3D Bar Code Credit Card Activation via Mobile Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process of credit card activation is time-consuming and inefficient, requiring consumers to call financial institutions to verify personal information, which is costly for institutions and inconvenient for consumers.

Innovation Solution

A 3D bar code is affixed to the credit card, allowing consumers to use a mobile device to capture and decode the code, which directs them to a web page for entering personal information, enabling the financial institution to verify and activate the account without the need for phone calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a phone call process is used for credit card activation, then the financial institution can verify consumer information, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires expensive call center operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidactivation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical phone call verification process with an optical scanning system. A portable imaging device captures an image of the credit card, and an optical reader/scanner automatically extracts and verifies the card information, eliminating the need for manual phone verification while maintaining accuracy and reducing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service activation where the consumer simply presents their credit card to be scanned by the portable imaging device. The verification process occurs automatically through optical recognition and data extraction, allowing the consumer to activate their card without requiring call center agent assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a phone call process is used for credit card activation, then the financial institution can authenticate the consumer, but the call center creates large expenses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the expensive human-operated call center system with an automated optical recognition system. The portable imaging device with integrated reader automatically captures, processes, and verifies credit card information through optical scanning, eliminating call center operational costs while maintaining authentication accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable imaging device serves as an intermediary between the consumer's credit card and the financial institution's verification system. It captures the card image, extracts information optically, and transmits verification data, replacing the need for human agents to manually process authentication while ensuring accurate verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If personal information is repeated over the phone, then the financial institution can verify the consumer identity, but the consumer experiences inconvenience and distraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentity verificationVSAvoidactivation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual process of verbally repeating personal information with automated optical information extraction. The portable imaging device scans the credit card and automatically extracts the consumer's information, eliminating the need for the consumer to manually repeat details while maintaining verification reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy of the credit card information through imaging and scanning. Instead of requiring the consumer to recite information from memory, the system captures a visual copy of the card data and uses it for verification, significantly improving convenience while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7845558B2Accessing financial accounts with 3D bar code

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 FIRST DATA CORP

AI summary

A three dimensional (3d) bar code can be affixed to a financial instrument (e.g., the credit card) sent to a consumer. Upon receiving the financial instrument, the consumer can acquire an image of the 3D bar code with an image capture device (e.g., a camera) of a mobile device. The mobile device can interpret or decode the 3D bar code to extract a web address. The mobile device may then send a request for a web page associated with the web address, which could be returned by the web server at the financial institution. The web page may allow the consumer to enter personal information. Upon receiving the personal information, the financial institution can verify the information, authenticate the consumer, and activate the financial account.