US4017834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Credit card construction for automatic vending equipment and credit purchase systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-08
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1995-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A special credit card arrangement and construction is employed with the credit card precoded in binary code representing several digits and with a locator indicator to insure that the card is correctly positioned when inserted in the console or readout station. The card coding includes an arrangement of high dielectric constant spots or discs and low dielectric constant spots or discs arranged in several bit groupings related to a plurality of identification digits. In one embodiment of the cards, which are preferably of the plastic material type, opaque conductive plastic inserts may additionally be included over and above the first mentioned discs so that the discs, their location and code arrangement cannot be readily ascertained.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Cuttill
- 👤 Vilma M. Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:04
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K5/00; G06K7/00; G06K7/08; G06K7/081; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A card of the self-identifying type, comprising: a core of vinyl material having a plurality of openings formed therein in a predetermined pattern; an upper and a lower polyester layer positionable above and below said core; an upper and a lower metallic contact positionable in each of said openings and extending through opposed openings preformed in each respective upper and lower layer; and a plurality of high and low dielectric constant inserts positionable between preselected pairs of said contacts in accordance with the code selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A card of the self-identifying type, comprising: a core of vinyl material having a plurality of openings formed therein in a predetermined pattern; an upper and a lower polyester layer positionable above and below said core; an upper and a lower metallic contact positionable in each of said openings and extending through opposed openings preformed in each respective upper and lower layer; and a plurality of high and low dielectric constant inserts positionable between preselected pairs of said contacts in accordance with the code selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower layers comprise sheets of the mylar material type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metallic contacts have included therein raised crown portions for improving the strength of said contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein there is further included the upper and lower surfaces of said inserts an electrically conductive silicone layer for improving the impact strength of the card.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the core of said card comprises a vinyl material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the core is of a high impact resistant styrene material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dielectric constant inserts comprise in each case a ceramic material disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A coded card of the self-identifying type, comprising: an upper and a lower layer of polyester film material; an intermediate vinyl core having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a predetermined code pattern; a plurality of high and of low capacitance material inserts operable to be inserted in a predetermined number of said openings in conformance with the preselected code; and a like plurality of like positioned electrically conductive spots preformed in both the upper and lower layers in registration with such core openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
A coded card of the self-identifying type, comprising: an upper and a lower layer of polyester film material; an intermediate vinyl core having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a predetermined code pattern; a plurality of high and of low capacitance material inserts operable to be inserted in a predetermined number of said openings in conformance with the preselected code; and a like plurality of like positioned electrically conductive spots preformed in both the upper and lower layers in registration with such core openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said electrically conductive spots comprise fibers having their axes arranged to provide conductive in a direction normal but not transverse to the plane in which said card is lying.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conductive spots comprise discrete portions of said layers prepolarized to permit electrical conduction therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conductive spots comprise discrete portions of said layers having electrically conductive particles embedded therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
A coded card of the self-identifying type comprising: an upper and a lower layer, each of said layers including a plurality of electrically conductive fibers having their axes aligned in paths substantially normal to the plane of such layers to permit current flow only in such paths; an intermediate core of insulating material having a plurality of openings preformed therethrough in a predetermined code pattern; and a plurality of high and of low dielectric constant material inserts in said openings in conformance with a predetermined code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
A coded card of the self-identifying type comprising: an upper and a lower layer, each of said layers including a plurality of electrically conductive fibers having their axes aligned in paths substantially normal to the plane of such layers to permit current flow only in such paths; an intermediate core of insulating material having a plurality of openings preformed therethrough in a predetermined code pattern; and a plurality of high and of low dielectric constant material inserts in said openings in conformance with a predetermined code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said inserts comprise ceramic discs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein a plurality of raised alpha numeric indicia are included on the upper layer of said card to provide for direct print-out.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
A coded card of the self-identifying type, comprising: an upper and a lower layer, each of said layers comprising a material having an electrical conductive capability in directions substantially normal to the plane of each such layer but not in directions parallel thereto; an intermediate core of insulating material having a plurality of openings preformed therethrough in a predetermined code pattern; and a plurality of high and of low dielectric constant inserts positioned in said openings in accordance with a predetermined code.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
A coded card of the self-identifying type, comprising: an upper and a lower layer, each of said layers comprising a material having an electrical conductive capability in directions substantially normal to the plane of each such layer but not in directions parallel thereto; an intermediate core of insulating material having a plurality of openings preformed therethrough in a predetermined code pattern; and a plurality of high and of low dielectric constant inserts positioned in said openings in accordance with a predetermined code.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |