Personal identification system

• US 5,251,259 A
• Filed: 08/20/1992
• Issued: 10/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ernest D. Mosley
• Original Assignee: Ernest D. Mosley
• Inventors: Mosley, Ernest D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Tod R.
• Application Number:
  US07/932,689
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 380/23, 380/24, 380/25, 380/49, 380/50, 380/52, 235/379, 235/380, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 713/184
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

A group of seven (7) PINs are assigned to each card holder. The group of PINs are to be used in a specific sequence changing each calendar day. If a PIN is used out of sequence, then access to the charge or credit card is denied by the card company. A grid of numbers and letters are used to vary the PIN each day. The grid includes seven (7) rows and seven (7) columns with the numbers 1 through 7 randomly selected and placed in the seven (7) rows and columns. The rows and columns, when utilized correctly, allow the card holder to access seven three-digit codes. The codes or personal identification numbers must be used in the correct sequence which is determined by the number of uses per calendar day.

Claims

1. A credit card fraud prevention system comprising:

communication means for conveying a personal identification number and credit card information,

personal identification number card means for providing said personal identification number to be conveyed by said communication means dependent upon a day and frequency of use of said credit card, said personal identification number being varied by said personal identification number means according to a day and frequency of use of said credit card, and

comparator means for comparing said personal identification number conveyed by said communication means against a predetermined personal identification number, said predetermined personal identification number being selected dependent upon the day and frequency of use of said credit card.

2. A credit card fraud prevention system according to claim 1, wherein said comparator means includes a personal identification number memory for storing information contained in said personal identification number card means.

3. A credit card fraud prevention system according to claim 2, wherein said communication means includes a telephone.

4. A credit card fraud prevention system according to claim 3, wherein said communication includes a modem.

5. A credit card fraud prevention system according to claim 1, wherein said personal identification number card means includes randomly arranged numbers aligned in rows and columns.

6. A method of preventing credit card fraud, said method comprising:

selecting a personal identification number based upon a day of use and a frequency of use of a credit card,

communicating said personal identification number and information about said credit card to a credit card company,

comparing said personal identification number against a predetermined personal identification number, said predetermined personal identification number being selected dependent upon day of use and frequency of use of said credit card, and

authorizing use of said credit card by said credit card company upon a match of said personal identification number and said predetermined personal identification number.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said personal identification number changes from use to use of said credit card.