Methods and apparatus for providing a prepaid, remote memory customer account for the visually impaired

• US 6,345,766 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1995
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Piernot, Barbara, Taskett, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• Application Number:
  US08/510,590
• Time in Patent Office: 2,386 Days
• Field of Search: 235/493, 235/384, 235/379, 235/380, 434/112, 434/113
• US Class Current: 235/493
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
• 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 7/0833 Card having specific functional components
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

The present invention includes a prepaid telephone calling card for use by the visually impaired. A braille printer is configured to print a wallet-sized, plastic prepaid telephone calling card having one or more information fields printed in braille. A first information field printed in braille corresponds to an access number through which an individual can access a host computer for completing prepaid telephone calls. A second field printed in braille corresponds to a unique account code associated with the prepaid card. Various other information fields may also be printed in braille on the card, as desired. The information fields may also be printed in very large type face to facilitate reading by individuals who are not blind, yet substantially visually impaired.

Claims

1. A prepaid long distance telephone card for use by the visually impaired, comprising a thin, planar, wallet-sized plastic card having a length on the order of 8.5 to 8.7 cm, and a height on the order of 5.3 to 5.5 cm, and a thickness on the order of 0.65 to 0.85 mm, the card exhibiting respective first and second opposing sides, comprising:

a first visual information field corresponding to an access telephone number, said first field having a length in the range of 5 to 8.5 cm and a height on the order of 2 to 5 cm; and

a second visual information field corresponding to a prepaid, long distance telephone account code, said second field having a length on the order of 4.5 to 8 cm and a height on the order of 1.5 to 5 cm.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein said first and second visual fields appear on said first surface of said card, said first visual field having a length on the order of 5 to 6 cm and a height on the order of 2 to 3 cm, and further wherein said second visual field exhibits a length on the order of 5 to 5.5 cm and a height on the order of 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

3. The card of claim 1, further comprising a first braille word corresponding to one of said first and second visual fields.