Transaction card fabrication control system and method

Abstract

A system and method for producing transaction cards, such as gift cards and identification cards, ensures that duplicate and missing cards are eliminated from a group of cards. Cards may also be provided in an ordered sequence. Each transaction card may include one or more unique identifiers so that each card is uniquely identified from all other cards in the group. Cards in the group may be packaged according to a hierarchy, and the location of each card in the hierarchy may be retained and later used for identifying the location of cards and / or batch activation.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 635,427, filed Aug. 6, 2003, and which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 405,243, filed Aug. 22, 2002. U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10 / 635,427, 09 / 965,440 and U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 405,243 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to controlling transaction card fabrication. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Transaction cards, such as gift cards, credit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, user passes, electronic cash cards, automatic teller machine (ATM) cards, customer loyalty cards, prepaid telephone cards, and so on, are commonly manufactured using encoding and printing apparatus. For example, many types of transaction cards must be personalized, i.e., encoded, printed, or otherwise processed so that each card in a given group of cards is uniquely identified fro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes a system for manufacturing and packaging transaction cards. The system ensures that there are no unexpected, duplicate, or missing cards in a group. The cards can be arranged in a specific sequence, and the system keeps track of each card during production. The system also allows for easy inventory control and ensures that cards are assembled correctly. The text also describes generating audit information that includes information about the manufacturing process, the cards themselves, and the operators responsible for the cards. This audit information can be used to create a database to manage the cards. Overall, the system improves the quality and efficiency of card manufacturing and packaging."

Problems solved by technology

Rather, a third card that has the same identifier as a pair of cards in the group would be a “duplicate.” Duplicate cards can be a problem for a card issuer because if two cards having the same identifier are inappropriately issued, transactions made by two different card issuees will be associated with the same account.

Missing cards can be a problem because a card issuer may not be able to determine if a card has been issued and the record of issuance has been lost, if the card was stolen from inventory, or if the card was never included in the shipment from the manufacturer.

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