US3949193A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Credit card reader having two magnetic readout heads
Assignee: Electrospace Corp
•
Filing: 1974-01-07
•
Granted: 1976-04-06
•
Expires: 1994-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A credit card reader is described which includes two magnetic readout heads whose gaps are spaced from each other a distance equal to one half the distance between adjacent, uniformly spaced bits of binary coded information. The coded data is recorded on a linear length of the credit card. The two similar sets of signals are extracted, one delayed relative to the other, as the heads scan the data. Decoding circuitry is described which provides information corresponding to the recorded data independently of the relative speed at which the credit card is moved or is swept past the readout heads.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward F. Dowdell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/0166; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/008; G11B5/00804; G11B5/00808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A credit card reader for reading binary coded data recorded along a length of a credit card, the coded data being in the form of uniformly spaced bits of information, comprising two readout means spaced along a predetermined direction for reading the data on the credit card as the data relatively moves past the respective readout means, said readout means being spaced from each other a distance corresponding to approximately one half the distance between two adjacent bits recorded on the credit card, the credit card and said readout means being relatively movable with respect to each other in a manner to maintain the length of the credit card on which the data is recorded proximate to said readout means and in alignment with said predetermined direction; decoding means connected to said readout means for decoding the data read by said readout means and for generating output signals corresponding to the recorded data independently of the relative speed of movement between said readout means and the credit card, the binary data being recorded in two frequency coherent phase recording, said decoding means including coincidence means for generating an output signal when coincidence occurs between signals of one of said readout means and inverted signals of the other of said readout means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A credit card reader for reading binary coded data recorded along a length of a credit card, the coded data being in the form of uniformly spaced bits of information, comprising two readout means spaced along a predetermined direction for reading the data on the credit card as the data relatively moves past the respective readout means, said readout means being spaced from each other a distance corresponding to approximately one half the distance between two adjacent bits recorded on the credit card, the credit card and said readout means being relatively movable with respect to each other in a manner to maintain the length of the credit card on which the data is recorded proximate to said readout means and in alignment with said predetermined direction; decoding means connected to said readout means for decoding the data read by said readout means and for generating output signals corresponding to the recorded data independently of the relative speed of movement between said readout means and the credit card, the binary data being recorded in two frequency coherent phase recording, said decoding means including coincidence means for generating an output signal when coincidence occurs between signals of one of said readout means and inverted signals of the other of said readout means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 1, wherein the data is magnetically recorded, and wherein said two readout means comprise two magnetic readout heads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 2, wherein said two magnetic readout heads are mounted on a single unit and have corresponding gaps longitudinally aligned with each other, said single unit being angularly displaced in a plane parallel to the credit card to advance one of said gaps relative to the other of said gaps along said length of the credit card to be read.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnetic readout heads comprise an E-shaped core of magnetic material formed in a single plane and having a substantially straight bridge section; two legs disposed on opposite sides of said bridge section, each leg emanating from a common end of said bridge section and terminating proximately to another common end to form therewith a gap on a corresponding side of said bridge section, the two gaps so formed by said two legs being spaced from each other in said plane and coil means provided on each of said legs for generating electricals signals when an associated gap reads magnetically recorded data, whereby said gaps are suitable to scan data recorded along a direction parallel to said plane, the upstream gap reading the data before the same data is read by the downstream gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 1, further comprising guide means to maintain the length of the credit card on which the data is recorded proximate to said readout means and in alignment with said predetermined direction when there is relative movement between the credit card and said readout means, whereby said readout means scans and extracts the recorded data as said readout means relatively move along said length of the credit card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide means comprises a support surface and a guide surface substantially normal to said support surface, said readout means being fixed on said support surface in the path of said linear length of the credit card when an edge of the latter parallel to said linear length abuts against and is guided by said guide surface, whereby slidable movement of the credit card on said support surface while guided by said guide surface causes said readout means to scan and extract the data recorded along said length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide means comprises a support surface; means for fixing a credit card on said support surface; and a sliding unit movable along a path in opposition to said length when the credit card is fixed on said support surface, said readout means being mounted on said sliding unit, whereby movement of the latter causes said readout means to scan and extract data recorded on the credit card.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A credit card reader as defined in claim 1, further comprising rectifying means for rectifying said signals from said readout means; and adding means for adding the rectified signals to provide a series of clock pulses dependent only on the relative movement between the credit card and said readout means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |