SECURITY SYSTEM

• US 3,761,683 A
• Filed: 11/08/1971
• Issued: 09/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steven A. Rogers
• Original Assignee: Steven A. Rogers
• Inventors: Rogers, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilbur, Maynard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kilgore, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US05/196,319
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 340/149A,152 235/61.7B,61.6R,61.12N,61.12M,61.11D,61.12C,61.11R 70/277 40/2.2 174/68.5 346/42 221/2
• US Class Current: 340/5.25
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/00 Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/904 Credit card

Abstract

This invention concerns a pass-key system. It contains a method for reading optical and magnetic data from a small card. The optical data is used to microprogram logic circuitry which manipulates the magnetic information. The said magnetic information consists of a binary code. This code is entered into a shift register by manually pushing the card into its counterpart slot. The code is compared by suitable logic to a similar number stored within a memory either of a counter or random access type. If the codes do or do not compare, provision is made to so indicate. If they do match, then the device is enabled to generate a new random combination, store it and write it on the card as the card is withdrawn from the device. The optical data is provided on several fixed tracks to control the logic, to provide a location bit and to provide the individual card'"'"''"'"'s memory location if there is more than one user.

Claims

1. A key system comprising a dielectric card, a plurality of optical tracks embossed on one face of said card, said tracks being individually coded for digital readout, at least one magnetic track embossed on said one face of said card, said magnetic track being coded for digital readout, a receptacle having a slot therein for receipt of said card, a plurality of optical reading means in said receptacle equal in number to said optical tracks, said optical devices arranged so as to produce outputs indicative of said optical tracks as said card is inserted in said slot, a magnetic reading means in said receptacle arranged so as to produce pulse outputs indicative of said magnetic track, a memory storage device, means for comparing the output of said optical and magnetic reading means with the data in said storage device, means for actuating at least one device in response to said comparison, magnetic write head means in said Receptacle arranged so as to change the code on said magnetic track when said card is removed from slot, and random number generating means coupled to said magnetic write head and said memory storage device for supplying said changed code.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a metallic non-magnetic backing on said card.

3. The system of claim further comprising a non-magnetic metallic flexible dielectric film secured to one edge of said card.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said magnetic reading means comprises a Hall-effect magnetic input device.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said magnetic write head means comprises a magnetic write head, and a pulse forming circuit for producing positive and negative magnetic fields on said magnetic track in response to the output of said random number generating means.

6. A key system comprising a dielectric card, a plurality of tracks embossed on one face of said card, said tracks being coded for digital readout, a receptacle for receipt of said card, a plurality of reading means in said receptacle equal in number to said tracks, said reading means arranged so as to produce pulse outputs indicative of the coding on said tracks, a memory storage device, means for comparing the output of said reading means with the data in said storage device, means for actuating at least one device in response to said comparison, at least one write head means in said receptacle arranged so as to change the code on at least one of said tracks when said card is removed from said receptacle, and random number generating means coupled to said write head means and said memory storage device for supplying said changed code.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said receptacle contains a slot for insertion of said card whereby said codes on each of said tracks are read serially.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein at least one of said tracks is a magnetic track and said write head means is a magnetic write head.