GB2314527A

GB2314527A - Telephone card with scratch-off layers

Info

Publication number: GB2314527A
Application number: GB9713104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Raymond Manuszewski
Original assignee: TRANSFER TECHNOLOGIES
Current assignee: TRANSFER TECHNOLOGIES
Priority date: 1996-06-28
Filing date: 1997-06-20
Publication date: 1998-01-07
Also published as: GB9613669D0; GB9713104D0; GB9620756D0

Abstract

The card 2 includes a game hidden beneath a scratch-off layer 10 and a pre-paid phone card 14 with a pin code 4 hidden beneath a further scratch-off layer 8. The phone card 14 is separable from card portion 12 by a line of weakness 16.

Description

A TELEPHONE CARD This invention relates to a telephone card for use in making telephone calls.

Telephone cards for use in making telephone calls are well known. The telephone cards are fast becoming an essential item of pockets, wallets and purses of a wide variety of persons such for example as business travellers, university students away from home, and housewives. Currently, the main distributors of the telephone cards are national and international telephone companies. However, a growing number of telephone service suppliers are beginning to enter the market and these telephone service suppliers want their telephone cards to be bought by the general public in preference to the telephone cards of the well known national and international companies.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a solution to the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a telephone card for use in making telephone calls, which telephone card prior to use comprises a pre-paid value, an identity number, and a game of chance, the identity number and the game of chance being such that they are covered by material which is adapted to be removed in order t-o reveal the identity number and the result of the game of chance, and the game of chance being provided on a first part of the telephone card that is adapted to be separated from a second part of the telephone card which contains the pre-paid value.

The pre-paid value will usually be of the same type as on existing known telephone cards. Thus, the prepaid value may be a monetary value or a time period value. If desired, the pre-paid value may be some other value. Similarly, the identity number can be the same as identity numbers currently used on many bank cards.

During use of the telephone card, the identity number becomes a personal identity number as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow.

The presence of the identity number on the telephone card enables the card to be used by the telephone service suppliers because the telephone card is able to require a user to enter the identity number into the telephone system as a first step, thereby enabling the telephone service supplier who has sold the telephone card to identify and control the use of the telephone card. For example, retailers may sell telephone cards in accordance with the present invention for a set price which will be stated on each card and/or on any packaging. The user may be required to call a toll-free number and in order to make the call, the user must first enter the identity number that will be on the telephone card. The user simply removes the layer of material to reveal the identity number and then enters the identity number into the telephone system, for example by pressing or touching appropriate telephone keys or pads. The initial entry of the identity number opens an account for that particular telephone card.

Upon a connection being made to the number called, the telephone system is able automatically to deduct the appropriate value from the telephone card and stored in the account opened for that card. Each telephone card may be used until its pre-paid value has expired. On expiry of the pre-paid value, the telephone card may be replenished with another pre-paid value via a bank credit card or other similar device.

The presence of the game of chance provides the telephone card with a promotional aspect which is able to give the telephone card a commercial advantage over a similar telephone card but without the game of chance.

Thus the game of chance gives the promotional aspect whilst the identity number gives precise control over the use of the telephone card and thus enables the telephone card to be sold on behalf of the above mentioned growing number of telephone service suppliers.

Preferably, the telephone card is one in which the material is a layer of material which is adapted to be scratched off by a user. The layer of material which is adapted to be scratched off is preferably a layer of a latex material. Other materials which are able to be scratched off may be employed. Still further, the material may be a layer of material which is able to be removed by means other than scratching. Thus, for example, the layer of material may be a peel-off strip having security slits so that the strip cannot easily be peeled off and replaced without being noticed because the security slits will cause the strip to tear.

The first and the second parts of the telephone card may be of a wide variety of different shapes and designs. Thus, for example, the first part of the telephone card may be a surround for the second part of the telephone card. Alternatively, the first part of the telephone card may be an end portion. The end portion may be at either end of the telephone card.

Still further, the first part of the telephone card may be a top portion or a bottom portion of the telephone card.

The telephone card may be one in which the first part of the telephone card is connected to the second part of the telephone card by a frangible joint which is adapted to be broken by hand. Thus, for example, the first and the second parts may be separated from each other by flexing the telephone card in a user's hands such that the telephone card snaps along the frangible joint.

The frangible joint may be formed by at least one line of weakness. The line of weakness may be formed by scoring or by a line of dots.

The first and the second parts may be separated from each other by means other than a frangible joint.

Thus, if desired, the first and the second parts may be separated from each other by cutting or tearing, depending upon the material from which the telephone card is made. Preferably, the material employed is that currently used for making known telephone cards but other materials may be employed.

The telephone card may be one in which the game of chance comprises a panel having a plurality of marks, a minimum number of which have to be matched in order to win a prize. Preferably, the marks are numbers equivalent to monetary sums so that a winner correctly matching the numbers is able to receive the same sum of money as the number of the matched numbers. Instead of the marks being numbers, the marks may be symbols, with the symbols being equal to stated monetary sums or other prizes such for example as holidays or goods to the value of a stated amount of money.

Preferably, the identity number is on the second part of the telephone card. If desired however the telephone card may be one in which the identity number is on the first part of the telephone card.

The telephone card may be one in which the first part has information relating to the game of chance, and in which the second part has information relating to the use of the telephone card. The information on the first part may thus be conditions and rules of play. The information on the second part may thus be instructions for use on the telephone card.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front face of a telephone card prior to use; Figure 2 shows a rear face of the telephone card of Figure 1 prior to use; Figure 3 shows a first part of the telephone card of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a second part of the telephone card of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a telephone card 2 for use in making telephone calls. The telephone card 2 prior to use comprises a pre-paid value indicated as 10. Alternatively, the pre-paid value may be a time value which gives the telephone card a stated period of use at a pre-determined rate, for example a local rate. Where, as shown, the telephone card just indicates a monetary value, the telephone card can be used for local or long distance calls until such time as that monetary value has been used up.

The telephone card 2 also comprises an identity number in the form of a personal identification number 4, and a game of chance 6. The identity number 4 is covered by a layer of material 8. Figure 1 shows the layer of material 8, whilst Figure 4 shows the identity number 4 which is revealed when the layer of material 8 is scratched off.

The game of chance 6 is covered by a layer of material 10 as shown in Figure 1. As can be seen, the layer of material 10 is over printed with the words "win up to $5,000 instantly". When this layer of material 10 is removed by scratching, a plurality of numbers, for example six, are revealed as shown in Figure 3. For six numbers, if three of the six numbers are the same, then the user wins an amount of money equal to the matched three numbers.

As can be seen from the Figures, the game of chance 6 is provided on a first part 12 of the telephone card 2. This first part 12 is adapted to be separated from a second part 14 of the telephone card. The first part 12 of the telephone card contains the illustrated instructions and how to play the game of chance. The second part 14 of the telephone card 2 forms the part of the telephone card 2 that is inserted into a telephone (not shown) in order to make a telephone call.

The first part 12 is such that it fprms a surround for the second part 14. The first and the second parts 12, 14 are separated from each other by a frangible joint formed by a line of weakness 16 which extends all around the edge of the second part 14.

The telephone card 2 is operated such that a user enters the identity number 4 into the telephone system, having first scratched off the layer of material 8. The user is then able to call a toll-free number and to follow instructions as necessary. The initial entry of the identity number 4 opens an account for the card.

Upon a connection being made to the number called, the telephone system deducts the appropriate amount af time or money from the telephone card 2 and also from the account opened for that card. The telephone card 2 may be used or reused until such time as the allotted prepaid value has expired. A further pre-paid value may be paid into the card and/or into the account for the card via a bank credit card or similar device.

Upon purchase of the telephone card 2, a user is able to separate the first and the second parts 12, 14.

Scratching off the layer of material 10 reveals the six numbers shown in Figure 3. As stated above, if any three of the six numbers are identical, then the user wins that amount of money. Distributors are able to invoice their telephone cards 2 to retailers, less a set amount of small prizes per pack of 50 or 100 cards.

Winning users may redeem the small prizes at the same retailer who sold the telephone card 2. Alternatively, willing users may redeem the small prizes by sending the winning first part 12 to the address shown on the rear face of the telephone card 2, see Figure 2. Larger prizes will normally only be redeemed by sending the first part 12 to the address shown on the rear face of the telephone card 2.

Members of the public who do not wish to purchase a telephone card 2 but who still wish to play the game of chance, may be given the opportunity to obtain a first part 12 by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address displayed on the rear face of each telephone card 2, and at the point of sale. A first part 12 will be sent directly to them. There will also be a tollfree telephone number on the rear face of the first part 12 and at the point of sale. A copy of the rules of the promotion will be available at the point of sale, or by writing to the address on the rear face of the card, or at the point of sale.

Insofar as the sale of the telephone card may need to be considered under Competitions Acts of various countries, such Acts may be satisfied by the following points.

1. The number of telephone cards 2 within the promotion and the number and value of the prizes to be given away in the promotion are listed on the rear face of each telephone card 2, and at the point of sale.

2. The value of the telephone card 2 (charge per minute of telephone time, local, long distance or international) is the same or greater than similar products currently on the market.

3. There is no need for skill testing questions.

Members of the public may receive the first part 12 simply by sending in for one. The price of the telephone card 2 is significantly greater than the cost of sending for the first part 12.

4. The prizes within the promotion are randomly distributed by the identical process as is used to produce instant lottery tickets used by Governmental lotteries. The first part 12 may be produced by the manufacturers of such tickets if desired. The entire promotion may be audited by a firm of chartered/certified public accounts, familiar with these types of promotions.

5. Members of the public who choose to receive the first part 12 of the telephone card 2 without purchasing the entire telephone card 2 will receive a first part 12 from the same production run certified by the chartered/certified public accounts.

6. Winners of small prizes may receive payment at the time of purchase at the same retail location where the telephone card 2 was purchased. Larger prizes may be redeemed from a central payout centre. The prizes will be paid, subject to verification, within two business days after receipt.

7. The closing date of the promotion is noted on the reverse of each telephone card 2, and at the point of sale.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, instead of having two separate layers of material- 8, 10 covering the identity number 4 and the game of chance 6, a single layer of material could be employed. The identity number 4 and the game of chance 6 may be placed closer together or farther apart as may be desired.

Also, instead of the first part 12 forming a surround for the second part 14, the first part 12 could be an end portion located at one end of the telephone card 2, or alternatively could be a top or bottom portion of the telephone card 2.

Claims

1. A telephone card for use in making telephone calls, which telephone card prior to use comprises a pre-paid value, an identity number, and a game of chance, the identity number and the game of chance being such that they are covered by material which is adapted to be removed in order to reveal the identity number and the result of the game of chance, and the game of chance being provided on a first part of the telephone card that is adapted to be separated from a second part of the telephone card which contains the pre-paid value.

2. A telephone card according to claim 1 in which the material is a layer of material which is adapted to be scratched off by a user.

3. A telephone card according to claim 2 in which the layer of material which is adapted to be scratched off is a layer of a latex material.

4. A telephone card according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first part of the telephone card is a surround for the second part of the telephone card.

5. A telephone card according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the first part of the telephone card is an end portion.

6. A telephone card according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the first part of the telephone card is a top portion.

7. A telephone card according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the first part of the telephone card is a bottom portion.

8. A telephone card according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first part of the telephone card is connected to the second part of the telephone card by a frangible joint which is adapted to be broken by hand.

9. A telephone card according to claim 8 in which the frangible joint is formed by at least one line of weakness.

10. A telephone card according to claim 9 in which the line of weakness is formed by scoring or by a line of dots.

11. A telephone card according to any one of the preceding claims in which the game of chance comprises a panel having a plurality of marks, a minimum number of which have to be matched in order to win a prize.

12. A telephone card according to claim 11 in which the marks are numbers equivalent to money sums so that a winner correctly matching the numbers is able to receive the same some of money as the number of the matched numbers.

13. A telephone card according to any one of the preceding claims in which the identity number is on the second part.

14. A telephone card according to any one of claims 1 12 in which the identity number is on the first part.

15. A telephone card according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first part has information relating to the game of chance, and in which the second part has information relating to the use of the telephone card.

16. A telephone card for use in making telephone calls, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.