System and method for distributing machine-readable media for promoting electronic commerce

• US 20040104269A1
• Filed: 09/24/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brady Bisson
• Original Assignee: Brady Bisson
• Inventors: Bisson, Brady
• Application Number:
  US10/671,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20040104269A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/449
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/084 sensing magnetic material by relative movement detecting flux changes without altering its magnetised state
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means

Abstract

A “swipe”-type magnetic stripe reader suitable as a low-cost computer peripheral is described, together with distribution programs to create incentives for the wide deployment of the readers. The readers are used in conjunction with methods for distributing, through print media, machine readable, magnetically encoded media that may be read with the readers. An optional authentication mechanism may be built into the readers that can be used to control their use, based on information encoded into the machine-readable media that have been distributed. The encoded authentication information can, for example, be keyed to whether an advertiser has been authorized, and/or based on temporal criteria, so as to provide for effective time periods for a promotion.

Claims

1. A device for reading information recorded on a magnetic strip incorporated in printed media, comprising:

a first guide member;

a second guide member disposed in proximity to said first guide member to form a groove through which said magnetic strip may be slidably moved;

a magnetic reading head having a contact end disposed in said groove and facing said first guide member which is operable when said magnetic strip is slidably moved through said groove to generate an electrical signal therefrom;

a strip of resilient material held in a flexed position between a pair of mounts disposed on either side of said magnetic reading head, so as to cause said strip to engage said magnetic reading head and apply a force thereto so as to bias said contact end thereof toward said first guide member; and

a circuit to process said electronic signal to generate therefrom an output compatible with a peripheral input provided on a computer.