Secure transaction card and verification system
First Claim
1. An authenticator device for machine sensing, as for use by a subject to indicate the prudence of a transaction in the subject'"'"'s interest, comprising:
- a card in a sheet form and including a medium in at least a certain area thereof for altering an orientation-frequency property of light in a random variable pattern and accordingly to modulate the orientation-frequency property of a beam of light as said beam scans a path on said predetermined area of said medium; and
a machine-readable record on said card indicative of said random variable pattern of said medium over said path on said predetermined area.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An identification card is disclosed as for supporting commercial or other significant transactions involving a designated subject. The card incorporates a machine-readable record and includes a composition to characteristically modulate a light beam for individual card identification. In one embodiment, the card incorporates light-changing crystals (e.g. polaroid) to modulate a light beam. The machine-readable record on the card indicates: the light beam modulation, a coded personal identification for the subject card bearer, and a time-related value criterion involving use for the card. Systems are disclosed for variously sensing card characteristics by modulated light including polarized light techniques and from different aspects.
A system for processing the cards is also disclosed including apparatus for sensing recorded signals representative of: a modulated light beam characteristic, a personal identification for the card holder, and a time-related use limitation. Computer structure is provided for comparing such signals with developed signals provided from the card and the user to verify that: the card is genuine, the user is proper, and the use is appropriate. A multiple-terminal system is disclosed wherein terminal inquiries are channeled to one of several processors for flexibility and reliability. The system incorporates apparatus for conditionally refreshing a card.
178 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An authenticator device for machine sensing, as for use by a subject to indicate the prudence of a transaction in the subject'"'"'s interest, comprising:
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a card in a sheet form and including a medium in at least a certain area thereof for altering an orientation-frequency property of light in a random variable pattern and accordingly to modulate the orientation-frequency property of a beam of light as said beam scans a path on said predetermined area of said medium; and a machine-readable record on said card indicative of said random variable pattern of said medium over said path on said predetermined area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for light sensing an authenticator device including medium in a random pattern to modulate light with reference to an orientation-frequency property, comprising:
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a light source for providing a beam of light; means for moving said card in relation to said beam of light whereby said beam scans a predetermined path of said card to modulate said beam with reference to said orientation-frequency property; light filter means mounted to receive at least part of said modulated beam to filter said modulated beam with reference to said orientation-frequency property; and electro-optical means for sensing light of said modulated beam passing through said light filter means to provide a representative characteristic signal for said authenticator device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An authentication system for use by a person with an assigned card or the like to test verify that:
- the card is genuine, the user is proper and the use is appropriate, the card having a machine-readable record thereon and including a composition to modulate a light beam for identification, said system comprising;
means for sensing said record of a card to provide a record light modulation signal for the card, a record personal identification number signal for the assigned person, and a record time-value use signal for the card; means for light sensing a predetermined portion of said card to provide a sensed light modulation signal for the card; means for a user to form an input personal identification number signal; means for a user to form a proposed use signal; means for testing;
said record light modulation signal and said sensed light modulation signal, said record personal identification number signal and said input personal identification number signal, and said time-value use signal and said proposed use signal to provide an approval signal; andmeans for recording on said card a fresh record time-value use signal conditioned upon the provision of said approval signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- the card is genuine, the user is proper and the use is appropriate, the card having a machine-readable record thereon and including a composition to modulate a light beam for identification, said system comprising;
Specification