Data card

• US 6,471,127 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Collins, Richard J., Kendle, A. Allen, Montgomery, R. Bruce, Pentz, Jamily, Burns, Emmet
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa M.
• Application Number:
  US09/988,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20020092914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 235/493, 235/492, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/24 Reliefs or indentations
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/20 characterised by a particular use or purpose
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/369 Magnetised or magnetisable materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/063 Aligning cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/067 Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07739 comprising a first part capable of functioning as a record carrier on its own and a second part being only functional as a form factor changing part, e.g. SIM cards type ID 0001, removably attached to a regular smart card form factor

Abstract

A data card is reduced in size from the conventional standard size credit card. Accessibility of the card is enhanced because the card may be stored in a separate location from conventionally sized cards, such as on a key-chain or similar device. The card of the present invention has a means for storing information, such as a magnetic stripe or computer chip.

Claims

1. A data card comprising a first face, a second face, and a magnetic stripe comprising stored encoded data, wherein the dimensions of the card are in the range of about 1 inch by about 1 inch to about 1⅞

inches by about 3 inches, and the lengthwise dimension of the magnetic stripe is in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and wherein the encoded data can be read by a magnetic stripe reader configured to read magnetic stripes compliant with ISO/IEC 7811.

2. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to an edge of the card.

3. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned perpendicular to a largest dimension of the card.

4. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the magnetic stripe comprises two tracks for storing the encoded data.

5. A data card as in claim 4, wherein the encoded data on a first of the two tracks is encoded at greater than about 210 bits per inch.

6. A data card as in claim 5, wherein the encoded data on the first of the two tracks is encoded at about 260 bits per inch.

7. A data card as in claim 4, wherein the encoded data on a second of the two tracks is encoded at greater than about 75 bits per inch.

8. A data card as in claim 7, wherein the encoded data on the second of the two tracks is encoded at about 100 bits per inch.

9. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the encoded data is encoded using two-frequency encoding.

10. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the first and second faces define a hole therethough.

11. A data card as in claim 1, further comprising a core disposed between said first and second faces, wherein said core comprises polyester.

12. A data card as in claim 11, wherein said core comprises about 80% polyester.

13. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the card are about 1{fraction (9/16)} inches by about 2{fraction (9/16)} inches.

14. A data card as in claim 1, wherein the first and second faces are devoid of raised lettering.

15. A data card as in claim 1, further comprising a computer chip.

16. A data card as in claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit chip.

17. A data card as in claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor.

18. A data card as in claim 1, further comprising a tread comprising a plurality of raised dimples for improving the gripability of said card, wherein said plurality of raised dimples are disposed on one of said first and second faces, said one face coming into contact with a user to improve gripability.

19. A data card as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of craters disposed on one of said first and second faces, each of said plurality of craters comprising:

a lip and a center, and wherein the lip of each crater is raised slightly about said one face, and the center is indented slightly into said one face.

20. A data card comprising a first face, a second face, and a magnetic stripe comprising stored encoded data, wherein the largest dimension of the card is about 2{fraction (9/16)} inches, and the lengthwise dimension of the magnetic stripe is in the range of about 1 inch to about 2{fraction (9/16)} inches, and wherein the encoded data can be read by a magnetic stripe reader configured to read magnetic stripes compliant with ISO/IEC 7811.

21. A data card as in claim 20, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to an edge of the card.

22. A data card as in claim 20, wherein the magnetic stripe comprises two tracks for storing the encoded data.

23. A data card as in claim 22, wherein the encoded data on a first of the two tracks is encoded at greater than about 210 bits per inch.

24. A data card as in claim 23, wherein the encoded data on the first of the two tracks is encoded at about 260 bits per inch.

25. A data card as in claim 22, wherein the encoded data on a second of the two tracks is encoded at greater than about 75 bits per inch.

26. A data card as in claim 25, wherein the encoded data on the second of the two tracks is encoded at about 100 bits per inch.

27. A data card as in claim 20, wherein the encoded data is encoded using two-frequency encoding.

28. A data card as in claim 20, wherein the first and second faces define a hole therethough.

29. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising a core disposed between said first and second faces, wherein said core comprises polyester.

30. A data card as in claim 29, wherein said core comprises about 80% polyester.

31. A data card as in claim 20, wherein the lengthwise dimension of the magnetic stripe is about 2{fraction (9/16)} inches.

32. A data card as in claim 20, wherein the first and second faces are devoid of raised lettering.

33. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising a computer chip.

34. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising an integrated circuit chip.

35. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising a microprocessor.

36. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising a tread comprising a plurality of raised dimples for improving the gripability of said card, wherein said plurality of raised dimples are disposed on one of said first and second faces, said one face coming into contact with a user to improve gripability.

37. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising a plurality of craters disposed on one of said first and second faces, each of said plurality of craters comprising:

a lip and a center, and wherein the lip of each crater is raised slightly about said one face, and the center is indented slightly into said one face.

38. A data card as in claim 20, further comprising an angled edge.

39. A data card comprising a first face, a second face, an angled edge, and a magnetic stripe comprising stored encoded data, wherein the largest dimension of the card is in the range of about 1⅞

inches to about 3 inches, and the lengthwise dimension of the magnetic stripe is in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and wherein the encoded data can be read by a magnetic stripe reader configured to read magnetic stripes compliant with ISO/IEC 7811.

40. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to an edge of the card.

41. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned perpendicular to a largest dimension of the card.

42. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the magnetic stripe comprises two tracks for storing the encoded data.

43. A data card as in claim 42, wherein the encoded data on a first of the two tracks is encoded at greater than about 210 bits per inch.

44. A data card as in claim 43, wherein the encoded data on the first of the two tracks is encoded at about 260 bits per inch.

45. A data card as in claim 42, wherein the encoded data on a second of the two tracks is encoded at greater than about 75 bits per inch.

46. A data card as in claim 45, wherein the encoded data on the second of the two tracks is encoded at about 100 bits per inch.

47. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the encoded data is encoded using two-frequency encoding.

48. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the first and second faces define a hole therethough.

49. A data card as in claim 39, further comprising a core disposed between said first and second faces, wherein said core comprises polyester.

50. A data card as in claim 49, wherein said core comprises about 80% polyester.

51. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the first and second faces are devoid of raised lettering.

52. A data card as in claim 39, further comprising a computer chip.

53. A data card as in claim 39, further comprising an integrated circuit chip.

54. A data card as in claim 39, further comprising a microprocessor.

55. A data card as in claim 39, further comprising a tread comprising a plurality of raised dimples for improving the gripability of said card, wherein said plurality of raised dimples are disposed on one of said first and second faces, said one face coming into contact with a user to improve gripability.

56. A data card as in claim 39, further comprising a plurality of craters disposed on one of said first and second faces, each of said plurality of craters comprising:

a lip and a center, and wherein the lip of each crater is raised slightly about said one face, and the center is indented slightly into said one face.

57. A data card as in claim 39, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to said angled edge.