Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-10
2001-04-24
Lee, Michael G (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
C235S381000, C235S486000, C902S013000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220511
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automated, self-service card issuing machines that issue cards, such as credit cards, smart cards, debit cards, ATM cards, identification cards, security cards and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to processes for enhancing the security of card issuance from automated card issuing machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Personalized cards bearing user specific information, such as credit cards, are typically issued to a user by sending the cards through the mail. In many areas of the world, the mail systems cannot be sufficiently relied upon. Thus, credit cards and other personalized cards are typically applied for and/or issued at the financial institution or other institution issuing the card. This is very inconvenient for the end user who must personally appear multiple times at the institution in order to apply for and/or obtain the issued card.
In addition, there are many instances where it is desirable for a user to be able to readily obtain a replacement card such as when a card is lost, stolen, damaged and/or destroyed. In many situations, such as when traveling, it is very inconvenient for the card holder to have to visit a financial institution in order to obtain a replacement or additional cards.
To resolve these issues, card issuance is evolving towards the use of automated, self-service card issuance machines to issue personalized cards directly to a customer. These card issuance machines, which in many respects operate similarly to an automated teller machine (ATM), allow a customer to select the type of card that is desired, with the machine then personalizing the card with customer information and subsequently issuing the card directly to the customer.
An automated, self-service card issuing machine is disclosed in published PCT application WO 92/17856. The card issuing machine described in this document is capable of issuing personalized cards, such as credit cards (i.e. MasterCard®, Visa®, etc.) at an unattended location directly to a customer, with the cards being personalized by the machine.
One of the overriding concerns in automated, self-service card issuing machines is the need for security of the cards that are to be issued by the machine. This is particularly true for machines that issue credit cards and other high value financial and retail cards, due to the high monetary values intrinsic to these types of cards. Thus, the cards must be secured against theft or unauthorized access thereto while in the machine, as well as being secured against theft and unauthorized access thereto while outside of the machine, such as while being transported to and from the machine.
What is needed then is a system and method for addressing security concerns involving the issuance of cards from card issuing machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method of secured card issuance from a card issuing machine, as well as a system for card issuance, that is designed to address many of the security concerns surrounding automated, self-service card issuance. The invention relies upon a combination of measures to enhance the security of the card issuance process. The security measures include tracking and auditing of the cards from a card loading site up to the time of card issuance to the customer, controlling physical access to the cards, and real time reporting and monitoring of card transactions and subsequent inventory changes.
In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, a method of card issuance from a card issuing machine that receives cards within a container from a card loading site, with the card issuing machine and the card loading site being in communication with a host controller, is provided. The method comprises: loading the container with cards at the card loading site; transmitting a loaded card inventory of the loaded cards to the host controller; transporting the loaded container from the card loading site to the card issuing machine, and loading the container into the card issuing machine; determining a received card inventory in the loaded container; and comparing the received card inventory with the loaded card inventory.
Since the host controller knows the inventory of the cards loaded into the container, a comparison of the card inventory after loading at the card loading site with the card inventory after loading the container into the machine can spot any discrepancies in the card inventory, thereby indicating a possible theft of cards during transport of the cards to the card issuing machine.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of card issuance from a card issuing machine that receives cards within a container from a card loading site is provided. The method comprises loading the container with cards at the card loading site, and storing a loaded card inventory of the loaded cards into memory provided on the container; transporting the loaded container from the card loading site to the card issuing machine, and loading the container into the card issuing machine; reading the loaded card inventory from cassette memory; conducting an inventory scan of the cards actually in the container to determine an actual card inventory; and comparing the read loaded card inventory with the actual card inventory.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a card issuance system is provided comprising a card issuing machine having a container therein adapted to hold a plurality of cards for issuance by the card issuing machine. The container includes means for storing inventory information of the cards within the container. The system further includes a card loading site at which the container is loaded with the cards, and a host controller in communication with the card issuance machine and the card loading site.
A variety of additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
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Baggeroer F. Charles
Helgemo Dirk R.
Holec Henry Victor
Kraetz William Francis
Datacard Corporation
Lee Diane I.
Lee Michael G
Merchant & Gould P.C.
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