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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. A positive identification device for verifying the authenticity of the
user of a document coded with visible identification information, where
the authorized user of said document has been given a secret code for
memorization which corresponds to said visible identification information,
said device comprising:
a. first entering means comprising at least one user dial for manually
entering a user code into said device, said user dial having along its
outer edge indicia corresponding to said user code;
b. second entering means comprising at least one operator dial for manually
entering said visible identification information into said device, said
operator dial having along its outer edge indicia corresponding to said
visible identification information;
c. an indicator;
d. a power source;
e. an electrical circuit having an enabled and disabled state, said
electrical circuit comprising a plurality of first switches which are
responsive in a predetermined manner to said manually entered user code
and which have an on state and an off state, and a plurality of second
switches equal in number to said first switches, said second switches each
having an on state and an off state, said second switches being responsive
in a predetermined manner to said manually entered visible identification
information, said first switches and said second switches being
respectively wired together so that the state of said electrical circuit
becomes enabled only upon the changing of state of said first switches
being complementary to the changing of state of said second switches, said
electrical circuit being connected with said indicator and said power
source, said indicator being responsive to said electrical circuit being
enabled, said indicator being activated only if said manually entered user
code corresponds to said manually entered visible identification
information;
f. first actuating means for actuating said first switches, said first
actuating means being controlled in a predetermined manner by said first
entering means, said first actuating means having a plurality of first
coupling members equal in number to said first switches, each of said
first coupling members being coupled to a respective said first switch,
said first actuating means further having a first axle and at least one
first cylinder having a circular cavity at each of its ends, each of said
first cylinder's ends having a rim of narrow width, said first cylinder
being rotatably mounted upon said first axle, said first cylinder having
upon its surface a plurality of first engaging means for cooperatively
engaging with said first coupling members, said first engaging means being
arranged in a predetermined manner, said first cylinder being located in
close proximity to said first coupling members so that said engaging means
can engage said first coupling members, each of said first switches being
actuated upon its respective said first coupling members being engaged by
said first engaging means, said user dial being rotatably mounted on said
first axle, said user dial being secured to said first cylinder, said
indicia along the outer edge of said user dial being aligned with said
first engaging means in a predetermined manner;
g. a first stressed torque spring, said first stressed torque spring
surrounding said first axle, said first stressed torque spring being
connected to and positioned between said user dial and said first cylinder
when said user dial and said first cylinder are secured to each other,
said first stressed torque spring being compressed and twisted so that it
propels said user dial and said first cylinder apart and causes them to
rotate in opposite directions upon their ceasing to be secured together,
thereby preventing the detection of the predetermined manner in which said
indicia along the outer edge of said user dial and said first engaging
means were aligned with each other;
h. at least one first I-beam, the number of said first I-beams greater than
one being equal to the number of said first cylinders greater than two,
said first I-beam surrounding said first axle, said first I-beam being
positioned adjacent said end of said first cylinder opposite said user
dial, said first I-beam having spacers of narrow width disposed along its
sides and coincident with said rim of said cylinder opposite to said user
dial, said spacers being disposed so that said first cylinder and said
user dial are compressed together so that they are secured to each other,
but would no longer be secured to each other if said first I-beam is
displaced a small distance;
i. second actuating means for actuating said second switches, said second
actuating means being controlled in a predetermined manner by said second
entering means, said second actuating means having a plurality of second
coupling members equal in number to said first switches, each of said
second coupling members being coupled to a respective said second switch,
said second actuating means further having a second axle and at least one
second cylinder having a circular cavity at each of its ends, each of said
second cylinder's ends having a rim of narrow width, said second cylinder
being rotatably mounted upon said second axle, said second cylinder having
upon its surface a plurality of second engaging means for cooperatively
engaging with said second coupling members, said second engaging means
being arranged in a predetermined manner, said second rotating member
being located in close proximity to said second coupling members so that
said second engaging means can engage said second coupling members, each
of said second switches being actuated upon its respective said second
coupling member being engaged by said engaging means, said operator dial
being rotatably mounted upon said second axle, said operator dial being
secured to said second rotating member, said indicia along the outer edge
of said operator dial being aligned with said second engaging means in a
predetermined manner; and
j. a second stressed torque spring, said second stressed torque spring
surrounding said second axle, said second stressed torque spring being
connected to and positioned between said operator dial and said second
cylinder when said operator dial and said second cylinder are secured to
each other, said second stressed torque spring being compressed and
twisted so that it propels said operator dial and said second cylinder
apart and causes them to rotate in opposite directions upon their ceasing
to be secured together, thereby preventing the detection of the
predetermined manner in which said markings and said second engaging means
were aligned with each other.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a case member attached to said
first I-beam so that upon displacement of said case member, said first
I-beam is displaced.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one second I-beam, the
number of said second I-beams greater than one being equal to the number
of said second cylinders greater than two, said second I-beam surrounding
said second axle, said second I-beam positioned adjacent said end of said
second cylinder opposite said operator dial, said second I-beam having
spacers of narrow width disposed along its sides and coincident with said
rim of said second cylinder opposite said operator dial, said spacers
being disposed so that said second cylinder and said operator dial are
compressed together so that they are secured to each other, but would no
longer be secured to each other if said second I-beam is displaced a small
distance.
4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a case member, said case member
attached to said first I-beam and said second I-beam so that upon
displacement of said case member, said first I-beam and said second I-beam
are displaced.
5. A positive identification device for verifying the authenticity of the
user of a document coded with visible identification information, where
the authorized user of said document has been given a secret code for
memorization which corresponds to said visible identification information,
said device comprising:
a. first entering means comprising at least one user dial for manually
entering a user code into said device, said user dial having along its
outer edge indicia corresponding to said user code;
b. second entering means for manually entering said visible identification
information into said device;
c. an indicator;
d. a power source;
e. an electrical circuit having an enabled and disabled state, said
electrical circuit comprising a plurality of first switches which are
responsive in a predetermined manner to said manually entered user code
and which have an on state and an off state, and a plurality of second
switches equal in number to said first switches, said second switches each
having an on state and an off state, said second switches being responsive
in a predetermined manner to said manually entered visible identification
information, said second entering means composing a plurality of manually
operated single throw switching members equal in number to said second
switches, said single throw switching members having markings
corresponding to said visible identification information, each of said
single throw switching members being wired to a respective one of said
second switches so that each of said second switches is actuated upon its
respective single throw switching member being thrown into the on
position, said first switches and said second switches being respectively
wired together so that the state of said electrical circuit becomes
enabled only upon the changing of state of said first switches being
complementary to the changing of state of said second switches, said
electrical circuit being connected with said indicator and said power
source, said indicator being responsive to said electrical circuit being
enabled, said indicator being activated only if said manually entered user
code corresponds to said manually entered visible identification
information;
f. actuating means for actuating said first switches, said actuating means
being controlled in a predetermined manner by said first entering means,
said actuating means having a plurality of coupling members equal in
number to said first switches, each of said coupling members being coupled
to a respective said first switch, said actuating means further having an
axle and at lease one cylinder having a circular cavity at each of its
ends each of said cylinder's ends having a rim of narrow width, said
cylinder being rotatably mounted upon said axle, said cylinder having upon
its surface a plurality of engaging means for cooperatively engaging with
said coupling members, said engaging means arranged in a predetermined
manner, said cylinder being located in a close proximity to said coupling
members so that said engaging means can engage said coupling members, each
of said first switches being actuated upon its respective said coupling
member being engaged by said engaging means, said user dial being
rotatably mounted on said axle, said user dial being secured to said
cylinder, said indicia along the outer edge of said user dial being
aligned with said engaging means in a predetermined manner;
g. a stressed torque spring, said stressed torque spring surrounding said
axle, said stressed torque spring being connected to and positioned
between said user dial and said cylinder when said user dial and said
cylinder are secured to each other, said stressed torque spring being
compressed and twisted so that it propels said user dial and said cylinder
apart and causes them to rotate in opposite directions upon their ceasing
to be secured together, thereby preventing the detection of the
predetermined manner in which said indicia along the outer edge of said
user dial and said engaging means were aligned with each other; and
h. at least one I-beam, the number of said I-beams greater than one being
equal to the number of said cylinders greater than two, said I-beam
surrounding said axle, said I-beam being positioned adjacent said end of
said cylinder opposite said user dial, said I-beam having spacers of
narrow width disposed along its sides and coincident with said rim of said
cylinder opposite to said user dial, said spacers being disposed so that
said cylinder and said user dial are compressed together so that they are
secured to each other, but would no longer be secured to each other if
said first I-beam is displaced a small distance.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a case member attached to said
I-beam so that upon displacement of said case member, said I-beam is
displaced.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said first switches are serially connected
with each other and each of said second switches is connected in parallel
with a respective one of said first switches, thereby forming a plurality
of first switching pairs equal in number to said first switches, each of
said switching pairs being comprised of one of said first switches and its
respective said second switch, and whereby said electrical circuit is
enabled only upon the closing of said first switch or said second switch
of all of said switching pairs.
8. The device of claim 5 wherein the inputs of all said first switches are
connected with each other and the outputs of all said second switches are
connected with each other, the output of each of said first switches being
serially connected to the input of a respective one of said second
switches, thereby forming a plurality of second switching pairs equal in
number to said first switches, each of said second switching pairs being
comprised of one of said first switches connected in series with its
respective one of said second switches, whereby said electrical circuit is
enabled only upon the opening of said first switch or said second switch
of all of said second switching pairs.
9. The device of claim 5 wherein said engaging means are first
protuberances upon said surface of said cylinder, said coupling members
are lever members, one end of said lever members being displaced upon
being engaged by one of said protuberances, thereby causing said first
lever member to rotate about its fulcrum, whereby the other end of said
lever member actuates said lever member's respective first switch.
10. The device of claim 5 wherein said cylinder is comprised of molded
plastic.
11. The device of claim 5 wherein one of said rims of each of said at least
one cylinder has a tooth and notch pattern on it and the side of each of
said at least one user dial has a complementary tooth and notch pattern on
it so that said user dial and said cylinder mesh with each other and
rotate in fixed relation to each other when secured together.
12. The device of claim 5 further comprising a test circuit comprising said
power source, said indicator, and a manually operated test switch wired
together in series, whereby said indicator is activated upon the closing
of said test switch if the device is in working order.
13. The device of claim 5 wherein said power source is a battery.
14. The device of claim 5 wherein said indicator is a lamp.
15. In combination, the positive identification device of claim 5 and a
document means adaptable for identity authentication, said document means
comprising a document element with said visible identification information
recorded on said document element. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for authenticating the identity of the
user of an encoded document.
2. Prior Art
The use of credit cards in today's society is ever present. Credit cards
are used to represent an exchange of money for goods and services in
almost all locations and in almost all types of commercial establishments,
including banks, restaurants, department stores, gas stations, tourist
attractions, theaters, supermarkets and other retail outlets.
Unfortunately, along with the almost universal use of credit cards there
is a large incidence of credit card theft and subsequent use by
unauthorized users. The most common method of checking whether the user is
authorized to use the card that is being presented to complete a
transaction is to compare the user's signature with the one on the
signature strip. However, these comparisons are cursory at best, and the
person making the comparison is rarely capable of detecting even the most
rudimentary of forgeries. These signature comparisons are sometimes
augmented by the employment of centralized credit information agencies.
However, references to such agencies merely confirm that the cards or
other instruments are authentic and that funds are available. These
references do not confirm the identity of the user.
Previous attempts to provide means for verifying that the person using a
credit card was the one authorized to do so have not proven to be
successful. The systems previously produced have been overly complex and
difficult to use by either the customer or the merchant or both. These
systems have often been large and bulky. They have been difficult to
manufacture and are very expensive. Many of the previous systems require
access to a computer, which is a large expense occurring on a continuing
basis. Because of the problems inherent with previous systems, their use
has not been widespread. Because of the high costs involved, only large
financial institutions have been able to use the previous systems.
However, few of these institutions have found it advantageous to use any
of the systems previously known. The previous systems for verifying the
identity of a credit card user are impracticable for use by commercial
establishments, particularly retail stores, gas stations and restaurants.
In addition, previous systems required complex encoding of credit cards.
Such encoding included magnetic coding, which is very expensive and very
susceptible to accidental alteration, and hole punching, which generally
weakens the durability of the card.
Previous systems include the credit card verifier described by Appleton in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,404. This system required a credit card reader and a
specially adapted keyboard. These units make that system bulky and
expensive and allow for more instances of unreliability. It employs
microprocessor components which tends to increase the difficulty of
manufacture and the costs of the system.
The system described by McCune, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,405 requires
a credit card reader, a keyboard, complex logic circuitry, including
timing circuitry, a display unit, and access to a centralized computer.
This system is very large, very expensive and is designed to be used by
large financial institutions, preferably in cooperation with each other.
The system disclosed in Norwich, U.S. Pat. No. 3,728,522 requires a
magnetically encoded card, a card reader, a writing unit, and complex
circuitry. It also requires a series of actions by the system's operator.
The system described by Housman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,201 requires complex
logic circuitry which, as described above, increases the cost of
manufacture of the card verifying systems. This system also provides for
the effective destruction of the card if a wrong entry is made, leaving
little margin of error. The card itself must have electric circuitry
embedded in it which greatly increases the cost of manufacturing the
credit cards.
The systems described above are representative of the prior art which has
so far produced bulky or stationary systems. These systems are complex and
expensive and impracticable for widespread use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known credit card
systems have prevented their use on a scale of any consequence.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a system for
authenticating the identity of a card user.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for
authenticating the identity of a card user which is simple to manufacture
and may be produced at low cost.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for
authenticating the identity of a card user which is capable of being held
in the hand of its operator.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for
authenticating the identity of a card user which is difficult to decode.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for
authenticating the identity of a card user which will be capable of being
used by a wide spectrum of commercial establishments so as to act as a
deterrent to credit card thefts and the monetary losses which usually
result from such thefts.
The above objects are accomplished by the present invention. The system of
this invention is comprised of a positive identification device and a card
bearing visible identification indicia. The authentication device is a
small, light-weight device which can be easily held in one's hand. It has
at least one (1) dial for the entry of a secret code by the card user.
Each dial is connected to a cylinder which has numerous protuberances on
it. Each cylinder is positioned in close proximity to lever members which
each make electrical contact at one end of the lever when the other end of
the lever is contacted by a protuberance on the cylinder. The electrical
contacts made by the levers form part of an electrical circuit which is
completed upon the closure of appropriate verification switches on the
authentication device. The protuberances are positioned on the cylinders
so that for each setting of the secret code entry dials, a different group
of verification switches must be thrown to make a complete circuit. The
positive identification device also comprises an identity authentication
indicator lamp and a source of electricity, usually a battery, which make
up the rest of the circuit which is completed upon the closing of
verification switches.
The cards are manufactured in the usual way, with each card being encoded
with visible identification information in the same manner that account
numbers are embossed on the cards. The authorized user of the credit card
is then given a secret code. Before being allowed to make a commercial
transaction, the card user must enter his secret code on the secret code
entry dials of the authentication device of this invention. The operator
of the commercial establishment then closes verification switches on the
authenticating device which correspond to the visible identification
information on the card. If the secret code number entered into the
authentication device correctly complements the visible identification
information on the card, a simple electric circuit is completed in the
authentification device upon the closing of the verification switches on
the device by the operator of the commercial establishment and an identity
authentication indicator lamp lights up indicating that the card user is
the authorized user and the transaction can proceed.
If the credit card user is not an authorized user, the unauthorized user
would not know the secret code which complements the visible
identification information on the card. Consequently, the number entered
on the secret number entry dials of the positive identification device
would not cause a commpletion of an electric circuit within the device
upon the throwing of the verification switches by the operator of the
commercial establishment. Therefore, the identity authentication indicator
lamp would not light up. To insure that the positive identification device
is not faulty, the test button is depressed to light the indicator lamp.
If it lights up, then, depending upon the policy of the commercial
establishment, the operator could merely refuse to allow the use of the
credit card in the transaction or the operator could call upon the
appropriate authorities to deal with the suspected unauthorized user of
the credit card.
Because the authentication device of this invention is small and
lightweight, easy to operate and inexpensive to manufacture, it is capable
of enjoying widespread use across the spectrum of commercial
establishments, and is particularly suitable for distribution by credit
card companies. Therefore, it can readily be seen that the present
invention will act as a major deterrent to credit card thieves.
The system of the present invention can readily be used in situations other
than those involving credit transactions. For example, the system may be
used to authenticate the identity of one holding a document used to
identify those allowed entry to limited access areas such as government
installations, schools or construction sites.
The relationship between the visible identification information and secret
number codes can be changed periodically by a simple realignment of the
dials and cylinders. Thereby new groupings of electrical connections are
formed so that old secret codes become inoperative. Concurrent with the
realignment of the dials and cylinders, each authorized card user is
notified of the new secret code which is to be used with the visible
identification information on the card in the user's possession. Thus, any
effort by unauthorized card users to learn the secret code to match the
visible information on a card would be for nought.
The positive identification device is constructed so that the cylinders
separate from the secret number entry dials if the device is opened for
examination. Therefore, any attempt to elicit current secret code numbers
by examining the device would be stymied because the mechanical connection
between the dials and cylinders is destroyed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the positive identification device used in
the system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the positive identification device taken
along line 2--2 of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 is a top cutaway view of the device taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used in the
authentication device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 5--5
of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device taken along line
7--7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the device taken along
line 8--8 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 shows the device of FIG. 5 after it has been partially taken apart.
FIG. 10 shows a card encoded for use in the system of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 10, card 80 is typical of the type of document used in
the system of the present invention. Usually it will be a credit card. The
card is manufactured in the usual way, with visible identification
information 81 embossed on the card in the same manner that the authorized
user's name 82 and account number 83 are. In the preferred embodiment, the
visible identification information 81 is a series of alphabetical
characters. These characters could also be numerical or otherwise
symbolical. The characters of the visible identification information are
four (4) in number, chosen from the first twelve (12) consonants of the
English alphabet. It is clear that the visible identification information
could include greater or fewer than four (4) characters.
FIG. 1 shows the authentication device 10 of this invention. The device is
housed in a case composed of a top body member 12 and a bottom body member
16. The case is produced in a manner well known in the art and can be made
of a variety of materials. In the preferred embodiment the case is made of
molded plastic. Pads 14, shown in FIG. 2, are attached to the lower side
of bottom body member 16 and can be made of almost any resilient material.
Secret code entry dials 22 (also called "user dials") appear through slots
in the top body member 12. The preferred embodiment of the present
invention has two secret code entry dials, but other embodiments may have
greater or fewer dials. Each dial has marked upon it a series of numbers
95 in FIG. 1 and a corresponding number of detents 24 which come in
contact with a detent ball 21, shown in FIG. 5, so that the dial does not
slip from its setting. Detents 24 are placed on the rims of the dials and
the numerical markings appear on the inside edges. In other embodiments
these positions can be reversed. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the authorized card user is given a four (4) digit
code, which complements the visible identification information 81 on the
user's card, to memorize. It is upon the user dials 22 that the card user
enters his secret code during identification authentication procedures.
For example, if his secret code is 1826, the card user will set the left
and right secret code entry dials so that the numerical markings 18 and 26
respectively align with arrows 23.
Visible identification information entering means 26 (also referred to as
"verification switches") appear through another slot in top body member
12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention there are twelve
(12) verification switches identified by alphabetical characters, here the
first twelve consonants of the English alphabet. A greater number or a
fewer number of switches can be used, and the switches can be identified
by numerical or other symbolic characters. In the preferred embodiment,
the verification switches are in a bank of single throw switches. In other
embodiments, the visible identification entering means may be similar to
the user dials.
The operator of the positive identification device 10, usually an operator
of a commercial establishment, closes the verification switches which
correspond to the characters of visible identification information 81 on
the user's card 80. For example, if the characters of the visible
identification information are BDFK, the operator closes verification
switches B, D, F and K. If the card user had entered the correct secret
code onto the secret code entry dials, an identity authentication
indicator would respond. The indicator could respond to alert the operator
to the fact that the user is unauthorized. The indicator could be a
buzzer. In this embodiment it is a lamp 27 which lights up indicating that
the card user is an authorized user. If the lamp does not light up, then
the operator depresses test switch 28. This is done to insure that the
power source, usually a battery 29, shown symbolically in FIG. 4, and the
identity authentication indicator lamp are in operating order. If the lamp
lights up upon the depressing of the test switch, the operator knows that
the credit card user has entered an incorrect code on dials 22. Depending
on the policy followed, the operator could allow the user to repeat the
process, the operator may refuse to allow the use of the card in the
transaction or the operator may call the appropriate authorities to deal
with the suspected unauthorized card user. If lamp 27 does not light up
when test switch 28 is closed, then the operator can replace the lamp or
the battery (the access to the battery is not shown) or both. In this
procedure there is never a need to insert the card, or any other document,
into the device.
Referring to FIG. 4, the circuit of the device of this invention is shown
in schematic form. When test switch 28 is depressed and battery 29 and
lamp 27 are in working order, a completed circuit exists and lamp 27
lights up. During normal use, test switch 28 stays open. Battery 29 and
lamp 27 are connected to an electrical circuit which comprises two sets of
switches, the first set of switches ("first switches") corresponding to
the user code dials 22 and the second set of switches ("second switches")
corresponding to the visible identification information entering means 26.
The number of switches in the first set is equal to the number of switches
in the second set. Lamp 27 only lights up when electrical circuit 61 is
enabled. By the present invention the electrical circuit is enabled only
upon the activating of second switches which are complementary to the
first switches actuated. Each switch of the first set is wired to a
respective switch of the second set forming switching pairs, the number of
switching pairs of course being equal to the number of first switches,
each switching pair comprising one first switch and one second switch. The
electrical circuit is enabled only upon the actuating of either the first
switch or the second switch of all the switching pairs. The electrical
circuit could be formed in a variety of manners, including connecting the
first switch and the second switch of each switching pair in series and
then connecting all the switching pairs together on parallel, the
electrical circuit being enabled upon either the first switch or the
second switch of all of the switching pairs being opened.
In the preferred embodiment the first switch and the second switch of each
switching pair are connected in parallel and the switching pairs are all
connected in series, the electrical circuit being enabled upon either the
first switch or the second switch of all the switching pairs being closed.
In the preferred embodiment the first set of switches is comprised of
electrical contacts 50 and the conductive end portion of levers 43. Each
lever 43 and each successive pair of contacts 50 comprise a first switch.
It is obvious that the second set of switches could be formed in the same
way. In the preferred embodiment, however, the set of second switches is
identical to verification switches 26.
Referring to FIG. 5, user dials 22 are mounted on axle 31. The user dials
rotate in either direction, independently of each other. The user dials
are mounted next to rotating members which in the preferred embodiment are
cylinders 35. Each end of each cylinder is hollowed out so that circular
cavities 51 are formed. Narrow interlocking rims 53 and narrow spacer rims
55 are thus formed out of the ends of the cylinders. The cylinders are
kept pressed up against the user dials by spacers 37 located on I-beam 39.
Spacers 37 engage spacer rims 55 during normal operation of the device.
Spacers 37 are of narrow width so that when I-beam 39 is displaced by a
small amount, spacers 37 and spacer rims 55 disengage.
As shown in FIG. 9, interlocking rims 53 have a tooth and notch pattern 32
in them. User dial 22 has a complementary tooth and notch pattern 34 in
its side, as shown in FIG. 6, so that when spacers 37 engage spacer rims
55, the user dial and the cylinder it is mounted next to mesh together and
rotate as one unit, as shown in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 2, cylinders 35 have upon their surfaces means for
coupling with switch actuators, said switch actuators to be discussed
subsequently. These coupling means could take many forms. In the preferred
embodiment they are protuberances 36. In the preferred embodiment, the
cylinders are molded plastic so that protuberances 36 are readily formed.
The protuberances on the cylinders are arranged so that for a particular
setting of user dials 22 only certain switch actuators are engaged.
The switch actuators discussed above can take many forms, from ordinary
push button switches to microswitches. In the preferred embodiment the
switch actuators are levers 43 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As can be seen,
levers 43 are positioned in close proximity to cylinders 35 so that for
each particular dial setting, protuberances 36 push up against the forward
end of selected levers 43.
Those levers against which the protuberances press up pivot about a fulcrum
composed of bushings 45 and screw 44 which is attached to top body member
12, shown in FIG. 2, and positioned in journals 93, shown in FIG. 5. The
hole in which screw 44 is placed is big enough to allow the lever to
pivot. The other end of each lever contacted by the protuberances rotates
downward to make contact with a pair of electrical contacts 50.
The protuberances 36 on the cylinders are set so that for each dial setting
for entry of a secret code number which corresponds to a series of visible
identification information on the card 80, protuberances will press up
against eight (8) of the levers. In the preferred embodiment there are
more possible dial settings than secret codes; therefore some of the dial
settings will be dummy numbers, with the protuberances on the drums
pressing up against seven (7) or fewer levers. As will be seen, if a user
enters one of the dummy numbers, the electrical circuit which must be
completed for the identity authentication indicator lamp 27 to light up
would not, upon the closing of the verification switches corresponding to
the visible identification information, be completed.
Electrical contacts 50 are wired to verification switches 26. As shown in
FIG. 4, each lever that comes down on electrical contacts 50 removes the
necessity of closing a corresponding verification switch to complete the
electrial circuit. For example, if a protuberance on a drum comes in
contact with the lever third from the left, verification switch D need not
be closed.
After the card user has entered his secret code on user dials 22, the
operator closes the verification switches which correspond to the visible
identification information on the user's card. By way of example, if the
card user has a card with visible identification information BDFK upon it
and the secret code which corresponds to that set of visible
identification information is 1826, which code is correctly entered onto
the secret code entry dials, the second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth,
tenth, eleventh and twelfth levers will be contacted by the protuberances
on the drums and will come down upon the electrical contacts. Thus upon
the operator's closing of verification switches B, D, F and K a completed
circuit is made and lamp 27 lights up. If the secret code is a number
other than 1826, upon the entry of 1826 on the secret code entry dials by
the user one or more of the second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth,
eleventh and twelfth levers will not be brought into contact with
electrical contacts 50. Therefore, a complete electrical circuit will not
be made upon the closing of verification switches B, D, F and K and lamp
27 will not light up, thereby indicating that the person using the card is
not an authorized user.
During the assembly of the device of the present invention, axle 31 is
slipped through I-beam 39. As shown in FIG. 8, I-beam 39 has opening 91
which is larger than the diameter of axle 31 so that there is longitudinal
play between those two members. Cylinders 35 are then slipped over axle
31. Torque springs 57 are next slipped over the axle. One end of each
torque spring is attached to each cylinder 35. Next, user dials 22 are
slipped over the axle with the other end of each torque spring 57 being
attached to each user dial. Each user dail and its respective cylinder are
rotated with respect to each other so that the torque spring is stressed.
The user dial and the cylinder are then connected together so that the
protuberances 36 on the cylinder correspond to the numbers marked on the
dial in a predetermined manner. The torque spring is put under compressive
force and fits into circular cavity 51. If the cylinder and user dial are
not held firmly together, the stressed torque spring will push the
cylinder and dial apart and rotate them relative to each other, destroying
the relationship between the protuberances 36 and the markings on the user
dial. I-beam 39 is positioned so that spacers 37 keep the cylinder and
dial compressed together. The assembly described above is then positioned
in bottom body member 16, with axle 31 being snap fitted into support
members 33 as shown in FIG. 7. Support members 33 are integral with bottom
body member 16.
The lower surface of I-beam 39 rests upon bottom body member 16. The upper
surface of the I-beam is coated with an adhesive. When top body member 12
is placed over and attached to bottom body member 16, the upper surface of
I-beam 39 adheres to the lower surface of the top body member. Thus, if an
authorized card user or any other unauthorized person were to attempt to
discover the secret code by a visual inspection of the relationship
between the user dials and the cylinders with their protuberances, such an
attempt would fail. Upon lifting the top body member to open the positive
identification device to physical inspection, the I-beam which is adhered
to the top body member is pulled up along with it. The remainder of the
assemb | | |
