Patent US5735550A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5735550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Secure credit card
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1996-05-31
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2016-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A secure transaction card (C) accepted for transactions by a customer has usable customer identifying information (I). The card (C) has a card body (16) with an upper surface (18). The upper surface (18) has an indicator area (20) indicating that the secure transaction card (C) should not be accepted for a transaction by the customer. A layer (22) removable from the card body (16) is adapted to be superimposed over the indicator area (20) such that the secured transaction card (C) is in an acceptable state (24) when the removable layer (22) covers the indicator area (20) and in an unacceptable state (26) when the removable layer (22) is absent or damaged.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael B. Hinkle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:28
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/22; B42D2035/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A secure transaction card of the type accepted for transactions by a customer and including usable customer identifying information, the secure transaction card comprising: a card body; said card body having an upper surface; said upper surface including an indicator area indicating that the secure transaction card should not be accepted for a transaction by the customer; and, a layer removable tom said card body adapted to be superimposed over said indicator area; whereby, the secured transaction card is in an acceptable state when the removable layer covers the indicator area and the secured transaction card is in an unacceptable state when the removable layer is absent or damaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A secure transaction card of the type accepted for transactions by a customer and including usable customer identifying information, the secure transaction card comprising: a card body; said card body having an upper surface; said upper surface including an indicator area indicating that the secure transaction card should not be accepted for a transaction by the customer; and, a layer removable tom said card body adapted to be superimposed over said indicator area; whereby, the secured transaction card is in an acceptable state when the removable layer covers the indicator area and the secured transaction card is in an unacceptable state when the removable layer is absent or damaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said indicator area is resistant to unauthorized tampering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said indicator area includes raised lettering imprinted into the card body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said card body is essentially rigid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said removable layer includes instructions to request photo-identification from the customer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
A secure transaction card of the type accepted for transactions by a customer and including usable customer identifying information, the secure transaction card comprising: a card body; said card body having a frangible upper surface and an inner surface beneath said upper surface, said inner surface being exposed when said frangible surface is damaged; and, said inner surface including an indicator area indicating that the secure transaction card should not be accepted for a transaction by the customer; whereby, the secured transaction card is in an acceptable state when the frangible upper layer covers the indicator area and the secured transaction card is in an unacceptable state when the frangible upper layer is absent or damaged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
A secure transaction card of the type accepted for transactions by a customer and including usable customer identifying information, the secure transaction card comprising: a card body; said card body having a frangible upper surface and an inner surface beneath said upper surface, said inner surface being exposed when said frangible surface is damaged; and, said inner surface including an indicator area indicating that the secure transaction card should not be accepted for a transaction by the customer; whereby, the secured transaction card is in an acceptable state when the frangible upper layer covers the indicator area and the secured transaction card is in an unacceptable state when the frangible upper layer is absent or damaged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said indicator area is resistant to unauthorized tampering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said card body is essentially rigid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said removable layer includes instructions to request photo-identification from the customer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |