Universal credit card apparatus and method

• US 6,308,890 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technology Licensing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pixel Instruments Corporation
• Inventors: Cooper, J. Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/109,312
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 235/449, 235/493
• US Class Current: 235/449
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06 characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06187 with magnetically detectable marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06206 the magnetic marking being emulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The apparatus and method described herein provides for creating multiple spatial patterns, such as magnetic patterns on credit cards. The invention includes storage of information from which patterns may be created, a pattern creation device for creating the spatial patterns, and control whereby the information which is stored is selectively utilized to cause the pattern creation. This allows multiple desired patterns to be simulated, allowing convenient replacement of a number of separate pattern carrying devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns for use by a mechanical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of electro mechanical devices capable of reconstructing said mechanical spatial patterns;

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said mechanical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory wherein said mechanical spatial pattern is maintained at a constant value while in use by said mechanical pattern reading device.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control device comprises a machine having finite states.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control device comprises a computer.

2. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a pattern creating device comprising a plurality of electro mechanical devices coupled to said storage device;

a control device operable to determine which of said information is received by said pattern creating device and at a time thereafter causing said pattern creating device to create a pattern in response to said information, said pattern remaining constant while in use by said mechanical pattern reading device, said control device located on said carrier;

an input device coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns in said storage device.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said input device comprises one or more user operated switches.

3. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of electro mechanical devices coupled to said storage device to receive pattern data created in response to said information and to create a pattern therefrom;

a control device operable to determine which of said information is utilized to create said pattern data and pass said pattern data to said pattern creating device wherein said pattern data is constant while in use by said pattern reading device;

an input device coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns stored;

a power source coupled to at least one of said storage device, said mechanical spatial pattern creating device, or said control device.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said power source comprises a battery.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said power source includes a solar cell.

4. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of electro mechanical devices coupled to said storage device to receive pattern data created in response to said information and to create a pattern therefrom, said pattern remaining temporally stable while in use by said mechanical pattern reading device;

a control device located on said carrier, said control device operable to determine which of said information is utilized to create said pattern data and pass said pattern data to said pattern creating device;

an input device on said carrier and coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns stored;

a display located on said carrier and coupled to said control device and offering information to the user;

a power source located on said carrier and coupled to at least one of said storage device, said mechanical spatial pattern creating device, or said control device.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said display comprises a planar array of liquid crystal elements.

11. A method for providing simulation of multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns for use by a pattern reading step, including in combination:

a memory step for storing data from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating step of reconstructing said mechanical spatial patterns, said mechanical spatial patterns created by a plurality of electro mechanical devices receiving pattern data;

a control step responsive to an external stimulus to cause said mechanical spatial pattern creating step to reconstruct a known one of said mechanical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory step.

12. An apparatus for replacing multiple credit cards which have preprogrammed magnetic strips which carry information unique to the particular account to which they pertain, including in combination:

a) a group of magnetic field generating elements comprising an array, each said element being individually manageable to create magnetic flux therein;

b) an operator input by which an operator may input information;

c) an operator display by which an operator may receive information;

d) a memory in which may be stored pattern data in response to which said array may be controlled to generate magnetic field patterns and in which operator selects designator related data and account identifiers related data associated with said pattern data may be stored;

e) a processor operable to receive a select designator from an operator via said operator input and to recall from said memory the stored pattern data associated therewith in order to control said array to generate a desired magnetic pattern and further operable to operate said operator display to provide said account identifier as a message to said operator;

f) wherein the operator of element b), c), d), and e) may be the same or different entities.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the memory of element d) is a nonvolatile memory.

14. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns for use by a mechanical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged electro mechanical devices capable of reconstructing said mechanical spatial patterns;

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said mechanical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory, said control device causing said mechanical spatial pattern to remain constant while in use by said mechanical pattern reading device.

15. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged electro mechanical devices coupled to said storage device to receive pattern data created in response to said information and to create a pattern therefrom;

a control device operable to determine which of said information is utilized to create said pattern data and pass said pattern data to said pattern creating device said pattern data remaining constant while in use by said mechanical pattern reading device;

an input device coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns stored;

a power source coupled to at least one of said storage device, said mechanical spatial pattern creating device, or said control device.

16. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged electro mechanical devices coupled to said storage device to receive pattern data created in response to said information and to create a pattern therefrom;

a control device located on said carrier, said control device operable to determine which of said information is utilized to create said pattern data and pass said pattern data to said pattern creating device, said pattern data remaining constant while in use by said mechanical pattern reading device;

an input device on said carrier and coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns stored;

a display located on said carrier and coupled to said control device and offering information to the user;

a power source located on said carrier and coupled to at least one of said storage device, said mechanical spatial pattern creating device, or said control device.

17. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of optical spatial patterns for use by an optical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said optical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable optical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged optical devices located on said carrier and capable of reconstructing said optical spatial patterns;

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable optical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said optical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said plurality of optical devices are arranged in a linear pattern.

19. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns for use by an mechanical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged mechanical devices located on said carrier and capable of reconstructing said mechanical spatial patterns;

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said mechanical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said plurality of mechanical devices are arranged in a linear pattern.

21. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns for use by a mechanical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device having a planar elongate member, said member including a linear array of actuators, each actuator individually operable to create said mechanical spatial pattern in said plane, said linear array of actuators comprising a linear array of electromechanical devices; and

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said mechanical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory.

22. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed; and

a pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged electromechanical devices coupled to said storage device.

23. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged electromechanical devices coupled to said storage device to receive pattern data created in response to said information and to create a pattern therefrom;

a control device operable to determine which of said information is utilized to create said pattern data and pass said pattern data to said pattern creating device;

an input device coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns stored; and

a power source coupled to at least one of said storage device, said mechanical spatial pattern creating device, or said control device.

24. An apparatus for generating multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns, including in combination:

a carrier;

a storage device located on said carrier for storing information from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged electromechanical devices coupled to said storage device to receive pattern data created in response to said information and to create a pattern therefrom;

a control device located on said carrier, said control device operable to determine which of said information is utilized to create said pattern data and pass said pattern data to said pattern creating device;

an input device on said carrier and coupled to said control device and translating information from a user into the selection of at least one of said mechanical spatial patterns stored;

a display located on said carrier and coupled to said control device and offering information to the user; and

a power source located on said carrier and coupled to at least one of said storage device, said mechanical spatial pattern creating device, or said control device.

25. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of optical spatial patterns for use by an optical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said optical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable optical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of optical devices capable of reconstructing said optical spatial patterns; and

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable optical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said optical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said plurality of optical devices are arranged in a linear pattern.

27. An apparatus for providing simulation of multiple sets of mechanical spatial patterns for use by a mechanical pattern reading device, including in combination:

a carrier;

a memory located on said carrier, said memory for storing data from which said mechanical spatial patterns may be reconstructed;

a programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device comprising a plurality of linearly arranged mechanical devices capable of reconstructing said mechanical spatial patterns; and

a control device responsive to an external stimulus to cause said programmable mechanical spatial pattern creating device to reconstruct a known one of said mechanical spatial patterns in response to data from said memory.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said plurality of mechanical devices are arranged in a linear pattern.