GB2185937A - Credit card - Google Patents

Abstract

A credit or similar card incorporates a computer-produced image k of the m thumb or finger print of the authorised holder, together with a finger print reader m. When a transaction is to be verified a finger or thumb is applied to the reader, operating a pressure sensitive switch which causes the print to be compared with that held in the card. If there is a satisfactory match the processor 5 causes the holders account number or personal identification number to be shown on a liquid crystal display on the card. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A.G.I.C. - Absolute guarantee identity card Technical field This invention relates to an identity code which provides absolute verification that the owner is the true and bonefide registered owner of a credit card and/or credit card number or identity code.

Background Credit cards are in constant use for purposes of purchasing goods and/or obtaining cash or credit.

The unique personal code number identifies the owner only in as much as that number is linked on a remote computerto an individuals name, account number and address.

It is known that abuses and miss-use of credit cards is an increasingly serious problem to Banks, Security, Crime Prevention, Stores and soon.

Apartfrom true overspending, of a credit by a bonefide credit card member, nearly ail other abuses are due to false identity of persons obtaining cash and/or credit. (e.g. stolen/lost cards - counterfeit cards etc.) Essential technical feature With the present credit card system and once the decision is taken by a Company to issue such a card a unique card number is issued (for accounting purposes) plus a personal identity number (in the case of cash dispensing).

It is possible to forge these numbers and with inside contacts to set up corresponding "Dummy" identities in a computer.

ThisA.G.l.C. invention eliminates the abilityto forge an identity linked to a credit card and provides a positive identityto link a card numberto thecorrect and only authorised user of a credit card.

This identification is absolute in relation to the authorised user.

The identification method to be used on an "AGIC" card isathumband/orfingerprint.

Example Figure 1. Shows actual size of an "AGIC" identity card. This may be shaped as shown orcircularorany other shape which later development may suggest.

Figure 2. This is a cross section (enlarged) on Figure 1 -AA. showing how a thumb print is read,the power source and the location of the unique computer - produced insertable thumb print copy.

OUTLINE SYSTEM FLOW 1. BankorCreditCompany, MasterFile a) Verify proposed customer credit limit.

b) Obtainthumbprintfromcustomer.

c) Register on computerthumb printwith identity numberand setcreditlimit(if required)name etc.

d) Produce identical computer readerable thumb-printfilm with account and/or identity number held in magnetic memory. See Figure 2 - 15.

e) Insert in card and send to customer.

2. Cardsystem operation a) Assume customer has received card and thumb print identity strip.

b) Upon presentation of normal credit card, the person granting credit requests from the "AGIC" owner some form of identification.

c) "AGIC" holder holds card in normal way places AGIC on counter and places thumb on card reader Figure 2 -10 d) If correct match is read by card intergrated circuit, then signal sent to memory to display identity oraccountnumber, Figure 2-17 and 14 and 12.

e) If no match-system rendered U.S. dueto unauthorised user posing. Figure 2 -14.

f) Person granting credit reads from AGICthe numberdisplayedon LCD(Figure2-12)and matches with normal credit card number (presented) in2(C)) g) Creditisnowgiven onthebasisthatthe "AGIC" has performed its task in providing absolute identity. In other words, the code displayed on AGIC matches the code on the normal seperately presented Credit Card.

Outline technical operation ofA. G.l. C.

a) Upon inserting magnetic or optically readable copy ofthumb-print chip from main frame computer: i) Insertintocardl secure.

ii) Upon placing thumb on reader- a pressure sensitive switch activates power to the thumb print reader.

b) Thumb print reader reads actual thumb print and matches with readable copy.

i) If match obtained, signal sent to memory to display on liquid crystal readout "Account or identity" number.

iii) If no match - readable copy is destroyed to reader card U.S.

c) On release of thumb from reader switch to power is broken.

d) Power supplied by small cell batterysimilarto those used in watches.

"A. G.l. C. "absolute garanteed identity card.

The word AGIC is an abbreviation for:- Absolute Garanteed Identity Card.

The AGIC is a card, made of plastic Figure 1 and Figure 2 -16. which has a lightsensitive and pressure sensitive position fora thumb (Figure 2-11) Figure 2 - 10. This switches on the power with thumb in position. It has an insertable computer produced and computer readable film - Figure 2 - 15 - upon which the thumb print is registered. An intergrated circuit and/or cilicon chip designed to read both the actual thumb print and the film (15) - Figure 2 - 17.A processer Figure 2 - 14 is activated once the reader 15 and 11 has read the actual live thumb print.

Achip Figure 2 -17 also matches the livethumb printwith the magnetic film copy or finds no match.

If match is found, a signal issenttothefilmto read the identity and/or account code by switch 14.

The account or l.D. code is then read and displayed on the liquid crystal display Figure 2 - 12.

Power is supplied by a micro battery - Figure 2 - 13.

The identical thumb print film is generated bya mainframe computerfrom an actual persons thumb print.Tothis uniquethumb print is registered an identity and/or account number. Along with the owners name and address, his bank and any other releventdata.

The AGIC works by reading an actual live thumb print-matching it with the film 15 and then if correct match obtained - displaying the identity or account code on a LCD display - 12.

The person granting credit matches the A.G.I.C.

identity number with that printed on a standard seperate credit card and confirms absolute identity or not.

Transactions then take place with true confidence by the lenderofcash or credit.

Key to drawing Figure 2 - Page 9.

a = Nam'e of Bankor money/creditlender b = Bank logo.

c = Nameofcardowner d = Liquid crystal display, for unique code e = Account number f = Sortcode g = Thumb orfingerprint reader.

h = Plasticcard.

k = Identical thumb orfinger print readable filmorimage m = Thumborfingersensitive locators.

n = Sensitive pressure pad/optical reader.

p = Power source.

r = Print reader.

s = Processor and memoryunit.

Claims (11)

1. An absolute, unique owner identification card, which uses a persons thumb orfinger-printto prove that person's identity.

2. A plastic card, from which a thumb or finger-print may be read. If read correctly, then verification is provided to that extent, as claimed in 1.

3. An absolute garanteed identity card, as claimed in claim 1 and 2, which, provides a means of true identity ofthe owner, by the use of a thumb or finger print.

4. An absolute garanteed identity card as claimed in claim 1,2 or3wherein a card made of plasticor othersubstancecontains a readable copy of a person's thumb orfinger-print.

5. An absolute garantee identity card as claimed in previous claims herein, which prints and/or displays a number or code which is uniquely linked two a person'sthumb orfinger print.

6. An absolute garanteed identity card as claimed in preceding claims which code number (mentioned in Claim 5) will also be present on credit cards, cash cards, Passports, Identity Cards, Driving License, or and document or card which requires owner identification.

7. An absolute garanteed identity card as claimed in preceding Claims which provides definite and absolute evidence of truce and correct bonifide ownership or otherwise, by comparing and matching the number or code as mentioned in Claim 5 to that number or code, already present on credit and cash cards - as mentioned in Claim 6.

8. An absolute garanteed identity card as claimed in preceding claims, which will only display and/or print a person's identitycode,when a correctthumb and/or finger print is read.

9. An absolute garanteed identity card (known as AGICforshort) as claimed in preceding claims which contains a computer produced and recorded image of a thumb orfinger print.

10. An A.G.I.C. as claimed in preceding claims which is ableto read a person'sthumb orfinger print as claimed in Page 6 'E' and Panel El Clause 1 to 9 which incorporates a small power source to power a Thumb Print Reader and Code Display Unit.

11. An A.G.I.C. substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.