Transparent/translucent financial transaction card
First Claim
1. A financial transaction card that is transparent or translucent to human viewing yet detectable by automated card processing equipment having near Infrared source/detector pairs each having a source and a detector respectively positioned to face opposing sides of said card when said card is positioned in said equipment for detection and to detect said card by sensing an interruption of near Infrared light transmitted from said source to said detector due to the presence of said card, comprising:
- a substantially planar material sheet having upper and lower surfaces bounded by a continuous peripheral edge;
said material sheet being transparent or translucent to human viewing; and
a near Infrared light filter covering one of said upper or lower surfaces of said material sheet, said filter providing sufficient card opacity relative to one or more near Infrared light wavelengths to render said card detectable by said source/detector pairs by blocking near Infrared light emitted by said source from reaching said detector, thereby triggering detection of said card, while still allowing said card to remain transparent or translucent to visible light.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A financial transaction card is transparent or translucent to human viewing yet detectable by automated card processing equipment. The card includes a substantially planar material sheet having upper and lower surfaces bounded by a continuous peripheral edge. The material sheet has one or more areas that are at least minimally transparent or translucent to human viewing. A filter associated with at least one of the areas provides sufficient opacity to light used by card sensors in the automated card processing equipment to render the card detectable.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A financial transaction card that is transparent or translucent to human viewing yet detectable by automated card processing equipment having near Infrared source/detector pairs each having a source and a detector respectively positioned to face opposing sides of said card when said card is positioned in said equipment for detection and to detect said card by sensing an interruption of near Infrared light transmitted from said source to said detector due to the presence of said card, comprising:
-
a substantially planar material sheet having upper and lower surfaces bounded by a continuous peripheral edge; said material sheet being transparent or translucent to human viewing; and a near Infrared light filter covering one of said upper or lower surfaces of said material sheet, said filter providing sufficient card opacity relative to one or more near Infrared light wavelengths to render said card detectable by said source/detector pairs by blocking near Infrared light emitted by said source from reaching said detector, thereby triggering detection of said card, while still allowing said card to remain transparent or translucent to visible light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method for manufacturing a financial transaction card that is transparent or translucent to human viewing yet detectable by automated card processing equipment having near Infrared source/detector pairs each having a source and a detector respectively positioned to face opposing sides of said card when said card is positioned in said equipment for detection and to detect said card by sensing an interruption of near Infrared light transmitted from said source to said detector due to the presence of said card, comprising the steps of:
-
forming a substantially planar material sheet having upper and lower surfaces bounded by a continuous peripheral edge; said material sheet being transparent or translucent to human viewing; and covering one of said upper or lower surfaces of said material sheet with a near Infrared filter, said filter providing sufficient card opacity relative to one or more near Infrared wavelengths to render said card detectable by said source/detector pairs by blocking near Infrared light emitted by said source from reaching said detector, thereby triggering detection of said card, while still allowing said card to remain transparent or translucent to visible light. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A financial transaction card that is transparent or translucent to human viewing yet detectable by automated card processing equipment having near Infrared source/detector pairs each having a source and a detector respectively positioned to face opposing sides of said card when said card is positioned in said equipment for detection and to detect said card by sensing an interruption of near Infrared light transmitted from said source to said detector due to the presence of said card, comprising:
-
a sheet of material that is transparent or translucent to human viewing; and a near Infrared light filter applied to said material sheet, said filter comprising a dye and a colorant, and providing sufficient card opacity relative to one or more near Infrared light wavelengths to render said card detectable by said source/detector pairs by blocking near Infrared light emitted by said source from reaching said detector, thereby triggering detection of said card, while still allowing said card to remain transparent or translucent to visible light. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification