Credit card reader with thumb print verification means

• US 5,960,100 A
• Filed: 07/23/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tom Hargrove
• Original Assignee: Tom Hargrove
• Inventors: Hargrove, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Couso, Jose L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Werner, Brian P.
• Application Number:
  US08/899,071
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 382/116, 382/124-127, 340/825.34, D14/107, D14/116, 705/17, 705/18, 705/41, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/440, 235/449, 235/450, 235/454, 356/71, 283/68, 283/69, 283/78, 902/4-6, 902/22
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A credit card reader with thumb print verification means is provided including a credit card having a thin magnetic strip with an account number stored thereon and a thumb print image. Also included is an alert mechanism for providing an indication upon the actuation thereof. A first camera is included to scan the thumb print image of the credit card upon the receipt of an activation signal. Associated therewith is a second camera adapted to scan a thumb print of a person upon the receipt of the activation signal and the user placing a thumb thereon. An activation mechanism is connected to the first camera and the second camera for transmitting the activation signal thereto upon the depression thereof. Finally, an image comparison mechanism is adapted to compare the thumb print of the user and the thumb print image upon the receipt thereof from the cameras. Further, the image comparison mechanism serves to actuate the alert mechanism upon the successful verification of the thumb print of the person with the thumb print image.

Claims

1. A new and improved credit card reader with thumb print verification means comprising, in combination:

a credit card having a thin rectangular configuration with a top face, a bottom face and a predetermined thickness, the bottom face having a thin magnetic strip with an account number stored thereon and a thumb print image situated adjacent to the magnet strip;

a housing having a rectilinear configuration with a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space, the top face of the housing having rectangular recess formed therein with the predetermined thickness, the top face further having a finger divot formed therein adjacent to and in communication with the rectangular recess, whereby the credit card may be placed within the recess with the bottom face thereof down and easily removed by way of the finger divot;

a magnetic strip reader situated within the recess of the housing for reading an account number from the magnetic strip of the credit card upon the actuation thereof;

a green light emitting diode situated on the front face of the housing and adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof;

a red light emitting diode situated on the front face of the housing and adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof;

a first charge controlled device camera situated within the recess of the housing adjacent the magnetic strip reader, the first charge controlled device camera adapted to scan the thumb print image of the credit card upon the receipt of an activation signal;

a second charge controlled device camera situated on the front face of the housing adjacent the recess thereof, the second charge controlled device camera adapted to scan a thumb print of a person upon the receipt of the activation signal and the user placing a thumb on the housing;

an activation button situated on the top face of the housing and connected to the first charge controlled device camera and the second charge controlled device camera for transmitting the activation signal thereto upon the depression thereof;

image comparison means connected between the first charge controlled device camera, second charge controlled device camera, red light emitting diode, green light emitting diode, and the magnetic strip reader, the image comparison means comparing the thumb print of the user and the thumb print image upon the receipt thereof from the cameras, the image comparison means further adapted to actuate the green light emitting diode and the magnetic strip reader upon the successful verification of the thumb print of the person with the thumb print image, the image comparison means further adapted to actuate the red light emitting diode and preclude the actuation of the magnetic strip reader upon the unsuccessful verification of the thumb print of the person with the thumb print image.

2. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means comprising:

a credit card having a thin rectangular configuration with a top face, a bottom face and a predetermined thickness, the credit card having a thin magnetic strip with an account number stored thereon and a thumb print image;

a housing with a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space, the housing having a recess formed therein with a magnetic strip reader within the recess;

an alert means situated on the housing for providing an indication upon the actuation thereof;

a first camera situated on the housing, the first camera adapted to scan the thumb print image of the credit card upon the receipt of an activation signal;

a second camera situated on the housing, the second camera adapted to scan a thumb print of a person upon the receipt of the activation signal and the user placing a thumb upon the housing;

an activation means connected to the first camera and second camera for transmitting the activation signal thereto upon the depression thereof;

image comparison means connected between the first charge controlled device camera, second charge controlled device camera, and alert means, the image comparison means adapted to compare the thumb print of the user and the thumb print image upon the receipt thereof from the cameras, the image comparison means further adapted to actuate the alert means and allow further processing upon the successful verification of the thumb print of the person with the thumb print image such further processing including the reading of the magnetic strip.

3. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means as set forth in claim 2 wherein the magnetic strip reader reads an account number from the magnetic strip of the credit card upon the actuation thereof, whereby the image comparison means is further adapted to preclude the actuation of the magnetic strip reader upon the unsuccessful verification of the thumb print of the person with the thumb print image.

4. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means as set forth in claim 3 wherein the top face of the housing has a rectangular recess formed therein with the predetermined thickness, wherein the magnetic reader is situated within the recess.

5. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means as set forth in claim 2 wherein the top face of the housing has a rectangular recess formed therein with the predetermined thickness.

6. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means as set forth in claim 5 wherein the top face of the housing further has a finger divot formed therein adjacent to and in communication with the rectangular recess, whereby the credit card may be placed within the recess and easily removed by way of the finger divot.

7. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first camera is situated within the recess.

8. A credit card reader with thumb print verification means comprising:

a credit card having a thin rectangular configuration with a top face, a bottom face and a predetermined thickness, the credit card having a thin magnetic strip with an account number stored thereon and a thumb print image;

a housing with a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space, the housing having a recess formed therein with a magnetic strip reader within the recess;

an alert means is situated on the housing for providing an indication upon the actuation thereof;

a first camera situated on the housing, the first camera adapted to scan the thumb print image of the credit card upon the receipt of an activation signal;

a second camera situated on the housing, the second camera adapted to scan a thumb print of a person upon the receipt of the activation signal and the user placing a thumb upon the housing;

an activation means connected to the first camera and second camera for transmitting the activation signal thereto upon the depression thereof;

image comparison means connected between the first charge controlled device camera, second charge controlled device camera, and alert means, the image comparison means adapted to compare the thumb print of the user and the thumb print image upon the receipt thereof from the cameras, the image comparison means further adapted to read the magnetic strip upon the successful verification of the thumb print of the person with the thumb print image.