초록 ▼

A package assembly and method for permitting the activation and deactivation of prepaid debit cards, such as prepaid telephone calling cards, at a point of sale. The package assembly has a prepaid debit card with a particular identification number and is contained within a cavity formed between a ba

A package assembly and method for permitting the activation and deactivation of prepaid debit cards, such as prepaid telephone calling cards, at a point of sale. The package assembly has a prepaid debit card with a particular identification number and is contained within a cavity formed between a backing material and a sheath. A machine readable marking is disposed on the package assembly and is detectable by machine reading apparatus currently used in the industry. The machine readable marking is encoded with information identifying the package assembly as a prepaid debit card and with the identification number of the prepaid debit card. When the machine readable marking is scanned by a machine reading apparatus at the point of sale, the identification number of the prepaid debit card, along with an activation or deactivation request, is communicated to a host computer. The host computer retrieves the prestored information pertaining to that identification number, processes the information, and either activates or deactivates the card based upon the information received from the point of sale. The host computer then communicates the action it has taken to the point of sale. If the host computer activated the prepaid debit card, the prepaid debit card can immediately be removed from the package assembly and used to conduct transactions. If the host computer deactivated the prepaid debit card, the prepaid debit card can be restocked at the point of sale for later purchase and activation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Wherefore, the following is claimed:] [1.] A package assembly for permitting activation and deactivation of a prepaid debit card at a point of sale, said package assembly comprising:a prepaid debit card with an identification number that identifies a debit account associated with said debit card a

[ Wherefore, the following is claimed:] [1.] A package assembly for permitting activation and deactivation of a prepaid debit card at a point of sale, said package assembly comprising:a prepaid debit card with an identification number that identifies a debit account associated with said debit card and a card number that identifies said card exclusively,a package for securing said prepaid debit card:a machine readable marking on said package for encoding data that identifies said debit account, andwhereby said data on said machine readable marking is read to activate and deactivate said debit account at the point of sale prior to removal of said debit card from said package.