US3596249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Credit card reader for sensing density of resilient material
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-31
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Methodology and apparatus for sensing embossed numbers on such articles as credit cards and the like. The sensing is accomplished by a resilient pad having a uniform density of suspended material or an embedded layer of material which is either conductive, magnetic, reflective or radioactive and sensors behind the resilient pad which are sensitive to the substance of the material and fulfill their recognition upon the embossed numbers compressing the resilient pad and increasing the conductive, magnetic, reflective or radioactive density in the area of the embossments only.
Inventors
- 👤 William T Tierney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:25
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/403; G06Q20/4033; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/22; G06V30/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of verifying the credit of a particular account wherein said account is evidenced by presentation of a credit card having thereon a plurality of embossed marks representing said account number comprising: a. pressing at least one of said marks against a resilient pad having a uniform density of suspended material therein in a reader; b. sensing at a predetermined group of points in conformity with a preestablished code the density level of said suspended material at each of said points in the area of said pad compressed by each of said marks; c. generating sets of signals at each said group of points in response to the sensing of said density level, each generated set of signals being representative of an individual one of said marks; d. encoding each set of generated signals in binary signal form; and e. comparing said binary signals with other binary signals representing stored credit card account numbers in order to verify the credit of the account represented by the marks on said credit card.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of verifying the credit of a particular account wherein said account is evidenced by presentation of a credit card having thereon a plurality of embossed marks representing said account number comprising: a. pressing at least one of said marks against a resilient pad having a uniform density of suspended material therein in a reader; b. sensing at a predetermined group of points in conformity with a preestablished code the density level of said suspended material at each of said points in the area of said pad compressed by each of said marks; c. generating sets of signals at each said group of points in response to the sensing of said density level, each generated set of signals being representative of an individual one of said marks; d. encoding each set of generated signals in binary signal form; and e. comparing said binary signals with other binary signals representing stored credit card account numbers in order to verify the credit of the account represented by the marks on said credit card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sets of signals generated in response to the sensing of density level at each set of points in the area of said pad represented in TABLE I in the foregoing specification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said suspended material is a conducting material and said sensing material are electrical sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said suspended material is a magnetic material and said sensing material are magnetic sensors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said suspended material is reflective material and said sensing material are photoelectric sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said suspended material is radioactive material and said sensing material are radioactive sensors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A credit card reader comprising a resilient pad having a substantially uniform density of suspended material therein, at least one array of sensors spaced away from said pad, said sensors being sensitive to an increased density of suspended material at a position in said pad opposite each sensor in said array of sensors, first storing means for storing identification figures in a valid group, second storing means for storing identification figures in a nonvalid group, circuitry for comparing the output of said array of sensors as an identification figure identical with an identification figure pressed against said pad, and validation means for comparing said identification figure as one stored in said second storing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
A credit card reader comprising a resilient pad having a substantially uniform density of suspended material therein, at least one array of sensors spaced away from said pad, said sensors being sensitive to an increased density of suspended material at a position in said pad opposite each sensor in said array of sensors, first storing means for storing identification figures in a valid group, second storing means for storing identification figures in a nonvalid group, circuitry for comparing the output of said array of sensors as an identification figure identical with an identification figure pressed against said pad, and validation means for comparing said identification figure as one stored in said second storing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |