directed to a web page or app at which an item issuer validates that a qualifying event has occurred.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein the qualifying event is purchase of the item.

65. The system of claim 49 wherein the item is made of paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, metal or other material.

66. The system of claim 49 wherein the item is 3 mils to 60 mils thick (75 to 1520 microns).

67. The system of claim 50 wherein the web page or app verifies the item identifier which is transmitted in an NDEF data stream and correlates with the element identifier.

68. The system of claim 67 wherein there is an item account and wherein the verification of the item identifier includes an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of an account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said item, or other account specific criteria established by an item issuer that are in accordance with terms and conditions of the item account as issued by the issuer at the time the item is obtained by item holder.

69. The item of claim 66 wherein a web page or app captures the item identifier and uses the item identifier as an identifying element to convey to an item issuer that an item holder has watched a video, completed a survey, or performed a task requested by the item issuer as a condition for crediting an item account of the item with an associated payment of funds, purchase credits, purchase units, or other form of stored value.

70. A method for providing access to restricted content, the method including the following steps: a) providing an item that has: i) an item identifier; and ii) a near field communication (NFC) element with an element identifier, the NFC element encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC element supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; and iii) wherein the item identifier and element identifier are linked at a remote host; b) performing an activating event to activate the item; and c) accessing restricted content after the activating event and when the item is in the presence of the NFC enabled device and delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device that directs the NFC enabled device to the restricted content.

71. A method for providing access to restricted content, the method includes the following steps: a) providing an item that has: i) an item identifier; and ii) a near field communication (NFC) chip with a chip identifier, the NFC chip encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC chip supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; and iii) wherein the item identifier and chip identifier are linked at a remote host; b) putting the item and NFC enabled device in a desired proximity so that NFC enabled device delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device and directs the NFC enabled device to an activating event; c) performing an activating event to activate the item; and d) accessing restricted content after the activating event.

72. An item for providing access to restricted content, the item comprising: a) an item identifier; b) a near field communication (NFC) chip with a chip identifier, the NFC chip encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC chip supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; c) wherein the item identifier and chip identifier are linked in a remote host; d) the item having a payment function; e) the item having an activation function wherein when the item is subject to an activating event and the activating event for the item is recorded at the remote host; and f) wherein the item has a restricted content access function wherein the restricted content is accessible when the item is in the presence of the NFC enabled device and delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device that directs the NFC enabled device to a designated website or software application (app) including the restricted content.

73. An item for providing access to restricted content, the item comprising: a) an item identifier; b) a near field communication (NFC) chip with a chip identifier, the NFC chip encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC chip supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; c) wherein the item identifier and chip identifier are linked in a remote host; and d) wherein the item has a restricted content access function wherein the restricted content is accessible when the item is in the presence of the NFC enabled device and delivers the executable code to the NFC enabled device that directs the NFC enabled device to the restricted content.

74. A system for providing stored value to an item account based on one or more qualifying actions, the system including: a) an item that includes: i) an item identifier, that an item issuer uses to identify the item; ii) an embedded or affixed passive High Frequency (HF) RFID chip that supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding; b) an item account associated with the item identifier; c) a remote host at which the item identifier and the chip are associated with one another; d) the item having a restricted access function wherein restricted content is accessible when the chip is read by a device; and e) a qualifying action requirement, wherein if the qualifying action requirement is satisfied, the stored value is applied to the item account.

75. The system of claim 74 wherein the item identifier is a machine readable element and the restricted content is accessible when the machine readable element is read by a device, website or software application (app).

76. The system of claim 75 wherein the machine readable element is selected from the following group: (a) a near field communication (NFC) element, the NFC element encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC chip supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; (b) a QR bar code; (c) a claim code; (d) an RFID; or (e) another desired unique element used by an item manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to identify the item.

77. The system of claim 74, wherein the item is a card, tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other desired format that may or may not conform to standards designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1.

78. The system of claim 74 wherein the item is made of paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, metal or other desired material.

79. The system of claim 74 wherein the item is 3 mil to 60 mil thick (75 to 1520 microns).

80. The system of claim 76 wherein the machine readable element is an NFC chip and wherein the NFC chip is embedded in the item or affixed to the item.

81. The system of claim 76 wherein the machine readable element is an NFC chip and wherein the NFC chip is a passive High Frequency (HF) RFID chip.

82. The system of claim 76 wherein the machine readable element is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

83. The system of claim 81 wherein the item contains an HF antenna.

84. The system of claim 82 wherein the item contains a UHF antenna.

85. The system of claim 76 wherein the item contains more than one machine readable elements.

86. The system of claim 85 wherein the more than one machine readable elements are chips.

87. The system of claim 86 wherein one said chip is a passive High Frequency (HF) chip and another said chip is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

88. The system of claim 87 wherein the item contains an HF antenna and a UHF antenna.

89. The system of claim 74 wherein the item is usable for payment of goods or services.

90. The system of claim 74 wherein the item account is a loyalty account and wherein the stored value is reward points.

91. The system of claim 74 wherein the stored value is a rebate or an instant rebate.

92. The system of claim 74 wherein the stored value is a purchase credit.

93. The system of claim 74 wherein the stored value is a monetary value.

94. The system of claim 80 wherein a scan of the item's embedded NFC chip is used to identify the item qualifying for a rebate or purchase credit or loyalty incentive.

95. The system of claim 75 wherein the website or app prompts the NFC enabled device to use a camera to scan the machine readable element of the item in order to receive an instant rebate in the form of a credit to the item account in accordance with terms of an item issuer's program guidelines.

96. The system of claim 58 wherein the website or app requires a scan or photo of a purchase receipt to be submitted and verified by the item issuer prior to issuing the stored value, which is a reward or incentive credits.

97. The system of claim 75 wherein the website or app requires an item holder of the item to enter purchase specific data manually.

98. The system of claim 75 wherein the stored value is a credit of funds or loyalty credits that are applied to the item account prior to a purchase of a good and wherein the credit of funds occurs after a device's scan of a bar code on the good.

99. The system of claim 98 wherein the funds or loyalty credits have a limited expiration period of a few seconds to a few minutes and are restricted for redemption of purchase only of the good scanned and associated with the item account.

100. The system of claim 74 wherein the device has a web browser or a device app that uses GPS coordinates of the device to validate a purchase from an authorized retail location prior to applying the stored value to the item account.

101. The system of claim 74 wherein the stored value is a credit or funds that are applied to the stored value account only after the item has been purchased from a merchant and the purchaser performs an action directed by the issuer that prohibits the item from being returned to the merchant for refund.

102. The system of claim 74 wherein the stored value is a credit or funds that are applied to the stored value account and expire once the GPS location of the consumer's device is outside of a retail location where the stored value is offered.

103. A stored value item comprises: a) an item identifier; b) a near field communication (NFC) element, the NFC element encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC element supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; c) an item account associated with the item identifier; d) a restricted access function wherein restricted access to a website or software application (app) is accessible when the item identifier is read by a device; and e) a qualifying action requirement, wherein if the qualifying action requirement is satisfied, a stored value is applied to the item account.

104. The item of claim 103 wherein the item identifier is a machine readable element that is selected from the following group: (a) a near field communication (NFC) element, the NFC element encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC element supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to an NFC enabled device; (b) a QR bar code; (c) a claim code; (d) an RFID; or (e) another desired machine readable element used by an item manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to identify the item.

105. The item of claim 103, wherein the item is a card, tag, label, letter, greeting card, or of another desired format that may or may not conform to standards designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1.

106. The item of claim 103 wherein the item is made of paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, metal or other material.

107. The item of claim 103 wherein the item is 3 mil to 60 mil thick (75 to 1520 microns).

108. The item of claim 104 wherein the NFC element is an NFC chip which is embedded in the item or affixed to the item.

109. The item of claim 104 wherein the NFC chip is a passive High Frequency (HF) RFID chip.

110. The item of claim 104 wherein the desired machine readable element is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

111. The item of claim 109 wherein the item contains an HF antenna.

112. The item of claim 110 wherein the item contains an UHF antenna.

113. The item of claim 104 wherein the item contains more than one machine readable element.

114. The item of claim 113 wherein one machine readable element is a passive High Frequency (HF) chip and another machine readable element is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip.

115. The system of claim 113 wherein the item contains an HF antenna and an UHF antenna.

116. The item of claim 103 wherein the item is usable for payment of goods or services.

117. The item of claim 103 wherein the item account is a loyalty account and wherein the stored value is reward points.

118. The item of claim 103 wherein the stored value is a rebate or an instant rebate.

119. The item of claim 103 wherein the stored value is a purchase credit.

120. The item of claim 103 wherein the stored value is a monetary value.

121. The item of claim 108 wherein a scan of the item's embedded NFC chip is used to identify the item qualifying for a rebate or purchase credit or loyalty incentive.

122. An item that can be used to access restricted content and/or to obtain stored value, the item comprising: a) an item identifier; b) an electronic element affixed to the item or embedded in the item, the electronic element having information encoded thereon that can be read by, transferred to, or shared with an electronic device; c) an item account associated with the item identifier; d) an element identifier; and e) a qualifying action requirement, wherein if the qualifying action requirement is satisfied, access to restricted content is obtained or the stored value is applied to the item account in real time or at least nearly instantaneously.

123. The item of claim 122 wherein the electronic element is an NFC chip.

124. The item of claim 122 wherein the electronic element is a UHF chip.

125. The item of claim 122 wherein the electronic element is a machine readable element.

126. A method for providing stored value to an item account based on one or more qualifying actions, the method comprising steps of: a) providing an item that includes: i) an item identifier that an item issuer uses to identify the item; and ii) an electronic element affixed to the item or embedded in the item, the electronic element having information encoded thereon that can be read by, transferred to, or shared with an electronic device, the electronic element having an element identifier; b) providing an item account associated with the item identifier; c) linking the item identifier, electronic element, and item account at a remote host; d) unlocking restricted information on a qualifying action by placing the item in proximity of an NFC enabled device and having the device read the machine readable element; and e) performing a qualifying action so that a stored value can be applied to the item account.

127. The method of claim 126 wherein the item identifier is a machine readable element and wherein in step (d) after the device reads the machine readable element access to a website or software application is unlocked.

128. The method of claim 127 wherein the machine readable element of the item provided is a near field communication (NFC) chip, the NFC chip is encoded with an executable code, and wherein the NFC chip supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding and is operable to deliver the executable code to a NFC enabled device; or a QR bar code; or a claim code; or an RFID; or a UHF chip, or another unique element used by a product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to identify a product.

129. The method of claim 126, wherein the item provided in step (a) is a card, tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other format that may or may not conform to standards designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1.

130. The method of claim 126 further comprising a step of using the item for payment of goods or services.

131. The method of claim 126 wherein the item account that is provided is a loyalty account and wherein the stored value is reward points.

132. The method of claim 126 wherein the stored value applied to the item is a rebate or an instant rebate.

133. The method of claim 126 wherein the stored value applied to the item is a purchase credit.

134. The method of claim 126 wherein the stored value applied to the item is a monetary value.

135. The method of claim 127 further comprising scanning the item's machine readable element to identify whether the item account qualifies for a rebate or purchase credit or loyalty incentive.

136. The method of claim 127 further comprising wherein the website or app prompts the NFC enabled device to use a camera to scan the machine readable element of the item in order to receive an instant rebate in the form of a credit to the item.

137. The method of claim 127 further comprising wherein the website or app prompts the NFC enabled device to use a camera to scan the machine readable element of the item in order to receive an instant rebate in the form of a credit to the item account in accordance with terms of an item issuer's program guidelines.

138. The method of claim 127 further comprising wherein the website or app requires a scan or photo of a purchase receipt to be submitted and verified by the item issuer prior to issuing the stored value.

139. The method of claim 138 wherein the stored value issued is a reward or incentive credits.

140. The method if claim 127 further comprising wherein the website or app requires an item holder of the item to enter purchase specific data manually.

141. The method if claim 140 wherein the stored value that is issued is a credit of funds or loyalty credits that are applied to the item account prior to a purchase of a good and wherein the credit of funds occurs after a device's scan of a bar code on the good.

142. The method of claim 141 wherein the funds or loyalty credits have a limited expiration period of a few seconds to a few minutes and are restricted for redemption of purchase only of the good scanned and associated with the item account.

143. A system for issuing a rebate or purchase credit or other stored value, the system comprising: a) an item having an embedded or affixed passive High Frequency (HF) chip that supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding; b) the chip encoded with content; c) an item identifier associated with an item account; d) a chip identifier; and e) a stored value function wherein stored value is applied to the item account after verifying that one or more requirements are met.

144. The system of claim 143 wherein one of said requirements is that the item be in the presence of a device that can receive encoded information from the item.

145. The system of claim 143 wherein one of said requirements is that a qualifying purchase was made.

146. The system of claim 144 wherein another of said requirements is that a qualifying purchase was made.

147. The system of claim 144 wherein an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip is utilized in place of the HF chip.

148. The system of claim 49 wherein the item is provided to a recipient without purchase or without the recipient requesting the item.

149. The system of claim 79 wherein the item is provided to a recipient without purchase or without the recipient requesting the item.

150. The system of claim 107 wherein the item is provided to a recipient without purchase or without the recipient requesting the item.

151. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0329] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0330] FIG. 1A is a front view of a card with an HF chip that can be embedded with content for use in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 10;

[0331] FIG. 1B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 1A;

[0332] FIG. 1C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 1A;

[0333] FIG. 1D is an exploded view of the card as shown in FIG. 1A;

[0334] FIG. 2A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a card with a UHF chip that can be embedded with content for use in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0335] FIG. 2B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 2A;

[0336] FIG. 2C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 2A;

[0337] FIG. 2D is an exploded view of the card as shown in FIG. 2A;

[0338] FIG. 3A is a front view of another alternative embodiment of a card that has both HF and UHF chips that can be embedded with content for use in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0339] FIG. 3B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 3A;

[0340] FIG. 3C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 3A;

[0341] FIG. 3D is an exploded view of the card as shown in FIG. 3A;

[0342] FIG. 4A is a front view of another alternative embodiment of a card that has a combination HF/UHF chip that can be embedded with content for use in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0343] FIG. 4B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 4A;

[0344] FIG. 4C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 4A;

[0345] FIG. 4D is an exploded view of the card as shown in FIG. 4A;

[0346] FIG. 5A is a front view of another alternative embodiment of a card that has a combination HF/UHF chip that can be embedded with content for use in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0347] FIG. 5B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 5A;

[0348] FIG. 5C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 5A;

[0349] FIG. 5D is an exploded view of the card as shown in FIG. 5A;

[0350] FIG. 6A is a front view of another preferred embodiment of a card with an HF chip that can be embedded with content for use in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 10;

[0351] FIG. 6B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 6A;

[0352] FIG. 6C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 6A;

[0353] FIG. 6D is an exploded view of the card as shown in FIG. 6A;

[0354] FIGS. 7A-7G illustrate additional alternative form factors or design embodiments for a card or item that can be used in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0355] FIG. 8A illustrates an open network prepaid card that can be used in second and third preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention as depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12;

[0356] FIG. 8B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 8A;

[0357] FIG. 8C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 8A;

[0358] FIG. 9A illustrates an alternative embodiment of an open network prepaid card that can be used in second and third preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12;

[0359] FIG. 9B is a side, cutaway view of the card as shown in FIG. 9A;

[0360] FIG. 9C is a back view of the card as shown in FIG. 9A;

[0361] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0362] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0363] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0364] FIGS. 1A-7G illustrate possible embodiments of an item 10 of the present invention that can be used in a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, wherein an item 10 is provided with embedded content, e.g., with embedded media content, or embedded premium media content. Item 10 is sometimes referred to herein as a card or item 10. Item 10 can be a transaction card, payment card, gift card, letter, label, key fob, or other of another desired format/configuration. In the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-7G, a card or item 10 has an embedded NFC chip (e.g., HF chip 11 and/or UHF chip 21). Other NFC elements currently available or to be developed in the future also can be used in one or more embodiments of an item 10.

[0365] The NFC chip or other NFC element can be encoded with a link to a website that can verify a qualifying transaction, e.g., purchase of the card or item 10, and can activate premium content, restricted content, or other content encoded on the NFC chip or other NFC element. An NFC chip, or other NFC encoded element, can be a High Frequency chip (HF chip 11) or RFID, Ultra High Frequency chip (UHF chip 21), which can be embedded in an item or card 10 as shown in the examples of some possible different embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7G. The embedded NFC chip or NFC element is preferably a passive NFC chip or passive NFC element that has NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding. It should be understood that the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-7G are examples of item 10 styles, types, configurations and designs that can be embedded with content including various card designs. Other cards or items having different configurations, styles, or designs, that can be embedded with content as described herein, can also be used.

[0366] In FIGS. 1A-1D, item 10 is depicted as a card, e.g., a retail/merchant gift card with a card body 18 having a front/face 25, and a back 26. An HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15 are embedded in card/item 10. HF antenna 15 preferably is tuned to operate in a designated HF frequency range in a passive manner such that the HF antenna is not physically connected to a power source. A value 27 can be included on front/face 25 as shown. A value 27 can also be included on back 26 if desired. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25 as shown, or on back 26 if desired. A magnetic stripe 12 can also be included on card 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown. A prepaid/debit/account number 16, a bar code 17 for activation or redemption, and/or a legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown.

[0367] Card body 18 can be made of paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, or other suitable material that is preferably about 3 mils to 60 mils thick (75 to 1520 microns). The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. An HF antenna 15 and chip 11 inside a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 1A and 1C are illustrative and shown with HF antenna 15 and HF chip 11 in phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then the HF antenna 15 and chip 11 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10 (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 1D, 7). Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 1D for demonstration purposes.

[0368] Another embodiment of an item 10 is shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. In this embodiment, item 10 is also depicted as a card, e.g., as a retail/merchant gift card. Instead of having an HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15 embedded in card/item 10, a UHF chip 21 and a UHF antenna 29 is embedded in the card/item 10. UHF antenna 29 preferably is tuned to operate in a designated UHF frequency range in a passive manner such that the UHF antenna is not physically connected to a power source. Like the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the card/item 10 can be a retail/merchant gift card with a card body 18 having a front/face 25, and a back 26. A value 27 can be included on front/face 25 as shown. A value 27 can also be included on back 26 if desired. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25 as shown, or on back 26 if desired. A magnetic stripe 12 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown. A prepaid/debit/account number 16, a bar code 17 for activation or redemption, and/or a legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown.

[0369] The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The UHF antenna 29 and chip 21 inside a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 2A and 2C are illustrative and shown with UHF antenna 29 and UHF chip 21M phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then the UHF antenna 29 and UHF chip 21 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10. Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 2D for demonstration purposes.

[0370] Another embodiment of an item 10 is shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, in which item 10 is also depicted as a card, e.g., as a retail/merchant gift card. In this embodiment, an HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15, along with a UHF chip 21 and a UHF antenna 29 are embedded in card/item 10. Instead of being located along an inner perimeter of the card/item 10 as shown in FIG. 1A, the HF antenna 15 can be located above the UHF antenna 29 as shown in FIG. 3A. HF antenna 15 preferably is tuned to operate in a designated HF frequency range in a passive manner such that the HF antenna is not physically connected to a power source. UHF antenna 29 preferably is tuned to operate in a designated UHF frequency range in a passive manner such that the UHF antenna is not physically connected to a power source.

[0371] Like the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-2D, card/item 10 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D can be a retail/merchant gift card with a card body 18 having a front or face 25, and a back 26. A value 27 can be included on front/face 25 as shown in FIG. 3A. A value 27 can also be included on back 26 if desired. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25 as shown, or on back 26 if desired. A magnetic stripe 12 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown. A prepaid/debit/account number 16, a bar code 17 for activation or redemption, and/or a legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown.

[0372] The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The HF antenna 15 and chip 11, and the UHF antenna 29 and chip 21 inside a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 3A and 3C are illustrative and shown with HF antenna 15 and chip 11 and UHF antenna 29 and chip 21 in phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then HF antenna 15 and chip 11 and UHF antenna 29 and chip 21 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10. Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 3D for demonstration purposes.

[0373] Another embodiment of an item 10 is shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, in which item 10 is also depicted as a card, e.g., as a retail/merchant gift card. In this embodiment, an HF/UHF combination chip 51 is included in card 10 with an HF antenna 15 and a UHF antenna 52. HF antenna 15 preferably is tuned to operate in a designated HF frequency range in a passive manner such that the HF antenna 15 is not physically connected to a power source. UHF antenna 52 preferably is tuned to operate in a designated UHF frequency range in a passive manner such that the UHF antenna 52 is not physically connected to a power source. Chip 51 is a single chip that can function in both HF and UHF frequency ranges with connection to an antenna specific to each frequency.

[0374] Like the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-3D, card/item 10 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D can be a retail/merchant gift card with a card body 18 having a front or face 25, and a back 26. A value 27 can be included on front/face 25 as shown in FIG. 4A. A value 27 can also be included on back 26 if desired. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25 as shown, or on back 26 if desired. A magnetic stripe 12 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back 26 as shown. A prepaid/debit/account number 16, a bar code 17 for activation or redemption, and/or a legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on an item 10 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, e.g., on back 26.

[0375] The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The HF/UHF combination chip 51 and a HF antenna 15 and the UHF antenna 52 in a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 4A and 4D are illustrative and shown with HF antenna 15 UHF antenna 52 and HF/UHF combination 51 in phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then HF antenna 15 and chip 11 and UHF antenna 52 and chip 51 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10. Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 4D for demonstration purposes.

[0376] Another embodiment of an item 10 is shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, in which item 10 is also depicted as a card, e.g., as a retail/merchant gift card. In this embodiment, an HF/UHF combination chip 51 is included in card 10 with an HF/UHF combination antenna 54, that can be tuned to operate in a designated HF frequency range in a passive manner such that the HF antenna is not physically connected to a power source, and in a designated UHF frequency range in a passive manner such that the UHF antenna is not physically connected to a power source. Chip 51 is a single chip that can function in both HF and UHF frequency ranges with connection to an antenna specific to each frequency.

[0377] Like the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-4D, card/item 10 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D can be a retail/merchant gift card with a card body 18 having a front or face 25, and a back 26. A value 27 can be included on front/face 25. A value 27 can also be included on back 26 if desired. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25, or on back 26 if desired. A magnetic stripe 12 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back. A prepaid/debit/account number 16, a bar code 17 for activation or redemption, and/or a legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on an item 10 as depicted shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, e.g., on back 26.

[0378] The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The HF/UHF combination chip 51 and HF/UHF combination antenna 54 in a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 5A and 5D are illustrative and shown with HF antenna 15 UHF antenna 52 and HF/UHF combination 51 in phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then HF/UHF combination chip 51 and HF/UHF combination antenna 54 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10. Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 5D for demonstration purposes.

[0379] The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The HF/UHF combination chip 51 and a HF antenna 15 and the UHF antenna 52 in a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 4A and 4D are illustrative and shown with HF antenna 15 UHF antenna 52 and HF/UHF combination 51 in phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then HF antenna 15 and chip 11 and UHF antenna 52 and chip 51 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10. Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 4D for demonstration purposes.

[0380] Another embodiment of an item 10 is shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, in which item 10 is also depicted as a card, e.g., as a retail/merchant gift card. In this embodiment, an HF chip 11 and HF antenna is shown. A Quick Response (QR) code having a vertical barcode 55 and horizontal barcode 56 is included on back 26. A QR code can have at least substantially vertical and at least substantially horizontal bar code portions. A QR code including a vertical 55 and substantially horizontal 56 barcode can be read with a QR scanner or reader. An app with a QR code reader can also be downloaded on a smart device 23. A QR code including vertical 55 and horizontal 56 barcode can also be included on any other embodiments of a card 10 or 30 as described herein.

[0381] Like the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-5D, card/item 10 as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D can be a retail/merchant gift card with a card body 18 having a front or face 25, and a back 26. A value 27 can be included on front/face 25. A value 27 can also be included on back 26 if desired. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25, or on back 26 if desired. A magnetic stripe 12 can also be included on item 10, e.g., on back. A prepaid/debit/account number 16, a bar code 17 for activation or redemption, and/or a legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on an item 10 as depicted shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, e.g., on back 26.

[0382] The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The HF chip 11 and HF antenna 15 in a contactless card often cannot be seen, and FIGS. 6A and 6D are illustrative and shown with HF antenna 15, HF chip 11 in phantom view for demonstration purposes. If body 18 however is transparent, then HF chip 11 and HF antenna 15 can be visibly embedded inside an item 10. Back 26 is shown as being transparent in the exploded view of FIG. 6D for demonstration purposes.

[0383] FIGS. 7A-7G illustrate additional form factors and embodiments for an item 10. It should be understood that in any of the illustrated form factors/embodiments of FIGS. 7A-7G, an item 10 can have an HF chip 11 and HF antenna 15 or a UHF chip 21 and UHF antenna 29. In any of the illustrated form factors, a card or item 10 can also have both an HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15, and a UHF chip 21 and a UHF antenna 29. In the various embodiments as shown and described, an HF chip 11 and/or UHF chip 21 of a card or item 10 can be embedded in the card or item 10 in a location as desired. The size of an HF antenna 15 and a UHF antenna 29 can be selected based on the size and dimensions of the item format/configuration to be utilized.

[0384] FIG. 7A illustrates a standard card format for an item 10, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, which can be a retail/merchant gift card. The embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, FIGS. 2A-2D, FIGS. 4A-4D, FIGS. 5A-5D and FIGS. 6A-6D are also considered to be a standard card format. FIG. 7B illustrates a key fob format for an item 10 having an HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15. A value 27 and information 28 may also be included on item 10 in key fob format. An opening 38 can be present in the key fob format, for receiving a key chain ring, for example. A key fob format for an item 10 can also include other chip/antenna combinations as desired, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-6D.

[0385] FIG. 7C illustrates a retail hang tag format for an item 10 having an HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15, as well as a UHF chip 21 and a UHF antenna 29. The item 10 as illustrated can be the same or similar to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1A-6D and it can be removably affixed to a hang tag 43, e.g., at tear line, perforation, or break line 31. Any other embodiment of an item 10 as shown and described herein can also be used in a retail hangtag format.

[0386] FIG. 7D illustrates a label format for an item 10, e.g., for affixing the item 10 onto a greeting card, or a mobile device, or a gift bag or box, or to another desired surface after removing label portion 44. The item 10 can be the same or similar to an embodiment as is shown in FIGS. 1A-6D. Any other embodiment of an item 10 as shown and described herein can also be used in a label format. Label portion 44 can have an adhesive affixed thereto via which the card or item 10 can be attached to the card, phone, or other desired surface. Preferably, the item 10, once removed from the label, can be removably affixed to a desired surface.

[0387] FIG. 7E illustrates a free form card format for an item 10 having an HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15, in which the card body 18 has a cloud like shape. Any other desired shape for a card body 18 an also be used. A free form card format for an item 10 can also include other chip/antenna combinations as desired, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-6D.

[0388] FIG. 7F illustrates a greeting card format for an item 10 having an HF antenna 15 and HF chip 11. In this embodiment, a greeting card 46 has a front page 45 and a back page 47. The item 10 body 18 is integral with back page 47, such that body 18 is part of back page 47 with front/face 25 of body 18 being a front surface of back page 47 and back 26 of body 18 being a back surface of back page 47. In a gift card format, item 10 could also be integral with front page 45 of a greeting card 46. A greeting card format could also have a single page. A greeting card format for an item 10 can also include other chip/antenna combinations as desired, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-6D.

[0389] FIG. 7G illustrates a standard letter or A4 format for an item 10 having an HF antenna 15 and HF chip 11. In this embodiment as shown, a letter or A4 format 48 can alternatively be of a size similar to a post card, greeting card, or note card, and it can be provided to a recipient. The item 10 body 18 is integral with the letter/A4 form 48, such that the item body 18 is part of letter/A4 form 48. A text/message 50 from a merchant, marketing firm, or other program sponsor, can be included on the prepaid card brand as shown. Instructions 49, such as Tap here with NFC mobile device, can be included over the area that the HF chip 11 and HF antenna 15, and/or UHF chip 21 and UHF antenna 29 are located. Front/face 25 of body 18 is part of a front surface of letter/A4 format 48 and back 26 of body 18 is part of a back surface of letter/A4 format 48. A standard letter or A4 format for an item 10 can also include other chip/antenna combinations as desired, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-6D.

[0390] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention involving access to premium or restricted media content. In FIG. 10, an item 10 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1D is shown for use with a method directed to providing access to premium or restricted content. Other embodiments of an item 10 as shown and described herein, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-7G, can also be used with the method as shown in FIG. 10.

[0391] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the method includes the following steps. [0392] 1) An item 10 (which is in a standard card format with an embedded NFC chip or NFC element, e.g., HF chip 11 that is encoded during card production with a link to a non-public website) is presented for purchase at a retail outlet or merchant's place of business. [0393] 2) The item 10, also having a prepaid/stored value account associated therewith, is credited with a load amount at the time of activation at the merchant's/retail outlet's point of sale terminal 20. [0394] 3) The prepaid/stored value account for said item 10 shows an activation (purchase) transaction and registers the value loaded on the item 10. [0395] 4) An NFC enabled smart device 23, e.g., a tablet or a smart phone 23, reads the NFC chip embedded inside item 10 and the item 10 responds with an executable code directing the smart device 23 to open an associated app, or to open a web browser and direct the smart device 23 to a private website, and wherein upon landing at the private website, the item 10 account number or identifier 16 is checked to verify the purchase transaction and/or the presence of loaded value before allowing access to premium content/restricted content 24. [0396] 5. Upon verification of the item 10 purchase, the premium content/restricted content on the website is released for access by smart device 23, and wherein, for security, the website may verify that the account number or identifier 16 encode string embedded in the NFC chip matches the NFC chip's Unique Identification Number (UID), which can be a serial number or other unique identifier that is given by the chip manufacturer to the NFC chip when it is produced, and that is captured and logged by the card manufacturer or personalization bureau when the NFC chip is encoded.

[0397] In one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 10, the item 10 with the NFC chip, e.g., HF chip 11, can be activated upon purchase at a point of sale terminal 20. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, purchase of the item 10 is a qualifying transaction.

[0398] The purchase transaction is recorded for the item 10 on a secure site or secure server 22. Secure site or secure server 22 can be a remote host or a remote database. Although it is possible that such a site or server would not be secure, given that a payment transaction is involved, preferably the site or server is secure.

[0399] A smart device 23 in the presence of item 10 can then read the NFC chip or NFC element, e.g., HF chip 11 that is encoded with a link to a website, or to an associated app, and is directed to the website or app. Upon landing at the website, the card or item 10 account identifier or account number 16 is checked to verify purchase before allowing access to the premium content or restricted content, which is represented by numeral 24 in FIG. 10.

[0400] Upon verification of the qualifying transaction, e.g., purchase of item 10 and also possibly verification of loaded value on the item 10, the premium content or restricted content 24 on the website is released for viewing by the smart device 23.

[0401] In other embodiments, an item or card 10 with an NFC chip or other NFC element potentially could be activated at a time other than the point of sale, e.g., through an NFC enabled mobile device equipped with an application for transaction processing.

[0402] In one or more embodiments, the NFC chip or other NFC element of the card can be encoded with information directing the user to an app or to a website.

[0403] In one or more embodiments, the NFC chip or other NFC element of the card can be encoded with premium or restricted content.

[0404] In one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 10, the card or item 10 can be a gift card.

[0405] In one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 10, the card or item 10 can be a stored value prepaid card

[0406] In one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 10, the card or item 10 can be a payment card.

[0407] In one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 10, the card or item 10 can be a transaction card.

[0408] In general, gift cards have become a mature market and the once double-digit year over year sales growth rate has slowed to more modest single digit year over year growth. Merchants who experienced the power of gift card sales continue to push for new ways to grow sales of their gift card and drive incremental sales growth. Recent trends in card marketing have been to leverage higher end card design finishes such at tactile features, non-traditional card materials like metal and wood, and the addition of gift with purchase with items in sophisticated point of sale packaging. For merchants that try these approaches there is a lot of time and expense for what are ultimately short-lived, often seasonal, campaigns.

[0409] The embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 of the present invention, for example, takes the gift with purchase concept to a different and novel level as it leverages passive NFC chip technology in a card or item 10 to direct a smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone or tablet, to a remotely hosted website where premium and/or restricted content is stored and only made available to smart devices 23 in the presence of card or item 10, e.g., a gift card, or other stored value prepaid card, or payment card, and only after verification of a qualifying event for the specific card or item 10, e.g., that it has been purchased through a retail transaction.

[0410] In various embodiments, the NFC technology in the card or item 10 allows for a number of deployment variations that preferably center around controlling access to a premium multimedia experience available to the card holder on a remote server such that the content is accessible only to issuer specific cards or items 10 that:

[0411] 1) contain an NFC chip or NFC element with NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding that directs the NFC enabled device to a specific website;

[0412] 2) use data in the NDEF payload to enable the remote server to query a database to verify a purchase transaction for the stored value payment card through a payment network (closed or open); and 3) are able to verify the card account associated with the card's NFC chip or NFC element has been purchased through a retail transaction.

[0413] Goals of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 include to:

[0414] 1) restrict access to premium web content or restricted content 24 only to purchased cards or items 10 and prevent the premium or restricted content 24 from being accessed by cards or items 10 that are scanned prior to purchase either while in exposed retail shelving or by retailer internal theft;

[0415] 2) prevent access to the premium site/private site by viral spread of the website data being scanned and posted to social media;

[0416] 3) create exclusivity through limited quantity production runs of cards or items 10 that can act as keys to access specific sites for theme-related content; and/or

[0417] 4) generate additional usage of the card or item 10 by requiring a minimum balance on the card account to maintain access to the site or premium content 24 or have established tiers of access based on the amount of money loaded on the card or item 10 with higher levels of access to cards or items 10 with higher dollar load amounts.

[0418] In preferred embodiments, the NFC enabled card or item 10 with verified purchase creates a highly personalized card or item 10 that is able to access premium media content through a smart device's 23 NFC technology. Examples include video, games and other premium web content.

[0419] In various embodiments a card or item 10 is a payment card that can be made from rigid plastic, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, or other synthetic material, or other desired material, e.g., metal.

[0420] A card or item 10 that is in a payment card format, or a gift card, for example can be about 7 mils to 60 mils thick (175 to 1520 microns). Preferably, a card or item 10 that is a payment card or gift card is made of PVC or PET and is about 10 to 30 mils (250 to 760 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 10 is provided such as a letter, preferably the item is made of paper (natural or synthetic) and is about 5 to 15 mils (125 to 380 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 10 is provided such as a greeting card, preferably the greeting card is made of paper, Tyvek, or OPP (Oriented PolyPropylene) and is about 7 to 24 mils (175 to 610 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 10 is provided such as a label, preferably the label is made of paper, Tyvek, OPP, synthetic paper and is about 7 to 15 mils (175 to 380 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 10 is provided such as a tag, preferably the tag is made of paper or plastic and is about 10 to 60 mils (250 to 1520 microns) thick.

[0421] Preferably, a card or item 10 that is a payment card conforms to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 form factor, or to other known similar standards or similar standards to be developed in the future. Preferably, a card or item 10 that is a payment card has a passive High Frequency (HF) NFC chip 11, e.g., embedded or affixed thereto, that supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding. Alternatively, the card or item 10 may have a UHF chip 21 or both chip types 11, 21 as supported by expanded capabilities of the chip technology to be adapted for this application.

[0422] Preferably, a card or item 10 that is a payment card has an assigned identifier or account number 16, e.g., a credit, debit, or prepaid debit account number, that is capable of being used for payment of goods or services. The identifier or account number 16 can be imaged on the surface of the card or item 10, e.g., on front 25 or back 26 of card or item 10, e.g., using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process, or other similar process to be developed in the future.

[0423] Preferably, a card or item 10 that is a payment card has an NFC payment chip, e.g., an HF chip 11 or UHF chip 21, or both, has a Unique Identification Number (UID), or other unique identifying element that is linked to the item's 10 identifier or account number 16, which can be used with payment, in a remote host, e.g., a remotely hosted database with an association being made to the item's 10 Unique Identification Number (UID), or other unique identifying element that is encoded into the NFC chip's memory. An HF chip and/or UHF chip, encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), is preferably encoded to deliver an executable code that directs the cardholder's smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, to the premium/restricted content 24, e.g., to a specific website or app that contains content restricted from general audiences and which preferably is only accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, in the presence of a card or item 10 designated by the issuer to have access to the site's premium/restricted content 24 only after validating the card or item 10 has been purchased or received a credit through a qualifying retail load transaction.

[0424] In some embodiments, content restricted from general audiences can be accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device, in the presence of a card or item 10.

[0425] In other embodiments, content restricted from general audiences can be accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device, in the presence of a card or item 10 and after validating that a qualifying, or activating or triggering event has occurred.

[0426] In other embodiments, content restricted from general audiences can be accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device, after validating that a qualifying, or activating or triggering event has occurred.

[0427] In various embodiments, the website can verify that the account identifier or number 16 of the card or item 10, e.g., of a payment or gift card, transmitted in the NDEF data stream corresponds with the UID of the NFC chip or NFC element of the card.

[0428] In various embodiments, the website can verify purchase information.

[0429] Verification of purchase by the website can include an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said card or item 10, and/or other account specific criteria.

[0430] Verification of purchase by the website can include an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said card or iteml0, and/or other account specific criteria that are established by the card issuer and that are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the account as issued or published by the issuer at the time the card or item 10 is sold or conveyed to the initial recipient of the card or item 10.

[0431] In various embodiments, the website can capture the identifier or account number 16 of the card or item 10, the UID of the NFC chip or element, or other uniquely identifiable element, and use at least one of the identifying elements in addition to the purchase transaction, to convey to the card issuer that the cardholder has watched a video, completed a survey, or performed a task requested by the issuer as a condition for crediting the account of the card or item 10 with subsequent activity required to access premium content.

[0432] Examples of applications of a transaction card or item 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 10 include the following.

[0433] 1) Purchasing a gift card to a theatre chain and inside is a chip that is programmed to take the cardholder to a special URL that unlocks exclusive director cuts from the most recent blockbuster movie, or a trailer for an upcoming feature film.

[0434] 2) Purchasing a gift card from a home improvement store that has a garden theme and the recipient can use the NFC technology associated with the gift card to access an exclusive video on gardening tips.

[0435] 3) Purchasing a gift card from a sports store that is basketball-themed and the card takes the cardholder to an exclusive video of an NBA player giving tips on shooting techniques.

[0436] 4) Purchasing a gift card for a grocery chain or kitchen gadget retailer that takes the cardholder to a site with exclusive recipes with celebrity chefs showing the cardholder how to prepare the dish.

[0437] 5) Purchasing a gift card for a cosmetics retailer with links to exclusive video showing tips for using makeup or hair styling products, perhaps one targeted at teens who need guidance on how to fight acne.

[0438] 6) Purchasing a gift card for an electronics or box retailer that targets gamers where the card's NFC gives the cardholder access to advance releases on hot new games, or, if made game-specific, gives access to new levels or hidden scenes. Also, it could allow access to a site for download of exclusive music not available through traditional music stores.

[0439] As can be seen, a card or item 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 10 can be used in countless desired applications based on different target markets and marketing goals.

[0440] In various embodiments, a card or item 10, e.g., a transaction card, can be purchased or otherwise acquired by an end user.

[0441] In various embodiments, a card or item 10, e.g., a transaction card, can be purchased or otherwise acquired by a first user, who can then convey the card to another end user who can then access the restricted content.

[0442] In some embodiments, access to restricted content can be available when the card or item 10, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format, is in the presence of a smart device 23.

[0443] In other embodiments, access to restricted content can be available when the card 10, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format is in the presence of a smart device 23 and after a qualifying event, activity or trigger occurs.

[0444] In other embodiments, content restricted from general audiences can be accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device, after validating or confirming that a qualifying, or activating or triggering event has occurred.

[0445] In various embodiments the website or app can verify that the card or item 10 identifier or account number 16 transmitted in the NDEF data stream corresponds with a UID of the chip embedded in or affixed to said card or item 10.

[0446] In various embodiments, the website or app can verify a purchase.

[0447] Verification of purchase by the website can include an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said item or card 10, or other account specific criteria established by the issuer.

[0448] Verification of purchase by the website can include an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said item, or other account specific criteria established by the issuer, that is preferably in accordance with terms and conditions of the account as published or otherwise set forth by the issuer at the time the card or item 10, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format sold or otherwise conveyed to the initial recipient of the card 10 or another item, letter, greeting card, tag, or other format.

[0449] In various embodiments, the website or app can capture the item's 10 identifier or account number, UID, or other uniquely identifiable element, and use at least one of the identifying elements to convey to the issuer that the cardholder has watched a video, completed a survey, selected crediting the card as an exchange for another award from a loyalty program, or performed a task requested by the issuer as a condition for crediting the item's 10 associated account with funds, purchase credits, purchase units, or other form of stored value. The item 10 can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or of another desired format.

[0450] Turning now to FIGS. 8A-9C and FIG. 11, a second preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention in which a transaction card 30 with embedded premium content can be used as a stored value account is illustrated and discussed.

[0451] In FIGS. 8A-9C, an item 30 is illustrated with an embedded NFC chip. Item 30 is in standard card format and can be a pre-paid debit card. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-9C, the NFC chip is an HF chip 11, and an HF antenna 15 is also embedded in card or item 30. HF chip 11 is encoded with a link to a website that the cardholder is required to visit and perform specified activities prior to the card account being loaded with funds, credits, or other forms of stored value.

[0452] It is noted that currently available mobile phones are designed to read/write/be used with HF/NFC technology. Typically, with the limited space inside mobile phones, the mobile phone manufacturers only incorporate hardware for NFC/HF communication. Other NFC and RFID elements that are currently available or that will be developed in the future can also potentially be included in a card 30 and/or a card 10 for use with NFC or RFID technology of a mobile phone or other smart device, e.g., NFC technology that is currently available or to be developed in the future for mobile phones and other smart devices. The functionality of said technology shall not be limited to just that of the physical constraints of the device itself, but may be accessible through an extension of the smart device that is created by a separate and distinct unit that connects to the device by cable, Low Energy Blue Tooth (BLE), or other currently available or yet to be developed means of connecting an ancillary unit to a smartphone, tablet, or similar device.

[0453] An item 30 is sometimes referred to herein as an item or card 30. An item 30 can have body 18 having a front/face 25, and a back 26. An HF chip 11 and an HF antenna 15 are embedded in item 30 in a similar manner as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. A prepaid/debit/account number 16 can be included on front 25. Although not shown, a prepaid/debit/account number 16 can also be included on back 26. Information 28, e.g., designating a merchant, can also be included on front 25 along with an expiration date 39. Information 28 can also be included on back 26 along with an expiration date 39. A magnetic stripe 12 can be included on item 30, e.g., on back 26. A signature panel 36 can also be included on item 30, e.g., on back 26. A legal disclaimer or text area 19 can also be included on item 30, e.g., on back 26 as shown. A network branding/security hologram 37 can be included on back 26 as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C or on front/face 25 as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C.

[0454] A card or item 30 body 18 can be made of paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, or other suitable material that is about 3 mils to 60 mils thick (75 to 1520 microns). The front 25 and back 26 of body 18 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent.

[0455] An NFC chip, or other NFC encoded element, can be embedded in the card at the time of manufacture or distribution. An NFC chip or other NFC element can also be deployed in other form factors/item configurations as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G. The NFC chip or NFC element is preferably a passive NFC chip or element. The NFC chip or element is preferably an NFC chip or element with NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding.

[0456] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention directed to verification and reward for consumer participation. In FIG. 11, an item 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C is shown by way of example. Other embodiments of item 30 as described and shown herein can also be used in the method of FIG. 11.

[0457] In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the method includes the following steps.

[0458] 1. A card or item 30, e.g., a prepaid debit card, stored value card, payment card or other transaction card, is produced and assigned an account number or identifier 16 associated with a card or item 30 account, such that it, or a proxy number, or a tokenized representation of the account number or identifier 16, is encoded in the NFC chip of the card or item 30, and wherein in addition to the card account number or identifier 16, the NDEF encoding of the card or item 30 includes a command to direct a smart device 23 to open a specific app, or to guide the device to a remotely hosted website, where the cardholder can perform an activity to receive funds on the account associated with the card or item 30.

[0459] 2. When the cardholder's NFC enabled smart device 23, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, opens the designated private website, the website captures the account number or identifier 16 of card or item 30 (or a proxy number, or a tokenized representation of the account number or identifier 16) and wherein, for security, the site may also capture the card's UID, e.g., a UID of an NFC chip or NFC element of the card, for cross checking against an associated card account, and wherein, after the cardholder watches a video, takes a survey, or performs another task specified by the account issuer, the website initiates a load transaction so the account associated with the card or item 30, which can be a prepaid debit/stored value account, can receive the appropriate credit for the actions taken.

[0460] 3. A program sponsor, program manager, or contracted host (represented by the number 32) remotely stores content at a secure site or server 22 and monitors cardholder access and participation in activity required to receive reward, compensation, or other credit to the account, e.g., a prepaid /debit account, associated with the card or item 30, and wherein once activity is complete the program sponsor, program manager, or contracted host transmits a load request for the associated account, e.g., a prepaid/debit card account, by sending a request to the network processor.

[0461] 4. A network processor or payment processor 33 receives a load request from the program sponsor or manager 32, processes the request, and transmits to an issuing bank (e.g., a card issuer 34) of the card or item 30 instructions to transfer funds from the account of the program sponsor or manager 32 to the account of the card or item 30, e.g., an associated prepaid debit/stored value account.

[0462] 5. An issuer transfers funds to the account associated with the card or item 30, e.g., a prepaid/debit account or prepaid debit/stored value account.

[0463] 6. Once funds have been credited to the account the cardholder can use the account of the card or item 30, which can be a prepaid/debit account or prepaid debit/stored value account, to make purchases, or exchange for other items of value, based on the terms stated by the issuer.

[0464] In one or more embodiments of the method as described with regard to FIG. 11, a smart device 23 in the presence of card or item 30 reads the NFC chip or NFC element that is encoded with a link to a website and is directed to the website. Upon landing at the website, the cardholder is directed to a video to view, or a survey to take, or to another desired task. Upon watching a video, taking a survey, or performing another task specified by the account issuer at the website, the website notifies the card issuer, so they can apply the appropriate credit to the account linked to the card.

[0465] Identifying and/or qualifying and/or activating information acquired, read, or otherwise identified from smart device 23 and/or through the activities on the website (or app) can be transferred to a remote host or database, e.g., to secure site or server 22. When being transferred to the remote host or database, e.g., secure site or server 22, for example, the information can be transferred to one or more cell towers/mobile network/wifi provider 42 and then to one or more secure internet storage servers 35, e.g., a Cloud server, and/or then to the remote host or database, e.g., to secure site or server 22.

[0466] Information acquired from card or item 30 by smart device 23, including any activating, qualifying or identifying information, can also be transferred to the website or app. The website can further transfer any information acquired on activating, qualifying or triggering events, or information that is reviewed, obtained, analyzed, acquired or identified, to the remote host, e.g., secure site or server 22. When being transferred to remote host 22 from the website, for example, the information can be transferred to one or more cell towers/mobile network/wifi provider 42 and then to one or more secure storage internet servers 35, e.g., a Cloud server, and/or then to the remote host or database, e.g., secure site or server 22.

[0467] The credits are applied to the account associated with card or item 30 for use by the cardholder at a secure site.

[0468] The cardholder can now use the card or item 30 to make a purchase transaction or exchange for other items of value, e.g., preferably based on the terms stated or as directed by the card issuer.

[0469] In various embodiments, the card or item 30 is distributed to a cardholder without requiring a monetary payment from the cardholder.

[0470] In various embodiments, the card or item 30 has no monetary value at the time the card 30 is distributed to the cardholder.

[0471] In various embodiments, the card or item 30 has little monetary value, e.g., 1 to 10 dollars, at the time the card is distributed to the cardholder.

[0472] In various embodiments, the card or item 30 has 1 to 10 dollars, 10-20 dollars, 20 to 30 dollars, 30 to 40 dollars, 40 to 50 dollars, 50 to 100 dollars, 100 to 200 dollars, or any monetary value therebetween.

[0473] In various embodiments, the card or item 30 has any desired monetary value at the time the card is distributed to the cardholder.

[0474] In general, gift cards are just one type of stored value prepaid debit card; another type is the reloadable open network stored value card now used for promotional, incentive, and loyalty applications. A card or item 30 can be a gift card, a stored value prepaid debit card or a reloadable open network stored value card. Stored value cards used for promotional, incentive, and loyalty applications generally do not leverage chip technology, but can be made to incorporate an embedded NFC chip or other NFC element with NDEF encoding that sends an executable command in the encode string that directs the cardholder's smart device 23, e.g., an NFC enabled smartphone, tablet or similar device to connect to a remotely hosted website and provide secure credentials unique to the specific card or item 30 and thus provide a secure link between the account, e.g., a stored value account of the card or item 30, and subsequent activities of the cardholder while visiting the designated website(s).

[0475] Preferably, with the website being access restricted, the website can only be accessed by a cardholder while using the NFC element of the card or item 30, which can be embedded within card or item 30 or affixed to a card or item 30. When in the presence of a smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, the website is designed to verify the NFC element of the card or item 30 and the Primary Account Number (PAN) of the card, tokenized representation of the PAN, or item 30. While visiting the designated website the card issuer may have a task or series of tasks the cardholder can elect to complete that results in the card issuer crediting the account number of card or item 30, e.g., a prepaid account number, with funds through an open or closed network in order to compensate the cardholder for performing the designated activities while visiting the designated website. By adding this technology to a card or item 30, it adds both a marketing function and a compensation function, both in a convenient manner that allows the issuer to credit a consumer's card or item 30 that is already in their possession and does not require mailing or additional distribution costs.

[0476] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, a card 30 is illustrated. Card 30 can also be another item such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G. Card or item 30, e.g., as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format can, but does not have to, conform to the standard form factor requirements designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1, or to other similar standards currently known or to be developed in the future. A card or item 30 in one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 12 preferably is embedded with premium content and a rebate incentive, that can be associated with purchase. A card or item 30 that can be used in the method of FIG. 11 can have an HF chip 11 and HF antenna 15 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D; a UHF chip 21 and UHF antenna 29 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D; an HF chip 11, HF antenna 15, a UHF chip 21 and UHF antenna 29 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D; an HF/UHF combination chip 51, HF antenna 15 and UHF antenna 52 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D; or an HF/UHF combination chip 51, HF/UHF combination antenna 54 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. A Quick Response (QR) code including vertical 55 and horizontal 56 barcodes as shown in FIGS. 5A-6D also potentially could be included on a card 30, and which can be read by a QR code scanner or reader. A QR code reader app can also be downloaded to a smart device 21.

[0477] Card or item 30, including alternative form factors as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G, and including possibly as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format can be made of Paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, or other desired material that is about 7 mils to 60 mils thick (175 to 1520 microns). Card or item 30 as a transaction card or prepaid debit card or gift card preferably is made of PVC or PET and is about 7 to 30 mils (175 to 760 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 30 is provided such as a letter, preferably the item is made of paper (natural or synthetic) and is about 5 to 15 mils (125 to 380 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 30 is provided such as a greeting card, preferably the greeting card is made of paper, Tyvek, or OPP (Oriented PolyPropylene) and is about 7 to 24 mils (175 to 610 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 30 is provided such as a label, preferably the label is made of paper, Tyvek, OPP, synthetic paper and is about 7 to 15 mils (175 to 380 microns) thick. If another form for item or card 10 or 30 is provided such as a tag, preferably the tag is made of paper or plastic and is about 10 to 60 mils (250 to 1520 microns) thick.

[0478] Card or item 30 as a standard form transaction or payment card or another format such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other desired format preferably has an embedded or affixed passive High Frequency (HF) RFID chip that supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding

[0479] Card or item 30 as a standard form transaction or payment card, or as another form such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other desired format preferably has an account associated with an assigned account identifier or account number 16, e.g., a credit, debit, or prepaid debit account number, or tokenized representation thereof, that can be capable of being used for payment of goods or services. The account identifier or account number 16 can be imaged on the surface of the item or card 30, e.g., on front 25 or back 26 of body 18, using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process, or variable imaging process to be developed in the future. Preferably, the embedded NFC chip or element, e.g., an HF chip 11, is linked to the card's or item's 30 account identifier or account number 16 in a remote host, e.g., a remotely hosted database, with an association being made to a Unique Identification Number (UID) of the card or item 30, or another unique identifying element of the card or item 30 that is encoded into the chip's memory.

[0480] Preferably, the embedded NFC chip, e.g., an HF chip 11, is encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), and is encoded to direct a smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device to restricted content/premium content, e.g., to a specific website or app that contains content restricted from general audiences and that can be only accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device, in the presence of a card or item 30, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other desired format designated by the issuer to have access to the site's content only after validating the card or item 30 has been purchased or otherwise obtained through a qualifying retail transaction or other qualifying transaction.

[0481] In some embodiments, access to restricted content can be available when the card or item 30, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format, is in the presence of a smart device 23.

[0482] In other embodiments, access to restricted content can be available when the card 30, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format is in the presence of a smart device 23 and after a qualifying event, activity or trigger occurs.

[0483] In other embodiments, content restricted from general audiences can be accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device, after validating or confirming that a qualifying, or activating or triggering event has occurred.

[0484] In various embodiments the website or app can verify that the card or item 30 identifier or account number (or tokenized representation thereof) 16 transmitted in the NDEF data stream corresponds with a UID of the chip embedded in or affixed to said card or item 30.

[0485] In various embodiments, the website or app can verify a purchase.

[0486] Verification of purchase by the website can include an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said item or card 30, or other account specific criteria established by the issuer.

[0487] Verification of purchase by the website can include an account balance inquiry that can be used to restrict access to content on the basis of account balance, account activity, specific products purchased with said item, or other account specific criteria established by the issuer, that is preferably in accordance with terms and conditions of the account as published or otherwise set forth by the issuer at the time the card or item 30, which can be a standard form transaction or payment card or of another form, such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other format is sold or otherwise conveyed to the initial recipient of the card 30 or another item, letter, greeting card, tag, or other format.

[0488] In various embodiments, the website or app can capture the item's 30 identifier or account number, UID, or other uniquely identifiable element, and use at least one of the identifying elements to convey to the issuer that the cardholder has watched a video, completed a survey, or performed a task requested by the issuer as a condition for crediting the card's 30 associated account with funds, purchase credits, purchase units, or other form of stored value. Item 30 can be a standard transaction card or another item such as a letter, greeting card, tag, or other desired format.

[0489] Examples of applications of the embodiment of FIG. 11 include the following.

[0490] 1) An automotive manufacturer passes out prepaid cards, that are of zero value, at a sporting event, but recipients that use their smartphone or tablet to read the card's embedded NFC chip with NDEF encoding are directed to a remotely hosted website where they watch a short video on a new vehicle, then upon completion of the video, the card associated with initiating the viewing session is automatically credited with a value, perhaps $10 or $20. Then, if the card holder subsequently goes to a dealership to test drive the car in the video they can tap their NFC smartphone or tablet to the card that takes them back to the remotely hosted website where they receive an additional $50 load on the card upon entering a code from a dealer and completing a survey on how the car performed in the test drive and on the experience while at the dealership.

[0491] 2) A marketing firm looking for consumer feedback on a new product distributes open payment network prepaid debit cards with no value to people they see passing through a mall who fit the demographic they want to have review the product for one of their clients. The recipients of the card are able to use their smartphone or tablet to read an embedded NFC chip that directs their device to a private website where, after watching a product demonstration and taking a survey, the prepaid debit account associated with the card they used is credited with a value, perhaps $5 to $100 to compensate them for their time.

[0492] 3) An appliance manufacturer includes with their registration kit a prepaid card from a detergent manufacturer. The prepaid card is of no value until the recipient uses the embedded NFC element in the card to connect their smartphone or tablet to the detergent manufacturer's website where they are able to scan a bar code or NFC tag on a qualifying package of detergent in order to have the detergent manufacturer's website authorize a credit through an open payment network for a specified amount to the card account associated with the card used to initiate the interaction and thereby reimburse the cardholder for their purchase as an instant rebate (e.g., see also FIG. 12).

[0493] 4) A cosmetics retailer distributes a loyalty card to their customers that contains an NFC chip that directs a customer's NFC enabled tablet or smartphone to a website where they have access to any number of instructional videos produced by the brands they see in the retailer's store. Upon watching a video the membership card data conveyed by the card's NFC chip is used to credit the cardholder's account with funds or credits that can be used for future purchase transactions by the cardholder with that retailer.

[0494] As can be seen, a card of the embodiment of FIG. 11 can be used in countless desired applications, based on different target markets and marketing goals.

[0495] In one or more embodiments, a card 10 can be adapted for use in the method of FIG. 11.

[0496] FIG. 12 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention directed to association with purchase/instant rebate. A transaction card as illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C is shown in the method depicted and described in FIG. 12. A transaction card as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C can also be used in one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 12. A card or item 30 used in the method can be of a standard form transaction or payment card, e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 8A-9C, or of another form, e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 7A-7G, for example. A card or item 30 in one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 12 preferably is embedded with premium content and a rebate incentive, that can be associated with purchase. A card or item 30 can have an HF chip 11 and HF antenna 15 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D; a UHF chip 21 and UHF antenna 29 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D; an HF chip 11, HF antenna 15, a UHF chip 21 and UHF antenna 29 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D; an HF/UHF combination chip 51, HF antenna 15 and UHF antenna 52 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D; an HF/UHF combination chip 51, HF/UHF combination antenna 54 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. A Quick Response (QR) code including vertical 55 and horizontal 56 barcodes as shown in FIGS. 5A-6D also potentially could be included on a card 30, and which can be read by a QR code scanner or reader. A QR code reader app can also be downloaded to a smart device 21.

[0497] As previously discussed, currently, available mobile phones are designed to read/write/be used with HF/NFC technology. Typically, with the limited space inside mobile phones, the mobile phone manufacturers only put in hardware for NFC/HF communication. Other NFC elements that are currently available or that will be developed in the future can also potentially be included in a card or item 30 and/or a card 10 for use with NFC technology of a mobile phone or other smart device, e.g., NFC technology that is currently available or to be developed in the future for mobile phones and other smart devices. The functionality of said technology shall not be limited to just that of the physical constraints of the device itself, but may be accessible through an extension of the smart device that is created by a separate and distinct unit that connects to the device by cable, Low Energy Blue Tooth (BLE), or other currently available or yet to be developed means of connecting an ancillary unit to a smartphone, tablet, or similar device.

[0498] A preferred embodiment of the method as shown in FIG. 12 includes the following steps.

[0499] 1) A smart device 23 reads an NFC chip in card or item 30, e.g., a loyalty card or branded network payment card, and opens a private website, and wherein upon landing at the website, an account associated with the card account number or identifier 16 is accessed and the cardholder is prompted to scan or key enter a redemption code or key code 41 from a product 40, e.g., obtained from inside the product 40 package.

[0500] 2) A tag, for example, with a key code or redemption code or activation code 41 embedded inside a product package can be scanned or key entered into the website, using the smart device 23, so the website can analyze the redemption code/key code 41 and credit funds or loyalty points to the card or item 30 associated with the account.

[0501] 3) The card's or item's 30 account is accessed using the NFC chip or element inside card or item 30 to direct the smart device 23 to open an app or website and verify credentials of the card or item 30 and then authorize the account to accept a load transaction request.

[0502] 4) The redemption code/key code 41 is transmitted to a program manager, represented by numeral 32 in FIG. 12, e.g., a loyalty program manager.

[0503] 5) The program manager 32, using a secure site or server 22, verifies that the redemption code /key code 41, which can be an activation code, is submitted and if valid, credits the associated card account with the reward amount and sends a load request to a network or payment processor 33.

[0504] 6) The network or payment processor 33 receives the load request from the program manager 32 and processes the request and transmits the request to a card issuer 34, e.g., an issuing bank, to transfer funds from the merchant, consumer product company, or other program sponsor's account to the associated account, e.g., a prepaid debit/stored value account or a prepaid/debit account of the card or item 30.

[0505] 7) The card issuer 34 transfers funds to the associated account, e.g., a prepaid debit/stored value account or a prepaid/debit account of card or item 30.

[0506] 8) Funds become available for use by the cardholder of card or item 30, which can be a prepaid card, held by the loyalty program member.

[0507] In one or more embodiments of the method as shown in FIG. 12, an NFC enabled smart device 23 reads an NFC chip or other NFC element of a card or item 30, e.g., a loyalty card or loyalty item, and opens a private or restricted website. Upon landing at the website, the account associated with the account identifier (or tokenized representation thereof) or number 16 is accessed. The embedded NFC chip is preferably a passive NFC chip. The NFC chip is preferably an NFC chip with NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding. The NDEF encode string transmitted to the NFC enabled device, e.g., smart device 23, includes unique identifiers that are specific to the card or item30 being used and allows the activities conducted on the site to be linked to the specific account identifier (or tokenized representation thereof) or account number 16 of card or item 30. The card or item 30 can be a prepaid stored value card. An NFC chip, or other NFC encoded element can be embedded in card or item 30 at the time of manufacture or affixed to an alternative host format at point of distribution, for example.

[0508] A redemption code/key code/activation code 41 can be embedded inside a product 40 package or otherwise included with the product 40 package, e.g., on a tag, sticker, label or on the product 40 package itself. The redemption code 41 can be provided to the website, e.g., scanned or key entered into the website, so the redemption code can be analyzed, read or verified, and the website can provide stored value or redeemable value, e.g., credit funds or loyalty points to the card or item 30 associated with the account. With real-time linkage to an existing card or item 30 (which can be a standard form transaction or payment card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or of another form, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G) on the site, rebates or purchase incentives can be at the time of purchase, or even prior to purchase. With real-time linkage to an existing card or item 30, rebates or purchase incentives can also be subsequent to purchase, but preferably within a week or less.

[0509] Preferably, funds or points become available on a card or item 30 associated with an account that received the funds or purchase credits.

[0510] Identifying and/or qualifying and/or activating information acquired, read, identified, or verified from card or item 30 by smart device 23 can be transferred to a remote host or database, e.g., to secure site or server 22. When being transferred to remote host, e.g., secure site or server 22, for example, the information can be transferred to one or more cell towers/mobile network/wifi provider 42 and then to one or more secure storage internet servers 35, e.g., a Cloud server, and/or then to the remote host or database, e.g., secure site or server 22. Information acquired from card or item 30 by smart device 23 along with any activating, qualifying or identifying information can also be transferred to the website or app. The website or app can further transfer any information acquired on activating, qualifying or triggering events, or information that is reviewed, obtained, analyzed, acquired or identified, to the remote host, e.g., secure site or server 22. When being transferred to remote host 22 from the website, for example, the information can be transferred to one or more cell towers/mobile network/wifi provider 42 and then to one or more secure internet storage servers 35 over the internet, e.g., a Cloud server, and/or then to the remote host or database, e.g., secure site or server 22.

[0511] In one or more embodiments, a card or item 10 can be used in the embodiment of FIG. 12. A card or item 10/30, which can be a loyalty card is provided by a product or service provider to a customer/account holder.

[0512] In one or more embodiments, card or item 10/30, which can be a loyalty card is provided by a local merchant to a customer/account holder.

[0513] In one or more embodiments, card or item 10/30, which can be a loyalty card is provided by a sponsor of a promotion.

[0514] In one or more embodiments, card or item 10/30, which can be a loyalty card is a stored value card.

[0515] In one or more embodiments, card or item 10/30, which can be a loyalty card is an open network prepaid stored value card.

[0516] In one or more embodiments, card or item 10/30, which can be a loyalty card is an open network prepaid stored value card.

[0517] In one or more embodiments, a manufacturer or brand owner can directly connect with purchasers of its products/services without having to link through a retailer's loyalty program.

[0518] In FIG. 12 a card or item 30 is depicted as a standard form transaction card or loyalty card or rewards program card. In other embodiments, card or item 30 can be of another form, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G In other embodiments a card or item 30 can be a tag, label, letter, greeting card, or of another form that may or may not conform to standards designated by ISO 7810 ID-Type 1, or to other similar standards currently available or to be developed in the future.

[0519] Card or item 30 can be made of paper, PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek, or other desired synthetic material, or other desired material, e.g., metal, and can be about 3 mils to 60 mils thick (75 to 1520 microns). Card or item 30 as a standard form transaction card or loyalty card or rewards program card preferably is made of PVC or Paper and is preferably about 15 mils to 30 mils thick (380 to 760 microns). If another form for card or item 30 is provided such as a label, preferably the label is made of paper or OPP and is about 7 to 15 mil (175 to 380 microns) thick. If another form for card or item 30 is provided such as a greeting card, preferably the greeting card is made of paper or synthetic paper and is about 7 to 15 mil (175 to 380 microns) thick. If another form for card or item 30 is provided such as a tag, preferably the tag is made of paper or plastic and is about 12 to 60 mil (300 to 1520 microns) thick. If another form for card or item 30 is provided such as a letter, preferably the letter is made of paper (natural or synthetic) and is about 5 to 15 mils (125 to 380 microns) thick.

[0520] Card or item 30, in standard form as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8A-9C or in another form as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7A-7G as a tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other format preferably has a passive High Frequency (HF) RFID chip or element that supports NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) encoding, which can be embedded or affixed thereon, for example. Card 30 or the item, tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other desired format is preferably assigned an account identifier or identifying number, e.g., an account number, payment (prepaid debit) account, or loyalty program account. The identifier 16 can allow the card or item's 30 associated identifier or account number 16 to be used for payment for goods or services. The identifier or account number 16, e.g., a payment number, or loyalty number, may or may not be imaged on the surface of the card or item 30 in human readable and/or machine readable form using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available means of printing variable data, or other process to be developed in the future.

[0521] An HF NFC chip, e.g., HF chip 11, preferably has a Unique Identification Number (UID) or other unique identifying element that preferably is encoded into the chip's memory and can be linked in a secure server or site 22, e.g., a database or remote host, to the card's identifier, identifying number, payment number, account number or loyalty number.

[0522] Preferably, an embedded HF chip 11, encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), is encoded to direct a smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, to a specific website or app that is only accessible by said smart device 23, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar NFC enabled device in the presence of the card or item 30, in a standard format for a transaction or loyalty card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or in another form such as a tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other desired format, designated by the issuer to have access to the site.

[0523] Upon accessing the restricted site using the embedded NFC chip with NDEF encode string, the owner or user of the smart device 23 will be able to associate a qualifying purchase, or other qualifying event, with the account of card or item 30 to receive an instant rebate or purchase credit to be applied to the stored value account associated with said card or item 30, in a standard format for a transaction or loyalty card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or in another form such as a tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other format, and preferably in accordance with the terms of the issuer's program guidelines.

[0524] In one or more embodiments, scanning of a product's 40 NFC tag, RFID tag, label, or loyalty reward card, which can be embedded or otherwise included with the product 40, is used to identify the card or item 30 (which can be in a standard format for a transaction or loyalty card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or in another form such as a tag, label, letter, greeting card as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G, or other desired format that qualifies for the rebate or purchase credit).

[0525] In some embodiments, the website or app can prompt smart device 23, e.g., a phone or tablet or other NFC enabled device to use a camera to scan a bar code or OCR readable claim code on a product 40, e.g., to receive an instant rebate in the form of a credit to the card or item 30 (which can be in a standard format for a transaction or loyalty card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or in another form such as a tag, label, letter, greeting card as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G, or other desired format that that is associated with the stored value account). Preferably, any such rebate or reward or incentive is in accordance with the terms of the issuer's program guidelines.

[0526] In some embodiments, the website or app can require a scan or photo of a purchase receipt, e.g., a scan or photo from a smart device 23, to be submitted and verified by the issuer prior to any reward or incentive credits being applied to the stored value card or item 30 (which can be in a standard format for a transaction or loyalty card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or in another form such as a tag, label, letter, greeting card as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G, or other desired format that is associated with the stored value account).

[0527] In some embodiments the website or app requires the cardholder to enter purchase specific data for a product 40 manually.

[0528] In some embodiments credit or funds that are applied to the stored value account are made prior to the purchase of a product 40 and based on the smart device's 23 scan, or otherwise recording, of an NFC tag, QR bar code, claim code, or other unique element, embedded within or otherwise included with the product 40, that is used by the product 40 manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to identify the product 40.

[0529] In some embodiments, the funds or loyalty credits that can be applied prior to purchase may have an extremely limited expiration period of only a few seconds to a few minutes, e.g., 15 to 45 seconds, or 1 to 5 minutes, and can be restricted for redemption of purchase only of said item or items scanned and associated with the stored value account.

[0530] In one or more embodiments, a web browser or app of the smart device 23 can use GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates of the cardholder's smart device 23 to validate a purchase from an authorized retail location, prior to applying award credits or rebates or other value to an associated account number or identifier 16 of a card or item 30, in a standard format for a transaction or loyalty card as shown in FIGS. 8A-9C, or in another form such as a tag, label, letter, greeting card, or other desired format. An associated account number or identifier 16 can be an associated stored value account identifier or number.

[0531] In one or more embodiments, the value, credit or funds applied to the store value account are made only after the card or item 30 has been purchased, and the purchaser performs an action directed by the issuer that prohibits the product from being returned to the merchant for refund.

[0532] In one or more embodiments, the value, credit or funds applied to the store value account are made only after the card or item 30 has been purchased.

[0533] In one or more embodiments, the value, credit or funds applied to the store value account are made only after the purchaser performs an action directed by the issuer that prohibits the product from being returned to the merchant for refund.

[0534] In one or more embodiments, the value, credit or funds applied to the store value account are made after a desired qualifying or activating or triggering event has occurred.

[0535] In one or more embodiments, the value, credit or funds applied to the stored value account expire once the GPS location of the consumer's device, e.g., a smart device 23, is outside of the retail location where the purchase incentive is offered. This may be desirable, for example, if a product was not purchased.

[0536] In general, stored value debit cards are commonly used for promotional, incentive, and loyalty applications for post-transaction rebates offered by product manufacturers or retailers. These rebate, incentive, or loyalty cards are typically mailed upon receipt of information provided by the consumer proving a qualifying purchase transaction has occurred, and the consumer has satisfied the terms of the promotion that result in the receipt of the card. The downfall of this approach is that the reward is typically received by the consumer several weeks after submitting the documentation and allowing processing time by the program administrator and their mail fulfillment bureau.

[0537] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, preferably an NFC chip or other NFC element with NDEF encoding is included with, e.g., embedded inside or affixed to, card or item 30, which preferably is the form of a stored value card, e.g., a prepaid stored value card. When the stored value card 10/30 is in proximity to a cardholder's smart device 23, e.g., an NFC enabled smartphone, tablet, or other similar device 23, (e.g., preferably within 0 to 4 cm distance of the smart device 23), the card or item 10/30 delivers to the smart device 23 an executable code directing the smart device 23 to a designated website or resident app on the smart device 23 that is only accessible to cardholders in the presence of the card or item 10/30. The NDEF encode string transmitted to the smart device 23, e.g., an NFC enabled device, includes unique identifiers that are specific to the card or item 10/30 being used and allows the activities conducted on the website to be linked to the account number or identifier 16 of card or item 30, e.g., to a specific prepaid stored value card's account number. With real-time linkage to an existing card or item 10/30 and to subsequent activity of a card holder, rebates or purchase incentives can be available at the time of purchase, or perhaps even prior to purchase. With the ability to expedite rewarding consumers, the incentive is reinforced and better associated with the purchase transaction so as to improve the consumer experience and further the likelihood of the consumer making additional future qualifying purchase transactions.

[0538] Examples of applications of the embodiments of the methods as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may include the following.

[0539] 1) A clothing brand wants to reward its loyal customers regardless of the merchant from whom the consumer purchased the item. Under prior art systems, this is not possible as most loyalty programs are restricted to the Point of Sale (POS) system of the individual merchants selling a product. Under the proposed solution an open network prepaid card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, JCB, Union Pay, etc.) equipped with an NFC chip or other NFC element could be credited with an instant rebate for the purchase of an item. Currently under prior art systems, rebates go through a complex process of submitting receipts to a central clearing agency that then processes the submission and mails a check or debit card to the award recipient. This process can take weeks or months and has the potential for the processing time to be such that the receipt of the reward is not associated with the action that generated the reward. By leveraging an embedded NFC chip with NDEF technology, the sponsor of the promotion has the ability to direct a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device to a restricted website, log in the card in their possession, verify the card credentials, and then allow a consumer to submit a purchase transaction for a qualified rebate or loyalty credit using the same device's camera or NFC reader to scan a tag, label, or other element embedded within the item purchased that is only generally accessible after the purchase of the item (e.g., hidden under scratch off panel, or a multiple level label where UPC on non-repositionable label stock must be removed to access the claim code). The scan of the item would then be verified by the remote website and then allow a credit to be applied to the open network card's account number allowing it to then be used by the consumer for subsequent purchases with merchants that accept the brand associated with the specific prepaid card.

[0540] 2) A pet food manufacturer wants to directly connect to the pet owners that purchase their product and bypass the current process of linking through a retailer's loyalty program. With an NFC enabled prepaid card or loyalty card a cardholder can use an NFC enabled smartphone, tablet, or similar device to connect to a remotely hosted website where the embedded data within the chip allows access to the cardholder's account where a subsequent scan of a unique identifying element contained inside the package links purchase activity with the cardholder's account. The unique identifier can, for example, be accessible only with an opened package, which would allow the pet food manufacturer to know the specific product purchased and allow them to credit the cardholder's account with a reward specific to the product purchased. The ability to provide the link through a mobile device and a website allows the product manufacturer to generate dynamic incentives specific to the consumer based on geographic location, product preferences, purchase history, and other factors. For example, this system would allow the pet food manufacturer to provide extra incentives to the consumer when a couple of weeks have passed without a purchase.

[0541] As can be seen, a card of the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-9C, which can be of a form of FIGS. 7A-G can be used in countless desired applications based on different target markets and marketing goals.

[0542] In the embodiments as shown in the figures, an HF NFC chip is preferably utilized with a card or item in the preferred described embodiments. It should be understood that other NFC elements, that are currently available or that are to be developed in the future, can be utilized in one or more embodiments of the present invention that enable encoding of information/data/content or the like on the element, and wherein the encoded information can be read, transmitted, or otherwise transferred to or shared with a device, e.g., a phone, tablet, smart device or computer.

[0543] It should also be understood that other chips or elements currently available or to be developed in the future that enable encoding of desired information/data/content or the like on a chip or element, and wherein the encoded information can be read, scanned, transmitted, or otherwise transferred to and shared with a device, such as a phone, table, smart device or computer, can also be used in one or more or all of the embodiments of the invention as shown and described herein.

[0544] An NFC chip that can be used with any of the embodiments as shown and/or described herein preferably has a frequency of about 13.56 mHz and is preferably designed to be read when in close proximity to an NFC enabled device, e.g., when 10 cm or closer to a smart device 23.

[0545] A chip or other element that is part of a card or item 10/30, e.g., embedded within or affixed thereto, that can be used with one or more or any of the embodiments as shown and/or described herein preferably has a frequency of about 13.56 mHz and is preferably designed to be read or to have code or content transferred to the smart device 23 when in close proximity to the smart device 23 that is enabled to read or receive code or content from the chip or element, e.g., 10 cm or closer to a smart device 23.

[0546] In various embodiments of a card or item 10 or 30 as described herein, it should be understood that barcode portions, QR code portions, identifying numbers, desired text or brand information can be included on a front and/or a back as desired.

PARTS LIST

[0547] 10 card/item [0548] 11 HF chip [0549] 12 magnetic stripe [0550] 14 product [0551] 15 HF antenna [0552] 16 prepaid/debit/account number/account identifier [0553] 17 bar code [0554] 18 body [0555] 19 text/information/disclaimer [0556] 20 point of sale terminal [0557] 21 UHF chip [0558] 22 remote host/database/secure site/secure server/Cloud server [0559] 23 NFC enabled smart device/smart phone/tablet [0560] 24 premium content/restricted content [0561] 25 front/face [0562] 26 back [0563] 27 value [0564] 28 text/information [0565] 29 UHF antenna [0566] 30 card/item [0567] 31 tear line/break line/perforation [0568] 32 program manager/program sponsor/contracted host [0569] 33 payment processor/network processor [0570] 34 card issuer [0571] 35 secure internet storage server/cloud server [0572] 36 signature panel [0573] 37 network branding/security hologram [0574] 38 opening [0575] 39 expiration date [0576] 40 product [0577] 41 key code/redemption code/activation code [0578] 42 cell tower/mobile network/wifi provider [0579] 43 hang tag [0580] 44 label [0581] 45 front page [0582] 46 greeting card [0583] 47 back page [0584] 48 prepaid card brand format [0585] 49 instructions [0586] 50 text/message [0587] 51 HF/UHF combination chip [0588] 52 UHF antenna [0589] 53 opening [0590] 54 HF/UHF combination antenna [0591] 55 vertical barcode [0592] 56 horizontal barcode

[0593] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0594] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the claims.