Method and means for producing and analyzing secret identifying code marks in machine-scanned data carriers

• US 4,629,873 A
• Filed: 02/10/1984
• Issued: 12/16/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1979
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hans-Georg Winderlich, Hermann Stockburger
• Original Assignee: Hans-Georg Winderlich, Hermann Stockburger
• Inventors: Stockburger, Hermann, Winderlich, Hans-Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US06/578,602
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 340/825.3, 235/380, 235/487, 235/489, 235/493
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/10 at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards verification of coded identity or credit cards in mechanisms actuated by them G07F7/12
• 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 7/125 Offline card verification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/904 Credit card

Abstract

For producing and evaluating secret identification code marks on data carriers of the kind adapted to be scanned by machines specific parameters are recorded in encoded form. In order to reach a high degree of security in respect of fraud or counterfeit without requiring a complicated and expensive production process the identifying parameter is processed in accordance with an unequivocally reversible mathematical rule. The individual parameter may contain an encoded calculation rule. The processing of an identification number contained in the said parameter takes place in accordance with that rule.

Claims

1. A data carrier comprising a sheet, magnetic storage media on said sheet, a punch tape embedded in the sheet and concealed from visual viewing, said tape including a first set of data representing identifier information and a second set of data representing instructions for processing said identifier information, an identifying mark on the sheet, said mark having a measurable property which is related to the identifier information, and said magnetic media having data stored thereon related to the identifier information.

2. The data carrier of claim 1 in which the mark comprises an imprint of a rectangle.

3. A system for securing a data carrier which includes a punch tape embedded in the data carrier and concealed from visual view, said tape including a first set of data representing identifier information and a second set of data representing instructions for processing said identifier information, and said data carrier includes an identifier mark, said system comprising first means for measuring a property of the identifier mark to derive a first signal, second means for detecting the second set of data, third means responsive to said second set of data and said first signal to provide a third signal having information related to said identifier mark, and fourth means for recording said third signal on said data carrier.

4. A system for determining the validity of a data carrier which includes a sheet, magnetic storage media on said sheet, a punch tape embedded in the sheet and concealed from visual viewing, said tape including a first set of data representing identifier information and a second set of data representing instructions for processing said identifier information, an identifying mark on the sheet, said mark having a measurable property which is related to the identifier information, and said magnetic media having data stored thereon related to identifier information, said system comprising first means for reading said first set of data on said tape to provide a first signal representing identifier information, second means for reading said second set of data on said tape and providing a second signal, third means for reading said data related to said identifier information stored by said magnetic media and means for processing said data related to said identifier information in accordance with a mathematical rule which depends upon instructions provided by said second signal to provide a third signal, means for measuring a physical property of said mark on said carrier to provide a fourth signal, and means for comparing said first, third and fourth signals.