US1136876A

US1136876A - Cipher-code device.

Info

Publication number: US1136876A
Application number: US82388014A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward H Hebern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1914-03-11
Filing date: 1914-03-11
Publication date: 1915-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 1932-04-20

Description

E. H. HEBERN.

CIPHER CODE DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11. 19:4.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

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EDW'ARI) H. HEBERN, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

GIPI-IER-GODE DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

Application filed March 11, 1914. Serial No. 823,880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD H. HEBERN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cipher-Code Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide a cheap and simple cryptographic device.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a simple form of my improved cipher code; Fig. 2 is a view of the same as used on a reference card in a bank.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a card, upon which are ruled lines 2, to form two rows each of thirteen spaces 3, the spaces of one row registering with those of the other. By the side of one of the rows, here shown as the uppermost, and registering with the spaces are the nine digits, the zero, and the symbols 35, & and 5.

When two persons wish to communicate secretly with each other they write in the spaces 3 the letters of the alphabet in an irregular order, but in the same order on two of these cards, and each person then carries with him one of the cards.

Fig. 2 illustrates a bank reference card having lines at upon which the signature, address and the like can be written, and having the code not only upon the reference card proper but on a tag portion thereof 6, separated by a weakened line 7. In this case the cards will be supplied to the banks with the letters already printed in the codes, as illustrated at 8, care being taken that no two cards shall have the same code. In using these cards the tag portion is torn off and given to the depositor and the main portion of the card remains in the bank.

To encipher writing there is taken for each letter of the writing a letter registering with it of the other row of the code. Thus the word patent would, with the code shown in the drawing, be written in cipher writing C VVKRZK. For enciphering numbers, the letter in the adjacent row registering with the number will be taken, but the rows may also be used alternately for enciphering letters. Thus, in the latter case, the cipher of the number 1915 will be PBPT. In deciphering it is easy to perceive when a number has been enciphered by the fact that deciphering by letters does not make sense.

I claim 1. In a cipher device, means for forming twenty-six spaces in two equal series, the spaces of one series registering with those of the other.

2. In a cipher device, means for forming twenty-six spaces in two equal series, the spaces of one series registering with those of the other, the nine digits being imprinted adjacent to certain of said spaces.

3. In a cipher device, means for forming twenty-six spaces in two equal series, the spaces of one series registering with those of the other, .the nine digits, the zero mark,

and three other symbols being printed ad-' jacent to the respective spaces of one of the series.

4. In a device of the character described, a card consisting of two portions separated by a weakened line, each having thereon a group of twenty-six spaces arranged in two equal series, the spaces of one series registering respectively with those of the other, and the letters of the alphabet being printed in each group of spaces in irregular order but in the same order in the two groups.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD I-I. HEBERN.

I/Vitnesses:

F. M. WRIGHT, D. B. RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C.