# US 2019/0172055 A1 · Transaction card with embedded premium content

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- Number: US 2019/0172055 A1
- Document ID: US20190172055A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/180,842
- Filed: 2018-11-05
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-11-03
- Assignees: PAP Investments, Ltd.
- Applicants: PAP Investments, Ltd.
- Inventors: Michael J. Hale; Kevin J. Pease
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190172055A1

## CPC

- G06Q 20/352: {Contactless payments by cards}
- G06K 19/06028: {using bar codes}
- G06K 19/06187: {with magnetically detectable marking}
- G06K 19/07: with integrated circuit chips
- G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs}
- G06K 19/07786: {the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole}
- G06Q 20/34: using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q 20/341: {Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip}
- G06Q 20/409: {Device specific authentication in transaction processing}
- G07F 7/0806: {Details of the card (record carriers per se G06K)}
- G07F 7/0893: {the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner}
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})

## 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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

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

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

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

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

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

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

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

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

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.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

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.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

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.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

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

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

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

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

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.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

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

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

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.

### Claim 23 (depends on 20)

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.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

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

### Claim 25 (depends on 20)

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

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

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

### Claim 27 (depends on 20)

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

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

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

### Claim 29 (depends on 20)

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.

### Claim 30 (depends on 20)

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.

### Claim 31 (depends on 20)

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.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

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.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

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

### Claim 34 (depends on 31)

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.

### Claim 35 (depends on 31)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

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.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

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.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

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

### Claim 40 (depends on 37)

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

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

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

### Claim 42 (depends on 40)

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

### Claim 43 (depends on 36)

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

### Claim 44 (depends on 36)

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.

### Claim 45 (depends on 36)

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.

### Claim 46 (depends on 41)

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.

### Claim 47 (depends on 37)

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.

### Claim 48 (depends on 37)

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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 50 (depends on 49)

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.

### Claim 51 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 52 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 53 (depends on 49)

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.

### Claim 54 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 55 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 56 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 57 (depends on 56)

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

### Claim 58 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 59 (depends on 58)

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

### Claim 60 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 61 (depends on 60)

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.

### Claim 62 (depends on 49)

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.

### Claim 63 (depends on 56)

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.

### Claim 64 (depends on 63)

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

### Claim 65 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 66 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 67 (depends on 50)

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.

### Claim 68 (depends on 67)

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.

### Claim 69 (depends on 66)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 75 (depends on 74)

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”).

### Claim 76 (depends on 75)

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.

### Claim 77 (depends on 74)

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.

### Claim 78 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 79 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 80 (depends on 76)

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.

### Claim 81 (depends on 76)

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.

### Claim 82 (depends on 76)

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

### Claim 83 (depends on 81)

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

### Claim 84 (depends on 82)

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

### Claim 85 (depends on 76)

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

### Claim 86 (depends on 85)

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

### Claim 87 (depends on 86)

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.

### Claim 88 (depends on 87)

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

### Claim 89 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 90 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 91 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 92 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 93 (depends on 74)

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

### Claim 94 (depends on 80)

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.

### Claim 95 (depends on 75)

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.

### Claim 96 (depends on 58)

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.

### Claim 97 (depends on 75)

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

### Claim 98 (depends on 75)

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.

### Claim 99 (depends on 98)

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.

### Claim 100 (depends on 74)

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.

### Claim 101 (depends on 74)

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.

### Claim 102 (depends on 74)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 104 (depends on 103)

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.

### Claim 105 (depends on 103)

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.

### Claim 106 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 107 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 108 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 109 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 110 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 111 (depends on 109)

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

### Claim 112 (depends on 110)

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

### Claim 113 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 114 (depends on 113)

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.

### Claim 115 (depends on 113)

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

### Claim 116 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 117 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 118 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 119 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 120 (depends on 103)

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

### Claim 121 (depends on 108)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 123 (depends on 122)

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

### Claim 124 (depends on 122)

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

### Claim 125 (depends on 122)

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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 127 (depends on 126)

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.

### Claim 128 (depends on 127)

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.

### Claim 129 (depends on 126)

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.

### Claim 130 (depends on 126)

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

### Claim 131 (depends on 126)

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

### Claim 132 (depends on 126)

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

### Claim 133 (depends on 126)

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

### Claim 134 (depends on 126)

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

### Claim 135 (depends on 127)

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.

### Claim 136 (depends on 127)

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.

### Claim 137 (depends on 127)

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.

### Claim 138 (depends on 127)

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.

### Claim 139 (depends on 138)

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

### Claim 140 (depends on 127)

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.

### Claim 141 (depends on 140)

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.

### Claim 142 (depends on 141)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 144 (depends on 143)

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.

### Claim 145 (depends on 143)

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

### Claim 146 (depends on 144)

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

### Claim 147 (depends on 144)

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

### Claim 148 (depends on 49)

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

### Claim 149 (depends on 79)

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

### Claim 150 (depends on 107)

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

### Claim 151

(canceled)