WO1993011510A1

WO1993011510A1 - Profiled card security system

Info

Publication number: WO1993011510A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000655
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Francis Preddey
Original assignee: Cardlok Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1991-12-04
Filing date: 1992-12-04
Publication date: 1993-06-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a card (10), such as an access or credit card, with a coded pattern of projections and/or recesses (13, 14) extending out of the plane of the card (10) which can be inserted into a lock. Any suitable receipt means, such as a shaped insertion plate (20) may be used to preclude initial entry of any card (10) not having the necessary profile, the card otherwise operating normally.

Description

PROFILED CARD SECURITY SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to access cards, particularly plastic cards, such as credit cards, automatic bank machine cards, and similar cards used as access devices. Background Art

Various card-based systems are in widespread use as door locks, car park access controls, automatic teller machine and funds transfer devices, and the like. In many of these applications, standard sized plastic cards incorporating magnetic stripes are used. Mechanical card based systems have also been proposed in co-pending PCT/AU92/00577 by the present applⁱcant, which utilise similar plastic cards .

In all of these applications, there are situations where a "restricted card" system is desirable, so that unique cards may be issued to a particular organisation. The options within the coding system (eg for magnetic swipe cards) are limited, and it is difficult to reserve whole coding sequences for sⁱngle users. Examples of the application of such systems include hotels, defence facilities and building access.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for card restriction which is inexpensive, effective and does not interfere unduly with the basic coding features of the cards. Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises an improved card security system, comprising a card including a coded pattern of projections and/or recesses extending out of the plane of the card and substantially parallel to the normal direction of insertion of the card; and receipt means for said card adapted to receive only cards having a specific cross-section including said coded pattern of projections and/or recesses, in the direction of normal insertion. 0 According to another aspect, the present invention provides a card for accessing a secure system, comprising a first coded magnetic and /or mechanical sequence, and a second coded pattern of projections and/or

SUBSTITUTE SHEET recesses extending out of the plane of the card and substantially parallel to the normal direction of insertion of the card.

Preferably the card includes a programmable magnetic strip of conventional type. Most preferably the card includes further a pattern of slots extending through the plane of the card. Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of the inventive card according to a first embodiment;

Figure 1B illustrates a section across the card of figure 1A;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 illustrates a receipt means for the card . Detailed Description

Referring to figure 1, an illustrative card 10 includes a variety of surface features parallel to the normal insertion direction 20 for the lock or other receiving device. These features may be a "corrugation", and extend to both sides of the card as in features 11, 13 and 14, or be merely on one side, as in 12. The projections may be of any or various shapes, including square, hemispherical, triangular - further, all may be the same shape or same combination of shapes for a particular card. It will be appreciated that the projections must be formed in such a way as to retain sufficient mechanical strength - for instance, very deep recesses with no corresponding projection on the other side are undesirable.

An advantageous type of projection is shown as feature 14, and involves a peak and notch in each direction of approximately one half the card thickness. This allows maximum detectable travel for the receipt means while minimising the thickness of the card, it is also very difficult for a would-be thief to duplicate.

In the reading device, any suitable receipt means - for instance, a suitably shaped insertion plate as shown in figure 3 - may be used to preclude

SUBSTITUTE SHEET entry of any card not having the necessary profile, or to not actuate unless grooves or peaks are present. Any suitable mechanical device may be used. For example, a biased cam may be actuated by appropriate projections at some position corresponding to the insertion of a suitable card. It will be appreciated that the cards may be produced by any suitable means from any suitable material - although for reasons of practicality a plastics material is preferred. Cards according to the invention may be produced by extrusion, injection moulding, or other suitable techniques. Magnetic stripes, recesses or projections for mechanical card locks, security devices such as holograms, and embossed card holder details may be included in cards according to the present invention. The projecting features may be confined to one or more zones to facilitate this. Figure 2 illustrates a card with all three types of coding - magnetic, slots and a profile.

Any suitable technique may be used to cut slots or emboss card holder details as is common practice, with care taken to not damage the card due to its non-planar surface.

One particular point which must be noted is that the cross-sectional feature must be arranged so as to not unduly weaken the structural integrity of the card. It will be appreciated that variations and additions are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims

1 . An improved card security system, comprising a card including a coded pattern of projections and/or recesses extending out of the plane of the card and substantially parallel to the normal direction of insertion of the card; and receipt means for said card adapted to receive only cards having a specific cross-section, including said coded pattern of projections and/or recesses, in the direction of normal insertion.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the card further includes a coded magnetic portion, and the receipt means is adapted to read the magnetic portion.

3. A card for accessing a secure system, comprising a first coded magnetic and/or mechanical sequence, and a second coded pattern of projections and/or recesses extending out of the plane of the card and substantially parallel to the normal direction of insertion of the card.

4. A card according to claim 3, including a programmable magnetic strip of conventional type.

5. A card according to claim 3 or claim 4, including a pattern of slots extending through the plane of the card.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET