U.S. patent application number 11/125340 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for transaction system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nexus Corporation S.A.. Invention is credited to Rhiando, Maxwell Earl.
Application Number | 20050289080 11/125340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10825353 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050289080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhiando, Maxwell Earl |
December 29, 2005 |
Transaction system
Abstract
A transaction system includes a network of terminals and a
network of servers which form separate communication networks for
impersonal transaction and anonymous transmission. No reference to
an individual person exists for executing card transactions at a
point of sale. The terminals generate impersonal identifiers for a
discrete card and user and the servers receive the impersonal
identifiers for datafile matching to authorize a transaction at the
point of sale for a discrete card and user. No personal identifiers
are carried on the card to identify a cardholder, the card is
impersonal.
Inventors: |
Rhiando, Maxwell Earl;
(Camberley, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Assignee: |
Nexus Corporation S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Family ID: |
10825353 |
Appl. No.: |
11/125340 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11125340 |
May 10, 2005 |
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09614250 |
Jul 12, 2000 |
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09614250 |
Jul 12, 2000 |
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PCT/GB99/00139 |
Jan 15, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/64 ;
705/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 9/257 20200101;
G07F 7/12 20130101; G06Q 20/3674 20130101; G07F 7/122 20130101;
G07F 7/08 20130101; G07C 15/005 20130101; G06Q 20/382 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/064 ;
705/067 |
International
Class: |
H04L 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 1998 |
GB |
9800854.3 |
Claims
1-45. (canceled)
46. A transaction system including at least one terminal and at
least one card-type server which form a communication network for
registering an impersonal card-identifier at the server and issue
an impersonal card at the terminal, said system for executing a
card-type registration, comprising: (a) means to receive an
unissued card-type in the terminal; (b) means to originate an
impersonal card-identifier in the terminal; (c) means to write an
encrypted registration code on the unissued card-type in the
terminal; (d) means to transmit the impersonal card-identifier to a
card-type server; (e) means to create a discrete datafile record to
register the impersonal card-identifier in the database of the
card-type server; and (f) means to transmit an instruction from the
server to authorize the card-type transaction at the terminal.
47. A transaction system including at least one terminal and at
least one card-type server which form a communication network for
validating an impersonal card-identifier at the server and accept
an impersonal card at the terminal, said system for executing a
card-type validation, comprising: (a) means to receive an issued
card-type in the terminal; (b) means to read an encrypted
registration code on the issued card-type to generate an impersonal
card-identifier in the terminal; (c) means to transmit the
impersonal card-identifier to a card-type server; and (d) means to
locate a discrete datafile record to validate the impersonal
card-identifier in the database of the card-type server; and (c)
means to transmit an instruction from the card-type server to
authorize the card-type transaction at the terminal.
48. A transaction system as in claim 46 for a card-type
registration including: means to detect a discrete user
characteristic in a terminal; means to originate an impersonal
user-identifier from the user characteristic in the terminal; means
to transmit the impersonal card-identifier and user-identifier to
the card-type server for datafile recording a set of impersonal
identifiers in the database of the card-type server; and means to
transmit an instruction from the server to authorize the card-type
transaction at the terminal.
49. A transaction system as in claim 47 for a card-type validation
including: means to detect a discrete user characteristic in a
terminal; means to generate an impersonal user-identifier from the
user characteristic in the terminal; means to enter a transaction
value in the terminal for acceptance at the card-type server; means
to transmit the impersonal card-identifier and user-identifier and
transaction value to the card-type server for datafile matching the
set of identifiers in the database of the card-type server, and
accept the transaction value; and means to transmit an instruction
from the server to authorize the card-type transaction at the
terminal.
50. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein each impersonal
card-identifier is an encrypted registration code for writing and
reading on an impersonal card-type and the system includes means
for generating the said card-identifier and registration code in a
terminal without reference to an individual user.
51. A transaction system as in claim 48 wherein each impersonal
user-identifier is a live-scan image and the system includes means
for capturing the said live-scan image in a terminal without
reference to an individual user.
52. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein a network of
terminals communicate with a network of servers for card-type
registration and card-type validation and the system includes means
to identify unissued and issued card-types in a terminal for
routing impersonal identifier data to the card-type server for each
impersonal card-type.
53. A transaction system including a network of terminals and a
network of servers which form separate communication networks for
executing impersonal transactions, originating impersonal
identifiers at the terminals, recording the impersonal identifiers
at the servers for card-type registration and authorizing
impersonal identifiers at the terminals, said system for executing
an impersonal transaction, comprising: (a) means for receiving an
unissued card-type in a terminal; (b) means for originating an
impersonal card-identifier in the terminal; (c) means for writing
an encrypted registration code on the unissued card-type in the
terminal; (d) means for originating an impersonal user-identifier
in the terminal; (e) means for transmitting a set of impersonal
identifiers from the terminal to a card-type server to create a
discrete datafile record to register the set of impersonal
identifiers in the database of a card-type server; and (f) means
for transmitting an instruction from the card-type server to the
terminal to authorize the impersonal transaction for a discrete
card and user.
54. A transaction system including a network of terminals and a
network of servers which form separate communication networks for
executing impersonal transactions, generating impersonal
identifiers at the terminals, matching the impersonal identifiers
at the servers for card-type validation and authorizing impersonal
identifiers at the terminals, said system for executing an
impersonal transaction comprising: (a) means for receiving an
issued card-type in a terminal; (b) means for reading an encrypted
registration code on the issued card-type to generate an impersonal
card-identifier in the terminal; (c) means for generating an
impersonal user-identifier in the terminal; (d) means for
generating a transaction value at the terminal; (e) means for
transmitting a set of impersonal identifiers and a transaction
value from the terminal to a card-type server; (f) means to locate
a discrete datafile record to validate the set of impersonal
identifiers in the database of a card-type server and accept the
transaction value; and (g) means for transmitting an instruction
from the card-type server to the terminal to authorize the
impersonal transaction for a discrete card and user.
55. A transaction system as in claim 53 wherein each impersonal
card-identifier is an encrypted registration code for writing and
reading on an impersonal card-type and the system includes means
for generating the said card-identifier and registration code in a
terminal without reference to an individual user.
56. A transaction system as in claim 53 wherein each impersonal
user-identifier is a live-scan image and the system includes means
for capturing the said live-scan image in a terminal without
reference to an individual user.
57. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein the encrypted
registration code for each impersonal card-identifier consists of a
two-dimensional symbology which forms part of a card-type
registration for writing and reading the permanent symbology on an
impersonal card-type in a terminal.
58. A transaction system as in claim 57 wherein the card-type
registration includes writing a permanent serial number,
transaction value or date on an impersonal card-type in a
terminal.
59. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein the card-type
registration includes an encrypted registration code with card-type
data for writing a permanent entry-line of discrete symbols and
characters on an impersonal card-type in a terminal, and the system
includes means for originating the card-type data in the database
of a card-type server to create a discrete datafile record, and
transmitting the card-type data to the terminal for writing and
issuing the said registration code and said entry-line on the
impersonal card-type.
60. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein each unissued
card-type is pre-printed with an issuer code to identify the name
of the grantor and thereby identify the impersonal card-type in a
terminal, and the system includes means for incorporating the
issuer code in the encrypted registration code for each impersonal
card-identifier to identify the card-type server for creating or
locating a discrete datafile record.
61. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein the same encrypted
card-identifier creates a discrete datafile record in the database
of a card-type server for datafile recording and locates the same
discrete datafile record in the database of the card-type server
for datafile matching.
62. A transaction system as in claim 60 wherein each encrypted
card-identifier has a constant order to create the datafile for
recording one constant and every encrypted card-identifier with the
same constant order thereby locates the same datafile for matching
two constants.
63. A transaction system as in claim 60 wherein the encrypted
card-identifier is transmitted ahead of the encrypted
user-identifier so as to reference a discrete datafile record in
the database of a card-type server for datafile recording and
datafile matching the set of identifiers in sequential order.
64. A transaction system as in claim 60 wherein the encrypted
card-identifier and user-identifier is encoded before transmission
and decoded after reception.
65. A transaction system as in claim 46 wherein each encrypted
card-identifier and user-identifier for card-type registration,
form a set of impersonal identifiers for datafile recording, and
each card-identifier and user-identifier for card-type validation,
form a set of impersonal identifiers for datafile matching.
66. A transaction system as in claim 46 for card-type validation,
wherein the terminal is adapted for use by a cardholder to execute
an impersonal card transaction, in which the terminal incorporates
a card slot for inserting an issued card-type and a card scanner
and biometric sensor for generating a set of impersonal
identifiers, and including means for transmitting the impersonal
identifiers to a card-type server for datafile matching, to
authorize the impersonal card transaction at the terminal.
67. A transaction terminal for use with the transaction system of
claim 46 for card-type validation, wherein the terminal is adapted
for use by an attendant and a cardholder to execute an impersonal
card transaction in which the terminal incorporates: (a) a card
scanner and biometric sensor for generating impersonal identifier
data in the terminal; (b) a display and keyboard for generating
impersonal transaction data in the terminal, and (c) a computer and
database for compiling the identifier data and transaction data in
sequential order for encrypted transmittal, and including means for
transmitting the identifier and transaction data to a card-type
server for datafile matching to authorize the impersonal card
transaction at the terminal.
68. A transaction terminal as in claim 67 is further adapted for
use by an attendant and a cardholder to incorporate a card printer
for printing a permanent card registration on an unissued card-type
and scanning the encrypted registration code in the terminal.
69. A transaction terminal as in claim 67 in which the terminal is
adapted for use by an attendant and a cardholder at a point of sale
for issuing and accepting impersonal card-types to provide a dual
function terminal for attendant and cardholder operation,
comprising: (a) a keyboard and display for use by an attendant to
execute an impersonal card transaction at the point of sale; and
(b) a biometic sensor and a further display for use by a cardholder
to sanction an impersonal card transaction at the point of
sale.
70. A transaction terminal as in claim 67 in which the biometric
sensor is adapted to capture a live scan image of the user and
comprises guide means for positioning a finger on the sensor by
aligning the cuticle of the fingernail with register lines on each
side of the sensor.
71. A transaction terminal as in claim 69 for card-type validation,
wherein the terminal includes a common entry and exit slot to
insert an issued card-type for scanning an issuer code and an
encrypted registration code at a first stop position in the
terminal.
72. A transaction terminal as in claim 69 for card-type
registration, wherein the terminal includes a common entry and exit
slot and inline pathway for conveying a unissued card-type between
a first stop position and a second stop position in a card printer
with engaged rollers for gripping and transporting the card, to
position the card at the second stop position for printing a
card-type registration and to position the card at the first stop
position for scanning an issuer code and an encrypted registration
code, before removing the card from the exit slot.
73. A terminal as in claim 72 and further comprising a fixed print
head and movable platen to provide a pathway for dot-line printing
a thermographic card-type registration on the card at the second
stop position.
74. A terminal as in claim 72 and further comprising a movable
print head and fixed platen to provide a pathway for dot-line
printing a thermographic card-type registration on the card at the
second stop position.
75. A terminal as in claim 72 and also including a compartment to
store a card material in fan-fold format with perforated folds for
printing a card-type registration at the second stop position,
means for scanning an encrypted registration code at the first stop
position and means for dispensing and separating the card material
at the exit slot for issuing impersonal card-types at a
terminal.
76. A terminal as in claim 67 and also including detachable side
panels for extending the terminal with additional slots to register
and validate cards and tickets made of different materials in
sheet, reel or fan-fold format.
77. A system as in claim 46 wherein an unissued card-type comprises
two portions, which are separable, for printing the same encrypted
registration code on a cardholder portion and a grantor portion,
and each said portion includes a discrete barrier area for printing
thereon the said encrypted registration code, and in which the
cardholder portion is used for card-type registration in said
system using said terminal for datafile recording in the database
of a card-type server.
78. An impersonal card designed and adapted to be used in a
terminal for card-type registration and card-type validation
carried out in a system according to claim 46, said card comprising
a multi-layer material including a layer of the thermographic
material covered by a barrier layer to prevent fade and wear of a
thermographic image formed on the said material, said thermographic
material placed within a discrete barrier area to have printed
thereon a card-type registration incorporating an encrypted
registration code.
79. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
machine printed with information on one layer and, separately, the
material is terminal printed with information on another layer.
80. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
constructed in multiple layers for thermographic printing in a
terminal for printing permanent images on the material in the
discrete barrier area at the second stop position and scanning the
permanent registration code image at the first stop position.
81. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material in the
discrete barrier area is constructed of two layers comprising a
substrate layer with temperature sensitive properties and a barrier
layer with light and wear resistant properties applied to the
substrate layer.
82. An impersonal card as in claim 81 in which the discrete barrier
area is capable of changing state by thermo-chemical reaction or by
the thermo-chromic reaction for printing a card-type
registration.
83. An impersonal card as in claim 81 in which the barrier layer is
applied to the substrate layer by machine printing to deposit a
protective coating of ink for terminal printing the information on
to the barrier layer.
84. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
constructed of three layers comprising a substrate layer, a thermal
layer with temperature sensitive and adhesive properties applied to
the substrate layer and a barrier layer applied to the thermal
layer for machine printing information on to the barrier layer.
85. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
laminate constructed of four or five layers comprising a substrate
layer with machine printed information on each face, a transparent
film layer with adhesive properties for bonding to one face of the
substrate layer, and a transparent film layer with adhesive
properties on one side of the film for bonding to the other face of
the substrate layer, and an applied thermal layer and barrier layer
within a discrete barrier area on the other side of the film for
terminal printed information.
86. An impersonal card as in claim 85 in which the discrete barrier
area on the transparent film layer is surface treated for machine
coating the thermal layer and barrier layer to provide a
pre-printed laminate material with a discrete thermal panel for
terminal printing thermographic permanent images thereon with wear
and light resistant properties.
87. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
produced as a single item for terminal issue as a card, ticket,
token, form or similar for a card-type registration.
88. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
produced in fan-fold format for terminal issue as a card, ticket,
token, form or similar for a card-type registration.
89. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
produced with spaced apart perforations to provide single items
comprising two parts or fan-fold parts for card-type
registration.
90. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material is
produced with machine printed information for card description on
the front and rear face and terminal printed information for card
registration on the front or rear face of the material.
91. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the material
includes opaque barrier areas to define text zones and code zones
for machine printing information on the front and rear face of the
material.
92. An impersonal card as in claim 78 in which the barrier layer
incorporates materials with sensor readable properties for
detecting counterfeit material for a card-type registration or
card-type validation.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a network transaction system
including terminals and database servers and a multi-layer
transaction card. Preferably the cards are adapted for machine
printing and terminal printing of recorded information on different
layers, and the terminal is adapted to transmit the recorded
information to a database for electronic transactions between
terminal and server.
[0002] The word "card" is used herein generally, to include any
kind of ticket, token or document requiring registration and
subsequent validation.
[0003] Existing thermal printing materials include thermal
sensitive paper for document printing of receipts and letters using
dot-line thermal printers. The main disadvantage of the known
materials is that they discolour on exposure to light, resulting in
short shelf life, and the thermal image fades, resulting in
illegible printed text. Another disadvantage of known materials is
that the thermal coating is applied onto the upper surface of the
substrate, resulting in low wear resistance for continuous
handling. A further disadvantage is that the exposed thermal
coating is susceptible to degradation from humidity and
temperature.
[0004] Printing terminal devices are known, such as facsimile
terminals and retail terminals which incorporate printers for
thermal printing of letters and receipts using single sheets or
continuous rolls of thermal sensitize paper. Standard thermal
print-heads consist of heating elements which are 7-dot
high.times.5-dot wide or 8-dot high.times.5-dot wide to form each
character for dot-line printing using a reciprocal print-head or
consist of a single row of heating elements for dot-line printing
using a stationary print-head.
[0005] The main disadvantage of these known devices is that they
require complex means to synchronise the paper feed for dot-line
printing, requiring geared control means for continuous line by
line printing onto thermal paper materials, thereby involving
intermittent mechanical and electrical sequences for paper lifting
and paper printing. Another disadvantage is that known devices are
limited to printing on flexible materials in roll form and not for
printing on semi-rigid materials in single card form or fan-fold
card form as described herein.
[0006] These disadvantages are generally known and considered to be
acceptable for producing thermal printed documents using dot-line
print-heads assuming that the exposed thermal layer is not exposed
to continuous natural or artificial light after terminal printing.
One aspect of the present invention aims to avoid or at least to
mitigate these disadvantages.
[0007] Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention provides
a transaction system for executing a registration transaction at a
terminal for card issue and recording the registration transaction
at a database server for card audit, comprising:
[0008] (a) means for receiving an unissued card in the
terminal;
[0009] (b) means for generating a card registration for printing on
the card at a terminal for card issue;
[0010] (c) means for generating a card identifier to register the
card identifier at a server for card audit; and
[0011] (d) means for transmitting the card identifier between the
terminal and server to create a record or data file in a database
server to record the registration transaction for card audit.
[0012] A second aspect of the present invention provides a
transaction system for executing a validation transaction at a
terminal for card use and recording the validation transaction at a
database server for card audit, comprising:
[0013] (a) means for receiving an issued card in the terminal;
[0014] (b) means for reading a card identifier printed on the card
to verify the card identifier at the server for card use; and
[0015] (c) means for transmitting the card identifier between
terminal and server to locate a record or data file in the database
server to validate the card and record the validation transaction
for card audit.
[0016] The invention also extends to a transaction system including
a network of terminals and database servers, for executing a
registration transaction at a terminal for card issue and recording
the registration transaction at a database server for card audit,
and for executing a validation transaction at the terminal for card
use and recording the validation transaction at the database server
for card audit using the same card at any database terminal.
[0017] A third aspect of the present invention provides a
transaction system for executing a registration transaction at a
terminal for card issue to a card user, and recording the
registration transaction at a database server for card audit,
comprising;
[0018] (a) means for receiving an unissued card in the
terminal;
[0019] (b) means for generating a card registration for printing on
the card at the terminal for card issue;
[0020] (c) means for generating a card identifier to register the
card identifier at a server for card audit;
[0021] (d) means for capturing a biometric image in the
terminal
[0022] (e) means for generating a user identifier from the
biometric image to register the user identifier at the server for
card audit; and
[0023] (f) means for transmitting the card identifier and user
identifier between terminal and server to create a record or data
file in a database server to record the registration transaction
for card audit.
[0024] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a
transaction system for executing a validation transaction as a
terminal for card use and a card user and recording the validation
transaction at a database server for card audit, comprising:
[0025] (a) means for receiving an issued card in the terminal;
[0026] (b) means for reading a card identifier from the card to
verify the card identifier at the server for card use;
[0027] (c) means for capturing a biometric image in the terminal;
and
[0028] (d) means for generating a user identifier from the
biometric image to verify the user identifier at the server for
card use;
[0029] (e) means for transmitting the card identifier and user
identifier between terminal and server to locate a record or data
file in a database server to record the validation transaction for
card audit.
[0030] Preferably the terminal comprises an in-line card pathway
with a common entry and exit slot, means for conveying a card
between a first stop position and a second stop position and
comprising engaged rollers for gripping and transporting the card,
and means for holding the card in the second stop position for a
predetermined time, means for transporting the card to the first
stop position, and means for reading the card and then releasing
the card from the slot.
[0031] The invention also extends to a card for use in cardholder
terminal transactions, comprising a multi-layer material including
a layer of thermographic material covered by a barrier layer
adapted to prevent fading of a thermographic image formed on the
said material.
[0032] The multi-layer material preferably comprises of sheet
materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic film, metal foils and
fabric and incorporates coating materials such as solvent based
polymers and inks, rubbers and waxes, with adhesive and thermal
properties to prefabricate the multi-layer material in sheet or
fan-fold format. The multi-layer material is primarily intended for
producing printed documents such as cards, tickets, tokens and
forms for terminal issue of registrations to authorise electronic
transactions, but not limited to transaction applications, for
example, the terminal issue of vehicle excise and driving licence
documents, and any form of security document. For simplicity, the
multi-layer material will be referred to in card form as a
multi-layer card or card.
[0033] Depending on the intended purpose, the multi-layer card
comprises of two to five layers selected for their individual
properties to produce card types for specific use and function.
Preferably, the multi-layer card for all card types is designed for
machine printing (which may be thermal) on both sides of the card
to print the card text and card code, and for terminal printing in
the thermal print zone to print a card registration. The machine
printing and terminal printing is preferably applied to different
layers of the multi-layer card for card description and card
registration to provide separate security printing operations,
before and after terminal issue.
[0034] The multi-layer card may be constructed as a two-part
laminate in which an adhesive coating is applied to one side of a
substrate sheet to form the lower part, and a barrier coating and
thermal coating is applied to an overlay film to form the upper
part, and the two parts are adhesive bonded, thereby forming a
material with an upper overlay and lower substrate, each coating
forming a separate layer contained within the laminate to form a
five-layer card. The overlay film, which is transparent, is
intended to provide high wear resistance and the barrier layer,
which is pastel coloured, is intended to prevent the thermal layer
from degrading during use.
[0035] The multi-layer card may also be constructed without
lamination by first applying the thermal layer to one side of the
substrate sheet and then applying the barrier layer directly on top
of the thermal layer to form a barrier coated card, ready for
machine printing, to print the card text and card code, and define
the thermal print zone for card registration. In this example, the
overlay film is not used and the thermal and barrier layers exhibit
adhesive properties to form a three-layer card. Alternatively the
substrate sheet may include temperature sensitive properties to
provide a two-layer card.
[0036] A further advantage of the multi-layer card is that the same
equipment for machine printing of the card text and card code may
be used for applying the barrier layer to the overlay film or
applying the barrier layer to the thermal layer in a range of
colours and densities to enable successive machine printing
operations to be used for producing the cards using high speed
equipment based on standard letterpress, lithographic or intaglio
methods.
[0037] One embodiment of the terminal device is intended for
cardholder transactions at paydesks and checkouts in retail outlets
using multi-layer cards and is a dual function terminal, to print
and issue cards for card registration, and to read and verify cards
for card validation. Depending on the card description for each
card type, consumers buy cards for card registration and use cards
for card validation for cardholder transactions in shop and store
outlets. The range of card totes includes, for example, credit
cards and charge cards, lottery and competition cards, voucher and
loyalty cards, pension and trust cards, subscription and membership
cards, loan and mortgage cards.
[0038] When a multi-layer card is inserted in the terminal for card
registration, the terminal generates a set of numbers, letters or
symbols, for printing within the thermal print zone on the card,
and generates a registration code to form a card identifier for
transmission in binary to a remote database server to create a
record in the database. The card registration is formed on the
thermal layer by thermo-chemical reaction to provide a permanent
image on the multi-layer card for subsequent terminal insertion to
read the registration code to form the card identifier for
transmittal to verify the card registration for card validation to
complete a cardholder transaction.
[0039] In the preferred form of the terminal device the print-head
of the terminal printer consists of an array of heating elements in
row-orientation for energising each row of heating elements in a
pre-determined sequence to form the complete card registration in
the thermal print zone when the multi-layer card is inserted in the
terminal and held in the stationary position for terminal printing
of the card registration.
[0040] Preferably the terminal device is such that the multi-layer
card can be inserted in the terminal with the overlay film facing
the print-head to enable the overlay film to be pressed against the
array of heating elements which are selectively energised for heat
transference to the thermal layer to produce the thermo-chemical
reaction, whereby the thermal layer and barrier layer
simultaneously change to black to form a permanent image of the
card registration below the overlay film, within the heated areas
defined by each heating element. The layers which form the said
upper part may be only 80 microns in thickness to enable the card
registration to be thermal printed at high speed.
[0041] Preferably the terminal device is so arranged that a
multi-layer card (of laminate or non-laminate form) is held in a
stationary position for terminal printing using a dot-zone or
dot-line print-head for thermal printing rather than the method of
terminal printing using a dot-line print-head for paper printing
and pacer lifting cycles currently used in known terminal
devices.
[0042] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic
drawings, in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 shows the front face of the multi-layer material in
card form.
[0044] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of FIG. 1 constructed in
one multi-layer variant.
[0045] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of FIG. 1 constructed in
another multi-layer variant.
[0046] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section of FIG. 1 constructed in
another multi-layer variant.
[0047] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section of FIG. 1 constructed in
another multi-layer variant.
[0048] FIG. 6 shows the front face of a multi-layer card with one
example of card registration for terminal printing in the thermal
print zone.
[0049] FIG. 7 shows the front face of a multi-layer card with
another example of card registration for terminal printing in the
thermal print zone.
[0050] FIG. 8 shows a range of number and symbol combinations for
card registration, for terminal printing in the thermal print
zone.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the terminal device for cardholder
transactions.
[0052] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the terminal device for cardholder
transactions.
[0053] FIG. 11 is a side elevation in part cross section of the
terminal printer and scanner in the rear section of the terminal
device.
[0054] FIG. 12 is a front view of the dot-zone print head shown in
view X-X of FIG. 11.
[0055] FIG. 13 is a side elevation in part cross section of an
alternative terminal printer.
[0056] FIG. 14 is a side elevation in part cross section of the
terminal sensor and display in the front section of the terminal
device.
[0057] FIG. 15 shows the terminal transaction sequences for the
print and issue of card types for card registration.
[0058] FIG. 16 shows the terminal transaction sequences for the
read and verify of card types for card validation.
[0059] FIG. 17 shows the front and rear face of a credit card for
terminal transaction before and after card registration.
[0060] FIG. 18 shows the front and rear face of a lottery card for
terminal transaction before and after card registration.
[0061] The following terms are used in the following description of
the preferred embodiments with the following meanings:
[0062] Network: Terminals which are preferably carrier-linked to
servers to form independent networks for automated card
transaction, each network comprising different card types for
registration and validation transactions.
[0063] Database terminal: A terminal incorporating a database for
compiling registration data to print on a document (card) and for
compiling identifier data to transmit a registration code for the
document and to transmit a template for a fingerprint (user).
[0064] Database server: A server incorporating a database to
receive identifier data from a database terminal and transmit
identifier data to a database terminal.
[0065] Card identifier: Impersonal information printed on a
document in a database terminal to form a registration code for
transmission as a discrete card identifier to a database
server.
[0066] User identifier: personal information captured on a
biometric sensor in a database terminal to form a template such as
a fingerprint template for transmission as a discrete user
identifier to a database server.
[0067] Data file: A record of identifier data stored in a database
server for matching the registration code of a document (card
identifier) and the template of a fingerprint (user identifier),
and to record a valid transaction for audit.
[0068] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the card 1 constructed of a multi-layer
material 2 for machine printing and terminal printing according to
the invention, in which the multi-layers 3 to 7 for material 2
cover the front face of card 1.
[0069] The overlay 3 is a transparent plastic film with a coloured
barrier layer 4 bonded to one side of the overlay 3, and a thermal
layer 5 bonded to the barrier layer 4 to form the upper part of the
material 2 for lamination to the lower part.
[0070] The overlay 3 may comprise any rigid or plasticised plastic
film such as terephthalate polyester or polyvinyl acetate in the
thickness range 10 to 200 microns. The overlay 3 is surface treated
on the underside for machine printing, to print the card text (not
shown) in barrier area 4A, print the card code (not shown) in
barrier area 4B, print the opaque borders in barrier areas 4C to
define the thermal print zone 4D and apply the barrier layer 4 in
the thickness range 10 to 50 microns to complete the machine
printing operation before the thermal layer 5 is applied in the
thickness range 10 to 100 micron as the final production step to
complete the upper part of the lamination.
[0071] The barrier areas 4A to 4D vary in colour density and
resolution. For example, the barrier area 4C is machine printed in
100% colour density and high resolution to provide opaque borders
on card 1. The barrier areas 4A and 4B are machine printed with the
barrier layer 4 in 50% colour density and high resolution. The
barrier area 4D is machine printed with the barrier aver 4 in 50%
colour density and medium resolution as this area is used for
terminal printing of the card registration on card 1. Machine
printing of the card text and card code, (not shown) and opaque
borders (4C), and the barrier layer 4 in barrier areas 4A, 4B and
4D is visible underneath overlay 3.
[0072] The thermal layer 5 may comprise any thermal sensitive
coating which reacts to temperatures in the 40.degree. C. to
100.degree. C. range to generate the thermo-chemical reaction to
form the permanent image from white to black in the thermal print
zone 10 for card registration.
[0073] The lower part of the material 2 comprises the adhesive
layer 6 and substrate 7 for lamination to the upper part of
material 2. The adhesive layer 5 may comprise any polymer or rubber
such as acrylic and polyurethane for applying to the substrate 7 in
the thickness range 10 to 100 microns to provide the contact
adhesive layer 6 for laminating the said lower part to the said
upper part. The substrate 7 may comprise any printing grade of
paper, cardboard or plastic composite in the thickness range 100 to
400 microns to provide a compressed smooth substrate for machine
printing, to print the card text of the card type on the side of
substrate 7 which is the rear face of card 1. A wax or silicone
backing sheet may be placed on top of the adhesive layer 6 for
substrate 7 storage or delivery of the said lower part for
subsequent laminating to the said upper part.
[0074] It will be understood that the material 2 in this example
consists of an upper part made up of the three layers (overlay 3,
barrier 4 and thermal 5), and of a lower part made up of the two
layers (adhesive 6 and substrate 7), thus forming a five layer
material 2 on final lamination.
[0075] FIG. 3 shows the material 15 variant for card 1 in FIG. 1
whereby a four layer construction is produced by using an
adhesive-thermal coating to provide an adhesive-thermal layer 16
for laminating the upper part and lower part together. In this
example, the material 15 is designed to provide a thinner laminate
card 1.
[0076] FIG. 4 shows the material 17 variant for card 1 in FIG. 1
whereby a five layer construction is produced without substrate 7
by using two overlays 3 two barrier layers 4 and one
adhesive-thermal layer 16, for laminating the upper part and lower
part together. In this example, the material 17 is designed to
provide an all plastic laminate for card 1.
[0077] FIG. 5 shows the material 13 variant for card 1 in FIG. 1
whereby a three layer construction is produced by using the barrier
layer 4 as the card surface instead of overlay 3. In this example,
the material 13 is designed as a one part material is requiring no
adhesive layer 6 as the barrier layer 4 is applied and adhered
direct to the thermal layer 5 which is applied and adhered to the
substrate 7, to provide low cost non-laminate card 1.
[0078] FIG. 6 shows the front face or card 1 with a card text zone
8 and card code zone 9 for machine printing the card text and card
code (not shown), and shows by way of example, a card registration
20 formed in the thermal print zone 10 after terminal printing, to
provide a laminate variant for card 1. This card registration is
designed for a credit card 1 or trust card 1.
[0079] The card registration 20 consists of, from left to right,
the registration logo 21 the registration mark 22 and registration
code 23 which are permanent images formed by the terminal printer
50 which will be described later.
[0080] The logo 21 is generated by the terminal computer to
identify the card-issuer and authenticate terminal printing of the
card registration 20 for cardholder transaction subject to the
terms and conditions of use granted by the card-issuer to the
cardholder. The logo 21 acts as a security seal formed as a
permanent image in the thermal print zone 10.
[0081] The mark 22 is randomly generated by the terminal computer
to form a 14 digit registration mark 22 to represent the
card-issuer serial number which includes the 6 digit card issue
date. The terminal 30 is preloaded with a serial block of 8 digit
numbers for 5000 cardholders and a serial block of 3 digit numbers
for 1000 card types to form a common pool of numbers for each card
type and provide 11 digit serial numbers with five million
combinations per terminal. The 8 digit serial number forms part of
the 14 digit registration mark 22 (the 6 digit issue date forms the
other part) for terminal printing in the thermal print zone 10.
[0082] The code 23 is shown as a data matrix symbology and
generated by the terminal computer to compile the card registration
20 as the point of origin. The code 23 consists of the card type
number (3 digit) in the card code zone 9, the terminal number (5
digit), the registration mark 22 (14 digit), and the issue time (4
digit) to form a 26 digit data matrix as the code 23 for terminal
printing in the thermal print zone 10. The terminal 30 generates
the code 23 to form the card identifier for transmission in binary
to the card type server for database entry to record the card
registration 20 for card 1.
[0083] It will be understood that the card registration 20 is
recorded in the code 23 on card 1 and in the database of the card
type series. As a consequence the card 1 can now be used for
cardholder transactions at any terminal 30 as the code 23 is read
by the terminal scanner 45 and transmitted for facsimile matching
at the database for card validation.
[0084] FIG. 7 shows the front face of card 1 of identical layout as
described above, except that the card registration mark 25 consists
of a registration mark 26 and registration code 27 formed in the
thermal print zone 10 after terminal printing to provide or a low
cost non laminate variant for card 1. This card registration is
designed for a lottery card 1.
[0085] The mark 25 comprises of numbered symbols which are
generated by the terminal computer to form a set of five symbols to
represent a lottery game-line for matching with the lottery
prize-line which is machine printed in the barrier area 4A (not
shown) on card 1. The terminal 30 is also preloaded with the
numbers and symbols to form a common pool of symbols for terminal
printing in the thermal print zone 10.
[0086] The code 27 is shown as a data matrix symbology generated by
the terminal computer to compile the card registration 25 as the
point of origin. The code 27 consists of the card type number (3
digit) in the card code zone 9, the terminal number (5 digits), the
registration mark 26 (20 digits), the issue date (6 digits) and the
issue time (4 digits) to form a 38 digit data matrix as the code 27
for terminal printing in the thermal print zone 10. In this case,
the terminal 30 receives the code 27 as the card identifier which
is transmitted in binary from the card type server for terminal
printing of the registration mark 26 and code 27 to form the card
registration 23 on card 1.
[0087] FIG. 8 shows a typical range of registration markings 28
which are randomly generated by the terminal computer to form
different combinations for different card types as exampled in FIG.
7. It will be understood that the permutations for forming sets of
registration marks 28 based on the illustrated numbers, letters and
symbols in any combination, for different card types, are to an
order of magnitude.
[0088] The terminal 30 includes a terminal main board 68 in the
front compartment 67 with processor, RAM, hard disk and modem,
power supply and standby battery, and associated interfaces to
operate the printer 50, scanner 45, keyboard 36, display 35 and
sensor 34, and to transmit all registration codes (for example 23
and 27) to and from the carrier-linked servers for facsimile
matching of card registrations (for example 20 and 25) to verify
any card registration for card validation to complete any
cardholder transaction.
[0089] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the terminal 30 in plan and rear views
and comprises of a front panel 31 and top panel 32 for mounting the
sensor surround 33 fitted with the terminal sensor 34. Adjacent to
the sensor 34 is the terminal display 35 which is fitted with two
screens for viewing by the cardholder and terminal attendant.
Adjacent to the display 35 is the terminal keyboard 36 for
attendant operation in retail shops and stores, to serve
cardholders at the point of sale.
[0090] Adjacent to the keyboard 36 is the access cover 37 for
service access to the rear compartment 44, delimited by internal
wall 42, rear panel 39, side panels 40 and base 41 to contain the
terminal scanner 45 and terminal printer 50 for terminal printing
of card 1. The access cover 37 incorporates the card slot 38 to
insert card 1 for card registrations and card validations.
[0091] The terminal 30 is therefore encased by the front panel 31,
top panel 32, display 35, keyboard 36, access cover 37, rear panel
39, side panels 40 and base 41, to provide a self contained
terminal 30 for counter placement in retail outlets for multi-card
transactions.
[0092] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the position of the scanner 45 and
printer 50 housed in the rear compartment 44 of the terminal 30.
The scanner 45 is rigidly supported on brackets 47 connected to the
two vertical side plates 51 of the printer 50 shown in part cross
section. The two side plates 51 are rigidly mounted to the internal
wall 42 to position and align the printer 50 and scanner 45 with
the card slot 38 in the access cover 37 for manual insertion of
card 1 in terminal 30.
[0093] The scanner 45 incorporates a video camera and emits a beam
46 with processor and output electronics (not shown) to read data
matrix symbology. The scanner 45 is therefore aligned to read the
data matrix (not shown) in the card code zone 9 on insertion of
card 1 to identify the card type number (3 digits), and read the
data matrix in the thermal print zone 10 after terminal printing of
the registration code 23 and 27 on card 1 prior to card removal
from the terminal 30.
[0094] The scanner 45 is positioned to read the data matrix in the
code zone 9 and print zone 10 at the 1st stop position 63 for card
identification, card registration and card validation to provide
mechanical and electrical simplicity using one scanning and
printing system for all terminals 30.
[0095] The terminal printer 50 comprises two vertical side plates
51 which are spaced apart to allow for the card 1 to pass between
each vertical side plate 51 for guidance. The two vertical side
plates 51 are rigidly connected at the top by the transverse bridge
guide 53 and at the bottom by the base plate 52. The bridge guide
53 is an extended card slot to self-align the card 1 for vertical
insertion and removal of card 1.
[0096] Positioned below the bridge guide 53 are the two transverse
nip-rollers 54 mounted in bearings at each end in the two vertical
side plates 51 for drive rotation by a geared electric motor (not
shown) mounted on the other side of one of the side plates 51. The
motorised nip-rollers 54 contra-rotate and are synchronised by
meshed gears 49 to ensure equal rotation when the card 1 is
transported between the nip-rollers 54 and card guides 65, either
downwards by inward rotation or upwards by outward rotation between
the 1st stop position 63 and the 2nd stop position 64.
[0097] The control means to start and stop the motorised
nip-rollers 54 is activated by the keyboard 36 to instruct descent
of card 1 from the 1st stop position 63 to the 2nd stop position 64
and deactivated by the sensor 62. The control means to start and
stop the motorised nip-rollers 54 is then activated by the solenoid
60 (retract) to instruct ascent of card 1 from the 2nd stop
position 64 to the 1st stop position 63 and deactivated by a timer
(not shown). The 2nd stop position 64 is used for terminal
printing.
[0098] Positioned below the motorised nip rollers 54 is the
transverse print head 55 rigidly mounted in the side slots 57 or
the two vertical side plates 51 with the dot-zone array 56
positioned opposite the resilient facing 66 bonded to the
displaceable flat platen 59 which is connected to the actuator bar
of solenoid 60. The solenoid 60 is connected to bracket 61 which is
rigidly mounted on base plate 52.
[0099] The control means (not shown) for operating the print head
55 is electronically connected to the pin connector 58 of the print
head 55. The heating elements are contained within the body of the
print head 55 and visible in FIG. 12 through section view X-X as
the dot-zone array 56. The dot-zone array 56 of the print head 55
consists of rows of miniature heating elements, each capable of
independent operation by applying electrically pulsed energy in
programmable row by row sequence by software means known per
se.
[0100] The dot-zone array 56 for a thermal print area of 8 mm
high.times.80 mm wide consists of 40,960 heating elements based on
8 dots per millimetre to achieve high resolution images using
dot-zone thermal printing. In operation, the card 1 is pressed
against the dot-zone array 56 by the displaceable flat platen 59 in
the stationary position during terminal printing, and the energy
pulse of each heating element transfers heat to the thermal layer 5
of card 1 to form permanent images made up of individual dots by
thermo-chemical reaction.
[0101] It will be understood that the thermal print zone 10 on card
1 is designed to locate in the printer 50 at the 2nd stop position
64 to ensure that thermal print zone 10 is positioned between the
print head 55 and the displaceable flat platen 59 for terminal
printing of any card registration, for example 20 and 25, on card
1. Furthermore, when the displaceable flat platen 59 is retracted,
a vertical pathway is provided for the card 1 to descend to the 2nd
stop position 64 for terminal printing.
[0102] FIG. 13 shows an alternative terminal printer 70 of a
similar construction to the printer 50 except that the print head
71 incorporates a dot-line array 72, for example 0.1 mm
high.times.80 mm wide, and displaceable circular platen 73 with a
drive shaft 75 mounted in spring biased slide bearings (not shown)
housed in the two vertical side plates 51 for sequential
reciprocation by the motorised camshaft 76 and sequential rotation
by the nip-rollers 54, in operation, the circular platen 73 moves
backwards and forwards for close-open motion caused by the spaced
apart end cams 77 on the motorised camshaft 76 engaging with the
drive shaft 75 of the circular platen 73. The circular platen 73
includes a resilient facing 74 and the drive shaft 75 rotates in
unison with the nip-rollers 54 by meshed gear interconnection (not
shown) on the outside of one of the vertical side plates 51 during
the card lifting sequence in the open position.
[0103] In operation, the close-open cycles are mechanically
synchronised for card printing in the close position and card
lifting in the open position. As a consequence, the circular platen
73 presses the card 1 against the dot-line array 72 in the close
position for card printing, and the circular platen 73 releases the
card 1 in the open position for card lifting by the nip-rollers 54
to complete each close-open cycle.
[0104] The resilient facing 74 of the circular platen 73 is made to
deform on contact with card 1 to increase the contact area and
therefore the pressing area against the card 1 in the close
position which is greater than the print area of the dot-line array
72. The nip-rollers 54 in unison with the circular platen 73,
partially rotate to lift card 1 and revolve platen 73 in dot-line
increments in the open position.
[0105] It will be understood that the heating elements of the
dot-line array 72 are also timed for energy pulsing in the closed
position to transfer heat to the thermal layer 5 of card 1 to form
permanent images made up of individual dots for each dot-line print
and lift cycle. The dot-line array 72 has a smaller print area, for
example, 0.1 mm high.times.80 mm wide, requiring less heating
elements whilst maintaining mechanical and electrical simplicity
like terminal printer 50.
[0106] FIG. 14 shows the position of the terminal sensor 34 on the
top panel 32 of the terminal 30. The sensor 34 is mounted to the
underside of the moulded surround 33 with the face of the sensor 34
flush fitted in a guide recess 33c of the surround 33 for finger
placement. The surround 33 includes register lines 33a, 33b to
provide visual guides for placing any finger in one position on the
sensor 34 by aligning the cuticle on the fingernail side of the
finger with the register lines 33a, 33b and simultaneously
positioning the finger in the centre of the recess 33c. The
register lines 33a, 33b and recess centre position represent an
imaginary X and Y axes on the face of the sensor 34 (which is
therefore not shown). The sensor 34 is used for capturing
"live-scan"fingerprint images to generate user identifiers for
transmission in binary to the carrier-linked servers for database
entrap to store personal fingerprint templates in addition to the
registration 20 for card type facsimile matching at the server
end.
[0107] It will be understood that the registration code 23 and
fingerprint template are generated by the terminal software to form
a two part byte stream comprising a card identifier and user
identifier for binary transmission, and orientated with the
registration code 23 acting as a pathfinder for call routing to the
correct card type server and locate the correct registration code
23 stored in the database for facsimile matching of two constants
23. As a consequence, the live-scan fingerprint template and stored
fingerprint template can be compared to accept or reject the user
or card 1 at any terminal 30. (It should be noted that live-scan
fingerprint templates are variable due to daily biological
changes).
[0108] Situated in the front compartment 67 of the terminal 30,
delimited by internal wall 42, side panels 40, front panel 31, top
panel 32, and base 41 is the mainboard 68 with processor (not
shown) and associated elements for operating the terminal 30 in
conjunction with the keyboard 36 and dual display 35 mounted on the
top panel 32. The dual display 35 incorporates two display screens
for viewing by the terminal attendant and cardholder at the same
time for terminal transactions.
[0109] FIG. 15 lists the terminal operation sequences with
reference numbers to print and issue the card registration 20 on a
credit card 1, and to print and issue the card registration 25 on a
lottery card 1, which are further illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18
for additional explanation.
[0110] The terminal sequence 80 for credit card 1 is a double print
operation as the credit card 1 is a two part card with a
perforation for separating the card 1 into two parts whereby the
upper part is handed to the card holder and the lower part is
retained by the retailer after terminal issue. As a consequence,
the lower part is first inserted in the terminal 30 for terminal
printing and removal for separation, and the upper part is then
inserted in the terminal 30 for terminal printing and removal.
[0111] The terminal sequence 81 for lottery card 1 is a single
print operation as the lottery card 1 is a one part card. As a
consequence, the card 1 is inserted in the terminal 30 for terminal
printing and removal. This card 1 is designed for registered,
licensed and promotion lotteries and is categorised as a prize-line
lottery system. FIG. 18 shows a lottery card 1 for free prize
promotions.
[0112] FIG. 16 lists the terminal operation sequences with
reference numbers to read and verify the card registration 20 on a
credit card 1 for card validation and read and verify the card
registration 25 on a lottery card 1 for card validation, which are
further illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 for additional
explanation.
[0113] The terminal sequence 82 for credit card 1 is applicable for
card validation at the terminal 30 with cardholder identification
for card validation. As a consequence, the sensor 34 is pressed by
the cardholder when the credit card 1 is inserted into the terminal
30 to locate the card registration 20 by facsimile matching and
verify the cardholder identity by template matching for card
validation and credit transaction at the database server.
[0114] The terminal sequence 83 for lottery card 1 is applicable
for card validation at the terminal 30 without cardholder
identification. As a consequence, the sensor 34 is not used for
cardholder identification and the lottery card 1 is inserted into
the terminal 30 to locate the card registration 25 by facsimile
matching for card validation and prize award at the database
server.
[0115] FIG. 17 illustrates the credit card 1 based on the
multi-layer material 2 before and after terminal printing of the
card registration 20 in the two part thermal print zone 10.
[0116] The credit card 1 describes the card text in the card text
zones 8 on the front face 85, 86, and on the rear face 87, 88,
which are machine printed during card 1 production. The thermal
print zone 10 is shown sub-divided for terminal printing of the
card registration 20. The upper part of credit card 1 for card
holder use, after terminal printing, shows the logo 21, mark 22 and
code 23, to form the card registration 20 as permanent images on
the barrier layer 4 which is underneath the overlay 3 as shown in
FIG. 2.
[0117] FIG. 13 illustrates the lottery card 1 based on the
multi-layer material 18 before and after terminal printing of the
card registration 25 in the one part thermal print zone 10.
[0118] The lottery card 1 describes the card text in the card text
zones 8 on the front face 89, 90, and on the rear face 91, 92,
which are machine printed during card 1 production. The thermal
print zone 10 is shown sub-divided for terminal printing of the
card registration 25. The lottery card 1, after terminal printing,
shows the mark 26 (five symbols) and code 27 to form the card
registration 25 as permanent images on the barrier layer 4 as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0119] A terminal transaction for card registration will now be
described for a credit card 1 as illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0120] The two cart card 1 is manually inserted in the terminal 30
at card slot 38 to the 1st stop position 63 and the scanner 45
reads the 3 digit matrix in the code zone 9 to illuminate the card
selector key on the keyboard 36. The key is pressed which activates
the motor to contra-rotate the nip-rollers 54 inwardly and thereby
grip each side of card 1 to lower the card 1 between the card
guides 65 and between the print head 55 and flat platen 59,
whereupon the lower edge of card 1 makes contact with the sensor 62
at the 2nd stop position 64 to stop the motor driving the
nip-rollers 54, and actuate the solenoid 60 to extend the flat
platen 59 to press the card 1 against the dot-zone array 56,
whereupon the print head 55 is energised for terminal printing in
the thermal print zone 10 of card 1 which is now constantly pressed
against the dot-zone array 56.
[0121] The print head 55 is controlled by the software to generate
the energy pulses in row orientation to form lines of dots in
sequential order by heat transference from the energised heating
elements to the thermal layer 5 to cause the thermo-chemical
reaction, whereby the thermal layer 5 discolours (black) at the
points of heat contact which in turn discolours (black) the barrier
layer 4 to produce a permanent image (in colour contrast to the
original barrier layer 4) made up of individual dots to form the
card registration 20 in the thermal print zone 10 of card 1. The
permanent image of the card registration 20 is now formed
underneath the overlay 3.
[0122] The solenoid 60 is activated when the print head 55
completes the printing sequences and retracts the flat platen 59,
whereupon the motor contra-rotates the nip rollers 54 outwardly to
lift card 1 to the 1st stop position 63 and stop, and thereby
activate the scanner 45 to read the (26 digit) data matrix code 23
to generate the code 23 bytestream to form the card identifier. The
terminal display 35 now requests the cardholder to press the sensor
34 to generate the bytestream for the fingerprint template to form
the user identifier, whereupon the terminal 30 orientates the two
part bytestream, card identifier followed by the user identifier
for binary transmission to the card type server to create a record
or datafile in the database and receive display 35 acceptance, for
the card 1 to be removed from the terminal 30.
[0123] The card 1 is a two part card and therefore has two thermal
print zones 10. The lower part is now detached and the upper part
is inserted in the terminal 30 for terminal printing at the 2nd
stop position 64 and terminal removal as described above for
duplicate printing only. The upper part of card 1 is handed to the
cardholder ready for use.
[0124] A terminal transaction for card validation will now be
described for the credit card 1 as illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0125] The one part credit card 1 is manually inserted in the
terminal 30 at the card slot 38 to the 1st stop position 63 and the
scanner 45 reads the (26 digit) data matrix code 23 in the thermal
print zone 10 to illuminate the card selector key on the keyboard
36.
[0126] The terminal attendant keys-in the transaction value for
terminal display 35 and requests the cardholder to press the sensor
34. The terminal 30 generates and orientates the three part
bytestream, card identifier followed by the user identifier and
then transaction value for binary transmission to the card type
server to locate the record or datafile in the database by
facsimile matching and verify the user identifier by template
matching to enter the transaction value for credit transaction and
receive display 35 acceptance (or rejection) or the card 1 to be
removed from the terminal 30.
[0127] The terminal transactions for a lottery card 1 as
illustrated in FIG. 18 use similar registration and validation
procedures except that the lottery card 1 is a one part card and
therefore has one thermal print zone 10 for terminal printing and
the sensor 34 is not used for generating a user identifier and
therefore no template matching is required.
[0128] The terminal transactions described above are completed
within 15 seconds as the terminal 30 has continuous on-line
connection to the computer centre for call routing to the card type
servers. It will be understood that some functions are subject to
pre-settable timing and calibration, including removal of the print
head 55 for service or maintenance and resetting due to the high
issuing rates for card registrations.
[0129] The materials 2, 15, 17 and 18, can be modified in a number
of ways.
[0130] Holograms, watermarks and like security features can be
incorporated in the overlay 3. The barrier layer 4 can include
compounds made up of materials such as indelible inks and
iridescent inks, pearlescent and metallised inks, fluorescent and
luminescent pigments, thermo-chromic and phosphorescent additives,
light blocking compounds and ultraviolet stabilisers, printing
fillers and opalescent admixtures.
[0131] The barrier layer 4 can be based on impact reactive
materials or compounds to form the permanent images without
applying heat using pressure such as encapsulated micro-cells
containing liquids which burst on impact. In this modification, the
thermal layer 5 is not used. The composition of the said materials
can be electrosensitive comprising or surface conductive and
reverse conductive properties for the conversion of electrical
impulses instead of energy pulses. Alternatively, vacuum
vapour-deposited metallised layers with electrical resistance can
be used.
[0132] The said materials can be constructed for use as security,
facsimile and other recording paper for bank drafts and giro forms,
airline ticket sand rail tickets, payroll and account documents, in
particular labels and envelopes, all capable of being dispensed
from a terminal 30 in modified form for other uses such as vending
or labelling in continuous roll form or fan-fold form from
containers fitted to the terminal device 30.
[0133] The said materials can include electronic chips or magnetic
layers, and use any two-dimensional symbology for card registration
such as linear, stacked, graphs or the data matrix type, as
examplified above. Such symbologies are in the public domain and
known as channel code, meter code, BC412, barcodes, planet code,
PDF417, super code, maxicode, aztec code, data matrix, 3-DI,
dataglyphs, snowflake code, and smart code, all capable of being
used for terminal printing of the registration code 23 and
registration code 27 in the thermal print zone 10.
[0134] The said materials can be used for signing names or writing
information in the thermal print zone 10 using a heat pen or laser
pen to form the permanent image without using the terminal device
30.
[0135] The terminal device 30 can be modified in a number of
ways.
[0136] The terminal 30 can be adapted for reel feed or fan-fold
feed of the card 1 by removing the base plate 52 of the printer 50
to allow continuous length of the said material, with horizontal
lines of perforation and spaced apart for separation, to pass
between a movable print head 55 and fixed flat platen 59, the card
guides 65 the nip-rollers 54, the bridge guide 53, and emerge from
the card slot 38. In this modification, the said material is stored
in a container underneath the terminal 30 to form a terminal
storage device 30 for dispensing by token or coin-operation for
vending machines and amusement machines, for card or ticket
issue.
[0137] The flat platen 59 can be pivotably connected to the
solenoid 60 or supported in end guides to provide accurate
alignment during displacement in front of the dot-zone array 56 or
dot-line array 72. The flat platen 59 can be used in place of the
circular platen 73 in the form of a straight edge with a resilient
facing 74 bonded along the edge side of the flat platen 59 and
displaceable by non rotatable means as well as rotatable means, and
guided in slideable mountings in each vertical side plate 51, and
spring biased in one direction of reciprocation. Alternatively, the
flat platen 59, circular platen 73, can be pendulum mounted to side
plates 51 for oscillatory motion instead.
[0138] The printer 50 and 70 can be adapted for fitting a ribbon
cassette for depositing a thermal printed image directly onto the
overlay 3 or barrier layer 4 of card 1. The print head 55 can be
adapted with a dot-line array 72 and slidably mounted for dot-line
printing in row by row sequential order onto the stationary card 1.
The print head 55 is mounted in slide slots 57 for spring biased
operation. The dot-zone array 56 and dot-line array 72 can be used
for thermal printing a single or multiple line of dots or dashes to
form permanent images in dot-matrix or segment configuration for
numbers, letters, symbols or codes depending on the print area of
the dot-zone array 56 and the dot-line array 72 for stationary
print cycles.
[0139] The terminal device 30 is designed for modular side
extension by removing the side panels 40 and fitting side sections
for ticket printing to provide a terminal device 30 or printing
cards and tickets using separate slots 38. The side panels 40 are
fitted to the side sections of the terminal 30.
[0140] The terminal 30 is a database terminal which is
carrier-linked to database servers to function as a telephone for
electronic transactions and therefore can be used for on-line or
dial-up modes of operation for inbound and outbound transmissions
using existing line or wave means of communication.
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