Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-06
2004-11-16
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
C235S487000, C235S492000, C270S052010, C270S058060, C270S032000, C270S001010, C053S266100, C053S235000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06817518
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of mail processing machines and systems for using such, and in particular to systems and methods for preparing presentation instruments for delivery to end, users.
Millions of credit cards and other presentation instruments are sent to end users each year. Processing such credit cards involves a number of steps that must be accomplished while adhering to rigid security standards. Such steps can include manufacturing the credit cards including application of names and card numbers to the credit card stock. These cards are then attached to mailing stock which is addressed to the end user of the card. It is necessary to assure that the mailing stock matches the card or cards attached thereto to assure that the correct end user receives the card. The mailing stock is then folded and sent to the end user.
Various processes are utilized that include attaching two sided tape, or some other form of adhesive to the credit card and then affixing the card to the mailing stock. However, this approach requires that the surface area of the mailing stock be at least as large as the area of the cards to be sent. This can be problematic in situations where the cards are for an entire group, and a single mailing stock is not large enough to handle all of the cards. This can result in costs of providing multiple mailings to a single group of end users, and/or confusion by such end users. This problem has become acute where credit card products are now being offered to groups of end users. As just some examples, such groups can be defined and developed in accordance with techniques disclosed in the following U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/298,417, entitled “Method for Processing a Group of Accounts Corresponding to Different Products”, filed Apr. 23, 1999; Ser. No. 09/298,505, entitled “Method for Linking Accounts Corresponding to Different Products Together to Create a Group, filed Apr. 23, 1999; Ser. No. 09/298,521, entitled “Method for Defining a Relationship Between an Account and a Group”, filed Apr. 23, 1999; and Ser. No. 10/172,378, entitled “System and Methods for Accessing and Modifying Usage Parameters Associated with a Financial Transaction Account”, filed Jun. 13, 2002; each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Further, each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Further, credit cards have traditionally involved providing a credit card with a number that is associated with an account of the same number. For various reasons, credit cards are now being offered with numbers that are distinct from an account number to which the cards are associated. In part because of this, traditional methods of processing credit cards for distribution to end users have become outmoded. For example, traditional processing typically involves assuring that the number on the card matches the number on the stock to which the card was attached. Where the numbers do not match, an error results. Thus, in today's environment where many of the numbers intentionally do not match, the existing processing techniques are insufficient.
Various machines have been developed for processing credit cards for delivery to end users. One such machine is the DATACARD™ Series 2500 Inserter Machine. This machine provides a mechanism for receiving a credit card, moving the selected card to a particular insertion slot of a stock used to deliver the credit card, and inserting the card in the insertion slot. The stock is then folded and sent to the recipient of the card. Unfortunately, the machine does not provide a flexible mechanism for dealing with credit cards that are introduced in an order different from a pre-printed stock. Further, there is no mechanism for matching a credit card with an abstracted number provided on the pre-printed stock, nor for placing multiple credit cards, each with a distinct number, on a pre-printed stock including only a single number. Additionally, the machine does not include mechanisms for halting processing when some processing errors are detected. This can result in an operator having to sort through hundreds of processed credit cards to account for the error. Yet further, the machine does not provide a mechanism for inserting multiple credit cards into a single slot. Additionally, the machine includes a number of sensors and moving mechanical elements that are prone to failure. Such failures can result in down time and repair costs.
Hence, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need in the art for advanced systems and methods for preparing presentation instruments for delivery to end users.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methods for preparing presentation instruments for distribution. Such presentation instruments can include, but are not limited to, credit cards, debit cards, check guarantee cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, membership cards, ATM cards, stored value cards, and the like. In various cases, one or more presentation instruments are attached to a distribution stock, which is then folded and prepared for mailing, or some other form of distribution. In some cases, the presentation instruments are inserted into slots formed on the distribution stock. Further, embodiments of the invention also provide for inserting multiple presentation instruments into a single slot. Inserting multiple presentation instruments into a single slot can reduce the amount of surface area of the distribution stock used to hold the presentation instruments. Additionally, in some embodiments, a presentation instrument processing system is provided that can insert presentation instruments into any presently available slot, regardless of the order that the various presentation instruments are received. Thus, for example, the first available presentation instrument may be directed to the second available slot, and the second available presentation instrument may be directed to the first available slot. This is advantageous as prior systems would generate an error if the presentation instruments were presented out of order. Further, in some embodiments, an ability to re-read a misread presentation instrument is also provided. This ability avoids various errors that are generated when presentation instruments are misread.
In various embodiments of the present invention, stepper motors are utilized that provide an encoded position feedback. Such an approach can reduce the number of sensors required to operate a presentation instrument distribution and/or processing system. The position feedback information from the stepper motors can be provided to a computer responsible for controlling the presentation instrument processing system. In certain cases, the feedback from the stepper motors is provided via a serial interface, which is converted to an Ethernet format prior to being transmitted to the controlling computer. Further, the stepper motors can include processing capability that allows the motor to oversee various functionality of a presentation instrument processing system. For example, in addition to providing movement of presentation instruments, the various stepper motors can also provide outputs to control switching of various solenoids associated with the presentation instrument processing system. In some embodiments, various of the motors include processing capability sufficient to control various functions of the presentation instrument processing system. In addition, processing capability provided on an interface board provides processing control where multiple motors are involved, and a controlling computer provides overall processing capability. This distributed processing approach makes efficient use of processing capabilities. In various embodiments, the motors can be individually fused, thus providing for simple identification and repair of a failed system.
Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, a controlling com
Bailey Douglas S.
Greene Jay
Nowlin Jeff
Smith Scott J.
First Data Corporation
Frech Karl D.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Walsh Daniel
LandOfFree
Systems for preparing presentation instruments for distribution does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Systems for preparing presentation instruments for distribution, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Systems for preparing presentation instruments for distribution will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3336841