Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-12
2001-02-27
Le, Thien M. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S487000, C235S494000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193156
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to valuable cards, instruments and documents and, in particular to methods and apparatus for patterning or encoding these cards, instruments and documents.
For ease of discussion, the invention will be illustrated using cards such as commonly used plastic cards. However, it should be understood that in the specification to follow and in the appended claims, when reference is made to “cards”, instruments and documents are also included, although not specifically identified as such.
Cards of interest may be used, for example, to identify a person or object and/or they may be used as a value card (i.e. a debit card or credit card) to withdraw money from a machine. Because of the value of these cards there are counterfeiters who make “false” cards which attempt to imitate “true” or “valid” cards. To enhance the security of the cards it is known to add additional security “features” to the surface of the cards. These added security features can take the form of a hologram or a spatial dependent optical image or ghost images strategically placed on the surface of the card.
In a certain group of applications the security features are dependent on a person actually checking that the cards' security features are present and/or intact. A problem exists with these applications in that there are many instances where the person responsible for checking the validity of the card, such as a cashier, does not actually look at the credit card and simply mechanically “swipes” the card through a card reader, such as a slot reader. When this occurs, the security features present on the card such as the hologram on the surface of the card and the signature on the back of the card are rendered useless.
It is therefore desirable and/or necessary to develop a more reliable and automatic means for impeding the falsification of a card and to check whether these means are present. To this end, card readers may be used to automatically read or sense the security related information contained on a card to identify whether a card is valid. Also, to increase the security of the cards more features may be added to make it much more difficult to counterfeit these cards. Examples of means for enhancing the security of cards and for sensing (reading) the presence of the enhanced security means are described, for example, in our presently pending patent applications, identified below, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference: (a) Multi Sensor Information Reader filed Apr. 7, 1998 and bearing serial number 09/056134, and (b) Method And Apparatus For Impeding The Counterfeiting Of Cards, Instruments And Documents filed May 26, 1996 and bearing serial number 09/084,844.
A disadvantage of increasing the number of security features placed on the top and bottom surfaces of a card is that it uses up valuable space, which many card manufacturers would prefer to use for advertising. This disadvantage is overcome in cards made in accordance with the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A card embodying the invention includes a pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces of the card, whereby the card, when illuminated by a light source, produces a unique output light pattern which can be detected by a photo sensor.
Generally, the pattern may take any number of different shapes ranging from stripes of different size and spacing, as in a bar code, to complex two-dimensional shapes and images. The pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces of a card may include light pipes (paths) extending from one side of a card to one, or more, other side(s) of the card. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces may include a bundle of optical fibers extending from one side of a card to one, or more, of the other sides of the card. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces of the card may include light pipes or optical fibers extending between these two surfaces. Alternatively, an image may be embedded between the top and bottom surfaces.
Certain of the cards embodying the invention may be illuminated from the top or the bottom surface to produce an output light pattern along at least one edge of the card. These cards will normally be formed such that the illuminated surfaces are formed of translucent material.
Other cards embodying the invention may be illuminated along one of their edges to produce an output light pattern along another edge. These cards may be formed with opaque top and bottom surfaces.
Certain other cards embodying the invention may be illuminated along a selected one of their edges to produce an output light pattern along another edge and to also produce an output light pattern out of one (or both) of the top and bottom surfaces of the card. In this case the surface from which an output light pattern is produced would be formed of a translucent material.
Still other cards embodying the invention may be illuminated from the top or the bottom surface to produce an output light pattern at the other surface. In this instance both the top and bottom surfaces would be formed of translucent material.
A reader embodying the invention includes means for Illuminating a selected card in a predetermined manner and includes sensing means for reading and recognizing the output light pattern. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a reader illuminates a card which includes a pattern of light paths formed within the card, between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, for producing a predetermined light pattern at an edge of tile card when the light paths are illuminated. In some embodiments the light paths extend from one side (extending between the top and bottom surfaces) of a card to a second side of the card. When light is applied to the one side of the card, a light pattern is produced at the second side so that the pattern can be sensed. In other embodiments of the invention the light paths extend from one of the two surfaces of the card to a side of the card. The one surface of the card is then illuminated and the light pattern produced at the side of the card is sensed. Still further the light paths may be patterned such that the spacing between the light paths is predetermined and/or the size of each light output site may be predetermined. In certain embodiments of the invention the light paths are formed using optical fibers.
An advantage of cards made in accordance with the invention is that a significant amount of coded information may be produced without requiring space on the top and bottom surfaces of cards. Leaving the top and bottom surfaces of a card free is significant because these areas are precious real estate used by many card manufacturers as advertising space.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3648240 (1972-03-01), Jacoby et al.
patent: 3728521 (1973-04-01), Borough et al.
patent: 4671839 (1987-06-01), Finkel et al.
patent: 4683371 (1987-07-01), Drexler
patent: 4745268 (1988-05-01), Drexler
patent: 4810868 (1989-03-01), Drexler
patent: 5446791 (1995-08-01), Wooley et al.
patent: 5610884 (1997-03-01), Yanagidate
patent: 5789733 (1998-08-01), Jachimowicz et al.
patent: 5959289 (1999-09-01), Okada et al.
Han Wenyu
Zazzu Victor
Cyr Daniel St.
Le Thien M.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for patterning cards, instruments and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for patterning cards, instruments and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for patterning cards, instruments and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2615966