US Patent 7845558 Accessing financial accounts with 3D bar code

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.