New offerings and customers will be needed. The objective of this presentation is to introduce a new product to help the industry grow.
3Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
The invention was developed in response to a common problem, writing down phone numbers. Though a simple task, it is more complex than it appears, and is a frequent annoyance for many.
New Product The Problem
We created an alternative - an entirely new class of products to be sold by plastic card & promotional products companies...
Usually need to…..• Have/get a writing instrument• Have/get paper to write on• Find a flat surface to write on,
possibly bend down if standing or get up if you are lying down or reclining
• Be in a stable environment• Sometimes use both hands to write,
cradle phone in neck• Go to a trash receptacle sometime in
future to dispose of ‘written on’ paper
Or when you cannot…...• Select ‘additional fee’ transfer. So
high,some stopped saying how much• Try to remember, thinking or
repeating to yourself • Call back wherever you got the
number, if 411, repay toll charges• ‘Practice dial’ number on the keypad
214-555-1234214-555-1234214-551-2345214-512-345..
Memo
4Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
…... the Dimple Card; provides for an inexpensive, portable, reusable tool to record phone numbers or other information.
Dimple Cards The Invention
Characteristics• Creates new product offerings
for plastic card manufacturers• Operated by pressing down on
the plastic protrusions or ‘dimples’ of the numbers desired to be remembered
• Standard ISO Credit Card geometry, except thickness
• Inexpensive plastic material(s)• Flexible dimensional tolerances• Reverse side can be used for
printing marketing information• Performs a valuable function
and could possibly be carried by consumers in wallets or left by phones in homes or cars
• Can be made for other purposes with different symbols
• Expected to be a ‘give away’, purchased in quantity by companies for advertising
Beverly Hills TelephoneLong Distance & Local Service
Call (213) 555-1212
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To use card, push down on the desired dimple(s) until it goes through to the other side of the card
5Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Primary target distribution point is pay phone of a restaurant or hotel, but the number of other possible companies to sell to is phenomenal.
Dimple Card Potential Customers
For any of these businesses, the value of ‘getting inside a wallet’ or ‘next to a home phone’ will dwarf the purchase costs of the cards.
Note: Estimates are from National Restaurant Association, AHLA, TPLA and other resources on the internet and in the public domain. United States only.
2 million (U.S.) payphones
8 billion 411 or information calls for a total of$3.6 Billion(all, not just payphone) 52,000 Hotel and
Motel Properties
850,000 Restaurants and Cafeterias
1000 Airport Shuttle Companies
Gas Stations
200,000 Gas Stations
120,000 Convenience Stores
5700 Taxi and Cab Companies
Promotional Companies already service most of these accounts
6Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
The benefits for the users of this invention are numerous and broad.
Dimple Card Benefits - Users
• Permits conducting other activities and referring to number at later time• Easy to use, durable, portable and reusable• Operation permissible while in unstable environment (walking, in car)• Correcting mistakes easier/cleaner - no crossing out or chance for error More confusion today due to increase in new area codes & calling card numbers
The expectation is not to replace pens and paper, as this is not suited for complex messages or long lists - but it is perfect for simple ones.
DimpleCard
Eliminates
Needing to find writing instrument if you do not have oneHaving or finding paper or material to write onRequirement to be near a flat surface on which to writeNeeding both hands to write & hold paper, cradling phone in neckDisposing of and wasting paper (do not have to throw away), reusableConfusion from handwriting illegibility and ‘smudges’ Calling information (411) or source back if you forget the number or avoid ‘call through’ charges, saves money
7Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
There are also benefits for the plastic card industry and companies who will manufacture and provide this product to the public.
Dimple Card Other Benefits - Manufacturers, Customers, Public
• New class of product to increase sales for Promotional & Card companies• Inexpensive to manufacture, and except forming, infrastructure already exists• High Potential - ‘keepsake’ market, particularly matches, is huge. The leading
matchbook company alone manufactures 10 million books each day• Flexible - numerous variations possible; different materials and thickness
– able to retain other features – information, magnetic strips, bars codes…..– records numbers, characters, symbols or other data signifiers
• Provides value - serves as promotional tool with advertising on faces– obtains coveted ‘value-added’ spot in wallets, purses and by phones
• Portable - easy to carry, fits in standard wallet slots or pockets• Beneficial to the community because it will eliminate/reduce defamation of
surfaces near phones (walls or surfaces where people write numbers)• Optimal for Plastic - properties well utilized, (formable & durable) and should
expect little or no competition for market from paper products, other materials
In addition to this, we have already begun to identify other variations for this application where some of its objectives have been changed.
8Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Though we presented the portable, 10 x 10 array configuration, additional options for this do exist for the Telephone application.
Dimple Card Telephone Number Dimple Card
Telephone 10 x 6 Array• Standard ISO Credit Card geometry• Desired material is plastic or for below,
aluminum or stainless steel• Thickness can vary depending on
material and dimple geometry• Card has 6 dimples per column versus
10, dimples are larger, first one is ‘shift’• ‘Shift’ indicates when dimple is pressed,
it is the right value (ex: 6) and not left (1)
Telephone Non-Portable Metal• Could be larger, dimples easier to press• Material should be more durable, such
as aluminum or thin steel• Thickness can vary, but best less than
those which function using plastics• Cards attached to phone or phone area
by tether, chain or mount
Shift Shift Shift
1 6 1 6 1 6
2 7 2 7 2 7
3 8 3 8 3 8
4 9 4 9 4 9
5 0 5 0 5 0
Shift Shift Shift
1 6 1 6 1 6
2 7 2 7 2 7
3 8 3 8 3 8
4 9 4 9 4 9
5 0 5 0 5 0
Shift Shift Shift
1 6 1 6 1 6
2 7 2 7 2 7
3 8 3 8 3 8
4 9 4 9 4 9
5 0 5 0 5 0
Shift
1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 0
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Dallas Telephone Examples not to scale
Fort Worth Telephone
The number of variations becomes infinite when you consider changing size, material, dimple count/array and their positions.
‘Shift’ here is to signify either ‘1’ or ‘6’ is number
9Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
The Dimple Card was created to fill the need for remembering phone numbers, though variants will prove effective for other applications.
Dimple Card Application 1 - Telephone Dimple Card
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• Dimple Array - 10 x 10, staggered• Diameter - Approximately 0.2-.24 inch• Other Option - 10 x 6 Array, 0.3 inch• Material Spec - 0.010 -0.035 inch plastic• Can bundle multiple advertisers (below)
Allows users to record phone number or other information without needing a pen, paper, to be sitting down and avoid having to throw it away. Though does not eliminate need to write down more complex messages/data, captures data most likely to be forgotten (the phone number) in a given message.
Record other numbers such as Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) - or use as a counting tool for crowds, animal populations, vehicle traffic or as a collectible.
• Phone & telecom related companies
• Restaurants, bars and hotels• Taxi and shuttle companies• Other public phone owners• Companies that want their
information in front of someone at a public phone
Potential Targets & Domestic Customers• Telecoms*
1000s• Restaurants
850,000• Taxi/Shuttle
7,700• Public
Phones 2,000,000
Additional Uses
Problem Solved & Benefits Physical Card Details
* Estimates are from the internet and their purpose is to show magnitude of potential markets.
Example not to scale
SnoozInn900 Airport Blvd
AA Taxi(214) 555-1234
Jay’s EatsIn Terminal A
CheapGas43 in Dallas/FW
Example showing how bundled customers could be used at public pay phone sites, such as an airport.
10Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
For the sport of Golf, this invention is ideal. It saves time, provides a more sturdy medium and is more easily carried by players.
Dimple Card Application 2 - Golf Score Card
Burning Oak Country Club
• Dimple Array - 9 x 6 showing each hole and having each ‘9’ on a separate card
• Other Option - 18 x 6 for entire course; smaller dimple. Difficult to press/read
• Highlight hole number, then 1-5 for score (can use as additive, example 2 & 5 = 7)
• Front of card can have picture of the club, information about the holes or other ‘9’
When playing golf, one constantly needs to move to the writing tables to record scores. This wastes time and is a distraction from the game. Using the Dimple Card, you can save time, focus, avoid having to carry & write and also not worry about smudging or rain. Other info - name, date, total added on a write strip.
This is very specific, and we do not expect other uses. A write strip or sticker can be placed to record your name, total score and date. Save card for reference.
• Country Clubs• Public Golf Courses• Resorts with Courses• Miniature Golf Courses• Golf Equipment Manufacturers• Golf Clothes Manufacturers• Tournament Sponsors
Though remembering where you parked is not an earth shattering event, frustration with forgetting is a familiar situation for all.
Dimple Card Application 3 - Parking Spot Aid
• Array - 3 x 6 showing numbers, letters and colors for recording parking location
• Arrays could vary and sponsors may choose to use a column for ad space
• Sponsor’s name in middle on one side or logo as background of card
When parking at a mall or other structure, people look for a variety of ways to remember the location of their vehicle. The usual markings provided are in the form of a number, letter, color or some combination of these. This variation is a key chain attachment which includes sponsor promotional information.
This one will be smaller, more specialized and less flexible in applications, but something like tracking gas usage or noting a highway exit could also be possible.
• Shopping malls & major centers• Gas Stations• Car Washes• Food Court• Mall Stores• Brand Names at Mall Stores• Other Car Service Companies
• Array - 7 x 8 showing turns, Stop signs, traffic lights, intersections and numbers
• Card has room for eight sets of turns or directions, which we think is adequate
• Sponsor’s name and information at the top and the entire reverse side of card
Receiving verbal directions is a common event catching people without a writing implement or paper. If one is lost and asks directions, they may receive lengthy instructions which are not remembered easily. Normally we would expect people to be in their cars, though walking visitors in cities might find these useful.
Though this is a very specialized application, and the card probably cannot function for much else, having the numbers and decimals here could allow for distances or highway/street numbers to entered.
• Automotive companies/dealers• AAA or other related services• Oil companies/Retail Gas stations• Cellular phone companies• Map companies & sites (ex. Yahoo)• Fast Food chains• Convenience store chains• Towing companies
Potential Targets & Domestic Customers• Gas
Stations 200,000
• Restaurants 850,000
• Car Repair 80,000
• Cell Phone 100s
Additional Uses
Problem Solved & Benefits Physical Card Details*
Shift0
Left
1Right
2 3 4 5
Shift0
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2 3 4 5
Shift0
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Shift0
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GasNSnacks
* This is an example of one configuration of dimples for this purpose. We expect the market to find more applications and the optimal layout.
Explanation: This card is the most complicated and hardest to understand. Above we have highlighted a series of boxes to represent a hypothetical route - “take a left at the light, then a right at your second stop sign, then a left at the fifth intersection.”
13Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Feedbackor Voting
Those are just four of the applications we wanted to detail, here are some others from what we expect will be a continually growing list.
Dimple Card Additional Applications & Variants
These are just some of the applications already identified, and we intend to document them on our site to support sales by licensees.
TennisHave all options for scores for games in sets of tennis.
Additional Uses of Proposed Cards• ISBN numbers at libraries• Addresses• Apartment numbers• Hotel rooms• Office locations• Flight, bus or train numbers• Business cards advertising• Recording trends in gambling• Tracking diet program progress
(example - ‘food exchanges’)
• Anything that can be represented by a small set of numbers (additive or as digits), letters, symbols or pictures…...
Job CardFor completion of sets of tasks, make cards to keep track of status.
Lunch Ordering
Menu items on card(s) with quantity - when ‘ordering’ office lunch.
Daily Reminder
Reminders for pills, exercise routines, any list that is consistent.
Evaluation ratings for courses or for feedback on service.
To Do
Rate 1-5
Additional Configurations
14Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Can they be combined easily with a ‘shift’ like option?
We hope and expect that people will find/develop other applications for this invention, and below is a process to assist them.
Dimple Card Developing Additional Applications
1What is the problem or application you would like to address?
Just as with the phone number example, we expect people will identify a problem where a small data set could be represented on a card.
2What is the total number of data options that could be included?
Using the telephone or golf example, you can analyze what will be needed (10 numbers with all ten digits) to begin to ‘fit’ the data to a card.
3Is it a series of instructions or a more complicated data array?
You will have either a series of steps or instructions, or a complex data array that will require multiple ‘symbols’ for representation.
4What is the balance between ones to include and those that are able to fit on a card?
The ‘real estate’ of the card is the major constraint. Some problems will require too many dimples to be adequately represented.
5How many dimples would be required? Number of rows and columns?
Once the number of dimples has been identified, the question will be how to structure the arrays of columns and rows.
6What are the numbers, letters or symbols to be on the dimples?
When thinking about the data to be shown, you can use combinations of letters, numbers, symbols, words and ‘shift’ options to fit them.
The ‘shift’ option, though a little confusing, facilitates inclusion of more data signifiers and a ‘double shift’ could allow 4 values per dimple.
7
15Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
The target list to sell to is broad - the common thread is being able to derive benefits from exposure to customers using or near a phone.*
Dimple Card Potential Target Customers
With the breadth of applications, just about every company which advertises and every customer could utilize a variant of the invention.
* This is for the telephone card example. The range of products covers many industries.
Most any plastic ‘might’ work, but optimal will only be found after extensive testing & prototyping
Using circles, the next questions are what are the minimum
functioning diameter & height?
18Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
We were told to consider two major variations in the card fabrication process, with the key difference being the blanking/printing order.
Dimple Card Fabrication Issues
At present, the optimal order for these three* is not known, but costs, printing issues and machinery-in-field will determine what is best for each company.
In what order to do these operations - printing, blanking and dimpling?*
D
D
D D
DD
For each company,
depends on machinery they
already own.
Signifies possible location for dimpling operation
Make ResinExtrudeSheets
Blank Cards Print Cards Customize
CustomizePress & StampHeat Bond Sheets
Print 2 or 3 Sheets
19Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
The process appears simple, but there will be many issues needing to be resolved before the optimal fabrication methods are identified.
Dimple Card Major Fabrication Issues
2
1
Critical Questions for Fabrication• 1) Where/When should we do the
dimpling, as a sheet or as a card?• 2) Extra operation - Is another post
printing lamination process needed to stabilize graphics for protection?
• 3) Should heat be applied before or during dimple forming? Is cold doable?
• 4) Which to heat, the entire card or just the area to be deformed (dimples)?
• 5) What kind of process to do the dimpling? (considering every option)
• 6) Are any cooling processes needed (fans) or will air-cooled be adequate?
• 7) Where in the process should the dimples be formed with respect to cutting, printing? Before or after?
• 8) How to actually form the dimples? Is it going to be similar to embossing? Stamping? Another process? Does it need to be pressure formed? Molded?
• 9) How much will it cost? What will be the cost and impact on end-product?
3
DimpleMatic
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Sheets or Card Blanks 1234567890
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1234567890
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20Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Tooling issues will be resolved by experts and not us, but we would like to address some options and will work to support development.
Dimple Card Tooling Analysis
Male Base
Female Base
Tooling Issues• Cards sticking to the dies• Pressure, heat or contact damaging printingTool/Die Options (some are ‘far fetched’)• Possible molding, injection or other (cost impact)• Injection molded - R.I.M. formed• Typical male and female dies, plates• Female plate with a hydroform membrane male• Female die with air pressure from above or
below• Roller forming, though line-up is complicated• Similar to thermal anti-icing on an aircraft engine
lip to provide male dimples with heat• Single plates with all dimples, single use
(depends on costs, probably optimal)• Matrix with holes with interchangeable dimples
(screw them in) - probably too costly/complex
Tooling & Process Issues and Options
Which toheat, the dies or cards?Cold?
• Solid plates?• Interchangeable?• Hydroform?• Air pressure?
• Solid plates?• Interchangeable?• Suction/Air?
21Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Machinery issues focus primarily on ‘how to make prototypes’ and ‘how and what kind of process’ to use in mass-production machinery.
Dimple Card Machinery Questions
DimpleMatic
We will work to coordinate efforts by the industry wherever possible.
What process will be used to make the dimples?Where in the order of processes to do it?What processes could this be combined with?What kind of machine?
How to do it & when?What are some inexpensive alternatives to make low volume prototypes?Are there any ‘jimmy rigging’ or re-engineering opportunities with existing machines?
Prototype/Re-engineer
What other processes are similar to this?What other industries might have expertise to add to this?What companies produce machines like this for something else?
Other Industries
Will this be a stand-alone dimpling machine, a modular part of an equipment line or a redesigned existing product which will be able to place dimples on cards?
What kind of machine?
22Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
The issues of this endeavor have been presented in detail, now some final details and information about licensing agreements with us.
Dimple Card Closing Comments
• Presently we have a ‘chicken-egg’ situation - before someone builds a machine, they will want proof that people are going to want to buy one, and before people buy one, they will need to see a market for the cards.
• Our staff will be targeting a few major companies to validate the market and will pass those accounts on to our first licensees or advance payers.
• All license agreements in the United States are presently non-exclusive; with the number of potential customers, a free market makes most sense.
• We will continue to make available all information on fabrication, materials, arrays and the overall progress to resolving the challenges we identified.
• Licensing agreements available - no ‘sign-up’ costs and discounts* being provided to those who sign-up early or for royalties paid in advance. – ‘Marking’ of products will support licensee identification in the market
Our company’s goal is the development of these products and to provide information and support so everyone can make money.
* To validate the market, provide incentives to assist with the challenges and coordinate efforts, we are granting licensing agreements with no fixed financial obligations which also contain discounts valid throughout the 20 year life of the patent.
23Jay Martin October 2001 Dimple Card.ppt
Approved licensees and material or machinery companies who indicate interest in this product will be invited to have their websites and email links at our site.
We will be providing updated information via our site & e-newsletters and would encourage everyone to review our licensing applications.
Dimple Card Contact Information
Advertisers(all potentialcustomers)
Card Manufacturing & Promotional Companies
Machinery &EquipmentManufacturers
PlasticsProducers
• Latest product developments• New applications for products• Clarify issue resolutions• Applications for direct licensing• Referral for approved licensees
• Distribution of latest information• New applications• Applications for licensing• Possible referrals for customers• Nucleus of fabrication information
• List of approved licensees• Possible referrals for customers• Nucleus of fabrication information• Latest material issues/information• Testing information
• List of approved licensees• Possible referrals for customers• Nucleus for material information• Testing information• Field issues regarding materials
Dimple Card, Inc.
Jay MartinChief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 670786Dallas, Texas 75367
(214) 520-8019
www.Dimplecard.com
Mail & Email are preferred, best response.
Our website’s development will continue. Thank you for reading this, and please forward to others who may be interested in this opportunity.
