GB2439052A

GB2439052A - Data card

Info

Publication number: GB2439052A
Application number: GB0611636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Nigel Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-13
Filing date: 2006-06-13
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Also published as: GB0611636D0

Abstract

A rectangular plastic data card B with means for carrying encoded data which has a recess or protrusion A adjacent an edge of a surface for engagement with a user's thumbnail to assist removing the card from a pocket, whereby the recess or protrusion A is other than an alphanumeric character or array of characters or a hole passing through the card adjacent the edge. Preferably the card B is of a conventional size. The recess or protrusion A may be in the shape of an arc located 5 to 8 millimetres from the edge and either cut, moulded or embossed. The card B may be a credit, telephone, security or identity card may include a magnetic strip and alphanumeric user information. The card B may be used in a wallet whereby the recess or protrusion A remains visible when inserted into a pocket.

Description

A DATA CARD

This invention relates to an improved data card such as a credit card or debit card, which is provided with a surface feature which facilitates removal of the data card from a pocket in a wallet.

Background of the 1nvent!!

The development of plastic data cards dates back to the 1970s, when patents were filed in France, Germany, and Japan. These evolved to include the present day Smart cards.

After introduction of the Plastic Data Card in the 1970's, the first mass rollout of smart cards, based upon the original plastic card format, took place itt 1992, when the cards were adopted by all French banks. Rapid growth ensued due to the increasing use of smart cards for many financial, telecommunications, transit, health care and secure identification applications What started as an electronic device to store bank account information, securely has evolved into a sophisticated computing device capable of supporting many different applications on a single card or token. These applications include bank cards, mobile phone subscriber identity modules (SIM), health cards, government and enterprise ID cards, benefits and social wellre cards, driver's licenses, physical and logical access cards, mass transit (ticketing) cards, and ever' cards that combine multiple applications on a single card.

The general dimensions of the plastic data card (details included within Summaiy o.

the Invention', below), have now become globally standardized for the convenience of the user, to facilitate storage within specifically allocated pockets in wallets or individually specifically designed card holders.

This invention is designed to overcome the problem often encountered when extracting a plastic card/data card/smart card from its pocket in a wallet. Wallet design often results in only a small area of the card protruding from its pocket. As such. it is often difficult to remove the card from its storage pocket within a wallet.

This problem is exacerbated when several cards are stored at the same time in either the same pocket or adjoining pockets within the wallet.

Th.e inclusion of a recess or protrusion within the exposed area of the card when stored would allow the user to utilise their thumbnail to assist removal, making it easier to accomplisk

Summary of the Invention

The invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a data card such as a credit card or debit. card with a surface feature which facilitates removal of the data card from a pocket in a wallet.

More particularly. the invention provides a data card of rectangular shape which is formed from a plastics material and has means for carrying encoded data; the data card having at a location adjacent an edge thereof a surface feature in the form of a recess or protrusion for engagement by a user's thumbnail to assist removal of the data card from a pocket; but wherein, the recess or protrusion is other than an alphanumeric character or array of alphanumeric characters, and is other than a hole passing through the data card adjacent an edge along a shorter side of the rectangular shape.

In one preferred embodiment, the invention provides a data card having a minimum length of 80 millimetres, a maximum length of 90 millimetres, a minimum width of millimetres and a maximum width of 60 millimetres which is formed from. a plastics material and has means for carrying encoded data; the data card having at a location within 10 millimetres of an edge thereof a surface feature in the form of a recess or protrusion for engagement by a user's thumbnail to assist removal of the.

data card from a pocket; but wherein the recess or protrusion is other than an alphanumeric character or array of alphanumeric characters, and is other than a hole passing through the data card within 10 millimetres of an edge along a shorter side of the rectangular shape.

Particular and preferred aspects and embodiments of the invention are as described below and as set out in the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a representation of a data card in Portrait' orientation., showing a surface formation, in the form of a recess or protrusion Figure 2 is a representation of a data card in Landscape' orientation, showing a surface formation in the form of a recess or protrusion.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be illustrated in more detail (hut not limited.) by reference to the specific embodiment shown in the drawings.

figure 1. shows the front of a data card in Portrait' position. The part marked A' in figure 1, is the aforementioned surface formation, which can be in either the form of a thumbnail recess or as a protrusion It is situated within 10mm from the end of the data card of the card, as shown in figure 1. In figure 1, B' represents the data card itself The actual dimensions of the protrusion would he as desired/required by' the customer, therefore can be of any size within the confines of the final 10mm end zones of the portrait design, i.e. Figure 1.

Figure 2 shows the front of a data card in landscape' position. The part marked A' in figure 1, is the aforementioned surface fonnation, which can be in either the form of a thumbnail recess or as a protrusion. It is situated in the side section of the data card, within 10mm from the side (i.e. the long, landscape side) of the card (on one side, or both as required). In figure 1, B' represents the data card itself. The actual dimensions of the protrusion would be as desired/required by the customer, therefore can be of any size within the contines of the final 10mm end zones of the portrait design, i.e. Figure 1.

In addition, the surface feature can be situated anywhere within the end/side 10mm zones, as described in the paragraph above (also refer Equivalents', below), e.g. to the left or right, higher or lower etc. as required.

EQuivalents The specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings represents merely one way of putting the invention into effect and it will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiment shown without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

CLAIMS

A data card of rectangular shape which is formed from a plastics material and has means for carrying encoded data; the data card having at a location adjacent an edge thereof a surface feature in the form of a recess or protrusion for engagement by a user's thumbnail to assist removal of the data card from a pocket; but wherein the recess or protrusion is other than an alphanumeric character or array of alphanumeric characters, and is other than a hole passing through the data card adjacent an edge along a shorter side of the rectangular shape.

A data card according to claim 1 having a minimum length of 80 millimetres, a maximum length of 90 millimetres, a minimum width of 50 millimetres and a maximum width of 60 millimetres which is formed from a plastics material and has means for carrying encoded data; the data card having at a location within 10 millimetres of an edge thereof a surface feature in the form of a recess or protrusion for engagement by a user's thumbnail to assist removal of the data card from a pocket but wherein the recess or protrusion is other than an alphanumeric character or array of alphanumeric characters,, and is other than a hole passing through the data card within 10 millimetres of an edge along a shorter side of the rectangular shape.

A data card according to claim 2 wherein the surface feature is in the form of a recess or protrusion which is within 8 millimetres of the edge.

A data card according to claim 3 wherein the surface feature is in the form of a recess or protrusion is within 5 millimetres of the edge.

A data card according to claim 4 wherein the recess or protrusion is in the shape of an arc having two ends that are oriented towards the edge of the data card.

A data card according to any one of the preceding claims ierein the surface feature is adjacent an edge along a longer side of the rectangular shape.

* CLAIMS (continued) A data card according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface feature is a recess.

* A data card according to claim 7 wherein the recess is cut or moulded into the surface of the data card.

* A data card according to claim 8 wherein the recess is cut into the surface of the data card.

A data card according to any one of claims I to 7 wherein the surface feature has been created by embossing.

* A data card according to any one of the preceding claims which is a credit card, debit card, cheque guarantee card, telephone card, door entry card security card, driving licence card or identity card.

* A data card according to any one of the preceding claims which has a magnetic strip located on one face of the data card.

* A data card according to claim 12 wherein the surface feature is present on the opposite face of the data card.

* A data card according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the magnetic strip is close to one-edge of the data card.

* A data card according to claim 14 wherein the magnetic strip and the surface feature are located on opposite faces of the data card but are close to the same edge.

* A data card according to any one of claims 12 to 15 which has alphanumeric user information readable on the opposite face of the data card to the face on which the magnetic strip is located.

* A data card according to claim 16 wherein the alphanumeric user information and the surface feature are located on the same face of the data card but are CLAIMS (continued) spaced apart so that the surface feature is adjacent one edge and the alphanumeric user information is closer to an opposing edge.

A data card according to any one of the preceding claims which is a credit card, debit card, bank card, telephone card or door entry card.

A data card according to any one of the preceding claims which contains magnetically or electronically encoded data readable by a data reader.

A data card according to any one of the preceding claims which is approximately 86 millimetres in length and approximately 54 millimetres I width.

A data card substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A wallet having one or pockets containing a data card as defined in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the relative dimensions of the data card each pocket are such that the surface feature on the data card is visible when the data card is fully inserted into the pocket.