Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Patent
1992-07-29
1994-06-14
Pitts, Harold
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
235492, 235480, G06K 710
Patent
active
053212444
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to card reader systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Card reader systems are known in which a card reader is programmed to provide an output signal once an appropriately encoded card is presented to the reader, the output signal being used, e.g. to open a door. These systems may be electrical, optical, mechanical, magnetic or electronic. However, the cards presently used in such systems have to be presented to the reader in a particular way, for example, the card having to be a certain way up and with a given end presented to the reader first. This is inconvenient and, e.g. leads to user dissatisfaction, especially with non-constant users, e.g. hotel guests. The available added security of card-access systems is undermined by their difficulty of use in an unsupervised environment by an unskilled user, the casual guest.
We have now found that, with careful design of how encoding is put on to a card, these problems may be overcome, and easy to use secure card access made possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card for an optical card reader system including at least two code zones, at least one code zone containing a code from which a series of clock pulses is derived.
Advantageously, each card has three code zones arranged along the length of the card, the central zone containing the code from which the clock pulse series is derived.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer code zones contain identical data but one zone is the mirror-image of the other. In this case, the central zone comprises alternate mark-space pattern.
In an alternative embodiment, the data in the outer zones may be identical and presented the same way. In this case, an orientation word is included in the data to indicate the direction of presentation of the card.
The central zone may be encrypted with a combination of the data and a series of clock pulses.
The series of clock pulses derived from the central zone may be used to generate a reference level for adjusting the sensitivity of the card reader system.
Each code zone may contain a "hard," permanent code and a "soft," variable code, the "hard" code being applied to the card during its manufacture and which includes a unique random number. The "soft" code may be applied to the card on an adhesive paper strip, or be printed on to the card surface directly at the time of issue.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a card for use with an optical card reader system, the card including three code zones arranged along the length of the card, the two outer zones containing identical data which comprises a "hard," permanent code including a unique random number applied to the card during its manufacture, and the central zone containing a "soft," variable code, each zone including an orientation word to indicate the direction of presentation of the card to a card reader and, encrypted in the code, clock pulses for clocking the data into the card reader system as the card is inserted into or withdrawn from the card reader system.
Preferably the card is adapted for reading by transmitted radiation. However, if desired, reading may be by reflection, in which case it may be appropriate to provide the same coded data on both sides of the card, so that it does not matter which way up the user inserts the card into a card reader.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a card reader system for reading an optically coded card which includes two rows of sensors spaced apart, each row comprising at least two sensors, processing means, and a proximity switch, e.g. a microswitch, whereby insertion of the card into the reader activates the proximity switch to power the processing means, and enables data to be read from it, the data being processed by the processing means to produce an output signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention, reference will now be made, by way of example o
REFERENCES:
patent: 4237376 (1980-12-01), Giacomotti
Maloney Conrad R. C.
Swadling Roger D.
Newtronics, S.A.
Pitts Harold
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